The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-20

NApAo0 Oaxoen-Eng110h OPERA
Whilst competition ID killed in almost every branch OF
trade and industry by stagnation arising amongst
ethsr from extravagsnt living and passion for
expensive anusenents, the rivalry Of theatrical enter
Yssss carried to pitch Of ardent opposition such q
has never been Witnessed BEFORE No sooner IL ono
species Of dramatic speculation announced than another
Of similar character starts up to contest with II the
palm Of public favor At the present moment We have
three opera houses in full blast and though any Of
them singly might ensure an amount of patronage
which would render such enterprise profitable it IL
certain that divided amongst many, the results cans
not prove satisfactory to ALL Neither London nor Par
with considerably larger populations than ours have
been able at any time to sustain three such houses and
with AL cur growing taste for the art have not
yet arrived at such point Of musical anaticsm as to
accomplish what they have not been able to effect.
Considering, however, how much the patronage Of
the public is divided and in what degree almost every
other interest is suffering is surprising that the thea
tres have yet shared little in the general depreca
ton. The fact il, the public win pay for amusement
however much their incomes may be Strengthened ct
home. And IL wonder that the fact should be So
when We see SO many attractions held out to tempt
them.
The performances at Niblos last night offered such
combination Of il not often presented to
theatre-goers. The appearance Of such artistic
popular opsras-'Lucy Of Lammermoor," the "Syren"
and the 'Sonnambula'-was . treat such is seldom
to be had by the lovers Of music She WAS in admirable
voice. and displayed greater spirit and power than
on the former occasions on which noticed her in
those characters which justly considered the best
in her reptoire She well supported by Mr.. st. Al
byn and Mr.. Whiting, and the performances went OF to
the entire satisfaction Of the audience We cannot
eude this brief notice without expressing admiration
Of the effective in which those operas have been
put upon the stage. Tbs mise Of all Of them is
Splendid and the orchestra and choruses are admirably
disciplined There few of the European theatres
which surpass this house in the completeness Of its
stage arrangements.
Arrest lsr Selling Unlted States Man Bars.
The extent Of the orders sent the Post once Depart
nent from the larss post Offices, for canvas mail bags
used chiefly for the transmission of newspapers and
ether printed matter, appears satisfied the Postas-
tsrGeneral sometime since that there must be heavy
leakage somewhere, and that by means or other
those bags the property Of the government were d.
verted in considerable quantities from their proper
and legitimate USE and thus withdrawn from the pub
lie service.
For the special protection Of this and some other
kinds Of property Congress recently passed
law, the fourth section Of which is as follows
Srcnoy T. And b it further enacted that II any per-
SON shall steal, purloin, embczxe any mail baQs In
use by belonging to, the Post Office Department Of
the United States any other property in BY or
belonging to, the said Post once Department or sha
for any lucre, gain, convenience appropriate any
such property to his own, any other than proper
USE or for any ucre gain shall carry away any such
property to the hindrance and detriment public
service Of the United States the person osndng
counseors aiders and abettors (nowing Of and privy
TO- any offence aforesaid SHALL ON conviction thereof
a ss'
soned for period not exceeding three years. II the
value Of such property shall be less than twenty five
dollars, shall be imprisoned not than year.
BE- fined not less than ten dollars, more than two
hundred dollars, for every such offence.
Happears that the special agent Of the Post Office
Department at this point has been watching the move
nsnts Of certain persons in this city supposed 70 have
these mail bags in their possession improperly and
yesterday caused the arrest by the United States Mar
shall, Of -, who il charged with having had
and conveyed away, in fact sold quantity of the said
bags the I'd nst knowing them be the property of
the United States, each bag being plainly marked with
the letters ~. s. Mail.o
II In said that he got them from persons connected
with some OF the newspaper establishments which OBJ
tain quantities OF these bags to be filed and
sent on BY mail However that may be, understand
that the post office authorities are determined to prose.
cute all who violate the above Law Of Congress- by having
in their possession disposng of any way this de-
scrpticn OF government property.
We are informed that other parties in this city
known 70 have mail bags In their hands and that fur
Their arrests contemplated unless they forthwith
sent TO the Post Office.