The Sun.
London, England, 1849-06-21 00:00:00

MOZART.

During the period the immortal Mozart was engaged
at Vienna superintending the production of his opera
which was rendered into the Italian—la Leila lingua—by
Da Ponte from the celebrated Marriage de Figaro of
Beaumarchais, two other composers were preparing
operas for representation, one named Regini, the other
Selieri, whose work was called La Grotta di Trophonio.
The struggle between these two inferior composers was
that they should complete their scores about the same
time as Mozart, in order to obtain a prior representation.
They did contrive to complete their respective works a
few days before Mozart finished his opera. Each mu-
sician claimed the right of producing his opera before
the others. The contest excited much discord, and a
species of partizanship was formed which espoused the
cause of one or the other of the rivals. The characters
of the three composers were singularly unlike. Mozart,
as touchy and dangerous as Pi ofessor Scbisnbein's
guncotton, vowed that if his work were not produced
first, he would throw the score into the flames—his
claim was advocated by a very strong party. But, while
Regini who, possessing but little interest, was secretly
working to undermine the enemy's strength, Saber',
Capellmeister to the Court, and withal a shrewd, clever
man, possessed of "crooked wisdom," as Bacon calls it,
was backed by three of the principal artists, who formed
a cabal, to extinguish which in those days, even as now,
was no cosy task. Every one took aide in this important
teed till
Majesty
put an end to the mighty
coolest,
whose aid he invoked to narrate, by
issuing a mandate that Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro
.1 otu
r or
whichh e i
the lm
ep mightes
almLave merited the pen of
fost
should take precedence, and it was accordingly put in
rehearsal forthwith. At the first dress rehearsal, with
complete orchestra, the immortal composer jumped
about the stage in an eestacy—or an agony—which
of excitement, now giving the tempo to the orchestra and
then snatching the book from some singer's hand, en-
deavouring to sing his part to show the effect he intended.
While Benucci, who was the Figaro, was singing the
" Non piu andrai farfallona anaoroso," Mozart repeatedly
cried out " Bravo, bravo! Benucci," as that singer
rendered the world .famous aria with the greatest anima-
tion and tours de force; but when Benucci arrived at the
passage, " Cherubino! alts vittoria! alla gloria militar!"
which he sang with all the wonderful power of voice he
possessed, the effect was electrical, for the whole of the
performers on the stage and in the orchestra, besides the
audience admitted to witness the rehearsal, as if actuated
by one simultaneous feeling of rapture, vociferated
" Bravo, bravo! Maestro! Viva, viva! grando Mozart!"
And the little body with the great soul acknowledged, by
repeated obeisances, its thanks for these enthusiastic
signs of applause with which they distinguished him.
At the finale to the first act the same meed of their de-
light was bestowed on him; and so was it at the ter-
mination of the first public performance of the opera,
for the auditory appeared as if they would never cease
applauding and calling for its composer—almost every
piece was redemanded, which prolonged it to the length
of well nigh two operas, and induced the Emperor to
issue a command on the second representation that no
part should be encored. Never were success and triumph
more complete or more striking than on the occasion of
Mozart's opera, and the numerous and overflowing
audiences which have since that time hailed its per-
formance amply prove how greatly they held in estima-
tion Le Nozze di Figaro.

ROSSINI.
There is a great deal of waggerfmixed with a strange
jumble of good nature and bonhommie pertaining to the
character of the gran maestro. In the letters which he
wrote to his mother at Bologna (he was a good son and
a most punctual correspondent) ho was accustomed to
draw a smaller or larger figure of a flask (fiasco) at the
side of the account of any of the myriad operas be pro-
duced, there by to indicate the degree of failure which the
work had experienced. The reader should be apprised
that fare fiasco is the cant phrase with the Italians for a
failure.

LEOPOLD MOZART.
Of the father of the " Great Mozart" very little is
known, his name having been eclipsed by that of his
wondrously-gifted son. He was born at Augsburg in
th© year 1719. It is supposed his early studies in the
art of music were pursued at Salzburg, at which place lie
afterwards domesticated, and in 1748 his name appears
on the list of musicians of the Archbishop's Court and
chapel. He was a very excellent performer on the violin
and was considered a contrapuntist of more than ordinary
skill. Ho was the author of a work printed in 1758,
called " Versuch enter Giiindlichen Violin Schule"
(Essay en a Fundamental Violin School), which was
much quoted at the time, and which from the testimony
of competent judges, possesed very considerable merit,
insomuch as to be used throughout Germany towards
the middle of the eighteenth century in many schools.
Leopold Mozart was also the composer of some oratorios
and church music, as well as a number of dramatic
pieces. He was appointed Capellmeister to the Arch.
bishopric of Salzburg in 1762, and died universally re-
gretted and respected.

