The Sun.
London, England, 1859-07-05 00:00:00

MR. BENEDICT'S CONCERTS.

river.

Thelast of these concerts took place yesterday afternoon, in
St. James's Hall, before a brilliant and fashionable assem-
bly. Renowned as Mr. Benedict has been during a long
series of years for organising programmes of unprecedented
interest, he probably never offered to his numerous aristo-
cratic patrons a more splendid musical treat than that of
yesterday. There was an efficient orchestra, directed by
Mr. Benedict himself, one of the most musician-like of con-
ductors, whose labour was shared in the lighter vocal pieces
("the pretty Italian songs," as learned old Sebastian Bach
would have called them) by Signor Arditi, and in the piano
forte accompaniments by Mr. Lindsay Sloper. The orches-
tral prelide to the concert was Weber's overture to " Der
Freischutz," and the first air was " Madamina," from "Don
Giovanni," sung with care by Sig. Marini. M. Engel then
gave a specimen of his talent on the harmonium, choosing
for his theme the serenade from the same inimitable opera,
and exhibiting the capabilities of the instrument to eminent
advantage. To this succeeded a very pretty song by Mr.
Benedict, entitled " The Troubadour's Serenade," which
Herr Reichardt did his utmost to make effective.

Next came Hummers "Rondo Brilliant in B flat" (on a
Russian theme), for pianoforte and orchestra, one of the
capital works of its composer, and the difficulties of which
are insurmountable by perZormers, however expert, who
have not diligently applied themselves to the genuine school
of pianoforte playing—from Bach, Mozart, and Dussek, to
Hummel himself, as a professor of the instrument and a
master of its legitimate resources second to none.
At Mr. Benedict's first concert no one can have forgotten
the effect produced by Herr Leopold de Meyer (pianist
to his Majesty the Emperor of Austria) in one of his own
brilliant solos. So flattering, indeed, was the recep-
tion accorded to the distinguished "virtuoso," that it
was natural Mr. Benedict should secure his services for
the next occasion. M. de Meyer plays with, rather than
plays on, the piano, so marvellous is his facility; and the
charm attached to his performances is greatly enhanced by
the fact that his mechanical dexterity and power of hand
are united with a touch which, in subdued passages, and in
the execution of graceful ornament and " floriture," has
never been excelled. This time M. de Meyer did not play
a solo, but joined Miss Arabella Goddard in a duet of his
own composition, for two pianofortes, founded upon themes
from the " Trovatore.". A more showy production of its
kind was never listened to.
After this remarkable display came the Scotch ballad
" Annie Laurie," by Madmoiselle Vaneri, an English
singer with an Italian name, for an introduction to whom
the musical public is indebted to that indefatigable artist-
finder, Mr. E. T. Smith.
We have rarely had to notice a musical entertainment on
a vast scale—a "monster concert" in the fullest accepta-
tion of 6re term—in which there was so little to condemn
as trivial and superfluous, so much to eulogise as refined
and excellent.

A speech lately delivered by M. de Kant, Presi-
dent of the Agricultural Society of Provins, contains some
curious information with respect to the production of wheat
in France. Forty years since there were only 4;600,000
hectares or laud under wheat in France, and the average
produce did not exceed 11 hectolitres the acre. At present
there are 100,000,000 hectolitres of wheat raised and the
average produce is 15 hectolitres the hectare. Within the
last 40 years. consequently the production of wheat has
nearly doubled in France. Now, as within the same period
the population of F ranee increased only by one-ath, it is
easy to calculate hlw much Lae condition of each individual
has been improved by the addition made to his food. Ano-
ther consequence is, that France grows nearly sufficient
wheat for her own US3 without having reccurse to a foreign
supply. It is expected that whenj.lgena becomes so ffipiently
colonised, Trance, instea7T of being an imp n-ter of wheat,
will become a great exporter. A letter from Odessa of the
18th of June states that 30,000 chetwei ts of wheat were
sold the preceding week at a reduction of 25 copecks the
chetwert.

Accounts from Algiers of the 28th of June an-
nounce that the cora crops in that colony will give a
favourable result this year. The wheat, oats, and barley
are already cut and stacked; the quality of the wheat is
superior to that of last year. The price of wheat at Algiers
is from 2f. to 3f. the hectolitre dearer than in France. A
letter from Lyons states that the orders received by the
manufacturers from the United States compensate them for
what they havo lost by the war in Italy. It is feared,
however, that the failure of the silk crop this year will
create serious difficulties for next year. Cocoons are
quoted at 7f. the kilogramme.

