Subscribers enjoy higher page view limit, downloads, and exclusive features.
6 NEW YORK HERALD BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR —S a creeeeeeNOe QUE AMUSEMENTS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING, BOOTH'S THEATRE, Sixth av. and Twenty-third st.— Fancuon, THE Cuicext. Matince at 13. NEW LYCEUM THEATRE, Mth st. and 6th av.— Norkx Daux, Matinee at % METROPOLITAN THEATRE, 585 Broadway.—Vaisrr Exrextainuent. Matinee at 254. THEATRE COMIQUB, No. 5i4 Broadway.—Vanrerr Ewrextainwxnt. Matinee at 2%. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Ricuarp Ill.—Bear Hountens. BROADWAY THEATRE, 728 and 730 Max, Tux Merry Swiss Bor. Matinee at 1: Broadway.— be GRAND OPERA HOUSE, Eighth av. and Twenty-third @—Ttacian Urens. Matinee at |};—Pouivto. OLYMPIC fea hog Broadway, between Houston and Bleecker sts.—Tux Gnanp Dociixss. Matinee at 2. NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway, between Prince and Houston sts.—Taz Buick xk. Matinee at lig. WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway: and Thirteenth et.—Banwiss’s Boox. Matinee at ACADEMY OF MUSIC, léth street and Irving place.— fraLian OrgRs. Matinee at 1ig—Favst. UNION SQUARE THEATRE, Union square, near Broadway.—Tux Gexgva Cross, Matinee at 13g. ‘WOOD'S MUSEUM, Broadway, corner Thirtieth st.— Marsy Buuro. Afternoon and evening. GERMANIA THEATRE, l4th street and 34 avenue.— Dee ReoistaatoR aur Reisen. TONY PASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE, No. 201 Bowery.— Vanusty ENTERTAINMENT. Matinee at 2. BRYANT’S OPERA HOUSE, Twenty-third st., corner Bixth av.—NzGro Minsrrgusy, &c. Matinee at 2. HOOLEY’S OPERA HOUSE, Court street, Brooklyn.— San Francisco MINSTRELS. ROBINSON HALL, Sixteenth street—Tax Royar Mantonetrxs, Matinee at 3 BAIN HALL, Great Jones street. between Broadway nd Bowery.—Tux Pucrim. Matinee at 2}. FERRERO'S NEW A! MBY ROOMS, Mth street.— Macicat ENTERTAINMENT. jatinee at 2. CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.—Graxp Orrratic Soncerr. AMERICAN INSTITUTE FAIR, 34 ay., between 634 $nd 64th sts. Afternoon and evening. NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, No. 618 Broad- fray.—Science and Ant. DR. KAHN'S MUSEUM, No. 683 Broadway.—Science axp Art. TRIPLE SHEBRT. New York, Saturday, October 18, 1873. THE NEWS OF YESTERDAY. To-Day’s Contents ot the Herald. CUBA'S NEW RULER ON THE WAY TO HAVANA—ENGLISH FINANCES AND THE DRAIN OF BULLION 10 AMERICA—SEVENTH PaGe, WARRING UPON SPAIN! THE CUBAN ASSAULT UPON AND CAPTURE OF SANTA. CRUZ! THE STATE OF THE STRUGGLE—FovrtTH PAGE. THE RUSSIAN RIVER NEVA OVERFLOWS ITS BANKS AND CAUSES GREAT DAMAGE 1N ST. PETERSBURG AND THE ADJACENT COUNTRY—SEVENTH PAGE. THE REVOLUTION IN COHAHUILA, MEXICO, AS- SUMING A SANGUINARY ASPECT! AN BN- GAGEMENT NEAR MONCLOVA! CONFLICT- ING CLAIMS OF VICTURY! BUSINESS MEN ALARMED—SEVENTH PaGE. DFFICIAL REPORT OF THE RESULTS OF THE OCEAN YACHT RACES FOR THE BENNEIT PRIZES-JEROME PARK RACE POOLS— TENTH Pace. CONDITION OF THE FEVER-SCOURGED DIs- TRICTS OF THE SOUTH—S&vVENTH PaGE. VITAL NEED OF PROTECTION FOR THE FORESTS! THE VIENNA CONGRESS URGE INTERNATIONAL ACTION AGAINST THE SUICIDAL DEFORESTING OF RIVER SOURCES! THE LESSONS OF HISTORY— Fourtu Pace. WOMAN’S LATEST THROE! THE UNIVERSE RULED THROUGH THE CRADLE! THE CONGRESS GOES HOME TO CARRY OUT .~ THE NEW-OLD MISSION ()—Tuirp Pace. POWER OF THE PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY! THE FINANCIAL STATUS OF AMERICA! WASHINGTON ITEMS—SEVENTH PAGE. POSTAL SAVINGS BANKS AND TELEGRAPHS ADVOCATED BY THE POSTMASTER GEN- ERAL AS FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS SAFEGUARDS—TuIRD PaGe. SITTER CATHOLIC DENUNCIATION OF THE EUROPEAN PLOT AGAINST THE HOLY FATHER, OF SECRET SOCIETIES, PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OCURRUPT POLITICIANS— THIRD PaGE. QLOSE OF THE PROSECUTION AND OPENING FOR THE WVEFENCE OF EDWARD §8, STOKES! COLONEL FELLOWS EXCUSED FROM TESTIFYING AS TO THREATS—FirtH PAGE. 4 MOST ATROCIOUS MURDER, BY A BRAZILIAN JUDGE, OF A MISTRESS! DEADLY HATRED! A REMARKABLE CRIME—EiGcutn Pac. OUR FINANCES, GOLD IMPORTS, THE BALANCE OF TRADE AND RESUMPTION! THE BRITISH PRECAUTION OF AN ADVANCED DISCOUNT RATE—FiFTH PAGE. WALL STREET OPERATIONS! STOCKS IRREGU- LAR, GOLD FIRMER AND RAILROAD BONDS ACTIVE—THE COTTON CROP—NiNTH PaGeE. Tax Burxixo or Corumpru—THe Question Szrrtep.—The Mixed Claims Commission sitting at the national capital, in pursuance of vertain provisions of the Treaty of Washing- jon, after taking in an immense mass of testi- mony on both sides, has rejected all the plaims brought against the government for losses of cotton destroyed in the burning of Columbia, §. ©., during our late civil rar, Of course, this means that as % is proved that the city was not fired by the United States Army the United States gov- wnment cannot be held responsible for the yonsequences. ‘This officially, then, settles she question as to which party fired Columbia. Tax French Court Mantun Triar or Viunsnan Bazarve was quite interesting in its progress yesterday. The prisoner displayed much more animation in delivering his replies 4o the interrogatories of the President than he iid at the