The Sun.
London, England, 1861-10-21 00:00:00

TEE NATIONAL CHORAL SOCIETY..

This society, which was established in the autumn of last
year by Mr. G. W. Martin, and which numbers upwards of
700 members, had its first annual meeting on Wednesday
evening at the Floral Hall, Covent-Garden. It was a
general meeting of the members, partaking of the nature of
a rehearsal also. Having rehearsed some of the choruses
of the "Messiah," the conductor gave an outline of the
proceedings of the past year and the pecuniary and musical
results of the first season. Six concerts had been given in
Exeter Hall, one in St. James's, two at the Crystal Palace,
one in the open air at Camberwell, and four in rendering
assistance at Mr. Alfred Mellon's promenade concerts, two
of which were given at their inauguration. These per-
formances included oratorios, concerts of part music, and
miscellaneous concerts, and, in a musical point of view, had
been eminently successful, having been referred to in the
highest terms of commendation by many musical men
holding the highest position in the profession. In a pecu-
niary point of view the society had by no means been a
success. Mr. Martin said ho had made up his mind to lose a
considerable sum in the formation of the society and its first
year's operation, but had not contemplated so heavy a loss.
He did not ,despair, however, of making the society ulti-
mately pay its expenses; but hoped by its instrumentality
to be able to carry out one of the objects of its formation,
that of contributing to the charitable funds of such institu-
tions as could be legitimately assisted by its operations.
The ensuing season already presented many features which
indicated that the loss would at the end of the next year
be considerably decreased. Mr. Martin complimented the
choir on the high state of efficiency to which it had at-
tained in the first season of its existence, and referred in
terms of eulogy to the support the conductor had expe-
rienced at the hands of the members, and to the hearty
co-operation of the superintendents in the various depart-
ments. The works proposed for study and rehearsal dur-
ing the coming season are " The Messiah," " The Crea-
tion," " Judas Maccabreus," " Israel in Egypt," and Um
" Elijah," the last named being selected for the first meet •
ing of the season, Wednesday evening next. The number
of members present was upwards of 500, most of whom
renewed their membership for the next season.

The Malta Times of the 10th publishes the fol-
lowing :—" A very unusual scene occurred this morning in
Strada Tesoreria, of Valetta. An Italian gentleman
was reading a letter which he had just received from Italy.
A Sicilian approached, and said to him in a very insulting
manner, ' Morte a Vittorio Emmanuele 1 ' (Death to Victor
Emmanuel I) The insulted gentleman replied that he had
nothing to do with political affairs ; on which the Sicilian
observed that if he were anything else, he (the Sicilian)
would tear his bowels out. A personal attack ensued, and
the Sicilian, addressing the Maltese around him, called them
' porci Maltese' (you pigs of Maltese). Sticks were used, and
seen to come down heavily on the heads of everybody pre-
sent. The doors of the Bible Society office close by suf-
fered much from the violence of the blows, and some persons
were severely hurt. The words Sorel Borboniei' (Bourbon
rats) ; and ' Abasso le spie di Francesco l' (Down with
the spies of Francis I) were heard, and if the police had not
interfered, blood would probably have been shed. As will
be seen from the above account, which was given Us by an
eye-witness, this shameful disturbance arose from the inso-
lence of a Bourbonist—a class of persons, we regret to say,who have become rather numerous in this island of late
return for the hospitality accorded them, they should. In
at
least conduct themselves in a peaceful manner."
EXILE OF LOUIS NAPOLEON IN 1836.—When
the frigate was on the point of getting under wa?:., the sub-
prefect of L' Orient, M. Villemain, while paying
if,to cn Princearriving
vin g Louis,in andthe
übeforenite
United
sktiantges,leha s respects
inquired
evesbofoulimfind at first
thepri n
ee. resources
"Well hethmeni,g,h,
rat
yrepquriinrec.e, "None," replied the
the King has ordered
me to place in your hands 15,000 f. in gold, which you will
find in this little casket." The Prince took the casket, the
sub-prefect went ashore, and the frigate sailed.—G4We's
.Personal Ateinirs, Va. XV.