descension was loudly reprobated by the lady, and he was enjoined in no very gentle terms on no occasion to repeat the enormity. Another cause of offence is said to be their having kept themselves in strict seclusion in their private rooms, at the hotel in New York, and sending their servants to dine at the table d'hôte." We do not agree with the abominable egotism and bad taste of the Americans generally, but we must still say that persons visiting that country as public performers have a right, in some respect, to show a proper feeling and regard to the customs and habits of the people whose patronage and support they solicit in the way of pecuniary recompence for their services. Had Madame Vestris and her husband succeeded in America, we should not have been favoured with their return so soon; and all the twaddle about "The Old House at Home" would have been left out on their first appearance, as it evidently was not made much of a consideration when they left for what they hoped would be a profitable speculation abroad. MEMOIR OF THE COUNTESS OF ESSEX, LATE MISS STEPHENS. Give me the music that the mind may rule, The subject of the present memoir is the daughter of Mr. Stephens, formerly a carver and gilder in this busy metropolis, and was born in London on the 18th of September, 1794. Miss Stephens in her infancy gave proofs of having "music in her soul," and her elder sister (afterwards Mrs. J. Smith) also devoted her talents to the worship of St. Cecilia. They mutually assisted each other. The elder Miss Stephens was soon ushered into the musical profession, whilst little Katherine, her sister, was following her steps in humble distance; and when the elder sister went to Liverpool, from whence she subsequently came to London and was engaged at Drury, our heroine was placed under the tuition of Gesualdo Lanza, Esq., a gentleman of great musical attainments. What course of study she went through under this master, is amply displayed by the following letter from Mr. Lanza, which the mis-statements of the Editor of the "Theatrical Inquisitor" extorted from him 66 TO THE EDITOR OF THE THEATRICAL INQUISITOR. "SIR-On looking over the memoirs of Miss Stephens in the Theatrical Inquisitor, and Monthly Mirror,' for last December, I was surprised to find a statement therein made, reflecting strangely on my professional character. Although editors of periodical publications are trebly accountable for the correctness of what they state-first, to the public; next, to the individual spoken of; and, thirdly, to themselves—yet the number and variety of subjects discussed or narrated may distract their attention, and often, giving little time for examination, may furnish in some cases an apology for mis-statement. Deeply wounded as my feelings are by the unfounded assertion to which I allude, I shall feel satisfied by having this letter and the statements it contains (which I am ready to verify by affidavits) laid before the public. Before this tribunal I have been unwillingly dragged. Although a foreigner, no man will bow more readily to its decision than I. The British public, and that of the capital, has been always just. I ask only to be heard; I am confident of justice and of generous treatment. Of you, Sir, all I require is, that that publication which has libelled me may exonerate me. This justice I claim, not merely on my part, for my acquittal, but on the part of the public, which has been misled, and on the part of you, who have been grossly deceived. I do not allow myself to think for one moment that you have lent yourself in the least degree to do me an injury or injustice; your honour and your interest equally forbid it. To what or whose malevolence I know not to attribute a report, as eminent for its folly as its falsehood, that Miss Stephens entered into articles with (me) G. Lanza, for five years, commencing in 1807-during which period she received from Mr. Lanza the enormous number of twenty-seven lessons! We will not cavil about the construction of the sentence; it is, indeed, a plain and direct charge of the most obstinate negligence. There can be no mistake, the twenty-seven is not in figures, where a cipher might have been omitted, or a character misplaced, but it is in letters, and in italic too, and facetiously qualified with the word enormous. "This slander would miss its object, or bring with its bane its own antidote, but that many read, and take bold assertions for positive facts, giving that credit to daring and to hardihood, which the inquiring give to claims well authenticated. This charge, while it imputes to me a mean and stupid dishonesty, and the basest intention, has the additional liberal design to rob me of the credit due to the instructor of Miss Stephens, and in robbing me of this, to deprive me of the concurrent advantages. In answer to this foul calumny, I affirm, and my many pupils and friends will bear testimony-nay, Miss Stephens herself, I have no doubt, will do me the justice to acknowledge, that every attention and kindness were unremittingly paid her, as a pupil and a friend, by me and my family. Although the number of my scholars prevented me from devoting many hours a day to her alone, yet my exertions were constantly proportioned to her improvement and ability, and notwithstanding the misfortune of her being near-sighted caused some delay, by rendering it necessary to commit much to memory, yet three years ago Miss Stephens could sing at sight with perfect correctness when she could obtain a close view of the score. Those who know the difficulty of obtaining this qualification in vocal music, are aware that such perfection must have been gained by degrees, by methodised and constant instruction-by the close attention of the pupil, and unwearied exertion of the master. Miss Stephens went through all the principles of music with me; she went through not only all the gradations of solfeggios, but through a whole course of vocal exercises, designed to give facility of execution, in modulations, cadences, and every style of ornament. Under my direction she also studied nearly two hundred pieces of music, English and Italian, selected from the best English and Italian operas, and from oratorios. A list of all these may be seen at my house, and ample proofs can be given of Miss Stephens having learnt them under my direction. She sang at Bath, Bristol, Southampton, and many other places, while under my tuition-at all, she met with the greatest applause. Her splendid abilities, and my exertions, invariably received this reward. "After denying, and as far as is in my power, I trust, disproving so bold and barefaced an assertion as the first, it may appear a waste of time to press into notice other misrepresentations, modest and blushing compared with it. A generous and high-spirited nation, of which every man in any profession or occupation claims, and justly enjoys, the title he can prove to honest merit, however humble its sphere, will pardon my anxiety to establish mine, and will clearly see that there is much more probability of design than of accident in the mis-sketches furnished you. The memoir says that Miss Stephens commenced a course of studies under Mr. Thomas Welsh, in September, 1812. I do not see the precise object through this, but I affirm that on the 3d of October, 1812, Miss Stephens sang at Ramsgate as my pupil, Miss Stephens, at concerts given there by Mr. Samuel Wesley and Mr. Webb, jun.; where, to use Mr. Samuel Wesley's words, she received the greatest and most deserved applause-this, those gentlemen are ready to prove. I also affirm that when then there, she was called on to try at sight some manuscript glees, and that she acquitted herself so as to give not merely satisfaction, but surprise to these able judges. She returned to Margate, where she had been the whole of September, and after a visit of some time there, came to London in the middle of October, 1812. On the 17th and 19th of Nov., the very next month, she sang at Manchester as Mr. Welsh's pupil, Miss A discerning public will here, doubtless, make a just comment on the impossibility of Miss Stephens having com |