The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-13 00:00:00

THE AFRICAN MAIL.
PLYMOUTH, WEDNESDAY.
The African Royal mail steamer Ethiope, Capt.
W. H. Ramwell, arrived here this morning. Her
dates are, from Camarooms, April 4 ; Fernando
Po, April 6 ; Bonny, April 9 ; Lagos, April 12 ;
Accra, April 13 ; Cape Coast, April 14 ; Monro-
via, April 19 ; Sierra Leone, April 24 ; Bathurst,
April 28 ; Goree, April 29 ; Teneriffe, May 4 ;
and Madeira, May 6. She brings 39 passengers,
among whom are Lieutenant Blithe, R.N., from
Sierra Leone ; and Lieutenant Ramsford, from
Bathurst ; 3,000 ounces of gold dust, 400 barrels
of palm oil, ivory, pine apples, cochineal, wine, &c.
At Fernando Po were the Scourga and the Spy ;
the former was to proceed to the South Coast, and
return, touching at all the stations to Sierra Leone,
where her orders from home would be expected.
A d fference has arisen between the Governor and
the inhabitants, which at one time assumed a
serious aspect ; it was hoped, however, that through
the mediation of Commodore Adams and her Bri-
tannic Majesty's Consul at Fernando Po, all would
be amicably arranged.

At Lagos were the Prometheus and the Myrmi
don ; at Sierra Leone the Hecla and the Philo, and
the French man-of-war Euphrates.

Oa the 25th of March, died at Sierra Leone, the
Right Rev. Dr. Weeks, bishop of the diocese. The
deceased prelate had been on a visit to the most
distant parts of his diocese along the coast, return-
ing tolSierra Leone in the Candace on the 16th in
a very dilapidated state of health, and continued
gradually to sink up to the time of his death.
Her Majesty's ship Dover was at Bathurst. A
disturbance between two of the native tribes had
taken place at Bathurst, and some of the British
troops were sent in the Dover to the scene of action,
to guard our territory.
At all other places along the coast matters were
quiet, and nothing of consequence occurring.

Her Majesty's ships Colossus and Exmouth ar.
rived here this morning from the Mediterranean.

TB E NAPIERS.

The second season could not have commenced under
more auspicious circumstances than on Monday night.
The weather being highly favourable, the attractions of
the music-hall and gardens were doubled, and an enor-
mous crowd assembled. The hail-storm which fell not
long before the hour for commencing had a most bene-
ficial effect, since there was just time for the grounds
to dry, and the air, which bad been sultry and oppres-
sive in the afternoon, assumed a pleasant and salubrious
freshness. Everything seemed to smile upon the under-
taking, and the result was quite as brilliant as at the
festival which conferred such eclat upon the opening of
the Royal Surrey Gardens last ceason. At an early
hour crowds were making their way from all points of
the compass to the place which the univere•aily popu-
lar M. Jullien has now adopted permanently as his
summer home, and with unexampled rapidity every cor-
ner of the vast music-hall, whether private boxes, gal-
leries, or area, was filled. A spectacle more stirring and
animated has rarely been witnessed, and the many
hundreds who were unavoidably denied admittance lost
a treat which it would have been well for them had
they arrived early enough to make sure of.
But, to those who think seriously and wish well to
the community at large, the most gratifying circum-
stance of all was that the thousands upon thousands
who thronged the ball and gardens had been enticed
there by music—and not simply .by music in the ab-
stract, but music of the very loftiest description. The
attraction of the evening was neither more nor less
than Mendelssohn's oratorio of "Elijah." The incidents
that make up the repertory of the Surrey Gardens
proper were most of them in abeyance. There
were no fireworks, and the grounds were not even
illuminated. So that the musio-hall, and what was
advertised to take place in it, lured the people with
out the aid of adventitious temptations. M. Jullien
had announced a grand performance of Mendel-
ssohn's immortal work with an orchestra, vccal
and instrumental, 1,000 strong, supported by principal
singers of the first rank. M. Jullien, who is notorious
for redeeming his promises, and has won the great pub
lie reputation he enjoys as much by his honesty as by
bis singular energy and talent, as usual kept his word to
the letter. Although only as lets as Friday night be
concluded a lying tour in Holland with a brilliant and
successful concert at Rotterdam, he was at his post on
Monday night, punctual and diligent as his wont, with
an army of musicians under his control of such formid-
able proportions as none know better than himself how
to marshal and conduct. The first sight of Jullien sets
the minds of the audience at ease, and be was welcomed
with a roar of applause. When he waved his baton to
begin the-plaudits were renewed ; and after. Mr. Weiss
bad pronounced,the terrible denunciation of the prophet,
a magnificent performance of the overture, which so
graphically describes the misery and sufferings of the
drought-afflicted people, at once declared that M. Jul-
lien had summoned as fine a band together as London
could afford. The first chorus—" Help, Lord"—into
which the overture leads, proved beyond further ques-
tion that the multitude of singers was formed cf not less
efficient materials ; and from this point on7ard the ora-
torio proceeded with always augmenting success.
It is unnecessary to describe, step by step, the per-
formance so welt known. Suffice it that the general
effect was impoeing to the last degree, nod the execution
admirable both for attention to detail, and the combina-
tion of masses. The cfioruses of the Baalite priets, and
the overpowering " Thanks be to God" (which was fol-
lowed by vociferous and long-continued plaudits), were
the most striking features of the first part. In the se-
cond, as examples of splendid choral singing, may be
mentioned " Be not afraid ;" " Woe to him, be shall pe-
rish" (which ends with terrible earnestness the scene
where Jezebel excites the infuriated mob against Elijah)
—" Behold the Lord God passed by ;" the sublime
and simple acenctus—" Holy, holy, holy is God the Lord,
the Lrri of Sabaoth ;" and last, not least, one of the
most difficult and rarely successful of the whole—" Then
did Elijah the prophet break forth like a fire," which
concludes with the translation of the prophet to
heaven, in a "fiery chariot drawn by fiery horses."
Every one of these was worthy of unqualified commen-
dation, and did equal credit to M. Jullien and the vocal
and instrumental forces under bis, direction.

