The Press. — London, England, 1853-07-09 00:00:00

cannot by any such process possibly transform him self into a tenor of the first order, and we never heard him to less advantage than at this concert. NEW PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY. THE programme of the fifth concert was ag fol lows : r A w r I._eimeert Overture, Spahr —" Ave Ventm," M. T. )'unties; Churmi; K Silas--Chural Syinpliouy, Beethoven. PART IL—COM:MU, 1) utiuur, piauotOrte, Master J. I.llllliPtt, 311iliddlini411111—Aria, Mlle. Bury, Mozart—Overture, "Jessouda," Mohr—Aria, 14. T. Ponnem, Sixthr—Flute .010, Herr Beichert, Beichert—Overture, " Prometheus," Beethoven. The presence of Dr. Spohr in the orchestra as conductor gave a great interest to this concert, which, though full an hour too long, was, in other respects, highly satisfactory to the lovers of good music. The great feature of the prograu u ne was Beethoven's "Choral Symphony." One rehearing of this masterpiece will satisfactorily establish that it is quite as remarkable fur its beautiful and intelli gible melodies as for its extraordinary instrumeinal effects, and that the neglect which it. ha. met w•ilh in this country is in no way the fault of the illustrious composer. lu truth, this sympl y, though undoubtedly containing the elements of popularity, is one of the ►cost. profound and diffi cult work► ever written, and dennuids lions the performers an unusual degree of skill, and from the audience a more advanced state of musical comprehension than is usually to he found amongst a general l►ntdie : it follows, therefore, almost as a neeessary consequence, that constant repe tition is the: only way in which the ideas of the writer can he sufficiently developed and thoroughly under stood. This symphony will, we venture to prophesy, some clay occupy as high► a place ill public estimation as its predevessors; and we think that the directors ha% e done good service in having Ilreetimes produeed, in the course of two seas o ns, a composition w hose his. tory and merits entitle it to more intention than it lass yet received at the hands of the I►hilharnouic Society. With the exception of the part allotted to the principal vocalists, the symphony was very well executed : a few errors on the putt of the band and chorus were indeed here and there % isible, but it is acutely fair to criticise to► minutely where there was sr) much individual excellence. Dr. Spoltr's conceit overture, though neither so original ill idea, nor so effective in instrumentation, as many of his works of the sane class, is a very clever compo sition. The deservedly popular overture to Jessonda, admirably played by the baud, was redemanded by general acclamation. The dash ing and spirited overture to Prometheus was the worst executed instrumental piece of the evening, but the lateness of the hour at. which it was per formed is ample excuse ti►r any shortcomings. Mas ter Ilarnetrs performative was most extraordinary : he played Mendelsmohn's concerto (without a copy ) in a style that would have dime honour to almost stay professor. N. Reichart is a very clever flautist : his sustained notes are of a beautiful quality, and his only apparent defect is a constant attempt to li►rce his instrument beyond its capabilities. The vocal performance was very poor and unsatisfactory. N. Formes, a tenor, and brother of the basso, has all the faults of the German singers, and scarce any redeem ing points; and Mile. Bury's attempt to sing " Non paventar" was a most painful Whirr. The "Ave vertnn " by M. Silas is a dry, uninteresting compo sition, without originality, and with but little merit. It is but justice to say that Dr. Spohr's reading of the choral symphonies differs but little from that adopted by N. Costa ; and we must express our dissent from the proposition laid down in the programme " that no one is so tit as a great composer to construe the works of other