The New York Herald Newspaper, November 4, 1877, Page 9

y call one’ ~~ WHAT 1S COMEDY 9 A Talk with the Critics ?— Racy Compliments. VOX POPULI. A Perplexing Conundrum—Musical and Dramatic Notes. —_—-__—. OR. SOTHERN AND WIS PLAY OF “OME.” + Ever since Dion Boucicault propounded his now famous conundrum, **What is Comedy ?” the town has been scratching its intellectual head for the right answer, So tar the author concedes that but one definition has come nearest the bull’s-eye, to wit—that “Comedy is a French piay and a pair of scissors,”’ Other critics, not confining themselves closely to the subject, have preferred to sit in judgment on the man, and more or less words of severity have been the result of the discussion. ‘Fair play is a jewel,’’ however, and since tho Heraup has become the mo- ium for the public presentation of the views of its teaders ou vbis now-engrossing topic, the fact is-ex- tusable that we to-day give the result of sevoral interviews with gentlemen who are well known in connection with critical dramatic work and are supposed to have clean and well cut opinions on the subject which Mr. Boucicault has brought to tho surfuce, lt may or may not be significant that Some of these gentlemen are averse to the use of their Dames in connection with the matter. MR. &, ©, STEDMAN, Mr. E.C. Stodman, the poet banker of Wal! street, for instance, who has written not a few of the sweetest Ines that illustrate the tender phases of American thought, remarked, ‘Why como hore, especially in business hours, and expect me to write m five, ten or twenty minutes a definition of a comedy? ‘ wouldn't attempts it. It’s easy onough to classics, but no man who has a reputa- tion to lose is going to risk it on a spasmodic state- ment, Besides, I don’t pretend to be acritic, Off the Btage I never saw Boucicault in my life, On tt, how- ever, 1 respect and admire him ag an artist and au- thor, Whether he uses scissors or not I enjoy the beautiful pictures he has given to the eye and appre- tiate the talent which jor a generation has made his name run’round the world. That’s all I have to say,’” ‘The writer next ran against not only un old play wright and journalist but an artist, and 1m the latter capacity he was engaged in making ‘comedy’ on an easel. He too was unwilling to allow the use of his name, and on finding that his wishes would bo re- Spected ho said frankly in a humorous way, “You See that color—it’s red; there’s another—it’s blue; and there’s yellow, They make our combinations. 80 with this’ matter of Comedy’? about which you are talking. It is made up of several kinds and lors, ‘Those by Shakespeare aro unapproachablo; those by Goldsmitn and Sheridan are very good, and then follows a long list of 80 called ‘comedies’ that are made for the million from pid jokes, waste sayings, modern saws, historical and poetical sweepings pillered by the modern ifonier and strung out in three, four apd five acts, Boucicault bas the faculty of taking the ‘filing’ out of French plays, running it through his mental bash foundry and producing certain stage effects. In this business he is admirable, and yet to us who deal with the originals rments have a strong smell of the dye shop. Now, just bere let me tell you of a curious letter, it was from the agene of Mr. said this ancient manager. ‘Ho not to play any of Mr Boucicault’s plays in my theatre without permission, With his unique communication camo a long list of plays, among which wus one cuiled, “Used Up,’? and which was a clear translation from a French farce-comeuy, callea, “L’Homme Blazé.’” Ovver pil- teringe, equally barelaced, ran through the other plays \n the list. Iu my reply to this piece of brass { simply asked the agent if 1 could get permission trom Mr. B. to play “ichard 111.,”’ and if he would bave ibe kindness to let me play Ham! But to the matp question. “What is a comedy, Mr. B——d?”” “Well,” answered this old timer, who had seen all the actors and actresses in America for the years, “anybody witha little common sen: er your plain question; but there isa negro in the fence bere which allsimple minded folks don’t see, The comedies of these modern playwrights are new and ingenious methods of getting free advertising and paying noteriety, Modern comedies are the steul- ings of tricky writers, French plays, new novels apd “old gags’? ure the sources Irom whien they are drawn, and scissors and gum do the rest There ts no real siage meaning to the word comedy nowadays. So mauy plays are called comeuies which are pot that we can only throw overboard these mondern productions which rise on the brains of men Of real genius and class their sensational productions with the vast mass of rubbish that now degrades the drama,’”’ Little warmth of satisfaction being obiainabie from this party the reporter sought a third—Mr. Frederic Bolwad, the dramatic and musical critic of the New York By imes—with whom the jollowing conversation ongued :— Boucicault,” warned ‘me FREDERICK & SCHWAB, Revorter—Have you read Mr, Boucicault’s re- murks upon the critics? Cxitic—Certainly ; I read everything Mr. Buucicault writes. Rkvortexr—How do thoy impress you? Critic—l thiuk of them more in sorrow than in anger, 1 bave great respect tor Mr. Boucicault’s tulect, ingenuity and exverieuce, and were he an enemy, even, | should stil feel re, ret over a vlupder wholly beneath bis ability. It is incouceivavle that an author, actor and manager of equal skill snould lorget the proverb, “Qui s'excuse s’accuse,” and, tur- ther, try to create an excitement upon a topic not worth quarrelling over, und which, too, has been so handled by the critics thut he 1s cumpelied to shilt the ground belore taking these gentiomen to task at all, A coutroversy in the bewspapers will bolp a cause in which people can be brought to take an interest, or io which some lively tighting has been done, but in “Marriage” Mr. Boucicault bas, in legal parlance, no case, He intendea, I suppose, to repeat the tactics resorted to when ‘*Formusa’’ was acted in London. He then bud diferent material to work upon. Revorter—in what respect? Critic—Somevody made the discovery that “For- mosa’” was immoral and said so. As I do not believe that two persons with tdentieal views as to what con- stitutes morality OF immorality can be encountered the world over, Mr. Boucicault promptly bethought himsell of raising a discussion on ihe suvject. The London pewspapers were filed with communica- tious, and for a short time much attention was airected to “Forinosa.” People wao were not puritanical went to see the play on geueral privciples, and people who were had acnance of listening to bder pre- tence of enlightening themselves un what appearod to be a disputed point, “Marringe’? is not immoral; Mt has calied forth ceusure of the mildest sort, and Mr. Boucicault js, theretore, leit to carry on both sides of the debate, Rerourrer—Bat ts the author of a play not entitled to be heard in bebail of his work? Curric—surely, but Mr. Boucicault cannot seize upon any ill-grounded statements made in regard to ““Mar- Tage.” So he puts jorth the sweeping ussertion that the critics know botning, and, like the baker in “fho Hunting of the Suark,’’ sets them couuodrums to ues. ! Revorter—You refer to Mr. Boucicault’s chalienge to his critics, calling ugon them to supply a delinition Of the word “comedy,’? 