The Express.
London, England, 1868-07-14 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, JULY 14, ^ 1868.

dt.tah r historian of the hour to proceed to an ex-
ittnilmti..ti of the metropolitan conscience. and to
1., 'der whether the Season has justified or de-
rired the expectations of titers 1111:e$1.411,11$ gram-
-10..1.s who predicted that it would be a failure.
To begin with, it has been one of the fittest
sold lmttest 14404111 R on reconi. Regent-street
may fast to be agriculturally minded
after three months' uninterrupted brilliant
:.unshine, and may join the cry for
ruin ; but there can be no doubt that of all
the constituents of a prosperous London season
11011 e is so powerful. for better or for worse,
as the " Weather office." Such a May, and such
a June, as we have had this year, bring suc-
cess and prosperity to every trade that waits upon
luxury and the mode. Forty days' rain before
tit. SW ITII IN'S would cause as much disaster in
town as forty days' rain after St. SWITIIIN'S in the
country. Some complaints wore muttered about
the absence of the Court at the height
of the season ; but it is pleasant to record
that front this summer dates the reappearance
of Her MAJESTY after her long retreat ;
and though her occasional presence may have
made the intervals of her absence more acutely felt,
it mat count on the profit side of the aoason, and
is full of promise for succeeding years.
The Opera Houses, so conspicuous a feature of
the season, will not perhaps be disposed to give to
1568 a white mark in their calendar. Without
pretending to disclose any secrets, it may be
doubted whether the success of either house has
been equal to that of some former years. Nor is
this altogether the fault of the season. With the
single exception of Mdllc. NILSSON, who has almost
revived the glory and the charm of JENNY LIND,
and compensated " Her Majesty's Opera" for its
temporary migration to Drury-lane, there have
been no new singers of remarkable merit, and
absolutely no new operas. It would be invidious
to risme names. But it is impossible to shut one's
eyes or one's ears to the fact that with very few ex-
ceptions " the Italian Opera" is a memory of the
past. It is not the growth of musical taste in
this country that Las given us two opera houses
instead of one ; but simply the increasing number
of unknown millionaires who can afford to take a
box at the Opera for the season. And what do
they see and hear for their pains ? An admirable
miss in arks, an excellent orchestra and chorus,
and singers—exceptions excepted—of every rate
but the first ; Italian singers who have long sung
away the fine edge of their voices ; singers of all
nations except Italy, who never thoroughly learnt
to sing. The repertories at both houses have been
remarkable this year for the absence of novelty ;
for the best of all reasons, that there is
nothing at once new and good to be
had. No doubt the inexhaustible indulgence
of a British audience (which some intelligent
foreigners mistake for stupidity) will listen with
everlasting satisfaction to singers who would not be
tolerated for a moment by any audience abroad.
But where are the new singers and the new com-
posers to be found ? Opera-goers of twenty years
ago may console themselves with the reflection that
they beard in those days singers who have had no
successors, or who have survived their own voices,
in operas which will always keep the public ear in
spite of the singers. There is another side to the
Opera House question, however, which we recom-
mend to the consideration of the managers.
Is it not just possible that the old exclusive system
of sacrificing the general public to the sub-
scription list and to the stalls, of charging
enormous prices, and endeavouring to turn a
theatre into a salon, is worn out ; and that
if an Opera-house is to be made a prosperous spe-
culation (especially in the absence of singers and
composers), it must make some concessions to a
democratic age, and study the convenience of the
general public ? We put the question, without
presuming to answer it off-hand.
Turning from the Opera to another form of
fashionable musical entertainment, we believe
th.ire have never been more concert givers or
more concerts than this year. This is a fearful
and wonderful fact; explain it and rejoice in it
who can. There may be some advantage to the
common weal in this concentration of virtuosi
every afternoon, and there is at all events the
satisfaction of not being obliged to hear
them. Where do the concert-going public
conic from ? Who are they, so brilliant in
their attire and so bored and sleepy in their looks ?
Well, there are pupils of the virtuoso, and their
friends ; there are the religious world who draw
the line at concerts ; there are the people from
the country who like a good indigestion of
musical celebrities once a year, and go wherever
they can get the most for their ticket. And after
all it is difficult to suppose that many of these
incessant and distracting performances of the
musical season—we speak of the miscellaneous
concerts—can be profitable to any one concerned
in them, the giver, or the performers—ex-
cept ndirectly in keeping up a connexion, or
making one. There is one class of concerts,
however, of a very different order ; we mean the
" Recitals " of Bifirrriovirm and MIL'IDELSSO RN
which are given by Madame ARABELLA GODDARD
and Mr. Cmtrums HALLE. These are really the
gems of the musical season, exquisitely satisfy-
ing to the most refined taste and feeling, and to
young people who are studying the instrument
worth a hundred lessons from the most expensive
master. The number of ladies who may be
seen intent on these rare and perfect performances,
and sitting with the score in hand, while Madame
GODDARD is playing—as very few can play—
one of MENDELssosies Lieder with all the
simple grace and distinction of a lady in
her own drawing-room, seem to justify even
better than the thousands who crowd to a Hexnm.
Festival, the boast that true musical feeling and
attainments are spreading in this country. In esti-
mating the just success of a ILuvusa. Festival
we must take into account the vast scale of
the programme, the attractions of the scene
itself, and the interest which oratorio music
possesses for the vast religious and respect-
able public. It is rather to the selecter
audiences of the Monday Concerts, the Musical

