VOL. I.-NO. 17. BALTIMORE, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1869. THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM NOTES OF THE WEEK................... EODITRIAL ARTICLES: The Defeat of the Air-Line Scheme......... Life Assurance................................................................................................ Academy of Music-Opening of the Second SesREVIEWS: .274 276 273 true monetary standard-the gold standard-and net from among his strictly personal friends. the necessity of effecting this result by steps slow With respect to the rumor which assigns to Mr. and gradual, so as to reach the desired end with- Stanton a prominent position among General out producing a financial convulsion, and the dis- Grant's future advisers, we need only say that it sion-The German Composer Brahms.................277.tress and bankruptcy that would inevitably fol- is well known that Mr. Stanton's health is rapidly failing, and that he has lately become so much broken and reduced, as to be physically unfit for the duties of any official position. It is probable, therefore, that the country may relieve itself of all anxiety on that score. The Conscript: a Story of the French War of 1813- HAMMER AND ANVIL, A Novel by Friedrich Spiel- Morning Land.......... NEWS SUMMARY...... CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.. THE MARKETS............................. 278 282 282 .283 low in the train of a too hasty and precipitate 277 return to specie payments. Festina lente is the motto proposed by Mr. Sherman for the guidance of the Senate in its financial inquiries. What he recommends is briefly-to substitute by degrees, by the voluntary action of the people, coin conIt is gratifying to know that the suffering and 283 tracts, coin notes and convertible bank bills, for currency contracts and irredeemable and incon-impoverished South is at last beginning to expevertible paper currency. The Bill which he has rience some return of prosperity. The season reported from the Finance Committee for the and the market have been favorable for the cotpurpose, legalises, therefore, gold contracts, and ton, the rice, and the sugar-planter. The crops provides for the issue by the Government and by the banks, of gold notes, so as gradually and without contraction to dispense with the use of the inferior and depreciated currency. THE STATESMAN will be mailed to Subscribers out of Town, and furnished to Newsdealers in the City every Friday evening: Subscription price Three Dollars per annum-payable in advance. Persons residing in the city can be served by Carriers, by prepaying at the Office, or at the rate of Thirty Cents per month, payable to the Carriers. Books intended for Review should be sent in early in the Week to receive prompt notice. Advertisements must be left at the Office on or before Hand in hand with this measure, and as part and Thursday, otherwise they will be too late for inser-parcel of any scheme of Financial Reform, should tion in that Week's paper. Applications from Persons desiring to Agents or Canvassers received at the Office. munications should be addressed to THE STATESMAN, be introduced and pursued a rigid system of React as trenchment. The estimates for every branch of the Com- public service should be rigorously overhauled, and every useless expenditure stopped. In this way only can equal justice be done to the public creditor and to the tax-payer-the burdens of the people be lightened, and the National Faith at TO CORRESPONDENTS.-To remove all possible the same time upheld. For, we may observe once ground of misunderstanding, or any imputation for all, we are no advocates of Repudiation in any of discourtesy, the Editors of The Statesman beg leave to say, that while they are happy to receive and consider communications upon all topics, and from any quarter, they cannot undertake to answer the letters and inquiries of correspondents, or to return contributions which are not accepted, or to hold either personal interviews or correspondence upon the subject. Communications upon matters connected with the business interests of the paper, are invariably referred to the gentlemen having charge of that department, by whom they will be promptly answered and attended to. Notes of the Week. have been generally good-in some particular localities far above the average-and all the great agricultural staples have brought remunerative prices. Consequently, there is more money in the South at this time than at any period since the war-more ready cash than planters usually had at their command in the "flush times" before the war, when purchases of land and negroes and an extravagant style of living generally absorbed in advance the proceeds of every crop. It is estimated that the amount which the cotton crop alone has added to the capital of the Southern people is one hundred million of dollars. All classes are being benefitted by this improved condition of affairs. We have lately seen a letter from a planter residing in the interior of Alaform or to any extent. It is immaterial now to bama-in which the writer says that upon the inquire how the Public Debt was created or for division of the crop on his plantation, which was what purposes. It is a debt for which the pub-worked upon shares-"a No. 1 man in the most lic faith is pledged; it is an immense debt, it is successful squad got $239.20 from cotton alone; true, but so are the resources of the country im- in the next squad, No. 1 received $193, and so mense. The permanent injury which would be on." He adds: "You may be surprised to be done to the national character, to the cause of told that such was the luck of my negroes, they honesty, and to the existence of credit among loaned me $1,225 for a year, upon a note with inbusiness men, by any evasion of the National ob-terest." We have conversed with persons who ligations, would far outweigh and outlast any tem- have lately returned from business tours in differporary relief which might be experienced by the ent portions of the Southern country, extending laboring and tax-paying classes. The bare sus- as far as San Antonio, Texas, and they all give picion of being committed to any such expedient the same