ROYAL MUSICIANS.
It is a fact no less singular than true that the favourite
musicians of three Querns tell a sacrifice to their position
and the vengear ce which the suspicion that attached to it
entailed, and this within the space of half a century.
Mark Silicate!), lutenist to Anne Boleyn, was executed
in 1536; Thomar Abel, musician to Queen Katharine of

Arragon, was hanged and quartered in 1540, and David
Rizzio, the favorite of Mary, Queen of Scots, was
butchered in 1566. The first uamk d entertained a deep
but hopeless passion for his Queen, but that was not
sufficient to avert the doom which overtook him. Anne
was wont to treat him at times so haughtily and at
others with such a palpable tenderness of manner, that if
it did not prove she suspected his secret, it was the mode
by which it was revealed to others. Well had it been
for Smeaton had he sung to his lute—
Tell her no more, ye fairy-focited airs,
Whose pinions oft have swiftly borne away—
Like viewless lightning on a summer's day—
The sighs that 'scape my bosom unawares!
Tell hur no more who heedeth not nor cares
For him whose Passion ne'er hath known decay,
That still I love her;—Bear not to hur feet
Despairing worship that I fain would hide
Fri:ion her who its ',Motion would deride,
Though 't must endure while my poor heart cloth beat.
Wind:! soft and gentle—by these smothered tears,
The accents which my depth of love reveal
From their fair Cause! oh haply still conceal,
Nur waft my secret to my queenly Mistress' ear!
(G. J. 0. A.)

STATE OF LOINDON.
(From Punch.)
(Translated from a French Paper.)
LEICESTER• tiQUARE, THURSDAY.—CIatters aro fast
drawing to a head here. If anything, the aspect of
affairs is more threatening. Yesterday the authorities
being informed of an intended rising in the Rue de
Fleet, the most extraordinary precautions were taken
to prepare for, and to crush it. No less than three
patrols of gendarmes, numbering at least half•a-dczen
men in each, perambulated the Place de Trafalgar, and
the Pont Vaterlieu. The " beadles" of the " Arcade
Burlington" end the Colonnade d'Opera" wore sup-
plied with sandwiches to last twenty-four hours. The
splendid corps of " Street Orderlies" were furnished
with new brooms, and lay under arms all night, ready,
at a moment's notice, to sweep the streets. Several
serious erneutes took pface. The fint was a desperate
engagement between two gamins about a negge-toppe.
In this reconnaissance, according to the Poste du Matin,
ono received a bloody nose, but this fact is disbelieved in
the best informed circles. I applied at the Bureau
d'Horne Office upon the subject, bat could obtain no
accurate information. Many of the shops in the Rue
Regent were illuminated in the evening. The reectionists
would have us believe that this was merely for the pur-
pose of lighting their rooms and selling their wares.
Small groups were seen round the sentries at the gates
of the Gardes de Horse, in their mairie at " Whitehall,"
but although many suspicious looking Lursery-ruts
lingered about the place, no further attempt appears to
hare been made to dismount the sentries.

In justice to these noble fellows, I must add that they
endured the continued gaze of the populace with ad-
mirable sang Iroid, although one of them is reported to
have b,7eu detected in winking at a female democrat.
Marshal Blazeaaay is charged by the Government to
institute a searching inquiry into this mysterious affair.
I may mentio❑ that thero is co truth in the report
that Sergeant-Major Bushy (lately elected deputy for
the department of Lower Plinliceau) intends to impeach
Ministers.

The clubs were, as usuA frequented throughout the
day by many idle loungers—all persons not members
were rigidly excluded.
Matters assumed a very serious aspect about mid-
night. B?lnds of young men—many of them dressed
ala gent," marched in out es and fours along the
streets, surrounding the Cellare Cidere and the Palace
cl'Evans, chanting seditious songs, especially that begin-
ning Ne go home pay till morning."
Several of the Condue;eurs d'Orunibus were heard to
call out loudly during the day, " Bank! Bank! Cit', !
13atde!" a sure corroboration of tray information, that an
attack on these places has been organized.
The Queen is still most pcpuhr, but the Post•ofiice
authorities report that the number of Queen's heads
(many of a blood-red colour) affixed to the letters is as
great as ever.
A mutiny in the fleet will no doubt be hastened by the
late ender of the Ministre de Marine prohibiting sailors
from wearing top-boots NI hen at sea. I myself heard
the fifteenth mate of the war-steamer Citizen Z grossly
insulted and covered with opprobrious epithets by two 01
the class denominated bargees (they wore red worsted
nightcaps).
It is too true that London is on the eve of an insur-
rection. The first symptom of disturbance breaking the
peaceful repose of Europe will be the signal for a bloody
massacre here.

All foreign news is completely excluded by the Go-
vernment. The condition of Central Europe is known
only from fragments of newspapers smuggled in German
sauinges. The interest felt in Italian affairs continues
unabated, and the numker of Roman candles used at
Vauxhall is immense.

The foregoing facts are sufficient to show that a crisis
is at hand, especially it we keep in mind that Ragged
Schools are being establ:ehed everywhere, several model
lodging-houses erected, and the baths for democrats
thronged daily; that new hospitals are building, and
churches endowed, and that every week witnesses a loud
demand fur sanitary reform.
I have hurried to close my dispatch, I am compelled
to * •

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.—By ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.
—" M. Smith is pronounced out of danger."
M. Crispe has notified his ability to remove timid
persons to secure quarters. Many have in consequence
gone to Paris.

HAIN WELL COLLEGE FETE
CHAMPETRE.

We were highly gratithd en Friday by a visit to this
delightful spot, and had certainly no idea that there was
a possibility of so ;completely turning a school into a
largo family circle as we wiinessed on this occasion. 3
Most of our readers are probably aware that the
vilhge of Lianwell is charmingly situated, about
seven miles from the metropolis, and is a station on the
Great Western Railway. The first feeling of a stranger
on arriving at the station is one of admiration as he
surveys the beautiful church. The next feature in the
prospect is the Collegiate School, finely situated in
its own grounds of fi!ty acres in extent. On our ap-
proach we were most agreeably struck with the ex•
hilirating sounds of music from a band placed upon
the lawn, to which a most interesting group of young
ladies (sisters and friends of the pupils of the college)
were listening, whilst the parents were promanadiog
with their children around.

Another group were surrounding the natural philo-
sophy professor, who was just raising a balloon for their
amusement, which wens up in the midst of cheers happy
schoolooys only know how to give.
We were most cordially welcomed by the principal,
who conducted us round the establishment; and if we
had been gratifie i by the exterior, we were not less so
by that which we saw within.
There seemed to be:everthing united to infuse a sound
literary and scientific education. A series of extensive
collections in natural history, tending to lead the mind
from a study of the works of nature to that of the great
intelligence whence all originates; whilst a large assort-
ment of philosophical apparatus enables the students to
carry out a knowledge ot every bunch of experimental
science. But we confess we were most of all interested in
the exhibition ot the pupils'own industry which surrounded
the walls of the school-rooms. Military plans, archi-
tectural designs, painting in water colours, proved that
this department was under careful superintendence ;
whilst the beautiful specimens of writing were highly
creditable to all parties interested. The piles of books,
in which the mathematical and classical exercises were
entered, showed us very clearly that, although there was
every desire to make the young people happy, industry
was deemed one of the most efficient means of pro-
ducing this effect.
The playground, the gymnasium, &c., &c., are all ex-
cellently adapted for their purpose; and we were much
pleased with the neatness and order of the dormitories,
and the domestic arrangements generally.
The festivities were kept up by the younger party in
music and dancing until a late hour; and we never remem-
ber to have seen a greater number of happy young faces
than were assembled on this occasion. It was the six-
teenth anniversary of the arrival of the principal at
Hanwell; and we can assure him that, whilst we wish
him long life, and prosperity and success to his zealous
exertions in the cause of the rising generation, the gala
day of the glorious Ist of June will long be remembered
by us with pleasure.—Lady's Newspaper of June 9.

THE WEATHER.—THUNDER-STORM.—FOF the last
few days the weather has been extremely changeable in
its character, and in this district a eonsiderablo quantity
of rain has fallen. On Saturday the atmosphere was
very heavily charged with electricity, and in the after-
noon we had a thunder-storm immediately ovrr the
city and neighbourhood. The storm, however, was of
brief duration, and was accompanied by very little rain,
but flashes of lightning and peals of thunder followed
each other in rapid succession, During the storm, the
electric fluid struck a largo oak at Edmonstone, a few
miles to the south, shattering the trunk to atoms; and
so instantaneous does the work of destruction appear to
have been, that the bark and parts of the trunk of the
tree seem to have been scattered about before the top
(which was very large) had time to reach the ground.
Large portions of the trunk have been carried to dis-
tances varying from forty to fifty yards. Mr. Wauchope
has given orders to have no part of the shattered wreck
removed, and we understand that any one anxious to
witness the wonderful effects of the lightning in this in-
stance may have an opportunity of doing so for a few
days, by applying to the gardener at Edmomtone. We
observe that, on the same day, thunder, accompanied by
vivid lightning, was heard pealing amongst the Ochils,
and that rain descended in torrents. In the evening we
had several showers, while throughout the night a con-
siderable quantity of rain fell. Sunday was bright, and
warm, but yesterday, although the wind still continued
from the south-west, the air was cold, and the sky lower-
ing. The moisture etas very much needed by the hay
crop and the young oats, and, with genial weather, will
be productive of much benefit. The other crops gene-
rally have a promising appearance, though potatoes,
especially in the west, have suffered considerably fri:rn
the late night-frosts. A succession of warm days is
now anxiously looked for by the agriculturists.—
Edinburgh Advertiser of Tuesday.
UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.—The council of this
University have given notice that the annual matricula-
tion examination will commence on Tuesday, July 3,
and terminate on Friday, July 6. For the pass" exa-
mination the subjects will be mathematics, English his-
tory, Greek classics and history, chemistry, natural phi-
losophy, Roman classics and history, the English lan-
guage. The examination for honours will commence on
Tuesday, July 17, and terminate on Thursday, July 26,
the subj,cts being the higher branches of mathematics
and natural philosophy, chtmhtry, natural history, and
classics.

Rich men have commonly more need to be taught
contentment than the poor.—Eliza Cook's Journal.