The New York Herald Newspaper, January 30, 1877, Page 3

ms s . é QFPENBACH ON AMERICA What the Opera Bouffe Composer Thinks of the New World. ‘ASTONISHING “FACTS” ' Diesertations on Art, Music and the Drama. 7 PECULIARITIES OF AMERICAN WOMEN. a Funny Book Written in Se- rious Earnest. In obedience to the wishes expreased by his wife, as ‘ne tells us in his dedication, the pleasant musician, M. Jacques Ollenbach, undertook on setting out from + Parts to write a book—no easy task for one whose lite 48 devoted to the terry measures of opéra bouge and _ Whose relations with life are of tho lightest and pleagantest description, shutting out all idea of eerious things aud making existence ~@ pleasant dream, It will bo admitted by all married men that the acceptance of the toil aud travall of bookmaking by sucha one us M, Jacques Offenbach was, to say the least of 1t, a striking proof ‘of marital obedience and fidelity not generally asso- Ctated In the public mind with the berocs of opéra * bouge. But foraccident itis very evident that the world would never discover halt the virtues of its §reat mon, and in nothing will the admirers of M. Jacques Offenbach’s musical genius be better pleased than in discoverimg the fumily virtuos of the gay and brilliant composer. 4 i true that the work seoms to have tried the au- thor’s gallantry to the utmost, for in his dedication he wells his wife that this was the ftirat annoyance ho had suffored at her hands, and admits that ho bas pot, at the time. of writing, quite forgiven ber. Now, it must be admitted that vary fow husbands have so Hittle cause of complaint against their better halves, and we therefore do not think it at ull necessary to waste any sympathy on M, Offonbach. Passing over the Interesting pages which uro devoted to telling bow M. Offenbach camo to leave his favorite haunt, Paris, that paradise of the artist, and adventure him- solf and his fortunes in the unkuowo American lund, we come to thove interesting pages in which we see ourselves mirrored as others see us. And hero itis but just to puy a high tribute to tho careiul obsorva- tion and the truthiul couraye which distinguish M, Offenbach’s work. A WIDE AWAKE TRAVELLER, He came to America with his cyes wide open and with all his seuses quickened—and asa consequence pothing worthy of note escaped him, und the future historian of tho time when M. Offenbach visited these United States will turn with confidence and entbusi- ‘asm to the pages of an author whose quick percepuon and careful gathering of information makes his ac- count of bis travels in America almost us valuable to the Americans themsolves as they must prove inter- esting to readers in foreign lands. Somo twenty brilliant pages bring us to the door of the United States. Mr. Ulfeubach says:—‘‘Before en- tering the port the ‘Canadw’ ran by the two little islands called Qurantines,’ where the Sunitary Police and the Custom House olticers visit incoming ships.) * * * Long ago these “islands did notexist.”” ‘the imbabi- tants of Staten Isiand having objected to the location of the Quarantine took up arms and burned all vessels upprouching their coust, “The govern- ment was very much e@mberrassed. But in America people never remain long embarrassed. Tho Council came together, and as the inbabited islands would not, under any pretext, receive the sick, others should ve constructed where there would be av inbab- tants, In a@ little while the two islands #0 bow see _ Tose trom the water as if by enchantment.” RKCEPTION 1N XBW YORI Roceived by steamers filled with distinguished artists, journalists aud a band of eighty instruments, the traveller wakes bis eutrance into New York, uot, however, without having tu pass through the cus- ‘tomary swarm of reporters. Uulortupately the trav- elling musician 18 silent as to his opinious about the Membors of the press who beset him, though he evi- deutly wishes to Jeave us under the impression that they Were not vad fellows, or least that ne thought it prudent not to hint auy uuluvorabie opinions, AMERICAN MOTELS, Instailed im the Fiitu Avenue Hotel, he gives a Sprightly uccount of the life he leud there, ‘For $20 a cuy,’’ he says, ‘you have a sloping room and parior, with all accesyorics, and the right to eut all day long. From eight to cleven you can breakfast; irom noon till three P. M. lunch; irom tive till seven dine, and from eight till eleven take tea You repair 10 the public bail situated on tno iirst floor, Hardly do you appeur at the cniranco to thie immense gallery, where Uity tables are method- feally uligned, when a buge chief waiter comes up and points out the table where you must git, Don’t try to Tesigt; don’t have fancies og preierences for ono cor- ner more than another; you must give in, it is the rule, The chief wuiter is tho master of the hotel. He ‘ will seat beside you whoever he hikes, aud you have nothing to say. ‘Then you tuke yor you what you Wi place, Tho waiter does not ask He begins by bringing yous Jarge glusa of ico water; becuuxe thero 1s one thing worthy of remark in America, it ‘is that on the tity tables which aro in the room there 1s bot one where people drink anything but ice water; if by accident ey see wine ur beer before a guest you may be sui e 18 a European. “Alter the glass of water the waiter presents you he daily list of cignty dishes, 1 do not exuggeral You choose three or jour, und here 1s the comical side Of the uffa! All that you re ordered is brought to you togetl It by illluck you pave forgotten to Uesignute the vegetable you wish to eat the whole fit- teen inscribed on the list will be brought to you all at ence, In this way you suddenly tind yourself flanked by thirty plutes—soup, fish, meat, 1mpumorable vegetables, sweets, Without counting the rear guard of desserts, Which ure always cotnposed of a dozen varie- ties. All this, ranged in battle botore you, detying your stomach, The first timo this gives you vertigo and takes away a!! appetite.”? This was tov much eating for our spiritual visor, go he abanaons the hotel tor a private house, “Here again,” writes Monsieur Offenbach, ‘1 had an opportu- Dity of seeing to what perfoction ‘the comfortable’ was carried in America, THR THREE KNOBS, “Not alone has everybody heaters tn all the apart- mente, gas in all the ange cold and hot water at all ‘umes, but on the lower floor are symmetrically ar- Panged three little knobs of great importance. Tne knobs represent to tho inhabitant constaerable forces Protection of the taw, aid in case of accidont, the help of an auxiliary, All thisin three knobs? Certainly, and there 1s no mugic 1m the aflair, “The throe knuba aro clectric. You’press on tho first and « messenger appears to take your orders, You touch the secoud a policeman comes to your duor and puts himself ut your disposition, fhe third kuob per- mits you to give tue alarm 1 case of fire and to bring the fire brigade about your house, THIS 18 SOT Alda “Besides these three knobs you can, if you like, bar in your study what we meet in all the hotels, cai and restaurants—that js to say, the tclegraph, When vu express the wish a littie muchine which goes rom morning till night, from might iil morning, 1 put into your house, and it gives you all the news of two worlds. A strip of paper cons-antiy unro! Qud permis you to read the last despaiches tron from the war in the East, xs weil us those the elections Ip Cincmnati and St, Louw. At you have the advance and full of prices in all you know on the minute whether you bave made fortune or burst up.”