The Express.
London, England, 1855-03-10 00:00:00

MUSIC.

ROYAL SOCIETY OF MUSICIANS.
The one hundred and seventeenth annual festi-
val of this society was held at Freemasons' Hall, on
Thursday. Having more than once explained the
objects of this old and most valuable institution, and
pouted out the benefits which, for more than a cen-
tury, it has conferred upon the members of the
musical profession, we shall only advert at present to
one feature of its management, which was de-
seethed almost a century ago by Dr. Burney,
the celebrated historian of music, whose de-
scription remains true to the letter at the
present day. "No charitable institution," says Bur-
ney, "can be more out of the reach of abuse, em-
bezzlement, or partiality, can be regulated with more
care, integrity, and economy, or have its income so
immediately derived from the talents and activity of
its own members, than this. There is no lucrative
employment belonging to the society, except a small
salary to the secretary and collector; so that the
whole produce of benefits and subscriptions is net,
and clear of all deduction or drawback, for the
governors defray all the expenses of their carious meet-
ings out of their own pockets." At a time like the pro-
mo t,when (as oorown columns have repeatedly shown)
so large an amount of the funds of benevolent insti-
tutions is diverted from their real objects into the
pockets of officials in the shape of salaries and ex-
trWs feature ia the management of the Royal
ies:; of Musicians cannot be too much noticed and
applauded. In looking into the general statement of
receipts and expenditure for the year 1851, we ob-
serve that an income of 3,0441. 15e. 6d. has been
applied to the beneficent purposes of the institution
with no larger drawback than 2351. 151. 11d.; a sum
which covers the whole of the officers' sala-
ries, together with the cost of printing, and
every other incidental expense. During the year
/854, 2,0371. has been applied in monthly pay-
ments to aged musicians, widows and orphans;
3411. in temporary relief and funerals; 1731.
in premiums with apprentices and in the
education of children; and 371. in benefactions
to aged claimants, and to indigent musicians, widows,
&c., having no claim on the institution. At present,
there are on the list of claimants supported by the
society, 11 members, 45 widows, and 27 children ;
and there are 13 boys and girls who have been ap-
prenticed to respectable trades or callings, with each
of whom 251. premium has been paid. The
society has real and funded property, which
produces 1,8331. per annum ; the rest of its
resources being derived from the subscriptions and
donations of its patrons and friends, and the contri-
butions of the members. The list of benefactions is
interesting, as showing the munificent spirit of many
celebrated members ot the profession. Among other
historical names we find that of Handel, one of the
original members, who bequeathed to the society
1,0001.; Signora Storace, 1.0001; and Crosedill, the
great violoncellist, 1,0001. The Royal Family, dur-
ing the whole existence of the society, including her
present Majesty and Prince Albert, have been liberal
benefactors. At the present day the beneficent spirit
of individuals belonging to or connected with the
musical profession has not decayed. We find
the house of Broadwood as donors to an amount ex-
ceeding 1,0001. 1501. (the proceeds of a concert) was
given by Jenny Lind; 751. was given in the same
manner by Herr Ernst ; and it gives us pleasure to
observe that the most eminent foreigners resident
among us have not been lees liberal benefactors to the
society than our own countrymen.
At the anniversary meeting the chair was occupied
by the Lord Mayor, who wan supported by the two
sheriffs, Mr. M uggeridge and Mr. Crosley. The com-
pany was large, and the most eminent musicians
now in London were present. There was,
as usual, a varied and agreeable entertainment of
vocal and instrumental music. Herr Ernst played
most exquisitely his celebrated Hungarian airs ; end,
litring rapturously apptauoeo, also gratified the com-
pany with his not less celebrated Carnival of Venice.
Mr. Cusins, one of the most accomplished young
pianists of the day, performed Mendelssohn's beau-
tiful " Andante and Rondo Capricioao" with masterly
execution, and with a grace and expression which
delighted the company. Among the vocal pieces was
Purcell's famous " Britons, strike home," sung by
Messrs. King and Lawler, with • chorus. It was
performed with great fire, and received with
enthusiasm. Mr. M'Murdie's fine four-part
glee, "By the dark-rolling waters," was one of the
moat successful performances of the evening. Several
sirs and duets were sung by Madame Weiss, Madame
Newton Frodsham, Miss ltansford, Mr. Benson, and
Mr. Weiss. Before the meeting broke up, a long
list of subscriptions received in the course of the
I evening was read, headed by the name of the Lord
Mayor for ten guineas, and those of the sheriffs for
I five guineas each; the whole amounting to a consi-
derable sum.

SPORTING.

