Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, February 17, 1878, Page 12

Iz THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE ‘SUNDAY, FEBRUARY. 17, 1S7-SIXTEEN PAGES. AMUSEMENTS. Revival of “‘The Two Orphans” at MeVicker’s. Mme, Janauschek with New Pieces at Hooley’s. Tho Colville Folly Company of Burlesguers at Haverly’s, Miss Rose Wood in “Camille” at the New Chicago. Doings at the New York Theatres Last Week. Review of the Opera Season---Beetho- ven Society Concerts. Musical and Dramatic Gossip at Home and Abroad. THE DRAMA. THE REAPPEABANCE NERE OF MMI. JANAU- SCHEK, who begins atwo weeks’ enzazement at TMoo- ley’s Theatre to-morrow cyening, should certain- ly be regarded as an interesting event by those people who frown upon the conversion of thea- tres into “ mere places of amusement.” It re- mains to be scen whether they will bestow as Zenerous a patronage upon zn exponent of high dramatic art as the uncritical masses have been giving to melodrama, pantomime, and farce. Janauschek is deservedly ranked among the greatest artists of the present generation, and the dramatic productions she means to bring out belong to the class which have bad the seal of approval from all who have at heart the ele- vation of the stage. The trouble is that the “elevated drama” has for some time past found an audience “ fit though few,” and your gear-gathering manager, be he ever so ardently devoted to his profession, must GO WITH THE STREAM OR STARVE. He usually prefers not to starve. Henry Irving, xn Londos, becaine the fashion for 2 seasov or swo, and drew influential friends to his support wa vigorous effort to revive the golden age of the drama, yet iuis 2 notable fact that this “elevator” has been obliged to fall back upon melodrama in order to sustait: his position. ‘There are many who will deplore the degenerate taste of the time, but, so long as they refuse to pay cash for the things they are inclined to, tbey are hardly entitled to the right of sitting apart aud damning those they have no miid to. ‘Mr. MeVicker 1s evidently oue of the managers who look fondly back to THE GOLDEN DAYS, and if he had his own way—that is, if the public would pay to Ict him indulge his propensities— weshoull probably see nothing on his classic stage but the gooid uld tragedics and. the good old comedies. Unfortunately, the people who ery out for the elevation of the drama are more liberal with their advice than with their money. Not yery Jong ago we heard a prominent citizen ‘who had in his day bezn an occasioaal patron ot the theatre rating MeVicker in good set terms for allowing “THOSE TRASHY. ERENCH PIECES ” to supersede the Shakspearean drama in his theatre. “Give us Bootn and actors of that kind,” said he, ‘and then we’il come and sce you.” “Yes,” quoth the manager, * you provably expend 4 and stay away the est of the sessou. Have any of these tras! French “No,” said the gentleman, “and I don’t intend to see them.” Then, how do you know they are trashy?” People of this kind seem to tor- get that the manager is uot respousivle for the standard of taste.—that be is there simply to cater to the popular appetite, not to dictate to how it shall be appeased. The gvod old days are gone, never tu return, and tue successful manager of tue Gay is the one who will not waste avy time in attempting to bring them back again, but will shape Lis course according you seen arst?* mendation by the press. Following is the dis- tribution of characters in ‘* Camille”: Mone. Duval. Gaston. Nichette.. .@Mliss Josephine Craig Nanine «Mise Laura Craig Olympe . Miss Etta Reeves ‘Mune. Pradence. ‘Miss Lizzie Irving LOCAL NOTES. The California Theatre Company, with a bal- let composed. of over one hundred people, will produce “A ‘Trip to the Moon” at Haverly’s Theatre, beginning March 25. Tne company will remain in Chicago three weeks. +” At the New Chicago Theatre this evening Mr. Warster's German Dramatic Company will ap- pear in Sardou’s great play, ‘The French Spy.” ‘he leading characters are in the hands of Helena Von Rockoviza, an actress of considera- ble repute, and Mr. Emil Von Der Osten, who played here last season. Atarceent examination before a Justice of the Peace. John Blaisdell was a witness. The usual question was put, ‘ What is your occupa- tion?” to which he auswered, in low tones, “I am connected with the dramatic profession.” An inquisitive friend asked him afterward why he did not say_he was anactor. ‘I had my reasons,” said John; “there were two dramatic crities in the room, and J might have been ar- rested for perjury.” Miss Emelie Gavin, well known to thecitjzens of Chicago as a reader of marked ability, has ‘been very successful in her recitations and read- ings iu New York. The press have awarded her the highest encomiums, and predict a brilliant future for her. Her latest appearances have been in Chickering and Tammany Halls, where she, although a mere stranger, succeeded in winning special approbations from both pftss and public. Miss Gavin will soon return to Chicago, making her reappearance at one of our leading ‘balls. The new: comedy combination under the management of McVicker, and of which John Dillon is the chief, starts out this w on a ‘h the Northwest. The celebrated urray is the agent of the company, which comprises the following play John Dillon, Jd. H. ON: William Lloyd, Alf Johnson, Je H. Brown, G. R. Sprague, J. O. Stowbridge, Florence Holt, Katie Dillon, Fanny Diilou (daughters of Mr. John Dillon), Virginia Brown, Flora Baker, and Hattie Foley. Among the plays in their repertoire is Mr. Eaton’s comedy of “All the Kage.” ‘The company playsin Elgin on the 18th; Kenosha, 19th; Racine, 20th; Mil- waukee, 2d, 2d, and 2th. MAUDE KENNICOTT’S-READINGS. | To the Editor uf The Tribune. Caicaco, Feb. 16.—As I have seen no account of an cntertaiumentin Hershey Hall, a few even- ings ago, in which Miss Maude Ki ott came betore many old friends of heefamily aud other ersas “a reader," I shall be glad if is note. Ido not take kindly 1 feel free to say, since 1 rd Fanny Kemble many years ago, becauseit is Very inuch us if you should goto Scotland after you have been to Switzerland for the sake otthe scenery, apart from the story. But it was pleasant t0 see so many folks one likes to ou hand in the thick of a very wild night, to down in one of the co: places to be found anywhere and wait tor the ‘curtain’ to rise, and then to be so well repaid forthe risk there and back. ‘tne henrdcotts, ag the elders about here Know, possess a streak of genius of their own as their birthrignt. The d doctor” had wine in him that needed no bu: Kobert Ken- nicott, his gun, is one out of half a score of the second generation who have auame to live which will not die, but will take on new lustre when the restof us are worthily forgotten. So it was not as if you had gone to hear “one who was without father and mother and with- out descent”? in this instance. You expect something above the common lev@l, and I ted free Lo say 1 the nail did not break at the clinen. Maud is,only as 2 reed s! Biv the wind as yet,—a sfénder stip of a maid of that we see nowhere clse outside these States, but what sucha frame and spirit could do was done excellent well. [remember especially the tirst reading from Elita_Burritt and ne Child Wife” from Charte: i These gave us the “key to her powers, in my opinion, as the mistress of a very choice gift in the direction of vivid and quite paintul pictures drawn from the more dramatic situations possible to our Ife, and then the humor waich is more than half tears. I am quite familiar with Copperileld, think of the story as the