? AMRIICAN STREET CARS, Our m of sireet cars made a favorable im- Pression on the travelling musican, but the pric paid tor carriage locomotion appeared to bim extor tionute beyond all bearing. As he feclingly remarks, tuirty-five francs fora drive of two Lours tn Central Park is payiug somewbat dear tor one’s whistie. NKW YORK THEATRES. Tho chapter devoted to theatre: Tuphic account of the various vecupied them daring the author's stay in vy ve been well pleased with the es and speaks in kindly terms of the artisis whose periormances he witnessed. He devotes a long chapter, however, to ART IN aMERUICA, in which he says that, while on ail sides intelligence * have produced wonders, it is sad to notice erica bus veglecied to cultivate those arts arm (be mind, He goes on to point out the for the encouragement of art, expressing 1 that plenty of material’ exists 10 the country wud only” waits for favoravle con- ditions to develope itsell, With this object be Bugyests thatthe municipal councis and private so- ciotiws should undertake to aid young inen of talent in their studies anu do tor them whut the generai gov. erntnents and muuicipal bodies du for art and arusts tu Kurope. ALVENTERE AT DELMONIOO'S. “One evening a nanager gave a supper at the famous Fesmurant of Delmonico, to whieh be had invited the aera artista of lis theatre, Tho repast was de- ighitul. Like all good things, 1% came to an end, Tue hour of cigars and chatting bad arrived and we ru- Maihed tn our parior smoking and taking teed arinks, We bad no louger any need of the presouce of servants, « go 1 remarkou with surprise that the waiter who had served U4 returned ut frequent intervals and remained t hour what we were raying. As to the people. who Wore there, nove of them remarked this strange pro- @eorling. “At the ond of the suppor and bofore separating I _Why $9,000 less was appropriated this year tor the NEW acked the and hip artists who had taken part iu the first to be enough to come with me in the same restauran' . “after supper thesame thing occurred. The waiter the coffee. I noticed him pas saw that he walked returned to visit us then with more att round the room, look! ns. + When his ded only to ret and begin again bis examination promeuade. about to go out when I said to him:— “Walker, you have come in several times without being cMMled; don’t do it again.” ‘sorry, sir,” he answered me; ‘but it is by Mr. Delmonico’s order that nd pri- “Does Mr. Delmonico imagine that we are about to carry off bis table service, or that we are capable of forgetting for » moment in bis tamous restaurant that a decent costume Is de ri * Weil, I warn you of one mia m: It is now halt-past one A.M i until seven o’ciock, If you wish to ove; ployer’s orders you hat Ty sixty-six visits to make us.’” “I shall make them, sir,” T have no need to add that after giving vent to our indignation we did not wait to execute our project. ‘We leit, swearing—a littio late, it was near two eae at we would not be caught in a similar tix again, AMERICAN WOMEN, Tt must be confessed thut there are no women more charmmg than the Americans, First, they pretty in a proportion wholly unkaown in’ Paris, 0! of w hundred women who pass by ninety are attractive Besides they know how to dregs themselves, Tboir toilette iz periect in taste, full of tact and truly ele- gant. One would think they hud come trom Worth, I ‘will only.criticise one thing in their costumes;.it is the yee placed ut the height of the knce. This pocket as an exclusive use, It carries the pocket handker- chief, Ata distance, when a corner of the white cam- bric 14 seen ‘n this opening, one asks himself it the beautiful lady i not the victim of an accident, and if it 5 not a very particular vétemené that is seen through the rent. These young girls may be seen setting out ut mid- day and entering alone elegant restaurants where they heir lanch with as little inquietude as an old jor in Kurope. Others wait ut corner af Fifth avouue, or some other piace wh: they nave ap- Pointod to meet their carriages, to take a drive in Central Park. Strange thing, for a depraved Parisian who loves to follow women, no ove in New York or avy other towa of the United States would permit himself to take a significant step Lebind a Yankee girl, and still less to address a word to her, even to offer his umbrella. ‘To offer ber this object an introduction Is necessary. But don’t imagine that the formalities of an iniru- duction are very vertible to f {f no mutual triend can be found un advertisement in the Hxmavp suflices, AMERICAN ARISTOCRACY. The first time | saw Central Park was in company witb an Amorican well known at New York. Atevery step he met some of friends, Tremarked that b saluted certain persons very profoundly, while to others be wcurcoly raised bis bat, I uskod Lim the ex- planation of this. He answerod mo in the most serious manner :— very important man in New York society; be $1,000,000, This one who ia now passing is worth Only $100,000, So he ia.notso much thought about as e other. Isalute bim with less coremony. These are the distinctions observed in America, where there is no other aristocracy than that of labor und the dollar,” * AMERICAN LinERTY, America is certainly the country of liberty. You cannot dig a hole without disarranging all the govern- mental hierarchy, but in revenge you can go about freely, you can marry frecly and eat Ireely, But there 1s ove restriction, very sud to relate, amid all this bertics—it 1%, that you cannot drink ry day. ‘Une Sunday, alter having conducted my orchestra in a Sevegalian temperature, I burried to the bar and usked for u glass of beer. ‘Tho muster of the establishment looked at me with a sad countenance, and said ;— “Impossible, sir; | bave no waiters.’’ et, you! What have you done with your ters i my walters aro in prigon for wishing to,serve public in spite of a formal order,” tt forbidden to drink on Sundays?” xproasly forbidden. ” must seo about that.’? ‘So 1 run off to the Hotel Brunswick and order:— “A sherry cobvler.”” “1 regret, sir, to be obliged to refuse you; but the bar weiosed, All my wa:ters’’—— “But I am dying of thirat." “The only thing wejure permitted to serve is a soda. ’” It was the same all over Now York. That day 300 waiters bad been arrested for daring to serve reiresh- weants to their clicnts, WHAT SINGULAR LIBERTY. In Amorica aman bas not even the right to hang bimeelf. A drunken man hangs himself Ho is awkward, He hangs himself so bendy that ut the end of a few hours he comes to lifo again, As svon us be bas come to bis senses be 18 dragged before a judge, who condemns him to six months’ imprisonment. Ordinarily it is threc months, Tho dose bad beon doubled in this cuse because it wus a second offence; the third time ho would bo condemned to death, To take one’s iile it is first necessary to got an authorization trom the Gov- eruor. xnor6 Péesnox, The negroes have been emancipated. What a beau. tiful and pompous returm! The good blacks are tree. You shall see how. The cars and other public carriages aro forbidden them. They aro not admitted into the theatre under any pretexi, and they are only udmitted into resiau- rants us waiters. So you seo liberty, equality and tra- ternity. Perhaps you imagine the negroes are the only only ones who have not all desirublo libertivs. ‘This is un error, ‘ ‘The proprietor of the Cataract Hotel at Niagara has inserted in the principal journals a note couched as follows:—"Being in w thoroughly free coontry, and pend tere right to do ia my house what I lke, | do- cree ‘that from this day forward all Jows are excluded from my house.’’’ SUNDAY Laws, When | arrived at Philadelphia I took advantage of the first free Sunday | nad to visit the Exhibition, [ found the palaco closed. The exhibitors ware forbidden to show their w: on Sunday. In the ening the desire took mo to go to the theatre. Ab! yes, it too, was closed. Theatre, concerts—all closed as in New York. The only day of the week which belongs to the workingman is Sund: He could prolit by the tew | ours of euse to insiruct or to amuse himself ur im- prove himself in bis trade by looking at the beautiful prodacts of two worlds—the Exhibition is closed. LIBERTY TO LavoR, There ts in this country enormous hberty to work, invent and exploit. When an idew comes tnto the bead of an American it is quickly put tpto practice. J will cite, for example, the rapid aevelopment of cars, which dethroned the omnibeg in no time, Now the cars ure all the tashiou, There are tramwuys in all directions, The breadtu of the streets not permitting the laying of any more rails, an inventor imagined tho idea of coustruct- img un aerial railway. Happy thoaght! which ho hastened to realize. Here ts what 1s told in thie connection: — A lady who bad just bought a charting little house in Broadway went oil to tue country, and returoed ut the end of #1x months to inetal hersel/ detin:tely in ber mew residence. She arrived during the night and slept profoundly. in the morning rothug of thunder aaa borribie whistlings awoke ber. She ran to the wiv- low. And what does she see? A train passing before her at full speod. THE LADY PAINTED, Short chapters are devoted by the author tothe American weakness tor advertising aud forming cor- porutions, He does not bave much to suy aoout Je- rome Purk, because he admits that bis skill in horse flesh is by po means very great. Ho, however, tukes Occasion tu again praise the beauty and tuste of the American Indies, who seem to have made a doep im- preasion on his mind, and were it not that this book of voyage 18 dedicuted to Mme, Offenbach there might bo Foom to suspect that there was something serious be- | hind all this admiration. THY AMERICAN PRESS. Tho newspapers in America evujoy a much greater importance thau in Europe, Wo must not conciuae, however, that it is any freer in the New World than ta the Old. With us 1¢ 18 the government which exercises supervision and controls the Ld he over there it 18 the religious sects und political coterics thut exert their tyranny on the editorg, ‘I'be latter, 1: must bo suid, castly wccept this servitude, ad oven know how to protit by it, H ‘he vilices of the newepapers aro easily discovered, | If you seek a journal during the day, ruise your eyes und look for the twlicst house aod enter boldly, If at night, open your eyos § The best Hyhted eulflce, the One that sheds 118 light over the neigh vorhvod, 18 pro- cisely the one you sock, Behind sparkling glass you | @ the journalists at work. Sometiines in Franco newspapers ure figuratively ealled beacons, jea it 18 the proper word to y to them, Chapters ure uleo devoted tO sketching some of the prominent men whom he met during his sojourn amoug us These portruits ure touched off with o Hight and gracetul pen, The book concludes with thg author's impressions of Philadelphiu, Niyara, music | partons aud the tire brigude, which struck M. Oflen- wach with admiration. Speaking of au exhibition of the promptitude with which the fire engines came in the iniddie Of the night at the summons of an eloctric bell, he suys:—So loug as [live I shall nover, no never, feo! so overpowering an emotion us that I felt that night” The story of his visit to this country closes with a declaration that he would be onty tou happy to retura and improve his acquaiutance with the wondertal people of this Yankeo land, Should he again tompt tue stormy oven be will be welcomed beartily. 1 story of his travels and ex- periences among us will keep his memory green in our minds, It hus served the useful purpose of enubling ag others sce us Should . Visit we hope he will not torget || bis xracerul and pleasant pon, for we wish in future to know bim as @ littérateur as well as a distinguished musician, in Amer- A CRY FOR MORE. At a meeting of the Board of Polico Justices last Dight at the Washington Piace Police Court a resolu. tion was adopted asking tho Comptroller the reason Police Justices and their attaché» than was given Ins! yoar, Justices Smith and Flammer were appointed a committee to consult with the Comptroller on the sub- Joct. Andrew Willman resigned bis position as inter- preter ut the Court of Spocial Sessions. The resigua- tion was accepted, AMUSEMENTS. | ACADEMY OF MUSIC—MALTHA. Many yeurs have passed since Flotow wrote one of the most melodious of operas, a work shat bubbles over tn ballad, chorus and orchestra with ear catching themes, Artists of the frst rank have appeared in it; the part of Plunkett was written for no less a magnate on the lyric stage thun Carl Formes, ‘Tbe opera is yet Popular with those ‘who wish a superabundance of lyric sweotmeats for their Operatic supper on evenings, and its melodics have done long and arduous service on every instrument, from the piano to the hand organ; with every voice, trom the world worshipped and high priced prima donna to tho houseless wanderer that sings from door to door, and in every place, trom the gorgeous opera house to the lowly hovel or un- pleasant tenement house, where a cracked violin or an acecrdeon supplies Fictow’s music for a breakdown, The performance last night was worthy of the high reputation of the Keliogg troupe. Miss Kellogg acted and sang the rdle of Lady Henrietta with the same finish und artistic appreciation of the part that characterizes all her operatic impersonations, and in the *‘Last Rose of Summer” the applauso was overwhelming. Mrs. Seguin, one of the most w |. Charming and accompiished of a singers, wud a very attractive Naucy, and Mr. Maas excelied ull his previous efforts this season in his vocal rendering of the réle of Lionel. Mr. Curleton’s Plunkett wus admira- nd bis singing of the porter song was loudly applauded. Tho scenery was of that peculiar kind that only the Academy of Music, New York, can ‘he scene room on the stage 18 inore extraordinary than Dickens’ “Curiosity Shop.” ‘bo Richmond Fair scene generally hus au Alpine back- ground, and in the ladian scene ta “L’Alricaine’”’ (coast of Madagascar) we bave seen the tower of the ‘Trovatore,” the luke of *‘Mignon,”’ tree borders from the “Bobemian Girl,” and Mont Blanc ut the back. Tho paucity of scenio matermis in tho Academy of Music is o disgrace to both directors and stockholders, Some of the scenery tas been patched up like tho sail of a Marthu’s Vineyard fishing smack, ‘The Stur of tho North’ will be given on Wednesday evening. “OUR BOARDING HOUSE” A'T THE PARK THEATRE, Luet night a large audience welcomod the firat pro, duction :n this city ofthe new play with the above title, weitton by Me. Leonard Grovor and successfully acted in Chicago, San Francisco and Philadelphia The performance was attended by hearty laughter and whatever may be