The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-18 00:00:00

MUSIC.

OA Monday evening was given, at St. James's
Hall, under the direction of Mr. Henry Leslie, a
Concert of English Songs and Glees, a kind of per-
formance which always has a wonderful power of
attraction for the public at large ; and, as on this
occasion, the attraction was increased by the ap-
pearance of such stars as Sims Reeves and Madame
Sherrington, together with the lesserulmumlinna:Csanodf
Miss Edwards, Miss Whytock, Mr. Cm
others more or less known to fame,
t
be said that the hall was crowded
i in
needevery
hardlyp ar t.
.Twheor
me varied,
s,a nd
ichards ; and
fiTherst performancesb y t
wo
pieces
of n thethMe soloill.ruprbi
nisingerseyß
by some splendid singing
twoseo
no
dni
yt h, e
andtrunmopt trumpet
least,by
on the part of that well-known body of male singers
the Orpheus Glee Union. Mr. Horsley's celebrated
glee, "By Clio's Arbour," and Mr. Hatton's "When
evening twilight," left nothing to be desired either
in the music or style of performance. Mr. Fielding's
beautifully pure alto voice coming out in the former
with charming effect. The other, pieces allotted tcf
them were equally well sung, but the music was far
less worthy of the pains bestowed upon it, always
excepting Webbe's far-famed " Would you know
I my Clio's charms ?" which was sung with infinite
ease and humour, and elicited an encore, amidst im-
mense applause. We only wish these gentlemen had
given us Calcott's " Queen of the Valley," as they
well know how to give it ; for this we could readily
have parted with Messrs. Cousins' and Cooke's
glees, not to speak of Spofforth's now common and
rather vulgar piece. While in the critical vein, we
I cannot but remark that there seemed to us some-
' what of a contrast throughout between the cha-
racter of the music and the high class of perfor-
mance ; nor do we think that either Mr. Reeves or
Madame Sherrington had quite justice done them in
this respect. And yet, surely, if there is abundance
of good music to choose from anywhere it is in the
department of " English Songs and Glees." On
the whole, however, the concert was a very enjoy-
able one, and we should be very glad to hear of
others on a similar plan.
We perceive that Mr. Leslie gives one of his con-
certs proper on the 27th. The " dish" is a most
" dainty one," as appears from the programme
already printed, and we cordially invite our readers
to the entertainment. Santley, Leigh Wilson, and
Miss Schiller are to be the soloists.

TAKING THE VEIL.—An interesting ceremony
took place on Sunday at Conflans, close to Paris, in the
principal establishment of the Sacra Coeur, when Madile.
do Merode, the youngest sister of the Countess de Morita-
lambert, took the veil. Mgr. de M‘rode, ex Minister of
Arms to the Pope, had come from Rome to preside at the
solemnity. All the members of the Montalembert family
were present.
RETORT POLITE TO MR. LAYARD._Mr. Caven-
dish Bentinck writes to a contemporary :--" Sir—ln your
report of Mr. Layard's speech delivered last night (Tues-
day) on the Reform Bill, I find the following sentence :
If the hon. member for Whitehaven, who made so much
noise, came down to answer him, it would be far preferable
to those interruptions.' I have the honour to inform you
that I was -Jot in the house during the earlier portion of
the 'Linden' Secretary's speech, when he most erroneously
referred to me as haying interrupted him."