The Press. — London, England, 1854-12-02 00:00:00

e DECEMBER 2, 1854• tte puma. LYCEUM.—This theatre opened on Monday even ing under the old management, and with The Game of Speculation, in which Mr. Charles Mathews resumed his character of Mr. Affable Hawk, and Miss Oliver, Mr. Roxby, Mr. Frank Matthews, &c., were comprised in the cast. The novelty of the evening, however, consisted in The Comical Countess, a clever little one-act drama, adapted from the Sou brette de Quaiite, a Palais-Royal vaudeville. The scene is laid in France in the days of the Regent and his petite soupers, and it is at one of these that the Chevalier de Vilbrac has accidentally struck a lady at a moment when, for a joke, the Regent had extin guished all the lights in the room. Believing it to be no less a person than the Marquise de l'arabere, the mistress of Orleans, the chevalier, in dread lest he be discovered and punished, puts on a suit of his own livery, and obtains a situation in the service of the Countess de L'Espalier, to whose notice he has been introduced by the Baron de Bergonce, an ardent sexagenarian lover of the countess, and who hopes, by the connivance of his protege, to obtain the hand and heart of the fair widow. The result is easily foreseen ; the fair widow of course falls in love with her footman, discovers his rank, discards the baron, and marries her chevalier, after perplex ing him with a variety of disguises, in which she assumes the character of the Marquise de Parabere, demands satisfaction for the blow, and forces him into a duel ; but, being quickly disarmed, discovers herself, acknowledges that she it was who was struck at the supper, and the curtain fails upon the happi ness of the chevalier and the discomfiture of the baron. The dialogue is lively and witty, and the scenes are well contrived and amusing ; but the piece is spun out to a great length, and much of the force and interest is lost in the concluding scenes, which are de trop and tiresome. The capital acting of Mr. C. Mathews, however, as the chevalier made amends for many little faults of construction ; the inimitable assurance with which, as a footman, he takes all the liberties of a lover with the countess, who, in early days, had been a cook before she became countess, and his delightful impertinence to the old baron, were so thoroughly well played as to ensure unques tionable success to the piece. Miss Talbot, as the countess, did not, perhaps, make as much of the character as might have been expected ; but the baron was well and carefully played by Mr. Baker. Mr. Charles Mathews was very warmly received, and the house well attended. We regret to state that Madame Vestris has been seriously indisposed during the week. ADELPHL—That popular drama The Green Bushes has been revived dining this week, with the return of Madame Celeste, who was loudly applauded upon her reappearance on the stage. No novelty has been produced during the week, Bond fine Travellers and The Railway Belle having been acted every night. The Slow Man, we are glad to see, has at length been withdrawn. OINEVIC.—The comic drama The First Night has taken the place of The Trustee at this theatre. The Beulah Spa and The Blighted Being are still nightly performed to good houses. HAYEARKET.—Mr. Buckstone has at length re turned, after a long absence, and appears in that romance of real life Box and Cox every night. The Balance of Comfort retains its hold, and its unde niable success as a most charming petite comedic is well deserved. PRINCESS . B.—The usual melodramatic routine has continued during the week at this theatre, but the spectacle Schamyl has given way to Charles the Second, and Deaf as a Post, in which we are happy to see that Mr. Harley performs. ST. JAMESIL—The School for Scandal, Money, and The Lady of Lyons, have been performed during the week at this theatre, with the usual good success. M ARYLEBONE.