Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, December 29, 1878, Page 11

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: SUNDAY. DECEMBER 29, 1873—S5iXTEEN PAGES - 11 THE STAGE. THE DRANA. CHICAGO. 1SS DAVESPORT'S ENGAGEMENT. A fairiy prosperous holiday week at ihe theatres has accompanled the revival of pieces that gained'their first popularity & good many seasons ago, and which still retain their popu- larity when set before us with a properly trained and iutelligent cast. This can_be £aid of Mr. Daly’s “ Divorce,” which hasoccupied Hooley’s stare during a portion of the week, and which gave a better illustration of the culture and in- telligence of the company supporting Miss Davenport thap was afforded in *‘Pigue.” +Divoree* has had repeated representations in tins tueatre,—first Wwith Mr. Daly’s orizinal Fifth Avenue Compzny, 2nd subscquently with other organizations. The appearance s titme of Miss Davenport as a “star” has the vatural cffect of concentrative the atte tion of the sudicnce rather too much upon a ginele character, which we deem Lo be a depart- wre from the scope and purpose of the drama. It is by no means a *oue~character” plece, and the Dart of Fauny Ten Eyck, however interest~ ing it becomes in -the hands of Miss Davenport, was never meant to overshadow in importance the other personages. The presclt representa- tion is, therelore, less symmetrical than some of the former ones. But it would, perhaps, be bsrdiy fair to institute s comparisun between a company thst is merely supporting. a ster apd the very compleie dra- orpanizetion in which the present star was only one of the stock. Miss Davennort’s impersonation of Fanny Tea Eyck is in every way wortby of her remarkable £nd varied powers. She draws a virid picture of the vrond, self-willed, and impulsive beauty, jmpaticnt of restraint, capable of sincere womaunly devotion, but hurried into a foolish step, which, once taken, she will not retrace. In the portrayal of the mother's love, and in the scene of reconciliation. Miss Davenport discovers a fine vein of emotional art that fails not 10 act with anc effect upon her audience. Of_the cast u5awholeit was commendable, and in some instavces excellent. Among tuose who were deservims -of special remark should be mentioned Mr. - Edwin Prive, Miss Florence Clase, Miss Douglass, Mr. R. C. Grierson (a3 Le Wir), and Mr. John Marble as Temp cton Jitt. The last-named gen- tleman was indeed hizhly effective,~the oune ae the blufl, kind-hearted old husband of a wayward and-foulish youny wife, aud the latter as the divoree lawyer. = Last eveuing Davenport appearcd as JTeosaiind, in ** As You Like It THE WILLIAMSONS have afforded the pablic an agreeable week in ibeir popular drama, “Struck OI),” of which much bas been said frowm time time in these col- umns. We bave really notbing new to advance 10 addition to what hus so often been said in com- mendation of Mr. Willlamson's victuresque and £vmypathetic creation of the character of Sfoere!, Wwhich has tokes a permanent place in the at- fections of the public. iv is a character which appeals to the compassionate sympathics of hu- manity in a similar degree to that of the un- worial Zip, aud thereis a subtle vein of ten- derness and humor io Mr. Williamson’s de- lincation which casily accounts for toe univer- szl welcome the play hus met with both in the East and the West and the far-off slope. Be- tween the portraic of Sfoefel and that of ZLizzie, admnration is fairly divided. Hers is the ocea- sional glint of eusshine playiug over a picture tuat would otherwise have too deepa tinge of raduess. Miss. Magmic Moore's persona- tion of this childlike merry-being is a chbarming combination of rude, healthy, ammal nature aud sweet filial affection. = She luas been in excellent voice ali the week, and ger £ouws are always a welcome feature of the crformance. It “should be added that the Williamsons are accompanied by 2 ood availa- Dle working company, aud that te piece bas 2d the advantage of a handsome stage sesting, ncluding the work of the good richt haud of ¢ sceuie artist, David Strong. With the exception of MVICRER’S -, fproduction of A Woman of the People,” which un all the week at that tbeatre, the above fincludes ail_the “ fegitinate? cromatic work som— on boliday week. The rest of the houses ve been devoted to variety, and s vot spoken in disparazement of varicty business, some of the features of which bave ‘been very amusing of their kind, Only one va- ¥ show nuwaduys fs so nearly a duplicate of it bécomes quite unnecessary Lo specily their geveral characteristics. LOCAL NOTES. ‘The Emnma Abbott Enclish opera company open at Hooley’s next Monday, Jan. 6. The Jennie Hight combinaticn played to good business in the Tuwn of Aurora last wee The Park Theatre company, of New York, begin an engagenent at Haverly’s on Jan, 6. Cambridee & Co. sent a dramatic company to Joliet for the. holidavs. They played to the prisoners with much'acceptanee. Jo Reynolds, of the Wallack-Dillon combina- i 1 town mwaking arrangements for the appearaute of the compuny in Cliicago. Miss Fauny Davenvort gave awaya gold watch 2}1d axr.uu on Cl:f;'slmasflny to her manager, Ar. Chiaomun, and one to her stuge-mauage Fraok Willard. i vl ‘Ihe Sherwiu Sisters, who are natives of Chi- cazo, bave been piaying during the week ag Tiamlmy's Chicatre, awd their performances have Deen recornized as one of the prettiest features of the entertainment. At Raverly’s Tbeatre tue Serzer e icert troupe, which enjoyed a pleasant weleome here eome time eince. apoear for one week. Thev are accompanied, of course, by the inimitable Sol 8mith Russell, one of the most entertain- ing comedians in the country, aud by a com- pany ol sixteen well-known artists of talent. Mr. John T. Hinds, g Irish actor.of consid- erable repute, will appear at Hamlin's Theatre 10-mOrTow cvening jo a drama entitled “ The Shaugbran,” in which be plays the parts of Con AMcCardiy and James O'Connell. This is not Boucicault’s.play. A number of**specialty ”? performances will be introduced in the coursc of ke piece. Harry Chapman, the old manager of credit ana renown, annouuces that he has captured 2 big sensation, which he will present to the peo- ple of Chicago Inabout two weeks at some of tbe city theatres. He is a little mysterious over it, fearing, perhaps, that some_other man msy snateh it out of his hands, and for that rea- son he deetned to exhibit the big lithograph he carries around, which would “mve it away.” Miss Fanny Davenport’s engegement at Hooley’s Theatre extends over the present weck, “aud her repertory is a varied one, begin- ning with “Olhiva® to-morrow evening. It will Le the first production of this play jn Chicago, aud it will be xiven on Tuesday cvening and the New-Year’s matinee. Wednesday evening * As You Like It will be repeated. Thursday, *London Assurance 3 Friday, ** frow Frow 5 Eaiurday nieht, “London ~Assurunce” and “Qliver Twist.” NEW YORK. DIONTSIUS PATCUCS UP THE VOW. Special Correspondence af The Trivune. New Yorg, Dec.'28.