- 1.--.•

BETTING AT BIANCRESTER.-EZIDAY.
Nearly the whole *title Maaebaster illvlsics having geoeseded from
Liverpool ts. Nottingham. there was very little dome bete to.day on
forthcoming eyelets. The few members that unstated operated prin-
cipally on the events deckled to-dey at that piers— to quote which
would now be superdnoun The subjoined LW, though integre, non-
laths all that was doss

--MitTROPOLITAN lIANDICAP.
10 to 1 opt Fandango (t) II to I apt Paletot (t sad a:
10 to I Pharoalue (I) 133 to I Dr. O'Toole (t)
TWO THOUSAND OUINZAS
_ . . •

8 to 4 on the Field (of) ; 4 to 1 bar one
CIIEBTER CUP.
25 to 1 oa Tbe 1,1•14 (off) I 45 to 1 met Weathercock (t)
DERBY.
13 to 2 eget St. Hobert (t) I 15 to 1 wt OrteealasEsariene (t)
500 to 20 art Unbend (t).

NOTTINOHAM SPRING MERTINO.—PAWAY.
Tao bunturne Pura ( ) of 23 tom, added to a sweep
stakes of 3 sow. sad; the semi to sans his Wake. Ore mire.
(7 rata)
Mr. Bancroft's Bekker, by Cod. 4 yrs, 7st Mb (J. Gale) 1
Mr. Wood's Kownskils Wm 4 yes, eat 1011) (Kendall) 2
Mr. Mather's Wheel" 4 po.7st rih . (T. CM)
.4
Mr. J. Dawns% Mak; Id% (Cowley) 4
Mr. Edwards's ye% lat 1211) (tlftht) 3
Benin: 3 to 4 opt IsmalisMslo, 7 to 2 wt Iraltec, 3 to 1
apt Sylvia. Wow dude: a Itegth; a between the wooed
saddled. NNW muss therth; the, Jackdaw, a long way
la the red, di ad pro pest Oa drawing together to start.
Biker Wats wish mina Idly half a mile before his jokey wad
pellhin
fir km= kik (dadcap) of SO sow. for all ages. A. winner of
sly hanikap after Ilia weights were published, Mk extra. Ore

Mr. T. V. Tames Ids Ants, by Maley Moloch or Ascher
4 yrs, 7st 1110 (Mel I
Mr. Wood% ffeiss% 4 yrs, ist I Ilb (Kradall 2
Mr. &tweeds% OEM hoist, 1 fn. let Illb (Jima 3
Mr. T. Taykes Oak Pepper., yrs, set (ear. let 11b (Oowery 4
Yr. Seadkuk's Meal, 4 yrs. in Illb (laclodlaff lib extra
(Ilumaterekl
letting : I Mr 4 apt IWatra. 1 to I spit Min Allen, 7 to 2 spi)na*
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teatime&
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save hada*. rim I-yr olds sad 7wards. Optional selling weights,
MrAbout bolf uns straight. 4 subs.)
Mr. awceder's • Ankara* by plrus, egad (201.), IN 71b)
(Palmer
Mr. Maier% Wldlelotk, 4 yrs (2014, Tei 2111; CV. Cliff 2
Mr. Blythes rase Mt* 3 yrs (2014, 111 --(Midge* $
Mr. Wileties !mews. 3 you( .), net Ilb_.— lesterdas 4
Betting : Ito 4 sid Latium% 7 to sot ffwejlarks. 2to I situ
Whittled'. Winfrey by a keg*. Ihme Oboes between sash
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Ms Mon Annus luau Saes of 7 sew. saes, $ It. saw AO
Mail; the inn/ Mame his slim Sans might 4,11,1.1. "Wigs.
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Mr. W. Inistife erardiessi. amii, fit tlb .. (G. a
Mr. V. Beigmendi lingen, Owe. not --(Winn Irbil. 4
swim : 1144 a se Wandli. II le 2 ingl Um Onsigis 2is *int
11111 mint. Wan Mira end lan bp kens In" a men amg a bet
letwen the aiming nittekg. gni north. TM sines did anpees
de post.
Us Mho 8441141 ms ad sot 111.

ttottca.—Wefteedv. tke ei Meek_bilett.the llPPothted
ke • Genera het. ae at Wares beelpated to
alidzind.tbe Md. Me flotal=ll.rill be co the Mk md Mb. as

&Trnets or Tin Trans.—A sterespesieat
want: "Southampton, Friday.—Grost Moroi No
Mod hero today by the graphic daccrid OM battle of
Sagatoria is the Daily New. It la sCares
Adel Alas sweats of amine and
NOM t_fliessisota have epos ths midis ef the Banlig
yobbo. We ware matiadai wig et illeyisimme mad Ode
with which we mad of Turkic& halo edema at idiatat
; sad vat aostidanco la the meow of the shin in- ,
amend a beettiedrfold by the 4s of the ulster, of I
Imputed&