previous sittings of the tribunal. He pointed again to the moments of Eugénie’s administration of the executive suthority in France and of the negotiations with the Germans, and intimated in plain yerms, during the perivd of his action, which ‘s embraced in the formation of some of the main charges against him, “there was no ‘government, there was nothing,” in France. ‘The Marshal pledged himself that all his acts and thoughts were for his country and the army. Excitement prevailed in the conrt NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1873—TRIPLE SHEET. The Approaching Crisis in France— Marshalling the Forces. There are new developments and varying phases of the situation of affairs in France from day to day. Yet all go to show that the crisis is imminent and may be threaten- ing. From every part of the civilized world people are looking with the deepest interest at the important game of politics now being played by the different monarchical, im- perialist and republican parties there. The result is shrouded in uncertainty. The Na- tional. Assembly will be asked by the mon- archists to vote for the elevation of the Comte de Chambord to the throne, and that then, it has been said, M. Rouher will propose asa substitute that the monarchical principle shall be established by the Assembly, but that it be left to the country to decide by a plébiscite which monarchy is pre- ferred. Monarchy, at all events, is the purpose, and this reported plan of M. Rouher is only a_ political manmuvre. On the other side, the Left of the Assembly, though not exactly harmonious, is confident of defeating the monarchists. From the in- terior of France numbers of letters were re- ceived by leading deputies showing a strong and growing aversion to monarchy. Gam- betta declares he has no anxiety concerning the permanency of the Republic, and that a proposition to establish a monarchy could not obtain the vote of a majority of the As- sembly. Then the veteran M. Thiers in- tends, it is said, to publicly advocate the pro- longation of the term of MacMahon as Pres- ident, if necessary to defeat the monarchical combination, and thus deprive the mon- archists of the support of the Left Centre. He seems to believe that astute movement, as a last resort, would dissolve the monarchical coalition. The recent elections for members of the Assembly resulted favorably for the republicans, and this fact has done much to inspire confidence in the party. The imme- diate effect appears to have been somewhat demoralizing to the monarchists and to rally a number of the Left Centre to the republican cause. Then the action of some of the most important of the city authorities of Paris in declaring energetically in favor of the Repub- lic cannot fail to have weight with the liberal conservative but wavering members of the Assembly. The special despatches we have been pub- lishing daily from Paris, other parts of France and London, as well as from Washington recenily, on the subject of this approaching governmental crisis, show both the anxiety that exists and the preparations made for the inevitable conflict. The deputies of the Right, at a meeting held lately, appointed General Changarnier, the Duke d’ Audiffret-Pasquier, the Baron de Larey, M. Combier and Count Daru a committee to draw up a platform on which all sections of the Right can unite. This action, however, is but supplementary to the movements of the royalists for some time past, which are now coming to a head. It is but the culmination of the fixed purpose and plans of the Right, which were seen and known before. We shall hear, doubtless, of other movements not less sig- nificant, both on the part of the royalists and the republican opposition. The platform of the committee, of which General Changarnier seems to be the head, will soon be known, probably either as a declaration and an appeal to the public or through a resolution in the Assembly. The time for the meeting of the Assembly rests with the permanent committee of that body. It is probable, however, that the call will soon be issued for the meeting and that it may take place within the present month. Most likely the Right delays action as little as possible, as it can hardly expect to gain any advantage by prolonging the time. Delay, probably, would tend to strengthen the opposition, for the Left, with M. Thiers as the leader, exhibits great activity. It is possible the crisis may be precipitated before the Assembly meets ; still we think the cautious and experienced states- man who leads the Left and republican party, as wellas the members of that party in the Assembly, will avoid an issue outside of the legislative hall. In the Assembly they may have a chance of defeating the purpose and machinations of the royalists through com- binations and parliamentary tactics; but should they accept or inaugurate a conflict outside of the Assembly, and before that body meets, they would assume something like the réle of revolutionists and would bring down upon them the military power of the govern- ment. The consequence must be a dreadful collision, and the result, probably, disastrous to the republicans. Looking, then, at tho state of