The Sunday Oregonian., April 29, 1900, PART TWO, Page 16, Image 16

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THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN, PORTLAND, APRIL' 29, 1900.
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FORGET-ME-NOT.
(An old tale retold.)
Lone aces SCO. In the sweet month of May,
A fcnlcht and a. lady were tialklnc one day
On the banks of a beautiful stream.
When afar her eye vpied
On the furthermost ride
The cllnt of a blossom. Its glitter and gleam.
A irish from her Up was a.vord of command.
A kise from her Up and he sprang from the
land
To capture the blossom of blue;
But tn eddies closed black
As he Suae tho prize back
"Forget me not. lady. I perish for you!"
Eva Emery Dye.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
Fifth Volume of John Back WeMns-
ter's History Seals Wltk the
Orecon Question.
In his fifth volume of the "History of
the People of the United States" Pro
fessor John Bach McMaster deals with a
period of our history between Id and
1339, which In many of Its phases has re
ceived hut scant attention. The close of
Monroe's term, the Administration of
John Qulncy Adams, and the stormy'
opening years of Jackson, 'form an epoch
of peculiar Interest In view of the devel
opment of the democratic spirit, the mani
festations of a new Interest In soda!
problems, the experiments In basking
and finance, the improvements In the con
ditions of city life, the changing relations
between the East and West, and the au
thor's full and striking presentation of
the literary activity of the country at that
time.
Professor McMaster"s volume opens with
a chapter on the early settlement of Tex
as by Austin and his Imitators, and on
the origin and first temporary settlement
of the Oregon dispute by the establish
ment of the line M degrees. 40 minutes.
It was In connection with this line that
Adams announced to Russia the anti-col
onization part of the Monroe Doctrine.
The second chapter, therefore, under the
caption. Growth of the Monroe Doc
trine," reviews the gradual development
and assertions of the three principles
of that doctrine from Washington's day
to 1822; the Holy Allies and their work
In Europe, their preparation for Inter
ference with the late Spanish-American
colonies, and the final assertion of the
doctrine of Monroe. After thus reviewing
the important foreign relations of Mon
roe's second term, Mr. McMaster returns
to domestic concerns, and in the next
chapter treats of "The Breaking Up ot
the Republican Party." The economic
Industrial and political conditions which
led to sectionalism, the rise of the rival
candidates, and the long Presidential
campaign ending In the failure of the
colleges to elect are given with great
fullness.
The election of Adams marked the end
of the first half century of the Republic
The next eight chapters are, therefore,
given up to an examination or review
of certain social, political, literary and
Industrial conditions which arose during
the period and paved the way for the tri
umph of Jackson and edmocracy.
In the chapter on "Socialistic and La
bor Reforms," we have the story of the
entrance ot the workingman into politics;
of that curious socialistic movement of
Owen and Fanny Wright: the beginning
of the anti-Masonic party, and the early
signs of native Americanism.
The next chapter Is a full account ot
"The State of the Country from 123 to
1S29"; the rapid growth of cities; early
problems In city government: the Intro
duction ot gas and anthracite coal; the
openirur of the Erie Canal, and the tre
mendous struggle for Western trade, etc
Following this Is a chapter on "The Ne
gro Problem": and the next chapter, un
der the title. "The Industrial Revolution,"
Is an account of the rise and development
ot manufactures: of the conditions which
led to the tariffs of ISM and 1S2S; their pe
culiar characters: the violent opposition
of the South,, and assertions of the state
rights doctrine of Calhoun and his party.
This Is followed by an account of our
early literary efforts which is singularly
fresh. Informing and Interesting. There
Is a chapter on "The Common Schools"
during the first half century, and another,
quite timely now. on "British Criticism
of the "United States." setting forth very
fully why our fathers hated Great Britain
so heartily. Then follows an elaborate
review of "Political Ideals": a chapter on
foreign complications; the Panama Con
gress: the prevention of the Independence
of Cuba by the United States in the Inter
est of the slaveholdlng states; the Maine
boundary dispute with Great Britain: the
Oregon agreement of 1S27; and, finally,
a chapter on "The Triumph of Democ
racy," detailing the famous struggle end
ing In the election of Jackson, the re
movals from office, the attempt to buy
Texas, and the rise of questions concern
ing the Indian, the surplus, the public
lands and the right of nullification. (D.
Appleton & Co.. New York.)
"JANICE MEREDITH."
Panl Leicester Ford's Novel of the
American Revolution.
