FOREST AND STREAM. 


270 
oo 
aut and @rama. 
GOSSIP OF THE WEEK. 


BY T. B. THORPE. 
HE opera under the management of Mr. Strakosch 
has, for the last week, been a continued surprise 
anda sort of apparent success. The glamor, however, 
does not conceal the fact that, while we have had more 
good artists of fair ability at one time on the stage, and 
consequently smoothe and more complete performances 
than heretofore, there stands out the usual and melancholy 
rumor that financially the entire season, so far, and to the 
end, will be a decided failure. It is difficult for lay mem- 
bers to understand the charm of running in debt for the ben- 
efit of these foreign singers, but still more difficult to get 
at the way money is obtained finally and easily to settle the 
bills, for we are not aware that any operatic season ever 
closed in any other way than in disaster. But the mana- 
gers keep on the uneven tenor of their ways, and go to 
Europe in the summer to ransack every important capital 
for ‘‘distinguished artists,” which, when found, are im- 
ported in the fall to this city to fill up the hotels and small 
boarding-houses in the vicinity of the Academy of Music 
with colonies of persons, the majority of whom look like 
organ-grinders enjoying a holiday in not unclean but juanty 
clothing. The professional ‘‘critics” meanwhile sharpen 
up their pens and commence, and continue indefinitely, 
long articles for the press that have, as a rule, the same 
amount of real information as a string of onions without 
its continuity, yet like the onions, capable of bringing 
tears to the eyes of any experienced opera-goer or any 
good musician. And so goes on this struggle, the really 
interesting part being the opportunity it gives to ‘‘wicked 
men” of seeing congregated hundreds of New York ladies 
in full dress, presenting a combination of rare taste, rich 
costumes, splendid surroundings, and surpassing personal 
beauty excelling any similar gathering in the wide world. 
Speaking of the sex, we propose for a moment to allude 
to the two most interesting that have appeared this season 
—not among the audience—but before the footlights. We 
allude, of course, to Mme. Nilsson and Miss Cary. We 
have no desire to detract from the artistic reputation of 
Nilsson, when we say, that from the day she was an- 
nounced as engaged for our market, she has been the best 
managed operatic recipient that ever honored us witha 
visit. A great many superficial-thinking people go into 
ecstacies over the wonderful sagacity of Barnum as a man- 
ager, but the business man of Mme. Nilsson has far sur- 
passed ‘‘the Phoenix” in all legitimate and allowable prac- 
tices. On Nilsson’s arrival here all the resources of our 
“best society” were brought into requisition, and an attempt 
was made, with some success, to liken her to the immortal 
Jenny Lind. Gradually the scales are beginning to fall 
from the eyes of the multitudes, and the suspicion is grow- 
ing apace, that Nilsson is not the greatest artist that ever 
lived, and beside not quite equal to Lind in those graces of 
the heart that induced the Swedish songstress to contrib- 
ute much of her public life to deeds of Christian charity. 
Whatever our public may lack in critical knowledge of 
music, it is always alive and affected by high personal and 
moral attributes, and once let it be understood that a pro- 
fessional, claiming the highest position, has no other inspi- 
ration than dollars and cents, this selfishness soon obscures 
even great merit, for talents, however brilliant, will never 
take the place of high moral qualities. Our people can un- 
derstand perfectly liberality, generosity and sympathy, and 
through these charming mediums professional talents can 
only have the best and most appreciative admiration. As 
arule, persons of true genius and genuine art are not mer- 
cenary; they are spontaneous and most often improvident. 
Miss Cary, who has sustained herself so nobly under the 
trying comparison suggested by membership with Stra- 
kosch’s troupe, is an American,and if we can get clear of the 
prejudice which presumes that our native throat cannot equal 
any in musical accomplishment,then we have in her a person 
equal to Nilsson in the capacity of reaching a standard of 
superior excellence, and it rests with our fashionables who 
profess tomake opera a specialty, to take up this young 
lady and pay her the social respect which seems necessary 
to place her where she belongs. What reason have these 
people to wait upon Mme. Nilsson and neglect Miss Cary, 
socially and morally her equal, and in professional capacity 
will possibly prospectively be her superior? Miss Cary, 
from a quarter where we look for but little spontaneous 
criticism, nas been unequivocally and properly pronounced 
‘“‘one of the few great contralti of the world.” This judg- 
ment is in accordance with the change which is taking 
place in musical sentiment, that the contralto notes of 
either voice or instrument have the power of moving the 
passions that the altisimo (Nilsson’s forte) and bass are en- 
tirely destitute of. In other words, those actors who have 
produced the greatest effect before the Lyceum, Congress or 
Parliament, have been masters of the lower notes. It was 
the voice of Burke and Henry, of Clay and Sheridan, even 
more than their eloquence, that threw women into ecstacies 
and robbed men of their judgment. The contralto isa 
gift as valuable asit is rare; where there is one rich voice 
like that of Miss Cary, there are to be found twenty or 
more soprani. 