—Dionysius Boucicault is no slouch. If his head were as thick asitis loog; you coulun't buss it with a ton of dynam- ite. When Dionysius talks, there is something sbout’ his expression which remicds you of a Tat. And he must bave somethivg of tnat ani- mal’s nature about bim, too,—~1 mean its cun- ning. A couple of weeks ago, I wrote that Mrs. Boucicault had arrived in New York from England, with the purpose of starring through s country, It was commonly stated that sbe was oblized to adopt this course becsuse her husband had deserted her. And there was o mood dGeal of truth fu the statement, too. 1 know it from otber chavnels than those in which yagrant ra- mors geuerally float. Some weeks 2zo, a friend - of mine questionéd Dionysius about the reports that bis wife was coming to this country to play sowe of his pieces. The great patchwork artist replied that she would ot appear at all upon the American stage,—at least not in avy of his creations. He added that he should dissuade ber by argument if possible, and that, if this course failed, he should place an injunction Upon every attempt to produce any of his plays. How’s that? Wouldu't it have been just bully 10 see a man resorting to legal process in order io}m-evcm. his wife frbm supporting herself and children, when . IE IAD CEASED TO ASSIST THEM? Well, fortunately for himself, be has been saved the mecessity of any such procecding. Shortly after bis wite arrived in this city.he had an interview with her for the purpose of settling up the ditliculty between them without farther publicity. Tle resolt must have been satis- 1 factory, for they have attended one or _two din- [ established themselves as favorites here. The ners together sinee then. And, the otber day, when 1 was standing on Union Squere, they drove through thereinan open barouche. It was colder than Charles Francis Adams’ smile that afternoon, and the choice of vehicle under those circumstances led me to imagine that pos- sibly Dionysius was just riding out with his wife to make everybody think they were on affectionate terms. A coupe would have been much more comfortable in that atmosphere, but not half eo public. They were sitting on the back seat together, and he was talking to her at the rate of seventy-five miles an hour. She must have had an awful earache by the time they reached home. It is said, now, that she will return to England soon, and won’t'act at all. By which everybody supposes that the old man has come down with the ducats. - Oh! be's smart,—too smart to let ner act at the cost of his own popularity. ANOTUER OF BOUCICAULT'S MOVEMENTS in the past weekwas the placing of an injunction upon the managers of the Olymple Theatre, re- straining them irom producing. ** The Colleen Bawn ¥ under the title of * The Bridesof Gar- ryowen’ This theatre has lately been very .thoroughly and handsomely refitted, and M. Boucicauli’s drama was chosen for the opening attraction. The * star * was William J. Flem- ing, the boss ecenc-catey of America. In the widdle of the performance the papers were served, and the sudieoce was dismissed. Flem- ing claims that the piece has been published, apd- therefore i3 eversbody’s property. “ Boucey " says Fleming is another, and howls vociferously for bis royslty. Counter sults are likelv to be brought, and there is every likeli- hood that there’ll be the Ceuce topay generally. Iu the meantiine Fleming saws the air wildly as_Bob Brier'y in the ** Ticket-of-Leave Map.” Frank Aiken and Genevicve Rozersare at it agvin, undeterred by past experiences. They are to star through the South during the rest of the season, if they meet witn suceess. They have got 2 new piay, written by — well, L won’t * give away 7’ the author. “He is an old dramatist, and a mighty rank old dramatist at that. This play, however, is sald to contain better work than he has ever done betore. Aud, moreover, it hus been thoroughly overhauled b AIr. Aiken and his manager, Gus Mortimer. It ie called ** Cousin Roxy,” and is Joaded chock up to the muzzle with tun. In addition to their new ‘piece, they will play % Maud Muller” occa- sionally. They ought to make money, for they are both thoroughly deserving artists. KATIE PUTNAM HAS BUSTED AGAIN. - This time it was “La Cipale™ that laid her out. Ske started on the road under the man- agemcent of aman named IHenry,—the same chap who took lmmogene out through Pennsyl- vania with the same play a couple of months azo. Henry came here irom Australia, and, [ reckon, hic bepins to wish he’d _remained there. Ansho, he don’t want any more “Cigale in hi The compauy are short exactly two salury upon his latest venture, and they, 100, wish he would zo back to his old stamping- eround. A little the tartest attempt to run a theatre in New York is Minnic Cummings® snap, now progressiug at the place where Augustin Daly tirst bung out his shingle. She calls it the “ Drawing-Roown ”” Theatre. Minnie Cummings came from Chicago, originally, 1 belicy As an actress, she is queer cnough to have vome from almost anywhere. Andl fancy il's a zooa thing for theatre patrons In the Gardun City thal she came from there. Had she reiunined, , the sbow business would bave been 50 dead that even Jack Haverly would have been ob! emigrate. She opened Monday night with an alleged opera_ty Ed Mollenhaner and 2 farce. The audience was 3 courareous oue, but it left at a comparatively early stagz of the proceedings, and it was announced that Mis: Cummings was sick and covlde’t piay'iu the farce. The truth was that there had been some 1all guying by the auditors, and Mionie didn's carc to run agy chances. The question of bhow long the place keeps open restssomewhat upon the forbearance of the company in asking for their saleries. The **draw oom ** doesn’t ‘+draw " worth a cent. Alrcady Minnic is mixed up ina ‘aw-suit about Molleuhauer’s operatic offsprive. The ‘costs of court will probably amount ta more than the whole thing is worth, —they~are sure to if they exceed the price of a postage-stamp. WALLACK'S THEATRE has not emerged from tue streak of fll- fortune wLich bas been chasing it through the scason. In fact, it begins to look a little as if the pla~e had passed the flood which leads on to fortune. It was thoueht av first thav *My Son? would hoist the business up toits old etandard. But it dido’t. Last week Tuesday night the orchestra-chairs contained only sixty people. At no uime siuce has the attendance been large, and the management has been obliged to resort to its Jast trump. ~ Next Mon- day pigbt the apcestral and time-honored Les- ter will make his first appearance this season. In bygone ages this event bas never failed to pull up the - houses, and the managers have great confidence m the announcément of his name. They thivk bhe can outdraw the biggest fly-plaster cver made. The play in which he wili appear is called * At Last.” and {s the production of Paul Merritt, of London. It is the property of Mr. Billy Florence, who purchased it during his recent voyage abroad, and who will perform it at the California Theatre while it is running in New York. Mr. Coehlan will also reappear in “the new piece. The business at THE UNION SQUARE illustrates, when compared with that dome at Wallacks, the difference betywcen the result of” encrgetic managemsut andtbat of a manare- went which is in its dotage. Mr. Palmer brings every energy to bear upon the of first selecting good plays, and then making them “go.” Added to this, he is courteous and cor- dial with everybody, whether they can do him direct service in retura or not. Result, personal popularity with all hands, and more or fesssucs cess for all the plays he produces. At the other uouse there is a growing disposition to rely for patronaze almostjsolely ubop the reputation that ‘was achieved years ago, without regard to the present tastes of amusemncot-seekers, Conse- quently business isn’t big. There is also on be part of Theodore Moss—who js the bizgest money-power in the place—a decided penchant for snubbing everybody who anplies for infor- matiou or any:ihing else unless the inquirer plaoks down "his dollar sud a half with- out an instant’s hesitation, O course no- body 1o Mr. Moss ou that account, and it all tends to reduce the hox-office receipts. A comparison of the season’s business at the two theatres would illustrate very plainly what I have written. At the Union Square the profits have been very large, and the curtain has ot risen on a losing house during the scason. At Wailack's the reverse has been the rule. There Dus not been a positive bit this year up to this time. The Union Sguare is eating up all the down-town business, aud Wallack will have to move or clse change histactics. Shook & Palmer drove Augustin