at
astonishment, I saw undoubtedly the greatest assemblage of
human beings ever congregated under one roof, and heard a
chorus of nearly or quite twenty thousand voices,
accompanied by the powerful organ and an orchestra of two
thousand musicians. I was highly delighted. But what gave me
the most pleasure was to see among some of the most eminent
artists of the world two colored artists performing their
parts in common with the others; viz., Henry F. Williams and
F.E. Lewis. Each of these was competent to play his part, or
he could not have occupied a place in the orchestra. I was
informed by the superintendent of the orchestra that both
these man were subjected to a very rigid examination prior
to the commencement of the concerts."

[Illustration: HENRY F. WILLIAMS.]

The pleasure afforded this writer, by witnessing our subject's
appearance on the memorable occasion referred to, was shared by
many other persons who were able to distinguish him in that vast
concourse of fine musicians. It was not so easy to distinguish him
from the others by his complexion as it was by his dignified, graceful
appearance. Of this, as well as of Mr. Williams's musical skill, the
organizer of the great orchestra, Mr. Baldwin, has, since the event,
spoken to me in terms the most complimentary. He said it was not more
Mr. Williams's good playing, than his handsome, manly appearance in
the orchestra, that afforded him pleasure; and that in both of these
particulars Mr. Williams stood in favorable contrast with many other
members of the orchestra. This was high praise indeed, but no higher
than its recipient deserved, as all will testify who know him.

As stated in the extract just quoted, Mr. Williams, before being
accepted as a member of the Jubilee orchestra, was subjected to a
severe test; being required to execute on the double-bass the parts
written for that instrument in the celebrated overture from "William
Tell," and also in Wagner's difficult "Tannhaeuser." In regard to this
test Mr. Baldwin has since said to the writer, "I myself had no doubts
as to Mr. Williams's ability as a musician. My object in arranging the
test performance was, that I might afterwards point to its successful
result, and thus silence many of the instrumentalists that came from
other parts of the country, in case they should object (I knew that
many of them would do so), on the weak ground of