things in every point of view, we sup- pose the Left will wait for and make the issue in the Assembly, and that the Right will open the session of that body at the carliest day practicable. We are not yet informed positively of the programme of the royalists, though there have been rumors that seem to bear the sem- blance of truth. It has been stated, for ex- ample, that the Comte de Chambord will to issue a manifesto in accordance with the wishes and plans of the royalist majority of the Assembly, in which he will declare his intention to establish a constitutional and parliamentary government, There isto be a redivision of the country into electoral dis- tricts, and the immediate nomination of a Lieutenant General of the kingdom, which means, it is supposed, the appointment of Marshal MacMahon to that position. The impression appears to be general that Cham- bord is to be King if the royalists can carry out their programme. The Orleang party has considerable strength, and personally the princes of that younger branch of the Bourbons are regarded with favor. They have taken prominent positions under the Republic, and have shown ability. Why is it, then, that the Comte de Paris, the Trepresenta- tive of the Orleans family, and the other princes of that branch, yield to the claims of Chambord? Has there been a bargain, as was stated, by which the Comte de Chambord is to abdicate in favor of the Comte de Paris, or to adopt him as his heir, the Comte de Chambord having no children? Such an agreement seems probable. It appears to be implied in a late article of the Paris Journal, a monarchical paper. It says:—‘A pro- posal for the restoration of the monarchy on the basis of tho charter of 1814, in a modified room at different periods, and the prisoner | form, will be presented to the Assembly on #ppeered embarrasued towards the close, the opening day of the session.” The basis of the charter of 1814 was the restoration of the old Bourbon line. The modification may mean the succession of the Orleanists. With- out some such an arrangement we cannot see why the Orleans princes should give up the claim they have heretofore insisted upon. Still, there is a possibility of a rivalry spring- ing up between the royalist factions at the critical moment. And here it is curious to notice the position of M. Thiers, the constant friend of the Orleans family. He, in fact, brought back the Orleans princes, ard gave them a position of influence in the As- sembly and nation. From the attitude he has taken as a leader, or the leader, of the republicans he cannot be a party to the reported coalition of the Orleans princes and Comte de Chambord. Either there is no such coalition or he has abandoned the family of his old master, Louis Philippe, for the Republic. It was said, even, that he had given his consent toa proposed alliance be- tween the republicansand imperialists to meet the approaching issue in the Assembly, and as the only means of preventing the restoration! of the monarchy, with the Comte de Cham- bord as Henry V. The sanction of this re- ported alliance by M. Thiers is regarded as evidence of the strides the monarchists have made and the urgent necessity for immediate and extraordinary measures to preserve the Republic. Now, however, it is asserted that the programme of M. Thiers and the republi- cans is to propose an extension of the powers of Marshal MacMahon, and thus to defeat the monarchists, There being seven hundred and thirty- eight Deputies in the French Assembly it re- quires, of course, three hundred and seventy to carry a measure for the restoration of the monarchy. It is said three hundred and fifty are pledged to support a motion to that effect. Ina full Assembly twenty votes would still be wanted should the above statement as to the number of members pledged be true. Are there twenty uncommitted who could be brought over to the monarchical cause? Upon that question what mighty events and con- sequences may hang! ‘The imperialists have nothing to hope, certainly, from the mon- archy ; and, though they may not like the Republic, they would, perhaps, rather take their chance with the republicans. Some such calculation, possibly, was made by M. Thiers when assenting to the rumored al- liance. Rouher is reported to be working for the restoration, and as a reward is to receive a title. Bribery and every means possible are resorted to in order to restore the monarchy. The republicans of France appeal earnestly for sympathy to the. United States. Prince Jerome Napoleon has come to the front, and is trying to influence the workingmen and socialists against the monarchists. In truth, there is the greatest conflict ot factions and interests threatening the peace of the country. The most hopeful signs of the time for the republican cause, though there is still doubt and uncertainty, are the bold stand M. Thiers has made, the compact unity of the repub- licans of the Assembly and the hostility of the imperialists to the monarchy. Considering the age, experience, sagacity and statesman- like ability of M. Thiers, we can hardly suppose he would place himself at the head of the re- publicans if there were not a reasonable chance