gratifying report of the evidences of for the removal of our financial burdens, con- recuperation and of renewed hope and energy tributed in no small degree to lose the Democratic which the South exhibits. One of the most de party the Presidential election. cided of these evidences is the appreciation in the value of Southern securities. Very little if any faith, we presume, is to be attached to the revelations and speculations of We no longer find in the Northern papers the The speech of the Hon. John Sherman, of Washington letter-writers and quidnuncs as to the sensational headings under which they were in Ohio, on the state of the National Currency, de- probable composition of General Grant's Cabinet. the habit of stringing out, in formidable array, the livered in the Senate of the United States on the We have, therefore, refrained from noticing any various cases of crime and lawlessness occurring 27th of January, was both able and statesman- of the lists of Cabinet-officers which have been at the South. We read no more of the "New Relike. Without resorting to any of the clap-trap put forth by these self-constituted Cabinet-makers. bellion"-of the "Ku-Klux-Klan," or of "Southof the demagogue or the politician, he discussed It is probable that in this matter, as in most othern outrages." Instead, we find our attention in a dignified, practical and intelligible manner, ers, General Grant is keeping his own counsel. daily called in these self-same journals to the "Inthe leading financial questions of the day-show-It is equally probable that he will follow his own crease of Crime in New York"-"More Lynching by a process of reasoning equally clear and head, in preference to the lead of any of the pol- Law in Iowa"-or to "Fresh Chapters of Indiana conclusive, the necessity of raising the depreci- iticians who may assume to guide him. It seems Horrors." For that particular class of crimes ated paper currency of the country to the only to be most likely that he will make up his Cabi-which have become so frightfully common in Mas sachusetts, no specific designation seems yet to beneficial influence upon society which would re- been informed that, under the Radical rule of an have been hit upon. One of these cases is re- sult from some organisation of their power. The irresponsible two-thirds majority in Congress, the ported in the papers of this week. A man fifty demands of business are certainly very engrossing, Constitution has long since "ceased to be operayears of age poisoned his wife at Fitchburg, Mass., and it is altogether proper that every energy tive." What it, therefore, has arrived at as a in order that he might be able to marry his daugh- should be devoted to the attainment of all the hypothetical conclusion, in point of fact, should ter-in-law. It is a general observation that cases practical purposes of life. But it is entirely con- have been the premise of its argument. of homicide at the South usually occur in the sistent with the performance of every material The Pall Mall Gazette, referring to the future heat of a personal quarrel-a bar-room encounter duty, that the intelligence and accomplishment where both parties are crazed with drink-or which are the results of education, study and of Cuba, says the fortunes of the island can touch where there has been some old unsettled feud. travel, and which distinguish, we are happy to no other Power so nearly as England, except perWhere the like crimes are committed in Massa- say, so many of our citizens, should be made haps the United States. "But there is," it adds, chusetts, or at the Eastward generally-lust or direct and active agencies in social life. An or"just this fatal difference between the concern of money in nineteen cases out of twenty furnishes ganisation, consisting of literary men, artists, the Americans in the matter and our own. They the motive and the provocation. It not unfre- authors and travellers, could very readily be made can afford to wait, knowing that if the worst came quently happens, furthermore, that the murderer a nucleus around which would be gathered all the to the worst, they can always choose their own and the victim, as in the instance just mentioned, intellectual elements of our society. We, of time, and that they can interfere later with better or in the Twitchell case in Philadelphia, stand in course, do not contemplate the establishment of grace and more to their own advantage than some close domestic relation. We will venture a club or association upon any exclusive or pre- now." It is not strange that this paragraph is the assertion that cases of wife-murder, infanti- tentious basis. Its plan should be broad and followed by the statement that it is the interest of cide and parricide are of more frequent occurrence catholic-designed to correct the too engrossing England to keep the United States from interferin the Northern States than in any other section utilitarianism of the age, to the extent, at least, ing; but it is singular that it should, in advance, of the country-West or South; or perhaps, than of demonstrating that the feverish and restless in all other sections put together. pursuits of material ends will be none the less make the declaration that "if they do, whether we like it or not, we shall probably be obliged to The New York Herald bemoans the fact that "as let them have their own way." The Gazette is right, however, in its conclusion that there is little the days advance crime seems to multiply." Murdanger of Cuban annexation to this country. The derous assaults, homicides, rapine and robbery are It is said that a bill is in course of preparation "States' treasury" is certainly very much embar on the increase. The civilisation of the age and the which proposes the consolidation of several bu- rassed, and we are forced to admit that our "Execrestraints of a perfect social system are all power-reaus, now under the control of the Department utive has already domestic responsibilities enough less to prevent them. Even the Northern theory of the Interior, into a separate Department, thus on its hands without adding to them wantonly." of government is not broad enough to devise the creating another Cabinet office. The bureaus se- In