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What is there in negro melodies so charm-ing to the ear of the sovereign people? Something there must be, else all parties would not be so delighted. I know that they have banished heart-aches and gloomy fancies, and that, when struggling in "the Slough of Despond," the magic numbers of "The other side of Jordan," well executed upon a banjo, with a pair of protruding lips carolling the refrain, that "Jordan am a hard road to travel," has caused the pilgrim to shake off his burden and go his way rejoic-ing.

Pious people say "they are wicked songs, not fit to be sung;" but mark the expression of such people's faces when in company; see if their actions don't belie their words. A song is called for; some lady sings and plays some nice, lackadaisical, sentimental ditty about love and melancholy

"Go, forget me; why should sorrow
O'er thy brow a shadow fling?"

Well, she is applauded; for one would think, by her mournful cadence, that she was the victim, and pining away; but who cares for the feeling therein expressed? Then she changes to some meeting by "moonlight alone," and all sit as if frozen into silence at the thought. She sings something more plaintive -- "The watches." All seem pleased; but some one asks, "Do you not sing and play the new negro melodies?" and, though a few look aghast at the thought, hardly has the singer finished the second verse before the deacon is beating time with his foot, forgetful of its profane music, and his grave wife says, " What a beautiful tune that is -- to be sure it's a pity there wasn't better words;" and the venerable clergyman says nothing, for he is thinking there may be some worse sins against high heaven than singing my "Old Kentucky Home" for a social party.

I do not think all the negro songs or melodies proper to be sung anywhere; but many of them have an indescribable sweetness about them, -- sounds which reach far down into the hidden fountains of feeling, and carry us above and beyond our poor, every-day existence -- tones which wrap us in Elysian dreams, and we cannot account for their witching spell; we only know they "touch the electric chain with which we are darkly bound."

J. Ross Brown, in "Yusef," tells of some of the inhabitants of the East listening to the song of "Uncle Ned" with delight, when other music failed to please; and their joy increased when the story was told of poor old Ned. And I know of people at home who would fall asleep over the last opera, but awaken without much effort when the chorus of "Wait for the Wagon" falls upon their ear.

If I am wicked, I hope to be pardoned for it, and speedily made better; but I should be obliged to stop my ears with cotton, were I ever so good, to prevent me from taking delight in the best and favorite "negro melodies;" and when in New York, near the corner of Broadway and Anthony, I should have to shut my eyes to its attractions, or before I was fully aware, I should be within a well-known music store, looking over the piles of new music, and passing over a large quantity on a lower shelf, marked "Love," "Lovers," &c., &c., I should send Mr. Waters, the gentlemanly proprietor of the musical region, or some of his attentive and courteous employés on an aerial ascent to the upper shelves for comic songs and negro melodies for the young sister in the West, or my tall cousin John, as oft I've done before.

THE BLACKBIRD ENTERTAINMENT
BY ELLA.

PROGRAMME.

PART I.
PROLOGUE.

GRAND OVERTURE ..... Company.
FAN-CY AIR ..... Instruments.
SONG ..... "Ohio Boatman."..... Company.
SONG ..... "The Old Gum Tree." ..... Company.
SONG ..... Guitar Accompaniment.
SONG ..... "Difficult Locomotion," ("Jordan') ..... Company.
SONG ..... "Our Gals" ..... Company.
SONG ..... "We'll all make a Laugh" ..... Company.

PART II.

LECTURE ...... Dr. Snowball.
QUARTETTE.
SOLO ..... Violin.
SONG ..... "Old Kentucky Home"..... Company.
SONG ..... "Camptown Races"..... Company.
DANCE ..... "Virginia Breakdown"
BURLESQUE, a la Jullien ..... Company.
EXHIBITION OF THE ELEPHANT.

PART III.

FANCY NEGRO DANCE ..... Company.

It was with the highest pleasure we attended the Blackbird Entertainment, given by the celebrated Blackbird Minstrels, in the first ball, north, on the evenings of Nov. 9th, lath and 11th.

The gentlemen, having witnessed the success and pleasing result of their neighbors -- the fair Southrons -- and actuated, doubtless, by the spirit of generous rivalry, determined, if possible, to equal, if not excel them, in dramatic skill, singing and fancy dancing. Applying themselves to the task with an energy and purpose characteristic of the sterner sex, they presented to the children of Asylumia a novel and laughter-provoking view of the varieties in human kind.

Their programme, which we give above, contained a rare combination of the ludicrous, burlesque and unique, promising at least a variety, which is the spice of life. The stage was admirably adjusted for the action and elucidation of the several parts, and well calculated to disguise and conceal the sable characters thereon.

