The New York Herald Newspaper, February 17, 1852, Page 2

Letters from Franec. BY AN AMERICAN Lary. Panis, Jan. 23, 1852 Tre Opera of Nebuchadnezzar, and the Singing of Orevdli— The Sequestration of the Orleans Prov perty— Change im the French Cabinet— The Causes, He. Se. = I went to the Opers last night, and saw Crovelli again in “Nebuchadnezzar.” In somo passages eho ‘was fine; but, asa whole, ber performance was not a great encoess.” Sho strains hereelf dreadfally, ‘and, though not ugly, she looks fierce and ugly enough. She wes much applauded in some pas pager, ard deservedly. The critics find great fault with her in her attempts to take the highor flights, as they say, in imitation of Catalani; but I say it is an imitation of Jenny Lind. The picoeitsolf is un- intelligible as to plot or design, but the music is exquisite. A journalist belonging to the Débats, whom I had met before in company, came into my box, and chatted a long time very agreeably. At last, however, he and a gentloman who was with mo, began to talk politics, and they talked so loud I | was frightened. The editor of the Dédats told us that thore was going to be made a confizcation of the Orleané property, which even the reds had loft amtouched. Sure enough, next morning, a decree from Louis Napoleon appeared, sequostrating their private property, and it has excited a general sen- sation—not a very agroeable ene, however, for it is now plain that one singie man disposes of lives and properties juet as he pleases. There is no more jaw. Very little is Known in Paris of what ie going on, for the decrees for banishing or imprisoning mon, by hundreds at a time, are now no longer made public in the Monireur, as it was found they drew too much attention, especially abroad Lou's Napoleon has outdone the King of Naples in bold meatures and lawlecs tyranny; and, as the English papers commented quite freely upon hie acts, when made public, it is found to be the best policy to do them henceforth withont publishing them. A charge of minictry ie confidently talked of. Mz. de Morny, the Minister of the Interior, loans too much towards clemency and mercy; he has inter- eeded for many of the prisoners, and the banished ~—hie friends—and is, therefore, doomed to retire- meat. Tho Prince seems determined to follow vielent counsels, and to go the whole figure in pro- seription and tyranny. Perhaps, so much tho better, for he will certainly shorten his rule by | such merciless violence as he now exhibits. He | Yeigns by terror, and, as I saidin my last, the ter rified people call him, not perhaps without somo ony, the ‘* Saviour of France.” HAD Bi Paris, Sarerpay, Jan. 24, 185: Visit to the Grand Opera—The Prophet and ils Character—The Singing of Tetesco—The Popw larity and Power of Lowis Napoleon, $c. I went last night to the Grand Opera to see the ene hundred and twenty-first ropresentation of | “The Prophet.” Roger, who plays the part of | Jobn, the pretended prophet and great imposter, is both a good actor and singer. At some of his pas sages the ladics in the boxes near me were #0 car- vied away with their admiration as to shout ‘ ad- mirable! admirable!’ This applause is a rare tri- bate to merit, for, in general, allthe clapping and applause comes from the pit, and from the critics, who take their seats in the centre. Tedesco played | the part of the mother, and her singing throughout | was delicious, while in some particular passages it was ravishing. “ The Prophet” is an operatic representation of | the history of John, of Leyden, a famous fanatic in his day, an original, and resemblance of Joe Smith, the Mormon prophet. This man was the Jeader of the then new sect of Baptists, and obtained complete power and influence over a great number ef follewers. He began his career with all the ap- pearances and austerity of genuine sanctity, and ended in pride and self: delusion, coming at last to Delieve himself to be God, and to be raised aod prenounced as such by his devoted followers. He reigned for a short time with absolute power in the City of Munster, where be was, after a time, be- sieged by the army of tho neighboring prince. Here, while besieged, believing himeelf to be sure of success, he gave himself up to licentiousness and | feasting, something like what the Mormons, in | their new settlement in the West, are represented ag doing. The piece concludes with a representation of hie last scene of debauch, which is terminated by | the capture of the city, and the blowing up of himself | and all his company. This scene is beautiful; he | is seen ceated, with a crown on his hoad, at a rich | table, the wine flows abundantly, and the women | and dancing girls who minister to his revals are re- | presented dancing and singing, with admirable and | Picturesque beauty. Suddenly the gates of the | city in the distance, and then the whole place of the | entertainment, is seen enveloped in smoke, and the glaring flames burst forth in several places, illu. minating the whole festive scene; then a shock and ‘an explosion occur, and towers and turrets, houses and people, togethor with the revelling company, | are thrown down in one macs of ruin, and the cur- tain drops upon the seene as the city vanishes away, | | | | | | tubmission, is owing to the fact that they firmly believe, and beyond all doubt, that but for his ucts they would have fallen ® prey to a faction of des- peradoes, whose system would have been general plunder and disorder. They believe this, and for | three years past this fear has been placed before | same kind of rules prevail in our prisons and poui- their eyes, and kept alive. I do not say I believe tentiarier, with respect to many whose offerces oer it. On the contrary, Ido not think there aro a | tainly are not much, if at all, more criminal. What | great. The first step inthis grand affair has been dozen genuine socialists or dividers of property in all | Fravce. Yet this is the word, this is the nickname, | by the skilful use of which Louis Napoleon and his friends have been able to pervert the minds of a | whole nation, and induce them quietly to place | their necks under his foot; and there, for eortain, | theirnecksarenow. HA B. Monpay, January 26, 1852. The Ball of the President at the Twileries— Genera) Cavaignac—The Preparation for an Empire--A | neo Tenor. Nothing is talked of but the ball given by Louis Napoleon at the Tuileries, on Saturday. I did not g0, though I hada ticket. By every account, it was really a magnificent aflair—all the world was there, of