Daly awav, and now theyre putting the nippers upon Wallack and Moss. Do you remember JIMNY DUFF? He isthe younr man who ran the Broadway Theatre last year. Heis a brotherin-law ot Augustin Dalf, and started for Europe with that genticmal ably have succesded in zetting away, if the ves- sel” had started a little ahead of tune. At it was, & cruel Sherifl’s oflicer appeared on the seene, and Jimiy remaioed over until the nexs vessel sailed. He. is safely out of all his debts on last season’s account, now. Ie got out of therm by becoming a bankrupt ou the last day ailuwed” bylaw. But he thirsts for vew tri- umpls, and his paterual progzenilor i going to put up the rocks ngain, and give Jimmy unother show. Au the close of the run of “Almost a Life” at the Standard—its last niglits are already announced—Jimmy will wade in. His attraction fs to be the successful English burlesque called = IL. M. . Pivafore.” It 45 to be embellished with new scenery and zpyolutments, a large chorus, and a first-raté cast. Among the few principals whose namcs liave been given to the public thus far are Henri Laurent, the alieged husband pro tem. of Alice Oates, and James Lewis, the comedian, who is pow traveling with the Park Theatre company. If the rest of the cast is as zood, there ougnt ta be money in the venture. After its ruu at the Standard, it will be taken on the road, whither % A1most a Life ” is to brecede it. New York is zetting a big dose of THE LEG BUSINESS just now. At the Park, Colrifle’s Folly Com- pauy are kicking up their necls; aud at Bootly's, Sietson’s Kvangeline Company ere domng pre- cisely the same thing. Both parties are doing ood business, cspecially Stetson’s. Jobu has collected a particularly elaborate bunchine of nether limbs. Whoever made bis selectfons had remarkable taste in anatomical research. Lhave 4 connoisseur Tong known that John himself was o such matters, and the remarkable layout he has brought with him leads me toimagie that, perhaps, he picked ’em out himself. “Jobn Las round with marvelious cffect. The chorus em-- ploved 1n the Stetson Combiiation is the best Jooking and best dressed one I ever saw. You just onghs to_sce the bald heads in the two ront rows of seats shinewhen those Boston £als come on intheir silk tirhts! Whew! ‘The chief hit of the piece, however, has been made by LITTLE ECGENIA PAUL. Ske is nightly encorcd three or four times in her songs, and bas lairly cavght the town. [ haven't seen @ young actress for a Jong time who has g0 much promise. Theother members , of the company, incluaing Gus Williams, Nelly Larkelle, E. A. Locke, and E. S. Turr. bave ail , last summer. He would prob- | only got_one eve, but he can sling that” one | vieee is not to be taken off for some fime to come. bsut even this dou’t wind up the cotton- tight business for New York. At the Lyceam, E. E. Rice will produce Ais “ Evangelive” week after mext. By thatit may be observed that Miss Claxton’s lesseestip is about. to expire. In a note written the dny before yesterday, she sags she is golng traveling with the * Double Marriage” for the remainder of the season. Her company is a good one, and she ought to rake in the cash i a lively fashion. 31lts. SIDDONS I8 IN TOWN. For a week orso this has been zeucrally known. Nobody has seen the lady as yet, but for several days & tall person in sumter paniuloons, & MacGregor vap, colored shirt with a white collar, and several other rather eccentric articles of dress, has been scen daily stalking uround Unlon Square. This is heér husbaud. He is the same old sixpence. The only perceptible change sivce lie] was here last is his increased collection of personal reminiscences. Some of these are a tnfle waudy in their construction, avd all of them suggest that possibly he mav be the lovg-sought author of the * Arabian Nights.” Mrs, Siddons is like- 1y to play an engagement at the Fifth Avenae 16 soon as Mr. Jetferson closcs. But the matter isnot yet fully arranged. At the Park, Mr. Barrettwilt play a few weeks as soou as Col- ville finishes. His new play will be broughy out then for the first titne in New York. There is considerable interest felt already to see it. BUSINESS ON THE 1OAD, has been pretvy queer for the past (wo or three weeks. Den ‘Thompson in Northern New York to houses containing about $100 each. And, speaking of Thompson, { wonder if the story is true that Mr. McVicker is negotiating with him to play the two Dromios throughout the country, I bope it isn’t, be- causc the old gentleman has at different times talked to me a good deal on the subject of “moral rights.”” Now, it i5 yery clear that, while anybody bas a right 10 play Shukspeare's dramas, % CRANE AND KOBSON | have what Mr. McVicker would call Lhe only *‘moral right "’ to this one, vecause they have spent & great deal of care, time, and mouey in resurrecting it. L remember that when Mr. McVicker was here once, Lawrence Barrett an- nounced that he was going to play *Rosedale in Chicago. Mr. MeVicker was preparing the same picee to produce it at his own theatre, and felt very sore over what he termed Mr. Bar- rett’s professiona! discourtesy. Of course he was right in that_instance, and 1 hope he will bear his awn fecling in mind if heis thinking seriously of playing the * Comedy of Errors.” If he don’t reeall it, 1 shall te fadlived to think that after all there must be eowe ditference be- tiveen tweedle-dum and tweedle-dee—or else the old gentieman was “giving me tally.” 1THURIBL. GENERALLY." CHARLES FECHTER. A correspondent of the Philadelpnia Zinees, in a letter upon Fechter’s home, draws a very gloomy picture of that onze brilliantactor. We give the following extract: - The dsrk shadows of Fechter's life stand out all the stronger because of the brightness iuto which titey are projected, but now'there is much shadoy and little light, for the ‘actor has failen from his high etation by reason of il health brought about by excesses, and the araceful actur has made way for a graceless old uge, —an old age that hak come before its duc, for it 12 only thirty years' since the youny French sculptor. then 23 yeats ot aze, made hzs first bow s actor at the Saile Moriere, in his na- uve land. From thut time his career liae aiways been upward ana on to great successes. So far us drinking Is concerned it never interfered ‘with his business until a few years awo, and hir engage- ments were carricd out faitbfuily, although min- agers had come 10 know by the higher range of his always imperious temper, aund on occasions his absence of mind, that e 'was failing_somewhat. One that knew him well relates that Fectiter was remarkable for puuses. Reaching o dramatic climax, it was his custom tostop snort in action and speech and stand perfectly 6till. In msny cases thia was provocative of great smplause. 1lis acting becane noticeable for the srowiy frequency and [ength of these puuses, until fnally it became the business of the prompter to always ‘watch and correct him. In the winter of 1575 hie broke in on a uumber of encagements hy fallinzsick before they were cosipleted. In 1876 this was still more the case, uritil it was with difficnity that he could obtain an enoagement in any first-class theatre. Indis- position was the plea. until finally, in Rochester, his troubles culminated by his apyearing so drunic upou the stage that the audience hissed and left the theatre, and the whole story of coutiuued drinking_and high living wus tola in_the public prints. - During tne past (wo sensons M. Fechter as brokea down very freauently, and the man- ager of uleading stsr theatre, in speaking of him recently, eatd: **Fechter, who should have been the leading actor of the world, is dead to the pro- fession of wnich he was at one time the ornument. ™ An old acquaintance relates that Fechter was a man who lived vers high. *‘llc often sat down to sunch and fared unon a tin of ‘pate-de-fol-gras and 2 pint of raw branay,—nothing clse; and the bran- dy at lunch bore but'a meagre relution to his daily ration.