The Sun.
London, England, 1853-03-17 00:00:00

NEW PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.

The above society commenced their performances for
the present season at Exeter-hall last night, under the
conduct of Herr Lindpamtner, who, it appears, is to
divide with Dr. Wylde the superintendence of the first
four concerts, whilst the last two are committed to the
care of the celebrated Dr. Spohr.
The principal feature of the first part was, of course,
the symphony of Mendelssohn. This work, which was
first produced in 1842, is the last of this class of com-
positions which emanated from the mind of its gifted
composer. It is now so well known, and has received
such universal approval, that any analysis of it would
be quite uncalled for ; suffice it to say, that it appears
to have suffered no diminution of the public favour, and
that the exquisite scherzo was, as usual, re-demanded
amidst the most enthusiastic plaudits. Beethoven's
choruses were sung with steadiness and spirit, and the
latter encored, the grotesqueness of the subjects and its
fanciful treatment appearing to be much relished by the
audience. Spohr's duett was a substitution for one by
H. Smart, which was compelled to be postponed in con-
sequence of the indisposition of Mr. Sims Reeves. It
was by no means effectively sung by Mrs. Endersohn and
Mr. Lockey, the gentleman being frequently almost
wholly inaudible. Mozart's great air was given
by Mr. Weiss with correct expression and due
dignity of style, but his voice has not sufficient
volume in the lower notes to give the necessary
effect to this simple but sublime composition.
The clarionet concerto, though containing some happy
ideas, displayed on the whole more difficulty than
beauty ; it received full justice at the hands of M.
Wuille; who exhibited a facility of execution and com-
mand over his instrument truly surprising. The
pianoforte part of Beethoven's magnificent concerto was
played by Madlle. Clauss in a manner which fully jus-
tified the sanguine expectations raised by her per-
formances last season. The well-known War March of
the Priests, from the " Athalie," brought the concert
to a conclusion with the utmost éclat, but, in con-
sequence of the numerous encores, not till a late hour.

SUICIDE OF A FOREIGN MERCANTILE AGENT.

Mr. G. S. Brent, the deputy-coroner for Middlesex,
held a lengthened inquiry last evening, at the Middlesex
Hospital, touching the death of Van Brecob Frieswicke,
aged 31 years, a native of Holland, who died in the above
institution on Sunday last, front the effects of having
swallowed a quantity of nitric acid (aqua-fortis), on the
2d ult.
The details of the case are as follows :—On the
morning of the 2d of last month the deceased was
lodging at No. 7, Clipstone-street, Fitzroy-square hav-
ing only taken the apartments the day previously,
although he had lodged there before, and he called out
from the window of his room to the policeman in the
street, that he had taken poison, and wanted help, at the
same time throwing down the latch-key. Two constables
went in and removed him to the hospital, where he was
at once attended by Mr. Corfe, the resident medical offi-
cer. He seemed after some days to rally, but fatal symp-
toms ultimately supervened, and he lingered, as stated
above, until his death. After taking the poison, a letter
was found written by him, addressed to the " Magistrate
of Marylebone," wherein he stated that his body would
be found and taken away by his friends, that all neces-
sary expenses would be paid, and he hoped that his
name might not be alliewed to appear in the newspapers.
Mr. Palmer, the landlord of the house, stated that
the deceased had first come to him last December, under
the name of Charles Lewis Vincent, fresh from the Con-
tinent, and as a foreign agent. He also told witness
that he had travelled a great deal, having been to the
Californian gold diggings, New Orleans, and other parts
towards South America. That be was now a mercan-
tile agent in a large way ; and witness believed him,
seeing him with plenty of money, and paying a cabman
12s. a day to go to the docks, the Custom-house, &c.
When he left to go the first time it was to the Conti-
nent, in great haste. His proper name was only ascer-
tained through the agent of foreign firms in Birchin-
lane, City.
Mr. Corfe said that the deceased was most respectably
connected, but had, unfortunately, got in with some
brothel-keeper in a street off the Strand, who had since
sent in a bill to the agent of 12 guineas for lodging. A
Swiss girl of the same house also visited him in the hos-
pital. A gentleman from the Foreign-office, to whom
he had applied for 25/., also called some time since, and
stated him to be of the highest respectability. The de-
ceased, when pressed as to the commission of the act,
would only reply, " family matters."
It was stated that he had a wife and two children in
his own country. The post-mortem examination clearly
showed the poison to be the cause of death.
The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the
medical evidence, leaving the state of his mind at the
time an open question.

ROASTING BY GAS AT THE ROYAL NAVAL SCHOOL,
GREENWICH HOSPITAL, BY M. SOYER.—Two interesting
trials have taken place at the above establishment, with
an apparatus, manufactured by Messrs. Smith and
Philips, patentees, of Skinner-street, Snow-hill, under
the superintendence of M. Soyer, which, in its results,
finally determines the question on the merits and eco-
nomy of roasting by gas. The results of the first trial,
which took place on the Bth inst., was that 36 legs of
mutton, weighing 288 lbs., were roasted at a cost of
ls. 2d. In order to arrive at more positive results in
regard to its economy, a second trial was deemed requi-
site, which took place on the 11th inst., when equal
weights of mutton were cooked-23 joints, weighing
184 lbs., were roasted by gas at a cost of 100, with gas
supplies at four shillings per thousand feet ; when
cooked, the above weight of meat was found to
weigh 146 lbs. ; dripping, 19 lbs.; of gravy or ozmazome,
24 lbs.—thus showing the actual loss to be 84 lbs.
Twenty-three joints of mutton, weighing 184 lbs., were
cooked in the usual way as adopted at the institution,
namely, in one of Count Romford's ovens, hitherto con-
sidered the most economical way of roasting. Whpn taken
out they were found to weigh 132 lbs. ; dripping, 18 lbs.
gravy, none ; thus showing a loss of 341 b. The coke con-
sumed by the oven weighed 102 lbs., coals 30 lbs., thus
proving the great economy of gas over the oven by a
saving of 13 lbs. of meat, 1 lb. of dripping, and 24 lbs.
of gravy, the value of which saving is as follows ;
Meat, at 6d. per lb., 6s. 6d. ; dripping, at sd. per lb., 5d ,
and gravy, at ls. 6d. per lb., 4s. lid., making a total of
11s. od. These experiments took lace before the Gover-
nor, Sir C. Adams, and his lady, Sir J. Liddle, M D
Lieut. Rouse, general superintendent ; Lieut .Monk,.
Messrs. Lee and Saville, inspectors of works, &c,, &c,,
who expressed their admiration at the cleanlinessc. and
simplicity of the apparatus. In order to show the ad-
vantages of the system in all its branches, a rump steak
was broiled by M. Soyer, before the company present,
who partook of it, and declared it was perfection, and
free from all odour.

EMIGRATION.—By the late advices from the Australian
colonies we learn that 12,000 emigrants and 152 ships
had =iv-Kt in Port Philip during the month of Decem-
ber.