The Sun.
London, England, 1861-09-14 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,--On examining Mr. Hamer Stansfeld's scheme, I
can see nothing but the old subterfuge, with a circumben-
dibus to hide it, of issuing more promises to pay gold than
there is gold to meet such promises.

This will ever be the case as long as the formula " I pro-
mise to pay" is adhered to. To pay what ? Gold. But
the gold is not there, and the more promise-, you issue the
sooner the touchstone of the system—panic—brings matters
to a crisis.

But if taxation is looked upon in its proper light, as a
mere debit and credit transaction—a mere financial opera-
tion—carried on by a nation within itself, it would be seen
that all that the State has to do is to issue paper notes,
which should be declared legal tenders for taxes; and the
formula would run thus :—" This Exchequer note is receiv-
able by her Majesty's Exchequer as legal tender for ONE
POUND." This declaration, with the number, signature,
and stamp, is all that is wanted to make a piece of paper, or
a piece of tin if you please, into money.
Anything is motley that the State will receive in payment
of taxes, and nothing else is money. A bar of bullion is
not money unless the Government weighs it, assays it,
stamps it, and gives it a money denomination.—Yours re-
spectfully, JAMES HARVEY.
Liverpool, Sept., 1861.

MR. ALFRED MELLON'S PROMENADE

CONCERTS.

The various schools of music are receiving in turn due
attention at these concerts. On Thursday evening the first
part of the entertainment consisted entirely of a selection
from works of the Italian masters, and last night of one
entirely from the works of Weber. The Italian night was
so completely modern that the specimens of Rossini had
quite an archmological toae in contrast with those of Verdi
and Donizetti, with which they wen. mixed up. Of course
the instrumental features of the concert, as far as complete
works were concerned, were confined t% overtures, and of
these it is not easy to find many exampbs in the writings
of the more recent composers. The overture t 3 "Il Bar-
biere" was as good a choice as could, perhaps, be made to
give an idea of Rossini, and that to the " Figia del Reggi-
mento was almost a compulsory selection from Donizetti.
Amongst the vocal items were Tour pieces from " Il Bar-
biere," with others from " 11 Trovatore" and "La Travi-
ata," and an air by Mercadante, and the list was completed
with a fantasia on airs from " Lucia de Lammermoor,"
played by Miss Woolf, and a selection from " Lucrezia
Borgia." The vocalists were Herr Formes, Mr. G. Perren,
Madame Laura Baxter, and Mdlle, Vaschetti—the last a
new candidate, as far as London is concerned, for public
approval.

The selection of last night (that is, of the first part of the
concert) was entirely from the works of Weber, and conse-
quently the tone of general similarity of style which marked
every piece given contributed to produce a far more agree-
able effect than any miscellaneous collection from various
composers could have done. Tha marked characteristics of
the great master of romantic music might be detected in
every piece that was either played or sung. The Symphony
in C with which the concert commenced is perhaps less
familiar to the concert-frequentin; public than its intrinsic
merits deserve. It is an admirable exemplar of that pic-
turesque mode of treatment which is almost peculiar to
Weber—or at all events, in which no composer has ever
excelled him. It is, moreover, pervaded by a constant
stream of melody, which ever ripplas and gleams as it flows,
at times wild and unearthly, at tines quaint and almost
comic. The instrumental solo selected was the well-known
and difficult "Concert Stuck," which Mr. George Russell
interpreted with a conscientiousness as well as vigour,
which, joined to neatness and brilliancy of execution, did
full justice to the impetuousness of this characteristic pro-
duction. Two overtures were given—the graceful and
graphic " Preciosa" and the melodious and characteristic
" Oberon." The execution of this latter called forth a
pretty strong demand for its repetition, which Mr. Mellon,
with his known antipathy to encores, appeared most un-
willing to give way to. The audience, however, could not
be quieted, and the conductor expressed his willingness to
give way to the majority, which urged him to acquiesce in
the overture being repeated. After this, of course, the
audience were allowed to have their way with the " Bac-
chanalian song" from " Freyschutz," which Herr Formes
had to repeat. Madame Laura Baxter gave " Oh, Araby,
dear Araby," and with Mdlle, Florence Lancia the duet
" Come, be gay." It was Mdlle. Lancia's first appearance
here, and that lady created a most favourable impression by
her execution of the well-known scena from "Der Freys-
cbutz," " Softly sighs." Mdlle. Lancia has an agreeable
though not powerful voice, and is decidedly sympathetic
and expressive in her manner of singing. The whole
selection was well calculated to exhibit favourably the
genius of Weber, as well as the executive powers of the
company, both vocal and instrumental.

