The Sun.
London, England, 1862-01-09 00:00:00

MR. HENRY LESLIE'S CHOIR.

The seventh season of the series of performances
by Mr. Henry Leslie's Choir was inaugurated last
evening at the Queen's Concert Rooms, Hanover-
square, a far more appropriate site for these elegant,
recherche, and popular entertainments than St.
Martin's Hall or St. James's Hall, where they had
hitherto been held.

The concert began with " God save the Queen,"
ably arranged for the choir by Mr. Leslie, and
with additional verses by Mr. W. H. Bellamy,
written with elegance, and well suited to the cir-
cumstances of the time. The Earl of Mornington's
celebrated glee, " Here in cool grot and mossy cell"
was sung with greater effect than we ever heard
given to it before. Though intended for single
voices, yet, from the sense of the words as well as the
clear and broad character of the harmony, it is ad-
mirably suited for choral performance. Pearsall's
madrigal, " Why, with toil thy life consuming"—
a beautiful thing, was sung beautifully. Men-
delssohn's part-song, "The first day of Spring," is
one of the happiest even of that great master's
efforts in this style. It is a perfect gem of beauty
and expression; truly " redolent of spring ;" and
the tone of devout feeling, to which it rises at the
close, adds grandeur to its beauty. The first part
terminated with two short anthems for an eight-
part choir for Christmas and New Year's-day.

The second part began with a motet for a double
choir by Sebastian Bach—a work of remarkable
power and grandeur, and admirably executed. The
chorale with which it concluded was of exquisite
beauty. " The Northmen's Song of Freedom," a
part-song for male voices, was sung with great
vigour and effect. There was another beautiful
part-song of Mendelssohn's, and a very fine Christ-
mas Carol, composed by Henry Leslie, concluded
the concert.

The Prince of Wales remains at Osborne with
the Queen until after the arrival of his brother, Prince
Alfred, who is expected in England in the course of the
present month. Shortly after his arrival the Prince of
Wales will carry out the plan laid down for him in com-
pletion of his education by the Queen and his deeply-
lamented father, of making a tour in the holy Land and
the other historical localities of the East. It had been in-
tended that his Royal Highness should set out upon this
expedition towards the end of last year, and, as the jour-
neys in the East can only be performed during the cooler
months of the year, the Queen has decided that the rishes
and arrangements of the Prince Consort, which are consi-
dered sacred by the Queen and the Prince of Wales, should
shortly be carried into execution. The Prince will neces-
sarily travel in the most private manner.
We understand that the Address in the House of
Commons w 11 be moved by Mr. Portman, member for
Dorsetshire, and seconded by Mr. Western Wood, member
for the City of London. We have reason to believe that it
is her Majesty's intention to confer the title of baronet
upon Mr. Charles Wentworth Dilke.

The Earl of Coventry has arrived in town from
Crowe Court, 'Worcestershire.

Viscountess Stormont was safely delivered of a
daughter yesterday at her residence in Upper Grosvenor-
street. Her ladyship and infant aro progressing favourably.

Viscount and Lady Mary Sandon will shortly
leave town to a continental tour. Her ladyship, we learn,
has recovered from her recent indisposition.
Lady Ford has arrived at the Queen's Hotel,
Upper Norwood, from Tunbridge.
The marriage of Captain Maxse with Miss Steel
is fixed to take place on the 18th inst.
The Rev. Dr. Anderton and Mrs. and the Misses
Anierton have arrived at the Brunswick Hotel, Jermyn•
street, from the United States.

The journals announce the death of the Duchess
Dowager of Saulx Tavanu,s, at the ago of 90. She was the
daughter of the Duke de Choiseul-Gouffier, Minister to
Louis XV.

RELEASE OF MESSRS. SLIDELL AND MASON.—
Last night, before the commencement of the pantomime at
Drury-lane Theatre, Mr. E. T. Smith came forward and
read, from the third edition of The Sun of last evening, to
a crowded audience, the official announcement that the
American Government had "thought better of it," and
had restored Messrs. Mason and Slidell to the British flag.
The announcement, which was followed by a performance
of the National Anthem, was received with enthusiastic
cheers. At the Adelphi, Olympic, and other theatres, a
similar announcement was made from the stage.

THE BURGLARY AT PADDINGTON.—The jury
returned a verdict of guilty. It was stated in the court
that both of the men had been before convicted, Puzey of
a burglary at Lord Foley's. The judge, in a suitable and
impressive address, sentenced the prisoners Puzey and
Reeves to penal servitude for life, and Collett for a term of
four years. The case lasted until 10 o'clock.

THE GREAT EASTERN.—Differwat arrangements
have been made respecting placing this vessel on the grid-
iron at Neyland. That important sen ice will not now take
place until the first spring tides in February—somewhere
about the 14th of that month—until which period she will
lie at anchor off Milford, as she has so safely done during
the severe weather of the past autumn and winter. Her
internal affairs are progressing satisfactorily.