The solo singers—Miss Louisa Vinning, Madame
Weiss, Mrs. Lockey (who appeared in consequence of
the indisposition of Miss Dolby, and was a worthy sub-
stitute for that eminent sacred singer), Mr. Weiss
(Elijah), and Mr. Sims Reeves—all sang their very best,
and tended in no small measure to produos the satisfac-
tory issue we have- recorded. It is unnecessary for us
to particularise their various merits after this general
commendation, more especially since at Exeter-hall the
successes of the same artists in the same oratorio have
so frequently been stated and commented on. Unani-
mous encores were awarded to the unaccompanied trio,
"Lift thine eyes" ({iss Vinning, Madame Weiss, and
Mrs. Lockey) ; to the tranquil air, "0; rest, in the Lord"
(Llrs. Lockey) ; and to the second song for the tenor,
" Then shall the righteous shine forth" (Mr. Sims Reeves).
It was also the general wish to hear Miss Vinning re-
peat the air, " Hear ye, Israel," at the beginning of Part
11. ; but as that piece, instead of terminating upon a
full close, passes by a striking transition of harmony into
the chorus, "Be not afraid," M. Jullien properly and
judiciously went on with the performance, and declined
to frustrate the intention of the composer by interrupt-
ing one of the finest points in the oratorio. Other con-
ductors (at our great provincial festivals, for instance)
might imitate his example with advantage.
The oratorio was listened to throughout by the im-
mense multitude with undeviating attention, and the
applause was not less discriminating than it was fre-
quent and enthusiastic. At the conclusion M Jullien
was again loudly cheered. Such an opening of so popu-
lar a place of amusement was nothing less than a triumph
for the cause of good music, and for this reason we have
more than ordinary gratification in reporting it.
It was stated that nearly 1,000 persons obtained ad-
mission into the gardens without payment. We can
scarcely credit this ; but if it be true, we can only say
that there must be some very defective management in
certain departments.

The marriage of Mr. Archibald Peel, son of Gen. Peel,
M.P., and Lady Alice Peel, with Miss Palmer, only
daughter of Sir Roger Palmer, Bart., is fixed to take
piece on Monday, the 25th of May.
BANK OF FRANCE.—The Paris advices state that the
stock of bullion in the Bank of France has not expe-
rienced any very material variation since the publication
of the last return on the 9th of April. The total was
about 9,400.0001., and two or three days back it was
about 9,200,0001.
LABOUR SAVING MACHINE.—At a recent practical
trial of one of Moore's Patent American Floating Ball
Washing Machines, from 133, High Holborn, now be-
coming so common in most families, the following were
the remits of the whole laundry. The machine had
never been before acted upon, and the operators were
two servants who had the bare instructions that accom-
panied the patent. The " wash" consisted of what is in
domestic phraseology tcraied large and small.pieces, of
which there were upwards of 300. The witer being
hot, the whole time employed did not reach four hours;
and this was a'l effected in the small room of a cottage,
in which the heads of the family, until it was over, were
not aware that so formidable and much dreaded a pro-
ceeding as a " wash" was in course of operation.

