Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-24


| his remarkable administrative powers,
were some Of the subjects discussed by
| Mrs. Ezekiel. She also gave an inter-
| esting history of the old ship Constitu-
| ton, stating that the Tooth birthday OF
the vessel took place early this week. A
book written by a celebrated French
critic Tilon, and called Criticisms Of
the English Stage and Drama" with some
recently discovered manuscripts purport-
ing to be reports Of the sayings and do
ings of Christ, were the other subjects
interestingly dealt with,
The musical piece de resistance OF the
present week is TO be the celebration In
this city of the opera Festival on the
18th, the 10Th, and the 30th. The operas
to be presented are the masterpieces OF
Won Flotow's and BellinIs composing.
Martha, the chief character OF Won Flo
tows opera, will have a fascina ling rep
resentative in Miss Lily Urquhart The
rest of the cast and the chorus singers
have shown and entered with artistic dis.
elimination fully into the spirit OF
the music. The argument of the opera
tells OF Martha as a very blaSc ana OF
course beautiful young lady, who
asks her friend Nancy 10 think or
some plan for diversion, however wild
or unusual Nancy proposes that they
20 to the country fair near by, with Sir
Trastram, an ardent admlrer OF Mar
tina, who Is conveniently at hand ~
the fair Martha and her friends find
kind Of auction of femininity going on
where the peasant girls of the neigh
borhood were being auctioned OFF as SER
wants or apprentices to the different
masters bidding for them. The disguised
Martha and Nancy allow themselves to
be apprenticed 20 two very handsome
young farmers-Iionel and Plunkett.
The interest of the situation Is further
increased when these young people be-
gin to take a good deal OF interest IN
one another, and when Martha finds that
Lionel is really very distinguished
Young man, a sort OF dethroned prince,
4 number Of adventures, quarre's, re-
cancellations, and 50 on, follow.
sonnambula, OF which the critic OF the
music Of the Modern World says "IhlS
is Bellinfs chef d oeuvre." The SIM
pie story of pastoral love, Jealousy, and
reconciliation, contains not ono dui'
note. Miss Bette Burwell Booker takes
the part Of the heroine Of the opera.
Her rendering Of the melodies and vocal
pyrotechnics Of the part is such az
would certainly have pleased the COM
poser himself The other prominent
character of Ia Sonnambula Will he
taken by Signor Del Papa, the WORLDS
famour tenor singer. Those who go 10
see and hear the opera viii not only
be given several hours of pleasure, DuI
will come away with the sleek, COM
Portable feeling OF having done their
duty. The entertainments are gwen Tor
the benefit OF the Rosemary Library, the
only large circulating library OF the city,
which is open to the public
Two entertainments, which are at
tracing a good deal of attention are
the teas to be siven-one at the Retreat
on the 18th, and the other at Mrs. Charles
Bosher's-for the benefit Of the Shelter-
ing Arms, on the 10th Of November. Inc
creslding geniuses for both occasions
are ladies. who have the reputation OF
making all entertainments which they
are connected with social successes. TO
be mercenary, maybe IL would be just
az well for those who attend this yea
AT the Retreat TO carry with them PEN
mics of the same number as their years
And any who care 10 represent tneni-
selves as centenarians will be allowed
to put in 81.
A dellghtfully informal meeting OF the
Card Players Club took place Ihurs-
evening at the home OF the Misses
Archer, daughters of Mr.. W. L. ArCher'
The Woman's Club is still holding up
the lamp of enlightenment. On Monday
afternoon. October 18th, at o'clock,
Swami Saradamanda, Of India, VIII
lecture before the club on the 'Philoso-
phies OF Indian and on the Evolution OF
Religion" The subjects show some
what the mental calibre of the club
and the power OF those who PROVIDE the
literary entertainments Is eyideuced ny
the ladies' success in securing this lire
lecturer. Mrs. Bradford, OF New Or
leans will read before the club extracts
from some OF her works. Mrs. Brad-
ford. one OF the Hypatias OF the South'
Is a prominent member OF the Quarante
Club. OF New Orleans; a contributor TO
the magazines. and the author Of the
Life OF Audubon which Is SO Wen ana
widely known.
Mr.. James Werth last week enter
tanned some OF his friends at dinner
party. Virginia has no more delightful
host and hostess than Mr.. ard Mrs.
Werth. and no more enjoyable entertain
ment has been given this year. Among
the distinguished guests present were
General EftZhugh III. Lee, Judge heltn,
Mr. Joseph Bryan. Mr.. Royal, and Mr..
Philip st. George Barraud.
Quite a large number OF visitors came
TO the city on Saturday to watch the foot
ball game. and before their ardor was
dampei by the rain the streets were alive
with the red and the black and the blue
and the yellow. Among the 400 excursion
lists who came up from HAMPTON In at
tendance on the Hampton Athletic Club
were Mr. c. b. Price. y. A. F.. Mr.. W. II.
Smith, p A. e.. Mr.. !. W. Cue. MIR.
Frank Shields, Misses Grown, Mr.: VII
liam Hughes, Mrs Bickford, the Misses
Holiday, Misses Polly and Leila Chris
mond Mr. Blankenship, Mr.. and Mrs
Clarence Robinson. and Mr. Richard Rem
holds.
Rev DIR. James y. Smith. or the Central
Presbyterian and a number OF gentlemen
who served during the civil war, propose
taking vehicle after the winding up OF
the synod at Fredericksburg to oriye
from there through the country, Visiting
al the important battle-feidS along the
way. And as they go DR.. Smith VIII ex-
plain and describe the action OF the ar
mics. which were once there. Those who
are 10 join this company certainly have
a rare treat in store for them.
on the 18th the first hunt or the season
took place from the Deep Run Hunt Club.