The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-11-12

Pauies nave Wsou up sne roads. They 90
nearly all twenty or thirty years cid. and have
been made to do more service In stock johbIpr
operations and large dividends than in securing
sac travel. The lives OF the public have
always been regarded by railroad companies
as of secondary value. Thus 1t is that life 10
no longer safe upon the railroads, and people
will soon begin to think tiat it is better for us
to 20 back to the old stage coach lines again,
which, although allow, are sure. II one does
not reach his destination quite as quickly, he
arrives ct least with his neck anbroken; and
that is . consideration Of some moment to the
traveller. Upon the railroads, as they are now
conducted, he has no such guarantee. He
may generally calculate that he purchases
ticket for fractured limb as we'll as for q seat
in the railroad car.
COnti nental Crittcism-The Now Opera
Aeason.
Our metropolitan readers must have been very
much surprised to find in the HERALD Of cleo
1t seems that the Signor, fleeing from dose OF
Godfrey's cordial here, has met with worse
medicine upon the other side the Atlantic.
Our foreign adviccs inform us that he made
his debut at Madrid on the 29ih of October.
The Queen, the King and the Inianta Of Spain
were present, with all their suites. The re-
mainder of the audience must have been almost
equally distinguished. This much the Ameri-
can reputation Of Brignoli did for him; but
when the opera began, and he was called upon
to do something for himself, he failed most
dismally. In spite of the presence of royalty,
Kisses, hootings and catcalls .resounded
throughout tho magnificent theatre, and the
curtain fell upon an operate failure and
poor, broken-heartcd tenor.
The inquiry why singer who was so popu-
lar here should fail thus sadly at Madrid, is
very easily answered. There ore five great
Powers in chrstendom and five great Powers
in operadom. The operatic Powers are Paris,
London, Madrid, st. Petersburg aud New York.
The operate cities Of Italy and Germany are
only schools. Now, Of these five operate
Powers some are very Independent and some
not so Independent. In Paris which is the
most corrupt city in the world, you con buy,
any thing. from critic to cane, and there
artists buy their deb,as. In London the aris-
tocracy and the press together make reputa-
lions, aud it is not so very difficult to influence
the English press. In Madrid the press has no
power, and the sristocracy alone rules the
opera. ST. Petersburg and New York are more
independent than Paris and London. and more
good natured than Madrid Therein lies the
solution of Brignols fasco. He did not sue
coed in Madrid because the opera-goers there
are better judges than our opera-goers, and
will not allow their personal good feeling TO
prejudice them against their judgments.
On Monday next Maretzck begins q new sea-
son Of opera at the Academy. Don Sebast'ano,
which he promised us for the opening night, is
postponed, and II Poliuto substituted. His
artists have been very fairly and generously
introduced to the public, and they must'now
be Independently criticised. 1t is not every
tenor who can expect the same kindness as
that which New York lavished upon Brignoli
We must criticise as independently, and if need
be. as severely, as Madrid, London and St.
Petersburg; and all the New York critics
should be most careful to avoid that corrup-
ton which is so prevalent in Paris. Opera has
at length become popular and profitable
institution in this metropolis. Good houses are
the rule nowadays, not tie exception, as Of
yore. The excitement of the election is dying
greater than ever. In this state OF affairs
we can see no reason why we should not insis.
upon good artists, good scenery and full
choruses. Nowhere in the world are opera
goers so lenient to artists as we have been.
Nowhere else are artists allowed to assume
such social position. This leniency and this
kindness must not be carried so far however,
as to damage the reputation Of this city in
matters Of art. We regret the failure Of Brignoli
upon his own personal account; but we regret
still more that the want Of success Of our once
favoritc tenor should lead tho aristocracy of
Madrid to form mistaken opinion of the
musical sculture Of our people. Perhaps with
some instruction in acting Brignoli will do
better upon a second attempt At any rate, it
is certainly his duty to make the experiment.
PRESIDENT LINCoIN's NEW MIssIoN-Is He
EQUAL TO Ir.--h is already patent to every
President of the United States for another term.
His administration has passed the scrutiny OF
the American people of the North. and their
verdict is TIA. OF approval. Now is the time for
him to look about, scau the political horizon,
see where and how the blunders of his admins
tratIon have occurred, and apply promptly cor
receive. Now is the time for him to show his
hand, to let the world know how be stands, to
turn imbeciles and incompetents from official
stations, and to supply their places with able
and patriotic men. The day Of fossils has passed.
The era of young and energetic men has ar
rived. Now is the moment for President Lin
coin to reveal his future policy, to map cut his
future. Among the hrst things he has to do is
to adopt the Jacksonian policy, and change