composers." In the opinion of PrOfsmSors. Mendelssohn was by no means a first rate conductor, even of his own works. lortign glitistic gossip. Tu Duke of Parma intends to have the Prophke pe►frrmed in the theatre of his pleasant capital, and has sent the Superintendent of his Theatres, Coun cillor of State, and Director of the Museum of Arts, &e., Chevalier Lopez, to visit the most beautiful theatres of Europe, and choose a model for the Par mese Opera. It seems that Chevalier Lopez gave the preferenee to the Berlin Opera for its admirable proportions, the .chit of lighting, and richness of decoration. On that model the Parmese Opera-house will be restored, and the Proph?te performed next winter in the native town of Peer and Gardoni. Barbel is now perambulating the Belgian towns, great and little, passing from one point to the other, — r casing to day the Brussels listeners, to-morrow the hot-headed Ligeois, and the day afterwards the Phlegmatic llrugeois. On leaving Brussels she will begin the same profitable career in Holland, traversing from the Hague to Amsterdam, 'Utrecht, Rotterdam, and even to Maestrieht. The Teatro del Principe at Madrid ►eopened some days ago with Senora Catenari in selected arias front Linda di L'hamottni and Gonnia di rer9i. THE PRESS. The German dramaturge, Madame Charlotte Birch Pfeiffer, has happily given birth to her sixty-fourth dramatic work. It is an imitation, or adaptation, of June Eyre. Among the artists now in Brussels is the pretty witch of birds, Emilie Vandermeersch. She has suc ceeded in obtaining from her feathered pupils greater prodigies of obedience even than those so much ap plauded three years ago. She proposes visiting Spa, Ostend, and the German bathing-places. The Royal Bibliotheque at. Brussels has been e►►- riched by a collection, already curious, but which will one day become precious for the study of the history of the nineteenth century, of pamphlets, brochures, satires, professions of faith, gazettes, narratives of events, dc., in relation to the revolution of 1603. It was bought from a French amateur. stitnce an 4 giteraturc lbroa4. ltEntis PieTria: ItcsTottATloNs.-I;reat attention has been paid at _Berlin of late to a head of Christ by Correggio exhibited at the Art. Academy for benevo lent purposes. This painting, the property of the late King, had much storeyed by age, and had been severely injured by stupid restorations. Of late, however, the painting has been taken Mr, with great raw, from the old camas, and has leeen freed from the daubs afterwards blotelied on it, as well as from the old varnish. N:w s V ENTDON.—A working luau at Magdeburg, Prussia. has made an invention to convert every strati' engine into a steam-syringe, to be used for the extinction or lire. The municipality of Magdeburg arc about to have this simple and not very costly apparatus added to the different engines throughout the town. THE GER MAN M r SEI 'M AT THE e.t.:Ti.t: 01. SAXE CI MI •im.—The idea of forming an especial museum tierman antiquities belongs to M. de Attkesz, who first intended to have it placed at Nuremburg, where already itURIeTIMIN speeimens hate been collected. Later accounts, however, state that Duke Ernest of Saxe-Coburg (brother of Prince Albert) has made that gentleman the offer to have it established in the old castle of Coburg, which hitherto had been very inappropriately occupied as a penitentiary. The duke has promised to surrender the castle in per petuity to the Dermot museum; and a better or su r e r plum could not he found than this roomy and strongly-built old mansion, situate, moreover, at the junction of several railways, and where no national jealousies could interfere with the progress of the institution. JEAN Net F. lticHTEn.