The Sun.
London, England, 1853-03-10 00:00:00

RARMONIC UNION.

Last Tuesday, the Oratorio of Elijah was performed,
at Exeter Hall, by the Harmonic Union. The chief
parts were taken by Miss Dolby, Mrs. Endersohn, Miss
Bassano, Mr. Sims Reeves, and Mr. Lawler. The latter
took the important roll of Elijah. He appeared to give
general satisfaction. One of his best performances was
"Is not His Word like a fire," &c., which impressive
air he gave with great energy and spirit. Mr. Sims
Reeves had not much to accomplish, but his few solos
elicited great applause. In particular, the beautiful air
he sung at the conclusion, "Then shall, the righteous,"
&c, was admirably executed and unanimously encored.
Mrs. Endersohn took the first soprano part. Her voice
is excellent, unusually clear and sweet ; but it is to be
regretted that this talented vocalist did not infuse more
feeling into the solemn passages assigned to her. Miss
Dolby's style is too well known to need criticism. She
was heard with the usual admiration that attends her
appearance. " Oh, rest in the Lord," was encored.
The trio taken by Mrs. Endersohn, Miss Dolby, and
Miss F. Rowland, was one of the best features of the
evening's entertainment ; it was likewise re-demanded.
Miss Bassano's voice was well suited to the part of the
Queen, which she rendered in a very superior manner.
Two of the finest choruses were those of "Behold ! God
the Lord passed by," and " Then did Elijah the prophet
break forth like a fire." The conductor was Mr.
Benedict.

CEYLON LAND AND MINING COMPANY.—We would
refer our readers to the advertisement of the Ceylon
Land and Mining Company, which will be found in an-
other part of this day's impression. The association is
formed for the purpose of developing the extra-
ordinary mineral resources of the Island of Ceylon ; and
from the respectability of the parties concerned, and the
high testimonials received as to the great natural capa-
bilities of the intended scene of their operations ; that
from Dr. Ure, the eminent chemist, and from Messrs.
White and Du Maurier, more particularly, the most
sanguine anticipations may be formed of the speedy
success of the Company.
HAYMARKET THEATRE.—We understand this theatre
will open after Easter under the management of Mr.
Buckstone. Many novelties are promised, and the Bri-
tish dramatist will be encouraged to indulge in original-
ity, in preference to cribbing from the French, though,
when anything worth translating is produced in Paris it
will not be lost sight of.
We regret to learn that the Marquis of Londonderry
has been suffering from a severe attack of influenza and
fever since his arrival in town from Wynward Park, and
his lordship is not yet sufficiently recovered to leave the
house.

THE 'PORT OF LONDON.—The first stone of the new
works for enlarging and deepening the East Country.
Dock and adding it to the Commercial Docks at Rother-
hithe was laid yesterday by Mr. Gould, the deputy-
chairman of the company, supported by Mr. Sim, a
director, and attended by Mr. Walker and Mr. Burges,
the company's engineers, and Mr. Kelk, the contractor.
It is interesting to notice that the Greenland Dock, now
one of the Commercial Docks, was, in the, reign of
Charles 11., the only dock (or rather basin, for it had
no gates) in the port of London. Its area is 10 acres,
There have been added during the present century addi-
tional decks, making a total area of 70 acres, including
the East Country Dock. From the above increase of
this one concern, and the numerous other docks since
made,—namely, the West India, the East India, the
London, the Grand Surrey Canal Docks, and the St.
Katharine's Docks,—an idea of the vast increase of
shipping and accommodation for shipping may be formed.
FIRE AT A CHEMICAL WAREHOUSE. Yesterday,
shortly before three o'clock in the morning, a fire broke
out in the house of Mr. Dimond, chemist and druggist,
Holborn-bars, by which great loss was occasioned, and
two men were severely burnt. The fire took place near
the laboratory in the lower part of the house, and on its
discovery in a fey+ minutes the engine and firemen from
Holborn and Farringdon-street arrived and commenced
their operations. The firemen, in their anxiety to
clear the place of combustible substances and com-
positions threw a quantity of phosphorus out into
the road, when it ignited, as it commonly does in con-
tact with the air. A constable; named Patterson, igno-
rantly rushed forward and began to stamp on it, to sub:-
due the flame, when of course a quantity of phosphorus
adhered to his boots, and his clothes were soon all on
fire. A soldier, who was passing at the time, rushed
forward and endeavoured to extinguish the fire about
the officer, and in so doing his own clothes came in con-
tact with the phosphorus, and in less than a second he,
too, was on fire. By great perseverance the fire was
subdued about the policeman and soldier, but they were
terribly burned. The firemen, under the direction of
Mr. Colf, went to work, and with the aid of the portable
engine the fire in the building was confined to the back
laboratory, bit considerable damage was done to the
stock in trade, and also to the premises. The origin of
the fire is unknown. Fortunately the sufferer was in-
sured in the Sun fire-office.

