The union Democrat., 1870-03-05
Letter from Richmond.
SAN Francisco. Feb. oS,h. 1870.

cerning 1T, and the all absorbing topic upon
the streets was the promised musical feast,
that was to eclipse anything of tie kind that
had ever taken place upon this coast, and,
perhaps, out shine that OF the "IIub of the
Universe" that came off some years back
Tith such eclat. All the musical talent of
the State had been solicited by the beautiful,
generous hearted Queen of the Festival, Ca
mllla, to take part and you may rest assur-
ed that there was goodly gathering of the
clans. Our sister State of Nevada sent over
about fifty of her best musicians, who each
evening during their stay gave musical enter
tainments, to their intimate friends, a. their
rooms at the Occidental hotel. Stockton may
well feel proud of her musical talent She
vas represented in the grand chorus by some
of the best singers on this coast. Sacramen-
TO, San Jose, Oakland, Gilroy, Santa Clara
and most every city of note in the State, ex.
cept Sonora and Columbia, were ably repre-
Feoted. Why did not our little mountain
cities send down representatives? There are
MS good musicians in Tuolumne county as can
be found in any portion of this State.
The place selected for the entertainment
was the Mechanics Pavilion. monster frame
work. occupying whole block. 1t is capa-
BILE of holding ct least 25 900 persons. 1t had
been elegantly decorated for the occasion.
From the ceilings suspended baskets of flow
ers and wreaths of evergreens, flags and all
manner of decorations calculated to please
the eye were profusely distributed all over the
immense hall till it looked like beautiful
palace. a huge stage for the orchestra had
been erected at the eastern entrance and Just
above it raised seats, extending back about
fifty or sixty feet the highest seat being
about forty feet above the level of the stage.
Down below the stage were four rows of
benches over hundred feet long, capable of
seating six thousand persons ON each side
were made promenades capable of holding as
many more and above two galleries, with
chairs and benches to hold four thousand
souls. Between the two galleries at the cas-
tern end of the huge building the grand box
was located, containing His Honor, Mayor
Selbv and party. who had purchased it du-
ring the Festival for s., 200 Madam Camilla
Urso occupied seat in the box. It was a
grand spectacle when the audience, orchestra
and chorus were all seated The magnificent
costumes and beautiful countenances of the
thousands of lovely women assembled was a
sight not often seen in California. The sight
of the two thousand school children, who
held sway the last day of the grand festival
dressed in all the coors of the rainbow, with
their bright, pretty faces beamiEg with JOY,
battles all attempts at description and has to
be seen to be fully appreciated. The sing
ing too of the little folks was grand and was
"npplauded to the skies"
The National Anthem, Anacri a. as SUNG hv
the boys and girls together was grand and
had to be repeated and still the immense cu-
'dience were not satisfied. 1t was the same
case with the "Mocking Bird, "Homc,
Sweet lIome," "Wherc the Warblins Wa
ters Flow (surg by the girls clone,l "Come
Boys. be Merry (hy the boys alone) and
the Stcr Spdngied Banner, in which all the
children joined, accompanied BY orchestra
and military band. Whenever Camilla Urso
made her appearance upon the stage to per-
form upon her violin the children arose from
their seats and such tumust never was heard
before in this city. The little ones waved
their handkerchief>, American flags THAT
had been presented to each onel and yelled
ut the top of their voices. and it was with
great difficulty that Prof. Kuowlton could
make them desist. The talented yiolinist
bowed each time in acknowledg dgmeut. and at
her final appearance, received perfect show
er of beautiful bouquets. from her little
friends, who she requested would keep the
photograph of herself that had been given
each one, and also the tiny American Flag
each one held, as a token of her friendship
She requested of each one upon the annivers-
ary hereafter of Washingtous Birthday and
this Musical Festival, that they wave said
American Flag and think of their devoted
friend Camilla Urso. Tremendous cheers
greeted these remarks and the little folks IN
one thurderng voice exclaimed THAT
will !"
The music by the Orchestra, comprising
$50 instruments was sublime. So also was
the singing by the i2o0ladies and gentlemen.
The Anvil Chorus was the crandest of ALL |
One hundred firemen performed on so anvils. |
1t was in this piece that the monster Drum
Is feet in diameter) and cannon were brought |
INTO play. The booming of the cannon and |
big drum, the sound of 1900 voices and clink. |
clank, ciink of the fifty anvils, accompanied
by the big organ aud the one hundred and
hity string and brass instruments, was calcu-
lated TO produce music the like of which was
never before heard in America. Fully eight
cen thousand persons visited the navil;on
each dag of the Grand Festival, and at le,s.
FIVE thousand were unable the frs, dav ~
gain siraistance the rush being 50 great. The
Festival WAS therefnra r~,l