At the rising of the curtain the "Blackbirds" were introduced in a happy and expressive prologue, by the "Doctor" -- our "old man eloquent" -- whose voice, so often echoed from chapel and hall, has become as familiar as household words. With pathos and eloquence he spoke of the African, and discoursed in glowing terms of their love of song, closing by briefly announcing to the audience the character of the entertainment which awaited them.

Then appeared the performers -- real, genuine negroes, in color and dress-plentifully supplied with instruments preparatory to the Grand Overture." Next came the "Fan-cy Air" -- "Von grand humbug" -- in which the science of fanning was fully shown up, and well appreciated, judging from its effects. A succession of songs closed Part I, selected with much taste, and sung with skill, the intervals spiced with conundrums, and "Brother Bones'" practical, instructive and scientific observations, forming a pleasing interlude and accompaniment.

An intermission of ten minutes, and the curtain again rises, disclosing to view a new and novel scene. Darkness reigned supreme. With breathless expectation we wait the result. So on appeared the venerable Dr. Snowball, whose choleric air, ponderous dimensions, and pile of manuscript still shrouded the scene in mystery. A lecture is announced, and silence gives way to loud cachinnations as the lecturer, rendering darkness visible, proceeds to enlighten his hearers, amid his frequent draughts. -- Further description baffles our powers of language. The lecture we can compare to nothing but a "conglomerated mass of heterogeneous matter." We intended a synopsis of his remarks, but as the Dr. will neither lend his "notes" or the lexicon from which he abstracted his "jaw-breakers," we are unable even to name his subject. Suffice it to say we have several times nearly dislocated our jaw, vainly attempting to repeat to a friend some of his shorter words. The performance closed by passing round the plate to remunerate the lecturer, when a general distribution of the spoils ensued, and the curtain dropped.

A. few more songs, and then followed a dance -- the "Virginia Breakdown" -- the climax of the whole. The performers fairly outdid themselves, completely "taking down" the house at every repetition, provoking shouts of laughter long and oft repeated.

Another intermission and the company appear in the "Burlesque, a la Jullien" -- a commingling of sounds unharmonious and concord discordant, played off to the tune of untuned instruments, presenting a noise musicale peculiarly refreshing and acceptable to the lovers of music.

Next came the "Exhibition of the Elephant" -- a "real hanimal" according to the description, which conducted in an elephant manner, and, as was remarked by his accomplished driver, seemed to be considerably knowing. The elephant was accompanied and ridden by little "Snuffy," -- a remarkable specimen of the canine species -- dressed in cap and coat, by no means the least attractive part of the performance; and the way the negro was rolled off, and the Yankee thrown was a terror to the uninitiated. We really thought it a genuine specimen of the species, at first, it looked and moved so natural, but soon learned from the wise ones, that we were Barnumized in the superlative degree.

A "Fancy Negro Dance" closed Part III, the gay plumage and dresses of the dancers singularly adapted to facilitate their graceful "light fantastic," presenting in pleasing contrast the "lights and shadows" of negro life. The precision and regularity exhibited in the labyrinthine mazes of this dance elicited universal praise, and chained the attention of the audience from beginning to the end.

The exercises of the company being finished, our Dr. in a brief epilogue dismissed the assembly, thanking them for their attention and presence, reminding them they had seen "the" elephant, and taking little Snuffy in his arms, and presenting him as a skilful rider, wished our visitors a safe transit to their homes, bowed and retired. Thus passed the "Blackbird Entertainment," which, from its varied and concatenated series of fun-provocatives, the artistic skill displayed in its conception and exhibition, added to its serio-comico-dramatic character deserves to be ranked as the eighth wonder of Asylumia. For three consecutive nights the Blackbirds performed with unabated interest to a crowded hall, each night slightly varying the performance, both adding interest, and showing their inexhaustible sources for administering entertainment. The second evening they were honored with a numerous delegation of ladies and gentlemen from town, who, judging from the amiability of their countenances, and the merriment they exhibited -- were like ourselves well pleased.

The character of the two entertainments were so diverse, any comparison between them would seem invidious, yet, though strongly sympathizing with, and prejudiced in favor of the ladies, we must, for once, show a preference for the gentlemen, and suggest to our side to try again.

More merry and jocund laughter we have never heard, and the happy effect it produced upon our children speaks volumes in favor of these exhibitions, both as a remedial agent and promoter of happiness and contentment here. Go on, then, gentlemen "Blackbirds" --

"Act well your part, there all the honor lies.'

Accept the thanks and best wishes of one humble but delighted listener, and when next you exhibit your skill and taste in music, burlesque or the dance, may Ella be there to see.