The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-06-22
FROM SALT LAKE CRY,
One OF Our staff Reporters Junkcting.


Special Correspondence Ne,o North West.
SALT LAKE, June 17.-Three miles east Of
ired feet elevation IL
CAMP DOUGLASS.
The officers and company quarters, some
,wenty or more, are built of rough ashlar
rom an inexhaustible quarry Of red sand
Itone In the Wahsatch mountains, that rise
10 splendid nights near by. The carriage
way intersects the enclosure around which /
he buildings are grouped, the officers quar-
ters fronting on the Park, and the company
quarters and offices on the parade ground. II
Is a very delightful place, one Of the very |
finest in this, the loveliest city of the West |
As we were strangers, one Of the first drives |
Of the Deer Lodge party naturally included |
Camp Douglass. We were captured before |
we had fairly passed the guard-and captured |
good, too, for it was by that royal gentleman |
and honorable soldier, General Alex. McB. !
McCook, in person. Had we not heard the
Thomas concerts or seen the historic attrac-
tons of Salt Lake city, the splendid music Of
the Sixth Infantry band, so kindly furnished
for our delectation, and inspection of the
trophies of the Generals quarters, would still
have been n feast of music and qualification
worth all the journey. For there are few, if
any, better bands in the service than that Of
the Sixth, and we cannot help surmising that
there was trifie of self-deslre in the heart of
the General when he requested the overture
from Boccdcio. A soldier who led one of the
first commands that came west of the Mis-
souri,; who has been on the frontier, except
during the Rebellion, since 46; who has in
his quarters trophies of gift or capture from
Monterey to Montana, wouldn't step into the
hallway to tread waltz solo unless the mu-
sic fit close to his heart. We were very kindly
entertained, indeed, and when General
McCook and other gentlemen we met come
again to Montana, they will find other friends
than "the boy from the head Of Yaller creek"
To-day we again went to camp to see Dress
Parade, and were courteously shown through
the quarters at Inspection. 1t is no marvel
that Camp Douglass is healthy; the ladies of
our party will testify that there is not mote
of dirt in the Camp from kitchen to guard
room, and that even the floors are white with
cleanliness and smooth as wax. And this Is
the condition always. Mr.. Joslyn and my
self felt grateful we had company home.
AN ORGAN RECITATION.
l do not know how Colonel and Mrs. L. j.
Sharp came to be so thoughtful of the pleas
ure of Montanians, but they arranged two
organ recitals which were among the most
enjoyable of all the good things on the trip.
Mr.. Thomas Radcliffe is a musical instruct or
now resident in the city, and among other Of
his pupils is Mrs. Hamilton, the accom-
plished organlst of st. Marks Episcopal
church. The organ in that church, although
not nearly so large as the Tabernacle organ,
not fourth perhaps, is yet one Of great power
and exquisite sweetness Of tone. Professor
Radcliffe, at the suggestion Of his friends
cheerfully consented, not only once but
twice TO entertain the Montana people, and
with those "direct from the sod," and those
resident at Salt Lake the church had in il
over an average Montana congregation.
am not going to attempt a critique, or men
ton the many selections he gave. 1t was to
me the finest music / ever heard, and the
NEST exquisite of all was Batiste's pilgrims
Song of Hope" Our Montana people were
| delighted, and the expressions of approval
from Homer Hewins, DR.. Mussigbrod ant
the ladies were the evidences that it was as
1 artistically fine as it was musical to the un
| cultured ear. A friend who knows the Pro
| lessor intimately, says he was born on the
Island of Malta, his mother being Floren
tine lady and his father an Englishman. Th'
lad was sent to England at the age of eight
L tla tad ~
struction of some of the best teachers in Lon
don-among others Henry Smart. and last W
| +. Best, the world renowned organist. MI
Radcliffe taught for some years in variou
cities in England. In 1873, meeting will
/ financial reverses, he accepted the suggestion
of Boston gentleman, resident in London
and came TO America. He was introduced II
Salt Lake through Mr.. Eben Touriee of tn
New England Conservatory of Music, an
has since had the amplest occupation in Sal
Lake City in piano and organ instruction. !
is said he has few equals on the organ in tn
United States, and he was certainly yer
kind to the Montanians.
THE THOMAS CONCERTS.
"But with all this ado about music, VIII
not something about the Thomas concerts
Why, yes, certainly. The Thomas orche
ira with sixty pieces, half dozen vocalist:
with Miss Thursby at the head Madam Riv'
King as solo pianist and a chorus of thre
hundred voices, gave three concerts in tl
Tabernacle The house is variously estima
ed to hold from 6,OO0 to 12 600 people. 1t W;
about half full on each occasion. Tickle
were from sl.25 to $500 each. The Table
nacle was lit with ten electric lights and Il
scene with four hundred people on the p!a
form was magnificent. Mr.. Thomas Is a I'll
. looking gentleman and understands his bus
. ness
Eyes, but about the music?"
The numbers were from the greatest ma
tiers of all ages and all lands but America
Wagner, List, Beethoven, Schubert, M
' Fart, Chopin, Berlioz and dozen othei
His selections are all the most severely cl'
u steal, and 1t is related that it is sure to gi
: him the nightmare if he hears an Engli
: ballad, or simple melody. Certainly he b
no word in the English tongue sung In all
!. concerts, and not an air the popular hes
y will ever learn to love. He was satisf
q perhaps with the stinted plaudits the fe
who could appreciate it gave to his classic
!, | music, and the appreciation shown by all
!, | the splendid Observation-Disclosures by six
= musicians, each of whom was master
l, his instrument and all of whom played
v | one person. But had he permitted Emf
W Thursby to sing some simple Song OF hon
" some English, Irish, or American ballad u
ID | all could understand the audience woi
ID naturally have taken the roof right off
A. building and let Deity smile on him for
N deed.
aBut, nay dear sir, you don't apprecii
music; everybody knows that the Thon
| concerts are magnificent, and 1t shows e.
cradle taste to say anything disparaging
o. them"
20 a hundred IN the audience who really app
m ciated them at their worth; two in fifty W
liked It very much: four in twenty who W.
TX rather we'll pleased, and the remainder,
", think, were like your correspondent. t'
an entertainment it takes twenty years
~ musical education to appreciate. We are
at saving this as growl. Mr.. Thomas r
"A claims his mission is to educate the musi
Nv taste of America, and the way to do 1t Is
ral pIaying this music until all people learn
"a | admire It, He hoists no false colors; he ne
falls below excellence. But classical mt
It'll IL intellectual music. 1t Is not heart mu
| IL Is not the music set TO the songs tina
wise man said he would rather make q
the laws of q nation. The novelty OF
thing will perhaps make this tour finan'
a | success, but Professor Thomas Will nnf
.rn win take many years Of cultivation before
can repeat 1t and pay his way.
oo Did vou whistle down brakes, Mr. Edit