The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-25

man exports to the United States, amounting in
1876 TO only one-third in value OF the exports OF
1873; whereas American imports, especially since
the Philadelphia Exhibition are steadily on the in
crease.
COURT PLASTER.
The Emperor William, in consideration OF the de-
preston in trade and commerce, has ordered a
round OF court festivities, despite the Lenten sea-
son and the fact that the court is in mourning
That this court plaster will heal the wounds of COM
mcrce is rather doubted, as the organs most dam
sgcd are internal
wAGNERs TROUBLES
Herr Wagner intends visiting London during the
season, with q view to covering his deficits. His
project for q repetition OF the trlogy at Bareuth
this year is apparently shelved for the present.
The FIRST performance OF ."D.e walkure" takes
place at Vienna tomorrow, and "thercby hangs
tale"
VIENNA IxPREsARIos SHARP PRACTICE.
When the rehearsals for last years festival were
over and the performances were within few days
of beginning, and Baircuth was full OF people,
Jauncr, the manager OF the Vienna Royal Opera,
announced to Wagner that oil musicians and sing
had received permission to take part in the per-
formances at Baireuth. would be ordered to leave
at once, unless Wagner gave him permission to
bring out "Die walkure" in Vienna.
Jauner knew that Wagner wanted to conflne the
performance OF his trilogy, at least for the next
two years. to the stage at Baireuth. He knew
also that Wagner had refused the most liberal pay
ment for the right to perform 1t elsewhere, ana
that more than ten German theatres were ready
to pay $4,000 marks apiece for the right Of pro-
ducing Idle walkure." But all this knowledge
seems only have sharpened his aptitude for sharp
practice.
WAGNER BROUGHT DOWN.
Wagner, OF course, had no alternative. It was
matter OF "Your money or your life ~ To have
refused Jauner's demands would have taken mum.
great role Of Brunnhilde, which had been ntrusted
to Nine. Materna, unified and the trilogy could
not have been performed An agreement was
accordingly signed by which, in return for the
Jauner was bound not to interfere with the wishes
of any OF his singers musicians who might choose,
during their VACATION to take part in the festivals
at Baireuth. wagner's greatest difficulty in bring
ing out the trogy at Baireuth this year, however,
hes in his quarrel with King Ludwig.
JOHN oxENFoRD.
The funeral Of John Oxenford will take place on
Wednesday next His body will be taken to willes-
den for burial. The club which he attended and
the journal which he served have appointed COM
mittees to attend his body to the tomb. The death
Of Mr.. Oxenford casts sombre shadow over the
dramatic and journalistic professions alike. The
Tines critic was even better known among the
theatrical people than among the men of his own
calling. Those whose privilege It has been to en-
10y "sx O'Clock Saturday dinner" at the Junior
Garr1ck Club, In Adelphi terrace, will readily
imagine the picture there presented this afternoon
The small groups that gathered at the windows
overlooking the Thames or the stray couples of &C
tors who smoked their cigars on the veranda over.
looking the embankment we're conversing In bated
breath about the character and genial features Of
their friend and dictator. or late years Mr.. Oxen.
ford has bestowed most of his society upon the Saw
age Club.
AFTER THE PLAY.
There he was perhaps better known, but it is
doubtful II he was so thoroughly appreciated. The
table at which he used to take his coffee and pun
his cigar after his return from theatrical perform
ance is draped in black. The tacit understanding that
all criticism of first night performances shall be de-
fcrred until the second days issue Of the news
papers permitted him, as it allows all other critics
of the London press, to spend night in careful
cogitation regarding his line of attack. This day of
grace he improved by driving to the Savage at the
conclusion of the performance, where, seating him.
self at the well known table, he would order his
coffee, cigars and paper together. SO fully recog-
nlzcd was his title to the place that the table
was never occupied on the night OF new plays
production. The veteran sat down calmly and ut
tcrly sunk the Of the actors the characters
they strovc TO portray. lie was fully alive to the
imperections of human nature so much so that
while he was always Just he was rarely severe.
lie OF all London or Paris dramatic critics possessed
the keen, subtle discrimination which enabled his
pen to frankly rebuke really bad actor without
buryng its point In human heart. lie
could disappoint an amateurs hopes for life with
out rendering him or her unhappy. lie cut and
slashed only when attacked in an open fight. His
,rtques were slowly outlined or carefully written,
except on rare occasions when he had determined
upon some wholly new and characteristic plan OF
treatment. Then he generally wrote his mat
ter at one sitting and over one cup
Hermann Mosenthal the famous vienncse ibrettlst
and critic. casts mournful shadow the bier OF
the only European rival who outlived him. In
Aoaonthal.s death Ausfria Lost inn xhausfihlc