The Express.
London, England, 1855-08-14 00:00:00

BIRMINGHAM MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

Yesterday morning, at the Hanover-square Rooms,
there was a full rehearaal of Costa's new oratorio,
Eli, composed for and about to be performed at the
approaching Birmingham Festival. This rehearsal
was ged by the Birmingham committee, and Mr:
Mason, a member of the committee and "Orchestral
Steward," came to town in order to attend. All the
principal singers were present; namely, Madame
Castellan, Madame Viardot, Mr. Sims Reevis, Herr
Formes, and Mr. Weise ; and there was a full muster
of the metropolitan members of the orchestra and
chorus.

The work was completely and carefelly rehearsed,
under the direction of the composer. The effect was
magnificent, and we have not the smallest doubt that
Eli will be hailed by the public as one of the very
greatest sacred compositions which have appeared
during the present century. The poem is from the
pen of Mr. Bartholomew, whose literary talents are
well known, and whose name is inseparably united to
that of Mendelesohn. It does great honour to its
author. It not only has much beauty in itself, butis
admirably calculated to furnish maierials for the pro-
duction of musical expression and effect.

DRAMA.

HAYMARKET.

Planebes comedy of C'ourt Favour was brought
out at this theatre last night, for the purpose of introducing
sldebutante, who appeared under the nom de theatre of
Blanche Fine. The lady is deficient in none of the que4-
ties necessary to ensure her success in her profession. Bee
is a thorough mistress of the traditions of tho stage; she
has a remarkably flesible yoke, and a face and figure about
which there can be no dispute. Iler reception was most
triumphant, and the impression left on the minds of the
audience was a feeling of surpriee that the manager should
have delayed bringirg forward so perfect en actress until
so large a number of those best able to appreciate her merits
should have left London. There can be no doubt that ?dim
Blanche Fane is destined to occupy an important position
amongst living English actresses.

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, Avousr_l3.

A meeting has been convened by the Lord Mayor
of Dublin, to take place on Saturday next, at the
Mansion-house, for the purpose of urging government
to carry into immediate effect the improved postal
and passenger communication between London and
Dublin, contemplated by the act passed in the pre-
sent session to facilitate that important object. The
requisition addressed to the Lord Mayor contains the
names of all our leading bankers and merchants, and
the subject is one which excites a very lively interest
among the respectable portion of the citizens.
The glorious weather of the last few days still
continues, with every prospect of holding up for the
remainder of the season ; and never, perhaps, was
there a more teeming harvest to be saved in this
country than that on which the sunshine of the next
few weeks may be expected to bestow the crowning
blessing. The sickle has as yet done very little; in
fact, almost nothing of the general harvest has been
saved, but the work will ba gin in e truest to-day, and
the golden fields will ripen much more rapidly than
the farmers will be able to find hands to gather the
treasure. On Friday last some companies of a souther&
militia regiment were on parade near where fertilisers
were at work, and during an interval in the drill
they divested themselves of their red coats, seized the
sickles, and in an inconceivably short time laid the
field of oorn prostrate. It would be well it more of
their brethren would follow their example during the
next two or three weeks. The quantity of corn
lodged by the rain and wind is considerable in some
places, and the black crisp ot the potato blight has
made its appearance to some extent in perhaps every
field in the country, without, however, having yet
caused any very serious alarm.
A fog of extraordinary density visited the river of
Cork on Friday evening, to the great risk of the
shipping, which, however, suffered no injury.
Corporal Thomas Haydoo, of the 11 rh Hessars,
walked out of a window at Newbridge Barracks the
other night, while in a state of somuambulism, and
cow killed on the spot.
His Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant has approved
of the appointment of Joseph Boyce, Erg. (Lord
Mayor), to be deputy-lieutenant for the city of
Dublin.
The Very Rev. Dr. O'Brien has been appointed
Roman Catholic Bishop ot Waterford by his Holiness
Pope Pius IX.
A respite during her Majesty's pleasure has been
received by the governor of uthin Gaol for Mar-
garet Devito, convicted at the assizes last week of
the wilful murder of her illegitimate child by drown-
ing it in a canal at Llangollen.

The directors of the north Eastern Railway Com-
pany have agreed to me:mini:ad, at the epproactiog belt-
yearly meeting of the shareholders a civiiend at the rate of
bi per cent. on the Berwick shares ; of 2 per cent. on the
York shares; and of 6 per cot. on the Leeds Preference
Warta shares.