Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-06-07

ALExAGAzETTE &vlRaINIA ADVERTISER


OTenbach in America.
The following letter from Ofenbach is taken
from the Paris Figaro:
New YORK. May 9, 1876.
My DEAR FRIEND-Here | am at last 10
New York, after a trightful passage. For three
days and four nights we were tossed, tumbled
aud Knocked about; the waves swept ceau over
the ship. The captain, charming man, cool,
too, and energetic, let me tell you, tried to
keep up my courage. 1T is spendidl' he
said to me. You should just see how the
ship dashes right iuto the waves, on ly to come
out magui6cently minute afterward! My
dear Captain" [ answered, Ito see a tempest
at a distance must be trghtfuly interesting,
but must say that to play part in the piece
as one of the actors has, 10 my mind, but pre-
cious little iun in it.
Let me give you characteristic trait OF
young American girl who was 90 board with
her sister, At the very worst of the storm,
when people were quietly saying their prayers
and commending their sous to God II wasn't
the last l assure you), the little American girl
said to her sister :-''Sister, you really ought
to try and get down and fetch me my pretty
little ha'; want to die in all my fue things +
':Shall We bring up your gloves, too?' quietly
rejolned the younger.
About two miles from New York they stop
at Quarantine. AS We were expected the even
ing before they had organized an excursion to
meet me; the vessel, decorated with Venetian
lanterns, had on board newspaper men, sight.
seers, military band of sixty to eighty pieces,
and they waited for me at Sandy Hook,
but as we did not come the vessel put further
out to sea, still hoping to meet US. They were
Jolly +; they sang, laughed, play, d our prettlest
airs; but as they got out sea Sickness oVercame
them, and the musicians were not the last to
feel its effects, which produced the same effect
as that 10 Haydns comic symphony, where the
musicians disappear one after another and put
ou; the lights as they 20, only that ours had
not to put out the lights, and, instead OF giving
fourth sounds, they one after another turned
their insides into the sea.
We were soon hailed by craft having on
board The chief reporters of the New York
press. You will understand that took all the
pains 10 the world not to make quite fool Of
myself. and assure you that upon our arrival
at New York, two hours afterward We were al
ready very good friends.
At night, on returning from the theatre (for
on the very frs, day | went to two theatres |
saw crowd assembled in front of my hotel,
electric liz hts everywhere, 50 that you would
have imagined yourself in broad daylight.
Above the balcony OF the hotel was 40 inscrlp-
tion 10 big letters w Welcome, Ofenbach. y
An orchestra OF about sixty musicians were
serenadlng me they played "Orphee The
Graud DuchesSe.' dare nut tell you OF all
the cheering, the shouts of "Hurrah for Oten-
bach - was forced to appear on the balcony,
just like Gambetta, and shouted out tre-
mendous Thank you, gentlemen
On Saturday was invited to dinner given
in NV honor by the Lotos Club, one of the first
clubs here-lilcrary men, artists, merchants,
BANKERS, many newspaper men OF all shades OF
opinion. | seud sou the menu OF the dinner.
| knew (heavcns what plumber OF toasts
replied to y that for long time | had been
liked by the Americans as composer, and l
hoped that when should have the honor Of
being better known to them | should also be
liked by them as a man. II propose said |
'the United States, but not the United States
purely and simply, inasmuch as the arts, like
nations, are brothers. | propose the States
United to Europe
That is about what said, and it was cheered
to the echo.
Yesterday (Monday) was invited to the
Press Club nothing but newspaper men, charm
ing fellows, witty all the majority
speaking French very well, n several
otthem having lived in France for greater or
less periods
Speeches about me, to which l replied as we'll
as could.
Ga Monday next begin my concerts at Gill
more's Garden. 1t is ap artificial garden, some
thing after the style OF the Jsrdin d d'Hiver that
we used to have in Paris; it will hold from
10000 to 1000 persons. am sure that every
thing | have written to you 10 this will
interest you, for it concerns me, and |
know your lite-loug friendship for me-
Adicu, my dear friend squeeze your hand
hundred times. Yours, &c
JACQUES OFFENBACH.