The Express.
London, England, 1853-02-24 00:00:00

SEAMEN'S HOSPITAL ANNUAL DINNER.

The thousands who travel up and down the
Thames in the pleasant summer season, will hardly forget
that one of the great " lions" of the "middle passage"
L the gallant old Dreadnought, a line-of-battle ship, which
having served a lull apprenticeship to the art of destroying
human life, now mates full atonement by laying up in or•
dinary, and affording shelter and nurture to sick and worn-
out seamen. The " Seamen's Hospital Society " had its
origin in 1817-18, when a committee was appointed, the
result of whose labours was, first, the fitting up of the
Grampus as a Boating hospital ; and secondly, of the
Dreadnought, the name most familiar to the present gene-
ration of Londoners. For such a wandering race as the
seamen of all nations, the value of such institutions can
hardly be overrated; bat when ever their prejudices are
consulted by selecting a ship as their asylum, and the
greatest commercial nver in the world as its location, a
double claim is established on the charity of all who feel an
interest in those " who go down upon the great deep," and
are by their occupation isolated from the friends who solace
sickness and misfortune amongst the other classes of so-
ciety. The anniversary dinner of this most valuable cha-
rity was held yesterday at the London Tavern, and derived
immense eclat from the presence of Sir James Graham,
whe presided. There were also present Messrs. Green,
801=1111, and other distinguished leaders of the shipping in-
terest, besides about 150 gentlemen, who sat down to a
dinner unusually recherche and abundant. A musical
party enlivened the evening with several songs and glees,
the contributions of the Misses Wells receiving especial
marks of commendation.

From the report it appeared that the large sum of 1,1141.
had been collected.

MUSIC.

MR. STERNDALE BENNETT'S CONCERTS.—Mr.
Bennett's second performance of clinical pianoforte music,
at the Hanover-square Rooms on Tuesday, was attended
by the largest audience we have ever seen at a concert of
this kind: a proof of the growing taste for the refined music
of which Mr. Bennett's performances °Desist. His pro-
patinae, as usual, was exceedingly interesting. In the first
place, there was Mozart's Quintet in E fist, for the piano-
forte, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and horn—one of the most
lovely emanations that ever lowed from the genius of a
composer. It was played by Messrs. Bennett, Williams,
Nicholson, Baumann, and C. Harper, whose names are suf-
ficient to give an ides of the perfection of its execution,
and every movement wee followed by loud and prolonged
applause. Sebastian Bach's Sonata in B minor, for the
piano and violin, played by MIMI. Bennett and
Molique, was less warmly received, though it
is • fine composition, and seas admirably per-
formed; but Bach's style is so severe and peculiar that
thaw only can appreciate and enjoy it who have bestowed
upon it some attention and study. Mr. Bennett's Sonata-
duo for the piano and violoncello, which is now becoming
known to the musical public, is so beautiful, and was so
exquisitely played by the composer and Signor Piatti, that
it called forth tke warmest expressions of pleasure. The
skarn* "Minuet caracteristique" was encored with ac-
demilkins. 'The rest of the instrumental music consisted
et Drietteoven's well-known Sonata in F, for the pianoforte
and bun (in which Mr. Bennett was accompanied by Mr.
Nicholas's), and several short pieces layed by Mr. Ben-
nett slew ausposed by Schumann, Mendelssohn, and Mr.
Beanilt birtelf. The vocalist was Miss Dolby, who sang
a fine reeltadve and air from Jomelli's oratorio " The De-
structions of Jerusalem," and an English song composed by
Platt. Our peat violoncellist on this occasion appeared
for the first tame before an English audience in the cha-
racter of composer. His song, " Sun of the golden day,"
written for a contralto veioe, Is • beautiful slid expressive
composition ; it wu charmingly sung by Miss Dolby, and
warmly applauded. We were aware of Signor Piatti's
mins as a vocal composer; and our readers will remember
that we lately reviewed several of his published songs,
pointing them out as being among the finest aodern spe-
cimens dint» Italian melody.

DRAMA.
DRURY-LANE.

Mrs. Mowittes play,7lAmnia, or the Peer end
tie Nemat," wee perkinned at this theatre last evening.
Yw lltowsit bee semi talent as • dramatist, and this piece is
ain &ideate of meat ; but she has committed the very fre-
quent mistake ef ;stretehing into the sets slight materials
whet* are suffeient for three. The hero and heroine
were well acted by Kr. Davenport sad Mies
Fanny VMlng. Mr. Moorhame, as the Kits, was respee.
table, but somewhat cold and stiff. The garrulous old
woman, Dame Babette, was well permuted by Mrs.
Griffiths ; and Kim Emma Feist, as Javietiow, was one of
the nicest little rustics imaginable. The play was carefully
get up; the dance round the Maypole, in the second act,
was very pretty indeed.