very best work of its author after the Chri as Carol, say to those of my calling when they question the future of such a man: Ttell the: Aradiant When thou liest howling. But I never caught the whole scerct of the humor, pathos, and periection of beauty in this charming ideal_until I heard it rendered the other nigat in Hershey Hail. I hope the new aspirant tur public favor, therefore, will have 2 priest, el shall my brother be to the fashion of the hour. THE THZATRICAL BUSINESS of the pass week has ben exceedingly good_in most of the places of amusement, ‘The Danites” at Haverly’s taking the Ivad’as con- cerns financial suet . MecVicker strove to revive some anvient pieces, and did his utmost to make them _ at- tractive, but with poor success. Such plays as The Lancashire Lass,” and even com- like Paul Pry,”? with cicver actors in the cast, are disrerarded when placed side b: with the noveities thatabuund. There be 2 prevailing teeling of among old play-quers that Me have relinquished all effort to fill up his season with THE ATIRACTIONS THAT ARE GOIN There are many people who have been taught to Jook te bim as the natural source of ti entertainment, and they sce that the m of the most popular and fashionable of have for some time passed by his tani However, he is_to be respected for his perse- verance hi an effort to convert his theacre trom what it was into 2 vompany concern, aud it will take at J value of the experiment. pretty apparent that Hooley and laverly are ing the immediate benciit of his endeavor. HOOLEY'S THEATRE. Mime. Janause an engagement to- inorrow at Hooley’s Theatre in adraima_ written tor her by J. V. Bridgeman, entitled “ Catherine of Russia.” In tke play the subject duced aster the death of Peter, when the fave ite Orloff held s' and intrigue, and, dents are imaginary, yet the ical. and in the character of been described as ‘+a historic se glittering transi cal heavens struck every b ind wonder,” Mmne.danauschek has full scope for aer wonderiul geni The play is divided into live acts, of which it issaid thatthe fi grand. the third imposing, and the fifth full of power. Janausekck is accompanied by Me. James i. ‘Taylor and a drainatic company under the man- ister aud Can On Tu day evening sbe will produce ** Brunhild,” and on Wednesday ‘Chesney Woid.” Saturday evening she will appear as Lady Vackth. The prices remain at the populur rate, namely, 25 cents, 50 cents, 73 cents, and 1. AVERLY'S THEATRE. Colville’s Folly Company, comprising the principals members ot the Lydia Thompson troupe, open at the Adelphi to-morrow evening Ip anextravaganza cailed ‘Babes in the Wood,” t ilowiux members appear in the cast: Mile. Eme Rosean, Mr. Witham Edouin, Miss Marion Elmore, Miss Lina Merville, Mr. William Forrester, Alice Thorntou, Miss Marie Williams, Mr. Williain Gill, Miss Ada Lee, Miss Rose Leighton, Miss Kate Everleizh, Mesers. Bohrer, DeSmith, Harper, and Amberg, Miss Lavinia Hogan. ‘The performance concludes with a harlequinade. MVICKER’S THEATRE. At McVicker’s Theatre “The ‘Two O.’phans” will be produced to-morrow evening, with new scenery ard mountings, whica the manager claims will surpass anything ever done for the Here ta Hits citys Messrs. Rogers and Mz ‘¢ been at. work onit tor some tii judging from their work in the past. th ic may be entitled to believe that the pi will be fulfilled. ‘The cast ts as follows! Countess Diane De Linieres ...Mi Jority these figures are histor- atherine, who has Lous Fest te {Tne Two Orphans LaFrocherd... Kister Genevieve... rianne Fiorette, with cong Chevatier Maurice DeVaudrey Jacques Frochard Pierre Frochard ... . EW CHICAGO THEATRE. At the New Chicago Theatre, Miss Wood bezins a bricf engagement in ‘Ca: 10 be followed during the week by ‘ Missi ton” and “Frou Frou.” ‘This lady was erly leading lady at Wallack’s Theatre, York, and is spoken of in terms ot high wide hearing, and find her way gradually in this fashion to what she can dosupremels W She 1 touch of the Kennicott genius. 1 trust it may not be blighted and brougit to a poor end through the ever-growing taste for coarser and meaner things. Ropsrt CoLLYER. A CARD FROM 3M. CLYN To the Editor of The Tribune. Cutcaco, Feb. 16.—An article in the Znter- Ocean, to-day’: ¢, based upon, a letter r ceived by the editor of that journal from one Blanchett, induces me to make this reply. If Mr. B. has written any letter to the Juter-Ucean, I cannot understand why thet journal withholds it from the pubiiv, and prefers to give its own version of Mr. B.’s statements. It has—as 1 un- derstand decent journalism—been the cus- tom heretolyre to give every with hi committed an itn! opportuni ¢ an explanation, or give expre: betore publisising him as conv! t the Lnter- Occan bas chosen to organize its court for con- giving me a hearing. 5 Statements, so farasthey con- iug received or paid noney to , ure absolutely aud qualifiedly false have n any t for, or received from any person, any money or other valuable thing for the purpose any gentleman connected with the to write or do any other thing for person connected with the emevt protessio: is a notorious fact that Mr. B. neglected to ‘al in this city as advance agent ot Cody’s Combination, and he pasged 4 coodly portion of his time in nd if he has expended any moncy in that direction, aud charged it to Mr. Cody as having been expended to procure 1 ble mention in tue Chictzo prcss, that is a inatter with which Ihave nothing todo. I ami, very respectful Fran CLYNES. THE NOBLE GEORGE. Mr. Robert Johnston, one of the actors who supported Count doannes in his recent engase- ment, makes some curious revelations touch the noble George’s behavior behind the scene ight readily be imagined that this high-born tor would be tue very pink of courtesy among ut Mr. Johnston, whe knows x he Count is generally so cross, ugly, and led benind the scenes as to ¢: wust and resentment rather than amuse- ment. It is all that the manager can do to get along with him. ‘The other night, in **Mamlet,” the Count roughly ordered the prompter to whis- te up the curtain while the overture was in uid- blast. and before the drum and trainpet hud een brought up to give the usual flurry from the castle walls at the opening of the piece: and the manager had to eall him to order peremptorily before he could be induced to go into the winga and mind his own business, ‘*I, sir, am the at- traction here!" cried the Count, striking his breast triumphantly. <*It is me, sir, me, whom this enthusiastic multitude rush'to admire, and I have some rights here which you are bound to respect. *+Quit the stage, eir, till your cue is calle thundered the inanager, with a voice and manner that sent the actor-nobleman whirling into the wi ‘The Count is mean and disagreeable in other ways. Whenever bacesspne of us innocent stock actors gua . eomething over twenty minutes between each of the others. 