Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-03-08

formeTS-SIms ReeVes-Opehing of
Parliament.
Correspondence COurier-J Journal.l
LONDON, February 3, lS77.-The
weather here is exceedingly mild.
No snow, no frost, but plenty of
fogs and fioods-although London
ers tell me we have seen no fogs.
One day last week the gas lamps
were lit in the streets all day, and
yet they called that "very mild
fog" l don't think ! should like
to see what they call a "real Lon
don fog"
Monday we had a sail down the
Thames to Greenwich and Wool
wich. Returned by rail. l thought
it was still London, for there was
no interruption of houses all the
way. 1t was just the same on a ride
of twelve miles to the Crystal Pal
ace, but | am told that is in Syden-
ham and completely y out of London.
1t is also similar to Hammersmith.
Indeed, it is "big town." but all
the center Of attraction is in Lon
don proper, north of the Thames.
| have looked in the dailies at the
thirty-seven theaters advertised, the
nine grand concert rooms or halls,
the fifty.eight music halls (places
of resort for gentlemen only, and
the various museums, acquariums,
arcades, ETC., etc, and l am really
astonished how in the world they
can all exist, and yet every place |
have visited seems to do good
business. AT most of the theaters
the Christmas pantomimes are still
running. At the Strand Theater,
John S. Clarke is playing to crowd
ed houses. At the Folly Theater
Miss Ella Chapman is doing well,
with Lydia Thompson. At Moore
& Burgess Minstrels, Harry and
Johnny Talbot (of Baltimore) are
very successful. On Tavistock Hill
the great Joe Jefferson is living in
rather retired manner. In New
Cavendish lives Kate Field, who
occasionally visits Mr.. Garcia's
music rooms, where your humble
servant enjoys many a musical chat.
Two nights ago were a number of
Americans at the Royal Albert
Hall indulging of the merits and
dement's OF Messrs. Sims Reeves and
W. II. Cummings, the latter being
considered inferior to that great
tenor but the fact is, Cummings
is by great odds the greatest tenor
in London, and many of the old
musicians seem to think that Cum
mings has beer the best tenor here
for nearly twenty years. Of these
more anon.
| have seen little or no drunken
ness in London, but lots of genteel-
looking persons are constantly beg
ging on every corner and at the
doors of all public places. 0mni.
buses and street cars are never
oyercroWded, for as soon as the seats
are occupied the doors are closed.
This rule would be good in Louis
vile occasionally, if enforced. Ele-
gantly-dressed thieves and pick
pockets are not wanting here.
On Thursday evening | attended
a grand concert at the Royal Albert
Hall. The programme was Men
delssohn's "Hymn Of Praise" and
Rossini's "Stabat Mater" Chorus
and orchestra numbered about 900,
under the direction of Mr.. j. Barn
by; orgauist, Dr. Stainer; soloists
Of the "Hynin," Misses Williams
and Braham, ana Alr. Slms heeYes.
was exceedingly anxious to hear
the great Reeves In the tenor role.
AT the end of the first chOFuG he
very modestly stepped on the stage
behind the director, rs if to avoid
the disturbance Of tho orchestra,
but no sooner was he in his seat
than the audience burst forth in a
tremendous round of applause, aud
while Mr.. Reeves continued bowing
and the audience applauding, Mr.
Barnby struck the stand very
sharply with his white baton, as il
to say, Enough of that" and in