The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-03-18
LETTERS FROM THE CAPITAL.
WASHINGTON, March 10. |


have not visited the Capitol for the week
past, and so have no political news, gossip
comment, or criticism, to offer you to-day
have heard much of Mr.. Stewards late Inter
ventiOn Speech, some portions of which called
out the gallant Commodore Stockton, who re-
turned the shot with broadside, which the
cool New York statesman received with char
acteristic mingling of Christian equanimity
and heather stOicism
There was beautiful melee in the House,
yesterday, between Governor Brown, of Mis-
sissppi and Mr. Wilcox The latter honor
able gentleman gave the former honorable gen.
tleman the lie, whereupon the former honor
able gentleman proceeded on the instant to
vindcate his honor by a smart blow between
the eyes of the latter honorable gentleman
thus causing him to behold stars unknown to
astronomers and magi
The apology of Governor Brown struck me
as something quite peculiar and piquant He
most penitently and pathetically asked pardon
of the House, for having once so fiagrantly
infringed its rules of courtesy and good order,
and solemnly promised never to offend again,
except upon like prouocation Governor Brown
is ordinarily quiet and gentlemanly person,
and the coarse and sudden attack of his oppo-
nent paliates, if it does not excuse, his violent
and Cooperative resentment
The Hutchinsons have been giving some very
brilliant concerts in our city Their music
has lost none of its peculiar attracti0ns-its
simplicity, freshness, harmony, and heartness.
1t is asshealthful, as emotional, as direct and
democratic as ever. "This nest of brothers,
with a sister in it." as Willis says, has been
robbed since saw it last We now miss the
delicious warbng of Abby; but the singing OF
John and Asa has gained much in power and
pathos, and there is yet mellower humor IN
the voice of Judson, a more irresistible drollery
in his look and action, richer comicality in
his sayings. And yet the songs | like best
are not the humorous, but such as Excelsior"
3" The Burn,an Lover,n The Mountain Echo"
and " The Life Boat"
Well may happiness and success attend
them May they go forth, singing, and to sing!
making truth, love, manliness, and freedom,
triumphantly vocal above the JAR the discord,
the hurry and turmoil of social and political
life.
A new "Infant Phenomenon" by the name
of Jenny Busk, has been giving concerts here
This young girl has a voice of surprising
strength and compass, and much talent /
should say, for her profession; yet one can
scarcely hear her without pain, feeling her TO
is going through with her vocal gymnastics"
you are most uncomfortably anxious for her.
You listen with the expectation of hearing
her voice break on some unpreccdentedly high
strain, like the string of an over-bent bow
She is pretty, aspiring child, with great
deal of genius but she should be placed under
the tuition of a good master, and her voice
should not be heard in a concert-room, or on
the boards for five years to come. She seems
inclined to sacrifice sweetness to brilliancy. |
said to the friend who accompanied her, "Why
does not Jenny limit herself to singing English
songs and ballads - "Oh," she replied, "she
has no taste for that sort of music She
sung Cdaa Diva" at one Of her concerts.
One would as soon look to see downy little
robin peeping over its nest, and attempting TO
do the role of a "noble-throated,' full-plumed,
experienced and artistic nightingale.
Miss Davenport is playing an engagement
here---successful as she always is. We saw
her the other night as Adrienne her finest
personation | think | never knew her play
with more power and feeling.
Last night came of, at the Presidents, the
last and brilliantest levee of the season. All
the notabilites now at Washington were there,
believe, with an innumerable host of the IN.
distinguished The evening was mild ana
Beautiful fine band of music, an unusual at
traction at these democratic entertainments
added zest to our enjoyments and poignancy~
our regrets
Among the celebrities present, we saw Oe
Bull, beaming boyish, and restless a. usual
and George d. Prentice. the Prentice oil the
Louisville Journal AS the editor ne was re-
ceived with much honor by the wing ienuo's
present-but as the poet, by Their ," ma lad;es
and daughters. He has sung OF .I1V 10 has b;s
like very troubadour and ver'iy - NJ
reward in smiles and low-volced PraIsos III
Prentice was surprised to ma u ser'oos-,aeeu
man o,n;et sven subdued in manner lie Is
L;ndlv ana courteous, but scarcely hangs out
tha n.ral sgns of the wit and brilliant satirist'
R", I need hardly say he is all the more agree
able for this.
We have glorious weather just now-the
,,ess are budding, the grass is springing-the
sunshine is pouring through open windows, and
.oft winds are swaying the curtains beside
me fluttering the papers on my table, ana
stirring the branches Of some trees near by,
with q summer sound Fires are out of date,
and furs are among forgotten things-the war
bling Of birds and the no less musical laugh
ter Of children, are heard along the streets.
and the sky above us with its depths OF dell.
cious blue. seems one beautiful and bounteou'
promise of warmth and light, and long can,
reposing, after weary season OF tempest anu
cold. Adieu, GRACE GREESwooD'