any distinction. The crowd was immense. The great saloons of the Tuileries were thrown open in all their longth, richly decorated, and some ofthe rooms huag with Gobelin tapestry. Tho President walked about gaily, and was warmly greeted by the fashionable crowd. There is no doubt of his great popularity with all. General Cavaignac has joined bim, and entered sealously into his service. The Genera) has taken the mili- tary command of ore of the departments, and ie re- ported as actively engaged in arresting ex-deputies and others who may be suspected of not favoring the new crder of things, or of speaking against it All goes on swimmingly with Louis Napoleon, In a few days, comparatively speaking, he has founded an empire and oreated a dynasty, and conquered effectually the greatest nation and peo- ple in Europe It must be a man of no ordinary go- nius to dosuch wonders in 80 brief a spase of time This agrees precisely with whats you often said of him at the begioning, viz: that people did not know him nor uoderstand him, and that he was a man of talent afterall. This ] remember hearing you ssy when everybody olse called him a fool. The decree hat alroady appeared for creating again a nobility, which will delight the great and noble families of France; but all will be created at the pleasure of Louis Napoleon, and this will give him still more power and favor with the rich and taken by abolishing the republican law, which did away with titles ef nobility. The rest will quickly follow in due time; and the cld nobility, as they givo in their adhesion, will be restored te thoirrank and title. This will be gall to Amorica; but it is honey to France. Tho cities aro allin raptures with a now tenor, M. Guasco, who hag lately made his délut at tho Opera. I have heard him once, and confess he is fully equal to all that has been said of him. In another letter J will give more particulars. At present | have not the timo, as tie mail is about te close. H. A. B. Letters from Spain. LY A NEW YORE je. 10, 1851. T have been kept waiti days in Caiiz, owing to the non-arrival mer in which I propose to go to Malaga—passing through the Straits of Gibraltar, and sailing along tho coast of Africa. There is no regularity in the boats which ply from Cadiz round the coast of Spain to Barzelona, and frem thence to Marseilles. While! have been Waiting hore, news came, on the Sth of December, of the be!d daring of Louis Napoleon in Paris—how he had prevented the Assembly from meeting; had diesolved it by his proelamation, and had arrested Cavaiguac and most of the leading men who were capable of opposing him. The news came py tele- graph, but not tho electric telegraph—for Spain is still behind the reet of Europe, having neither railroads ner electric telegrapha, nor scarcely any means of travelling ; yet she has good roads, which | the Romans constructed in ancienttimes Butas to commerce and manufactar ‘he can hardly bo said to have any, and there is very li:tle tratic or passage on her megnificent roads. I was informsd that there are only two manufactories of broad- cloth in all the kingdom, notwithstanding the fine sheep and wool which the eountry produces Would you believe it !'-in all Madrid there ie only one iron foundry, and thi arried on by an Wuglishman. Yet the country is rich in wine, oil, corn, wheat, and other productions The Spaniards are a fine, noble race; but they are an indolent people—they are, as I observed be- fore, much like the Irish: tho better sort have th fine aud gentlemanly manners of tho edusated Irish gentleman, and the poorer classes havo all the carcleseness aud nogligence, poverty and rags, of the same sort in Ireland. 1 passed through villages where, as in Ireland, thoir wretched hovels are holes dug in the mountain side, forming @ possibly be treated, nothing is allowed to be given them, and by the prison rules no money or other things can be conveyed to them. I believe the @ pity that those editors, who led to this catastrophe could not be mado to change places, and stand in the position in which they have brought so many of their deluded victims and countrymen! H. A. B. On Boarp THe Cr, Ory Barcstona, Dee. 17, 1851 } Upon the whole, 1 must say the time, slow a8 our journey was made, passed agreeably cnough. {twas a summer’s excursion, though in the month of December. The scenery on all sides was grand, the sun shone bright all the timo, and nover could the Mediterranean have appeared more boauti- fal. It was like sailing on a placid lake, with scarca- ly aripple on the surface of the water. The pic- turesque coast of Spain was in sight all the time, with high and lofty ranges of mountains, andevory now and theawo passed some ansient town, or tho ruing of some celebrated place. Among the latter I must not forget to mention the ruins of Saguntum, not far from Valencia, where the passengere—some of whom wero gentlo- men of pleasing manners and rofined education— entertained me very much with their classic recol- lections of Hannibal and the second Carthagenian war, which he commenced by laying siege to Sa- guntum, the ruins of which famous placo were now beforo my eyes. I listened with pleasure to the many interesting remarks and animated discus- sions of the gentlemen, which the sight of these ruing gave rise to. We hada vory interesting passenger on board the steamer, with whom I was much pleased. This | the steamer as far as that place, and was vory | polite and attentive to us. Ho sent on boarda | barrel of fine grapos for my use. He isa Spanish | merchant, born in Spain—his father an Englishman | the meantime, whilo they want for nothing, and are | sight peeuliar to the Mediterranean sea. As we treated as woll as prisoners of such a character can | were going, in the evening, in the boat to the steamer, every time the boatman plunged his oar into the sea and drew it out again, it was literally the sameasif he had dipped it into liquid silver, and the oar came up shining brilliantly with the sub- stance, whatever it is, which gives this wonderfal appearance to the sea. It is only whon the water is sct in motion that it seems to be all ofsilver, and the wake of the steamer, as we moved along in the silont night, was @ stream of silvery light. Mr. Huling, @ morchant of Ma’aga, came with us in and his mother aGerman. They sent all thoir children to the United States to be educated, and he was some years at a college in Baltimore. I found him to be anamiable, intelligent young man, and was much pleased with his manners and gentle- manly