There Is no question that In "Janice
Meredith." Paul Leicester Ford has re
peated tho success of his "Peter Sterl
ing." The book has dash and freshness.
and there Is not a dull line In Its 00
pages.
Its popularity Is attested by the
fact that the 12th edition has been Issued.
end that the total sales amount to BUKV
Squire Meredith was loyal to King
George, which made his New Jersey plan
tation the seat of some lively scenes at
the outbreak of the Revolutionary War.
Tho crusty old squire, with his narrow
escapes from being tarred and feathered,
supplies much ot the early interest, and
gives the author a good chance to paint
In the local color and tho unrest of the
times. The hero comes on the scenes in
the guise of a "redemptioner," or Inden
tured bondservant, with a mysterious his
tory. That he Is Ho bo the match of the
aristocratic Janice Is apparent from the
BOOKS
first, but the lore story Is complicated
by two or three other lovers on the Brit
ish side. One of the first war episodes
shows the hero In the act of smuggling
a wagonload of powder to General Wash-
ington. It is not at oil likely that a
clever soldier and patriot like Jack would
blurt out all the details of his plan to a
girl of a tory family, even though he
loved her. This is what Mr. Ford makes
his hero do in order that he may be
overheard by spies and forthwith thicken
the plot. Jack becomes one of Washing
ton's aids, and the rest of the book Is di
vided between descriptions of army move,
merits and accounts of Jack's attempts
to save Janice and her father from the
clutches of the Hessians or the plots of
her other suitors. Janice, of course, mis-1
understands some of his actions, ana
thlnirs va Inin MMet t4a tanrrla hA
things get into a most tragic tangle be
fore the final reconciliation. Indeed, It
requires all of Mrs. Washington's match
making powers, aided by the death ot
Jack bosom friend, to move the stony
heart of the offended maiden. Then she
learns for the first time how Jack has
saved her father from death almost at
the price of his honor, and bow he has
been faithful and true through all, after
the most approved romantic style.
The machinations of the unscrupulous
Baron Clowes, of the unlovely Colonel
Hcnnlon, and of the rustic Philemon for
the possession of Janice's hand, are well
told. The glimpses of historic characters
which one gets In these long passages ot
plots and counterplots are more Inter
esting than the adventures. Washington
stands forth as a flesh-and-blood man, not
above flirting in a fatherly way with Jan
Ice or swearing roundly at his troops
when they beat cowardly retreat. He is
no idol or dcml-god as Mr. Ford depicts
him, but a brave and admirable man,
stern but Just In his ruling!, and Inclined
to put too Implicit faith In men's hon
esty. This is brought out In the case ot
General Lee. whom Jack has the sweet
satisfaction of punishing In a duel. The
strongest and most original feature of the
story is that In which Jack, In the ex
tremity of need, forges a postscript to
Washington's letter recommending the
suspension of the death penalty for Jan
ice's father. The act Is morally inde
fensible, and though Jack manfully tells
Washington what he has done and stands
ready to be court-martialed and shot, tho
stern moral code of the General cannot
overlook 'the offense. Washington's sad
dismissal of Jack is dignified and touch
ing. The fact that Janice gives the sole
credit to Washington and refuses to have
anything to do with her lover makes the
sacrifice doubly dramatic This Is the
climax of the story, and it rounds out the
whole In a "way that mtes the reconcilia
tion and happy ending altogether accept
able. (Dodd, Mead & Co., New York.)
Bronte Works.
Two fresh additions have Just been made
to the Haworth edition ot the works ot
the Bronte sisters, with Illustrations, giv
ing views of localities connected with the
novels and portraits. The edition began
with "Jane Eyre," and is now followed
by "Shirley" and "Vlllette." The feature
that makes the Haworth edition worthy of
especial attention. aside from Its com
pleteness and the excellence of Its gen
eral make-up. are tho descriptive and crit
ical Introductions that are contributed to
each volume by Mrs. Humphrey Ward.
JOHN BACH
There Is certainly no lack of personal
sympathy in Mrs. Ward's introduction?.