We bespeak then for Miss Cary because she has won 
such a great success by sustaining herself so splendidly 
this season, that fair consideration to which she is en- 
titled. The best European musical judge stated recently 
that the Americans have the more promising pup ils in 



Europe of any other nationality. Our airs, as they blow 
from heaven, are not necessarily pernicious to the voice, 
as we have been made to believé,- and we must get 
clear of that tradition. Adelina Patti was born and 
brought up in what is now one of the obscurest streets in 
this city—she is unrivalled. Let these foreign song-birds 
have just a fair show and no more. 
We are getting a little bit tired of their assumptions and 
manners, quibbling and growling of everything that does 
not please them. Driving ambitious managers into bank- 
ruptcy, disappointing audiences, breaking engagements 
with impunity, and treating us as if we were un- 
der any especial obligations to them, and all this, while 
they are the needy recipients of a much enduring public. 
—The presentation of ‘‘Aida,” Verdi’s last composition, 
before its performance in any European capital, marks 
an era inthis city of luxurious refinement, or desperate ex- 
travagance. Novelty, for the time being, has taken pos- 
session of admiration, and we regret the operatic season is 
not long enough to thoroughly test the genuine popularity 
of what is claimed to be Verdi’s best opera. This much is 
certain, that an event which in Paris or Vienna, would at 
once have set the musical world of those great capitals in 
an excitement, has not created a ripplein New York. The 
press has given the event less space and less enthusiasm 
than it usually expends on the most common place sensa- 
tional play, and the amount of type and fine writing that 
hails the revival of the *‘Ticket of Leave Man” leaves the 
greetings of ‘‘Aida” in the shade. 
—Edwin Booth ended on Saturday an engagement of 
four weeks, in which time he performed in fourteen plays, 
including the sublimest tragedies of Shakspeare and the 
best plays of the modern school. His success was almost 
unvarying. If any unforseen accident compelled Edwin 
Booth to retire from our stage, tragedy would cease to have 
a genuine presentation. This monopoly makes the miser- 
able support he alweys has from the stock company at his 
theatre an endured evil, Suppose it was possible to an- 
nounce the coujunction, once so familiar in New York, of 
Junius Brutus Booth as Othello, and Edwin Forrest as Lago, 
and the next night Junius Brutus Booth as Jago, and Edwin 
Forrest as Othello. ‘‘How would stand the record of the 
time?” Echo would answer, ‘‘Edwin’s presentation of the 
play of ‘Othello’ was rather weak.” By comparisons, we 
sometimes can get at the real poverty of the stage. The 
greatest scene in the combination we have alluded to was 
when the physically little Othello seized the physically great 
Tago by the throat, and by his mental power and sublime 
genius for denunciation seemed to be a giant compared 
with Forrest. 
—Wallack’s is nightly crowded by a delighted audience, 
the attraction being the most offensively named play, the 
“Liar.” It is admirably performed. The passages which 
brought together Mr. Wallack, Mr. Gilbert, and Miss Lewis 
were given with charming effect. Miss Lewis must be- 
come a great favorite; she commands sympathy and admi- 
ration at once. 
—The “Wicked World,” at the Union Square Theatre, 
surprises its warmest friends with its constantly increasing 
popularity. The reason must be the beautiful scenery, the 
charming faces, and the emotional acting of Miss Morris, 
for the play is apparently without a plot, without a moral, 
without anything except fascinating scenes, which pass and 
repass like the brilliant combinations of the kaleidoscope. 
If the two “‘roughs” (Thorne, Jr., and Rankin) and the 
idiot, that represent the male characters, were left out, we 
see no reason.why the ‘‘Wicked World,” with a little 
change, as arefined spectacular piece could not run the 
whole winter. 
—Daly’s new Fifth Avenue Theatre, Twenty-eighth street, 
near Broadway, opened on Wednesday night. Its pre- 
sumptive popularity was so great, that the majority of the 
seats appear to have been sold before the ticket office was 
opened. The theatre will be a success. 
<0 

Crncinnati, November 29, 1873. 
WOOD'S THEATRE. 
