The times., 1899-05-14

stay of the management. the public caring
for little else This partly explains the
failure OF Perosi who, despite his news-
paper boom that promised us a new genius
of the first order, has fallen quite Eat.
His TRANSPORTATION of Christ" ''Resur-
reetion OF Lazarus" and Resurrection OF
Christ" given this week at the London
musical festival. were disappointing, after
what We had been led to expect The
works show an earnest, devotional spirit,
lofty aims, and a steadfast purpose. which
| would probably appeal to Roman audiences
in cathedrals, but regarding these oratorios
! from purely musical standpoint, they can
only be placed among compositions of
secondary merit. Neither has Perosi given
| any Indication Of his possessing anss ox-
/ eeptional power OF musical expression or
inyentiveness. All he has accomplished
has been done far better before, and there
are oratcrios b. English composers i'm
| measurahly greater in dignity. devotional
fervor, and depth of expression, and OF
finer workmanship.
Carnegie's Generous Gift.
Mr.. Carnegie has set an example to Eng
lish miIlionaires by MS gift OF S250, goo to
the endowment fund of the Midlands Uni
yersity at Birmingham. Great satisfaction
is expressed here at his practicing what he
breaches, although his can hardly be con-
sidered an exceptional case in a country
where private munifcence on a large scale
is almost commonplace and is practieed
TO an extent unknown in any other eoun-
try.
The next small sensation in the literary
world will be the appearance of original
novels by well known writers. at the price
of siXpence. Messrs. Methuen are reSpon-
sible for the new departure, and have Sc
cured stories from Messrs. Robert Barr,
Hornung and Cutcline- Hyne as begin
ming. The intention is not to compete
with the ordinary novel. but rather with
magazines. The new venture will not be
helped out with advertisements either, but
will be a regular book with a pretty paper
cover.
The London theatrical world is very
quiet, and managers are hoping to finish
the season with their present plays. II Wa
except the visit of Coquelin. who is to play
Cyrano at the Adelphi. there is nothing OF
moment 10 come.
Theatrical and Literary Matters.
In Dublin. as 1 wrote last week, the
daring experiment of an Irish literary
theatre has evoked almost passionate in
terest. The movement is national one.
and the whole city focked to see Yeats
OUuHtSSS t6LHlStl ana Inc
Heather Field The former. despite the
attempts of bigoted Catholics to find Of
fence in it, was received with delight
George Moore, Of course. is on the stump
advocating these plays, at the expense OF
the brutal Anglo-Saxon, such as Kipling
and other popular authors. Without fol-
lowing Mr.. Moore any further, there is
no doubt that in Countess Cathleen" 4
fne dramatic work has at last been pub
performed, and that in Martyrs The
lther Field" a powerful play without
the least unpleasantness has been discov-
cred. To quote one critic. The Heather
Field has achieved a really popular sue
cess in Dublin, a success which must be
almost embarrassing to the founders of 4
literary theatre.
The International Art Show has opened
and is more alive and representative than
anything to be seen in London. Hardly an
unintelligent piece Of work is on view.
The Glasgow school exhibits strongly
Guthrie's portraits being especially fine.
Chase is noticeable among the Americans.
while the French Italian, and Munich
schools are represented by Sisley and Pis-
saro, and the impressionists By Fragia-
como. Stuck and Sauter. Nicholson, OF
poster fame, and ]. NJ. Whistler send good
work. Mr.. Whistler. however. being feeble
in places. His book is Just out. 1t is re-
garded as rather a pity that so great an
artist should stoop to such absurJity.