3 GREEN-ROOM NOTES. Grane and Robson open at the Park Theatre, New York, on the 25th, in “ Our Bachelors.” “Sidonie ”—an English version of which bas “been produced at the Fifth Avenue Theatre— did not prove a success. “ Champagne and Ovsters,” the farce-comedy brought ont at the Park Theatre, New York, is a translation of a German farce by Kueiser. ‘A panoramic drama called ‘ Chicago, Before, During, and After the Fire,” has been the sen- sation at Josh Hart's Eagle Theatre last week. Ben Cotton’s daughter, Idafene, hag made hér dramatic debut. in a play catled_ “Faithful Bob, the Bootblack,” and is quite well spoken of. During the nine weeks’ ran of ‘The Exiles” at the Boston Theatre, the attendance has az- erezated 190,009, and the receipts footed up nearly $190,000. Ciprico has turned up again in New York, and is playing a piece called * Nlonor; or, the Fate of an Artist,” which formerly went by the name of “ Fate and Furies.” it’s all the same. Some one started the rumor that Kate Clax- ton stands at the wings with two pounds of ice around her neck that she may be able to shiver realistically, and the English papers believe every word of it. ‘rhe Count Joannes, presuming on the finan- cial success of his New York engagement, threatens to make a starring tour through the West. Angels and ministers of grace defend us! We have no rotten exes to spare. Besides, Western audiencesare not composed of rowdies. Mr. A. M. Palmer is now occupied in forming another Union Square Company, to go to San Francisco for Tom Maguire, for an engagement often weeks. The main idea is that the plays presented shall be all new to that city, aud that hone except the © Celebrated Case” ‘shall run more than a weck. A DEGRADED STAGE. The London correspondent of the Dramatic Nacs presents some ugly-looking views of the- atrical management in ihe British metropolis Sveaking of the difficulty artists experience in obtaining positions, he intimates that 1 is quite common for certain ¢reatures ambitious of histrionie honors to gain a leading position by guaranteeing thesale of certain stalls and boxes, or pay a stipulated sum, thus depriving the deserving artist of an opportunity to carn a livelihood. If she fs wealthy and confident, she it. Ifshe fs not, and her personal appear- pays it. ance is satisfactory, she can find a ‘ protector” who will see her through. The writer proceeds to say: ‘That I am_not singular in my ideas on this sub- ject ig evinced from the fact that Mr, Matton, a local playwright and novelist, and the ex-pro- prictor of the /fornet, in bis vovel, **Clytic,” makes the heroine go to a manager for an enyage- ment. The manager says, ‘*T suppose that a namber of stalls will be taken by Lord —." She does not understand him, and he repeats the re- anark inanother form, tll ut length the poor, inno- cent, unsuspecting girl finds that, in order to pro- cure'an engagement, it is necessary for her to sell hervelf to some map who will buy a position for ler in the theatre. ‘'his is a faithful portrayal of the experience of more than one woman in London to-day, aud the system hus become so notorious that a provinéial engagement has become the onlz hope of many a taienied lady member of the pro- fession. To them a London engagement means more than they are willing to pay for the oppor- tuatty, and they go into provincial theatres, and Jeave the field clear for the artists who are g accept the protection . of some wealthy rone, What did Charles Reade say ino recent lettec to the Dramatic Reform Association? “You desire the reform of thedrama. ‘That can only ‘be done, to any great extent, by shutting the door on dead authors and their pictures of sinall ages, and on harlots with money at their hack, but no talent, experience, nor perseverance as actresses." ‘This plain taux, but it is oniy plain talk that will, if anything can, effect a change in_the pres- ent policy of many London managers. i know, in one of the *‘swell” theatres in London, where young men have gone into the boxed, aud when Jadies have come on the stage, have held covercigns up to them, andthe manager has permitted it to go unrebuked. because they were good patrons of his theatre. ‘+1 run a theatre to make money, and i can’t afford to offend my patrons,” ays the manager; but if his money isto be made in this wav, why designate lis place a theatre? There 18 another name for such places, and the sooner the word **theatre ” is painted out from their doors, and another word subsututed, the better it will be for the interests of the theatre proper. NEW YORK. HOW THE METROPOLITANS. DISGRACE THEM- SELVES. From Our Own Correspondent. New Yorks, Feb. 14.—The theatrical success- es of the week belong tothe Count Jeannes. It has been said repeatedly that the Lyceum Theatre would kill. any actor. The Count has proved stronger than the murderous reputation of the house. He cannot be killed. Eegs may be shied upon the stage, but wherefore; indeed, were a man Zomeo if he could be driven from his lady by such rotten favors? Jibes and jeers may be hurled at Othello, but looking at it rightly, what else could one expect who was known to be on ‘the point of smothering his lovely wite with a piilow? Thus philosophical- ly, like his brother in trade, the mesmerie ‘Train, has the Count accepted his treatment and his $100 a night. And the comment is, that in these times a man can affora to stand a rood deal more than this specimen does for the same money. At the same time it cannot be said that the chief performer is overpaid for making a stow of hitnself, since his manager is coining money out of hin in a style to blind the rival managers with envy. ALL THIS IS NOT FLATTERING to metropolitan theatre-goers, nor gratifying to those who take real interest in dramatic art. It is the human nature of the mass, however. A burlesque that was not intended for a bur- lesque is always the greater -attraction, appar- ently. When the Count and his fair pupil, as Miss Avonia Fairbanks was derisively termed, filled the old Bowery witn a gang, rather than what is usually called an audience, nobody thought the thing out of place. If the man and woman were willing to endure the cozrse- ness and slang of the pit and parquet. alike, that was their affair. But when Mr. Fleming secured the Lyceum, and transformed it into a “Guy” nousr, the matter assumed a new phase, and became. nothing more nor less than adisgrave. It has been a diszrace ever since, to the police, to the persons who have paid to perpetrate it, and to ali decent citizens. Of course the attendance has, in these gireumstances, only increased. Overflowing houses, premiums paid for seats, Vulgarity carried to obscenity,—these are features daily written about and laughed over. There is only one morning newspaper in New York that has refused to aid the performance by noticing it. A show of police has beea maintained, and promises made that nothing would be nllowed that could offend any one, woman or man. In fact, the spectators hare gone to just what lengths they pleased, and, if curiosity led respectable women to thu place, decency shortly drove them from it. The actresses, us 1 suppose they must be cpiled, have not one of them failed to beinsulty’ in the vilest. manner, the missiles being reservec sceiningly, for them, rather than for the mei who were MARING FARCE OF SHARSYEARE. It is time for public sentiment to come to the rescue. Four Columbia College students were arrested the other nigat, at the instance of the manager, and were fined $1 each by the magistrate. next mornidg. The students had engaged the baleony for an evening’s sport, and, as usual, behaved tsvice_as rowdyish as recul: rowdies would. Ifthe President of Columbia were to get the names of those arrested, treat them to disciplyie. and all therest to appropriate morning lectyires, it would—probably do no good. Meanwhile the riotous playing goes o mn extra force of police joins in the hilarity, Riewinie writes cards to editors which do the distracc any, and the season at im is the shameful success of the pe- willing to shameful, but not a success, is the RESS OF BEAUTY AND CULTURE” re’s Garden. Tho anticipatory adver- valled 1or 1,000 ladies, 500 misses, and who were wanted forthe “great in- 1 congress.” Well, what else couid fed after au international baby-show, a 1 cat-show, a mammotn hog-show, pnerally full line of