The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-08 00:00:00

A MUSICAL FAMILY.

'Pram Eliza Cook's Journal : Our Olusical Corner.)

We know the Thornberry family to be very worthy
people. They were once well off, and kept a lame house
in a large square, with a footman, all drab and scarlet,
and a page, " all green and yellow ;" though we cannot
give the full quotation by adding "melancholy," for
Rupert was one of the merriest domestic plagues that
ever privately perplexed a mistress or publicly abused a
housemaid.
The Thornberrys were of that class of enthusiastic de-
votees to Apollo, known as " music mad." Their even-
ing parties recognised no rational method of passing the
bouts but that of "singing and playing" unceasingly ;
and we always dreaded being invited to them, as we
were certain of having " too much of a good thing ;" but
then we could steal away after an hour's appearance, and
not be missed from the spacious rooms and crowded
assembly ; now the case is altered. The Thornberrys
are sadly reduced in circumstances, and are obliged to
live in one of those dreary, miserable-looking rows of
eight-roomed houses found in the streets about the Com•
mercial-road, with one female drudge, who supplies their
household demands, as a general shop does a country
village, with everything required, from bacon and but-
ter to blacking and brickdust. The footman and the
" scarlet"lwe see no longer, but the "drab" remains
painfully visible. The " green and yellow" page is gone,
but the "melancholy" seems plentifully added. Coals
are had in by the single ton—whether to accommodate
the limits of cellar or purse we will not question. The
girls' merino dresses are always " turned' for the second
winter ; and the boys' coats are evidently " revived" at
collars and seams. They have a number of "make-up"
dinners, which signifies six mutton-chops for seven,
appetites ; and they have taken a wonderful fancy to
talking by firelight, scrupulously keeping the candles
unlighted for the perfect enjoyment thereof. Mrs.
Thornberry is an elderly lady of great personal pride,
which, contrary to that of the peacock, has always chiefly
exhibited itself in the arrangement of her head. We can
recollect her wearing such feathers and such ribbons as
used to astonish our young mind, but lately she has often
declared that quiet head-dresses are most becoming to
her years ; and she accordingly mounts a most unimposing
model of a dark-coloured something, with an indication
of floral ornament about it, which, from the length of
time we have recognised the same, we should say belongs
to the tribe of flowers known as "everlasting." Very
praiseworthy are these economical sacrifices on the part
of the Thornberrys, and we respect them highly for such
conduct ; but there is one inconsistency still persisted in
by them, they will give " musical parties," and the pos-
session of the wiry skeleton of one of Broadwood's '
pianos, coupled with their mania for singing and playing,
are the causes of rather pitiable attempts at their olden
entertainments. The manner in which they now " get
up" musical evenings inspires us with equal regret and
dread. These evenings occur about once in theee months,
and we are always asked to join them. The Thornberrys
now limit their invitations to the friends who are
supposed to have a genuine love of music, and, unfor-
tunately, we are among the number. They always
muster three or four among the party who are as insanely
devoted to harmony as themselves, but whose talent and
voices are somewhat questionable, although they may be
professionally educated, or enthusiastically ready. The
last of these evenings spent there tried us to such a de-
gree, that we fear we must be " indisposed" when our
next invitation arrives. We will just give a sketch in
few and light lines of the affair, for the full, Rembrandt
depths of detail would be too wearisome to offer.
It was a cold and rainy night. Five miles in a very
objectionable cab did not add to our natural vital power,
and, on our arrival, we shivered like a shaken blancmange,
as we entered a fireless bed-room, where a solitary candle,
before a small dressing-glass, was quivering and guttering,
as though ashamed of beholding its reflected form. The
cheerless gloom struck to our heart, and we felt as if we
were going to a funeral, without hopes of a legacy. We
descended to the front parlour without the slightest
attempt to put ourselves to "rights," and there found
about twenty persons, sitting in stately propriety, under
the illuminating influences of dark grey paper, touched
here and there with stone-coloured damp ; dingy brown
windown-curtains, faded Turkey carpet, and four com-
posites, two on the mantelpiece, and two on the remains
of Broadwood." A black teaboard, relieved with green
tea, white sugar, and sky-blue milk, was at the end of
its voyage round the room. We took a cup of fluid for
ceremony's sake ; but before we had finished it, the eldest
Miss Thornberry made a move to the heap of music on a
little side-table, and seemed vainly seeking for some par-
ticular composition, though we firmly believe she knew
perfectly well where to put her hand upon it. Mr.