I as may be gathered from the opening par-
agraph of the first of the two before ui:
" 'ShlriV was published In the Au
tumn of IMS, two years after the appear
ance of 'Jane Eyre.' No book was ever
written under more pathetic more-torturing
conditions. It was begun soon aftef
the publishing of 'Jane Eyre.' amid the
first rustling of the blast of fame; It was
continued all through those miserable and
humiliating months of IMS. when the pres
ence of Branwell at the parsonage was
a perpetual shadow on his sisters lives,
when they never knew what a day might
bring forth, and would He trembling and
wakeful at night, listening for sounds
from their father's room, where Branwell
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slept Branwell who had often threatened
them In the delirium of an opium-eater
and a drunkard that "either his father or
he would be dead by morning."
ror Is there any lack of profound eym-
pathy in other passages, especially in the
closing paragraph of the introduction to
"Vlllette." In which Mrs. Ward laments
the death of Its writer: "Ah. to stand In
the bare room where she 'died, looking out
on the churchyard In which she and her
sister lie, is to be flooded at once with
passionate regret and with a tender and
inextinguishable reverence. She, too, like
Emily, was taken from life In Its prime.
She died In a time of promise. But how
much had the sturdy, eager will wroung
already from the fragile body! And she
has her reward. For she Is one of those
who are not forgotten, 'exceeded ty the
Mr"hf r4 tiannlat- vnA-n nrVina rrrAafm rfltttar
light of happier men,' whose griefs, rather,
by the alchemy of poetry, have become
the Joys of those who follow after; whose
quiet delights and clear perceptions are
not lost In common store, but remain
visibly marked and preserved to us In
forms that "have the semlreststlng power,
through long years, to reawaken similar
delights and perceptions in minds attune
and sensitive This is to live as an artist,
of no less than this Charlotte Bronte now
assured."
Mrs. Ward accounts for Charlotte's ad
miration for the masterly characteristic
ot Rochester by the hard circumstances,
the bitter struggles of her early life She
hod battled wljh the world, and she
dreamed of rest; she hadb ccn forced to
exerclso her own will with so strong,
unceasing an "effort that the thought of
dropping the tension forever, ot handing
all Judgment, all choice, over to another's
will, became delight; and, last, and most
Important, what she did not know she
glorified. But George Sand, alas, knew
too much, and knew too well. No school
room Imaginations are possible to her.
The men she creates are handled with a
largo Indulgence, half-maternal, half
poetic that may turn to Irony or to re
proach, never to the mere woman's self
surrender. In her various love affairs
she had always found herself In the end
the better man; she had shaken herself
free from fettering chains, because the
artist In her was much stronger than the
woman, and the man of the present, seen
in his actuality, had come to seem to her
but a poor creature. She dreamed of a
man of the future, and a marriage of the
future. Meanwhile, the men she imagines
in so large a number of her novels, the re
lations she draws between them, and the
women they love, betray her own secret
consciousness of power and ascendency.
Hence, Stenco, Edine, Mauprat, Andre,
Simon and many more." (Harper & Bros.,
New Tork.)
Tales From Shakespeare.
A. T. Qulller-Couch's plan in "Histo
rical Tales From Shakespeare," has been
to throw into plain, simple, narrative
form the stories In the historical plays of
Shakespeare, with the Idea of represent
ing these vivid pictures so that young
readers may be attracted to them. He has
laid especial stress on the characters in
the plays, and on the many springs of
action; keeping to the story,, but making
it a story of men's motives and feelings
as well as of actual events. As an Intro
duction to the historical plays, the book
auction to toe mstorica. pays, xne dook
J ZJ??&EJZ SX
and Mary Lamb's "Tales From Shakes-
M'MASTER
peare," doing for the historical plays
what that classic docs for the comedies
and tragedies. (Charles Seribner's Sons,
New York.)
FrceOssa of the Sea.
"For the Freedom of the Sea," "by Cy
rus Towrisend Brady, Is in every respect
a thoroughly good, historical romance of
the War of 1S12. In It story and history
are cleverly blended, the story, as It
should, always predominating. The beau
tiful Anne Fitzhugh of Virginia marries
an American, after whose death she be
comes the wife ot Richard Heathcote. an.
Englishman, and goes home with him,
leaving her little son, Blakely Fltzhugh
Fairford. In Virginia. Another son Is born
to her In England. The brothers, grown
fAtBnTUIia''Tr .
Ml WWSFwi
. 'TOKSVJMWfcswlW
ill! 'iZ cmS
m&
to mahnood. take part In the War of
18U, one as an ofBeer on a British war
veasel and .the other at an officer on an
i -rfvwgt nan vuli. ia a iniuc uic jcuuau
uroiaer was auieu. ioa btc&i ugui etc
tween the Constitution and the Guerrlere
Is graphically described. The volume If
dedicated to Admiral W. T. Sampson, "in
heartfelt appreciation of the profound
strategy, brilliant tactics and unwearied
vigilance of his great campaign In the
"West Indies, to which his glorious -victory
of July 3. -lOS, -was 'a fitting and well
earned culmination." Charles Scrfbner's
Sons, New York.)
