The Express.
London, England, 1866-03-23 00:00:00

NIL LESLIE'S CHOIR.

Mr. Leslie's third concert of the season was given
last night at St. James's-hall. Like the preceding one, it
ormaisted entirely of sacred music, and included several
placer on a sale of magnitude for the fitting performance
of which Mr. Leslie bad provided an Instromeotal
orchestra, not of great numerical strength, of a select
end efficient description. The principal perfor-
mance of the evening was Beethoven's First Maas
in C major a work which has now become as
familiar to the lovers of sawed music as the mares of
Heyde and Mozart. It was written at a time when the com-
poser had not thrown aside all established models, and had
given a loose to all the impales of his mighty but way-
ward and eccentric genius, as he did when he wrote his
only other onmpeition of its class—his famous mess in D,
a work of stupendous magnitude and power, but so
full of clouds and darkness that, if it is ever
understood and appreciated by the musicel world,
it must be at some future period of the
history of the art. The Mass in C, on line 000trary, while
it is redolent of the genius of Beethoven, is as clear as it is
grand and beautiful. Its performance last night did high
honour to Mr. Leslie and choir ; we have never (out of
Germasy) heard it better executed in every roped. The
polo parts were sung by Madame Lemmens-Sherrington,
Madame Sainton-Dolby, Mr. Cummings, sad Mr. Pettey,
who gave the beautiful camerted movements, specially the
" Inearoates and the " Benedtus," with 'refinement bed
purity which could scarcely be excelled. The blemish in this
fine performance was of a kind which Mr. Leslie could not
help—it arose from the tones of the St. James's-hall organ,
which so skill on the part of the organist cam soften. Next
t) this, the most premium* piece, was the " Same at the
Gates of Hain," from Mr. Leslie's oratorio, Immanuel, •
work of great merit, which has scarcely met with so much
attestion as it deserves. With much admirable writing, it
has the deist to be expected from ao early work—a want
of bold 1211118 and originality of thought; sod the particular paa-
s sire chose for performance last night—the scene between
the Prophet end the Widow whose sou he raises from the
deed—has the diesdvaetage of baying already bees treated
by Meodelesohn is Elijah —a collision which Mr. Lodi. had
letter have avoided. Setting this mid*, however, his some
has much beauty both dramatise sod musical ; mad great
justice was dose to it by Madame Seletoe-Delby. Two
pieces of Gousod's were performed his 137th
Psalm. "By Bebylou'e Wave," and his Christmas
Carol, "Bethlehem,' receetly performed berme *
great audios/se, at a charity concert. We effshot.,
yet Ode' of this composer's eased music. Hs estainly
has a vein of melody, and his very plats and simple har-
mony produces striking effects ; but we desiderata a
greater earennt of oontramental knowledge than he seems to
poomme.
The above were the chief feature* of a concert which was
interesting in many respects. The hall was crowded, and
the audience appeared to be much gratified.

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hard vowels dudes Abe Asserleaa war, mane mtedlerma
Issmaser *tido:sem Kano* wed•Oe., shirottrolstehr:,. act Liver-
rAr.Y.2s.on al Li;erportba:
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iasursa's
spina OF THE EMPEROR 'NAPOLEON.
Yawn 72.
..1
u4n"
pu i 6.
• 'ill is tation from the Corps Legislitif, to pre-
sent the address in reply to the speech from the
throne, was received to-day by the Emperor. His
Majesty, on receiving the address, said :
"The great majority of the CorieLegislatifleale
confirmed once more, by voting this address, 0;41.1
policy which has. given you fifteen years of tram,
geillityaed prosperity. I thank you. Without ellow-
I* yourselves to be carried away by vain theories
presented In a seductive garb, as alone capable of
siding, the emancipation of thought and the pro-
gip* Of humanity, you said to yourselves, 'We
abo desire to attain those ends, while regulating
* march by the appeasement of passions
' alici the wants of society.' Is not our motive
the common welfare, and what attraction would
your mission have for you, or my power for as, if
separated from the love of justice V .Would you go
through such long and arduous labours if you were
net Inspired by;inie: patriotismul Could I have
bane, the weiggi tioyernment for the last 18 i
yN with its unmeant pre-ossupations and heavy
reepentibility, before God and Woes the nalitie
if I had not felt within me that strength which is
afforded by the sense of duty and by the conscious-
ness of having a useful mission to carry out ?
Fiance, equally with ourelves, desires progress,
stability, and liberty, but a liberty which shall
develop intelligence, genegous instincts, and the
inble exertions of labour—not a liberty bordering
license, which would excite evil passions, dr
all belief, rekindle hatred, and give rise to dis-
4tfar, . We require a liberty which shall enlighten,
hrol: and discuss the actions of the government,
b not become an arm to undermine and overthrow
it. Fifteen years ago, WWII nominal chief of the
Siete, without effective power, and without support
in the Chamber, but strong in my conscience and
starers which had sleeted me, I ventured to
that France would not perish in my hands.
I ye kept my word. For fifteen years France has
diveioped and increased, and her high destiny will
let Aseesardished. After us our eons will continue
wee week. My guarantee for this is the &mildews
of the great bodies of the State, the devotion of
the army, the patriotism of all good citizens, and,
lastly, that divine protection which has never failed
osr country."
His Majesty's speech was received with repeated
Ood"NramMlopinur!"

OBILMAN Y.
FRLIMPORT, MAncs 22.

public securities have been flat on the Bourse
t¢-day, in ooneequence of apprehensions of war
bitween Austria and Prussia.

AI7BTRLi.
viztaut, Mason 2
♦larming war rumours continue to circulatelin
this city.
It is stated that the recruiting for the Austrian
volunteer corps for Mexico will commence in a few
days. The applications already received to join
the corps are very numerous.
The Osideatockis Post states that plans have been
drawn np for the eonstruction of a large railway
network to embrace the whole of the interior of the
Austrian empire. The expenses are to be defrayed
by the issue of railway bonds to the amount of
300,000,000 florins, bearing interest at 8 per cent.,
and redeemable within thirty-two years.

PRUSSIA AND ITALY.

BERLIII, MARCIE n

The Italian General Govone, who is at present
in this city, has net with a most flattering recep-
tion in official circles. He has paid a visit to the
military establishments in Berlin.
MILAN, ittscs 22.

A solemn dirge was celebrated here to-day in
memory of the Italian patriots who fell during the
five days' fighting in Milan against the Austrians in
1848. Herr Schraum, the Consul-General d
Prussia, was present at the oemmony. 1

THE ELECTION OF MAZZINI FOB a
MESSINA.