conduct. I hope American merchants will remember the name, and avail themselves of his commercial abilities and talent On Sunday morning early, having steamed it all night, wo arrived at Almeria; and again I went onshore and stopped to pass the day, for here, as in other places, the steamer remained all day doing nothing. Such lazy travelling is, 1 imagine, un- known to any other people but the Spaniards. Here, at Almeria, | am atill in the aneient kingdom of Granada, in ono of tho most ancient Moorish cities, surrounded with memorials of their ancient grandeur, and Alhambras and Aleazans enough. At night, as uua!, our lazy steamer resumed its jour- neying, and on Monday morning early we cast anchor in the beautiful bay of Carthagena. Here, again, we staid tho whole of the day, (Men. day, the 15th,) and I went again on shore, to view this ancient and celebrated city. I never saw a was 8 personage associated with the very Spanish Coneul Gereral who was so much ill treated by the mob at New Orleans, and obliged by their violence to leave the country. Mr. D’espagne (for such is his name) proved himself a very agreeablo com- panion in this lorg voyage. He is a most gentle- manly and amisble man, of very pleasing man- ners, and was accompanied by his son, a youth of fifteen, who had been educated at a colloge in the South. Ho had left his wife sick at Ca- diz, and was going to Marseilles, from thence to take ship for Alexandria, where he has been appointed Consul. It was pleasing to me to hear that tho late Consul General of Spain at New Orleans, speak £0 favorably a3 he did ef tho United States and tho American people. A rem mark he made was very emphatic; it was “St no fue Espagnol, queria ser Americano.” “Tf I were not a Spaniard, I would like tobe an American.” He has brought away no unkind nor bitter feelings for tho treatment he received; but, on the contrary, he loves the country and tho people. He laughingly said, in referonce to the sovereignty of the people of the United States, that when the rough sovereign told him to go, he was obliged to go. Lhey said ‘‘allez vows en” and “Jem’enallais.” No doubt the amiable feelings and disposition of Mr. d’Espagne towards America, and the represenations he would naturally make in the good spirit which actuates him, to his govern- ment at Madrid, have tended, among other causes, all working together,to produce that moderation of feeling and tendeney to reconciliation which havo aetuated, and still actuate, the Spanish govern- ment and people. Iam confident, from all I can gather, and from the information and asgurances I received from the highest quartersin Madrid, in answer te my applications and inquiries, that it is the intention of the Queen, at a very early period to gran: a full and free pardon to all the Amorican prisoners. HA. B, Mspiternangan Sra, ON Boar THE SreaMer Crp, Deo 17, 1851. } I left Cadiz, the most ancient city of Europe— said to have been founded by Hercules—on the 13th of Deeembor. The steamer was anchored at some distance from the town, and I was obliged to sail in ap open boat, on s rough sea, before I could got en board; these things are badly managed in Spain. There iano regularity in their steamers, and their announcements of departure can never be relied on. I bad been told that the boat would | Jeave a woek before, and was kept waiting all that time. Little did I imagine, on stepping aboard the eteamer, what a tedious, lazy voyage I wat about to undertake. We left the bay of Cadizon Friday morning, and had a plessant day sailing along the coast, paesing several villages, and seciag a fine, romantic country. We were still on the Atlantic ocean ; but towards the evening we saw tho majestic rock of Gibraltar in sight, and soon we en- tered the straits of that name, passing into the Medi- terranean sca. It was night when we cast anchor at Algesirae, in sight of Gibraltar. On one sido of me I saw tne hills of Africa, a part of the empire of Morecoo; on the other side was Spain, with the Eng- lish fortress of Gibraltar commanding the entrance tingle apartment, with no light but what enters by | | the door, where they ledge all together, with large broods of children, and the ass, as an additional | and the prophet and his companions eink in the | ruine. This opera, beautifnl as the music is, and | excellent the singers, is rather heavy in some of its | Parte, and too long fer one sitting; yet it is worth | the while to stop to see this last grand scene. [a | the French Opera the singing is, of course, in | French; but so little is the language suited for the | expression of harmony that the music loses much | of its charms, and the words sung are as unintelli- | gible generally as if they were the words of some | language you did net understand. I observed great | wumbert of French people following the singing with the book in their hands, without which not even a French person could distinguish the words that are rung. Jt is not so with the Italian or Spanish, which are such musical languages that | the words and the music perfectly agree, aad are easily understood when sung by thoee who are fa- miliar with either ofthem. Tederco had a perfest | triumph on this night, together with Mons. loge | rj) I never saw a finer operatic performance | real power in this country, was expected, not appear. His box, with the gold, upon the panel, remained em was filled, from top to bottom, y a company, and if he had appeared, from all! can | learn of the general feeling, be would have been | received with rapture and applause. Jhore is no truth in the stories told about his being afraid of | He goos about freely, and almost | assassination. be proved. hundreds in all parte of France, ting good livings to millions, for he has innumerable | employment and sources of profit to disiribute, by means of himself and hie egonts, all emanatiog | from him; and of course he is a god to all who | receive bis favors. These officers and employées, | throughout all France, are far more in number than | the army; hence, it is an error to reprosont that he hae only the army to support him. Add to all this | the fact that the rich, and all who bave got any- thing, had beon taught and made to believe, for | some time before, thet they were al! going to be plundered, robbed, and guillotined by the poor, and | therefore they lovk upen Louis Na thoir | saviour, and the taviour of the car These | things all put toge | to be looked upon in in whioh they are present who write their opinions or America