Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, March 2, 1879, Page 11

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: SUNDAY. MARCH 2 18 —SIXTEEN PAGES. n THE STAG THE DRAMA. CEICAGO. REVIEW OF THE PAST WEEK. The sttention of our plaggoing people hasbeen retty evenly -divided this last week between s drolleries of burlesque, the whims. and :;fiities of the variety stage, the romanticism of thelrish, and the cmotionalism of the French chool. All of these distinct classes of theatric- . work have had measurably fair representa- ;“w and it may sfford the publica transient glesm of pleasurc to know thatas between the anseers and thelr patrons there has existed Ee very best of good feeling. Thatis to say, 10 use the_stock Dhrase, ‘“Dusiuessis good,” and this disposes of the commercial n.spce& of our world of amuscment. The “Pinafore® tidal wave having not as yet come to submerge 2} other theatrical interests—we had merely a gplash of it—one can take a calm survey of the ficld, and find in it not 50 much of & monoto~ pous character as appears to have for some time sllicted less favored communities. It isnot polikely that the “Pinafore” craze will reach ts limax right here in Chicago, Mr. Col. Jobn g, Baverly is alrzady on his way back, and will 1o o)l probability set about organizing 2 Masto- don, or Molydon, or marbe s Lamadon **Pina- fore™ combination, which may bury all others. ‘Mesowhile we have been permitted to enjoy ‘st "his theatre the sensation of a2 pro- Jonged murder trigl, that belng the prin- cipal feature of the mew play by Mrs. Ettie Hepderson. ‘‘Almost a Life* is in a manuer a yevival of aclass of dramatic work which was idely popular SOme years ago. It belongs to the “intensely interesting” school of ‘drams of which * Waiting for the Verdict” is a nota® Dble gpecimen. Yet it does not possess the merit of the piece just named, and besides, being full of fncongruities, contains not a single character thst Is deserving the study of an actor. A young man gets involved 1 an unfortunate scrape, from which it scems impossible he can ever extricate himself, and throughout the suc- cessive acts or tableaux the audience is coosti- tuted 2 Jry to hear the evidence. ‘Fhe various personazes are 50 many narrators of incidents, andhavevery littic to doother thanannouce fresh Horclopments in the case. The case, by the war, seems to be tried, not before a_court, bat 1o suterooms which are very like the ordinary stage Qrawing-room, and the accused, who is ~ supposed to be v prison nmutmi; his doom, pss s mysterfous way of slipping from Dehind the bars on all occasions. Perhaps that fs the way they manage these matterain France, bt to the American mind it Jooks like a viola- tion of probabilities, or else betrnys a looseness in the matter ol prison discipline which would ot be tolerated, not even in Chicago. - The prosecuiing attorney in the case conducts bim- gelf ina way that in a free country like this would certainly bar his chances of re-clection. Heis made a ** heavy villain,” in fact, and bis “bosiness ** is tu fly into frequent paroxysms of rage whenever a freshfact isunfolded that might 1eud 1o the acq}x:ltml of the uubappy prisouer. Notonly that, but he deliberately attempts to suporess evidence, and bullies every one who makes an effort to find out the truth. Even Charley Reed, with all his honest ambition to obtain a conviction, would never Lave gone €o forss that. The only part of the vlay which possesses dramatic interest, aside from that Wwhich arises from ihe uuraveling of the plot, is the passagre in which the two women contena for the possession of the young map. Some fine workof an intensely emotional description is done herc by Miss Maud Graoger and Miss Emily Rigl, both of whom in that one scene, and in that only, eain complete possession of the svmpathics of the sudience. 1t may be said, in a word, that the companyis occupied with a picce that is beneath their “capacity, and ftis owing to them rather than to the author that the fiav has enjoyed sach fair success dur- the week. " r. Emmett’s new version of * Fritz,” which has been played to fine Louses everv night at Hooley’s, is by no means the same drama which Charles Gayier wrote manv years sfoce, nor is it on the who{e so good a plav. Of course, it af- fords Mr. Emmett abundant opportunity to display bis varicd musical glfts, and his charac- ter sketches are certainly as amusiog as in former days. As to the other dramatis per- wox, they are mere figure-heads, requiring in. o instance aov special ability to represent. We should make an exception in the case of little Georria Snyder, a childof 5 who plays a child vartvery sweetly and intelligently, the charm of her acting Leing that she really represents a child, and not a @warf woman asis too frequent- Iy done by the infant poenomenon of the stage. Mr. Emmett is coming to Haverly’s Theatre after a brief interval. Mr. Jervis! Irish drama, * The Fallsof Clarah,” bas met with marked aporeciation at thae Metro- politag, the mansgement having lavished con- giderable expense and care in the monnting of ‘the work. LOCAL NOTES. At Haverly’s Theatre the Standard Company remain for apother week, playing “Almost a Life,” with the same cast as before. Miss Lepra E. Dainty has returned from a reading tour in Nebraska and Ohio, and starts to-morrow for a trip through Michigan. The Josh Hart Combination at the Academy of Music bave given one of the most enjoyable . Yariety entertainments that bave for some time been offered in Chicago, and the house has been” thronzed every evening. Edwin Browne will appear this weck at the #letropolitan in an idyll of the Sierra Nevadas, lter the style of *‘ The Danites, entitled *Good as Gold,” written by W. L. Bowen. The 2lay will be preceded by the usual olio. Nr. Dominick Murray, a character-actor of re- markable ability, apoears at Hamlin’s this week in 8 play of his own catitled * Innoceat; or, The Gambler's Crime,” in which he will be support- ed by Miss Clara Cole and a selected dramatic company. 3r. Will E. Day, 2 well-known journalist of thiscity, is to be the business-azent of Georze France, and will start ont with the acting dogs sbout the begiuning of April. These dogs take 2prominent part in Mr. France’s drama, and Hhey weigh about 150 pounds each. Mr. Georne S. Knight, the popular_dialect tomedian, will begin an aneagement at Hooles's eatre to-morrow evening in his weil-known lay of “Otto," in which he introduces his umerous specialties, including the * Water- Mill ™ recitation. Mr. Knight is accompanied by a select company, nnder the management of Mr. Jonn Rickaby. The Rice Surprise Partr, which has.achieved lhir success In their popuiar burlesgue of Ru_hmsun Crusoe,” are bouked for auother ¥eck gt McVieker’s. ‘They will present to-mor- Tow cvening the favorite extravaganza ‘¢ Babes o the W " and on Thursday evening the bill ¥ill be changed to * Horrors,” which, we un- lerstand, bas been entirely rewritten sfoce its first prodaction here. !!me Robert R. Cumuock, the_distinguished ocationist of the Nortwestern University, has glamed 1rom an extended reading tour throush e Eastern States. Prof. Cumnock met with a fueeess rarely accorded to any reader. To Ed- ¥ard Eggleston, the novelist, is_scercdited the string that Brooklyn mnever listencd to finer m;dlu:s than were given in that. city by him. eed, the Brooklyn Fagle and Times nearly :fifg:& Dr. Egleston’s opinion throush their At Hooley’s tnis evening Mr. Hoechster's 3 mn; dramatic company will appear in G. = Crwie’s great draina, “ Paula.” This play has ever before been performed