154 Four-i7i-Hand m Britain. 



The Prima Donna said she had never before heard an 

 organ so grandly played, and she knows. The manage- 

 ment of the left hand in the fugue she declared wonder- 

 ful. It is best to give the best for the masses, even in 

 music, the highest of our gifts. John Bright has made 

 most of his speeches in this hall, but it is no longer large 

 enough for the Liberal demonstrations, and a much 

 larger structure has been erected. ' 



We are behind in providing music for the people, but 

 it says much for the progress of the Republic in these 

 higher domains, from whence come sweetness and light, 

 that the greatest tragic singer, Frau Materna, said to a 

 friend that she would tell Herr Wagner upon her return 

 that if he wished to hear his greatest music performed 

 better than ever it had been before he must come to 

 New York. Alas ! even as I re-write these pages comes 

 the sad news that we can reap no more from that genius. 

 He has made his contribution to the world, and a noble 

 one it is, rejoicing many hearts and lifting many above 

 their surroundings to exquisite enjoyments beyond ; and 

 now he closes his eyes and vanishes ; the long day's task 

 is ended and he must sleep. 



To-night the Symphony Society substitutes for an- 

 other number of their programme his Funeral March. It 

 will seem like a voice from the grave not a dry eye, nor 

 a cold heart will be in the house. A soul has taken 

 flight to whom we are under obligation, which must in- 

 crease and increase the longer we live, for it has given 



