University of Virginia Library

I intended to write to you last night, but found myself
too sleepy & the hour too late, when I thought of doing so. I reruned
to my chamber, again filld with pleasurable recollections
of the sweet strains I had before been listening to. I c.d not
resist the temptation to go again to hear Jullien in one of his
ordinary concerts & from what I heard I think I shall go every
night I am here, except Thursday night perchance, when I wish to go
to the Tabernacle to hear Gavazzi's parting lecture. We had a grand
treat last night-altho' I was sorry there were not so many there,
as I saw at the oratorio the evening previous. We listened to a
great many beautiful pieces-& some very grand. I shall perticularize
a few. Motte Zerr sang beautifully an aria from Lucia-& a
sonnet "where the bee sucks, there such I", which was rapturously
encored. I dont think her equal to Sontag, but a remarkably fine
singer. The great exhibition quadrille was grand. It embodied the
national airs of many countries, " Mourie por la patrie" "the
Marsellaise" a chinese H—- gong- Asiatic war song etc. When Yankee
doodle was suddenly struck up, the emotion of the auditors could
scarcely be restrained, & presently amid the chimes of bells &
peals of cannon, burst forth the English "God save the Queen", the
audience fairly shouted with delight,- & M. Jullien, lifting his
baton, gave us "Hail Columbia" in an unequalled style. The whole
vast assemblage rose to their feet as one man, & continued so
during the playing of this air.

The other remarkable piece was a Christmas symphony by
our countryman W. H. Frey of Philad.a, which w.d I think do honor
to any composer, at least if played by Jullien's Band.

It commenced with a Christmas Hymn & after some other
music, we heard the wailing of the wind & a snow storm (it being
the night before Christmas), so admirably imitated by the violins
that the dullest could not fail to comprehend the meaning, & amid
the moaning, a dirge like air, portraying the death by cold of a
traveller. Then came the strokes of the clock announcing midnight&
presently were heard the jingling of the bells & prancing gallop
of the Santa Claus' little team accompanied by a merry little air.
Then the team stops, he descends the chimney, deposits the presents,
& returns & again the little coach & four trot & jingle on.
Presently after sweet dreams, a sound of joy & surprise is heard
as from children discovering their toys, & then as they seize them
to try what they are, such a piping of whistles, barking of dogs,
squeaking & racket was never heard. Presently all is lost & drowned
in the grand finale, the Hallelujah chorus.

I spent the day yesterday in business-have not met an acquaintance
yet. Went first to Westermans & bo.t books-then to
Bailliere's & bo.t more-then to Goupils- to Pikes- to Appletons etc
I find here not even all the limited apparatus I want, & shall
have to order from Europe. I went into some big stores, wholesale

stores, down on some of the crooked little streets, where
Tuttle I presume gets his, & you cant imagine the number
& variety of these evidences of German ingenuity. I am
going to Crystal Palace today, & to other places.

Ardent love to you. God bless my darling companion.