addition to all this, the question of "the man simple remedy which will protect life and proper- lected are the Indian, the Educational and the and the brother" has been worn threadbare, and ty. What will be the result? "In great emer- Land Office-three different administrative sub- even the professed humanitarians have little real gencies extreme measures are not only justifiable, jects, not very germane, and certainly not very fancy for infusing into it any new energy—until but loudly called for." Is this meant as a pre- closely related. A Cabinet Minister who com- required by the necessities of another Presidential lude to the installation of Judge Lynch in New prehends all the details of Indian difficulties and election. York? "Are we to have a vigilance committee?" complications, may possibly obtain, indirectly, asks The World-with an emphatic declaration some familiarity with land reservations, hunting that "this is an instant question of the hour, and it must be answered." Its emotion is not singular. On Saturday evening last a citizen, seated in his counting-house, was seized by robbers, who entered suddenly, threatened him with death, and grounds, and buffalo ranges; but we do not per- phy will be particularly enlarged by contact with THE DEFEAT OF THE AIR-LINE From present indications it would seem that the monly called, for the construction of a Through Railway Line from Washington to New York, by authority of Congress and in the name of the took all the money he had about his person. On The Saturday Review presents an English view Sunday evening another citizen, in his apartments of the relations which were established by the United States, has received its quietus for the on Broadway, within the blaze of the Metropoli- Reconstruction acts between the States to which present session-if not finally and forever. By tan Hotel lamps, was seized, bound hand and they were meant to apply and the Federal author- this Bill, it was proposed to incorporate a company foot, gagged and robbed of several thousand dol-ity. It alleges that when Congress assumed the by the name of the "New York and Washington lars. Yet no arrests have been made, the police right to prescribe the terms of readmission, the Railway Company," with the usual corporate privihold no clue by which the robbers may be traced, States, by compliance with the conditions imposed, leges, and an authorized capital of $10,000,000, the victims suffer, and there is the end of the acquired the right of returning as equal and sov- and power to construct, equip, and manage a railwhole affair. No wonder the Gothamites shake ereign members of the Union. Their readmis- way across the States of Maryland, Pennsylvania, their heads solemnly and say, "these things being sion, therefore, was complete, so soon as Congress Delaware and New Jersey, to the Hudson river, done with impunity, what thing may not be done had formally sanctioned it by admitting their rep- and to erect in the city of New York a pier and with impunity?" We certainly cannot answer or resentatives to seats in both Houses, and with- appurtenances, all of which acts were to be done venture to fix the point to which-between the drawing the military governors who had exercised by the company for its own benefit, but in the police and the criminals-New York crime will the authority of the General Government. "The name and behalf of the United States. No Govultimately reach. bill for severing Georgia once more from the ernment subsidy was proposed, or appropriation Union, implies the absolute supremacy of Con- from the public purse, and consequently the Bill In speaking of the association recently formed gress over the several States and over the Federal was not open to the objections on that score reby the alumni of Yale College, residing in New bond by which they are united." This is exactly cently urged by us against the various Pacific York, The Times remarks that "no single want is what it does imply. The supremacy of Congress Railway schemes. It was none the less objectionfelt more in New York society than intellectual over the States is habitually asserted upon the able, however, because unlike those measures, it centres, or circles, which are interested in some- floors of both Houses; and its supremacy over did not call for a dollar of the public money. It thing besides stocks, politics and fashion." This the Constitution-which the Review styles the involved the assumption by Congress of a power is equally true of all our cities, and we fear applies "Federal bond"-is exhibited upon almost every not delegated by the Constitution-and the usurwith particular force to Baltimore. We have in page of the Statute-book. "If a State can be pation of a jurisdiction over the soil of the States our population, of three hundred and fifty odd detached from the Union by an Act of Congress, in derogation of their sovereignty. The Bill was thousand, a number of literary men and accom- the Constitution has ceased to be operative.' ably opposed by Senator Whyte of Maryland, plished scholars who are never brought together Precisely so. The trouble of the Review's argu- who demonstrated the utter unconstitutionality in such association as to exert the natural and ment could have been very readily avoided had it of the measure, by arguments drawn from the THEATRICAL. proceedings of the Convention which framed the stance he failed. Had his short-sighted policy far-seeing a "railroad statesman"- -so exalted a Constitution, from the messages of former Presi- prevailed two years ago-had the Baltimore and public benefactor-the bold enterprising men who dents in the better days of the Republic, and from Ohio Railroad proved to be at this time in pos- are at the head of the New York and Pennsylvathe decisions of the Supreme Court. Whether session of the monopoly of railway travel in this nia Roads are quietly acting. While he is higthese arguments, or the constitutional scruples State, which the advocates of the Sherman bill gling and bargaining for terms-they close their which they were calculated to awaken in the represented to be the case-it is probable that no agreements and reap the fruit of them. Next to breasts of Senators, who had any