The Express.
London, England, 1866-11-02 00:00:00

4`.'

THE NORWICH MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

praise ere aol/ected. All who are finagler with tie ao.
oepted legend, as tad in the " Legends Ayres" of Jacobus
Januensis, Archbishop of Genoa, will perceive that I have
treated it with a certain liberty. Some of the minor inci-
dente—eueh as the conversion and martyrdom of Tibur-
ties, the brother of Valerianus—have been omitted with a
view of avoiding the introduction of secondary persons,
and of boncentratang the main interest in the martyr he-
roine. Further, the catastrophe which (to cite Dryden's
known line in defiance of its original import),

NORWICH, TRURADAT.
This morning's performance consisted of a selec-
tion from Handers"PassionMusic,"Mr. Benedict's
" Saint Cecilia," and the first two parts of Haydn's
Creation—the two former works possessing the
i specal interest of being heard publicly for the first
time in this country ; Mr. Benedict's cantata, we
need scarcely repeat, having been composed ex-
pressly for this festival.
There are two works of Handel bearing the
title of " Passion Music ;" one produced, it is
believed, in 1704, the other in 1716. It
is to the exertions of Dr. Chrysander
that we owe the publication of both these works by
the Leipzig Handel Society in 1860 and 1863. In
his preface to the later work (the one from which
portions have been selected for the Norwich festi-
val) Dr. Chrysander says " The second and last
Passion composed by Handel, which is here pub-
lished for the first time, had its rise during a
period of leisure in Germany about 1716 ; and was
written not for the purpose of a performance, b
simply from the desire to try his powers at a poem
which was then generally admired, and had already
been set to music by several of the first composers.
This essay was his last composition to German
words, for he was far from satisfied with this
masterpiece of poetry' of the Licentiate B. H.
Brockes, of Hamburg, and had hadbutlittle hope of
meeting with anything else of the same sort more
perfect and more in accordance with his wishes
. The original manuscript is not extant. Our edi-
tion is based upon five manuscripts of Handel's
age : one of Smith, a second probably from Halle,
the text of which is written by various and partly
by female hands, perhaps by Handel's slater (both
these are in Buckingham Palace) ; a third con-
tained among Bach's remains and partly written
by Bach himself ; a fourth in Polchau's collection
(both these are now in the Royal Library
at Berlin) • lastly, one of the year 1724, in my pos-
session. There are many variations ; and no single
manuscript is so perfect as to serve alone as the
foundation of a thoroughly reliable score."
It is strange that these two works of Handel
should so long have slumbered, unheard and un-
known ; and now that a large portion of the later
and better of them has been heard, it is to be hoped
that the whole will be given by one of the great
London choral societies, since, although the pro-
duction of Handel's early years, there is much that
is worthy of his reputation.
Like Handel, Bach, his great contemporary (shall
wo say equal 0 is believed to have written five
works, entitled " Passion Music," although
only two appear to be now extant, one
to the Gospel of St. John, the other to
that of St. Matthew the latter by far
the grander and more important work. Both
these, however, were later and more matured pro
ductious than those or Handel previously referred
to—Bach's St. Matthew Passion Music having been
probably re-written, if not composed, about the
year 1728, it being known that it was performed on
Good Friday, 1729, in St. Thomas's Church,
Leipzig, where Bach was cantor and organist.
These works, although intended for church per-
formance, have a semi-dramatic character, since
there are solos and recitatives assigned to the
Evangelist, Pilate, and the Saviour. Even in so
comparatively modern a work as Beethoven's ora-
torio, The Mount of °fires' the Saviour is intro-
duced as one of the characters—a practice so re-
pugnant to English feeling that an alteration is
always mule in this respect when the music is
performed in this country.
In both Bach's and Handel's (but more espe-
cially in Bach's) Passion Music, great use is made
of the chorale ; the intention being to enlist the
sympathies of large German congregations in the
performance—the church chorales being fanfiliar to
Lutherans of all chases and ages. In Bach's St.
Matthew Passion we Lind several instances of the
genuine old, Lutheran church tune, richly and
grandly harmonised—whereas in ll:eiders earlier
Passion Music we find no such instances; while in