in - this city, and Flerever i has vet been produced it achicved a &rund success. f'he cast for its production to- Borrow evening is an unusually strong one, and _ could handly be improved upon. It has been fn {urse of preparation for the Iast two _or_three ecks, amd another successfal performance by Yieipgocrhster's excellent company mav be- an- & Fated. The pesformance will command par- cular foterest from the fact that Miss Lina 3ssman, who has so quickly become a favor- te- takes the leading part. She is suid to he as cetive I dramas as ghe {s in farces and com- M'VICKER'S CARDS. Ny w00ciat Disvateh to The Tribune. By Your, March L—Mr. MecVicker, who ol been 1 New York for several days. lias Usied himsclf all the time making arrange- Ments for the immediate future. Among bis ::‘I;E‘-gcmcnm 50 far is T. W. Keene, who will gmun Bootn in Chicago in April. h‘{h McVicker il produce _* Enzaced,” Yhizh he to-lay purchased from Mr. Sothern’s L"“I"L After doing the piece in Chicago, be o lake it on the road, having secared the ex- usive rights for eeven States. He has also several uther important schemes on band, and "f& Is a probability that we ventures iuto e be iatends going wiil prove an astonisi- 0t and gratification to his Chicago patrops, - NEW YORK. ZOCCIZATLY'S LAST NEW PLAT. . Suectat Corrrspondence of The Tritur.c. New Yonz, Feb.27.—It now remains for Dionssios Boucicsult aud Waukeen Miller to WP~ = law in nartnerabin, Both of them bave done some rank 'and howling work lately, and it is the popular elief that if they were to bring their united mental - functions to bear upon a drama, the result would either kill the first- night -audience outrieht; or incite them toa pleasant little Iynching entertainment in which the two authors would be largely intercsted. For a long time back Boucicauit hasn’t produced 2 new play,'and the most sanguine people here began to hope he had repented, and was on the road to complete reformation. But the judg- mcnt was too hasty. Dionwas only holding back and walting for a chance to tire off more atrocitles. One of ’em was belched forth at Wallack’s Monday night. It was called “Spell- bound,” and by the time the curtain bad fallen on the second act. I don't believe there was any- body in the auditorium who had sense enough Ieft to spell ¢ bound,”—or anything else, for that matter. Lurid? Well,I should say so! Tiger-fights. boar- Killing, murders, robberies, lunatic asylums, magnetic influences—everything of that sort, at. the rate of ten to the square inch, and nevera let-up of ong;instant. Drawas have heen written with not more than one crime for the ground- worle. TIo this one Boucey has concentrated all the crimes he could think of, and then dished up the savory mess for Wallack’s use. LISTEN TO THE STORY and judee for yourself. Gabrielle, the herolne, is discovered, with some friends, camping in a mountain-pass in North- ern Hindostan. She has been in India a counle of years, andis on the point of returning to France, where she has been left a‘larze fortune. Gabrielie tells that the Count de Beaupre, whom she met some months previously to the present timee, possesses a peenliar and serpent-like influ- euce over her, aud is following Ter from place to place.- Thercupou.de Beaupre appears, bay- ing sought her out again, and she excuses herself to go for awalk with a companion. Presently the two ladics return, announcing that they have becn attacked by a tiger, whose progress has been delayed by o scarf which Gabrielle has thrown in his face. The scarf was a gift from " her mother, and she didn’t like to part with it. The Count then volunteers 1o 'recover it, and goes out to do battle with the tiger, while those on the stage show their appreciation of bis brave act by watching the ficht in an entirely uncon- cerned manuer. The victorious Count” returns badly wounaed, and falls fainting to the ground. Gabriel'e places upon bis breast the scarf Lo has rescued, and levants. Then the curtain comes down. The next acc opens in France, where Tabrielle is living in splendor with her sisters, and ber cousiug, and her sunts. De Beaupre comes on, having just saved 2 young man from DEATH BY A WILD BOAR,— or bore, I'm not sure which. He declares his love for Gabdrielle, and she, nnable to resist his fascinating influence, strikes her flag and iaints away. The Count fastens upou ber breast what is at first supnosed to be an express-tag mwarked C. 0. D. 1tsubsequently turns out, however, that it is ouly a card upon which he‘has written that he will come back and claim her openly. Unon this thrilling situation the curtain drops, ~—which is eeuerous in the curtaiu, the situation having nezlected to **drop™ on itself. In the next iostallment Gabdriefe has married the Count, and has come to. his castle. She is seen iv her bed-chamber, and is pretty badly scared about having beurd that a o maoy crimes have been committed in the neizh- borhood. She is further exercised over the dis- covery of a secret passageway leading from her room, and a ery-for_help, which comes out of that passageway. So shic opens the_sceret door and follows the dark ball, which leads to a vault undernedtn the castle. ‘lhere she finds ber be- loved lord and master in the act of killing a woman whose Lusband he has previously robbed and murdered. The curtain 1S aeain obligingly lowered. When it comes up once more Gabreelle is supposed to have hunded in her checks, and the &lml s on the point of marrying another girl, to whom his former Wife's fortunc has re- verted. At this juncture Gabricle herself ap- pears, having been LIBEEATED FROM 4 LUNATIC ASYLUA, where de Beauprehad placed ber. A former lover has rescued her, and when Gabrielle falls again under her husband’s {nfluence and refuscs to denounce bim, the ecnile lover follows her example and says he'll never, never tell. The Count, however, with that sensitiveness which belongs to all murderers and robbers,—as every-’ body knows,—declines to live under those con- ditions, and proposes a duel. The aporeciative lJover with the utmost kindness kills bim, and the play ends. You know it is eaded, by the fact that every- body gexs up and goes home, Nor, isn’t that beautiful? Why, every time the curtain comes down you expect to sce a lewrend across it in big letters, “To be con- tinued in our next.” “Spellbound ' and *+ Mexico ! gre twins. If somebody would take a Iemon-squeezer, mash ‘em up together, and then boii down the julce. 1 think wne Govern- ment woula buy the extract and abolish capital punishment. A teaspoonfut would get away with every convict ju America, and she would never miscarry,—no, never! ) Think of Lester Wallack as de Beaupre! Think of Lester Wallack s a fascinating being, —with an obvious w—g, & palpably d—d mous- -tacbe, an awful suspicion of c—r—s—ts and g§—h—l—d—r-p—ds, and an enunciation which tells only too plainly of fearful and wouderful dental operstions.” Think—no! don’t think any more. . PEOPLE NIAVE BEEN DRIVEN CRAZY under less pressure than that. As a drama, this thing is a fizzle. Miss Cogh- 1an and other members of the cast dia the best they knew bow to saveit, but they coulda’t snceeed. ~They *rastled theirparts for all they were worth, bat before the evening was ot they found it was no use. This adds one more to the long hist of utter failures Mr. Boucicault bas wrought. It is about time that he and Wal- lack bezau to realize the approach of old age. 1t shows very plainly in all their recent work, and if they don’t see It themsclves it must be that they are willfully blind. Boncicault is writ- ten-out and Wallack is playea-out. The efforts of one to write a ereat drama nowadays, and of the other to assume young men’s habits and looks, are always cither palnfulor ndiculous,— somctimes both. It is time they quit. Gilbert and Sullivaw’s * Trial by Jurv” has becn added to the bill of the Fifth Avenue The- atre. It is a pleasant trifle. 