regard to their amount of constitutional reasoning would have that spirit of personal dictation of which we have oaths, would have sufficed of themselves to de- availed to prevent the Bill from passing. In heretofore spoken in this paper, and which has · feat the Bill, is mere matter of conjecture. The point of fact, the question upon which Mr. Gar- made Mr. Garrett so universally unpopular among fact was that Senators generally did not feel the rett did air his polished and luminous rhetoric at railroad men, the most serious impediment to his same interest in the project as was felt by Mr. Washington, was the Bridge bill-regulating the success is the closeness-the narrow and contracted Sherman, its author. There was a local interest span of the new railroad bridges across the Ohio spirit-the penny-wise and pound-foolish policy— in Washington which favored the scheme, and his audience being the Committee on Roads and which characterise all his dealings with corporawhich was aptly described by Governor Bowie in Bridges. tions and individuals. a recent letter to the editor of The Intelligencer, As the matter stands, therefore, Mr. Sherman as composed of "chronic corporators in all fran- and Mr. Garrett are both foiled. We shall have chises granted by Congress." This was the little two roads to Washington, which is as it should During the past three weeks, The Black Crook pot that was kept boiling all last summer and fall be-but no grant of corporate franchises within has held possession of the boards at the Holliday for the purpose of getting up a factitious excite the States by Congressional enactment. One other Street. Had it been properly preached against and denounced in the public press, it might posment on the subject, and manufacturing, if pos- thing is needed to fill the measure of the public sibly have enjoyed a longer run. But being a sible, a bogus public opinion in favor of the Bill. requirements, and then, in the words of Mr. Sher- strictly decent exhibition, such as anybody might Some of the New York journals, The Times and man himself, as quoted by Mr.Whyte, "the State go to see without prejudice to his or her morals, Tribune in particular, struck out blindly in sup- of Maryland will have done all that any State can and which thousands of most respectable people port of the measure-evidently knowing nothing reasonably demand of it." That measure is the did witness without being consciously injured or of the merits of the question, but actuated by a repeal of the capitation tax levied on the Wash- corrupted thereby, it has shared the fate of all general feeling of hostility toward the Baltimore ington branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail- theatrical entertainments in this city-where the and Maryland interests, which were supposed to road. Mr. Whyte was as explicit in his condem- number of play-goers is extremely, limited-and be adversely affected by the Bill. For all that, the nation of this tax as being "unfounded in justice drawn to make room for other "novelties." Toafter a successful season of eighteen nights is withBill did not go through. On the contrary, it fell or policy," as he was in the expression of his night, therefore, is the last representation of the through. Perhaps, the ardor of its advocates hostility to railway monopolies. With two com- piece. It is due to the management to say that it would have been somewhat cooled had they been peting roads to Washington, and the removal of has been put upon the stage in a manner altogether aware of the fact that the through travel on such the tax-independently of the increased facilities creditable. The scenic effects were handsome and a road from New York to Washington would not for travel, and the greater spirit of accommoda- well-managed. Two scenes in particular, from have been worth $1,000,000 a year. They evi- tion which we may expect to see shown in the the pencil of Mr. C. S. Getz, deserve especial dently thought it was something immensely valu- matter of hours and arrangements for running commendation-the "Lake of Silver," as it was able, when in reality the profits of the roads which trains, etc.-the cost of travel from here to Wash called, in the third act, and an "Architectural Scene" in the fourth act. The effect in the former constitute the present line of railway communica- ington may easily be reduced from one dollar and scene was simply produced, but none the less tion between Washington and New York, are de- fifty cents to one dollar. For a road of that clever and striking on that acccount, while the rived from the way and intermediate travel be- length, with the probable increase of population perspective in the second scene was really admiratween the numerous cities, towns and villages on along the route, the growing demand for suburban bly managed. Getz, by-the-way, has a reputation the route. Nor could any profit be realised from residences, and the consequent augmentation of in his line which extends beyond this city. Some carrying through freight in the face of the facili-way travel, two and a half cents per mile ought of the principal scenery at the "Tammany," reties existing for cheaper water carriage between to be a sufficiently remunerative rate. cently opened in New York, was painted by him, and we understand that he has been engaged to su-' the same points. So there was not as much milk While upon this subject of Baltimore railway perintend the preparation of the great Shakspearean in the cocoanut as the finders thought. Another communications and railway interests, it may not revival of The Tempest, which is to take place at damaging blow to the scheme, which probably be amiss to call attention to the combinations the Grand Opera House, formerly Pike's, early in proved its coup-de-grace, was dealt by Senator which are understood to have been recently effected the spring, and for which Mr. Tayleure, the manWhyte, when he brought to the attention of the by the Erie and Pennsylvania Roads with certain ager, is now making arrangements in Europe. Senate the actual franchise enjoyed by the Balti- Western lines for the extension of their But to return to the Crook. The Ballet-which more and Potomac Railroad, of which Governor ments for through travel and traffic from Chicago, the Ballet generally only in being better performed is a prominent feature in the piece-differed from Bowie is President, for the construction of an in- St. Louis, New Orleans, and other points upon than usual-great credit being due in this respect dependent road from Baltimore to Washington. which Mr. Garrett has long been supposed "to to the Zavistowskis, Christine, Emmeline, and The Bill had been designed to break down an have had his eye." The most momentous, per- the youthful Alice-and to Rigl, the graceful odious monopoly-that of the Baltimore and Ohio haps, of these, so far as Baltimore interests are Viennese danseuse. Hernandez Foster as DragenRailroad-and lo!