The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-27 00:00:00

GALLERY OF ILLUSTRATION,

We are pleased to find that the Tuesday morning
and Saturday evening performances of Mr. German
Reed's opera di camera " Jessy Lea" receives a full
share of the public patronage. Were it otherwise,
it would be a reflection on the musical taste of the
metropolis, because Mr. Macfarren has set the
little captivating pastoral to some of the most de-
lightful music that ever fell from his pen. The part
of the coquettish heroine Jessy is now sustained by
Miss Robertine Henderson, a young lady who has
won much applause at many of the concerts given
in London within the last few months. Nature has
been bountiful to her, and, in addition to pleasing
features and good figure, she has a voice of much
sweetness, which she uses with the greatest dis-
crimination. Mr. Whiffin has much improved since
his first appearance, and at no distant day he will
become a general favourite. The same must
also be said of Mr. Wilkinson, who, as the
rough, hearty sea capt Lin, shows himself a
clever and accomplished artiste. The music exactly
suits the compass of his voice, and every note is sung
with an ease and fullness of tone that greatly pleases
the audience. But the chief honours ara invariably
secured by that acknowledged favourite and accom-
plished vocalist, Miss Poole, who sustains the pirt
of Eispeth the gipsy. Her singing produces
the greatest delight, because it is executed
with sweetness, and in a manner peculiarly
liar own. There is a witchery in her eye
that enchants the audience, whilst freshness and
power in her voice shows how carefully and solidly
the framework of her musical education must have
been laid. Other singers have appeared and long
passed away since little Bessy Poole sang her first
song, " Oyster, sir," at the Olympic Theatre ; yet
still she is the queen of English ballad singers, and I
simply because she is

f
native here,
And to the manner born,"
A more delightful afternoon or evening cannot be
passed in the metropolis than at the Gallery of
Illustration in Regent-street.

RECEPTION OF THE LIBERATED CONFEDERATES
IN RICHAIOND.—The following is an extract from a
Richmond paper :--" The paroled prisoners whom General
Butler sent up from Fortress Monroe a few days ago nad a
grand
.time upon their arrival. A procession conducted
thaw to Capitol.square, and Jeff. Days was called on for
a speech. Taking his stand on the platform of the Wash-
ington monument, he welcomed the soldiers to their
native land. He had often heard of the severe trials to
which they had been subjected in their captivity, and his
heart had yearned for the bravo boys' who had proved
true under every trial, and had resisted every offer
made to them to desert the fortunes of their country.
Though they had passed through so many bitter trials,
there were, perhaps, many yet in store for them, but he
knew that they would not shrink from them—that they
would all assist in achieving the independence of the coun-
try, and in driving away the hated foe now polluting our
soil. After a brief respite, said the President, you will be
again called to the battle-field. know you will come.'
He hoped that they would all find their families better
provided for than they might expect to do. The President
closed by invoking the blessing of God upon those he
addressed." Other speeches having been made, three
cheers were given by the crowd, and the band struck up
Dixie" as a finale to the proceedings.