the dilforences of opimon in respect to sts valuo ag u permanent work of art, there an bo no question as to its popular succoss, Tho scene of ‘Our Boarding House’”’ ts in Chicago and tho characters aro poculiaely Western types, yet the play is not local and will find as ready appreciation in New York as in the city lor which it was originally written, The central idea is quite original and affords ample opportunity for fun. Boarding bonuses are the same all over the world—hke bumun naturo—and are the stagos upon which tragedies and comedies aro acted. Tho amusing element of Mr. Grover’s play is the contrast of a num- ber of t people residing at a fashionable boarding house, who advertise for capital to ussist them im their various speculations, One of thom has a patent medi- cine, abother a “corner”? in wheat, another an air abip, and their respective scuemes are dextrously woven toto the main plot, It was evidently the inten- tion of the dramatists in these scenes of the play to depict the singularities of Ainerican fife, and ne nes undoubtedly succeeded, ‘This bright humor ts relicved by a dark background of crime, wuich is pot made so prominent us to be unpleasant, but gives strength and cohesion to the story. Thore is u young widow with a child 1m “Our Boarding House’’ who is courted by the unmarried gentiomen. Mrs‘Boatrico Manheim is 4 poor music teacher whose past fe is unknown, und in the course of the play it uppears that sho was hever logally merried, Her reputation, however, 1a ingeniously vindicated by the author und poetioul justice is done to the villuin who had traduced her, At the end of the play right meets might, the good aro made happy, and Vico 14 punished as it deserves to be, I'he sentiment of the cumedy 1s pare, There is nothing in it to uffend tbe most fastidious taste, and we congratulate Mr. Grover on the production of a piece which reconciles the wildest humor with a si:nple and wholesome pur- pose. Inthe nands of a less experienced author lite ina boar:ling house might bave been easily made yul- gar or trite. The play has farcical elements, yet it deserves to be considered ag u comedy. The distinction between tarce und comedy ts really very subtle; ull depends upon treatment, Shakespeare furnwhes frequent ex- amples, In ¥alstail many of the situations ure jotrin- sically farcical, such as the business of the buck bas ket and the old woman, bas his treat- ment transforms thei into the moxt delicious comedy. Mr. Grover has not uiways eifected this happy recon- ciliation, but his play 1s consistent tn itself and we are in these dull days, to blame any man ior ‘Tho comedy was evidently written to Ue acted rather than to be read, and his admirably fuifiied its purpose. Nevertholess, it has mach lit- erary merit and the dialogue is terse, witty and vi- vacious. Theo Juult of the play isa réduodancy of dalogue, in the first act cspeciuily. ‘This can be easily corrected by the author. ‘The second net has two very amusing scenes—one with the diamond ring, und the otber .the quarrel between Colonel Elevator aud Pro- fessor Gillypod. In the fourth uct there is an ingenious ‘misunderstauding, which the audience recognized with shouis of laughtor, Tho play was well acted, The comic parts, intrusted to Messrs. Stuart Robson and W. H. Crane, were admira- bly given, and both gentlemen made decided bits. ~The traditional lialian rascal was judiciously and power- fully rendered by Mr, W. KE. Sueridan, The ladies all played well, and Miss Maud Harrison only necds more Joree to make her touching and gracetul personation of the heroine, Beatrice, entirely satisfactory. Mrs, Aloxina Fiauer Baker dolivered ber Malapropisi with effect, ‘The scenery is new and pleasing, and we think thas “Our Boarding House’’ is likely to be full evory night, STEINWAY HALL A concert was given last evening at Steinway Hal. in aid of the hospital tor the treatment aud cure of chronic discases, The hull was crowded even to the second gallery, ‘Tho following artists appeared:—Miss Emma C, Tharsby, soprano; Mr. Fritsch, tenor, and Mr. Arbucklo, cornet. Mr. Roberts, the clocutionist, doclaimed several selections, comic and serious, Mies Thursby was, undoubtedly, the principal attrace tion that drew ‘euch un timmense house to- gothor. She sang a waltz song, a flute song, upd several ballads as encores, There is seurcely a singer in America this season who bas takeu sach u hold on the affections of tha concert going public ag Miss Thursby Her clear, bird-iike voice, admirable method and that rare musical intelligeuce which indi- cates the presence of a thorough artist, were displayed io their most winning torm last evening, Tho othor artists wore also = successial, and Mr. Colby proved himself to be a capable und experionced director, NIBLO'S THEATRE. “Around the World in Eighty Days” was given at Niblo’s Garden last night toa fall house, The cast of Characters, ulthough embracing some well known actors, was not purticularly voticeablo for strength, The Phineas Fogg of Mr. Duflield was by no means good as that of the late Mr. Owen Marlowe, and the Miles O'Pake of Mr. G, C. Charles was inferior to that of Fitzgerald, when the prece was fret produced atthe Academy of Music, The piece, however, was fairly put upon the stage and the iminor parts welt played by the members of the company enguged to play in the drama. BAGLE THEATRE, Tne return of Aiméo and hor opéra boufe company, direct from Havana and New Orleans, under Mr. Maurice Grau’s management, drow a large uudience to the Eugie Theatre last evening, The prima donna Was warmly received, and in the operatic gom of “La | Jolie Partumense” elicited repeated encores. KELLY & LRON'S OPERA HOUSE. ‘This, the aptly styled **fastiondble minstrel hall,” was fairly filled last evoning to witness the perform. ances of the well knowa Kelly & Leon’s minstrols. Several new at! ons were presented, and the whole Jed out to the satisinetion of the » The burlesque operetta of “The Enchanted nwhich the “Ouly Leon” and Manager Kelly appeur, adurds a fitting aad amusing climax lo avery entertaining programme. The best Ethivpean artists a the city are te be found 1n this popular troupe. MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES, “Uncle Tom's C ” at the Broadway Theatro, is in the {ull tide of success, Stra, G. C, Howard is the only Topsy on the stage, and ber personation js truly | artistic as well as natural, The Slavin Plantation Singers add greatly to tho offect of the play. Mr, George Rignold has arrived in this city and yes* terday took an active part in the rehearsal, at Booth’s Theatre, of Mr, Rowe's new local drama entitiod “Fifth Avenue.” Mr. Rignold will play Richard Bluko, an Amorican geutioman, the hero of the piece, Tne Louisville Courier-Journal says, im a criticism Of Miss Kate Claxton’s Constance Harewood in “Con- serenee’? ‘Miss Claxton is as urtistic as any actress we | huve had hore this season, Her range of power, as soon | in this play, evidences an unusuatly brosd capacity, In purely social scenes, where sho is tho lady of the salon, sho is quite as good as In the emotional parts, Vere Boom to be cqually natural to NOT DE&AD YET. To tax Eotror ov Tux Heratp;— Ta your issue of to-day thore appeared @ notice of the death of G, Paul Smith, the ‘Hoy Actor,” whom you believe to have played Hamlet at the Lycean ‘Theatre last year. 1 bag hed correct you by stating that I played