The Sun.
London, England, 1860-07-02 00:00:00

FAREWELL PERFORMANCE OF THE

ORPHEONISTS.

On Saturday about 12,000 persons visited the
Crystal Palace to pay a parting testimony to the
French singers. The performance consisted
of those selections from their repertoire which
they found to be most successful in their pre-
vious concerts. Among the pieces they performed
the audience were most delighted with the
" Chant du Bivouac," " Les Enfans de Paris,"
" La Retraite," and, of course, " God save
the Queen," all of which were loudly re-
demanded. The playing of the Guides was
vociferously cheered, and well deserving was it of
the applause it obtained. An incident marked the
close of the concert which is worth recording. The
noble band of the Royal Artillery, between 60 and
70 strong, were specially sent up from Woolwich to
Sydenham to pay their French brethren a graceful
compliment. After " God save the Queen" had been
given, with all the power capable of being produced
by the combined efforts of the Guides' band, David-
son's organ, and 3,000 pairs of French lungs, and
one grand hurrah had burst from the numerous
auditory in acknowledgment, the band of the Royal
Artillery, who had been stationed in the gallery
directly fronting the great orchestra, struck up
" Partant pour la Syz le,' which they gave with an
effect that had an electric influence upon the French-
men, who, waving their hats and handkerchiefs,
fairly screamed with delight.
It having been determined to pay some last mark
of respect to the Orpheonists, a committee, including
some of the first aristocracy, and many members of
Parliament, decided upon entertaining our French
visitors at a banquet at fhe conclusion of the grand
concert.

The attendance was very large, and when the
concert was over our foreign friends mustered to
the strength of above 2,000 in one of the principal
dining saloons of the Palace. Here a most recherche
collation was supplied; and Sir J. Paxton, M.P.,
took the chair, supported by many noblemen and
gentlemen.
After the cloth had been removed, the usual loyal
toasts were given and responded to with great en-
thusiasm•

M. DELAPORTE, the chief conductor of the
Orpheonists' Concert, gave " The union of the two
great countries—France and England," and in doing
so enlarged upon the great blessings that must
accrue to both nations from a continuance of the
friendly alliance which existed at the present time
between France and this country. He assured them
that the feeling of the French nation was most
favourable towards the English ; and he trusted the
day would be long before the harmony of the two
nations would be disturbed.

The toast was drunk with great applause.
Mr. JOHN BRIGHT, M.P., in responding:said that

it was a very great pieasure to him- to take any part
in this international festival ; and with regard to
the toast which they had just drunk with so much
applause, he hoped that when they returned to
their native country they would convey the feeling
that existed in England, that, however much the
two Governments might differ, the hearts of the
two peoples were the same; and he trusted that
that feeling would maintain a permanent peace
between France and England, which in reality
meant the peace of Europe. (Loud applause.) It
was only that peace which could secure happiness
and prosperity to both nations, and, therefore, he
cordially echoed the sentiment of M. Delaporte,
that the day might be far distant when it should be
broken. In conclusion the hon. gentleman assured
his French friends that he was as happy in respond-
ing to the toast as its proposer had said he was in
introducing it.
Other toasts followed, and the proceedings of the
evening were brought to a conclusion in the most
satisfactory manner. The Queen's Own (Westmin-
ster) Rifles, under Earl Grosvenor, were present,
and, in honour of their foreign visitors, formed on
the terrace and saluted.