The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-07-31 00:00:00

MR. PHILIPP.VLECTURE'S ON SINGING.

The first of these Lectures was delivered yesterday, to a
select assembly, at the Argyll Rooms. When a lecturer
perfectly understands his subject. whatever lie has to offer
upon it is always interesting, and this praise• is pre-emi-
nently due to Mr. Philipps. Ile reasons like a man of
1 science, and he talks like a man of sense, which is more
I than can be said of half the professors that undertake to di-
rect the studies, or to enlighten the judgment, of mankind.
I The true art of happiness has been said to consist in ac-
quiring a relish for praetor-able geastires, now among these,
Iwe may certainly reckon music, both vocal and instru—
mental : its lovers are of all kinds and of all classes, from
the delighted listeners to the barrel-organ and the hurely-
guilty, to the enraptured autliton at the Opera and tlu•
Philharmonic. As an amusement—as a relaxation from
the sober cares of life—as an enjoyment capable of drawing
forth our best feelings, and exciting all the purest sympathies
of our nature, meal music ranks beyond all competition. It
fortunately so happens, that the mass of mankind can be
cheaply pleased ; for not being very fastidious, their plea-
sure can be cheaply purchased. Mr. LEATH:SLUNG! is
knocked down for a song; taste and science are out of the
question, he understands but little of either, and his ad-
mirers understand still less ; he rivets, nevertheless, the ears
of his audience, and never fails to be accompanied at the
conclusion with a roar of honest and heartfelt applause.
But singing, when considered as a science, an 1 as a science
adding beyond all others to the stock of human enjoyment,
deserves that we should study it with care, and cultivate
it as among the highest and most attractive accomplish-
tnents. For this purpose, it is essential tl:at it should he
studied in its fundamental principles, for without this it
can never be cultivated to perfection. It is in this point
of view, and as contributing professedly to this result, that
we consider Mr. PHILIPPS Lectures as most valuable.
His instructions are original ; he exemplifies them by in-
stances and illustrations ; and those who cultivate the vocal
art would do well to treasure up his precepts.

. .
In singing and music, as in many other sciences, it
unfortunately happens that we have a superfluous flow of
jearning, and an excess of refined and complex theory, while
those simple principles which lie at the basis of all that is
truly valuable in their acquirement are totally disregarded.
Mr. PHILIPPS' chief aim appears to he, to give his hearers!
an insight into these simple principles, and to spew under
what training alone the voice can be truly disciplined, and
all its finest powers most eTectively called farth. His
lessons on this head wer. conveyed in a most impressive and
interesting manner. His rules in singing, like those of Mr.
THU-WALL in speaking. contain the philosophy of the art,
and are all capable of being applied to the most important
practical purposes.
That the most effective embellishments introduced by
our English singers are derived from the Italians, was shewn
with excellent effect in the air of
" While the lads of the village,"
which was given just in the simple unadorned stile of the
original composition, and next, after the manner of the
Italian School, in which Mr. Incledon was accustomed to
give it.
The manner of singing the scale, and the rules for syl-
labic pronunciation in sincing, were descanted upon with
great judgment, and illustrated by the ballad of
" Far, far at sea,"

All the fundamental rules and principles, the observance
of which constitute the excellence and effect of vocal music,
were illustrated, each in their order, and in a manner cal-
culated to introduce that practical application of them
which is the soul of this delightful science. Such public
instructions as these were greatly wanted in this metropolis,
and it was with the utmost pleasure that we heard Mr.
Philipps announce his intention to give a second lecture.

Dovra, Jetv 20.--Sailed this morning his Majesty's
packet Spitfire, with the Earl of llarrowhy and suite, and
very many other passengers: the same vessel came in last
night from Calais, with near 100 passengers. Arrived his
Majesty's steam packet the Fury, from Calais, and the
Britannia, from Boulogne, the forma bringing above 100
passengers, and the latter 40. The principal arrivals ate
the Countess of Newborougli. Sir G. Prescott, Colonel
Halket, Mr. Watts Russell, M.P. and Mr. Wells, M.P.
for Maidstone.

lits Grace the DnkeDf POrtland and his son, Lord Henry
Bentinck, arrived at the King's Arms Motel, Liverpool_ on
Monday last, on their way to S.•otland.
Great festivities have taken place this week at Irnham,
near Colsterworth, on the occasion of a visit of Lord and
Lady Clifford to their beautiful scat in this county.
The Rev. I). Wilson, A.M. of St. Edmund hall, Oxford,
has been preferred to a prebendal stall in the Cathedral of
Rochester.

Count de Montfonl (Jerome Bonaparte) was to leave
Rome for Vienna on the 10th inst.

The Emperor of Russia has rewarded the Councillor of
State, !Sorel, ids Charge d'Affaires at the Ceurt of Lisbon,
with the Order of Knight of St. Vladimir of the B.2eond
class, for his conduct in supporting the legitimate authority
of the King of Portugal.

The Cou-neil whichlas been ho7den for some time past
at the Horse Guards, before which several witnesses are
understood to have been examined upon a subject that has
not been permitted to transpire beyond the ()them of the
Stall Stalle me need, has closet! its sittings.
Th.! following tarangements in India, have been deter.
mined upon :—S:r. F. Maenaghten, who has for many
years occupied the station of a Puisne Judge at Calcutta,
is about to retire, and is to be succeeded by Sir G. Grey.'
one of the Puisne Judges at M edras. Mr. R. Palmer, of
the Chancery Bar, succeeds Sir G. Grey at Madras.
A recent occurrence in high life has, we are informed,
prevented the successful candidate in the contest for the
'representation of this county in MR, from carrying his
ongmal intention" into erect. In short, we are ltd to be-
live that it may NOW be taken for granted, that at the next
general tleetion, Wilts will remain uncontested, as far as
Mr. Long Wellesley is concerocd—Denies Gazette.
lee stuck Exchange has long been &mous for roman.
One of the many reports that were in circulation in the
course of yesterday, was the resignation of Lord Liverpool,
and to be succeeded by the Duke of Wellington.