The Press.
London, England, 1855-06-16 00:00:00

PART LI.

Sinfonia, No. 8
Aria, " Ave, Maria," Madame Clara Novello (Cla-
rinet Obligato, Mr. Williams)
Duetto, " Quel sepolcro," Madame Clara Novell° and
Signor Belletti ( Agnese)
Signor
Overture, " Anacreon " Cherubinl
Conductor, Herr Richard Wagner.

A second performance of Wagner's overture to Tann-
hauser has not changed our opinion of it as a com-
position—it is a work of singular originality, but it
is that species of originality which prefers mystery
to simplicity. As a composition it is so intricate and
so full cf instrumental difficulties that its sole merit,
to any but the initiated few, would appear to consist
in its obscurity; for, although there are one or two
beautiful points, yet there is a want of melody and
form, a want of union throughout the whole work, that
those who appreciate Mozart, Mendelssohn, and
Beethoven can never approve. In spite of all that is
said in its favour in Germany, the overture to Tann-
hauser will produce little effect in England. Herr
Wagner may be the great light of the modern Ger-
man school, but we are quite content to derive our
ideas of excellence in composition from his greater
predecessors. Mr. Macfarren's overture was played
with great spirit and precision, and an encore, one
of the most unanimous and enthusiastic we ever
heard at a philharmonic concert, was the result.

THE PRESS.

Mozart's "Jupiter" symphony was performed, in which
it is worthy of remark that Mozart, in addition to the
usual stringed instruments (the orchestral quartet),
only employs one flute, two oboes, two trumpets, two
horns, two bassoons, with kettle-drums; and yet so
admirable is the application of these, so well calcu-
lated are the contrasts and the relative powers of
these few instruments, that every necessary variety
of colouring is obtained, and the force and fullness
of the fortes leave nothing to desire. The symphony
was worthily rendersd, but it suffered much from the
conductor's insatiable mania for changing the tame
The symphony of Beethoven was admirably per-
formed, and the vocal music, intrusted to Mine. Clara
Novello and Signor Belletti, was not only excellent
in selection but perfect in execution. The room
was densely crowded, and her Majesty and the royal
party seemed highly pleased. During the recess her
Majesty sent for and conversed with Herr Wagner.

THE FIFTH CONCERT OF THE NEW PHILHARMONIC
&merit took place on Wednesday evening. The
programme included Mozart's symphony in G minor,
Beethoven's concerto in E flat, and a selection from
the Romeo and Juliet of the conductor, M.
Berlioz, on the merits of which last we prefer to
suspend our opinion for a time. The symphony is
a great favorite with musicians, and remarkable for
the absence of brass instruments. The first move•
ment, full of energy and military pomp, was unani-
mously encored, an honour rarely conferred on its
own taste by the public, in the case of classical
instrumental compositions, which are too frequently
suffered than enjoyed. The extreme length of the
second movement rather tried the patience of the
audience, but their spirits were quite restored by
the fire and brilliancy of the last, and the symphony
concluded amid the heartiest applause. Beethoven's
concerto was performed, with a fair understanding
of the composer's intention, by Mme. Oury, and was
well received ; indeed, everything was greeted with
applause, which, if not very discriminative, was at
least very hearty, and must have been highly
gratifying to conductor, orchestra, and vocalists.
The intonation of M. Gassier, in Rossini's "Sorgete,"
from the Maometto was anything but perfect;
but, if the majority of ears suffered as acutely as our
own, the majority of voices " made no sign," and a
sustained note near the conclusion of the song put
everybody into the most unjustifiable raptures.
Mme. Gassier did but scanty justice to the difficult
air " Gli augui d'inferno," 'rum the Zauberliiite, though
the audience applauded vigorously. The glorious over-
ture to Zan berfliite, capitally played, concluded the
performances, which were for the benefit of the
German Hospital, Dalstim.

THE ANNUAL CONCERT OF Miss DOLBY AND MR.
LINDSAY SLOPES, on Wednesday evening, at St.
Martin's-hall, in spite of the antagonist attractions
of the New Philharmonic concert, and the Ad-
ministrative Reform meeting, and the repellant
influence of the very hot weather, was fairly attended.
The very miscellaneous character of the programme
renders any attempt at detailed criticism out of the
question. Beyond mentioning the facts that Mr.
Lindsay Sloper delighted his audience by his per-
formance of Mozart's concerto in D minor, and
Chopin's variations on "La ci darem "; that Mi:;s
Dolby sang Mercadante's " A to riede," a composition
thoroughly devoid of all interest; that M. Sainton
made a few airs from Rigoletto, including the
eternal " La donna e mobile," the subjects of some
very commonplace variations, quite unworthy of
him ; and that Mr. Sims Reeves did not sing the
song allotted to him in the first part, we have no-
thing to say, except that Mdlle. Ney sang Sphor's
" Die stille nacht" with exquisite taste and feeling.

THE SECOND FLOWER SHOW OF THE BOTANIC
SOCIETY took place in the Regent's-park on Wednes-
day. The weather was sadly unpropitious, and the
thousands of gaily dressed fashionables who were
present were more than once driven for shelter into
the large conservatory at the termination of the es
planade, and the tents containing the flowers and
fruits. Between the showers the military bands
played with their accustomed excellence, but the en
joyment was terribly interfered with by the rain,
which, though only occurring at intervals, necessarily
chilled the air, and rendered the gardens anything
but tit or pleasant for promenading. The display of
flowers was ss usual magnificent.

