HEWITT'S ORATORIO.
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The Oratorio Of JEPHTHAH recently performed
in this city, claims, think, more than passing
notice. 1t possesses degree of merit that should
and will entite it to high rank among the produc-
tlons OF musical genius, and its merit is not less
striking for being the offspring of a native artist
and citizen of Washington. 1t is, believe, the
first production of the kind ever written and COM
posed In this country, and reflects no little honor
on the genius of its author. Were it brought out,
as trust it will be, in manner adapted to its mer-
its, it will not fall below the "Seven Sleepers"
and other European Oratorios which have acquired
great popularity and reputation. The subject is
happily chosen the rash and fatal VOW of Jephthah
to sacrifice whatsoever should come forth to- meet
him when he reached his home, if God would
grant him victory over his emines. The victory
was achieved, and the first who came out to meet
him with timbrels and dances, it will be remem-
bered, was his beautiful daughter and only child,
who became the innocent victims The whole IN
cident is deeply affecting and solemn, and has
doubtless, been borrowed by the Greeks, and rem
dered illustous in the story of Ephigena the daugh
ter OF Agamemnon. On this tragical event has
been founded two operas which have obtained great
reputation the one by Gluck, and the other by
Goethe, which has been regarded as his master
piece.


The author has given literal fulflment of the
rash vow of Jepththah, and thus rendered his Ora
toro more affecting and tragical The misery of
the father, and the tenderness devotion, and sub
mission of the daughter to the will of her beloved
parent and her God, are affectngly deineated not
only IN the authors poetry, but still more power
fully in his music. There is an admirable har-
mony or concordance in the poetry, rectatiyes,
and music of this Oratorio, which not only evinces
fine taste in the author but must strike every hear
er with great force and effect. II is solemn, pa
thetic, occasionally grand, and always pleasing
As sacred OPERA with all the adiuncts of scenery
costume, and full orchestra, know of nothing
that would be more affecting and powerful Az
an oratorio, its full merit can only be appreciated
when brought out with a choir Of two or three
hundred fine voices, large organ, and the other
instruments necessary to give it proper effect.
This Oratoro commences with beautiful pastoral
chorus OF women and men on the mountains of
India, as Introductory to what follows:


The morn is glowing in the east,


Resplendent up the cloudess sky.


1t seems to be the opinion of the best commen-
tators that Jephthahs daughter was not sacrificed,
but devoted to the worship and service of God in
the tabernacle: lst, because the vow did not re-
quire sacrifices I'd, because the law did not per-
nit it; and 3d. because there is nothing in the mar
rative to prove that he sacrificed her. He did with