Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-12

The daily circulation Of the 40serto1A Organ ID
far greater than that Of any paper in Washington,
with exception; and the weekly circulation, which
already reaches ten thousand, Is increasing at the
rate Of several hundred week II has inereas-
ed at this rate with remarkable regularity, from the
first month Of its publication Advertisers who wish
TO give their advertisements wide circulation should
bear these facts in mind The daily Organ is distrib-
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Fredericksburg, Richmond. Norfolk. Portsmouth, and
Baltimore Ths weekly Organ is sent 10 every quar-
Ter Of the Union.
The rwo CoscERrs or the UNION CnoIR Assoc
cIArIoN--This Association commenced the Must
cal Convention which has been in session here for
two or three days, ON Monday evening, by giving
5 the public musical composition, entitled the PHI
grim Fathers" by Professor Root, OF Philadelphia.
They also closed the Convention last evening by
presenting melange Of sacred and secular music.
we confine our remarks entirely to the concerts,
a. we intend to give the proceedings of the con-
vention in another form.
The cantata of the "Pilgrim Fathers" as awork
of art, appears not to exhibit much genius on the
part Of the builder, for although the foundation
and theme Is excellent the superstructure is in
ferior affair. There are no rapid and interesting
changes to strike the ear nearly the whole Is set
In common time, and the performance naturally
enough, gave the impression of country saw-mill
at work-an upward stroke and downward stroke;
while the discordant notes plainly illustrates the
great necessity OF oiling the machinery The text
Ia also specimen Of poetry not likely to be imi-
tated; fdr instance, the following verse sung by
the sailors on the ocean:
when DER our head the lightning flashes
And sea and sky with fury blending;
When peal on peal the thunder clashes,
Our shattered sail in pieces rending;"
which presents a beautiful combination of sea,
sky, and fury, and the rending" of an already
shattered sail" by thunderbolt.
The performance and the composition were
highly adapted to each other, and both ought to
sink in oblivion. The efforts Of the Elder and
Daughter are the only solo performances worthy Of
note with the exception of the exquisite contrato
In the trio Of Indian women amenting their fallen
warriors in mournful strain. This contralto 1--WE
do not know the owner of it) is one of the clear
est and purest we ever heard.
The daughter, in her duett with the elders son,
omitted portion of the score in consequence of
being out Of time, and repeated the same fault in
the tripping portion of Take me back to Swift
zerand, !" which was sung by her last evening. She
deserves great credit for her noble efforts in giving
"What griefand sorrows this and sustaining her.
self in Duet with the Sister of the Captain
whose fiat and husky alto, milestone upon her,
and nearly killed the whole performance The e.
der's rendering of his character the gem of the
cantata. A noble voice, discriminating and excel
gether with desire to repair others deficiencies
and redeem the performance from total condemna-
ton, enabled him to present the solos of Through
many weary day. and wherefore are We thus
disheartened," in style which was refreshing,
coming aftor such desert fpoormusic, and deser-
yes the highest possible credit "The Old Sexton"
though nearly sung to death, was given by him
last evening, and done more to establish his repu-
tation.
Mr.. i. A. Tucker, the conductor on Monday
evening" also deserves credit for his exertions to
make the cantata pass off acceptably, and would
have done it had the same been worthy of it. The
:" sacred solo" presented by him last evening was
too classic to suit all, and though somewhat beyond
his compass, was executed well.
The other solo and quartette performances of
both concerts are hardly worth noticing There is
generally expected from any one who aspires to
solo, or quartette performance marked and visible
superiority, which entirely lacking, except in
those we have mentioned, and consequently, gave
disappointment. The choruses, which were all
given finely support the opinion that these were
not such voices as ought TO be presented before a
musical public, unless they are so generous as to
forgive everything which may happen. 1t seemed
to US that they were all volunteers in the quar-
tettes last evening, and we know what performance
to expect from musical pretenders. The choruses
powerful, and well executed at both concerts;
and, as whole, both concerts taken together, re-
which should incite them to arduous efforts in en-
deavoring to attain perfection q musical society,
which point is, as yet, great way above them.
DIGEsr AND CoDHIcATioN OF THE LAws-The
Sentinel informs us that Messrs. 0uld and Cross,
the gentlemen heretofore appointed by the Presi-
dent Of the United States to revise simplify digest
and codify the laws of the District of Columbia,
under the superintendent and revision of the
Attorney General Of the United States, have en-
tered upon the performance Of that important duty.
The code is to be made applicable to the circum-
stances and condition of the District which, at pre-
sent, is governed, nearly altogether by laws Of
Maryland, which, In great degree, are worthy Of
respect more on account of their antiquity than
because of their adaptation to these enlightened
times.
ANOTHER observation-disclosures Maynard,
United States Navy, who is the owner of that eli
giblc estate on the corner of Sixteenth street and
Pennsylvania avenue and for which he paid $40 900,
Is about to erect upon it house which will cost
100000. This lot is opposite to the Presidents
House on one side, and Lafayette Park on the
other, and lie at present occupied by house Of
moderate pretensions.
NEW BuILDIsGs.-Two three story brick houses
are in course Of erection on + street below 10th,
and three of the same dimensions on g street, in
the same section Of the city.
A large gasometcr for the gas company Is also
nearly completed, on X street near the circle at
the west end.
A block Of five large houses on Indiana avenue,
owned by Thomas Blagdcn, Esq, forms cohspc-
feature Of that section Of tho city, In conse-
quence of their lofty elevation. These houses viii
be the most elegant in the city, when completed.
FIRK.-The alarm last evening about ten o'clock
was caused by the burning Of two bonfres in the
city--one on English Hill and the other on the
A. - - .-ra IL.
evincng decided interest on the part of the fire.
men to save from destruction any property which
might have been in danger from the 6rery element.
CENTRE MARKEr.-Business took brisker turn
this morning, and large amount was transacted
in the market this morning. Prices are unchanged,
but as the people must eat this had but little effect
upon the sales Hay was In abundance, as well as
market vegetables generally.
The WKArHER.--The sun rose beautifully this
morning betokening another fine May day. The
people were out generally TO enjoy the morning