—The promise made to the public by Manager Macauley, 
that the play of “Divorce,” at present at Wood’s, would 
be given in an entire new dress, was fully redeemed, It 
was handsomely mounted, and in the last scene the stage 
was gorgeous. ‘‘Divorce” was given by the Furbish Fifth 
Avenue Theatre Company. The fact that they have tray- 
elled for two entire seasons, playing this one piece, shows 
that the people appreciate their rendition of it. Té will 
be followed by ‘‘Article 47.” 
—At Robinson’s Opera House we have been enjoying a 
week of light comedy—‘‘Dundreary.” It was presented by 
E. A. Sothern, assisted by his son Lytton, Mr, Vining 
Bowers and Miss Minnie Wolton, “Dundreary” will be 
followed next week by ‘‘Sam” and ‘‘David Garrick.’”" The 
largest houses are expected next week to witness the latter 
piece. 
: —Harry Robinson’s Minstrels were here and gave three 
performances to rather large houses Monday and Tuesday 
evenings and Tuesday afternoon, 
—On Monday evening Mr. Charles Bradlaugh gavea 
lecture on ‘*The Republican Movement in England,” at 
Pike’s Opera House. It is rumored that he will return 
soon and deliver a lecture on Ireland. 
—Mr. Charles Drew, recently connected with the com- 
pany at Robinson’s, has returned to the Mrs. Oates Opera 
Company, of which he was the leading tenor for several 
7 
seasons, W. L. 
————— 
—TsE long evenings are now coming, and the children should have 
good gerera to help pass them pleasantly, ‘“Avilude,”’ with its birds and 
their descriptions, is the best ever published. Sold by all booksellers and 
toy dealers, or sent post-paid on receipt of seventy-five cents, by West & 
Lee, Worcester, Mass. 
“From its meritorious character deserves the widest circulation,”’— 
Banner of Light. 






















































Blew Publications. 
——_—_>____ 
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the scope of the paper, will receive special attention. The receipt of all 
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in the next issue. Publishers will confer a favor by promptly advising 
us of any omission im this resvect. Prices of books inserted when 
desired.| 
BOOKS. 
wiih 
THREE THOUSAND Worps. A Pronouncing Handbook of 
words often mispronounced. By Richard Soule and Loomis J. Camp- 
bell. Boston: Lee & Shepard. 
When we took up this little multwm in parvo, and carefully examined 
it, we found our memory rapped many times, and we were made quite 
sensible of the value of this little four-by-six manual of ninety-nine 
pages, corrections of some three thousand words very frequeutly mispro- 
nounced; also notes upon allowable cases, in which the reader or writer 
has an optional choice in the selection of words or phrases. We have 
much larger, more elaborate, more costly works upon similar subjects, 
but we do not call to mind one of more real value than this little pocket 
companion. Lee & Shepard are in the habit of publishing a great va- 
riety of good books, ‘great books,” for the people, but this little correc- 
tor of mispronunciations should lie side by side with Webster’s and Wor- 
cester’s big dictionaries. 
Tur Porrrarr. A romance of the Cuyahoga. 
author of ‘Bart Ridgeley,”” 16mo. Boston: Nichols & Hall. 
The author of this book opens with alife picture which will be long re- 
membered. The lessons of death, come when they may, and under what- 
eyer garb they appear, should teach us our own mortality; for it isin 
vain to try to escape the trials, temptations and vicissitudes of life, The 
hero of this work enters life under the shade of a bitter experience, the 
death of his beloved mother. The hero at a very early age finds him- 
self motherless, homeless, and his young life burdened with a great 
doubt, that grows stronger and stronger as he grows older. He enters 
the service of John Green, a tavern keeper, as his bound boy. His mas- 
ter joins the Mormons, taking our ‘‘Fred” with him. Here he, after a 
short time, runs away from the former tayern keeper, Green, and finds a 
home with a kind-hearted farmer. His first trial takes place here, in 
hearing the farmer’s wife say he ‘“‘was nobody’s son.”? He then leaves 
his employer, and seeks a home with friends mm a neighboring town; here 
he a few years after establishes himself a ‘‘counsellor at law.” Here he 
makes the acquaintance of a young widow, who has visited Europe and 
traveled much, and had seen the portrait of an American gentleman 
whose lineaments were almost precisely like those of Freddy. She 
knew the whole history of that portrait, and from that knowledge a most 
charming romanoe is formed. This plot, original in itself, is not so well 
wrought as it might have been from the many materials at hand to make 
it a more perfectly finished work, 

By the 
The history of Mormonism years ago will be found quite intersting. 
