The New York Herald Newspaper, November 30, 1878, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HE BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR. (Set THE DAILY HERALD, puldishal every ‘Three cents per copy (Sundays excluded). r ut a rate of one dollar per mouth for any p ix months, or tive dollams for six months, included, free of postage. EKLY HERALD—One dollar per year, free of post- ay tn the year, Sunday CE TO SUBSCRIBERS.—Remit in drafts Post Oftice money orders, and where neitler et procured send the money’ in a regi ey remitted at risk of seuder. Ju order tu insure atten subscribers wishing their address changed must give their old as well as their new address. jews letters or telegraphic despatches must w Youk Heat ages should be property sealed. Rejected communications will not be returned, Oo. 12 SOUTH SIXTH NAPLES OFFICE—N¢ STRADA PAC) Subscriptions and advertisements will be received aud forwarded on the same terms as in New York, LUI. ~ AMUSEMEN TO-NIGHT, S PARK THEATRE—Couxpy or Enxons. THEATRE COMIQUE—Lonaaunr, LYCEUM THEATRE—Josica Wintrcomn, BROADWAY THEATRE—Orr0, _ BOWERY THEATRE—D NEW YORK AQUARIU) WALLACK’S THEAT UNION SQUARE TH ACADEMY OF MUSIC BOOTWS THEATR MAN'S Grtost. Traine Hoxsis. FIFTH AVENUE THEA’ NIBLO'S GARDEN— GRAND OPERA HOU. TIVOLI THEATRE—Vanix EGYPTIAN HALL—Vawiety. ABERLE’S AMERICAN THEATRE—Vanusty. BAN FRANCISCO MINSTRELS. WINDSOR THEATR —Vaniety. BTEINWAY HALL—Oxatoxo. _ KURTZ GALLERY—Astiec BROAD ST. THEATRE, PHILADELPHTASUscie Daw WITH § “NEW YOR UPPLEMENT 7s. . SAVURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1878, The probabilities are that the weather in New York and its vicinity to-day will be cool and fair, followed by « slight rise in temperature. Lo-morrow it proinises to be cool and clear. Watr Srreer Yesrerpa he stock mar- ket was active and generally strong. Gold opened at 1001g and advanced to 10014, at which price it closed. Government bonds were firm, States higher and railroads strong. Money o2 call was easy at 3 a 31g per cent. Now Look Ovr for diplomatic difficulties. Ame is exporting lager to Germany. The Ameer’s insult to England was a mere childish freak compared with this. Tue Senators are to have an early oppor- tunity to carn their salaries. A hundred nomi- nations are ready to send in, the New York Custom House lot being among them. A New Bonp or Symvatiy unites New York and New Orleans—the people of both cities per sist in throwing garbage into the streets in spite of aj] that has lately been said here and suffered. there. THeccer, the favorite conjurer, has given his last token of submission to a magician more poewerlul and mysterious than himself; but in going into final retirement he gained rather than lost room in the esteem of his countless admirers. Arter Aub ti Tack about Mr. Murphy's immense fees for lecturing ou temperance it up- pears that twenty-four dollars ubeve his per- sonal expenses is all be has received for his New York work. Don't all apologize at once, gentlemen. Wore Au Y citizen by the grace of Judge Larremore, seems to know in what the advan- tages of citizenship consist. Ilis rewarks to our reporter had net much spread eagle in them, but they were fully enthused by the staff that really leads Americans to victory—to wit, busi- ness. A Mispiacep Swiicn in Connecticut has caused another railroad accident. Nobody was killed, but the reader is likely to think some killing might be judiciously done when he Jearns that the switchtender is also station agent and freight agent for two roads, besides being an expr and postmaster. As Was a Few Weeks Aco predicted by the Herarn. the rise of silver in the English market hos net only ended but transactions are at a standstill. Neither India bilis nor possible re- sumption of spe ie paynents in Austral sufficient te raise the price of a eommo which is glutting the markets of Europe and America, Dovetas, Wo Trestirien to ballot box s! ing in New Orleans, has refused to aceept pay where make a poli en ment for bis services as witness, El such an anomalous being would dot hero of; but when it ix realized that he tician, aud, worse still, one from Louisian thusiastic patriots will repack their sentiments and continue their pathetic search for the com- me IN Destonsrrations or LovaLry, as well as in everything else, Montreal seems determined to excel her sister cities of the Dominion, Any Enropean ruler might have been proud of the ption, ns Joyal and enthusiastic as it was regal, which the city tendered the new Gov- ernor General yesterday, and as for the vi regal what living European king ey d his couch drawn up a steep ill by pnveyance, i @ bundred lead x citizens Tur Weatnen.