his later work the chorales seem to be chiefly
imitations by himself of the Lutheran tunes. In
the Passion performed at Norwich some of
the movements arc trite and devoid of develop-
ment, although ;ilinost everywhere is apparent the
masterly power of the hand that was afterwards to
write /0,.1 and the hie:lsiah, and a host of other
sublime w..rks. As was much the custom of Handel,
set .rt ions, of his Passion Music have served assug-
gestions for amplification *incluse in his subsequent
works. Unlike Bach's great Passion Music, which is
merely preceded by a brief instrumental prelude,
that of Handel commences with an overture on the
invariablo patter,' of that day—a short slow introduc-
tion followed by a fugue ; the latter movement
being the same as the third of his " Set of Six
Fugues or Voluntaries for the Organ or Harpsi-
chord," as published in Arnold's edition of his
works. The first chorus, " Front the chains of
sill," is one of the longest and best developed
movements in the whole work, full of Handelian
vigour and broad choral writing. The following
air, " Our God," well sung by Miss Edith Wynne,
is of an expressive character, although not remark-
able for Handel. The chorale " Ah, my spirit"
(and the same may be said of moat of the other
chorales in the work) is a smooth piece
of plain melodious choral writing ; apparently
Handel'a own, and not, like most of those used by
Bach, veritable Lutheran tunes. The short chorus
" Seize him " is full of dramatic vigour, and re-
minds one forcibly of the " Hailstone Chorus" in
Israel in Ennpf. The chorus "He shall not now
escape us," although fraementary, is quite Han-
dehan in character. Among the best of the other
choral pieces may be mentioned " Condemn this
malefactor," and "To Thee let ev'ry soul," the
latter a vigorous specimen of bold contrapuntal
writing. The solos are mostly less effective than
the choruses, from the frequent use of the tedious
and formal obl da cape, or repeat of .the first part.
The airs " liroak, my heart," and "Oh dry
thine eyes," the latter with a long phrase at
the commencement for the voice entirely un-
accompanied (admirably sung by Madame
Rudersdorlf) ; thesolo, " Saviour, see my deep re-
pentance," full of calm religious sentiment, chastely
delivered by Mr. Cummings ; and a duet, " Must
my child" (somewhat resembling the style of
Handel's well known Chamber Duets), are among
the most impressive pieces. The final chorus
" Sweetly sleep " does not belong to this Passion
Music, but has been interpolated from the earlier
work already referred to. Some of the incidental
recitatives were well declaimed by Mr. Weiss.
We trust we may soon have an opportunity of
speaking of the entire work on the occasion of some
London performance of it.
Interesting as was Handel's Passion Music,
the all important event of this morning's perform-
ance was the production of Mr. Benedict's new
cantata " Saint Cecilia."
Saint Cecilia has long been a favourite subject
with both poets and composers. Among the
former, Fletcher, Dryden, Pope, Addison, Con-
greve, and a host of other verse makers, including
Tate and Brady, of psahnodic reputation, have
contributed odes in honour of the patroness of
music. Many of these odes are still in existence,
with their accompanying music by composers of
various degrees of merit, the chief of whom were
Purcell anti Handel. These are great names, but
the purpose and construction of the older works
were so different from those of the cantata now
referred to, that it is only just to the poet and
composer of the present occasion to quote the in-
troductory explanation of the former :
It has long been a favourite fancy of mine (says Mr.
Cliorley) to treat the legend of St. Cecilia for music, with
a view to the possible revival of such celebrations as were
held in gone-hy years, when English sympathy for the art
was more limited in every respect than at the time present.
It is true that the names of Dryden sad Addison among
the poets, and of Handel Enos; the musicians, who have
made "divine Cecilia'e praise immortal, might be thought
to deter any one from dealing with the subject. But theirs
were merely votive odes indirectly bearing on the power of
the art, of which Cecilia is patron saint. This cantata of
mine sets forth her story, which, so far as lam aware, has
not been done before in any of the works produced for the
Cecilian Festivals in England. Those desirous of following
out further a subject full of interest cannot do better than
consult the ingenious volume of Mr. Husk—his account
of " The Musical Calebratious on Saint Cecilia's Day"
(1837)—in which mug pa:denims oonosening the saint's

