The Sun.
London, England, 1861-02-07 00:00:00

NATIONAL CHORAL SOCIETY.

Last evening, at Exeter Hall, a concert was given by
his society for the benefit of the distressed weavers of
Coventry. It is most satisfactory to announce that the
immediate object was attained, and that the hall was
crowded. All persons at all kindly disposed must sym-
pathise with the cause which prompted the performance,
and rejoice in the success of its noble purpose. The enter-
tainment was very creditable to all concerned in it. Mr.
G. Martin is entitled to great praise for the manner in
which ho conducted the oratorio, and for the high efficiency
to which the chorus has attained under his management.
The "Messiah" possesses the most splendid choruses of
any oratorio. There is the matchless and magnificent
" Hallelujah, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth,"
which, in grandness of effect, has not its equal in the
range of sacred subjects. " Unto us a child is born," is
another very beautiful chorus, and both these were very
ally rendered last night. The solo singers acquitted
themselves admirably in their several departments. Mr.
Lewis Thomas has made considerable progress lately,
and may now bo considered one of our best sacred singers
He was very successful in the splendid solo, " Why do the
Heathen so furiously rage together ;" this was the greatest
success of the evening in the way of solo performance.
Mrs. Lockey executed the beautiful airs allotted to the con-
tra' to with taste and expression. "He was Despised," in
particular, was one of her best executions. The emphatic
manner in which she renders this beautiful air is well
known, and on the present occasion she did not
fail in her accustomed excellence. Madame Lem-
mens Sherrington's fine voice was displayed to great
advantage in the soprano airs. Mr. Perren took the tenor
part, and acquitted himself in a satisfactory manner, but he
has not sufficient decision. This society may be congra •
tulated on the success that it achieved, and the favourable
reception accorded to its performances last night is a proof
that the public in general appreciate its efforts. The result
was in every way satisfactory to all engaged in it, and
" The Messiah" has seldom been better performed in its
entirety than by the "National Choral Society."

LAIE N E

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

PARIS, FEB. 7

The Moniteur says :—" The treaty for the ces-
sion of Mentone and Roquebrune to France was
signed on the 2d of February with the Prince of
Monaco."

TURIN, FEB. 6 (Evening

The firing at Gaeta is moderate on both sides.
The day before yesterday the Sardinian batteries
blew up two of the enemy's powder-magazines
and destroyed a portion of the curtain between the
citadel and the St. Antonio bastion.

BERNE, FEB. 6,

The Federal Council has received official infor-
mation from Rome to the effect that the ►Swiss
troops have again embarked at Civita Vecchia to
return to their country.

IMPORTANT DECISION IN THE PRUSSIAN
CHAMBER.

BERLIN, FEB. 6

In to-day's sitting of the Chamber of Deputies
the discussion of the address took place. The
following amendment was proposed by M. von
Vincke :—" That we do not consider it to be either
in the interest of Prussia or in the interest of Ger-
many to place obstacles in the way of the consoli.
dation of the unity of Italy." After a discussion of
six hours' duration, this amendment was agreed to
by 159 against 146 votes, notwithstanding the
urgent request of Baron von Schleinitz that it
should be rejected by the Chamber.

Baron von Schleinitz, in his speech against the
amendment of M. von Vincke, declared that the
Prussian Government had not the least reason to
be opposed to the development of Italy. But,
without underrating the national idea of that
movement, the Government could not attribute to
it such a high significance. Although the Govern-
ment did not always consider the principle of non-
intervention as binding, it had not actively inter-
fered in Italy. He repudiated the reproach of
yielding to certain influences in his policy, and said
that Venetia was militarily and strategically too
important for Austria, and indirectly for Germany,
to allow of its cession being advised by Prussia.
Austria and Sardinia, however, would remain on
the defensive, and, through the influence of all
the great Powers, a conflict would at least be
postponed, and perhaps entirely averted. The
Prussian Government would for the future, also
not actively interfere with the Italian movement
so long as it remained a national movement, and
did not acquire such an extension as might render
any active interference necessary, by reason more
especially of its reaching, or expressly claiming,
any portion of German Federal territory.

PARIS, FEB: 6,

The Paris papers publish a telegram from Mar-
seilles announcing that letters had been received
from Beyrout stating that the agitation was in-
creasing. One thousand two hundred Druses were
assembled at Moktava, and intended to prevent the
execution of those who had beeh condemned to
death for taking part in the massacres.
Fuad Paella had returned from Moktava.