The water sawing-mills at Bugey (Doubs) are
eraga?;cd night and day in cutting. deal planks for the sup-
ply of the carpenters of Lyons in making boxes to pack
stores for the army of Italy ; in addition to which there is
a large demand for building purposes both at Lyons and in
the South of France, so that the timber trade is at present
unusually prosperous.
Confidence has been somewhat restored in French
commercial circles since the battle of Solferino. It is ex-
pected that Venice will shortly fall into the hands of the
Allies, and that a speedy conclupion to the war in Italy
may be anticipated. The rapid progress made in the war
and the late victories possess another advantage in the
eyes of the industrious classes—they diminish the chances
of the war becoming general. The apprehension of the
German Confederation engaging in the quarrel is greatly
diminished.

ANDOVER GREAT WOOL FAlR.—This important
mart was held on Friday. At an early hour a largo at rival
of wool had taken place, and by 11 o'clock in the morning
138,000 fleeces were pitched, being the greatest quantity
ever known. The number of dealrs was large, and busi-
ness very brisk, which continued throughout the day, and
at the close of the fair a generl clearance was effected, at
the following prices :—Teg wool, 40s to 42s ; mixed, 38s to
40s ; Ewe, 36s to 37s 6d.
LO72OMOTIVES.—A Bill of Mr. Garnett, Mr.
Wilson Patten, and Mr. Ridley enacts the following scale of
tolls to be levied by corporations, commissioners, trustees,
and other persons—viz., for every locomotive attached to
any loaded waggon or carriage Is. ; for every waggon, wain,
or carriage, drawn by such locomotive, and having the fel-
loes of the wlteels not less than six or more than eight
inches in breadth, the sum of 3d. for each pair of wheels ;
for every waggon, wain, or carriage, drawn by such locomo-
tive, and having the felloes of the wheels not less than eight
inches in breadth, the sum of 4d. for each pair of wheels.
Every locomotive must consume its own smoke. The reason
for the bill is recited in the preamble, to wit, that the use
of locomotive is likely to become common on turnpike-roads
for drawing waggons and . carriages ; and the existing
Turnpike Acts do not provide for the contingency.

Ar 1-41
.1:.1 I NEWS.

THE WAR IN ITALY.

The following telegrams have been received at

Mr. Reuter's office :

VALLEGGIO, JULY 4.

The French army, increased by Prince Napoleon's
corps, will operate against Verona, whilst part of
the Sardinian army begins the siege of Peschiera.
The Emperor having sent back the wounded Aus•
trian officers without exchange, and having re-
quested an exchange of prisoners, an Austrian
officer has arrived with the announcement that the
Emperor of Austria will also send back without
exchange the wounded prisoners of the allies, and
that his Majesty is equally disposed for an exchange
of other prisoners.

TURIN, JULY 4.

On the 29th ult. the Sardinian army more closely
invested the exterior fortifications of Peschiera,
situated on the right bank of the Mincio. Our
army crossed the river on the 30th far the purpose
of investing Peschiera also on the left bank of the

TRIESTE, JULY 5.
Advices have been received from Corfu to the

28th ult.

The screw liner Marlborough, four sailing ships
of the line, and one aviso steamer, originally bound
foe Athens, on receipt of important despatches last
week, took another direction.

The frigate Euryalus, having on board Prince
Alfred, has also been ordered to proceed on its way
with all speed.
The Russian steam service between Odessa and
Trieste has been discontinued.

• VIENNA, JULY 4.
The Austrian correspondence contains the fc;

lowing telegram:—

FIUME, JULY 4.

It is asserted that the French, amounting to
10,000, have disembarked at Lussienpiccolo. The
bridge to Cherso has been destroyed.

TURIN, JULY 4.
The Monitore di Bologna of the 30th ult. pub-
lishes a letter of Count Cavour, addressed to the
Junta of Bologna. He says,--
"The Government of the King cannot accept the
union of the Romagna with Piedmont, but will
direct the Roman forces to concur for the purpose
of obtaining Italian independence."

The official .Piednzontese Gazette announces that
the Chevalier d'Azeglio has been appointed General
and Commissioner Extraordinary, purely military
for the Roman States.