Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-23
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

In the course of a news letter to Tho
Star from New York. printed September
i6, 1856, the editor Of The
Reformed Star, Mr.. w. D. Wallach,
Hack,nen. gave expression to an esti-
mate of things metropolitan
which will perhaps interest the reader OF
today:
Nothing strikes the observing traveller
with greater force than the ever-changing
face Of an American city. nor is that as
observable elsewhere. within my expert
ence. as in this city of Gotham. had
not been hero previously for eighteen
months, now a long time for an active
business man In this country to be absent
from New York. our great center of COM
merce and enterprise. In that time altera-
lions have taken place In the appearance
of many Of the citys weli-known features
and in not few Of it's customs and man
ners I may mention the improvement on
the Jersey side of the landing from which
one crosses the North river from the New
Jersey railroad. The docks of the rail-
road company have been extended out into
the river hundreds Of feet in length, at q cost
of hundreds of thousands of dollars. This
had evidently become necessary through the
great increase of intercourse between the
two sides Of the river. and thus illustrates
the progress Of the business in New YORK
city. change in the manners or the
runners for hacks who are allowed on the
ferry boats, too, formed quite an agreeable
feature of my entrance into the city. Iney
were all extremely civil and seemed to vie
with each other in giving as little annoy
ance to travellers as possible rms Is q
capital change, indeed, so far as the pubic
comfort is concerned. Heretofore l have
found them as great nuisance as those
similar calling in other Amerl-
can cities usually are. On Friday morning
last all of them appeared to content them
selves with offering to accommodate the
traveller in few and respectful words, and
scrupulously abstained from pressing
themselves upon such as would not seem
to be gratified with their attentions. 1t
would be well. indeed. for the tribe to imi-
tate their example universally"
Comment upon the tendency Of American
federal officials toward greater display and
less democratic simplicity
Royalty and may possibly be stimulat-
Democracy. ed by the following ex-
tract from The Star of
September II, 1855:
'The accounts of the glitter and glare
connected with the visit Of the Queen Of
England to Scotland-the extraordinary
fealty paid to her majesty, and the over
strained remarks Of eulogy lavished upon
her personal charact pleasantly remind us
of the republican simplicity Of the Presi-
dent Of the United States, the avoidance
by him of destinations and the domestic
habits which characterize his conduct. The
approach to royalty is indeed an obstruct-
ed way-through life guards and court at
tendants; and a mere glance at the queen
is all that the millions of England can
expect to obtain, she dashes through
the public thoroughfares. But with us the
case is different; the executive is as easy
of approach by every one as private citi-
zen and never fails to receive his guests In
a manner which elicits the highest respect;
and such has been the custom with his
predecessors in that exalted station. We
have been Informed by citizens of the
United States who have travelled in foreign
countries that their statements to this ef-
feet are scarcely credited and in many in
stances dsbelieved; for persons living I'M
der monarchial rule cannot realize the fact
that our highest officers OF government are
so accessible and courteous In their bear
ing. The difference arises from the fact
that there family and aristocracy prevail,
while here merit and a just appreciation
OF men for their administrative abilities
enter into the conducting Of our public
affairs"
X
Maurice Strakosch conducted one of the
most famous grand opera and concert COM
panies in the United States
vocal half a century ago. and its
Artists advent In Washington was
always a signal for great
f1uttering in musical circles. This COM
pany, headed by Mile. Teresa Parodi. ap-
peared in Washington for two nights fifty
years ago, and on the 18th of September.
1856, The Star thus referred to the per-
Torrance at the National Theater, on which
occasion the Strakosch singers gave con-
cert program, the house being packed to its
capacity.
"Parodi met. she always does from
the Washington audience, with a most
hearty reception; so did the broad-chested,
magnificent Bernardo; so did the spirituel
boy artist Julien (who, by the way, we see
has assumed the manly prerogative OF tail
coat; so did the new candidate for public
favor. the handsome, the hute-toned Tiber-
ini most delicious-tongued and lady-be-
witching of tenors The duet from III
Trovatore' by Parodi and Tiberini was a
gem of exquisite vocalzation. Parodi sang
the "sicilienne" from Verdrs "sicilien Yes
pers" "Rataplan," Coming Through the
Rye" and other airs in her usual brilliant
manner. Strokosch was, as usual, vehe-
mently applauded, as was Julien. and the
new tenor, Tiberini, made decided hit
Tonight. the last appearance Of this most
talented troupe, Mile. Parodi sings La Mar
seillaise.'"
X
Washington was great dancing center
then as now. and the advertising columns
of The Star at this time half
dancing a century back began to show
Schools signs of the annual revival
of interest in the terpsicho-
rean art. In The Star of September 20,
1856. appears this news article:
1.-THE season for cotilions and hops is at
hand, when the foot necessarily will be ex-
ercised In the saloon amid gay company
and merry hearts. Persons who attend
such assemblages feel excessively awkward
when they essay to take part in the pleas
antly exciting exercises without having pre-
viously looked well to thier dancing ways
If adults. as well as juveniles. cannot fig
ure' gracefully 1t Is their own fault, for
Monsieur Gaszynsk tells them through The
Star that he will open his classes for this
accomplishment at the E street temper
ance hall On the Sth Of October, and Prof
Munder, through the same channel says
that he will resume the duties of his school