The Sun.
London, England, 1838-06-12 00:00:00

OCIETA ARMONICA.

The sixth and last concert for the season of the above &erica took
place last eight, in the splendid Conccrhroom at her Majesty's Theatre,
in the presence of a crowded auditory. An excellent selection, and
ability of no common order, both in the vocal and instrumental depart-
ments, rendered the present not only the best concert given by the So.
cieta, but one of the best of the musical season. At the opening Bee-
thoven's magnificent Symphony in C minor was played in as fine a style
as could be imagined ; and at the commencement of the Second Part
Mendelsohn's beautiful overture to the" Midsummer Night's Dream,"
proved as effective as that exquisite composition could be. Besides
these real treats to the amateur et flue music, Mr. Willman played a
clarionet concerto of Krommer, with all that rich and varied effect
which taste and judgment, aided by unrivalled execution on his In.
strument, could impart to the moat delicious tone ever produced. Mr.
N. Mori, jun., also played an air, with variations, on the violin, by
Mayseder, the first time of that young gentleman's appearing before
the public in a solo. He was eminently successful, and re-
ceived the most enthusiastic plaudits. The singers were Madame
Grisi, Madame Albertazzi, and Signor Rubini. Grisi was deservedly
encored in Rossini's " Di placer," which she sang most splendidly.
Rubini gave " Ah so per voi," from Otello, with all that exquisite
feeling which distinguishes his efforts. In our opinion, however, he
is too apt, as upon this occasion, to refine rather too much upon his
pianos, which are sometimes scarcely to be heard at all. His contrasts
might be made effective without being so very violent. It is all black
and white, without any intermediate shadows. The gem of the evening
Was, in our opinion, the duct by Gehl and Albertazzi, " Vanne se
Alberghi," from Mercadante's Andronico, It is difficult to say which
was most worthy of admiration, the bold mid masterly execution, and
splendidly rich tones of Grisi, or the fa: ility and elegance, and expressive
delicacy of Albertazzi. The union of the two voices, when moving
together in the concerted parts of the duetto, formed a combination
seldom equalled, and never exceeded. The audience were enraptured.
The Societa on this occasion closed their labours with that triumphant
success which must raise high anticipations for the succeeding season,
to commence, as we learned from the programme, in the month of
March, 1539.

POSTAGE DUTIES.

( From the File Herald.)

Our readers are aware that great discontent has prevailed
on account of postage on letters carried by a circuitous route
being charged by the distance travelled, instead of the postage
applicable to the distance from the office where put into the
place- of delivery ; and at a meeting of the Cupar Procurators,
held lately to petition Parliament for a reduction of postage
duties, they resolved to take a stand against the payment of
letters charged by the circuitous scale, and bring the question
to an issue in a practical form. Accordingly, a letter, ad-
dressed to the gentleman holding the office of President of the
Procurators' Society, coming from the post-office at Dundee,
which was charged 81d., the statutory charge for a distance
exceeding 50 and not exceeding 80 miles, in consequence of
having been sent via Perth and Kinross to Cupar, instead of
the direct route, 13 miles, was refused payment of; and the
rustler being brought before the Society, they instructed the
Secretary to present an application to the Sheriff, to ordain
the Postmaster to deliver the letter on payment of the statutory
postage of 4d., applicable to a single letter " to a place at
any distance from the post-office where the letter shall be put
in not exceeding 15 miles." The action was brought accord-
ingly, but it would appear that the officials at head-quorters
were not prepared to vindicate in a court of law the arbitrary
rates of charge they have hitherto laid on, for though answers
should have been lodged on or before Monday last, none were
given in, and the Sheriff, on advising the case yesterday, pro-
nounced the folloeing interlocutor :

" Coax, JUNE 6,lS3B.—The Sheriff Substitute having
again considered the foregoing petition, in respect, the respon-
dent, Charles Grace, designed in the petition, has failed to
lodge answers ; holds him as confessed, decerns and ordains
him for:hwith to deliver to the petitioder the letter in ques-
tion, on payment of fourpence halfpenny as the postage there.
of ; finds him liable in expenses, of which allows an account to
be given in, and when lodged remits the same to Mr. John
Givan, writer in Cupar, to tax, and report, and decerns.
( Signed) " AND. JAMESON."
This may be considered as conclusive of the question, and
we hope the lieges will now, throughout the whole country,
reap the benefit of the public spirited proceedings of the Fife
Procurators.

Viscount Canning has left town for Cowes, Isle of
Wight, to superintend the fitting up of his splendid yacht Gondola.
The Noble Viscount and his Lady will make a short cruise alter the
coronation.

