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

MUSIC,

MR. BENEDICT'S CONCERT.—Mr. Benedict gave
his annual concert yesterday morning, at the Royal Italian
Opera. It was, u usual, a magnificent entertainment, na-
-1 bracing the whole vocal and orchestral strength of that great
establishmett, with the additien of several of our most
emineat performers unconnected with it. The programme
included a number of the most favourite solo and concerted
pieces belonging to the rt'pertoire of the theatre, sung by
Orisi, Mario, Boeio, Tamberlik, Osrdoni, Formes, Mare,
Mcßee, Oraziani, Jenny Ney, Ruderedot if, &c. ; besides vocal
pieces sung by Mme. Clara Novello, Miss Dolby, and instru-
mental solos performed by Ernst, Sainton, Lindsay /Roper,
Patter, and Benedict. There was a selection from Mr. Be-
nedict's works, consisting of an andante and rondo for the
pianoforte, with orchestral accompaniments; the popular
ballad " Scenes of my Youth," from the Gipsy's Worning,
sung by Madame Rudersiorff; the overture to the Tempest,
a lice composition, full of Shaksperian fancy ; two beautiful
pert-image for female voices, taken from a collection lately
published, and sung by Madame Clara Novello, Miss Dolby,
and Madame Viardot; and a charming Tyrolese song,
newly composed, and sung by Mdlle. Bodo. As usual at
Mr. Benedict'. concerts, the theatre was crowded, and the
beam were filled with the most fashionable company in
London.

SPORTING.

NEWTON RACES-FRIDAY.
Orr ILIOTRIC TILICORAPIL)
TWO.TIAA OLD lIIILLIMO BALM.

Mountain Brom
Mem to Mr.. Rigby
TIE LTIMPLEZ WAXEN

OILAND STA3D CVP.

Exmouth

ALBION ZANDICAP PLATI.

OseeKat
Dear Ke 2
TER Baum Pun. of 50 son. wu wan at 'three beats by Kitty
Mae beating six others. (Particulars in oar nut.)

Tae PATRIOTIC FUND.—The Gazette of last night
contains a first report from the Patristic Fund com-
missioners, on their proceedings and the result. They state
' that they have now lodged a sum exceeding a million stet.
ling in the Bank of England ; all classes, all parte' of the
country, the colonies, Uritish subjects resident abroad. I,
natives of laths, North American Indians, and natives el
many foreign countries have contributed liberally. The
amber of applicants is considerable—each week adds from
70 to 80 widows as recipients of relief; not in most Near
through recent bereavement, but through recent information
of the bereavement. The total number new is 1,487 widows,
1,002 children, ancl.33 children who have lost both parents.
Steps have been taken for the effectual education of the
ehildren.
The following are the meetings of rations literary
and scientific societies for the ensuing week ; —Monday:
B.—" On the Mortality from Naval Operations,"
by Mr. Hodge.—" An Analysis of the Statistics of the
Clearing-house during the year 1839," by Mr. Babbage.-
0, On the Nature and Extent of the Benefits conferred by
amp:tale on the Working Classes and the Poor," by Dr.
Guy. Wednesday: Horticultural.—Exhibition. Thurs.
day: Numismatic, 7.—Auniversary. Society of Antiqua-
ries, 8. Royal, 83/4.—" On the Discovery of an Aerolite in
the Heart of • Tree which stood recently in Battersea
Fields," by Sir It. I. Murchison. Friday Philogical, 8.
The Wakefield Journal complains that more than
three months have now elapsed since the demise of the late
Vicar, and yet the parish of Wakefield is nnprovided with
suteriesee.
ARMY CIVIL DEPARTMENTS.—On Friday a par-
liamestary paper was issued relative to the establishments
of the civil departments of the army. On the 6th June
instant the letters patent of the Ordnance were revoked, and
Lord Pansaure, as War Secretary, was ordered to give direc-
tions as te establishments in future to carry_ on the duties
which had hitherto been performed by
.the Muter-General
and Board of Ordnance. There are eighteen situations in
the new establishment, of which five are at Woolwich and ,
the remainder in London. The highest salary is 2,0001. a
year to the Clerk of the Ordnance, and the lowest is 6001.
The Clerk of the Ordnance will bsithe chief of the civil staff
of the War Department and the executive offices of the
Minister of War, directing all the ordinary business of the
subordinate departments. The duties of the several officers
are detailed in the document now published. The salaries
will amount to about 14,300/. a year of the establishment,
in London and Woolwich.
THE EXHIBITION OF AMERICAN PLANTS AT TER
ROYAL BOTANIC OARDINI, who
would see three fine plants in perfection ihould go at ones.
On se previous occasion have they been superior. The en-
hibition day is announced for Monday neat, when, weather,
permitting, there will doubtless be a large assembly of the
fashionable world. Of late years? American plants, cepa-
clan, Rhododendrons, have received much attention, and
they are now extensively grown. The gorgeous appear-
ance of the plants in question, after the severe winter just
passed, speaks mach in their favour as hardy plants. They
must, Lodged, be superlatively so, for, on cards placed among
them it is stated that they have over received the least
proteetiso during the winter. With rhododendrons the
skill of the hybridiser has wrought wonders. The risk
erhasins-flowered, though tender Indian species, has been
wedded to the hardy American kinds, and the result is a
Teas of beautiful flowering shrubs, that defy our severest
weather. Amongst them may be found almost every shads
of eolour from white and flash to the richest crimson, and
from lilac to deep purple. The small aim, too, at which
soma of them flower, is remarkable. Many not more
than a foot high have several large heads of bloomed.
CRYSTAL PALACZ.--SHILLOIO DAY,--JUNE 15.
Adedesioas ea payment, 4,325 ; ditto by suns tickets,
874 —Total. 4,899.
BPAlN.—Letters from Madrid report a very serious;
admonition te unity and patriotism which &porter° boa
th lit it nuessary to address to the Cortes. Anarc in
the ,be said, was that which in former times haled
to the 'appraise of the motional liberties. Oa the 12th the
CieSOI rsiesesil a ~Ws etheuthatheiministr , and
as
the 13th the ef Mamma to the Cortes
&Übe was thembiog the Imestial system of the country,
sad that he Natoli met have smarm to the forced &Whips-
Ilea mail the lest extremity. The gtherament has cont-
soata& Se the Corneae fact that the nth* authorities
lave seat the Maumee theariests who bad token refuge
hoped the frontier into the istcrior, sad the Cortes have
voted their thanks to the government of France. The
Flush mail which left Paris on the 9th, and the Spool*
mail whisk left Madrid es She 10th, We bees bunt by
tam hisargoare la Oe.OWS.