The Express.
London, England, 1861-01-26 00:00:00

MUSIC.

"THE MESSIAH" AT ST. PAUL'S.

The performance yesterday was excellent in every reaped
but it had no novelty, save that which was derived from the
imposing grandeur of the scene, and the effect given to the
most sublime music in the world by its being heard in such
a piece for the find time. The principal ale
were sung by Madame Sherrington, Mrs. Locket',
Mr. elms Reeves, Mr. Winn, and Mr. Thomas.
Our great English tenor never was pewter than
on gs ocesaion. His voice seemed to have plead new
power and richness, and the lofty simple* and
parity of his style were above all praise. In
his delivery of the opening recitative he re-
minded us of Br►ham in his beet days ; but his most
beautiful vocal achievement was the air, "But thou didst
not leave his soul in hell"—en air almost always, but
erroneously, assigned to a soprano voice. No words can
describe the flood of beautiful sound which be poured out,
or the tranquil sweetness of expression which he threw into
that divine melody. Madame Sherrington, notwithstanding
her foreign education, is rising rapidly to the summit of ex-
cellence as an English oratorio singer. She is now receiv-
ing the best of all education—that which an artist
of genius and intelligence gives herself. Her " Rejoice
greatly " WAS a perfect piece of vocal execution. Mrs.
Locke, (whom we were glad to see and hear once
more in a London orchestra) sang in the manner which has
long since placed her in the highest rank of English artiste.
Her "He was despised and rejected," was full of the
deepest pathos. Mr. Winn and Mr. Thomas divided the
bass part between them, and likewise divided the palm of
excellence pretty equally. The ch- rus and orchestra, it was
stated, were about six hundred strong ; and consisted, we
believe, almost entirely of the individuals we have been
axustomed to hear ►t Exeter-hall. They sang and played,
of course, as they usually do, but with much more than
their usual power and effect. The burst of sound upon the
words " Wonderful ! Counsellor !" was given in all its
sublimity, without the theatrical device of preparing for it
by an unmeaning whisper ; and the glorious " Hallelujah'
was transcendent, indescribable.
Mr. Goss conducted the performance with the unerring
judgment and perfect firmness to be expected from a
musician of his high position and reputation; and the whole
arrangements and management of the festival were most
satisfactory and praiseworthy.

Faze Liscrowts ow ltioeic.—The Gresham Lec-
tures on Murk brilfemor Taylor will be delivered in the
theatre of the Co , Basinhallatreet, on the evenings of
Tuesday and Thu y, the 29th and 31st instant, at 7 •
doors open at half-peat 6. The lectures will be illustrates!
by A choir of vocalists, accompanied by Mr. Tarle, organist
a the Abbey, on the pianoforte. Free admiasiou ;no
tickets required.
REFUGE TUR THE DETTITUTY MANOR HOUSE,
DALSTOM.—Yesterday the 56th annual meeting of the
governors of this institution, the pioneer of the reformatory
movement, was held at the Loudon Tavern ; Mr. Gurney
Hoare in the chair. The report, after reviewing the suc-
cess which hail attended the charity, its two-fold aspect of
a reformatory for discharged prisoners and as a refuge for
the destitute and fallen, proceeded to show how closely
allied is ignoranee to crime, as proved by the fact that a
net majority of the women admitted into the refuge could
soldier read nor write, and that e ren of those who could do
so, a large per centage acquired that educational competeoce
is prison. It is the practice of the committee to reward
those women who, having left the refuge for service, have
conducted themselves with propriety and to the satisfaction of
their employers for at least one year. In the coulee of the
last twelve months twenty-six women were so rewarded,
seventeen for the first and nine for the second time, each
receiving 10e. Gd. The total number admitted during the
year was 84, which, with 83 in the refuge on the Ist
January, 1860, made the number benefited within
that period 169. Of these 79 still remain, the other 90
having left the institution, namely, 63 for service, 16 res.
stored to their friends, 4 on recount of ill-health, 4 at their
own request, and 3 were discharged for bad conduct. In
addition to the rewards &wily mentioned, small gratuities
were conferred upon 17 reclaimed women on their getting
married. One so rewarded on a former occasion has pre-
seated a donation to the charity. The total income of the
institution, including a balance of 3621.1%. 3d. brought for-
ward from the previous year, 698/. 10s. sd. the profits of the
laundry, and 144/. received in legacies, amounted to 3,0841.
9e. 4d., and the expenditure to 2,9681. fix 11d., leaving
in head a balance of 1951. A. sd. On the motion of the
chairman thisapieceErt was adopted, and the governing officers
having beenensuing
ted for the year, the proceedings I
terminated In =nal manner.
MAILS TO AND TROY JERSEY AND GUERNSEY.—
The contractonforthe maldpacketsbetwesu/3outhamptonsod
Jersey sad Guernsey having givennotice of their intention to
confine the service, aftertheexpiration of the presentmonth,
to three days a week, according to the provisions of their
contracts the mails to and from the Channel Islands rid
Southamptoe will, after the 31st instant, be reduced from
four to three days a week. These mails will be despatched
from Loadosi es the evenings of Monday, Wednuiday, and
Friday, and will be received in London on the mornings of
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. An auxiliary mail rid
Weymouth will be forwarded from London on the evening
of Tuewley, and will be received in London on the morn'
of Frislar. —By command of the Postmaster
ROWLAND HILL, SOLYINATI.—GeseraI Post-aloe, January
24, 1861.