™ GREEN-ROOX GOSSIP. & ‘The veteran Euglish actor, Mr. Chippendale, has flually tzken leave of the stage. his wile continues to act. Miss Clara Fisher Maeder, who has removed to Pluladelphia, will return to the stage at the Academy of Musie in that city. Dariel, Bandmaon _w.1 play Shylock, in French, at Paris in January; in Germao, at Berlin, in February; and in Eogiish, at London, in Mard] Robson and'Cranc have bidden a temporary farewell to New York, and are playing througi New England. Their Zwo Dromios has made an aviding bit. ‘The death at 90 is announced in Paris of a once very celebrated actress, Rose Dupuis, who retired from the stawe as long ago as 1835, after twenty-cight Fears of uninterrupted suceoss. MMrs. Lander, the celebrated actress, who has chosen Washington as her future home, has purchased there a ¢ but anbreteutious® resi- dence, whereshe @ives attractive receptions to ner fricnds. The tragedian, Ernesto Rossi, has been play- ine at the Apollo Theatre in Rome, and has ap- peared in_Casimir Delaviene's “ Lonis XI.,» and’in * Hamlet,” *“King Lear,” * jacbeth,” and * Coriolanus.” R. Cazauran is writing for Kate Claxton a new version of *Le Chateau de Grantier,” one version of which, by Charles Reade, under the title of “The Double Marriage,” is-beingrplayed at the Lyceum Theatre, New York. Modjeska,_savs she plags “Camille” and “ Easy Lyune " both under Emtest. and at the demand of her manager, who says the public want them. She reeards “Camille” as im- moral, and * Eust Lyune ™ as trush. Mand Granger bad a narrow escape from death the other day. Sbe went to a dentist to have her teeth repsired and was nearly smoth- ered with laughing-was, Ller part at the Stand- ard had to be filied by May Davenport. The late Amy Sheridan claimed to be a grand- danrater of Sheridan Kuowles, and, for that reason, she assunied his baptismal name on the stage. At the aaction sale of her ctfects was an oil-painting of the distinguished dramatist. H.J. Byron’s latest: At the Princess] Thea- tre, London; when “No. 20 was at its|warst, Mr.- Ledger of the Era whispered to the wit, “1 think 1t wants cutting _down,” « Nof at all, my hov,” answered H. J. B. “I thiek it wants cutting up.” b A young _man of_the name of Graddfell fn love with Jeunie Winston, of thg Adab? Rich- mond Company, and followed thes party to New Orleans, where, tinding it finpugsible to obtam the aifections of the object of“his worship, he despaired und attempted suicide by sbooting Limself tnrough the heart. At last accounts it “was ascertaived the wound was not fatal, and Grady would recover. > B ‘It is rather curipus,” says the London Fi- garo, **that, during his managerial reian at the Princess’ Tneatre, Mr.- Gooch. should have re- vived, with great success, three old dramas,— ¢Jane Shore,” ‘Queen’s Evidence,’ and ¢ Uncle Tom’s Cavin,’ and produced three oriznal dramas,~—* Guinea Gold,’ * Elfinclla,’ and *No. £20,’~all cf wnich proved disustrous faflures, Mr. Gooch says his faith in the new-and-original English-dramna meretants is somewbat bent.” Mary Anderson is oporessed with crowds of girl visttors who come after her for advice. She says:” *“With them and the kind-hearted, good- {utentioned people who wish to give me aavice as to the cut of my clothes, the arrangetnent of my hatr, what. chest-notes to avold, the manper in which to hold my hands, the proper poses to strike, and . the proper words to einphasize, I have been compelled to shut myself up in the hotels and declin2 to meet any one, except those I know to be my friends. Tbis done, I have an opportunity to study.’” Neill Burgess nearly came to grief one even- ing during a performance in Uctroit of ** My Mother-fn-Law.” While stotming about the gtage with a lighted candle in his hand be made a misstep, and fell hesdlong over the foot- lights by the side of the bass-viol plaver in the orchestra. fhizh above the tootlizhts were the neels of the comedian, while he struggled with no tittle difficulty, Ju his female attire, to regain s feet. - At lust, amid the'shouts of the audi- ence, Burgess resumed the perpendicular and went on with his lines ds if nothing had hap- pened. E According to the Academy, -the famous En- gilsh actor; Mr. Heory Irving, will bave. ready 1is acting edition of “Hamlet? when he opens Tiis,ccason at the Lyctum with that play on Dee. 93, The preface will be written by Mr. Frauk Marshall, for the purpose of justifying the “World’s Greatest Show is in Louisvill &cenery and dress used, in their nonadherence to » strict archzological details. The play be- ine laraely if not wholly Etizabethan, and not 01d Danish in spirit, Mr. Irving claims consider- able liberty in dealing with 1ts theatrical ac- cessorics, and his views are warily sympathized in by Mr. Frank Morshall. v “In Joc Emmett’s play of “ Fritz" as_now verformed, o donkey is Introduced in onc of the scenes, and io order to render a particular eitua- tion striking the animal must bray. In order thst he may respond opportunely to bhis cae, a singular ruse is said to have been adopted. The doniey s exceedingly fond of carrots, yet none are ever give aim during the day, but when it combs Lis turn to "?L‘.'lk his line” some one steps to the wings and shakes a bunch of the veretable. Au enthusinstic bray at once’ fol- Jows, and when the cartain drops the carrots are given him as a reward, _ A well-known member of Philadelphia’s lead- ing theatre, sometimes lax in his lines, during oune of Edwin Forrest’s enzagements was asked by the stage manager if he was periect. * Yes,” vus the prompt reply. “Then you know your cae to come on?? “Yes.” “Are vou sure?” “I know the cue I always act.” “* An? and what is itt" Come on, you —— fool.” The same actor being asked what was the piay for he evening, replied, “ Why, they perform—yon know—why, Shakspeare’s—what the deuce do they call it! that—that—Rosencrantz piece.” 1t wwas his parc and Llamlet’s was lorgotten. Miss Mary Anderson, in conversation with a Louisville reporter, tells ahout Sarah Bern- hardy's freak of sleeping in a coflin, the truth of which has bLeen qguestioned: *‘She slept ina coffin continuously for three years, She does not do sonow. I osked her wWhy she eave up the habit. She said she had erown tired of it, as the coffin was uncomfortable.” * What wus her motive of the whim?” “She said she wished to familiarize hersell with the thougit of death. I saw her boudolr. The carpet was of black velvet, with flowers in silver, the far- niture covered with black velvet, and the walls trip. will be named Gerster, Roze, and Havk. The entire company will five on the train during their stay In various cities as well us'when en route, A special car will be reserved for members of the oress, several of whom, from Nesw York, will un- dertake the entite trip. The company will leave New York on Saturday, the 28th inst.. for Bos- ton, whence the route will be to Chicazy, St, Lonls, Cinciunati, Loutsville, Daltimore, Pnila< deiph Washington,. Springfield, Mass., New Havew, and Uartford. : From tbjs announcement is: is apparent that Mapleson and bis lock of singing birds are com- “ing this way fn princely siyle, even to the wining and dinfow of the bungry New York critics. The seasou is rapidly drawing wnear, and two weeks from to-morrow evening Haverlr's will be opened to the merry strains of “Carmen.” A CARD FROM MK. 5. G. PRATT. To the Editor of The Tribune. Cricaco, Dee. 23.