Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-04-13
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
The OPERA.-At4 p. IN. yesterday, a large
proportion of the seats were taken to hear the
opera tonight. That fact is an earnest that
the house is destined to be crowded and fash
ionable, the names of those taking the seats
being persons we'll known both in fashionable
and musical circles here. The company, by the
by, who are now to render opera before u.s. was
never excelled in this country. Such is the
judgment Of the critics Of the North. Tonight
they will undergo a scverer ordeal than ever
before in the United States; insomuch as,
though their audience cannot equal in num-
bers the audiences listening to them in Phla-
delphia or New York for our theatre as il the
case with our population, is much smaller than
in either Of the cities named above,) they will
be heard here by more persons Of critical mu-
sical taste and accomplishment than ever as
sembled outside Of Washington lin the United
States) to listen to the rendition of an opera
In truth, our opera-gOers are almost all of
them accomplished in music; circumstance
unusual in this country, and calculated to rem
der the rendition of opera successfully here a
far more difficult task, than elsewhere in tho
United States. In this case, however there
can be no doubt that the evenings entertain
ment will 90 of with entire satisfaction to all
who may attend; for, as we remark above, the
company, take them all in all, are certainly
superior to any other 80 far assembled in the
United States. They are to render tonight
LA Traviata," a beautiful opera, mover be-
fore performed here.
dpropos-Below We publish a card from
Manager Stuart explaining why the adoption
of bis scale of prices is necessary. There can
be 40 doubt whichever of the correctness of all
he says. We cannot expect to enjoy the opera
in Washington without paying enough to OBJ
tain it among US. That our population could
not do for an extended season though we
know well they will do it with pleasure for the
brief time Naretzek sfamous troupe are to per-
form here:
WALLAck's THEATRE, n. Y, April IL
Editor of the Star:
My Dear sr-Win you kindly permit me to
speak few words through your columns on the
prices charged for the approaching four night,
Of opera at Washington.
The difference between the price charged there
and hers at the Academy of Music, is but fTy
eH''; when the size of the Washington Theatre
ard the additional expense of travel are consid-
cred. 1 think this difference can hardly be
deemed unreasonable. The price of the prosce-
mum boxes here and at Washing ton il tn. same
Then what would be the price charged at any
European capital on any ordinary night-say, for
Instance, IN London! For PaTquette, rithopt
secured Ssdf, two dollars and seventy-nve cents,
for orchestra chairs seven dollars and a half for
nIst-tler boxes one hund ed dollars, and great
occasions these prices have been doubled The
cost of the four nights of opera at Wa,hinpton
will be, at the lowest, thousand dollars a
night Supposing the house full every mig ht
trust, therefore, the ladies and gentlemen who
have been good enough to patronize the Wash
ington Theatre will see that il would b. mpossi-
Bile to afford them opera at lower scale of les
For myself, anticipate profit. NV sole object
in the engagement Is to Notwithstanding promise
made at the opening of the season in my name.
Your obedient servant, w. SrUARr
HE HISTORY OF THE PAsT-The pertinent
paragraph quoted below is from the New York
Ns,cs. In very few words it tells the tale of
the result Of all previous efforts to deliver tho
Democratic party, bound hand and foot, into
the power of its enemies, and is pregnant with
a lesson which, if properly appreciated, will be
Of infinite service to the future of gentlemen in
public life, who not being disposed to take ser
wee formally in the Republican party ranks,
have Of late acted with that party upon the
Kansas State bill, the only really living issue
between the Democracy and their enemies:
When the Wilmot Proviso movement was
started. the party everywhere North, throuo
the tTeachery and deseTtion of protested Demo
crats, was for a while shorn of its strength and
overthrown-so also when the Kansas Nebraska
Oil came up the same disaftection took place
ard defeat overlook Us everywhere, but how lon.r
did IL last in either case, and who Of the desert
ers were benefited Some honorably returned
ana have ever since labored zealously for the
Democratic party; but most of them ARE Al This
day the closest adherents of the Black RenuhIi
can interests, while tho Democracy soon recov
efsd It's lost ground, and was stronger than ever
Treason may for a while effect it's object traitors
may be rewarded-but the success of such il but
a sickly triumph. The Old Line Drmoc arv
coon recover their lost ground, and sweep their
opponents from the fisld.n
The MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE,
The Legislature Of Maryland in 1856 chartered
an institution for the purpose of educating the
youth Of the State in the science of agriculture,
eImb'ned with those branches taught in the
hrst colleges OF the country. A donation of six
thousand dollars per annum was granted, upon
condIutn OF the subscription Of fifty thousand
dollars Il stock in shares of twenty five dollars
The requisite amount of stock has been Oh
tanned by tie general agent, Robert Bowie
Esq, and the College has been organized unds,
the charter-one trustee from each of the conn.
ties Of Maryland, and one from the civ Of R.l.
,imore constituting the board of control Tn.
trustees have purchased from Chas. b. Calvert
Esq., Of Prince George county, his Rossbure
estate, about nine miles from the city Of Wash
inston, and within a short distance of the rail.
road. The location is eligible, as we'll on nc
eoun; of its healthfulness as its numerous other
advantages. Arrangements have already been
made by the board CT trustees for the erection
Of suitable buildings.
An ams ndatory act was passed at the last
session of the Maryland Legislature, extending
the benefits Of the institution to the District ct
Columbia, and placing the citizens thereof upon
an equal footing with the counties of Maryland
and the city Of Baltimore, and providing for a
representation in the board of trustees.
Mr.. Bowie is still eanvassing in several
counties Of Maryland for additional subscrip-
tions of stock; and an agent will be appointed
10 solicit subscriptions in the District of Co.