The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-02-13

booker himself could only ring the changes in
his famous description of the war between the
adventurous Peter Stuyvessnt and his bands
against the crafty Governor, Jan Risingh, If
called upon to recount the war which is now
impendingAnay, which yesterday evening
began with the first big gun from the intrepid
Max Strakosch at the Academy Of Music
between the great rival opera houses Of Man
haitian. Diedrich the historian would have
again to initiate his illustrious model, the
immortal Thucydides, who, having arrived at
the breaking out of the Peloponnesian war,
sounds tho charge" as one of his common
tators observes, "in all the disposition and
spirit Of Homer. He catalogues the allies on
both sides. He awakens our expectations and
fast engages our attention. All mankind are
concerned in the important point now
going to be decided. Enleavors are
made to disclose futurity. Heaven itself
is interested in the dispute. The earth
totters and nature seems to labor with the
great event. This is his solemn, sublime
manner of setting out. Thus he magnifes
war between two-as Rapin styles them-petty
States; and thus artfully he supports little
subject by treating it in great and noble
method" In like manner Diedrich Knicker-
booker would lead his readers into the very
teeth of peril and cry out as tho present
combat opens, "Stand by for broken heads
and bloody nosesw His pen would second
time record aercer fight than either Sallust,
Livy, Tacitus, Polybius or any other historian
ever described. He would revive the hustle
and stir in the city Of New Amsterdam on that
memorable day when the host of warriors
encamped In tho Bowling Green were striking
their tents, when the drums beat and the
standards OF the Manhattoes, Of He'll Gate and
of Michael Paw waved proudly in the air.
He would cause the brazen trumpet of doughty
Antony Van Corlsar Kingsland to make the
welkin resound with portentous clangor. The
sturdy Van Corlear Kingsland would marshal
oil his forces and commence his warlike opera
tons. Outstanding his cheeks like o very
Boreas, be kept up o most horriic twanging
of his trumpet; the lusty choristers Of Sing
Sing broke forth into q hideous song Of battle
the warriors of Brenckelen and the Wallabout
blew potent and astonishing blast upon their
conch shells-altogether forming as outrageous
concerto as though five thousand French
fddlers were displaying their skill In a
modern overture" Thus prophetically hath
the illustrious Dicdfich already portrayed the
scenes about to be witnessed in tho battle
between grim Governor Jan Rsingh Pike and
the intrepid Peter Stuyvesant Strakosch
Stout Risingh Pike stands 6rm es a thou
sand rocks. Tho intrepid Peter Stuyyesant
Strakosch comes on, "hs brows knit, his teeth
SGT, his fists clenched, almost breathing forth
volumes Of smoke, SO fierce Is the FIRE that
RACES in his bosom. His faithful squire, Van
Corlear Kingsland, trudges faithfully at
his heels, with his trumpet gorgcously
bedecked with rcd AMI yellow rib
bons." Then comes waddling on the sturdy
chivalry Of the stockholders. For their
names-the Van Wycks and the Van Dycks
and the Ten Eycks and tho rest OF the two
hundred and ffty--we must refer to the
chronicles of Diedrich Knickerbocker, who
has duly set them oil down upon Van Corlcar's
roll-call.
In sober earnest the island OF Manhattan
has seldom been so greatly excited sincs the
day when Van Corlear summoned Governor
Risingh to instant surrender, and, turning
aside, "iook his nose between his thumb and
fingers and blew tremendous blast not un-
like tho flourish Of a trumpet OF defiance"
Managers, stockholders, ladies (cspousing
separate sides and wearing tho colors of one
or the other competitor In this new War OF the
Roses, chorus singers, livery stable keepers
(who have never before received 80 many
orders in alvance), ticket spectators (forget>
full of the bitter lesson which they learned at
the Dickens readrgs)-in word, as the
prophetic Diodrich says, "the entire popu-
lation Of the city, man, woman and child"
ore awaiting with breatbless interest the i'm
pending operate war. The keen competition
IL will excite must at all events, revive the
tagging fortunes OF the opera, which wo have
been compelled 10 lament for several years
past. With Pike and Grover and Max
Marstzck, aided by Italian, Teutonic and
Bourbon, and wo know mol what other potent
agencies rs got unrevcaled. Of transatlantic or
cisatlansic origin, on tho one hand, and with
Max Strakosch, La Grange, Brignoli and the
stockholders, with gallant trumpeter. on the
other, the contest will be ~ fierce and lively
~ tho political war which conservatives and
radicals are waging with each other. On
whatever banner victory may ultimately
perch this tremendous battle" will doubtless
result in the triumphant issue Of Italian opera
ont Of all the difficulties which II has hitherto
encountered in striving TO acquire permanent
| fooshold In America.
Oar Dnsreucc with tho BrltIsk Lien.