The Sun.
London, England, 1851-03-12 00:00:00

GRAVESEND INSTITUTIO N.

On Monday evening a vocal and instrumental concert
was given in the elegant hall of the Literary Institution,
Harmer-street, Gravesend, for the benefit of Mrs.
Glover, who was supported by Miss Lanelles, from the
Theatre Royal, Dublin; Miss Greenwood, Mr. Augustus
Eames, from the Lyceum Theatre; and Mr. Austin, the
eminent pianist. Owing to the inclemency of the
weather, the company was far from numerous. That,
certainly, was a great pity; but it seems a very ques-
tionable policy to curtail the promised entertainment on
such an occasion. The few who ventured through the
snow-storm were entitled to be treated with as much
consideration as if the theatre were crowded. To
give them the whole contents of the programme
would, at all events, be graceful. It would
look generous, even though no more than just. It aas
unpleasant enough to come through sleet, snow, and
rain for a musical treat, but the discomfort was some-
what aggravated by the abridgement of one-half of the
performance announced. Miss Lanelles, whose voice is
an alto of fine quality, sang with great effect William
Howitt's beautiful ballad " Tbe Coming Footsteps ;" her
tone is remarkably full, clear, and mellow, and her style
expressive and feeling to a degree which we are rarely
able to recognize. Her articulation also is faultlessly
distinct, and told charmingly in the pretty air " Just at
Twilight." The song " I Love the Merry Sunshine,"
being quite of a different character, afforded her
as opportunity of showing the varied powers
of her execution. It was given with delightful hearti-
ness, and would be enough to establish her at once in
public favour. Her good taste, brilliancy, and correct-
ness aro sure to make her an immediate reputation on
the metropolitan boards. Miss Greenwood also acquitted
herself very respectably, and Mr. Eames, whose violin
performance is well known, was much applauded in an
obligato. Mr. Austin presided at the piano, and fully
justified his high character for the mastery of the iastru-
of enli-
vening Having heard his buffo medley, " Blue Beard,"
ntYd drollery.
amidst roars of laughter and applause, at York
Theatre, we regretted that although it was promised in
applauded in a fantasia, which
tvheenibniglltsbleashtalnflgfrhnts,shnenhanadpannoyt awnithophpisorwtititnai
His symphonies and accompaniments were excellent,
us, and dolfywhich the author's name does not
andl
was hn
in the bills. We hope Mrs. Glover will be
appear more
) fortunate on her next concert night, when weshould
eewwatos
be
, happy to hear Mr. Frederick Austin upon the magni-
ficent organ, which is the noble gift of James Harmer,
to the institution. By the bye, th hall is one of
the finest in England.

The mind is enlightened by contradictions, when
these arise from a natural desire of seeking and discovering
the truth—Eliza Cook's Journal.

EXTENSIVE ILLICIT DISTILLATION.—In 00nEe^
a fraud upon the revenueprivately was being committed to a very
great extent at a house in a street leading from Hackney
called Centre-street, George, a Customs'
officer, accompanied
Cartwright, proc by one of the Excise officers named
eed ed there at a late hour on Friday night,
and alter scaling some walls at the badks of the adjoining
houses, at length forced an entrance at the rear of the one
suspected, and captured a middle-aged man named Wood in
the passage. Wood, who was in his shirtsleeves, denied all
knowledge of any such illegal practices, but upon going up-
stairs the officers found the whole of the top part of the
house fitted up in the most compact and perfect manner for
distillation. In the first room they entered they found a
large still in full operation, with tubs and coolers filled with
molasses wash to the extent of several hundred gallons, and
a large quantity of spirits of the strongest quality just run
off, while in the room adjoining was a still larger copper still,
containing SO gallons of wash; with furnice alight, and
throwing off spirits toga proportionate extent. So large was
the quantity of "plant
and utensils upon the pre ' mises, that
the cfficers were occupied the whole of the night in effecting
their removal, and the man Wood, who was
the only person
in the house being transferred to the station, and afterwards
placed at the bar at Won eviclip-street, •
enco 10 the fore-
going effect was produced against him, and it being proved
that both stills, from their peculiar
construction, must have
1
burst and destroyed the place '
f
in constant attendance upon them, some one had not been
the magistrate convicted
him in a penalty of 301., and in default of -ment a
P 3 sentenced
him to three months'
hard labour in the House of Correction.

THE GREAT EXHIEITION,--ADVICE TO TOTING
URCIIINS.-I)on't tic ot and hiss at every fore'gn old gentle-
man you may met with enormous moustaches. ilaynau
will not come to London again in a hurry.