New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-31
LEADING TOPICS IN LONDON.
THE LECTURE AND OPERA SEASONS.

JOHN FIsKE LECTURES At THE ROYAL INSTITUTION
| -REAPPEARARCE or MMEs. NILSSON AND PATTI
| MILE. NEVADA MAKES HER DEBUT-LoRD
! GEORGE HAMILTON OK THE PLATFORM.
| lFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
LONDON. MAY 19.-Our countryman Mr.. John
| Fiske gave yesterday afternoon, at the Royal In
stution the first of his course Of three lectures on
American Political Ideas viewed from the standpoint
of Universal History His audience was select rather
than numerous; and select in q sense which lee
turer like Mr.. Fiske might not prefer if he were
able to choose. An eminent scientific teacher who
was present invegbed in no measured terms against
the dilettante character of the persons OF leisure
and fashion who gather such occasions in greater
lesser numbers in the OF Abemarle-
| at. He has himself gone through the ordeal he
| is now 30 famous man that he can hardly COM
plain of want of public interest in his public per-
formances Yet he declares that 80 chilly is the
atmosphere Of these houses that moro than once ne
has been tempted to dash down his notes-they ara
! only notes, for he never reads-and abandon the
place once for all. He insists moreover. that
people are only attracted by q name. The
subject OF the substance of the lecture goes
for little with these spoiled children of fortune A
celebrity attracts crowd. An unknown prophet
discourses to half empty benches. am afraid 1t Is
true But in what part of the world is 1t not true
With all this it remains the fact that the Royal In
stitutiOn stands first, or among the very hrst OF
those educational scientific corporations whose mis-
sion 1t is popularize science. Its managers lad
no difficulty in securing the most compete, and
distinguished lecturers, whether for the afternoon
courses or for the still more fashionable Friday eve
ming meetings. It's tribune is that from hich ca
pable men yet llustriOus are eager to heard.
10 all but men of the very first rank an Invitation
to the Royal Institution is q distinction. To an
NJ oil in EuOl nd tn
the chosen few, to the disciples of Spencer and to
his personal friends, the opportunity Of being heard
thertseTas not to be neglected 1t does not much
matter to MIR. Fiske whether he has multitude or a
handful Of listeners. The people who lose are those
who stayed away. They missed hearing sngu-
larly vigorous thoughtful and Interesting lecture
on a subject of great concern to Englishmen and
Americans alike.
This first lecture was devoted to tho Town Meet
ing. As / presume it has been heard IN America, l
shall attempt summary Of it, but content myself
with expressing admiration of the way in which
Mr.. Fiske dealt with his subject. With fulness Of
knowledge and a philosophical method alike re-
markable, he combined talent for making grave
subject popular. yet never sacrificing scientific
treatment to the necessity Of holding his audience.
1t was lucid, learned, thoroughly American, and
thoroughly imbued with the soundost historical
spirit. may be permitted to quote the remark of
Professor Huxley, who heard it, that better lee
turing than that was to be had anywhere. The
drawing public attention to this discourse seems to
form no part of the duty Of the London press. One
payer, however. gives a summary filling three
quarters of a column, which is we'll done. As the
second lecture is not to be given till next week,
Tuesday it is possible some interest in the subject
m1y spring up meanwhile.
The operate season reached it's height on Satur-
day, when Nine. Patti made her first appearance at
Covent Garden in Romeo Giulietta,' and when
Her Majesys Theatre opened its doors unusually
latc with Nine. Christine Nilsson as AargheritG
in Faust" Il is not easy to understand why the
same night should be chosen for two events of
almost equal interest, both of which music lovers
would have been glad to witness Nine. Patti had
been advertised for three weeks before Mr., Maple
son. for some occult reason, pitched upon that par
tlcular evening for Nine. Nilsson. The natural re-
suit was that Covent Garden was thronged with the
most brilliant division of the fashionable world.
whose places had been taken before Nine. Wilson's
coming WAS known, the date or her rontree fixed.
Patti first night is always festival. This year
it was, az usual night of triumph for her. and an
occasion tor the expression Of her frionris' en-
thusiasm by every kind Of floral Offering At
Her Majcsty's there was also full house, though 1t
was necessarily wanting in of the splendor Of
the other, and Nine. Nilsson had n cordial greeting
It. is the custom on opening nights to sing the
National anthem. This performance was inst con-
Guiding as ! went in. For the first fIme / suppose
In the memory Of man, God Save the Qneen was
greeted with Misses The mere announcement of
such fact must fill the general British breast with
horror. yet it does not imply decay of loyalty nor
the Immediate accession Of Mr.. Bradaugh to power.
Some persons in the upper tiers thought the chorus
not so we'll sung as it should have been, and took
Il. .. IL.
inauspicous beginning, hut was forgotten soon
rs Nine. Nilsson stepped on the stage. All critical
persons agree that her long rest has been helpful to
her. and that her magnificent voice has gained in
fulness and purity Of tone since last year. Nine.
Missions Mdr0herita IS known the world over, and
needs no description. Ii her voice had gained so
perhaps has her acting gained in refinement and in
dramatic power. The oldest Opera-gOer was of
opinion that no Mdrgheta equal to this of Saturday
had before been heard. From some cause
not explained to the public Sir Michael Costa is re-
placed conductor by Sgnor Arti, and there have
been changes In tho orchestra. Sgnor ArditPs repu
tation is a sufficient guarantee that with little |
time he will get his recruits into order The chOruses
need still more drilling. Nine Trebellps Sie6sI was
the one part beside Mime. Missions which was per-
fectly given.
On Monday, an American debutnnte. Mile. Emma |
Nevada, appeared at Her Msjesty's in La Sonnam.
bula." She is o mere girl in looks and has much to
learn as actress but sang in style which proved
long and good training. Her voice Is q light soprano
of considerable range, not yet Of much power but |
of good quality and capable OF executing fuently |
most of Bellini's music On the whole, she pro-
duced a better impression in sentimental passages
than in the more joyous strains with which the
opera concludes. Her reception was enthusiastic,
and the critical notices arc favorable, but it may
BIO doubted whether this young lady was well adj
,isod Il, Machining her nuhlic cnroer IN eorIv Sbo