—Mr. Robson's Love and Loyalty has certainly proved a much more legitimate success than any previous piece that has been brought out at this theatre ; still the errors of this play become more and more apparent upon closer acquaintance ship. The superabundant metaphor, and the want of contrast of character, are remarkable, yet the plot is good, the situations forcible, and, in spite of the errors, we look forward with certainty to higher and more thoroughly successful efforts from the pen of Mr. Robson. htsir. DRURY LANE.—On Tuesday evening last the whole of the first part of the concert was devoted to a selec tion from Beethoven, and the performance was listened to by a crowded house with great attention, and, if the enthusiastic applause be taken as proof, with some appreciation of the power of this great composer. The magnificent overture to Leonora commenced the concert; and we must do M. Jullien the justice to say that we have rarely heard , a finer PittSSl performance of this masterpiece of Beethoven's. The allegretto in B flat, from No. 8 Symphony, suc ceeded, and was encored, for its own beauty as well for the spirit and delicacy of the execution. The larghetto from the Symphony in D was also equally well performed, and the violin concerto in 1) was played by Mr. Blagrove with great expression. The whole of the Grand Symphony in C minor, very cor rectly and very finely performed, concluded the first and Beethoven part of the concert, amidst loud and enthusiastic applause. That such a successful re sult is entirely due to M. Jullien's indomitable efforts no one can deny ; and that the standard of musical taste among the masses really is improved (for what audience ten years ago would have listened quietly to the whole of the Symphony in C minor?) is also true. So successful was this Beethoven festival con sidered, that M. Jullien repeats the performance this evening, the second part of the concert being de voted as usual to lighter music. THE BACH SOCIETY gave the second performance in England of Bach's "Grosse Passions-Musik" on Tuesday evening last, at the Hanover-square Rooms, to a crowded and distinguished musical audience. The performance was under the direction of Mr. Sterndale Bennett, and the solo singers consisted of Miss Dolby, M. and Madame Ferrari, Miss E. Wil liams, Mr. Walworth, and Mr. Bolton. Mr. Dando was the principal violinist, and Mr.E.J. Hopkins the organist. The performance was very creditable throughout, considering the remarkable difficulties and complexities of Bach's style ; and several of the airs, which were sung with great expression, were warmly encored. The choruses, well and carefully rendered, were applauded with enthusiasm ; and we have now no doubt that the Bach Society will even tually triumph in their " labour of love," and succeed, if not in popularising, at least in obtaining some share of support and attention for the works of so great a composer as Sebastian Bach. Miss Dolby's first concert of chamber music took place on Thursday evening, at her own residence, in Hinde•street. The performances were excellent, and consisted of some exquisite instrumental music; Mendelssohn's trio in C minor, for the piano, violin, and violoncello, being played by Messrs. Sterndale Bennett, Ernst, and Lucas ; Beethoven's Sonata in G, by Bennett and Ernst; and two solos on the violin were played by Ernst with the most exquisite expression. Of the vocal music, Miss Dolby and her sister sang several pretty ballads—Mozart's "Deh vieni ;" Winter's duet from Proserpina, " Ti veggo, t'abbraccio ;" Haydn's " Spirit song ;" and a " scene." by Mozart, hitherto entirely unknown in this country ; a recitative, " Alcandro, lo confesso," followed by an aria, "Non so donde vieni"—a piece undoubtedly of Mozart's music, very beautiful, expressive, and