Crackerly, an elderdly gentleman, one of the Thornberry's
Cecilian band, with very red face and very curly wig, flew
to assist her. Miss Selina Thornberry went to assist
both ; and, after a few moments of serious whispering,
the announcement was made, "that they were going to
do" " When Time was entwining." Accordingly, a pro-
found stillness and silence were instantly observed, for it
would affront the Thornberry's for ever to speak or stir
while "music" was going on ; and we had to embrace our
cup and saucer without moving a muscle, until the glee
was finished. We then hurried it on to the table, and
took a long breath; but before we had time to brush away
the imaginary cobwebs from our nose with our full-
dress mouchoir, Miss Fitzquaver, of the R.A. took the
vacated seat, and commenced the " Overture to Der
Freyschutz." Now, this overture, above all others, re-
quires at least one good instrument, and one good per-
former ; but the poor old Broadwood was unequal
to the task, and so was Miss Fitzquaver. However,
what the lady wanted in science she made up in
rapidity, which we secretly thanked Heaven for, and
she was led in triumph from the stool by Mr. Crack-
erly, while every tongue expressed its sense of gra-
titude forker condescension, and admiration of her
execution. " Now Mr. Sweetman, will you kindly
oblige us ?" said Mrs. Thornberry, with a sort of coax-
ing dignity ; and a pale youth, with a blue waistcoat and
white satin straight jacket about his neck, immediately,
produced an elegant Concertina, and hinted his acquire-
ment of some exquisite variations on "Annie Laurie." Of
course, every one would be delighted to hear them ; but
alas ! the young gentleman was either nervous, or had
neglected to practice sufficiently, for he made a "sad mess"
of poor "Annie ;" and even Mr. Crackerly, with all his
good nature, advised hiur to " try something else ;"
and we had another ten minutes of very inferior enter-
tainment to listen to. We had hoped at the conclusion
to have a chance of some " talk' with Mrs. Flower-
flounce, who is " well up" in all the private scandal of
Belgravia, and always makes herself " a charming com-
panion," at the mere expense of truth and reputation.
We had only just learned from her that Sir William
Spooney had got himself into Jewish bondage to a fearful
extent, and that Miss Flashem had eloped with her papa's
groom, when the first notes of "The Stanlard-bearer"
struck us dumb. and we were all stock-still for another
quarter of an hour. Mr. Crackerly had just handed the
small young lady, who had most appropriately essayed
this fine song, to her seat ; and we ventured to walk
across the room, with the intention of getting out of a
5$ rong draught, and speaking to Mrs, Thornberry on some
interesting domestic topic. We had only arrived at the
important declaration, that we thought her son Edward
was somewhat stouter, when old lady managed to
place herself on half of her seat, and whispered, "Justsit
down on my chair, my dear, and give me your opinion of
Mr. Suckling's voice. He is intended for the stage, I
believe, and they say he has a superb tenor.' " As
Mr. Suckling had already commenced work, and dear
Mrs. Thornberry's hand was on our shoulder, we could
do nothing less than sit in a state of wretched
cramp while Mr. Suckling strained and struggled
through an air from Robert lc Diable, which we had
heard Sims Reeves sing a few evenings before.
We were waxing somewhat wrath at the continuous
stretch of our patience ; but, alas we were doomed
to " music," and nothing else, for another hour,
when " supper " was spoken of. Mr. Edward Thorn-
berry took us into the back parlour, and confidentially
informed us during our route over the three yards of
passage, that his brother Henry, a lad of sixteen, was
going to give a solo on the violin in the supper-room.
We felt in a sort of dry cold bath, and swallowed a sand-
wich of unknown constituency with desperate degluti-
tion, attempting, as desperately, to drown its memory
in a glass of mysterious beverage, recognised at parties
by kind-hearted and amiable people as " sherry." "Do
try a custard," said some one at our elbow. " Thank
you," we replied ; " we have had enough of the tart ; and
at this moment Mr. Crackerly knocked a knife-handle on
the table to demand silence for the solo. The fiddle was
out of tune, the fiddler was more co3ceited than compe-
tent ; and sixteen pages of growl, squeak, and scrape,
sent us into the extremity of impatience. No sooner had
Mr Henry retired from congratulations, and flung him-
self into the neighbourhood of the tipsy cake, than Mr.
