The Morning herald., 1877-03-06
CORD AND CREEsE.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE AFFAIRS OF sM1THBRs & co.
THE "PROMETHEUs."

THE "PRoMETHEUs."
ntook some time for Langhetti to make
NJ ureuarations in London. September
,,ms m before he had completed them. Tc
II, s,rprise these arrangements were much
M n,sr than he had supposed. People came
n him of their own accord before he
thought it possible that they could have
heard Of his project. What most surprised
him was call from the manager of Co.
vent Garden Theatre, who offered to put it
into bis hands for price so low as to sur
mise Langhetli more than any thug else
S. had occurred. Of course he accepted
ths offer gratefully and eagerly. The
MANAGER said that the building was on his
hands, and he did not wishto use it for the
present. for which reason he would be glad
d turn it over to him. He remarked also
that there was very much stock in the
theatre that could be made up,for which he
would charge nothing whatever. Lang
isti went to'see it, and found large num-
Der Of magnifcently painted scenes, which
could be used in his piece. On asking the
manager how scenes Of this sort came to be
tbere he learned that some one had been
rpnented the midsummer Nights
Dream" or something of that sort.
Langhetti's means were very limited,
md as he had risked every thing on this
experiment. he was rejoiced to find events
10 very greatly in his favor,
Another circumstance which was equally
hhE favor, if not more so, was the kind
consideration of the London papers. They
announced his forthcoming work over and
over again. Some of their writers came
bse him so as to get the particulars, and
what little he told them they described in
he most attractive and effective manner.
A large number of people presented
themselves to form his company, and he
also received applications by letter from
many whose eminence and fortunes placed
Them above the need of any such thing.
i was simply incomprehensible to Ian
gheti, who thoroughly understood the
ways Of the musical world; yet since they
offered he was only too happy to accept.
On having interviews with these persons
be was amazed to find that they were one
and all totally Indifferent about terms
they all assured him that they were ready
u take any part whatever, and merely
wished to assist in the representation Of a
piece so new and 50 original as his was said
lobe. They all named the price which
vas excessively low, and assured him that
heey did so only for forms sake; positively
suslng to accept any thing more, and
saVlng it to Langhetti either to take them
% their own terms or TO reject them. He
Of course, could not reject aid so powerful
and 50 unexpected.
At length he had his rehearsal. After
Various trials he invited representatives of
m NE London Press to be present at the last.
laey all came, and all without exception
wrote the most glowing accounts for their
respective journals.
1 don't know how it is" said he to Pea'
ls, livery thing has come into my
uaads. don't understand it. Itseems to
ee1aclly as if there was some powerful
aaaeen hand assisting me; some one who
''b "abeliy put every thing in my way, who
saa these artists first and then sent them
W. sae and influenced all the journals in
uyhVor. | should be sure of this if it
.. 'se not more incredible thing than the
@aal result itself. As it is l am simply
sE'pexed and bewildered. 1t is a thing
na! w.! without parallel. l have company
s.s., %m as no one has ever before gathered
'. $Naer on one stage. I have eminent
s, sms donnas who are quite willing to sing
T"aa ssl . and third parts without caring what
Ey . lhe;m, or whether 1 pay them or not.
i .IOS %O, ! the musical world. All can say
~. shss the thing is unexampled, and / can !
Nv, 70 onprehend it. l have tried 10 find |
mt Mlom M some of them what it all means,
ns nM~ey u gve me no satisfaction. At any |
asis, G u,y y. blclna, you will make your debut
Y~ a's .lle most favorable> circumstances.
| he ,s1s,ws saw now they admired your voice at
MI, 'e,learsal. The world shall admire it
Jan"rEsi n'oEs at your first performance"
k1ldSsneglI lSaelIl was puzzled, and, as he said,
,Ro,, ,Rn.ereo u. out he did not slacken single |
.,s,,;so t W make his opera successful. His
We're t;I st;l1 were as unremitting asthough he
Aha, ~, :, struggling against difficulties. |
lppv "'' w. mat mad been done for him. lie
Aouss s very cry well that he was sure of a good |
/ b, andes ill., ne worked as hard as though
'"N'snce was very uncertain. J