-no monopoly existed. A letter concerned, is the arrangement just completed be- fin also performed his part admirably-exhibiting from Governor Bowie was read to the Senate, in tween the Pennsylvania Central and the Columbus, remarkable activity and flexibility in all his movewhich he stated that the new road will be in oper- Chicago and Indiana Central, by which the use of ation by the 1st of January, 1870. the latter road has been secured as a through line It has been stated in some of the papers that for business between Philadelphia and Chicago. present day more or less immoral than those of Mr. Garrett threw his ponderous weight also into This is not the only instance in which Mr. Garrett the past or previous generations? The affirmative the scales against the Bill, in the shape of an ar- has lately been signally outgeneralled. In this has been strongly maintained by some of the revgument before one of the Congressional Commit- case, the management of the Pennsylvania Cen- erend clergy and by a portion of the religious tees, on the subject. No doubt Mr. Garrett would tral succeeded, simply by superior promptness and press. In the late Pastoral Letter of the House of have done anything in his power to defeat the liberality. While Mr. Garrett is engaged in ex- Bishops of the Episcopal Church in the United measure, as he would do anything to crush out plaining to the people of Baltimore the magnifi- States, it was assumed as a proposition that did any other competition with his road; as, in fact, cent schemes he has in contemplation for the de- not admit of controversy, and made the basis of a he unsuccessfully attempted to do, both in Wash-velopment of their city and the promotion of its much stronger and grounds more extreme have warning admonition to the laity. Language even ington and at Annapolis, in the case of this very trade-his four tracks to the Ohio river, and his been taken by some of the Roman Catholic preBaltimore and Potomac Road. Mr. Garrett may bridge of boats across the Atlantic-and enjoying lates in their pastorals and sermons. The question congratulate himself that in this particular in- the consideration and homage due to so great and is an important one-particularly, if we are cor arrange ments. Apropos of the performance, the question suggests itself: are the theatrical exhibitions of the matics has grown up belonging essentially to this class of business, and the various works which have appeared on the subject are such as, in the words of the Superintendent of the Insurance Department of the State of New York, "will richly repay the general reader as well as the careful and scientific student of life insurance." So systematic have the operations now become in this business, that if we view its condition as it stands to-day, there can perhaps be found nothing in the mercan tile community more safe and substantial than a carefully managed life insurance office. rect in the view advanced in an article which ap- what the state of public morals and manners made one chiefly used by the English offices); and by peared in a former number of this paper, that the it. Dramatic managers and authors generally pro- the mathematical labors of various actuaries, taste for theatrical entertainments is a growing duce what they think will please the public taste. among whom appear prominently the English one, and that the need of such a means of relaxa- The true way, therefore, to reform the stage, is to names of Morgan, Baily, Jones and others-the tion and diversion, is felt proportionably as our reform society. In Addison's day, the ballet had calculations of the cost of Life Assurance, though ordinary daily life becomes more and more labor- not been introduced-at least had not risen into based upon what bear the paradoxical sounding ious and prosaic. Facts to prove the correctness importance. It will be a curious fact for our mod-name of the "Laws of Chance," have been reof that view, if challenged, can easily be pro- ern Puritans to find the gentle and moral Spectator duced to that certainty and precision by which duced. Leaving the case of New York, London, commending highly the dancing of Mrs. Bicknell, the exact sciences are distinguished. For it has and Paris out of the question-in Russia, it has a young actress at Covent Garden-and contending been found in this, as in other things, that while been lately determined to establish throughout the for the propriety of having all actors and actresses there is nothing which so utterly baffles conjecture empire, at the expense of the government, theatres taught to dance well, as furnishing not only an as the expectation of life in individual cases, yet upon a cheap scale, as a means of instructing and additional feature of entertainment, but opening a when the observations are extended over a great elevating, as well as amusing, the peasantry and new field for the exercise of the dramatic art. Upon many cases for a course of years, the rates of morworking classes. It is but a short while since we the whole, we conclude, that if there has been any tality at the various ages of human life may be read in a foreign paper, an account of the opening change in our day from the style of theatrical reduced to a tabular statement, with the confident of an Israelitish theatre in Warsaw, in which the amusements preferred by our ancestors, it has been, expectation, which experience has proved to be plays, founded upon Scriptural or Hebrew history, so far as the moral