Cincinnati now claims to be (very justly too) a decidedly musical city; and Boston and other older places, which have all along enjoyed the reputation of leading in matters pertaining to general art-culture, have been warned to look well to their laurels if they would not lose them through the advancement made by this their younger sister, so long considered the "Queen of the West." It is true that this distinguishing title has within a few years been claimed by Chicago, and even St. Louis. These latter, however, base their right to the name mostly on the results of the census-returns. In all that relates to the substantial greatness of a city,--viz., the general intelligence, solidity of character, and proportionate wealth of its inhabitants,--Cincinnati, I think, may still be considered as approaching nearer to the Eastern cities than either of the others mentioned. This is certainly true as regards the musical devotion of its people; and this characteristic is the one, perhaps, which most threatens the supremacy so long held in the East. Having said this much of Cincinnati's residents in general, it will of course be expected that a very promising and brilliant addition is now to be made to these records. The reader, however, must be reasonable, and not expect _too_ much; for the same depressing causes (these have already been sufficiently particularized in other parts of this book) which have operated in other sections of the country against the subjects of these sketches have been also always fully in force in Cincinnati. It is thought that all candid observers will agree with the writer when he confidently avows his belief, that no other people, while laboring under so many disadvantages, would have or could have done better than these have done. But, judging from the facts at hand, there is really no need to beg the question; and therefore, without offering further excuses, I shall proceed with the record. The colored children attending the public schools of Cincinnati are regularly taught to read music. They are frequently complimented for their good singing by their music-teachers. The mention of the Cincinnati schools, by the way, brings to the writer's mind very pleasant recollections of his boyhood's home, and of the times when he attended school there. Twenty-five years ago, the colored school-children of Cincinnati were much remarked for excellent singing. They were not then, as they are now, taught to read music in the schools, but readily "caught" the pieces to be sung from the teacher, who sang them over a few times. I remember that at one time our favorite school-song was one called "The Captive." But only detached portions of it come to me now. It was a piece descriptive of the fortunes of war. A soldier of the defeated army is left behind a prisoner. The song describes his longings for freedom, and desire to rejoin his now-distant comrades. I think the chorus ran in this wise:--