The historical Joe Smith, Rigdon, and other old Mormon saints and ras- 
cals step out of their frames, and these old dusty portraits become as 
lifelike as in days of oid. We think the character of Fred suffers from 
the mystery that surrounds his birth. Yet this seems to be the necessity 
of the author. Belle Morris, a finely written character, is just what we 
would call ‘‘a very fine specimen of true womanhood,” frank, sincere, 
noble, and we do not wonder at the excited state of Fred's feelings at 
the thought of losing her. Welike this book better than “Bart Ridgely;”’ 
it possess more life, interest, and although not a perfect work, it would 
be called at least a ‘‘good romance.” 
ADVENTURES BY SEA AND LAnp; Or, Perils by Sea and 
Land, and Hair-breath Escapes in all Parts of the World. Tllustrated. 
Philadelphia: Porter & Coates, 
This is a beautiful quarto, elegantly bound, and finely embellished. It 
is one of the books that will find many Christmas and New Year pur- 
chasers, It is just the book for the boys, as exciting as ‘Robinson Cru- 
soe,” and very diversified in its contents. We shall only give the ont- 
lines referring to the book itself for its illustrated contents. First, the 
Island of Ceylon is spoken of, and its beautiful forests and sweet 
clime, amply enjoyed by Templin and his confreres, and their first en 
counter with the elephant, is finely told; a good surprise, some genuine 
fun, and the final retreat of the ‘“‘Big Elephant,” is graphically given; 
and finally, the encounter with the terrific serpent closes the tarry in 
Ceylon. Then we have the “‘fire at sea,” with its exciting incidents, its 
perils. and escapes. Thirdly, in the desert, making the acquaintance of 
the Indians; incidents; not particularly pleased with the savages, who 
steal their wine, and get drunk on the same; escape; shipwreck snd star- 
vation; with other thrilling incidents. The little Africans’ wonderful 
adventures; the Circassian war; the Tschuttski; the Fair of Wishure; 
Norogoiod, &c. 
His Marriaee Vow. By Mrs. Caroline Fairfield Corwin; 
Author of ‘‘Rebecca,”’ &c. 16mo, Boston: Lee and Shepard. 
Open this book without a determination to read it carefully and with- 
out any other view than to be amused, and you may as well lay it aside 
at once. It will do you no good whatever. How is this book to be read, ‘ 
and how understood? is the great question in the mind of the reader at 
the outset. ‘‘How far can aman pursue his pleasures, how far can a 
husband go in his attempts to win the affections, or make love to another 
woman, while he has an estimable wife at home?” This is about the form, 
the idea, and as a palliation for this free love, this departure from true 
marital obligations, a poor sick, bed-ridden wife is deemed to be all suf- 
ficient. Well, this is one view of the case. but it does not answer the 
question, ‘‘Is it a sin, a wrong or not so todo?’ Although we like some 
portions of this work, we do not think the public would be benefitted by 
adopting asa code of morals such sentiments as are set forth on pages 81 
and 83. At least we should hope not. We should like to give a thorough 
analysis of the ‘Marriage Vow;” and speak at length of that mythical 
free love philosophy that pervades the whole. We believe in 
the religion of love, pure, chaste, soul elevating, but we are. dis- 
appointed in this work, and to be true to ourselves and the public, we 
must say that while it is amusing and interesting, morally it is not to be 
placed before ‘“‘Baxter’s Saints Rest,’’ and many other books of that char - 
acter. 
————$ ae 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
ag eis 
SILVER AND Gotp. An Account of the Mining and Metal- 
lungal Industry of the United States, with reference chiefly to the 
precious metals. By R, H. Raymond, Ph. D. 8vo. Illustrated. New 
York: J. B. Ford & Co. Cloth, $8,50. 
A Goop Matcu. A Novel. By Amelia Perrier, author of 
“Mea Culpat’’ 12mo. New York: J.B, Ford & Co, Extra Cloth, 
stamped cover, $1,50. 
Recent Music AND MUSICIANS, as described in the diaries 
and correspondence of Ignatz Mocheles. Edited by his wife and 
adapted trom the original German by A. D. Coleaidge. New York: 
Henry Holt & Co. 1873. 
SounDs FRoM SECRET CHamBers, By Laura C. Redden, 
(‘Howard Glyndon.”’) 18mo, Red edges. Boston: James R. Osgood 
& Co. . 
THREADING My Way. By Robert Dale Owen. 
Co. London: Trubner & Co, 
Memoir or Fanny Fern. By James Parton. G. W. 
Carleton & Co. London: §. Low, Son & Co. 
LitTLE WANDERERS. By Samuel Wilberforce. Carleton 
& Co. London: Seeley & Co. , . Tp. 
Carleton & 