Sir
Algeiaua. 'West's -Recollections.
"Recollections. 1S32-1S66." by Sir Alger
non West, .JC.C. B.. is a book of most
intereMing-Temtnlscences. Sir Algernon's
chief claim to distinction Is that be was
for TnAny years private- secretary to Mr.
Gladstone. His "recollections" abound in
anecdotes, and naturally many of them
relate to Gladstone, o'f whom he says:
I had the rare good fortune to be asso
ciated with him, and had the oppor
tunity, af.any rate, of seeing behind the
veil of his wondertuUand subtle charac
ter. From that hour there remained, and
ever will remain, with me an Intense love
' and admiration of ''his enormous powers,
of his marvelous memory, ot his splendid
oratory, of his personal kindness, of his
touching modesty. After all the long
years of close Intimacy, private and offi
cial. I have never felt capable of ade
quately depicting a hundredth part ot his
complex character, so great and so vast
that to understand It is necessary to
divide It."
Tho book Is crammed with delightful
anecdote Here is a story about Lord
Orford, the author's uncle, a well-known
sporting character. He was invited to
becomo preside of the Norwich Bible
Society, and sent the following reply:
"Sir, I am surprised and annoyed by the
contents of your letter. Surprised, be
cause my well-known character should
have, exempted me from such an applica
tion, and annoyed, because it compels me
to have even this communication with
you. I nave long been addicted to the
gambling table. I have lately taken to
tho turf. I fear I frequently blaspheme.
But I have never distributed religious
tracts. All this was known to you and
to your society, notwithstanding which
you think me a fit person to be your
president. God forgive your hypocrisy.
I would rather IIvo In the land of sinners
than with such saints."
The same nobleman, appointed to a po
litical office by the Conservatives, and
very soon afterwards dismissed by tho
Liberals, promptly wrote to the latter:
"Gentlemen: My appointment of Lord
High Steward of Yarmouth by the late
government was received with pleasured
My dismissal by the present government
confers almost equal honor upon your
obedient servant, Orford."
Sir Algernon recalls how the Duke of
Wellington used to go to church every
Sunday with a great prayer book under
his arm, and Intimates that Thackery had
the old warrior in mind when he makes
Major Pendennls say: "No man went
more regularly to chnrch when In the
country; the Duke of St. David's, whom
I have the honor to know, always sings
In the country, and let me tell you it has
a dooscd fine- effect from the family pew."
(Harper & Bros., Now York.)
Tkeory and Practice of Taxation.
"The Theory and Practice of Taxation.'
the important work which the late David
A. Wells completed Just berore his death,
has been published. For many years Dr.
Wells had in view the preparation of this
volume, in order to present a record ot
his own experiences' In practical contact
with state and national tax systems, and
of his studies and conclusions drawn from
the history of taxation In other coun
tries. He sifted facts and theories with
a view to combining the best of bills into
a volume which might serve as an account
of existing tax methods, and as an Index
or guide to a better system. In his latet
chapters the law ot the diffusion of taxes
Is developed, and the author discusses
the best methods of taxation.
Dr. Wells wrote: "There can be no
civilization without government, and no
government without an adequate supply
of revenue obtained from the persons and
property of the people governed. There
can be no health In the body politic with
out sound finance, and no sound finance
without a sound system of taxation. In
fact, taxation is to our body politic what
blood Is to the body physical; if healthy,
infusing life and warmth, but If unhealthy,
the agent for producing discontent, de
crepitude and paralysis. The absence ot
existence of limitations on the power ot
a government to make compulsory levies
on the property or persons of its people for
Its use or support constitutes the dividing
line between a despotism and a free gov
ernmenta fact most pertinent to legal,
economic and eocletary studies which has
attracted little, attention. The methods
and scope ot what Is called taxation regu
late raora than a other aBenc:es the ,,.
' . -ealth, which is really the
great question oi tne future ot all na-
tions."-D. Appleton & Co., New York.)
Book of 'Whales.
In "A Book of Whales" F. E. Bed
dard presents In a comparatively small
compass a general account of whales, and
a selection from the voluminous litera
ture which relates to that Interesting
group of mammals. He writes: "I have
attempted to purform this task and to
steer a course between too much expo
sition ot technical tacts and a too popu
lar account of whales. I have aimed at
producing a solid book, tempered by anec
dote. It need hardly be pointed out that
this book is not a monograph of the
catacea; but on the other hand, I hope
that at least the main facts of structure
and mode ot life of these creatures will
be found in the volume" The subject
Is undoubtedly one of Interest to the gen
eral public as well as to the naturalist.
