with their
Wonderful Pianist!
As a reflection of the terrible, the foul spirit of caste, then so largely prevailing, I regret that it is my duty to append the following elegant (?) extract from a paper published at Fremont, O., Feb. 25, 1859:—
"The Hutchinsons,—Asa B., Lizzie C., and little Freddy,—accompanied by the Luca family, gave a concert at Birchard Hall on last Wednesday evening. The house was not more than a paying one. When we went to the concert, we anticipated a rare treat; but, alas! how wofully were we disappointed!... We have, perhaps, a stronger feeling of prejudice than we should have felt under other circumstances, had their abolition proclivities been less startling; but to see respectable white persons (we presume they are such) travelling hand in hand with a party of negroes, and eating at the same table with them, is rather too strong a pill to be gulped down by a democratic community."
No doubt the writer of the above, if now living, would be ashamed to utter sentiments so uncharitable and so vile.
But as an evidence of honest criticism, and in pleasing contrast with the foregoing, I give the following.
"The Norwalk (O.) Reflector," March 1, 1859, says,—
"The concert given in this place on Saturday night last by the Hutchinsons and Lucas was among the best musical entertainments ever given here. The audience was large, and the artists sang with spirit.
"Where all sang so well, it is difficult to select the best.... The Lucas are charming musicians, both instrumental and vocal; and, when two such companies unite, there will be superior concerts."
A Sandusky (O.) paper, March 1, 1859, says,—