im passioned, and stamped with the mark of his genius upon every bar. The vocal accompaniments were played by Mr. Lindsay Sloper. The rooms were crowded with a fashionable audience, and the con cert highly successful. The second concert is fixed for the 13th of December. THE SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY commence their series of concerts, under the direction of Mr. Costa, on Friday next, with Handel's oratorio of Deborah. MR. ALBERT SMITH reopens his " Ascent of Mont Blanc" on Monday evening next. A new route this time is to be delineated by Rotterdam, through Hollsnd, up the Rhine to Cologne, and thence to Switzerland. Two or three new songs and several new friends are to be introduced. A SERIES OF GRAND MILITARY CONCERTS are to be given during the Christmas week at the Crystal Palace. All the bands of the Guards' regiments are to be engaged. A MAONIFICENT OROAN has lately been erected in St. Martin's Church, by Messrs. Bevington. It is of great magnitude, imposing in appearance, and with immense volume of tone, yet mellow and soft to a degree. It is highly ornamental, and contains 51) stops, with 3,158 pipes. On Thursday morning, at service, it was played for the first time, and with very beautiful effect. Mr. Hopkins, the eminent organist of the Temple Church, officiated. (Ecclesiastical. PREFERMENTS AND APPOINTMENTS. ----- The Hon. and Rev. Thomas Robert Keppel. M.A., to an Ho norary Canonry in Norwich Cathedral. The Rev..lohn Hopkins Armstrong, M.A., to the ViCIU age of Bleknoller, near Taunton. The Rev. Wm. Smith, M.A., to be Professor of Natural Ilistory in Queen's College, Cork. The Rev. James Bush, M.A., to the Rectory of Ousby, near Penrith, Cumberland. The Rev. T. D. H. Batteraby, M.A., to be a Surrogate for the diocese of Carlisle. The Rev. Wm. Evans, 13. A., to the Curacy of Treedyrawr, Cardiganshire. The Rev. John Owen, M.A., to the Incumbency of St. Mar garet's Church, Ipswich. The Rev. George Burnett, M.A., to the Curacy of St. John's Church, Birkenhead. The Rev. Thomas Warner Moeran, M.A., to the Curacy of St 3latthew's Church, Toxteth-park. The Rev. Joseph Pullen, 11. D., to be Chaplain to the Mayor of Cambridge. 1147 The Rey. F.. Eardley Wilmot, M.A., to be a Surrogate for the diocese of Worcester. The Rev. Richard Wilton, It.A., to the lueumbeney of St. Thowas, York. The Rev. John Charles Coleman, M.A., to the Vicarage of Clare, Suffolk. The Rev. Arthur Stone, B.A„ to the luctuulietey of Frestwold, Leicerterishire. The Rev. Walter Rrookebank•, M.A., to the Ite:tory of Lamp lugh, 'leer Whitehaveu. The Rev. SaudforJ, to the Incumbency of Holy Trinity Church, Klugswood, near Bristol. VACANC I ES. A Canon Iteridentiary to kirirud Cathedral; worth 5001. • year; iu the git of the Lord Chancellor. The Vicarage of Olveatonu, tiluticestershire; worth 9001. a year; in the gift of the Lean and Chapter of Bristol. the Vicarage of Slum bury, near shrewsbury ; worth 6001. • year; iu the gift of Sir ♦. Curbet, ltart. lie I.; U1114 . ,y of truesungthurpe, user Castle liediughaan, Rchester; in the gift of the itev. Fred. Elwes. 'Die Curacy 0. i.illungley, near Coventry ; in the gift of the Rev. John Thecke , is, M.A. t'he Rectory of Bishop's Hatfield, with Totterlilgo annexed, Hertfordshire; worth 4.0001. a year; in the gift of the Marquis of Salisbury. A Prebendal Stall in Lincoln Cathedral; in the gift of the Ilirhop of Lincoln. The Rectory of Stockley Pomeroy ne►r Crediton; worth 1001. a year ; in the gift of the ►Slehop of Exeter. A Minor Canonry iu Worcester Cathedral; iu the gift of the Dean and Chapter of Worcester. The Curacy of Tunstall, veer Newcastle.under-Lyoa, con ferring a title at the next ordination of the Bialiop of Idchfield ; worth sul. • year; in the gift ut the 11ev. Robert Hawaii, M.A. Enitursitg itttiltgrurt. LONDON. B.A. EXAMINATION, 1834.