Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-06-27

made up the vocal portion Of the pro-
gramme. Before he left Germany, even
when he made his contract to come
over. Strauss was more than half in
clined, he admits TO believe the jubilee
Yankee swindle. This was the gen
eral belief in that country, and he says
that it will need all the credit he and
other German artists now here possess
in Fatherland, and all the power of
language at their command. to give
any conception to their countrymen
of what they have seen in this country.
Herr Franz Bendel, the pianist, is a
splendid looking fellow. He is large, has
fine open face, clear blue eye and kind
expression of countenance, which wins
not merely the liking but the affection
of ali whom he meets in social inter.
course. His hair is long, wavy, very
loose, and like his beard, Of a dark,
tawny yellowish tinge. Looked at when
he smiles he is the very model of frank,
free-hearted Deutscher. When his fea-
lures are in repose he looks like a hu-
manized lion; but how this lien does know
and love music, and how he playsl The
strange cross between an empty pair Of
trousers and hand-organ, familiarly
known as Wehli, has terror of this su-
perb creature, who, both as man and ar
tist, overawes him. Bendel plays from
memory alone no less than three hun
dred concert pieces accurately, so as to
win the hearty praise of the great mas
ter, List, of whom he was the favorite
pupil He joins with Strauss in every
expression of wonder and admiration
concerning the jubilee and all the little
that he has been able TO see OF this coun-
try.
Franz Abt, genial, paternal, had just
returned from the great Saengerfest in
st. Louis, aud it was almost as hard for
Bendel and Strauss to realize what he
had to tell them Of all he had seen and
known in his extended tour through this
country as they say it will be for their
friends in Germany TO believe their
stories. The audience on German day
wednesday, was the largest yet congre-
gated within the walls Of the coliseum.
The entire floor has been occupied
closely, the lobbies and corridors filled,
aud even the enormous balcony was
more than half full. 1t is something to
see three acres of people brought to-
gether, if only ostcnSibly in behalf Of
music. And the sensation is wholly a
new one to stand in this airy building,
encompassing as it does so many voices,
and look down at the wonderful picture
of twenty thousand musicians mar
shalled for concerted work. Gazing
through the long vista of flags to taat
noble chorus, with its countless faces,
covering the hills of the galleries and
the broad plain of the orchestra below,
one is thrilled with the magnitude Of the
spectacle. To put the exact sensation
into words is impossible. 1t was not the
picturesqueness OF it, though that was
new, but il was the achievement of it.
Twenty thousand musicians meant 20
600 parts OF unit for this purpose,
and 10000 personal sacrifices for pur-
pose. Musical history does not record
equal unanimity anywhere.
The receipts of the German day were
about $4,000. This is exclusive of all
the season tickets and multitude of
deadheads,
The Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton have established large tent near
the Coliseum, at which religious meet |
ings are held morning and evening.
They also dispense iced water free to |
the multitude, and are largely patron
ized. tE