2nd contains many bright and sparkling airs which catch the popu- lar ear at once, and it strengthens the entertain- ment wonderfully. Besides this, there have been several CHANGES IN THE CAST of “ Pinafore” at this theatre, and they are all advantageous. Vinceut Hozan is the aew Cao- tain Corcoran, and Mme. Julie deRyther now does Litt:e Buttercup. Mr. Hogau isin every re- spect the best Captain New York has yet seen, and Mme. de Ryther is an artist who "has for a number of years ranked in the iirst class of con- cert-singers. Business is still very large at the Fifth Avenue, bat ‘‘Pioafore’ must be with- drawn ot the end of this week, to make room for Steele Mackaye's new piece, * Thra’ the Dark,” which Mr. Harkins has contracted to produce next Monday evening. 'The cast will embrace Joseph Wheelock, D. H. Harkins, James Hardie, Charles Fisher, Frank Harden- bergh, Ellie Wilton, Henrictta {rving, Mary Hill, and a number of others who are well known. Some of the ‘“sets,” whicn I bave al- ready secn, wiil be remarkably fine, and the play is marked by stirring situations, strong_ charac- ter-drawing, terse dialogue, and rapid move- meant. This is the opinion I have gathered by watching the rebearsals, and £ do not doubt that it will be verificd when the picee is produced. JOHN E. OWENS is seriously contemplating a professional tour to Australia.” The annouocement has been contra- dicted once or twice, but I learn that there is truth in it, nevertheless. Mr. Owens has not been largelv successful in this country for three or four years, excepting from an artistic point of view, and he thinks, with some wisdom, that his reputation as ar actor will be worth ducats to bim abroad. Next week he is poing to pluy at the Bowerv Theatre, which has been doing a Iarge business thus far this scason. Voo Stamwitz gave up her stragele with fate 1ast Monday nizht, ‘and withdrew * Mexico.” Miller, the autbor, had not been seen since the first night of bis play, but alonz toward the end of the second weck Poole & Donnelly received aletter from him, in which he condoled with them ou the foilure of ““ Mexico,” and offered to turn over his share of the receipts to them as a kind of peace-offering. 1In view of the fact that his *“share’ was to_be 0 per cert of Von Stamwitz’s profits, and the additional fact that Von Stamwitz didu’t have any profits at all, Miller's offer is lovked upon by Poole & Don- nelly as exceedinzly zenejous. MEROE CHARLES . has, I learn, withdrawn [rom McVicver’s com- pouy. Barton HUI has inade her an offer to join e stock company of the California Theatre, which she wiil doubtless accepr. Miss Charies is a painstaking actress, and a handsome woman besides. LI she zoes to Calforma she caun scarcely fatl of success, aud I am sure everybody in Clhiago will wish her govod-fortupe. ‘The reason of ber withdrawal from MeVicker’s §s that the climate of the Garden City has bad an il effect upon ber health. Cazauran’s “ Lost Chuldren ™ (that is the name of a play, und is not inienoed to convey theidea that Cazauran has aciually lost any of his chil- dren) is in rehearsal at the Unfon Square. ** The Banker’s Daugnter” will ron throuzh Lent, and there {s every probability that the new picce, which s described as a strong French melo- drama, will be done on Easter Monday. Mr. ‘Thorne_has secured the California rights for “The Banker's Daughter,” aud will take out several leading members of the present com- pany to do the picee, early in the summer. The play Las been vastlv successful in New York, and can scarcely fail to do well elsewhere, especially if it {s produced by the artists who have contribated to its loug run here. ITHURIEL. SCATTERING. GREEN-ROOM GOSSIP. ¢ The Criterion Comedy Company open at the Opera * House, Cleveland, 0., on Monday, March 8. Haverly’s Mastodon Minstrels are in the inte- rior of Illinofs, making West, on their wav to California. Chrisdie’s Huhipty Dumpty Troupe opened lnost Monday at the Metropolitan Theatre, In- dianapolis, Ind. Lydia Thompson’s husband, Alexander Hen- derson, has retired from the management of the Folly, Globe, and Criterton Theatres of London, with & bank account of half a million dollars. ) Lester Wallack, it is sald. has received a handsome offer to play at the California Thea- tre next scason, bat he _has not yet accepted it, as he caunot leave New York for scveral months. ‘The poor rates collected by o percentage on the gross receipts of the Paris opera-houses, cancerts, and theatres amounted to $160,000 last ygar, !thcre i3 a strong effort to have the tax reduced. tiss Nellie Bovd. formerly a Chicago actress, . is now at the head of a dramatic company whichi is exploring the new mining districts in Colo- rado. They recently appeared fn Leadville, playing ** A Celebrated Case.” During the Leaten season the dramatic com- pany at the Grand Opera-House, San Francisco, are to be engaged in a revival of **The Passion PLQ',” in which the great emotlonal actor, Jim ONeill, sustains the leading part. Wilhelwj, Modjeska, Fannle Davenport, DI Murski, aud Alice’ Oates are among the staze folks who bave been robbed of jewelry lately, and an unkind paracrapher spealis of their mia- fortunes 2s an advertising dodge. Did Faony have her nose broken for an advertisement? It 2 man should go on the street and bellow, roar, stemp, und stride along, dragzing one scemingly paralyzed leg after the other, as some of our actors do in playing the Shak- spearean drama, and as mauy actors have done for zenerations, he would probably be arrested for a lunatic.—Graphic. John T. Raymond lately essayed the serious art in the play “MySon” at the Californin Cheatre, and the audience, having previously scen him as Col. Sellers, rhought: that everything he aid was intended to be fimny. As a'conse- quence the most pathetic scenes ~ were received ‘with uproarious laughter. Spcaking of long runs, Agnes Robertson (3rs. Boucicault) says:” *“For four years we plaved nothing but *The Colleen Bawn,’ und it became almost unsuppoytable. To illustrate how me- chanical it all grew, I need only say that if there was any change in the cast, I forgot my lines utterly at the first sound of the strange volce.” Willlam Heary Chippendale, the Bondon actor, whose farewell benctit was spoken of re- ~ently, was for seventeen years on the American stage. Inhis carly days he was incidentally conpected with literature, for as a printer’s boy he used to take the proofs of Sir Walter Scott’s novels backward and forward between the nuthor and his publisher. However, his father was an actor, and he soon had the boy playing in children’s parts to several members of the Kemble family. He made his debut in 1811. ‘The young man of the name of Paulding, who has been playing Bertucc'o and other parts in New York. comes in tor bis share of gentle ridi- caic by the correspondents. Miss Fluty Me- Gilder telis the Boston Gazette how his mother stood at the wings with a bowl of peef tea, and fed him when he came off the stage, and the New York Zribune adds: *The illustrious Me-' Kean Buchanan used to devour roast beef, rare, before he bounded into Jeichard,but nour- ished himself for Hamlet on kidneys and sweet- })remxiys. These great examoles should not be lost.’ Miss Anna Dickinson’s new play “ Aurelian is thus announced by 2 New York critic: **This ‘piece is written in prose, and consists of a series of level dinlogues, {n which all the persons_talk alike, and all talk like the writer. It introduces Aurcian, Zenobia, Tacitus, and a fow other charncters.” Its production, should it be pro- duced, might, perhaps, eerve a zood puroose, in directing attention to the eloquent, pictorial, illuminative novels of *Aurelian’ and ‘Zeno- bia,’ by William Ware, once renowned but now almost forgotten, The statement, lately circu- latep, that John McCullough had zccepted Miss Dickinson’s * Aureltan,’ and would act in it, proves to bave been incorrect.” The hard times in England are telling upon the theatrical business. A correspondent of a Philadelphia paper relates a conversation he bad with Chatterton, one of the most distinguished London managers, in wi that gentlemansays 2 great many discouraging things ubout the sea- son. *‘ Tuie Boxing Night,” seys Mr. C; “in Fuc vears I Lave had to return moucy on Box- ing Night to the upper and lower gallcry to the cextent of two and threc hundred st ihe very least. Onlast Boxing Night I was only asked to return to the amount of 3 shillings in the up- per and 18 pence 1o the lower gallery. My dear boy, I am tak‘mf this yesr at the rate of £100a night less than I took Jast year at thfs time, Go into my theatre, and what” will you find? The galleries full,—but not with the usual class of people. Youwill find there, sir, people who would have beeuin the dress-cirele in former vears. The fact is, the public con't afford to patronize theatres in: the way they used to be patronized, and there fs an end of the matter.” A “star” was playing Macbeth'in a very small company, where each member had to sustain three or four alfferent charncters. During the verformance the man apnointed to play the first. murderer was taken ill. There was not another to be spared, and the only resource left was to send on a “super,” supposcd to be intelligent, to stand for the character. *‘Keep close to the wing,” gaid the prompter; “I'll read you the words, and you can repeat them after me.” The scene was that of the bamquet; the *‘super™ was pushed on; and Macbeth. striding down the stagc sefzed bis arm, aud said, ju o stage whis- per, ‘‘There’s biood upou thy face!™ ¢ ITis Banquo's then,” was the prompt. Lost and be- wildered—having neyer spoken befors upon the staze—by the tragedian’s intense, yet natural tones, the fetlow, imitating them fn the most confidential manner, answered, “Is there, by Jove 2” put his hand up to bis foreheaa, and, ficding it stained with rose-pink, added, “Then the property-man’s served me a tricic!? Rose Eytinge's enzazement at the California Theatre came to an abrapt conclusion on the 21st, ut the conclusion of the third act of East Lyanc,” when she appeared before the curtaio, and, after stating that she was an cmotional and not a mechanical actress, declined to proceed further with the play, as one of ber best scencs bpd been destroyed by reason of the audible comments of an incbriated individual in the or- chestra,. who had not been remeved until some time after he had rendered himself extremely obnoxious to the audience and the artists on the stage. Subsequently she sent a commmunication to the management, staving that she considered her engagemant concluded there and then, la the dilemma the manazement arncaled to Miss Clara Morris, who, at the briefest notice, ap- peared successfully in the cnaracter of Nancy Sykes in the play of “Oliver Twist,” with only a day’s notice. Miss Morris ecemed to be on her nettle, und played the character of Nancy Sykes for all it was worth, perhaps imbued with the idea that it was the character in which Miss Rose Eytinge had made so great a suceess in London and the Eastern States, und which wus prearrangea should be the strong card for her California engagement. MUSIC. AT HOME. H. M, 8. PINATORE, The English Opera Troupe, first projected by Mrs. Kempton and Mr. Fravk C. Walker, firally resolved itself; by the process of natural selec- tion, into a **Pinafore’’ party, which Las been giving Sullivan’s hearty, breezy music and Gil- bert?s crisp, sparkling libretto very acceptably to gocd houses at the West End Onera-House during the past week, with the following cast: Sir Joseph Porte: Fraok C. Walker Captain Corcoral Rulpk: Racketral Dici Deadeye Bul Bobstay Josephine.. “Miss Ettie Butler Little Buttercup. . Burton Stunley Hebe.... ligs Adn Somery Miss Butler's Jusspaumeand Mr. Dexter’s Kalph are thoroughty satisfactory in a musieal way, both voices bemng of a higher order than those which sre nsually found in comie opera. Miss Somers mukes a charwning Hele, and ler inter- “polated arin frum the ** Chimes of Normandy isin very good ‘taste. Br. Walker has some difficnlty fn subduing his naturally virile man- nerand volce to the cffeminate pompoaity of The Ruler ‘the Quecn’s Navce,’? who ac- quired his famillarity with the sea by sticking ¢lose to his offios:. ofr.:shore, but the audience’ seemed well satisfed, judeing from thei dp- plause. Mr. Raymondfs Deadeye is not orly well sung, but is a zood bif of character shting; and the ' male 'soprano,=Button Standey, does Little Buttercup funnily enouzh fofrequently disturb the aplomb of thbthier charagters. ‘The suceess of the troups fad een pronounced enough to warrant their re&hgdgement for the cnsning week, when the casg.will be strength- ened. P A DESERVING OBARITT, On Toesdav evening nest 8 mustdal and liter- ary entertainment will be given af the Plymouth Congregational Church for the bégell of the | Haynes family. The tWwo brothers, though bifnd, bave made an honorable living by selling music from door to door fn this city during the past fifteen or twenty years. They o unable to do so any longer. The family {e poor and in- firm, and, we are informed, are all afilicted with biindness. They deserve the charity and kind- liest sympathy of onr citizens, especially of the old residents, und we hope Lo ‘8eé¢ the church crowded to overflowing on that occasjon. The tickets are put 25 ceuts, and can be bad at Jan-, son & McClurg’s and at the door. The pro- gramme is a very attractive one, as”will be: seen: . 1. Piano Duet—Orertore to‘ ‘Fidelio”. Beethoven Muster orris and Bertha ZRothschild, g Polonnise fer Piano and Violin. Chopin Jliss Julia James and Mr. He n Recuation. o 3. Mr: Dai . Solo—**3ly Dearcat Heart ™. lected 4. -Sullivan iss Grace A. Hiltz, i 5. Piano—Grand Polonmsc (in A'tiat). .S, G. Prate’ Ly the authio g : 6. Recitation. .. ....... . Selected! sirs, Taura E. Dalnty. 7. Plano—Hungarian Dancos. Mizs Juli Jawmes. 8. Song, with Violin Obligato—Spring Flowers....... os =seese.... Remecke® AMtiss Grace A, Hiltz and Mr. Heman Allen. 9 Recitation. - .Setected ; Mre. . Dais 10. Piano—*‘Dream wWanderings™,...S, G. Pratt; 8. G. Pratt, . : THE TENNESSEEANS, H “Itis rare that a traveling organizatfon has met with suchsignal success as the Tennesseeans. They came here very quietly some three or four, weceks since, and have sung almost every pight during that time in the city und vicinity. 'The organization is a double-mixed quartette, and, apart from its specialty of jubilee music, is re- ++..Brabms markable for its excellence and skill in other | dircctions. . The best test of their ability and popularity ts shown by the fact that, although they came here without any flourish of trum-, pets, and have had strong attractions to contend with, they_have sung every night to crowded houses. Their enzugements for the next two weeks are as follows: March 3, Oak Park; 4th, Evanston; 5th, Svea Hall, Chicago: 7th, Fifth Prosbyterfan Church, Chicago: 8th. Blue Tsiands 10th, Langley Avenue Church, Chicago; 17th, Centenary Cuurch, Chicago. QUESTIONS ANSWERED. To the Editor of The Tribune. Ca10A6o, March 1.