monstrosities and ities? “There were to be prizes and 35,000 worth. This was a chauce for in and shame to jump at. Shame took |. Tho special premiums included the hest Jady, the most ladylike, the best the finest head of hair, prettiest girl, ist, roller-skater, clocutionist, dancer, atest novelty. The premiums were awarded, in baby-show style, by the vote, with very indetinite provisions as the clocution should be tetsed, or what atest novelty should consist in. There SY APPLICATIONS FROM POOR WOMEN foped toget means of support for a week, t, and who were reduced to anything. dy sald: “I would go through a storm of ner than lose the chance of earning $5 honestly for myself and my child. Ing we baye endured the past six months ed meto do anythinga good woman can to keep the wolf from the door.” But sid by side with these came vile women who wishe to parade themselves, and altogether there were plenty of every sort of persons except those who could lay claim to either beauty or culture. At length the singular show opened. The first day resulted in one of the most disgraceful scones imaginable. Crowds of vile men clus- tered about the women and girls, jostling and insulting them in flagrant manner. One or two women who could’ not endure their position sought to escape, but were followed and de- tained, TREATED TO RUDE AND OBSCENE REMARKS, and could obtain no protection. ‘The mavager excused himself on the ground that he ex- pected police to preserve order, and did not ex- pect such behavior. £ venture to say that “twicked Chicago” would not tolerate such ex- shibition or conduct. Here are a few plain re- ‘marks on the subject worth quoting and read- Ing: “The spectacle of a few score of plainly, not to say shabbily-clad girls aud women, who, to earn something to keep them alive, are perched on platforms as of old were negroes in the Southern slave-marts, and advertised as a congress of beauty and culture, to be submitted to the rude, curious, vulgar, and oft-insulting inspection of several thousand men, is an in- cident of the day which causes one to dowbt at times whether ‘Progress’ is going backward or lorward. A congress of ‘ POVERTY AND HOMELINESS would best apply to this exhibition. The girls, whoever and whatever they are, deserve pity. To be stared at, commented on within hearing, and more or less insulted for twelve hours a day, eeems enough to preak down the nerve, or, if you please, insensibility, of the most brazen woman who ever flaunted about the strect- corners. This show is a scathing commentary on our boasted civilization and refinement.” Amore tolerable feature at the Garden is the nincteen-foot craft of one and a half tons burden in which Capt. and Mrs. Crapo crossed. the Atlantic. Tne dauntiess mariners are present, and the Captain teils his story in fair style. His wife is a little woman, with firmest faith in her husband, also strongest admiration for hts sea- manship and self. To see the two recalls, but docs not justify, the statement of the Times’ humorist, Mr. Alden, to the effect that while the attempt to cross the ocean in such a vessel was sufticiently foolharjy, the recklessness of a man who placed himself in position where for forty days or more he could not get twenty feet away from his wife was simply sublime. It fs reported that. AN AMUSING EPISODE occurred the other night. ut the Broadway, where Ulara Morris is-playing in ‘The Govern- ess,” said to be her own dramatization of “Janc Eyre.” The new version is quite new, and meats with various criticism and reception, but that is not to the point now. ‘The piece was in five acts, and four of them bad been put out of tHe way. ‘The audience, what part of it had not gone out to inect friends, was waiting on ior the end, but the curtain did not rise. Presently a gentleman appeared before the footlizhts and announced that the performance was over. This was greeted with general surprise and laughter, and followed by asort of bewildered dispersion, the spectators feeling, perhaps, as people do when no dessert comes on at dinner. No explana- tion has been furnished, that I have scen, for this funny ending. It may have been the lateness of the hour, the size of the audience, the lack of interest fn the fifth act, anything else,—but it was, for one sure thing, curious, and’ some audiences would not have taken it so good- humoredly. “SIDONIE.”” ‘Miss Morris, it is said. was asked to take the part of Sidonie, the title-role of the new French play at the. Fifth Avenue. She preferred to try her own dramatization, and possibly spoiled the success of one picce with- out achieving much for the other, Sidonie was translated from Daudet’s dramatization of his own, novel, and well translated, by Mr. Schwab, the critic of the Times, who is an able linguist, and has made as much out of his mnat- ter as the matter would allow. The company at the Fifth Avenue, however, is not. strong enough to carry the play into favor, if indeed any company could doit. ‘The trouble is that there is nothing satisfying in the production. Sidonie fs a woman who does not show anything like heart from beginning to end. Camite was a fallen woman straggling against her fall and its conseauences. She appealed to the. human affections as one possessed of them herself. Siaonie is simply an envious, mean-spirited woman, who has followed one purpose and hesi- tated at nothing to obtain it. She marries a rich ‘man because he is rich, is false to him that she may get money aud power, PLAYS COQUETTE WITH 1S BROTHER after having made a fool of his partner, and in every respect shows herself a woman. but in feature and in name. The partner with 2 lov- ing wife and the brother with a charming lady-love yield to this creature like puppets born for no other purpose than to belie virtue or bonorin mankind, and lend weakness to what is weak enough without. The death of Sidonie—for she is made to die in this adapta- tion, as the only possible reparatioy for having lived—is sutfticiently tragic, but does not mend matters particularly. The curtain falls, leaving a sense of something wanting. Daudet’s novel is in parts a powerful book. The play drawn from it docs not preserve the power, nor any- thing that is worth preservation. The criticism that the play is vile could not be justified at all. It has no suggestiveness or innuendo. It is not of the stripe of ** Pink Dominoes,” and perhaps that is one reason why it docs not draw more applause, if not worthy favor. THE SEASON OF GER} was inaugurated with graufying success. The people were hungry for opera. aud the Academy shows the proof of the fact in the large and en- thusiastic audiences that welcome Mme. Pap- penheiin and her associates. The splendid orchestra which Mr. I'ryer furnished last win- ter is missed, but the voice and action of the prima donna are unchanged, and. welcomed heartily by those who were formerly forced to acknowledge her power. Mr. Adams is re- evived in the same spirit shown bim in other cities, und the critics have acceptea the judg- ment of him by their contreres ciscwhere as about right. This fact deserves scoring,as a novelty. Apropos fs the ease of Byrne, of the Dramatic News, who is. now being prosecuted by Mr. Adams for libel. The editor followed up the first article by one which was wholly indefensi- ble on any ground, abusing the tenor in the style of the slums, and also attacking Mme. Pappenheim’s husband in a shameless manuer. But it often happens, as the Count Joannes could testify, that abuse from certain sources results in great good fortune to the abused. He was 8 Wise inan who said it was a deal better to be wronged than to wrong, i. G. MUSIC. THE OPERA SEASON IS OVER. Financially, Miss Kellogg and Mr. Strakosch, the partners, have reason to rejoice over a large profit on cach representation. The public, how- ever, is more directJr interested in the musical outcome. It igri possible, with the whole nai: to get a more accurate idea of what has “en accomplished than it was pos- sible tg” do while the season was iu progress and WS were compelled to write hasty midnight impressions. ‘Ihere have been twelve represen- ‘tions, as follows : “ Trovatore,”’ “* Favorita,” % Aida” (three times), “Faust,” ‘“ Bohemian Girl,” “Mignon”? (twice), “Norma,” * Don Giovanni,” and one medley performance. Four new artists haye appeared,—MarieRoze, Nan- nie Hart, Mr. Verdi, and Mr. Cauffman. The others have been here often. The prominent features which appear are as follows: 1. The troupe, as a whole, is strong in prime donne; weak in other respects. 