Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-11-17
soETAG AT THE INSTITUTE HALL.

soETAG AT THE INSTITUTE HALL.
A BEAUTIFUL sIGHT-INNoCENCY AND ART.
rI We yesterday saw over six thousand
children llSteningwitb up turned and ear
nest faces to the heart-gushing melody
OF the sweetest voice of earth. We saw
twelve thousand little hands applaudinr
Sontag. We saw sea of children faces
oeamlng with rapture and gratitude f. a
special charity-the gift Of song. flowing
out to them from the soul of a sympa.
thetlc woman. Wehave seen many things
called by the world great and beautiful
oii never have we witnessed a scene COM
parable TO that of yesterday at the Mary
land Institute, where the good and gifted
Sontag engraved her image upon the ten
der hearts of the children of our city.
Al the hour Of Ii A. NJ, in accordance
to invitation, troops Of children from the
various schools could be seen vending
their way to the Hall of the Maryland In
Stltute. Each carried boquet of flow
ers, and their eager pace and intent look
ing countcnancc evidenced that they were
in state Of delightful anticipation. The
| day was clear, calm and mild, and it was
pleasant sight to all. Windows were
thrown open-carriages stopped-busi-
ness men paused, and universal interest
was manifested on the occasion. Arrived
at the door of the Hall, the children were
conducted by committee to the places
assigned them. No one was admitted ex-
cept the children, their teachers, Madame
Sontag and her party, the managers of
the Institute, the special committee and
the press. The galleries were filled with
girls, the girls occupied the two rows of
middle seats-the boys being on the seats
next to the walls. The view from the
north end ofthe gallery we thought beau
tiful, but what glow of faces beamed on
us from the south end The various
colored bonnets, ribbons and apparel,
embracing almost every hue, produced
charming effect. 1t was like rainbow
of Angels. The audience of little ones
sat in mute expectation, and exercised
wonderful patience. At length, Sontag
and her party arrived. The committee
received her at the door, and she was con-
Quoted into the Hall along the middle
aisle to the reception room. What q
shout went up on her appearance. The
teachers tried to preserve order, but in
vain. There was Sontag. and the chill
dren were not to be restrained.
How shall we follow the Magic Queen
of Song, OF describe the effect produced
by her divine voice! We have never
heard Sontag in better voice. Her rich
full tones filled the immense Hall, so as
to be distinctly heard from one end to the
other.
We pass over the various gems of the
programme. But we cannot pass over
that gem of gems" Home, Sweet Home"
AS Sontag commenced this touching mel
ody, the sweetness of the music and the
beautiful sadness of the sentiment
known instinctively to every heart there
seemed to fall like a gentle veil over all.
Every one was touched. We saw hun
dreds of little faces, as they watched the
gifted singer melt into unrestrained emo
ton. The voice of the songs,ress trem-
bled with sympathy and feeling, and the
last words of each verse 81 there is no
place like home' was answered bv sobs.
The gifted being who was entrancing her
listeners sang as though her heart was
with her eyes, far away in her own native
land. She stopped with evident agitation.
And then went up TO her an applause
beyond the power of language to describe.
The tears came into her eyes, and she did
not restrain them, as she sat and listened
to the song of her little friends, sang
timidly for her approval.
At last the Concert was over and Son.
tag made her exit. The enthusiasm of
the children had reached a point which
all the efforts of teachers and committee
could not control. In a moment the CAPS
of the boys and the handkerchiefs of the
girls were waving boisteIously. And
such original braros. :" Come oack-come
back Sing again--sing again
Once more"-and hundred appeals
were shouted out, and kept up so unceas-
ingly, that Sontag again came forward
only to add to the excitement. Again,
amidst renewed manifestations of delight,
she made her escape.
The children were then told to resume
their seats and remain perfectly quiet
until their guests should ,lcave the hall.
Sontag was escorted through the room
towards the entrance. Now was the
time for the boquets. They were show
cred on her from the galleries in the great
est profusion. The boys forgot to be
quiet. They jumped on the seats, and
rent the air with their cheers, waving
their caps, the girls joining in the mani
festatlon. AS Sontag passed along, little
hands were reached out TO catch hers,
and thus, shaking hands on both sides,
amidst a rain OF flowers, her fine eve.
overfowing with tears, and her face beam
ing with emotion, she passed from the
most beautiful scene We have ever wit.
nessed.-Ameriean Times, 10th inst.
BOARDING HOUSE CoI.LooUY.- Boardel
! -"What large chickens these are" Land
lady-"Yes, chickens are larger how-a
ii daYS fhan thor I1cnd To ho. &ox. rA.-e