The Sun.
London, England, 1855-10-12 00:00:00

THE INTERIOR.

On entering the hall we were more than ever struck
with the beauty of the details as well as with the general
effect. The organ, which has been completed, now pre-
sents a beautiful appearance, the judicious and extremely
effective introduction of delicate tints in diapering the
pipes give a lightness to the entire structure perfectly in
harmony with the rest of the decorations. A spacious
and cleverly-arranged orchestra had been built in front
of the organ, rising on either side to a level with the
galleries, and in these wings were seated about 150 of
the Philharmonic Society's chorus. Accommodation being
required for fewer vocalists than at the opening of the
ball, the galleries for the chorus were less heavy than on
the former occasion referred to, and the architectural
beauties of the building remained unaffected by the tnt-
Porary structure.
The audience, who had commenced to arrive soon after
six o'clock, began to pour into the building in ar almost
uninterrupted stream as the hour for the concert ap-
proached, and by eight o'clock nearly every seat was
occupied.

The distinguished company in whose honour the enter-
tainment was given did not, however, arrive till about
a quarter past eight, by which time everybody's curiosity
was at its height, and anxious glances were cast towards
the several entrances in anticipation of seeing his Royal
Highness make his appearance. An unusual stir at the
centre door, in the west side, soon gave notice of his ap-
proach, and in a few moments the Duke of Cambridge
appeared, leading in Mrs. Tobin. He was closely fol-
lowed by the Mayor and the Countess of Derby,
and the other notabilities. The applause was hearty
in the extreme, and his Royal Highness evidently seemed
gratified as he bowed his acknowledgments to the con-
gratulations that greeted him. The party who accom-
panied him were nearly the same as at the ball on Tues-
day evening, except that we missed the Earl of Derby.
Lord Stanley, however, was present, and no one of the
party, the duke included, received greater attention or
warmer marks of respect than Sir Harry Smith.
Upon the noble party being seated in the places al-
lotted to them at the south end nf the hall, Mr. Best,
who had by this time taken his place at the organ, gave
full vent to its noble tones in the opening phrase of "God
save the Queen," and Mine. Novello and the principal
vocalists sang the solos, which were most effectively taken
up by the chorus, the organ all the while pealing glori-
ously through the hall. We were particularly charmed
with the harmonies introduced by Mr. Best, their varied
character, as well as his beautiful composition in the stops,
adding very much to the effect of the whole. " Partant
pour la Syrie" was next sung in unison by the chorus, to
English words ; the harmonies, as in " God Save the
Queen," being confined to the organ, and showed great
taste on the part of Mr. Best.
This tribute having been paid to his Royal Highness
the programme was proceeded with. Madame Novello
was in good voice, and on this score there was no cause
of complaint in any of the principals ; indeed we think
we have seldom heard Miss Dolby to greater advantage,
her rich voice telling admirably, and her exquisite taste
being no less apparent in Mendelssohn's "First Violet."
Madame Novello sang her several solos with finished
grace, and that refined expression for which she is so
deservedly admired. Her success was immense as she
received encores in every solo. Her reading of "Come
per me" was very beautiful, and her florid vocalisation
in "Sovra it seri la mon mi pusa" was not more elegant
than correct in time, and remarkable for the extreme
difficulty of the passages. Herr Reichardt's light
voice was hardly suited to so large an area, and the
first song especially was not so well adapted to his voice.
His treatment of "Adelaide," however, was musician-
like and commendable, and he only lacked power to ren-
der it extremely effective. He is much improved since
he was last here. Mr. Weiss exerted himself much, but
his own song to Longfellow's "Village Blacksmith" was
not to our minds, and fell flat. His voice came out well
in the quartet from "Rigoletto," cleverly sung. Mr.
Best, on the organ, proved still more, were proof neces-
sary, how perfectly he has the giant powers of the in-
strument under control; his pedaling, especially in the
allegro to Handel's Concerto, was wonderful, and his
treatment of the stops and execution on the manuals the
very perfection of skill. The lengthy work by Bach, con-
sisticg of a sort of chorale, given on the pedals with a
series of variations thereon, the melody forming the bass
nearly throughout, was marvellously difficult and admi-
rably played, but it was not a work to please the audi-
ence. The march from Athahe was a more judicious
selection, as was Handel's Concerto, and in these he
afforded more pleasure to the general listeners. Mr.
Best accompanied the solos upon the piano in a chaste
manner. The instrument was supplied by Messrs.
Hime and Son. It was one of Broadwood and Son's
boudoir-grand, in an elegant walnut-wood case ; the tone
is very good, and in spite of the size of the hall told with
power and effect. The price, we believe, is 145 gui-
neas. The chorus sang the madrigal " F,re, Fire," by
no means so well as we have heard them render it before.
"Since first I saw your face" was perfection, and was
rapturously encored, his Royal Highness being most
marked in his applause and demands for its repetition.

THE VICTORIES OF THE COMBINED

ARMIES AND FLEETS.

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.

Yesterday a court was held, which was numerously
attended. The proceedings caused unusual interest.
The Town Clerk read a letter from Alderman Salo -
mons, the Lord Mayor elect, to the Lord Mayor, signi-
fying his intention to accept the office of Lord Mayor
for the ensuing year.
The communication, which was received with applause,
was ordered to be entered on the journals of the court.
The TOWN CLERK read the following resolution, which
was passed at the last Common Hall, on the subject of
the office of bridge-master :—" Resolved, that the bridge-
masters elected at the meeting of the Livery in Common
Hall on Midsummer•day last be requested to use every
effurt in their power to uphold the ancient office in its
integrity, and the Court of Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and
Cowmen Council be recommended to do no act whereby
such efficiency may be impaired, or the proper and ac-
customed remuneration withheld from the present pos-
sessors of the office."

The resolution was ordered to be entered on the jour-
nals of the court.

Mr. R. C. LAMBE brought up the report of the com-
tnitten to which it was referred to watch the progress of
the Public Libraries and Museums Bill in Parliament.
It certified that, in accordance with the report agreed to
by the Court, a clause was inserted in the said bill by
the Remembrancer, under the sanction of the committee,
to extend the several provisions thereof to the City of
London, and that the Remembrancer had since certified
that the said bill passed both Houses of Parliament, and
received the Royal assent.
After some discussion it was unanimously agreed that
the Lord Mayor be requested to convene a public meet-
ing of all persons in the City rated to the consolidated
rate, in order to determine whether the act should be
adopted in the City of London.