character and tendencies of the just, that as things have been, so they will conare performed exclusively by actors of that na- Stage are concerned, a change for the better. It tinue-that the operations of nature are even in tion-the female characters being sustained by is in fact a marked characteristic of the age in this case uniform. In fact, a system of mathemen, the rules of their faith forbidding women to which we live-not that men and women are necestake part in such exhibitions. The great Rachel, sarily more virtuous-but that there is more of that we suppose, when she became a great actress, homage which Vice pays to Virtue, when it seeks ceased to be a very orthodox Jewess. to veil indelicacy under the robe of decency. We But once more to return to the thread of our re- may not be more honest than our ancestors, but marks, which threaten to become somewhat dis- we are more decent. In this improvement in mancursive is the stage of our day better or worse ners-and who shall say that the cause of morality than that which it has superseded? If we venture is not promoted thereby ?-the Stage has kept pace to differ from the high ecclesiastical authority with the advance of Society. It would be expect we have quoted-it is because, perhaps, we are ing too much to require that it should outrun it, conscious of the possession of more direct and and so usurp the province of the Pulpit. personal knowledge upon the subject than usu- We cannot close this article without mentioning ally falls to the lot of Archbishops and Bish- that next week two young actresses make their The prejudices, too, with which Life Insurance ops. We are sure that there is nothing on appearance at the Holliday Street, who have some had for a long time to contend, seem now to be the modern stage which approaches in gross-claims upon the favor of the Baltimore public. overcome, and men appreciate the advantages and ness the indecencies of the old Greek Comedy, a Misses Blanche and Ella Chapman-both very importance of a system by which they are enabled certain acquaintance with which used to form part, young-comparative novices in the dramatic art, to make provision for those dependent upon them, if it does not now, of the classical curriculum of a have already, we understand, made a highly favor- when their own labors shall have been brought to theological student. It is difficult to imagine a able impression by their performances elsewhere. their final close. This is a subject which comDoctor Sanctæ Theologiæ examining a young man They may be said to have been born in the profes-mends itself not only to those who are engaged in upon the Clouds of Aristophanes or the Sixth Sa- sion, and to have inherited a natural aptitude as professional, military or naval life-whose incomes tire of Juvenal, and then recoiling from the sup- well as taste for the stage. Old play-goers will depend upon their personal abilities and exertions, posed indecency of the Black Crook or the White remember their father and grandfather, Chapman, and therefore terminate with their lives-but also to Fawn. We remember how, in the comedy of the the former at one time stage-manager of the Hol- all who are employed in manufactures and comClouds, the Athenian dramatist vindicates himself liday Street Theatre, and their maternal grand-mercial pursuits, who may thus provide against the from the charge of licentiousness which had been mother, Mrs. Drake, who was in her day one of difficulties often incident to the settlement of the brought against him, by denying that he had ever the most popular tragediennes in the country-affairs of a mercantile house, the transactions of resorted to the vulgar practices of other play- perhaps, the best America has ever produced. which are abruptly brought to a close, and the writers for the purpose of raising a laugh-and The cleverness of these young ladies is said to be pecuniary embarrassments thus entailed upon their which he declares to have been common expedients chiefly shown in light comedy and burlesque char- families, which they had expected to leave in with them-practices of which we need only say acters; the pieces announced for their first appear-affluence. that they would not now be permitted in any civ-ance on Monday night being The Quiet Family, ilized country in the world, and which would in- and the fairy burlesque extravaganza of Cinderella. fallibly secure for the perpetrator anywhere an extended term in the common jail. And to come to days nearer our own;-the plays of Shakspeare and of Ben Jonson were written, be it remembered, of late years been developed with great rapidity, York paper of the same general character as The for stage representation, and were performed in the most striking example of a vigorous develop-Statesman, has contained two articles in which the presence of a "Virgin Queen," at a brilliant ment and growth is afforded by Life Assurance. the dangers of overdoing the business, and the epoch of English history. How many of those plays This business only took its rise in the latter half heedless, unreflecting sort of way in which many are there, in which passages do not occur the utter- of the last century, when the Equitable Society people rush into it, have been clearly and forcibly ance of which upon the stage no audience at this day of London was established, in 1762; for although pointed out. No objection, however, it appears to would tolerate? And if the inquirer would know annuities had been known for some time previous, us, can be properly taken to the system itself-only something of the English stage at a still later pe- and a table for computing them, based upon ob- to certain abuses which are connected with it, and riod-in the Augustan age of English literature-servations of mortality at Breslau, had been con- for which a remedy readily suggests itself. We we will not refer him to the original sources of in- structed by Dr. Halley so early as 1693, and the refer to the extravagant and often untrue stateformation, lest we ourselves be accused of pander- labors of such mathematicians as Demoivre had ments made in prospectuses and advertisements, ing to a corrupt taste: but let him read Macaulay's been employed upon this