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
hall, 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 tem-
porary structure.

The audience, who had commenced to arrive soon after
six o'clock, began to pour into the building in ao 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 of 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 SyHe" 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 sen la mon mi posa" 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 au 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 Handers 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-
sistiog 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 Athalie was a more judicious
selection, as was Handers 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.
Rime 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 VICTOIiIES 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
effort in their power to uphold the ancient office in its
integrity, and the Court of Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and
Common 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-
mittee 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.

[PRICE 4D. STAMPED SD•

all Europe, the troops of England, combined with those
of France, made a movement which all the opinions of
military men, which have been collected together say,
was one of the most successful and one of the most use-
ful movements. They succeeded in passing through a
difficult and dangerous country, and in setting them-
selves down before Sebastopol. I need not say a word
as to what has taken place before Sebastopol, further
than to draw your attention to the position of the allied
troops when they settled down before that the greatest
stronghold the world ever saw. During the progress of
11 months the siege of Sebastopol continued, and during
that time two actions were fought, both under disadvan-
tages on the part of the allies, but in both of which they
were victorious, and to Alma was added the proud
triumph of Inkerman and Balaklava. (Cheers.) After
an heroic endurance on the part of the English soldiery
and that of the allies, after nearly 11 months spent be-
fore that place and in the trenches under difficulties and
dangers innumerable, pursued by pestilence, deprived of
comfort, the heroic endurance of the English troops en-
abled them—in conjunction with their brave and gallant
allies—at last to take possession of the south side of
that stronghold of the Czar ; and, my Lord Mayor, I
should say, in the words of the Prime Minister of Eng-
land—" This was not the siege of a place, but a series of
battles against the stronghold of the enemy," where the
troops inside the town were not enclosed, where one side
out of it was continually open, where they were continu-
ally able to receive reinforcements of men and supplies of
aminunitioa, provisions—everything that could inspirit
an army in the defence of so great a stronghold ; and
upon the falling or the resistance which it might be able
to make, I think, turns the whole of the war now raging
between England and Russia. You are aware that after
the allies had so suffered and endured, the final day came
when they were to make the assault ; and when we look
at the nature of the works which the Russians defended
—when we look at the difficulties attending that assault
—when we look at the enormous power which they had
behind their batteries—when we look at the dreadful
encounter which must take place between the troops
that were to assail and those who were to be assailed—
one only wonders that such should have been the cou-
rage, endurance, and perseverance of the allied troops
against so formidable an enemy, entrenched in so
strong a position, that notwithstanding all this the arms
of the allies were triumphant, and that they took pos-
session of that part of Sebastopol which commands, and
will ultimately give possession not only of the other side
of the city, but also of the entire of the Crimea itself.
(Cheers.) It is not necessary that I should notice in-
cidentally the combats that took place from day to
day in the assaults upon the trenches, or of the men
in the trenches upon the fortifications of the town, nor is
it necessary that 1 should go, in order to induce you to
agree to my motion, into the history of the operations of
the army and fleet before Sebastopol. You are aware
that our navy has successfully swept the Sea of Azof—
that it has kept in shore every vessel—that it has de-
stroyed the entire fleet of Russia, and has not left in any
part of the world a single vessel that can combat the
English fleet. (Hear.) It was expected, hearing what
we did of the fleet of Russia, that it would have come
out of the harbour—that it would not have skulked be-
hind stone walls—that it would only have seen the Eng-
lish fleet to have induced it to come out and give it fair
battle upon the ocean. (Hear.) But the only manner
in which the valour of the Russian fleet was exhibited
was that it stole out of the harbour and went and at-
tacked an almost defenceless people ; and the massacre
of Sinope is the only thing of which the Russians can
congratulate themselves. Having swept the Sea of Azof
—having drowned in deep water the • proud fleet of
Russia—having beaten them three times in battle—we
have been successful in almost every skirmish. We have
done something more, although not so much as was ex-
pected or anticipated by an impatient public, jealous that
the renown of the English people should be spread far
and wide when engaged in an offensive war—a war of
civilisation against barbarism, offreedom against tyranny,
of the independence of nations against their subjection
to a tyrannical foe. In alluding to the valour of the
English in the field—of the navy upon the sea, I should
hardly do sufficient justice to the subject if I did not
allude to their heroic endurance, during eleven months,
whilst fighting In the trenches. It is well known
that when they landed upon the shores of Russia they
were destitute of almost every provision—that as soon
as they broke up the ground for the purpose of
forming their trenches, they were destitute of provisions.
It is known that they were all this time suffering from
pestilence—that disease visited their ranks ; and notwith-
standing they were destitute of all these appliances, so far
from fear, or desertion, or cowardice taking possession
of their minds, their sufferings only seemed to inspire
