The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-01

polish Genius CROPPED In tho dark for ages, and by
very gradual Improvement melody has been perfected,
and is called simple and natural merely because u
is agreeable and refined.
AZ the editor of the Knickerbocker has taken false
guide he has naturally fallen into error II he wishes
10 retrieve his bunder and find out the real merits OF
the subject OF his biography, let him anayse treatise
on singing published by Firth & Hall, New York. bear
ing the name OF Henry Russell, pass over the mo-
dest' preface, and come 10 the subject matter The
book Processes to be the work Of Mr. Russells own
mind, and to include original manuscript exercises pre-
scented to him by Rossni Reghini, Mozart. Jr, Tin
gare Meyerbeer, and other masters" tits "dedicat-
ed in New York I" to her Royal Hghness the Princess
Victoria, with profound respectm Now IN this hnery
and flourish Of the tlepage there is no mention OF one
Rodolph dead and gone, though hye-s.shs o. the
work taken note for note, from kodolph Work on
Singing without the shadow Of an acknowledgment
But the plagiast and ignoramus generally 60 togehef
He who hches ideas mutate them too 30 win
Mr. Russell the laureate Of the Naples school lie has
made number of abotve attempts 70 supply rebles to
Rodophs basses and vce versa, and aprecions boch-
ing il is will not anayse this work, as II could not
DO done without extended space, and besides u Is al
most impossible write musical criticism clearly with
out Quoting the notation In this particular, musical
criticism labors under peculiar disadvantage. As
specimen Of the authors njunctions to pupil take
| the following from page Ia of Beating Time-It
was marin of Rossini, and one which he was always
very anxious TO impress on the minds oil his pupils, that
Time is so difficult measure IN music, that Il would
require fall half the period Of mans life 10 knon me use
of MR. with profound respect" say that Rossl-
nj is an ass If he ever impressed any such marin on the
minds OF his pupils aud the London Mr. Russell must
have thought the Americans irreclamable fools Il they
would swallow any nonsense OF the kind
In short, have never seen concatenatlon OF more
utter ignorance erontey and mendacity than this same
book embodes II pretends to every thing and Is no.
thing wonder if il ranks among the extended tn
umphs" Of the author in composition, oil which the
Knickerbockor speaks Il was very cunning trick in
Mr.. Russell to fitch from Rodoph The good old man
has been dead thirty years. and his work supposed
never have reached this babarous cline But, there
lay the II has even been re-publshed lately IN
the city of Philadelphia. So the editor can compare
the gold medal laureate and Rodolph together so much
for work. The editor may also analyse note for note
the song Of Woodman Spare that Tree" and tell how
many mistakes there the first page There also
! song Some Love to ROAM" with another name than
the real authors to this will be found pretty correct
There is too, "The Brave Old Oak" transposed with
out acknowledgement from Lodef's arrangement in u,
except where it is altered much for the worse There
u.s. too, an abortive attempt to make accompaniment
| TO the Fine Old English Gentleman" The editor Of
the Philadelphia Gazette has set the seal oil Just con-
demnation on such pieces the "Sceptics Lament"
from the Oratoro ~ Of the Sceptic But need not
pursue the enquiry farther the developments have
made will satisfy any who is disposed to be con-
ynced that qnackery is not merit or plagiarism, orgl-
nality for have shown that Mr. Russell is incompetent
to write correctly four bars OF symphony to a song
The editor Of the Knckerbocker takes great praise to
himself for having discovered and brought to light the
genius OF the Naples laureate. believe him sincere,
and therefore in the exercise Of the same spirit sug-
gest the following modest mertorous professors to his
regard, Lowell Mason Of Boston Zeuner; Baggioli;
Megnen Horn; Homman, Jr.; Meineke ; De Coninck,
&C. &c. allude to them scientific men, not as sin
gers or performers. "
Mr. Russell may have some undeyeloped powers.
The Naples laureate honors he claims not to my
knowledge ever enjoyed by Brton born. His voice
deserves cultiyation and il he would study, he might
time know something about the beauties and mysteries
OF composition.
have, Messrs Editors, extended my remarks farther
than intended but the theme has higher range than
individual quackery, it bears upon national music-a
great and beneficial science Public taste for music is
Just forming in this country: It may be so per-
vered to be retarded impaired permanently, or 1t
may be guided arrive with certainty and CELEBRITY
at perfection But greye to say that the press Of the
country does little or nothing to assist it. Criticism
Music has scarcely existence. Merit Is praised to
be but it has chance in comparison with ca-
morous charatanism. 1t shrinks from the means to
which the latter resorts to attain to notorety.
In all musical criticism, the public very kindly be-
eye what is told them matter how false and absurd
the press confirms their credulty, and it has come to
such pass that quackery is embalmed IN the shrine oil
Of genius trust that tho editor of the Knckerbocker
will not be silent under these remarks He has inflicted
deep injury on the profession OF music lie takes away
all incentive to honest professional toll to careful
thought, to close study TO real science, by elevang
standard OF mendacous ignorance above the head Of all
these. He has no right 10 persist in his error His
OF propricty and justice will dictate to him the
proper course to take for its retracton. ..:.
trust Messrs. Editors, that you will give place TO
these remarks The editor Of the Knckerbocker stands
first in leading Mr. Russell, but he is alone. On the
contrary, all the newspapers with exception,
take part in the chorus Shall there not be found one
to raise feeble voice in favor Of science taste and
merit hope that you will not join the troop that fol-
low in the footsteps Of tramping juggery.
HONESTUS.