The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-01

arctic be open to the public, by the late decree
of the Emperor, and the press is to be freed
from those restrictions which heretofore ham.
pered it and crippled its liberty. The day
will then be memorable on both sides of the
Atlantic for the Inauguration of events involv-
ing grave questions of the rights Of the people.
GREAT TIMES IN BR0oKLYN.-Our friends
across the water are unusually elated just now.
They have not only erected, fitted and fur
nished new Opera House, but they have suc-
ceeded in getting first rate troupe of artists
to sing in it, and very large audiences to pay
for the qualification of hearing the best works
of the modern Italian repertoire BROOKLYN,
not TO put too fine point upon it, feels inclined
to crow over New York, and has just cause for
so doing. This week Brooklyn has the three regu.
lar nights monday, Wednesday and friday,
while the habitufs of Irving place have to con.
tent themselves with Tuesday and Thursday.
Wednesday night in Brooklyn is especially de-
voted to church meetings; but it would appear,
from the fact that the receipts of the Opera
were greater on that night than ever, that the
good people of Brooklyn have gone over to
the world, the flesh, the devil and the "Trova-
tore" and that the religious party has been
whipped out of the field. Not only do the
young men and maidens of Brooklyn talk about
the Opera, COlson, Hinkley, Brignoli, Verdi,
Mercadante, Muzio a. Co. continually, but staid
fathers of families, heavy merchants and pro-
minent bankers, have become learned in the
divine art they speak with glowing pride
about "our" Opera House, and sour" artists,
and mention New York in terms Of magnani-
nous commiseration. When the citizen Of
Brooklyn, after finishing his daily avocation in
the metropolis, crosses the East river, he imme-
diately assumes loftier position than he has
hitherto held. He arrays himself in the "full
dress" prescribed by the managers of the
Prince of Wales ball, calls a coach, and, with
Madame and the younger branches of the
family, goes in state to the Opera. He finds
the house full of people, all en- grande tenue,
and all devoted to the Opera. He delares
hat it is charming, delightful, divine, and
goes home with his head full of roulades,
cadenzas, polaccas, barcaro.es, romanzas,
and musical morceaar OF all kinds
The next day he is able to say with truth to
bis friends in Wall street. We support the
Opera on our side of the river; you would
have none at all were it not for US. Come
over to our house if you wish to see the Opera
sustained; and so on.
All this is very curious, very entertaining and
very profitable for all parties, more especially
Muzio & Co., who will undoubtedly make all
the hay they can while the Brooklyn sun
shines. The effect of the Operate furore in
Brooklyn has already begun to tell on this side
of the river, and there are hopeful signs Of
revival in Irving place. When Brooklyn
droops, New York will be ready for an excite
ment about the new opera, or the competition
between the rival prime dome, Huxley and
Elena. The Opera season commenced under
very uniavorable auspices, but it has, thanks
to Brooklyn, the very best prospects.
The DISMAL DEATH OF WASHINGTON Or
GAH.-The pap Of the federal treasury upon