—The pressure mean throughout ail the distr tres of relatively high barom South Atlantic States and the other in the A rapid rise in pressure took place in the northern New England States after the depres- u that was over Nove ocean, In the western Gull aro indications of the ady from the southwest whieh way prove severe in the western Gulf, the conditions being favorable tothe development of steep gradicnts in that section, Light rains have fallen in the New England States and snow in some sections of the worthern lake In the other distriets the ‘weather has The winds ions, is above the with two cen one over the north- west, tia moved into the gious. n generally fair be have been fresh to brisk in the lake re fresh on the Atlantic coast and light elsewhere, A general rise in temperature has taken place in the western Gulf and the northern lake regions. It has fallen in the other sections. The barometer i ng rapidly on the western coasts of the British Islands, the depression hay fng moved quickly into the North Sea. The Weather in New York and iss vieinity today will be cool and fair, followed by a slight in- crease in tempernty ‘To-morrow it promises tw be cool and clear. RALD| ‘| tion of oar commerce. If we are to} | abandon all attempts to recover it, | | if Congress acquiesces in the annnal | | tribute of nearly a hundred million dollars - | coasts and harbois.” NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1878—WITH SUPPLEME The Navy of the, United States. The-annual report of the Secretary of the Navy happens this year'to-bew document of more than ordinary interest, because, in addition to the usual’ statisties and infor- mation, it corrects widesprénd misconcep- tions respecting the condition of our naval force, which is veally a great deal better than has been represented, It is satisfac- tory to learn on competent authority that our navy does not consist almost wholly of wretched old tubs and unseaworthy vessels, and that the Secretary is content, tor the present, with the meagre appropriations placed at his disposal by Congress. Secretary Thompson resembles one of those extremely capable housewives who, when a reverse overtakes her husband, has the tact, skill and good nature to ac- commodate herself cheerfully to a small in- come and to make her home nearly as pleas- ant as in a period of affluence. It is a solid and sterling merit in a public officer to be able to practice an uncomplaining economy and to make a respectable show with stinted means. Secretary Thompson possesses this merit in a higher degree than any re- cent head of the Navy Department, of any other department which | handles large sums of the public money. It is often said that a good workman does not quarrel with his tools, and the entire absence from Secretary Thompson's report of any apology founded on the smallness of the appropriations, or any complaint of the niggardly spirit of Congress, attests not only his good temper but his skill in cutting a garment according to the cloth. It is a great advantage to have a Secretary of the Navy who knows how to practice economy and exhibits no querulous dis- satisfaction with the fit of retrenchment which seized the democratic Honse of Rep- resentatives. Economy is a virtue which Mr. Thompson says nothing to discourage. His estimates for the next fiscal year are on the same modest scale as the expendi- | tures of the last. It is the tendency of his | report rather to apologize for the penurious curtailment than to find fault with it. Even with the small means at his dis- posal Secretary Thompson has been able to bring the navy into a state of tolerable efficiency. He has at present thirty-four vessels in commission, all of which are in a condition for active service except the Gettysburg, now in the Mediterranean squadron, which needs more repairs than it would be economy to make, The with- drawal of the Gettysburg will reduce the number of vessels to thirty-three which are in commission as cruisers and need no immediate repairs. There are six others now undergoing repairs which can be refitted for service in a few months, which will increase the thirty-three to thirty- nine. There are thirteen others requiring more extensive repairs, but which can be put in condition without any increase of the appropriations; and the effec- tive cruising force will then be forty-seven steam and five sailing ships, making fifty- two in all. The Secretary also points out resources for casily increasing our naval force to ninety-one vessels | im case of an emergency. This is a much | better showing than anybody supposed possible previous to the publication of this | annual report. Many of the vessels built | during the war have become utterly worth- less, owing to the haste with which they were | constructed of unseasoned timber. These are not worth repairing, and the Secretary recommends that they be sold. It is per- haps the decayed condition of this part of the navy that has produced the impression that we are almost destitute of seaworthy vessels, There is a sense of relief in find- ing that Secretary Thompson is able to give so reassuring «n account of the actual con- | dition of the navy. The Secretary does not attempt to disguise | the necessity for a large increase of the | navy wher we shall have recovered our lost mercantile marine. He laments, as every | citizen with any sense of national pride or any true conception of national interest must lament, the loss of | our merchant ships since 1861, and