TIIF EARL OF ELGIN.—The Earl of Elgin left
Broomhall yesterday for London, where he will remain some
weeks previous to his departure for India. On Thursday
his lordship was entertained at Pitfirrane by Sir P. Arthur
Ilalket, Bart., at a farewell banquet, to which a large pro-
portion of the deputy lieutenants of the county of Fife were
invited. Among the compary present were—the Earl and
Countess of Elgin, Lady Emma Bruce, the Hon. Thomas
Bruce; 11. H. Erskine Weni-yss, Esq., M.P. ; W. Adam,
Esq., of Blair-Adam, M.P. ; John Balfour, Esq., of Bal-
birnie ; J. A. Thomson, Esq., of Charleston; J. 'l'. Oswald'
Esq., of Dunnikier ; R. Cathcart, Esq., of Pitcairlie ; Colo-
nel and Mrs. Babington, of Luscar, Ice. The earl is accom-
panied by the countess, Lord Bruce, and Lady Emma
Bruce.—Edinburgh Courant.
IT,T,NF3S OF Loan) SEATON.--We ( Western
Morning _News) regret to elate that Lord Seaton is at pre-
sent much indisposed. This gallant and venerable noble-
man is now at his residence at Beechwood,near Plymouth,
and his illness causes considerable anxiety to his friends and
relatives. This is naturally increased by his lordship's ad.
vanced age, he being now in his 86th year. His lordship is
a field marshal in the army, a G.C.8., colonel of thQ 2d
Life Guards, and Lieutenant • Governor of Chelsea Hospital.
He has been Governor-General of Canada, and Lord High
Commi,sioner of the lonian Islands. For some years be
commanded the troops in Ireland. He was raised to the
peerage in 1839 as a lewari for his distinguished military
oeryicea.

LATEST NEWS.

PEACE WITH AAIEIIIC/A,

RELEASE OF MESSRS. SLIDELL
AND MASON.

A telegram, dated the 27th of December, was
received at the Foreign-office from Lord Lyons,
soon after four o'clock this afternoon, announcing
that the United States Government had consented
to deliver to him the prisoners when and where he
pleased.

Foreign-office, Jan. 8, 1862.

CORK, JAN. 8.

Shortly before the Washington left New York a
telegram was received at Inman's office from Wash-
ington saying that the Commissioners would be
surrendered, and leave for England by the next
mail. The prisoners were to be set free on the 29th.

DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE ON THE
TRENT AFFAIR.
LONDONDERRY, JAN. 9.
The Canadian steamer Jura, which arrived here
this morning, was detained at Portland six hours
for Lord Lyons' despatches, which she takes to
Liverpool direct.

NEW YORK, DEC. 28.
(Per Jura, via Portland and Londonderry.)

The diplomatic correspondence in reference to
the case of Messrs. Mason and Slidell has been
published.
It commences with a despatch from Mr. Seward
to Mr. Adams in London, declaring that Captain
Wilkes acted without instructions, and hoping that
the British Government would consider the subject
in a friendly temper. Mr. Seward says also that
the British Government may expect the best dis-
position on the part of the Federal Government.
The next despatch is from Earl Russell to Lord
Lyons, stating the outrage on the British flag, and
hoping that the act was committed without instruc-
tions from the Federal Government, as that Govern-
ment must be aware that Great Britain cannot allow
such an affront to pass without reparation. Earl
Russell expresses a hope that the Federal Govern-
ment will offer suitable redress by giving up the
four prisoners to Lord Lyons.
Mr. Seward, who was furnished with a copy of
Earl Russell's despatch, replied that the English
Government rightly conjectured that the act was
without the authority or knowledge of the Federal
Government. He trusts that England will see that
the Federal Government neither practised nor ap-
proved any deliberate wrong in the transaction,
and declares that Great Britain has a right to de-
mand the same reparation as the United States
would expect from any friendly nation in a similar
case. Mr. Seward says he is aware that he argues
on the British side of the case, but in doing so he
is only defending American principles. He quotes
the instructions from Mr.. Madison, Secretary of
State in 1804, to Mr. Monroe, Minister to England,
and says :—" If I decide this case in favour af my
own Government I must disallow its most cherished
principles, and for ever abandon its most cherished
policy ; but the country cannot afford such a sacri-
fice ; the Government cannot deny the justice of
England's claim." Mr. Seward, in conclusion,
states that the four prisoners are at the disposal of
Lord Lyons, and asks his lordship to indicate a
time and place for receiving them.
Lord Lyons, in his reply, says he will forward
Mr. Seward's communication to the British Go-
vernment, and will confer personally with him in
regard to the reception of the four gentlemen.

The note from M. Thouvenel to the French
Minister on the Trent affair is included in the cor-
respondence.