Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-11
NEW YORK GOSSIP.
What Il Going On in the Busy Metropolis.

""ae - Yong On In the Busy metropolis.
ONE OF BARNUM's MAsrERsrRoKEs OF HuMBua-
DINNER TO CELEBRATE THE COPYRIGHT BILL
Is DIR. BRIGGS A HERErIc-THE SCUM OF ITALY
COMING HERE.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star
New YORK, April 9, 1891.
PARNUM HAS ENTwINED HIS LIFE
- with that Of about rs many people as any
man of the age. Nearly everybody can join in
"reminiscences. To give my own one of my
earliest memories is of taking my sister, then
scarcely more than toddling baby, and walk
ing down from my grandfathers house on
35th street fully three miles, through the
Five Points and other choice localities to the
old museum. We were amply compensated for
our walk by seeing the impressive panorama Of
wild beasts which embellished the outside Of
the building. Ono feature of the episode more
amusing in retrospect than in actual occur
renee was that we had been brought to New
York to attend a funeral, and that our stroll
far overlapped the ceremony, delaying the pro-
ceedings and spreading additional gloom
through the family. When 1 was a little older
l was permitted to enter this palace of magic,
in spite of strict family traditions on the SUBJ
Ject OF theaters, &c, and we were even per-
room or lyceum, although theater was sternly
tabooed. Barnums 'lecture room was one
Of his masterstrokes of humbug. 1t was Of
course nothing more nor less than variety
theater, but the name and a certain moral
twang to the programs made it entirely unob-
jectionable to the most unbending of the or
thodox. l have a dim suspicion that my
father was not only willing that should at
tend the performances in this lecture room,
but that he was not at all avcrse to taking me
inns Wa oil Gynt hnyr nj ,,an
boy Is when a circus comes to town.
SCATTERING REWARDS OF MERIT.
Monday night will see brilliant gathering at
Sherry's restaurant on 5th avenue This will
be a grand Publication by the friends of the
new copyright law over the passage of that act.
The poet Steadman will preside. and among the
guests of the evening will be Count de Karatry,
who has represented, sometimes more dill
gently than the friends of copyright really
wished, the claims of French authors and ar
lists in this matter. However all's well that
ends well, and the count will be greeted with
smiles and applause, especially as he bears in
his hands decorations for some of the leaders
in the fight. Mr.. Robert Underwood johnson
Of the Century, to whose indefatigable efforts
and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the success of
the cause is SO largely DUE will
have the. privilege of wearing one
of the decorations-the cross Of the
Legion of Honor Another cross is to be given
successfully in the House. As Mr.. Simonds
was the victim Of the Mckinley cyclone last
November, and is now consequently private
citizen. he can accept the gew gaw; but Senator
Platt who fought the bill in the Senate, being
an officer of the government, must be contented
with an honoritic ribbon instead. Great prep
arations are being made to have the dinner
grand event. All the leading publishers,
authors and other elements in the cause have
been invited, and much is known concerning
tba ct of 81, ~
meeting will be one Of the most interesting and
notable in the literary history of America The
dinner will be given by the Authors Copyright
League and viii be the eighth anniversary of
that organization.
YOUNG NAPoLEoNs OF MUSIC.
Tonight there is to be grand testimonial at
the Metropolitan Opera House to Director E. C.
Stanton. The pick of the musical world will be
present, either as performers or listeners to do
him honor. Mr.. Stanton deserves his laurels.
His career has been an extraordinary one ond
refntes the theory some like to put forward
nowadays that great success is beyond the
reach OF young men. A few years ago Mr..
Stanton was an entry clerk in downtown
store, and he was engaged at first at the Metro
politan simply in an obscure clerical position.
But talent led to opportunity, and that to VIC
tory and power. Today he is probably the
most important employer of musical talent in
America. if not in the world. 1t is rather
him has developed another very young man in
a somewhat similar career. Mr.. Walter
Damrosch. This gentleman is about to
crown a very brilliant record by taking
the musical direction of the new Music
Hall, which Mr.. Carnegie has founded and
which is practically gift from him to the mu-
steal world. This splendid enterprise will be
formally inaugurated on the 9th Of next month
by series OF performances, both orchestral
and vocal, Of extraordinary interest. As it
To r,nn 10 ova
such occasions, the Russian composer, Tschai-
kowsky, will be the central figure. He will
personally conduct several of his own COMPOST
tons. In addition there will be performed
several of the principal works of Beethoven,
Wagner, &C.. and two oratorios. The sale of
seats for the opening night amounted to more
than 81 900.
Is DIR. BRIGGS A HERETO?
The action Of the Philadelphia presbytery
overturing the general assembly to veto the ap-
pointment of Prof. Briggs to the chair of
biblical theology in Union Theological Semi
nary will probably bring to a head ferment.
which in quiet way has been exciting the
Presbyterian church during the past few
months. No one questions the piety or learn
ing of Prof. Briggs, but in many quarters there
ID strong feeling that he should not occupy
the post OF an instructor to those who are
studying for the ministry in the PRESBYTERIAN
church In view OF his very pronounced diff
ASichcce VI view lfou uiOSo uelQ On tQeOlOgv
by the bulk of Presbyterian theologians, past
and present. This will be the ground of con-
tention, and on this ground, Judge there will
be very serious controversy. Prof. Briggs is
one Of those men of intense individuality who
has an extraordinary charm for young men
and is q natural leader. His influence on
the rising young men and the future clergy of
the Presbyterian sect is very great. He also has
the full confidence and support of the faculty
Of Union Theological Seminary, one Of the
strongest bodies in the church. On the other
hand, he is not at all in favor among the more,
shall say, orthodox leaders. Probably the
great influence of Princeton. with President
Patton actively at the head, will be cast against
him in any issue that might be Joined in the
general assembly. Just what the outcome of
the grand battle would be, of course no one
could predict. The trial of such man as Prof.
Briggs for heresy, for that is practically what
is involved, might precipitate a crisis in the
whole church. On the other hand, the modera-
ton and wisdom shown by the general assembly
in treating the delicate question of revision,
which came before 1t last winter, may point to
similar conservatism in the future.
THE SCUM OF ITALY.
The diplomatic fuss over the New Orleans
mob has called fresh attention to the condi-
tons under which Italians are imported into
this country. 1t must be said that they are
brought here, in very many cases, under the
most wicked misapprehensions and often by
the connivance of italian officers and that the
conditions Of transit are little better than the
horrors OF the middle passage" under the old
slave trade. Last month . medium-sized
steamship brought cargo Of 1850 Italians,
hnV nl-a1l \