The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-09-25 00:00:00

Jiusic.

'.:AYENCE, Aucesr 2e.-1; Highness Prince Metter-
nich came here yesterday, to be present at the performance
of the Maher qf Seville, for the benefit of the poor, in
which Miss Sontag performs the part of Rer;en. May-
ence is the birth-place of this celebrated singer; and to this
circumstance, and the request of her relations, we are in-
debted for the pleasure of having Ifeard her. Deputies had
come from Frankfort to request her to perform in that city
also. We hear that, after completing her engagement at
Berlin, she is to return to Paris, to perform in the Italian
Opera, with an annual salary of .50,e00 francs, and per-
mission to go abroad for three months in the year, which
may probably bring her nearly as much more. Upon this
announcement the writer proceeds to make the following
truly German reflection!, the justness and philosophy of
vehicle are not unworthy of attention. " The profusion of
public favour which, in these latter t;mes, has been lavished
on musical performers, is indeed a proof of the progress of
music, and of the taste of the public for that art. It must
-also be allowed that the arta greatly contribute to embel-
lish life end improve morals: but they cannot absorb the'.
whole or the greater part of the attention of mankind,
-walleye abstracting them from more serious occupations,
and giving to the feelings and character a degri c of sickly
sensibility and effeminacy. And when we consider that
arising chiefly from susceptibility of feeling and the
impulses of a fickle imagination, affords but a very imper-
fect satisfaction to the untlerczatuling ;—since experience
• shows that music affords much more pleasure in youth than
in maturer years, when the moral powers arc more deve-
loped, and require the gratitieation of more serious wants;
lastly, if it is evident from history that in almost all coun-
tries music was sot passionately cultivated till they were
verging to their decline, of which modern Italy affords the
rapt striking proof ; we cannot help thinking that the un-
bounded homage paid to this art, in Germany in particular.
lea far from being a pleasing indication of improving civi-
lisation, is rather the sign of a relaxetion of moral energy.

THE Scorch MENDICANT Pt: i.o.—On Wednesday
the eraon who is dubbed Colonel Macdonald corn-
toenail his piripatetic wandering through Canterbury,
aceOmpaMed by a man, in the character of servant, who
received the largess of the public. The Colonel plays un-
aommotly well on the pipes, and possesses every appear-
ance of a discharged soldier, with the air of a gentleman.
Me is nearly six feet in height, a Scotch countenance,
mild,/ whiskers, wears spectacles, and is much like Lord
Cochrane. During his progress through the city, numbers
of ladies and gentlemen who were anxious to obtain a sight
of him, were extremely liberal. Ills dress consisted of
join or fustian, and seemed well calculated for a Scotch-
man travelling the Highlands, with a pock of barley meal,
to mix in every puddle-pond.on his jeurney, as a refresher.
Rennett, who created such a sensation in England some
seven years ago, by the abduction of Mr. llorsley's child,
is now the proprietor of considerable landed and ether
p-nerty, in New South Wales, which lie has acquired by
Ids enterprise and industry, in keeping a " store" in
the rum-drinking districts of Girds, where he has been
some years milled. Announcements of his may occasion-
ally he seen in the Sydney newspapers, warning individuals
trom trespassing on iris land, in such and such placcs ; anal
if the success that has attendtd his efforts hitherto but con-
tinues, lie bids fair to rank soon among the most consider-
able aristocrats who havc sprouted up into sudden affluence
in this Crams-creating colony. Ile obtained a " ticket of
leave" in Governor Macquarric's time ; and while his de-
meanour has been quiet and inoffensive, his conduct has
helm marked by a prudence and circumspection quite at
• variance with the character which the Airs. Settle of his
d'stinv is said to have instilled into the ears of his relative,
regarding his spendthrift debiathed habits. This is an
example, among dozens if• individuals who can now show
sown thousands of sterling reasons for their being trans-
with their transportation to this English purgatory.