The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-01-05

10 the pnllosopnlcal observer. In 1act, leaos the
mind to think that there is very little real musical
taste, but great deal OF pretension, particularly
among that class which claims TO possess the whole,
while the greatest amount OF natural taste exists
among the unpretending multitude. Within the
last few years we have had several notable exam
pies Of these truths exhibited in this metropolis.
We have seen individual artists possessing natural
genus create fror and excitement in the face of
cliquss and coteres which have done their best to
put them down On the other hand, we have seen
artists Of moderate talents taken hold Of and placed
before the public as wonderful persons, while the
people have had sense enough to understand them,
and have passed them by with great deal of negi-
gence.
On Saturday evening last, M Fonana, from Paris,
an accomplished gentleman in every way, and orr
glaally from Poland. made his first appearance be-
fore small house, but very respectable, and pos
sessing great claims to musical taste. He played
well, and will become without doubt great profess
sor and teacher in this city, that being, we under
stand, his intention. But the history OF his debut
singular and illustrative OF the error fallen into
by the fashionables of New York in relation to art
and artists
In Paris. II appears that no artist can have any
chance of success before the public unless he first
has performed in the private saloons and obtained
the protection Of certain leaders of the fashionable
world. Attempts have been made to model the tone
Of musical taste in New York according to these
principles But il ia go Two years ago, Vieux-
temps and Artot were brought out under these aus
plces, but they entirely failed to succeed with the
public, although they were both fine artists. M
Fontana has been led into the same mistake for.
the very people who will invite HIM to their houses
TO hear him play for nothing merely crafty van
ity, will content themselves with taking but one or
two tickets, instead of doing as the dashlng and H.
beral fashonables of Paris who interest themselves
to the amount Of one or two hundred piece for
their several circles In fact, in this city, there is
more real and natural taste, and more generosity of
impulse among the multitude and middle classes,
than among the fashionables or the pretenders of
fashion.
Hence arose the extraordinary success of Ole Bull,
Of DE Meyer and Of Templeton, who without per-
sonal associations of any moment, struck fibre of
the great heart Of the public which brought out
crowds on crowds, and created an excitement that
astonshed all. Hence, also, in operate attempts,
troupe after troupe has failed, sometimes from
one cause, sometimes from another, but gene
rally from deficiency of talent, or want of
among Them in these movements, have often been
sacrificed, who, in combination with other artists
Of equal power, might have succeeded Miss Del
cy, fine actress, and powerful soprano, sacrl-
feed by the ineficiency of the troupe of which she
formed part Mrs. Sutton, one of the best sopra
now in the country, shared slmiler fate-the
Italian Opera, with Pco and Borghese, fell through
Tor want Of union among the artsts-the German
Opera, for general weakness and want of taste in
the German popuation-and now the Seguin troupe
at the Park, has dragged along sad existence for
week, for want of enterprise, energy and effort, in
bringing out something new and choice.
Superior music-superior opera-superior drama,
in New York, will always succeed. in groups or in
divduals, without chques of any kind but medic
Gritty never get along, with all the cliquts OF
fashion that you can hang up, like strings onions,
between the Catskill mountains and the moon.
MUSICAL. INSTRUMENTS musical
critic in referring to M. Fontanas concert, on Sat
urday, had the following remarks:-
The piano he played upon is a grand onc made by
Chckerng and its funess ard brancy of tone surprs.
ed very much. With the eption Of Erard. we do
not know Of any maker of grand pianoortes who would
be superior to him.
This is an error, no doubt caused by haste and
inadverence. II is true the piano was of the manu-
facture OF Chickenng, of Boston; but instead OF
being full or brilliant in tone, the instrument was
three years old, and in bad condition, besides
being somewhat out Of tune in the upper notes.
This impaired the effect OF the performance Chick
ering's agent here, had offered to have it refxed
before the concert, but time did no, permit
We say this in justice to truth and accuracy
Neither would we at all undervalue' the fine toned
nd
erngs OF Boston-but there are other manufacturers
both here and elsewhere, whose instruments are
also Of fine quality. In the meantime, we are
preparing history Of the rise, progress and condi-
ton of the manufacture of musical instruments in
this country-parhcuary piano iortes for since the
debut and progress Of De Meyer, the use and popu-
larity Of that instrument fashionable fe has in
creased very much.
A VOICE FROM THE GRAvE.-ExPresiden Tyler
has issued the following card in the skeleton of John
Jones, i. e. U. S. Journai:-
The Ne,r York Herald through its correspondent NJ
Washington, brought me FIRST acquainted with the fact
the mnsaons of the church. for some cause or other
Of which the correspondent Of the Herald left me gno
rant OF Mr. sprols had no recollection Of having pre-
to who no was or a. to the terms Of which he
had used in regard to In truth have been 20 long
duced to smile at the and selfish ends which are
sought to be attained through abuse Of me- MY assal
ants do not to know that the time has gone BY
when profit advantage can accrue to any one By
abusing me. no longer stand in the way Of the am
bilious aspirations Of parties party leaders My con.
nexions are with the past in politics, with the pre-
sent and content to abide the decision which an
impartial future shall make Of me and my acts
should havs continued the silence which have all
along purspd but for single expression perhaps not
sufficiently weighed, which found its way in commu.
nieation under the signature Of Friend which ap
peared In your paper of the 2sd December and which
was transmitted me by some p vstc hand. To that
communication | am indebted for information of the
charges brought against by Mr. Sprole which seem
dents House in the winter OF ls4s and for which have
been pronounced by him in substance devoid of all
the characteristics Of man and q Christian. +"
Friend would shield me from this cepsure bv ,epre.
senng me not conserving 10 this but merely Yield
ing to the wishes Of another. His language is The
Presdent a. am informed did consent to IL further
than not to prevent it, accept this apology
Is IL right that Mr. Sprole shall be deprived of the