—EXAIIINATION TOR Hoffuti at. Matlu•watics awl Natural i'llilesopkg —Say age, 1111)111MS (Quiver• eity Seliolarship), University—Jones, Willitun ltrittain, Uutver sity—Baclie, Alfred, queen's, Birmingham ; Ni,01111411, Wesley, Sheffield (equadj—Moult, Swinton Henry, Man chester New, and University. elassics.—Foster, Michael (University Scholonship), Univer sity—Joues, Williaut Brittaim Uuiversit)—Mtller, Fred.Ciiarles James, University ; Hey. llettjtuuin Plummer, Baptist, Bristul; ltev. Joseph Abbott, King's (equal)—Moult, SwinloU Fleury, Manchester sew, and University-I'l.Am', emus Albumin, I.Aucaulilre ludevendeut, and Oweur--ltule, Martin ].utter, Wesley, SheOiel•l. Stt lrutg. THE BREVET. WAR-OFFICY NOVEMSEU 28. (The commissions to bear date the 28th November, 1854.) The undermentioned officers, who were placed upon retired full pay previously to her Majesty's royal wanton of the 6th of October, 1854, to be each promoted to a step of brevet rank, in order to place them in us favourable a po. sitiun as those who may prospectively obtain retirement under the provisions of the ►aid warrant, the rank in both cases being only honorary. BREVET. To be Colonels in the Army.—Lieutenant-Colonels Henry I.e Blanc, sth Royal Veteran Battalion—James C. 8., 89th teuot—Williain Sall, Ruyol Newfound land Companies—Robert Terry, 31st Foot—James W. Fairdough, 63rd Foot—Henry C. Streatleld 87th Foot— Henry Senior, 65th Fout—Cha•les Hughes, 24th Foot— Joseph Keleall, 70th Foot—William Blois, 52nd Foot— Edward T. lromion, 13th Foot—John Singleton, 30th Foot—Joseph Mark Harty, 33rd Foot—Eyre John Crablie, 74th Foot—William Burney, Cape Corps—Herald Rochfurt, 3rd Foot—Philip Dundee, 47th Foot—Richard Willingtou, 84th Foot—Richard Wernmore, 33rd Foot—Robert Patti. sun, 13th Foot—John Pool, C. 8., 22nd Foot—Edward James White, 70th Foot—Robert Hunt, 49th Foot—Ed• ward William Bray, C. 8., 39th Fout—Andander Tenna►t, 35th Foot—Robert Luxtuore, 16th Fout—N icholas Palmer, 50th Foot—Joseph Swinburne, 143rd Foot—Daniel Fraser, 42nd Fout—Charles Higlimure Putts, 19th Foot—Henry Edmund de Burgh Sidley, 50th Foot—Herbert Mends, 2nd West India Regiment. To be Lieutenant-Colonels is the A►my.—Majors George Elrington, sth Royal Veteran Battalion—William Milne, 2nd Royal Veteran Battalion—John Field Oldham, Bth Royal Veumen Battalion--lieurge Lovell Spiuluif, Royal Veteran Company--Edward ()cote, 35th !Ann— Stephen Noel, 92nd Foot—George Pinckney, 82nd Foot— Philip Aubiu, 57th Foot—Samuel George Carter, 16th Foot George Fitzgerald Stack, 24th Foot Henry Clements, loth Font—Peter John Wilhite, 48th Foot— William Cox, 54th Foot—Richard Handcock, 46th Foot— Peter Sutherla►d, 72nd Foot—John Rummy, 6th Foot-- John Marshall, 91st Foot—Richard Manners, 50th Foot— James Thomas Moore, H7th Fout—Ambrose Spung, 00th Foot—John Clarke, 66th Foot—lsaac Richardson, 11th Foot—Robert Browne, 16th Foot—Richard Tinton, 7ith Foot—James Jackson, 57th Foot—Alexander bharrock, 20th Foot—William Italian, 22nd Foot—Thomas Hinton Hemmen', 78th Foot—William Warburton, 67th Foot — Martin Crean Lynch, 14th Foot—Edward Boyd, 29th Foot—Joseph Smith, 14th Foot—Esau McPherson, 99th Foot—William Dempster, 41st Foot—Charles Rayner Newman, 14th Foot—Charlton O'Neill, 97th Foot—John Joseph tirier, 93rd Foot—Alexander Campbell, 38th loot —Henry Dixon, 81st Foot—James Poyntz, 3121► Foot — Charles Donald Campbell, 39th Foot—Edward Kenny, 89th Foot—John O'Grady, 17th Foot—Anthony Robert L'Estrange, 71st Foot—John Thomas tinffiths, 25th Foot—Robert Alexander Andrews, 30th Foot—Benoit Bender, 82nd Foot—Willians Atkin, Canadian Rides — Abraham Splaine, 81st Foot—James Ward, Cast Foot — John Norman, 54th Foot—Angus William Mackay, 21st Foot—John Bolton, 75th Foot—William Barnes, 17th Foot—Daniel Riley, 24th Foot—Henry Alexander Kerr let Foot—William Beaks, Staff Officer of Pensioners--