New Orleans daily crescent., 1859-11-11
THE SCHILLER CENTENARY.

poet, Schiller, now more than half century dead
From what We have read of the preparations, fal
and near, for celebrating the event, we know that
for weeks and months we will be receiving from al
parts OF America and Europe descriptions of what
was yesterday done in honor of departed genius.
New Orleans did her share in the widespread
celebration of this and the other nations. Here
where there is a large German population, held il
respect and sympathiZed with by all in their festive
observances, the honors to Schiller were rendered
with taste and were the ruling feature of the day
In fact, this week may be called Schiller week
for the Germans do not limit their festive outburst.
to single day. From the beginning of the week
German theatrcals have usurped the only oper
theater in our midst, (the Amplitheater) and have
been largely attended, not only by the Germans
but by other classes Of citizens each nights per
formance offering, as its chief attraction, something
from or about the immortal poet. At another the
ater, the Orleans, on Wednesday night, the poets
dramatic masterpiece, The Robbers" was per
formed by an excellent German company to large
and appreciatiye audience
Yesterday, the 10th, the public ceremonies took
place. The weather was delightful, and the plen
tiful numbers Of ladies and children who mingled
with the usual outdoor throng, gave the streets q
gala-day appearance. Great numbers OF German
residences, and stores on the principal streets
were decorated with flowers, banners, and othel
ornaments indicating the nature of the occasion
Some Of the stores were splendidly decorated.
During the forenoon the procession was formed
at the corner Of Canal and Rampant streets, under
the direction of Mr.. TIL. Bruening, Grand Marshal
1t was very long and elegant procession. Aftel
the Marshals and band of music, followed mum
hnr of hal ,,;,l
badges, and the Turner'S, conspicuous for their uni
form Of gray linen and black belts. With these
came large and richly decorated car, portrayng
the triumphs Of literary genius in all nations. Or
its front and back were two paintings, represent
ing Fame and POstcrity On either side were six
teen shields with the emblematc colors of the diff
ferent nations, each bearing the names of two eel
ebrated authors and poets, with the title of the
principal works: Goethe and Lessing Cooper and
Irving; Shakespeare and Byron; J. j. Rousseau
and Gessner Scott and Burns: Mickuwicz ant
krasinsk Ceryantes and Caderon: Voltaire ant
Corneille Hertz and Cehlenschlaeger CamoGn
and Gomez; Dante and Alferi Kisfaludi and Fa
ludi Helmers and Van Der Vondel; Preschin ant
Yasikon. Over each shield was small American
flag, and the whole was interviewer with laure
wreaths In the center of the car. the American
colors formed a sort of trophy around fagstaf
bearing golden Tyre crowned with laurel. Thi
triumphal car was followed by the Thalia Club ant
by long line of carriages, in which were seated
the orators of the day, the Mayor and differen
members of the city government, and large nun
Der of other invited guests. The procession circet
through the city, going down town as far as Espla
made street and rs far up as Julia street.
After the procession, came the ceremonies at thu
st. Charles Theater. The theater having bee1
opened at early hour for the reception of ladies
was soon crowded in that part. the dress circle
allotted to the better part of creation. When thu
procession entered, with the attendant crowd, the
building was crowded from pit to dome, and grea
numbers had to leave being unable to squeeze into
any place where they might see or hear. Dayligh
being excluded, or rather inadmissble, the houst
was lit up with gas; light which showed tht
brilliant new painting, Opened to the public fo
the first time), and the crowded and gay looking
audience, to splendid advantage.
The different bands which had played during The
procession were united into one grand orchestra
whilst strong chorus of amateur singers, fifty Of
sixty in number, appeared on the stage.
The orchestra first performed a piece composed
for the occasion by Mr.. Schroenheit, entitled the
Schiller Festival March.
DR.. Maas President of the Celebration Com
mttee, delivered an address in German, which we
could not understand, but which won oft-repeatet
and hearty bursts of applause from the multitude
who could.
During the speech of DR.. Mas and when he hal
reached the proper point, a cloth was removed
from an indefnable object in the center of the
stage. A colossal bust of Schiller was disclos ed
to the audience 1t was greeted by all in the most
rapturOus manner
Mr.. Thomas j. Durant addressed the assemblage
in English, speaking of the great poet whose birth
was being celebrated, and of the power of poetic
genius in all countries, and of what poetry had ia
do with patriotism and freedom. The address was
eloquent throughout, and won the heartest an.
plause.
Mr.. CHI. Burghalter, of Baton Rouge recited a
Festival Poem, composed by himself for the occa.
sion.
Each interval was properly envened by airs
from the orchestra and ehoruses from the singers
all given with fine effect The closing song was
" Walensteins Lager" by the united choirs II
was beautifully sung, and ended most happily the
afternoons part of the ceremonies at the theater
In the evening, at Odd Fellows Hall, came on
the musical festival. The hall was crowded, the
fashion and intellect of the other classes of our
population being present as well as the Germans.
The head of the hall was appropriately decora-
ted for the occasion. The bust of Schiller stood
on pedestal between two columns supporting an
arch, the whole decorated with twinings of ever.
green and flowers, with background of blue
studded with stars. The shields which had deco
rated the trumphal car during the day were with
their festoons of green, tastefully disposed across
the hall as a partition between the orchestra and
the audience. On either side of the Schiller tri-
umph were elevated seats, on which sat the sing.
ers. Both the orchestra and the chorus were very
strong, numbering upwards Of one hundred and
fifty people, the whole being led by Professor
SchOenhet.
The orchestra led off with the overture to Ros-
sini's William Tell.
DR.. j. X. Guthem delivered in German a lite
rary discourse on Schiller and his works. 1t was
lengthy, but kept the interest and enthusiasm OF
the audience awake from first to last,
A cantata, composed for the occasion by Prof
Won La flache, was performed and sung with great
sweetness and spirit.
MIR. John w. Overall, our literary and critical
conJi'6re of the Daily True Delta, delivered in
English, discourse upon Schiller and upon othe,
poets and their poetry 1t was well conceived
spiritedly gwen and aroused as much enthusiasm
in the auditory as any other event of the evening
Schiller's poem, Greeting to the Artist" was
next sung by the choristers Then came the Cor.