The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-03
THE EMEUTE AT THE OrRRA HOUSE The recen,

which we have, from the beg,nnirg, predicted
would be the result of Fry's management. vani-
ty, pretension and ignorance, in equal proportions
are the qualities most in favor II would seem, with
the Opera Committee, in their selection of lessee.
The principal achievement OF Fry, so far IN the
campaign, has been to get up feud with the best
artists of his company, for which he was signs ally
Iebuked, on Friday evening, by the triumphant de-
monstration from the audience in favor OF the great
tenor To avoid this rebuke, the house was packed,
from the parquette to the amphitheatre, by the
oaiers OF the free list and the hlrelngs of the
nager. At least three hundred persons, who, by
the special permit of Fry, were allowed to grace
the Opera for the first time In their lives, went
there, on Friday night, drilled and trained for a
performance before the curtain. The first act was
to applaud Maretzek, as he entered the orchestra :;
the second, to hiss Benedict soon he appear
ed, and &c drive him off the stage at all hazards,
in order to prepare the way for the third act, which
was the appearance of Fry. The audience, antici.
pating sport from the ludicrous figure and shaking
knees Of this last performer, listened to HIM for
moment, when he was promptly sent off the
stage TO mind his business. In justice to Fry, It
ought to be said that he fully sustained his favorte
character-ef an ape-in which he appeared, by no
means for the first time, on the preceding Wed
nesday.
Mortified and chagnned by his humiliatlng fail
ure In the attempt to elicit sympathy from the pub
lie, IN the quarrel he had provoked with Bene-
detti, the redoubtable manager announced his in
tenton to challenge the tenor, by the following IN
timation, which may be seen IN our report of his
speech in yesterdays paper =" Circumstances
g.. La
of elsewhere" This remark was received with
shout of derlslve laughter, from all parts of the
house. Whether the performances of this grand
Duet with pistols and coffee for two, are yet def
nitely arranged, we have not heard. 1t is under
stood however, that the meeting will take place at
Coney Island, on Governor Davls's plantation. We
advise Fry to devote all his spare time to careful
practice for Benedettl is dead shot. Anticipating,
probably, the eccentric movements of his mana
ger. Benedettl made himself a most expert marks
man last summer, by shooting swallows on the
wing. along the banks of the Hudson, and exercis-
ing IN the pistol galleries at Newport with the ia
famous Count Vasa Smith. Like the Count, he rings
the bell on the bulls eye at every shot; and if the
Opera committee wish to save their manager, we
advise them to implore the prompt interference OF
are anxious to get rid of HIM in some way, no
matter how, leave HIM, we pray you, gentlemen,
to the steady aim of Benedict, who never misses
h,s aim either IN duello or In duett
As for the rawlings of the disappointed critics,
whose ignorance and stupidity have encouraged
Fry in course of conduct which is erain to ruin
the Opera in New York, unless the chastisement
he has already received is followed by punish.
ment, If possible still more severe, we shall de.
vote paragraph or two to them on Monday. We
will then give the origin, history, and secret mo-
tives of this controversy, glancing, as we pass
along, at the giraffe who represents the Courier
at the Opera; and perhaps bestowing word upon
the leader Of clique of polka dancers. Who does
Etats Unis We shall not trouble ourselves with
the small fry of the Tribune, Mirror, &c.
THE PnoTs.-We publish to-day the last speecb
of Senator Dix on the pilot system now in opera
ton in this city, under the act of Congress of 1897
1t contains a careful examination of the whole
question, In all Its historical details, and in ;ts
bearings upon the commercial interests of this
State, and of the Union, OF which the citv of
New York is the emporium We believe no dis.
Il
fed that the existing law is gradually destroying
the efficiency of our pilot system, and that the
only remedy is the one suggested in this speech
a repeal of the act of Congress, and the organi-
cation of Board of Commissioners under State
law, with complete control over the subject of
piletage, the board to consist of three persons one
appointed by the Chamber of Commerce, one by
the Board Of Underwriters, and one by the pilots.
We ask every merchant and shIpowner to read
1t. Its candor will commend it to their consider
alton; and we shall greatly err If the proprety of
its suggestions not concurred IN by all executing
those who have pecuniary interest IN keeping ND
the present unjust, defective and rulnous system
INTELLIGENCE FROM VENEzUELA.-We have be-
fore us copy of the paper Ell Patr,ota, of the 4th
November, published In Caracas This, we be-
heve, Is the latest account received from this re-
public, and we regret to say that its contents do
not throw any light on the state of affairs in this
most distracted republic. The accounts from
Maracaibo Ohe seat of war; for the last few
months, have been so unsatisfactory and confused.
and the various statements published so much
nnged with the parzan feelings of the writer's. that
we are absolutely In the dark as to what Is going
on. Every arrival from Curacao brings news of
Monagas' fleet or Paezs troops being about to do
something or go somewhere; but we have never
been able to learn that they have done anything,
except cruise about and brag against one another.
much after the fashion of that famous king of
ancient times, who,
with ten thousand men
Went up the hill and then - came down again
meantime keeping Venezuela in uproar, DESTROY
ing her commerce, and parayzing all the resources
of the country, which, at the time of the com.
mencement Of these movements, were Just begin
ming to be developed. The only positive item
which we see in the Patricia, however, seems to
Indicate that the British government is inclined to
interfere In the matter. The vast commercial IN
erests which British subjects have in vene-
zuela, have probably induced their government to