The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-18 00:00:00

ST. MARTIA'S HALL.

Ilandel's masterpiece, " The Messiah, " was
performed at this hall last night with great success.
The orchestra, under the efficient direction of Mr.
Hullab, acquitted themselves creditably. The
chorus, as usual, consisted of his Upper Singing
School. The solo performers were Miss Banks,
Miss Dolby, Mrs. Gilbert, Mr. Sims Reeves, and
Mr. Thomas. Miss Banks, who took the principal
soprano part, distinguished herself by her expres-
sive rendering of the beautiful air which opens the
third part, "I know that my Redeemer liveth."
Miss Dolby, wno appears to great advantage in
sacred music, sang with feeling and taste. Mr.
Sims Reeves was eminently successful in the airs
allotted to the tenor. Ile sang the fine air of
" Thou shall break them with a rod of iron" with
so much vigour and execution that the audience
insisted on a repetition. Mr. Thomas, who pos-
sesses a good bass voice, was moderately successful
in the difficult airs which fell to his share. The
magnificent Hallelujah chorus was enthusiasti-
cally received by the audience, who appeared
highly gratified with the performances. The hall
was crowded.

Queen Maria Christina of Spain paid a visit to the
Pope on the 7th at Rome.
Senor Mon, formerly Minister of Finance, has been
appointed Spanish Ambassador to Rome.
The Prince of Tuscany arived at Verona on the
12th with his young bride.
The Duke of Devonshra continues at Kemp Town.
Mr. Andrews, of Southampton, is now making for
the Queen a beautiful garden pony carriage, similar
to the one he bad the honour to build for her Majesty a
few years ago.
It is expected that the canonry of Salisbury, vacant
by the elevation of the Rev. Mr. Bickersteth to the
bishopric of Ripon, will be given either to the Rev.
Samuel Waldegrave, of Barford St. Martin, or the Rev.
Mr. Cadman, of St. George's, Southwark.
The living of St. Giles's, it is expected, will be con-
ferred on the Rev. Mr. Carr, of Maida•hill, or the Rev.
Mr. Thorold, one of the curates of Marylebone.
THE ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH.—Mr. Newall, of Gates-
head, is engaged to make one half of the Atlantic tele-
graph ; Messrs. Kuper and Co., of London, the other
half. We understand that these firms are under con-
tract to complete their respective portions in the course
of the ensuing summer. The Gateshead Observer says :
"It may assist the reader to a fair conception of the
immensity of the task to state that Mr. Newall will have
to twist strands of wire as an outer protection of the
electric line itself 25,000 miles in length, or long enough
to go round the whole earth, and leave a sufficient length
of wire for Archimedes to swing it round his head witiv
if be had but that standing point which he coveted for
his experiments !•'
EXTRAORDINARY PASSAGE OF AN ABERDEEN CLIPPER.
—The Imogene, of 247 tons, Captain Vingoe, built by
Duthie, of Aberdeen, and owned by Messrs. Falconer
and Mercer, of London, has just returned from Algoa
Bay in 47 days—the quickest passage on record.

ATEST NEWS.

THE SEIZURE OF TURKISH BOATS
BY THE RUSSIANS.

The Journal de Constantinople gives the fol-
lowing details of the seizure of the Turkish boats
by the Russians, which was briefly mentioned by
telegraph :—" A. merchant vessel under Turkish
colours, and 18 large barges, laden with mer-
chandise, left Trebizond with their papers all
regular, and signed by the Russian consul.
They arrived on the 19th November at Souclouk-
Kale, of which place the Russian General
Philippson took possession on the 22d with
several thousand men, driving out the Circas-
sians. During the conflict which took place
all the merchandise belonging to the boats
was pillaged and taken away. The general
declared to the Turks that justice should be
done them, and for that purpose he sent all
the boats to Kertch, with an escort of soldiers
more numerous than the sailors belonging
to them, in order that the governor of that
town should examine into the affair. The boats
stopped at Anapa, where, it is said, the Turks
were badly treated, and even imprisoned until
their departure. On leaving Anapa for Kertch
the Turks appear to have overpowered their escort,
for instead of going to Kertch they reached Tre-
bizond, minus their merchandise, but bringing
the Russian soldiers with them in triumph. This
mystification would be amusing enough were not
serious interests at stake. The Turks naturally
claim an indemnity for the merchandise stolen
from them, and also complain of a flagrant viola-
tion of the law of nations. How the affair will
terminate it is impossible to say, but it already
occupies the diplomatic world, and may give
rise to serious complications. The English are
as furious at it as the Turks, and regret that
their squadron in the Black Sea had not been
reinforced."