The Sun.
London, England, 1855-08-22 00:00:00

• lattißUßG, August 19.—it cannot be denied that the
merchants of Hamburg are practical men of business,
and know how to indemnify themselves for the lose ef ,
their former direct trade with Russia, by carrying it on
indirectly, but to a much greater extent. In conse-
quence of the war a new market has been opened for
many artioles, especially lead, sulphur, and saltpetre,
and very considerable purchases have been made ever
since the winter for Russian account. One single house
that I could name confesses to have sent no less than
19,000 bags of saltpetre to Russia since March.
Allow me to call the attention of your readers to
the fact that the greatest supplies of these articles
comprised in the generic name of " contraband o
war," for the use of the Russian army, are now sen
from this city, which is carrying en a most thriving
trade, the articles being sent by the railway through
Berlin. Hitherto the British and French Governments
have taken no steps to prevent it. Is it because they
are unacquainted with the fact ? Whilst the British
Consul-General is enjoying the pleasure of sea-bathing
at Travemunde, and the French ambassador's house in
town is shut up whilst his excellency is breathing the
fresh air at his country villa at Blankenese, these things •
are carried on publicly. The British merchants residing
here are prohibited by the Queen's proclamation from
holding any commercial intercourse with Russia, it being
pronounced high treason to do so ; but their next-door
neighbours profit doubly by the prohibition, and I may
therefore be permitted to ask the question, is there no
way of stopping it ? Could not a ship of war be placed
at the mouth of the Elbe, to overhaul ships arriving with
contraband of war ? Germany talks so much of her
neutrality—is this a proof of it ?
The commercial paper, the Borsenhalle, gives in its
yesterday's number the usual weekly report of the mar-
kets of this city, from which I would lay before your
readers the following short extracts relating to the above
mentioned three articles, which undoubtedly come under
the denomination of contraband of war :
Su phur—During the past week about 2,000 ca,ks have
beim sold to be sent to the interior, at successively rising
quotations of about 25 per cent. Some parcels have also
changed hands for shipment, bywhich our stocks have been
grewlyreauced. and holders insist on a still further advance.
Saltpetre—The imports this week consist of 1,694 ,
bags of East India, the greater part of which was already
,old on delivery. There are but few parcels at present
in the hands of importers, which are held at very, higk ,
prices. Of refined there is none in the market, and the
demand is so great for delivery that no•contracts can be
made to deliver at an earlier period than the end of Sep-
tember. Chili saltpetre is not to be had, but some par-
cels are expected shortly, which may be purchased pn
delivery after arrivo.
Lt ail—This article is in great demand at rising prices.
Our whole stock consists of 30,0001 b. of English and
40,0001b5. of Belgian, for which 20 marks Banco is de-
manded.
Inland may be had on delivery, but higher
prices must be paid. During the past week the sales '
comprised 50,0001b5. of Belgian, at 1.8 snacks Banco ;
25,0001b5. of English, at 20 marks Banco • and 60,0001b5.
of Spanish, price not known. About 50,0001b5. of It lead..
in sheets changed hands, at 19 marks Banco, but is
nmoatrktoetb
fore
lead is
bought nvoey
wratfitrhmat ,
andpri lookingeOnttilipe.whole, the

HEREFORD MUSICAL FESTIVAL.,
vs,penmaiiutnele,Br)canaonnua
HEREFORD, Tuesday.--T
auspiciously dayuponfrotetiospereeneinngxt bell of the old
At 11 o'clock this morning the great
prayer
cathedral called the people to
prayand the choir being
in itself, and none of
The opening between the naver scree ,
the
yne tdhec organisthEaenvt t o or
°f
the Sots.
011132er e°l lerpsnosti n'ohw' gneessre. fcien'lw onened
festivalsmoat
than liet
n the nave ap.
completely filled by a temporary
peared to be a complete building
the sound of the music was
down to the floor.
The
yamnuyeeThohldoimast in the choir. The or.
chestra extended Gof the festival.
of Hereford (son 0
f the lessons.
Instead g, Esther"
Instead of the overture, which has been
ri 11 to o
used aim°e
service was
s " Last Judgment," •
had that to Spohr' which was finely
playea by
has been customary to engage for the liereford'meetings.
The Pieces, responses,perfor m performed
usual, by Tanis ; but the psalms werechanted were,
to a new
chant by Mr. Townsliend Smithwhich much ad-
, was
mired. Handel's " Dal,. ingen Te Deere" went off ex-
ceedingly well.
The "Jubilate" was a
for this festival by Mr. expressly
new one composed . .
throughout, and of Townshend Smith.. It is g_o.ca
a thoroughly ecclesiastical school.
After the
third collect we had the chorus " The has.
yens are telling," and trio (Mrs. Weiss, Mr. M. Smith,
and Mr. Weiss), from Haydn's "Creation ;" and before
the sermon was
that
eFi
Immemorially
eamenrednioa
introduced the 98th Psalm—a work by
Mendelssohn, which, we believe, has not been performed
before in this country. It commences with an UIIaCCOM•
panied chorus for eight voices, andis particularly adapted
for the cathedral and the occasion. At the words "Preis*
the Lord with harp," that instrument (by Mr. Trust) ii
introduced, and also the full band, which, however,
pretty well overpowered David's instrument. The work
is not too long.
The sermon was preached by the Rev. W. P. Hopton,
who took for his text Isaiah 55, v. i.—" Oh, every one
that thirsteth come ye to the waters, and he that bath
no money, come ye, buy, and eat ; yea come, buy wine
and milk without money and without price." Upon
this text the preacher founded an admirable and appre‘
priate sermon.
- - - , Tim
of Olives" brought the first morning's performanT,_.°'
The "Hallelujah" chornafrom " Beethoven s O,P
Isacred music to a close. The amount of the oolloc=
for the charity has not as yet been made a:n7 And
tonight we have the " Elijah" at the Cathedral,_. .
to-night the first evening concert at the 1111'm