subject, the Equitable by rival companies, in regard to their own business essay on the "Comic Dramatists of the Restora- Society was the first to issue assurances upon lives, and that of their competitors, and to the falsetion"-on Congreve and on Wycherley, of whom the cost of which was calculated upon anything hoods told by agents and canvassers when they Macaulay says that "he was a worse Congreve," like scientific principles. The table of mortality are soliciting patronage. The remedy for this is whose grossness "protects him from criticism, as adopted by this company was that known as the for people who wish to insure to apply only to the skunk is protected against the hunters-too Northampton, constructed by Dr. Richard Price. agents who are gentlemen of worth and probity, filthy to handle-noisome even to approach." Let The mathematical calculations used at this time and to companies which are known to rest upon him read, too, the various papers in The Spectator, were, however, very imperfect, when the science a solid and safe foundation, and whose affairs are in which Addison describes the condition of the (for so it may be called) was in its infancy. But administered by men of integrity and capacity. stage in his day-the days of "good Queen Anne." the attention of scientific men was soon attracted; Of the plans of organisation and practices of dif Yet in either instance, we doubt whether the thea- other tables of mortality were prepared, (among ferent companies we may have occasion to speak tre was so much the agent of corruption, as it was- them the "Carlisle Table," which to this day is the more hereafter. In the meantime, without insti LIFE ASSURANCE. Amid various branches of business which have We are led to these observations by the fact that the whole system of Life Assurance, as it is understood and practised in this country, has lately been made the subject of discussion in several of the leading journals. The Round Table, a New tuting any comparisons, or departing from the positions, more sympathy with Schumann than ever the stock respectively contributed by these general line in regard to such matters which it is Raff; but although sometimes very daring, we do literary co-partners-the result is as unique and the aim of this paper to pursue, we may be per- not find in him the same discords by which Schu-positive as the creation of an individual intellect. mitted to express gratification at the favorable ex-mann, in some cases, has injured his harmony. It is difficult to analyse the power of this romance. hibit made by a strictly Maryland enterprise-the If such comparison could ever be entirely true, only company in the city, we believe, organised we would rank him in point of style between and doing business under a Maryland charter- Mendelssohn and Schumann. ACADEMY OF MUSIC-OPENING OF THE COMPOSER BRAHMS. The time has come when the pupils of the Academy of Music have to renew their tickets for admission to the different classes, and although to some of them musical instruction may be a source of pleasure, they could hardly have relished the joke of the advertisement-reminding them that they have to pay in advance-being inserted in The Gazette under the heading of Amusements, with precedence, however, given to the Black Crook and Duprez's Minstrels. We hope that when the tickets shall be renewed -in order to show the progress made by the Academy in the estimation of the public-it will be stated how many pupils attended each branch of tuition when the Academy was first opened, and how many attend it now after the commencement of the Second Session. The rumors on this subject are so conflicting that the interests of the Academy require such publication. We will submit to Mr. Southard some considerations in regard to the pupils' concerts, and we feel convinced that if he will think on it, he will share our opinion. We do not wonder that, in Paris, it has reached its twentieth edition; yet, one can scarcely say in what its charm consists-where, in the woven web and controlled by directors who are our own In reading the grand Quintett of Brahms, (Op. of fiction, are the threads which have bound it to townsmen-the "Maryland Life Insurance Com-34,) for piano, two violins, violoncello and alto, we a high and permanent place in French literature. pany of Baltimore," whose annual statement ap- find that he aims rather to carry away and im- It is true that it is, as claimed in the preface to pears in the papers of this week. passion his hearers, than to charm them. His the latest edition, a national novel; that it repremelody, however, is clear. A certain novelty in sents the grand era of the Empire; that it recalls the mould is most necessary. To write a Minuett those great struggles which shook France from in the style of Haydn or Mozart would be as ven- centre to circumference; and that it arouses an turesome as to try to imitate a Scherzo of Beetho-emotion and pride which still slumber in many a ven or Mendelssohn. Brahms alternates the martial heart. But it is not the subject, so much measure and the measure in a free manner, as the execution, that is the basis of its popularity. without, however, neglecting the regularity in- It is simple, concise and direct. The story is told dispensable to the logic of a great musical compo- as plainly and calmly as if it were the record of a sition. quiet, uneventful life, instead of a thrilling roBrahms has written some variations for the mance. It has no plot; it is without "situations;" piano on a Thema of Paganini, but only an emi- all in it, that is grand and romantic, is the repronent performer could attempt to play them; his duction of history-in which historical characters variations for four hands on a Thema of Schu- and events are made to give reality to the career mann are less difficult, and we can recommend of an humble and unwilling conscript. Joseph them without any fear to everybody. Brahms' Bertha, a lame watchmaker's apprentice, with a vocal compositions deserve to be studied, as the good and kind master, in love with his cousin most of them are beautiful. Unfortunately, they Catherine, in spite of his physical infirmity is taken are all printed with German words, and until