—Will you kinaly inform me ‘whether ** Le Prophete ™ has ever been given here, and, if g0, when, and by whom was the role of Aides Sang? : RODOMONTADE.. ** The Prophet * has never becn performed in Chicago. It has been announced several times in operatic prospectuses, but has never been billed, and probably never will be. To thi Editor of The Tribune. Cuicaco, March 1.—Yonr prompt reply to my inquiry of last weck in regard 10 operatic_events encouraged me to trouble_yuu once again: (1) Did 2is8 Cooney nppear here In the_title role of Mar- guerite m ** Faust ™ (in 18768 or 1877). and which artists supported her? If not Miss Cooney, who was it? (2) When did Lucca appear here in ** ¥ra Disvolo, ™ and who supported her? G. A C (1) Miss Cooney uever appeared here as Mar- guerite. She would as soou think ot flylna. The arguerites of 176 were Vao Zande and Kelloge in English and Martinezin Italian; of 1877, Heu- wmano i German. (2) Lucca appeared bere as Zerlina in * Fra Diavolo Feb, 12,1873, supported by Sanz, Vizani, Ronconi, Conlon, and Du- breul. LOCAL MISCELLANT. Farini is giving operatic performances in Southern Indiana. ‘The Germania Mmnnerchor gives one of its cotertainments this evening at its rooms in Brand’s Hall- Mr. S. Wesley Martin, of this city, will hold a four days’ musical convention. at Tonica, lIl., beginning on the 4th mst. -+ - Ar. W. 8, B. Mathews will give three lectures on_Music, at Council Biuffs, lowa, March 4, 5, und 6, in Mrs. Ford’s Conservatory of Alusic. It will pe zood news to musical people that M. Remenyi, the violinist, will make a sccond trip turoush the West, commencing immediately after Easter. The Chicago Conservatory of Musle will give a_concert next Thursday “evening, at W. W. Kimball’s piano rooms. ‘The pupils of Mr. Le- dochowski and Mr. Gill will take part. Messrs. S. Brainard’s .Sons, of Cleveland, are coming to Chicazo, and will open a musie store next to Root & Sons, about May 1. Statestreet will then have seven or eizht music stores in the distance of three blocks. Mlle, Litta will appear in concert at the Plymouth Concregational Church, March 24, nssisted by Walter Perkins, pianist; ' Ben Owen, orzanist; the choir of the church: and Miss Jessie Couthoul, the well-known reader. We shall give the details of this notable concert hereafter. Rossint’s **Stabat Mater™ will be produced entire at the last concert of the Chicazo Sym- pnouy Orchestra, under the auspices of Mrs. Kempton and her papils, who will take the solos. ‘The concert will take place about six weeks hence, nnd will be looked forward to with special interest upon the sbove account. The Jocal Iady quartettes are multiplying. The latest candidate for the popular favor is the * Sappho Laay Quartette,” which made its de- but with success at the fortieth Pupils’ Matinee of the Hershey School, last Wednesday after- noon. The members are the Misses Donna C. Davis, Minnie Sherwood, May Phenix, and Lulu St. C. Tuathill. The third of the series of Mr. Pratt’s sym- phony concerts will be given Aopril 14, The orchestral numbers will include Meundelssohn’s * Italian Sympbony,” Liszt's “ Preludes,” and his own ‘ Anaiversary March Overture,”” which wae first performed iu Berlin July 4, 1576, Mrs. Clara D. Stacy, Mrs. W. 8. Watrons, and the Chicago Lady Quartette will also take part in the concert. A concert in _aid of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union will be given at the Plym- oath Congrezational Church, next Friday even- ing, for whick a very pleasant programme has been prepared. * Mrs. Clara D. Stacy, Mrs. C. E. Martin, Mine. Schiller, the flutist; Zeline Mantey, the young violinist; Dr. C. E. Martin, and G. Walter Dole, the elocutionist, will be the attractions of the evening. The Faculty of the Hershey School of Musical Art has_becn augmented “by two important nemes. Madame Emilie Schiller, flatist, will give lessons upon the fnstrument which' she manipulates so skillfully, and D, F. L. Peiro, the well-known luryngoscopist, isabout to de- liver a series of lectures on phvsiology and bygienc of the voice before the pupils of the seboot. The first lecture occurs on Wednesday at 3:30 p. m. The programme for the Turaoer Hall coneert this afternoon will inciude the following num- bers: *Fest March,” by Lachner; overtare to “Orphens,’” by Offenbach; ** Alpine Rose! Waltz,” by Dietrich; “ Komarinskaya,” by Glka; overtare to ** AMiznon™ ; variations froim the Beethoven guartette, op. 13, No. 3; Han-| del’s ** Largo™; ** Album of Prague Potpourrl,” by Komzack; Resch’s gavoute, “Secret Lovel’; and Strebinger’s galon, “* Everywhere and No- wrhere.!” i A testimonial concert will be given to Mrs. Cara E. Daniels, ithe well-known reader and vo- calist, at the Fonrth Unitarign; Church, Thurs- day evenling, the Gth inst , upon which occasion she will be assiated in a very pleasint programme by the Clijearo Male Quartette; Miss Emma G. Hovev, soprano; Mrs. Bessic. Mitler, mezzo- soprano; Miss L. punlesy, pianist: Mr. O, W. hvle, busso; Mr. C. I, Lee., baruegne; Dr. F. M. Celly, violinist; Mr. Walter C. Lymau, elocu- tonist; and Mrs. Auna J. Slingsby, o pupil of Mrs. Loog, of Boston, w20 upog; this occasion will male her debut in Chicazo. We have received from R. (A, Saalfeld; New York, the following new populhr music: * Bur- nished and_Bright™ are My Afms,” by Edmond ReylofI; *-Doww on de Oie Planuation,”” by Clif- 101d Cox; “Days of Yord,” by M. Z. Hanan; “ Gaing back to Disle,’ bY Charles Rutledge; “ My Grandmother’s Clock,” by Herbert Wal- lace: * Flaslung Eyes,"Wolka brilllant. by Jul- ius G. Blerclk; * Love st Coney Isle,” sonz and Qanee, by C. F. Woodté* Tl Outcast,” by B. W. Palling; *Our Jack’sCome dome To-Dar," ‘by W. J. Deversy 1. M. 8. Piaafore Potpour- ri,”” by Jumes J. Fretinan: and *'Polka de Con- cert,” by Frederick Brandels, o1 The New York Yail says: **We are hapoy to ‘e able to anngunce that Mlle. Caterliig Marco, the youug prima donna, Whose non-appegrance in obediengg'to medical orders was onme’of, the 187 1 ppointments of the Strakosch obera season st Bootl’s, has almost entirely recovered from ber indisposition, and made a_new engazement with Mr. Max Strakosch for the California sea- sen, which begins ahout Aprit 14. It is proba- ble that the will join the Strakosch company in Chicago on March 17, in order to sing there a tew nights. Miss Kellogg has made a three years’ engagement with Mr. Maurice Strakosch, and consequently wili uot be one of Mr. Max Strakosch’s company for Californis.” The mid-yvear councert at Highland Hall (Mfr. Weston's school at. Highlanu Park) was given Friday evening with great success. The instru- mental numbers were Schumann's Novellette in E (Miss McMahon); Liszt's Polonaise in E (liss Farr); Liszt’s “Faust™ (Miss Fegan); Weber's ‘Invitatiou to the Dance ¥ for two pianos (Misses Brown and Batler); and Mendelssohn's Qverture to Midsummer Night’s Dream, fortwo pianos (Misses Eiusteln, Staples, Stephenson, and Elwood). The vocal uumbers were by Misses Fepau, Pateh, Varner, Elwood, and Farr, and, besides some charming solos, included two uartettes,—Costa’s *No Evil Shall Befall ee,” and Macfarren’s # Ye Spotted Snakes.” The following programme.was piven 2t the Hershey School ‘Punlls',_\r:&“mee last Wednesday: Organ sonata in B hinor, A. G. Ritter, Miss Carrie T. Kiogmaan; sone, . Barcarolle,” Schu- bert, .. Miss_Betie Cossitt; piano, ‘‘Rondo