2. Miss Kelloge, especially by contrast, has developed the certain conclusion that in all parts that depend upon the voice and style of yoenlism she is exceptionally strong; . for parts that require pronounced dramatic ability of a serious character she is unfitted. 3, Marie Roze has proved to bea great dra- matic artist. With a voice not remarkably brilliant or flexible, and not capable of making forcible effects, either in the high or low regis- ters, she has nevertheless made a great success, first, by the use of those dramatic powers and qualities which pertain to the actress, and, s¢c- } ond, by the possession of a voice which is nat- urally dramatic—thut is, it has that peculiar quality and tonc-color capable of itself to produce the emotional expression intended by the composer, The examples of this were especially manifest in the last act of “ Favorita ” and the Garden Scene of “* Faust,” in which her singing was more honest and legitimate than has been beard in this city for many a year. 4. The season bas given us a debutante, Miss Hart, of Cleveland. As there is considerabie variance of opinion concerning ber among musicians, it may be as well to state that there are three prime requiaites for success on the lyric stage. The first is brains. The second is dramatic power. ‘the third is a voice. That she has the tirst is evident from her conception of the character. That she bus the second is evident from the manner in which she developed that —_ conception. Has she the third? Nature gave her a good yoice.. Right here, however, comes & condition. There was a huskiness that enyeloned her vojce in the Syst act,and tacreased .Lumbye's “Visions i < during the evening so that in the last act she could not or did not dare to force it up to the requirements of the music. If that huskiness was the result of a cold, or of mere physical fatigue, it is only temporary. If it is a charac- teristic of her voice, or if it has been produced byastrain in her six years of study, she had better stop where she is and zo on the dramatic stage, if she intends to come before the public. But if, as we have said, it was only incidental to that particular performance, she bas no faults that may not be corrected. Her futuredepends upon this single contingency. 5. Mr. Verdi has the misfortune of falling be- low thekey with such persistence as to indicate that he does not know it,—the most dangerous iault an artist can have. 6 We shall probably never see Don Gio- yanni” done worse. 7. Operatic medlcys like that of Friday night are an abomiuation, especially when the pro- gramme is not adhered to. &. {he flower business has become so_trans- parent that some manager ought to have cour- age enough to put his foot on it. A bouquet thrown from the audience is genuine. One that goes down the alsle carries with it a suspicion that is bigner than the bouquet. Do managers, agents, and singers think audiences do not know a hawk from a nernshaw? PIANO CONCERT. A large audience assembled at Hershey Hall on Friday evening upon the occasion of the tes- timonial concert to Miss Neally Stevens, a yount pianis: who has not been heard before upon our concert stage, her assistants being Mra. Jenny Kempton, Mr. Knorr, and Mr. Eddy. The lady’s numbers Were the march apd finale from Weber’s “Concertstueck,”” Mozart’s “Die Zufrieden- heit,” Chopin's C minor study, and one of the Liszt Ruapsodies. Her playing does not call for criticismn, as she is upon the eve of departure for Europe to pursue her studies, but we may credit her with a nicety and tirmness of touch, a clearness of execution and phrasing, and a re- tinement and intelligence in style which give great promise of future excellence. She has apparently every requisite necessary to success, and her future progress will be watched with interest. THE CHICAGO MUSICAL COLLEGE SOIREE. A very pleasant entertainment was given at the parlors of the Chicago Musical Colleze, No. 493 Wabash avenue, on Monday evening last, under the direction of Prof. Hattstacdt. ‘The performers had taken lessons only a short; tine, and it was the best way to show the careful in- struction they had received. The pupils played with good expression and excellent execution. We consider it a happy idea of the managers of thd College to allow pupils who are not far ad- vanced to play in svirees. They receive confi- dence by playing before an audience. Misses Lange, Wilson, Seeberger, Brown, and Jay made their debut, and are cutitled to great encour- agement. ‘he singing by the Missts Hunt, Butier, Bensley, Haymau, and Messrs. Hatt- staedt, Wheeler, and Hayman was very good, and added to the enjoyment of the evening. Great praise is due Mrs. George F. Coombs for the excellent. reading on that evening. Sirs. Coombs is lately from New York, and teaches elocution at th: College. Mr. Hattstaedt con- cluded the programme with a fine performance ot Liszt's “Rigoletto.” THE BEETHOVEN SOCIETY.“ The Beethoven Society will give its second public concert on Tuesday evening at McCor- mick Hall with an unusually attractfre pro- gramme, including the following numbers: Overture to “Melusine,” by the orchestra; Mendelssohn’s ‘Lorely,”” the soprano solos by Miss Jennie Dutton; Kaif's “Morning Song* and “Elegy,” by the Soci and the following selections from “Fidelia’”: Oyerture’ (orches- tra); wWarcellina’s aria (Mrs. Jewett); Canon Quartette (Miss Dutton, Mrs. Jewett, Mr. Dex- ter, and Mr. Gill); déocco’s Gold- Sour (Mr. Gill); aud the Finale (Miss Dutton, Mrs. Jew- ett, Messrs. Kuorr, Dexter, Gill, Mattia, aud Society). At the third and last concert Max Bruch’s “Odysseus” will be given. On Satur- day evening tne fifth reunion of the Society will occur at Hershey Hall. ‘The programme ‘num- bers are int Saen’s Quintette for piano and strings; Jensen’s “ Lehn’ deine Wang ” and “Biuethenwind * (Miss Kitty Ward); Schu- mann’s * Rumanza ” (Mr. Gill): Chopin's * An- dante Spianato and Polonaise” (Mrs. Vander- yenter); Boccherini's Menuct for strings: Duet from “Le Nozze_di Figaro ” (Miss Ward aud ‘Mr. Gill); and a Haydn Quartette. LOCAL MISCELLANY. Miss Alice Lausden, the soprano, recently of this city, has taken up her residence in St. Louis. . The new organ built forthe Southern Division of the Chicago Conservatory, corner of South Park avenue and Thirty-first street, will be openca on Wednesday evening, the 20th inst. ‘The organization known as the Arion Quar- tette was reorganized with the following mem- bership: Charles P. Miller, baritone; George Brauns, Jr., first tenor; Arthur Erbe, Jr., see- ond tenor; John Weber, basso. F Aconcert will be siyen at Tillotson Hall, Englewood, Friday evening March 1, it being one of the regular eutertainents of the