The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-11-07
BOSTON LETTER.
Talmage Shocks Boston-Theaters in the
Hub-Notabls Musical Events-The Fash
ions-Are Hoop Skirts to be Reviveda-New
Books, Etc
Correspondence OF the Star.

DVoiOANt awe - AN'os
"Did you hear Talmage~ has been the
stereotyped question since the evening last
week when that noted-or notorious
divine honored the people of the Hub by
lecturing at Music Hall. His opinion of
our Culture" can not be very high, for
he began by saying that he once thought
a lecturer should give his listeners some
thing of consequence for their mental
digestion, but that his present idea of
lecture is familiar, informal talk OH
everyday subjects. In accordance with
which, he talked for nearly two hours
without saying anything, in his own
peculiar, acrobatic manner, however,
which undoubtedly "takes'' with many
people, and which reused even his Music
Hall audience to applause at certain
pointsof his discourse, so great is his
personal magnetism. But Boston is un-
questionably disappointed in the great
preacher. And perhaps even something
more than disappointed-possibly little
shocked. The speaker and his discourse
came up the following morning for dis
cussion at the rhetoric class of certain
college, which holds its sessions not far
from the shadow of the gilded dome of the
State House, and both were served up in
manner which might have astonished
the reverend gentleman and his Brook
lyn and New York admirers a little
could they have had the opportunity of
profting by it. Of course there are low
ers of the sensational in Boston, as else
where, who would have been better
pleased had he stood on his head few
times literally, as well as fguratively;
but there are others, to please whom, a
manner somewhat more dignifed, a style
more refined, language approaching less
closely to blasphemy, and lecture con-
tanning something of substance, would
be necessary, even from the Rev. L. De-
Witt Talmage.
For il Bostonians want amusement
they go for it, not to clergymen, whether
in the pulpit or on the platform, but to
the theaters of which our eight principal
ones, and several minor ones, certainly
give ample opportunity. There seems to
be mania for this class of entertain
tainments of late years. Why, only five
years ago there were but three theaters
in the city, the Boston, the Museum, and
the Howard Athen9um. Of the present
eight, the Park, which was opened last
spring by Mr.. Abbey, of the New York
Park is undoubtedly the handsomest,
but it is small, and there is always de-
mand for more seats than there are in the
house. The inimitable Sothern is giving
"Lord Dundreary' this week to delight
ed audiences. He is Boston's pet actor,
and has not been here for three years, so
the people rush to see him at night and
scan the newspapers by day to see if he
has been playing off any more of his
pranks. Some of his best jokes have
been cracked in Boston. The thought
just occurs to me-can it be possible that
his practical jokes are perpetrated just to
catch free advertising? If so, it is brill
liant idea, and not half as dangerous as
the salamander propensity which has
done so much for Kate Claxton.
| llMu. D,rtparD u,h,ob eao,,,, El,o1,, H.
bear off the palm as the great American
drama, is in it's last week at the Boston
Theater, with crowded houses every
night, and the Museum is filled to reple
ton at every performance of 'Pippins,
the delightful musical extravaganza
Where do all the people that fill our the
aters come from? is often wondered, but
the secret is, that they come in from the
suburbs and neighboring cities and towns
in far greater numbers than formerly.
There have been some notable musica
events Of late. Prominent among then
have been the two Remenyi concerts a
the Siege of Paris Opera-house. Edouart
Remenyi is called the greatest living VIC
linist, not without cause, for he has tht
rare power of so manipulating the little
wooden box with its four taut strings
and the slender horse-hair bow, as tt
hold his audience completely spellbounc
in breathless, speechless delight, whether
that audience be composed of the mos
cultured musical people or of those mos
ignorant of the divine art. Pray do not
fail to hear this wizard of sweet sounds
if the opportunity should occur to you
The other artists of the company are eacl
fine in his way, and dencores were abundant
during the concerts. Mrs Emma Thurs
ton has a sweet and powerful voice. Sig
Rosnati sings well, and Sig. Ferranti i
too comical for anything in some of hi
selections.
read somewhere lately a futile at
tempt at definition of the word clash
ion." 1t is an impossible task to put i
in words, but we see Its definition il
facts every day of our lives. But whel
has such striking illustration of it beel
shown in any twelvemonth as during tina
just past? One short year ago womel
wore the sheath-like costume, trimme'
, all over in patchwork style, with long
, !, close fitting basques, and not a sail abou
, the whole craft that was not tightl,