—I may be pardoned for saying a word in defense of the ideas L have in- corporated in the direction of the Fifth Sym- phony of Beethoven, inasmuch as there seems to be an attack gl along the line of a certain elass of musical people whose knowledge has bee: limited entirely to what has occurred inside the boundaries of the city, and whosestandard consequently is that which Mr. Tiomas has civen them.” First, let me positively assert that i bad no intention of causing a dispute among ‘the musicians of this city, least of all of making my directing in any way nsational.” My ideas of the works of the masters are based upon the zencrally accepted (legerdary) ren- dition of them in Germany, the verv soil from W they grew so prolifically, and founded upon study and observation, while attendinzg rehearszls and _concerts of Bilse, the Royai Orcliestra,the “ Berliner Siofonic Kapelle,” ete., ete., during a period extending over five years. Iu 1871 the time-honored fashion of producing the Fifth Sympliony of Beethoren was discarded by Richard” Wagner, who, after a careful study ol the worlt in connection with the lite of its author, direeted in Berlin in the memorable coucert when he produced for the first time lis own * Kaiser March”” before ths Emperor Wil- curiously decorated in the same fashion. A | helm. It was my rood fortune to be present at skeleton of a man whom she said died of love. in Moutana hung before the mirror, with finger poluting at {4 own refiection. In larze howls about the room rosc leaves were heaped, the fragrance that arose Leing overpoweriug. I could not remain in the room, it Was so sug- gestive of horrible thoughts.” s The teuting ceason is over, and most of the circuses anid menageries have gone into winter quarters. They are disposed of as follows: Cooper & Builey’s areat show has jnst returned from a two years’ trip in Australia and South America, aud gone into winter-quarters in Phila- delphia, Pa.; Campbell’sshow winters at Frank- fort, Pa.; the Anderson Companies’ Circus and Menagerie winters in Topeka, Kan. ; Jobn Mur- ray bas gone o the West lndies, and opened there tast week; W. C. Coun’s Equescurriculum is still showing in Philadelphia. Jan. 1 he moes to New York into winter quarters; P. 1. Barnum’s Great Show is in winter quarters; in New York and Communipaw. His animals are on free exhibition in Centrai Park; Van Am- burg’s Great Golden Menagerie und Frost's Coliseum are wintering in Arinenia, N. Y.: the Great London Show and Sanger’s: British Me- nageric winters in Philadelpbin; Johin Robinson is located in Cincinnuti; Adam Forepaugh’s 5 W. W. Cole’s New York reus and lenageric arciu Exposition buildin and New Orleans St. Louis; Orren Brotbershaye gone to Havany Burr Robbins’ German-American Allied Exhi- bition winters in Janesville, Wis.; the Sells Brothers winter, as usual, in Columbus, O. May Fiske is one of yonr muscular bloodes, as may be_imagined from arecent adventure cf hers in Montreal. She and her azent cawe to thelr quarters from the theatre, hoth somewhat the worse of liquor. When they ot to their quarters Mr. Madcing, the azent for the troupe, hapjiened, metavhorically speaking, to tread on the toes of the chieftainess.” This aroused her ire, and in the heat of ner anger she hurled, with the strength of a Juno,a water pitcher, weighing something over six pounds, et the head of the unlucky object of licr wratn, who dodged in the nick of time, the miissile soaring this great musical event; and I can st can otbers who were there and are now living in this city, to the inspiring efect- of the per- formance-ou one of the mosc notable audienzes ever assembled In the Grand Overa-House of the Germaw capital. Wagner’s ideas were at once accepted by the eritics and connolsseurs, who were there in large numbers, and the perform- ance hecame the standard throushout Germany. 1 have followed as nearly as possibie myv remem- brance of the chief featires of that remarkable and enjovable performance, and if £ um open to censure it must be laid at the door of the good fortume that vermitted me to hear the greatest ltving cumfuscr and director interpret it. Of one thing 1 wish to ussure the musical public of Chicazo, and that is that 1skall not give the andantes aud slow movements of the masters’ works with so much of what is falsely called “ideality and dreamy rowance” as to make them sleepy and tedious with unpatural exten- sion. Nor shall I plav the allezros so rapidly us to mix and blur tie musical thoughts iu a clisos of unintcliimble sounds. But, most of all, it will o¢ my ciuleavor to brine their treasures of melody and beauty to the surface clearly, where even the masses can recognize and enjoy them, for Lfirmly believe our people car appregiate this class of musicequallvas trell as the Ger- mans do, when taey hear it as it is performed fu Gernany. i May ['also be permitted to mention the names of aJew directors who never played in_orches- ,tra, and thus did not scture a ** routine ** before wieldine the baton? ‘Thesc arc Richard Wag- ner; Eckert, of tne Royal Opera, Berlin; Von Bulow; Reinicke, Director of the Gewandbaus concerts; Max Bruch; and Lachuer, of the pres- vat d: and in the past, Scnamann, Von \Weber, Mendelssohn, and Rerlioz. These men studied the works of the masters irom .ihe cusmic plau of emuiation and reverence, follow- ing their ideas with devotion similar to that of a pricst when reading tkelives of the saiuts, and giving to each syllable its own deep weaning, while the violinists and other performers were too much apsorbed in executing their parts to pay, at the most, but o passiug regard to the weneral and minute details of the coraposition. over his head. Eeeing ber first effort to termi~ | In couclusion, let me say thar the enthusiasm nate Mr. Madding’s career batlled, she seized him as he attempted to escape from the spart- ment, and commenced operstions with her Lands. . First she beat him, then she pulied his hair, =nd, uot content with that, she cven tried to throw him out of the window. Catcbing him in her brawny arms, she forced him through the window head and shoulders, and would have tumbled him into the street had it not been for the double win~ dow, which her strength could not master, 2s she was gradually getting exnhausted. By this tine the attention of other partics was attracted by the noise, and the combatants were separate after some trouble. $ MUSIC. AT XOME. THE STMPHONY CONCERT. ‘The past week Ieaves us nothing of musieal consequence to record. The present weck will open with the first symphony concert by the Chicago Orchestra, which will sppear for the first time in a Concert-of this magnitude, under the baten of Mr. Rosenbecker, who bas had it in charge for some mentbs past, and has devot- ed to it much hard work. He has presented a programme which is not only dignificd and ex- cellent throughout, but in keeping with the occasion, giving to the orchestra the superb Leonore overture, No. 3, of Beethoven and Schumann’s beautiful First Symphony, op. 38, which has not been heard bere for several years. 