The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-14 00:00:00

GLOUCESTER MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

The festival of the three choirs of Gloucester, Here-
ford, and Worcester opened yesterday morning under
the most favourable auspices. The weather was most
delightful. A great many strangers arrived in the course
of Monday, and the temporary population of the city
was further increased yesterday, fresh arrivals continuing
to pour in throughout the morning. The doors of the
cathedral were besieged at an early hour, and, on the
opening of the service, with which these festivals are
always initiated, the interior of the venerable pile pre-
sented a grand and imposing sight, orchestra, floor, gal..
lery, and aisles being completely filled.
At 11 o'clock the conductor, Mr. Arnott, having
taken his place the festival opened, as has been usual
almost from time immemorial, with Handel's " Esther"
overture, which was played by the band with the cus-
tomary perfection. The pieces and responses were those
of Tallis, and had a grand effect, the 300 or 400 voices
uniting and resounding with imposing grandeur, from
the fretted roof and vaulted aisles of the sacred- building.
The Te Deum was Handel's, that composed for the vic-
tory of Dettingen. The principal solo parts were taken
by Mr. and Mrs. Locket', and Mr. Weiss. The
novelty of the morningt for t
himself.
It abounds in beautiful
was
festival,r
the anthem of Dr. Elvey,
which
by the
hwas written
composer
passages,while
the and
principal the choruses oru ses
singers,arehra
verygrand and massive,
and chorus, ap-
peared to vie with each other in giving effect to it. The
chorus, " Clouds and Darkness," is exceedingly effective;
and the double ()horns, "At His sight the mountains
orchestra,
st , and was con-
ducted
are shaken," is dramatic in expression, the music being
made to convey the meaning and spirit of the words,
which are taken from the 47th Psalm, commencing
"The Lord is Sing." The chorus, "0 ye that
love the Lord," is very like the chorus, " Blessed
are the men who fear Him," in the Elijah. The
concluding chorus is a clever specimen of writing,
and displays Dr. Elvey's ability
as a composer. The
anthem will bear frequent repetition at festivals of
this character. The sermon was preached by
.the
Rev. Dr. Claxson from Chronicles, Book 1., chap. nil.,
verse 8 ; the passage being descriptive of David's praise
of God, with instruments and voice, and this text was
admirably treated in the sermon. Among the clergy
present, besides the Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol,
and very Rev. the Dean, were the Rev. H. K. Lus-
combe (who intoned the service), the Rev. C. Crawley,
precentor( who read the lessons), Rev. Sir J. Seymour,
canon of Gloucester, Rev. Sir W. Darell, Rev.
Frampton, honorary canon ; Archdeacer Thorp, Rev.
Mr. Escott, the Dean of Bristol, Rev. Dr. Evans, Rev.
H. A. S. Attwood, Rev. F. T. J. Bayley, Rev. L. B.
Clutterbuck, Rev. H. B. Evans, and Rev. Canon
Hutchison. The collection at the doors for the charity
amounted to 1661. 2s. 10d.

THE PRICE or GOLD.—The quotation of gold at Paris
is about 3 per mille discount (according to the last tariff),
which, at the English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 104 d. per
ounce for standard gold, .gives an exchange of 25,091 ;
and. the exchange at Paris on London at short being
2.074, it follows that gold is about 0.48 per cent.
dearer in Paris than in London. By advices from Ham-
burg the price of gold is 426' per mark, which, at the
English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 104 d. per ounce for stan-
dard gold, gives an exchange of 13.51 ; and, the ex-
change at Hamburg on London at short being 13.3 k, it
follows that gold is 1.12 per cent. dearer in Hamburg
than in London. The course of exchange at New York
on London for bills at 60 days' sight is 109} per cant.s
and, the par of exchange between England and America
being 109 23-40 per cent., it follows that the exchange
is nominally 0.33 per cent. against England ; the pre-
sent rate, therefore, does not admit of the transmission
of gold between England and America.