Edward, who had managed to take family liberties with
the decanters, volunteered, in the exuberance of his ele-
vation, to favour us with " The Glasses sparkle on the
Board." We began to grasp for sheer want of breath,
and contemplated a polite escape from the harmonic meet-
ing, when the last-named gentleman, on the strength of
another glass of port, which from its very opaque and
sombre character must certainly have come from the
"Shades," intimated that he had lately taken to study the
Sax horn. We arose from our chair, pushed three ladies
rather more into the wall, and hastened upstairs to muffle
ourselves, and depart before we lost all command over our
temper. As we descended, Mrs. Thornberry entreated
us to listen to Edward, who was about to try a Swedish
melody on his horn. We believe we uttered some slight
untruths about a sudden pain in our chest, and fought
our way into a cab with nervous intrepedity. Oh,
what a relief it was to get out of that densely musical
atmosphere ; how earnestly we vowed never to ac-
cept another invitation to the Thornberry's parties,
and bow we mean to keep that vow. We will
go and see them under any reasonable state of
discomfort ; we will put up with " cold shoulder,"
weak tea, lengthened twilight—in short, with any-
thing save an " entirely" musical evening. What a
pity it is that people attempt what they have not the
means to carry out properly. Our respect for the
Thornberrys is unabated ; but they must excuse our
being again martyred at the shrine of a morbid infatua-
tion. Now that we have vented our grumbling we will
proceed to business, though we have a suspicion that
" our boy Tom" holds our criticising duties in as
eest sasa
light as as we do the Thornberry's Apollonian f ;
for we hear that he has remarked as t? our sing,pl " a
precious lot of stupid, ugly things. '
eWt ei
n
lighten him as to the composers being
sonEuze COOK.
rather than ourselves."
tent

Film.— On Tuesday morning, early, a fire broke out
in a mill occupied by Mr. R. H. Billeter, of Barcombe,
near Lewes, and used for the double purpose of grind-
ing flour and manufacturing oil from linseed. The en-
gines had to be fetched a distance of four miles, and,
although well worked, could not preveut the destruction
of the mill. The injury done is estimated at not less
than 8,0001. •

Mr. Montalieu Elibank Porter passed an examination
in seamanship on board her Majesty's ship Victory, at
Portsmouth, yesterday, qualifying him for the rank of a
lieutenant.
Mr. Edward Madgewick Roe passed an examination
at the Royal Naval College, Portsmouth, yesterday,
qualifying for entry into the service as clerk's assistant.
The Cormorant, No. 103, hired steam transport-ship,
having taken on board a number of siege guns and
munitions of war at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich,
moved up to the dockyard yesterday, and was taken into
the basin preparatory to embarking men and horses of
the Royal Artillery for service in the East.
Captain Brandling's No. 1 company, 12th battalion,
arrived in the garrison at Woolwich, at 6 o'clock a.m.
yesterday, from Shoeburyness. It will embark to-day
'or Turkey.
Fifty horses arrived in . Woolwich garrison yesterday
:rom Dublin, for the service of the Royal Artillery, and
,etween 20 and 30 are to be sent to the seat of war, to
Pup casualties.
Thirtv-two privates, in charge of a non-commissioned
fficer, left Woolwich yesterday morning at 10 o'clock,
'roceeding' by the North Kent Railway to Strood, em
route to Chatham, where they are to be instructed in
raising field works, and in the construction of fortifica-
tions, and sapping a, d mining. The Royal Sappers and
Miners at Chatham have built new field-works on their
practice ground, and have been engaged for some time
in mining. They expect to have a night attack shortly,
as the galleries are nearly ready for charging. One non-
commissioned officer and 12 men of this corps left Wool-
wich yesterday morning for Southampton, to be em-
ployed on the surveying service.
A detachment of 90 invalids of the 59th Regimentleft
China in the same ship as the headquarters of Captain P.
M‘Lean's company of Royal Artillery, for England.
The detachment consisted of 1 serjeant-major, 1 company
serjeant, 3 serjeants, 5 corporals, and 80 lance-corporals
and privates. 21 died on the passage, and the remainder
disembarked at Gravesend and proceeded by railway
to Chatham, with the exception of nine men, who
were too ill to travel, and were left at Gravesend Hos-
pital. The party who arrived at Chatham have been
examined by a medical board, and they are pronounced
fit for service, with the exception of those who will be
discharged on the pensions to which their services entitle
them. Those for duty are awaiting the route from Lon-
don to join the depot of the 59th Regiment at Kinsale
in Ireland. One of the nine men left at Gravesend died
on Sunday, the 4th inst. The regiment has been five
years in China, and, considering the mortality that has
taken place, it is worthy of the consideration of the
authorities whether it would not be advisable to change
the line regiments at that unhealthy station every two
years. The authorities of the Ordnance have recently
adopted a change every two years of the Artillery in
China, and season the companies sent there by giving
them two years' service previously at Ceylon.
