The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-03-24
MAxcEgsrER. Monday Night.

A boy remarked in the factory some weeks
ago that the singing class At the Methodist
Church had sung the roof off the house. At
the time, | supposed that he only meant to be
witty at the expense of truth My knowledge
of acoustics forbade my lending the smallest
credit 10 the assertion. Now, since I attended
the concert on Friday night, am ready to be-
lieve that the boy told the truth-partially ut
least. For this change of opinion, l have
several excellent reasons, only one of which
! will state at this point.
The wall of the church was horribly defaced
by water, which had evidently found an inlet
through the roof My opinion is, that during
the rehearsal of the class on some occasion of
unwonted inspiration, the room became so
charged with melody, that the roof was rent.
If such be fact, it furnishes most affecting
| illustration of the power of music, and brings
within the compass OF probability the
wonderful achievements ascribed 10 the
ancient lyrist. Nor need we longer doubt the
familiar assertion that Emusic has charms to
sOOthe the savage, split rock and-summarily
demOlish n cabbage
The disfguration of the church can we'll be
| endured for Il season as n monument TO the
energy of unduIy compressed melody. For
many reasons, | suppose il would be un-
/ pleasant 10 let the house leak permanently.
AS the class sang the roof off, il seems simple
justice 10 require them TO sing it on dgtin.
This they can easily do. While they are in
/ the roofing business 1t would be well to ex
| tend their labors to the church At which l
| heard the temperance speech. That, also, is
!
other house in this highly.civliZed town.
Here, in the original, follows 4 paragraph
which our military editor caused 10 be omitted
from the paper.
| must mention that Just over these images
| significantly hung an evergreen harp. That
| took 70 be n gentle and ingenious method of
| declaring that we will praise these great gene
| rails as much and as long rs we choose-all
/ Yankeedom TO the contrary Notwithstanding.
Such spirit rs that finds a cordial response
| in my heart.
| But, TO the concert went. Little brother
| (thanks to your ever thoughtful lberality) was
| my escort. We went most unfashonably
soon, but by that means had choice of seats.
| The singers We're on an immense platform,
! manifestly erected for the occasion. They were
| n multitude which no woman could number.
| The ladies We're dressed in white, and made a
| fine display. The gentlemen, closely ranged
| in the rear of the ladies, We're more heard than
! seen. In regard 10 the performance, shall
speak freely and favorably As possibly can.
First of all, must pay my respects TO the
! class Under the training of its celebrated
| leader, ii had attained degree of proficiency
/ perfectly astonishing 10 the natives. BY the
| motion of his magic wand he could lit them
! TO their seat wake them TO song, or hush them
| TO silence. The members of his class exhibited
| a surprising familiarity with fats and sharps,
| by singing, sometimes, rather flat, and at
others intensely sharp. In marking time they
| riyalled the pendulum of Il clock. For reasons
hereafter given, they did not sing many pieces,
! but us far they went they deserve all the
praise they can get. The piece which, in my
! opinion, was rendered with finest effect, was
that which alluded TO - riding on Jesus" As
Il theological idea, 1t was quite novel, but that
made ii the more impressive.
About two thirds of the singing was done
by a party mentioned on the programme rs
antoteorS. Oh, for adjectives strong enough TO
| express my appreciation OF their performance
These | have no hope Of finding, as the gentle
man vino Invented the dictionary, strangely
| enough, left them out. As il i, | must fall
| back upon old ground, and say their singing
| was supariutireiy magnificent, and so forth. l
| could not determine in what language the
/ uuartettes were sung, because ! could not hear
| the words. If il was IN 4 foreign tongue, per
/ haps their pronunciation was defective; II III
English, they may have sung III operate style,
| for | am told that operate singers make IL Il
! point never 10 speak the words lntclligibly. L
| am sure that the class, in whose name the con-
| cert was given, felt unspeakably grateful to
! this party for contributing so largely 10 the
| entertainment. 1t left the members of the
| class comparatively little 10 do, which, no
| doubt, gratitied them very much. leXpected
at the close of the exercises, that the class
| would pass Il public vote of thanks TO the
aiaateurs, but they did not do so. The gentle
man who presided ut the organ covered him.
self with glory, and will be forever remem-
bered by those who do not manage TO forget
him.
/ AT the beginning of the services, n youth,
apparently about sixteen years OF age, arose
/ and gracefully entreated the crowd, in view
/ of the SacredneSs of the place TO refrain from
/ all demonstration during the performance
Whether this request originated i'll vague
fear that the demonstration might take the
wrong direction, or in the belief that the pat
ting of the foot or slapplng the hands Is aO-
. StIactly sinful. | am not wise enough 10 tell.
For the credit of the audience, Will say that
with one exception, to be presently men
tioned,) they obeyed the injunction pretty
we'll
The concert closed with n piece, which, for
- Handsomely
climax. Before it began, the astute FRO
frssor, supposing we would not discover II
otherwise, informed lis that the design OF l.
was 10 represent the softened mum OF distah
music The class girls and alD closed thell
Iips and gently hummed "Old Hundred,
while the quartette now and then broke forth
in spirited musical appeal TO the audience
that they would " mark those distant strains,
which, TO our best ability, we did Al the
close of the singing, (this Is the eXcepuon) q
| gentleman was so oyermastered with enthusi'
asm that he leaped up suddenly and moved
| that the Professor be solicited 10 repeat the
concert As no one could have any conceiv-
able preteXt for opposing such motion, II
was carried without dissenting voice. Inc
Professor evidently not dreaming of such an
assault, Iwas momentarily filled with con
fusion, but finally recovered sufficiently tt
say something, which could not hear.
This closed the regular exercises OF tht
evening, and rs they had no farther need O.
our presence, we were mildly requested tc
leave. After taking a parting glance al tn
costly decorations of the room, grasped lttl
brothers hand and silently departed. Ii ;
feeling of sadness, almost OF envy, nlled me
as | contrasted my circumstances win thos'
of the happy hearted girls who, fashionablJ
dressed, and richly jewelled, figured In ina
concert the world must forgive me- On
humanity, pity me in my oppressed and JOY
less state, Slht""LE.
T.. $ There are some factory items, In
Guiding a story of newly y-invented cruelty
which l will give next time.