The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-12-30 00:00:00

GRAND MINISTVRiAL

Id L. E TIA G.

Ministers and their friends, anxious to get them-
selves in tune for the ensuing Session of Parliament,
assisted at a Grand Musical Festival, which cock
place on Thursday lest, at the clew's Harp AsseM-
bly-rooms, Regent's Park.
Lord Cat—xe--a opened the concert with a
solo one newly-invented violin, for Which he is said
to have obtained a patent. The how, unlike that
belonging to the ordinary instrument, is furnished
with taco strings. His Lordship handled it with
great dexterity. He next performed an air on the
great keyed serpent, which astonished the amateurs.
To prove the extent and versatility of his powers,
he then favoured the assembly with " he Exile of
Erin," on the UtitoN-pipes (invented by the cele.
breed PITT, in Itloo, and perfected by his Lord-
ship in 1801). accompanied by the triarigl, s (au in-
strument, together with theflagellei, much used in
Ireland in 1798), which he dexterously moved with
his feet, and displayed so much execution, that Mr.
Lus—c and sererii other friends to the
pence and prosperity of Ireland, encored the per-
formance. His Lordship was tent st happy when
he essayed a lrvlp air on the 11nrp of trio. The
instrument upptaied to lie wholly out of tune—
anti, in spite of his coo.ritstr, sent faith untie hot
frightful diArords. A N Acnuns's hasp was not more
difficult of management. The instrument of the
bard uttered tin sound but of love—that of i..s
Lordship no note but of dissonance.
Mr. (7—N—G amu.,tii the Meetinz with serer.)
airs nut the flute. He vas partictil ulc liadity 1..
exccuiling one from " The Beggar's tfprra,'' ''
Laws were made ev'ry degree." It was not,
however, caroled—as the association of ideas be-
twetit the lat,e and words occasioned unpleasant
v.-muttons in the minds of several of the party.
Mr. (7-8— it; is all accomplished professor. lie
learned the art of double-tunguing in the celebrated
sclionl—and was instructed tufting/ring by an
eminent muster at Lisbon.

Mr. B—TII--ST and Lord S—DM—TII at-
tempted to entertain the company with a dun oti
the buss-viol and buss-ooti. Their effort acted like
a soporofic, and even the CH---1.1.—1t or the
Ex—pu—n, who is so remarkable for his vivacity,
fell asleep.

The party were roused from their lethargy by
the entrance of the POET-LAUREATE, whose self.
praising trumpet pierced the ears of his auditors,
till, in an agony, they called nut, "hold—enough!"
He then performed an air from the play of " War
7Ykr," on the sackbut—and also " The Vicar if
Bray," and " God save the King," with variations,
on tie same instrument.

The L—D AD--T 6 of sc —7 T. —n performed
" There's lute Luck about the House," on the
o !boo! The company, at the clove of each btrain,
singing, a ith more force than elegance, "When Cos-
--h's area." The L—D A D ---E also I.votiur,l
the assembly with a tune on the Caledonian ertmon.i
—an instrument to which Joints the First was
much attached—and which affords more delight to
the performer, than to the witoes►es of his skill.
Si► C—RT—s eery successful in
his execution of the air " Come, jolly Bacchus,"
on the musical glasses.
A duo on the English and French horn, by the
Margins of lI—T---D and Lord Y—R--TII, Wilf4
nut much relished by a portion of the Saints who
attended the Meeting.

Mr. J. W. touched a few note) on the
lyre, which were highly praised by Mr. C
and others skilled in the management of that in-
strument.

Mr. V. F—TZ—lit gave an empty unmeaning
flourish on the " tinkling cymbals," which created
a titter amongst the professors. The performer, in
consequence, flew into a violent passion, declaring
that the I:lectors of Ennis were better judges of
music than the persons with whom be then acted.
His wrath was, however, mollified, on perceiving
the CH.—EL—a of the Ex --QU—R and the
G—v—a of the Bank of England about to fa-
vour the party with a few motes.
Mr. CR—a—a attempted to play " Cease rude
Boreas," on the Jew's-harp--but the oddity of hi•
appearance, and the harsh touts of the instrument.
excited strong marks of disapprobation. He re-
tired, saying, " Gentlemen, when I return from
the East, you shall find me perfect in the use of
the Chinese gong, and the Indian strurn-.tram."
Sir G--a WAR—ND—R annoyed the company
with a solo on the speaking-trumpet, intolerably
stupid mid heavy.
At the 1111illi111101101 request of the Meeting, the
Cu—:.,.— a of the EX--QU—R exhibited 11,i
talents as it sifilear, and whistled,
with appropriate
look alai gesture, the air of HoLcitorea song,
" And tehy dost thou shiver and shake, GAFFER
GREY ?"
Mr. HUS-.....95—N seized the pant!ran pipes, ant.
in allusion to his situation of Ciiminissioner of
Woods and Forests, gave Sitsasri:Aae's
" Under the verowood
Who km, to lie with me,"

with great apirtt—aecontiiati ti.g the petintrnance
with various sanatory muttons, g
tesirie—such as the ant ent Satyrs ate said to it.,ve
ttelighted
%Ir. W. W. P-LE, evidently agitated b) the