everity, viewed ata | distance and unexplai m to be quite different things, when it ie believed thoy are called for and required by circumstances and novessity. } ¢ wonderful success of his caroer hitherto, the enishing eupport he meets with from the people vrolly, ang their extreerdinary tamencas aid | Wy | | tend | | cities nor in the villages; yet wine and brandy are - | cover, with great regularity and The President, the centre of France, and the only | bat did N.,”’ 5 | Wild enter } so many Amorican famili and favorite companion, in the seme room. They | sit out at the door, living almost entirely in tho | open air, andthe children have the same chrowd | and hungry look which the Irish have. They are | satisfied, and wish for nothing better—so that they do not progross in any thing except in popula tion. The Spaniards, of all classes, have, however, one good quality, which prevents them from sink- ing inte that more extreme misery which befals many of the people of more proeperous countries— they do notdrink. In all my travels through Spain | I have never sven a drunken person—neither in the | both abundant and cheap. In consequence, no doubt, of this, there is much less dissoluteness and depravity of manners to bo seen openly in the No improper person is ever seen in the strects, or | in the theatres, or public places. But intrigue and other matters aro carried on in pri I met here with the New Yorn Heratp, at the | house of our Consul. Both Mr. Barringer, our ambacsador at Ma: id Mr. Barton, the gen- tlemanly American Consul bere, told me that it is | | the only paper they rely on fer the nows, and com: | it | plain greatly of the irregularity with wh’ comes. Do, pray, rectify it, and let not the fav be in New York. I. A Capiz, Dee. 12, 1851 lam happy to be able to give good nows respoct ing the young men brought on to Spain from Cuba, the victims of that extraordinary madness wich instigated Lopes and the other fomenters of that | rise. The Queen is an amiable and | kiod hoarted woman; she has already pardoned | several, and ! believe ehe would immediately par- don thorn all if the American government had acted | rightly and nobly in tho matter. Lot ush ope that tke cold-blooded pride of diplomatiate and wu: ling officials will not cause bereavement ar nto Ts it aot equally as | nowledge the faults of | | | | noble for governments to a: | their citizens, and make every possivle atonement, | as it is for an individual to acknowledge an orror, and makoa noble reparation! There are only four | of the prisoners at Cadiz—or rathor at a casile in ites neghborhood—and our Consul, who has soon them, informs me that they are treatod well, and with every porsible indulgence. All my efforts to of them are now at Vigo, performing quai | tine. They will not be sont to the minos, | | e8 was roported; but, on the contrary, the | government is only waiting for a favorable | opportunity to grant them alla free pardon. Bat | it must be free; it ie vain to oxpect thet obstinasy, | or bullying, or perseverance in injustice, will pro- | duce ancflest which will flow from the kindness | ane & WR Of the Cpu Galva, Ia, into the Mediterranean. As the shades of night deepened the darkness, this vast rook, towering in the midst of the sea, looked like s black shadow. Jt was afine scene. Early next morning we started again, and at about eleven o'clock arrived at Malaga. Hore we cast anchor, and remained the whole ef the day. I went on shore to sce the town, which has a most delightful appearance from the It is, in fact, one of the prettiest places I have en in Spain. J am now inthe ancient kingdom of Granada—so famous ar the chief settlement of the Moors, and their last resting place in Spain, till they were driven out by the armios of Fordinand and Isabella, about the very time Columbus dis- covered America, and Faust, or somo other Ger- man, invented printing. The ruins of the anciont Moorish town of Malaga, are here to be seon in good preservation. I went up the hill where the | ancient city was built, and looked with a great deal of interest upon the relics of this wonderful poople. | cities of Spain, than in those of Englandor America. | There is great similarity in all their towns and buildings. When you havo ecen one, you have | seen all; and as they have beon described by co | many writers, I ehall notdwell upon the subject. Fer this reason, and also beenuse I like to be origi- nal inell things, I shall not go to see the Alhambra anether Moorish ruin—which has beon completely | Worn cut by deccriptions. From the top of the mountain?, on which the town is built, and which is now inhabited by the poorest classos of Malaga, Thad a most magnificent view of the city and ite environs. It was a delightfuldey. The sun shono £0 Waim vpon upon mo, | regrettod I had not brought my parasol. Hore it is—na | was informod—perpe- tual sprirg, the climate is so mild and fine. Malaga ia tho resort of many invalids in the winter, who come to enjoy the dolicfous climate, and recovor, if Torsible, their health. Jt seems to me a preferable place even to Madeira, not being 80 hot, thongh, as they sli teli mo, it is hot enough in summer. I took a ride round the town, and wont togoe all tho sights, which, howevor, are not many, nor worth recording. Tho groat charm of the placo is ita dclicious fruit and beautiful climate. Tho city presenta @ scone of life and aptivity quite unusual in Spanish cities. There are some manufactories rieing hero, and na we entered the port, thero was an English brig unloading coal from Newoaetlo, for their uso. But, as usual, tho government, by its enstom house rogulations, ruins every thing and prevents tho pooplo from carrying on any trade with facility. 