ttarilet at the Lycoum Theatre on Mareh 10, 1576, aud | believe Lam the only boy who ever at. tompted to play Hamiet in this city, 1am at present 1 oxcelient health and will shorty appexr in a cew role, Yours truly, ON. J, WOUD (the Boy Hamiot), Naw Yous, Jun, 23, 1977, OBITUARY. HORACE DRESSER, This gentleman, a prominent and respected meum- Der of the New York Bar, died last Saturday at bis residence, No, 210 York street, Jersey City, at the age of seventy-three years. For many years he was an tovalid and unable to pursue lis profession ac- tively, Hoe was ono of the earliest abolitionists in the country, and bis efforts in bebalf of the negro in the New York courts, years ago, wore the first legal steps openly and fearlessly taken in vobalf of the race. His suceess in advocating the cause soon led others to join in the work, but to Lim belongs the credit of being the Uirst lawyor to plead the cause of the slave ia the Now York courts. As aconstitutional lawyer, in hiv days of health, he had few equals, As a writer on legal and literary topics he was widely and tavorably known, REV. SEYMOUR COLEMAN. A despatch trom Williamsport, Pa, yesterday an- Bounces the dewth of Rev. Seymour Coleman, for many years @ prominent clergyman in the Methodist Epis. copal Church, and a member of the Troy Conference = the State of Now York. He was oighty-throe yearn of age. PETER UNLERS, Peter Ublers, of Easton, Pa., a woll kuown iron manulacturer and the, owner of a furnace at Glendon, died on Sunday aftérngon, after a short illness, He ‘was eixty-three years of uge. ISAAC HARTSHORN, Dr, Isaac Hartshorn, long u loading business man of Providence, died yesterday, uged seventy-two years, Karly in his cureor he ougaged in tho tndiarubber manufacture, and was party to some famous lawsuits, having once paid Daniel Webster a toe of $25,000. MME. M'CARTILY, Mme, McCarthy, of the Convent of the Sacred Heart, at Manhattanville, died in that institution yesterday of consumption, in the twenty-sixth year of hor age. ‘Tho deceased lady was a native of this city, aud cele- brated tor ber erudition and for her many accomplish- ments, DR. Jd M. KELSEY. Dr, J. M, Kelsey, df Stockton, Cal., a pioneer citizen and president of the Stockton Savings Bank, was found dead in a skiff on tho river yesterday morning, Ho probably diod trom over-exertion or heurs disease, HORSE NOTES. The Kentucky Live Slock Record says that Frank Harper a tow days ago reported Ten Broeck, ,the great 800 of imported Pheaton, in tine health and condition, Ten Brocck has grown and thickened since last fall, Harper has takea up his string of forses, twelve in bumber, and is giving them walking exerciso, with Ten Broeck at their head. Chester Driving Park, Cincinnati, Obio, claims the foltowing dates tor their summer trotting meetung— June 30 to July 4, inclasive, J. G, Bethune’s chestnut mare Rose Bud, yours old, by imported Australiac, out of Red Ros imported Glencoe, died at T. J. Nichols’, Paris, Ky., on tho 16tn inst, Typhoid pneumoula ia alarmingly prevaient among the horse stock in and around Indiauopolis, Ind. {rom the Sporting Times, Jan. 13.) Servia, who, ag a threo-year-ola, was for a time be- loved by many to bo the best horse of his year, was sold at Tattersall’s on the 8th inst. tor fifteen guincas, ‘The colt by King of the Forest, out of Rosy Cross’ dam, has been nominated tor the New Stakes by the Earl of Wilton. The coit’s dam ts Inquisition and the youngster has been named Ioquisitor. All hope of training Camballo, the winner of the ‘Ywo Thousand Guiveas tn 1976, is at un end and he is announced lor the stud. Few poople uway trom the Meath House know bow good a horse Camvalio really was, Toison d’Or has hi her toal on New Year's Day. The colt Bay Athol, by Blair Athol, out of Jobn Day's dun, has been backed tor the Derby. He was purchased about a yoar ago for 1,000 guineas, it has been reported that Count Lagrange has re- fused £12,000 for Chamant If true this is proof that there is bothiog better than Chamant in the Inysterious as ure the rumors ubout Beaupain ‘Two Thousand Guineas und St Loyer victories of Petrarch will encourage men to give abnormal prices jor crack two-yearwlds, It must be borue in mind that Chamant does not seem to have the great ruces of next season 80 much at bis mercy as Petrarch ad- parently had at this time last year. King of the Vale having tailed to stand a steeplo- chuse preparation, has becu sold to go to the Cupeof Good Hope, where bo will jou Belladrum. He is a ‘wellbrod horse, being by Mentmore out of Queen Bee. ‘Thero is somo talk of Lord Bateman cpming on the turt again, Alice Hawthorn to her sixth year ran in twenty- three races, She won twenty-one, including the Goou- wood and Doncaster cups. The only defout she sus- tained tuirly Was in the Chester Cap, when with 9s, 8ib. ou ber back she ran secoud to Red Deer, to whom sho was giving vo less than Set. Sib, On the other oc- casion she run the wrong side of a post The following letter received trom Mr, Peel, the owner of Chandlor, in reference to the big jumpat Warwick will bo read with interest, aud will detinitely settle the details connected with that extraordinary feat:— To THe Epitor ov THR SpoRTsMAN:— Sir—My attention baving beeu called to an article in last Wednesday's Sportsman uoder the bead of “Racers und Chasers,” and to ove which appears in to-day’s impression on ‘Big Jumps,’’l observe errors in both, and I therelore send you, to make use of in any way you like, a true version of Chandler's sensa- tional jump ut Warwick, with a short history of this exceptionally good auimal’s private and public ca- reer:— He was bred by Sir Edward Scott, who residod at Grout Bare, near Birmingham, and was got by Dr. Faustus (who belonged to Mr, Edmund Peel, of Boue- hill House) out of a nearly thoroughbred us poseible, the propérty of the well-known veteriuary surgeon, Mr, Robinson, who died a few yours back, He was purchased froin Sir Edward Scott by Mr. Wil- kins, of Suwon Coldfield, w chandler by trade, from which cause the horse derived bis name. He then be- came the property of Mr. Garnett, of Mooro Hall, who drove him in bis gig, wud 1 bave ow more than ove occasion sat Uchind him on my way to cov I be- came more intimately acquainted with this good horse owing to the animal 1 bad intended riding on @ purticulat day (when the hounds met in tne neighvorhood. of Moore Hall) falling lame, and [ was kindly askea to get on Chandler, 1 very soon discovered | was on the back of somothing “quite out of the common,” und he wus very ebortly afterward, utu ridiculously small sum, transferred to my stable. Alter bunting bim tor ‘three seasons, during which be never ouce put his foot in a wrong lace oF appeared to be gallopiag, however fast hounds two, entered him for the Birnuwyygham Aunual le Chase, for which he had only a fortnigh’s preparation at Heduestord. The wmner of the raco was to be sold for £300, und solely iu consequence of an accident caused by another horse, und which occurred ciose at nome, I was fortunately defrated by a horse called Richard L., but only by the length of a racing whip, His t appearance was at Warwick, on h occasion he made the sonsational jump (s0 otten relerred to) and for hiwsel!a name which ap- peurs not unlikely to live for some years. 