The Express.
London, England, 1867-08-21 00:00:00

THE 'EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY

Of Haudel's great oratorio, so frequently and so
fully noticed by us, it is unnecessary now to say
more than that the present performance was gene-
rally a that one. bidlle. Tietjens' delivery of the
soprano solos was distinguished by that brilliant
vocal power and calm earnestness by which she has
often evinced powers as an oratorio singer equal
even to her hr •h merits as a dramatic artist. The
difficult air "Thou didat blow," with its bravura pas-
sages, an admirable display of executive power, was
even transcended by the magnificent declamation
with which she gave the few simple notes of those
short unaccompanied phrases, "Sing ye to the
Lord." and "The Horse and his Rider." which
occur in the final gigantic chorus " The Lord shall
reign." The admirable delivery of these passages
produced a profound effect. Mr. Sims Reeves
sang with his accustomed power and excellent de-
clamation the trying air "The enemy said,"
and the principal recitatives; being replaced in the
duet, with Miss Julia Elton, "Thou in Thy
mercy," by Mr. Montem Smith, who sang in ex-
cellent style the opening recitative, "Now there
arose," and other such incidental passages. bliss
Edith 'Wynne, who was as efficient as she
always is in music either sacred or se-
cular, was a thoroughly_ competent second
soprano in the duet with Mdlle. Tietjens, "The
Lord is my strength ;" Madame Patey -irhytock
giving the contralto solo, " And the Children of
Israel." and the air, "Their land brought forth
frogs," with sound taste and judgment. In the
great duet for two basses, " The Lord is a man of
war,"Mr.Santley'ssplendid voice and admirablestyle
were as conspicuous as on many previous occasions
in the same piece- powerfully and energetically
seconded by Mr. Weiss. The sublime double
choruses of this great oratorio were gene-
rally well sung, and Israel in Egypt was
listened to with profound attention to the close—
this being, according to the programme, the first
performance of the work at Hereford. To-night,
at eight o'clock, the first miscellaneous concert is to
take place in the Shire-hall, and to-morrow (Wed-
nesday) morning Mendolsaohn's Elijah will be
performed in the Cathedral. Tho weather con-
tinues fine, a few harmless and transient clouds
serving to temper still further the sun's rays,
already modified by the storm of last night.

MIDLAND RAILWAY.

The half-yearly meeting of this company was
hell yesterday at Derby, Mr. W. E. HUTCHIIS',UN in the
chair. An abstract of the report and statement have
appeared in the Daily News.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving its adoption, said they
would have observed from the report, that the traffic on
the half-year showed a considerable increase, and that
bad taken place on all descriptions of traffic; the total
was rather more than 60,000/. That amount was much
greater than they had been led to expect from what took
place in the first three months of the year, for in
consequence of the depression of trade and other causes,
the amount taken at the end of March was I,oool.less
than in the corresponding period of 1866. The groan
amount of the traffic receipts in the past half-year was
1,365,000/., to which they had added 7.1,0001. taken from
their reserves. In the corresponding half of 1866 they
had taken 26,0001. from the reserve to assist revenue, in
consequence of the large amount of unproductive capital.
The same course hadbeen pursued, and for the same reason,
as to the last half-year. Of the 75,0001. to wh'ch
he had referred, 60,0001. had been taken from
the amount received under Mr. Phipson's award.
That fund was now exhausted, but they bad
still a num of 82,0001. in reserve on account of
the Scotch traffic fund, the same to be distributed as oc-
casion may require in future half-years. (Hear, hear.) He
regretted that the expenditure in the last half-year had
been unusually heavy ; that arose partly out of the great
irc-ease which had taken place in salaries and wages;
there had also been a considerable advance in the price of
materials. The hon. gentleman entered into an explana-
tion in detail as to the various heads of expenditure, show-
ing that the increase in the expenditure had been un-
avoidable. He hoped (he said) that a period of " rest " was
in store at no distant day for the Midland Company.
(Hear, hear.) They would not be asked to aid in the
promotion of any new lines next session ; but they would
be compelled to apply to parliament for permission to
raise new capital to provide for the excess of expenditure
over the estimates in the construction of the Bedford and
London extension line. In connection with that project it
had been thought advisable to purchase land sufficient for
laying down four lines ; that would have to be done at
once as regards the first eight or nine miles out of London,
and had they delayed purchasing the remainder of the land
until the railway was opened, and they absolutely stood in
need of it, they would have to pay double the price for it.
In reference to the cost of constructing the Bedford and
London Extension, it would (he said) far outstrip the tett-
mates made four or five years ago by the most competent
persons. Situate then as they were in that particular, they
thought it would be a wise course to apply to parliament
for power to raise additional capital ; it was impossible at
present to say what the amount would be. The interest
paid on the debenture debt, and " calls in advanoe"last
half-year was 31,000/. more than in the corresponding
half of 1866 ; for the money raised in the course of the
past half-year the average rate of interest paid was
4/. 9s. 6d. per cent. ; they bad now reverted to the
old rate on their debentures of four per cent.
Their expenditure on new lines and works in the half-year
amounted to nearly • million and a half, of which
120,0001. had been on the old lines to enable them to carry
on the increased traffic. The amount of unproductive
capital up to June 30 was five millions, but it was thought
better to expedite works as rapidly as possible in order that
their earnings might be speedily increased and dividend
augmented. As to the Bedford and London line, on which
three millions had been expended, it would be opened for
mineral and merchandise traffic next mouth. Several'
other of the new lines would be opened as speedily as ,1
ponible—that connecting the Great Northern with the
Midland at Newark at the end of the year. The loss of
the bill for amalgamation with the Glasgow and
South Western was a subject of much regret to the board,
but under all the circumstances it was not intended to re-
new the application for it next session. (Applause.) All
that bad passed, however, on the subject had only staved
to confirm the opinion held by the directors of both mum-
panies, that that was • measure the stability and advan-
tage of which would be very great to both companies. He
iv..;retted that the dividend they had to offer was not
greater, but when the large amount of dormant capital
became productive the dividend would be raised in pro-
portion ; and on this occaaton they had not felt justified
in taking • larger amount from the reserve. It was his
individual opinion that the present dividendwas the lowest
the Midland shareholders would receive.
Mr. Pawn, }LP., seconded the motion, which, after
some discussion, was adopted.

The various dividends were declared u recommended,
and resolutions passed for the oonveraion of certain shares
into stock.

Other special business was transacted, sad the proceed-
ings terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the
Chairman.