The New York Herald Newspaper, September 14, 1873, Page 5

Mme. Pieces by the Russian Students and Shoots a Bear Near the Gulf of Finland. ‘Face to.Face with Death--She | “Wonders What the Amer- | icans Will Say.” * /SIGNOR SALVINI AT WORK IN THE ACADEMY, | Prepared to F/nd American Audiences Oold, but De‘termined to Warm Them, ‘Why Efe Cannot Act Othello Two | ‘Nights in Succession. Various Particulars About the Great Prima Donna and the Great Tragedian. ‘The typical prima donna is assumed to be a mi- raculous union of strange antitheses. She passes ther infancy in poverty and her maturity in splen- dor, warbles in the streets at thirteen and has the horses taken from her carriage by enthusiastic youths at thirty. In childhood she twirls the tam- bouriae for the pleasure of the public; in woman- hood she twists that public round her little finger ‘with equal facility. Of all people she ought to un- derstand human nature, since she is brought face to face with it in its extremes. She shakes hands with the peasant at the beginning of her -eareer and with worldful of princes @t (the end, eats barley bannock and milk among’ the humble homesteads of her youth, and later on in life, like Solomon’s spider, “takes hold with her hands and 1s in kings’ pal- ‘aces.””? This is the popular idea of the typical suc- cessful prima donna, and perhaps it is not very far out ofthe way. Atany rate there are a sufficient gumber of instances correspoding to this picture to Justify the extent to which it finds favor. Hence ‘the interest with which the world régards all the environments of @ great songstress. Once in a ‘while you may successfully flash in the eyes of the public a great tenor or a great barytone, or even ® great basso, who has risen from obsenrity t. eminence; but the public always comes back. te its hankering after a prima donna, and thinks all the more of her if she has been born to @ crust and a cottage. At least American sympathies run strongly fn this direction, pos- sibiy because in America fame and jortune are oftener won by the inheritors of poverty than in @ny Other nation under heaven. In these reasons @re to be beheid a portion of the cause of that af- fectionate interest with which United States @udiences have for the last three years attended ‘the fortunes of Mme. Nilsson. They sympathized ‘with a childhood of poverty because so many of them had once been poor. They sympathized with her long struggle and the brilliant triumph it Secured because that struggle was the perfect fefection of what is every day seen in this Yooantry, They sympathized with her cnaste temperament and idealizations, with her genius and capacity for labor, because these were the ex- pressions of an American standard of art and ‘womanhood united, &writer upon the staff of the Heratp called yesterday upon Mme. Nilsson, at the hotel (the @larendon,) where she is staying. He found the artist in perfect health and spirits, and looking the prototype of the Mile. Nilsson whom the American public lost eighteen months ago, Those months have left no outward record of their fight. What inward record they haverleft will be seen when the curtain goes up and Violetta and Lucia and Mignon nd all the rest come troopingon. 1y the course of conversation Mme. Nilsson made many allusions to her recent eareer in Russia. She likes the Raussian people and appreciates the exceeding enthusiasm with which they received her. Both im Moscow and St Petersburg her success was em- phatic. In the latter city her benefit night was something to be borne in sensitive remembrance by her (she says) to the latest day of her life. The ‘poor students came pouring ont in scores; they surrounded the doors of her hotel, and when she ‘was about to enter her carriage several of them seized her, and, inspired by an enthusiasm which, in spite of its violence, never even lost a respect that seemed to border on reverence, took her in their arms and bore her in triumph to the theatre, the others, each with a lighted fambeau im his hand, forming a _ procession. The ‘whole city was alive with these frantic worship- pers, and finally the police turned out in full force, holding themselves in readiness in the event of ‘fire. During the performance at tiris theatre she ‘was recalled forty-five times, and the stage was a@bsolutely imbedded with flowers upon which it ‘was necessary for her to walk several yards be- Jore reaching the footlights, Finally, in answer to ‘the general acclamations, the artist was compelled to seat Lipo at @ piano, which was conveniently 0 ‘mear, songs, the jience meanwhile standing and the Foyal family uniting, up to the last moment, in tne popular enthusiasm. As the opera had been “Mignon,” and as the heroine had her hair stream- 4ng over her shoulders, the effect was extremely mique and picturesque, But the honors which Mume. Nilsson reaped in St. Petersburg assumed Sometimes @ grotesque and eccentric shape. It ‘was all very well to receive especial giits of value from Various members of the royal family and to Deinvited to Court concerts, but the tokens of re- = presented by the students must have some one or twoof tne Russian national imes sorely tried the equability of the artist's nerves, yn more than one occasion, incredible as it may seem to colder dlooded Americans, some * of the students, im Sempany with not a few officers of digni- fled ran! Malthe themselves on the ground and welded themselves into a floor upon which ‘Mume. Nilsson was obliged to walk in order to Feach ber carriage. “Thig was too much,” said the speaker, her eyes glistening at the remem- ‘brance. “It was Ko ae trying to an artist’s feelings 40 expect her to accept it. But there they ‘were, and what wasitodo? At my concerts the People behaved 80\ sometimes that I was frighi- e ed eatne. Tequested to mention the particu- lars, Mme. Nilsson said that the people rushed to the ede of the stage, snatcned at the hem of her dress and tere it into ents, caught her and her, 80 that ie could not move, and left her im a condition that must have resembled that of the “priest all Zattered and torn.” They stole her gloves, her her handkerchief, her bouquet, and almost ‘took the sippers {rom ‘her feet. ‘(he prima dona: who would go unmoved through such scenes must is have steady nerves an constita- ‘tion. So far as euthusiasm aoe etersburg ‘udience is the beau ideal. No’ ig to compare with it is seen elsewhere. English audiences are poet ‘and stolid; but, once having secured their goodwill, you may count on retaining it even after have lost your voice and your artistic der 80 With the Russians, and (Mme, Nils- ) the Russians were tp the right. They coease to shower these demonstrations of approval ‘upon an artist the moment she comes back to them with a | voice OF powers ‘otherwise im- ime. Nilsson niesced in lent. She thought that ne artist oug! to expect to remain the idol of a public when she had once Begun to fail. THE BFFRCT OF APPLAUSE ON THE NERVES. American audiences (Mme. Nilsson thought) Ve all the solidity oi the Engtten and all the enthu- tic Oi the Russians without the outward xpresaton of it. They kept their feelings more to maelves, but those feelings were all there. When aestioned with respect to the me of respond- ig forty-five