The huge size ot many of these creatures,
tho rarity of the occurrence of some of
them, and the mystery which envelops
the habits of the great bulk of the species
Is attractive; besides, to many people the
whale Is an Ingenious paradox, by reason
of the fact that It lives in the water and
yet Is not a fish. An Idea of the ground
covered by this volume is given by the
titles of the chapters: "The External
Forms of Whales," "Some Internal
Structures," "A Comparison of Whalss
With Other Aquatic Mammals," "The
Position of Whales in the System and
Their Classification." "The Hunting of
Whales." "The Right Whales." "The
Rorquals," "The Loothed Whales or
Odontocetl," "Beaked Whales." "The
Dolphins," Anomalous Dolphins." "Zeng
lodonts and Their Allies." (G. P. Put
nam's Sons, New York.)
Study of Breeds.
"The Study ot Breeds," by Thomas
Shaw, gives the origin and history ot all
the pedigreed breeds of cattle, sheep and
swine now found in America. It also deals
with their present distribution. It treats
of the characteristics of each breed, show
ing relative size, adaptability, early ma
turity, feeding and breeding qualities, and
uses In crossing and grading. It also
gives relative milk production In cattle,
and wool production In sheep. It gives
the recognized standards or scales of
points where these exist, and where they
do not. standard are srbmltted, (Orange
Judd & Co., New York.)
Barbara Frcltehl.
"Barbara Freitchie. the Frederick Girl,"
Is a handsomely printed and illustrated
book version of Clyde Fitch's play In
which Miss Julia Marlowe Is now star
ring. The poet Whlttier might turn over
in his grave to see some of the liberties
Mr. Fitch has taken with his version ot
Barbara Freitchle's patriotism and brav
ery. Shlnn's portrait of Miss Marlowe
in the title role Is a careful reproduction
in colors, and the photographs of scenes
from the play bring them back vividly to
the memory. (Life Publishing Co., New
York.)
jBMJSicjS
Though cheerfulness and I have long been
strangers,
narmonlous sounds are still delightful to me;
There's no sure passion In the human soul
But finds Its food In music -Jllo.
New York Impresario T7rea to Give
Him Metropolitan Coadactorahlp
Gossip of Music.
Portland! people who enjoyed the privi
lege of hearing Walter Damrosch on his
recent visit to this city will be interested
in learning that there is a posslbUty of
his being given a conductorship under
Grau at the Metropolitan, New York, next
SUZANNE ADAMS AS JULIET.
season. A writer in tho New York
Times advances the following arguments
In his behalf:
"I make a pica for a conductor, whose
work in popularizing Wagner has only
been equaled among those now living by
that of Theodore Thomas. I refer to Mr.
Walter Damrosch. Herr Von Schuch, the
Dresden martinet, has Just left us. I
heard him conduct the prelude to Tris
tan.' and I thought he did it as a pro
fessor might dissect a frog, slowly and
carefully, displaying every musical sinew
the restless, passionate longing that Mr.
Kaltenbora put Into It was not there
When he got to the Llebestod, poor Nor
dlca had to fight for her life His orches
tra was far louder than even Mr. Paurs
in 'Gotterdammerung.' when he seemed
to be afraid to let the audience hear the
Italian chorus In that German opera.
Rumor Is rife that Mr. Grau Is considering
substituting Von Schuch for Mr. Paur.
I would much regret such a change Mr.
Paur has done as well as could be ex
pected, when the orchestra was fairly
worked to death, and given precious lit
tle chance for rehearsals. It was his first
season as an operatic conductor for some
time, and doubtless next year he will do
still better. He himself at times was bad
ly overworked, through the conflicting of
concert, ana operatic engagements.
"The work of SIgnor Manclnelll has often
been pretty listless, and Signer BevignanI
has bad very little to do. Might it not be
well next year to drop tho last named and
have another conductor of German opera
who could also lead some of the Italian
repertoire?
"If a chance of conductor Is to be
thought of, why not Mr. Walter Dam
rosch? "In the lamented seven years or German
opera he did good work as conductor, and
still more Important work in making
Wagner understood by his remarkable
lectures, at the piano, which he is still
keeping up. this season having made
many new Wngnerttes through the width
of our continent, I believe In those days
of German opera he had a practical monop
oly of conducting 'Lohengrin.' Tann
hauser,' and generally 'Die Walkure.