' raised a mortal to the sides,'
has been simplified. The legend narrates that after the
agony of slow fire, which failed to kill the Christian bride,
the sword ended her days. A literal adherence to this
tradition might have weakened the closing scene by pre-
senting two situations of the same character. Others must
judge how far I have been indiscreet, or the reverse, in its
omission.
The dramatic form into which Mr. Chorley has
thrown his text offers opportunities for musical
expression, together with the elaboration of
orchestral variety and colouring, that render this
cantata altogether distinct from the older Cecilian
odes. The musical distribution of the characters is
as follows :
Cecilia Mille.Tietjens.
Valerianus (her husband)
The Prefect of Rome Mr. Bentley.
A Christian Woman
Chorus of Roman Citizens. Chorus of Christians.
Chorus of Angels.
Of the music which Mr. Benedict has contributed
we may say at once that it has impressed us as
being the best of the numerous works which have
proceeded from his pen. It contains many instances
of bright and picturesque dramatic treatment, with
occasional passages of impressive solemnity that we
should scarcely have looked for from a composer
who has hitherto had little opportunity of essaying
I the sacred style of composition. Saint Cecilia" has
no overture properly so termed, but is prefaced by
an instrumental prelude, which commences most
impressively, somewhat in the style of the old
chorale. After a few bars, the slow notes of the
wind instruments are contrasted with moving
staccato passages for the stringed instruments ;
and the hitherto diatonic harmonies are ex-
changed for a series of chromatic progressions,
the modulations of which are conducted with
a masterly command of harmonic treatment.
The simple melodic theme of the commencing strain
is then resumed with the full power of the orchestra,
some of the diatonic suspensions being in the beat
style of ecclesiastical writing, while a ray of bright-
ness is thrown over the closing bars by a few
streaming passages for the harp. The vocal por-
tion of the cantata commences with a wedding
chorus, " Let the lutes play their loudest," intro-
duced by a rather long symphony full of animation
and vigour. The voices then enter with a bold
imisonoua passage, interspersed with staccato chords
for the orchestra, leading to some flowing and sus-
tained choral writing in four (occasionally five)
parts, contrasted with a charming melodic phrase
for the violins. After some further admirable
choral and instrumental combinations a sud-
den enharmonic change from the key of
A flat to E four sharps introduces some
melodious writing for two and three part
female chorus—a fresh enharmonic change leading
back to the original key (E flat), and a resumption
of the opening theme of the chorus, with a reitera-
, tion of the strikingly graceful melodic phrase for
lithe violins--the whole working gradually up to a
brilliant and effective climax, which subsides into
a few closing bars for the orchestra alone, full of
solemn religious feeling, and terminating with a
cadence that wo do not remember to have seen
used before. This opening chorus is among the
most effective as it is among the most thoroughly
developed pieces in the whole work. No. 2. is an
• air for Valerianus—" The love too deep for words
to speak"—commencing andante, and breaking into
an accelerated tempo, with two phrases of five bars
--a variety of rhythm which is most happily
used. Next we have (the third number
in the work) a scene and duet for
Cecilia and Valerianus, "0, my Lord," and
" Thou caust as yet not half divine"—some de-
tached passages of recitative leading to a short and
stately solo for the soprano, which merges into an
expressive concerted movement for the two voices.
in which, without any shade of plagiarism, we are
somewhat reminded both of the graceful refinement
and the harmonic treatment of Spohr's style. Not
only in this hut throughout the whole cantata we
arc impressed with a high sense of Mr. Benedict's
admirable vocal writing, which proves that he has
studied the singer's requirements as well as those
of orchestral effect. A. few detached passages of
recitative, with harp accompaniment, lead to a solo
for Cecilia, with chorus of angels, " Praise the
Lord." The cantabile for the solo voice commencing
at the words, " When the blessing is given," is a
charmingly graceful and flowing melody, which the
triplet acts enpanlmentthrews out into strong relief.
I Perhaps it might be objected that the phrases are
a little too secular in style for the character of
' the text —hut the same might with equal justice
be said of the Seraph's song in Beethoven's 3f,mitt
lof ()tins. The passages for chorus of female voices
are interspersed throughout this fourth piece of
Mr. Ilemalict's work with excellent effect. The
air for Valerianns, " A wondrous change," is me-
lodious, although possessing a little too much of the
honied sweetness of the modern ballad for the dig-
' nity of the situation. The little chorus of angels,
" From our home," for female voices only, is
bright and tuneful, but has rather the character
of sweet pastoral simplicity than that of sublimated
ex pressi,m. The air for the Prefect, " What mean
these zealots vile," is an excellent piece of dra-
matic writing, admirably expressive of agitated
passion. The chromatic passage in contrary motion
at the words, "Proclaiming londtheir impious creed,"
has a very Is dd and marked effect. We next come to a
charming contralto song, " Father whose blessing
we entreat," a kind of prayer or invoition, full of
deep and earnest pathos, which we expect will be
among the most successful numbers of the work.
The quartet and chorus, "God is our hope and
strength- (preceded by a few chords for the organ)
has furnished the theme for the instrumental in-
troduction to the cantata ; the rhythm being
altered in the latter case by the change from four-
two to three-two time. The simple beauty of
the chorale-like melody, which we have already
spoken. is enhanced by the purity of tone result-
ing front the four solo voices—the strain being re-
peated in full chorus with grand effect. After a
perfect closing cadence, the subject is taken in
accelerated time and notes of half the length
(crotchets instead of minims) as the theme of
a fugue, the change, however, rendering it
comparatively trite and unimpressive. The coun-
terpoint is clear, although there is no great elabo-
ration of treatment. Probably Mr. Benedict does
not attach much importance to fugal writing; if
so, he has a great precedent in the example of his
own master' the immortal composer of Der Freys-
cliutz—who, however, went a little too far in his
depreciation of that grand old musical classic, Se-
bastian Bach, and singularly erred in putting into
print his opinion of the AbleS Vogler's superiority
over Bach as a harmonist. To return, however,
to Mr. Benedict's Cantata. Following the fugal
chorus is a short and smoothly-written movement
for the four solo voices, leading to a chorus, " God
is our hope and strength," containing some fugal
writing, the theme of which, however, is scarcely
important enough either for such treatment or for
the sentiment expressed. The scene, duet, and
chorus, "Is this the bride 1" in which
the doom of Valerianus and Cecilia is
pronounced, contains some highly effective writing.
This is followed by a solenm funeral march, which
is succeeded by a very effective trio for Cecilia,
Valerianus, and the Prefect—mingling the lamen-
tations of the doomed victims with the vindictive
taunts of their doomster. The figurative passages
in the violin accompaniments are sustained with
the power of a hand practised in orchestral writing.
The harmonic transition near the end, leading to
the close in the key of the piece (G) is most in-
genious ; and, at the moment, strikes us as new.
The soena and finale (Nos. 13 and 14), " Bear him
away," involving the catastrophe of the action,