of their success. He is not likely to undertake anything of a Quixotic charac- ter. Evidently he thinks the repub- lican cause may succeed. It is clear, too, that he believes the proper government for France, under existing circumstances, is the Republic. He may be overcome, but he is fighting manfully. We in America heartily wish the establishment of the Republic on a firm basis, both because we believe it the best form of government and because the Republic has done more for France within the last two years than any monarchical or imperialist government in the past. What it has accom- plished in restoring order, the finances and general prosperity, in addition to paying a thousand millions of war indemnity, has astonished and excited the admiration of the world. Can it be that, after all the sacrifices which the French people have made for the Republic, from 1789 to this day, and after all the hopes they have entertained and given to the world of success in this present experi- ment, it is to be only a repetition of the old story—from the Empire to the Republic and from the Republic back again to the Bourbons ? A short time only and we shall know what will be the result of the present conflict. Let us hope the great nation may pass through the ordeal without a repetition of those bloody scenes which during the last eighty-four years have marked her history and startled the world, The Situation in Mexico, From Mexico city we are specially in- formed by Hznatp correspondence that the annual rains have fallen in the Republic with unusual severity, and thatin some localities the crops have been badly injured or cut off entirely by inundations or a heavy fall of hail. The city of Guanajuato was visited by a fearful storm, causing great destruction of life and property and suddenly reducing very many families to a condition of extreme distress. President Lerdo’s speech to the mem- bers of the Seventh Congress of the nation con- tains an extended constitutional expression of the principles on which he has hitherto conducted, and on which he hopes to main- tain, the administration of the demverncy. Towards the close of the State paper he says:—‘‘Without neglecting any of its regu- lar responsibilities the government has been able to appropriate a million of dollars toward the payment of the loan, the purchase of telegraphic material and toward the recovery of the mint’—a novel, yet very pleasing, condition of affairs for Mexico. “AccrpentaL Drarn’’ is the verdict of the jury in reference to the cause of the sudden cutting off from the living of young Leggett at the Cornell University the other day. It ap- pears that in © process—a hazing process— preliminary to initiation into the Kappa Alpha Society, Leggett was blindfolded, when he and Lee and Mason, who were leading him, all fell from the cliff. So much for those brutal pastimes, inherited and retained in our colleges from the days of the semi-barbarous Anglo-Saxons. It is to be hoped that the vio- lent death of young Leggett will lead to the initiation in our colleges of a new order of things in the place of such senseless brutali- ties as those which cost bim his life, « Illustrated Journalism. The advance in illustrated journalism keeps pace not only with the progress of journalism proper in cleverly depicting, in its own way, occurrences of interest all over the world, but continues to improve the style of its art in doing so. The rapidity, accu- racy and finish with which it gives us graphic reproductions of scenes to be forever memorable in history are wonderful, when we recall the necessarily slow nature of similar productions before the days of the art special correspondent and before the refinements in the art of printing which allow of the application of the steam press to the printing of the highest style of wood engraving. What could be accomplished by the wood engraver was known since the days of Albrecht Diirer, but the slow and careful process of reproduction made it seem impossible that the same effects cauld be pro- duced with the rapidity necessary to meet the growing demand of the masses for the aid of art in portraying passing events. Since becoming the art reporter of the world illus- trated journalism has marched steadily with its elder brother the pen-picturer, and stands by with ready pencil on all important occa- sions to supplement his work. In the worthy reproduction of those gems of art, a glimpse at which before the triumphant days of the illustrated paper was only obtainable by the fortunate few, this branch of journalism has succeeded in spreading the taste for the esthetic among the people in an ex- traordinary manner. The works of the masters are laid before eyes accustomed only to gaze on a very limited and prosaic portion of the earth’s surface, and the beauti- ful speaks to the heart in its tenderest tone. The most humble, through the pages of the illustrated paper, can feel the vibrations of the great heart of the art genius, and the praise of the critic and the adulation of the art votary become at once intelligible. The faces of men and women remarkable for the hour are brought home to thousands, who, without the illustrated