Then came what punsters call der Grau
samo opera, and for a while we only had
sweet invertebrate performances of 'Loh
engrin' and 'I Maestri Cantort' In the
soft bastard Latin. But Damrosch, the
Indomitable, soon gavo a few defective
performances of Walkure,' 'Gotterdam
merung and one of 'Tannhauser.' with
his excellent symphony orchestra (which
Grau's has never even approached), and
such vocal militia as he could rally. The
Franco-Italian opera had been with us
but a few seasons when Damrosch. at tho
head of a regular company, came to the
Metropolitan. I have heard It said that
ho mortgaged his house to raise the funds
for the enterprise, and he worked as few
men have ever worked oefore, practically
superintending everything himself and
leading all the performancesand at the
end of four weeks It Is said he had mado
iaO.OOO and that at prices lower than Mr.
Grau's. A few years later, when Mr.
Grau came not, Mr. Damrosch gave us
a short and spirited season. It was. I
believe, at the commencement ot the first
four weeks' season that the unfortunate
Damrosch-Seldl contention arose.
'The late Mr. Steinway Is said to have
brought the two together, and Damrosch,
who hod bad all the trouble and heavy
financial risk of setting tho enterprise
going, is said to have asked Seidl to con
duct all the performances of three of the
seven operas to be given. Seidl la said to
have indignantly refused this offer, which
seems to me a very generous one. rve
always thought that Mr. Grau must havo
hod more or less ot a dislike tor Mr. Dam
rosch. since the latter made much 'money
quickly when tho Franco-Italian opera
was doing poorly, and "by arousing the de
mands of the Wagnerites forced Mr. Grau.
at much inconvenience to himself, to bring
back the works of the meiatcr, which he
frankly says he does not like. In those
ln'Which the chorus figures, his perform
ances have been far inferior with his
choristers singing in Italian to Mr. Dam
roach's In spirit and stage management.
"Seidl wao We better conductor, and
after the presentation of a monster peti
tion from opera-goers, Mr. Grau Installed
him over a comparatively .small and rolsy
orchestra, which he at times managed to
charm Into playing beautifully. But, un
fortunately. Mr. 3eldl Is no more The
orchestra has been enlarged and Improved,
and perhaps the man most entitled to lead
In his place Is "Mr. Walter Damrosch.
Could not our slowly progressive director
engage him to lead certain of the Ger
man list, and Mr. Paur, who needs some
time for "Ms concert work and come for
rest, to lead the others? It one or both
ot these -conductors would also lead some
of tho French-Italian list the spirit of
those performances would Increase might
ily." The current number of the Musical
Courier devotes no less than three col-
rttmns a full page to Melba's divorce suit.
the gist of which may be summed up as
follows:
On Tuesday, April 12, .Charles N. F.
Armstrong, of Galveston, Tex., husband
of Madame Melba,Becured'a divorce from
her In the Texas court on grounds of de
sertion. Mr. Armstrong owns the Buena
Vista ranch, Karnes County, Texas, and
is tho son of Sir Andrew Armstrong, Bart,
M. P.. and "Lady Frances Fullerton-Arm-strong,
of Kings County. Ireland. Ho
married Nellie Mitchell (Melba) In Aus
tralia, in 1SS2. They have a 6on. 1$ years
old, of whom Mr. Armstrong Is .given cus
tody in the decree of divorce Melba
made no answer to the suit. In his pe
tition the plaintiff states that he and his
wife lived together until ISM, when she
voluntarily left him, declaring she would
not live with him any longer. Melba is
now 35 years old. It Is reported that she
has made public the news of her engage
ment to Haddon Chambers, tEe Australian
playwright.
Tho Maurice Grau Opera Company of
fered a 40 per cent discount to those of
its regular season subscribers who sub
scribed for seats or boxes for tho supple
mentary season of opera at the Metropol
itan, April 3 to April It This discount,
which is double that allowed subscribers
during the regular season, was a peace
offering to gain forgiveness for the many
failures In promised costs, changes in
operas and absence of novelties promised.
Incidentally the discount was made larga
becauso those "novelties," which were first
promised for tho regular season and then
for tho supplementary owe, were not to be
given at all, "owing to Inability to re
hearse them and the continued illness of
prominent singers of the company." Tho
regular prices for the supplementary sea
son was $3 and downward. And thus the
most uninteresting season of grand opera
gh-en in New York since the advent ot
Mr. Grau as a manager closes with the
largest receipts and profits in the history
ot operatic affairs in America. In the
face of these facte, who can blamo Mr.
