The Sun.
London, England, 1860-06-29 00:00:00

TILE LATE EARL OF ELLESMERE.

An exquisite monument of this lamented noble-
man has very recently been completed by Matthew
Noble, the eminent sculptor. It is a work of high
art, and one which in its effect is singularly
pathetic. The Earl is represented in a life-size
monumental statue of white marble—recumbent.
Swathed around him are the robes of a Knight of
the Garter about his neck aro the Collar and
George—upon his breast lie his hands crossed
gently, meekly, almost prayerfully. His eyes are
closed—" After life's fitful fever he sleeps well."
The placidity, the simplicity of every detail in this
affecting effigy cannot be seen, we believe, without
admiration. It reflects the highest credit upon the
genius of Mr. Noble, and is a touching tribute to
the accomplished peer of whom it is to remain (at
Worsley) as the appropriate monumental com-
memoration. A finer recumbent statue in marble
we never remember to have seen. In the very
dishevelled droop of the tassels of the robe, of the
tassels of the cushion, of a stray lock or two of the
dead Earl's hair straggling over that cushion, there
are visible the touches of a sculptor of genius. It
is a work that the artist may well he proud of
having produced, more particularly as it is com-
memorative not only of a singularly amiable and ac-
complished nobleman, but of one who added to many
other elevating peculiarities that of being a most
genial and generous patron of the arts, of science,
and of literature.

THE FRENCH ORPHEONISTS.—It has been sug-
gested in many influential quarters that it would be
a graceful act to entertain the Orpheonists of France
at dinner in the Crystal Palace after their fare well
performance there to-morrow. As the time is too
short to admit of a committee being formed for
carrying out the object, Sir Joseph Paxton has
kindly undertaken to make the necessary arrange-
ments as far as time will permit. Those persons
who may be desirous of co-operating in this act of
international hospitality will be kind enough to
forward their contributions without delay to Sir
Joseph Paxton, M.P., 7, Pall-mall East, S.W.
Her Majesty the Queen has consented to inau •
gurate the first prize meeting of the National Rifle
Association, of which H.R.H. the Prince Consort
is the patron, and ?•_r. Sidney Herbert, Secretary-
at-War, the president. Wimbledon Common, on
which the events, which will commence on Mon-
day next, will take place, has been prepared
by the erection of tents and other suitable
accommodation for the reception of the distin-
guished persons who will meet her Majesty on
Monday, and who will attend on the following days
to witness the competition amongst riflemen. Her
Majesty is expected to arrive on the ground at three
o'clock on Monday afternoon, when an address will
be presented to her probably by Mr. Sidney Her-
bert, the president, or by Lord Elcho, and the ac-
tive business of the meeting will commence as soon
as the Queen has fired a rifle from a fixed stand.
Her Majesty has offered a prize of £250 for the
best rifle shot amongst volunteers, anti it is a sine
' qua non that all volunteers intending to compete
must appear in the uniform of the respective corps.
Tho Prince Consort offers a prize of £lOO, open to
all corners, and it is expected that a considerable
number of foreigners will enter tho lists as com•
petitors.
The Council of the National Rifle Association
have made arrangements by which all members of

the Association will be accommodated within the
reserved space prepared for the presentation of the
addresses to her Majesty the Queen and his Royal
Highness the Prince Consort. Members of the
council and all officers connected with the Associa-
tion are requested to appear in uniform.

A deputation on the subject on the Gas (Metropo-

lis) Bill had an interview with Sir G. C. Lewis
yesterday at the Home-office. The deputation con-
sisted of the Imperial Gas Company, Mr.
George St. Burke (governor), and Mr. Alexander
Henry (secretary) ; from the Chartered Gas Com-
pany, the Hon. Captain Browne (director), and Mr.
G. Lowe (engineer) ; from the Phoenix Gas Com-
pany, Mr, Horner (director), and Mr. Pridden
(secretary) ; from the Independent Gas Company,
Mr. Grattan (chairman), and Mr. Laing (secretary);
from the Ratcliffe Gas Company, Mr. Hammack
(chairman), and Mr. Foulger (director) ; from the
South Metropolitan Gas Company, Mr. J. B. Simp-
son (chairman), Mr. Drew (director), and Capt. Ho
Livesey ; from the Western Gas Company, Mr.
F. W. Russell, M.P., Mr. V. Crate (director), and
Mr. Samuel Barber (secretary) ; from the London
Gas Company, Mr. E. Hawkins, jun. (governor),
Mr. W. L. Wright (director), and Mr, J. It. Hinde
(;icrc.r aarryt and f
(di
rercotionr the
and E q irtra. bsl eGn s
Samuel
mue l Company,
Andrews
(secretary).
ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA,—Her Majesty the
Queen, accompanied by his Royal Highness the
Prince of Wales, her Royal Highness the Princess
Alice, and his Royal Highness the Count of
Flanders, honoured the perLrmances at the Royal
Italian Opera with her presence last evening. The
Royal suit consisted of the Hon. Miss Cavendish,
the Hon. Miss Stopford, Lord de Tabley, General
the Hon. Charles Grey, and Colonel Keppel. The
house was full of fashionable company.