The Express.
London, England, 1862-07-03 00:00:00

MUSIC.

THE MUSICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.

This great and flourishing society has adopted
the practice of having, in the course of each season, two or
three convermaziord— assemblies of the members, subscribers,
and invited visitors—for the purpose of conversation and
social intercourse, music being introduced occasionally as •
part of the evening's entertainment. Last evening there
was one of these meetings held at St. James's-hall, which
was filled by • numerous company, among whom
were many persons distinguished in literature and art. The
ball was elegantly fitted up and decorated ; and many cu-
rious and interesting objects connected with music—picture•,
sculptures, curious instruments of different ages and
countries, books, and manuscripts—were taste( idly displayed.
These were collected and arranged by Messrs. Charles Saks-
man, W. C. Stockdsle, and Dr. Rimbault. From time to
time there were pleasant musical performances. The
Messrs. Holmes played • brilliant fantasia for two
violins, on Danish airs, accompanied on the
piano by Mr. Selman ; Menlo. Bockholtz Falooni
performed variations by Hummel on • Tyrolese air; M.
Sideman played several of Handel's pieces on a fine old
harpsichord of the celebrated maker Shudi ; Madame
Guerrabella sang Biletties vales, " Un' ma • Venezia ;"
Arthur Napoleon played a fantasia ; and several part-songs
of Mendelssohn and Henry Smart were song. All these
performances were much and deservedly applauded. These
convenazioui are admirable features in the plan of the
society, and are productive of peat sad obvious benefit..

Mr. Henry Ladle's Cantata "The Denglite; of
the like," ooinpcewl in honour of the marriage of the
Princess Alice, was produced at the " Oxford" Music Hell on
Tuesday, is commemoration of the august event.

THE CHURCH OP ENGLAND AND CONTI-

NEATAL PROTESTANTS.

Yesterday evening a coneetwrzione, which origi-
nated in invitations issued by the Archbishops of Canter-
bury and York and the Bishop of London, took place at
Willis's Rooms, and was attended by nearly 300 English
and foreign protestants, the object being " to afford foreign
pastors and other religious foreigners opportunity to become
acquainted with the clergy and such lay members of the
Church of England as take a special interest in its affairs."
The Bishop of LONDON prefaced the series of addresses by
alluding to the public recognition of religion in the special
prayer at the opening of the Exhibition, and the service in
Westminster Abbey which preceded the recent meeting W
the Social Science congress. It had, he then said, been con-
sidered desirable that advantage should be taken of the
presence of so m►ny foreigners in London for Christian eon-
fereoce, and that meeting had been called to enable foreign
pastors to give British Christians the benefit of their expo-
nonce, and to explain the state of religion in their respec-
tive countries.

M. le Pasteur NAPOLEON ROUSSEL, of Cannes, a minister
of the reformed church of France, then made some remarks
on the state of religion in the south of that kingdom. There
was, be said, a general belief in the existence of God. but
everything beyond was, with a large part of the population,
• " perhaps ;" there was nothing like solid faith. A ge-
oeral spirit of inquiry bad, however, recently manifested
itself, and protestant literature was much valued. What
he sod his co-religionists w►nted was, not to Net up a par-
ticular form of church, but to evangelise the nation.
U. Mott; pastor of the Waldensian church at Turin,
dwelt on the necessity of establishing It►lian unity, and
expressed his deep appreciation of the libeity of preaching
the Gospel which had resulted from recent political events,
cortrasting this in powerful language with the painful
silence so long imposed by despotism.
M. Roorroe, pastor, at Paris, of the Reformed Church of
France, sod Y. Schmidt, pastor of the canton of Thurgovie,
Switserland, followed ; and the proceedings were terminated
by some appropriate remarks from the Bishop of Win-
chester.

New PULPIT IN Wisrmitorzz ABBEY. —A very
beautiful pulpit is being erected in Westminster Abbey.
Its position is on the north of the nave. The pulpit, which
is octagonal in shape, is composed of carved yellow Mans-
field stone and coloured marble, and is a mixture of the
early Eogliah and French styles. The body of the
work is divided into compartmenta inlaid with
diamond-shaped panels, containing circular ornaments
inlaid with various coloured marbles. Six finely
carved figures, representing St. Peter, St. Pail, and
the four Evangelista, are placed at the &ogles dividing
the panels, the centre panel cootaiuing an exquisitely-cut
medallion portrait of the Saviour in white marble, and
crowned with thorns. The pulpit is supported by coloured
marble pillars, and is approached by a flight of atoms steps,
with coloured marble and stone belustrades. The whole of
the details of this elegant work are richly carved, end the
work fosse a noble adilition to the cathedral. The architect
is Mr. G. O. Bert, and the sculptor Mr. Farmer.
RAILWAY MID PUBLIC COMPANIES IN PARLlA-
mire.—Taltarday, in Lord Lyveden's committee, the bill of
the Want Midland, after evidence in opposition had been
tendered by Sir T. Phillips and Mr. Davidson, was passed,
giving them at the rme time running powers over the lines
of the Monmouthshire Railway. The committee meet again to-
day to consider sad settle the clauses. The satire car of the
opposition to the lag Gloucestershire Railway was con-
cluded by Mr. Calvert, Q,C. and Mr. Cripps, in the Duke of
Richmond's committee, and Mr. Hops Scott will reply on
the whole case to-day, when the committee are expected to
give their decides. The opposition on behalf oldie North
Sniff ordshire Railway occupied the committee of which Lord
Wodehouss is chairman all day against the Stafford and
Uttoreter Railway. The ease of the promoters for the
North British sad other companies sreshpaistio. mow or
eluded in Lord Doserglinsan's committee, sad Mr. Myth,
C.E., was examined at acs iderable length by Mr. Maiden
ter the Seettish Central in opposition. The cue for the
Oswastry and Ellennere line, promoted by the Great
Wester wee opessd by Mr. Barks in Lord Sinakry's MEP
I mitts% sod wijousood to this des.