The Sun.
London, England, 1859-03-24 00:00:00

VOCAL ASSOCIATION.

The third dress concert of the Vocal Association
was given last evening in St. James's Hall. The
first part consisted of Handel's delightful serenata,
" Acis and Galatea," with Mozart's accompaniments.
The second part of the concert was miscellaneous,
and contained among other works of excellence,
Mendelssohn's " Ave Maria," from " Loreley ;"
Mr. Benedict's brilliant overture to the " Minne-
singer," an air from the same composer's English
opera "The Bride of Venice," Weber's " Through
clouds by tempests," and many other selections
from the best masters. The selection of music at
these concerts is always admirable. Works of
classical merit, yet calculated by their brilliancy
to attract the popular ear, are frequently
introduced, and it is very seldom we meet
with a piece in their programme that has not
either scientific construction or flowing melody
to recommend it. It is to be regretted that
the singers are not always equal to the adequate per-
formance of the music they. undertake. On the present
occasion the vocalists all exerted themselves, and
for the most part acquitted themselves creditably,
but such music as Handel's demands first rate
singers. Madame Catharine Hayes sung Men-
delssohn's " Ave Maria" with all her usual ability,
assisted by the choir of the Vocal Association. Miss
Stabbach also distinguished herself particularly.
We must not omit to mention that Mr. Santley,
who possesses a good bass voice, obtained
an unanimous encore in the magnificent air, " 0,
Ruddier than the Cherry." Mr. Benedict's abilities
both as composer and conductor, are so 'ell known
that it is unnecessary to say that his overtures
elicited warm applause, and that the performance
of thb orchestra was all that could be desired. The
hall was crowded, as is usually the case with these
attractive concerts.

The Lord Chancellor and Lady Chelmsford were
honoured by the company at dinner last evening of their
Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and the
Princess Mary, at the noble and learned lord's family re-
sidence in Eaton-squate,

A Cabinet Council was held at five o'clock yea..
terday afternoon at the official residence of the Chancellor
of the Exchequer in Downing-street. The Ministers pre-
sent were the Earl of Derby, the Right Hon. B. Disraeli,
the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis of Salisbury, the Earl of
Hardwick°, Mr. Sotheron Estcourt, the Earl of Malmes-
bury, Gen. Peel, Lord Stanley, Sir J. Pakington, and Lord
John Manners.

A deputation from the Northfleet Docks and Lon-
don Quays Company (Limited), headed by the Right. Hon.
J. Stuart Wortley, M.P., the chairman, had an interview
yesterday with the Secretary of State'and the tinder-Secre-
tary of State for War and the :Quartermaster-General, on
the subject of the accommodation the company will be able
to afford for the embarkation of troops and stores at the
Northfleet Docks.

A deputation from the Grand Junction Canal
Company and the Duke of Bridgewater's trustees had an
interview with Lord Lovaine yesterday at the office of the
Board of Trade. The deputation consisted of Mr. G. An•
derson (chairman), the Hon. Philip Pleydell Bouverie,
M.P., Admiral the Hon. Arthur Dtmcontbe, M.P., Mr.
John Ciurdon Rebow, M.P., Mr. Chas. Rogers (secretary),
the Hon. Algernon Egerton, and Mr. Fereday Smith.

On inquiry at the residence of the Earl of Minto,
in Eaton-Square, yesterday, our reporter was informed that
his lordship had passed a tolerable night, but in other re-
spects was much the same.

THE NEAPOLITAN EXILES.—The Right Hon. W.
E. Gladstone, M.P., and Mrs. Gladstone, entertained at
dinner last evening, at their residence on CaHton-house-
terrace, the Neapolitan exiles, Signor Settembrini and
Signor Spaventa. There were also present the Duke and
Duchess of Argyll, the Earl of Carlisle, the Earl of
Southesk, Lord and Lady Overstone, the Right Hon. J. S.
Wortley, Sir Walter and Lady James, Mr. E. Ellice, M.P.,
and Mrs. Ellice, Mr. Lacaita, and Mr. Panizzi. A select
circle assembled later in the evening, several of the Neapo-
litan gentlemen being among the visitors.
THE ROYAL LITERARY FUND.—We learn that
the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., will take the
chair at the anniversary dinner of the Royal Literary Fund,
fixed for Wednesday the 18th May next.
The remains of the late Colonel Tait, C. 8., and
aide-de-camp to the Queen, were interred yesterday after-
noon in the churchyard adjoining the grounds of Fulham
Palace, in the presence of the Bishop of London, and the
other brothers and near relatives and friends of the de-
ceased.

The Bishop of London was elected a Governor of
the Charterbouse, in the room of the late Earl of Ripon,
on Tuesday last. Another vacancy has occnrred among the
governors of that foundation by the demise of the Earl of
Devon.

Madame Ferraris, the dancer, has arrived iii
Paris from St. Petersburg, to resumo her place at the Grand
Opera.
The London and North Western Railway traffic
return shows this week an increase of £3,081, the Great
Northern an increase of £l, the Great Western an increase
of £1,721, and the London and South Western an increase
of £895.

It is understood that upon the completion of the
undertaking of the Isle of Wight Railway and Telegraph
Company, the prospectus of which was lately advertised,
the London and South Western Railway Company contem-
plate working the line.
The French provincial journals state that on the
anniversary of the birthday of the Prince Imperial, their
Majesties gave a sum of 100 f. to each child born on the same
day, and whose position may render such a gift needful.
The three stocks of the Chester and Holyhead
Railway Company will now be placed in the official list,
under the head of " Lines leased at fixed rentals," the deed
of conveyance to the London and North Western Company
having been completed on the 18th inst.
The customary notice of an intended application
to the committee of the Stock. Exchange for a settling day
and quotation in the shares of the Great Ship Company
(Limited) was posted yesterday morning,