The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-16 00:00:00

GOUNOD'S TOBIAS.

ST. JAMES'S HALL.
The appearance of M. Gounod's new saureci
drama of " Tobias" has been for some time Ps6t
eagerly expected by the musical public, and everi:;
thing that royalty and fashion could do was adde°
to the attractions of the first performance. More:
over, it took place on behalf of a charitable objec.o
t
and the gaily-dressed assembly who crowded the
brilliant hall had the satisfaction of knowing that
the funds were devoted to a very worthy purpose 7
the assistance of the funds of the University College
Hospital. The pecuniary affairs of this excellent
and valuable institution are not, it seems, ill as
,
flourishing a condition as its public services deserve,
and it is labouring under the burden a a de'.
which has grown To a very considerable amount
We must hope that the kind intentions of
Gounod and the patrons of Tuesday evening's ei
tertainment will not only prove directly profitable
to the charity, but will stimulate others to Ole
forward in the same good work. the
" Tobias," which formed the second part O--
f
programme, was ,favourably received. It 1317
not, of course, be ranked with those classical chefef
tsl
d'oeuvres which our modern musical arrangemeuis
have made as popular as they are inimitable, but
is full of grace and delicacy. Madame Lemraells;
Sherrington, who was the Angel Gabriel, had e
beautiful songs, which she rendered charmingly
Madame Rudersdorff was the other prima donna'
and Mr. Gounod was fortunate in securing ti
services of M. Sims Reeves as his tenor. The Btu°.
" Father, thine arms about me throw," WO& ei,(l.-v0
sitely sung, and certainly the music could '5O.
found no more successful exponent. Mr. Pat* 0
the bass, acquitted himself with credit, the churl's:
were effective and well sung, and the orche'ci
tral music was characterised by delicacy eli
expression. The first part of the performance
consistal also entirely of M. Gounod's sacred ce/11,,
position including a symphony iu 4, D. Ave Vereta:x
" A Christmas Carol," "A Tenor Solo,"
so
Salutaris Hostia," and the .cxxxvii. Psalm. There
five compositions, all excellent in their way, we 10
given with effect and expression. The tenor J•
was beautifully and, as may be guessed, Nvue!‘t,
mirably sung by Mr. Sims Reeves. The " Chr,
leas Carol " was enthusiastically applauded, 36
and
deed it deserves to be, from the originality 8„a
beauty of its style. The chiming of the bells
cymbals coming in the carol had a peculiar art
characteristic effect, and it is not surprising
hg, th 4
3
charmed and surprised the audience. The 1383.1 m
the
"By Babylon's wave " was excellently sung As'
choir, and must indeed be ranked among the 5136;,
successes of the evening. Altogether the perferod
ante could hardly fail to satisfy expectation, an
the crowds which filled the hall to overflowing test'
Lied to the interest and curiosity it had excited.

The Great Jewel Robbery.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN,

Sir,—Having read in the evidence of Caseley, the
convict, in the trial of " Walker and Milner,"
the Court of Queen's Bench yesterday, that Casele
stated it was easier to open Tann's safe ti'3L
Milner's, in justice to myself I think that toue
real facts should be made known to the pubis
as they are likely to form an erroneous illlPreilre
sion. Caseley and other parties convicted of to
Walker burglary used the same aPPliailer
to open one of my safes, manufactured by o fite
Mr. Johnson„leweller, Threadneedle-street, Priest
to that .of Mr. Walker's, but without the slight
success whatever. e of
If Caseley ever did open a safe with the name 0,
Tann attached to it, it must have been one of a °Pone
rious class made in imitation of mine, and 11°t,„4
of my Reliance Patent, or made by me, there vr:a,
several makers of my name whose safes are not cg
tented. I have never heard of any of mine be 2
broken open.—Yours, &c., JOHN TO
30, Walbrook, City, Feb. 15.