Grau for catering to society.
It Is announced that Walter Damrosch
will, during the cdmlnr Bummer, conduct
a series of popular concerts In Carnegie
Hall, which will be converted into a typ
ical "garden' hall. A flooring Is to be
laid above the auditorium seats, upon
which will be placed small tables and
chairs for the accommodation of New
Yorkers who enjoy the Joint society of
Apollo and Gambrinus. There will, of
course, be the usual collection of rubber
palms, planted In half-barrels, to carry
out the spectacular side of the "garden"
Idea, Mr. Damrosch, It Is said, proposes
to give a series of programmes, com
mencing early In July, which will present
a wise commingling ot the serious and
tho Ughter compositions for orchestra.
It is evident that he Is tempted Into the
field by the success of the Kaltenbora
concerts last season.
Last Wednesday, April 25, Sousa and his
entire band of 63 balled for Paris, there to
Inaugurate a European concert tour, which
will continue until late in October. They
are to play first at the Paris Exposi
tion, then in Germany. They return to
Paris to officiate at tho celebration of the
Fourth of July, when the band will play
Sousa's new march, composed for the oc
casion, end wm then make a tour of Hol
land and Belgium.
Upon returning to America late in Oc
tober. Sousa will start upon the longest
and largest American tour he has ever
made. He will play the entire continent.
Including Canada, Mexico and Cuba, cov
ering a total distance of 32,000 miles.
Bocra. gave his farewell concert of Jhe
season In America last Sunday evening at
the. Metropolitan Opera-House in New
York, many friends and admirers of tho
March King being on hand to "speed the
parting guest." The programme ranged
from grave to gay, romantic to martial,
ballroom dance to National anthem, the
encore music oven touohlng upon rag-time
"La Tosca" was sung In Rome the other
day with the great success that invariably
accompanies every operatic premiere in
Italy. Sardou Is said to be delighted with
the use of his play made by Illlca and
Glacara. who are said to have especially
distinguished themselves through the versa
In which the French story Is told.
Great praiso of a young tenor named
Constantlno,who has this year "been sing
ing In Madrid and" Rome. Is given. Ho Is
described as the most remarkable lyric
tenor that Italy has produced In years.
SUZANNE ADAM? CAREER
NEWEST OF THE METROPOLITAN
SONG BIRDS IN HEW TORK.
Her American Flock InLeavlBg Mir
cneal Stranded at; Grand. Op
era, Paris, Wlthont -Patron.
An atmosphere of mystery envelops the
personality o'f Suzanne Adams, the young
est ot all the American singers of the
Metropolitan opera eeaeon Ih New York.
What will she develop Into? everybody
has been asking the past few months.
She is the newest, and, therefore, ot
course; the most interesting- of all the
American singers who have recently -won
success in famous roles. When she first
appeared at the Metropolitan last year the
beauty and freshness of her voice were
to a degree invalidated by an apparent
lack of power she showed in action, and
b'f the art that conceals the mechanism,
of art. But this is gradually glvmg way
before the outbuddlng of her dramatic tem
perament, and though she has had few
opportunities to test her powers at the
Metropolitan, her Juliet, her Berta and her
Mlcaela have already attracted the ad
miring attention of grand-opera connois
seurs. In the Winter of 'S3 Miss Adams was liv
ing with an aunt of most affable demeanor
and Hibernian extraction and accent, in
Paris, at the Louis le Grand, a very sedate
and comfortable and unobtrusive hostelry,
pretentious only in the succulent flourish
of Its came, says Lillian Apel Emery, In
Music Miss Adorns was fulfilling the sec
ond season of a four years" contract at
the Paris Grand 'Opera. But for some
inexplicable reason she was heard with
less and less frequency, and Americans
who spent weeks In the French capital
complained bitterly because no oppor
tunity was afforded them of applauding
the girl in whom they were particularly
Interested. And this, despite the unani
mous approbation of public and press.
She was an Instance of the deplorable
Improbability. If not the Impossibility, ot
a Parisian career without the acceptance
or toleration of Influence or patronage.
Heads Marches! Revolt.
The Amerirari singer had first come Into
prominence through the unique independ
ence of her attitude towards that remark
able and capahlo Imposition and fetish of
pedagogue fame, Madame Marches!- Miss
Adams Inspired and headed the revolt
when. In a lucid and rational moment, a
class of American students unceremon
louely arose In a. body and withdrew from
the studio of the much-lauded madams
In demonstration of their unwillingness to
further tender ns incense the golden sac
rifice of their days, energy, capabilities,
aspirations and filthy lucre to the mere
name of a woman who frankly disregarded
their claims and calmly Ignored their
rights a woman a law unto herself and
a .teacher to them In name and tradition
only.
