The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-02 00:00:00

Miss Wolfe's Concert.

A concert was given on Friday last, at St. James's
Hall, at which Miss Wolfe, a pupil, we believe, of
Madame Sainton-Dolby, made her first appearance
in public. Miss Wolfe has a mezzo-soprano voice
of fine quality and extensive compass. She has
evidently been well taught ; and while she executes
difficult passages with neatness and finish, she sings
simple expressive music with a great deal of natural
feeling. At yesterday's concert Miss Wolfe sang
two Italian airs, and was afterwards heard m all
English ballad. In the romance by Signor Maass,
" 0 vago fior," her brilliant vocalisation gained her
considerable applause ; and she was still more for'
tunate in " The Bridge," by Miss Lindsay, which
„
was encored. Instead of repeating " The Bridge,,,
Miss Wolfe substituted for it, 0 Bay. of Dublin,
which was also most favourably received. Mess
Wolfe may be congratulated on having made a roost
successful debut. On this occasion she was assisted
by Madame Sainton-Dolby, who sang some of her
most popular ballads (among others, Claribel's "
cannot sing the old songs," in which she was encored),
Miss Cecilia Westbrook, Mrs. Osborne Williams,
Mr. Perren, Mr. Patey, M. Adolphe Ries, and other
vocalists and instrumentalists of distinction.

Proposed Revizion of the Prayer-Book.

---o --

Yesterday afternoon a deputation waited upon
Earl Russell, at his official residence in Downing-
street, for the purpose of submitting to him a ine.
morial from the president, council, and members of
the Association for Promoting a Revision of the
Prayer-book, and for securing purity and simplicity
in the public worship of the Church of England.
There were present Lord Ebury, the Marquis of
Westmeath, Lord Falkland, Lord Thomas Cecil, the
Hon. and Rev. E. V. Bligh, the Rev. Dr. Jacob,
head master of Christ's Hospital; the Rev. C. o'
Stoddart, B.D. ; the Rev. Peter Jones, M.A., curate
of St. Clement Danes; the Rev. Prebendary Bur-
gess, the Rev. Dr. Fry, and between 50 and 60
gentlemen.

Lord Ebury introduced the deputation, and the
Rev. R. Bingham, M.A., incumbent of Queens-
borough, read the following rnemorial4.--
" That your memorialists venture to suggest that the
disorders which are now prevalent in many parishes call
loudly for the interference of her Majesty's Government/
with a view to the removal of the occasions of contention,
and they humbly think that the most successful agency for
the purpose would be found in a Royal commission, con-
stituted as was that which had to consider the terms of
clerical subscription, and which in a short space of WO
suggested a satisfactory remedy for a crying evil. To this
new commission, in the opinion of your memorialists, should
be referred, not only the lectionary and the rubrics, but
also the canons and constitutions and occasional services ;
for action being now inevitable it would be a cause for re-
gret should the force of it become expended upon minor
subjects, such as vestments or candlesticks, or some peculiar
systems of ritual and ministration, while passing by matters
more essential to the peace and stability of the Church'
That a few verbal alterations, or the omission of a fe!
phrases in the occasional services, which would in no way
contravene any article of our faith, would, your memorialists
confidently affirm, decrease very much the immense amount
of non-conformity now existent in this realm as well as
give ease to the consciences within the Church's Pale'
That your memorialists would further draw attention to
the fact that several members of the right rev. bench have
admitted the necessity of amendment, at least in respect °
the lectionary, the burial service, and the rubrics ; 11'A 1
therefore, they venture to suggest how opportune the Pre-
sent moment is for the interposition of Government, 'what)
they earnestly entreat your lordship to advise her Majesty
ci
to appoint another Royal commission for the aforesaid
purposes, in order that in due time the report may be Isl
before Parliament."
The Earl RUSSELL said he was happy to recei'ie
the deputation, and to hear what had to be said on
the question. But he must say, in the next Place,'
that he had not had any opportunity of consulting
any persons or any of his colleagues upon the sub-
ject ; nor had he been able to speak to the Arch-
bishop of Canterbury about it. He would mention
therefore that it struck him that there was far_
more difficulty in entertaining this subject than there
was in issuing the commission on the terms of sub-
scription, the resolutions of which had been so
devised and so happily adopted. Those alterations
had given to all parties in the Church greater frees;
dom, relieving persons from objections by which the le
formerly supposed they were bound, and the
every person, whatever his opinions might be, sul3:,
posing he came within the range of the Church i:
England, was satisfied. But when they came to as
V
him for alterations in the Liturgy he was bound 11'
say that he was not prepared to give any opinion c..;
it. It must be obvious that if this concession were
granted there was another party in the Church yin",
would ask for and expect alterations in a differeT
direction, and who would ask for some alteration 011'•
the Articles, so as to make them more in accordance
with their own opinions. He should deprecate 0,01
disruption in the Church of England, and would do
his best to counteract any tendency in that directic?!l
Until he had an opportunity of laying the inemaLrt,
before the Cabinet., and consulting the Archbisuutf;
of Canterbury and the bishops, he must decline

- ... .
express any opinion on the subject.
The deputation then retired.

CITY OFFICES COMPANY.—The foundation Wile
of the great City offices now in course of erection
for this company was laid yesterday in the presence of the
members of the board and the directors, by Edward gas_
terman, Esq., one of the directors. This building/ wilheelir
finished, will add another commercial palace to the nuift—h
already completed in the City. The stone laid w" 8f
the entrance doors it was bedded on a block
granite bases, and to support the columns on each s'" °,l
stone, in which was formed a cavity to contain tAe
of the present reign, the prospectus and papers Ina
Gompany, &c., over which was placed the followillogite
scription, engraved upon a plate of strong lead es
first stone of this building was erected by the city Vices
Company (Limited), and extending from Bieb°Pgai:t
street Within to Old Broad-street, was laid on tbeg-r.
February, in the year of our Redemption, 186d.'' neat
Masterman, in laying the stone, stated that be felt
look'
pleasure in assisting on the occasion, as he was sure, a to.
ing at it in its commercial aspect,• ld t only ad
wou no a,l„,
the architectural grandeur of the City, but considedr u_
increase the funds of the shareholders. He close by
calling for a cheer 0 the success of the City Offices C
Frederlhe
pany, which was heartily responded to. Messrs.
of Portia%
John and Horace Francis are the architects, toe ho'll t
building is entrusted. Among the Company
the following gentlemen : Mr. Edward Masterman,
Alderman Dakin, Mr. James Levick, Mr. Charles El_let
Mr. Joseph Dakin, Mr. John Chapman, Mr. Edward Wary
ton, Mr. W. C. Winterbottom, Mr. John Noyes, Mr' lie,
Masterman, Mr. Walter Hughes, son.; Mr. Frederic).
Francis, Mr. liorace Francis, Mr. J. P. P
W!..11..