1 was myseif prevented +rom riding Lim owing to the ceath of a relative, which occurred the morning of the race, ‘aptain Brogke, on whose horse, Kagle, | had the previous week won the Leamington annual steeplechase, promised to ride bim for me, and I sent to him my jacket and cap, He, however, at tho last @ barrow escape, She dropped rs “moment declined to get up, bis nerves huving been dis- turbed by witnessing seyoral horses tumble about in tho race which preceded the ono in which Chandler was cugnged, thus leaving me without ® jockey, Atter sono persuasion I mduced Mr, Bruce to givo up Cap- tain Broadivy, who was engaged to ride bis horse Sir Withain, ‘The statement that the thirty-nine feet was over hurdios 18 altogether a mistake; it was over a sinall brook at the bottom of the well known hill on the Warwick race course, and the oxtra exertion was catied jor to enable him to cloar tho seven or eight horses which tad come to grief immediately betore him. Chandler's subsequent performances are known aud.recorded, Lam, sir, your obedient servant, Jauuary 14 WILLIAM PRE. The Field, January 14—Mr. Wilham Field, ) terinary surgeon, of Oxturd street, was killed in the hunting field on Saturday, January 6, The acerdent occurred about one und w half milus from Harifeld The Surrey stag hounds met at the *Ruilway Hotel, Kast Grinstead, aud during tho run Mr, Field at- temptod to Jump a fence, but his horse slipped and fell upon him, He never spoke after the accident, be- came at once unconscious, and lived but a few mine utes, He was moved to the Dorset Arms Inu, Hart. ford, and attended by Di, Wallace, who pronounced lite to ve extinet, Mr. Field was the socond son | Wuham Field, the well known veterinary su was boru on June 20, 1837, and was in ¢! year ol bis age, CURLING. ‘Tho match between the New York and tho Manbat- tan Curling clubs, which took placo yesterday at Seventy-second street and Central Park, resulted ino victory for the former clab by tho large majority of 76 shols, the scuro belay, New York, 104; Maubattan, 9. Tho tee Was In Wretched condition, being sume ix OF seven inches deep in wator and snow, TWO MEN DROWNED. Lovuisviner, Jan, 20, 1877, By tho capsizing of a skiff this alternoon four young men wero washed over the falls, and two of thoir num. ber, Thomas Peterson and Patrick Brophy, were drowned. A BATCH OF FOREIGNERS. Among the miscellancous: cargo of the Bremen stoumer Woser, which atrived at her dock ia Hoboken esterday, wore two clephants, a fam! tau &,000 banary birdy saa YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1877.—TRIPLE SHEET. THE STATE CAPITAL, The Salary of the Superintendent of State Prisons, A LIVELY DISCUSSION. THEREON. A Glut of Legislation for New York City. HINTS FROM LOCAL STATESMEN. Auuaxy, Jap, 29, 1877, Both houses reassembled this ovening, at cight o'clock, with more than tho average attendance of members, NARROW GAUGE RAILROADS, In the Assembly the bill authorizing the construction of narrow gaugo railways was passed, with an amend- ment that four cents in place of five be charged for distances over twenty-five miles, CIVIL DISTRICT COURTS. When tho bill to reimburse the ejected clerks of the civil district courts was up jor third reading Mr. Purdy made « specch showing what an imposture the system of civil district courts in New York city really is, with their host of clerks, assistant clerks, janitors and assistant janitors, &c., drawing An amount of money trom tho Treasury totally out of proportion to the services rendored, He thought these ejected clerks should be satisfied with $1,500 compensation, asthe times were bard and many an accomplished bookkeeper and bank clerk was only too glad to carn that amount, Mr, Strahan pointed out that the law authorized the Payment of $3,000 to the clerks of these district courts and that it was no fault of the clerks who were super’ seded by the decision of the Court of Appeals that their right to the appointments they held was found Invalid ‘Tho bill wasaguin recommitted for amendment, Purdy withdrawing his motion to reduce the amount of com. pensation one-half, ‘THE CONGRESSIONAL COMPROMISE BILL, Mr, Post, of Cayuga, the otner day came in at the eleventh hour with w resolution indorsing the Con- gressional compromise bill, aud his resolution, in the usual course, was laid oa the table. To-night he said he was not prepared to call it uy, as the situation had materially cnanged, and he would let it lie over and keep warm for a future occasion, whon be hoped, without saying so, he might be better propured with u six hours’ speced on tt. ‘Mr, Hogebvom said it would be much moro important for them to let the country know their voto than hour their voices, ana he hoped & vote would be taken right there, but Dr, Post declined, and a long windy debate ig consequently in store for uy. : ALVORD 48 AN KCONOMIST. It is the conviction of Mr. Alvord that if low tolls aro'to prevail on the canals the expenses of carrying on the canuls must be reduced. Accordingly be pro- poses in a bill he sent ap this evening to abolish the Canal Auditor’s Department and make of ita simple bureau us it used to be in the Comp- trolier’s Department, — This will effect a saving of between $7,000 and $8,000. He also launched a bill which meets a suggestion made to Comptroller Kelly in regard to the debt of New Vork. It provides thatthe present bonded indebtedness of city, town or county may be paid up or retired by the issuance of bonds of the same amount: bearing a lowor rate of interest than the bonds authorized to be paid or retired, In case any holder of such bouds be willing to surrender them and acceptin their place other bonas at a lower rate of interest, exchanging such existing bonds for such new bonds at the par value of each, and the proper authorities may in their discretion make such an exchange hy the retiring of the existing bonds end the substitution aod tpsurance theretor of such new bonds, and may extend the date of the payments of such substituted bonds for a discrotionary period of yours beyond the time when the principal of such ex- isting bonds so surrendered would have become pay- able, DELINQUENT TAXPAYERS. Mr. Dimond introduced a bill already noticed ex- tonding the payment of arrears of assessments to fivo years iu tivo tustalments, and a penalty of only seven recent, which 1% sucht un easy let-down lor de- inquents as to be altogether unlikely to pass both houses of the Legr WHAT CAXAL REVORM HA8 Cost. Mr. Fish wisbes so know, by resolution, in order to find out what it cost to hunt up the Caoul Ring, how much money the Attorney Gevoral hus spent within tho last ten ‘years in prosecuting and defending suits against the State, and what sums still due, BUSINESS IN THK SENATE. The business ate was dull, Tho rogular order be ng rushed through with iiuhtning celerity, Senator Harris introduced a bill amending the charter of Albany, and Senator Spraqu relation to mar- riage and bigamy. Spragoo’ provides that every person who, being undor an indictment tor un offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life, shail tor three years thereafter be confiued 10 the State lusane Asylum, and not brought to trial by reasou of insanity. What connection the bill has to do with the title, however, was something which no fellab could find out The bill extending to corpo- rations located und organized in other States certain rights and privileges in recard to the acquirement of real estate us now possessed by curporations in this State wus