The Press. — London, England, 1857-03-28 00:00:00

PP - 314 " How true the observation that the most help " less of all creatures is man born of woman," &c We are checked abruptly by our Printer. He has other matter on hand—so we must reltie . tantly postpone the clearance of our table for another week. gtusir. THE Royal Society of Musicians is one of the best managed institutions in this country. It is mainly self-sustaining, as such an association ought to be ; for if musicians past their prime, who may be afflicted with illness or misfortune, require aid, it is but reasonable that such claimants should in their pro sperous days have contributed their subscriptions in support of the society. Then, again, the widows and orphans of professors who have deposited a small portion of their savings, can c..nfidently look forward to a helping hand in the hour of need. By careful management the Royal Society has accumulated a large reserve fund ; and ay an annual appeal to artists and amateurs, every subscribing professor knows that if the ills of life fall heavily on him or his successors, there is the haven in which refuge can be found in the storm. The Anniversary Festival is always looked for with great interest, as, independently of the musical entertainment provided with honourable zeal by our best vocalists and in strumentalists, native and foreign, to the constant attendant there is the agreeable reminiscence repre sented of the artists of bygone days, with the gratify ing refiec sin that the descendants of those on whom fortune may have frowned are now provided for. At the 119th meeting, last Thursday night, Lord Ward was president, and admirably did he perform his duty. There was no affectation of the patron of art about him. He spoke clearly and feelingly. His language was felicitous, and his points were so well made, that in many instances they were of epigram matic force. The noble chairman gave a firm but courteous lecture to the artist . '" absentees. Nothing but indispensable engagements should prevent the presence and assiatanle of professors on such occa sions. Lord Ward warmly complimented the working committee and officials on their excellent exertions, so strikingly proved by the balance-sheet, showing that, out of receipts to the extent of 2,9121., only 2031. had been paid for expenses, whilst aged musicians, widows, and orphans had been paid 2,174/. ; the sum of 1801. had gone in premiums, schooling, and rewards to apprentices; an amount of NU had been be stowed in temporary relief and funerals ; and 391. in benefactions to aged claimants, anl to indigent musicians having no claim on the institution. These figures are indeed eloquent ; and the hon. counsel, Mr. T. H. Hall, might well feel a pride in referring to them in proposing the President's health. Miss Dolby and Miss Poole, and Signor Marras were the principal vocalists ; and as usual there was a strong muster of madrigalians and glee singers, with Dr. Sterndale Bennett and Mr. Turle as acccmpanyists. As there is room for progress in almost everything, so perhaps it may be suggested that the musical programme might have been more varied. With a band of wind instruments, playing the marches com posed by Winter and Sir Henry Bishop for the society, glees scarcely amalgamate. ThelFlungarian violinist, Herr Remenyi, was the soloist, and created a sensation by eccentricities of the Paganini, Ernst, Sivori, and Ole (Bull styles, with some droll effects of his own. He is an excellent musician, and fortu nately is conversant with higher schools than those of the maudlin sentimentalist, and the pantomime executant. Herr Remenyi is now the solo violinist in her Majesty's private band, and the position is a guarantee that he must be a classic musician. In closing this notice of the festival, it may be men u med that the annual toast, " Prosperity to the Royal Society of Female Musicians and the Choral Fend," suggested to some amateurs the policy of em bodying the two latter institutions with the parent society ; the first society, it is stated, has not a single recipi mitt of its funds, and the latter ought to have the fostering care of a larger and richer institution. Time liberal donations of Lard Ward, Lord Saimaa, B ?ti t het, Lindsay Sloper, Ella, Sims Reeves, Signor M ireas, C. Laurent, Ice., and the princely firm of Bro tdwood, brought up the contributions of the fes tivai to a large amount, and, as Lord Wood ex eta ned, " May it be doubled next year." there was last night at Eteter•hall a truly grand per • =mince of the Israel in Egypt, being a foretaste of t a stupendous effects which may be expected whet this noble oratorio will be given with a band and iliorus of 2,500 executants under Mr. Costa's baton at tto Crystal Palace next June. However elabo rate may be the notices of the rendering of this work by t to Sacred harmonic Society, and of the attri bute • of the composition itself, there can be but one cone ision come to as to last night's display, that, whil -t on the one hand it was, on the whole, the fines ever heard, it would be difficult to conceive the 04, possibility of word-painting in music to be carried to . . O. 41.4 Mom Market /to Citg FRIDAY EVENING. THE return of the Bank of England for the week ending the 21st inst., shows the following ciianges compared with that for the week preceding : Increase in