the fact that we are now paying the enormous sum of ninety million dollars per | annum to foreign shipowners for freights. | When we shall Lave rehabilitated our shat- tered navigation interest, of which we were 86 justly proud in its palmy days, we shall need an increase of the navy for the protec- or to toreign shipowners for services which the maritime. spirit of our own people | qualify them to perform, and which they | | did perform when the extent of our naviga- | tion was a national boast: if we are perma- | nently to snbmit to this loss and humilia- | | tion, then, as Secretary Thompson justly | | remarks, we shall need no navy for the | | protection of our commerce, and ‘‘we shall | | be left to decide the future of our navy with | | reference only to the possibility of war with | foreign Powers and to the means of our na- | | tional defence by proper protection to our | j For the latter pur- pose torpedoes aud torpedo boats might | suffice, and a faise economy might restrain that efficient preparation for war which is | the surest guarantee against its occurrence | | and the best means of shortening its dura- ‘tion and abridging its expense when it | comes, It would be a pnsillanimous and piti- ful policy to abandon all hope of recovering | our commerce and thus relieve ourselves | of the expense of a respectable navy to protect it, Such a loss of energy | }and national spirit would betoken |} the decay and carly downfall of onr | institutions, which are only snited to a peo- | ple fall of pride, buoyancy and hope, and | abounding in enterprise and courage. What | a degeneracy it would imply in our na- | | tional character if with onr unmatched re- | Sources, our vast exports, our thonsands and | thousands of miles of seu coast, our numer- ous and capacious harbors, and the sea- | faring tendeneies of our people, we shouid sink into supine apathy on the subject of oar commerce aud navigation, and abandon | ow navy becanse we had ceased to have any use for'it ! The sentiment of national pride and | sense of national interest, in neither of Which our people are deficient, recoil | given in the Heraip to-day. | scientific against the very supposition of such abasement. ‘There are good excuses for having spent but little money on the navy for the last few years. The uni- versal stagnation of business has required economy, and the new experiments in naval architecture by foreign governments have justified delay until we can learn what are to be the most approved models for ships of war. Secretary Thompson is wise in keeping down his estimates for the present; but with the revival of prosperity, which seems to be dawning, our people will insist on measures for the recovery of our lost shipping and on an adequate navy for its protection, Conversations of Bismarck. Some additional extracts from Busch’s re- port of the conversations of Bismarck are They are characterized by the same keen discovery of the very essence of the subject dealt with and the fierce and downright expres- sion of extreme opinions that have been noted as distinguishing previous excerpts from the same volume, They are the opinions of a man with his foot on other people’s heads, and who scorns, and _ ostentatiously scorns, to square his views with any convention- alities that might for a moment rein in the utterance of his malice or impa- tience or spleen, They are filled in great degree with a sort of braggart declamation that cheapens them somewhat, bnt they give wonderfully accurate pictures of the light in which a man of robust mind re- gards some of the most distinguished and respected humbugs of the time. Perhaps the loud and imperious tone of these say- ings is in some degree fictitious—a consequence of the point that seems to blurt all these uncomplimen- tary phrases into the very faces of the men constantly referred to. But it is to be remembered that they were spoken privately, and it is not the Prince who de- fies all the people he has ever met by this publication. Busch received authority to print, it is said, but upon the pledge that he would not print for yet thirty years. He preferred, however, to gét out his volume while it would sell and he was alive to get the proceeds. He was evidently one man that Bismarck did not thoroughly see through. What Became of the Money? The facts connected with the settlement made by the Counsel to the Corporation in the Rogers and Jones suits, and with the reticence observed by the parties engaged in the negotiations as to the disposition made of the larger portion of the sum paid by the city to secure such settlement, were published in the Hrraup two weeks ago. The suits were settled, it will be remem- bered, by the payment of $50,000 by the city, nominally to Rogers and Jones, but those parties received only $9,000 of the money, their agent retaining $1,000 tor his own services, All they know, and all that any person connected with the affair seems willing to say, is that the remaining $40,000 went for ‘‘legal and other expenses.” But the counsel of Messrs. Rogers and Jones re- ceived only $10,000, and