The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-13 00:00:00

civil engineering itself being comparatively a modern
profession. In the far away days, when military
engineers like VAUBAN and others attained extended
reputations, the humbler but more useful sister pro-
fession was little thought of ; but the nineteenth
century, among its other wonders, has proved how
the deep study of the man of science in his closet
may affect the busy world of active life thousands
of miles away. It is an age, as Lord STANLEY
remarked; of victories, not by man over man, not
by nation over nation, but by man over nature with
the aid of nature herself, and he cited as an illus-
tration of his assertion three of the greatest works
of the day, the telegraph wires, the piercing of the
Alps, and the great Egyptian enterprise which is
to shorten the route to India by 7,000 miles.
Works like these, said the noble lord, are suffi-
cient of themselves to give an impress to the
age. As yet we but dimly foresee the ultimate con-
sequences of the vast increase of the means of rapid
communication between the ends of the earth. The
effect upon the political relations will no doubt be-
come more and more important, and will, we may
hope, tend to soften national prejudice, to remove
misconstructions, and to diminish the probability of
wars. The commercial effect will be proportionately
great ; and England, as the chief emporium of trade
and enterprise, will certainly be the chief ga.iner.
The intelldctual, moral, and social consequences
have yet to make themselves felt ; but the tendency
of all must be to bring men nearer each other, to
enable them better to comprehend the history, the
language, and literature of other nations, and to
bring the leading minds of one country into more
direct communication with another. The works of
our civil engineers, then, cannot be regarded as
mere triumphs of mechanical skill. Railways have
already been said by good judges to be most power-
ful auxiliaries in Christianising and civilising India;
while canals and irrigation works will be as impor-
tant in promoting the health and material prosperity
of our vast Eastarn empire. In our North American
possessions the civil engineer is the pioneer of
civilisation, and until the railroad and the highway,
the bridge and the viaduct are constructed, the
richest and most fertile land lags behind in the great
race of progress. The Institution of Civil Engi-
neers has done good service in the cause, and the
rapid increase of its members proves the rise of its
reputation. In its early years it numbered only 110
members, while at the present moment its ranks
muster 1,200, while its revenue has of course in-
creased proportionately. The guests who last even-
ing assembled at the annual dinner amounted to
250, among whom were several eminent men. Lord
STANLEY'S speech was the best of the evening, since
on a subject of so practical a character the noble
lord was particularly qualified to dilate, but other
addresses of considerable interest were given in the
course of the evening.

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Sacred Harmonic Society.

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A very interesting performance took place last
evening in Exeter Hall, when Mr. Costa's oratorio
of " Naaman" was introduced to a London audi-
ence. It was composed for the Birmingham
Festival of last September, where it was produced
with the greatest success, and, judging from its
reception last night, its provincial triumphs will be
repeated and even extended in the metropolis. The
principal soloists were Miss Edwards, Madame
Rudersdorff, Madame Sainton-Dolby, Mr. Sims
Reeves, and Messrs. Cummings and Santley,
being the same performers, with one exception,
that were present at Birmingham. The principal
soprano, part, which on that occasion was
taken by Mdlle. Adelina Patti, was last night un-
dertaken by Miss Edmonds, a young singer of great
promise, said to be a pupil of Mrs. Sims Reeves.
The performance was throughout an unquestionable
success, and the enthusiasm of the audience refused
to be restrained from expressing itself in fre-
quent applause. The encore in one instance
was so unanimous that the performers were
induced to break the rule by repeating the
quartett " Honour and Glory, Almighty, be thine,'
admirably sung by Miss Edmonds, Mme. Sainton-
Dolby, Mr. Sims Reevs, and Mr. Southy. This
quartett, already known in the musical world is likely
to become one of the recognised gems of oratorio
music. Next to this in favour was the recitative and
air in the first part, " Confounded be all they," and
" They shall be turned back," sung with wonderful
effect by Miss Edmonds. The trio, " Haste to
Samaria," by Miss Edmonds, Mdme. Sainton-Dolby,
and Mr. Sims Reeves, was another special success,
as were also "I dreamt I was in Heaven," by Miss
Dolby ; ," What ! what meaneth he ?" by Mr. Sims
Reeves ; and " Lament not thus," by Mr. Southy.
The powers of these singers are familiar to the
public ; of the music which it was their task to
render there seemed to be but one opinion, as
flattering to the composer as it was satisfactory to
the audience. Naaman has evidently at once taken
its rank among the standard oratorios of the Sacred
Harmonic.