The Express.
London, England, 1857-06-18 00:00:00

SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY.

One of the most interesting events in connexion
with the Handel Featly'sl was the meeting last night at
Exeter Hall, on which occasion the members of the country
chorus were Invited by the committee of the Sacred Har-
monic Society to be present at a performance of Mr. Costa's
mated) Bli, conducted by the composer, and executed by
the soloists and part of the band and London chorus that had
in the mousing appeared at the Crystal Palace. It was, In-
deed, alabour of love to all concerned, a grand ovation to Mr.
Costa, in the joint capacities of conductor and composer, and
in some sort a kind of crowning point to the Handel Festival.
Only &limited number of tickets were issued to the genera pub-
lic, so that the hall may be said to have been crammed with
the country choruses. Madame Clara Novel►o, Mr. Sims
Reeves, Herr Forums, and the other sob singers were each
received with loud and continued applause; but the appear-
thee of Mr. Costa wee the signal for a greeting that went
beyond the were dapping of hands and damping, and rose
into cheers and shouts that lasted some minutes, and was
certainly as genuine as it was noisy. Eli is too well known
tonged criticism.

The whole performance must have proved, as it was in-
tended, a mark of more than mere compliment to Mr. Costa,
who well deserved this testimony of respect from the society
and the musical public.

EXHIBITION OF ART TREASURES.-HER
.MAJESTY'S VISIT TO BLANCHESTER.

The returns for Tuesday were as follows : Admis-
sions by Boron tickets, 1,283; on payment of a shilling each,
5,282; total, 6,565. Of the total number of visitors 1,699
arrived by railway. There were no excursion trains.
A lively discussion took place in the Blanc-beater Town
Council yesterday, as to the reception to be given to her
Majesty in passing through the city on her way to the Art
Treasures Exhibition, on Tuesday, June 30. It was moved
that the committee for general purpoem be empowerd to take
such step. as might be desirable, bat an *needs
meet was proposed that the expenao be limited
to 1,0001. On the coo side it was contended

that ;Mist there was no intention to incur an extravagant
expenditure, any limitation of the amount would be to mea-
sure the loyalty of the citizens by just so much money, and
that it would bebotter to do nothing than to do it grudgingly,
whilst the thing of a limit implied a want of confidence in
the committee. On the other hand, it was stated that on her
Majesty's previeus visit a sum of 5,0001. was expended in
preparations which were never completed, and that the ex-
travagant expenditure on that occasion showed the necessity
of a limit on the present one. It was further urged that
if the expenditure of 1,0001. was insufßeient to
measure the loyalty and good feeling of the citizens to
her Majesty. no also probably would that of 3,000 f.
or anything abort of what might be deemed an extravagant
amount, and that it was better to leave demonstrations of
this kind to the spontaneous feeling .f the citizens. That the
erection of triumphal arches, which were usually anything
but triumphs of art—and of street decorations, by a corpo-
rate body, afforded no rod evidence of popular attachment to
bet Majesty, who would no doubt receive a much mole
cordial expression of welcome from the lips of the people
than could be given in any other way. The amendment was
certied by a majority of 32 to 19.
Addressee of congratulation were adopted by the Conn-
ell to be presented to her Majesty and to hie
Royal Highneas the Prince of Prussia on the ap-
Zajing vbiit. In both these withers, the approaeh-
nuptials of the Princess Royal and the Prince
of Prussia are adverted to, with the expreesion of a hone
that the union may Le advantageous to the interests of the
countries thus about to be brought into closer relationship.

The Rev. Edward Walker, A.M , has been licensed
and admitted by the Lord Mahe, of Oloueester and Bristol,
to the perpetual curacy of Bt. Mary, Cheltenham, vacant by
the promotion of the Very Rev. Frau&s Clem to the Deanery
of Carlisle. Patrons: The Rey. Dr. Marsh, the Rev. Wm.
Carus, the Rev, John Venn, the Rey. Edward Ibillond, and
the Rev. Edward Auriol. _

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CRYSTAL PALACE.—HANDEL FESTIVAL (SECOND
DAT), JUNE 17.—Total number of viditors, 11,WS.
LONDON OVIERAL OMNIBUS Comrmgr.—Tralie
"odes tat the week coding Joao 14, 12,6681. 14.3 d.