Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-07-13
LETTER FROM BOSTON.
Cultivated Musical Tastes Of the
PeOple--A Cemetery Visit
on Sunday.
Cheap Excursions TO Providence,
II. I.---COnventiOn of the
Players, Etc., Etc.

(since my last letter. was the com.
mencement exercises of the New
England Conservatory OF Music. 1t
was held at fremont Temple, before
house filled to overlooking. Besides
the main floor there are two tiers of
seats on each side of the building that
were SO full that many, including
ladies, were compelled to stand
throughout the enire performance
which, by the way, lasted four hours.
None played but graduates, and |
was fairly captivated by some Of the
numbers, which were executed re
markedly well.
A noticeable feature to me here is
The great interest taken in musical
affairs by the sterner sex. Among
the graduates-of which there were
quite a number-were many gentle-
men, who looked from eighteen to
thirty years Of age. They graduated
respectively in organ and piano play
ing, as we'll as in singing. After their
efforts each and all of them we're pre-.
scented with bouquets and baskets of
flowers, for which they expressed their
appreciation by smiles and bows.
was very much disappointed in
the singing of the ladies who gradu-
ated in the vocal department. Believe
me, they would not bear a comparison
to some of our own sweet singers.
Altogether. the Conservatory has
enjoyed a very successful year, having
an attendance OF 1910 pupils.
| will say here, that Boston certainly
deserves her reputation as a musical
city and for having music loving peos
pie. | have seen them sit placidly and
contentedly (and probably stand)
through three or four hours Of severe
ly classical music, with look upon
their faces as if life held nothing more
for them, while well, probably |
am net quite up to it yet, so | will not
tell how | felt. | must remark again
upon the interest taken in music here
by youths, and wish it were generally
cultivated by those Of Memphis.
Sunday, week ago, | visited Forest
Hills Cemetery with party from our
house, Ifa grave yard could be said
to be inviting to look upon, this one
certainly is, For some distance before
reaching the gate proper, one is
charmed by the exquisite neatness and
beauty with which the walks and
drives are laid out and kept. Upon
passing the massive stone entrance one
can almost imagine they are entering
the beautiful garden into which Alad,
din descended, as there are no signs
of graves, but huge tower, lakes,
fountains and flowers are to be seen.
The latter are laid out, it seems to
me, in ths height OF horticultural
beauty. Upon a swsiG tI,at looks
like emerald velvet, lies an anchor
some twenty feet in length, composed
Of tiny plants and flowers of different
colors, while as you 60 further on you
see larger lakes, swans, fountains, and
more curiously and beautifully ar
ranged beds Of flowers, Tharo Is a
vault there, the front OF which is solid
| white marble, and it is almost large
enough for one to imagine they were
standing in front of small church, as
it looks something like one. tits said
| to have cost $4,000. A splendid idea
in connection with this cemetery ia
that lots are sold with what they call
perpetual care" and anlyunder those
conditions will one be sold. For in
stance, when party buys a lot at a
certain price, that priceincludes per.
petual care" being taken of it, and in
this way it is kept like a beautiful
park. 1t the managers of Elmwood
would adout this plan, there would
be no moro neglected, grass oyergroyn
lots that mar its beauty and neatness.
But Is thisis avery grave subject,
| will not dwell upon it aay longer.
On Thursday left here for Prov.
idence, X. l., to attend the meeting Of |
the Music Teachers National |
Association. The Narragansett |
HOsss, : AeY, handsomely furnished, |
seven story structure, Eof which the
clever and accommodating Mr.. d. B.
Hall is head clerk was the headquar.
ters for the Association.
1t was represented this year by we'll |
known and prominent musicians from |
many parts Of the country, who read |
addresses, essays, and held disoussious |
on various items of musical Interest. |
These were followed every afternoon |
and night by piano and organ reeitals |
By the way, ! said in my last letter |
that some things we're very dear here
so they are, but if anything could be |
any cheaper than the tickets to this
Convention, where the best of talent
could be heard, they would have to be
given away, that is all. Think Of it'll
Three times day, Gam, 2 p m and
8 p m, with as short time as possible
for meals) for three consecutive days,
to say nothing of o three hours trip
on the ocean, dinner and clam bake
thrown ip, ell for ope dollar.
The meetings WERE we'll attended
and very interesting and Instructive.
IT was the seventh annual and largest
meeting they have ever held, therg AZ
ing new betVeel four hlddred nd |
four hundred and City members. An
article read by Mr.. Eugene Thayer, a
celebrated organist from New York,
on congregational singing, which
agreed with my views exactly was
warmly applauded. One OF the aims
and objects of this association is to
establish national institution to ix q
standard OF ability gu the part Of
teachers.
Theyclaim that many persons assert
themselves as teachers who are totally
incompetent and unfit for such posi-!
tlon, thereby standing in the way Of
those who are really capable, as well
as wasting time and means OF the
pupil A committee was appointed
BY the association with instructions to
s.tl a.. Il. VII