CREMOUNE Ii.t.R.DENS.—The flower-show of the
South London Horticultural Society which took
place at Cremorne on Thursday last suffered the
common fate of flower-shows in this country. Talk
of the uncertainty of the turf or the Stock Exchange,
they are nothing, a will-o'-the-wisp, to the uncer-
tainty of the weather in this country. But in spite
of wind and weather flower stows are held, and, what
is more, attended, and Cremome on Thursday pre-
sented as good an attendance as could, under the
circumstances, be expected. Many rare and beauti-
ful plants were exhibited; and we trust that the pro-
prietors of these gardens will not neglect to repeat so
obviously popular an attraction—upon a fine day.

577

Pflug Varktt an („itg (inttilignut.

ETININO.
ON Thursday, at their mee tang in the Bank parlour,
the Directors of the Bank of England adopted a
resolution reducing the nii ninium rate of discount
from 4 to 3 per cent. This step was somewhat
unexpected, being taken in the face of large exports
of the precious metals, and a:gradual turn of the
foreign rates of exchange to the disadvantage of
this country. The reduction was accordingly not
followed, as usual, by the large discount houses out
of doors, although it will be useless for private
establishments, however vast their business or their
resources, long to stand out against the example set
them in Threadneedle-street.

The bankruptcy of an old and once respectable
banking firm, Messrs. Paul, So.l'lll'll, and Batee, of
the Strand, has almost monopolised interest in mone-
tary circles during the week. Some very discredit-
able rumours are afloat touching the origin of their
embarrassments, and the expedients adopted with
the view of keeping the concern going fur some
months past. The aggregate liabilities of the bank
are believed to amount to more than half-a•million,
some reports giving a total of 700,0001., while the
assets available for dividend have been reduced to
the lowest ebb, promising at the outside a dividend
of only a few shillings in the pound. The business
of the bank was long supposed to be kept entirely
aloof from all speculation, their customers being
principally noblemen and rich private persons, who
kept large balances, which the partners lent on
mortgage and other substantial securities. It turns
out now, however, that the affairs of the bank have
been long desperate, and a vast speculation in some
Italian railway shares or contracts, by which a loss
°tabula 180,0001. is said to have accrued, is believed
to be only the last of a long eerie* of unfortunate
and, under the circumstances, unwarrantable ad-
ventures. In order to supply the notorious want
of banking accommodation in the neighbourhood,
both the London and Westminster and the Union
Banks have announced the establishment of branches
near Temple-bar.
The fluctuations in the prices of Consols have not
been extensive during the last few days. Generally
speaking the market bas been far from buoyant, and
quotations show a tendency to decline. On Satur-
day the prices marked were 911 2 ex div. for the ac-
count of the 10th of July; Monday 92 to 1 ; 'f ues-
day, 911 2; Wednesday, 911 2 ; Thursday, 911 1.
To-day the quotations have been as low as 911, but
recovered in the course of the afternoon to 91 1 j.
The Omniurn of the new loan has stood at 41 to 5
premium. Reduced Three per Cents., 1121 ; New
Three per Centi,, 92f ; Bank Stock, 211; New 'Termi-
nable Annuities, 18 15-10; India Bonds, 24; Ex-
chequer Bills, 108. to 19s. prem.; Ditto Bonds, 1001.
The twirler books at the Bank for the New Five
per Cent. Annuities, annuities for terms of years,
Three-and-a Half per Cent. Annuities, and Two and-
a-Half per Cent. Annuities, will ha reopened on
the 18th of July, and the books for Consols ou the
20th. The dividends will be payable onA.Monday,
the 9th of July.
SHARES.
The fortnightly settlement in shares took place
yesterday (Thursday), and the attention of dealers
was chiefly taken up in arranging the accounts.
When this was completed it was found that a con-
siderable quantity of Stock had been wanted for pur
chase, and the quotations, which were previously de-
pressed, recovered firmness. The improvement has
continued throughout to-day's transactions, and the
prices of most of the principal lines range higher.
FOREIGN.

The market for Foreign 13 tocis has been well sup-
ported, and prices maintain a firm appearance. This
afternoon Turkish Bonds underwent a slight decline,
being done at 81i for money and account. Sardi-
nians were also depressed nearly 1 per cent. Other
stocks remain as before.

BANK OF BIIGLAND.
An Account, pursuant to the Ail 7th cud 14th Victoria, cap.
for the week ending on Saturday, thr 9th day of June, 1653.
ISBUS PSPAILTIBENT.
BlOteSlßßllid 1031,08,244 Uovernment Debt £11,015,100
Other Securities .. 3.964,900
Gold Coin t Bullion 17,053,943
Silver Bullion
331,036,946 1 1 ,(1.11,p0
B•WRINO DBPARTNIBIIT.
Proprletors'Capltaltl4,ss3,oo4 Government Seca-
dent
Public Deposits• 5,447,20: Dead Weight An.) £12,702ji a
Other Deposits
+evon Day a other Notes
Bills
707,11
£37,120,807 '37,320,601
• Including Exchequer, Savings Banks, Commissioners of
National Debt, and Dividend Accounts.