Correspondence

Editor Codhier : Allow me to say througli your columna a few words concerning one of the exercises at tlie Priza Contest, on tlie 19th inst., at the opera bOUM. I refer to the recital of " Skipper Ireson's Kide " by Miss E. R. Watfner. It was excellentie rendered, taking as a standard of jiidgment the average degree of excellence attained that evening; yet the youug lady received no prize. I cast 110 reflections upon the Committee of Award, f or no other could have been splecied more just and discrimiiiating. Tliough the chairman, in his graccful remarks, evinced a delicate regard for the feelings of' the disappointed contestants by oomplimentiDg them all, it is proper that nicrit be shovvu further cvidence of apnreciation, and to this end I point out wliat seenicd to me the excellent features of Miss Wftjfner'a recitation. "Skipper Iresou's Kide" contains many dillicult varieties of expression. Miss Wagner personated, with skill seldom equaled by a novice, the women of Marblebead, " stroog of muscle and glib of tongue," pushing and pulling thecart, andsingingtheirslirill refrain; the blooming girls " Witb concli shells blowing and ftsh-horns' twang '' ; the mumbling accents of tbothless, "seaworn graudsires," and the pitying tones of the two women, who said, "God has tonched him !- why should we? " and " Cut the rogue's tether and let him run." The younj; lady's manner was markeil, not by excessive, bookish, or inappropriate gesture; but, on the contrary, her acting was températe, original, and expressive. Her voice was pure, strong, well modulated, and, as before stated, she displayed in both vocal and facial expression superior imitative talent. Miss Wagner proved herself equal in this mimetic abilrit}',and in the compass, power, and puity of the speaking voice, to the gittod iliss Taylor. The entertainment was quite enjoyable. The contestants had made diligent preparation, and " eatfh (lid well in his degree." I,et this noble art be piactieed under skilied direction in every school, until good reading and speaking shall be, not merely an accomplishment of the few, but the ïnuch used possession of the Aun Albor, June 20, 1883.