Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-12-17

PIT 10 come last nghf, the attraction being
Robsrt le Diabte. On the whole 1t vas the most
credltable performance of this opera ever given
in this city We were much interested in the
performance Of the accomplished versatile
artist, Madame La Grange, who, on entering
Alice, gave the recitative and aria in Italii N,
but as soon as Bertram (Hermanns) made his
appearance she changed to German, the Ian
guage he sings, and kept it up in the duet and
trio to the end of the act. Although her voice
has been severely affec TED, she still remains a
great artist. Her execution is admirable and
ten or twelve years ago no other living prIma
donna excelled her. We regret to hear that
she will not appear again, as she intends to
Lave for Europe ~ once.
Ot Sienor BrIgnOli we can say, that he pos
sesses an unusual fine organ but why he does
not use it to better advantage we cannot under
stand. His voice is what may be called a large
one: in fact, it has more volume than is pos-
sessed by any other tenor; but he does not seem
TO be aware Of the fact and therefore remains
mediocre singer. He has, however, the great
merit of being nearly always In tune, which
wa not the case last night with most OF the
others, particularly with Habelmaun as Rim.
bcido and Miss McCulloch as Isabella. The
latter seemed to have altogether too heavy
role. The aria "Grace'' with harp accompanI-
ment lacked execution and force. With addi-
tioral schooling Miss McCulloch may become
a good. pleasing singer, but she will apparently
never have power for part so trying as Isa-
bella.
HermaAns as Bertrdm was, as usual, the
main attraction, yet bis voice was not clear
as on the night before; he was also little out
oftune occasionally. His conception OF Ber-
tram appears to us a little too dIabolic; but we
must say. that III characters of this kind he
always shows the fine actor. His Heptistophiles,
however. excels his Bertram by far.
The Chorus is very good with the exception
OF some lack Of bass. The Orchestra. under
the iDdomitable Max, is excellent. La Grange,
with the exception noted,) Herrmanus, and
Haeelman, sang in German, Brignoli and
McCulloch in Italian.
The Bullet performance, executed by Mile
Waesmael, without the assistance Of a Corps
de Ballet. was by no means elective, and might
as well have been omit ed
THE LATE Mr.. SrRvENs-The H,use has
been engaged since noon in listening to the
eulogies upon the late Mr.. Stevens of Penn.
sylyania. The addresses Were short, bur de-
hvered with feeling, and by members on both
sides of the House, all referring to the msny
noble traits OF the deceased, Hon. q. j. Dickey.
Mr.. Stevens successor delivering the first
eulogy. The galleries We're well filled, and
nearly every member occupied his seat upon
TIE floor. The addresses were listened to with
marked attention.
THE ALASKA PURCHAsE.-Hon. Robert j
Walker and w. ". Worden, Esq, Private Sec
retary to the President were before the House
Committee on Public Expenditures this moru-
ing, having been summoned to testify as to the
alleged payment of N oney TO secure the pas
sage oi the Alaska appropriation bill Their
testimony did not show that any money had
been irandulently paid.
THE PRESIDENT to-day transmitted to the
Senate the name OF Moore N. Falls, to be Col
lector ef Internal Revenue for the Cd District
of Maryland, vice Wm. Prescott Smith re-
signed. Several other nomi minatIons were sent
in, all OF them Of appointments made during
the recess, but none of any importance.
MR.. PoMKRoY introduced in the Senate this
morning the following joint resolution, which
was referred TO the Committee on Military A.
fairs:
R.s0ired dc, That all men W no volun teered
10 serve As soldiers or as cooks for three years
or during the rebellion, aud were honorab!y
discharged, shall receive the same additional
bounty upon the same terms and conditions as
other soldiers ~ no have received and are re-
ceiying under the act OF July 2s, 1864. and rey-
eral acts anendatory thereto, notwiths hstanding
they may have been bJrne upon the roll as
slaves.
IN THE SENATE TO-DAY, Mr.. McCreery, of
KY, introduced bill amendatory of the Con.
stitution OF the United States.
GENERAL GRANT, Secretary Schofield and
party are expected TO return here from Chica.
go on Saturday morning.
INTERNAL RRvENuE.-The receipts to-day
from This sourca