Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-04-25
New York Letter.
T. G. M.

COLONEL MAPLEsoN AND soNS-DR. GAR
DlNI-MME Observation-Disclosures IN
THE FUTURE.
CORRESPONDENCE of the St,unton VIND1cAroH.1
NEW YORK. April Il.
Nobody has been more talked about this
winter than Mapleson of Her MaJesty's
Opera Troupe. Colonel Mapleson as ne II
called, probably in deference.to the Anne
r1can partiality for titles. Certain it il
that the prefix of ''Her Majesty 8" ha8 mad
a great deal to do with the success CT his
company. Some people have found fault
with him; others have lauded him, but
everybody agrees that he has beer success
full.
Let me picture him to you, as not long
ago he squeezed his way out through the
crowd at matinee just in front OF me. A
sturdy, forid Englishman. very nearly SIX
feet; broad and stout. but not the least in
commoded or heavy in appearance. Seem
ingly about fifty years of age-not more
should judge than ffty-fve. His brown
hair which he keeps closely cut, is tinged
perceptibly with gray; his eyes are clear
blue, his features regular; the toute cnsensb
expression of great strength OF villa
countenance that would be fine but that
the mouth is too compressed indica-
ton that there is lack of generosity in
his nature. This defect, however, is some
what concealed by short monstache. A
pair Of brown whiskers give becoming
finish, for his face is somewhat wanting
in breadth. But if he is really deficient in
generosity, he does not show it in his man
agement, for this has been in all things
most liberal. Details have been well
looked after; everything has been on
large scale, and the people have apprecla-
ted this by an equally generous support
Close beside Mapleson as he made his way
out that afternoon, was his son Charles,
not Henry. who married Marie Roze. We
must not confound them, for Henry is by
far the superior of the two. He seems to
inherit his fathers talent as manager,
while Charles has left rather an unenviable
reputation behind him from the fact that
his board bill at the Corrett House is still
unpaid. The proprietors were obliged to
consent to losing compromise and
accept a doubtful note from the young
man. His appearance is very ordinary,
as he is small, and his face as meaningless
one as ever saw.
Now let me give you an account OF
visit to the hotel where / called to know
something of the future plans of Nine.
Gerster. l did not ask to see the prima
donna herself for she was to sing that
evening, and knew we'll enough that a
singer does not wish to receive visitor en-
the day of performance. But was very
courteously welcomed by DR.. Gardini. her
husband, with whom had very pleasant
talk. Nine. Gerster is, of course delight
ed with America. she has every reason
to be, for her popularity here this winter
has been very great. 1t is quite mistake
to suppose that DR.. Gardini was her teach
er. That has been asserted with such con-
fidence that believed it to be true. But
he does not pretend to be anything more
than an amateur in music, for he is doc
tor of medicine. An Italian, of course, as
the name would show, and this summer
after the season in London is over, he will
retire with Nine. Gerster to Italy, where
she will take re-rest Of two months pre-
paratory to return here next fall. DR..
Gardini has all the Italian warmth of man
ner, and is very approachable and agree
able gentleman. He is of medium height.
having dark eyes, side whiskers and NOUS
tache, yet his complexion is by no means
so swarthy as is general with Italians. In
deed, he would pass well enough for an
American, though the moment he speaks,
his foreign origin becomes evident. His
English is, however, quite Ineligible. yet
his look was one of decided relief, when l
informed him that was acquainted with
French. l asked him something in regard
to Madame's costumes, but the reply was
given with that helplessness by which the
average man seems overcome when speak
ing on so intricate subject as dress. "She
dresses very simply" he said, Every
simply"-and then after pause, as if he
wished to convey at least some informa-
ton, he took hold of the damask curtain,
saying, "She has something on her bonnet
like that I conclude he meant garnet
colored ribbon or flower. Nine. Gerster,
who has really bewitched New York this
season, is quite small and delicate in ap-
pearance; somewhat on the brunette Or
der, with dark lustrous eyes and hair.
Last Sunday, but for the blowing of a
cold wind, belonging to March rather than
April, I should have gone over to the
Brooklyn Tabernacle in order to write you
my impressions of Brother Talmage. There
is yet time, and in my next letter on city
gossip, 1 hope to give you picture of tho
man and his surroundings.
LUCY CARTER.
They have queer thieves IN Texas.-Ster-
rett, son OF Hon. Robt. Sterrett, of the
Kentucky legislature; Long, well-known
political man at Fort Worth, and Jones,
formerly respectable city OFFICIAL of st.
Louis. are in jail at Austen, Texas, charged |
with robbing the mail coaches on the |
road.
Houck, in the Bosten base ball nine, has !
man in front of him who gets $4,000 for |
the season, and one to his left getting
81 800, while mis- own salary is $500; and if he |
makes half the errors of either of them he |
runs the risk of being sent home.
Watterson, who left the Greeley gold
Minis in Buckingham county, Va, one
night last week to walk ten miles to the
COUNTY court house with ST. 800 in gold on
his person has not been heard from since,
Fop| play is suspected.
On the 18th Of May pext the Baptist
General Association of Virginia will meet
in the beautiful and hospltable town of
Charlottesville for the first time ip twenty
four years.