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

SOIREE MUSICALE.

One of the mo.,t recherchee soirees musicales of the
season was given last night by Mrs. Ha.mpton, sister of
the celebrated George Osborne, the pianist, whose beau-
fill 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 bene-
ficiare sang them. George Osborne 'a grand pianoforte
duet, performed by himself and Benedict, is the most
effective duet we have heard for some time; it is spark-
ling with tho 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 he highly popular. Osborne's fantasia on
morceaux 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
troupe
nearly all the splendid
Italienne from the Royal Italian Opera
Covent-garden, and the charming Mademoiselle De
Mendi, 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 caxta-
ty ice would make. We understand she speaks Englioh—
a hint to English managers of the national opera. Mon-
sieur Roger, the primo 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 tenore 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 trade 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 both a few evenings
back and also lust 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
here 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 flight, 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 becoming imperceptible, the discharge of the fire-
works which had been attached to the car took place.
For a considerable period the balloon was illumined with
the most brilliant-coloured 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 occasion were as usual,
varied and spiritedly given and duly enjoyed by the
visitors, in spite of the envious showers which now and
then visited them.
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Captain Barry and party,
Lord Ashdown and suite,
and Captain Coutcur, arrived in lemicion early yesterday
morning; by the General Steam Navigu;io4 company's
I steam-ship Soho, from Antwerp.