1 take 16? Criric—Precisely. Now, 600 littérateurs might have filty vefinimons cach, and no two be einiiar, The best means of securing & formula for a comedy would be gotten, 1 iancy, by au avalysis of the standard pieces kuown in Engtsh, Freuch, Germau, Italian fnd Spavish uterature, Would three or tuur out of a bundred, even, be proved to contain the same elements? Are Guidoul’s comedies not comedies because they are not built of the very material and in the very style of Sheridan’s? Must all compositions of the same order bave exactly similar characteristics? If Mr. Boucicault wries 1b accordance with a given for- mula, what chance will dramatists of the future have when they are told that $2,000 worth of furniture was wn ossontial ingredient of Mr, Buucicauit’s latest “le- gitimate comeuy ?”” Reroxter—Mr. Boucicauit implies that works which critics have agalo and again denounced have been suc- cessful. Do not facts justify this assertion ? Cxitio—A critic, in my LuMble opinion, has nothing whatever to do with te “success” of a piece. By success Mr, Boucicault and myself, just at present, mean “drawing power,” aud Mr. Boucicault kuows as well as Ldo that esthetic lence, originality, form or any of the thousand and one requirements of a first rate Composition do not necessary delight the aver> uge public, 1 the police dia not interfere, speciacies could be placed upon the stage which would far ex- coed ih remunerativeness the writings of either shakespeare, Sheridan or Boucrcault, Why, then, twit the critics With reflections upon the “popularity” of, forexample, “The Mighty Dollar?” ‘The critica pronounced this achievement trash, and ppinions were almost unanimou: persous found the play comical, jo be amused by its characters inci+ Mr. Boucicault once said that newspapers ‘eports” of representations, aud not ALis LO Say, that the re ought to be toid on the morrow of the “rst night’? how many Limes tue spectator laughed and at What stages of te was at one time well known jp this city as a musical and dramatic eritic, but who ts now devoting bimself entirely to dramatic writing, He was found at Wallack’s, the present bome of “Marriage,’’ und the toliowing conversation ensue: “What fs your opinion about Mr. Boucicault’s latest chalienge to the critics ¥”” the highest possible esteem for Mr. 's talents, and @ warm regard for him per- t these facts don’t prevent my perceiving 0 18 fully alive to tho value of advertisements and knows that @ free one in the body of a paper is orth a great deal more than one paid fur in the ad- sing columns.’ jut about acomedy. Do you know what a eomedy is?” “I know what 1 think itis; but as I am no longera critic it 18 possible that Mr. Boucicault might allow that I had faint glimmeriugs of the truth. It is only the critics whom he accuses of entire ignorance.” lan you give an exact definition of a comedy ?”” “No; nor do I believe can any one give a detinition cover the ground from the earliest days of the drama down to the present, because comedy has greatly changed in form witb the Japse of time; and this ig a necessity of its being, because one of tne im portant functions of comedy 18 to depict the manners ‘and customs of the period 19 which it is placed. As civilization advanced and the relations jociety be- came more complicated comedy neces arily varied greatly from the simple plays of the Greeks.’ “It you wrote a cpmeay, what would you consider yourself ‘called upon to do?" “Yo develop character by means of humorous inet- donts and to depict ludicrous phases ot life, while pre- ving probabilities a8 nearly as possible. If prob- bilities aro utterly disregarded, in order that broad 1up may be mad writer descends to the level of farce, The line een comedy and tragedy is so broad and clearly definod that it is needloss to say any- thing en that head.’ MORE PHILOSOPHY BOILED DOWN. “Comedy?” said John Swinton, ‘Comedy!’ quoth he, as he was found musing on the infinite and manu- facturiug a newspaper article on the distranchisement question, “Yes, Mr. Swinton, comedy ts the word of the day, tho terror of the critics; the thing whieh Dion Bouci- cault bas challenged the whole world to detine.”’ “Well, then,’”? began Mr, Swinton, as he laid down his pen aud tried to grasp the question which the Heratp reporter bad put to him. jt us perpend, us Horace Greeley once said, and approach by surveying the germination and exfoliation of comedy ; the philology of the Greek text comedy, the secular changes of the features of comedy, the anal- ozies of the ancient, the rennaissance and the con- temporaneous comedy, and of the comedy ot the vart- ous races of Europe and the world; the quality of tue older and later French comedy; 'the scope, limita- tions and peculiarities of the permanent and de- lightful dramatic wpparitiou calied comedy, which was the despair of Aristophanes and Ploutus, but bas been brought to perieciion by Boucicault, “But hold,” eried the HkKALD reporter, “you havo there forty volumes jnstexd of forty lines,” WwW, then,” replied Mr. Swinton, ‘‘iet all tneso ored; bur let us cloar the ground at one as to seo how the vulgar use of the word has tended to contound the popular appretien- sion of comedy. These two words ure not alike in meaning or application. A comedy ought to be comic, bata play maybe comic, as we use the term, without being a comedy. The comic papers, as well as tno comical writers for the tragedy papers, aro. often coarse and comic, whereas comody is the most ex- quisite and subtle form of dramatic art.” jut now,” interrupted the reporter, “give a defini- tion of 14 satisfactory to Boucicault.” “To define it,”? answered Mr. Swinton ; ‘to outline ite framework, ite form and its features would be iy enough; but to give a criptive defnition of it in ten words would take time and abstraction. Re- turn to me alter Boucicault ous lost his wits trying to ‘define it and | will try. It recks not whether a com- edy be in five acts or In three, or bigh or law; whetper it deal with surfaces or qualities, with the foivles of an individual or features of society. Wit is the soul of comedy; verisimilitude is ite substance, ayoty 18 its Ie, delicacy i its dress, and Boucicault js its simulacrum.’? “About Boucicault himself?” inquired the Huxaup reporte! “A queer specimen, @ travesty of genius, a comic writer, a comedian and a comudy, is he. 1 remember his appearance here, long years ago, when he turned up in old Hope Chapel, on Broadway, as a jecturer on the Greek drama. His face, figure, uppoarance, dress, ways and words are yot in myeye The highly pic- turesque scenes with which he illustrated his lectures are there also, and so 18 the select audience. Bouci- cault was not éo rich then as be js now, nor was his anatomy as piquant then as it pow is, How comic has been his comedy trom that day to this! and if be will put it on the stage, properly drawn and colored, it will be the most enjoyable and melancholy medley of farce, travesty and tragedy that ever went under the bame of comedy.” WHAT THR PEOPLE SAY. It is not alone the voices of intelligent gentlemen with whom one is brought faco to face from which we gather ali tho troubie. Hundreds of letters have been sent to the HeRauo office on the subject trom persons of every degree, showing the universal interest that exists, It is impossible, however, to reproduce these vorbatim, aud the reader must, thorotore, be content with the salient points that have been extracted aud are published below. SOME MORE CRITICISMS, Iv toe Sunps, Cuntran Park. 1 dofy the whold round of veteriuary surgeons in the United States and Dion Boucicault to define the word *‘aonkey.’