quite by the relentless conscription. He has no stomach recently no translation had been published. We for fight, is influenced by no delusive dreams should recommend one Ave Maria, for four female of glory, is marched off and becomes - after voices, (Op. 12,) with the liturgical text, and with all hope of exemption has died-a good, relian accompaniment of piano or orchestra without able, brave soldier. From Monsieur Goulden, brass instruments; and a full chorus, called Be- his master, he has learned something of the græbnissgesang, (Op. 13,) with an accompaniment true meaning of war. "At this moment, Joof piano or wind instruments, (oboes, clarionets, seph, there are four hundred thousand families bassoons, horns, trombones, tuba and kettle-weeping in France; the grand army has perished A concert every month is not only useless, but drums.) While the French Romance has lost its in the snows of Russia; all those stout young men we believe it is prejudicial precisely to those for first prestige, the German Lied, in the hands of whom for two months we saw passing our gates whose profit it has been established. It will be Schubert, and afterwards in those of Schumann, are buried beneath them. The news came this quite sufficient to have one concert at the end of has acquired a very high musical importance. afternoon. Oh! it is horrible! horrible!" Thus the year, when the pupils of some classes should The twelve Lieder and songs written for a chorus spoke Monsieur Goulden-and as Joseph writes— play in presence of a jury, formed of musicians of female voices, in four parts, with an accom- "I was silent. Now I saw already that we must chosen outside of the Conservatory, to decide who paniment of piano ad libitum, (Op. 44, in two may deserve the prizes that may be distributed. books,) are, although very simple, beautiful comOne concert each month obliges several of the pu- positions, and deserve to be known everywhere. pils to learn a piece for that occasion. Prepos- His book of Lieder and Romances, for one voice, sessed with the very natural wish to perform as (Op. 14,) is composed of popular ballads, and the well as possible, they devote all their time to prac-melody is, as required by the words, simple, fresh tising that particular piece, and neglect to pursue and unaffected. We shall name also to the lovers their exercises regularly and to study their other of fine melodies two books of Lieder and Gesange, lessons. On his part, and in spite of himself, the professor pays more attention to the pupils who have to play at the concerts, and we have heard of some pupils complaining of the discrimination. We believe, then, that after a first experience, it would be wiser to suppress these monthly concerts. In the Conservatory of Paris there is but one concert at the end of the year, and even if the number were greater, it would there be more easily understood, as all who attend its classes aim to appear on the stage as singers, or to become public performers. What is the rule in Paris is only the exception in Baltimore, and we have no doubt that Mr. Southard and the public will perceive that we are right in asking that for the monthly concerts there should be substituted one Concert at the end of the year, on which occasion there might be awarded prizes and medals. On the occasion on which we have spoken of Miss Alida Topp's beautiful performance on the piano, we thought it would be interesting to our readers to become more familiar with the German composer, Joachim Raff, for whose compositions Miss Topp had undoubtedly a preference. We will today speak of another German composer, Brahms, who, with Raff, has recently occupied to a great extent the attention of musicians, especially in Germany. Brahms shows, evidently, in his com on verses of Platen and Daumer, (Op. 32,) and two We know how lovers of music are always anx- Reviews. NEMO. The Conscript: A Story of the French War of 1818. By MM. Erckmann-Chatrian. Translated from the Twentieth Paris Edition. New York: Charles Scribner & Co. 1869. have another conscription, as after all campaigns, and this time the lame would probably be called." The anticipation was realised, and the limping apprentice became a soldier of the Empire. We have not the space to follow his fortunes from the first march through melting snow, when on the hillside he turned and saw his quiet home far beneath him, and would have stopped to gaze-"but the squad marched on," and he had to keep pace with them-on through retreats, advances and battles, "glorious to France"-until worn, wounded and hopeless, he lay down to die amid the thunders of Hanau. After all, there came again to him the happiness of home, and "once more the sweet days of youth returned-the days of love, of labor, and of peace." What that love and peace were, a single extract will tell-"It was about six months after, on the 15th of July, 1814, that Catherine and I were married; Monsieur Goulden, who loved us as his own children, gave me half his business; and we lived together as happy as birds." And so the story ends. As we lay down the book, all the incidents of the conscript's career-the historical dramas in which he played a part so humble, the tale of battle and retreat, of the hospital and the barrackThe Conscript is one of those joint productions remind us, for the thousandth time, how all the which are occasionally encountered in literature. events of human life are repeated every where and It is a construction in which the genius of two in every age. We recall similar scenes, upon which different authors is brought to bear upon the ac- time has yet thrown no mellow tints. Memory complishment of a single purpose. The judgment, brings them back in all their reality-of glory, of the taste, the invention and the power of two devotion, of privation and suffering. Hunger, minds are so admirably combined, that the reader misery, weariness and fever-strong men grown discovers no line traced by the hand of M. Erck- | weak and faint-bold-hearts sinking into despairmann-no coloring from the brush of M. Chatrian. the driving snow and the cold rain falling from a Whatever may be the peculiarities of each-what- pitiless gray sky-how all these outlines are filled |