• ,• It is true," says eir Waltor Scott, in his " Life of Dryden,"
that the praise of dant Cecilia is rather abruptly introduced as
a conclusion to the account of the Feast of Alemader, and it is
also true that the comparison :
' He Mood a mortal to the 64,
She drew an angel down,'
is inaccurate, since the tate of Thnotheas was metaphorical and
that of Peat literaL"

THE EXPRESS, . FRIDAY EVENING; NOVEMBER 2,

contain some excellent writing. Saint Cecilia's
final rhapsody, with the harps most happily em-
, ployed in the orchestral accompaniment, followed
by a few bars of choral music, close a work that
does equal honour to the Norwich Festival com-
mittee, by whom it was bespoken, and to the
composer, who has so worthily fulfilled his com-
mission.
Its performance was excellent on all hands. Mr.
Sims Reeves exerted himself to the utmost,
although evidently still suffering from indisposi-
tion. His airs, " A love too deep," and " A
wondrous change," were most expressively given,
if without his usual power. On Mdlle. Tiet-
jena must the principal praise be bestowed, for her
admirable singing throughout—a combination of
brilliant execution with solemn fervour seldom met
with. In her solo,with chorus, " Praise the Lord,"
and in the final concerted movement (one of the
finest in the work),thia artist was beyond all praise.
Mr. Santley, too, contributed largely to the success
of the performance by his splendid declamatory
singing—among other instances, in the impassioned
air, " What mean these zealots 1" Nor must we
forget Mdlle. Breath], for her exquisite rendering
of the prayer, " Father, whose blessing."
The close of the cantata was hailed with a burst
of triumphant enthusiasm, and Mr. Benedict was
recalled, and made his re-appearance leading on
Mdlle. Tietjens.
A more genuine success we have never witnessed,
and we feel assured that it is one which will soon
receive confirmation in London.

thibigt an iltilitirm.

AMEIRAITY, Not. 1. —ArPOINTMENTS.—Mantert?
Assistants : W. F. Barry, to the Rinaldo ; T. F. Thome.,
to the Reindeer.
Midshipmen : W. N. Diggle, T. B. J. Rose, end C. W.
Last, to the Rinaldo ' • R. F. Greeley, to the Satellite.
Chief Engineers : W. Smiley, to the Rinaldo ; W. F.
Capps, to the Satellite ; J. P. Allen, to the Reindeer.
Engineers : C. Lund, to the Rinaldo ; J. Jolly, to the
Satellite ; T. Scott (B), to the Reindeer ; H. W. Thoinp-
eon, to the Donegal ; J. Crawfor, to the Satellite.
First-class Assistant Engineers : F. Moore, to the
Rinaldo ; T. M'lntosh, to the Satellite ; J. Leeson, to the
Reindeer ; J. H. Leech to the Asia, for in the
Enchantrem ;J. D. Vood, to the Irresistible; W. T.
OoldM, to the Pembroke.
Second Class Assistant Engineer T. Brimaomnbe, to the
Star.