? A. BRAY, “Que 18 not necessarily an Aristophanes because one can discern what is good or bad ina French play. Tho pen is the natural tool of the dramatist, and not tho scissors, or else any tailor could call bimeel! a Shake- speare,”” “Mr, Boucicault seems to know very well what the word ‘comedy’ meuns, at least, he believes he knows; but we are not sure of it To submit to his decision would be the acknowledgment of bis superiority in the matter and that is just what the critics cannot admit, Notwistanding all his genius, they do net be- Heve him qualified to hold alone a court of Oyor and Terminer on the subject in titigatio: i so in the present trouble they decline the combat,’ ‘Comedy 18 a line drawn between tragedy and farce, To deline this we will first take the drama, ‘Drama is a composition tn which action or narra- tive 18 not related, but represented. “‘yragedy is a dramutic composition representing tho passions, woes and misfortunes of life in such a man- her as to excite grief, pity or horror, omedy 18 of Greek origin, signifying ‘Jovial Festi- val,’ and is a dramatic representation of the light fuults, passions, actions and follies of mankind. rom the Latin ‘Farcto’—to stuff; a short ic entertainment, in which ludic:ous qualities dre greatly exaggerated for the purpose of exciting mirth, ‘Thus we have the three grades of the drama, which, if correct, will not reguire the colossal mind of @ Lsoucicault to detine.”” “The comeay of the stage aod the library must be regarded aga teacher of the highest order. Dyspep- sia must be relegated to comedy, but dyspepsia was not known to the ancients. Their symposia was more simple than our matic feeding.’” “You ask what is comedy. lt is what the Freneh- man described asa dinner without cheese—a protyy woman With but one eye.’* “A true and beautiful representation of the most cherished of all existing passions, ’? “First—A comedy {8 a play in which the pleasing phases of social reiations are represented without ex- ‘Aaggeration in a manner possible in navure, ‘Second—A comedy 18 & drama wherein a true picturo of nature’s humor, gayety aud caprice ts given. Third—To pass limits of tne natural or social andard would make of comedy a burlesque. vurth—The comedian must needs be an artist; whereas he who exaggerates his part and carries it beyond the limits prescribed by naturo and society 18 & mere sign paine: Af the writer of a play wishes it to be called a clas- sical one he must observe the following theatrical rules, which from immemorial time have been stricily enforced by the most eminent writers, viz, the unity of ume, of action and of place. He must depict bis characters under so vivid and natural de- scription tuat any one wili pronounce them well sus valned throughout the whole play, which will contain three or five acts, in prose ur in ve ad libitum, All the perso: must be known at the first act, the interest of the piece kept ou increasing from the first 8 Upto the dénouement, In a word, the writer t exhibit a proiound knowledge of ‘the buman heart, ‘hose are tbe rules which bave been ear- nestly recommended by Boileau and Labarpe, the two greatest critics in the literary world, and they havo also becn observed by Moliére, whom wo tay jusily call the inimitable, since he 18 for the high comedy what Shakespeure is tor the tragedy, A comedy is la mise en scéne of an action or a plot by which one critic the weak points of haman Di Teprimapd given to the poo- ple at large, or to a certain class of people in regard to manners, ways ol living to be rectified, passions to extirpated, nay, even laws to be improved, In spite Of that long dissertation it seems impossible to us to convey the moaning of the word comedy with more laconisme, tor, Wf that explanation hold good for Moliére’s high comedy, it is equaily true for the differs ent forms which the comedy may adopt, for the Vau- deville and Opera Bouffe, Is If AN INQUEST OR WHAT? To Tie Eptior or Tas Heratp;— The proposed inqucst on a comedy brought into the world by the scissorian section ratses the question of literary ovstectries, and I therefore demur from the idea of taking a verdict from a dry-as-dust protessor of English literavure, who may be a bachelor tor all wo know. Send it to the faculty of Bellevue Hosp: 1 would not object to a matron from the Founa- ling Asylum being added to the jury, since the question of “legitimacy” will doubtiesa bo part of tho inquiry. Thon, Just for once, they might Jet in a hommopathist, to look for the wit, since the division of medi¢ines into infinitesimal but sugary doses is part of his businoss, For instance, something may be labelled “This 18 a joke,” (laugh), or "This 18 proceedings, If that course were adopied every vody anxious to enjoy an evening's hilarity would hasten to the San Francisco Minstrels, tor a record of a portorme ance of “iegiiimate comedy’? would not jook nall as Inviting asaeketoh of “Helen's Babies,” witha “ime table”? of merriment, RevortER—To sum ap, what, then, 18 your view of Mr. Boucicault’s purpose and opet ? Criric—Business, business, business, His mothod of trangacting it in this instance, uolucktly, does no oredit to his inventiveness, and, failing of original tac- tice, he might better bave been a borrower onve more. ANOTHER VOICK. The writer next resorsed to another autleman WhO satire’ (grin sardodic) of “this 8 epigram” (foot tiekled ali over), and who but your hommopathist could find the wit in it Even no may fail, and toganrd against this I would add a microscopiat aod charge bim to bring bis most powerfal glasees, I would add a bill becyuse these people have an ad- miravlo way of gaug ® comedy by the #ize and number of the pieces of paper they put on tho dead walls, and 1t will be admitted that they are well ‘posted,’ There is 4 man I would like to bave on it, too, but Idon’t know bis address. He is the fellow who leads the claque, He is the revorse of the critica, ‘The latver toll tue people what is bad, Lhe chy de | claque tells whatis good, That is, w: the author si jood—and he ought to know, He has to make the comedies “go,” and be knows what bard werk ‘that is powadays, Lastiy the inquest should be held in the Morgue, where so many comedies end that e just as fuvny and full of promise in the first acts and quite a8 dreary and disappointing at the fall of the curtain as apy that our best playwrights have given us of late. Of course it will be necessary ubject,”? and I would propose—, but no. been informed that the entire object of this discussion to #1 said to be like 0'U Ivan somebo y's comedy that Jaghan in the play, Resenting tho ap imputation, | diousiy avoid it might inflict unnecessary pain on the modest gentleman who wants the desired ipforma- By the by, What ia the original question? What 18 it all about, anyhow? Is it a christening or a funeral? Bb STEINWAY HALL—DR. DAMROSCH’S SYMPHONY MATINEE. Steinway Hall yesterday afternoon was thronged by Alarge and fashionable audience, the attraction being the second symphony matinée of Dr. Leopold Dam- roseb, who has recently done so much to