paper's aid, would have many grave misconceptions of the physique of the leaders in the world of thoucht and action. The daily paper gives the living thought of the thinker or records the actions of the living hero; the illustrated paper, in its sepa- rate province, joins the thought or the deed more strongly to the man by showing his face. In Europe the illustrated paper has attained a high rate of excellence. The London Graphic and the Jilustrated London News lead the way in London, and Le Monde Illustré in Paris has long earned its high reputation. In the branch of illustrated journalism which deals with satire and humor the Paris Chari- vari has been sustained by caricaturists of rare ability. Its younger brother, the Lon- don Punch, has been served by a succession of brilliant men, of which Doyle, Leech and Teniel, Kean and Du Maurier are only a few. The broad German humor of the Berlin Kladderadatsch, though not exhibiting the same subtlety of art treatment as those previously named, has won an honorable place. Italy, the land of artists and of pasquinade, gives us the Pasquino from Florence and the Fis- chietto from Turin. The cartoon drawings in the latter paper, produced by lithography, are marvels of keen humor and fine artistic skill. Turning to America, we find the field of illustrated journalism filled in "a manner that speaks highly for the enterprise of its directors and the appreciation of the people. One of its peculiarities is that satirical and humorous periodicals, such as the Charivari, find no con- geners ofa high-art type here. The illus- trated journals proper have absorbed this branch of art so completely that purely satir- ical and humorous papers of any literary pretensions have failed to live. Of course in an empirical age like the present the exper- iment has been made repeatedly. F oremost among the illustrated journals of the country Harper's Weekly and Frank Leslie's Illustrated Paper claim recognition. All that unweary- ing enterprise and liberal outlay can secure in the way of its art may seen in the pictorial pages of Frank Leslie's from week to week. While the scenes that catch the world’s eye on the wide theatre of the Old World are reproduced with fidelity, it is emphatically an American illus- trated paper. The natural wonders of our broad land are depicted in their endless variety ; it studies the phases of our social life, in its pleasurings and follies, as well as in its greater actualities. Its pungent cartoons have also obtained their due place in the ranks of pictorial wit. A German edition of this paper, the Illustrirte Zeitung, brings an explanation of the engravings home to our fellow citizens from Fatherland, and its Ladies’ Journal is devoted in part to the female art of dressing well. In the same branch of journalism Harper's Weekly has held a place of high merit. The boldly con- ceived and brilliantly executdl political car- toons of Nast have won for this paper a world-wide reputation, although their strong personality has often lowered their permanent worth by taking from the dignity which belongs to true art—the art which is long, however short time may be. The ladies’ publication, Harper's Bazaar, published from the same establishment, carries graven infor- mation on the mysteries of the modes, as well as pictorial matter of a higher nature, to its fair readers. Attempting a diffi- cult task, with long odds against it, the Daily Graphic has fairly indicated the possibilities in the production of a diurnal illustrated paper. The project of picturing events within a few hours of their occurrence mani- festly requires rapidity in the artist which is most rarely in combination with excel- lence, and unless the picture is finished up toa certain degree no process for trans- ferring it to the pages of the paper will com- pensate for its wants in this respect. In the reproduction of pictures from European papers it has gained many good results, if ite original efforts have not been all that coukd be desired. Among our illustrated journals, it would be unfair to miss the Aldine, whose highly fin- ished monthly sheets present some of the finest specimens of the art pictorial. O Novo Mundo and La America Illustrada, finely gotten out papers, circulate among the Iberian peoples of South America, In acknowledging the claims of illustrated journalism to warm recog- nition we wish it every success. It has gained a distinct place for itself, and in view of its usefalness and its beauty well deserves the recognition it receives. be’ Forestry—The Work of an Important Congress at Vienna. We give our readers this morning a valuable report of the instructive speeches and other proceedings of the First International Con- gress of Land and Forest Culturists, recently held at Vienna, At this meeting of between three and four hundred learned men from the various countries of Europe and one or two from the United States (we regret that the number of representatives present from our country was not larger), the Austrian Minister of Agriculture, Von Chlamecky, was chosen president, to whom was assigned the initia- tory work involved in the resolutions adopted. These resolutions recognize