The Sun.
London, England, 1856-09-18 00:00:00

ROYAL SURREY GARDENS.

A novel feature gave variety to the entertainments
last night, in the shape of music accompanied by recita-
tion—or, more strictly speaking, recitation accompanied
by music. The passages recited were from "A Mid-
summer Night's Dream," comprising considerably more
than half of that unequalled dramatic poem. The music
was that which, perhaps more than any other, has en-
deared the name of Mendelssohn to England—since, if
anything could possibly be added to Shakspere's im-
mortal verse, it has been supplied, in another language,
by the German composer, whose melody and harmony
breathe the very spirit of the poet. The task of reader
devolved upon Misa Vandenhoff—the original An-
tigone in 1845, when a translation of the famous
tragedy of Sophocles was produced at Covent-garden
Theatre, with the choral and incidental music com•
posed by Mendelssohn at the suggestion of the present
King of Prussia. It is, therefore, not the first time that
Miss Vandenhoff has, if we may so express ourselves,
acted to music ; and that she should acquit herself like
one well experienced in the matter was by no means
surprising. She recited the purely poetical passages with
appropriate emphasis, and endeavoured not unsuccess-
fully to impart a species of marked individuality to each
of the more prominent characters in the dramatis per-
sonas. The Music-hall was crammed ; and it was grati-
fying to mark the decorous behaviour of the crowd and
the strict attention which was paid, interrupted only at
rare intervals by certain of the "outsiders," situ-
ated at too inconvenient a distance to catch the precise
signification of what Miss Vandenhoff was saying. But
even these were at once brought to order whenever the
familiar strains of the music were heard. Nearly
the whole was introduced —the whole, indeed, with the
exception of one or two melodramatic scenes, the cur-
tailment of which was inevitable unless the entire even-
ing could have been devoted to Shakepere and Mendele-
Bohn. The chain of beautiful and romantic interludes
for the orchestra—including the overture, scherzo, and
fairy march; the intermeaza, describing Hermia's search
after Lysander ; the notturno, and wedding march—
were all played, and admirably played, under the direc•
tion of M. Jullien, who, not for the first time, showed
his intimate acquaintance with the most delicate refine-
ments of the score. Without being invidious, where
there was so little fault to find, we may cite the exquisite
notturno (performed while the two pairs of "star
crossed lovers" are asleep in the wood), and the
stirring and magnificent wedding march, as the most
striking achievements of the evening. In the first the
horn solos were played to perfection by Mr. Jarrett,
whose tone and manner of phrasing were equally
worthy of praise. The march, executed with wonderful
precision and force, was unanimously encored. The
principal voice parts in the duet with chorus—" Ye
Spotted Snakes"—were extremely well sung by Misses
Stabbach and Poole. The chorus would have been more
effective had all the singers put forth their strength ;
but, as it seemed to us, one-third at least of the number,
instead of singing themselves, looked on with closed lips,
as if curious to observe what the rest were engaged in
doing. Mr. Land, the able chorus-master, should
endeavour to rectify this on a future occasion. The suc-
cess of the new experiment was complete; Miss Vanden-
hoff retired amidst the loudest applause; and the audience
felt all the better disposed, after this truly intellectual
treat, to enjoy the miscellaneous entertainments of the
second part of the concert. The revival of " A Midsum-
mer Night's Dream" is likely to prove one of the most
attractive incidents in an inaugurative season of rarely
exampled prosperity.-7 hues.

ROYAL SURREY GARDENS.—SIIAKSPERIAN READINGS
BY MISS VANDENHOFF.—We are glad to welcome this
talented lady once more in that peculiar role in which
she stands so pre-eminent, and we congratulate the
directors on this new addition to the varied attractions
they have brought before the public. The play selected
was Shakspere's " Midsummer Night's Dream," in.
terspersed with Mendelssohn's delightful music. To
say that the language of our immortal bard was delivered
with due emphasis and discretion would indeed be faint
praise ; the reading was most delightfully rendered
throughout. The principal singers were Miss Poole
and Miss Stabbacb. Both ladies sang the music allotted
them with much taste, and were warmly applauded.
The choruses, conducted by Mr. Land, were most effi-
cient. The music was sung with great precision and
effect. Altogether it was an evening delightfully spent,
and we feel assured it must prove highly attractive.

MARRIAGE LICENCES FOR QUAKERS AND JEWS.—In
the New Marriage Act, which will shortly come into
operation, there is a clause to the effect that the marriage
of Quakers and Jews may be solemnised by licence. T,ie
Registar-General is to furnish marriage register books
and forms to each certified secretary of a synagogue of
British Jews.
THE BISHOPRIC OF DIJRHAII.—WO are enabled to state
that the vacancy caused by the resignation of the Right
Rev. Edward Maltby, D.D., lately Lord Bishop of Dur-
ham, has been filled by the translation of the Lord
Bishop of Ripon to that see. The patronage of this see,
although not so large as that which belongs to the see
of London, is still very considerable, as will be seen from
the following statement :—The Bishop of Durham pre-
sents to the three archdeaconries, to one of which, that
of Durham, is attached, by act of Parliament, one of the
canonries in the cathedral. The bishop presents also to
certain other canonries, and to no fewer than 69 livings,
all of them situate in the counties of Northumberland
arid Durham. Of these, eight are worth sums exceeding
1,000/. a year, and, in fact, one of them (Stanhope rectory,
Durham), is one of the most valuAble rectories in existence,
being set down at 4,8481. a year. The rectory of Bishop.
wearmouth is worth 1,330/. ; Essington rectory, 1,311/. ;
Egglescliffe rectory, 1,049/. ; ihughton-le-Skernerectory,
with Sadberge curacy, 1,2791. ; Houghton-le-Spring rec-
tory, 1,6001. ; Sedgefield rectory, 1,802/. ; W bitburn
rectory, 1,1131. So much for the livings valued at more
than 1,0001. The right rev. prelate will also have the gift
of no fewer than 13 livings exceeding 500/. a year in value,
—viz., Auckland, St. Andrew, 587/. ; St. Thomas, P. 0.,
Bishopw(armouth, 500/. ; West Bolden rectory, 653/. ;
Elwick rectory, 5421. ; Gateshead rectory, 633/. ; Hal-
twistle vicarage, 593/., Long-Newton rectory, 604/. ;
Ryton rectory, 9561. ; WashiNgton rectory, 721/. ;
Whickham rectory, 663/. ; Winston rectory, 5571.; Wol-
singham rectory, 794/. ; Woodharn vicarage, 512/.
There are 25 other livings, worth between 2001, and
5001. ; and the remainder are worth 100/. and upwards,
with the exception of the perpetual curacy of Thocke•
rington, which is set down at 48/. The total value of
the patronage of the new Bishop of Durham will b 3
nearly 40,0001. a-year.