1 bought | somo terra colia imagos at Malaga, roprogonting they ores aod others in the bull fights. This + | sce them havo boon unavailing. ‘The great body | place is famous for the suporiority of works of this | kind. I only hope I shall be able to carry them sefe to their destination without breaking; but it is | a great riek. After remaining the whole day at Malago, and boing excessively floeved by the hotel keepers, who | in Spain are a race of robbers, 1 went on board our | steamer at night, which immediately raised the anchor and pursued the voyage. Bofore leaving | Mologa, i muet not forget to notice a beautiful | withopt reaching ft more beautiful spot than this bay, which, with im- menée rocks around, is almost a perfect circle, giving the idea of immense strength. The scenery of the Mediterranean is here grand and majestie—tho rocky hills around Carthagena presenting a sablime and picturerque appearance. The town iteolf is small and presents nothing romarkablo—as usua, with most places under Spanish rule, its former im- portance is perished andits trade and commerco gone. After remaining anchored in sight of Carthagona all day long, in the evening we weighed anchor and The Bailding Associ jations of New York— New Industrial Enterprises, It must be obvious to all who bestow a little atten- tion on the advertising department of the various papers in tte city, that within some yoars pas:, but particularly during the last year, the institutions kncwn uuder the name of “ Building, Mutaal Loan, and Accumulating Fund associations,” are increas ing and multiplying to a most extraordinary ex‘ent in our eity—s circumstance which is beginning to attract a good deal of public notice. The establish- ment, however, of these asseciations is by no moans a now feature in the attempted improvement of the condition of tho middlo classes in genoral. Tho movement, it will be recollected, was first originated in England, about eighteen or twenty years ago, where it has met with the most unprecedented suc- cess. Itis well known that several stroots in the city of London have beep built alone by the money advanced from the funds of these associations; and in fact, euch has been the extent of patronage bo- stowed by the public on this novel species of enter- prise, since its firet commencement, that the num- ber of these associations existing at present through- out Great Britain, is computed at about two thou- sand five hundred. It is, therefore, evident, that this movement in our city forms no new phaso in the progress of improvement, but is only to be regarded as an importation from the old country, which has received of Jate a new and exir impetus, arising from an increased appreciation, by the ral lic, of the great advantages to be derived trom being & member of such an association, ‘The first association of this kind was established in this oivy only four years ago, in tho spring of 1848, under the title of the “American Bonefis Building Association.” From this time the estab- lishment of these building associations has been carried on to an extent proportionate to the dogree ublic patronage, uotil within tho last seven or eight months, when the project has been gaining ground with such uncommon rapidity that new astociations appear to be of daily occurrence. We have at present in our city not less than thirty-four or thirty: five such aveociations, the greater number of which have becn ostadlished within the last year. Ths following is & list of tho same, compiled from the advertising columns of the various papers :— 1, The Awerisan Building Asseciation, 2. Second American 3. Third jn ba 4 Fourth i 6 Kost River Building and Mutual Loan Association. 6. Knickerbocker Building Association. 7. Empire boilding and Mutual Loan Association. 8, Excelsior, Number Iwo, 9, Union ing Association 16. Meshsni-s’ Building Arsociation. 11. Becond Mechanics’ Building, Mutaal Loan, and Savinga fostitution. 12. Franklin Bui‘ding Association, 13 Greenwish ioildiog Association. 14. Sevond Greenwich Building Association, steamed it along to Alicante, where we arrived early 15, Ubelsea Buildtog and Mutuat Loan Association. on Tuceday, the 16th. As before, I here also went | on shore, and walked all over the city, being mach | amused with the market and the poople in it. They | have fine fish in abundance, and beautiful grapes | 16 Warhington Buniding Association. 17. Excelsior Building and Mutual Loan Association. 18. Mount Vernon Building Aesociation. 19. Industria! Home Arsociation. 20. Workingman’s Building Association. and dates, but are evidently very poor; the beggara, very bold and impertunate. Hore again our lazy Cid atayed all day, doing nothing, and at night we started again for Valencia, the noxt city on the coast. Wo arrived early on the morning of the 7th, and here we are, waiting till night before we make another move. way of progressing, though it ig agrocable enough. I have just come on board from visiting Valensia. It is a beautiful city, beautifully situated, and the capital of the province of the samo namo. It is but though so well placed for all the purposea of commerce, itis a dead, dullplace, doing little more lona. Here I have now boen five tedious days and nights on boardthis steamor, performing a voyage in 20 many days, which the enterprising Amorisans with their steamers would perform in almort as mapy hours. But such is Spain—or, rather, such are the people who inhabit it. ILA. B. ; Barcriona, Des. 19, 1851. After a slow but delightful voyage along the skores of Spain, variegated with a trip every day into some Spanish town on the coast, (asI have described in a formor letter,) wo arrived, onthe 17th, at Barcelona. This is, without question, the firet and greatest city in all Spain. Here the quantity of shipping lying at anchor in tho port, was cowething like New York city; hero now, for the first time, I exw the appearance of commercial life and activity in Spsin. Madrid, Cadiz, Sevil’os Valencia—all of them famous aud much vaunted places—are like deserted villages, compared to Bar cvlena. On entering the strocts of tho city, the show of life in the port and on the quays outside the walls, was fally rosponded to by the life and acti- vity within. The streets were crowded with abusy, bustling population, going and coming, intent upon appearance unueual in Spain,) like the streets of Now York or London. Here the people in the streots wero not loungers in the sun, as in Madrid, where they stand in tho strects all the day, at the Puerto del Sol, doing nothing. This feature of all Spanish cities, which struck me above all things on coming into a Spanish town, was wanting hore at Barcelona. In every other place, I aed to cry out with sstonishment:--“ Why, the mon have nothing to ¢o—they are all wrapped in cloaks, lounging in the streets.” But here, in Barcolona, it was not so. Bareolons is a fortified city, surrounded with bastions, walls, and battlements; the government is said to resist the tondoncy of the people te go-a- head. If it wore not for the fortifications, the city would be extended far around into the plains which surround it, to the foot of tho distant mountains, but it seems as if the Spanish government was afraid of having a prosperous people and a flourishing commercial city. Accordingly, they keep down Barcelona, and