Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-08-02

The death of Franz Liszt removes from earth
the last OF the original musical romanticists.
The romantic school of music covers and In
cindes By far the most brilliant period In the
history OF the art, and the most Industrious
names In the long roll OF musical celebri-
ties. Beethoven Its prophet, Weber its
founder and Schubert, Mendelssohn, Chopin,
Schumann, Liszt, Wagner and Berlioz its chief
leaders. All are gone now, but the impress of
their genius will last forever. Liszt, though
probably the least original of the group In
point Of creative ability, was undoubtedly the
greatest OF them all executant and inter-
prefer, and was also most remarkable man
personally. No one could stand IN his presence
without feeling awe-stricken, as if he were of a
superior order of beings His career was an I'M
broken succession of personal and artistic tri-
uDphs, sufficient In number and brilliancy to
turn the head Of any man. He met kings and
queens on an equal footing, and made the
proudest aristocrats of Austria and France
quail beneath his sarcasm CULVER with pleas
ure under the irresistible force of his wonderful
musical execution aud magnetism. He had
been decorated sixty times by the sovereigns
OF Europe. Wherever he went the doors OF
cities and palaces few open for him. Men
bowed down before him, and the fairest
women Of Europe worshipped him. He
rich, healthy, famous and apparently happy.
But Ills life, after all, was not a success, accord
Ing to the best standards. Even in his speciality
Of music he failed of the highest, and will not
be classed by posterity among the great COM
posers. And in a moral and spiritual sense he
cannot be recommended as an example for
young artists He was kindly and generous,
but wholly self-centered, and intolerably vain.
He lacked sincerity, without which no one can
be really good or great. His moral principle
was detective. He is supposed to have had
more love affairs of an irregular sort than any
other man of this century. Selfindulgence,
and not self-denial, was his rule OF action; and
that Is why he came short of true greatness.
The overwhelming vote in favor of Mr.. Pay
sons bill against alien landlordism in our ter
ritores, In the House last Saturday, was one of
the most significant and gratifying features of
the session. Only six members voted against
the measure, which is precisely adapted to meet
very urgent necessity, and which ought by all
means to be passed by the Senate before ad-
tournmsnt. Mr.. Payson has done the state
much service in his time, but never has he
worked more efficiently than during this ses-
sion. His efforts In behalf of the integrity of
the public domain are marked by intelligence
rs well as patriotism, and are clearly in the
line OF the interests of the people. The entire
House committee on public lands, indeed, de-
serve much praise tor their faithful and indus
trious work this year.
Now that Mr.. Matthews has been definitely
rejected by the Senate, 1t is to be hoped that
the President, in selecting a second nominee
for the recordership of deeds, may be able to
nnd some resident of the District who seems to
him worthy of the position. Mr.. Matthews
non-residsnce was the strongest argument
against his confirmation, and it Is probable
that any competent and reliable Washington
citizen, Of whatever color, would be acceptable
70 The people and the Senate.
Congress will probably adjourn on Wednesday
or Thursday, If MIR. Randall and the President
viii kindly give their consent. 1t is a fact that
these two men hold the question of adjourn
ment in their hands, practically, this year. Mr.
Randall Is said to be yielding at last in his
obstinate stand against the Senate on the
sundry civil appropriation bill; and now 1t re-
mains 10 be seen whether the President has
anything more to offer in the shape of q veto.
What 10 most needed just now along the
Mexican frontier of Texas Is . couple of car
loads Of good-sized well-made palm leaf fans.
There II danger that the war Precipitation now
oosing from every pore down there may strike
In and bring on blood poisoning.
II IL turns out, as stated by responsible
Canadian officials, that there is no truth in the
narrowing account OF wholesale starvation in
Labrador, 1t will take rank among the most
cruel and impudent hoaxes of modern times.
hopeful indication touching the condition
OF ax-President Arthur comes in the statement
Of ELI Perkins," writing from New London,
that he is a mental and physical wreck. Ellis
weakness Is well known.
AT last the public and Mr. Ross Raymond,
the newspaper dead-beat, are as one. He says
he doesn't care what becomes of him now,
Neither does the public
why not have clean street cars?' plain
lively asks the New York World. Well princi-
paliy because there's no money for the COM
pany In having them clean.
PKEsERvISe JARs. PRESERVING