progressed, SALAKY OF SUPRRINTENDENT OF STATE PRISONS. Tho bil relative to tue Superintendent of State Prisona called forth a lively debate. The bill wWides tor a salary of $3,000, Senator Cole was in favor of reducing the amount to $6,000, Mr Morrissey thought the amount originally proposed was little enough, byt would vote tor Senator Cole's amendmont if be would make it $7,000, Mr. Harris opposed Mr. Cole’s amendment, and it was evident from tho remarks m by bow democratic and republican Senators that only ono person—Mr. Pillsbury, present Superintendent of tho Albany was in their minds, Bradley was in favor of putting the sulary at a reasonabiec igure and appropriating a apecitic amount for clerk hire and travelling, keeping these amounts separate and distinct, Emerson talkod about retreuchmont und reform, and thought that $20 @ day was too much for a Superintendent of State Pris- ons When the laboring man was only receiving $1 per day. Woodin talked sensibly enough, and said the Importance of the oflice was greatly magnified by the Senators. It was nothing like as important as the office of Comptrolier, whose salaty was $6,000 per year, or of the Superiuteadeat of Public Works, who had the expenditure of millions annually under his direction, Hoe thought $6,000 was quite enough, considering the fact that the term of otbco under the constitutional amendments was five years. Ho finally moved that the sulary bo fixed at $5,000, with an allowance of $1,500 for travelling exponses and $1,000 for clerk hiro annually. Starbuck opposed the $5,000 amendment, and put it home tw his colleagues whetner any one of them could live and support his family on that amount and have anything leit at the end of tho year. Senator Cole talked to tho crowd in tho gallery of honost lubor and the low Wages of thoartisan, and thought that the time had come when tho salaries of these people who stood around and did nothing should bo cut down. The bill was finally progressed and made a special order for to- Inga row morning. TUK INSURANCE COMMITTER, Senator Bradley resigned from the Committec on In- surance und Senator Wagstail was appointed to fill the vacaney. A HODGE PODOK OF CITY HILLS A singular hodge podge of biits affecting New York will soon bo accumulated in the hands of Mr. Fish’s Committee on Cities, There is neither methea nor harmony among them, and, should all of half of them become law, @ surpassing ‘condition of contusion in New York city must be the result. ‘The Committco on Cities bas a splendid opportunity to make @ namo for itself by taking this mass of villa and boiling them down to one bil h will embruco the best und most practicable gestions to be found inall The bill to abolish the Park Department and band over its duties to the De- partment of Public Works 4 thoughtless scheme und not certain to meet with lar favor, peo- plo are more likely to say, 0 Park Department ajone, but give its control to threo or ive conspicu- ous citizens who will for the most part lend their ser- vices for nothing, A wore upt and practical suggestion would be to turn over the duties of the Dock Departin: to thatot Public , Where it legitimately belongs Thea there are two bi vesting the sirect cleaning business absolutely in the hands of the Police Hoard, and # third bill turning over to the same authority tho business of the Hoalth Board, This ts legislating tor ticular Uranch of tho city g ‘ninent witha It will strike the minds of most citizens that the work of establisning and controlling an ade- quate und eilicient police force is quite enough to occapy tho great minds of the four Police Commissiouers. Ifthe business of stroot cleaning Mrs tw any one depart. ment itis surely that of Public Health, Other bills ran counter to these, one of them providing tor the ubolition of the £ mens of Charities and Correce tions and the transter of its dutics to tho Health Board, #0 that while one scheme coutemplates palling down the latter department anothor has in view its greater glory und exaltation. Where there so many contrary measures for tho good of the city there ts clearly wanted @ master band to fashion ail toto one harmonious and comprehensive whole, but 1 fear it is Vain to look for anything liko that in this Legisiatul Tt may be possible that the report of the Municipal Charter Commission will supply a plan of city government that will recommond itsel! to common sense and fit iteel! agreeably and ecouomicalily to the needs of Now York, and if so, the safest place to put all the schemes so far introduced 18 in the tire and vo more about thom. . THR RUIN OF THR NEW CAPITOL It is to be ieared tho ruin, architecturally, of tho new Capiol will go ou une! been begun, und enough is convince the wost ‘unsophisticated layman the contemplated alte tions aro not alone unsightly and inbarimonious, absolutely criminal The original design was uni- vernally admired. The greasy tower pares Clouds With its ary lantern, and mounting by ~_- Ps ‘3 sive stories of varied ana beautiful outline bigt above the vast body of the building i« not to be, bas ia its place is to be substituted a horrid abortion mis named adome. The Moresque aud Romanesque styles that are to be superim: ou the structure as it now stands will make 1t the laughingstock of the whole world. Better far that every stone should be putied down, and great though the additional expense, thatthe wholg “c&boodle" be transierred to New York and set up there than that this intended outrage should be reali THE INSURANCR QUEBTION, + ‘The Superintendent of Insurance has addressed @ communication to the chuirinun, Mr. J. 3. Graham, of the lusuranee Committee, requesting an tovestigation of bis office andthe method therein of doing business, The request will be complied with. It 1s pot tmprob- ablo that a roving commission to investigate the insurance companies will be appointed. There is an itching propensity on the part of members to invest gate something, and insurance companies hold out the ; Most attractive feild. OW TOR BUSINESS GOKS. Tho Governor bas signed 81x bills up to date, all of minor importance, With the exception of the Jade clary none of the committees has transacted apy se rious work ¥o far.‘ week, according to co! ture, will be uncommonly busy and of York bills ts anticipated. The COMMISSIONER THAYRR’S CANAL REPORT, charge report of Commissions m7 tending trom of the Eastern division of cal Albany to Utica, and including the Champiain, will be sent to the House to-morrow, and proves to be a muck more Loporiant document than such reports are usually, It has additional from tho tact — thas is the most hikely candidate tur pew position of Superintendent of Public Works, and what he says Is indicative, to some extent, of bis probable ne of action in the new position, The report shows that the seuson bus beeu of unequalled good naviga Liou, with fewer detentions or delays than ever belure was, although there has beon sume very expensive work pertormed, The expenditure tor maintenauce and repairs bas been less than tu any previous year, Tho season was unusually duil in a business point of view and the revouue was small, but even with such a condition of affairs, aud with « stroog ruilroad comp jon, the Commissioner believes taat continued economical administration will put the ca- nals on a highly remunerative basis, This may be done with the coming revival of businoss, aud the toils might be