Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-16
ACHATABOUT MUSIC.
MOS. THuaBeR SAYS THE SOUTH
SHOULD ENCOURAGE VI.
H. an. Dlvine Art Has Inspired Great
writsrs-Our OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
mcnt TO Professor Hair

Mrs, Jeannette NJ
founder of the National Conservatory oil
Music in New York, and perhaps one OF
the best.known lady musicians in
America, who spent several days IN TINS
city last week, left for home on the
evening train Sunday.
Knowing this lady to DO one oil the
hest authorities on music IN this coun-
try, a DISPATCH reporter called at the
Exchange 10 see her few hours before
her departure, and had pleasant little
chat with her concerning the divine art
and its progress in America.
Mrs. Thurber is an exceedingly intel
lectual-looking little woman, apparently
lust beyond the line OF the thirtles,. aud
talks with wonderful vivacity and pright-
illness. II is easy 10 see that her whole
soul is wrapped up in music ana IL Is a
subject which she never tires Oh dlscuss-
ing.
She greeted the representative OF the
DfspATcH very pleasantly, saying that
she had many friendsamong the brethren
OF the fourth estate.
HER LIES WORK.
elbow long have you been IN tho
city ?" asked the reporter. =,
"Last Wednesday evening l came,
replied the pleasant little lady. .
"Did you have any particular object
in view ? We hope so, at least, sad the
reporter. =.
ANY most selfish Dream" replied Mrs.
Thurber, "was to become acquainted
with some of the charming ladies and
gentlemen of Richmond. Ihave always
been an ardent admirer OF the South. l
fancied harmonious atmosphere, and l
have not been disappointed. =.
"Music ought to peyade everything,
suggested the scribe.
"Audacity and perseverance, " said tho
musical lady in her pretty northern ac-
cent, "must mean success, and with such
gracious manners added, as you south
erners have. one is helped to hold on,
and / believe if the South would encour-
age the arts, and where there are so
many ways of assisting, we could place
musical education in this country on Its
true foundation-that all of Heaven we
have below.
Glow long have you been working for
music 2" asked the reporter.
Laughingly, Mrs. Thurber replied
With your usual chivalry / have been
told by some Richmond people not 10
say, but you SEQ I have some gray
hairs" Continuing, she said 4" have
had long battle to fight against-the
sacrificing OF art to commerce--but 1t
will come out all right yet. l believe IN
ola literature and new science.
EFFECTS OF MUSIC on GREAT MEN.
"Alferi," continued Mrs. Thurber,
"says all my tragedies we're sketched
in my mind either in the act OF
hearing music or few hours later, and
stern Luther was obliged to admit that
music makes the people gentler and
more reasonable Somebody, | have
forgotten whom, said Lord Bacon had
music often played in the room adjoining
his study Milton listened to his organ
for his solemn inspirations, and music
was ever necessary TO Warburton.
Napoleon said of all the liberal arts
music has the greatest influence over the
passions. and is that to which the leg1sla-
tor ought TO give the greatest encourage
ment. and the South, added Mrs. Thur
Der. with their traditions 80 closely link
ed with those of the French will, ] know,
ioin in the forces and help set the ex'
ample Just az France did in musical edu'
cation in 1874.
SHE COMPLIMENTS A RICHMOND MUSICIAN.
Mrs. Thurber then asked something
about our local musical organizations,
and said "There is one gentleman |
have known for some years whose name
ought to be connected prominently with
your Richmond musical societies"
"Who is 1t ?" she was asked.
| "Professor HAIR" was the reply
"I think he would be an excellent one
to concentrate all the interests here anc
direct the concert work.
WE ARE MORE ENTHUSIASTIC THAN NORTH
EBNERs.
Wherein do We differ from thu
northerners ?" queried the reporter.
"You are more catholic, enthusiastic
You have what the French call temperG
mCnt."
"When do You leave Richmond?"
al leave this evening. l have nov
stayed longer than l had expected"
"Who are your main supporters Il
your work in Virginia
"Your gallant Fitz Lee has certainl!
proved his faith, and General William
II. PAYNE has beenone of my most ar
dent sympathizcrs. With such endorse
ments as these believe that there is NJ
such word as fail.
Mrs. Thurber's visit TO Richmond wa
a social one. and while here she mad
several pleasant acquaintances. Sh
also wished in delicate way to feel th
musical pulse o. the people, as she de
sires to interest the entire South in tn
conservatory she contemplates establish
ing in Washington. She will probabl.
visit Richmond again in January.