Union Home for the Orphans of Our Deceased Soldiers and Sailors Benefit

“Fifty Orphans will sing Tenting on the Old Camp Ground”

 “The first of a series of concerts for the benefit of this institution for the orphans of our deceased and disabled soldiers and sailors came off at Irving Hall last night and was well patronized.  The chemical heliopticon, an arrangement somewhat like the stereoscopticon, was exhibited and showed some very interesting views of well-known localities in Europe and America.  Mr. Robert Elder, the blind organist, played much better than he did at his own concert on Monday night.  His selections were better illustrations of his peculiar style.  The closing piece—a waltz—was both brilliant and effective.  If he would confine himself to such pieces as he played last night, which are more suitable to display his characteristics as an organist than the Prayer from Moses in Egypt, Home, Sweet, Home, or Beethoven’s music, he would be always acceptable to his audience.  The duet, “On to the field of glory,” sung while General Grant’s enlarged photograph was being exhibited, might have been a solo for all the audience could hear of the soprano.  The rest of the singing was passable.”