The New York herald., 1850-09-20

The PRIZE SoNG AND THE CoMPRriroRs.-Wc
have received any quantity of letters from COM
petifors for the prize of two hundred dollars offered
by Mr.. Barnum for a suitable Greeting SoAg
for Jenny Lind, and some scores of epistles from
literary men, on this interesting topic One Of the
correspondents seriously inquiries if Mr.. Bayard
Taylor's song is merely quiz-and another wishes
to know if the prize song was the best, what was
the character of the worst one as there were from
five to seven hundred songs sent to the committee.
Otheis are facetious, sad, complaining, satircal,
severe critical, indignant censorous, and OF every
possible mood and temper, With respect to the de-
cision. Some seem 10 think that we can give them
consolation for their disappointment-other sup
pose that we can suggest some useful plan for
similar future literary races. Indeed, we are in
such perfect labyrinth, with regard to the whole
affair." that il is dcult 10 come to any conclusion.
However, as we seem to be expected to say some
thing, we canno: be wholly silent. In the first
place, we have not supposed that any sensible per-
son. in these days. believes that there is any real
Justice in the award of committees sitting in judg
ment on literary productions. All these prize oilers,
however sincere at first, become mere farces in the
end The author who is really most meritorious
seldom succeeds This arises from variety of
been wanted, on a recent occasion, that American
authors could not have furnished one? The recent
success of tragedy owned by MIR. Buchanan,
shows that there might have been an award for an
acting play, had one been wanted dramatic
poem, however was selected, and the gentleman
who offered the prize paid one thousand dollars,
instead of thrice that sum-thus saving two thou
sand by the operation. The play owned by Mr..
nct hnv iy4d he ri1a he
cause il was not in competition; but we have
to believe that there were good acting plays orthy
of the prize So, in this prize-song affair." there may
have been a vast number of very nertorious compo-
sitions; but mere poecal merit is otenough in such
productions. A song was wanted for composer and
a vocalist. Now, it is not enough for such d.
mand, that the poetry should be perfect in thought
rhythm and melody, in the common acceptation of
those terms. Good singing .words are required
und each stanza should be like to its fellow that
the music of the composer may be expressive alike
to one stanza as well as the other A mere melo-
dious poem in itself is not enough. An author to
write for composer should know something of
music-a and upon the authors knowledge and skill
must depend much Of the composers ability TO
make an original and effective melody. Had Mr..
Benedict been favored with good singing words
nifty for slow and brilliant movement-he might
have given us an imperishab melody, for he is
equal 10 such task. Instead of this, he had
dead level of verse TO work upon-ollw well enough,
perhaps, in its way-and he did the best he could
with it. Hld he taken some Of the other produc-
tions-many of them beautiful in themselves-he
would have been obliged to compose an oratorio or
an opera. This is the reason, probably, that they
s;p ful,a
suppose. Simple songs are always best, and al
ways most effective. The public care little for
words. ANY decently educated person would be
ashamed 10 speak in prose what is often sung in
drawing room-bsd grammar, false rhetoric, and
silly thoughts. On the whole therefore, WE must
moi quarrel with the decision in this case. The
most unimporiant song was sure TO get the prize
and the author, in this case, received his money
for being perfectly simple and careless. The mo-
raj is worth a thousand dollars to every disappont
ed poet.