there is an absolute refusal to say what disposition was made of the remaining $30,000. We differ from the attorneys in the case, who express the opinion that the question, What became of this money? is u private matter which does not warrant investiga- tion or justify newspaper criticism. The case is very different from one in which the parties interested are private individuals, ‘Iwo points that directly concern the people of New York ere involved—first, whether the settlement was an honest one and the best that could be made for the city; and next, whether the money unaccounted for, or any portion of it, was paid to any city officer or employé. It seems certain that if an honest disposition was made of the missing money there can be no cecasion to envelop it in mystery. If the interference of the press is to be regarded as an impertinence, as one lawyer intimates, the parties to the trans- action have only themselves to blame for the annoyance. But the present city char- ter makes it a felony for any person to give or promise a fee or a reward to a city officer with a view to inflnencing his action in any cause or proceeding in which the city is concerned, or for any city officer to accept such gift or promise, Certainly this whole- some provision of law must be a dead letter if a transaction as open to suspicion as this Rogers and Jones settlement is to be re- | garded as an illegitimate subject ot investi- gation and of newspaper discussion, Experiments in Clairvoyance. Professor Parkhurst’s interesting letter detailing an attempt to test the clairvoyant powers ot Miss Fancher, the Brooklyn lady whose strange case has aroused a iora of curiosity which seems latent in every man and woman, is the most important paper yet called forth by the discussion of this case. It seems hardly probable that a man of bent and methodical business habits, as the writer of the letter is known | to be, could have been deceived at any stage | of the experiment, the details of which he gives so minutely to the public, and it is equally improbable that any of his assist- ants could have been familiars of the lady and thus unconscionsly assisted her to that second = sight which, | under certain conditions, seems possible through the eyes of another. The supposed clairvoyant reading of Miss Fancher was imperteet, which is @ peculiarity of all at- tempts at second sight; but this fact is ather of the nature of proof than disproof, if there is any real connection between ex- hausted physical force ond unusual mental n, as has sometimes been argued by materialists, who deny that there is any- thing more in clairvoyance than is ex- plicable upon physical grounds, While the intelligent public will wish the lady good riddance of the swarms of inquirers who be- set her without respect tor her teeble health, it will also hope that some com- petent person or persons may be allowed opportunity for investigating a case whieh, if all that it is said to be, is of excoptional importance in its relations to physical and | mental science, walof”’s Mission to London. Undoubtedly the conference reported between Count Schouvaloff and Lord Salis- bury was important; -but whether its tone and the conclusions reached are correctly indicated in the rumors current in London and which are reproduced in our de- spatches is somewhat doubtful. From the nature of such an interview it ought to be safe to assume that no real knowledge of it could get abroad except from an official statement, and in that case the knowledge would come in a different shape; but so many things which should be secret get out in London nowadays —indiseretions are £0 frequent and remarkable—that it will not do toassume that the ramors are wild fictions on thataccount. Salisbury is presented inthe rumor as assuming a very lofty tone with the Russian Ambassador, and, in fact, send- ing him home ‘with a flea in his ear,” and the world has seen that Salisbury is apt to give himself airs of that sort precisely at the time when it would be wise for him to proceed in another style; so that the rumor if invented is invented in character. Only this Minister, if any in Europe, would go aside to express his surprise that an ambas- sador should venture upon ‘useless en- deavors” to change British policy; to make a remonstrance, in fact, implying that the representative of a sovereign Power had laid before Her Majesty’s government prop- ositions which he had nota moral right to present. In case it be true that Count Schouvaloffs errand to London has ended in failure this does not merely mean that England has nobly reiused to be tempted by Kussiai nto some vile trickery against the Berlin Treaty, as Salisbury’s lecture would imply, but it means that an effort to reach an understund- ing between Russia and England, so that points of difficulty that have arisen in re- gard to the enforcement of the Berlin ‘Treaty might be amicably adjusted, has come to naught. Count Schouvaloff went to Lon- don from Livadia by way of Vienna. At Livadia he was put in _ possession of the Russian Emperor's ideas on the treaty and