Library Course. The arranzement of the programme is fn the hands of Mrs. A. H. Champlin. The musical, taleat of Englewood, which is not in- considerable, will be well represented. The Turner-Hall programme this afternoon includes Strauss’ ‘Russian March Fantasic *; overture to “Don Giovanni”; Bohm’s “Ala ‘Turea March”; overture to‘ Tannbauser”; Koeliner’s “Idylle”; Allegretto from Beetho- yen’s Scveuth Symphony; Lisxt’s “Preludes”; a Dream”; Strauss’ ‘Artiste’ Life Waltz”; .and Menzel’s ‘ Fés- ival March.” ‘The third chamber concert of the Liesegang Quartette Club will be given at Brand’s Hall on the 22d inst. ‘Ine programine will include Schubert’s Forellen Quintette; Beethoyen’s Theine and Variations, op 18; Chopin's E mi- nor Concerto (Mrs. Kloss); aud Mozart’s Quar- tetteinG. Another season of thrce concerts by the Ciub is in contemplation. The subscriv- tion list may be found at Hadley Bro’s., 63 and 63 Washington strect. A concert will be given at the West End Opera-House on Thureday eveniog next, the programme consisting of some miscellaaeous concert numb2rs and the operetta of “Cox and Hox,” in which Mr. Frank K. Root will take the part of Coz, Mr. James P. Paxton that of Bor, and Mr. John E. M de that of Bouncer. The ‘Misses Fannie Hancox, Nellie Harmon, ana Sara Hlineliliffe, and Messrs. W. G. Halket, M. W. Atwood, G. A. Hastreiter, and Frank Pierce will also take part. WITEREABOUTS. The Strakosch troupe will give ‘'Faust,” “ Favorita,” ‘* Mignon,” jaa,” and “ Trova- tore ”” in St. Louis this week. ‘I'he Adams-Pap- penbeim troupe has commenced its New York Benson, and Jast week gave * The Huguenots,” “«Lohengria,” and ‘The Jewess.” “The Hess troupe played in Dayton on the 1th and at Indianapolis the remainder of the weel this wi i be in Cincinnati. Gilmore played in St. Louis on the 10th, 11th, and 12th, at Day- ton on the Lith, and in Cincinnati yesterday, closing with a “sacred” concert this evening. ‘Theodore ‘Thomas was in Hertford on the 11th, and lust Wednesday in Boston, Mr. Sherwood being the soloist, aud playing the Schumano concerto in A migor, “Joshua” was given in Cleveland on the {3th, and_‘t The Messiah” at Dayton on the 15th. Dr. Damrosch his inaug- urated a series of Sunday popular concerts at Gimore’s Garden. Tue Oates troupe is in Washington. Aimve bade adicu to New Orleans onthe llth. Miss Thursby sings in Brooklyn next Wednesday. MUSICAL NOTES. Panline Lucea will sing again in Berlin in April. Miss Adelaide Phillips will shortly give a series of concerts, supported by her sister Ma- tilda. The New York World cruclly says: “t Wag- ner seems to have no enemies in New York, un- less Max Maretzek be one.” M. Camille Saint-Saens and Miss innic Hauck are the principal artists in a serles of classical concerts given in Brussels. Flotow’s naw opera, soon to be brought out under his own dirvetion, at the Theatre Italiens, in Paris, is called “La Rosellana.”? Hi. Hofmann is writing a new opera of the lyricromantic genre, entitled “ Aennchen von ‘Tharau,” after the famous German Volkslied. A new operetta by Johann Strauss, entitied “Blindekuh ” (not “Blind Cow,” but “ Blind- man’s Bull’), is about finished, and. will be producéd this month in Vienna. Brahms’ Secoua Symphony uchieyed a most enthusiastic success in tue Lelpsic Gewandhaus concert, whose audiences have always been the fiercest opponents of the new school. Dr. Eduard Hanslick, Professor at the Vienna University, musical critic of the Veue Free Presse, and Austrian Councilor, has been ap- pointed to represent Austria in the Musical Commission of the Paris Exposition. ‘The folloiring extraordinary item appears in the London and Provincial Music Trade Iteview: “The band of the Twenty-second (United States) Regiment, under tne direction of Mr. Gilmore, is coming to Europe in May, and it will be the first military band which has appear- ed in this country in’thg American uniform, Some little difficulty has*arisen, owing to the fact that turce of the baud ‘are deserters from the English army. These are Mr. Arbuckle, the first cornet, who deserted from the Scots Grays in 1852; Mr. Bent, second cornet, who deserted in 1870; and Mr. Kavanagh, the second bas- soon, who deserted in 1872. [tis possible that these gentlemen will be left behind, and the band, eixty strong, will start without them.” EUROPEAN GOSSIP. . Life. in Spain«--Hospitality and Democratic Manners of the People. A Bull-Fight at Madrid Before the , Royal Family and 16,000 - Spectators. - Officers of the British Parliament, and their Salaries—-An American Lady Abroad. LIFE IN SPAIN. Bayard Taytor in New York Tribune. ‘There was one custom -prevalent among the better class, which Ihad an opportunity of learn- ing in Seville and Granada,—but I should be doubtful whether it still exists. "It is ode of those ancient, almost poetic habits of society, which disappear with the increase of travel. It occurred to’ me scveral times, on entering a cafe in either of the two cities I have mentioned, that, on calling the waiter to pay him for the chocolate, or ice, or whatever else 1 might have ordered, he replied: “Ht is paid already, senor.”? “But who paid it? was my natural question. The waiter’s reply was, in- variably, “I don’t know who it was.” if I then eald, “Show me which gentleman it gone away." It was simply an ancient custom, which suggests the refined and noble hospitality ofthe Arab race. Some pative gentleman ha perceived that [was a foreigner, and had him- self paid my bill as a welcome to Spain. In or- der that Iimfzht feel no obligation, 1 was not allowed to know him. aud the waiter answered me in accordance with this ancient and sacred rule. I have never found, anywhere else in the world, a courtesy so generous and delicate. ‘The Oriental habit of saying, ‘My house is yours,” or “at your disposal,” is re- tained in Spain; and, of course, it must lot be taken too literally. So is the universal tom among the people, high and low, of never sitting’ down to eat without in- viting all who may be accidentally present to partake of the cheer. The conventional answer is, Many thanks; may it be good provision for you!?—set if any one, through ignorance or pressing need, should accept, he would certainly receive bis share. In traveling from Mexico to Vera Cruz by stage,,n good many years 2z0, I found it almost impossible to pay for a meal. Some one of the native passengers was sure to have settled in advance with the landlord for the breaktast or dinner of: the whole company. ‘This is not a mere matter of ostentation with the Spanish people, or they would not take such wins to conceal their hosvitality. It is an in- Ferited habit, which has almost the force of a religious duty. ‘ In'strict_ connection therewith, another cus- tom prevails, which I rst learned ia Andalusia. i had hired ahorse in Granada, for the journey to Gibraltar by way of Malaga and Ronda, and this included a second horse, with a mozo— groom, guide, companion, and ‘servant in one. T was fortunate in naving a gay, light-hearted, honest fellow, who shortened. the way for me whenever the rough bridle-path was wide enough for two to ride abreast. When we halt- ed at noon. the first day, to feed ourselves and the horses, Jose went into the kitchen and helped prepare the meal; then, when all was ready, he washed hands, coolly took’ a seat at the table, helped himself to the omelette and stewed kid. Iwas rather surprised, but said nothing. Inthe evening the same thing hap- pened again; and finally, on the third day, Jose, haying become free and contidential towards me, said: ‘‘ Yon are not like the Englishmen, Senor. Ihave traveled