hHelednry yesterday
Ellispresaitdint hge.
LITERARY FUND.-The annual meeting of members
offices,of the
Great
te
Rinusstsiettll s eetitorn; wassir
From the Treasurer's Report it appeared that the re-
ceipts for the past year had been-Newton estate rents,
2081. 18s. : dividends, 869/. 08. Bd. ; subscriptions
and donations, 1,0451. ss. ; balance from past year, 296/.
ss. 4d. ; total, 2,4191. 98. sd. Of the disbursements
there had been forty-nine grants for relief, 1,3401. ;
rent 1401. ; secretary's salary, 2001. ; anniversary
tavern bill, 1391. 7s. ; musicians, 71. 7s. ; with other
lesser items, making in all 1,9261. 10s., and leaving
a balance or investment of 2031. 55., and in hand
2891. 14s. sd. The accounts having been read and
approved of, the following satisfactory review of the affairs
of the institution for the last fourteen years was submitted
and approved of. The total income during the last 14
years has exceeded the total income of the 14 preceding
years by 7,450/. 14s. The total expenditure during the
same period has increased by 2,8461. 3s. 11d. The in-
crease of the receipts has therefore exceeded the increase
of the expenditure by 4,6041. 10s. id., being at the rate
of 3281. 17s. 11d. per annum. The subscriptions and
donations have increased by 3,9901. 3s. 2d. ; the divi-
dends and rents by 3,1991. 3s. 4d. The money funded
from ordinary receipts, exclusive of legacies, by 1,8591.
lls. 9d. ; the grants by 3,079/. 15s. The dinner of 1851
cost 1391. ss. 6d. ; that of 1852 cost 1461. 14s. Adding
to these sums the full share of the printing, stationery,
advertising, and incidental expenses, it appears that by
the sale of tickets, the contributions of stewards and
honorary visitors, and other donations directly traceable
to the dinner, exclusive of the Queen's benefaction, and
all other annual subscriptions, the dinner of 1851 pro-
duced a clear profit of 5181. 2s. 6d., and that the dinner
of 1852 produced a clear profit of 5571. 16s. ld.
CHURCH OF ENGLAND FREEHOLD LAND SOCIETY.-
Yesterday evening a public meeting of the members of
this society was held at Exeter-hall, for the purpose of
affording the committee of management an opportunity
of explaining its objects. Mr. Deputy Obbard, having
been called to the chair, stated that the society had been
eleven months in existence. In the first month 368
shares were taken, the amount received being 6601.
In the second month the number of shares taken
amounted to 527, the sum paid being 1,000/. ; 3d
month, 647 shares, 1,9201. paid ; 4th month, 680
shares, 2,1061. paid ; sth month, 698 shares, 2,7251.
paid ; 6th month, 783 shares, 4,8301. paid ; 7th month,
1,200 shares, 6,230/. paid ; Bth month, 1,658 shares,
7,6501. paid ' • 9th month, 1,968 shares, 8,7301. paid ;
10th month, 2,290 shares, 10,6061. paid ; 11th month,
2,444 shares, 17,4491. paid. Since the accounts were
made up (on the 28th February) between 300 and 400
shares had been taken towards the next month. The
society had purchased an estate of eight acres at Forest-
hill, one of 5) acres at Finchley, one of eight acres at
Harrow, and one of 33 acres at Wimbledon. All these
had been paid for, and the committee were in treaty for
others eligibly situated. More than half of the 2,444
shares which had been taken up were held by single
shareholders, and 558 allotments of land had already
been_ made. Resolutions in favour of the principles of
the society were passed, and a ballot afterwards took
place for shares.