The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-05-22

We have been perplexed and puzzled, and
worried not little, to get at the clue to the
true solution OF the recent discords, wrang-
lings end cross purposes, "inexplicabiy mixed
up,o of the managers, llnanciers, agents, singers
and musicians, diplomats, dilettanti and oyster
house critics connected with that beautiful in
stitution, the italian Opera. In this imbroglio,
running through period of several months,
and full of complications, hard fighting and
sharp diplomacy as the Russian war, q small
regiment of the alleged implicated parties, be-
hind the scenes, have been brought out before
the Sootlights. In single oyster house phil
Hppic, we find the names Of the Chevalier Wi.
koff, Fanny Elssler, the Siamese Twins, Shak.
spere, Monsieur Julien, " the committee"
William Tell, Moses in Egypt, Grisi and Mario,
the Lagrange Company. SIT 900, Ullmann, ST.
yori, Sontag, Ole Bull, Jacobsohn, Strakosch,
Maretzek, Rowland, $4,000 bonus, Benjamin
Galbraitb, Signor Morelli, and a host of others,
all jumbled together. But still the merits of
the case and the upshot of the row remain to
be explained. We think, however, that we
have fshed up The key to the whole plot from
the bottom Of the well.
Historical readers will remember that it was
the wrath of Achilles that brought about all the
horrors of the Trojan war;
Achilles wrath, to Greece the direful spring
or wees unnumbered, heavenly goddess, sing.
SO, we are as free to declare that the wrath Of
the Chevalier Webb against the Chevalier
Wikof has brought upon us all the recent
troubles of the new Opera House. 1t stands to
reason--it must be so-this is the key to the
whole mystery, from the appointment of the
Chevalier Wikof as the diplomat of the Aca-
deny down to this very day. Let US briefly
explain.
Chevalier Webb is diplomat Chevalier
Wikof is a diplomat. In this capacity there
are some strange parallels, and some striking
contrasts in the history of these two remarka-
BILE men. If the Chevalier Webb was successful
IN contract with the United States Bank, in
securing the round sum of fifty two thousand
dollars, of which thirty thousand was clear
profit under the bankrupt law, SO was Cheyalier
Wikoff successful in making more or less in his
campaign with Fanny Elssler, without the aid
of the bankrupt law. Here Wikoff has the adj
vantage of Webb. But Webb makes up the
deficiency in other operations. Against the
lamentabIe escapade of Webb with Miss Gam
bic, Webb can bring catalogue Of marvellous
adventures. In the pursuit of an heiress,
under the greatest difficulties we find Wikoff
brought to sudden halt in prison at Genoa,
thankful fora fifteen months imprisonment in
lieu Of a threatened penalty Of fifteen
years in the galleys. Now look at Webb. He
gets into quarrel with Gen. Duff Green-it is
brought to the fighting point with +" mahogany
stocked pistols" large size, when the diploma
cy Of Webb brings him off safe and sound.
Again, we find the Chevalier Webb getting
into COMPOUNDED ugly quarrel with Mr.. Cilley,
member of Congress. Mr.. Cilley won't fight
with Webb; thinks he would lose caste by put
ting himself on shooting equality with the
Cheyalier, when Mr.. Graves steps into his place,
and Cilley is despatched with a Kentucky rifle.
The Chevalier thus comes off again with lying
colors Next, upon the bankrupt law, we fad
Master Webb negotiating himself into duel
with Col. Marshall, of Kentucky, member OF
Congress and member of the Society of the
Sons of Temperance" The Chevalier is arrest
ed, tried, and found guilty of serious breach
Of the laws but he escapes the State prison
through the benevolent feelings and clemency
OF Gov. Seward. In the pursuit of an heiress
under difficulties, also, as compared with the
sad failure of Wikoff, we find the diplomacy of
Webb eminently, and, indeed, enviably success
full. 1t is due, however to the Chevalier Wi
kof to say, that while he had no friends at
court in Genoa, the Chevalier Webb, always,
just in the nick of time, has found friendly ad-
vice, assistance, and loop hole of escape
Thus far, the two Chevaliers may be consi-
dered as having travelled, each his own road
jost'iDg the other. They become rivals,
science of amateur American diplomacy at the
courts Of England and France. Here the SUI
periority Of Wikoff rises into fine relief-here
the wrath OF Webb against Wikoff begins. We
have shown, heretofore, that the diplomacy of
Wikof, under Louis Napoleon and LORD Pal
was smooth, systematic and graceful
and would have led to the greatest and most
benefcent results for the preservation Of peace
between the great Powers of Europe and the
United States, but for one weak link, which
Strapped the chain asunder. We have also
shown that Chevalier Webb's diplomacy with
Lord Clarendon was all bosh, exactly on a. par
with hisestimates of the reduction of Sebastopol
Worst of ALL to the complete dismay of Webb
the patron Of Wikoff, Lord Palmerston takes
again the helm of the British government,
which is great victory to Wikoff
We come now to the ultimatum. The Cheva-
Ger Wikoff returns to New Lork the scene of
his former enterprises of various kinds. New
York is not large enough for two such dashing
Chevaliers as Webb and Wikoff. Webb can't
stand it. One or the other must back out.
Wikof must vacate. Webb watches his
chance. IL soon nffers He hears that Tho