times in the course of a single even- s es! it 1s very mu ike it? Who ever’ beard of a prima donna get- ing tied of genuine applause? The effect, how- ver; Bos her nervous organization she declared be o/ten‘ painful. It shattered her for the time Being, fillea der with wild feelings, which pre- nted her seing fully conscious of what she Was about, Lut these enthnainama pver, sho R was soon able to gain,’ tne nerself, and in ‘the face of Fe", r she was generally’ calm, As aD Inst@’eg of thisshe mentioned the storm on the La of Geneva while she and some sriends were 9, Sapers ue pesvions a her departure country. ri suddenly came up ir, Yen minutes, and they found them- selves face with death. “! I was not nye ”’ said Mme. Nilsson; held myself most unique recoli¢ctions which ®rought forward was her bear shooting near ‘he Gulf of Finland, while on her Vv! ussia. Bear shooting is not a general pastime with the Russian lies, but Mi Bousand, her jusband, was ing and Mme. Nilsson came to the determination that she would like to try her Bent and then Kopt uh a great deal more.” The ar, BD en it kept up a great de: readers of the HeRALD will scarcely credit what I am next going to say, but since the assurance came from the artist's own there is no question about it. ‘the He was one of those old white Russian that we read about, very handy to have in novel, but not so handy to have within ite, the heart of the Swedish singer did not falter, er did her hand. She knelt, she took she In another instant the bear lay rolling death, when his silver-throated slayer returned to the Russtan capital perhaps this little imeident did more than anything else to lend a fresh impuise to that celebrity which had first been won by her voice. FUTURE CARRER. * Besides the roles in which we With her, Mme. Nilsson will t) ry Cherubino in “Le Nozze di and Aida in Verdi's opera o/ that name. e only absolutely new role is the Alda, in which Mme. Nilsson has appeared in neither London nor Paris. other principal parts in this will agi d include Cal ini as Rademds, Captain 0} the Guards; Ninettt as the King, and Maurel as Amonasro, King of Ethiopia, and Aida’s father. The opera isin four acts, the action takes place at Memphis and Thebes during the pertod when the Pharaohs were in power, and.the interest ig tragic. Mme. Nilsson has built the part up alone, sand it wily Probably take rank with her Mignon and and her Ophelia. ‘ ‘With regard to the question of her final retire- ment from the stage it 1s not dificult to conjecture that Mme, Nilsson’s mind is in that state of uncer- tainty which is sure to give rise to contradicto: ramors, tiring from America is one thing; re- tiring from the operatic stage is quite another. But retirement for a while from both (she says) 13 pretty certain, as she peeds rest. She declares that she ean never bring herselt to formally any. BS a to America. That would be too z inful; it would be unstringing her too much. ne feels the immediate and warm endorsement this country gave to her, and declares that she would have returned hitner had all the managers in the world tried to hold her back. Tne Guestion of Cwsarism or no Cwsarism was one which never occurred to her in thinking of this generous coun- try; she remembered it only as the land that had been good to her and to art through her, and that Was quite enough to make memory affectionate and tenacious. She confessed that the attentions bestowed on her by titled and wealthy people were particularly grateful when she contrasted the dark and painful past through which she has struggled with the position she enjoys at present. + Mme, Nilsson’s manners are quiet, unaffected, simple. Her conversation is vivacious and easy and now att then characterized by a naiveté that 1s more piquant than piquancy itself, Her afirma- tions are straightforward and candid and she makes no attempt to disguise the fact tnat she takes pleasure in her career and is enamored of its superb successes, Her rentrée will probably be made in Violetta. She expressed a preference for Lucia over Margherita and for Violetta over both. What she isas a Neos as a lyric artist, all the world knows, -Bat all the world does not kuow that she is a born diplomate, her own best agent, with as great a gift for business as for the operatic stage; cool in the transaction of routine work, not withour enjo; ment of the fascinations she wields, but: vapabie of exercising genuine gratitude as of awakening genuine affection, and industrious in deserving the praises of the praisewortay, seaso! interpret Stgnor Salvini, the Tragedian. Our duty next took us into the presence of Signor Salvini, who was found at the Academy of Music superintending the setting of some of the scenes that are to be used in “Othello.” It may be pre- mised that the orginal date, September 16, will be adhered to as the opening night, and that the public will therefore have the pleasure of seeing this great actor for the first time next Tuesday evening. Signor Salvini’s personal appearance and man- ners have already heen described in these columns. In addition to what was said a day or two ago, it May be. remarked that he has vast depth and breadth of chest, and that he impresses one with the idea of great strength and great repose, In conversation his feature§ become animated;*his eye kindles, and he employs gestures in modera- tion, always to the polut and always serving to as- sist the sense of what he says. The writer of this article had the privilege of a long conversation with Signor Salvini yesterday afternoon, The tra- gedian gave some insight into his interpretation of Othello, which he declared to be his favorite character ; but, to inform the public what the pecu- Harities of Signor Salvini’s interpretation are, would be almost as inapropos as to state the con- clusion of a novel which has been only naif read through. It is preferable that the public should be le! to discover tor itself, with the hint only that the conception is original and is not in accordance with several of the Yoho descriptions. Signor Salvini, for instance, ‘does not make Othello a negro, as Mrs, Builaré affirms ttt he does. He makes him @ Moor, and he has conceived ail his speech and action in cor- | Tespondence to that nationality. He believes that | Shakspeare exhausted haman nature, and that other attempts at character creating are either imitations or modifications of Shakspeare’s men and women. SALVINI’S ASSISTANTS. The principal assistants of Signor Salvini are Signora Isolina Piamonti ana Signor Alessandro Salvin, his brother. Piamonti is a name not known here as yet, but the actress who bears it holds a high rank in Italy, where she is he!d only second to Ristori and Pezzana. Signor Alessandro Salvini is described as being @ very excellent ac- tor, whose only misfortune it is not to be as large a man as his more celebrated brother. He has made a specialty of character parts, and will play lago on tnd evening. le also acts the part of the father in the original {talian play whence “David Garrick” was adapted, All the members of the present company, with one exception only, have acted with Signor Salvini for many years, so that the forthcoming entertainments are expected te ogress with absolute smoothness. “Othello” will