The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-02-17

exclusives, end superior TO the rest Of the world
have. been endeavoripg to organize a system OF
opera aristocracy in this land OF equality, similar
10 that which exists in Engand and other despotic
countries OF Europe.
In Tendon, during the fashionable season, the
Queen and the nobility monopoiize the Italian
Opera House themselves, retaining all the boxes
and all the beet places, in the shape OF subscrip-
ton list; while the lower classes, who, many Of
them, are better than some of the exclusive class,
are huddled together, pell nell, into the pt-men
ant women together which place Is called the
parquette. This opera system is part and parcel
of the long established social system of the British
aristocYacy. 1t Is an assumption of superiority,
concurred in by the rest of society," and has beco
a part OF the legal and common law privileges of
that curious and multIfarious oligarchy which CO.
verns twenty.eleht millions If industrious British
people, and plumbers them out OF half their earn
pgs annually. The same peculiar feature In the
social system extends to the continent OF Europe,
and is found In full feather In Berlin, ST. Peters
bureh, Vienna, and the small principaltes Of Italy
Until the late revolution France, similar social
system prev aed under both dynasties of the Bour-
bon family. In fact, opera exclusiveness-th Is,
the assumption Of being superior in taste, manners,
and person, to the rest of socety-seems to be the
characteristic OF the aristocracy of the whole
world.
Recently, this same system has been attempted IN
this country-In New York, Philadelphia, ard
Boston-but with what success Is not yet known,
or the final question is not yet decided. Ever
since theatrical entertainments have been estab-
lished in this country, all the best boxes and seats
have been open TO respectable families hu stands
with their wives and daughters-without diseinc-
ton of profession or class. FIRST come first served
The pit has universally been considered as the re-
ceiving place Of bachelors and boys; but no ladies'
with their husbands, or fathers with their daugh-
ters, were crowded into that particular place, as
the aristocracy of Europe crowd the mlddl,ng aud
respectable classes of both sexes into the pits and
parquettes. But it seems that this fair aud equal
system, always prevalent in American society
hitherto, Is now to be put aside and the exclu 1--WE
opera system OF European society is to be attempted
IN this land of equal rights and equal privileges.
few exclusives, not superior, and often even very
INFERIOR to other citizens, 10 judgment, TASTE reae
ment, and behaviour, possess themselves, by SUBJ
scrphon for the season, of particular boxes of the
Opera House, and the rest OF the community of re
Spectacle merchants with their wives and daugh.
tiers, crowded into the pit loafers and there
are looked down upon by the self. constituted arls.
tocracy and exclusives of this country Of equal
rights and equal ranks.
We doubt whether such system can he intro
duced successfully into American society. We
doubt whether any assumption can naturallze such
inequality IN community where all are equal in
point of birth, respecabty, and bearing in society
or in any other capacity. We certainly think that
such a system ought not to succeed, nor do we
think it can. Any refined amusement, addressed
20 the senses or to the llect, organized upon
such principles, can never produce lasting effect,
or take deep root, among free, intelligent, INTEL
ectual people, who own no superiors, and no su-
penoTity but that which springs from intellect,
talent and good manners. Such is our belief; and
we are sure that the issue will show we are correct
u reference to certain movements attempted by
certain parties within the last few years.
LATER PROM VENEzUELA.-By the politeness
Capt. Sander, we have the following Information.
The steamer Scourge, of New Orleans, Wlnnet,
master, was under SEIZURE. Capt. Wianet states
that he was taken by the Venezuelan squadron on
the 9th November, when off the bar Of Maracai.
bo IN Distress being short Of fuel, and carried into
Porto Cabelo for trial; that he was separated from
his vessel, had lost nearly all his Clothes nautc al
instruments and books, ships provisions, &C.
The trial is still progressing, and as yet the result
10 uncertain. The Scourge was formerly in the
United States service, and was commanded by
Lieut.. Hunter at the taking Of Alvarado, and was
purchased in New Orleans by Mr.. Ellis, for navi-
eating the Oronoco. There had been decisive
battle between General Paez and the government
squadrons. The whole of General Paez's SQUAD
ron had surrendered to the other party large
number of prisoners of note had arrived at Porto
Cabello, on their way to Caracas. 1t was sup.
posed that there would be peace soon. General
Paez was still at Curacao.
From the Philadelphia North american, Feb 1s1
The brig Meteor, Capt Smith, arrived at thi. port
yestsrday from Puerto Cabso, which plsce she left
the late naval engagement between the rival nsst,3f
Monsgas and Paes was much more decisive than was
as:s exported Tho MSn:gss party had been com
being ct an end. AT the capture Of the fleet Of
General Psez quite number OF prisoners taken
among whom were three Of General Paezs sons. The
provinces bad become tranquil business OF all kinds
was improving and vas likely, in short tns to re-.
sumo iss usual activity.
Correspondence Of tho Philadslphia inquirer .
PoRro CABELLo, jan Is, 1870.
Trade IL excessively dull, but it IL ped that there
The 81 hs eoes ., Sa:
have gone through with for the hast two years.
The bark Thomas Dallstt, Dill, ct L.suayra 18th
OF January, and put to sea next day in consequence
of heavy SWELL which carried away part Of the trsak
water at that place The T. returned to port again.
and was there on the 22d to sail for Phsdslpha In
few days. via ruerto Csbelo The war In Veaesusia
Y generally consdered to be over for the prsseut o.
the Pses fleet has been entirely destroyed aud the
steamer General Jackson" had been captured, and
brought to Csbello with some seventy prisoners ON
board. Three sons Of General PAez are reported %
among the number.
QUARANTINE At HAvANA.-There is now no
quaran Inc en- passengers arriving at Havana from
New York. The Falcons passengers landed with
out any difficulty.
Court OF General Sessions.
Before Judge ngraham, Aldermen HATFIELD and Dodxe: