The Sun.
London, England, 1836-10-10 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL FESTIVAL.

(Abridged from the Morning Post.)
LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY.—The musical performances of this
splendid festival have terminated in one of the greatest tri-
umphs it has ever been our pleasing duty to record. The
second commercial city in the world has been the first in
the production of Mendelssohn's Paul. This is a great
and glorious conclusion of this magnificent meeting.
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's works have been prin-
cipally made known to the English public through the
Philharmonic Society. His finest composition, the fanciful
overture to The Midsuntmer Night's Dream, is well known.
The present oratorio was first produced on the 22d of last
May, at the Great Musical Festival held at Dusseldorf, on
the Rhine, and is, we believe, his first attempt at the
writing of an oratorio. The success which attended its
production was immense, and the German critics have
written strongly in its praise.
The overture is symmetrical in its design. The first
motif is of a solemn character, and finely introduces a mag-
nificent fugue. There is much beauty of design in this
composition, and it prepares the mind very appropriately
for the succeeding portions. The opening chorus of
Christians is very imposing, the modulations of which are
exceedingly ingenious. The subject is supplicating, and it
is succeeded by a soft, soothing chorale of thanksgiving,
sung in a most beautifully subdued manner by the singers.
Mrs. W. Knyvett's recitative is the prelude to the appear-
ranee of the witnesses assigned to two basses. This duet,
which is a somewhat singular conception, leads to the
passionate chorus of the people, who accuse " Stephen" of
blasphemy. There is a wild rage about this chorus which
renders it very effective. Then comes the touching appeal
of " Stephen" to the multitude, which is rather Weberish
in the accompaniments. The sensation produced by the
chorus " Stone him to death" was very great. It was sung
with tremendous force.

The remaining portions of the work appeared to us to
be rather feeble, but the composer rallied in the last reci-
tative, well sung by Mrs. Wood, and a stupendous chorus
of praise, after Paul had taken his departure for Jerusalem,
ends the oratorio.

SATURDAY NIGHT.—The great Festival has concluded.
Last night the great fancy ball took place at the Town
Hall and the Exchange New Room. A long gallery was
constructed for the occasion, which extended across the
area of the Exchange, from the north-east window of the
ball-room to the opposite window of the underwriters' room.
The reading-room of the Exchange was fitted up as a place
for refreshments. At eight o'clock the company began to
arrive, and by eleven the whole suite of rooms was densely
thronged. It is estimated that nearly three thousand per-
sons were present, and as every visitor was compelled to
appear in costume the effect was singularly beautiful, as
there was no end to the variety of dresses worn on this oc-
casion. The rush to the supper-room was quite awful, and
if proper precautions had not been adopted serious acci-
dents would have ensued. As it was, the only inconve-
nience which existed was the excessive heat. The moments
were indeed truly melting. Lord Sandon was present with
a large party, enjoying the scene of merriment. There was
little room, of course, for dancing ; and those who disliked
the practice might have amused themselves with Mr. Owen,
of Lanark, who was distributing his tracts, being attired in
the gown of a gentleman learned in the law. The gross
amount of receipts at the festival have been from 8,0001.
to 9,0001.

We learn by a letter of the 26th ult., from Jena,
that the meeting of the German physicians and naturalists,
which opened on the 19th, has separated, after holding four
general assemblies and seven sittings of sections. The daily
list published states the numbers at 353, comprising celebrated
persons from all parts of Europe. Tne next annual meeting
is-appointed to be held at Prague.—Galignani's Messenger.
The precedence of title in the united diocese of Bristol
and Glocester has been settled in the most fair and impartial
manner—viz., the Bishopric of Glocester is to take prece-
dence, being nine months the more ancient see. The arms of
the two sees are to be borne per pall on the same shield.—
Berrow's Worcester Journal.
In answer to an application of the Militia of Edin-
burgh, for the payment of arrears of bounty due ever since the
year 1814, the Secretary-at-War has written to say he cannot
entertain the demand so many years after the claim accrued.
—Edinburgh Advertiser.
In compliance with the requisition of a considerable
number of the operatives of this city in the Liberal interest,
the Mayor has granted to them the use of the Guildhall, for
the purpose of their dining together. They have, we aro in-
formed, sent invitations to the Mayor, to the county and city
Members who represent their political principles, and to Col.
Davies.-IVoreester Journal.
The road between Buxton and Ashbourn was co-
vered with snow to the depth of three inches on Friday last.
So severe a season has never been known in this county,—
Derby Mercury.

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1836.