the fact that to effectually check the continually increasing destruction of the woods now going on in both hemispheres, especially at the sources and along the courses of great rivers, resulting in the loss of the soil, the exhaustion of the rivers and the derangement of trade, interna- tional agreements and governmental measures of protection are needed, and that govern- ments looking to the e ape, of their peo- ple should proceed to the collection of posi- tive facts and data upon this important subject, in view of intelligent action. The facts and arguments advanced in the speeches of this Congress in behalf of a sys- tematic national and international protection and cultivation of forests we need not here reproduce. They are facts and reasons which from time to time have repeatedly within the last few years been urged upon the attention of the American people- by this journal. What we now want is action from the govern- ments most deeply interested, including the government of the United States and our State governments respectively. Our general government can do much for the future pros- perity of our new States and Territories of the West in protecting the timber on the public domain from fires and wanton de- struction by the axe, and in encouraging the protection of trees and their cultivation by actual settlers. Our State governments can do much in arresting the wasteful destruction of their forests and in creating a public senti- ment in favor of their enlargement. The appointment of the intelligent committee (headed by ex-Governor Seymour) by our last Legislature to inquire into the expediency of preserving asa State park some eight hun- dred thousand acres of the wooded mountain- ous district in which the Hudson River has its sources was a step in the right direction, and we are glad that the committee earnestly plead for the proposed State park. From Illinois to California the scarcity of timber has been teaching our people, more or less, the value and necessity of trees in groves and woods for the protection of their houses and the sheltering of their cattle from summer heats and hurricanes and the storms of winter, and for all the innumerable uses of that prime article of necessity, wood, to say nothing of the broader questions of bringing down rain and protecting the soil té some extent from a too rapid evaporation. In the young and thrifty prairie State of Nebraska, for example, premiums are given by the State for the plant- ing and cultivation of timber, and an annual festival has been there established, called, we believe, Arbor Day, devoted to tree planting. The traveller over the fertile plains of Nebraska will comprehend the popularity of these measures among her people, when, from the boundless timberless prairies, he turns his longing eyes to the refreshing groups of cot- tonwoods on the islands of the Platte River, and hails them as the redeeming feature of the landscape. But the subject is inexhaustible, and in dropping it for the present it is with the hope that general action for the protection and cultivation of forests, and in the line sug- gested, will be the good point of this Vienna Congress. Tue Imrorr anp Export Trapz.—The Bureau of Statistics, in the report which is being prepared for publication, shows that the total imports for the year ending June 30, 1873, amounted to $663,410,597, of which $21,480,937 was specie and bullion. The do- mestic exports for the year were $578,938, 985, of which the specie and bullion amounted to $73,905,546. The foreign exports in 1873 were $28,148,418, and in 1872, $22,769,749. Making allowance for the difference of com- modities remaining in warehouses of the United States at the close of the year, the im- ports were in excess of the domestic and foreign exports combined, a little over $100,000,000. But since the 30th of June the balance of trade has inclined much more in our favor and continues to beso. In fact, while we are exporting more domestic prod- ucts we are importing relatively less mer- chandise, and this favorable state of trade is bringing specie and bullion in large quantities. PERSONAL INTELLIGENCE. Wilkie Collins is ill in Rochester. Senator John Sherman, of Ohio, is staying at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. Vice President Wilson’s health is completely re- stored, He says so himself, Captain Moodie, of the steamship Cuba, is quar- tered at the Brevoort Mouse, Congressman James A. Garfield arrived at the Brevoort House yesterday from Ohio. Congressman Alexander White, of Alabama, is registered at the Grand Central Hotel. Congressman Robert 8. Hale, of Elizabethtown, N. J., 18 quartered at the Hofman House. Mr. Jackson S, Schultz was a passenger on the steamship Cuba, which arrived yesterday, Congressional Delegate J. B, Chaffee, of Colo- rado, is registered at the St. Nicholas Hotel. Congressman C. L., Merriam, of Locust Grove, N. Y., is registered at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, Judge Noyes, of Vermont, eighty-four years old, is recovering from the effects of a broken limb, T, L, Clingman, formerly United States Senator from North Carolina, is staying at the St. Nicholas Hotel. Bishop