wigh them, and they won't allow me to cat with them, according to our Spanish custom, Well, when that happens, don’t go into the kitchen, except for_ myself, and they don’t fare as well as you do, I can tell ‘ou!? He was right; itis the ordinary habit of the country; and I must say that not only Jose, but all other attendants I employed in Spain, conducted themeclyes like gentlemen as my companions at meals. ‘This and other similar customs evidently ac- count for the democratic manners of the Span; iards. Except the Arabs, I do not think there isa more digoitied and self-possessed race of men in the world. Atimid or embarrassed Spaniard fs a phenomenon. The man or woman lowest In tne social scale—even the beggar in the streets—will talk with a Grandee of the blue blood, or the King himself, not only with- out cringing, but without apparent eonfusion of manner.” One great charm of travel in Spain is the circumstance that the traveler may feel himself perfectly {ree to speak to every onc whom he meets, sare that a civil remark will bring = civil answer, and that an honest, genial manner will Iead to imme- diate, cordial acquaintance. The case and frankness of the women is something very de- lightful. I have found the same characteristic among the country women of Sweden, wo are of kindred Gothic blood; and it still lingers, as areclic of past manners, in some of the older parts of our country. In Andalusia the perfect self-possession df the race is more evident than in Catalonia, where, as there is more strength of character, so there is more reticence. The mixture of Suracenic ancestry in the people about Granada and Ronda is clearly to be seen, not only ia complexion and features, but in many phrases, which have been simply translated, not changed. ‘The children have the same precocious dignity as in Egypt and Syria. shall never forget the gravity of a boy of 10, who, after lignting me to my bed in the garret of a little mountain inn, said, “Are you afraid?” I laugh- ed, and answerad “Nov? “* Well,” he remark- ed, “you might get afraid in the night. If you should, just knock on this wail? (pointing to it: “Jsleep in the room on that side, ana when hear you knock I will get up and come to you!’’” Another boy, quite a child, once said to ne, with a face like a revival preacher’s: * You must uot sit near the window. There are de- praved people in the streets, and as you are a stranger here, you would not know them, and they might lead you into temptation.” The innocence in these cases was so genuine that one could not laugh at the little fellows, but only bless them. A SPANISH BULL-FIGHT. Madrid Letter (san. 27) to London Tues. Yesterday’s bull-Azht was witnessed by all the Royal family, the Ambassadors, end the Grand- ees, and by 16,009 other spectators. It was brill- jant, even after that of which I have already spoken; the Royal drummers and trumpeters, the gala carriages of the Dukes of Sexte and Santona, the caballerosen plaza, Frascuelo, Her- mosilla, Regataro, Sanz Mora, Sanchez, and Pas- tor, the first matadores, the best spadas of Mad- rid, then ten pages in their masters’ colors, and distinguishable by the tints of the swatbing which covers their legs, and two coches de res- peto. These are followed by the troop of tor- reros, picadores, banderilleros, and matadores. Alter them come two carriages containiag the seconds of the caballeros en ‘plaza, who hhave to present then to the King: then mulillas and = mozos, or domestics, on foot. Allis resplendent with gold and bright colors, There isa burst of cheering irom all sides, and all Spain rises to her {cet to welcome her most adored heroes, who are soon going to inake themselves either applauded with enthu- siasm or hooted with fury. The sight is grand if unique; that. mass standing cheering positively exceeds mouern reality. The caballeros alight troin their carriages, and, having been presented to the King, mount their horses. All the others, save the alguacils, dismount, the music sounds, the gates open, aud the first bull of the gana- deria of Don Pedro Faldes y Sanz appears. The black brute, with its giossy bair and broad horns, plunges into the arena, stands for a moment confounded by the sudden light, and then, with its head bent, rushes toward the alguacils, who gallop away tothe great amusement of the spectators. ‘Then begins that horrible festival in which blood adds an additional color to Spain. Men in mantles of bright colors excite the bull and then escape from its fury, blinding it by throwing their garments over its eyes when it presses them too closely. Then an amateur, or professional picador, as it passes, plunges bis lance into its body, and’the horror beginssin earnest. Civilization hides its face. The beast is the man; the sympathy is for the bull tortured by the insatiable appetite of the man. Down from the black and shining back of the animal descends a jparole stream, coloring its flanks, and less, and the sand-which rises from beneath its hoofs. Horror is added to hor- ror. The bull, with its crumpled horn, tosses the horse on the picador and its rider, and is turned away by the torreadors frum the object of its fury, irom the open belly of the horse, its horns in turn streaming with blood and red to the ears. The two innocent beasts tear at each other, a torrent of blood flows from the horse’s body; it falls, opens its mouth, and lies gasping with frenzy. All this time the fight continues; the bull has received ten wounds. From time to time the proud animal, with its blood-stained horns, its 6ttained neck, and almost tender eye, seems to demand - pity for its tortures; but the man is wild, and énstead of pity he gives it the pande- rilleros. Fresh torture is coming. Lithe men was,” he always answered, ‘He bas’ and | on fopt prick and tear it with hooks, into its flesh little spikes, mined streamers attached tothem. The beast «1 indignantly, and the tips of the stresqht soaked in the purple torrent eushire incessa = from its panting sides. Now a real foam? pears on the bull’s mouth, its tonzue seeks the anguish of death veils its eyes. Inst; draws it to the gateway to escape from re secutors, the spectators stamp with applai and throw their hats into the air in honor of most brilliant of Torreros. th THE ENGLISH PARLIAMEY: Col. Forney's London Letter ie ton All, or nearly all, the officers of the ¢ Houses of Parliament live in the Parllanne” Palace, and live in style. ‘The Speaker of ia House of Peers, the Lord Uhancellor, len Cairns, who is also a Judge in the hiener come recelyes $50,000 annually; the Clerk of thi House of Peers, Sir William Rose, ‘K° 3 bis Deput} Disraett, $9,000; the Reading Clerk sete Counsel to the Chair, $7,500; there’ arc? clerks at $5,000 each; eighteen on smaline st a Librarian at $4,000 a Deputy Leet) $3,500; two “ Examiners for Standing Onn at $1,000; the Gentleman Usher of neat Wand, Gen. the Right Hon. Sir Walter Knowe® $10,000; the Yeoman Usher at 83,00; Rus geant-ai-Arms, Lieut.