The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-21 00:00:00

Ntr, Aptommas's Harp Recital,

This accomplished harpist gave another of his
well-known harp recitals on 'Wednesday last, at the
Hanover-square Rooms. The entertainment con-
sisted exclusively of performances on the harp, but
the great variety of the music selected prevented it
from becoming tedious. It is Mr. Aptomrsas's
object to bring this now neglected instrument again
into favour, and he, therefore, endeavours to display
its capabilities to the fullest extent. Alany persons
who like the harp very well as an accompaniment,
imagine it is fit for little else. This idea Mr.
Aptomman combats by showing that it possesses
sufficient power and expression to render due eff ct
to some of the great chef d'ceuvres of the classical
masters. The first part of Wednesday's selection
consisted entirely of such specimens as Beethoven's
" Mconlight Sonata," Mendelssohn's "Songs
Without Words," ChaPlifs " Marohe Funebre,"
and the immortal "Harmonious Blacksmiths," were
all successively given, the last being perhaps the
best. The second part consisted of Mr. Aptommas's
own arrangements, which proved him to be no less
ingenious in adaptation than skilful in execution.
The two fantasias in Welsh and Irish airs were
especially pleasing, from the variety and popularity
of the melodies selected. Altogether the perform-
ances were decidedly successful, and the rooms
were fully and fashionably attended.

Mr, Webster and Mr. Boucicault,

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sir,—Mr. 'Webster, in his reply to my letter,
admits my statements. If I decline to notice or to
style, it will, I trust, serve
to prove the general propriety of mine. He has,
imitate his epistolary
however, introduced other and irrelevant state-
ments, two of which I beg your favour to dis-
pose of. I never availed myself of my absence
in America for seven years to bar my debt. On
my return to this country in 1860 I paid all
claims against me, without question as to their
justness or unjustness; and many I paid that
could have be ea contested had they not
bQeu turned
fLimitation,ne into ddebts of honour by the
Statute
I am obliged to say that
this matter was publicly investigated at my late
bankruptcy and cited to my credit—a fact well
known to Mr Webster when he dispersed his calum.
.nies without selecting his facts. He states that he
has held an I 0 I; of mine for £2OO since the year
1853. If he will search further, he should be able
to find a score of similar documents representing
casual transactions, and spread over the ten pre•
vious years, but which, with careless reliance, I
presumed he had destroyed. If this document
truly represented a debt owing by me to
Mr 'Webster is it credible that during a period
of two years, from 1860 to 1862, when his weekly
payments to me were frequently from £3OO
to £4OO, he should never have reminded MO of this
I 0 U, nor suggested that such a debt was owing P
While, remembering my fortunate and opportune
career at the Adelphi, there may be some wbo will
ask if Mr. 'Webster owes me nothing ? and if his
present and past conduct towards me represents his
usual way of meeting such obligations ? Mean.
while, I reflect with pleasure that I have never, by
word or act, molested or interfered with him; nor
indeed have I paid any attention to his singular and
restless animosity until obliged by his unealled-for
display of it to do so.—Your obedient servant,
Manchester, May 19. DIoN BOUCICAULT.

Volunteer Review in Hyde-park,

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Slit,—At a meeting of volunteer commanding
officers of the metropolitan corps, held this day, it
was resolved unanimously that the heads of firms
in L-ndon be requested to give the volunteers in
their employment a half-holiday on Saturday, the
28th, to enable them to take part in the review
which is then to be held in Hyde-park, in celebra-
tion of the Queen's birthday. Assnii man of the
meeting., I venture in the nano of the cc,ria,nauding
officers to give publicity to this resolution through
the medium of your paper, and to express a hope
that the request therein contained may meet with
favourable consideration.—l remain, sir, yours, &c.,
ELCHO.
National Rifle Association, 11, Pall-mall East,
May 20.

The Custom-House Clerks' Petitions.