enlist the musical interest of the New York public, Artistically considered the success was even greater than that of the frst matinée, The programme was unusually fine, and the brilliant execution by tbe well trained and sympathetic orebestra, vocal and instrumental, aroused genuine enthusiasm. From the beginning to the end the feeling was evinced, both by performers and audience, which is best expressed by the German word “Behaglicheit,” and it only finds expreesion when conductor and subordinates appreciate in common the great purpose which they have to achieve, This being assured there is little difficulty in securing the heart and ear of the listeners and the applause that foliows the performance of a work conscientiously interpreted. Dr, Damrosch has tho advantage of being able to communicate much ot his own enthusiasm to those around him. Hi tem- perament {s povtical and magnetic, and with the good orchestral material which be has gathered he produces effects that are not only emphatic but call for the mo: generous of praise, The née was opened with an allegro movement trom the unfinished symphony in B minor, by Schubert, a composer who lelt to the world maby @ boauti/ul composition which only since his ueath is finding life and imwortality. Miss A, Henne, & very sweet contralto, followed with a sulo from *Migvon,’ ove of Liszt's compositions, Then came Von Weber's overture, “Oberon,” exquisitely per- formed and tull of charming numbers that evoked the enthusiasm of the audience, The feature of the matl- ever, Was the composition by the tilustrious gan composer, Ed, Grieg (uew ia tuts country), entitled At tbe Cloister Gate,” and calling tor ulus- tration at the hands of soli, chorus and orchestra, It 14 & poem set LO Music—one of the sweet creations of Bjornsen, the Norwegian novelist—and introduces a homeless maiden knocking at vight at a cloisier gate Being asked for the cause of her grief she answers that she has lost both parents and love. She telis hor story in a stunza, and then domes the chorus of puns tolling her that among them all old things are for- gotten aud bruised spirits riso to light. ‘rhe subject is treated in a masterly way in both the vocal and instrumental pat and there are superb strains that linger long the chief motif has been exhausted. ‘Tho part of the maiden w represented by Miss A. Henne, und that of the inquir- iug nun by Miss Urchs, the ladies of the Oratorio So- ciety making an exquisite chorus, , Alter the “Cloister Gute’ followed Gounod’s Tecitatif and scena from “Faust, in whieh Mrs, Imogene Brown carried away high honors, not be- cause her Voice is ag suggestive of careful study as It might be, but by reason of the fact that she exhibited feeling and by ber adareas compensated for musical detects, But perfection is accorded to none, The en- tertainment concluded with Mendelssohn's ‘‘Midsam- mer’s Night Dream.’? ‘The most popular phrases of this composition ure familiar to the public, but thoy are not often heard as a whole, While the scberzo and the “Wedding March” have been listened to thousunda of times it is rare that a chorus of able singers can bo gathered to give su- perior cllect to the singular charms that are concealed among the rich and melodious combina- tions of the work. he applause of a bighly appre- ¢lative audience was f§ generous as any conductor could have desired, and an encore of the favorites was demanded, ‘The vulgar people—they can gon- erally be detected by their blusé and shoddy style— who disturb the best moments of thi concerts by leaving the hall for the purpose of catching a street car orsaving live minutes of time, are the only drawbacks to @ pertect enjoyment of these occasions, They probably attend because it is fashionable; they duubi- Joss depart to get acheap soup. The third Damrosch matinée will take place on Saturday next, when a new and attractive programme will be prosented, STEINWAY HALL—THOMAS’ BYMPHONY CONCERT. The first of the eleventh series of Thomas’ symphony concerts was given last ovening at Steinway Hail before a crowded and fashionable audience. So large was tho audience that the rear hails were thrown open and soon Glied, The programme was an intercst- ing one, and was carried out with that perfection for which Thomas’ orchestra is conspicuous We can un- dorstand, although we do not sympathize with that captions critic of Boston who said that it was the very perfection of this orchestra that irritated him, and that he preferred the Harvard orchestra, which nevor annoyed him in that way, Criticism is almost impossible with last evening’s performance, unless we take the Boston man’s ground, but as itis its periection that we admire that would ‘be impos: bie, The first piece on the programme was the ever- ture to the ‘Magic Flute,” the opera Mozart loved so well and which be raved about on his deathbed. He would have died bappier if he could have beard it as played by this orchestra, The second piece was @ concerto for string orchestra by Handeh ‘The might was clear and cold’ and the Strings were the b possible condition. Hanael’s talent as a violinist served him well in tho construction of this concerto. In it he sows how thorouguly be appreciated all its capabiliues, which are greater Lhan those of any other msirument, Kaca movement of this concerto Was entuusiastically ap- plauded, The bits of solos were played by Messrs. Brandt and Hamm atthe violins and Mr. Bergner at the violoncelio, After all there is nothing grander in music than Beethoven, and the ‘Broica’? sympbony, played so beautifully last even- ing, proved it to apy who had doubts, There isa ragged grandeur about this composer's style that We Jind iu no one else, This smphouy in K flit major, numerically the third symphony, was the Orst great work attempted by Beetuoven alter bis deatness. In ithe displays ® more decided originality thau found in aby of bis former compositions, Beethoven at one time intended to call this symphony “Bonaparte,’’ aud the woaderful scherzo movement, about which critics havo had 80 many words, suid by some to represent the “pleasures camp life,’ while others as confidently assert that it represents the “revels of the uaburied slain,” It ts sprightly enough for the former and weird enough for the javier The performance of thi symphony was the crowning glory of tue programme, Tne house was 80 quiet while it was being played that the crackle of a programme sounded like the report of a pistol. When it was finished the applause came Joud aud strong. From Beethoven we came to his worthy successor and the only modern composer that in any way approaches him, Richard Wagner, @ introduction and quin- tetto from the third act of the *‘Meistersinger of Narnberg” was given, some of Wagner’s best music is found in this opera, and those who complain of a want of swectness in big music should bear the quin- tette of this act as sung by Miss Moss and Miss Heune aud Messrs, Remmeriz, foedt and Bersin, A seiec- tion from Liszt closed the concert. Tnis music sounded # lithic insincere coming after the earnestuess of Beethoven aud Waguer, CHICKERING HAVIrg@-HAROLD POWER’S PARLOR ENTERTAINMENT, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Power, new claimants for the favor of a New York audience, made their début last evening at Chickering Hall, before an audience not only large, but ca g@ some