The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-09-02


called with tchite-bdte, a delicate and delicious
little fish, evidently Intended for the royal ban
quets Of 0beron and Titania. After dinner
we drove over to Blackheath, where we spent
delightful evening. On our return TO town
late at night, we crossed the suspension bridge
on foot and had grand moonlight view o.
the Thames, crowded with boats and barges
and Of the vast city with its innumerablC
lights cleaning out from the heavy night
shadows Even at that hour, the sound OF it
restless life beat on the ear like the roar of the
sea.
On Thursday night | saw GriSi and Mario
in lie Prophete." They were both glorious
though this opera is better calculated to dis
play the acting and person Of Mario than those
of Grisi Her singing is beyond conception de-
lcious in some passages-the very soul OF ma
tcrnity, the tenderest motherhood. with all IL
exquisite pain, an more than queenly pride
spoke and sighed, and quiyered through her
voice-so was content 70 miss her grand DIS
plays Of power and passion. Her beauty was
somewhat in eclipse from the plain matronly,
unbecOming costume of her part but ! could
nevertheless see that she was most superb
woman Her wondrous Italian eyes, out OF
their intense darkness sending beautiful lam
bent CLEANS would remind you of that exquls-
tie verse in Thomson Dream Of fdir
Women'
when she made pause | knew not for delight
For sudden from the ground
She raised her piercing orbs. and nled with hght
The intervals OF sound.
Mario is singularly handsome man-of a
princelv presence. and face all a-glow with
. manly passion. His voice seems to pour in
upon and flow over ones soul food of clear
est mus every wave. every slightest ripple OF
sound. making a separate melody. rounded and
pure vet all flowing on in noble harmony
The Coyent Garden Opera House Is a grand
sight Of itself and the getting up of this opera
surpassed all had ever behcld IN scenic splen-
dor. The audience was large, brilliant IN spite
I of the season apparently apPreciative and GER
/ tainly enthusiastic But II Is my unpleasant
duty b record that on this night saw most
striking evidence Of the want OF kindly gallant
nv in English gentlemen In the PIT, more
tickets had been sold than there were seats TO
answer and saw fair delicate young ladies,
and feeble-looking elderly ladies, stand during
the entire performance, more than four hours,
while around them on every side sat vigorous
looking young men. and burly middle-agcd
gentlemen, apparently without once thinking
Of Offering to the haIEfainting women, even for
a little time. the seats which in many cases
they had secured by superior force and astOund-
Ing rudeness in rushing before and crowdlng
back the weaker vessels whose maiden
modcsty and feminine dependence they senti-
mcntalZe about and take advantage Of /
could not pay too high tribute to the English !
gentlemen ! have met IN society, tor their I
kindly courtesy and dgnifed poitene-s; but |
must say that no toughest Doors had almost J
said beGTS can surpass IN rude sehshneSs ana /
cool inclWlity the promIscuOus BrltOns IN omni- |
buses and steamers the general John Bull OF |
public assemblies Ny own c0untrymen, how |
proud feel Of them for the gen
erous kindness the chiyalric gallantry, which |
mark their manner toward woman,
in whatever guiSc or character she appeals TO
them. How gratefully and mournfully think
Of them when am elbOwed and thrust hther
and thither in crowded passages to places OF
amusement. or when | am sent pitching head
long 10 the farthest end Of an Omnbus-for
here the gentlemen move toward, not from the
door, when lady gets into that commodious
vehicle. | know. dear C, that you for
one, will ever nobIy sustain this honorable dis
tnction Of the American gentlemen-o chiual-
re consideration for Ic0mdn yet be grateful,
not b0astful: for, a. the old Turk said TO his
son, while pointing to the Franks-but for the
special grace Of God, you might have been as
one Of these.
august 7, 1852.
To-day, have made devout pilgrimage TO
the grave Of Milton, in the parish church of
Crippegate The SPOT where the divine poet
sleeps the sleep of the blessed il marked alone
by Il fine bust and ia small tablet-pews are
built over thc-vault which | do not like for
Millions grave is too sacred, even to be knelt
upon by strangers and the inconsderate, it
may be. in mechanical obedience TO a mere re-
lgiOus form
This is a quaint Swallowed old church, where
at night one would step softly, in breathess
awe, and listen haIfhoping to hear angels
solemn anthems over the dust of him
who 80 grandIy told the wondrous story Of Gre
alton, of the fall and redemption of man, and
who sung Gods praise in such high, seraphic
strains
In this church Oliver Cromwell was married.
Who ever thinks Of the stern Puritan leader
as lover! And yet, such grand craggy ma
lures as his have often the peacefulest, most
sheltered nesting places for the gentlest human
affections. | doubt not he felt for his young
bride n deep and manly devotion and that he
dearly loved at least one of his daughters, we
have pathetic evidence in the history Of his last
sad days.
enjoyed a keen pleasure a day or two since,
in listening to some dramatic readings by Miss
Glyn pupil of Charles Kemble. She is
young aud handsome woman, and reads with
startlingly tragic expression Of voice and face,
an intensity, an abandon, and n careerlng
strength Of passion, ! never saw surpassed J;
but you know ! have never seen the English
high.priestess of tragedy, Fanny Kemble. Miss
Glyn is not solemnly grand, like Rachel
neither, it strikes me, is she especially loving
and tender Her power is proud and passion
ate, stormy but glowing admirably fitting her
for her greatest character Cleopatra. hear,
with pleasure, that she is going to America. |
think her success will be great, both as an
actress and II reader for there CLEANS from
her splendid dark eyes the true fire of dramatic
genius, which never fails to kindle IA cline
| frenzy Of enthusiasm with us.
On the 10th leave for Ireland, with small
party of friends, and there may be tortnights
break in my correspondence.
As ever, yours, GRACE GREESwooD
CASE OF RACHEL PARKER.
1t is Il little difficult, we think to arrest dis