them with a more heroic determination to conquer the
enemy, or to leave their whitened bones as a testimony of
their duty and devotion to their country. (Loud cheers.)
Deputy DANIN, in seconding the motion, said,—My
Lord Mayor, the hon. alderman has so graphically and
so eloquently described the course of the campaign,
which has been a subject of deepfelt gratitude on the
part of the nation, that I shall not attempt to follow him.
If ever there was a time when the Common Council of
the City of London might address the Throne in a tone
of congratulation, I believe this is the time. I believe
we may go up to theTbrone to congratulate her Majesty
upon the heroic deeds of her army and fleet. (Hear.) We
all know that war is a terrible scourge. We have been
all terrified by the details of the curls of fire which have
encircled that devoted city, and which have hurled to
eternity thousands of men ; and whilst we glory in the
result we deeply deplore thenecessity. But there are things
more terrible than war. There are pictures that the mind
may draw, which would be even more to be dreaded
than the campaign of the last two years. We have sha-
dowed out to us by the deeds of Russia, as alluded to
by the worthy alderman, when she attacked a defence-
less fleet and scattered it to destruction, what her will
would have been if she had been unchecked in her career
of lawless ambition and doreination. If England and
France, to their immortal glory, had not stood out for
liberty, civilisation, and order, but allowed that colossal
Power to march on to her prey and taken her stand in
the Mediterranean, the traces of learning and civilisation
and order might have been blotted out in the West.
(Hear, hear.) This would have been more frightful
than even that war ; and, seeing the success which has
hitherto attended our arm,, we may properly go up to
the Throne with the language of congratulation. (Hear,
hear.) Her Majesty is to be congratulated upon the
stern valour of her troops, and the faithful alliance of
the noble French and Sardinians. She is to be congra-
tulated upon the sustained opinion of this country,
which sees the importance of the steps which have been
taken. She is to ise congratulated upon the result of
the last campaign, and Ido not think that this Court
can he engaged in anything more fitting or gracious than
that they should humbly tender to her Majesty at the
foot of the Throne the congratulation of the citizens of
London. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. ELLIOTT said he did not consider that the present
was a fit time for the voice of congratulation, and hoped
that the corporation would wait till some more decided,
clear, certain, and unquestionable facts were brought be-
fore them. No man would be more delighted to support
the warmest expression of congratulation to her Ma-
jesty, and the most enthusiastic expression of gratitude
to our galiant troops when the proper time arrived than
himself. Eighty thousand of the best blood of Britain-
-80,000 of such men as 10 years must elapse before their
places could be supplied, had been sent out to the Cri-
mea, 50,000 of whom had melted away. (Hear,) Did
these sink before Russian iron and Russian hard steel ?
No ; a large portion had melted away before Aristoca-
tic rule, before titled insolence, and before the exhausted
and nervous powers of the body that called themselves
the Government of the country. Thousands upon thou-
sands of our noble army had fallen, not before Russian
steel, but had stiffened in the trenches, had died of fever
in a foul, nasty, miserable condition, because there was
not energy and common industry on the part of generals,
staff officers, ministers-at-war, Sidney Herberts, and
things of that sort. (Hear.) The report of the Sebas-
topol Committee proved that a large portion of all the
misery, suffering, and loss of life and treasure was to be
found solely in the incompetence of the men holding
official appointments sent out by the Government to
the Crimea. In the late storming of Sebastopol the
French had done a great deal more than the English,
not because they had better soldiers, but because they
had officers trained and educated, picked out not be-
cause they were the sons or bastards of noblemen, but
the children of nature's aristocracy. He hoped that the
corporation would pause before they gave the weight of
their authority to so important a proposition as going up
to the Throne with the language of congratulation upon
events all the circumstances connected with which were
doubtful, to a very great extent humiliating, and by 11°
means of so clear and defined a character as to justify
their taking the proposed step.
Alderman SIDNEY said there was no doubt whatever
that that the war, especially at its commencement, was
the
ducted to the great disgrace of the
linisoithe war.
The was not for criticising the conduct
i antic struggle
with country was now engaged
with the greatest military Power innrfealifwgorld and either
civilisation must triumph, or barbarism
free(7oinithaints. despotic
rule must expand its sway over
.erties
Se (Alderman Sidney) considered
corporation,t notwithstanding
of Europe. (Hear.)
this to be a time when the
titdhhees
say to
all the bungling
notwithstanding the
.dou e
and disaster
b?l fciinonneslolumemeapottniaotxinu,
eatsnhdocifu
tonal taxes upon articles
her Majesty, with an unmistakeable voice, whether they
were anxious for peace upon any terms, or that the war
should be conducted to a conclusion honourable to this
country and to the best interests of the world. (Hear.)
He thought there should be an addenda to the motion
expressive of the earnest hope of the Court that her Ma-
jesty,. in conjunction with her noble and gallant allies,
would take every means of bringing the contest to a safe
and honourable terruination by exerting themselves in
the duo prosecution of the war. (Hear.)
Mr. COX considered the right which the Court pos-
sessed to approach the Throne a most important privi-
lege, and one which should be exercised with very
great .2auticn. The question was, whether that was a
proper time to approach the Crown with an address of
congratulation. He thought it much better to approach
the Crown with wailing and lamentation, because he had
seen nothing of late that he could call glorious success.
If the battle of the Alma had been fought last month he
should have had no difficulty in congratulating her Ma-
i jesty; • but the time for that had now gone ;00