Circulation Increase in Public Deposits '2:1.2,:103 Increase in Other Deposits .. Decrease in Government Securities 50,715 Increase in Other Securities Increase in Bullion Increase in Rest Decrease in Reserve Circulation, including Bank Post Bills Bullion in Both Departments The increase in the Bullion shown in this comparison, in the face of the withdrawals from the Bank, which within the week included in the return amounted to about 101,0001.. is due to the receipt of coin from Constantinople and from Ireland. The Bullion will probably be now maintained at about ten millions and a quarter for some weeks. There was an active demand for money last week, as is shown by the considerable addition to the Private Sectuities, and by the fact of the Reserve being less while the Bank deemed it necessary to realise some of its public' SATURDAY, securities. The Private advances now stand at 20,000,00 w. within the fractional sum of 1,258/., being the highest amount they have attained during the present year. The Public Deposits are still increasing; they are close upon 9,000,0001., while ten days must yet elapse before the divi• dends will be released. The election for the City is now too near to make any speculation upon its probable issue of much consequence. But we may say that the proceedings of the week have materially strengthened Lord John Russell's position, and that his success is tolerably well assured, though there is not the same amount of confidence as to his being returned at the head of the poll. The irresponsible clique by which the noble lord is opposed have made the must desperate eff ins to prejudice the constituency against his claims to the representation ; and the only policy adopted to counteract their measnres has been a few speeches, sod a few advertisements descriptive of his public services since the Reform Bill. These are feeble defences against a large, politic, and determined organisation ; but great con fidence is felt, first in the noble lord's character, and next in the spirit of independence on the part of the electors which the attempted domination is sure to create at the poll. The proceedings at the nomination to-day confirmed everything we have said. Avery active demand for money prevailed during the greater part of the week, and it continued with occasional intervals of ease until this day. Certainly the demand, on the whole, has not been so heavy since Wedne,day as it WAS before ; still it has been considerable enough to support maximum rates in all cases. The reduced pressure since Wednesday is attributable to a temporary cessation of commercial activity in consequence of the agitation pro duced by the elections. This has caused fewer bills to come up from the country, and possibly next week mry present something like analogous features in this respect; but we apprehend that the lull will be followed by a reac tion of considerable severity, as the 4th is rapidly approaching, while the trade of the country has not really, but only apparently, suspended its ordinary activity. At all events, we expect a further season of pressure before we can venture to anticipate that period of ease which many persons think will follow the dispersion of the April dividends. It is true that the foreign exchanges are slowly improving, and that money is cheaper in Amsterdam and Hamburg, so that the higher value which it commands in this market may attract alma capital here. But, on tho other hand, the rates in Paris are six per cent., the same as in London. There is a great drain upon the Continent for public works, and even the Spanish loan, little as is thought of it here, is making itself felt in the general com petition fur the surplus capital of Europe ; and the Indian demand for silver continues so heavy tint we are obliged to send gold away almost daily to obtain the needful supplies from the Continent. Indeed, agents are at work in every capital buying up all the silver they can meet. with, every ounce of which must be paid for in gold. Now, whether this gold is drawn from the stock in the Bank, or whether it is obtained in the open market as Australian or other supplies come in, the effect upon the value of money is the same. It keeps up the compe tition for it, adds to the bill circulation of the time, and consequently exercises a powerful influence in the tu lin tenance of rates. We infer, therefore, that as this process is now in active operation, that as commercial activity will revive before the elections are over, and that as our quports cannot be expected to neutralise these adverse elements all at once, a season of increased pressure will in all probability precede the period of ease which, though foretold a long time ago, has hitherto disappointed cc pectation as to its arrival. Pile principal feature which has characterised the specie movements of the week has been the almost daily with dr,iv.,als of gold from the Bank to send to the Continent. With the exception of Tuesday, various amounts have been daily withdrawn, until the aggregate has reached 166,0001., exclusive of 100,000/. taken by the Government in coin for transmission to the Cape. Thus the Bank has lost 266,000/. this week, an amount which must pro duce some effect upon the bullion in the next return, especially as the internal circulation cannot during these election times have returned any considerable sum