The New Orleans crescent., 1868-03-12

And then, too, see how much genuine talent,
musical and histrionic, has sprung out from behind
is blacking. TO be recognized by the cultured
public as soon as its face was washed! Mr.. Dan
Bryant, in one or two of his negro bits, gave Us
little genre pictures Of negro life, far surprising
anything be has accomplished in tie hackneyed
And then, there, look at the names IN English
opera, and remember that both Castle and Camp
bell once sang the lays of the Cork miaslrsls, at
only twenty five cents admission, aud made good
thing of il at that.
/ heard them both in English opera the other
night, and could not help thinking of the changes
few years had brought
Castles futy voice l never remember to have
hesrd in minstrel lays. But ah. Csmpbell-weIl,
10 metter! You never knew it. Stephen Tor is il
ssmuelO and let concealment feed on my
dsmask cheek till 1t got tired OF. the bill Of fare.
close my eyes now-and did the other night
while they were singing 'Faust"-aud the faint
strains of Campbes minstrel melodies come
floating back over the years, and remember all
things as they were then, even to the fact that
silver quarter dollars were given for admission aud
that wore my hair IN oandedu1 which extin-
guished my forehead and swept down to my chin.
Again, IN fancy, / see Campbell as he was-a
iine shiny black Minstrel, attired In shiny black
broadcloih-with soiled white waistcoat, as is
the wont OF minstrels. and ffty-thousand dollar
diamond pin stuck in his satin stock.
One song srembles on my lips whenever Camp
heii's name is mentioned-the shifting scenes OF
ten years have not obliterated the words of the
refrain nor the air, to which those words we're
welded:
Down yhe the ruwu-wind wer."
Does he ever now invite any one to meet him by
that ruined well. wonders And shall you despise
me as uncutured because the time was when
considered that song melodious and poetic beyond
comparel No, sir, you shall not.
confess that nowadays my taste has changed
and actually and d-auricuiarIy shrink from hearing
much OF the melody which our colored brethren
mske. And since | am making auricnlsr con-
fession, will must-add that have now be.
come suck 4" worldly little deyil - Ito quote from
Mr.. Dickens). that the other night when / heard
q. and G. singing Faust "-even Faustn-I
could scarcely relrain frem laughing.
And why. Merely because the English lam
gusge is ludicrons IN my ears when Joined 70 opera
music can no more help IL, that my taste has
changed, than the lovers of minstrel music can
help il that theirs has not yet. Many scoldiug
have had on this account--msny person have /
come in contact with who helu Italian music as no
better than caterwauliDg. and the Italian language
as suggestive OF nothing SO much as a monkeys
jabber.
Seated, only the other evening, in one of orr
best thesters, and listening with entranced atten-
ten to some well played selections from "Obe-
ROM heard woman's voice behind me saying
This music is about as lively the tune use
otd co,c died or. wish they'd play Tramp,
Trsmp,' or somethiDg.n
Now, sir, what manner of woman was this.
think you, who suggested the substitution of
Tramp, Tramp" or 'something' for selections
nom "Oberon,' comparing the latter TO the N.Y.
thical melody of which the aged qpadruped re-
ferred to expired? Was the woman a shoddy crea-
ture. vulgar, red d-hared and III bredg Or w.s she
fresh from Bowery precincts and crowaed with an
exaggerated bonnets
She was neither of these. She was an extreme
~ pretty young girl--so pretty indeed, that II L
had been Uery much interested in my companion
should have objected to his looking so frequently
at her, for tear OF unfavorable comparisons a
lovely yonng thing with fluffy head of blonde
hair, prettier, great DEAL than your aunt So
pha's poodle-and wearing long gold earrings
representing gridirons, and purple plush suit,
and Bismarck gloves.
She was not cultured, as we understand the
word, and no doubt the minstrels are quite TO her
taste. Therefore must our critics approve those
who cater TO her taste, and not scod the minsrels
for not making an effort to reach higher mark at
which they might shoot and miss.
Fie, fe, Anonymous, what is that you are say
ingg Not good loaici Once for all. sir, know
that logic Is bore, and that the editor gives me
cprfe blanche to be as illogical as please Also,
to be as rambling as Iplease. also, TO be as te-
dious as please and TO contradict myself at my
own sweet will.
For you. give you leave 10 yawn over what
write, but nothing more. You shall lay down no
rules for my guidance, sir. Logic gives me head
aches. Ethics ! endure for s0cety's sake. By
aesthetics | stand forever. With this for nv
code and q. o. ID. for my motto, | send my
to the editor to be printed.
OLIVE LOGAN.