The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-08-02

Hct. we SOulu ING 10 KNOW III nc has SOt
money. 1t certainly never was paid by us. AS
general principle, We have no faith, no confidence
IN the management of any of our railroads, bank
ing, or other specializing companies Once on
time, some years ago, when the people were pray
ing IN church, one of the Wall street spectators
requested to take ten thousand dollars worth of
stock, in a certain operation We replied IN the
negative. eff had" said we, stem thousand
dollars more than knew what to do with, would
take 1t out TO the middle of the Hudson River, tie
il up in bag, and sink ii to the bottom of the
stream; for in such case would know where it
was, even if never should fish it up again; but
If were to invest il any ofthe Wall street specu-
lations, | never would know what become of it,
after 1t left my possession" Our companies,
banking, landed, and all other kinds are badly
managed; imprudent and dishonest managers get
into them and destroy their usefulness, as well as
the property of those who trust them. Hence, the
low standing of many of them.
JACOB BARKER IN New YoRK.-We understand
that Jacob Barker, formerly distinguished cih-
zen In Wall street, philosopher and fnancier, in
the days when philosophy and finance meant POSI-
tive quantities. hasrecenty appeared in these north
ern latitudes, having just arrived from New Or
leans. To many of the SPECTATORS, saints and sin
ners IN Wall street, the name of Jacob Barker may
be more familiar than his eventful history. Jacob
Barker was burning and shining light in Wall
street, during the period when Nathaniel Prime
flourlshed there in his glory. In fact, Jacob may
be considered in some respects as the father or
grandfather of the system which exists at the pre-
sent day in that region. Jacob is native of Nan
tucket, and came 10 New York when boy-full
OF genius, enterprise, and industry During his re-
sidence In this city, he presented the gaze of an
adniring world the great versatility of his genius
and the multiform phases of his heterogeneous
character. He financier, philosopher, patriot,
politician, and, in short, general performer in
the great drama of human life. Towards the close
of his career in this quarter, he provoked general
confederacy of the rogues and the simple against
himself; and by their efforts and antiques he was
surrounded, and partly crushed. In the explosion
of the fire companies In New York, he was con-
nected with Henry Eckford. But Jacob Barker
was pitched upon by certain parties to be made
their scape-goat and he was punished and perse-
cuted without reason, and contrary to law Some
OF these prosecutors have been richly served and
treated since, but some yet living on the spos
OF that day. Jacob Barker triumphed in the end,
left New York, went to New Orleans, and has al
ready been active In producing a second crop from
the great resources of his intellect enterprise, and
industry. Jacob is truly remarkable man and
good study to any dissector of human nature,
MUSIC, OPERA, AND OTHER STUFF.-There is
very little dong IN the departments of music and
opera during the summer season. All the artistes
are scattered about the different watering places in
the country-sometlmes giving concert here and
there, to pay expenses; but most frequently drink
ing the waters, recovering their health. strength
enlng their Voices and flirting away their time
by way OF preparatl on for the approaching cam
palgn during the winter. Benedict and Trufi
have gone to Newport, to regale the bathers of the
Ocean House, at that fashionable watering place.
Strakosch, the youthful pianist, who is most re-
markable IN his line, has gone to Saratoga, where
he will probably attract as large audiences, if the
place be so crowded as II is represented, any he
drew together IN this city. And the others are
dispersed over the country, in quest of health or
pleasure or the no less necessary requirements for
life of enjoyment.
We have the materials of several operatic
houpes among US, but we hear very little of at
temPts being made TO secure anything like a COM
plete or perfect organization Of even one good
company during the ensuing winter. The project
put forth by Mr.. Fry, see ms unsettled and lncom-
pete. He has got in his possession the music of
some of the ope ras but he has not got the az.
tisteS-a thing as hard to accomplish as catching
chameleons. We have no doubt, according to
appearances on the other side of the Atlantic,
that there will be large emigration of artistes of
all kinds here during the next winter. With the
exception Of London alone, the theatres through
out Europe, and particularly in Paris, are utterly
mined In London nottinu to aka lint
the Italian Opera. The legitimate drama is near
ly gone and by the last accounts, that extraordi-
nary man-at least in his own estimation-Mr.
Macready, was about to take his leave of the
Queens Court and nobility of England, to come
over to the United States, and settle down here
simple Citizen Macready, In order to teach us and
our actors how to play legitimate drama So it is
probable that, during the winter season, we shall
have good supply OF the disciples of Apollo and
Terpslchore, with some of the principal dehnsa-
tors Of the legitimate drama.
GENERAL TAYLoR's LETTER.-The newspaper
criticisms on General Taylor's letter accepting
the Wing nomination, are quite amusing and
interesting. Some OF the ultra-whig Journals
were at first in doubt whether it was a real
letter or a forgery; others, at the other end
OF the string, gulped it down at once, and
pronounced i one of the greatest letters ever
written. Thurlow Weed, of Albany, who has
some queer notions, and who has got himself into
some uncomfortable positions, hardly knows what
to say or think of the letter. Sometimes he damns
II with faint praise, and then runs of into ca
dence of twaddle and nonsense in the usual style
of political writing. Thurlow begins TO be I'M
comfortable, In consequence of the free soil move
ment IN this and other States. He is preparing to
take oil his Jacket, and Jump on the fence, to cool
himself during the warm weather; and in the fall,
when the people themselves begin to speak out in
favor of Taylor, he will he ready 10 come down