Caprigeio,” Leybach, Miss. A. E. Kearsley; aria, 0 wmio Fernando,” Donizetti, Miss Sara E. Williams; vocal quartette, *“T Know a Maiden,” Hattoo, und “ Ye Spotted Snakes,” Macfarren, by the “8apoho” Lady Quartette; piano, A- flat jmpromptu, Chopin, Miss Hattle Hatton; aria, ** Esser Mesto ™ from * Afartha ), Flotow, Miss May Phenix; piano, Caprice, Gloria, and Waitz, Merkel, ) Alice Skiliman; * Andante and Rondo_Cubriccioso,” Mendelssohn, Miss Sarguerite M. \ song, “*The Erl Kine,” Scnubert, Minnie Sherwood: plano, Etude o E, Chonin; and Novellette, Shumann, Miss Eva Mayers. ® The eighteenth of the series of tht Hershey School Popular Concerts will be given to-mor- ‘row evening with a programme including the foilowing wumbers: The * Introduction * and “Bridal Chorus” from ‘Lohengrin,” Guil- mant’s * Elevation” in A flat, and the finale to Demmens® **Sonate Pontificate,” for orzan, by H. Clarence Eddy; Lee’sjsong, ** Here'sa Health to Bounic Scotland,” and Gatty’s song, **The Gallants of England,” by Mr. Gill; the Larghet to from Henselt’s’ Concerto tn F minor, and Chopin’s Etude in E flat, op. 10, No. 11, Maznr- kain B minur, and Polonaisé in C sharp minor, op. 26, No. 1, for piano, by Mr. Liebling; Schu- bert's * Maraaret at , the Spinoing-Whecl,” and Schubert's **ile of "all the Best, the Noblest,” and *“I'Il not Repine,” by Miss Minuie Sher- wood; and Saiut-Sacns’ march “Orient and Oceldent,” by Messrs. Liebling and Eddy. ELSEWHERE. *GERSTER IN ‘* LOHENGRIN.” As much interest has been manifested in the debut of Mme. Gerster as Eisa in * Lohengrin,” which took place last Weduesday evening, we make a few extracts, widely varying in opinion as to her success, from the New York papers: Mme. Gerster's high sopraco and wonderfal ‘agilita were of little service to herin such a part as that of Elsa, there beiug no florid music whatever in the opera, and the hirhest note being B only. The character of Elsa i fact needs a oroad dra- matic soprzao, like that of Mme. Papoenheim, rather than a sweet singer like Mme. .Gerster, who, however, seemed fully 1o comprehend the require- ments of the part. She sanz in much broader style tnsn she has before, and .won no little ad- miration from a most brilliant and overcrowded house for her delivery of scveral of her arigs, notably *‘Tu gli narrasti ™ and ** Lodar I'nmano m):‘c“l’}o’ * which were given with milch passion.— World. Mne. Gerater's Esa was In many respects an escellent impersonation, She sang with much grace and showed a poetical concention of the part, and yet was not entirely satisfactory, Her voice is not the voice of Esa, and it was evident that this was her first appearance 1n the character. Inthefirst act,and in the exauisite duo with Loken- @rinin the third act, she was particularly good, but cap scarcely be #3id to have been as great as was to be expected. —7 emes. : Mme. Gerater's ussnmption of the character of E'sa was not. unfortunately, so satisfactory as the audicnce had gocd risht to amsicipate. The gifted artist, who had charmed her nddiences with £o many brilliant renditions, bad made evidently au original, but at the same time a very crade con- ception of the character of the *-sweetest, pureat,” trasting £isa. Thongh she sang in tune whe was apparently not in sympathy with the chac- acter she had assumed. She aud learned her part perfectly, musically considered, bat she had for- Jrolten to acauire by & thorongh and loving study of the character the soulfulness so necessary to the proper delineation of Wagner's most charming ideal heroine. Mme, Gerster's £lsa is too unnat- ural, too f‘operatic” in every movement and mesture, m every attempt at facial expression and the revelation of cmotion te make it acceptable or comparable with the exquisite delineations made familiar by Albani and Nilsson, it must have been a surorise, indeed, to her many admirers, who fally approciate-what-she has already done and what she is_cupable of doing, to see her give a characterization at once so cradely conceived and £0 imperfectly rendered. —ferald, Tho performance last nizat was'in most respects delizhiful, and inyeneral i!comgnred bravely with the fine representation given during the Nilsson seuson. In the Elsa of Mine. Gerster we dis- covered a most sympathetic, tender, jand fascinat- ing picture of one of the loveliest of heroines, a picture trueto the high ideal and full of apparently ungtudied elegance and sweet simplicity. In the delivery of the music she was : certainly con- scientions and intellizent. aud in certain partsof toe opera, such as the bridal chamber duet. and the exultant finale of the second act, she flamed into uncxpected fervor. _If“we were disposed to find any fanlt with her singing we might object that she sometimes accelcrates the tempo undaly; but no one can come away from such a gracefal persopation 1 the spirit of fauli-Snding. —Zril- une. Al accounts agrec in crediting Campanini with the greatest suceess of the evening, and in abusing chorus, orchestra, and the minor _parts. Probably the principal. mistake made was in giving the operaatall. A troupe which cannot perform “The Marriage of Figaro,” «The Huguenots,” and “The Magic Fiute,” ought, not to attempt ** Lobeogrin;” but con- fine iLself to the romantic ltalian operas, where it is very strone. A LONDON BALLAD CONCERT. Mr. C. 8. Elliott writes to the New York Foen- ing Post the following interesting delails of one df the reqular London Weduesday evening bal- 1ad concerts: ~ { Aballad is 2 very good thing in its way, out & concert consisting of forty ballads, most of them similar in stylc, and lasting from § o'clock until 11, appears to be 1 imminent dnger .of becoming a tritle monotonous. ‘The singers on this occasion weraMme: Antoinette Sterling, Mme. Sherrinaton, Miss Damiur,, Mis< Davies, Mesats. Stanley, Lioyd, Mctnckin. Mayorick, and Moore, and a cinb 'of male Voices styled the London Vocal Union. Mme. Ara- bellu Goddard, that highly resvected but vastly over-rated pianist of gie old filigree school, offici- ated a3 50i0 pianist, ahd rattled off her runs and Brpegzios with ier usual comoosure and success, Mme. Sterling, Iam haopy to say, achieved the great trinmpl of the evening. Her voice i3 deep- &r, stronger, and sweeter than ever, and she is using it nowadays with consummate skill. At the close of onc of hier pieces she was hafled not merely with the ordinary espresstons of defight, but also Dy loud shouty of applause. Of the rest, the most saccessful were Miss Duvics, who has a clear, pure, sweet 5oprano voice, tolesaoly weil cultivated. and shows considerable ecasibility und emation in her sinzing; and Mr. Lloyd, o thorough arust, to whose rich and_even_ tenor voice 1tis A great pieasure to listen. Mr. Santley sany well of course, bt his yoice is ‘zoing,” and 13 now LAt an echo of fhat mngmificent’ ormun wiose trumpet-tones ‘madc themeelves heard above the combined iyoices of the whole Handel and Hayan So- 'ciety in Boston seven years azo. Among the bal- llnds were three nesw ones, the singers thercof be- Fz accompanied on the piauo by Lhe composers, Aessrs, Arthar Sullivan, Adams, aud Behrend. {The s d took mightily, and itis, in fact, a very ipretty ballad of the familiar manicime varicty; but |lha 1irst, contrary to expectation, fell flat, and not leven the personal presence of the author. with his® lformidabte eye-glnsy, or the utmoxt efforts of Mr. Lloyd, availed $o savi Mir, Sullivan has writ- lten many beautiful sougs, bui he scvms to have worked ont the veln. It is said, moreover, that he has lost prestige of late in imusical London, principally on sccount his _ hevinz stoobe to the level Pinafore." which, though a very {cliver work n its line. is thousist by many persons 0 be peneath the aizmity of a Dostor of Music and i man of Mr. Sallivan's position und ability. Mr. i Simy Reeves was agvertised 10 sing in this concert, ‘bz he. caught a cold and stayed awav. The dittence did not seem at ull surprised or oended. Tondon {s ueed to_the earonic indisposition of its petannger, and zliows him every indalzence. Mr. Reeves Is getting along in years, and his voice, al- | thoueh - wondergully, well” preserved, cannot he carelessly exposiitTe tae clements with impunity; and a3 every one \r\,slfcv?e.,qum to last 2y long 28 possible, it scems o3 7 e ot to be blamed fortaking good care of IE:’ . 