it is what it is, absolutely in spite of the government and in spite of all tho stupid and troublesomo hindrances imposed upon its in- dustry and commerce. I was told that for ten years past, Barcelona has been kopt by the govorn- ment in a state of siege, with cannon placed at the head of some of tho streets, ready to fire upon the people. Not only is Barcolona the most flourishing com- being tho most liberal, and its people of being most ready to declare for popular rights and liberty. ‘This is called by the govermont being turba- lent and disorderly, a character genorally at- tributed to tho Catalonians. of Barcelona, as | was informod, is chiofl 7 carried on with the United States. The streots Wore, @ not work of closo, narrow passages; but, | like most ef tho other towns of Spain, it has two or | threo large and beautiful alamedas. Those are | spacious walks planted with trecs on cach side, and | ornamentod with fountains, having seats all their | length, for tho accommodation of those who wish | to sit down. These alamedas are @ beautiful foa- | ture of Spanieh citios—thoir construction dates far | back, von to the time of the Romans; for it is euf- ficiont to look at tho cities of modern date which havo fprung up eo rapidly in the United States to poroeive that good taste anda regard for public health and accommodation is not a feature of mo | dern times. It isa groat pity that our cities are | 80 ontiroly destitute of such places in their contros, | whieh areas much a utility as an ornamont. Bare | colona hes two or throe largo theatros and a splen- | did opera house. I wont to tho thoatro one night, but it was very thinly attended. ‘To-morrow I leavo for Marsoilles, to proooed thonce direct to Paris, being anxious abeut my lit- tle boy, of whose comfort and situation I havo ro- ceived somo distressing accounts. | hops to find B. them oxoggerated HA Sixeviarn Accipgnt rrom Deranar r Steam knaina singular, if not fatal aoci ccourred at the establishment of J. T. Alien & Tear! street, Hariford, on the 12th inet derangement Jn the regulator of the steam engine, which War in operation. letting on such a great head of steam os to brenk om irom pulley attached ; a portion of the jrou etruck Mr. A. Andrews, a workman, in the neck, neerly revering the windpipe. wud glancing by the main artery, lodged in the neck, Dr Jackson, who waa called to drers the wound. conid not find the and was compelled tocew up che wht doy a pment of iron, pipe and neck as usual, swarmed around us, and, as usual, wore | I am quite tired of this slow | reckoned, next to Madrid, the finest city in Spain; | than sending oranges and some other fruit to Barce- | business and their own occupation, (presenting an | mercial city in Spain, but it has the roputation of | Tho commerce | of, the town, like Seville and Cadis, aro, asit | the Amori 21 New York Building Arsociation. z 22 Second New York Laed and Building Association, 23. Industrial Home Association | 24 Metropcliten Building Association, ; 25. The Peeple’s Building Association. 26. United States Building Association and Equitable | Investment and Ssving Fund. 27. Manbattan Building Association | 28. Scemd Marhattan Building Association. | 29 Western Farm and Village Association. 80, Irving Buildyng and Mutual Loan Ascoolation. | This is » list of the building associations ia our city, as far as we could collect thom from the va- | rious papers; but we understand there are four or | five more, making in all about thirty-five such tociations. Notwithstanding thia extraordinary | number of building associations, we are informed, from a reliable source, that shey are all in @ pros- | perous condition, and geem readily to command | public patronage, some, of course, in greater and | others in a lesa degree. The fact of their success may bo readily conceived from the circumstance that, in conzeqnence of repeated and urgent de- mands on the part of the public, somo ef these as- soclatiuns bave been compelled to commence a se- cond, third, and sometines even a fourth edition, as it were of the same institution, as will be seen in the case of the American Building Associations. In looking ovcr the list of officers employed by these va- rious associations for the management and trans- action of their respective business and affairs, wo find that these men are generally selected from a very respectable class of our citizeas—mon of stand: ing in the business community—mon of consider- able property, and men whose public character, as regards honesty and integrity, jus-ly entities thom to confidence. Jn conclusion, we will give a brief sketch of the Organization and practical working of these a1so- ciations. A building associatioa is an associatisn of individuals who, out of a fund con'ributed by each member, may from time to time receive a eum of money to enable them to purchase their own residences, or other freehold or leasehold proporty, with little or no outlay of theiron capital. Tae number of officers is limited to president, vies proai- dent, secretary, a board of directore—genoraily con- sisting of six members, threo tr and two ats neys. Every member of suchan assoziation pays an entrance fee of, generally, fifcy conts por share, until the conclusion of the first regular meetiog, after which time this entrance fee keeps constantly in- creasing puri passu, with the increasing value of the shares, co that after two or three years a new member may have to pay two or threo hundred dollars entrance fee, instead of fifty cents, as was the cage at the commencement of the association. Besides the entrance fee, every member pays a montbly due cf two dollars and a half per share. | At every regular meeting, held once a month, the moneys received from the collection of the entrance fees and monthly dues, are set up at auction for redemption of the shares, and the member who offers to take the lowest tum in advance on his shares, will receive the advances Ho afterwards pays his monthly dues, and a redemption fee of one dol- Jar per share. The shares on which advances are thus made are ealled redeemed shares, the ro-payment of which is secured by bond or mort- gage. As soon as all tho shares aro redeemed | the asociation cea cs and the mortgages are deem- | €d satisfied. If the owners of shares do not wish | them redeemed, they let them remain until the | funds accumulated amount to $600 (this sum being | generally the value of a share), which amount is paid to such sharebolders, and the association | ceases. As an illustration