—Some patriotic men of the town of Bayreuth, the usual and final dwelling place of this favourite author, have resolved on re deeming from oblivion the former study of this their greatest citizen. It is situated in the so-called Roll wenzel Ilause, in the solitary Landstrasse,surrotmded by stately ehesnut-t.rees. The walls of the narrow room have been restored to their original colour, the chairs repolished, &e. Over the sofa, on which re poses now a gigantic wreath of laurel, hangs his por trait, an engraving after the picture of Vogel.. The same deep-spirited yet serene and quiet features are again to be found in a bust close by. An important relic is the original of one of the study-books of Jean Paul, presented by his widow. A splendid album is to receive the names of the visitors of this once abode of genius. The view from the two rather small windows extends over some pine woods and fields, with houses and tenements, and cannot be called rich. Still Jean Paul here composed some of his far-sighted descriptions of men and the world. thcitsiastiral. The Archbishop of York held the triennial visitation of hie diocese in Beverley on Monday last. APPOINTMENTS AND PREFERMENTS. The Rev. John Nottinghatn Fowler, M.A., to the Inettntheney of Skerne, near (treat Willield. The Rev..lames Evans, M.A., to the Incumbency of St. Man's Church, tirassendale, near Liverpool. The Rev. Thomas Westmoreland, M.A., to the Vicarage of Leominster. Herefordshire. he Rev. J. P. Clark, M.A., to ;1 Minor Canonry lu Gloucester Cat _ _ _ The Rev. Edwin I'. Bennis:4, 8.C.1.., to the Incumbency of St. John's Church, The Rev. Wm. Semler !bailey, M.A., to the Rectory of Compton The Rev. Eldon Suttees Bankea, 8.A., to the Curacy Of Staple ton, near lirktol. . . . The !Rev. 1.. Thomas, KA., to the Rectory of Eglwys-lirewit4, near Cowbriiikte, tillamorgaushire. The tier•. It. W. Gleadowe, MA., to the Vicarage of Neston, Chemliire. _ ..... The Rev. Vim. Henry Vernon, 8.A., to the Incumbency of St Stephen's Church, Liverpool. The Rev. George John Banner, 8.A., to the Incumbency of the newly-consecrated church of St. Bartholomew, in the parish of Ifavton, Lancashire. The Rev. John Marsh, 1.1.C.L., to the Rectory of Tingewick, near Buckingham. The Rev..t. W. C. Hughes, 8.A., to the Curacy of Mistley and Bradfield, Encl. SATURDAY, The Rev. W. James, to the Rectory of Falkbutu 11, Essex. p d . Wan, Mr..T. Bullock. The Rev. J. Moore, M.A., to the Rectory of KelverAtone, pe er Thetford, Norfolk . _ 'f he Rec.7l. Moseley, one of her Mikiesh's lurpeetors of School*, to the vacant Canonry in Bristol Cathedral. The Rev. W. S. Spencer, 8.A., to the Curacy of Ilistley, Essex. The Rev. S. H. Jennings, ILA., to the Incumbency of St. Paw Southampton. The Rev. Francis Du Boulay, to the Rectory of Haddiugton, near Caine. The Het. Henry Ragu&J, M.A., to the Incumbency of Great item tituffortletnre.. 'llw Rev. George Dover, M.A., to the Ineumbeney of Kitt:tilde, The Rev. Peter A. L. Wood, to the Living of Stauelieltl, Clare, Suffolk. The Bev. John Blackburn, to the Living of Yarmouth, bile of Wight. Ihe Bev. W. J. Clarke, M,A., to the ‘l,:arag,e of Eugle, euluehire. Westmureleutl. M.A., to the VieurmBe of I.eo. wiueter, Iterefurilshire. The lies•. A. Thuutsott Bouuer, 8.A., to thu Ciutiey ui Chei• t ertield. The Rev. .1. Ponsonby Luella, 8.A., to the Curacy of Whit. church, Sidup. The Her. J. E. Beador, 8.A., to the Curacy of at. Peteisi chot...h, Derby. The ite%. WIII. Atherton, 8.A., to the cosy) Loll er Morin,!, Sedgie). The Her. .1. Wolof,, to the Ctusey of AU Sai n t•. chui T l,, Northampton. The Hey. G. 11. I'y bus, to the Curse% of St. retri'i Chord., Northampton. The lire. .1 Ponsettby Steel, to the Curet.) of George's Leicester. 'rite Rey. .10Itat Ptior, M.A., to the lievtorvof Kirklingtni, near Dedele, York-alike. . The Rev; t .11. A., to the Vi,arege of Burton, tt...i.