New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-03-27
Letter from New York.

all iay, tearing her clothes, losing her money,
and returning home in a state Of disgust with
her own blessed saint. And truly the peo-
ple Of New York have much TO grieye for on
this annual day of misery: for notwithstand-
ing the law passed last spring by the Legis-
lature. one clause being to the effect that no
procession. after that date, should hinder, or
in any way interfere with the street travel of
the city. vet ST. Patrick's people are lawless.
And having the police in league with them,
and the control Of the city in their hands,
they virtually take the day. modification
oc this law was therefore made for them, that
thew should not detain more than five cars at
time but this arrangement was disregard
ca entirely and 81. Patrck's followers car
Iicd the day, as usual, to the extreme dis
comlturc Of the more respectable part of the
population, who arrived at their homes some
two hours after they were due. You may be
thankful you are not martyr TO the memory
OF the holy saint
The Lcntcn season having now arrived,
our youn" :" Paris Of America" has doiled its
garb Of dissipation, and in sackcloth and
ashes takes ON new character, and humbly
sinks on its knCes in prayer. Indeed, New
York has been exceedingly gay this past
winter. The arrival Of so many distinguished
strangers from abroad, TO be entertained on
their coming, ana again on the eve Of their
return, has, Of course, contributed much to.
wards this aayciy, and the annual balls have
been unusually brilliant. The "Iieder-
Eranz," which closed the season, was no.
ticed to be an event of great splendor, and
not one whit behind it, for its number of dis
tinguiahei visitors, was the Charity ball.
Among ourselves, the bail Of the Eclectic
Club, mentioned before, and The regular prac-
ticc Of the German during the winter,
marked the course Of the season. When
faithfully kept, because sincerely felt and nm
derst0ol, Lent is 4 solemn and impressive
season Of the apostolic church. 1t seems but
little We can do to set aside season for fast
ing and prayer in imitation Of Christ's fast
upon the mount. These outward forms, if
they are but forms, serve as q restraint upon
us, and though the heart may be right with
out any forms, vet faith alone is an intangi-
bic thing, and there are few mines that can
retain n linn hold upon it without some con-
slant reminder. But sincere and rigid en-
forccmcnt OF the duties of Lent is an uncOm-
mon thing in these light days O! Christianity.
The season is somewhat similar to that of the
summer sojOurn for travel. Houses of gen.
teel, poor people are closed, and marked tout
Of town." when the inmates are living in the
upper and back part Of the house to keep
up style. So in the case of Lent. The la
dies retire to their homes, not as Corinne re-
tired to convent to pray, but to fashion ele-
CANT suits for their temperance at Easter.
The Inauguration at Washington secured
quite 4 large representation from New York,
as Of course from all other cities, but many
were not returned to us on their way home
ward. Hon. Francis Carjloza, Of Columbia,
South Carolina, DIR. Bosemon and others, of
Charleston, Mr.. Jones, of Chicago, and Sem
atOr Dictch, OF Louisiana, were guests of the
city for short while. Previous to their visit,
Hon. Mr.. Turner and lady, from Monrovia,
Liberia, were also entertained by several of
our representative families.
Although public opinion in New York will
reject the idea of bringing its white and col
ored children together in the same school,
yet preiuslice is rapidly dying ont, and the
colored man is acknowledged as a man, with
possible talent and ability. This fact was
cXemplliied n week ago, when the Flyers sis
tiers, with the Luca brothers, sang in the
regular course Of matinees at Association
Hall. They have given two concerts at
Steinway Hall, and have also sung in Brook
Ign and the vicinity. The colored people of
this city, however, were not very much pleased
with them. The Hyers sisters give evidence
OF considerable cultivation. They sing the
Italian Of their songs with case, but their
voices are not equal TO what they are repre-
scented TO be. The compass of the soprano
is not anything remarkable, and the baritone
Of Miss Emma Louisa gives one the impres.
sion Of voice forced TO that register. At
the concert given in aid Of Rev. Mr.. Buffers
church, (St. Marks, the only really effective
pieces were an aria from Enani, by Miss
Anna Madah, with an invisible tenor by
Miss Emma Louisa, and an English duet by
the two sisters. The concert was marked by
lack Of attention, and the audience, large
one was generally disappointed. Yet we think
that with further cultivation and a closer adj.
herence TO English music, for opera-coers.
after hearing Nilsson and Parepa, demand
much, the Flyers sisters, without too flatter-
ing criticism 10 raise expectations, will do
credit TO their people and 10 any people.
Miss Anna Madah has sweet, pleasing
voice, though not with the wide compass YOU
are led TO expect. We think if they do not
attempt too much, without long experience
and practice, they will be more successful.
The Hampton students Of Virginia, excited
by the success Of the Jubilee singers Of Fisk
University, have been giving concerts here
for the pas. week. Strange to say, white
audiences have not, as yet, wearied OF the
novel styles Of these two classes Of singers.
They came out in crowds, as they would to
hear Parepa, and enjoyed with zest the sin.
gular music Of these students. The Hampton
singers are criticised as being more original,
perhaps, than those Of Fisk University, but
much less cultivated. They have done very
well.
But the theme that, more perhaps than any