The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-14 00:00:00

WORCESTER MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

WORCESTER, Sept. 11.
The grand ball in the Guildhall, on Friday night brought
the 140th meeting of the Three Choirs to an end. It was .
most spirited affair—everything, including even the impor-
tant details of the refreshment department, being admirably
arranged and carried out. Worcestershire and the counties
immediately contiguous could not have been more hand-
somely represented. The briniest company began
to aSSCM"
ble about an hour before midnight, and, enlivened by the
strains of an efficient orchestra, directed with equal ability'
and zeal by Mr. Coote, the great majority remained tiff
several hours after—as wholly absorbed in their pursuit as
though the only important end of existence was to dance
waltzes, polkas, galops, and quadrilles. The music wag
generally well selected by Mr. Coote; but the most attrac-
tive feature of the evening—to judge by the satisfaction
with which the themes to each successive figure were lin.'
mediately recognised—was a lively and well-constructed
quadrille on M. Gounod's universally-admired opera of
" Faust," the familiar strains of the military chorus in the
fourth act making a stz iking and pompous climax.
_ _

The prognostications of the Rev. Mr. Sarjeant, who has
reason to be proud of the result of his arduous and unremit-
ting exertions, have been fully realised ; for though the do-
nations to the charity, as far as at present ascertained, are
less than in 1860, a considerable surplus of receipts over ex-
penditure is relied upon. It is believed that at least £3OO
(some assert £500) will be added to the fund which enables
Worcester to contribute £6O annually to the charity at each
of the three festivals. Much disappointment, nevertheless,
was felt that, while the "Messiah," on Friday, attracted no
fewer than 2,670 persons to the cathedral—upwards of 500
more than at last meeting—£4s less should have been ob-
tained by the plate-holders. The subjoined table gives a
comparison between the collections in 1860 and 1863 :

1860. 1863.
Tuesday £355 5 6 .. £250 0 0
Wednesday
Thursday .. ..... 255 5 1 .. 240 8 8
Friday

Total .. £1,124 18 4 £1,064 11 8
And yet the total number of persons who attended the fes-
tival in 1863 is estimated at 10,598, while inlB6o it was only
8,534—a difference of 2,064. True, the Earl of Coventry
on the former occasion contributed £lOO to the charity at
the eleventh hour—which with other late donations swelled
the amount to £1,314 Ss. 7d.—the largest collection known
at any of the meetings ; and should he feel moved to repeat
this act of liberality, and thus atone fur his regretted ab-
sence, and should, moreover, the Earl of Dudley, to whom
the festival is said to be indebted for "Israel's Return from
Babylon" (which his Lordship did not come to hear, being
an absentee during the week), be persuaded to imitate tho
Earl of Coventry's example, there is no reason why the
fund for the widows and orphans should not derive as much
advantage from the 140th meeting of the Three Choirs as
from then I:l7tb _ The jam.,et ott,mlaaapeektyttla properly be
represented by the largest collection, the most triumphant
success by the most extended liberality. The reaction from
the universal excitement caused by the International Exhi-
bition is at an end ; the harvest has turned out prosperous
almost beyond example ; whera,.then, can be the excuse for
anything like shortcoming on such an occasion ? The very
look of the cathedral, now almost wholly restored to its pri-
mitive splendour, would, it might have been thought, act as
a fresh stimulus to generosity. Why, the newspaper re-
porters who came down from London, at the charge of the
papers they represent, to give countenance and extended
publicity to the festivals, and the excellent objects for which,
they were instituted, are actually much more substantial
supporters than a large majority of those directly concerned,
and who should properly have these excellent objects nearest
at heart. Fi done !

The festivities of the week have been kept up with be-
coming spirit by some of the most influential inhabitants of
Worcester. The Mayor gave his usual breakfast at tho
Guildhall, at which the Duo d'Aumale and an enormous
company "assisted ;" the Dean kept open house to a largo
number of privileged visitors every day; and the Bishop
attended most of the performances in the Cathedral. Of
these performances and of the evening concerts enough has
been written, both generally and in detail. There remains,
then, but to acknowledge the extreme courtesy and obliging
politeness of the Rev. Mr. Sarjeant, who at these meetings,
busy as he inevitably must be, finds both time and inclina-
tion, amid his very onerous and responsible duties, to at-
tend to everybody and everything. Meanwhile most of the
principal solo singers and members of the instrumental
orchestra are already on their way to Norwich, where Mr.
Benedict is doubtless looking out for them with what Herr
Riehard Wagner, if he wrote English, would designate as
anxious polyscopity."

Raising of the Sunken:Steamer Baron Osy)
in the River,

Early on Saturday morning active operations were com-
menced for raising the Baron Osy, Antwerp steamer, which
more than a week since sunk in the upper part of Limehouse
Reach while on her passage up the river to St. Katherine's
Wharf, as already detailed in this journal. Several chains
had previously been passed under her bottom, and in order
to assist the lifting power, and to add to their buoyancy, it
was arranged to pump out the after compartment, and to re-
duce the water in the fore-hold. Two powerful pumps,
workedgwere arranged on deck on the water sub-
in fficiout pumps were also brought into re-
sid.byo steam,
e e
quisition and fixed in readiness to commence immediate
operatiorfs when directed. At low water the Thames Con-
servancy and other lighters were "pinned" down to the
chains alongside the steamer, and warps were laid out to
the south shore so as to haul her in gradually when
she lifted. The contractors for performing the work were
Messrs. IN ood and West, who have had considerable
experience in raising ships and wrecks in the river. Oa
the flood tido beginning to make, the steam and other
pumps were put to work, and they soon began to
reduce the water; but as the fracture in the ship's
bottom was almost amidships, and had evidently extended
to the forehold, the process of lessening the depth of water
in that part of the vessel was rather slow work. Thepumps,
however, gained upon the leak, and as the flood came up •
the steamer yielded to the power which was brought to bear
upon her, and gradually began to lift. The great quantity
of mud which had accumulated in her hold had added much
to her weight, and great vigilance had to be used in watch-
ing the chain. so as to avoid any undue pressure, and the
large steamers which were now and then passing up and
down the river were directed to ease their speed as they
passed by. As the time advanced the ship was fairly off the
bed of the river, and hanging on the chains. All went on
satisfactorily, and when it was high water the Baron
Osy was got into the south shore clear of the navigation of
the river, and allowed to settle down on the bed of mud off
the timber wharf at Rotherhitho. On the tide turning the
water gradually left her, and measures will at once be taken
to patch up the rent in her bottom, when she will be hauled
into dry dock to undergo repair. There is some cargo still
in her, although of what value new remains to be seen.
Several Customhouse officers were put on board to protect
the revenue. The Thames police and harbour master's
boat were in attendance and rendered aid.

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