The Express.
London, England, 1861-07-22 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, JULY 22. 18G1.

MUSIC.

MUSIC IN CONNEXION WITH THE EXHIBITION

OF is

It excited much surprise among that portion of
the public—no inconsiderable one—who take an interest in
the state of music in this country, that, in the arrangements
for the (,real Exhibition of 1854 dedgued to forward the
pawn... Jot the arta throughout the world, the art of music
was altogether ignored ; for we cannot consider the distri.
Lotion of prizes to the numufacturers of pianofortes, &c..
among other industrial classes, as any recognition of movie
as an art. And yet, as is now uuivenally acknowledged,
there are few (if any) arta which have • greater or more
direct influence no the welfare and happiness of society.
We have received • communication from which it ap•
pears that an important Measure is contemplated for tender-
ing the Exhibition of next year conducive to the interest.
of movie. A circular, in the following teams, has been ad.
dressed to the principal choral societies awl other medial
institutions :

I write to inform you that errand gentlemen connected
with music are making arrangements fur building an inter-
national concert room at Hensiogton, for the display of
music during the forthcoming Exhibition of 11442.
They are of opinion that such an opportunity ought not
to be allowed to pima unootioed by the music d profession,
but that so Wort should be made to bring before the pub-
lic the different styles of English and tontioental music.
Every care awl attention will be bestowed on the con-
struction of the building to make it peculiarity adapted for
musival performances, and also in the preparation of the
concerts, that they shall be of the highest class ; and to
prevent interference with existing interests, It is coo-
template.' that the concerts shall take place between the
hours of four and seven o'clock in the afternoon. _

The undertaking will be entirely of an international cha-
racter ; the Continental and Englieh choral and in,tru-
mental societioi will be invited to co-operate. The profits
of the undertaking will be devoted to the furtherance of

The building will be of a temporary character, anal afford
accommodation for an audience of 12,000 and the orchestra
500 performers ; this, if necessary, ou certain occasions,
could he enlarged when an increased number of performers
are required.
The necessary capital will be raised by means of • gua-
rantee fund, each guarantee to receive a certain amount in
tickets for the performances.
Such are the leading features of the scheme, nod as we
are preparing the programme of the concerts which aro to
take place, would feel obliged if you would kiouly favour
us with your opinion respecting the same, also whether we
can depend on the support of your society, in arranging to
give sou or more performances, subject to such conditions
as may hereafter be agreed on.
The matter being thus brought under the consideratiot of
the parties whom it most immediately concerns, and who
may be presumed to be the most competent to judge of the
expediency and practicability of the proposed measure, of
course its promoters must be governed, in their further
wear/dings, by the nature and amount of die encourage-
ment, advic.e, and assistance, that they may receive.
In the meantime au application has been made to her
Majesty's Commissioours for the use of the vacant site at
the back of the Royal Horticultural Society's Carden, and
plans of the prop eel Concert Room have been submitted.
We may add, that the character of the eminent individuals
concerned (whose names, doubtless, will speedily be made
public) gives full assurance of the purely artistic nature of
their views ; and we look with much interest for further
information on the subject.

externally after the pattern of "Richardson's Show," wee
opened, and proved the hit of the day. Granting all we
said before as to the questionable taste, it must be allowed
that this was capital fun. The stage outside was arranged
in exact imitation of the old booth. There was the parade
iof the characters, the clown (capitally sustained by Mr.
Paul Herring. the very beat clown now left to us), the
pantaloon, the cork-besmirched buff•booted ruffians, and the
pay-place with its proprietor, made-up after the great
Richardson himself. We must also give due credit to
the Coldstream Band, which imitated the usual orchestra
of the fairs with great ingenuity, and afforded great amuse-
toad. Inside there was performed a melodrame, called
The Midnight Spectre, or the Fatal Secret, played alter.
mutely by • double tympany, comprising Meier'. Toole,
Bedford, Romer, Lewis })♦L, Phillips, C. J. Smith, J.
Robins, Widtlicomb, and Rburne. The plot, which took
ten minutes to evolve, was of tho regular booth character,
and the acting was glorious. At the conclusion there was
• parody on the great Bloudin feat, Mr. Toole wheeling Mr.
P. Bedford in ► barrow across a plank.
Honour to whom honour is due. Nothing could exceed the
pluck and energy with which all engaged in the affair
laboured for its SUOCC4II ; and if we mention specially the
name of Yr. Toole, it is because we saw and beard more of
him everywhere, and at every time, than of any one else.
His acting as • peep-show proprietor, though given in broad
daylight and in the midst of a crowd, is as clever • piece
of personation as we have ever witnessed, and shows great
study of human character.
We believe the receipts of the day verged upon 2,0001., of
which SOW. alone were taken at the "Richardson's Show."
The Ate will Le repeated this day.

THE BUILDERS' STRIKE.