~,----,

It i VeY PlAla, wit
, \)
regard to the battle of Inkerman. Mr. Cox, aft...--e ~;. ' v,4afterzap. ,
state • 'r,,.-- ''"...,,,,
ing that the attack of the English on the 18th of June '''' - '
~-, t:.
on the Great Red an was one upon which no Englishmaa
.--?`-5 "A--41k!
could congratulate himself ; and that their late at.
-.4 17 :e
~..z•,-...:V-',,
tack, although the French troops succeeded, ended in a -. . .“-/
frightful defeat. naoved, by way of amendment, "the .
previous question."
Mr. HAWKING, in seconding the amendment, said
that if the Court bard approached her Majesty in terms
of remonstrance at the mismanagement of the war, it
would have been a noble privilege and nobly exercised,
but that they should seek the first opportunity to con-
gratulate her Majesty on the success of the British arms,
when the next mail might bring news of disaster, was a
matter which be could not understand.
Mr. BLAKE said,lamenting as he did the mal-adminis.

tration of affairs in the highest quarters as connected
with both army and navy, that was no reason why, in
spite of all the evil consequences that had flo wed from
it, and when they found themselves in possession of Se-
bastopol in conjunction with their allies, the Court should
not Present a respectful address of congratulation to her
Majesty. (Hear.)
Mr. FL L. TAILOR repudiated the idea of members of
the Court attributing the late success in the Crimea to
the valour of the English troops. It was the French
troops who took Sebastopol. Without the assistance of
the English troops they would not have succeeded ; but,
in point of fact, it was primarily the French, assisted
by the English, who captured Sebastopol. (Hear hear,
and No, no.) He (Mr. Taylor) should vote for the
amendment.
Deputy Bown said it was the attack of the com-
bined forces that led to the capture of the Malakhoff
Tower, and the evacuation of Sebastopol by the Russian
army. Both British and French troops had done their
duty, and the French General, in his despatches, had
paid a just tribute to the gallantry and valour of the
English soldiers. (Hear, hear.) He (Deputy Bower)
concluded by expressing himself in favour of the original
motion.

II': a

Mr. FRY said he could not help expressing his deep
regret at the comparisons and contrasts drawn with re-
gard to the proceedings of the British and French armies.
(Hear, hear.) If such comparisons and contrasts were
to be drawn, he trembled very much for the stability of
the alliance between the two countries. The armies had
mutually assisted each other, and everybody ought to re-
j lice that such cordiality and good feeling existed be-
tween them. (Cheers.)
Mr. ANDERTON said one would suppose, from the
course taken by some members, that they were the allies
of Russia, and his only wonder was that they did not
propose an address of congratulation to the Czar. (Hear.
hear.) Public meetings and demonstrations in connec-
tion with the fall of Sebastopol had been held all over
the country, and if the corporation had done its duty it
would have taken the lead in celebration of the event.
(Elea% hear.)
Mr: PHILLIPS said he could almost have wished that
his friend, Alderman Wire, had not brought the motion
forward ; but having done so, he (Mr. Phillips) thought
that the Court would be guilty of a great dereliction of
duty if they did no' carry the address of congratulation
to the foot of the Throne—the British army and navy
having strained every nerve to promote the greatness
and glory of their country. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. GRESHAM regretted that some gentleman had
not proposed an addenda to the motion, expressive of
the regret of the Court that the early prosecution of the
war by the Ministry had not been conducted with more
vigour and ability. (Hear.)
Deputy LOTT characterised the motion as indiscreet,
ill-formed, and unfortunate. The discussion would have
the effect of dispiriting the army. If an alderman was
to come forwaied on every occasion of a victory, the
Court would have addresses without end, and the alder-
man honours without number. (Laughter.)
Deputy STEVENS hoped the Court would be unani-
mous in carrying the motion.
Alderman WIRE having replied,
The amendment was put and negatived, there being
eight for, and about 60 hands held up against it.
The original motion was then carried amid much
cheering.
A committee, consisting of a member from each ward,
was appointed, and they immediately retired to prepare
the address.

Deputy LoTT presented a petition from the incumbent
of St. James's Church, Holloway, in the parish of St.
Mary, Islington, and the committee for erecting and
managing the schools of the said district, for a grant is
aid of their funds.
Referred to the Coal, Corn, and Finance Committee.
Sir J. DUKE presented a petition from the guardians
of the West London Union, praying the corporation to
erect baths and wash-houses on the unoccupied ground
in Victoria-street.
Referred to the Coal, Corn, and Finance Committee.
Adjourned.