in a few minutes atter eight o’clock and termi- nate at half-past eleven. PECULIARITIES OF SALVINI. Like almost every other great artist, Signor Sal- vini experiences a certain nervousness with re- spect to his first appearance at every fresh place, but has seldom or never ielt quite so nervous as in view of his aébut in the United States on Tuesday night. This feeling he shares in company with Rachel, Ristori and countless other stars. He is prepared to find our audiences colder than many others; but, as he very sensibly expressed himsel!, every audience has its own way of enjoying and of demon- strating its enjoyment, and it is with these pecull- arities that the actor must bebe | himself en rap- port. He is prepared to fina the first two acts or his Othello taken very coolly, because no opportunity occurs throughout them of stirring an audience to the heart’s core; but with the third act arises a great occasion, and from that moment tiW the end of the fifth the interest culminates in one unbroken series of points. and, if by the time the final curtain falls, the audience is not worked into a frenzy, Signor Salvini’s achievement here will fall short of what it has been at every other theatre in which he has played. But he is ant- mated with the confidence which és seldom felt by those who are not used to universal and deserved adulation. He has no anticipi that the coldness of our audiences will r upon him and freeze him. On the contrary, he is certain of removing that coldness. That willbe ‘hig task to perform, and his eye fires wheu he con- templates the triumph which his experience the world over warrants bim in anticipating. The reports in regard tw the e1 ol the role.of Othello upon Salvini have not been overrated, It exhausts him so, so wears magnetism, that he cannot perform it two icoeasively. The dresses he uses are invartably soaked with per- spiration by the time the play comes to an end, and have to be stretched te dry bere they can be used again. Signor Salvini believes that ifhe cansot draw our peeple to him, in spite ‘of his 6) Sante @ foreign language, he could not draw them to him, though they undérstood every word he said, The personal address of the artist is extremely courtly and urbane, possessing that simple and graceful charm, that gracious and un- affected unconsciousness of the gaze of the eurlous which is only gained by long discipline on a foreign stage and by moving on a familiar f rq in the most cultivated cireles. His amiie is sweet and kindly, his manuer princely in its suavity and ease, his air serious and grave, but often relievee by a brief vivaecity of expression. Uniess report has belied him he ta certain to create among the lovers of the legitimate drama a sensation not second to that evoked by Ristori and Rachel. An Artistic Triamvirate—Saivini, Rossi, Ristori-Ameri im Jadgment on Art—Italian ma As mef the Shak- spearian Philosophy—The Classic School of Acting—How Salvini is Re- garded in Italy—His Capabilities, Per- sonal Appearance, dic. New York, Sept. 13, 1873, To THe Error oF THE HERALD:— Ristori is famous in our midst, Salvini deserves to become even more so. His talent is of a higher Order than hers. Such is the decree of Italy, where*be is accepted as the greatest living actor. Ristori, seompaniea by the trumpetings of renown, gave here® the rst snecimen of Italien acting, HERALD Her talent being the reaped an Ameri- can harvest of honors and dollars, upon which she is now living in retirement at Rome. But Italy ean yet justly expect a greater dramatic triumph on the American stage than any she has had. Signor Tommaso Salvini has just started from Europe for this country, in order to secure the American verdict upon his enactment of Shakspeare’s greatest tragedies. His “Otello” and “Amleto’’ will offer an attraction py the side of which recollections of ‘Maria Stuarda” and “Medea” must pale, for the latter rdles are con- fessedly insignificant when confronted with those of the two masterpieces, Ristori ahd her imper- sonations remained an enigma to many; Salvini must perforce be understood through sShak- speare’s words, which are household words from Maine to Texas, The greatest plays that were ever written for the stage will thus be made to as- sume new life and interest in American eyes, No small theatrical event indeed. STUDYING FROM THE STAGE. In the meantime it wil! not be amiss to lay some- thing 1n regard to the coming tragedian belore the readers of the HERALD, according to its invariable practice of being the first to enlighten the public asto the merits or demerits of those who may be classed under tne head of public personages, Before Ristori became celebrated the present writer was living in Turin, and there assisted at the performances of the future queen of wragedy during an entire winter at the Carignano Theatre, where he may say that he first studied the *‘beau- tiful Tuscan tongue” from ner diction. Subse- uently, in the same, city, at the old Gerbino fheatre, he enjoyed tie acting of Ernesto Kosst; and last, though not least, he has had the opportunity of appreciating Salvini during ie last iew years at Florence and Rome—in the latter city duirng he recent season at the ‘alle Theatre, in Febraary. FRENCH CRITICS AS CLAIMANTS, The fame of aM three of these artists has been secured by general European success, But none of them would ever have been heard of beyond the Alps bad they not in the first instance been stamped with the seal of approbation in Italy. When the tragedians visited and performed in Paris—1856-56—most of the amiable and pieas- ant critics m the Parisian journals informed them that, as they had been so fortunate as to secure “the consecration of a bap- tism In Paris,” they nad épso facto their passports toroam the world and gather new laurels, and other nations were at liberty to pay unto thein tue tribute of wreaths and dollars, (ous venons de priser, le monde peut éternuer.) . Verily, in those days Puris was in vogue, and gave the run of fashion in theatricals as in bonnets; but Paris could neither adequately appreciate the three Italians nor consecrate their fame. This was reserved to Italy aud America, The United States did more for Ristori’s reputation and pocket than Italy berseli; and now saivini in turn will doubtless receive here a greater triumph than he bas ever received elsewhere. In 1871 he visited South America and there met with an enthusiastic ovation; and yet Montevideans were not as capa- ble as New Yorkers are of doing him that quota of ts which his splendid talent, as dispiayed in his interpretation of Suakspeare’s masterpieces, entities him to receive. AMERICA THE FINAL JUDGE AND REWARDER. in no country are merit and talent, in whatever Ine, so sure to meet reward as in this land oi ours. ‘The foreigner, whether engaged in cpera, drama or anytuing else, if only deserving, will certainly, When appearing in our cities, be accorded a hos- Ppitable welcome and a profitable endorsement. In this way we claim that the metropolis of America is more competent in consecrating art itself than any offer country, excepting italy uloue, which is an artistic judge of the first water, 1 not a dis- pense of gold. ‘The claim of the Jeutletonistes of Paris w 4. 