WOOLWICH, Nov. 1.
The hydraulic iron-cased gun vessel Waterwitch
proceeded down the river this morning with Mr. Reed,
chief constructor of the navy, Mr. Partridge, chief
-engineer of the factory department, and numerous
scientific gentlemen for a second trial trip to test her rate
of speed with a less draught of water than on the former
occasion. It was intended to take the vessel beyond the
bore, but she returned this evening to receive a different
description of coal, after which the trial will be resumed.
She this day obtained a speed of 12. knots per hour.

TEBRISTOL.-LOM OF SEVEN LIVES.

THE ROYAL VISIT TO NORWICH.

Yesterday one of the most terrific boiler explo- 1
aims that has been known at that city occurred in the
river Avon, near Rownham, Bristol Hotwells. A power-
ful steam-tug called the Black Eagle, belonging to the
port of Cardiff, was engaged to tow a barque down the
river from the Cumberland Basin, and thence across the
Channel to the Bute docks, Cardiff. The vessel had
passed the Rownham Ferry, and had almost passed the
commanding row of houses known as St. Vincent's-parade,
when the boiler of the tug suddenly exploded, with an
amount of violence which not only shattered the vessel to
pieces and consigned every soul on board to an instan-
taneous and violent death, but which shook the block of
houses named to the foundations, and shattered the ma-
jority of them in a very extraordinary manner. One
large fragment of the boiler, after passing over the quay-
wall without touching it, deposited itself upon gravel
walk beneath an avenue of trees, which there skirts
the river. Others, however, and those, too, of far
greater proportions in weight, were hurled to
distances which almost appear incredible. One fragment,
which was estimated to weigh a ton,talighted on the resi-
dence of Mr. Wilkinson, managing engineer of the Port
and Pier Railway Company, a five story house, located at
a distance of at least 100 feet from the spot where the ex-
plosion took place. It carried in the roof and occasioned
much damage to other parts of the premises. At the resi-
dence of Mr. Bruton, Secretary of the South Wales Union
Railway Company, a portion of the funnel and numerous
fragments of the beams and ribs carried away portions of
the coping, injured the roof, and drove in the roof of a
back kitchen. At the house of a gentleman earned Powell,
next door but one to this, the most marvellous part
of the damage was committed. A mass of iron mea-
suring over 15 feet in length, and estimated to weigh
three tons, was hurled high into the air, and after carrying
away a large portion of the roof and a portion of the
chimney stack, was precipitated into the garden at a dis-
tance of at least 140 feet in a direct line from the
part of the river where the catastrophe occurred.
Another weighty piece of the iron was projected
to a still greater distance, and pieces of plank,
and timber, and fragments of ironwork and cordage
were thrown about in all directions. and scarcely a house
on the Parade escaped without windows broken, tiles dis-
lodged, and other damage. There were many narrow
escapes of personal damage and deaths. A large coaling
shovel came whirling against one of the windows of Mr.
Brutou's drawing-room, and, after shattering the frame-
work and glass to pieces, and breaking a Venetian blind
almost literally to atoms, it bounded into the apartment.
The extent to which the houses were shaken may be
gathered from the fact that the masonry of a raised ter-
race in front was to a large extent displaced, whilst the
inhabitants state that their residences shook as if from the
convulsion caused by an earthquake. The extent to which
life has been sacrificed cannot, at the time we write, be
positively ascertained. It is believed that the crew of the
tug-boat consisted of a captain, five men, and a boy. Only
one body, believed to be that of the captain, had been re-
covered, and that had been conveyed to the General Draper
Inn, to await an inquiry by the coroner. The occurrence
has occasioned the greatest possible sensation, and the
spot is being visited by thousands.