The lovers of good music will notice with pleasure that
Mr. Mellon announces for each evening next week a sym-
phony by one of the great masters, to commence at eight
o'clock—an arrangement which will doubtless prove a great
attraction to all admirers of classical music.

The Princess Piombino has returned to Claridge's
Hotel from Scotland.
The Princess Camporeale has arrived at Claridge's
Hotel from Paris.
His Excellency Baron Bentinck has returned to
the residence of the Netherlands Legation, in Lowndes-
square, from Buxton, Derbyshire.
The Marchioness of Queensberry and family have
arrived at the Portland Hotel, Southsea, from the Conti-
nent, to meet the young marquis, who is serving on board
her Majesty's ship Emerald, now lying at anchor at Spit-
head.

The Marquis and Marchioness de Lavalette have
left Fenton's Hotel for Paris.
Tho Earl and Countess of Lisburne have left
Fenton's Hotel for Crosswood, South Wales.
Lord and Lady Lyndhurst have arrived in town
from Tunbridge Wells.
Lady Isabella Stewart and her infant son are
progressing most favourably at the family mansion in Bel-
grave-square.
Lady Harriet St. Clair has left Claridge's Hotel
for Dysart House, N.B.
Mr. Watts Sherman has arrived at Fenton's
Hotel from New York.
Mr. Labouchere has arrived at Fenton's Hotel
from St. Petersburg.

BANQUET TO EARL RUSSELL.—We are in a con-
dition to state that Earl Russell will be the guest of Mr.
Hutt, of Gibside, about the middle of next month. The
noble earl will be entertained at dinner by the Liberal party
of the north in the Town Hall, Newcastle. We believe that
it is arranged for the Earl of Durham to preside on the oc-
casion.—Northern Express.

PRINCE NAPOLEON IN AMERICA,—The follow-

ing is a copy of the letter sent by Princo Napoleon to the
Governor of Massachusetts, in reply to an invitation from

the Governor to visit that State New York, August
14.—Sir,—I hasten to address you my sincere thanks for
the amiable letter which your Excellency has sent me by
your aide-de-camp, Lieut.-Colonel Harrison Ritchie. The
Princess and myself are equally touched by the sentiments
of thoughtful kindness which you express for us. I am
about to commence a journey to the West, to which I
shall devote about three or four weeks, and it is on my
return from that excursion that I hope to go to Boston.
All that I have seen up to the present moment of your
grand and beautiful country has increased in me the desire
which I have felt to visit that scientific capital of the
United States, cradle of their liberty. For a long time I
have cherished for America a profound sympathy, inspired
by its grandeur and by its liberal institutions, and the cor-
dial reception which I now meet from so many of its most
notable inhabitants willJeave in my heart a touching and
enduring remembrance.—Receive, Mr. Governor, my ex-
pression of profound esteem.—NAPOLEON (JEROME)"
LUDICROUS RESULT OF MATRIMONIAL ANGLING.

—A laughable affair has furnished abundant materiel for
the Norwich gossips this week. An individual, either pos-
sessing or assuming the name of Rogers, advertised from
Southampton for a wife with £3OO a year. A reply reached
him from Norwich, his correspondent assuming the euphoni-
ous signature of " Panks." A personal interview was in
♦ited in a large enclosure in Norwich known as Chapel-field,
and after an abortive effort from Rogers to secure an allow-
ance of £lior travelling expenses from Panks, Rogers con-
sented to Mme over at his own cost and risk. Accordingly
on Wednesday evening he arrived, and at the appointed
time made his appearance in Chapel-field. He soon observed
a small btry, on whose back was pinned a placard bearing
the mysterious inquiry, •' Rogers is come, but where's
Panks?" and continually-increasing crowd collecting
round him, ho was quickly made to understand the real
position of affairs. The gentleman, however, with an eye
to £3OO a year proved equal to the emergency, tor,
pulling out a knife he cut his way through his perse-
cutors, effected his escape from them, and soon left the
town.

Richard Hargreaves, a Bradford bankrupt, was
committed for trial by the Bradford borough magistrates on
Wednesday for destroying a book in which his money trans-
actions were entered. Trade and turf transactions to the
amount of £4,700 are said to have been recorded in the
book, and twice, before the Bankruptcy Commissioner, the
prisoner admitted that he had burnt it. He was committed
for trial, but the magistrates said they would take bail for
his appearance,