33 judgment on ali that 1s artistic in the world t an inadmissible pretension. A people nat- ural a" sensible in their ways of life may jusily lay ch.n to @ better appreciation of the trus and the be. 1tiul than tho-e who are critics in mere ars substance to the narrowest of forms. THE INTERPRETATION OF “SWEET WILL.” By the uninitiated out of italy no little surprise has been expressed that two Italians, Tommaso Salvini and krnesto Rossi, should have achieved such fame in representing the master characters Of Shakspeare. Both have obtained @ success in Utheilo and Hamiet unequualied in the present age, and, perhaps, even surpassing that historically al- lowed the greatest tragedians of England. Tne surprise so expressed has been based upon the very {aise notion that Shakspeare’s pliilosophy was of a different school from that of Italy; that it re- fected the cold, nebulous North rather than the genial, bright souta, There are, doubtless, read- ers of Shakspeare’s plays who accredit him with nebulosity because they are themselves in a fog in the matter of compretending plain ideas in plain language, whether of “sweet Will” or any other writer, Now, in both Hamlet and Othello there is Spread out the immediate piay of human ses and these do not vary from England to Italy an vice versa; in both pleces the causa rerum, the great typical craving of man to “know the reason why,’ is visibly sought alter. HO FOR THE UNKNOWN! The sympathy for the unknown, wiich the great author possessed and which he leit to be read be- tween hus lines, lias been seized hold of and natur- ally assimilated by the two great Italian tragedi- aus, He in writing, they in acting, but nold the mirror up to nature. Suakspeare is so well under- stood in Ltaly, because, as with tue English so with the Italian race, there has been a marked and per- sistent striving to ierret out the unknown. ‘The Italians have had—not to mention a host of others—three great seekers, and who found some- thing, too, although not enough to satisfy them. Dante, Galileo, Columbus discovered unknown worids in heaven, éarth and hell, and nevertueless these discoveries never quenched their thirst tor knowledge, their craving. In the England of to-day Livingstone and Baker are modern searchers alter the secret of things. NATURE AS A MODEL. As Shakspeare’s ideas are incomparably true, natura! and beuutilul, so have they been in a natu. ral and beautitul manner perceived, assifnilated and rendered by the greatest of living actors, Sal- vini. Allart in Italy that may be styled of the higher kind has been immemorially moulded and directed according to the laws of nature, and hence it is that itailan style has always been so re- nowned jor its truth, be gr and beauty. Sal- vini in his cultivation 01 the dramatic art simply foltows the metuod of his country in not overstep- ping or faliing short of the laws of nature. The art ol Shakspeare and of Raphael, although tar above “realisin,” Was not supernatural, Such men could not be silly. SALVINI’S GREAT POWERS. This much would serve to explain how an Italian may be found moving on the same track with the great Anglo-Saxon dramatist—apart the cant on race, language, climate. But in order that one particular actor, come irom where he may, be as true tothe dramatist as the latier is true to all players and all times, it is of course indispensabie that this actor should be endowed with uncommon natural powers. Such are the powers of Salvini, and to appreciate them he must needs be seen at his work. Acuteness and strength of perception, joined to unparalicled flexibility in reception and Tendition, are the mainsprii of his acting. In these qualities, which make the great actor, he is quite without @ rival. He possesses also all the minor qualities or accessories so important. Let it not be inferred for an instant that Salvini’s play is, so to say, mere skilful mechanism. Into his simuiation or imitation is breathed the vivitying spirit of the highest order of art, and it is only thus that it leaves an indelible impression on the beholder, HIS APPEARANCE AND ACTING. As an artist he has eminently the charm of inality. In personal appearance he is strik- ingly handsome and distingué. He pleases at first sight, and the more his audience see of him the more he fascinates them. He is youthful looking, being in the prime of manbood (forty). His regular teatures, his high forehead, bis eyes piercing, black and remarkable in variety of expression; uis igure well developed and above the average height, at once give him @ decided air of intelligence and strength. His geatures on the stage are entirely natural, never of the affected, we order; his attitudes graceful, his whole play is sober, concen- trated and powerful. He is not @ mere fitting body.before the eye of the spectator, but @ man who throws his whole soul in every utterance and movement, a8 one earnest and intent— ay, absorbed—in what he does. His natural advan- tages stand him in good stead siways, but it has only been through the closest and hardest study toat he has reached his present perfection ag an artist; that he is enabled to exhibit before his audience such towering outbursts.of energy, combined with such delicate renderings of all the shades in. human passions. Most admirable is hia facuity of transformation. From the tenderness of love he can spring to the flercest anger or the dissimuiation of assumed idiocy. ‘Te cite only one well known instance, in the love ar of his famous ‘‘Deh,! meco, 0 Desdemona, i,” &c., the vibration froim his lips of those few words produces the most str: » Powerful and pleasing effects on the hearer. been said that no woman can hear the sweetness of that he gives to this passage without being charmed by it. + THE QUESTION OF LANGUAGE. Tt may be a drawback to som” that the tragedian Will use a foreign language, al iough many among: the cultivated audiences whe will listen to bim wit not gs A eptirely unacguainted with the ju Italian, On the other hand, the beauties of that language will also bean immense gain; and although the point and pith of the original text be laakti @ translation ds a splendid sct- of in the w; lished iorm, enclosing the rug- stren ty substantiality of ideas. no indisputably more musical than English, aad, even if not ugderstood, will not failia many years to bean bape and novel substitute for the harsner idiom se familiar to them. Salvin? has a noble voice. Hf diction is exquisitely pure and distinct, He is s master of intonation, VALUE OF THE CLASSIC SCHOOL. In the grand roles of Shakspeare Salviniis truly superb, and in this country they witl of necessity pam in other pieces that are merely itn hose of Alfieri, andin ‘‘La Morte Civile,’ of Gia- cometti—he shows himself still superior. If his style of act be desoribed as that springing from the ‘classic drama,” then one can take no objec- tion to that rather cut and dried cogno- men, As there’ are tragedians like tificial jargon aud who are adepts in sacrificing’ W, “YORK j, SUNDAY, “SEPTEMBER 14, 1873—QUADRUPLE SHEET. ir in any country and age, There are not always hand great tragedians to give us a tragedy, even if we could bear being so often stirred up. Pocpeneing the “classic” master- leces are in effect powerfully acted, still