, 1873-01-12

perfectly ut home as well in horsemanship as in
singing One OF the equer1ies was not quite so
fortunate. His horse became decidedly restlve,
End began to kick, and plunge, aud back. to the
confusion Of the chorus, and the imminent dan
ger Of the Temple Of Concord, near which he
was standing. Two or three times the ancient
temple WAS ehaken to it's very foundations, and
Was Oh the point Of falling, but happily the un-
r1ly animal became quiet at last, and tho famous
temple WAS eaved from isnoninious destruction.
After all. it WAS rather relief when Rienzi
praaced of the stage and tho scene Was we'll
over. The audience gave him hearty round OF
applause for Ills excellent horsemanship and fine
singing, but no repetition Of either was called
for.
The two 6conea which I hayo tried to describe
wero among tho most remarkable have seen
here; but tho scenery ia always most beautiful
and appropriate, aud the costumes equally so.
But even more remarkable than either theatre
or opera are
here. I have already spoken, in my last letter.
Of Guryls concerts, which are very popular. and
most deservedly 80. There are also concerts
called Symphony soirees, given by the Royal
winter. These arc considered, believe, as hne
US any concerts in the world, and it is extremely
difficult to obtain tickets to them, as almost all
the places are held BY subscribers from year to
year. I WAS fortunate enough to secure good
seat through my music-teachcr. who is n1em-
ber of tho orchestra and such music never
heard before. The programme consisted OF two
symphonies,-one by Spohr and one by Beetho-
ter-Carrier," By Che1ubini, aud that to :ho
'Normannenfahrt," by Dietrich. It ia useless
to attempt any criticism OF tie playing. It
seemed to mo as fine and as perfect as muHlc
could be. From beginning to ond, not single
live and breathe, and every player in the great
orchestra gave the fullest possible expression
and power to his part. 1 have heard the
overture to Cherubini's Water-Ca1rier."
Which is extremely, difficult to render,
oSeb oSehbestrs Yin IN the BsrTard Symphony concerts;
but it was differently rendered here as hardly to
be recognized for the same piece, and the
superiority OF the German rendering was most
marked. or all that is to be sean and heard IN
Berlin, there is nothing comparable to thus
wonderful orchestra, and it is well worth while
to take journey across the ocean, II only to
hear it play
Such, then, are the public amusements Of Berlin.
Let me now gay few words shout German
social life, so far as I am acquainted with it.
Perhaps cannot do better than describe to you
q sort Of
MUSICAL soIREE
to which waa invited, and which WAS thorougly
German in its character It tooh plaGe ~ :
commodious and very handsome hall, vol suited
for such an occasion First came u little con-
cert, in which several amateurs took part, many
Of whom played and sang we'll One or two
professional players lent their assistance, and
played most beautifully. In about an hour
the guests rose from their seats, and
many Of them went to congratulate
the various performers on their success. At the
sane time, lot Of walters ruahed INTO tho
room, and begun to bring in long tables, and
prepare everything for banquet Then uprose
4 great noise and tumu1t, and perfect hubbub
Of loud voices but it did not last long; for, in
q remarkably short space Of time, the tables were
spread, and tho TWO hundred or 30 guests seated
At them. found myself seated among friends,
who hospitality introduced me to all those near
me with whom I WAS not already acquainted.
Conversation soon became lively, for the Ger
mans arc very easy to become acqua1need "1th,
and make stranger feel quite at home at once.
Then the Rhine vine came in and the toaats be-
gan. When any particularly popular toast was
proposed, great excitement always followed
Many would jump up and reach across the table
to clink their glasses against their friends Some
would eyen 90 all up and down the length OF the
tables, striking their glasses now against
one friends and now against anothers- The
eaiety was now at it's height. never heard
such roar OF human voices IN my life. II
seemed like % Babel broke loose" and IS it all
talking at once, and at the highest possible
pitch to which they could strain their voices:
As to the eatahles, they were very solid and
substantial, and consisted OF German fr1cassee
e. most detestable and unhealthy eonpound)s
e0A@AEe~Nt
and ices,-a little too solid d meal, perhaps, con-
sidering that it WAS eaten between II and
o'clock at night. The wines we're very bad
how they can drink. such spurious
vine SO near the vine country;. but
too. During the course Of the feast,
several songs were sung by number Of young
men who had previously practiced together for
this purpose. They sang very well, NTH tasto
and expression, and their music was recsived
with great applause At length the supper, was
over, and the tables disappeared aa rapidly as
they had como in. No sooner WAS the hall
cleared than dancing besnn, and was carried on
with great spirit and energy until 2 o'clock, or
ogen later than that. Such is n German musi-
cal soree, and it is rather interesting and ANUS
ing to sec how differently Bnch things are done
hero from tho way ne do them at home.
One thing struck mo very forcibly, and that
WIS, that nation who cants and German fHcas-
sec and great quantities Of sour wine after Ia
at night, and suffer no III effects tho1efrom,
must in point of. digestion at LEAST .be very
strong. ". G. T..