of the best known people in the eity, among them Judge John R, Brady, Police Commissioner Smith, Judgo Charles P. Daly and ex-Surrogate Hutchings, Mr, Power is a son of the famous Irish comedian of bygone days, ‘Tyrone and many of the persons preseni in tue audieuce lust wight cherished fund recoiections of his father, whose sud fate they do not yet cease to mourn, Mr, Harold Power proved himael! last even. ing @ Worthy son of his noted sire. His powers of mimicry, his periect action in ail the phases of the diflorent characters be assumed, showea that acting with him was nascitur non fit, Mrs. Harold Power, who assisted her busband, jairly divided the honors of the evening With him, and was brought out several times to receive the enthusiastic applause of her audience, MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES, The hit of the week at Niblo’s was the opera of “Masaniello.”” Motamora, as interpreted by Mr. D, H. Harkins, has drawn crowded houses To-vight will be given, at the Cooper Institute, the first sacred dime concert. Kellogg and Cary “conoertize’’ in Virginia City on the 6th and 7th of November, To-morrow “The Danites’’ will occupy tho boards of the Brooklyn Academy of Music. At Wood’s Theatre, Brooklyn, Remorse” has boon witnessed nightly by goodly audiences, “Mademoiselle de la Seigtiere’’ will be repeated on ‘Tuesday evening at the Theatre Frangais, Litto Mabe! Leonard plays at Touy Pastor’s Theatre to-morrow in a protean sketch written for ber, New York has rarely enjoyed a musical and ara- matic season more attractive than the presout, Mr. and Mrs J.C, Williamson are playing in “Struck OW” at the Arch Street Theatre in Philadejphia, Excellent audiences have generally filled the Grand Opera House and enjoyed the now version of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”’ Asacred concort will be given this evening at tho Théatre Frangais by tho Plantation Opera Troupe and Jubilee Singers, “Heiea’s Babies” aro still among the humorous oddities of the San Francisco Minstrels, The entire Programme is fresh and sparkling. “Pink Dominos” is said to be winning a second success at the Union Square Theatre. 1: wili be fol- lowed by *The Mother’s Secret,” Those wonderful Liliputians, the Midgets, will be exhibited to-morrow, from two till five P. M., on the corner of Fifth ayenue and Fourteenth street. ‘The 103d Piymouth Church organ concert will take Place on Saturaay, November 10, Mr. George W. Morgan, organist, will be assisted by Sefor J. EB, Sal- eedoonthe cornet « Blanche Meaa, in “Lady Blanche,” a now actri & new play, the latter a translation of Au torical drama, will be the feature at the Théitre Fran- gals to-morrow evening, Mr. 8. G, Pratt will give the second of his piano re- citations at Chickering Hall on Thursday afternoon, commencing at three o’clock, Tho tenor vocalist, Mr, G. W. Jameson, will assist him, An organ recital wiil be given at Chickering Hall on Wednesday afternoon, November 7, at three o’clock, by Mr. S. B. Whitele; sieted by the soprano, Miss M. Josephine Holcomb, and a quartet of male voices, Robert Heller and his wierd sister have entered on the fifth week of thoir Boston engagement. They will remain there five weeks longer aud thon open the new Fifth Avenue Hail, in Twenty-fourth street, this city, A series of Saturday afternoon performances for the entertainment of the litte folks are to be begun at Association Hall. The programme embraces magic, ventriloquisin, recitations and scientific reore- ations. Harrigan and Hart, in their character sketches at the Olympic, assisted by a numerous company, give an excellent entertainment. The B. P. O. Kiks’ benefit takes place at the Academy of Music on ‘thursday, November 15, Considerable interest is manifested in the appear- ance of Miss Mary Anderson, the new tragedicnne, who will inaugurate the dramatic season at the Fifth Avenue Theatre on the 12th of November, in the “Lady of Lyons.’ The New American Musoum boasts of a large col- lection of living curiosities, The ‘Mormon giant girl,” the Madagascar family, the Esau girl, the Aus- tralian busiman and Teffo, the wild boy, are among those most worthy of note, Lotta has boen engaged by Mr, Henry E. Abboy, of the Park Theatre, aud under his mavagement will, on | the 1%h of November, commence a six weeks’ tour through the New England States, and afterward play io Baltimore and Washington, Miss Helen Pottor, a young lady who {s said to possess peculiar ability as an elocutionist and imitator of celebrities, will give a number of entertainments at Chickering Hall, under the managemont of Jarrett & Palmer, commencing on the 13th prox. The efforts of Bryant's Minstrels as caterers to public enjoyment aro said to be meeting with not a little guccess, Among tho specialties are:— “Little Mao’s Rivals; Dougherty, as Demosthenes; ‘illen’s Babies,” aud Artour Bent, the cornet soloist. It should not be forgutten that Miss Clara Morris gives a benefit for the Custer Monument Fund at Wal- lack’s Theatre on Thursday afternoon, when sho will appear as Jane Eyre, with Mr. McKeo Rankin as Lord Rochester. Mr, Loster Wallack has given tho theatre tree of cost, Mr. Charles R. Thorne, Jr., Miss Fanny Morant, Miss Ida Vernon, Miss Maud Harrison and Mr, Frank Roche have gone to Baldwin’s Opera House, San Francisco, where they will produce ‘The Danicheffs,” “Ferreol,’’ “he Two Orpbans” and several other of the Union Square Theatre plays, @The additions to the tanks of the Aquarium during the past woek have been quite numerous The ish hatching department, the boa constrictor and ber progeny, the monkeys and baboons, the Water Queen’s aquatic feats and the performing dogs keep the inter- est of the visitor alive and make the entertainment always attractive The Bent Browhers constitute a quartet of cornet players, and are respectayely named Benjamin, Arthur, Frederick and Samuel, In a resent notice it was men- tioned that Mr. Arthur Bent, who divided the honors with Arbuckle at the Gilmore Garden concerts, had recentiy attached himself to Bryant’s minstrels, The latter tact is true, but it is Benjamin Bent who is &@ momber of Gilmore’s band and plays so much like Levy. A grand concert that ought to attract the lovers of good music will be given to-night at the Church of St Francis Xavier, in Sixteenth street, under the direc- tion of W. Borgé, the woll known organist, Tho musical attractions will comprise Gilmore’s band and orchestra, and the most distinguished solo artists in the city, The proceeds are to be added to the build ing fund of the new church which the Jesuit fathers are erecting. Miss Helene Menzeli is engagod in a noble work in eking to better tho condition of the destitute and paralyzed dancer, Venturoli, The bonefit which she has set oa fopt promites to be a great success, A host of volunteers have como forward to ald her, in- cluding the entiro Olympic company and orchestra and Gus Williams, of Tony Pastor’s Theatre. Messrs, Canary & Tyler have offered the {ree use of tho Olympic Theatro for the occasion. “Marriage,’? which Mr, Boucicault claims is a prac- tical defluition of comedy, is about to enter upon its sixth week at Wallack’s Theatre, Such a success at this time certainly argues an admirable proscutation, which entitles it to a goodly share of the nightly curiosity of the public, Those who are interested in the