The Sun.
London, England, 1862-07-31 00:00:00

defect was a certain liveliness in some of the

airs to the words of Moore (very naturally
contracted), which had rather an operatic than all
oratorio character. Tnis was especially the cape

- -
in the best success of the evening, " The Evening
Hymn," in the third part, sung by Midarne

Titiens and Mr. Sims Reeves, which contained a

very charming melody. and W 3. very loudty rerie

minded. It w unquestion Ably very pleasing, but

it was entirely out of place. One of the airs,
-ilso by Mr. Weiss, " Awake, arise arAl
shine," recalled in its opening passage Che-
valier Neukomm's song of " The Sea." On the

other hand, it would be unjast to deny that Herr
Schachoer, in this oratorio, puts forth many
evidences of his claim to the name of a musician.
He has evidently a thorough knowledge of the re
sources he has to deal with, however wanting gene-
rally in the method of applying them, and he has
occasionally exhibited even the possession of this
method. In the duett, "The Lord has tried his
children," sung by Mr. Sims Reeves and Mr.
Weiss, he has infused considerable feeling, and in
the concluding choruses of the second and third
part he has exhibited consinerable vigour.
The execution of this oratorio was as perfect as
could be, and to its great excellence must be attri
buted most of the good impression of the music.
Madame Titiens and Mr. Sims Reeves were both
in admirable voice, and, sustained by Mr. Weiss
and Mdme. Laura Baxter, gave to the solos and other

pieces all the effect of which they were capable. Tne
chorus also, and the band were thoroughly efficient,
and under the masterly direction of Mr. Alfred

Mellon left no point of merit undeveloped in their
respective spheres of duty. The entire result was
a most favourable reception of the work, several
parts of it being loudly applauded, and the

~ ..
composer called for at •the close.

a still more gratifying fact, wa are happy to add
that the hall was crowded, and that therefore the
worthy end for which this music was produced—

the support of the charity we have mentioned—
must have been handsomely acciimplished.

THE COTTON FAMINE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Stit,—A subject of deep interest, at this moment, to the
whole of England, and one upon the proper treatment of
which the extension of our present supply of cotton trout
India, as also much of the material prosperity of that
country, will mainly depend, is to be brought before
the House of Lords by the E .r 1 of Shaftesbury to-morrow
(Friday) evening. I allude to the encourageine ,t of private
enterprise in the construction of new, aud the improvement
of old waterways to the coast from the interior of India, and
without which it will be impossible to convey the raw
material from the field of production to the port the dis-
tance averaging over 400 miles. ,
Allow through your columns, to call the attention of
theho
desire publicto :o
this intended discussion, and to intreat all
w
prevent future cotton famines, or who wish
that England
should rule India in a liberal, wise, and p
o-
gressive policy, to note well the result, of the appeal which
will then be made to the G ,vernment on t.ehalf of the
riadras Irrigation and Canal Company, which has boldly
taken upon itself the task of p oneer in this species of en-
terprize, and upon the treatment of which, by that Govern-
ment, so much necessarily depends.
This company is seeking only to retain that which Sir
C. Wood,
statement just printed for the inhumation
of both Houses of Parliarneni, of the moral and material
progress tnd condition of India, states to be "the main
feature of their scheme," and which, nevertheless strange
to say, has, for some time past, been endeavoured to be
withheld from them.
It is to be hoped that the explanation of the Government
in that house will remove all doubt, and give an assurance
that justice v 7,11 be no longer delayed, or the country to be
affected be deprived of the water and improvement it so
much needs..--I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Edon, 314 Julys 1882,

w. J.