mu •f But, whatever may be the extraneous
ph moires indulged in by the volunteers, the aims
of the National Rifle Association have been steadily
eeiu ntrated upon the shooting. Camp fires,
with their attendant jollifications, are among the
things of the laud. The copious CAMS of punch ;
the tin mugs so often replenished and so gene-
rously handed round ; the free-and-easy songs ;
the gay assemblage round the sides of the natural
basin in which the fire crackled ; all led to later
hours and more feverish systems than good
marksmen should affect. Accordingly, camp-fires
are prohibited and a variety of respectable but well-
war n allusions to REM BRANDT and SALVATOR ROSA
midensl useless. The vast and increasing
extent of the camp, moreover, makes any
general fusion for purposes of amusement all but
impossible. The regimental camps find that if
they entertain themselves and another regiment
their numbers are sufficient for comfort. A quad-
rangle of small tents, with a large tent for mess in
the centre or at the end, makes up the ordinary
regimental camp ; and this is in many instances
railed or roped off, and its entrance guarded by a
sergeant. Those who remember the time when
Lord Emit° used to gaily snap his fingers and
shriek, while dancing the dance of his country
with dervish-like vigour among his follow Scots,
and before hundreds of idle night-loungers who
were allowed to wander to and fro, and to wander
at will, would be amused at the jealousy
with which the light blue iron railing
round the London Scottish encampment is
guarded now. The Civil Service have not yet
taken similar precautions, and the result is that
ladies who ought to have known better wore to be
seen strolling up and down in front of their
tents, putting many of the gallant fellows to the
blush. The camp is pitched most picturesquely,
and has an uninterrupted view of Combs Wood
and Richmond Park, with a lovely expanse
of ferns and heather in the foreground. Mr.
THOMAS Huonas's fine corps of working men
are down under the command of Captain S.
Wusox, and are prominent for their gymnastic
proficiency and skill. But the camp is a collection
of little towns, with 230 policemen to keep it in
order, and to walk through it observantly is to
recognise beneath external uniformity a thousand
minute differences of character, antecedents, and
training.

the great military governments of Europe is, that
the United States arc about to plunge into war ;
for evidently it is the Europoan theiry that
(1101 moua armies are equivalent to pew..

Even to hear of a snow-fall in this weather is a
luxury. Happy they who were in the district
between Tinl-e and Vosubia last week, where the
Journal de Nice informs us so heavy a snow-shower
lcolc place that " it required the hot rays of Bun-
" day's sun to melt it away."

OUR CONTEMPORARIES.

(THIS DAY.)

PARLIAMENTARY 1)11'Is1o.v.q.

FRIPPLY.
HOUSE OF (X)MMONB.- -MONDAY, JULY 14.
Survi.y.- Order for Committee read; Motion ,and
Question proposod, "That Mr. Speaker do now loalo,
the Chair:"— Amendment proposisl, to leave out from
the word "'That" to the end of the Quenion, in order
to add the words " a scientific inquiry he instituted. to
take into consideration the leauling characteristics that
Pliould be adopted in the future construction of the
yes eels of the Navy,"—(Mr. Seely)—instcad thereof :
Question put, "That the worth proposed to be left
out stand pad of the Question:"—The House divided;
Ayes 47, hoes 37.