on the points it has failed in, and was perhaps instructed exactly as to the limits within which Russia would accept an adjustment of the difficult points, He conferred with Count Andrassy at Vienna on these points, and did not carry beyond Vienna, perhaps, demands rejected there. He has presented at London, there- fore, the propositions of the Czar, to which Austria is not inimical, and as he is the Russian peace party he has softened them, perhaps, down to the last possible point to secure their acceptance, If they have been rejected, and with an assumption of insult- ing superiority, the tranquillity of Turkey for this year is not assured. The War Department. Ina time when we are at peace with all the world, except the Indians, the primary function of a war department becomes of small account; and yet the reader will find inthe report of Secretary McCrary many points of interest. His general account of the state of the army, and. especially of its improvement in respect to the number of desertions, from the time when about one- third of the whole army deserted in a single year, is gratifying. By the way, we doubt if any larger proportion of deserters than that’ from the United States Army in 1873 was ever reported inthe history of any army since that famous desertion in Egypt reported by Herodotus. ‘‘Hard times” has changed that, for men hold on now to any place where they are sure of support, and ‘hard times” further bas done some service as far as the army is affected by putting within reach of the recruiting sergeant men of a sort he never sees when industries flourish. Several excellent recommendations are made in this report which it is to be hoped may receive the favorable consideration of Congress. One is for a law under which a thousand Indian scouts can be employed beyond the number of men to which the army is restricted, and another is for the modification of the law by which it is for- bidden to use the army as a posse comi- tatus. That has been found a great evil in some frontier districts ; and as the law was made for the supposed benefit of the people in the Southern States it would be well to modify it for other points. noteworthy suggestion is for authority and means to print the documentary records of the history of the war now in possession of the government. These important contri- butions to the history of the war can thereby be made accessible to the people, and this suggestion will assuredly ‘find | favor if Congress is fairly representative of popular opinion. A Thanksgiving Present. The Lighth Avenue Railroad corporation made its conductors happy on Thanksgiv- ing Day by generonsly fixing their pay at $1 61 per day, thus according them the liberal advance of one cent a day over and | above the wages of the city laborer, as ad- justed by ex-Mayor Wickham. To be sure, the pay of the Eighth avenue conductors prior to Thanksgiving was $1 75 per day ; hence their tarkeys were flavored with the sauce piquante of a fourteen cent redaction of their former salary. But then it might have been fifteen cents, in which case they would have been on a par, as to remunera- tion, with the city laborer under the Wick- ham scale, although their working hours are nearly double. They have cause for re- joicing and gratitude in the generous ac- tion of the corporation in bes.owing upon thein the additional one cent. The corporation finds that living is cheaper now than it wasn few years ago, There has been a general reduction in prices. Horses that used to cost the com- pany $150 or $200 can now be purchased for But the most | | | | | dered by our veteran opera goers, | $75 or $100, and oats that were worth $1 50 | a bushel now cost 30 cents, Conductors who received $2 500 day only a short time since can now manage to live on $161. But, then, it’s a poor rule, as the old saying goes, that will not work both ways, and we have not yet learned that the Kighthavenue or any other street railroad corporation in New York has yet reduced its rate of fare in consequence of its own diminished ex- penses, Indeed we find, on the contrary, that children who formerly rode free ou the Eighth avenue cars ave, under certain cir- | Italy, to Miss Marianna, danghter of H. H. Cook, of | he now feels mach | time | singing an cumstances, now to pay full fare.» The people pay the same amount fora passage now that the conductors are put on their Thanksgiving salaries of $1 61 a day as they | did when those deserving employés received $2 50, and when horses and oats cost from twice to four or five times their present pur, chasable value, Shall Grant Be King of Bulgaria? From Philippopolis to a London paper H comes the report ‘that General Grant has | been proposed for the Bulgarian throne,” and the report is said to rest ‘on the highest authority.” Perhaps it is not true, and perhaps if such a throne were offered him Grant would decline the honor. If an American were compelled to live in Bul- garia he would naturally want to be king in self-defence, for in any other position | life in that country would not be endurable | toa man bred in this