1 It will add immensely to the importance of this coucert that Wilhelmj will play in conjuncticn with the orchestra two movements from the Raff concerto, op. 161, and the admirable ““Othello Fantasie” of Ernst, the latter of which he gave here in his recent concerts unaccompanied. Iis admirers will, therefore, have the opportunity of hearing hitn to the best ndvantage and in something Jarger and more dignified than solo work. The voeal selections are only two in number,—the aris, ¢ XNou piu di Fiorl,” from Mozary’s ¥ La Clem- cura dfTito,” by Mrs. Kempton, nnd Schubert’s “Salve Regina,” by tue 8:. Ceeilia Ladies’ Quartette (Miss Whitney, Miss Hoyne, Mrs, Hall, and Mrs. Kempton). The programme lias Leen admirably sciected, showing that Mr. Rosenbecker during his long experience with ‘Theodore Thomas learned something from the latter, whose programmes are always models. It ought to, and, =8 the seats are selling very rapidly, undoubtedly will, attract an immense audience. The public rehearsal will occur at the hall to-morrow moruing at 11 o'clock, the admission to which will be but 50 cents. This wiil give ladies who are unable.to o it the cvening an excellent opportunity to hear Wil- hehinj as well as the orchestral numbers. COMIC OPERA. McVicker’s Theatre will be devoted this week to comic opera in the hands of the Tracy Titus troupe, who will present Planquette’s opera, “Les Cloches de Corneville” (“The Bells of Corneville™), which was presented lerc last season by the Hess troupe under the title of “The Chimes of Normandy.” The company is made up of ‘singers not very well known here, but as it bas made an excellent reputation at the East, especiatly in New York and Boston, we have the right to anticipate a very pleasant series of performances of this bright little work. The principal parts are cast as follows: Ser- polette, Catharine Lewis, sister of Miss JefTreys- Lewis, recently of Califorala; Germaine, Miss Laura Joyce, formerly of the “¥yangeline’ combination; Marguis, Eugene Clark, 8 very capable tenor sinwer; Gaspard, Mr. Henry Peakes, a singer who is very well known here; Grenicheauz, Charles F. Lang; Gertrude, Miss Laura Clancy’; and tho Daille, Mr. M. W. Fiske, a comedian of long-established repatation. THE MRS. H. M. SMITH CONCERT COMPANY will give a concert at Plymouth Congregational Church on Ffiday evening next. The troupe in- cludes Mrs. 11, M. Smith, soprano: Miss Jeanie P. Dangz, alto and piaaist: Charles IL. Clark, tenor; D. M. Babeoek, basso; and Waiter Emerson, cornetist, lately of Gilmore’s Band. The programme is miscellaneous in character and sufliciently full of _songs and ballads to be very popular. Mrs. Smith will siue ascena from * Nabuceo,” and a song y Heack, “The Floweret,” with cornet oblizata. THE MAPLESON OPLRZ4 SEASON. The New York Times of a rccent date says: A contract wag-signed by Col. Mapleson and Samuel Carpenter, of the Pennsylvania Railrosd, vesterday afternoon, by the terms of which her Majesty’s Opera Company 1s to travel, during their proposed tour of the country, in & manner equ to that of the Marquis of Lorne and the Prince: Louise on their recent journey from Huiifax to Ottawa. A special train is to be furnished for the transportation of the entire compsny of 246 per- song, for the trip of 4,600 iniles, at a cost of 815,000. Of this train Col. Mapleson's private car is 0 be new, and i3 to be fitted u? and fornished in the miost Juxarions manner. It will containa drawing-room, slceping-rooms, smoking-room, bath-room, ete. Externally it wiil be as hand Sume as painters and gilders can make it, and i central panels on either side will bear the inscrip. tlon: **Her Majcs(;;s Overa Compsny.™ To it will be attacned a kitchen and dining-car. Three of tie sleeplng-care, which will be refiited for the of the audience on the eveninz of the concert, words of encouravement from musicians and connoissenrs, and acknowledements [rom suchas *P. B. Pubiico,” give me foundation for the reali- zation of Lhe hope long fostered, that the great orchestral works of the masters will becowe porular and estavlished in our grea Western metropol 8.0, P THE NEW DWIGHT'S JOGRNAL OF MUSIC. The first 1sshe of Dwight's Journal of Music under the new suspices has made its appear- ance, and confirms all the ood things that have heen predicated of it. Ji contains a transiation of Mlorace’s “Ode to Thaliarchus,” by C. P. Cranch; an article upon *The Virtuoso and the Public,’”” by William F. Apthorp; “George Sana anl Frederie Chopin,” a study, by Fanny Raymond Ritter; ** Five Sonstas at a Sitting,?? copied irom the London Afwwical Staudar book-notices: a shors article on *Our Painters® a salutation, by the editor; notices of voncerts; and some excellent musical correspondence. The veteran editor, Mr. Dwizht, is to be con- gratulated upon tie uppearance of bis favorite child in the new clothes. LOCAL MISCELLANY. The Hess opera company will appear at Aurora Jai The Germania Meanerchor will celebrate the New Year with a concert aud dance at Brand’s Hall. % X ‘The Chicago Lady Quartette, assisted by Messrs. Summy, Lewis, and Eichheim, gave a coneert at Sterling, 111, on the 20th jost. The * Graded Music Reader,” Part 111 (which closes the serice), has just been issaed by Mr. 11, 8 Perkins, This volume is desfened for the Hieh Schiool grades. The concert of the Mendeissoku Club of Hyde 7 3 Park is now acfiaitely announced for Jan. The last general rebearsal of chorus and orchies- tra will take place Jan. 2. The Curistmas music which was intended to be sung Jast Sundar at the Plymouta Conere- eationai Chureh, and which was omitted owing to the indisposition of the tenor, will be sung 1his cveniog. d We were in crror in stating 1 last Sunday’s TrIBGNE that the St. Ceulia Quartette sang at the recent cancerl given by tue choir of the Sixth Presbyterian Church. It was the Chicaro Lady Quartette. s The Freja Sinzing Society gave its eighth Chbristmas coneert last night, with a programme perfored by Miss Emru G. Hovey, Miss Emna Blausius, Mr. Edmund De Celle, Mr. Walter THodges, Mr. William £. Brace, and Mr. Magnus Olsen. Tne Newsboys' Home of this city has pab- lished 2 mew song called **The Litile News- boy,” the words' Ly Mrs. V. J. Kent, snd the mitsic by T. Martin-Towne, As it is sohl for the benefit of the Home, it ought to havea large circulation. Miss Zo Swisshelm, the pianist, whose piaying has been so well received at several concerisiate- Iy, will receive a_few pupils at her residence, 13 Throop strect. Miss Swisshelm fsa punil of the Leipsic Conservatory, and a very intellizent and well-inforacd musicin. The First Prisbyterian Church has been fortu- nate enough Lo eccure the services of Mr. H. Clarence Eddy as orzanist during the ensuing vear. The Church has good reasons for- con- gratulatine itsell uton fts suceess in fnducing this eplendid orzanist to appear once more in chareh service. Mr. Eddy isnow at the East, but will commence m bis new position Jar. 12. The proramme of the Turner Hali concert this afternoon, s as follows: **Soldiers’ Sports Mareh,” by Sebet; overture to “Stradelin?; Strauss’ ‘YArtists” Life Waltz"; Conradi’s +tVariations on German Songs *'; overture to Spoar’s “‘Jessonda™; ‘Titl's serenade for horn and flute; Schubert’s * Hungarian March 5 Schrciner’s “Parazraph Potpourri®’; Finale from Bacl's * Ariele ¥ and Budick's * Her- mionen Quadrille.” The Englewood Musical Society have com- pleted all the arrangemeuts for their concert, which will take place Tucsday eveniog, Jan. 7, at Tillotson's Hall. The Socicty has done some hard worl this year, and, under toe direction of Mr. W. N. Smith, has accomplished’ excetlent results. Besigles the home talent, the foltowing soloists have been enraged for the occasion: Miss Clara D. Stacy, soprano; Miss Agnes In~ eersoll, pianist; and Mr. William Lewis, violin- ist. . ’[1ie initiatory entertainment of the Athenmum Couservatory of Music, which is to be open to the pablic Jan. 6, will occur at_the Atheczum Hull oo Friday eveaing, Jan. 3. Tac prozramme will comprise” 2n opening address by the Hoo. Henry Booth; overture, *‘Cousecration of the House,” ‘Beethoven; sddress, Dr. H. A Thomss; “I Kucw that my Redeemer Liveth,’ from the essioh,” Handel, Mme. C. - Kocl- ling; “ Non mii dir, bel idol mio,” fzom ‘‘Don Juan,” Mozart, Mue. C. Koelling; ** Hail Colum~ bia,’ Misses Clara and Hattie Cram. The London Figaro of Nov. 27 says: “A statement, which appeared in the Figaroabout a twelvemontlrago to theeffect that Aptomas had left his wife aud family in unfortunate circum- stances, was fndignantly denied by a'son of Mr. Aptomas, and the statewment was tlerefore an- nounced es baseless. ‘There is, however, bung up in the grent hall of Mesers. Ciappull’s new, establishment iu New Bond st~eet, a card which states that Mrs. Aptomns is d te, and which asks for subseriptions. The list is headed with & donation of £5 from Ludy E. Schuster. Young Mr. Aptomas’ indignation scems, there- fore; to heve been oisplaced.” This corrobo- rates the statement of similar purvort made by Tug Curcaco TrISUNE last spring, which was st that time stontly denied by Mr. Aptoras.’ Father and sou appear to be off tle same block. ELSEWHERE. “THE MESSIARY That old Christmas stand-by, *‘The Messiah,” was given in Cincinnati on the 25tL, under Mr. Thomas” direction, with a chorus of 570 voices, with Mies Mary Vao, Miss Emma Cranch, Mr. E. Hartley Thompson, and Mr. M. W. Whitney in the.solos; in St. Louis on the 25th by the Harmonic' Socletr, under Mr. Goldbeck's direc- tion, with Miss Helen Ames, Miss Minnie Curts, Ar. Charles Alien, and Mr. A. D. Cunniogham in the solos; at New York onthe 27th, by the Oratorio Society, under Dr. Damrosch’s direc- tion, with Miss Minnie Hauk, Miss Drasdil, Mr. George Simpsor, and Mr. M. W. Whitney in the solos; and at Boston on the 21st, by the Handel and Haydn Society, with Mrs. Emma R. Dexter, Miss Ita Welch, Mr. William Courtney, and Mr. 3L W. Whitne in thesolos. WILHELMJ AND REMENYL At a Christmas dinner given to Mr. Mapleson in New York, Remenyi was one- of the guests, and was called upon to speak. In the course of bis speech M. Remenvi related an anecdote of i friend Withelmj. He visited the latter’s Iather’s hiouse when he was 19 and Wilkelmj 9. Wilbelmj played the violin awfully badly. Remenyi, however, saw traces of genfus in the lad, and advised Wilkielmj pere to permit him to perfect himseli. The old gentleman did not be- lieve there was anything in the boyv, but: his mother was of a diferent opinion, and the re- sult justified her. It would be interesting now to know whether Wilhelmj sees any traces of genius in Remenyi. THEODORE THOMAS' WORK. The Messiah ¥’ was performed in Cincinnat} on the 25th, under Theadore Thomas’ direction, with Marie Van, Emma Cranch, Hartley Thomp- gon, and M. W. Whitney in the solos. The Uazelte says ot the performance. The managers of the Caliere of Music Concerts, of whom Mr. Thomas is the most energeric, can ECOTe A Kuceexs in their first choral effort.” *- Mes- b, ¥ given last mght, thanks ta Christmas senti- ment. love for the work, and other reasons cqually beantiful, was heard by an audience of the festivil kind: it certainly numbered over 4.000 people, and thougei 1ot nulsily demonstrative in its exvzes- slons of approbation, ity zood attention and readi- mess to shuw it respeet to the unequaled master- piece in choral writing—the **Hallelujgh " —by following the Fnglish custom, and listeninz to it standing, showed a Hoeral amount of appreciation aud satifaction st the result. The chorus uam- bered in the neizhborhaod of 530, and. without wwinzing themsclves up to the inspired piune which the festival splrit lifted them fo last May, the singers did nobly, particularly iu the one difii- cull matter of precision in the roulades, whose rather rapid ‘tempo Suggested fears at’ seversl etuges of the performance as to the outcome., The Commercial says of the same nerform- aonce: “The stern discipling to which the urchestra and chorus have been subjected told wonders of the achievements of tie subjects of that discipiine, and av the same time spoke volumes 85 to Mr. Thonins’ extraordinary qusli- fications as a musical dircctor and of his strong and direc, personal influeuce, amounting almost to masmetism.” ‘The third chamber concert under Mr. Thomas’ direction was given on the 26th. The pro- gramme included Schubert’s pusthumous quar- tette in D minor, Schinnann's quartette in E y flat, op. 47, aud Beethoven’s quariette No. 11 in F minor, op. ‘The fourth ctaraber concert will take place Thursday, Jan. 9, with the assist- ance of Miss Louise Rollwagen and Mr. Sivger. The programme ine selections: Quintett. ¥ mincr, op. 3+ (Brabins); songs (Schumaaon), (Franz); sud quartets, No. 10, E 1lat, op. 74 (Beethoven). OLE BULL AND MOZART. . The New York correspordent of the Brookiyn Euglesays: Ole Bull at last mnstered np conrage enough to appear at Steinway Hail a few evenings sgo. - The frantic attempts made by him on ini occasion 10 come up to the taste of the day in his sclections were agonizing. Knowing that the public had pat yesterday listened to tue grand piaying of Wil fiehnj, and that_nolhing hut the best would please thews, poor Ole Lall made his Frogramme a8 clas- sical as fie dared to. He mwst have wished his great rival at the bottom of tke ses, for tne former king of tie violin found himself in very deep wuler the moment he attempted to follow ia the foot- sieps of Wilhelmj. As he etruggled throngh the mazes of & seiection by Mozart s dear viohn seemed to protest at every mote, and it was as much s poor Ole Bull could do to keep the astonished instrument from Dursting =~ out witn a storm of discords, Tne dear old fiddle rebelled ot being beld down fo- sach cxacting music where there was no chance of bringing in exhibition notes. 1t wmissed the hops, skips, und jumps, ard, coming to tne conclusion that its master must be degensrating, itendeavored 10 save nis reputation by doing a little ¢kippinz on irs own account. It requircd all of Ole Lnlt's strenath 10 suppress this misplaced Kindness in his fiddie, and the terridle strugele between master ani violin became. at last, imost tnbearavle to the audience. 11 was a smeat relief to all partics when the obstinate old fiddle was aliowed to have its own sweet way in a dashing show picce that | fcllowed the Mozart seléction, out the short battle Lad proven beyond guestion that Ole Dall and his violin have been ieft far behind the great artists of the day. Aithough facte are stnbborn thing, atny leads one to wish the oid lion-headed an a longer lease of popmiarity, and there are many set who can and will enjor his once famons show-playiny, but his andiences arie no longer to_be fonnd among the musical people of New York. - MCSICAL KOTES. Mme. Adelina Patti has miet with her usual " success in Berlin. Signor Campanini has been re-enzaged for the summer season of 1870 at Her Majesty’s Thentre. t'he veteran tenor, Sims Reeves, fs now sinz- ing Lapt. Macheath 1 **The Begear's Opera,” Londoa. ‘Toe return of Mme. Pauline Lucca to Vienna 8s Se’ika in the “ Africaine ™ has been enthusi- astically ereeted. £ ‘BSignor Filippo Marchetti, the composer of +Ruy Blas,* kas completed a new opera,—* Don Giovanui d Austria.’? Mr. Max Strakosch, who conducted a cam- paien of Italian opera at Booth’s Theatre, New York, last winter, is to try bis fortunes again at that house, openinz Jan. 5. _Mme, Nilssonis at present in Paris, and is soon to be_installeG as Grand Mistress of the Anclent Masonic Order of the 'Eastern Star, composed principally of fadies of rauk. ¢ An enthusfastic audience recently witnessed a reproduction of Weber’s “Oberon at tler Majesty’s Opers in London, It is fourteen years since this opera wus last pruduced there. Mme.'Rosina Stoliz, the cantatrice, is about to sne to have her marriage with the Prince of Peace, a Qescendant of Godoy, annulled. She inas taken to literature and Sviritualism, and published a volume of thowzhts dictated to her by Joun of Are. The anniversaryof endelssohu’s death (Nov. 4) was observed £t Berlin by a_performance of his *Elijal by the Hizher School of Music; while **St. Paul™ was given by the Stern’sche Gesaneverein, the new Director of this Society, Herr Max Bruch, conducting for the first time. There were two candidates for the vaeancy in the Academie des Beaux-Arts lelt by the death of M. Francols Bazin, both of them composers who are very well known to Americans through their compositions, with which Theodore Thomas bas ‘made us_familiar,—Jules Mussenet and Camille 2aint-Saens, The mefits of both men were very evenly balanced, as was their support in the Academy, and it was only aflter a very closely contested. election that” Massenet was chose: The New York Tribune says: *Once more we arcto hearthe great German violinist under proper auspices. He Is to play with Dr. Dam- rosch’s -orchestra gt the next concert of the