The Sun.
London, England, 1860-04-19 00:00:00

,sr JAMES'S BALL.

The enterprising conductors of the Vocal Asso-
ciation last night devised a new means of enter-
taining and gratifying the members and the gene-
ral public. A conversazione was held, in which
art, literature, and their admirers met togethe*
An attractive collection of works of art and sub-
jects of interest had been contributed from various
sources, and included pictures, statuary, photo-
graphs, and curiosities of all kinds. The visitors
were busily engaged in the examination of the col-
lection, whieh was skilfully arranged in the area
and galleries. Ihe musical portion of the evening's
entertainment was, as might have beet anticipated,
of a high order. Mr. Benedict superintended with
his accustomed ability and judgment, and a length-
ened and varied programme was fulfilled most sa-
tisfactorily. Madame Rudersdorff and Herr
Becker, the violinist, were among the performers,
whose abilities are popularly known. Prominent
among the novelties was Madame Strossi, an Italian
vocalist of celebrity, who attracted great attention,
and received warm encouragement from the audi-
ence, notwithstanding the rival fascinations of the
conversazione and art collections. Many other
solo singers acquitted themselves with credit, while
the choruses, part songs, &c., given by the mem-
bers of the Vocal Association possessed all their
usual merits. The hall was crowded by a brilliant
assembly, and we have no doubt that the success of
this first attempt will induce a recurrence of these
pleasant artistic gatherings.

A Cabinet Council was held yesterday at the
official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury, in
Downing-street—all the Ministers were present.
Viscount and Viscountess Sydney arrived in
Cleveland-square yesterday from Frognal Lodge, Foots-
Cray, Kent.

Lord Blantyre has taken a mansion in Grosvenor-
place for the season, and will shortly remove with Lady
Blantyre and family from-Stafford House, St. James's.
The Right Hon. the Speaker and Lady Char-
lotte Denison have removed from their mansion on Carlton
House•terrace to the right hon, gentleman's official resi-
dence at the New Palace, Westminster.
The Marquis and :Marchioness of Abereorn and
Lady Georgiana Hamilton arrived at Chesterfield House
yesterday, from visiting the Earl and Countess of Lichfield
at Shugborough Park, Staffordshire.
The Marchioness (Louisa) of Waterford and Lady
Stuart de Rothesay left town yesterday for Paris, and after
a brief sojourn in that capital will go on a tour in Italy and
Germany.
THE REFORM BlLL.—Yesterday an influential
deputation from the borough of Guildford, consisting of
the Mayor (Mr. J. H. Piper), the Hon. G. C. Norton (Re-
corder), Mr. R. D. Mangles, Mr. J. Stedman, Mr. J. Hop-
ley, Mr. T. T. Freakes, Mr. Dowlen, Mr. Austen, and Mr.
M. Smallpiece (town-clerk), had an interview with Lord
John Russell at the Foreign-office, in order to urge upon
his lordship the claims of Guildford to retain the member
proposed to be taken from that borough. The deputation
was accompanied by Mr. Bevil', M.P., Mr. Onslow, M.P.
Mr. J. J. Briscoe, M.P., and Mr. G. Cubitt, M.l'. Mr., R. D. Mangles havine, made a statement of the views of
the deputation, Lord fohn Russell, in reply, said if they
asked his opiWon he should say that the test adopted it,
1332 was a fair test, and, as they had said, ha relieved
Guildford even from partial disfranchisement, but it was
necessary the measure should be brought into such a shape
that the House of Commons could not bring nainst them
the charge of unfairness. The late Government had
adopted the test of population, and no one otjected to it,
an
take nd it had seemed to the present Government the best test
tin bringing the meaanre into the House of Coin -
mons. It was; impossible, to pick out a certain number of
boroughs ; the only way was by the adopt.ionol sonic simple
test such as that of population. Aft,,: ionic: observations
from Mr. Mangles the deputation thanked his lordship and
withdrew.

SOUTH-WESTERN RAlLWAY.—Captain Mangles
and Mr. Archibald Scott arrived in Poole, accompanied by
Mr. H. D. Seymour, to ascertain and hear the claims that
the inhabitants had for better railway accommodation to
ho
town, and which they have, so long urged, but hitherto
unsuccessfully. It is stated there is every proba that steps will shortly be taken by the South-Western Company
to brio6 Poole on their wain IRtshiro Mirror,