Suzanne Adams Indignantly but calmly
maintained an Invincible stand against the
wily tin goddess of vocalistlc art. Today
che is one ot the world's choice galaxy ot
stars. Ot the many others, not one so
history tells us the incident was a stir
ring one in the MarchesI reign, and was
duly chronicled with all possible consid
eration to telling effect in the Journallstla
world but weakened and returned In -worshipping
remorse, sackcloth and ashes to
the MarchesI shrine. None of these have
attained fame.
Miss Adams had been studying four
years It Is to Jacques Buohy that she
gratefully attributes her musical train
ingIn the hope and anticipation of an
engagement In one of the smaller French
cities, and the unexpected Paris opening
seemed a more than auspicious opening
for so young a girl and so totally Inex
perienced an artist. Her debut was a
success, for desp'.te nervousness and a very
natural histrionic diffidence, the American
evoked the unanimous praise of critics
and people. Tho beautiful purity and clar
ity of tone, the refinement of her art and
the charm of her personality were all sug
gestive of unusual possibilities. Her voice
was not large, but it was of the finest
timbre and peculiarly sweet and fresh.
Despite the fact that with each subse
quent appearance she matured in art and
gained in popularity. Miss Adams, having
lost the powerful patronage of Mme
MarchesI, was eventually very emphatic
ally, If gently, relegated to oblivion.
Moat Cherished Ambition.
She once said that to sing Marguerite
was her most cherished ambition. A year
later, owing to the Indisposition of four
Marguerites, she was called upon to essay
the role without so much as a preliminary
rehearsal, for not a solo, duo, or con
certed number bad she ever rehearsed.
She complied and scored an unequivocal
success.
The four years of her contract rolled
by. and Miss Adams was free to further
her interests -elsewhere Her days had been
given over to work and study, and In
whole-souled devotion to her profession
she had willingly sacrificed to It all her
energy and enthusiasm, eschewing so
ciety, its whirl of gaiety and dissipation,
and finding In books and cut-door exer
cise a contenting diversion and recrea
tion. Camille Saint Saens evlncc'da keen Inter
est In her career,- and when his "Lyre
and the Harp" received its initial presen
tation In Paris the much-famed composer
requested that to Miss Adams be entrust
ed the creation of the soprano role.
After a season at Covent Garden. Lon
don, Miss Adams returned last Winter to
the scene of her birth, as a member of
the Grau forces. Her continued associa
tion with that organization cannot be other
than a satisfaction to all Americans and a
sincere gratification to those who. know
ing Miss Adams, recognize in her a young
woman of rare dignity of character and
of unusual charm of personality. Her po
sition in the artistic world, while fortun
ately not a unique one. has been and is
distinctively a rare one. Young, attrac
tive, talented and successful. Suzanne Ad
ams has elicited the deferential admiration
and dignified approbation of three publics.
French. English and American. Broad In
her interests, generous In her sympathies'.
Miss Adams' approach to success has been
one of womanly dignity and gracious re
serve. Her career has been in its detail
as refined, as free from levity or frivolity,
as her own charming individuality. Her
sensibilities, as fine as they are artistic
have dominated her career, and her influ
ence because unobtrusive and perhaps un
conscious has been none the less potent
for good and for higher Ideals.
ncr Personal Appearance.
Miss Adams Is tall and slender, with
lovely Irish eyes and an Interesting and
patrician countenance, crowned with
beautiful dark hair. Chic in a distin
guished, elegant and subdued fashion, her
speech, manner and bearing are character
ized by a charming simplicity and natural
ness. She is modest and unassuming,
graceful and gracious; and refreshingly,
emphatically feminine Her sense of tht
humorous h? keen, and her capacity for
enjoyment by no means latent: "books,
plays, currant events, and the people
round about her. all serve as a palatabU
diversion. She is. by the way, one of th
artists whom Victoria loves to honor, be
cause she Is a woman who, In the glare and
Jangle of public life, puts to shame all
breath of scandal or aspersion. And one
of Miss Adams' choice mementoes Is a
largo autographed photo, most handsome
ly framed with the royal monogram and
escutcheon, presented In person by the
English sovereign Just before the young
singer sailed for America last Fall.
In private life. Miss Adams is the wlfa
of the distinguished 'cellist. Leo Sterr.
whom she married little more than a year
ago.
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