discussion of Mr, Boucicault’s challenge may per- haps stimuiate their critical ideas by going to see it, if thoy are not at the same timo thoroughly pleased. “The Mother’s Secret” is being rehearsed at the Union Square Theatre. The cust will include Mr, Charles F, Coghlan, Mr, James O'Neill, Mr, J. H. Stod- dard, Mr. John Parseilo, Mr. J. B, Polk, Mr. Georgo Giddens, Mr, H. F, Daly, Miss Katherine Rogers, Miss Sarah Jewitt, Miss Linda Dietz and Miss Mary Wells. The play is in five acts, but will show only three sets—the salon in the Palais Jasmia, the boudoir of Elise and the room in the old house at Auteuil of the Admiral Lo Pont. It will bo produced about the 12th inst. A good circus is an amusement which savors of classical times, and its enjoyment bespeaks a health- ful tendency of mind which can seek edilication in simpler themes than those to which tho stage 18 dedi- cated. Howe’s Great Loudon Show has now been in New York three weeks, und its patronage has beon vory large. Tho programme 18 changed each Mon- day, Mme. Dockrili still astonishes those who wit. ness her splendid aod charming teats of equestrian skill, Matnées are given on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for ladies and children, Henry V. bas been holding crowded court at tho New Park Theatro, Brooklyn. Rignold’s success 1s flattering; but one of bis greatest tailings 18 that be 16 not as complaisunt as he should be toa generous and indulgent public. On Tuesday evening calls were made by the audience for a repetiton of the speech of tho King betore Harfleur, It is supposed that the manager asked him to comply; but « voice high above the bu: tle of shifting scenery and huddling actors was heard from bebind the curtain and easily recognized by thoso who sat near the stage. It exclaimed ina most uogentio manner, “No! I won’t doit again! I teil you | won’t!? ‘This week will be a memorable one in the annals of Thaila in Brooklyn, ‘Rosedalo” will be revived at the New Park Theatre by Lester Wallack, with the breadth of elaboration which he has always lavished upon its presentation, Its fine quality as @ play is well known to all readers, and this costly mounting of it, on which $12,009 have been expended, will bo greoted with an eager welcome. Mr. Wallack and members of bis qwo company will fill the leading réles. Mme. Janauschek, the tragedionne, commences an ment to-morrow night at the Broadway Thea- tre in the dramatization of the famous German iliad, «The Song of the Niebelungen,” entitled “Brunhitd,”” Tho reguiar company will include Mr. F. B. Warde, Frederic Robinson (specially engaged), James Taylor, G, B. Waldron, W. J. Cogeswoli, T. Dunston, Miss Joffroys Lewis, Alice Grey, Carlotta Evelyn, Adelaide Choin and others, The Countess Modjeska, the Polish tragédienno who has recently mado such a sation on the Pacilic cuast, said to a Virginia City reporter recently — “When | came to America I merely came on a plea- sure trip, having leave of absence for two yeurs, Ton months ago I bogan to study the language, and in San Francisco 1 determined to play ‘Julie’ in English. 1 have played it often tn Polish and Russian, I felt very dubious about making a hit, and my heart sank within me whea 1 heard a number of sharp whistles coming irom the gallery as the curtain went down on the first act In Poland, when an actress is whistled at, It is 4 death blow to hor reputation, and if whe whistling ts vory pronounced she ¢: lly loaves the stage for- ever, I was greatly rolieved ou learning that these whistles really meant applause, 1 was very mach astonished and delighted. * * * I wish to remarm ‘m America two years. 1 am obliged to write a letter every three months, asking permission to extend my leave of absence, This is only a matter of formality, yet 1 must do it, Iam engaged tor life to the Rus- sian government, and it is specifisd in my contract that I am to forfeit 10,000 roubles when I leave the service of the government, “HOME” AND MR, SOTHERN. Pane Toeatne, New Your, Nov, 2, 1877. To THe Epitox ov ru® HaraLy:— Having been interviewed by a H#rap reporter som: weeks agol casually mentioned that I had written the “love scene’’ in Tom Robertson’s comedy entitied “Home,” The interview waa copied by the London Era and elicited the following somewhat offensive reply {rom Mr, T. W. 8, Robertson, the late Tom Robertson’s son:— To Tue Epitor or te Era (Loxpox):— Six—In Mr. Sotnern’s word of mouth biography of himself, which appeared in last week’s edition of the Era, be states that be wrote the love at the request of Mr, Tom Robertson, Mion I beg to give the most unquaiified ae: it likely that Mr. Tom Kobertson would hav lowad uny man to write the “Io e,’? of all scenes dn a piece of bis? Mr, Sothern’s imagination has been Known to carry him away at times, and in th considerably, 1t would not be just to my father’s memory to allow Mr, Sothern’s remark to pass un- noticed, All that he can claim for his own, as regards ‘Home,”? 4# 0 Unlimited and unnecessary number of “gags.” Apologizing for troubling you, I am, yours troy, 1. W. 3. ROBERTSON, Faaaranp TakaTre, Bisuorscatx, Wepxespay, Och , 1877, 4n response to the toregoing remarkable letter I have ouly to add that my original statement is em- phatically true, Mr. Robertson never was satisfied with bis version of *Home,’’ and on several occasions appealed to me to make such alterations and improve- ments as might be suggested. I[ did so, and the “love Scene,” in the second uct, with the excoption of a few lines, is the result, That it likewise proved a success is atvested by the commendation which it he jery- where received when played. The part which I act in “Home” requires no * * and would not admit of them, Hence the reference to theterm by Mr, T. W. 8, Robertson {# uncalled for and offensive, I have too large an admiration for the memory of the dead author to say a word that could be construed as a ro- flection on bis memory, but justice to myself requires that [ should contradict the misstatements and co rect the ignorance of bis son. Tue following uuso- licited note from my friend, Mr. Lester Wallack, will doubtiess sut the matter at res WatLack’s Taxatax, Oct. 29, 1877, My Dear Sornken—Permit me to bear testimony to the trath of your statement with regard to the jute 1om Robertsou’s play of “Home.” The “ove scene” in the second act was conceived and written vy you. This Mr. Robertson told me himself, And when you so kindly gavo me the printed book of the comedy your scene was inserted in the MSS., and a Capital scene it is, Always yours truly, LESTER WALLACK. T have only to add that Mr, Tom Robertson not un- frequently fell abort of his own ideai in his work. His play of “David Garrick,” as can be proved by Mr. J. B. Buckstone, the manager of the Theatre Royal Haymarket, London, was Ijterally unsutiable for rep- resentation until he and I rewrote a considerable part of it, and even now lam from time to time en- gaged in making further improvement. The manner of Mr. T. W. 8. Robertson in addressing the public demands explanation, aud until it is made he cannot worthily wear the title of a gentleman. I am, sir, yours obediently, E. A, SOTHER HAS THE SUCCESS OF MR. JEFFERSON'S RIP VAN WINKLE BEEN A GAIN TO ART OR A Loss ? To tux Eprror oy tae Hrratp:— The fuct that Jefferson is tmmonsely successful in “Rip Van Winkle,” that he draws