The Sun.
London, England, 1848-07-25 00:00:00

SOIREE MUSICALE.

One of the most recherchie soirees musicales of the
season was given last night by Mrs. Hampton, sister of
the celebrated George Osborne, the pianist, whose beau-
ful compositions for the pianoforte and voice, and whose
arrangements in conjunction with De Beriot, are known
and admired not alone in Europe but all over the civilised
world, their delicious duets for violin and piano being as
well known in the East and West Indies, in North and
South America, as in Paris or the great English metro-
polis. Mrs. Hampton, quondam the charming Bessie
Osborne, well known some years past for her devotion
to the ever-to-be-lamented empress of song, Madame
Malibran Garcia, sung five times during the evening—
two of her brother George's ballads, " Good night" and
" The Lord of the Castle," carrying off the palm.
The first is a charming ballad, and will be an immense
favourite, the latter is a most learned and exquisite com-
position, rife with many beauties. Nothing could exceed
the chaste and judicious style in which the fair kezae-
ficiare sang them. George Osborne's grand pianoforte
duet, performed by himself and Benedict, is the most
effective duet we have heard for some time; it is spark-
ling with the most brilliant passages, and overflowing
with chaste and original melody, and not being impos-
sible to play, like many pieces of the present day we
know, must be highly popular. Osborne's fantasia on
morceauz from La Gazza Ladra, introducing the trio,
the duet, and the celebrated tenor song, was the theme
of admiration, and indeed it was justly merited. Mrs.
Hampton was assisted by nearly all the splendid
troupe Italienne from the Royal Italian Opera
Covent-garden, and the charming Mademoiselle De
Sleuth, pupil and cousin to Manuel Garcia, the great
professor at the Conservatoire, Paris. Mademoiselle
De Mendi was the gem of the casket; she sung " Qui
la voce," from I Puritani, with a brilliancy of execution,
taste the most equisite and enchanting, introducing group
after group of fioriture, as remarkable for their novelty
and beauty as for the matchless manner in which they
were executed. What an Elvira this fascinating camta-
trzcs would make. We understand she speaks English—
a hint to English managers of the national opera. Mon-
sieur Roger, the prime Lenore of the Opera Comique and
the Royal Italian Opera, sung " Quel plaisir" with the
most exquisite effect; it reminded us of some of our
Palmy days, when we have listened night after night to
the handsome tenure with breathless attention. We must
conclude by saying that Mrs. Hampton gave a treat to
her friends last night, which will long be remembered
with great pleasure. We were glad to perceive that Mr.
Talbot's mansion was crowded with rank, beauty, fashion,
and talent.

NIGHT BALLOON ASCENT.—A second nocturnal
ascent was made by Lieutenant Gale, from Cremorne-
gardens, in the new Royal Cremorne Balloon last night.
The nicety and precision with which the balloon ascents,
more especially those at night, are managed in these
grounds, render them eminently popular, as is testified
by the vast crowds who visited them boil a few evenings
back and al ) last night. The beautiful balloon, from
its form and the material of which it is constructed, is
admirably well adapted to give due effect to an aerial
voyage at dark. Its golden colour contrasts strikingly
with the deep blue of the heavens, and when illuminated
hero and there by the rays of the moon, it appears
like a bright meteor borne on by the winds; this
feature is greatly enhanced when the display of fire-
works takes place. As on the preceding occasion,
the ascent of the balloon was accomplished about ten
o'clock, previous to which hour the structure was sur-
rounded by eager crowds anxious to catch a glimpse of
it before it started on its dark and silent journey. The
" note of preparation" having ceased, the balloon took
its fight, and speedily mounted into mid-air, to the no
small gratification of the lookers on, both young and old.
When the machine had attained a great height, and was
almost Lecoming imperceptible, the discharge of the fire-
works which had b-en attached to the car took place.
For a considerable period the balloon was illumined with
the most brilliant-colour d fires, while around it shot
stars jets de fee, serpents, and all the varied and beau-
tiful effects to be achieved by the pyrotechnist's art.
The ascent was loudly applauded. The other enter-
tainments presented on the cccasion wero as usual,
varied and spiritedly given and duly enjoyed by the
visitors, i❑ spite of the envious showers which now and
then visited them.

[ADVEUTISEMENT.2—IioIIoway's Pills an excellent
remedy for Indigestion, Bilious and Liver complaints.—
All painful and distressing sensations arising from these
complaints (which are too well known to sufferers to re-
quire a description here of their symptoms) may be
easily removed by a few doses of this inestimable medi-
cine, for such is its efficacy that the most debilitated
constitutions ate effectually strengthened, and the aver-
sion to motion overcome, thus giving buoyancy to the
spirits, creating an appetite, and promoting digestion,
At this season when epidemics are so prevalent, these
Pills should be taken as they surpass every other re-
medy as a preventative of disorders, even of the most
malignant kind. Sold by all druggists, and at Pro-
fessor llolloway's Establishment, 244, Strand, London.
Lord Ashdown and suite, Captain Barry and party,
and Captain Couteur, arrived in London
early yesterday
morning by the General Steam Navigation Company's
sterm-ship Soho, from Antwerp.