The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-20 00:00:00

SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY,

The 450th concert of this society was given last evening,
on which occasion Handel's magnificent composition,
"Israel in Egypt," was selected for performance. The
attendance of company, in the great hall, was by no means
inferior to that which invariably assembles on every per-
formance of "The Messiah," although the oratorio under
notice is remarkable for the subordinate parts allotted to the
soloists. In " Israel in Egypt" the great weight of the perfor-
manceis thrown upon the choristers, and to this circumstance
must, perhaps, be attributed the comparative non-success
which invariably attended its performance during the life..
time of the illustrious composer. To us of the present time
it seems remarkable how the massive and splendid choruses
could have been listened to without creating the utmost
enthusiasm, but certain it is, an extraordinary change has
happily taken place and for this improvement in our musical
taste, the Sacred Harmonic Society and Mr. Costa deserve the
unanimous gratitude of every true lover of music in its best
and loftiest form. The soloists were Madame Rudersdorff,
Madame Sainton-Dolby, Miss Banks, Mr. Santley, Mr.
Patoy, and Mr. Cumming. Tho list of instrumentalists
embraced the name of nearly every performer of merit, and
the unrivalled chorus of the society were on this occasion
divided into two separate and distinct choirs, placed at either
side of the noble organ. The opening recitative was sung
by Mr. Cumming with care and intelligence, and then fol-
lowed the chain of remarkable double choruses that grandly
demonstrate the power of sound. It will be quite unneces-
sary on the present occasion to do more than reiterate the
praise we have invariably given this incomparable Ludy of
choristers, at the same time remarking that never have
they given the Hailstone Chorus, as it is familiarly called,
and the sublime composition, "The waters overwhelmed
hem," with greater precis ion and c act, In the former
the rest previous to the two concluding bars was a perfect
miracle of power and discipline. It is almost needless to
remark that both were unanimously encored. In the second
part Madame Rudersdorff sang " Thou didst blow," and
the introduction to the final chorus, "Sing ye to the Lori,"
with the greatest purity and effect. Madame Dolby was,
as ever, majestic and tender in the beautiful air "Thou
shalt bring them in,' and Mr. Cumming highly distin-
guished himself in the tenor war song. The duet, "The
Lord ii a man of war," was sung by Mr. Santley and Mr.
Patey, and of course elicited the usual (meow. "Judas
Maccalieus" is to be the next oratorio performed.

Miss Grace Egerton's Entertainment.

Miss Grace Egerton's (Mrs. George Case) entertainment
at the Polygraphic Hall, King William-street, will be
found wall deserving of patronage. The present idea is to
limit its duration to one month ; but if real merit is consi-
dered, it ought to become one of the permanent entertain-
ments of the metropolis. Tha abilities of Miss Egerton as
a public entertainer aro remarkable, and her assumption of
the different characters of which her pretty entertainment
is made up, will bear comparison with any hitherto seen in
London. Mr. Cass agreeably gives a variation to the even-
ing's amusements, by some very cleverly executed solos on
the violin and concertina; and to those wishing amuse-
ment for a couple of hcurs, we cordially rec-mmend a visit
to the Polygraphic

THE RUBENS OF FR/slim-0o Tuesday last the
numerous works of the late EuOne Dulacroix, were exhi-
bited iu the Rae Druot. There seems no style which M.
Delacroix has not attempted and adorned—mythological
pictures, such as " Ac!soon Changad into a Stag ;" histo-
rical works—for instance, " Louis IX. on the Bridge of
Taillebourg ;" religious inspirations, as " Christ in the
Garden of Gethsemane ;" pictures from'Byron and Goethe;
and finally compositions of fruit and flowers. The works
offered for sale will fetch groat prices, for France is very
proud of her artist.
So LIKELY !—Greco and hie accomplices having
been examined yesterday at the Conciergerie by M.
Devienne, the president, who named M. Allen to defend
Greco, Trabucco, and Scaglioni as they declined to appoint
counsel, Signor Mazzini has been invited to, appear, but
come and be killed" was not less attractive to the his-
toric lucks than ouch a summons to Mazzini, who will
outior Judgment to go by default, arid punielament also.