The Express.
London, England, 1866-07-03 00:00:00

MONDAY POPULAR CONCERTS.

The Popular Concert of last night brought the
season of 1866 to a close. It was the last concert of the
eighth season, and the 216th number of the series from the
beginning. The following was the programme, which will
give the musical reader a good idea of the character of the
concert:

PART L
Quartet. In 0, Op. 19, No. 2, for two violins,
viola, and violoncello—MM. Wien'weld, I
Flea, Henry Nauruan, and Matti
Song, "Sleep, thou Infant angel"—Mir Banks plinks.
Emprernptne, in C minor and E flat. Op. 90, for
pianoforte alone—Mr. Charles Halle Schubert.
Sonata, in A major, for violoncello, with piano-
forte accompaniment —Signor Matti Bombast:lL
Recit., "Ma the Insollta lute" 1 Mr. Bentley Handel.
Air, "0 rot dell' Ereto"
Tema con Vaitunonl, in D, for pianoforte and
violoncello—Madame ArabeUa Goddard and
Signor Matti

PART H.
Sonata, In D. for two Pianofortes—Madame Ara-
bella Goddard and Mr. Charles Halle Mozart.
Recitative and Air, Nov Heaven In fullest
glory" (Creation; Mr. Smiley
Riegle, for violin, with pianoforte accompani-
ment—M. Wientawski Ernst.
Seranade, " Quand to chinks berate "—Miss

lianlr;:'wiattioloncello ol;blIgato, Signor
Matti.
Trio. In 0 major. for pianoforte. violin, and Vio-
loncello -Mr. Charles Hallo, Y. Wienlawskl,
and Signor Matti
Conductor Mr. Benedict.

The selection was more ample, and the concert longer
than on the ordinary nights. In addition to the usual
Quartet, we had two great pianists instead of one—Halle
and Arabella Goddard—and due employment provided for
both, and both received with the honour due to their rank
and talents. Mozart's Sonata in D Major, for two piano-
fortes, is one of his grandest compositions for that install.
ment. It is seldom heard ; but was played at one of
these concerts six years ago by the same per-
formers. Executed as they do it, it is one of the
greatest treats that the amateur can possibly receive. Men-
delssohn's Tema eon eariarioni in D, for the piano and
violoncello, played by Arabella Goddard and Piatti with
exquisite grace and finish, was one of the most captivating
features of this excellent concert. Sims Reeves was
engaged for this occasion, but was disabled from appear.
ing, the public will learn with much regret, by a heavy
domestic affliction, the toes of his son, a fine boy cf nine
years old. His place was taken by Bentley, whose singing
of Handel's grand Italian air, " 0 voi dell' Erebo," was •
magnificent performance.
These admirable concerts will be resumed in November
next, when, we trust, they will be continued with the
same success, and the same advantage to the progress of
the highest order of music in this country, that have
hitherto attended them.

Swimmusn MATCH.—Yesterdaymorning, at seven
o'clock, the match for the gold medal, open to all who have
never before won a similar, was swam in the Se tine
from the rails to the Kensington•bridge, a thousand yards.
There were twenty-two entries, and twenty-one started,
Mr. John Latey, the hon. sec. of the London Swimming
Club, acting as referee, vice Mr. Williamson, the president,
who was unavoidably absent. There was a capital strut
Mr. W. Cole having the best, and Mr. D. J. Arias, of
Coventry, the worst of it, but when a third of the distance
had been " done " the last-named gentleman went a-bead
at a strong pace, and won easily by forty yards ; Mr. J.
Cole beat Mr. W. Crinian for second place by Sve yards,
and Mr. W. Cole, as fourth man, headed a very rtraggling
division as placed thus : Mr. G. Parrott, Mr. C. Whyte,
Mr. W. Long, Mr. S. Hicks—the others coming in in
the course of the morning. The winner did the distance in
18 minutes 294 seconds, and the second and third divided
the entrance money, Mr. Crinian preferring a medal to the
coin. There was an enormous assemblage of spectators.
RAILWAY BILLS BEFORE PARLIAMENT.—Yorter-
day in Lord Redesdale's committee of the House of Lords,
the following bills were passed through, and ordered to be
reported :—The Wycombe Railway, Salisbury and Yeovil
Railway, and Devon Valley and North British Railway
Companies (arrangements). The standing orders were
passed in the cap of the Swerves and Clydach Railway
Bill. Mr. Smith, the examiner in room Bof the House of
Lords, passed the standing order proofs in the fol-
lowing cases:—The East Norfolk Railway; Lan-
cashire Union Railways ; Halesowen and Bromsgrove
Branch Railways ; Carmarthen and Cardigan Rail-
way ; Brecon and Llandocery Junction Railway ;
South Eastern Railway ; Bo'ness and Grangemouth
Railway ; London, Brighton, and South Coast
Railway (various powers) ; Vale of Neath Railway
(transfer, &c.) ; Caledonian and Scottish North Pastern
Railway Companies; Caledonian Railway (Lanarkshire, &c.,
branches); North British Railway (Wishaw, &c., branches);
Swansea Vale Railway; Tamar, Kit-hill. and Callington
Railway ; North British (Ta 7 Bridge) Railway ; and
Rhyraney Railway. The examuier opened the considera-
tion of standing order proofs of the South Eastern and
London, Chatham, and Dover (London, Lewin, and
Brighton), opposed bill, which was adjourned until this
day. The London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway
(Bt. Leonards sad Hastings lines) ; and the East and West
Junction Railway (diversion of roads) Bills were also
odious's&