vast throngs and renews the origimal furor croatoed by that single part at cach engugement, may bea good enougk practical aud worldly and businesslike reason for his not play- ing any other; but art bas claims on a@ great actor which ho ought to satisty at any cost, 1¢ makes true lovers of perfect theatrical portraiture almost despair to think (bat but one of Jefferson’s unequalled master- pieces can be seen by this generation, and, after this generation, be scen no more—we who live in the same days with this grand delineator—tols painter of naturo, who,is at once Rembrandt and Messonier, grandly impressive and exquisitely Anished—that we cannot enjoy his genius to the full and feast on all hia works. What, after all, should it matter to him und his manager if the experiment of presenting Jet ferson im some of his other parts be attended with fluapcml risk while “kip Van Winkle’ is sure of its $2,000 a night! I have known Mr. Daly to tuke all such risks for the sake of art, Shakespeare 8 stage, but “Twelfth Night,” “alerry Wives of Windsor,” You Like it,” “Love's Labor's Lost,’ ‘Cymbelin “Much Ado About Nothiog,’? and many otner re of the Au- gustine age of the drama in New York attest the young manager’s fondness tor what ig rare and choice ae well as what is remuuerative. He even went further, and in Yorick aud Vesta gave spe- cimens of modern and French tragic school, “Good Natured Mau,” Centhivre’s “Busybody, ‘ne Lnconstaut,’” “Wives us They Were," aud maby another gem of pure ray therevofure hidden iu the cavern of antiquity, ull to the giory aud profit of art if uot to the filling of his treusury. ‘It is to such & manager when he presents Jeflersun to us that we may look tor the gratification of artistic desire. Ob, lor a season of the good old pieces wuien live in the ories of thuse wii Jetlerson ‘Twenty y 20, When he was fresh to our s.axe, be made the fortunes of Laura Keene's theatre by hit contribution of delicious drollery, aid then for w brief season irradiated the Winter Gar den Theatre, How bis Doctor Paugioss in the “Heir at Law’? steps into our remembrance, with bis buckles, queue and cane! Whois so bappy a8 to have seen lis Diggory in the “Spectre Beidegroom,” aod can forget the hut thut seemed raised upon bis stiffening hairs ut the bare suggestion that the party “who died afore Lgot there” had just been seen in tue flesh walking about ag if nothing bad huppened? Or, when tue supposed ghost entered at dead of night how Diggory’s convulsive contortions ended by dropping his head in the punch bowl? What @ Jacques Strop be was! What a miraculously small cap aod prodigious and voluminous overcoat he bad! How nia knavery ana cowardice were but broad fun and jollity! Over tue water he gave our cousins Golightiy in “Lend Me Pive Shillings,” and they were so enraptured that they hud to" telegraph per ocean cable, along with war news au politics, how good it was, But I don’t believe he gave them tue quack doc- tor, That performance might have averted the war, 1 know that two enemies could not ace as I saw him ao it, without instantly muking up 80 as to enjoy it togetber. How Jeflerson introduces strangers to ouch other every night! Iwo icy, reservod, respect- able ana gloomy peopie buy thoir seats and sit noxt uch other, They relax, they unbeud, they suddenly find themselves luughing aloud—tun must have company —they turn to each other, ‘Capital, en?” Costly poot to set ont jendid!’? and they are bowing acquaintances ever aud I know He does this in “Rip Van Wiki he can do it in anything, Give u: im “Phe Spittire,’’ and look for ‘Ali Luese are ug so many lovely pictures by a master hid away 10 Home jealous counoisseur’s storeroom. Bring them out wod get tham ina good light. Critics and amaieure bave praised them, They are no more doubtiul nor uncertain of fuyor than glorious Rip is. Mr, Boucicault wou’t want @ definition of comedy when he sees them, but will enjoy his fellow acior’s great triumph as well as the least of us, By the way, have you net how the subtle spirit that apimates Kip Van Winkie makes the staugh- raun? [8 pot the latter an Irish Rip? Why should Boucieault bother himself about critics when he 18 80 great an wctor? Aw to his authorship—weil, be writes comediea, and also writes reviews proving the decline Of Ute Arama, and as bei bimsell the largest contribu. vor to the modern stage I suppose he kaows woat le ja giving us No fear of adecline o the drama while Jefferson treads #0 securely bis elevated plane; while bis bea pure and innocent mirth atiracts larger audienc than naughty French pieces. 11's a pleasure to lo at the vast theatre filled with people enjoying “Rip Van Winkle” and to know that not one of that oat throng but is the better for boing there, Yet we might have ‘Rip’ and have sometbing eise not Jess mirthiui ang pot less pure, if ot as touching and gentle as “Rip Van Winkie.”? DRAMA, THE CANADIAN VILW. {From the Quebec Mercury, Nov. 1.} The idea that the Sioux will not keep their promises: of tranquillity to the Canadian governmeut ap- pears to us to be & most gratuitous one, The Jodiangs bave good reason to beliove in white perfidy; the whites none whatever to charge thie vice upon the Indians The governments of Eng. land and the United States are thoso of internal feovlencss and external force; they are governments of execuLive Weakness and legislative strength. ‘These peculiarities, greatly @xaxgerated in the case of the United States, are most uulortunate in the interest of weak races having to deal with strong ones A gov whieh pledges itself for ite citizens and cannot swell to the reproach in them Haturully expoxes very. Dut there is nothing inthe history of the American Indians in general, of the Sioux iu par ticular, to mako their plighted faith at all douottul, They have often sown a strong sense of hovor and unwavering Hdelity, an& it is mere ignorance and impernence to wantonly assume them to bo a taith- esd race. ARREST OF A SOCIALIST, Bowtox, Mass, Nov. 3, 1877, £. H. Heywood, prominently known as a leader of the socialists in this State, was arresiod last night on a churge of circulating obscene iterature aad bailed in the sum of § 9 LITERARY CHIT-CHAT. Hurd & Houghton, New York (The Riverside Pres Cambridge), will publish eariy in November a poem en titled “Angelo,” “Stuart Sterne’? is the nom de plumd of this poet, who ts a Brooklyn young lady, Mr, James Greenwood, author of “The Adventures of a Vagabond,” is writing a special series of papert for the Hornet, descriptive of \ile in London. The Academy does not admire Mr, Habberton’s “Some Folks,” and thinks tt only necessary to satu. rate your mind with Bret Harte to be able to writs such stories as are found in that volume, W. M. Rossetti, who is perhaps the ablest editor of Shelley, reviews the new edition of his works by Mr, Forman, in @ just though critical spirit in the Academy. The first complete Knglish version of Michael An. gelo’s sonnets has been made by Mr. J, A. Symonds, The Committee of the Palestine Exploration Fund are preparing to issue, as the first instalment of their Tesults, a popular account of the whole work, whieh will be written tor them by Lieutenant Conder, “Piux 1X and the Future Pope’? is the title of a volume announced by Ruggiero Bonghi, who was for some time editor of the Milan Perseveranca and after. ward Italian Minister of