The Express.
London, England, 1858-03-25 00:00:00

ST. JAMES'S HALL.

Yesterday evening the more select portion of the
public wen favoured with a preliminary view of this magni-
ficent building, which the enterprise and taste of a few
public-spirited individuals have erected for the musical re-
creation of the western section of the mighty nelson which
inhabits this metropolis. When we say that the St. James's
Muslo-hall is built from the designs of Mr. Owen Jones, it
will be at once anticipated that the toattrisque reminiscences

of the architect have not been neglected, and that every.
thing that could be done in the way of bright
omens' of colour, delicacy of detail, and general
skiers of design, would be brought to bear in
the arrangements of the new edifice. Those, however, who
expected a strict Imitation of the Alhambra would be disap-
pointed, se the design of St. James's-hall is etrikingly ori-
gthal, and is calculated not only to plasm the Initiated artist,
but to baptism the general &wpm with • complete idea of
Mamas end beauty. On entering the vast ball yester-
day evening, we were completely dazzled with the
print srrangernent of light and colour, the former
Wag set on an entirely new principle. All over
the vaulted roof, which is divided into comport- '
=Ws Nod profusely decorated, are arranged gas
jets of • starry patties, which serve not only for the purposes
of illumbiation, but of ventilation, as each is so placed se to
serve as • conductor to the hot air which must necessmily !
accumulate below. The effect is as striking and novel as can
possibly be hasped, sad must of itself form • grand element
lx the general woos= of the design. The hall has been
some time in pamper of construction, and even on last even-
peg
the corpsman were stall at work giving the finishing
touches to the complicated arrangements. The public will
hardly require to be Informed that It has • front
to the Itegenes-quedrant, but they will be glad
to learn in addition, that it has four places
of entrance and five of exit in the immediate neighbour-
hood. The buildings comprise a grand hall and two Warr
oar, with private apartments for the uris of her Meisety
sad some idea may be funned of their magaificence sad ex-
tent when we say that their cost, completed, will exceed
60,0001. The dimensions of the great hall which we wen
permitted to inspect yesterday evening, are 139 feet by 60,
with 60 feet in height—proportions which gave it • remark-
ably fine appearance. In point of dimensions and capability
of accommodating visitors, the St. Jamse's stands
third amcant the monster music halls of' the me-
tropolis. Exeter-hall is 77 feet by 131 feet, end coalmine
10,087 square feet, the Surrey Gardens-hall is 68 by 166,
and its area 9,300 square feet, while the St. Jamee's-hall,
with its 60 Met by 139, has en area of 8,040 square feet.
But here all comparison ends; for while the two mimic halls
first mentioned are perfectly plain, the St. James's revels in
gilding and colour, and is in itself, with its graceful pro-
portions and profess ornamentation, sufficient attraction well
to repay the trouble of a visit. In truth, Mr. Owen Jones
has exhausted all his powers on the design. At each end
two noble arches, of immense span, give • profound
Impression of the elevated character of the building, and
W vaulted and fretted roof, of a delicate blue colour,
is rendered of darkling brilliancy by the effect of
the perfectly novel mode of Illumination. The prevailing
colour., as might be expected, it. of the primary class, red,
blue, sad yellow, but applied with leas profusion' than in
previoas designs of the same artist. Along each ride we
rows al asielestical windows surmounted by groups of boys
wed Months, lbw the deign of Monti, and beneath are
shields bearing the assess at the most celebrated composers
as • blue gnmad. The door of the hall is of marque-
Mr is, end it will only require the removal of the
stools and sofas of the concert to maks it one
of the finest ball rooms in Europe. Wheat we
visited it yesterday evening the grand organ was still in
course of erection, but Y. Benedict, who was amongst the
visitors, confidently pronounced that It would be ready for
rehearsal by ten o'clock this morning. Mrs. German !teed,
who was also present, gave the visitor, an opportunity of
testing the acoustic properties of the building by singing a
charming little French romance, which was loudly applauded,
and proved to demonstration that good music could hardly
have • better sphere for its development. It only remains
to be said that the edifice is constructed fa the most sub-
stantial manner, and is as nearly fire-proof as possible.
Iron has been principally used, and every precau-
tion possible has been taken for the free entrants
and era of the visitors. TM room was crowded yesterday
evening with musical professors and amateurs, and there was
but one opinion as to its musical capabilities. Mr. Vincent
Wallace pronounced a most decided opinion in its favour, and
Y. Benedict was most magnate in his expectations as to
theedbet of him first concert, which is to take place this even-
ing. Mr. Land, whom experience as a choral conductor le
we l Ism, prognosticated the most favourable results from
the asmi-aireular principle of the interior; and, in short,

there was not a di;sentiNit voice amongst the eels. critical
company present. To make the plan oomplete there is in
immediate connexion with the hall probably the finest add
in Europe, under the direction of Mr. Donald, and with
the essistance of this powerful auxiliary the music-ball can
at any moment be made applicable to scientific meetings or
public dinners—thus supplying a want which has long been
felt at the west end of the metropolis, and which abaci the
ehittsre of the Clarendon and Almack's has amounted to an
almost complete came of destitution. We have now only to
express our hope that this spirited undertaking may most
with the wooer it deserves. We believe that the ides first
originated with Mr. W. Beale, son of Mr. Bernie
of the firm of Cramer, Beale, and Company, and
that the site was chosen and obtained by Mr.
F. Chappell, the solicitor to the company. The chief
promoters are Messrs. Cramer, Beale, and Chappell, of Re-
gent-street, and Messrs. Chappell and Co., of Bond-street
sad to those gentlemen the public are principally indebted fo;
the pecuniary assistance which has at last set the concern in
wor►ing cedes. Amongst the visitors yesterday evening were
Lord Granville, Sir F. G. Moon, Mr. A. Mayhew, Mr.
Blanchard Jerrold, Mr. Albert Smith, Mr. and Mrs. German
Reed, Mr. Vincent Wallecs, K. Benedict, Signor Monti, and
se banana number of the literary and inuaical celebrities of
the Naimoli&

DATUM PALA= Oil 81111111 W DAT.
WIDNINIDIA, U.—Adagodoes on payment b 22;
also b 7 ONION dollies. TM ; 1,64.

ItoiAL Cou.sa Orl3vioioxis.—The following
Rant, Miele( madersom the awastary ezaanaatioss for
the diploma, WWII Ilanitted 1111111th111111 of the College at the
ammo' of the Comm of flamateers, oa the 19th :
vie, News. AnatMe JOllll Peale/toe Bohroader, ladia ;
WWI= OmmusUyes, Clairton*, &mama ; Jacob Pickett,
Ipin, Om; Charlie. Gray, Portsmouth; Joseph Disco
Adam, Plateask, ;13ssawast; Thomas Laamin
ikekhors, Nance Abbots, Devon, Alfred Erman Forerl,
Taw" am& West; Josspit elnipara Hid*, Prinks,
Lassadis• ; flows graft Dews;
head Soda, Aylsbwa,lAaralli' ir=l
Istbasa, Guy's Hospital ; Lary Joke
hlk ; sad Num Osorp aceith, Eamegale.