5 MUSICAL NQ & Tt fs said that Miss Rauk wilf sing Ela and iguon before the close of the &ason. Salvi, the Ttalian tenor, once very popular in thia country, died lateiy at Bologua, ut the aze of 69, ~ B The popalarity of * Carmen” seems to be well established, after alf, for now it is re- ported that Aimee s to sing in it during her commg season bere. The French Government have ranted 20,000 francs toward the espenses of producinyr M. Satr-Sacus’ opera, - Etienne Marcel,” at the Lvous Ogera-House. ) Sir. ‘Errani, undoubtedly one of the ‘best teacuers in New York, has been ordered by his obysicizns to desist avsolutely from miving les- sons. ‘I'he cause ot kis trouble 1s over-work. ‘I'he news has reached us from Havana that Signor Muzio intends to give a-short season of Itahan opera in New York, commenuing on of df ¢1L M. 8. | Easter Monday. The principal artists of his troupe arc Mme. Urban (prima donna), Varesi (light soprano), Aramburo (tenor), and Souvestre (baritone). On the silver marriage of the Emperor anil Empress of Austria, Liszt’s * Messe de Gx’zr:1 1 will be performed by the Soctety of the Fricads of Musit, under the direction of the composer. In the futare the second violin in the Cincin- nati Colleze chamber-concerts will'be played by Mr. Henry Eich, concert-master of the oid Cin- cinnati orchestra, Mr. Thomas having retired from the quartette. e ‘The Leipsic correspondent of the Philadelphia Bulletin says: ‘““A bit of news, that will zlso cause some surprisc among your readers, is go- in‘g the rounds in this city, to the effect that Richard Wagner has become hopelessly Insane.” There {s some probability that Harry Maple- son may take a company, induding Gerster, Marie Roze, and Cainopaninf, to San Francisco in July. Arditi will accompany them, but his or- chestra will be composed of musiclaus resident in San Francisco. There has been formed in the Cinclnnati Col- lege of Music, under the direction ot Prof. George E. Whiting, a department. for instrue- tion in church music, for organ practice, und solo or choir singing. This iostruction will be given in classes and by private lessons. Sims Reeves has a second son who is said to be & tenore dramatico of great promise. Joachim and Sterndale Bennett were his godfathers, and his full name is Herbert Sterndale Joachim Sims Reeves. A grave responsibility rests ona south who starts in life with such a name. Richard Wagner has shown sympathy with the movement which aims to restore the pure style of churck music into the Catholic Church serv- ice by editing a *“ Stabat Mater” of Palestrina ! for two choruses and providing it with expres- sion marks. It has been published by C. F. Eahnt io Leipsic. Miss Kelloger has signed a contract with Mr. Maurice Strakosch to appear in the principal citics of Europe, She will be relcased from her enmagement to Mr. Max Strakosch after the 7th of April, and will sall for Iurope during the latter part of that month. She will probably be absent two or three years. ‘The Czar of Russia went on the staze at St . Petersburg, after the second act of *“ Faust,” to compliment Mme. Albani. Such an *honor as this, it is said, is without parallel in the Italian operatic history ofRussia. Mme. Albani will sbiortly conclude hér Russian engagement, but she will pay a brief visit to Paris before she re- turas to England. The London Figaro of Feb. 8 says: “Mud- ame Nilsson’s husband, M. Rouzaud, has pur- c¢hased for £10,000 a ope-third share in ajarae Parisian Agence de Chanee, and Madame Nils- son, very properly desiring to remain by the side of her husbund, bas declined all further engacements for tais und next winter. As she has alrendy sizned, she will sing in Madrid, bat" stie bas declined a protracted tour in the French provinces, Madame Nilsson will come to Lon- @on In the summer, and it is understood that it 15 Wishin the bounds of possfbility she may sing herc in *‘Le Roide Lahore.” But I am in- forwaed that, owing to the new business engage- mexts of her busbaud o Paris, sue cannot, and. will not, accept any offer of an enzagement in the United States during next winter,” THE GAME OF DRAUGHTS. Conmanications intended for Tne DravcmT Epiron shonld be addressed to 0. D. Ozvis, P.-0. Box 215, Chicago, 1L For Publisher's price-list of standard works on the game, addrese the Draught Editor, PLAYERS' READQUARTERS, Athenzum, No. 50 Dearborn street. TamusE OFpIcE, Cricaco, March 2, 1879, _ PROBLEM N0. 107. By Joux Kirg, Burne;tc. Wis. White. i i i ellell flel g @ lleile el e I 7 o n %% V /Y W i B _G_Helie Black. Black to move and win. POSITION NO. 107. By W. K. Avcot, Quincy, TIl. Black men on 3, 4, 5, 10, 18, 19: Kings, 9, 17. ‘White men on 6, 13, 14, 25, 26, 27; Kings, 7, 8. White to move and win. TO CORRESPONDENTS. 0. Keyzer—He intimated as much. E. A. Perkins—Answercd by mail. J. D. #mbrose—Position accepted. Charles Sass—Games duly received. W. P: Langworthy—Price-list mailed. 8. B.-Leonard—Many thanks for problem. W. C. Parrow—Address changed os requested. H. C. Chipman—Your position is all right this time. Charles Bateman—It camo In time to save your record. Kinzie Street Draught Clob—Returned as re- quested. . Frank Greenlee ~You have onr thanks for report of Tonrnament., F. A. Fitzpatnick—Yon were very good to send the matter to this paper. Fy Jobn Kirk—Your problem with five pieces has already apueared in priut. N 8. P, Prescoit—Let us see how a specimen of Arlington draughts would look fn this column. C. Cooper—Spayth's American Dranght Player contains 183 variations on the ** Old Fourteenth ™ opening. - ey, B, H. Bryant, F, Henderson, E. ¢, and Jomes Focreu—Your solutivns to 0. 106 are correct. William J, Wealer—Subscription received. ‘That's right; we like to see 3 man will‘ng tv back up his opinion that ** THE SUNDAY TRILUNE hus the best Draughts column of any paper in the West.” by sending in his httle $2.50, whica will make him bappy fora whole yesr. (2) Thanks aldo for the gume and probiem. James M. Kirkley, Barton, M. McDonongh, G. W. Scott, S. B. Leonard, J. M. Jenkins, Arthur Wigney, John §. McConnell, J. H. F., F. W/ Brooks, George Conway, L. Weob, Moses Fams- worth, M.J. Kain, and A. S. Ingails—Your solu- tions to Problem No. 106 are incorrect. At your tenth move, tostead of 15—11, play 18—12, or 16—20, and White craws. ® SOLUTIONS. Only five correct solations to Problem No. 108 were received during the past week. Of thes Mr. P. J, fickey's i3 probably the shortest. oy ever, s the mojority were unsound, we have cor cluded to defer orinting the corcect solation until mnext week. Among the many amusing letters received regardinz this oroblem, we notice the following, whica we cannot refrdin from puolish~ ing: *~Ithink if our Lastern friends cannot far- nish something more diticult than this, we can do almost as well out here, who consider onrselves only ‘scrub’ players. This problem we worked out'in fes3 than one minate.” [t s unnecssary to add thet bis sviution is unsound. SOLUTILN TO TOSITION No. 106, ~ By Moses Farnsworth, -9 0-I6 |20-23 S-14 |1 iu—20 CHECKER CHATTER. Mr. Martins was playing in Doncan’s Hall, Ab- erdeen, atlast acconnts. 