New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-21
HOFFMAN, CONCERTS ENDED.
THE YOUNG pIANIsTs NERVES UNsTRUNG.

Els FATHER DErERMIN 8 TO GIVE HIM LoSo
RES MR. ABBEY BRINGS A SUIT FOR DAMAGys
Josef Hofmann, the marvellous boy .ianist will
not play any more in public this season. ano
probably not for many SEASONS to come His
nervous system Is on the verge Of breaking down
from the excitement Of SO many concerts fol
lowing 80 closely on each other IL was aItef
the concert at the Metropolitan Opera llous'
OH Saturday night that his father, Casimlr fiot
mann, came to the conclusion that the time had
arrived when the performances must be abruptly
stopped He accordingly informed Henry h.
Abbey, under contract ~ whom Josef was play
ing, OF his decision.
In order " secure greater privacy for Josef
and to give him the benefit Of more homelike
surroundings among Iriends Mr. IIofmann took
him early Sunday from the Windsor Hotel
to the house of the pianist, Alexander Lambert,
No. l25 East Twenty where his pa
rents have since Joined him. These facts be-
came known yesterday morning and reportef
started in search Of further details Mr. Apbeys
offices first visited and there Marcus Mayer,
Mr. Abbey's general business manager, WIS found
Is it true that the Hoimann concerts are TO
be stopped?' inquired the reporter.
cannot say anything about it, You mus
s s9 M abbey He Is ST n S@ We s Ss
Will say anything, as his lawyer advises him c
remain silent
Mr.. ABBEY HAS NOTHING TO SAY.
The reporter waited. and watched the counte-
nances Of Mr.. Abbey's numerous aides All
were gloomy and depressed, and it was evident
that serious trouble was ahead No one knew
anything, and the unanimty Of ignorance
evidently the result Of careful instructions
Charles Wolff Hofmann's manager. emerged from
the recesses of an inner Office, where he had been
struggling with q refractory telephone. lie, too,
knew nothing, and said Mr., Abbey was the only
one who could say anything Presently Herr
Neucndorf, the conductor Of the orchestra, cana
In. lie had evidently not been warned not to
give information, and he said his instructions
to go right Oh with the preparations Tor the con-
certs
The next concert was to be given in Worcester
Mass, tonight, and Herr Neuesd,rd intended te
ments in the Music Hall there for following con-
certs and then go on to Worcester. lie said:
/" | watched the boy carefully at the concert on
Saturday night, and thought he was in unususaly
good spirits He has been in the habit of talking
under his breath while at the piano TO me and
the leaders Of the second violins, and he that
night full Of fun and laughter. l have heard
that some one says that Josef tainted on Saturday
night. That is a le."
When Mr. Abbey entered he did not wait for
a question, but exclaimed he tho
reporter :"I have nothing to say'
VIII you not confirm deny the statement
that there will be no more concertsp'
will not say word and as he said this,
the mauaGer passed into his inner Office
HoFMANS's RIAL CONDITION.
The impression was given rt Mr.. Abhey's of'ics
that Hofmann was still at the Windsor Hotel,
but the reporter was better Informed. and went
at once to Mr.. Lambert's house. There, willis
sitting h the front parlor talking TO Miss Ma
talie Lambert the reporter could see Josef play
Ing billiards. but In the boys excited condition
it was thought best not to talk with him. Miss
Lambert, who is fond Of Josef-a feeling which
he cordially returns-was willing to give all the
information in her power. She said:
90 There can be no doubt that this step has not
been taken day too soon. Josef has been get
ding into a dreadfuly weak and nervous state:
Only the other day he said to me: When first
came l could open the big door OF the Windsor
Hotel with one hand, Now I have & TO p4t p, al all
came y ~fis@' nto our box and e2camcd Oh dear
my fingers shake | 'lont know what to do;
and all my limbs ache / don't know what :
Josef is already brighter since he has known the
concerts are stopped. At first he used to IKE
have weared and annoyed him. lie said lately:
DO they think | am machine to be wound up
Now he is not TO touch piano even TO prac-
tise. II is Mr.. fIofmann's intention to stay here
three or four weeks and then to return home.
He will let Josef continue his general edncation.
and will himself look alter his music. All thai
Mr. Hofmann has recevcd besides expenses is up
to the present time $1,000, and it has been eSli-
mated that Mr. Abbeys profits are $1,000, 10, ~.
has box Of paints and thus morning painted
very brilliant-hued picture and presented il TO
me- with a dedication written on il. Mr. Hof.
mann's action has been taken on the advice OF
his physician. DR.. Baruch, who positively refused
to treat josef unless all public pfrf9ETmancSS ,Ea @ were
manent damage to his mental or bodily health
has so far been caused, and believes that WITH
absolute rest he will soon recover his norin1
strength and spirits
WHY THE SUIT rs BROUGHT
Henry E. Abbey's counsel, De Lancoy Nicoll.
Just a
the Supreme Court. attachment against the
property of Mr. Hofmann, on the ground that no
IS a nonresident. his home being IN Warsaw, Po-
land. in suit which he has begun for breach
OF contract. Mr. Abbey saws that on August 2
1881 he made contract in London England,
with Narcisse Vert, Mr.. lIofmanns agent by
which IL was agreed that josef Hofmann should
come to this city and sho!Id Play Tor ; Mr, Aooey
For the first performance no charge was to nc
made. Mr. Abbey WAS to pay him 5000 pounds
anccs extending through the months OF Deem T
bcr January February, March and April Inc
boy wonder has PLAYED in hlty-two concerts BE-
which he contracted TO give have not taken
place Mr. Abbey says that late on saturday
evening he was surprised TO receive etoti I,i -.
Dear Mr. Abbey One OF the nrs physicians h9s sen sen
my son and said that he suffers from Illness hr WIZ
formed because Illness in the result Of the eAci,enens
i tho public perormances nlerg3' ~ nav M Wa ani
Mr. Vert Mr Wolf has received 5000 mrs ! trans
f.rred TO him my last concerts and hen Ddld hn
900 mark | Will pay myself Mr.. Vert 100 10 Ion
don ! need any tho services of Mr Won o'au~'
,n,errunt NV concert and for this reason an es
nenses I have thank you Tor al your uono"
anu noP Pp eonsc,SI,lIv =" CASIMIR HOFMANN
SATURDAY. fs Q 1888 Monday morning move
ArvrpAvIrs or PHYSICIANS.
In an affidavit in support OF Mr. Abbey 5 appli-
cation, DR.. Lewis Sayre says that frequently
during the last four days at the request oi Mayor
ba bas ned
and has found that he was in an unusually
healthy condition lie was also cognizant OF ex-
aminations made by DIR. Bryant, DR.. Allan McLane
Hamilton and DR.. Janeway at the request OF
Elbrdge T. Gerry, president of the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Children all of whom