The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-01

and, at the same time, uniform unit AID UNI
form weights, measures and currency. Thu
would be an undoubtcd benefit to every covers.
ment and country in the world. and there A.
pears to be no reason why the desired uniformity
should not be adopted. Let our Congress take
the lead in the matter, and half the battle is wen.
ITALIAN ARTgrs IN THE UNITED SrArEs.-Te
Italians Of all classes America is almost tUrs
inoognta. The higher classes know Of the United
States as a sort of barbarian country to whioh
they may fly if they are compelled to forsaks
the Arno, desert the Adriatic, or abandon Rome
with all its delights. The artists recognise Yan-
KEGS az people from whom they get good orders
or fine engagements, and onoe in while they let
their aristocratic countrymen know that all the
art appreciation is not to be found on their aide
of the Alps and the Atlantic. Our sculptors am
painters have not made such bad figure In
Rome, Florence, Venice and Naples. Still, these
extenuating circumstances are considered as alto
gether exceptional, and some strong Developments
of the art feeling among US is required to make
the Italians understand that we have any at aM.
Such Development has been made, it seems 70
U.S. in the triumph of Pccolomini ever what
would seem insuperable obstacles This prima
DONNA who had stirred the artistic heart of Italy
as it has rarely been agtated of late years, came
to us crowned with transatlantic laurels, to
which the American public was not slow in add
ing fresh wreath In this metropolis she made
profound sensation, and caused tremendous
newspaper warfare, which added to rather
than initiated against her success. The ''three
hungry Frenchmen" who print the Courier DE-
| Eats Unis were especially bitter and malignant
| in their attacks upon Piccolomini. She was a.
sailed in her personal as we'll as in her artistic
| character, and no means were untried to crush
| her.
| It was in vain. The season which she inau-
gurated was 30 prosperous in its results that
| double the number of announced representations
were given. In the provinces, at Philadei-
phia, Boston, Baltimore, Washington and Rioh-
| mond the scenes and enthusiasm enacted in the
metropolis were repeated; and in the generous
and sympathetic West, to which section the fair
Siennese next turns her steps, it cannot be
doubted that an equally Hattering reception
| awaits her.
Now, the Italians, whose political troubles have
kept them wide awake, are not altogether igne-
rant Of these things. Some Of them have seen
the Courier. 1t is not admitted to public distri-
button in all the Italian States, but is circulated
privately, and goes into the hands of Young
Italy, the especial patrons of Piccolomini.
They see that, in spite of all the
denunciations of the hungry Frenehmen,
| the American people have welcomed PiccoIo-
mini, and they will understand that abe will reap
about a hundred thousand dollars cash enthusi-
asm should she remain year in the United
States They will learn, also, that the Courier
presumes to be the American organ Of the EN-
peror Of the French; and they may have some
natural suspicious Of the friendship that comes
from source which finds no terms too strong to
be used in condemnation of Italians in strange
land. Young Italy has now but two sensa-
tions-Piccolomini and italian unity. She is
known to be ardently patriotic; and the curious
fact that an organ Of the French government has
attempted to ruin her prospects here will natu-
! rally excite remark, and will not tend to
strengthen any amicable relations that may ex-
list between the Italians and the French. The pet
prima donna is little enough, to be sure; but
smaller things than she have, before now, upset
the weightiest diplomatic negotiations
| HoNoRs TO THE BRITISH MN1sTER-We under
stand that committee has already been consti-
tuted in this city for the purpose of rendering to
Lord and Lady Napier grand ball at the Aca-
deny Of Music. 1t is proposed that the affair
shall take place during the month of March, and
| Immediately after the close of the session of
Congress, when the elite of the diplomatic, poll
teal and fashionable world will be in New York.
The new British Minister, Lord Lyons, will pro-
| baby arrive about the same time that the ball
will be given to his predecessor. 1t is stated
that the .fste will be the most magnificent affair
of the kind that has ever been projected in the
United States, both in the quality of the guests
and the splendor Of the general arrangements.
Burton's Theatrc-A New Yankee Comedy.
Evidently the stage Yankee is going out with the
theatrical Yorkshireman aid the dramatic Irishman.
Perhaps is the railways, which soften provinsn pecu-
ares and may be that the progress of trade teaches
dramatic authors TO make their portraits characters
rather than carcatures At any rate the wild Yankee
typifed by Mr.. Jefferson in "0ur American Cousin"
all the rage in dramatic circles nowadays That remark
able play has been witnessed by we really don't re-
member how many thousand people, and It's
chiefly owing 70 the fact that the author borrowed
the plot from German play, gave rather favora-
bic view Of New England character than that furnished
by his predecessors in the field Pretty nearly the
same thing, as far as giving new view Of character
is concerned, was done by Mr. Charles Gayer in hin
comedy Of Stalking the Chances" written for Mr..