The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-25

huO1nsteln,s FAREWELL
On Thursday night the American public
heard for the last time an artist whose genius
has not only shed lustre on musical art in this
country, but has proved lasting benefit. The
results of the visit of Rubinstein to America
may not yet be wholly apparent outside this
city; but here they already show themselves.
He came to teach us that the piano may be used
for higher and nobler purposes than flterine
out grotesque variations on operate airs OF
tum- cumming the irrepressible polka and
waltz. We have had apostles Of this kind be.
FORE and we have earnest workers in the same
field among us; but lessons caught from the
fingers Of genius were necessary to rebuke the
sordid, inartistic, grovelling spirit of the
music publisher; the fippant nonsense of the
idol of the salon; the 'Maiden's Prayer" aspi-
rations Of chattering bellies and the widespread
contagion of Offenbach and sTommy Dodd -
In vain did our local artists endeavor to stem
the tide of corruption in music The strong
mind Of Rubinstein was necessary to open the
eyes of the public to the ocean Of trash that
was known under the title OF popular music y
His mission, which closed Thursday night,
lasted eight months but the memory of his
wonderful powers as a virtuoso will not be
eradicated for years. = During these eight
months Rubinstein has been the principal
attraction at two hundred and fifteen con-
certs, and in no case has he departed from
his high standard Of classical music
When the s1ion pianist was first
announced many wiseacres shook their heads
and whispered the most dismal forebodings.
According to their Jeremiades America was
not sufficiently schooled in high art to appre-
ciate such o pianist-the rapid octaves and
brilliant polkas of Sanderson or the languid
style and stunning trousers" Of q Wehli
were better calculated to enlist the sympathy
of our public, and the Rubinstein season must
aggregate receipts for the season reach the un-
precedented figure of one-third of million
dollars, of which New York may claim the
honor, for the fifty concerts given here, OF
contributing one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars. This is significant proof of the
try and of the certainty of success which
should inspire every manager who engages
the best representatives of the divine art.
Not faint Of sensationalism can be found in
this extraordinary season. The great pianist
has never descended from his pedestal as an
exponent of classical music One remarkable
circumstance connected with this engagement
may be mentioned here. Boston, filed with
the recollections of the Panjandrum, at first
turned up her Athenian nose at the artist,
while New York extended to him from the
beginning cordial welcome, and, of the end,
o reluctant farewell. 1t will be long before
the king of instruments in this country will
find such Q Titan to unloose its thunders,
such an Ariel to press with almost noiseless
step its ivory keyboard, or such an Anacreon
to sing its love idyls and heart songs.
The New Local Option Prohibition Bill.
Governor Dix, by refusing to sign the act
empowering the people in each town to decide
for itself by vote whether the sale Of intoxicat-
ing beverages should or should not be licensed,
put the advocates of the measure upon their
mettle. He objected to the clause which in
cluded fermented with spirituous liquors.
They have, therefore, introduced in the As
sembly bill conforming to that view, under
which any town may allow the sale of the
milder stimulants and still fully prohibit the
traffic in distilled spirits. This new bill has
already been rushed through the preliminary
stages and is ordered to q third reading in the
House, with the apparent certainty Of passing
when it is next reached. No effective opposi-
ton is anticipated in the Senate, and, the
Governor having intimated in advance his
favorable opinion, it is pretty sure to become
law. In effect we shall have localities regu-
late the liquor trade by the ballot In some
towns the business will be forbidden
and made misdemeanor, while in
the neighboring communities it will be
legalized, and license fees will be
counted upon as source of municipal
revenue. Many experiments have been tried
in this and other States at legislative regula-
ton of the liquor traffic. Well mentioned
innovations, born Of sanguine zeal in behalf OF
puDlS vheuC, move idLlcu W CURE buc Ol5cdcCb
of intemperance and panperism for which
they were confidently prescribed In spite Of
the most stringent laws the topper has con-
trived to get fuddled by contrabsnd spirits,
while his wife and babies hays found places in
the poor house. Whether this new nostrum
of local option prohibition will, on trial, be
found any more satisfactory to the temperance
reformers in particular and the people in
general, can only be decided after time has
tested it. Under its action each town can be
as abstemious as its voters may decree, end
any who feel its workings to be tyrannical
will have no foreign despot to blame for the
unpleasant restriction. 1t is not likely there
will cease to be cakes and ale wherever people
approve Of them in consequence Of the law.