NORWICH, Nov. I.
At the close of the Festival performance
to in St.
Andrew's Hall yesterday, the royal party prded
Chapel Field, for the purpose of performing the ceremony
of " opening " the drill-shed, just erected by the Norwich
volunteers. This is a very spacious brick-building, which
ass been provided at an expense of about 1,500 f., the
amount having been raised by shares taken by the volun-
teers the intention being to pay off a certain number
anun'ally out of the government capitation grant. The
shed is built upon land belonging to the City acmeCoration,
who have granted a lease for forty years at ely
nominal rent. The builder to whom the work was en-
trusted was Mr. Gilbert, of Pitt-street, Norwich, who has
executed his contract in a satisfactory manner, and with
considerable expedition. The shed appears admirably
adapted to the purpose for which it is intended,
one great advantage being that, notwithstanding
the extent of the span (between sixty and seventy
feet), the entire floor is clear of anything in
the shape of pillars, the roof being supported by
elliptical timbers resting upon the ground, close to, but
quite independent of the walls. Upon this occasion it
was very elaborately decorated with innumerable flags and
banners arranged in military fashion, in addition to fes-
toons of evergreens, 8:c. A temporary throng upon a raised
dais approached by a flight of steps was erected at the
upper end of the building. the steps and the passage way
along the centre of the abed being covered with crimson
cloth. On either side were ranged the Norwich battalion
of volunteers, about 500 strong, under the command of
Colonel Black, and almost every foot of the remaining
space wail occupied by fashionably attired ladies and gen-
tlemen ; and bearing in mind the enthusiasm which
marked the whole proceedings it will be readily imagined
that the scene was one of a very animated descnp-
thin. The royal party arrived soon after four
o'clock, and were greeted at the entrance of the
building with enthusiastic cheers by the crowds assembled.
Immediately they entered, the volunteers on either side
of their pathway presented arms, and the band played the
National Anthem. Ilia Royal Highness the Prince of
Wales led the Queen of Denmark, the Princess being
escorted by the Earl of Leicester. His Royal Highness the
Duke of Edinburgh arrived after a brief interval, accom-
panied by his equerry, Lieutenant Haig. The ladies in
waiting were the Hun. Mrs. liton.m and the Countess
Reventlow. General Knollys, Lord Stafford. Lonl Suffield,
and the Hon. T. de Grey, 51. P., were among the principal

personages present.
Colonel 11Licg advanced to the foot of the dais, and
affilreased the Prince of Wales as follows:—In the name
of the Norwich volunteers I approach your royal high-
ne., in the assurance of dutiful homage to the throne
and attachment to your royal person. Knowing that your
royal highness has ever felt a great interest in the
organisation and efficiency of the volunteer force of the
country, we have ventured to solicit you to do us the
honour to inaugurate this building, which has been
erected fur military purlieus by the volunteer riflemen of
this ancient and loyal city.
His Royal Highness the Prince of WALES replied as fol-
lows :—" Colonel Blick,-1 have great pleasure in comply-
ing with your request to open this building, which seems
exceedingly well adapted for the purpose for which it is
intended. Allownie to congratulate you on the appearance
of your men, and to say that I am delighted to hear horn
the lord-lieutenant of their high state of efficiency. I
hope and trust they will continue to increase, both in
efficiency and numbers." His Royal Higlit.esti then added
in a louder tone, " I now declare this hall open."
Colonel 111..teg thanked his Royal Highness for baring
so graciously acceded to their request in opening the hall,
and the Rev. F. Meyrick, chaplain to the battalion, offered
a brief but appropriate prayer. The officers of the
battalion were then milled to the front, and presented to
their Royal Highne,,ses the Prince awl Princess, who im-
mediately afterwards quitted the building SHIM a round of
the most enthusiaatic eheera which will probably ever be
heard within its walls.
