The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-11-26

TIE FASHIONABLE SEAsoS--OPENrSG OF A Egy
OrERAIIc CAxrlIoS.-According to the laws Of
fashion-and they are not altered either By
crises or revulsions-the New York season com
mences about the middle Of November and
ends with the beginning Of Lent. During this
carnival, high holiday for the beau aloads,
New York puts on its gayest garb. Then PEG.
pie marry and are given In marriage; then we
have the "set" dinner parties, private mas
querade balls and amateur theatricals; then the
managers Of the Opera, the theatres, the con-
certs, appeal to New York support alone, and
do their best to deserve H. The present season
begins under peculiar circumstances, and II
may turn out even more disastrous than that OF
1867, when people went to balls In calico, and
devoted the money usually expended for din.
ner'parties TO the aid Of the Ward Relief Ascot
atoms and the maintenance Of the soup houses.
Just now, however, there are no signs Of dis
tress either In the upper or lower circles Of
metropolitan society. Jsponioadom never was
In fuller bloom, crinoline was never more ex
tensively expanded. We hear that the South
will secede; that the banks In the interior
have suspended; that revolution, civil war
ard hard times are impending; but in spite Of
all that we are all Of ms very merry over the
prosperity Of to-day, and take no thought for
the morrow. This easy, careless, take things
a. they are feeling 10 eminently characteristic
Of our city, and perhaps II is on the whole as
well as II we Joined the noble army Of croskes,
and ale ,ted penitence for the sins of other
people. Whatever the philosophy Of the matter
may be, there Ia no doubt about the facts in the
case. New York has set its heart upon gay
winter, and among its specialiies the Opera
stands frst and foremost The little Napoleon
Of Irving place has arisen after the manner OF
giant refreshed with new wine. Like Gold
smiths schoolmastsr, he is often overthrown
but never conquered. He rises superior to
fate, and when bis destinies seem altogether
adverse, he throws himself confidently upon
the public, astonishcs them with a bulletin
couicw dc rose, and awaits the issue with the
easy assurance which Is the especial preroga-
tive OF genius.
AT the present moment Ullman is like the
Little Corporal when be returned from Elbs-
he Il entirely alone. All biz generals and mar.
shals have left him 10 work out bis own saliva
ton. Whether or not be viii be equal 60 the
emergency remains TO be seen. The public
nust Judge as to that To this great audience
Ihe un;errifed director Of the Academy appeals
this evening, when he begins bis most import
ant campaign with an opera which we are as.
sured viii not only be finely sung. but which
VIII be mounted" @ the stage phrase goes, in
the mos. meguifeent manner. II is very
important that the Italian Opera the
most refined 81 public entertainments
should receive the support Of the New
Yotk public; and we believe that this
public owes tomolhpg to Mr. Ullmaa. who
las certainly done biz beef for them. lis
Management may not have been altogether
faultlsss but !, Is certainly the most liberal
and enterprising Ne have bad. We have
no doubt that the public win give him fair
hearing, and be muat stand or fall according 10
the result Of bic works. The performance Of to-
night merits the particular attention, not only
Of musical amateurs and copnoimeurs, bat Of
the general public interested 10 maintaining
the srtiitic reputation Of the metropolis.