American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1844-12-27
For the American Republican

/" STORYTELLING FROM AN 'DLD AKIN
BY yERITAs.
Literary and Musical "Soiree," "BaHimo,e Ly-
ceua, &c. Sc.
We were prompted by the strong induce
ments offered by the officers of the Association,
to attend the concert given on last Friday even
ing; and after partaking of the good and bad,
have thought that might be the means OF do
ing little service to the Association, (by the by,
much good might be gained by having those Mu-
steal Soirees, apart, however, from the discus
sion of questions,) by throwing out few gentle
hints, by way of criticism or examination OF
the merits and correctness of those whose good
fortune it is to be the actors in the DRAMA
ARother strong inducement, however, compel
led our attendance, which was the laudabe en-
terprize of the Association. The concert was
not as well attended as we had thought it would
have been, or desired; however, at the hour
announced in the bill for the commencement,
the President announced the order of the ''pro-
gramme," which was glee, ''Ihe Chough and
Cow" from the Opera of Guy Nlannering-
which, considering the piece, was highly re-
spectacle performance, with one or two excep-
tons of one or two of the performers, who take
greater pride upon allowing themselves to glide
over the chromatic scale, than proper atten-
ton to articulation. Professor AS. performace
! at the piano shows that he has been hard STU
deat; he displays much taste and skill in his
execution.
Next IN order was Mr.. Gallagher's recitation
ef"The Last Indian !" ana as we have not
much taste for such performance, we shall on
ly say, that we have heard better, and also
worse. 'l've Wandered in Dreams" duet.
was sung by Misses B***** and A*+*"Sf*s; and
certainly was beautiful and correct perform
ance, and did them great credit. Beethoven's
celebrated cantata "Rosalie, ;" was sung by Mr..
Carlos. His performance was creditable, yet
we think the selection for his voice bad one.
Its length, of Itself, is sufficient objection to
its being sung at concert or solree. Not
wthstandng, the piece is mastery compost
ton.
At the conclusion of this soiree, the President
announced the subject for debate to be "Does
Oratory exert a greater influence over the
passions than Music" Messrs. ]. Mason and
J. McKim Duncan in the affirmative, and
Messrs Cochran and Richardson in the mega
tive.
j. Mason, Esq, opened the discussion, and
seemed to handle the subject with considerable
ability, although it was evident he had made
no preparation upon the subject, by his frequent
digressions from the point at issue. lie how
ever, showed pretty clearly that he had not
been careless observer of the effects of ancient
and modern music upon the minds and actions
lof the people of those times. His reference to
. Greek songs-the soul-stirrng song OF Italy
and Greece-and yet in contrasting its effects
with that of ancient and modern oratory,
strongly demonstrated that oratory was by far
more powerful lever upon the heart and ac-
tions of men than music. AS speaker and
debater we think Mr.. M. has few equals, if any
superior, belonging to the society; his style IS
handsome, and language correct, torcible and
chaste.
He was followed by Mr.. Cochran, who took
the opposite side, and seemed to take hold OF
the subject as many do in carving turkey:
found everything easy except the unjontlng,
which proved very troublesome to him; he was
no doubt lover of music, and OF course
thought that oratory, metaphysicalty considered,
had not the power that music had over the
soul or actions. We were at times strongly
inclined to yield our objections and join him
Z, TN the negative, as he progressed in argument.
We examined his reasons fully, which led to
the conclusion that they were very strong
He was succeeded by J. McKim Duncan, Esq,
who seemed to think that music was fine
light accomplishment, and served as pastme;
and did, for the time being, produce delight
full sensation. Yet its influence upon the
minds and actions of men bore no comparison
to that of oratory. Oratory acted upon the
soul and mind of man, and prompted him To
action. 1t reused him, whenever 1t took hold
of the inner man-would and had often Ell.
abled men to perform actions which nothing
but pure eloquence and oratory could produce
Mr.. DIS power of debate rests upon his apt
ness for reasoning by analogy. His style ane