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more and more the public favor in the Opera at the Academy of Music, a great [depression?] for the mechanical art took place in New York in 1855, caused by the Crimean war. Compelled to seek employment elsewhere, the majority of the musicians left the Metropolis, and the band thus dissolved. I remained in that city, supporting my family by acting as orchestral professor in the Italian Opera. In 1858 I went to Venezuela with a three year engagement with the Government of that country, for the purpose of organizing the military bands of the Republic. At the expiration of my engagement I returned to Italy. Six months after I received a letter from the Venezuelan government requesting me to return to that country because the people and the army were clamoring for my services. One hundred dollars per month were added to my salary, and I accepted. I remained in Venezuela six years. During that period [revolutions?] succeeded to [revolutions?], so that no less than four different Government took the reins of power during the time, every one of which was worst than its predecessor. I was mark their victim. They failed to fulfill