Doane, of the Episcopal Church, was among those who arrived on the steamship Cuba yesterday, Colonel John A. Bridgeland, of Indiana, who has just received the appointment of United States Con- eul at Havre, was, before the war, the largest and most successful tobacco merchant in the North- west, At the breaking out of the war he assisted in organizing several batteries of artillery; also raised the First and Second Indiana cavalry in a very short time, Subsequent to the war he was at one time in commercial business in this city, and afterwards served two years as Supervisor of In- ternal Revenue for the State of Texas. Colonel Bridgeland has considerable European experience anda thorough knowledge of international com- mercial matters, He will leave this port for Havre in the Pereire at three o'clock to-day. MOVEMENTS OP THE PRESIDENT, CLEVELAND, Ohio, Oct. 17, 1873, President Grant and party arrived here at four P.M, from Toledo. After dinner and reception at the Kennard House they started at ten P, M, lor Washington, via Pittaburge | A Cornell University ITALIAN OPERA, ~ “Ernani” at the Academy of Mastic. Mr. Strakosch made a departure last night from the beaten track, which has been pressed dowa for many seasons past to such an extent that novelty has become a wonder in opera. Of all Verdi's works “Ernani,” perhaps, engages the largest share of attention on account of the magnificent model on which it ts based, the drama of Victor Hugo’s celebrated work, 80 long proscribed in Parts for political reasons. The history of this opera 1s {ull of interest. Represented for the first time at La Fenice, Naples, 1843, with the follow- ing cast:—Elvira, Mme, Lowe; Ernani, Signor Guasco; Don Carlos, Signor Superchi; Silva, Signor Selva, it became at once a grand success, despite the weakness of the cast, Since then it has been one of the best of Verdi's operas to teat the calibre of acompany. We have seen Bosio, Graziant and Marini tn it at Covent Garden, and in,this country Elvira, Ernani, Silva and Carlo have been represented by the greatest artiste, At Castle Garden and Niblo’s, Steffanone, Bettini, Badiali and Marini were pitted against Tedesco, Saivi, Bene- ventano and Marini (the great basso played alternately at each house), Later came Lorini, Whiting, Fabbri, Medori, Zuccht and Agatha States in the rdle of the prima donna; and in the other parts we have had Stigelli, Maz- goleni, Ferri, Bellini, Amodio and Blachi. ‘the Germans are fond of this opera, a high tribute to Verdi, as it has been a standard work in the réper- toire of the Hofopernhaus at Vienna, . The performance last evening was distinguished more for its perfection of ensemble than any, undue prominence on the part o/ any of the artists who appeared. We may, however, mention one exception—M. Maurel, who invested the rdle of Carlo Quinto with a musical importance which in itself might be sufficient to insure the success of any opera, according to the present style of measuring lyric works by individual excellence. ‘The representation of “Ernani” proved one thing incontestably. Mr. Strakosch bas attained the ultima thule of impresarti, the desired point about which we have for years been speaking. Me can give an opera in its entirety, with a complete harmony and fitness in every detail, This is the trae idea of opera, and is the best calculated to do Justice to the composer and to give pleasure to the ‘audience, It is such a rare quality in opera as pre- sented in ‘%his city that praise in no niggardly sense ts due to Mr. Strakosch for inaugurating it even at this late nour. ‘The music of ‘‘Ernani’’ never grows dull from be- ginning to end. Verdi hus been charged with sen- sationalism in music, but he has one great quailty, and that is of keeping up the interest in a dramatic situation, no matter how compiicated it may be, by his talent in Ter such a situation in the most attractive form im a lyric point of view, It he be not the Shakespeare of music (that is Mozart) he is at least the lyric Boucicault, “Ernani” commences with a brilliant chorus, not very grand, but pretty, and the accompaniment is effective. It gave a favorable idea o! the consclen- tious work of Signor Muzio. This conductor has had the good fortune to number among his orchestra such Philharmonic virtuosi as Matzke, Bergner, Pfeitfenschneider and others in the string department, and although occasionally there are unfortunate escapades on the part of the wind instruments (when will those tantalizing flutes, oboes, clarionets and bassoons be brought into reasonable subjection’), yet we must confess that for a half dozen seasons past we have haa no such orchestral playing in an orches- tra as under tne baton of Signor Muzio. The details of the opera last night, represented by the following cast, were as follows:—Elvira, Mule. Toriani; Ernant, Campanini; Carlo Quinto, Maurel; Silva, Nannetti. The small parts were admirably filled, and the traditional singers from avenue A were not present for a wonder. The feature of the performance, as iar as prominence in sucha fine cast was admissible, was the bary- tone, Maurel. From first to last he was the object of attention. There was nothing