country. But, then, | no American is compelled to live in that country, and would not do it from choice for the mere sake of getting into a flimsy, rick- ety, temporary throne. For a man toaccept a throne in Europe just now would perhaps vitiate his life insurance, and a Bulgarian throne would render him no equivalent, and we do not believe that any American citizen would be so flagrantly Incking in duty to his family, Could the Bulgarians induce Grant to come to Tirnova and take | charge of their brand new monarchy it would bea lucky day for them. It has o!ten been thought that he would make a good king, | and we believe he would—in Bulgaria, He has the qualities that the man must have | who is to restore order, peace and pros- | perity to that distracted and unhappy coun- try. But it is doubtiul whether the powers that be want order there just yet, and therefore it is not likely they want Grant. Moreover, it is not certain that we can let | them have him ; we may want to use him ourselves, A Rural Difficulty. Dialect poets and romancers will do well to pack their writing materials, leave the Western border and hurry to Kentucky, for they never found grimmer material in the Sierras or on the Plains than is suggested by our despatch this morning from Lexington, Ky. Men who lead horses into their own domiciles and shoot their loving wives who object to such additions to the family circle are not to be found every- where, and should the writers or the public imagine that because the Kentuckians who have been conducting the dispute sub- sequent to the death of the protesting housekeeper are too far from railroads and telegraphs to be up with the times, we in- vite their calm consideration to the fact that these ‘apparently isolated citizens have found means of fully providing them- selves with rifles and revolvers of the must approved modern patterns. Whether or no we are to have a Breathitt county school of literature, thera can be no doubt that a live missionary might find a rich lead down there, PERSONAL INTELLIGENCE, General W. $8. Hancock is in Chicago. Senator Allison, of Iowa, ia in Chicago, In Chicago water is called fiat whiske; Governor Vance, of North Carolina, is a joker. Ned Stokes has mining adventures in Nevada which will make him a resident there. Vice President Wheeler, Judge James and several Congressmen visited the Custom House yesterday. Senator William W. Eaton, of Connecticut, and Count Dandini de Sylva, of Italy, are at the New York Hotel. No one ever thinks of speaking of a poor minister without alluding to his nine children, Why is this? Why nine ? Senators Henry B. Anthony, of Rhode Island, and William H, Barnum, of Connecticut, are at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, ‘The Polynesians’ idea of God is of one who has power, not goodness. How far are they from the ideas of a good many Christians ? General C. D. MacDongall, of Auburn, United States Marshal for the Northern District of New York, was married on Thanksgiving Day, at Rome, New York city. The condition of Mr. Frederick Gye, who accident- ally shot himeelf while gunning, on Thursday, was considered precarious last night, but the shot wero later successfully extracted trom Mr. Gye’s «ide, and lieved, London World:—“The reputation of Mr. James Me- Nair Whistler for bons mote and caustic sayings ix in- | creasing daily, Here is the latest story:—A lady, seated next the great color symphonist at dinner, was extolling the versatility of the newly elected P, R. A. ‘such a wonderful man,’ said she; linguist—can converse fiuently in six or seven languages! Arawled James. ellent public speaker, with a great flow of language,’ wuld the lady. ‘Ye-es,’ drawled James, sculptor, You recollect his ,roup in the Academy lust year? said the lady, There was a momentary ‘Paints too,’ drawled James, dreamily play- fe-es," silence. ing with the white feather, AMUSEMENTS. Albyrti.... Un Aratde. Cavatiert | . Mile. Minnie Hank opera has not been performed in New York since the year 1871, and it was therefore natural that ayreat audience, one that filled the Academy from parquet to upper gallery, should assemble last night tu enjoy its old fainiliar melodies and at the same | ave its presentation by the artista now | © Mr, Maploson’s imauagement with those who have pi led them and are still remem. Strange as im he the assertion, “Robert le Diable’’ is the product of one of the gloomiest periods in the life of its com- poser, the yreat Meyerbeer, He married in 1827, but | the subsequent death of two ebildren saddened his natureand made hitn almost a recluse, It was in this condition of mind that he broaght forth the compo- sitions of a serious cast that have so highly distin- guished him ax a composer of sacred m such as the “Stabat Mate ““Miserere,"” * and several oratorios, These, however mere shalows when contrasted with the brillia ste cous of “Robert” when it was first put on the Parisian stag,e in 1891. Its muate did more toward oputation of Meyerbeer than all of his pre its bew vlies and, above it seized im- ly marke Tucdiate hold ‘of the