3ir. Wyllle was worrying the members of the Govan Draught Clab at iast advices. - Tae leadimg players of Detroit have organized 3 dranght club, with headguarters at the Goodma: Mouse. S0 -Mr. W.C. Parrow has succceded Mr. C. 3. ‘Wilder in the management of the Dranghts Depart- ment of the Boston Globe. Mr. M. C. Priest, the noted Philadelphia player, visited Newark, N. J.. a few dsys g0 and con- tested 116 gumes, of which he won 74, lost 2, aud 40 gawes were drawn. Mr. Schacfer &till retains the lend in the New York tournament. The following are the latest scorea reported: 1 Mr. Priest, the Philzdelphia following scores in ¥ st....0 Yafes.. Demnpate veland correspondent informs ne that Mr. C. Northrod hus ofered tv pay Afr. 0. P. Aleil- ratli S$10 if ne wonld play him a match of dfiy Zames, no matter which won. 1t appears Xir. Mc- *Iirath has some reputation s & player, and Mr. Northrop desires to learn whether he acquired it playt -~ paid to Jan. 1, by aefeating good players orinferior **button- shovers.” The annual draughts tournament of the New York Caledonizn Club, was concluded on Feb. 15. The prize-takers are a3 follows: First orize, James ‘Waldie: second, John W. Natsmith; third, Rooerc Mcintosh. . Mr. Waldle's business brinzs him to Chicago quite often, and while hers be frequentiy gives our Jocal playersa touch of his sxill acroas thedraught board. We believe that this is the third successive year that Mr. Waldie has carried off the first prize. 4 ‘The Lafayetto Handicap Dranghts Tonmzment is approaching completion. Mr. Marsh has resicned, leavinz only six competitors. Following s the latest score: Won. Lost. Tolal. 304 5 50 R B 29 2 E 194 254 40 13 = 40 El 2 0 *Finished. Mr. James O'Hara is winner of the tournament, Messra. Greenlee and. Carstatrs will have to play off their tie for second place. Draws count one- half game to each player. GAME NO. 324—CROSS. Plaved between E, H. Dryant. Waverly, Ia.,and Samuael Faaliner, Milwaukee, Wis. Bryaavs move. 3 n-1s 1923 23-18 2B-19 8—11 lu—23 : =] 18—~11 16—20 s 24~19 19—-15 22 () Sturgls gives 26— drawn—Ep. GAME NO. 225—CROSS, Played at Owatonng, Mina., betwean . Falkaerd Bartley: el Bartley's move. X“( 5”‘-%[.. l‘)!‘-f:)l l&‘ 6-15, ) 2419 2, 15~ 22 W, - Deavonrt Eptroz. e GAME NO. 320—LAIRD AND LADY. Charles Hefter. preitd Biack wit ot 15— 19 | 2i-1p 8 T2 ) Orlzinal wich P. J. Hickey) of Dubuque, Is. b) Hickey draws by 22-17, 219, 14-9. (e) Corrects Hickey in TiE TRIBUNE. () 73 looks good for a draw. - GAME NO. 327—SWITCHER. Tlayed at LaSalle, 111, between Messrs. Macom- ‘ber and Pelletier. Macomber's 117 15 3 17 (d)] 4—~ 8 11 g C. H move. 118 Pellotier 29~25 B— 4 won. HYDE PARK AND LAKE.: Comparison of Taxes and Debts—Hyde Park Robbed and Mortgaged by tho Tax-Eaters ‘Worse Than Lake. TTo the Editor of Ths Tribune. Towx oF LAKE, March 1.—As go many un- fair statements have recently appeared in tha Chicazo newspapers in reference to the indebts edness and excessive taxation ot the Town ot Lake, I have conceived it my duty in behalf ot the property owners of the town whose in. terests are serfously fnjured by such misrepre~ sentations to proeure and send you the follow~ ing facts and figures, which speak for them- selves. As 2 comparison is constantly drawn between the Town of Lake and the Vil- lage of Hyde Park, and as these aro the only towns in Cook County between which such a comparison can be fairly made, I have procured 2 certificate from the County Clerk showing the valuations, total municipal tax, and rates per cent of both towns for the vears 1873, 1878, 1677, and 1878, of which certificate the fol- lowing a true copy, and which any one desiring can verify by an examipation Gf the records in his office: State of tlitinois, Cook County—sr.: I. E.F.C. Klokke, Clerk of the County Court of Cook County, - in the State aforesaid, do bereby certify that the fo'lowing I & correct statement of the equalized valuatton of all property in the Towns Hyde Park and Lake for the years 1575. 1876, 1877, 1878.and. of the amonuts of town and villaze taxes asked for, and of the rate per cent per $100 levied for sala years: TOWN OF LAXE. Equalized Tate yaluation. per cent. Amount All of which appeans from the records and files of myoffice. In witness whereof I have herennto setmy Lund and afixed the seal of said Countv Coartatmy oftice in the City of Chicago, in said connty, this 26th day of Feornary, A. D, 1870. E. F, C! Kroxse, Clerk of the County Court. ‘The above certificate showa that the tax levy of the Town of Lake was in 1577 $24,146 less than in 1876, and in 1873 $33,30L less. thaa iu 1877, and 357,540 less than in 1870. The vresent indcbtedness of the Town. of Lake is as follows: Seven per cent general honds, Interest, 3 $315,000.00 Ten ver cent special nss: : Joan certificates, and intercstacerued thercon 1n full to Jun. 1, 1879...... Ontstanding warrants or acrip drawn against taxes of 1878.... 44,467 Total .... $323, 767.95 To meet this indebtedness the town has assets as follows: ; Taxes of 1875, on which sales are now being made by Counts Treasurer, under mandate from Supreme Court.$ 13, 842,54 TForfeited taxes of 1877 and pnor yeurs .extended on tix-warrant of 1878, now in hands of Town Collector. . Taxes of 1878, on warmant mow in ~hands of Town Collector.... Amount of special assessments for water pipe which is Ianblr in ap- nual nstalments, and et apart for 84, 300.00 123,307.20 115,896.00 paymenc of water certificates ahave Casn in bands of Treasure ‘Total assets.. ... $147, 248,61 ‘The above statement shows thatif the taxes now due were pafd and appliied towards the con- cilation of indcbtedness, that the net “debt of the Town of Lake would be only the sam of $36,5%0. The sbove fizures are substantiallv corrects they are compiled from the town records and Collector’s books, and I have not fncluded in the above statement of assets any of the prog- erty of the town whicn i3 not uvailable for the paymeut of debt, such as its one-half interest inthe joint Water-Works and mains of Hyde Purk and Lake; its water-system la the Town of Lake, comprising more than tweaty-eight miles ot pipes; its Town-Hal, ~ hose- house, horse, apparatus, und fire-alarm telexraphi lts thirty miles of praveled sireets and otlier property, all of which is {a good order and amply suficient for the present necds of the town. . 3 1t parties who are so persistently seeking to depreciate the value of real estate io the Town of Lake, in the jutercsts of other localities, will confine themselves to the statement of facts and figures, we will be satisfled to leave the merits of the controversy to the decision of a candid public. 1 am not a candidate for re-eleetlon, and have no interest in making this statement except that of the taxpayers and property-owners of the town. A. B. Coxprr, ‘Treasirer Town of Lake, O B s ki THE “ BRIDGE” CITY. In St. Louia there lived a youne girl, With her hair in a friz, bang, and curd The North-wind did cough, Blowing one siipoer of Of tlss pezutifal St. Lows girl. And oer the town of Chicago Tae wind brougat its terrible cargo— “Then tumbied it down On tae unlacky town, And snutted ot the Jighs of Chicazo. St Louis, with girls fair and sweet, Little town of the overzrown fect! . With no thouzht of pity, ‘Thon hust stepued oo our city. ¥ ‘We wre squelched—aud thy victory's compl