Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-05-18
Our Boston Letter.
BOSTON, May 9

NAASS J SNAp Wiz 4"So'AoA
should have public park of some mag
nitude and completeness, formed with
some such plan and system as the Central
Park of New York, or have number of
small squares scattered here and there
over the territory of the city, has been
before us, received the attention of the
been entered and discussed at the State
House. Several kbills have been before
the Legislature, or one bill in several
forms at the present session, and finally
entirely defeated by reason of the influ-
ence of local interests and jealousies. Our
city government is divided upon the sub
iect, and public sentiment has not yet ia
ken definite form in the matter. In fact
the time has not come when the size or
exact location of public park can be
most successfully brought about. But
there can be no doubt, from the nature of
the territory and the position of the mass
of the population of this city and the
neighboring cities of Cambridge with its
forty or fifty thousand, Charlestown with
it's thirty, and Chelsea it's twenty-five
thousand, and the towns of Newton and
Brighton, Brookline and Watertowr, to
the west of the city, that public attention
is being fixed on a tract of land west of
Boston, between Cambridge and Brookline,
reaching from a salt water bay, on the
west side of Boston to one part of New
ton, distance of eight or ten miles, as
desirable central position for such pro-
ject. The party supporting the bill before
the present Legislature evidently favored
this plan. As other towns and cities may
posed that commission having the du-
ties of fixing the number and places or
place of this park, should be composed
of four, appointed by the Governor of the
State, and four members by the city, with
the Mayors casting vote, committee of
nine But this was defeated by influences,
among others that of the jealousy of the
10Th Ward, formerly Dorchester, just ad-
mitted to the city, which occupies the
south east point or limit of Boston. There
being an unoccupied, hilly region still
southwest of this place, which these most
disinterested late corners to the popula-
tion and voters of Boston, think was es-
pecially designed for the great park. Per-
haps it is just to suppose that this party
probably favor the making several parks
in different parts of the city, which with
divided expense, attention or inattention,
and that extravaganza which comes from
numerous sets of officers TO take charge
of these. and the partialitits that would
eventua ly be sbOwn, would make these
but public enclosures, without any great
beauty or character. Thus the matter
stands It may remain unsettled for some
wears, as these neigbboring cities and
towns are more or less interested.
The class of people which, by its
wealth, cultivated tastes and comprf hen
sive Judgment in all that relates to the
expression of taste and beauty in public
manner, have their attention now di
rected. for the time being, from the Parl
matter to that of the erection of fre'
Art Museum upon grand cIle. AS thi
is not 80 much affected by the bigotry
claniahneas and selfshness of distan
regions. and as it IL a matter that ware
politicians know little about, it will prob
ably be very successfully established.
The festival of music of the Handel !
Hayden Society opened this Afternoon
with magnificent concert, on seal
and of quality unequalled in this coun
try, il which the audience had an oppor
tunity to listen to the most exalted musica
composition, played and sung by perform
ers thoroughly educated to their work
All the performers appeared to be in gooc
spirits, and did their parts wonderful,
well. opening with Martin Luther
choral, "God is a castle and defense,
plain and simple music, which was suns
in a manner and with an accompaniment
that made it seem like another compost
tien from mere perfectness and power
, execution.
The stage of the Music Hall is mad
somewhat wider, the centre of which
occupied by the orchestra, extending
back to the organ. The chorus are seate
as close as possible to the right and left G
{ this on seats on steep incline, risin
: rapidly up to and including the lowe
balcony. The soprano and tenor on on
side, and bass and alto the other, fac
the conductor stationed on the outsid
edge of the orchestra next the audience
at whose side also are seated the sol
singers. The chorus also circle aroun
! the orchestra somewhat next the aud
ence, and makes the whole appear as on
chorus.
!, There was good deal of curiosity
> hear the English singers, Madame Ruder'
dorff and Mr.. Cummings, who, with Mis-
Cary of the Nilsson co.. pany, compose
the soloists, all Of whom were we'll RI
ceived. aud in.oue way or another full
satisfied the audience. They had each
piece assigned TO tnem Desloes ldhiuS
part in the oratorio or cantata "Hymn {
Praise" by Mendelssohn. the princip
Il piece of the occasion. There was also
" four part song, Farewell to the Forest
81 by Mendelssohn, sung by the entii
rs chorus, unaccompanied, and for the mo-
Il part ruled by the conductor with sing,
,, lar effect. For once in life time man
. had an opportunity to hear heavenl
- music by choir which, from its loft
,' position, the silence of the orchestl
L below, the motionless conductor SCENE
- for the time cut off from all connectic
'e with this earth; the Illusion SCENE
perfect by the great number of singer
forbiddiug the attention being liked {
ID any one of the whole, or even any pal
G as the melody was passed back and fort
s. or caught up in succession by the sopran
a tenor, bass or alto, and blended again, ar