The New York herald., 1879-12-17
FESTIVAL OF cHANUCKA.

THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE OF JKRUsA-
LEM coAMEMoRATED By MAaNIrICENr
SPECTACLE AT THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC
HISTORY OF THE FESTIVAL AND DESCRIPTION
OF THE TABLEAux.
The celebration OF an event-the rededication Of
the Temple Of Jerusalem-which took place almost
twenty centuries ago held at the Academy of
Music last night As all Jewish fsasts In the feast
Of Chauncka is embodied religious and patriotic
idea. In the second century before Christ when
Antiochus Epiphanes was elevated to the throne Of
Syria. Of which Judea was ! province. Greek In
huence was making strong inroads on tho
customs of the Jewish people Kinaiy
patronage was doing its work in securing
desertions from the ranks Of the Jews. and even
reached the Temple ITSELF for II Is narrated that the
high priests jason aud Menelaus were seduced from
their allegiance to ths living God through court In
uence. At this crisis In the history OF the chosen
people Msttathias. the sire of Judas Maccab@us.
stood out from among the faithful to stem the
overwhelming influence Of polytheism. Jason
aud Menelaus were not inactive converts for they
are charged with preaching the doctrine OF their
new masters with eloquent Zeal, and 1t is further
charged to them that they the Temple to
pundored Unable by regal favor or the influence Of
forsake their God Anochus practised great cruelty
and put Thousands of Jews to death. At Modin.
born resistance. TO Mattathias~ whose infuJ2ce
was well known. Antiochus sent an emisssry, who
never returned alive History relates that while the
royal messenger was in converse with Mattathias
an apostate Jew advanced to the altar OF zeus.
which had been erected in the market place.
and offered oblation. Tho sight OF this
shameless act so enraged the great jew that he
forthwith slew the apostate and then fell upon tho
royal MESSENGER, Thus began q war which was sue
cessfully concluded by Judas haccabeus. tn the do
feat OF Lycias. Regent OF Syria.
THE CELEBRATION.
In mr. lar tn panka ar
the feast OF Channeks or the rsdedication OF the
temple by Judas Maccab@us the Young Mems He-
where last night . scene was witnessed before
which all previous amateur spectasles pale their
tine So period 9f SIX Of s%.s
history here rapidly sketched. were presented last
night 5y BY. over % two hundred isdies and gentle
ters made the children's carnival fea-
ture of the seasons entertainment. conducted
the stage. and that each tsbloaux was encored II
eloquent Of the manner in which his work was done.
He has cause to be happy the selection no made
for figures in the various pictures for without them
his best efforts must have been unavailng To men.
tion In detail the ninety ladies and 120 gentlemen
who assisted at the performance would be
tedious work. but 1t may be said that In psrtcu-
lar could the most critical beholdsr detect iuper-
lection in their work.
The first tableau was typical of the condition Of
Judca after the INVASION of the Syrans In the CEN
clad virgin. her snowy arms in shackcls while round
about the base of hor efnence In various attitudes
indicative or sorrow and objection stood aud lay
prone the figures of Jewish men and women. Tho
tabeau will bo vividy recalled to mind by art con-
noisseurs by . mention OF Bannemann's famous
picture, on which il was modelled.
The sccoud tablesu represented the market place
in Modin. The syrian General Appelles stood on
the right of golden image Of zeus. before which
stood Greek priest offering Oh oblation
in an attitude commanding tho Jews on
the left. headed by Mattathias with drawn
sword. to fall down and worship. On either
side of the altar basins of hro tripods burning
brightly. while censer burning frankincenso occu-
pied the foreground. Over the jews appeared tho
legend In Hebraic. "rhou shalt have other gods
Tho third tabieau, entitled "The Challenge" was
also OF the market place In Modin but tho golden
idol of Jupiter had been cast down. and q Jew
with drawn sword stood upon It.. The tripods
were overturned, the fire scattered. the wrcat liz
dishevellcd aud the Syrians confounded. With
half averted heads they look at Mattathins, whose
is pointing to the breast OF an apostate Jew
who lies PROSTATE near the fallen image Behind
Mattathias stood his hvo sons. Judas Maccabmns
among them. Trumpeters, Jews. Jewesscs aud sol
diers flied ulstbe outline of the picture.
The fourth tabcau representedth the death OF Matta-
thias, who. with his latest breath admonishod his
sous To continue tho holy war he had begun.
The Nth tableau was tho cLej,d' 'puvre. II con.
sisted OF tabcau within tableau, will be seen,
and represented tho triuniphal return OF
Judas Maccabmus TO Jerusalem. Judas entered.
preceded BY banner inscribed who il
ns,,,,sn xo unto ance, y, ooar rory maiaens with
precious vessels Behind him came trooping his
brothers, Jewish soldiers trunpsers, banner bear
women and children The forty maidens with cym.
balls performed . chaste dance. and then all action
ceased. The effect was electrical the audi
curtain ut the back OF the stage was withdrawn
revealing the sixth and last tableau "rhe Dsdics-
9n ?, the Tsmpie& & 1n onS side Of tho revealed
altar Of sacrifice the other side the altar of in-
cense. The high priest and Levites were in the sct
OF oiiciating. Judas and his people we're In attt-
tudes OF worship.