The Press. — London, England, 1857-03-21 00:00:00

MARCH 21, 1851'. Instances, flags under the dull routine in which nineteen-twentieths of mankind must live, and ends in disappointment at last. The dullest youth might profit by and practice the rules here laid down—the most gifted could not neglect them with impunity—both would gain largely in usefulness and happiness by observing thorn ; and they are all so plactical, and so evidently the result of great personal experience, that they can be applied and followed by every young officer who aspires to rank among the useful members of his profes sion. And it is a profession demanding higher qualifications in every respect than half a century back were held sufficient. A naval chaplain who should suggest a regular Sunday service now could hardly be told as Percival Stockdnle was by Captain Sir Chaloner Ogle—" I think it is right that these " things should be done sometimes, as long "as Christianity is on foot." Naval schools and sailors' homes are working a great revolu tion among our seamen ; and the reckless, grog-loving, - oath-venting tar is' becoming a thing of the past, as well as the traditional " bluff old commodore," in whose place we have the educated and accomplished modern officer, whose scientific attainments are found to be in perfect keeping with dauntless bravery and unimpeachable seamanship. Anunig such the author of this little manual stands high, being as much distinguished by important services and a thorough knowledge of his profession as for moral worth ; we have, therefore, the more pleasure and confidence in recommending his advice to those whom it most concerns, being well assured that every precept has been tested by practice, and illus trated by example. It is difficult to quote where so much is purely technical ; but the following extract is a fair sample of the styli , and spirit of this useful little book : A sail r has so much to learn, and requires such varied ant geu rid information, that he never cAu be at a loss for a study :bat will be useful to him .... Always try to do the right thing at the right time ; this is the art that insures a tccess....Do not neglect to say your prayers night and morning ; you need make no parade of them by kneeling ; prayer does not depend upon the attitude, but upon the bean. You can always retire to a quiet part of the deck, and spend a few minutes in asking pardon for the past and for grace and strength to do right ; a blessing is sure to follow ; but "if you forget tiod, He will forget you." Do not place yourself in temptation a ith the idea that you can resist it, but choose for your companions those who wish to do right ; you will always be judged by the characters of your associates, and you would be sure to fall into their vices. The Election Manual. London : Shaw and Sons. MR. CHARLES EDWARD LEWIS, one of the soli citors to the Conservative Land Society. has just published a very useful guide for persons who are interested in the forthcoming general election in England and Wales. The author has condensed in his Manual the spirit of the lor.ter but somewhat unwieldy books existing on Electoral Law; and, by simply classifying the laws and procedures relating to officers and persons connected with the elections — such as the returning-officer, the candidate, the electors, the election auditors and agents, also relating to the issuing of the writs and procla►uations, the nomination, the poll, the declaration and return, down to the peti tion against the return—has supplied ready and concise information of what is to be done, and what is not to be done. In the last-men tioned category comes, of course, the laws re lating to offences in connection with elections ; such as bribery, treating, undue influence, illegal payment of expenses, and personation. The lists of constituencies, returning-officer and auditors are also appended, together with the texts of such Acts of Parliament as are of real use and reference in the election. Tile most curious and acceptable portion of the Manual is a reference to the Corrupt Practices' Act, with which electors in general are but imperfectly acquainted. Mr. Levis is evidently not lost in admiration of our legis lative enactments : It is marvellous (he states in his chapter of Bribery) bow the intelligent English people endure with such quiet and sluggish complacency the scandals of such frequent and common occurrence, arising from a system which sends out as laws Acts on the face of them contradictory and inconsistent, often absurd and unintelligible, and always deficient in carrying out the intentions of the ramers. THE PRESS. On the question as to the legality of paying travelling expenses of voters—that is, the mere cost of locomotion Irma the voter's resi dence to the place of polling (for not any refreshment can be allowed)—Mr. book will be found to be of great assistance. 1 11 n s i r. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. UNDISMAYED by the electoral excitement, which threatens to cut up the musical season, Mr. Lumley has boldly announced in a prospectus of imposing typo that the portals of Her Majesty's Theatre will be opened on Tuesday, the 14th of April, with Doni zetti's Farorita, supported by a new prima - donna, a new basso profon.lo, and a new tenor. The first is Mlle. Spezia, who has acquired fame in Italy and Portugal as a dramatic singer of no ordinary cali bre; the second, Signor Vialetti, has been appre• ciated at Madrid ; and the last is Signor Giuglini, who is destined to make a veritable sensation, if he possesses the same sweet and sympathetic organ which has latterly enchanted the ears of Ills enthusi astic admirers in Italy. The next debut will be that of Mlle. Ortolani, who with Mlle. Penco divided the prima-donnaship in the season just con cluded at Madrid. Mlle. Ortolani has worked very hard in the Verdi operas ; but as she will not have to sing through two opheicleides, and divers trombones, trumpets, cornets.a piston, which form the staple of the operatic orchestra in the Spanish capital, her voice will be less taxed to assert its supremacy over the brazen din. Of Mlle. Treneta Ramos and Signor Bottardi (a new tenor) at present we know nothing. Of the singers of last year, Alboni, Piccolomini, and Belletti return—a triad of celebrities which will be gladly welcomed. The baritones will be strengthened by the advent of Corsi, whose fiery impulses entitle him to a distinguished position as a dramatic singer. First-rate buffos, like tenors, are rarities ; but Rossi is a safe artist. An intimation that a first violoncello and a first contrabasso from Italy will be added to the orchestra, appears to indicate that the able con ductor, Signor Bonetti, will have better troops under his baton than those of last year; and note must also be taken of Mr. Lumley's promise, that the chorus will be " numerous and effective," although if it be the latter, without being " numerous," amateurs will be equally gratified, and would cheerfully give up quantity for quality. No pledges are given as to the production of new works ; but it is stated that Don Giovanni will be revived so as to "realise the intentions" of Mozart. Is it to be understood from this declaration that all the omitted airs in the modern version are to be restored, and that the original finale will be given! Is it to be a restora tion of the composer, or is it to be merely a new mise-en-scene, 4 /a Kean, in which the decorator is to carry off the honours ! Of the new ballet names, that of Mlle. Pocchini stands foremost. She will dance on the opening night in Esmeralda, with Ronzani as the Monk, and a new Pierre Gringoire in M. Ma'sot, from Madrid. }rim the long array of Italian danseuus enumerated in the prospectus, it would seem as if the intention existed to produce a veritable Italian pantomime ballet. This would be an agreeable and, very possible, a taking novelty. The public are tired of pirouettes; and an animated action, with good mimes, might prove an acceptable innovation. ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA. MR. GTE has not yet issued his prospectus. He has met with such difficulties from the renters at Drury lane Theatre, that he has been under the necessity, as a precautionary measure, of leasing the Lyceum from Mr. Dillon ; and, in all pi obability, the eleventh Royal Italian Opera season will be held again at the last-mentioned establishment. Grisi and Mme. Rosin, Mario and Gardoni, Graziani and Roncani, Tagliafico and Lablache are engaged, as also Tamberlik, if he returns from Rio Janeiro. Auber's Fra Diarolo, and his Dieu et la Bayadl.re, and Herrld's Zampa, are the contemplated novelties. Auber and Scribe have expressly arranged Fra Diarolo for Mme. Rosie, Mlle. Marai, Rocnni, and Mario. With Mme. Ristori's performances, and the arrangements made with the Crystal Palace, Mr. Gye will enter the lists, and during the season will be occupied with the rebuild. ing of Covent-garden Theatre, as exclusively an nounced in THE PRESS of the . 27th of De ember last, and tardily confirmed in the Times of the .2nd of March, atm st in the identical words of THE PRESS, after nearly ail our contemporaries had flatly contradicted the original statement in our columns. THE MUSICAL SEASON. MouQuE, one of the most distinguished of modern composers in Germany, displayed the fertility of his invention and the perfection of his execution in his own quartet in B flat (Op. 4.2, No. 7), at the second of the Musical Union soirees. In Spohr's sestet in C (Op. 140) he was associated with Goffrie, H. and R. Blagrove, Pogue, and Piatti, a rare executive 283 combination. Herr Halle's rendering of the piano forte part in Mendelssohn's trio in C minor was a matchless exhibition of classic reading, united to the most brilliant and finished execution ; the scherzo was taken at a terrific pace, but distinct articulation was never lost by the pianist. Piatti sang a notturno on his violoncello divinely. The Vocal Union, con • sisting