Before leaving Chapel Field the Prince and Princess
planted two trees to commemorate their visit to Norwich.
The site chosen for the planting of the trees was upon
what is known as the " old basin." The tree planted by
the Prince of Wales was a Watinvt,,a(rt qig.llll,,t, pre-
sented to the town council by the Norwich district of the
Manchester Unity of 0,1,1 Fellows. That planted by the
Princess was also a Irelliowtorim giyant, a, presented by
lady Stafford. Two silver spades, presented by the town
council, were used during the interesting ceremony. The
Mayor and reception coannittee assigned to the members
of the Manchester Unity of (ltd Fellows the duty of
keeping the line Irmo the crescent entrance to Chapel
Field to the space inclosed for the plantine ceremony.
The royal party then proceeded from Norwich to Cos-
terry. In the evening Lord and Lady Stafford gave a ball
on a grand scale at Costessy-hall, the library and draw-
ing rent being elaborately decorated for the occasion.
The guests included her Majesty the queen of Denmark,
their royal higlines,4es the Prince and Princess of Wale'',
his royal highness the Duke of }:ffiribergli, the Earl and
Countess of Leicester and Luly Anne Coke, Viscount
Ranelagh, the Countess Reventlow, the Hon. Mrs. Stonor,
Lieut.-General Knollys, Lord and Lady Sondes and the
Hon. 'Misses Milks, Major Grey, Viscount Duncan,
the Earl of Gosford, the High Sheriff of Norfolk
and Mrs. Amhurst, the Mayor of Norwich and Mrs.
Nichols, Lord and Lady Suffield, Lord and Lady
!meat, Mr. and Mrs. Basil Fitzherbert, the Hon. Mr.
Stonor, Sir Robert Jerrard, and a large number of the
leading county families. An elegant supper was served
shortly after midnight, and dancing was continued until a
late hour this morning.
While these festivities were proceeding at Costesay-
hall, the public buildings, banks, and moat of the leading
commercial establishments of Norwich were brilliantly
This mottling the visit of the Prince and Princess, and
her Majesty the Queen of Denmark, to Norwich, was
brought to a close. The august visitors quitted Lord and
Lady Stafford's hospitable walls shortly after 11, and tra-
versed the principal streets to the Thorpe terminus of the
Great Eastern Railway. Large crowds lined the street
leading to the station, which enjoys, by the way, the
name of Prince of Wales-road. Lora and Lady Stafford
accompanied their royal guests to the station,
and there were also on the platform the Earl of
Leicester, Lord Suffield. Viscount Ranelagh, the
Mayor of Norwich (Mr. Nicholsl, the Town Clerk, and a
large number of the principal inhabitants of Norwich.
The Queen of Denmark was attended by the Countess
Reventlow and Captain Cruseenchiold ; the Prince of
Wales, by General Knollys and Major Grey and the
Princess of Wales, by the Hon. Mrs. Stoner. The royal
party arrived at 12.2.5, and were received by Mr. T. Ste-
venson, district superintendent of the Great Eastern Rail-
way at Norwich ; Mr. Sproul. district superintendent at
Cambridge ; and Mr. Attock, carriage superintendent.
The l'rince and Princess, after entering the beautiful
saloon carriage, built specially for their accommoda-
tion by the Great Eastern Company, gratified the
assembly on the platform by showing themselves at the
windows, and the Prince laughed heartily at a summary
thrust back which some unusually demonstrative indivi-
dual received at the hands of the officials. The train, a
special one, moved off punctually at half-pant twelve amid
loud and enthusiastic cheering from the crowd on the plat-
form. Mr. Stevenson accompanied the train to East
Dereham, where the charge of it was assumed. by Mr.
Sproul, who attended it to Wolferton, the station nearest
to Sandringham-house. The train was timed to reach Wol-
ferton about three p.m.
The Duke of Edinburgh attended the fifth concert of the
Norwich Musical Festival this morning in St. Andrew's-
hall. His royal highness proceeded to the hall in one of the
open carriages of the High Sheriff, and was loudly cheered
on his way through the streets.
Inspector Tanner and some other detective officers have
been m Norwich since Monday, and a number of pro-
fessional thieves who came down from town were met at
the railway station on their arrival and ignominiously sent
back again.