Education, The work is said to contain some hitherto uppubiished churactoristic anecdotes of the Pope and of the recent and present members of the College of Cardinals, together with some important communications in conclave and the right of veto ciaimed for the Roman Catholic govern- ments, Beeton’s “Christmas Annual’? (English), for 1877, will contain sketches by Bret Harte and Max Adeler, Mr. Davenport Adams’ *Dictionary of English Lite erature’? will be publigbed early in November by Cas- sell, Pettor & Galpin, Captain Burton has just finished a book on Midian, but it will not be published until the Knedive gives bis permission. Captain Burton is about to start fon Egypt, where be will organize a party to exploro tha mines ho discovered in Midian, Mr, Gladstone bas written the preface for Dr. Schliee ™ann’s account of bis excavations at Mycenw, Mr, Talboys Wheeler bas completed bis “History of the Rise of the British Empire in the East,” as told by the government records, The Christmas number of the Gentleman's Mag azina will consist of three compiete stories: “Oid Father Time,” by R, E. Francilion; “The Pearl Snell Neck- lace,”? by Julian Hawthorne; and “Jeph,” by F. We Robinson, It will be issued on the 10th of next month. slossrs, Macmillan & Co, will shortly publish, in one crown 8vo volume, the war correspondence of the Daily News, from April to November, 1877, forming a complete history of this year’s campaign in the East, An important part of tue work will consist of letters from Mr, Archibald Forbes and Mr. J. A, McGahan. “The King of Conjurera’’ is one of the most inte. resting articles in the Novomber Harper's, Robert Houdin is the conjurer referred to, The November Lippincott contains an interesting Paper on a ‘Kentucky Duel,’ by Will Wallace Harney, and another, more imeresting, on “Loudon at Mide summer,” by Henry Jameoys, “rhe Adminietration of Abraham Lincoln,” by Gideon Wells, is the most important article in the November Galazy, The Florida New Yorker has issued the second nume ber of its second volume, tor November, at the publi- cation office, No, 34 Park row, in this city, The paper is devoted mainly to the development of the territory Of the State of Florida, It is well conducted and a succer Weare to have for the holiday season another splen- idly illustrated quarto, uniform with Rousselet’s “India” and Wey’s ‘Rome,’ entitled “The Rhine trom Its Source to the Sea,’” Mr. J. M. Spence has nearly ready his “Lands ot Bolivar; or War, Poaco and Adventure in the Repub- he of Venezuola,’” The groat Dante bibliography of Signor Ferragi has just boen completed at Bossano in four volumes, Mr. C, F, Folsom has printed in London a work on diseases of the mind, containing notes on European and American progress, and modern methods in the treatment of insanity, The third volume of the magnificent work of Do Ross Subterranean Christian Rome Described and Mlustrated,” has just appeared at Rome with fifty-two plates, Herr H. Grothe has published at Berlia a treatise on “Die Industare Amerika's,’? which expiains with numerous illustrations the history and condition of the Inventive arts andthe progress of machinery im the United States, The book is woll dono and is ono of the numerous foreign traits of tho Philadelphia Centenaial Exhibition, Tho interesting book of Messrs, Maury and Fote taine oa the “Resources of Virginia’ bas been ro- printed in Loudon, The great ‘Bibliography of Botany,” so long im course of preparation by G. A. Pritzel, has been com- pleted by the house of Brackbaus, in Leipzig. M. Timan, of Paris, appears to have anticipated “That Husband of Mine’? by a novel printed last spring, entitled “Un Mari Tout Neut.”” According to the London Spectator tho new translne tion of Tacitus by Messrs. Church and Broadribb is not only a better translation of Tacitus than hag hitherto been written in our language, but is ono which for the classical student’s requircinents is “all but perfect.” Anew book on the pyramids by Mr. Konwick, en« titled “Pyramid Facts aud Fancies,”’ is really an ox- celient guide to those wonders of the Egyptian world. Mr. Robert Giffen, of the London Board of Trade, has written @ book on tho “Price of Stock Exehanga Securities.”’ On and after the 1st of January tho North American Review will be published by Appleton & Co, in this city instead of Boston, The editorial management will remain the same, The Portfolio tor October contains, by way of illus- trations, Sir Joshua Reynolds’ “Age of Imnocence,’ etched by A. Mongin; five engravings by the brothers Beham, reproduced in fav simile by Amand Durond; “A Divided Attention,” by G, H. Boughton, photogra- vure, besides smaller prints, Tho letter press is, ag ttractive to art lovers, and Americans will be par- ticularly interested In the skotch of Mr. G. H. Bough- ton, Mr, Boughton is an Englishman by birth, baviag been born in Norwich in 1834, His parents removed to Albany, in this State, when be was quite an intant, and resided there until be was nineteen years old, He was devigned for trade, and did pass many tedious days at a bookkeeper’s desk. No was always fond of drawing, aud atan early age offered to lilus- state Shakespeare's works tor a well known pabiisbing house in this city, which offer was respectfully do- clined. Ho tried scene painting for a while, One day he dropped in at a notion store to buy some fishing tackle, and there he saw paint in tubes for the first time, It is needless to say the purpose of his money was changed, He succeeded trom the start. During his secoad visit to Europe he stopped in London with the intention of remaining there a week or so, but the week has extended to fifteen years. Mr, Boughton ta @ great favorite in hig native country as well as tho country of his adoption, and his pictures command high prices as well as the praise of the connoisseurs, NEW BOOKS RECEIVED, The Harmony of the Reformed Confessions, as roiated ta the vrosent state of evangelical t! port of au Islivered befure the Council, #6 kdinburg on the 4th of July, L877, oy Pro Philip Setaff, of tue Union Theological Sewinary of New York. Messrs Dodd, Mead & Co., Now York. Lapsed, But Not Lost, by the suthor of the Schonberg Coven Faril , embodying mauy of the wi arly struggles of the Christian Char . Messrs, Dodd, Mead & 0. ‘fs book up: 1» sabjor M. 0. ‘the Doctor pee: nts td prove the employment of this force as w curative of ease Irom ‘fest ages and the jecesses which have re ulted therefrom. Messrs, Adams, Vietor & Us, Now ork, The Book ot Eloquence, by Charles D. Warner, contains a number of carofully selec 8 in prose and vorse frow the is i of #tudents, ©. neral Bubjees of Quan Those Who Travel in 8 by Joba’ M, Wood Phitadelpiia. Jo bi Hal contains goedings at the publie eelebration of Jolin Weish centennial professorship in the University ot report of the pros endowment of the Pennsylvania on Kebraary 28, IN77. Mr. Welsh's addrons will be very acceptable Just now to Queen Victoria, as ho fot out by that sie “alo of Wellington's glory will hy as long as tho field of J.B. Lippineots & Co., of his victory js remembered.” Messrs. Register for 1878 ig a use~ , Texas. 'y is, as araal, devoted to y sud phonographers, D. Ly ne, Now York. Muste nthe House, by Joho Mullah, LL.D,, ts issued by Messrs, Porter & Voates, of Philadelphia, ay & part of the Art At Home series, I ee