in coin. Against the sums so withdrawn the imports have been little more than nominal. They have been exclusively from the %Vest Indies, Brazil, and the Peninsula, and have only reached to 19,2201. From the United States about 61,000/. has arrived, but it was all on French account. The packet of the 4th, for fndia, will, it is believed, take out about 60 . )p001., principally in silver. Meanwhile, we hear nothing of any arrivals from Australia, though several are die, including the first steamer of the ziew mail line. The English Funds have shown no variation of impor tance during the week. Steadiness has been their chief feature, with occasional tendencies to firmness. Indeed, the market has been rather firm than otherwise, but busi ness has been too limited to support an advance. In Railway Shires more has been doing, and several descrip tions, both English and foreign, command higher terms than this day week ; but, on the whole no great improve ment has been established. Consols, which finally left off last Friday at 95f to have been about that price all the week, sometimes one eighth lower. Speculative business has for the present dis appeared, and the publi c h ave b een too a b sor b e d i n Um elections to direct attention to investments. To-day they opened at 931 to , and, after some slight variations, closed at 93 9 16 to 11.10. Exchequer Bilk, particularly the June issue, are lower. They are now at 4s. dia. to Is. dis. Railway Shares have been in moderate demand, and some of the heavier descriptions advanced yesterday, but subsequently there was a reaction, though the market remained tolerably firm. Lancashire and Yorkshire, East Lancashire, Midlands, anti Caledonians, were amongst those which improved the most. French and Canadian shares have also been good. To•day there was no material THE PRESS. a more sublime extent. Every note seems to be suggestive of the situation, and awfully "speaks the wor 1." Pianoforte soiree s are increasing. Herr Pauer has been in the field this week—a sound and con scientious musician both as pianist and composer. He has introduced !dyne. Pauer, an amateur, as a vocalist with undeniable claims on the sympathy of her auditors. _ The blackened materials of the Covent-garden Thee. tre will speedily be cleared away; their sale by auction is announced preparatory to the erection of the new edifice for the Itlyal Italian Opera season of 185 M. Mr. Gye was to have returned from Paris yesterday ; and his prospectus will, no doubt, be out, in the course of the following week, for his Lyceum cam pah n. Mr. Lumley is in town, and is actively engaged with preparations for his forthcoming season. There is a rumour of a new opera by Alari, who wrote the Tre Nozze for Sontag and Lablache, tor the piquant Piccolomini. Alari is an excellent musician and a fluent melodist. Amongst the on dits in musical circles is an inte resting one—that a daughter of Balfe the composer will make her debut this season on the Italian Opera stage. The Royal Academy of Music had their first field day last Tuesday, the Earl of Westmorland, the president and founder, king present. Prince Albert also honoured the concert with his presence. Al though there were no demonstrations of applause to encourage the pupils, there was a general feeling that the display of rising talent was most creditable to them, and must have been highly gratifying to their respective teachers. Mendelssohn's Cantata Op. 73 and some gleanings from Costa's oratorio of Eli were the principal items in the programme, and there were also extracts from the Stabat Haters of Haydn and Rossini. Beethoven's choral fantasia, with Miss Emily Paxton in the obligato pianoforte, was the instrumental feature of the concert. CRYSTAL PAIACE.—The oratorios to be performed at the forthcoming Handel Festival have now been positively determined on. They are as follows : Messiah, on Monday, June 15 ; .Judas Maccabceus, June 17; Israel in Egypt, June 19. Mr. Costa has consented to conduct the performances, and the whole musical arrangements are entirely under his control. The prices of reserved seats or stalls have been fixed at one guinea each for each oratorio, or two guineas and a half for one stall for the series of three. A PANORAMA OF Moscow on the day of the Impe rial Coronation has just been opened by Mr. Burford at his rooms in Leicester square. It is unquestion ably one of the best panoramas exhibited for some years past by Mr. Burford, and is well worth a visit from all who were, and all who were not, present at the coronation. THE SUFFOLK. STREET GALLERY EXHII3ITION OF PICTURES has opened this week. There are few works of historical pretensions, and fewer genre pictures. The strength of the collection lies in landscapes. In many iustances-3uch as in No. 501, " The Towing Path" ; 40, " Going to Market," by Zeitter; 13, "Landscape and Cattle," by G. Cole; 636, " The Cove of Cork," by Clint ; 221, " A Summer's Noon," by Bodilington ; 215, " The Kentish Marshes," by J. F. Wainwright—the con ception and execution exhibit a marked advance over previous works. One of the cleverest pictures in the exhibition is No. 206, "Beg, Sir," by Ccbbett. A little more warmth in colour would have perfected the work. Upon the whole, the exhibition may be regarded as above the average, and as offering good proof of progress among our younger artists.