The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-17 00:00:00

The Strand Music Hall.

The inaugurative concert of the new hall took place on
Saturday evening, and although it was understood to be of
a private character, the new building was filled almost to
overflowing. We shall not here enter upon anything
verging upon the order of architecture to which the new
building belongs, but at once accept that laid down in the
"History of Building" (which was presented to the com-
pany ), viz , " Continental Gothic," though what that means
we candidly confess we do not know. The interior of the
building is peculiar, and, indeed, so much so that a descrip-
tion of it would far exceed our limits, and, in the end; fall
very far short of the actual reality. On entering the build-
ing the eye is first arrested by the novel system that has
been adopted in lighting the hall. The ceiling is formed
of large squares of beautifully coloured plate glass, through
which the light is transmitted, similar to the manner
adopted at the House of Commons. The new system in-
vented and patented by the Messrs, Detries, combines that
great desideratum of allying with the nearest approach to
a soft daylight a system of thorough and complete venti-
lation throughout the building, and to the ingenious
inventors belong the credit of having discovered a novel
means of illuminating' public buildings in the most effec-
tive and brilliant manner. Another great feature in the
novel system is the beautiful effect caused by the prismatic
spires, for while they have the appearance of being a solid
mass of crystal, the gas is introduced into the very points
thus producing most brilliant rays of prismatic colours,
which combined with the crystal coronets which surmount
the bosses, give an effect Of the most exquisite description.
The prevailing colour of the interior of the hall is a kind of
chocolate brown, relieved with red and gold.
The interior arrangements of the building will be best de-
scribed by the following extraot from the aforesaid " His•
t ory" _

‘; Smoking and drinking have in the establishments here-
tofore called music halls sat elbow to elbow with harmony:
The directors of the Strand Music Hall have thought it fit-
ting to bestow this designation upon their building, inas-
much as it is a hall devoted to the performance of music—
but as the musio given will be of a superior class, they
expect from their visitors an equally exalted etiquette.
Creature comforts, both nicotian and alcoholic, will be found
at the spacious buffits, and in the corridors and saloons
which surround the hall: Visitors will have all the facili-
ties they could desire for their puffings and their potations,
but not within the hall, which is consecrated to music."
The inauguration concert was, as we expected, very
incomplete but the wonder to us was how matters had
been so far expedited in four-and-twenty hours to oven
admit of the admission of the favoured few. However,
through great perseverance and untiring exertion, the
directors kept faith with their announcement, and at a few
minutes before eight o'clock the concert opened with the
National Anthem, played by the band. Then followed a
concert in which not one of the artistes engaged had the
good taste to sing a single word of English, probably be-
cause native composition was not considered to
be quite up to their standard. On an opening night
artistes, we suppose, have the privilege of select-
ing their own pieces, but we trust Mr Kingsbury,
the talented conductor will not allow such a mistaken
arrangement to occur. The band in a short time will
doubtless become a very excellent one, enough being done
on Saturday to prove it to be one of great efficiency. ➢l.
Duhem:is an accomplished performer on the c, ruet- a-piston,
but 311. Totti Mattei, the pianist, seemed to think that
dig ital difLulty was the only thing required
to please the English public. The funny man
was an inevitable failure, but the audience having
hissed him off the stage, short work was made of the
" Persian Storyteller."
The directors have only to adhere strictly to the promise
in their programme of giving first-rate concerts at mode-
rate prices, to insure a good return for their large outlay.
Their position is a splendid one, and all that is required to
produce a good dividend is good management.

TEMPERANCE MEETING IN THE GUILDHALL.—
The Committee of the National Temperance League
have completed arrangements for holding a meeting in
the Guildhall on Monday evening, November 14. We
are informed that the Lord Mayor-Elect has consented to
preside, and the meeting will be addressed by the City
Chamberlain, Samuel Morley, R.q., Samuel Gurney, Esq.,
M.P., and other well-Isnown supporters of the temperance
cause.—City Tress.
The Carmel steam-packet, which has just arrived
at Marseilles from Constantinopk, brought a sum of
1,600,0001 r. in specie.