The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1899-12-16

Jams, felt and respected abroad. OF
this fine force Of character In you, there
can be no doubt. 1t IL softer and
more elusive quality that Va sometimes
miss In you. the thing which. In the
makeshiit Of our linguistic poverty. We
vaguely designate 40 temperament. And
/ fear, my valiant couptrywomsn, that
the two seldom thrive together. Even
In your voice itself. that powerful and
splendid organ. miss q certain life.
giving quality; yes, even In those. round,
full, unclouded tones, tones Of silver.
shaken from your throat % ligt fly 40
the water drops from sea birds wing,
when 1t flies upward In the golden dawn.
In them, to me. there is always certain
unyielding quality; scarcely metallic,
but white and cold rather. like the gilt
ter Of the diamonds In your tiara All!
II you would sometimes let your heart
go out with that all.conquering voice!
II you would but sometimes be woman!
Yours has heen an admirable career,
fair kinswoman; you have matched tho
better traits Of your own people against
the world. and We have no right TO com.
plain, since you have shown us ell our
worthiest virtues in 30 fair setting.
Yet genius does not always consort with
industry and uprightness; some times
with idlenees and folly rather. It 10 be.
cause you climb co we'll that you have
never tried to fly. You plan, you exc.
cute, you dare, but I think you never
dream. You have mastered much, but
think nothing has ever mastered you.
Music has become an exact science. and
you have made that science your own.
Yet, forget 1t not. music first came to
10 many century ago. before We had
concerned ourselves with science, when
wc were but creatures Of desire and be-
fore We had quite parted with our hairy
coats. indeed; and that It comes to us 20
religious chant and love song. be-
lieve that through oil lie evolutions II
should always express those two cardinal
needs Of humanity. carrying the echo OF
those yearnings which first broke tho
silence Of the world.
am not yet convinced that, were the
taste Of the public more advanced, you
would not do we'll to limit yourself to
the concert stage. There is the domin-
ion Of pure tone, there less IL demsnded
Of phrasing than in opera. and the in
trinsic beauties Of the voice are judged
In the light Of their own splendor.
In opera. I prefer you In Wagnerisn
solos: warrior msidens, clothed In chas-
tity and iron; women Of the white robe
and the bright sword, helpers Of men
and councillors Of code. Elsa. Brun-
hilda. Elizabeth-Isoldei Alb, no! Never
was the citing Of tho potion On your lips.
never have the waves that lash 20 madly
on tho Irish coast told you the reason OF
their fury, nor Of how many centuries
they have quickened to tho mystic WOO
ing Of the moon. able to escape 1t never.
American prima donnas OF tho future
will look back upon your memory with
pride and gratitude. You seem to me
to embody oil that is best in American
womanhood. ! think II anywhere on
tho continent, among the thousands Of
strange faces that pass ono. CHANGED
to see yours. I should joyfully know
under what sky to place IL. About you
there seems always something sugges-
tive OF rev hope In the world, not to
be encountered in tired Europe; some
thing altogether wholesome and invigor.
stipg like the clean smell Of tho pire
xwooda min0lod NTH thn Sro.h ..s