AVM.
Beaeh, Sir M. Hay. Sir J. Patten. Col. W.
Unit, Sir W B. Henley, J. W. Pemberton, K 1..
Iliooka, It. Herbert, Oen. Pugh, I).
Cave, 14. Heyprate, W. U. Hohertion, P. P.
Cave, T. Hallam, Lord Helater-Itooth, U.
Marnberit, M.l Bowen, K hi-ymour, O. It.
Childers., H. C. Haridake, Sir J. B. Stanley, Lord
Dirnadale, H. , Laird, J. Treeby, .1. W,
Inmaeli, FL Lan yon, Sir C. Vanderbyl, I'.
Hu Cane, C. Leader, N. P. Warren, It. It.
Eaton, 11. W. I.ronnz, Lord H. U. Wooterbothanl, 11.
Fe o, Sir J. Liddell, 11. 0. Wme, H. C.
(loolon, E. It Mannerr, Lord J. Woudd, B. T.
Craven, H. H. Montagu, Lord It.
Ouinnea, Sir A. Montgomery, Hir O. Tt.1.1..*1i.
Hamilton, load (1. Fakington, Sir J. Noel, U. J.
Hay, Lord J. Parker, Major Whitmore, IT.

NOES.
Anson, Major Bray, Hir J. Monk, C J.
Ayinun, K. H. Burney, K. O'Beirne. J. L.
Paw, M. T. Jaekoon, W. Paget, T. T.
Batley, T. Jervoiae, Hir J. C. Parry. T.
Blake, J. A. I.obouehere, H. Itainsay, .1.
InINIAPIN J. 1. Look, A. liberal, A. C.
Butler, C. H. Mackinnon, Capt. Thiimpon, M W.
Candlish, J. Dl'Laren, D. Watkut, E. W.
Carter, H. Maxwell, W. 11. White, J.
Cowen, J. Mill, J. IL
!Arty, It. Mille, J. It. -I .I.:.i.ai.
Evans T. W. Milton, Part. 5.11,1, C.
French, Col. Mitchell, T. A. Natuudo, J. 11.
Gwelee, Bell. Moffatt, (I.

(In the committee.)
Motion made, and question proposed. " That a sum, not
exceeding 742,500/., be granted to her Majesty, to
complete the sum neeeeeary to defray the expense of
steam machinery for her Majesty's ships and vessels,
and for payments to be made fur ships and
vessels building or to be built by contract,
which will come in course of payment during
the year ending on the 814 day of March, 1889.°
Whereupon motion was made, and question put, "That
a sum, not exceeding 742,000/., be granted to her Ma-
jesty, to complete the sum necessary to defray the ex-
poise of steam machinery for her ajesty's Ships and
vessels, and for payments to be made for ships and
veasela building or to be built by contract, which will
come in course of payment during the year ending on
the 31st day of March, 1869."—(Mr. Samuda).—The
committee divided—Ayes GO, Noes 92.

-
AYES.
Adam, W. P. Griffith, C. D. Milton. Visa.
Allen, W. b. (lunacy, R. Moffatt, O.
Ayrton, A. 8. tey's, 11. O'Beirne:J. L.
Aytortn, It. 8. Hamilton, E. W. Ogilvy, Sir J.
Barnes., T. Hardmatle, J. A. Paget, T. T.
Buttelot, Col. Hay, Lord J. Powell, F. 8.
Biel, X. T. Hoiden, I. Pritchard, J.
Bonham-Carter, J. Hurst, R. H. Ramsay, J.
Botiverie, K. P. Jervoiae, Sir J. C. Seely, C.
}Light. Jacob Kendall, N. Sharriff, A. C.
Sir P. Kinnaird, A. F. Thompson, H. W.
C.andllali, J. Leeman, 0. Waldegrave-Ledie,
Carnegie, C. Lewis,
Carter, 8. Lowe, R. Walker, Major
Cave, T. Lusk, A. White, J.
Chambers, M. Lyttetton,, C. G. Wioterbotham, H.
Cowen J. I n, Capt. Woods, H.
Dillwyn, L. L. 'M..aras, D.
Fawcett, H. Martin, P. W. TRI.LF.R.I.
Ours J. R. Maxwell, W. H. Sainuda, J. D.
Onagers, O. J. Melly, 0. Laird, J.
Graven, 8. R. Mill, J. 8.
___ __