-Col. the Hon, y's, 3° bot, $7,500, ad his Depuiy $3,000" Thee 2 wellslaried sborthand write, and het uniformed doorkeepers and sei Mulgeotypensated: rrants’ comforta- ¢ Speaker of the House of | Right-flon. HB. We Braud, Mo pees, the $25,000 # year; the Deputy Speaker and Pey es nent Chairman of the Committee of the (ret Henry Ceci Raikes, M. P., S12a00¢ tee We0le Sir T. Erskine May, .C.'B., $10,000; bis ee? Assistant, $1,500; the Second ssstast sorige the Principal’ Clerk of the -Publie-Bill Oe $5,000; the Principal Clerit of the Committes? $5,000; the Journal Clerk, $6,500; Clerk of Pre’ Fate Bills, $500; seven senior clerks, romain to $4,000 each; ‘thirteen assistant clerks’ he $3,000 to $1,800 cach; the Serzeantan jee $6,000; and two Deputies, one at $4,000 aad tht other at $2,500; Counsel to the Speaker, $9,000 Librarian, $5,000, aud his assistant 39.400: th referees of private bills, each $5,000. “heme also many others, including a Chaplainat soar Secretary to the Speaker, @ shorthand writer’ loorkeepers: ibitum, and serv: e lent splice ‘é : ataon ene As L bave said, the most of these o! in the Parliament Palace. The Spake House, Mr. Brand, has an immense estas? ment, his dining-room alone seating a bunde4 persons. He isa Liberal in polities, but ig fair and just that the Conservatives ao nats trust bins. He is about Gf, and has filled mary high positions, amon: them Lord of tet? ury and keeper uf the seal for the-Prince of Wales. He was the Liberal “whip for tise years, and is always elected to the House as an avowed Liberal. He {3 so impartial in hy rulings that, a few years azo, when one of the Irish members tatinted him with being other wise, both Disraeli and Gladstone came to his rescue. ‘The Clerk of the House of Commons, Sir’ Erskine May. whom I have met, anc to whom lam indebted for a seat in the Speaker's gallery, is as distinguished as tae Speaker, though he has never Been in Parhament, His literary works haye taken the highest rank, and that on “The Constitutional His- tory of England Since the Accession of George IIL” has attained a iarge circulation in America. His last book, on “Democracy in Europe,” much-commended by the press, will be as warmly welcomed there us it is here. His other publications have been generalty devoted to parliamentary law. Mr. May is about 63, and began his career as an Assistant Librarian in tne House of Commons in 1831. Like the Speaker, he beloags to the Liberal party. Bis writings are generous and elevated, and his work on the constitutional history of Englana, clothed ina style almost as fascinating as that of Macaulay, is a splendid record ot the growta of the repub- Hican sentiment in this creat Emptre. [ ave read and reread it. with protit and pleasure, and especially because it haz civen mea high esti- mate of the perseverance of the statesmen who have removed so many of the abuses in the Ea- glisBgovernment within the last generation, and have restricted the privilezes of the aristoc- 7 racy and recornized the rights of the people. It stands to the credit of the Conservatives of the House that they retain this accomplished and . fearless scholar as their first officer. But this is the British system. Civil service is not a pict- ure, butareality. Both parties practice it. | AN AMERICAN LADY ABROAD. * Acorrespondent writing trom Barcelona to a London newspaper, says: “The British Cousat here has been called upon to take action ins very singular affair, which has created no little sensation in the horth of Catalonia. About six weeks ago a lady, who during last autumnss- ante’ the inhabitants of Edinbarg by hang er horse shod with gold, arrived at La Junque- ra, a smull village upon the Spanish side of the Eastern Pyrenees, upon the hich road from Per- pignan to Barcelona. She had with her, in 2d- dition toa iarze quantity of camp furniture, the horse which had been shod wita gotd, aad about £8,000 in English sovereigns. The Spao- ish Custom-House is at La Junquera. and the “Fj ollictals detained her there for several days, suspecting that the gold which they found in ber bag’ was the proceeds of a rob bery committed in France a weck or two be- fore. {t was soon ascertained that the lady had been yinjustly suspected; ‘but, when she was infordfed that she was at liberty to coo- tinue her journey, she declined to leave the small inu at which she had been hylog onder the surveillance of the Spanish police. There she remained for some time, paying at the rae of £28 day for accommodation which is usually charged five pesetas (about four shillings), sad occasionally throwing money irom the window to be scrambled for by the children of the vik lage. These facts having been brought to the notice of the Civil Governor of the Province (Gerona), he communicated with the Britis Consul at, Barcelona, who sent his secretary t¢ La Junauera with a letter advising the lads to come to Barcelona, telling her that La Junquera - was not a safe place for her to remain with- out any protection. She declined, however, to move, but she appears some time after this to have paid a visit to Saragossa, frem which place she was brought, under escort of the gendarmerie, to Barcelona, and the Consul placed her in a hotet here. But sho started ayaiu the next day for La Junquera, where she had left her horse and the bulk of ner luggage; and tnere she still is. Hitherto her eccentricities have been 60 far a protection to her that they have attracted the atteation of the police; but for which,ato use the British Consul’s expression, ‘some of tne Carlist bris- ands hanging about the trontier would have cut her throat long ago.’ As itis, she was robl tivo or three weeks ago of $200 and of herguld watch; and, though the thief was arreste by the Freach police across the frontier and the money found upon him, she refused to appear and sign the statutory declaration which wyould nave enabled her to recover the money. I hap pened to see this very eccentric person, but without knowing who she was, while at Perpig- nan in the early part of December. She arrived at she principal hotel in the town with her horse and baggage, giving 20 franes to the man who bad Jed thejormer from the station, and tat sane sum to the conductor of the omnibus. * A PARIS MANSION. Paris Correspondence London Telegraph. ‘The dinner and reception given by Jt. Menier, the chocolate millionaire and Republican Dept- ty, to Mr. Stanley, the African explorer, "a8 one of the most superb entertainments at which Lbave ever had the good fortune to be present ‘The gorgeous hotel, which cost, it is sald, $2- 000,000 to build and finish, is in itself s feast for the mind as well as for tne eyes. Most of your readers who have ever visited Paris will remea- ber its superb exterior, standing a3 it does 00 the verge of ‘the Park Monceau, so that its windows look out upon the flowers and ver dure of that loveliest of public gardens. ‘The interior offers to the gazer a succession © morsels, from the gigantic bronze and marble caryatides that adorn the east entrance-ball t0 the reception-room, paneled with pafatiigs by Boucher, the dining-rooin with its draperies © exquisiie Aubusson tapestry, its smoking-room decorated with medixval desizns on a groun work of dead gold, the library with its maot le- piece of red and black marble, with the entad ture set with cameos in ivory, and its writing: | table formed from a carved coffer of the four teenthcentury. Then the staircase, all pane ae with precious marbles, and with two lane Bum ing-scenes by Snyders let Into. the walls, at with its ceiling taken from the hunting-seat m4 one of the Princes of Orange, its balust hammered iron and gilt, and {ts steps of W! marble, was in itself a wonder. * s MRS. ANNA ETHERIDGE. Special Correspondence of The Tribune. Lansine, Mich., Feb. 15.—Petitions are belos circulated in this State to reinstate Sirs. AoDs Etheridge in her position in the United State? Treasury Department at Washington. Thox sands of Micnigan soldiersare living monument! ‘of the ‘service this lady gave to tue sick wounded during the whole war. 4 DEATH OF AN OLD SETTLER. Spectal Correspondence of The Tribune Lansing, Mich., Feb. 15.—The Rev. B. Grout, s Baptist minister, who settled in Leslis in 1338, died recently in his 69th year.