wes and beean Of the per- last night it is only just to remark that iu many re pe cts it was admirable, but not in every way colonlated to please th who have an inconvenient habit of remembering: sented in York be ore, ‘The Roberto ot Signor Campantni di es the highest praise. Physically and facially he was a handsome personation of the hero, and acted the part with adramatic strength that would have been noticeable, even without the complement of his superb voice, His “Sorte amica ate 1’ affide;” the frio with Aliee and Bertramo, commencing “Los guardo immobile,” “Il loco e questo,” were all handsomely given. In fact, it’ ia difficult to select & passage ‘an admirable | ‘A most ex: | ‘A splendia | k rye ‘ion To Tecetn was assigned the part in he seored honor by his sing of the well known solo, “Regnava’ un Tempo in Nor mandia.”” Signor Fyli as Bertramo had much hard work to do, and nis splendid basso has jon been heard to better advantage. It ix not always safe to judge of the ability of an artist by his appearance in only one or two characters, and the merit of Signor Foli hax awaited just such an oppor- tunity as the part resent. Miss Minnie Hauk sang in the of Alico with her well known taste, also acted the character with 4 comprehen- of its dramatic requi ents that indicated her close study, Her # ‘anne’ (Gounod), in the first act, and ‘iar la Normandia,’’ were among the vocal triumphs of the evening. Mlle. Lido per- sonated Isabella, and to ber fell mune f the trying music of the opera. In the song berte, o th adoro” she was not as effective as er prede- cessors, owing toa luck of dramatic fire and oa, Dut she nevertheless exhibited the result of tine culttre und was warmly applauded. She has a sweet but not at all times an emotional or sympathetic voice. ‘1 chorus was excellent, and the ballet, under the direction of Mile. ' Cavalazzi, was made & feature of the performance, especially in that part of it where, by her wiles xhe captivates Roberto in the cavern of the demons. ‘The orchestra, under Signor Arditi, interpreted the graceful melodies of Meyerbeer in an exquisite man- ner, and even without accompanying Opera would have afforded a treat to the most critical audience, ‘The performance did not end until a few moments before mid night. NUE THEATRE, ‘dwin Booth R. “RICHARD I Richard If Duke of Yor! Duke of Lancuster...... vr, Juines Peakes r1 of Salisbury, j fertia George Middleton ed Carlile, fF aries Dade W. R. Raynor bert Hari + Furman ¢ Henry Groom Gagler, 2.) Isabel, Quee Duche's of ¢ ‘\ Hen Cumm Miss Alice Gray Lords, ladies. heralds, officers, de, An adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Richard II.” was given last night, before an appreciative audience, by Mr. Booth and the Fifth Avenue Theatre company. The leading actor's conception of the title réle waa consistent with itself, and presente] with that eon. scicutious, painstaking intelligence that marks al of Mr. Booth’s efforts, while the force which informed certain scenes was most heartily recognized by the audience. The “make-up” of Richard was thoroughly artistic and kingly. ‘To see and hear “Richard II." as it was given last night is to be compelled to wonder, even while we ad- mire, whether Shakespeare has much standing among actors as a dramatist. ‘The scissors have been used so industriously that a very good knowl+ edge of the English history of the time is necessary to a comprehension of the piece at all. All this may be necessary to the extreme portrayal of Richard’s character as Mr, Booth comprehends it, and little or none of this would any audience like to lose, yet if the motive of a drama is to be developed in a manner truly dramatic and with due regard to the laws of dramatic proportion, this latest adaptation of “Richard” is too strongly suggestive of a monologue to be acceptable. Richard is presented as a figure, with the merest apology tor # background, whereas in the original he is merely tho central figure of a rich and harmonious composition, in which there is nothing without dramatic merit. There will be con- siderable doubt, too, among readers as to whether the text justifies Mr. Booth in his ideal of Bichard’s character, To a majority of readers it has appeared that the Richard of the drama was far more than himself; he was a type of that vast body of human- ity which, imperio reckless and selfish whilo successful, come in adversity to a knowl of their own better nature and allow it to assert its rightful pre-eminence, or at least to serve asa hght under which to view the past and endure the retributive present. Mr. Booth's Richard in adver- sity becomes philosophical, but never loses his petulance, or ceases to complain, by implication, of his fate. His conviction of the divine right of kingship remains to the end as intense us that of the Comte de Chambord. Ot the cast there is, thanks or blame to scissors, but little to be said; for, except in the first act, there is nothing of importance to be said or done by any one. The Duchess of Gloster appears only on the playbill, and even Bolingbroke, Richard's