he sweet warbling of prima donnas and tenors, the trivialities of com and the hash of shows ‘will continue to be served upon the boards in swift succession. When we are not cea, Nils- son ears will be open to Patti; when Cox is absent Box will be present; and when one Black Crook is taken away another shall be given in its place. fe is mixed. On the whole, however, rovided thero exist, actors like Salvini capable of then the classic repervory may advantageously be i fassic repertor: 0: removed from the centre-tabie to the stage of a eresce theatre—not without, Ariosto says, Talor una delta, un bel manto, (A pretty dress at times increases beauty itself.) ITALIAN APPRECIATION. Salvini has been playing tn Italy for the last twenty years, and yet he has never failed of suc- cess in any city whither he and his company have mare a my, supreme taste, beheves as ly in tragedy as and the tragedian Salvini 1 much enjo; ot tebe Oj r children as the sweetest songstress, His ‘riots have never got tired of him or high Over and over again they greet him with enthusiastic Sree. In their eyes he is a species of idol, and in talking to foreigners they proudly gpeak of him as ‘our Salvini,” as though they would put him up inst all comers; and well they might, for Le is without anegual. Marquis D’Arcais, the art critic, whose authority is recognized Cy eae the peninsula, constantly eulogizes Salvint for his steadfast ad- herence to-and proficiency in the schools of Shak- speare and Alfieri, while anabie sufficient to anath the trash current from Paris, 5 Signor Enrico Tamberlik. ‘The first appearance in this city of a tenor who has charmed ali the rest of the world, is impor- tant enough to justify a very general curiosity in regard to his antecedents, This curiosity has been amply gratified with respect to Signor Campanini, who will be heard here in a very few weeks, and We propose to do the same service with respect to Signor Tamberlik, against whom all that can be urged is that he is just two years younger than the tenor whom nine New York hearers out of ten’ declared, & couple of seasons ago, to be the finest tenor who had ever visited America, If Wachtel charmed us at fifty-five, perhaps Tamberlik may be conceded the same opportunity at fifty- three. He was born in Rome in 1820, and has “wandered singing through tno listen- ing world” for about thirty years, That 1s to aay, his first successes were won in 1843, while he was singing at the Grand Opera at Lisbon. Pre- vious to this time he had taken singing lessons from Guglielmo and Borna, and had studied theo- logy. Whether his theological studies were of any use to him in providing him with sympathies for Poliuto, in which he was subsequently so success- ful, we Will not now stop to inguire. His début took place at the Theatre del Fonde, in Naples, tn 1841, In the ‘“Ospuletti e Montecchi.” Then came the Lisbon engagement, when he first began to give an earnest of what he would become. -A sudden change in his voice trans- formed him to a tenor s/ogato, and visiting Barce- Jona, Madrid and London, it was hinted that the mantle of Rubini had fallen upon him. At Covent Garden his interpretation in “Guglielmo Tell’ pro- duced ayery profound impression. The London endorsement was ratified by that of St. Peters- burg where, for nearly twenty consecutive seasons, he pleased one of the most exacting audiences in the world, It was here that ne produced for the first time “Le Prophéte” and “Le Pardon de Ploermel,” and at the conclusion of one of his most prosperous engagements the Emperor Nicholas accorded him two decorations and appointed him “Chief Singer of the Chamber Court.’ Meanwhile Signor Tamoerlik kept shy of Paris. He declined the Invitations of even Meyerbeer and di@not make bis début there till 1858. It was during that very year that M. Maretzek announced him ag faring. been engaged for this city. But M. Maretzek was fifteen years too early. The engagement was postponed; Paris Proved too attractive; the season at the Italtens Was renewed, and the impressible, yet fastidious French vowed that they had found’ their ideal singer. A triple strand of admiration was woven for him by Paris, London and Madrid. His Othello struck the Frenchmen to the heart, and the success was renewed as lately as 1869 at the Italiens. ‘These achievements have been repeated in Rio Janeiro, Buenos Ayres, Mon- tevideo, Mexico and Havana. During his recent @eason in Havana Tamberlik sang in public twenty- six times in four weeks, which is a pretty severe vest as to the present integrity of his voice, For the rest we preier to wait for mis appearance at the Grand Opera House onthe 6th Gf October. Musical and Dramatic Notes. The dramatic season has begun, but we are without the promise of any exceptional success, and no new piece has yet been announced as in preparation, for which a long run is expected. Starring engagements and rapid changes seem to be the order of the day. Already Mr. Jefferson’s engagement at Booth’s is nearly half finished, and Maggie Mitchell is announced to follow “Rip Van Winkie.” In another fortnight the Ailmée com- pany, at the Broadway, and the Lydia Thompson troupe, at the Olympic, will yield to others, The Grand Opera House has already produced two show pieces, and on Monday of next week “The Wandering Jew” will be succeeded by a spectacle called “Haunted Houses.” Mr. Charles Gayler’s local drama, “Dust and Diamonds,” is in prepara- tion, to follow “The Colleen Bawn.”” The Vokes, at the Union Square, seem a fixture till the begin- ning of the regular season on the ist of October. There is in all this very little real encouragement for art, but we need not despair of much excellent acting before the winter is over, The company at the Boston Museum has been playing the comedy of “Divorce.” The company includes Miss Mary Cary, Mr. W. J. Lemoyne and Mr. W. H. Crisp, well known to the theatre goers of this city, who, a8 a matter of course, are able to play modern comedy; but with these exceptions, and excepting Mr. Oharles Barron as Alfred Adri- ance, it is played as gravely and stiffly as the “The School for Scandal.” And it requires, on the Bos- ton boards, nearly an hour longer than is neces- sary for its interpretation. ‘The fact that Mr. Joseph Jefferson is playing at Booth’s at the same time that Mr. G, L. Fox is act- ing comedy at the Grand Opera House reminds us how successfully each has followed his own line since they appeared together at the Olympic under Laura Keene’s management. Almost equally great, they are equally the representatives of dif- ferent methods. With Mr, Jefferson, especially in his great part of Rip Van Winkle, every detail down to the minutest gesture is carefally studied and settied as firmly as the laws of the Medes and Persians. Mr. Fox, on the other hand, depends toa great extent upen the inspiration of the moment, as is well illustrated in the death of Pyramus, where he always dies according to the temper of the house. During the three weeks Fox played Bottom this season the death scene was never twice alike. Rip Van Winkle has gone to sieep for years with the same motion of the hand and arms. But both artiste are worthy of careful and repeated study as among the greatest represen- tatives of American art, either past or present. It is not judgment in advance to protest against such “star”? actors as Miss Maggie Mitchell and Mr. J. K. Emmett in advance of their appearance. Neither of them can bring us anything in the way of dramatic art worthy of serious consideration, and both do great injury to a protession where they hold places far above their merits.’ Mr. Em- mett’s “specialties” are even more reprehensible than Miss Mitchell’s maudlin juvenility, but we suppose they must be endured till our people learn that @ good stock company in our theatres is worth a thousand such feebly flickering stars. The new drama with which the Union Square Theatre begins the regular season is by Mr. George Fawcett Rowe. We presume Miss Rose Eytinge will make her first appearance 1n this place. That “eminent young American actor,” Oliver Doud Byron, is to play “Ben McCullough’ at Wood's this week, Ben McCullough was not a great man, but there is no telling what an “emi- nent young American actor’ may do with him. The building of the new Fifth Avenue Theatro, at Twenty-eighth street and Broadway, is pro- greasing rapidly, bat it is not likely the house will be ready for occupancy beiore the beginning of November. Mile, Aimee goes to Havana at the close of her present emmagement at the Broadway Theatre. Only two weeks remain of her New York season. During the remaining fortnight three operas are to be given, “La Grande Duchesse’ and “La Périchole” this week, und uext week, “Orphée Aux Enfers,” which nas not been sung here in four years. Anumber of young ladies, mostly graduates of the Normal College, wishing to follow up their previous musical instruction. have juss formed a vocal society, which they call the Winterburn Chorus, after the director, Mra. Charlotte V. Win- terburn. The society is to be composed exclu- sively of women. The first rehearsal’ will take place at Dr. Crosby’s church, Fourth avenue and Twenty-second street, on Wednesday afternoon. Tnig society is excellent in design, for nothing can be more important to young ladies than gn oppor- tunity to pursue their musical training after leay- ing school, A great conservatoire may grow out of like enterprises. “Haunted Houses,” which is to follow the “Wan- dering Jew” at the Grand Opera House, is a “thrilil- ing sensation” by Mr. H. J. Byron, the English dramatist. It is now funning successfully in London. Yesterday Mr. Max Strakosch received from his brother, Mr. Maurice Strakosch, the pleasing intel- ligence, per Atiantic cable, that the directorship of the Italian opera in Paris had passed into their hands, Mr. Shiel Barry will appear every evening this week, excepting Saturday, both as Danny Mann and Myles na Copaleen im “The Colleen Bawn,” at Wallack’s, This will be @ novelty worth seeing, Mr. Barry’s excellence as Miles enhancing the curi- osity to see him as Danny. The same programme Will be repeated on Saturday atternoon, On Satur- day evening Mr. Gayiler’s play, “Dust and Dia- monds,” will be produced, Barney Williams, who has been suffering for some time from paralysis of the left eye, is much improved, But his physicians having advised him to give up his professional pursuits for the present, he has cancelled all engagements until next spring. Mme, Nilsson visited the Lyceum Theatre last evening, and was the recipient of an almost per- fect ovation, being called to the front of the pros- cenium box whieh she occupied and presented with many beautiful floral offerings, Monsieur Salvini was also present, and occupied the box directly opposite Mme. Nilsson, and was enthusl- astically applauded as soon as discovered by the audience, which Was one of the most fashionable which has assembled this season, CHEAP TRANSPORTATION. Third Session of the United States Sen- ate Committee on Transportation. * Statements by the Delegation from the New York Cheap Transit Association—Interesting Sta- tistics from the Statistician of the Produce Exchange—What Railroads and Ca- nals Can Accomplish—Explana- tion of the Belgian Bys- tem of Towage—The Con- tinental Air Railway. The Senatorial Committee on Transportation re- sumed their session yesterday, Senator Windom in the chair. The testimony given was of considera- ble interest and included the views of the mer- chants and producers as well as pgyate citizens who had given the question of transportation great consideration, The representatives of the Continental air line had also an opportunity of explaining the work they had undertaken, The investigation was closed, as far as New York was concerned, about five o'clock. Just pre- vious to the committee rising, the Burling- ton delegation, introduced by Mayor Dodge, of that city, were presented, and the Senators were invited to stay at Burlington, on their way to Mon- treal, in order that an GL a might be afforded of explaining the water roufe proposed tobe madein connection with the St. Lawrence River. Mr. Windom informed the delegation that until the committee arrived at Albany they could not positively say whether they could stay at Bur- lington, though it would give them very great pleasure to do s0. THE BLUE LINE. Mr. Hayes general matinger of the Blue Line, appeared and made a supplementary statement, He said that the local trafic in short hauls costs more in proportion tnan the traffic in long hauls. For example, the ratiroad receiving property would be obliged to handle, weigh and load it ata cost, if handled in large quantities, equal to twenty cents per ton. The time of an entire train 18 occupied while the engine is putting cars in and taking them out; a local train occupies three times as much time collecting full train as a through train would in passing over the same distance. ‘Therefore, if the cars are compelled to discharge the load at the end of filty miles, there will be @ corresponding expense and delay of trains amounting to $4 atthe two termini fora car of ten tons, At the same rate per ton per mile travelled the amount netted trom the fity miles would be only $1, while the through car for the same distance and the same rate would net $5. The through lines, in order to cheapen transpor- tation to the producer bay consumer, were com- pelled to inaugurate system of through Ireightage. The reason for painting the cars of one color and calling them “line” cars, was to distinguish them irom cars known as local cars; and by agreement between the companies they are placed under one manager to run for the benefit of all lines, and to prevent any Toad irom using a “line” car for its own local busi- ness, to the detriment of the Western shipper. In reply to questions with regard to receipts given without guaranteeing the amount contained in the car, Mr. Hayes said that there are many points at which the railroad companies are too poor to build warehouses. Private persons own these ware- houses and sometimes the land around them, and for the purpose of developing the country are purchasers of the produce. They handle and load their own property. When it arrives at its destination it passes from the hands or the railroad companies into the hands of persons not counected with the roads; therefore the yer ome neither weigh in nor out, | It is therefore unreasonable to expect the roads to guarantee the