Symphony Society, which takes place on the 4th of January, and, that nolhing may lack to the measure of our coutent, he wiil perform the Beethoven concerto. Mr. Wilhelm] has been outrageously mismanaged during bis tour in the United States; ft ias been welancholy to see 50 great A man surrounded and hampered by so many little peopic. By some fncompre- hensible accident hé scems at lzst to have heen permitted to take the place that belongs to him.” s ‘The Cinclunati Commercial .of the 23d says: “Friday night Emmna Abbott sane Marguerite in “*Faust,” and electrified her andience by her. superb vocalization andacting. At the matinee on Saturday the little lady sane “ Maritana.’”” On Saturday evening (on_nccount of Miss Mon- tague’s liness, who siags in *The Chimes of Normandy,” ami in order not to close the promised to go to Dayton on Saturday night and sing at the Soldlers’ Home, for their beae- fie. This, of course, was impossible; so, after singing three operas, one of whict i3 the mosg exacting of ail grand operas, in tweoty-four hours, and in order not to disappbint the sol- dicrs at the Home, she took a special train this morning for Davton.” < Ail managers are cot thin-skinned, s the fol- Jowing letter shows: Cixcissaty, Dec. 10.—To the Editor of the En- guirer: Iwant to expreas my hearty thanks to you Tor the very just criticism on .our damnable per- formance 1ast nizht of an opera which has been hitberto among the bezt erforte of my company. Such strictures as yours are unquestionably in ha interast of ciscipline,and I tell you I am in'ecamest swhent'T say “1-thank you from the bottom of my heart. Itis, no coubt, tras that my pockets for theatre) shesang “‘Martha,’” Miss Abbott hiud . e e e the moment might have been better served had yoz overlooked the faults, but in the lonz ran my busi- ness, pockets, the profession, and 3l woull, undes that practice, take a ** grand tamble, " and ** hoop- 1a!” the whoie thing 13 gone. This 13 my view — £00d, square crticism is an absolnte assistance 10 the manager. Last nignt's disgrace mi; hd been passed by io some €ases, nnder the n notion that the manager was beinz befriended thereby. Not s0; and I take pleasure in thanking 1he Cincinnati press for heiping me this mornive to correet an abuse which hasseriously embarrassed. 1 . 1am, sincerely yours, me for years. T YOUS, Heis. THE GAME OF CHESS All communications for this department shouid da addrested 10 Taes Trinoxe. aud fodorsed **Clhesi.” . CRESS DIRECTOLY. Cr10160 Ciress CLUB—No. 50 Dearborn strect. CuicaGo Cgss AssoctaTioN—Hansen & Welch's, 50 Denrbora strect, oppostts Taintxs Halldin s, Cliess-players meet dally % the Tremont Housa (Ez+ chiauge) zud Sharman Honse (Busement). TO CORRESPOSDENTS. J. C. M.—Solutfons by postal-card are accentabie. E. B,—The problem I3 protably souad wnougli; but 16 bears too striking s ressmblance tu_ Provlem No. L, published tn Tirx Trusexz of Feb. 15, 187 Prodlem No, 157 —~The corrvct sulution re. 0. 1. Benfamin, W. Ii. Ovlugzon, ¥. Ba shrl, ity t.. Turner, Il e, WIS, 5., Anin ATbOY, Mfich. Problem 158, —Correct salutlon {ved from Ao Tenvhel, W, 1. Oviogton, D. i. Kinkea. 0. L. Bens i, arbe, G- If. Thompon, . Tre! W.T. Trego. cit) N bor, Micl Hook, Paducah. Ky, Mazomanle, Wis. PROBLEM NO. 169. BY MR 6. T VALLE, ITALT. White, White to play and mate in $wo moves. SOLUTION TO PROBLEM S0. Whire, & teo B4 ates accordingty. lutions 1o the end-game by r. 1. G. Cama- been received. the sofatlon 14 Witaheld ua- 1..Ab7 Tiove. P NOT ‘The Concinnati Compercral and. Raltimore Merald ave eack cutminenced the PRVItion Of o eliess Jre prrnenc. W. Snelerove, ot Enzland, lus formed an av- entitled the AMGn- CoTtesnombance Cives r. . soctation. TUDE TOUInEYS KUIOUGSE T comimunicativn. The match between Messrs. W beon voncluded, the seure sianding Ware has had a_standingz o matehes in_conseuence. it with Y Which M. \Ware wou. by 3 score uf 910 L, and the i tinfshed with Mr. Beddiz. A 1o one el disposed 1o meet Mr. Ware, e ‘can falrly Slali clamplonshiy of this ci instan, elube, : wers: Why 13§t that American elubs pla matclies? This fs u pizzline subjer. Cheis ci shrosd frequently play matehvs with cach ather. this country Lars (Ore each Others existen have dim recollectlons of centests between aud Phiadeipnia, and Yo and t But 1| hapoened many vears ago. cThy fOF Lie ciibs Gf any 1wo citles (0 conduct Lwo zamies simui- L postal card, and. thougn gam-s by are voteld sluw, Ty are the © Ivc of ail in_the atdy of openlngs. They clno with a sublect of lving fterest, ad 3 food for experimental play. We are not authorized to speak for auy chess orgunlzation. but this coluwn is open for chuileages.—Cinciandis Commercial. * THE SMALLEST,CHESS-BOARD ONX RECORD. In 1335, Francesco Marla L. Duke of Trbino. pre- senter 10 the Emperor Charies V.. a . & ring whcreln a watch sruck the hours: and Eany ntices o a simifas kmd ocenr In tiie correspondedce of his franuson; the last Duke: Guldobaldo {1, wai especial: ¥ fonil of such mechanieal curlosittes. Having receiy ¢d frow one Glovan Glorglo Capublanco, of Viceazs, thie Praxiteies of Liny chise Tiog which held & watch, whereupon Were engraved thie sizns of t.e Zodlad, with a gure that pointed to ard scruck tio honrs, he interfered to save che ars en cou- gemned to deatn Tor an assugination comumicted 1 Veulce. [ testimony of his fraiitude fur thfs oviza- lon. Capablanco wade for the Duchess of Lrbluo, s encfactors wife, asiiver chess-board contained 1o 3 cherry stone.—fi. 4. o CHESS IN GERMANT. Tlayed n Bresta, April i3, i877. Huy Loue: Whito—Trof. Andersser. 1.0 K4 K Kuto B3 310 Kt 5 4 . R0 Qb Ldsiime (a) 5 P 1o Q 4 {n Black's best defanse, andnat only sn, ‘but 38 agninat I takes Kt ch, I belleve | ves him tig superlurity. llowever, IFONi PISYCrs ATE.0Y Mo Mennd i be censurcd, bus eoutrarywise, for wanderbis in moderation where fancy leadd then In off-hand sui 8 withk each ather. The °* Buo! arellie tralners, they have their relgn ard their a:thority, bug not bt noarsof irresponstvility. i) Anderseen lias been playini witlt mach o gpect acateness, oud he s now nop only vutof Ganger a3 there was, but has obylously the better gutiv Played at Breslaw. April15, 1577, Ruy Lopez. White—Herr Minckwicz. LBk 4 Black—Prof. Anderssea, _ 1.Ptok4 KKt B3 tal (a) Inferforto 8 Kt to Kt 2. 23 plaved by Zukertort fn woof the games of Lis tle match 3galust Wikawer 4t arls. () Al ths reminds me of the reveller who tuibilxd. Joyously during the hourof his rezeiry, but the rec: wiifnic came thereatrer. e (€) A nore to this move faya **best,” and no d uch 15 the case. At the samo time & ducx nor 1 ba: It brioga, And the force of Andersaen’s reriy | o0 see. Hisdeteat, which oughi to b certaf Chough eem o b it Food play on e etber Sla, docy o a0y sea iove fie makve, T B O meby Sh Tt 155, 1 1akes B, 38 Kt to iinsinger Fupess ——— - 5 GOD IS LOVE. lovn thy flowery, leafy zroves, 0 sunry, beaming Life! Thy ouovént hopes, thy cicery songe, 'hy days with bléssings rife. Thy sky looks on with face andimmed; ulfilied is every dream; One sang resocnds from morn 141l night: “Tafe, Life, how fair yon seem ™ Another hymn Rosts from Abo *+God fs Love! God !a Lovef Bow sad you've grawn! haw stiil your groves, O darkened, monrnfal L How fall of tears your ski Your deys with 80rrows rife: K3, ete Dear Hope, dezr. Hape, aronnd we zow Your soflened rays rne‘er beam: My Leart can sing but one low song: *iLifel Life! how dark you seera I But still the bymn floats fzom Aduve, **God 13 Love! God is Love! Ileave yon, Earth—leave’all your jaya, And all your bitter 1cars, T 20 to {1im wEo sent me both. Througi many, many years. T'm clad, and yet 1 tear the vale ‘I'hat leads to Death's abode; 1f oniy those £ love-conld com: "T'wonld seem ar e2sy road. 1 go—I go—bat not alone, For listen! from Above Is borne to Earth the mesange swect: +* Your guide Is God, #ud te is L FrovLidy 4