particularly xg about his make up in the character of the great Emperor, but his magniticeut voice and his “at homeness,’’ if we may be allowed to use the expression, com- for deficiencies im minor details. The Pincha qaintet gf the art pth @ success fi its ensembié, feceived rightest color- ing and more impressionable success irom, the voice of M. Maurel. In the fine music that falls to the part of Carlo Quinto this artist called forth the heartiest applause from the audience, and the management may be proud of such an acquisition to the Nilsson company. Next to Maurel we may mention Campanini, wuose rendering of the title role displayed his pure Italian voice and excellent school, re nowadays, alas! so rare; and as erdi has given in this opera ample opportuni- ties for the tenor to make an effect, Campanini, albeit he was not in his best voice, made many per- ceptible effects. ‘This young tenor has a iresh, equal voice, and it is something delightful to hear him, after so much meretricious French ornamenta- tion as we have listened to. r Mile. Tortani sang the music of Elvira delight- fully, but her youth and comparative inexperience detracted somewhat from what we would call an emphatic success. This was apparent in the be- inning in the grand but seldom satisfactory aria, ‘Ernant involami.”” Every concert singer of high soprano proclivi- ties and a myriad of amateurs essays this aria, but few can make it a success. Later in the opera Mle. Torriani made a deeper impression, and her fresh, young voice, so flexible and true, brought applause from the cold audience of the Academy. Nannetti achieved a genuine triumph. His “In- felice”’ was delivered with expression and feeling, and the stern old hidalgo could not have a finer rep- resentative on the modern boards, The universal opinion last evening in the foyer was that a betver representation of ‘“Ernani’? has not been fren since the Academy of Music was founded. yhen every detail is attended to, from the cast down to the chorus, there can be nothing short of hearty commendation of the Impresario who ventures upon such an experiment. It is rare that a critic cannot pick a faw in an operatic per- formance, The first representation of “Ernani’? by the Strakosch troupe is an exception. Hence we may look for good things in the ruture. ’ Masical and Dramatic Notes. A cable telegram from Paris states that the Italian Opera season there, just opened under the management of the Messrs. Strakosch, isa suc- cess, and promises well “Don Pasquale’ had been performed three times andthe “Barbicre’’ once. Belocca, the fresh, young and handsome prima donna, was, in the language of the tele- gram, immensely successful. Miss Carlotta Leclercq succeeds Emmet at the Broadway Theatre in Wilkle Collins’ dramatization of his novel, “The New Magdalen.” Miss Leclercq is now in Culifornia. At the concert which is to be given at the Church of the Dis#iples this evening Signor Tamberlik sings the “Cujus Animam” from the “Stabat Mater” and the “Ave Maria,” Mme. Lucca selec- tions from Meyerbeer and Mozart, and M. Jameta cavatina from “La Juive’ and an aria from “Martha,” The other Sunday ‘La Grande Duchesse” was sung ata “sacred concert’’ at the Terrace Garden Theatre, and next Sunday evening “Les Brigands” will be produced by Mr. Neuendorff’s company. Where do our German friends catch the Yankee cant of ‘sacred ?” M. Hartz, the favorite illusionist, has met witha complete and well-deserved success with his be- wiidering entertainments at Ferrero’s new Assem- bly Rooms (Tammany Hali). Without douot Mr. Hartz is the most wonderful prestidigitateur who has ever amused a New York audience, his tricks being so neatly and so gracefully performed as to defy detection. We may mention a peculiar bit of magic, where the performer, after washing bis hands in a large basin of water, throws the contents of the vessel over the audience, ana, to the amusement of the specta- tors, they are smothered with flowers instead of being deluged with water. The bower of Floraisa beautiful trick, in which Mr. Hartz canses to grow from common flower pots, filled with earth, beauti- ful plants laden with flowers, the flower pots all the time being in sight of the audience, The aerostat-spirituel is a marvellous feat, which has required twelve years’ work for Mr, Hartz to com- plete. It consists of a young lady, who ts chloro- sormed, and who !s merely supported by her elbow on the top of a pole resting on a four-legged stool, Appearing actually to float about in space, The conjuror never touchesher, She ascends end de- scends at the will of the operator, and there are no wires or cords by which she could be affected, There is tobe a matinee this day, at two o'clock ; also performances to-nignt and all next week only, A HAZING MURDER. mt the Victim of an Immoral, V Practice. Irnaca, N, Y., Oct, 17, 1873. ‘The Coroner's jary closed the examination into the cause of the death of M. D. Leggett last even. ing. The testimony shows that in @ process pre- inittation into the Kappa Alpha Soolety the deceased was blindfolded, when he, Lee and Wats who were leading Lim, ali fell the clid, th! ‘aehtnt of the jury Was “Accidental deat,’