fter their first concert, the town
became the scene of a most pleasant commotion. No such music had ever
before been heard there, and praises of the "Lucas" were on the lips
of all. The family were entertained at the residences of the first
citizens, who vied with each other in extending to them the most
complimentary attentions. In these homes of wealth and culture, where
the study and practice of choice music formed a portion of each day's
employment, these talented artists, surrounded by a selected company
of educated persons, shone even more brightly than when upon the
public stage; for here they could confine themselves to a rendition of
that higher class of music so suitable to their own tastes and powers,
as well as most welcome to their cultivated audience. But what befell
the Luca family in this town--the writer has mentioned somewhat
particularly this instance, because he happened to be a witness of the
same--is but a sample of the treatment they often received in other
places while travelling over the country.

As representing the estimate of the musical abilities of the Luca
family, held by the general press of the country during their concert
tours, and in order that it may be seen that my own praises of the
family are none too great, I give the following notice from a fair and
disinterested source; viz., "The Niagara Courier" of Lockport, N.Y.,
of Sept. 2, 1857:--

"THE LUCA FAMILY.

"This company of singers, consisting of four [three]
brothers and their mother, gave a concert at Ringueberg Hall
last (Monday) evening; and their performance was such as to
elicit the enthusiastic approval of all present. Coming
among us as strangers, their merits were not generally
understood; and we presume that the entire audience were
agreeably disappointed in the entertainment presented. We
hazard nothing in saying that we have not had in our place
for years a concert which combined all the elements that
please the musical ear, and satisfy the cultivated taste, as
did this. The introductory piece, 'Fantasia,' from Lucia,
evinced the highest order of musical culture, the most
excellent taste, with that superior power of execution which
long practice only gives. The two brothers John and
Alexander have superb voices, guided by a correct knowledge
of music, and enriched by cultivation. Madame Luca was
laboring under indisposition;