weighing at either end. From an elevator owned by the railroad company loading a given aeeaneys sending it to Boston or any other point where the compaby Owned an elevator, it is tba out by the company; they have guaran- teed weights, deducting one per cent for shrink- age, It was Mr. Hayes’ opinion that ithe company could receive and discharge they should assume the shrinkage oi one per cent, 80 as to deliver the quan- tity loaded or its value. ‘The systeay of inspection at New York, where each receiver claims the iden- tical grain, instead of receiving an equal quantity of the same grain, requires more storage capacity than has yet been afforded. In answer to the question of Senator Sherman as to why the capi- talists of New York build elevators at the West and not here, Mr. Hayes said that the reason for not building here was because where, there is inspection and a large voc of grain is delivered in one bulk the business is profitable; a small quantity occu- pies the same space, except with regard to the depth of bins, and brings no profit. Inanswer to Senator Conkling, who asked why theesystem could not be changed, Mr. Hayes answered that the system was adopted to meet receipts by canal, when large quantities could £2, into one bin, That custom had een continued. Large warehouses, owned and controlled by leading men oi the Corn Ex- change, would have to be changed at a loss to their owners; but the necessity of the business requiring the removal of the property by rail is rapidly changing that course of business. Thecorrespond- ing change must be made to meet the competition Of other seaport towns, otherwise New York must lose its business. Many of the railroads centring in New York end in Jersey City, while the New York Central ends in New York. There 1s, ‘conse- quently, a difference of opinion as to what point can be called New York. The railway oompanies claim that New York is where the road ends, From there ey dischary into barges in five car-lo lots, and deliver to any ship, warehouse or inspection ard, whether in New York, Brooklyn or Jersey Jity. These barges are controlled entirely by per- sons outside the rairoad companies. The expense of this ranges from sixty cents to $1 per ton, for which neither the producer nor the consumer pays anything. This is one of the Crédit Mobfier ar- rangements by which the companies pay but get nothing in return—not even the thanks of the mer- chants, for the intereste of the railroad companies and those of the merchants are identical; and the railroad companies are compelled to compete with other nes centring in other towns. Mr. Hayes then read @ brief paper showing the prot town of Peoria, Iil., of the illustrating tl condition of the towns of the West, and showing that no section 0. the country is more pi rous than the Western country, notwithstanding the cries of oppression on the lies. Mr. Hayes joard of Trade re- his statements. tarns lor 1872 corroborating THE CHRAP TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION. A delegation from the Cheap Transportation As- sociation, consisting of Baker, Thurber and Joi made statements with regard to rail- road moni their control of water fronts and their Jegisiative joobery. STATEMENT OF MR, RLMORE H. WALKER. Mr. Elmore H, Walker. Statistician of the New York Produce Exchange, eaid that there were two rominent competing routes in the future—one through the city of New York by the Erie Canal and the other by the St, Lawrence Canal—and the city of New Yor! mages pe prepared to meet the competition of the St, Lawrence route. The rate of tolabs Row by that route is ten cents a bushel from Chicago to Montreal, and when they have 1,200 ton lo instead of the present class they will reduce the rate below thas, aud the advantages of that route are as good as’ the other, including in- surance, By the improvement of the Welland and the St, Lawrence Canals, tt will be carried below ten cents, We are moving by all routes north of the Ohto of through freights about 33,000,000 tons per year, of whioh about 13,000,000 tons is properly through business, The rail route from Chicago on fourth class freight and terminat points of the West of like distance from New York, about $9 per ton; that is at the rate of nine mills and a fraction per ton per mile; the water rate for the last Bix ears irom Chicago to New York has en $7 and some cents for corn Per ton and a fraction over $8 for wheat, and that is owing to the difference in the rate of toll. ‘The rate per rail cannot be furnished cheaper than $9 per ton. If all the freight of the railway Is car- Ted at that rate—tf the Central road should carry all ite freight at three.quarters of a cent per ton er tulle of its mileage of 1872, it could nether tem interest nor dividends, If it should carry all its freight at the rate of twelve cents a bushel for Wheat, which is nine miils and a fraction of a ton f mile, it could pay its interest and would ave about . to pay $8,000,000 of dividend with. So that, practically,’ unless there cam be some means devised by which railroads can carry it cheaper the people cannot get the relief they seck in the Far West by ratiroad routes. The lake route, with large class vessels of say 2,000 tons capacity, can be reduced to $1 50 trom Chicago to Buffalo, and, take the entire route through by water, it can, by proper appliances, be reduced to $3. But, in any event, the rail will divide the business with the water lines. One ninth of the tonnage of the railways is live stock and its products, and this is nearly one sixth of the eastern movements; and there are a large class of other commodities that will come by rail inanyevent. Mr. Walker then went into élabo- rate calculations as to what would be required of railroads before the end of the century. The remedy will be in @ cheaper water route and in the extension of the railroad system that will meet the element ofcost, but we shall need more than six double tines to meet the business of the country. In the far West it needs the produce of three acres to transport one to market, and that is very oppres- ae for the producer. e are bringing into this State 45,000,000 of bushels of grain more than we grow, and New England takes @ larger amount. ‘The canals since 1837 have trans- pared over $7,000,000,000 worth of property, and have produced a revenue sudictent to pay for them- selves. The tonnage of the canals for twenty-three years has been more than doube the tonnage of all the vessels entering the port of New York. The enters capacity of the canals to move property fast ward {8 4,000,000 tons. The capacity of a canal is limited to lockages. A lock should be able to accommodate a boat of 2,600 tons, The price now ‘on the canal is avout two mills and a fraction bushel per mile from Chicago to New York, and it can be reduced by the enlargement to a little over one mill. STATEMENT OF MR. GEORGE 0, JONES, Mr. Jones said that he would put before the come mittee what he regarded as vital to the considera tions of the question, and which mght be described as general principles. For example, he believed that railroads are for public use, ar cannot, constitutionally, be made onjects of pri- vate speculation, All the legislation in reference to railroads in this