Advices were yesterday received at the Admiralty,
announcing the arrival at Constantinople of the Govern-
ment transports Arnotdale, City of Carlisle, and John
Shepherd, with troops from Woolwich.
10,000 cavalry sabres have been taken out of the stores
in the Tower of London, and sent to the Government
works at Enfield to be ground, previous to being for-
warded to Constantinople to arm the above number of
Turkish cavalry soldiers.
Intelligence has been received, of date Christiansand,
June 2, that on the previous day the Russian vessel
Onni, of Nystadt, laden with salt, which entered that
port on the 7th of May to escape capture, was put up
to public auction. The French Consul attended, and
informed the bidders present that the sale would not be
valid, inasmuch as it would be made after the declaration
of war, and, if taken by any of the cruisers of the allied
fleet the ship would be deemed a lawful prize. On hear-
ing this no one made any offer, and the vessel remains
unsold.
Mr. William Buchan, chief engineer of the third class,
from the Fisgard, 42 gun frigate at Woolwich, arrived
at Sheerness yesterday, and has taken up his appoint-
ment to the Malacca, 14 guns, steainsloop at Chatham,
being borne on Ithe books of the Formidable, 84
guns, guardship of ordinary. The engines for the Ma-
lacca are on an entirely new principle, invented by
Messrs. Penn and Son. Instead of the pistons of the
engines working horizontally, they will be elevated to
an angle of 45 degrees, thereby considerably reducing
the space occupied fore and aft in the engine-room.
They will be of 200 horse-power (nominal), on the high
pressure principle, enabling them, if necessary, to work
up to 801 b. on the square inch, the boilers being especi-
ally manufactured for this purpose.
In consequence of reported defects in the hull of the
Janus some experiments were tried yesterday by firing
her heaviest guns fore and aft with the maximum charge
of powder, and it is fully expected she will have to be
put into dry dock for extensive repairs.
Mr. J. Dinnen, inspector of steam machinery afloat,
arrived at Sheerness yesterday afternoon for the purpose
of inspecting the setting up of the engines and machinery
of the Royal Albert and the other screw steam-vessels
fitting at Chatham. He has expressed his entire satis-
faction at the progress made. All the engineers and the
artificers of the yard, now employed on the Royal Albert
are ordered to work extra hours for the purpose of
getting the blocks fixed and the boilers in their perma-
nent places previous to the ship being put into dry dock
next spring tides.
The head-quarters of the Ist King's Dragoon Guards
arrived in Dublin on Tuesday, from Newbridge, and
occupied the quarters in Portobello barracks vacated by
the Royal Irish Dragoons.
A transport is expected in Cork about the 24th inst.
for the conveyance of three companies of the 12th Regi-
ment lying in barracks, to New South Wales. One
company proceeded there some time since. Upwards of
60 English recruits arrived in Cork on Sunday by the
Cork Steam Ship Company's ships from London, Liver-
pool, and Bristol, to join the provisional battalions
serving in Ireland.
Captain Halton, Lieutenant Irvine, and a troop of the
16th Lancers, consisting of 44 rank and file, has arrived
at Ballincolig from Dundalk, there to be stationed.
Captain C. L. Blosse, R.A., stationed at Spike Island
fortification, has been ordered to Ballincolig to do duty,
in consequence of no troops being stationed there at
present. Since Cork Barracks were built there never
were so few troops in it as present. They con-
sist merely of the head-quarters of the 91st Regiment,
only one company (the remaining companies occupy the
forts in Queenstown Harbour) ; five companies of the
12th Regiment, Ist battalion, and one troop of the 16th
Lancers. The duty is consequently severe, and the men
say that they would rather be stationed anywhere else
in Ireland. It is therefore likely, on the departure of a
few other regiments under orders for foreign service,
that some of the English regiments of militia will have
to do duty in this country. The removal of so many
regiments from Ireland is a serious loss to many traders
and the public ; for the entire pay of the officers and men
was spent in the locality A here each regiment was sta-
tioned.

In consequence of the increased number of soldiers
which the East India Company have decided to keep on
duty in their Indian territory, their barracks at Warley,
near Brentwood, Essex, are immediately to be enlarged.
Orders have been received for another large draught of
men, who will leave on Saturday next by railway for
Stratford, and thence to Tilbury-fort, by the Southend
and Tilbury Railway.