ool of musical journalism, and possibly the following
selection, which was written concerning a lady of excellent musical
ability and of world-wide reputation, may be allowed here as an argument
in favor of a proper training for critics. For absolute vulgarity it may
be awarded a first prize. It was written in 1882 in a city which lays
claim to civilization, and the only excuse for its introduction is the
hope that it may serve a good end.

"The divine ---- was as resolute as usual, which, by the way, she
ought to be, being well seasoned. The editor of this paper makes no
great pretensions in the way of musical criticism, but when a
genuine six hundred dollar grand spiral subsand twist, back-action,
self-adjusting, chronometer-balanced, full-jewelled, fourth-proof,
ripsnorting conglomeration comes to town, he proposes to hump
himself. Her diaphragm has evidently not, like wine, improved with
old age. Her upper register is up-stairs near the skylight, while
her lower register is closed for repairs. The aforesaid ----
performed her triple act of singing, rolling her eyes, and speaking
to some one at the wings, at the same time. Her smiles at the
feller behind the scenes were divine. Her singing, when she
condescended to pay attention to the audience, to my critical ear
(the other ear being folded up) seemed to be a blending of
fortissimo, crescendo, damfino or care either. Her costume was the
harmonious blending of the circus tent and balloon style, and was
very gorgeous, barring a tendency to spill some of its contents out
at the top. The Italian part of the business was as fidgety and
furious as usual, and demonstrated what early associations with
hand-organ and monkey will accomplish.

"The venerable and obese freak of nature,----, was as usual, his
appearance very nearly resembling a stove in a corner grocery, or
water-tank on a narrow-gauge railroad. He was not fully appreciated
until he turned to go off the stage. Then he appeared to the best
advantage, and seemed to take an interest in getting out of sight
as quickly as possible, an effort in which he had the hearty
approval of the audience."

Maurice Strakosch, on behalf of Christine Nilsson, brought suit against
a paper published in a large town in New York State for printing an
article under the head of "Nilsson Swindle," in wh