RATTING 'a
—lt is well known that rats and ravens
are fond of money ; in confirmation of which we subjoin the following
anecdote. Some time ago, a respectable baker in town, deposited a bag
containing twenty pounds in silver, in the bottom of a press, where it lay
for a considerable time One day on visiting his purse, be was sato.
niched to find that the bag was considerably lighter than usual, and on
counting the contents, he found that 130 shillings had been abstracted.
He at first thought that the theft must have been committed by some of
the inmates of the house, but on examing the bottom of the press, he
found that a hole had been cut in the floor largo enough to admit a rat,
and on removing part of the flooring, he recovered all his money except
two shillings.—Paisley Advertiser.

A paragraph in Woohner's Exeter Paper of
last week has the following extraordinary Advertisement ;It is headed
—Geo. Robins, Londou, and states that the proprietor of an estate in
the neighbourhood of Exeter is desirous of availing himself of Mr.
Robins's services; but fearing it is not in itself of sufficient importance
to incur singly the expense of this gentleman's survey, goes on to state
if any other landowner is in the same predicament, he entreats he will
join him in bearing the expense. This is the first instance upon record,
we believe, of such a compliment being paid to any professional man;
and we think we can improve it by adding that we know, of our own
knowledge, that Mr. Robins is equally attentive to all his clients--
although their property be small—and that his charge for judgment, and
a journey, and survey is in no way commensurate with that which
tho learned in the law or physic would require.—From the Morning
Chronicle.

A very ludicrous affray has taken place between tw•o
youths holding commissions in the Royal Marines of the Chatham dirt.
sion and a young gentleman, son of a Colonel M-- belonging to the
same corps. One of the young oflic2rs, M— W, thought proper to
throw a potatoe, when sonic words arose, and the dreadful word " lie"
was given. A hostile meeting was talked off, and pistols and tourna-
queis wkre ready ; when, by some accident, the officer of guard hearing
of the affair, which was to have been finally adjusted on Chatham Lines,
had the parties taken into custody. The officer requested each to make
an apology, which was refused. The young officer, Lieut. B—, Is
held under arrest.—Hampshire Adependard.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS.—A servaut girl, living with
Stephen Beechitsg, Esq., had taken out two of the children for a walk,
the one a little boy about three years, and the other a girl about seven
years old; and it is supposed that whilst the children amused themselves
by gathering flowers near a pond, not Car from the brick-yard, the
servant, who was near them, was seized with a fit, and fell into the
water. The poor boy, who was particular!), fond of her, called to his
sister, saying " Sarah is in the water," and it is supposed went in, think-
ing he could assist her. The little girl ran with all speed to some man
at Mr. Lidbetter's brewery, who were soon on the spot, and tcok the
poor little boy home, where every means were made use of to restore
animation, but without effect. The sister's distress for her brother was
so great that for the moment she had forgotten the servant, when she
recollected that " Sarah had fallen in too," and, after a while, she was
also brought home a corpse. What adds to this distressing event is,
that Mr. and Mrs. 'leeching had only lett home for town on Saturday
last. The servant, we hear, was to have been married on Thursday
next to a respectable young man, and a house, comfortably furnished,
was ready for their reception.—Brighton Gazette.
INTENDED MANCEUVRE OF NAPOLEON AT WA-
ersaLco.—" I had," resumed the Emperor, " combined a bold manoeuvre
with the view of preventing the junction of the two hostile armies. I
had combined my cavalry into a single corps of twenty thousand met:,
and ordered it to rush into the midst of thc Prussian cantonments. This
bold attack, which was executed on the 14th with the rapidity of light-
ning, seemed likely to decide the fate of the campaign. French troops
never calculate the number of an enemy's force. They care not how
they shed their blood in sucecess. They arc invincible in prosperity.
Bat I was compelled to change my plan Instead of making an unex-
petted attack, I found myself obliged to engage in a regular battle, hay.
i ,g opposed to me two combined armies, supported by immense reserves.
The edemy's forces quadrupled the number of outs. I had calculated
all the disadvantages of a regular battle. The infamous desertion of
Bourmoat forced me to change all my arrangements. To pass over to
the enemy on the eve of a battle! Atrocious ! The blood of his fellow
c.untrymen to oil his head! The maledictions of France will pursue
him."—Reculieclions of Caulincourt, Duke rg' Vicenza.
There, are two steamers now plying daily, except
Sundays, be-twee:ll :lye and Boulogne.