of the advantages offered to those who receive tho advances, wo may observe that a shareholder can purchase a house or lot, the location of which is optional, and the association advances the money, which ho repays Le monthly instalments. These associations, thorcfore, com- | bine the principles of a sinkiog fund and a saving | fund. ore who have their sharcs rodeemed re- | Seive an advance for the purchase of property, | which they will gradually pay off orsink by monthly | instalments, in many cass nos exceeding the , Smount of rent they would otherwiso have to pay. | Those who do not receive advanses are enabled, by the investment of small monthly sums, to save @ | little from yoar to year, until in ‘the end they re- | ceive back, for each share, the amount of $600 Whenever thore is sufficient monoy on hand to pay to the holdor, for each unredecmed share; the sum of | six hundred dollars, the association ceases to exiat, | IntelligencemThe Vine Arts. “Tho Tableaux,” in aid of the * Keseth fand,” have boen abandoned by the accomplished artietes | to whozo care their getting up for public exhibition | was entrusted. Rumor says that the failure ie attributed to the interference of tho Prosident of | sap Art Union. | Thomas D. Jonos, tho acalptor, whore celebrity | is well cstablished by his busts of Clay, Cor General Scott, and other eminent characters, ig as- 4 is figures are rather too tastic. He seems to have been bitten by Mr. Ranney, and to have imbibed all his extravagance, with bat little of his fidelity and fire. This artist, in com- with others yet te be noticed, must elevate his his furore. on has on his casel a full length pore id. {t is for the approaching exhib:~ tion. This young and very promising artist is from Connecticut, and should receive the kind couragement of all who take an interest in his art tic advancement. ‘I'wo or threo other pictures aro Bear completion in his studie; ons of them, a very eit and gracetully uttired maiden, should cer- tainly loosen tho purse strings ot some men of taste among the friends of young artists of promise. Mr. ter, Whose celebrity in illustrating Gold- amith’s Deserted Village, has nearly completed hig fourth picturo from texts eupplied by that beautifal and most aff cting poem ‘I hiv gentieman doservos much commendation for bis boluly undertaking to group the exquisite desoriptions ef the noble poet in habits pic.uresque and poetical, an attempt which originated with himeelf; and though there is much in the management of the back ground or landscape that we do not »pprore, yet his style hag excited the admiration of his brother artists, and, what is etill better, of liberal parchasera. ‘i Mr. J. B. Wondetforde bas returned to the city, and is, ason a former ovcasion, busily employe in water color portsaits ‘Ihe works of this artist have obtained trom ail who have examined them the most unqualified proiss. 4 The Dusseidorf echool of landscape painting, fora while, bewitched the minds of s of our promis- irg landecaps painte: None of the old ones, how- ever, came undor i lL ** Phere is a dingy pic- ture” of this porni » style on the walls of the Ari Union, by a Buckeye painter, who has not et sucoceded in procucing « passable American landscape. Mr. Conkey had better turn hia eyes on the beautiful scenery of the West, than endear vor, at seoond hand, to give us pictures of countries of which we know nothiog, but through the medium of overwrought labor F. W. Eamonds —This very talented artist di- vides his time equally between his deak and hia easel; but gives tue largest half, te the desk. It ia to be regretted we do not see more of his very clever and felicitous produstions. At the opening of the National Academy, the public, if report speaks truly, may expect something very excollont from his industrious and polished peaoil. “ Viows of Ni:gara Falls:” Troubriand.—These water color picture: ure the least perfect of all the eflorts yet mado to picture the scenery which envi- rons the thunderiog cataract of Niagara. Tho are below the characier of the artis;—are execu with such ignorance of effzot, and such offending littlenoss of manner, that they scom rathor ag the works of a boarding school spinster, than a Parisian artist. “A Bouquet of Poppie::” Miss Barker.—Very cleverly executed; the morphic aroma seems abso- lately to exhale from them. We recommend the fair artist to send it as present to Millard Filmore, to lull his ambition to reat, aud thereby relieve his time-serving friends from the trouble of explaining away his contradictory course. “Portrait of Bishop Hughes:” by Boyle.—This great picture is still in tho auction rooms of our city, azd still open to the firetbid. Itis really a pitty that somo of the numerous admirera of the Arch Prelate have not the generosity to relieve his counterfeit presentiment in suchextremity. It may be, however, that the lovers of portraits of priests in this cage, as well as in general, have had quite enough of this kind of art. Judging from the fre- uency With which we mect their likenesses in print ops and daguerreotypes, one would imagine they wasted half their time in sitting for their portraita. “Temptation of a Saint:” Mr. Brougham.— This isa cut at Mr. Barnum, and is a vory credit+ able attemp! at satire ‘There is a promise of vigor in this effort, which should embolden the artist to proceed. It is worthy of remark that, whore any- thing in the shape of wit is sought after from tho peel of our artist, we have to get a ** Lantern” to plirare of * The Past aud the Present ;” it is his rat attempt In tho application of allegory to land+ scape painting. Cole has rendered himself immor- tal in the estimation of his countrymen, in this arduous branch of the fino arts. Mr. Doughty is less gorgeous and ostentatious in his mode of ren- dering the subject, and takes care not to omit the repetition cf the fine passages which characterize his beautiful production. “The Spirit of Beauty:” Eaton, Cineinnati.