Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-05-19

LETTER THAT WAS NOT pUBLIsHED-A CHAR
AorER1sT1c ANEcDoTE-A NEW DEPARTURE
AT LAsE1L-coL. CLARKE AND THE SUNDAY
TIMES.
BosToN, May G, 1882.
The latest fashionable freak for girls is ban
10 playing. The 'twank, twank" of this me-
lodious instrument is no longer confined TO the
"hals of minstrelsy, " but is heard in the so
ciety drawing-room. The devotee of burnt
cork shares applause with the belle. Tho
banjo itself is made most artistic-looking
instrument, and fairly rivals the guitar in ap-
pearance, even If it fails to equal it in musical
tone. saw some ladies' banjos in the win.
dow at John o. Haynes q Co. the other day,
and stopped to look at them, they were 80
pretty. Daintily gotten up in ebony, they
had pretty blue satin ribbons tied around
them, which were to go about the neck of the
player 1t was the deep porcelain blue that
is so desirable nowadays, and alas so rare
for the manufacturers had no idea how quick
ly this color would take the popular taste.
Since this mania for banjo playing attacked
our girls, somebody has been trying TO prove
the antiquity Of the instrument--as though
that would add to its dgnity-and 1 believe
there has been mild assertion made that its
exact counterpart was found in the ruins Of
Assyria or Babylon Next thing we shall
know, some one will insist that the famous
harp of David was banjo, and also that it
was used to accompany Miriam's song of
thanksgiving for the deliverance of the Is
raelites from the Egyptians and it may be
that some other enthusiast, more daft than
the rest, will discover that the sons of Noah
amused themselves in the ark with double
song and dance and a banjo accompaniment.
I'm prepared for anything. AT any rate, old
or new, musical or otherwise, the banjo is the
rage.
Apropos of musical matters since the death
OF Madame Rudersdorff the number of young
women who have come out as teachers Of her
special method is very amusing TO one who
knows behind the scenes. l saw letter not
long since which a former pupil published
over MAdame's signature, saying that she con-
sidered her qualified TO teach, and wished for
her success but she took care not to publish
side by side with it another letter. forbidding
her to use Madame Il. 5 name as a reference,
aud also forbidding her to advertise herself as
teacher of the RudersdorT method, since
she did not teach it and her pupils showed
not the slightest trace of such instruction.
In speaking of it to a trusted friend after
wards Madame said: 81 sent pupil to Miss
, supposing she understood what she was
about, aud her voice is ruined" Madame is
no longer alive to settle matters of this kind,
and it is probably supposed the knowledge OF
this letter died with her. The amusement of
the friend was good deal mixed with indig.
nation when she saw letter No. l in print.
knowing as she did of No. 2. Miss Annie
Plummer is Madames authorized successor,
although there are one or two others in Bos-
ton who teach the method understandingy
and in its purity. It is certainly the best and
most common. sense method of vocal training,
based as it is on natural laws. In addition to
being thorough musician, Madame Ruders-
dorf was a most entertaining woman. The
stories of her life are full of interest She
was great favorite with the Princess Royal
of England, who is row the Crown Princess
of Prussia. Shortly after the marriage Of the
princess, Madame sang at court concert in
Berlin, and was invited by the crown princess
to breakfast with her. They breakfasted to-
gether informally, and afterwards Madame
sang several songs of Handers, the princess
favorite composer, her royal hostess playing
the accompaniments for her. After a while
the princess proposed a visit to the nursery.
As Madame was sitting on the floor, with one
child playing with the charms on her watch
chain, another hanging over her shoulder, and
the baby in her arms, the door opened and
the crown prince walked into the midst of the
frolic The princess arose and introduced her
visitor, who, looking up, said with her ready
tact and wit; Your Royal Highness, must
either disregard court etiquette or drop the
court baby" The prince bowed courteously,
and said with a smile DO what you like
with the etiquette, but regard the baby"
Mr.. Bragdon, of Lasell seminary has been
treating his girls to series of lectures and
lessons on department and behavior during
the past week. The teacher was Mrs Henri
eta Crane of New York, a pupil of Delsarte
and the best teacher of his system in the
country and the girls gained many new and
beneficial ideas from her. This branch of
culture has been too much neglected of late
years, and am glad to see Mr.. Bragdon TAX
ing the initiative. Formerly it was consider
ed indispensable in education, and as q result
there were graeious-mannered women whom
everybody loved to see. 1t is the intention
to have a settled teacher next year, who will
be trained by Mrs. Crane.
Col. Albert Clarke, formerly of the st. Al
bans Messenger, is making a very readable
paper of the Sunday Times of this city. 1t
contains an epitome of all the city news of
the week, besides matters of local interest all
over New England. Mr. Clarke has engaged
several writer's of ability. He writes the ed
itorials largely himself, SO there can be no
question of their cleverness. Mr. Edward
Sears has charge of the news department.
Mr.. Frank 4. Robinson, one of the best
judges of art in the country, is the art critic.
Mr.. Henry X. White, Jr., successful teacher
and well-known director, and one of the best
exponents of the Rudersdorif system, is the
musical critic. Mr.. Frank Russegne is the
society reporter. These, with other persons
equally reliable form a strong staff of con-
tributors, and Col. Clarke is to be congratu-
lated on the success of his new journalistic
enterprise SALLE JOY WHITE.