country during the last quarter century has been wrong in principle. Highwa: are for the public good, and up to the last fi years all legislation in that direction was for the publie good, Alter a few observations on this general principle Mr. Jones said that the right of eminent domain had been only exercised for the general welfare, when everything done under it was in the line of strict justice and welfare to all. Competition in railroads had been found by an in- vestigating committee in England to always end acombination. There could be no competition in railroads except by aline of cars down parallel with the line. Property taken ana used for public use could never be increased in value. He be- lieved that the wisdom of limiting the passenger rate to two cents per mile on the Hudson River and Central Railroad, in the legislative acts of 185, had been shown in thé growth of large cities along the route, The question in relation to canals, and which some people expect to get 80 much relief from in New York city, was, he thought, somewhat over-estimated. He believed that in ten eurs hence there would be no animal power used: tor the transportation of freight. * Unless there could be some other means of locomotive power than that there would not be a canal- Boat running. . “Examine the burden imposed on commerce over the canals,” said Mr. Jones, “and contrast it with that imposed by raflroad companies doing business in thie State, and see which is of most importance to the people. During the year 1871 ‘this State col- lected ior tolls over its canals $2,513,686, and the sums paid to boatmen for moving the preperty about equalled that paid the State for tolls. Six miliion (96,000,000) jollars 19 @ liberal estimate to- pucon the burden imposed on commerce moved over the canais of this State during tue last year. By reference to reports made to the State Engi- neer and be ee A pe companies doin, business in tl tate, it will be foun that these companies received during the year 1871 for transporting freight, $53,635,589; for passenger fares, $23,004,576, and om other sources, $4,431,785, making a total of $81,162,242. From this amount deduct $10,000,000 on freight and $5,000,000 on passengers’ farcs, over the Boston and Albany, and Lake Shore and Michigan Southern roads, on business done .out- side’‘of this State, and it will be found that the enormous sum of $43,500,000 was taken from the people of this State for having their property, and Rie bo0,000, jor having their persons transported over its railroads during the past year, Yet no political party has raised its voice against this vast burden; and none has been, found potent enough to compel an tnvestigatfn into these charges to see whether they are just or unjust. THE NEW YORK STEAM CABLE TOWING COMPANY, Colone! H. D, Falconer appeared on behalf of the canals and in reference to the Belgian system of towage. The principle involved in this system is the same that 18 in use between Paris and the river Seine. {tis the principle of the drum, with the ad- dition of a wire cable. The outer edge of the drum is set with steel clasps. It accomplishes the same purpose as the cogs do on the river Seine. Every attempt on the Erie Canal to introduce any other motive power than that of animal power has tailed because it has been ound to more expensive than animai power. What was now being done by the promoters of this pian was to put it on the Erie Canal and onthe Rhine. The Austrian government has put it on the Danube, andthe Kussian government has put it on the Wolga. We now have in operation thirty-one tuiies on the Western system of the Erie Canal. We hope by next winter to dismiss horses entirely from the Etie Canal. We can take boats through from Buffalo to Albany in jour or live daye—the average now is ten or eleven days. The great trouble in enlarging the Erie Canalis the supply of water. It is found here that the supplies are inadequate, and to make it a ship canal would onby intensify the difficulty, We.can take up from eight to ten boats, loaded up to their fullest capacity, either going west or going east. Now only one hundred tons cau be taken by poats going west. The plan will be to lay down two cables, one going east and the other going west. The cable lies right at the bottom of the canal. The ln speed ts three miles an hour, ‘the average speed now of the horse power is about one or one and a half miles an hour, If we had double jocks all the way through we could send 18,000,000 of tons. We could cheapen the ireignt rates about one-half, The chances of a monopoly could, be controlled by the Legislature. Our system does not interfere with any other boats running on the canal. inreference to the Belgian system of railroads, one-half belongs to the stockholders and the other half to the guvern- ment. The result is that the roads are built well at a low cost, and they pay four and a half per cent and leavea surplus to the government. In England there was a limited liabiitty law, and all corporations are established under it, and I throw it out for your consideration, because I think if we had a similar general incorporation law, subject to & bureau of corporations, the same as they huve in England, whose duty it is to report respecting these, it would be greatly to the advantage of the country. THE ERIE RAILROAD, Mr. Doonan, of the Erie road, sald tnat there were four fast freight lines on the Erie road. He resented the contracts under which those four ines ran. Those lines were the Great Western despatch, the Erie and Pacitic, the North Shore and the South Shore, Mr. Doonan then answered questions put by the committee as to the capital stock of the company, aud closed by putting in a printed report. THE CONTINENTAL AIR RAILROAD, Mr. W. ©. Kippy, who appeared for the Vontinen- tal Air Raiiway, satd that about three years ago a few capitalists and engineers, observing the in- crease of commerce to the West and regarding the fact that the present railroad system would soon be inadequate for the through ti ‘amfic, entered upon the duty of a reconnotssance of the Continent, and this resulted in showing to them that @ line saving @ great distance and also @ sav- ng in grades could be oullt. They ob- tained & charter throughout rent States. This line would save from fourteen to twenty per cent in geographical distance and also in grades, The contracts for building a double track have been completed, and the capacity of the Toad will be very great. Abont one hundred miles of this road had been laid in Ohio and Indiana, and was doing o large Le ean ox entire cost of the be about | ‘At the conclusion of the testimony of J. B. Ab- ott, the engineer of the Continental Air Line, the committee aqjourned, to meet in Albany on Mon. day. A DEADLY EXPLOSION. One Man Killed and Another Badly Wounded. Bactiwore, Sept. 13, 1873, While John Hamilton and Willlam Munk, em- ployed at John G, Schwind’s stone quarry, on Franklin street, were drilling preparatory to blasting thts morning, a fearful explosion took piace. Hamilton was horribly cut and man, about the back and legs, and died in two hours, The deceased was twenty-six years old, and a native of Manchester, England. Munk was hadiy cut about the face, but wili probably recover,