— This picture, rejected by the American Art Union, is neither graceful nor easy, nor is the coloring im harmony. ‘ho artist fails altogether in exsibitng apy manner of his own; his enly hope to succee: rests upon his ability to imitate others. Mr. Whitridges —Tho efforts of this artis:, now in Germany, have not created for him the notoriety which his patrons of the Queen City anticipated ; bie most conspicuous labors wear the aspect of co- pies from the Dusseldorf school. He was unfortu- nate in gaining the patronage of soidisant amae teurs foo early, and hence, without plying hie mind and pencil to the task of portraying the boau- ties of nature ia the far West, which gave hia birth, he bas polluted both by permitting an adul- terous intercourse to subsist between his own style and that which be probably essays to emulate. ‘“*Siack Water,” is the namo of a very pretty little, unpretending effort atjaudscape painting, by an artist too modest to atlix his name to the pic- ture. Itis refreshing to tind here and therein our picture gallerics, now and then, a veritable tran- script of nature, This little picture is full of promise. “Mrs. Whittlesoy, the Authoross.”—Mr. Shum- way, tho miniature painter, has just fiaished a very clever picture of this matronly and benevolent looking lady. On gazing at the lincaments of the face, we wondercd that one so admirably formed for the domestic circle could yield herself up to the allurements of editorial life. The mystery was dispelled, however, on learning that her fine ta- lents were devoted to purely benevolent and Chris tian objects. . drawip, and hiscon . ion are subject to Prrarbeigar oe fan- trait of d it. Mr. Doughty has near completion his famous The Italian Opera. New York, Feb. 14, 1852. TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. I am well pleased to notioe in your Girt a strenuous effort to establish the Italian Opera in this city, on a permanont and ular scale, by establishing the cost of admission to it at fifty cents. I think managers who doubt the success of the thing after the recent experiment at Niblo’s, and the Castle Garden experiment of last summer, must be exceedingly obtuse in intellect. It is to be hoped that you will not relax your exertions in this matter until we have this city provided with a large Opera House, at the unifora and permanent price of admission of fitty eents. One or The Prope. Naw Orteans, Feb. 6, 1852. TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. I notice by tho papers that there has been a echismamong Max Maretzek’s Italians, and that oe have formed themselves into two factions, each with the object of singing the other down. My object in communicating to you is to request— if you should deom it proper—that you should sug- ae through the modium of your journal, as a step ikely to bencfit both parties, that one of thom should makoa tourto this city, where i am per. suaded their succees would fully repay the trouble. Our opera goera have depended on ‘them, and ia consequence many have not as usual taken season boxes at the Orleans, where Davis, ing no fear of competition, is very careleas in bis selections. Hois now playirg a piece in which none of tha principal singers appear, and which, I fear, will be continued for some time. Our other places of amusements are poor, decidedly so. The St. Cherles has become a terpsichorean hall, where ‘be Kourrets display their pugilistic sttainments, and Ben De Bar supports somo low character in some low play, nightly, to about a dozon persons. Piacide, too, bas lost much of his last winter's attraction; but this | am assured is owing to his having expected the Italians, and prepared himself accordingly. Overa. engaged in modelling an alto and basso refievo to be | sculptured in marble for tho Washington monu- ment. It ia detignod by tho Welsh inhabitants of this city a3.a testimony of their regard for tho vir- | tues and talonts of tho illustrious father of his | country. The dosign is significant and felicitous. | Tho old Welsh harp is surmounted by tho A meri- | Can insignia of nationality. At tho sido of tho sta: | tue of liberty, which pointa to the volume of inspi- | ration on the right, are emblems of agriculture, | the mechanic arts, and manufacturos. On tho left | industry and fidelity aro personifiod with striot re- | gardto the ancient traditions of the ancient Britons. | ‘The group is composed of four figures. The block | height, and will doubtless bo among tho finost con- | teibatiens to this noble memorial of a nation’s gra- titude. “The Amazon Mother and her Childron:’ Leu'xe.—Wo hear somo ill natured remarks oon- cerning the price paid by the American Art Union for this picture, and the landscspe, by tho samo master, Which hai Malvontents shoul: remember that the » is no means of ascertaining what tho illustrious artiet got for th . A capital picture by Mr. Leutre, ia certainly worth all tho ataount said to be given for these works; but whether these works may be coneidered his best performances, ospocially tho Jand:cape, critics m decido. “The Hunter:” Mr. Tait.—Thie artist still oxbibits bis too rapidly painted pictures, at astore in Broad- | way, to the admiring gezo of thousands who throng | the shilling side of the etrect. Asa colorist, Mr. Tait bas ncorsiderable portion of merit, althongh hie Leu eb tpl wee Mp Livi (ue MeUUeES OF | river, | of marble is five feet in length by near four foot ia | G Briver Case.—The Pittsburg i given an abstract of the polote made on Cf this case by the Supreme Court, as fol- ‘That the Ohio isa public navigable river, the free ton of which is seoured by the regulations of Jon- stablirbivg ports of entry, and by pubile expendi- tures to improve its vavigation, and by express compact betneen Virginia and the other States,whem Kentucky Was admitted into the Unien, and Virginia is bound by thet cempact, ae Gd, That the Btates bordering on the Ohio river have, therefore, no right to obstruct its navigation by vidgen. . Ld” That the Wheeling bridge does obstruct the team boat navigation cf the Ohio river, and is @ public nuie ere rance. 4th, That the obstruction of navigation om the Ohio river by the Wheeling bridge ts injurious to the pub Hie works cf Penneylvania, and to the commerce of the Sih, That the State of Pennsylvania has a rig maintain her suit for the abatement of the put on the ground of ry to her pubiic works Oth. That the 8t Pennsylvania, being = perty to the ruit, the Supreme Court has origiaal diotion to gri relief. ss ith, That tho equitable powers of the Supreme Court authorize it to 4, 08 prayed for in the bill, by removing the br pelling it to beelerated + aw Dot to ober t le gh, Th ast bo raised to the h f an it now Is st the 0 feet over the channe! river. It was euggested to te Court by Mr. Reverdy Jo! on the part of the defendants, that the might be removed by making # draw on ihe bi: Court nid they would heara motion, if the d. desired to submit one, on that point. } ounting to from $900,000 The f “avon will, therefore. have Lo Btatege xes to pay for the next two years,