even further reduced, especially is the matter of boats themselves—tho distrossed clast of Doatmen veimg wore directly after by this tar than by any other, The $400,000 appropriated law winter, against tne views of the Commissouers foi the purpose of deepening tho Erie to seven feot, will be returned to tho treasury unused, ax ‘a survey by the State Engineer showa that the prism 18 already that depih, Steam transit op the canais is #o far practically a tailare, but the Com missioner recommends contivucd ussistance and en- couragement on the part of the State to inventors, & Very important essential to the success of the canals, he thinks, tw a clearly detined policy and the avoid ance of conflicting legisiution, which bas for all the yeurs past seriously embarrassed business Interests of the canals, The table of expenditures shows the amount this year for ordinary repairs to have becs $1,007,359 95, a reduction upon tho expensesof ti year before of $157,889 66; for extraordinary repaira, $250,831 18, a reduction on the previous year of we $508,026 NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE. AN EXCITED CONTEST OVER THE STATE COMPe TROLLERSHIP—A BILL FOR A STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. (BY TELEGRAPH TO THE BHEBALD. | ‘Trexroy, Jun, 29, 1877, Both houses of the Legislature met to-night, at eight o'clock, and, after a session of about one hour euch, adjourned till to-morrow morning. Now the Senatorial tight is ended, another fight for another of- fice of less importance has tuken its place—that of the State Comptrollership, which {s worth avout $6,000 per year. The fight already is oxciting. General Robert Stockton, descendant of Commodore Stockton, und William P. McMichael, of Burlington, are the lead- ing candidates, with ex-Senator Lydeckor, of Bergen county, coming up in the rear, Stockton bus a pow- erful combination at his back and {s confident of vice tory; while McMichacl also Las a strong following and ie cquaily as contident, Lydecker says be will sp in Letween thom. If the Huuse, which bo i the two parties, refuses to go into joint session for the election of Compiroiler, the candidates’ aspirations will bo destroyed. It ia likely that the republicans will insist on retuining the presvat incumbent, A, L. Ruo- you, who iof tbe varty, which they cun do by re fusing to go into joint sessien. In the Senate a bill was introduced to establish State Bourd of Health, to be composed of seven mem- bers, to be appointed by the Governor, in the House a resolution was passed appolating a Special committee of three to inquire by what authorit of law the State Treasurer paid $50 to each of the Joint Committee ou Treasurer’s Accounts 1p November last. Several bills were introduced and a few were passed 1m both hou THS KANSAS SENATORSHIP, MOKTHER INEVFECTUAL BALLOTINGS, “"' [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD, ] Sr, Lovis, Mo, Jan, 20, 1877. The latest intelligence from Topeka, Kan., is to the effect that three more ballots wore taken tor Sen- ator to-day, without any choice, Osborn ran upto 44, Plumb bad 32, Simonds and Sears 26 euch, and Harvey 23, There are some sigas to-day of abreak-up. ‘Tho increased vote for Osborn was in pursuance of the Mino of strategy ho has followed from the start, and was intended to carry him through, to-day, by storm. He has now reuched the highest point conceded to him, and no more. The move to- day was wo ubeovering of all his strongth, and, having tuted of ite purpose, be must play bis game trom sh out without any trumps. Plumb bolis bis forces hand admirably, and the struggle 1s fast becoming harrowed down between hia ard Osborn, In this event Piumb will undoubtedly have the preference of the other candidates, except Sears. Thore is some talk of corruption in the air, but it is only aa cloctioneering fiction. ts DO money 10 the contest, except forthe hotels and drinking sa» Joons, THE ASHTABULA INQUEST. TESTIMONY OF AN ENGINEERING EXPELT—AR UNSAFE BRIDGE. Cievenaxn, Obio, Jan. 29, 1877. A special to tho Leader from Ashtabula says:—The inquest was resumed ‘and Alfred H. Howland sworn, Ho testified that he resides in Boston, is a civil en- gincer and has been engaged in examining the wrecked bridge for a fortnight; that he found the abutments in good condition and the weight of the bridge to be 82,000 pounds per lineal foot, Ho considers the sys ‘tem of lateral and sway bracing employed as iasufl- cient, and the form of beains used for compression members a very objectionabie feature of the bridge. Ho found a lack of section in the following mem- bert ‘The whole of the top chord; benny A of the main braces tn tho lateral and vertical sway bracing and io floor beams, In some of these mombers tbo material would have been sufficient bad it been in different shape, He found thut ono of the main braces was three inches out of pogition on the top angle block whes last painted, and others tn a less degree, ART MATTERS, GOUPIL's WATER-COLOB COLLECTION, Some hundred specimens of foreign water-color paintings, are now on exhibition at the Kurtz Gallery. ‘The averago merit of these works is high, and maoy well-kpown artists aro represented. There are some now names represonted by very creditable works, Among the most interesting pictures ero «somo architectural studies by Dindin; throo breezy marines, by Charles Taylor; a study of trees, by Filosa, of remarkable solidity and breadth dancing girls, by Bouvier; several clever jects, by Cortozzo; a flirtation, by Semonett: ‘with @ boek, by Berne Belle Cours Knaus hase well composed drawing’ in black and white, evidently a study tor one of his pictures. It is marked by tutimave knowledge of chafcter and its happy expression. Vitre, by Kmuile Sarone, strong in color and picturesque io te falbot promise. There aro two pencil ok Dy artists of some note; one by the lamented Henri alt, free in handling, and, though unfn- ished, firm aud masterty in execution; the other is very slovenly in execution. There is a strong costume work by Bozio; @ good example of Vibert, represent- ing ag oid inan sawed in apark. Deluilie has two works; one a Prussian fier, exquisitely painted in Diack and white, aud a French dragoon, who 1s nataral.and litetiko, Two pretty drawings by Kiimek on parchment are vory sweet, Leloir has a troubador, a very bright bit of color, and there is.also an italian mody by ‘ortany, ab example of that artist's early worl AMERICAN SOCIELY OF WATER COLOR PAINTERS, The exhibition of Amertoan water colors continues to Attract public attenYon. Tho society has been very successful this year; despite the hard times a good muny sales have beon effected, Tho society certainly desorves every encouragement, in view of the ada fable quality of the work produced, ART NOTES, T. L. Swith has taken up bis quarters ta the Fomia Avenue studio, which promises to become one of the obtef art centres inthis city, Mr. Smith, during his abseace from the city, hus By good deal of attention to cattle subjects, and in fut may hope to see the inoocent cattlo disporting themscives th hb his landscapes, At tho same time he bee no iwtention of abandoning his fairy “moonlights” and not less pootic “sunsets lvd he is just now engaged on several can’ nen aro devoted to the interpretation of natare her mysterious twilight moous, when sbe is most of charms to all hor trae admirors, “Columbus ” wi ia study So =a masine. ins. “