The Express.
London, England, 1850-06-06 00:00:00

ST. ANN'S SOCIETY.

Yesterday the anniversary festival of the Royal
Ae like of St. Ann's Sxiety took place at the London
Tavern, Bishopegate-steeet. Viscount FIIILDING in the
chair, supported by Hon. and Rev. F. Powys, Mr. Sheriff
Nicoll, J. W. Freshfield, H.q., High Sheriff for Surrey. Rev.
Dr. Croly, Dr. Mayo, Rev. 1). Laing, F.R.S., Jas. Hors-
lake, Esq., R. Halswell, Reg F.R S., P. Hardy, Rol.,
F.R.S., R. Vensittut Neale, -Esq., &c., numbering in all
about 170 gentlemen.
The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the toast of the evening,
" Prosperity to St. Ann's Society," stated that the in-
stitution had now existed many years. Few people
would have thought that an institution which ori-
tiontod in a small day school in the year 1709
anchor the charitable auspices of a few private indivi loafs
belonging to ti.e Society for the Promotion of Christian
Knowledge), and which at that time numbered only 30 boys
and 30 girls, should before the year 1150 have sent out into
the world upwards of 2,000 persons. Yet such was really
the came, and it afforded a gratifying proof of the charitable
feeling which existed in this country. In his (the chair-
man's) opinion, this institution had a double claim on the
charity of Englishmen, inasmuch as it not only afforded as-
sistance to the child, but also to the parents. He was happy
to say that the number of children in the asylum had been
gradually increasing of lats. that the fends were also im-
proving, and that the usefulness of the institution was becom-
ing more and more extended as its objects became better known
and appreciated. In proposing the present tout, he thought it
neciseary to remark that there were many guests at the
table who owed their education to this society, whilst on
the other hand, he grieved to say that there were at this
moment children in the asylum whose parents had formerly
been benefecten of the institution.— The children at present
receiving their education in the asylum having pawed round
the room, one of the boys delivered an address from the 114 v.
Robert Montgomery's poem of " Better Days."
A report was laid before the eompany, from which it ap.
pissed that during the recent fearful visitation of our lead,
not a single case of that most distressing malady occurred
amongst the many children under the Sower 'a charge in
its asylum, and the present as well as gene-
ral state of health so remarkably prevailing there
demanded acknowledgments no leis fervent and
done. The driest@ of that direful Manus must ne-
' assearily increase the number of claims upon this charity,
bat the committee feel well assured that no special appeal
used be made ea that aeomant. It ia a source of gratification
that few children have for many years left the Society's
charge without at leas the offer of an eligible situation; it
le ens of peculiar gratelatioa that of the six children admit-
ted instantly and gratuitously to the full benefits of this
imamate, on the rein of a somewhat similar one is Paris,
-ens only, the youngest, reaming nadir its charge. It fa
meet glossing also to Dammam that the first pupil pre-
sented by this nosiety to " Whitelands," recently left that
d= lattice with a high character and for a valuab appoint.
mew ; aa examination has subsequently taken piece
at the Brixton Laylma and &either free presentation to
" Willeleads" has bees awarded to the successful candidate.
The blamably and support accorded to the &whets hare been
be reand daring the past year by several valuable legacies,
sad thillilaillittOn are satisfied that each saociteding year
• inereees the amount of this diateription of assistance,
by adleltebene the Methadon can ever be made independeut
et tease mbseriptioas.
Varies' toasts were drunk in the course of the evening,
sad several gentlemen addressed the company in favour of
the objects of the 'barley.
A list of suhecrii.tions was read, anmenting is all to about
1,7001 , and the entertainment passed es is a very satiate°.
tory 111=011t.

CAPTAIN C. FORATTH'S BRANCH EXPEDITION.-
Priann Albert, Aberdeen, Jane 2.—Weather permittiag, we
Wave this on Wednesday morning. Yesterday we got
neatly the whole of our provisioas oa board ; we are only
now waiting for the bonded stores, which are easing in the
stoma lam London to yarrow evening. The Treesary
kayo kindly taken oft all restrictioas eel the yeast. Last
I 'nosing the mew were paid their ea months' advance ; they
appear to be • very reepestable ea of fellows. The Little
Albert every one kers say. is admorahly adapted for her
work; with her two years' storm in *.O will only draw seven
feet forward and 9 fist alt.

MUSIC.
ROYAL SOCIETY OP FEMALE MUSICIANS.
This society had its annual concert last night at
the Hanover-square Rooms. It is a valuable institu-
tion, well deserving of public encouragement and
support. Its object is to extend the benefits derived
from the Royal Society of Musicians to those female
members of the profession who cannot share the
advantages of that society; and its afi'sirs are
managed by a committee of ladies, with great pru-
dence and success. A concert of this description is
hardly a subject for criticism. The performers give
their services gratuitously, and the managers, conse-
quently, have little control in the selection of
music. Much novelty cannot be expected, and the
singers naturally choose what they are in the habit of
performing and can execute with the smalle t trouble
to themselves. The principal Rature of the concert
was Mendelssohn's Concerto in 0 minor, the most
beautiful tf all his compositions f r the pianoforte,
played by M. Charles Kant u Mendelssobn himself
would have played it. Halle has to superi ras a
pion st, and he has the ra e modesty of abstaining
front public displays of his talents as a com-
poser. Thoroughly conversant with the works
of the great masters, and deeply imbued with
their spirt, he is, of all our pianists, the most consci-
entious and faithful interpreter of their ooncepttoni.
His performance of Mendelssohn's concerto was de-
lightful. The grand allegro was executed with won-
derful fire and energy, and the lovely slow move-
ment was like an Italian song warbled by the voice 9f
Sontag. Piatti also played& solo on the violoncello—
• fii.e exhibition of tote and execution; and Blagrove
performed a polonaise of i:ayseder with great light-
ness and brilliancy. The vocal music, such as we
have already described, was sang by a host of per-
formers, including Miss Birch, Mrs. Noble, Min P.
Horton, Miss Louisa Pyne, Mr. Benson, Mr. W.
Seguin, Mr. Sims Reeves, and a good many others.
The room was full, and the audience seemed much
gratified by the entertainment.