successor, has but a few words t> say after the quarrel with Norfolk, with which the piece opens. Mr. Mordaunt made an impressive looking Gaunt, and delivered the dying specch with a force which ‘was not that peculiar to the occupants of deathbeds, REHEARSAL OF THE ORATORIO SOCIETY AT STEINs WAY HALL, Handel's ‘Alexander's Feast’ and Mendelssohn's “114th Psalm” were selected by the Oratorio Society for its initial effort of the season, and a public re- hearsal of these works was given yesterday afternoon, Handei’s setting of Dryden's ode had not been per formed here in nearly a decade, and to the present generation it is almost an entire novelty. It, as Mr. Taine has enthusiastically written, the ode is “a masterpiece of rapture and art,” it cannot be said that the music is born as well both of inspiration and art. It is finished, as is all of Handel’s later work. It is ripe with the best fruits of his experience and talent; but it is not fred by the burning touch of genius. It appeals to the intellect in @ igh degree, but it never, or almost never, touches the heart. None but a great composer could have written the work, and few could have #0 Shigeo reflected the spirit of the verse in the music. While, therefore, the music always interests it never deeply impresses the listener, and there are times when it seems almost tedious. erform: ance was, fora rehearsal, re: smooth. Mist Helen Ames sang, on the whole, better than at any of her previous appearances here, Her highnotes were artistically and effectively delivered, and all of her music was sung with style. Her enunciation is, as yet, indistinct, and she seemed yesterday not to know her part without following her book closely, Mr. William Courtney is at his best in oratorio music, and, spite of # little hoarseness, he rendered his music with @ finish and fervor not often sur passed, Mr. Franz Reinmertz sing in his usual forcible but not especially refined manner, giving the well known air, “Revenge, Revenge,"’ however, with an admirable appreciation of its trae —_ The chorus was not very large and not very well balanced, Dnt it was very good, which is perhaps more to the purpose. ‘Tho tenors and all the other parts will, of have & better representation at the concert. he “Lith Psalm,’ by Mendelssohn, following the Handel work, was magnificently sung, the chorus doing its best work in this great number, The or- chestra played well, but not so well as we had b | after hearing it at the first symphony concert. The hall was not crowded. The music public of New York is not numerically strong enough to carry all the enterprises along that offer, especially if some are offered inopportunely, as of late has been the case, The Oratorio Society is worthy of # generous support, and such occasions should be selected for its appearances an will not clash with other offerings popularly more attractive. Had Dr. Damrosch waited until Christmas week he would have had a fairer op- portunity for the successful career of his season of oratorio, MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES, ‘The Williamsons end their engagement this evening in “Yulie,”” ‘The first concert of the Oratorio Society takes place this afternoon at Steinway Hall. Reméuyi, Frapolli, Galassi, Pisani and Parodi will appear conjointly at Booth’s Theatre to-morrow night. “That Lass o' Lowrie's" will be repeated at Booth’s ‘Theatre this afternoon and evening. Thus far the play has drawn well, Matinée performances will be given at all of the theatres to-day. There is scarcely anything on the boards that is not worth seeing. ‘The last appearance of Mile. di Murska at the Grand Opera House for the prevent will be made to-morrow evening. Gilmore's Band furnish the orchestral music, ‘The last performances of Barnum’s Circus at Gil- | more’s Garden will be given this afternoon and to- night. ‘Those who have missed an excellent enter- tainment of the kind should avail themsclves of these opportunities, M. Keményi, at his matinée at Steinway Hall this afternoon, will give Schubert's “Divertissement é la Hongroise,” Ernst’s ‘Othello’ fantaisie, Mendels- sohn's “Serenade” and “Spring Song," and Paganini’s Japriccios,”" Mme. Constance Howard, Miss Emily Winant, Mr. William Courtney aud Mr, F. Dulcken will be the assisting artists. The performances at the Lyceum Theatre this afternoon and evening end the lovadle and interest. ing personation of Josh Whitcomb in New York. ‘The company opens next Monday in Rochester for three days, then goes to Philadelphia for two weeks, and moves from that city to Boston, where an ete gagement of four weeks has been made, Afterward the organization will play its way westward and reach California in June, ‘Joshua Whitcomb” has pow presented’ in this city ninety-three times. At first he trembled in the balance, but as the people learned to know him they rallied to his support, until at the close they found it frequently impossible to obtain seata, It must be pleasurably painful for o manager to leave w great metropulis under these cir whereiu Campanini s yoice was prominent in which cumstances,