und;
Sweeter thy voice."

TENNYSON.

Thomas J. Bowers, who, owing to his resembling in the magnificent
quality of his voice that celebrated Italian singer, has been styled
by the press the "American Mario," was born in Philadelphia in the
year 1836.

[Illustration: THOMAS J. BOWERS.]

When quite a lad he evinced a decided fondness for music, and much
musical talent. His father, a man of considerable intelligence, and
for twenty years the warden of St. Thomas's P.E. Church in
Philadelphia, being desirous that his children should learn music,
first procured a piano and an instructor for his eldest son, John C.
Bowers; intending, after he became competent so to do, that he should
teach the other children. This purpose was accomplished; and our
subject was instructed by his brother to perform upon the piano-forte
and organ. At eighteen he had become somewhat proficient in the
playing of these instruments, and succeeded his brother as organist of
St. Thomas's Church.

I must not fail to mention here, that the younger of his two sisters,
Sarah Sedgwick [Transcriber's Note: spelled 'Sedgewick' elsewhere]
Bowers, became a fine singer. In the rendering of classical and all
operatic music she exhibited much talent, was of handsome appearance,
and elicited very complimentary notices from the press. I shall have
occasion to speak of this lady more at length hereafter.

The parents of the subject of this sketch, although highly pleased
with the natural musical qualities and with the accomplishments
displayed by their children, were such strict church people as not to
wish them to become public performers. Recognizing the pleasing,
refining influence of music, they desired its practice by their
children in the home-circle, for the most part; but were not averse,
however, to hearing its sweet and sacred strains issue from choir and
organ in church-services, nor to having their children take part in
the same.

The wishes of his much-loved parents Mr. Bowers respected. For this
reason he refused to join the famous "Frank Johnson's band" of
Philadelphia, although strongly urged by its director; and all offers
made to him to join other public organizations were declined for a
long time.

But his very rare powers as a tenor-vocalist were those which previous
to the attainment of his majority had most attracted the attention and
excited the admiration of many persons. Indeed, his voice was
considered as something ex