Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-12-28

For the Spectator.
Sr,rxrox Dec. is. 1858.

For the Spectator.
STAuyToN, Dec Is, 1858.
Nessrs Editors 1t was our pleasure on yes
terday evening to attend the Musical Entertain.
ment given in Union Hall by Messrs. Turner &
Abby, Managers of the Stanton Band. We are
not disposed to be very enthusiastic on subjects
Of this kind, but we do think that justice to the
parties concerned, claims for their entertainment
passing notice III your paper. -. tr.
These gentlemen have given to the people O.
Staunton, ON former occasions several eXhlo
tions of their ability to crafty and delight the
lovers OF chaste and cultivated music. In al
these they have won Tor themselves the thanks
and congratulations of their numerous auditors
But the performance of last night, i'll our Judg
ment, far surpassed anything OF The kind hitler
to enjoyed by the good citizens oi orr village.
The programme offered such variety as Il
meet the taste Of each individual auditor. TO
the grave and thoughtful, there We're strains i'm
pressi7e and significant; for the sentimental
there was something 10 touch the lleat anu SUI
the emotions; Tor the gay aud trollcsome, there
were sparkling polkas, laughing songs, and splr
tied outbursts of joyous music, such as are calcu
lated to awaken recollectons OF youthful festly
tiles in other days.
All the musicians acquitted themselves admi
rably, but the merit Of Prot. Turner was OF 81
decided character as to win, for him severa
spontaneous acclamations of applause. The Vi
DIN performances of this gentleman were Ger
tainly equal to anything we ever listened 10 il
the Valley of Virginia, and even superior II
much we hear from men of less modesty, WIFI
figure in places of more note.
Prof Turner seems perfectly at home in TIT
business OF music With the facility OF read.
artist, he passes from instrument to instrument
as if the whole armory OF the muse OF song, from
the harp to the organ, were his playthings.-
Prof. Turner ia at the present time associated
with the Wesleyan Female Institute rs Teache
of Vocal and Instrumental Music. We congrat
ulate the friends and well -wishers of that lnsti
tuition in having obtained in the important de
partment of music, q teacher OF such scientific
and artistic attanments.
With these compliments upon the performers
and certainly they have been all well merited
and many more of like character, We turn fo
a moment to the conduct Of the audience. W.
would not silence applause when it is chaste ant
well timed, but we confess strong disapproba
ton of the ordinary mode of expressing gratt
cation on occasions OF this kind, much OF which
seems neither well timed nor well ordered.
Some such demonstrations were INDUCED II
during yesterday evenings ENTERTAINMENT an1
We wonld simply suggest to those concerned II
the getting up Of these diversions hat We dc
not believe that the better class of auditors eli
Their engage il or appreciate this method O
showing respect. Certainly an avalanche o
boot heels, armed with iron spikes suddenly pre-
cipitated upon dried and SOnorous pine boards
cannot afford the most agreeable pusatlons fol
the ear of refined nervous female. Besides
these youths are resolved to persist in this meth
cd of announcing their uncalled for appreciation
we would suggest to them TO try the effects
the conclusion upon the other end OF the ma
chine. AS softer materials are less sonorous VIZ
are sure the audience will suffer less annoyance
from the effort. Meantime we were glad Il
witness the indispositon on the part the b&nt
To comply with these boisterous outcrles. Few
pieces of music bear repetition under such cir
culnstances and it is always better to send al
audience away desiring the repetition Of piece
than to sutiate sensible people with that which
though popular with the rabble, may have NJ
greater merit than its want of merit.
In concluding our remarks on this subject We
express our qualification that there is in Staun
ton so much appreciation OF this elegant accom-
plshment. 1t speaks well for the town to sec
three or four hundred Of its best citizens, ant
especially its youths, attending these nusica
teasts. 1t is an evidence OF much good taste
besides it is much safer place tor youth OF boil
sexes than many OF the places Of resort frequent
ed by the young for society. Music has rein
ing and sottening influence upon the manners
1t stirs up good affections in the heart. II
stimulates to generous and noble endeavors. Ii
makes fireside more attractive than tavern
oar. Its associations are moral in their bear
| ings The vicious love not music. Its harmo'
MES are at variance with the discords of their
own hearts. Nature tuned thei{ hearts for mu-
sic, but vicious habits have so c5rroded the sym
pathetic chords, that they no logger vbrate in
unison.
Let us have, then,' frequent entertainments OF
this kind. Let Us still witness crowds rushing
to the Hail. where homage is paid to the muse
OF song, and our people will grow better if not
wiser. AUDITOR