(Prom the .Report of the Registrar-Generald Vt
Ao
The number of deaths registered in Lon—der
the week that ended on Saturday is 1,064, 0131
hibits a small increase on that of the previous "o,e
which was 1,083. In the ten years 1847-56 tllBO
rage number of deaths in the weeks correspoiliiS
with last week was 1,040. But, as the cle3t t1)1
last week occurred in an increased populatioAj
average, with a view to comparison, must be T ASV
proportionally to the increase, in which case it
become 1,144. Hence it appears that theu,:tbf
now returned were less by 80 than the nurau,e'for
would have occurred under the average rate of
lc is 1'846

The number of births recorded last wee' 14
and shows an excess of 782 on the deaths recur
in the same period.
The returns now contain indications of the.deri
of the cold north-east wind that has blown 1-1°_,,,/'01!
ruptedly forsotne time. During 18 days frOw,,
22d ult. to the Bth inst., both days included, the)tlr
2 y,f).
daily temperature of the air has been cons' oit4
below the average, and the extent of the dePrefoll
has been generally 7 deg. or 8 deg., and on of
nights last week the thermometer fell to 32 cl,ieg;J:
below that point. The result of this continue" isil;
ness is seen in the deaths referred to diseases O
respiratory organs, which had previously deersl
but which rose last week from 177 to 208, ti!be.o':
cial disease under which this increase is form dot
bronchitis, which rose from 84 to 116. The
,IvgAi
due to pneumonia (or inflammation of the
remained nearly the same, having been in o(peir
weeks 74 and 70. Last week bronchitis and,rotil
inonia were fatal to the same number of
persons—viz., 52 ; but among persons of
age the two diseases were fatal in very di or
proportions, for 64 persons aged 20 years allopi.+,
wards died of bronchitis, and 18 of pneujilje
,lloopingeough declined last week to 44,---3
number than has been obtained for ss,
period. There were two deaths from smallP,,°,,io
32 from measles 5 occurred in the sub-diswoe,',i
' Bethnal-ereen, and 8 in that of Limehouse.
t
appears to have been a violent outbreak 0f1;e49
in the workhouse situated in the latter sub-cll
as all the 8 deaths occurred in that institutieP f
nearly all of them within a few days.
Seven nonogenarians died in the week ;
oldest were women, aged 93 years, one Of ' WI"
died in Brompton, the other in the Pancras
house. 09,9
Last week the births of 924 boys and '„,-,,;104,°,./1,
—in a 111,846 children—were registered in -1-4'1,0
In the ten corresponding weeks of the years
56 the average number was 1,550. dot
At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, thriedl!A
height of the barometer in the week was
The mean daily reading was above 30in. 0:4;
days ; and the highest reading in the toe ofts'i
30.12 in. on Tuesday. The mean temperaturirorve
week was 44.8 deg., which is 6.7 deg. he'dete'
average of the same week in 43 years (55,001:t
mined by Mr. Glaisher.) The lowest teueqiel!Do
occurred on Monday, and May 31.5 deg. ; the of ir
on Saturday, and was 65.3 deg. The t range jokerig
week was 33.8 deg. The mean dew point tecotiilio
ture was 38.2 deg., and the difference bet'e t,
and the mean air temperature was 6.6 degiveo,..l
wind blew almost invariably from the eotte (114
There was scarcely any rain. The first fiy
were very cold

MORTALITY IN THE METROPO:Vi
NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES 064, 10
IN THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, Af'4l 61
Zymotic Diseases ................ g 6
Diseases of Uncertain Seat ...................
. 1
.......................
...„ to!

...... rig
Tubercular Diseases
Diseases of the Brain, Nerves and Senses ...... "*„.
Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels ... :••••• ,
*".a 705
Diseases of the Lungs and other Orgall' •
Respiration ................................... s 55
Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Org -0
of Digestion
Diseases of the Kidneys, &c. .................
........
C-

Jhildbirth, Diseases of the Uterus, &c...••••'
Diseases of the Joints, Bones, and Muscles . 9,
Diseases of the Skin, &c. .............................
Malformations .........................................
Premature Birth and Debility .....................
.. 43
Old Age
Atrophy ~ ............................................... 4
.. 1
.........
..... 6

Fiuddeii .................................................•:I„.. '4
Violence, Privation' Cold, and Interoperance'' ...y
Causes not specified ................................. oi
if 01
DEATHS 'EOM ALL CA.IISES ............... ..... Pel'Os
' difieBP
Population Deaths in Corte-
weelg v
Enumzted. 5p0n011356. 155
West Districts
North Districts 490,396
•'" 0
Central Districts 393,256 ...... 176 ' 00
East Districts 485,522 ...... 249 '
....•:
I,'..>°
South Districts
6'l
_____-

50
~.. ........ 5v

Totals
Males
F2males ................................
BIRTHS IN THE WEEK-
Males

1,15

90
......... ,0

..............
1,846