CORONER/SHIP OF THE CITY OF LONDON.—There
is a probability of a vacancy tak place in this office, an
Mr. Berjeant Payne, who has hel the appointment thirty-
seven years, has applied for the retiring pension which the
act of parliament allows. We understand that a candidate
will probably appear in the person of a graduate in medicine
of the University of London of some standing in the pro-
fession, and who is the author of a work on she hospitals
&a., of Paria—Jtedioal Times.

EVIcTIONS IN THE METROPOLIS. A public
meeting was held last evening in the board-room of the
Holborn Workhouse, the Rev. 1). Worthington, teeter of
St. Andrew's, Holborn, in the chair, for the purpose of
protesting against the forcible removal of the industrial
classes from their houses, and of supporting the " Evicted
Tenants' Aid Association," in providing suitable and
healthy dwellings for the people. Mr. George Cruikshank
proposed the first resolution as follows —"Chat whereas,
in consequence of alterations and improvements which are
going on in the metropolis, a large number of the
indus-
trial and poorer classes have been, and arc liable to be,
evicted from their dwellings, it is the opinion of this meet-
ing that some steps should be taken to mitigate and avoid
the serious evils which must necessarily be occasioned
thereby." He said there were places in the City of London
that might be appropriated for temporary lodgings for the
poor. He thought that part of Farring.lon-market which
was closed up at present, being required by the railway at
some future period, could in the meantime be made avail-
able as a place on which to provide temporary dwellings
for the working classes. He considered it a disgrace to
civilisation to tiud single rooms inhabited by numbers
of persons of both sexes, and by more than
one family. Mr. G. Brooke seconded the resolu-
tion, which was supported by Dr. Stallard, who
said it had been computed the 20,000 persons had been
already driven from their dwellings by the railways, and
that 100,000 more would be removed. The resolution was
unanimously carried. Mr. Linmeus Banks proposed the
next resolution, which was, " That the Evicted Tenants'
Aid Association, whose object is to protect the interests of
the evicted, and prevent the evils of overcrowding by pro-
viding healthy homes for the people, is entitled to the
wane support of all classes of the community." Mr. H. T.
Humphreys seconded the resolution, and it was unani-
mously adopted. It was announced that the meeting was
the first of a series of a hundred which are proposed to be
held in the metropolis during the coming winter and
spring. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the
proceedings.
FATAL. GAS EXPLOSION IN MAYFAIR. —Last
evening Mr. Lanham, the deputy-coroner, held an inquest
at St. George's Hospital on the body of Joshua Haylock,
aged :13 years, who died from the effects of injuries caused
by an explosion of gas which took place on the premises of
the King and l'rince of Wake Tavern, Brick-street, May-
fair. The proprietor stated that deceased was a waiter in
his employ. Shortly after twelve o'clock on Thursday
night last he perceived a strong smell of gas, and called to
the deceased to bring a light. The deceased brought up a
light, and without taking it to witness went into the tap-
room, and immediately a terrific explosion took place,
blowing out the roof, the floor of the moos above, and a
portion of the outside of the premises. The deceased was
thrown down and fearfully burnt about the head, face,
and arms. He was taken to the hospital, whore he died
on Sunday morning in great agony. Miss Jackson, the
barmaid, was much burnt, but not seriously injured. Alter
hearing the medical evidence it was stated that the gas
bracket was found to be broken, although the room had
not been used that day. The jury returned a verdict of
" Accidental Death."
DEATH FROM FRIGHT.—Last evening Mr. Payne,
coroner, held an inquiry at St. George's Workhouse,
Borough, touching the death of Frederick Alfred Milliardi
aged 48 years. I)eoeased was a journeyman baker, living
at No. 1, Gray-street, Blackfriars-road. On last Thursday
week he returned home to his wife, and said, " I had a
dreadful fright to-night. As I was passing over Black-
friars-bridge in the rain I found myself surrounded by a
herd of bullocks, and mu so frightened that I rushed in
amongst the people." He died on Saturday. Dr. Martin
said that the deceased was suffering from disease of the
heart, and his death was accelerated by fright. The jury
returned a verdict of "Death from disease of the heart,
accelerated by fright."
EMIGRATION FROM THE MERSEY. —Yesterday the
emigration officials at Liverpool completed their usual
returns of the exodus from Liverpool, and al hough the
fact is riot stated in the statistics, we understand that
a large number of the emigrants have gone to Texas direct.
During the month of October there sailed to the
United States 24 ships under the act, with 7,091
passengers, of whom 606 were cabin and 6,485 steerage;
of this number 2,612 wore English, 2073 Scotch, 2,454 Irish,
and 1,211 were foreigners. To Canada there were four
ships with 1,061 passengers, of which 16.3 were cabin and
R9B steerage ; of this number 380 were English, 52 Scotch,
188 Irish and 278 foreigners. To Victoria there were two
ships,with 701 passengers, of which 94 were cabin and 607
steerage ; of this number 252 were English, 23 Scotch, 304
Irish, sod 28 foreigners. In " short ships " there sailed
to the United States 1,024 passengers; to South America
73, to Victoria 7,4, to Africa 401, and to the West Indies
35. From a rough calculation it appears that during the
past month upwards of 3,600 Irish emigrants have left
Liverpool for America.
We learn from the Medical Times that Dr.
Daniel Brainard, professor of surgery at the Medical College
of Chicago (Illinois), has just been carried off by the
cholera on returning from a voyage to France. He is well
known by various memoirs on surgical subjects, among
others the injection of spina bifida with iodine, and the
treatment of nnunited fracture by suture of the bones.
Du BAILEY'S DELICIOUS RETALENTA ARLBICA
FOOD curse drgaltpda, Indigestion, conch, CCallalaabaklla
debility, constipation, diarrhost, palp n, nervous, on;
liver, and stomach complaints. Cure No. 68,413.—" Home, July
21,1686.—The health el the Holy Father Is excellent,
since, abandoning all other remedies, he has conenedeirmisialel
amtlrely to Lax hatry's Food, and his Hoffman canned praise
this excelient food too biehly."—Onsetiudu MidL Du Dun and
Os., No. 77, Zeceeadtreet, Loudon, W. In Una, at is. W..
1/k fp Id. nibs. tea Ms- aeL--(A•lvertismeet.