of Miss Marian Moss, Messrs. Foster, M. Smith, W. Cooper, and M. Winn, sang some glees and a madrigal between the instrumental pieces with steady intonation and careful ensemble. The voices blended well, and the alto of Mr. Foster, so touching in its tone, won universal admiration. His accen tuation and declamation are good, and he is, perhaps, one of the few counter-tenors who will gain a sym pathetic hearing in these days. Mendelssohn's. St. Paul has been given at SL Martin's-hall, with Mme. ltudersdortf, Miss Palmer, Messrs. Loekey, Weiss, and H. Burnby. Handel's Israel in Egypt, with its stupendous choruses, will be performed by the Sacred Harmonic Society next week. Lord Ward will preside at the 119th anniversary festival of the Royal Society of Musicians next Thursday. The very clever Brousil family commenced a series of performances at Nottingham-place, last Thursday. Mlle. Bertha is the first violin, Mlle. An tonia is the pianiste ; Mlle. Cecilie is also a violinist, and Moys, Adolphe, and Albin complete the force in stringed instruments. Miss Grace Alleyne was the vocalist. loners Riarket ad otitg Inttl lima. FRIDAY EVENING. THE return of the Dank of England for the week ending the 14th inst., shows the following ci.anges compared with that for the week preceding : Decrease in Circulation Increase in Public Deposits Decrease in Other Deposits Increase in Government Securities 1+4,217 Increase in Other Securities Decrease in Bullion Increase in Rest Increase in Reserve Circulation, including Bank Post Bills Bullion in Both Departments This comparison shows a more favourable state of things than was expected from the reports which prevailel last week. Notwithstanding that the Bank parted with about 123,110ni. in gold to pay for the continental purchases of silver, the Bullion shows a reduction of less than 13,000/., the balance being neutralised mainly by the addition to the Government Deposits. At the same time the Reserve has increased in consequence of the falling off in the cir cul.tion. That an active demand for mone; existed last week is, however, proved by the diminution in the Private Deposits. The Bank has added to its investment in stock again, but the amount is immaterial. The City is, comparatively, but little disturbed by the proceedings of the several parties about to contest the election. indeed, we scarcely ever remember a time when there was less general interest felt in an election, whether as regards the candidates themselves or the cause they severally profess to champion. What interest is felt, is certainly felt for Lord John Russell. The noble lord has boldly thrown down the gauntlet against the presuming clique which aims at farcing the electors to accept their nominees. His courage, supported by the energies of an influential body of supporter,. has cowed the clique very considerably, so much so that there are vague rumours about of offers to compromise matters by the retirement of Mr. Raikes Currie. A few days' more agitation will, it is imagined, effectually dispose of all hopes of success on the part of Mr. Currie, as based upon tae personal policy of Lord Palmerston, against the claims of Lord John. The whole interest of the election is comprised within these narrow limits. Money has been in good demand all the week, and maximum rates have been required in all cases. The Bank has been the greatest lender, the supplies in Lom bard-street having been less liberal than for some time past. Some degree of ease was felt yesterday, and par tially on Wednesday; not enough, however, to influence the general market. But the foreign excl a ges ta re rather improved, and discount rates are lower in Hamburg and some of the German commercial cities. On the other hand, the demand in France has assumed very great proportions, and the rates there now being the same as ours, we have to sustain a formidable competition for the use of whatever surplus capital is available in the two countries. An expectation still prevails in son e quarters that a few weeks will bring about an easier state co! things ; but in other quarters, equally qualified to foim a sound judgment, an apprehension exists lest the drain of gold, which still continues, may compel the Bank Da-eAors to try to arrest it by increasing the rates to six and a half per cent. The market, through the operation of these con flicting opinions, btu; been to some extent unsettled, but with an adverse tendency. Tc-lay there was a much better feeling, especially when it was known that the ex. c'ianges were again favourable, and that the Bar.k return world be moderately good- The movement in specie continues to present features of importance. We have received but a moderate amount from Australia, while the Bank has lost about 100,0001. by withdrawals to pay for silver purchased upon the Conti nent. A small sum has arrived from the United States, but it was all on French account. The exports have amounted in value to fully 900,000/., including 787,4871., of 717'7 .p.