The Sun.
London, England, 1861-06-15 00:00:00

HERR OBE.RTITU.R'S CONCERT.

Last Monday this distinguished harpist gave his
annual grand morning concert at the Hanover-
square Rooms. The entertainment was very suc-
cessful, and gave great satisfaction to the bril-
liant audience. For many years Herr Oberthur
has been noted for his striking execution, and his
merits as a composer are no less remarkable.
The solo for the clarionet was an exquisite
morceau, and revealed great taste and judgment.
The last piece, a grand national quartet, comprising
several popular airs, was a great success, and
elicited considerable applause. The concert was
graced by;the presence of our first English pianiste
Arabella Goddard. This lady performed on two
occasions, first a solo, in her usual brilliant style,
and afterwards a duet with Herr Oberthur.
Miss Armstrong acquitted herself admirably,
although an apology was made for her on the
score of a severe cold. In the solo, " The
beating of my own heart," she achieved a
decided triumph. Miss Wilkinson also attended,
and in one song with violoncello accompaniment,
was pleasing in her delivery. She also gave an
Italian duet with Miss Armstrong. The
first piece of the concert was a very ela-
borate composition, also the work of Oberthur:
It !was very well received, and displayed great
musical knowledge blended with artistic skill.
A duet on the concertina and harp by Regondi and
Oberthur was very good, and on the whole
this was decidedly one of the best of the morning
entertainments of the season, and Herr Oberthur
had every reason to be satisfied with the brilliant
attendance, and the repeated applauee which was
awarded to the pieces performed. There was also
the advantage of variety, which is always a striking
one in this sort of entertainment, and the crowning
merit of some first-rate compositions that were ad-
mirably performed.

A petition is said to have been addressed to the
Senate praying for the abolition of the French Academy

pour cause d'utilite publique.

A postscript of the communication from Calcutta,
dated May 8, states that Mr. Laing was suffering from a
severe attack of dysentery, and was unable to go to sea in
the mail steamer then leaving, but a letter dated the 9th
says he was on board with his luggage, probably for a short
trip.

The directors of the Burra Burra had declared
a dividend of £lOO per cent. on the capital stock (or £5 per
share), payable on the Ist day of June next, and hope to
pay a similar dividend on the Ist day of September follow-
ing. The price of the shares was £135. Copper was firm
at £lO3 per ton. The local banks issued draughts on Lon-
don at 60 days' sight at 1 per cent. pm., and bought bills at,
1 per cent. dis.
It is reported in Paris that the enfants de troupe,
of whom Caere are between 6,000 and 7,000, are, after they
have passed 10 years of age, to be supplied with light mus-
kets and bayonets, for the purpose of being instructed in
their use, with a view to the formation of a corps from
which the non-commissioned officers are to be selected for
the army. At 17 years of age they are to be admitted into
the ranks, so that their military education will have been
completed on entering, into the serviee.

Tins YELVERTON CASE.—The process in the
Court of Session relative to the question of a Scotch mar-
riage coos not promise to bo speedily settled. Some time
ago the Lord Ordinary remitted to Mr. Crichton, advocate,
to take proof by commission in the case, and the proof for
the pursuer (Miss Longworth, alias Mrs. Yelverton) has
been reported by the Commissioner, along with numerous
appeals on both sides, as to questions refused or allowed in
the course of the proof. The Lord Ordinary (Ardmillan)
having heard counsel on these appeals, issued an " interlo-
cutor" on Thursday disposing of them. There are only
two points of importance involved in the appeals. His
Lordship has found that in respect it is alleged by the pur-
suer, as a ground of action, that marriage was constituted
by cohabitation and habit and repute, it is competent to
prove what was the opinion formed at the time by wit-
nesses having the opportunity of observing the conduct and
conversation of parties in regard to the footing on which
the pursuer and defender lived together. Accordingly, he
dismisses the appeals for the defender against all evidence
of that character, and the effect of the judgment, if sus-
tained, will be to admit some important testimony for the
pursuer. The other point affects the right of the pursuer
herself to be examined. In an action of this kind, by the
law of Scotland, the parties themselves cannot be admitted
to the witness-box, but the pursuer seeks to have her evi-
dence received as to the loss of certain documents, with the
view of being allowed to prove their contents by parole
testimony. The Lord Ordinary holds that this application
is without precedent or authority, and that the evidence is
not admissible. His lordship remarks that his disposition
in the case has been to admit evidence as fully and unre-
servedly as is consistent with the settled principles of the
law, and in doubtful points to lean towards admission rather
than exclusion. Tho necessary refusal of the pursuer's own
testimony is, however, a serious disadvantage to her in the
Scotch suit. It is understood that the present interlocutor
is to be reclaimed to the Inner House, and the taking of
proof for the defender before the Commissioner is suspended
till the reclaiming note is disposed of. Till all appeals
taken in the course of proof are finally adjudicated the case
will not be opened on its merits.
The celebrated St. Paul's, Knightbridge, and St.
Barnabas controversy was settled yesterday by the judicial
committee of the Privy Council. The motion original was
for enforcing a monition of the court for the removal of 07-
tain ornaments from the church. The court were of opt,
nion that the monition had been fully carried out by the
rector, the 11911. Robert Liddell,

MILITARY OPERATIONS AT

CHATHAM.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—Some London papers having erroneously stated
that there will be some military operations at Chatham on
Saturday night, it may save many people inconvenience
and disappointment to be informed that such is not the
case.—l am, &c.,

C. EVANS GORDON, Lieut.-Colonel.
Chatham, June 14, 1861.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT—(3his Day).

NEW COURT.
(Before the Common Sergeant.)
THE GREAT SILK ROBBERY.

William Crane, Peter Debock, Joseph Barker, and John
Newton, wore indicted for stealing a large quantity of silk
from a barge near the London Docks.

The facts of this extensive robbery have appeared in
The Sun, during the examination of the prisoners before
the magistrate, at the Thames Police-court.

All the prisoners pleaded not guilty.
Mr. Sergeant Ballantine defended Newton, Mr. Sergeant
Parry, Debock ; Mr. Sleigh, Crane; and Mr. Cooper,
Barker. The prosecution is conducted by Mr. Giffard and
Mr. Poland.

This case was resumed to-day, and it is not anticipated
that a verdict will be delivered before Monday.

THE WEATHER.