The Express.
London, England, 1855-04-10 00:00:00

MUSICAL NEWS.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.—Sine we gave an out-
line, a few days ago, of the engagements for the
approaching season, we learn that an important addi-
tion has been made to the company in the person of
Madame Rudersdorff. One of the parts for which
this eminent prima donna is engaged is Alice, in
Robert le Diable. We presume that this is one of
the two engagements mentioned as pending in Mr.
Oye's general prospectus of the season.

The BIRMINGHAM MUSICAL FESTIVAL is to be
held on the 28th, 29th, 30th, and 31st days of August
next. This triennial music.meeting has been regu-
larly held for above three-quarters of a century,
during which time it has been at the head of all the
musical festivals in the kingdom, not only in regard
to the grand scale of the performances, but the amount
of good which it has done as a benevolent institution.
The last meeting, in 1852, was one of the greatest
and most successful that have ever taken place, and
great exertions are now making that the next shall
not fall short of it. New works by some of the first
composers of the age may be expected ; many engage-
ment. of great importance have already been made ;
and the whole, as formerly, is to be under the elite
direction of Costa. We learn, too, that the magnifi-
cent Town Hall will undergo extensive improve-
ments in decoration and lighting, expressly for die
occasion.

A FEMALE PRIME MINISTER.

(From the Honolulu Court Circular )
The diplomatic corps, the commanders of the foreign
ships of war, and the foreign consuls, were then presented
by the Minister of Foreign Relations, to Her Royal High.
hem the Princess Victoria Kantsmaln, the new Kuhn=
Rai (Prime Minister), appointed by the King.
Tee cabinet is thus constructed : —Her Royal Highnese,
the Prince's Victoria Kamenialo, to be Kuhn= Nui (the
Prime Minister) ; William L. Lee, to be Chenoellur of the
Kingdom; Ku= Aor (John Young), Minister of the In-
terior; Robert Crichton Wyllie, Minister of Foreign Rela-
tions; Elisha H. Allen, Minister of Finance; Richard Aim-
strong, minister of Public Instruction.
(From the New York Daily Tema.)
There appears no earthly reason why the fair Victoria
Kamamala should not =come an admirable administrafriz
of the affairs of the Sandwich Island.. There might be
some little difficulty if she had been appointed c-iromander-
in chief of the army, inasmuch as it might be awkward for
a generalissimo to lead a charge ca a side saddle. But "'his
Royal Highness Prince Kamehameha has been appointed
eommander-in thief," so that the lady-premier need not
personally face the foe. Even if she had to do so, ted to
one that a young woman's generalship would be more eau
easeful and honourable than that of the aged female, com-
monly called " P.M. Lord Raglan," in the Orioles. In
very truth and sober earnestnets, the Princess-Premier
must manage matters very indifferently it the result is not
better than what has arisen from the attempts et government
in other countries, by the ForcibleFeebles of diplomacy and le-
gislation who so often are entrured with the minnanagensent
of a nation's affairs. Without noticing what has taken
plus not • thousand milts from home, who will pretend that
a young lady, posseiving healtb, energy, and intellect,
would not have waged matters better in England, during
the last two year., than that effete dowager, the Earl of
Aberdeen ? The men difference of garments is only nomi-
nal. • ministerial costume, suitable to either se:' Gould
readily be invented—and indeed Blousons= has alrdody
founded it, in anticipation of "the good time ocusiba"
when females may be Cabinet Ministers, and even 'spire--
, as the Primes Victoria Kamsmalu has successfully done—
, to the superior office of Kehina Nni. We shall earnestly
watch the aworkiog of the ezponment„ u to petticoat gao-
-1 vestment, which has just been commenced by Kasse-
-1 hemeba IV., in the mighty empire of the Sandwich Islands.
l In the meanwhile, it would not surpriae no to find Lacy
I Stone, Antoinette Brown, and other " Woman's Rights'
apostles, incontinently emigrating to Hawaii to font a
volunteer sunned of advice for the Priacese-Premier. •

TOE WEATHER IN THE BALTIC. i

SWINIMUNDIL APRIL 6.—The hey is filled with
ice by the late prevailing northerly winds. Mach ire is
coming down the river. Weather very mild. Wind N. 8.8.
Bowmen, Aran. 6.—The weather has been fine since
the 29th of Mardi. The river sad roadsteads are free, bat
large banked is are still to be seen drifting at ma.
STILILLSIIIID, APRIL 7.—A thaw, with rain, set in a few
days gam, sad which still matinees. The ice in the har-
bour and roadstead has become very weak, and this re-
opening of the navigation is expected in a few days. The
les at sea was in fall movement yesterday, and had nearly
ell been driven away by the B.E. sad B. wise.

BILLETING OP SOLDIERS.---A pail° meeting of
the inhabitants of Dalkeith was held, on Tuesday night, in
the Coort.room, to petition parliament against es system
of billeting militiamen and other riddle» on 'priests fermi-
Rea. Mr. Gray, banker, who presided, said teat the billet-
leg of soldiers on privet. families °owned everything like
parsosal liberty, pressed with intolerable *emeriti on,work-
lag mu and wrest to be isamedietsly:aberabed. Resole.
riots in men,
with the views of tb • promoter* of the
meeting were carried usesimonsly.—Scrrrines.
SIR E. 80LW73. LITTON'S MP,DAL.—WO under-
stand that Sir Edward Solwer Lyttorfs gold medal, for the
4best essay by any student of the University of Edinburgh,
tisd in 1863-64, or 181414 On the influence of
ilia Min& over the body in causing and curing morbid and
emeinalbsas eonsinices," has f est been adjudged by the Sest-
ina Amidemices. The snowmen' competitor is Job's Olen,
M.A., student of medicine—eon, we believe, of the late Rev.
Dr. Glen, for many years missionary in Persia.—Convent.
THE RIBES OP JOIIRNALIBII.—Daring the peat eiZ
pm., the proprietors of this newspaper have invested no
lese a sum than 4,4001. net cash in its establ ..the
whole amount of 10,0891. received by the
that riod for news end advertisements (ow end skate the •
sold ,0001.) having been e: ceded in wigging It on end
improving it. During all this time, the pirairkews have eat
received a giggle shilling in return, even libilleskepeet ia-
tend, on the capital invested. It is no egiwity peas
way, sad no more.—Shields Gem& w
From the last accounts from thsfamitilii
screw steamer Natal was high up on the
a met deal of water in her, bet this was;hlsping to *I
Two - •va4
bad