The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1856-02-02

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never presented themselves to my concep-
ton with tithe of their wonderful power
and beauty before. The tragedy was of
course, translated into German; but the
costumes, and entire decorations were, as
nearly as possible, such as accompanied Its
representation, centuries ago, among the
polished Athenians. The greatest scholars
of Berlin directed these arrangements, and
roval patronage enabled the managers to
carry out their directions. There was an
altar hung with carlsnds, in front Of the
Palace which was at the back Of the stage;
the ''tbpsi," twined with iyy-wreaths, the
long "iituj" of the priests, the swords and
spears, the urns and ornaments; in short,
the transfer of u bit of ancient Athens into
the midst of Il modern city of the nineteenth
century. The rendering of the Drama was
very fine, and to heighten the effect, many
of the ''persona" had Greek profles. We
hement passion is requisite; the emotion
exhibited is even sometimes painful. A
modern addition which is so agreeable as
to excuse the historical incongruity, was
the music composed for this tragedy, by
Mendelssohn. The priests sometimes march
ed solemnly round the altar, as they sang
the choruses, sometimes grouped themselves
in graceful postures, crowned with the ivy
wreaths which they took from the altar. AT
line ISL, in the original, four of the old
men took their station on the four corners
of the altar-steps; and while some reared
high their '1hyySi," and others sat sadly on
the steps, these four chanted the beautiful
chorus that follows, in strains | shall never
forget. The impression it produced, re-
NAMED with me a long time; and ever and
anon, the final chorus, freighted with the
music of the harmonious Greek, rang
through me with haunting sweetness.
Music is as much of a German necessity
and characteristic as smoking; and one
cannot help being surprised to find Mozart,
GlGck, Dorm, Wagner, Meyerbeer, and
such composers, as well understood and
known here, as a candidate fer constable
ship in one Of our villages. The taste is
national and al-peryading: and we find
music Of every grade,-from the grandest
oratorios, down to horse iddles. HandePs
"AIessias," and Cherubini's "Requiem" are
alone almost enough to Justify a visit to
Berlin. The latter thrilled through me for
DAYS after l heard it. it was performed by
the two hundred musicians of the Singing
Academy accompanied by ''Liebig's Band" :"
The old Latin Hymn, "Dies ire, dies lila"
is introduced with very striking effect. All
Americans frequent Liebig' Concerts, where
the finest symphonies, and Cvertmes are
performed, from Beethoven, MendelssOhn,
Mozart, &c,-and that, too, for the fabu-
lousy cheap fee of SIX and quarter cents
You can imagine how pleasant it is, after
bending over books all day, with knitted
brow, to take short stroll to one Of these
Concert Gardens, in the summer, or to the
Hall, in the winter, and there be resuscita-
ted and reinyigora,ed by the most delicious
harmonies.
Whatever be regarded as necessities for
other people, newspapers are such for
Americans; and to be obliged to put up with
other than our gossiping issues, is some
thing of a deprivation. l have not read
enough of the German Journals to be able
to give more than a general notion Of them.
They are interesting in their way, giving
\ all the minute movements Of every child that
b S royal blood in its veins, as well as fine
criticisms in literature and art. The emo
tees" and advertisement" are sometimes
quite diverting: for instance, betrOthal no.
tees, signed by the parents Of the parties,
or-''We do hereby announce ourselves as
engaged signed by the parties themselves.
This is done because it is contrary to eti-
gue,te here, for a young lady among "the
upper ten" to be seen walking i'll public
with a Young gentleman to whom she Is not
betrothed, unless accompanied by near
relation. If this law of society be disre-
garded, the lady is at once the object of re-
mark. Hence, the necessity for making
the true state of the case known when a
betrothal has taken place. Then when
the parties are in society, they act easily
and naturally: nobody seems to care how
tender their glances may be, and the public
take but little interest in the information,
since it is no longer forbidden knowledge.
Here is another most business-hke notice,
and there are such in almost every daily
paper. ga young man, not much over
thirty, resident here, and possessor of a
handsome estate, with $4,000 Thalers,
seeks, in this way, life companion. Young
ladies with a corresponding fortune, who
are inclined to offer their hand to a re-
spectacle young man, will leave their worthy
addresses in the Intelligence Bureau, &c.
&C." There is a curious establishment
here, where people who are on matrimo-
NAL hunt, announce themselves to the pro-
prietor; and on the proper day, the anxious
Calebs is marched into room where the
candidates are seated. If he specifies one
who strikes his fancy, the manager" ar
ranges a private audience. Then, if mat
ters proceed smoothly, they are soon mar
ried, and the manager" gets his fee; if
not, the thing passes by silently, and both
take another chance.