. .
NOES.
Adderley, C. B. Hervey, Lord A. H. Pugh. D.
Barrington, Viset. Hay,Read,
Bathurst, A. A. Naylor, A. D. Bearden, D. J.
Beach, 81r Y. Henley, J. W. Robertson, P. F.
Bcntinck, 0. C. Henniker-Major, J. Eialomons, Ald.
Bingham, Lord lima*, W. IL Schreiber, C.
Booth, Sir R. HiMiard, T. B. Sdater-Booth, 0.
Bowyer, Sir 0. Hogg, Lieut.-Col. Sehrin-Ibbeteon, H.
Brett, Sir W. Holford, R. 8. Seymour, 0. H.
Clive, 8. Howes, E. Simonds, W. B.
Chambers, T. Hunt, O. W. Somerset, E. A.
Childers, H. C. Johnston, Sir J. Stanley, Lurd
Clinton, Lard E. Kerslake, Sir J. B. Stirling-MaxwelL
Cole, J. L. Knatehbull-Hugus. Sir W.
Dimsdale,_lt. Stone, W. H.
Disraeli, B. Stuart, Col. C.
Dowdeswell, W. E. Lecon,lC:4l t.EBir.F.E.W. Borten, C. F.
Du Cane, C. Lennox, Lord H. 0. Thorold, Sir J. H.
Dunne, Oen. Lindaay, Col. C. Treeby. J. W.
Edwards, Sir H. Manner; Lord J. Trevor, Lord A. E.
Fellowes, E. Monk, C. J. Tumor, E.
Finch, O. H. Montagu, Lord R. Walpole, S. H.
Royer, J. Montgomery, Sir 0. Warren, R. R.
Ordway, Vied Morgan 0. . Wise, H. C.
Cloldney, 0. ,
Mowbray, J. R. Would, B. T.
Goodson, J. Neste, C. Wyld, J.
Gordon, E. S. Newport, Vied. Wynn, C. W.
Overt, J . E. VBFren, Sir P. Wynne, W. R.
Oradell, H. R. Palangton, Sir J.
Hamilton, Lord Cl. Parker, Major TELI.EIii.
Harkey, 'l'. Parry, I'. Noel, 0. J.
Hardy, 0. Patten, Colonel Whitmore, EL
Hartopp, E. B. Price, W. P.

A ROYAL TRIP TO THE ARCTIC CIRCLE.

Her Majesty's yacht Victoria and Albert, Cap-
tain his Serene Highness the Prince of Leiningeu, recently
returned to Portsmouth from a cruise beyond the arctic
circle, the purpose of which still remains one of the official
mysteries. This magnificent vessel is, we believe, the
first of her size and costliness which has made the attempt to
penetrate the dangerous fiords and intricate channels of the
Norwegian coast; and it is to be presumed that the object
of the voyage was commensurate in importance with the
risk incurred. The ship left Portsmouth on the Ist June,
and arrived at Bergen on the 4th. She remained there two
or three days, while the paddle-steamer Vivid, which was
detached for duty as tender to the yacht during the cruise,
conveyed the Prince of Leiningen and other of the officers
up the Hardanger fiord. On resuming her voyage the
yacht proceeded to Frondhjem, calling en route at
Orandsunde and Molde. During this part of the
voyage the ship kept well in shore, steaming
slowly up the fiords and among the innu-
merable islands that bound the Scandinavian coast,
and she sometimes found herself in rather critical
positions. In some places the channels were so narrow,
with rocks towering some hundreds of feet above on
either side, that it seemed to be almost impossible for a
ship to pass; but the yacht answered to her helm admirably,
and she was fortunate enough to have skilful pilots on board.
Under these circumstances she made her way through

the intricacies of navigation without a casualty, and
with-
out appearing any the worse for her voyage. To a tra-
veller unaccustomed to the northern latitudes, the physical

phenomena were most marked and interesting: After
leaving Frondhjem the voyagers had the advantage, if it is
anadvantage, of perpetual daylight, and the mountains be.
tween that point and Hammerfest were capped with mow.
The thermometer on board the ship was down to freezing
point, while the son, an early riser in these regions, was
well up above the horizon at midnight. The yacht
steamed slowly northward to Hanimerfest, generally
anchoring for the night, and afterwards rounded the North
Cape, which is over 70 degs. north of the Equator, and,
therefore, some four degrees within the Arctic circle. The
ship remained two days at this point to coal for the home-
mud voyage, and then shaped her course southward,
calling at Prondhjem and the Shetland Wands on herway,
and arriving at Portsmouth after an absence of twenty-
eight days.
The only surmise we have heard expressed as to the
object of the trip ii that it was undertaken as a sort of
trial cruise, with the view of its being repeated on some
future occasion for the benefit or pleasure of the royal
family. The only visitor of distinction on board, how.
ever, on this occasion was the Princess of Leiningen.
The weather was very %Ad and wet during the greater
part of the voyage.

THE JULY DEMONSTRATIONS IN DUBLIN.