• He% ear% . • . The Bev. Wither L vice, 8.A., of All Saiutr, Newea..tle-up Tyne, to the lornmbeney of that. church Hilit distriu t. . . • 11w EPV. ‘VIII[OII. ALA., to the Rectory of Fenstautun, uear st. Ives, I lutatiugdonslsire.. . _ The Re‘. A. Reeve, B.A. to tho litemilbetio Kalif-ridge, near Corr, Castle, BoNetqltire. The itet. clouies J. IrOyl, 31.A.,10 the Altitihtty of St—lutf3 litrowl-court, limo -Nue. VAt'AM: I Eri. The Rector.% of White Moiling, near chipping Omer, E. ex, by the death the Rev. Henry Wahl, 500/. ayt in the gin or N1r..1. M. Wagon. The H . e..tor, of Forum, neer Netypin t, Stuttordshire, by the 'teeth of the I:ey. Joho Fenton I.:..ut!hey, M.A. Value, ...401. a year, iu the gift of sir T. F. Boughe), The Hertm3 of Wartiforil. bearltiYiwli. Waltham. by the death of the Her. Richard Hum. LiuteaAter, SI.A. Value, UM. a iti the gift of the Hey.J.Wytme, Unibtrsit _.nttltigenrc. OXFORD. The new Margaret Protissor is the Rev. C. A. Hemtley, HD., of Corpus t liristi College. The election took plaee on Saturday lust, and at the close the Vice-chanc e llor an nounced the numbers its Heurtley, ret ; Wood gate, 411; Hansel!, 22.; Foulkes,2o. The income derived from the professorship, together with a Canonry of Christ Church, which was annexed to it in 1840, having been ex changed for one in Worcester Cathedral, is estimated ut 1,20 W. per annum, with a residence. Mr. Ileurtley, the successful candidate (a firg/ in ma thematics), took his R.A. Dec. If, 1827 •, M.A., Feb. 2:1, ISM ; and MD., March 29, 18:18. He obtained the prize for the theological essay in 1828, the subject being, " Tho Faith of the Apostles in the Divine. Mission of our Saviour was not the result of Weakness or I 'elusion, but of His. turnable t 'onviction." Mr. Heurtley preached five sermons before the University in 1107. He has also published three series of parochial sermons. In 1842 four sermons of his on " The Union of Christ with his People" were to:- ticed in an article in the lOWA Critic, when• the writer says: " In taking leave of Mr. Ileurtley we cannot refrain from adverting to his singularly uncontroversial and pleas ing style of writing; a style which increases our pain in expressing dissent, and increases our gratification at find ing points of agreement." Mr. Hemiley was Hampton Lecturer in 18.0, when he chose for the subject of his series " Justification." In respect of such claims we can only add w e are sorry to read the depreciating remarks of a contemporary jour nal, the writer in which would seem to think that he alone is competent to select the person most tit tin• the office. Without favouring us with the information as to which of the three other candidates he would have chosen, be tween whose opinions," he says, "it would be difficult to point out a difference," he speaks disparagingly of Mr. lleurtley as " a moderate theologian,•' and modestly ex presses a belief that he is " an improvement on his pre. deeessor." The feeling and charity that could have sug gested such a coniparbion we cannot envy. let each man be judged according to his age, and some respect shown to the mown' of one who, if not a profiaind theo logian, did not hesitate to defend the Church of England when he thought her doctrines misrepresented, and, ac cording to his ability, was ever ready to contend in her behalf. The Rev. Acton Warburton. 1).C.L., of Trinity College, Dublin, and the Rev. William Wright. D.C.L., of Trinity College, Cambridge, have been admitted ad cumlem. The following degrees have been conferred, viz.:— D.C.L.—Rev. Edward Hunting ford, New College. M.A.—Rev. James Charles L. Court, Exeter; liev.John Kemp, St. Johns; Rev. Charles Douglas Ross, Fellow, Wadham ; Bet. Ennuis Morgan Nicholls, Fellow, Watlhnio ; Rev. William 1•:(1.. wan Downes, Wadhlun. CAMBRIDGE. ALA. COMMF.NCF.MENT, IS4.—The following is the list of degrees conferred on Saturday, July 1: — Honorary 31.A.—Thotuas Frederick Charles Vernon Went worth, Trinity College. D.l).—John Gilderdale, Catherine Hall; Nicholas John Teter• ple, Sidney College. LL.D.—John Gardner, Trinity College; .1. F. H. English, Christ's College.