The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-11 00:00:00

THE SCHILLER FESTSVAL AT THE

CRYSTAL PALACE.

The proceedings in connection with this centen-
ary festival at the Crystal Palace came off yester-
day with considerable eclat. The early part of the
forenoon was dull and foggy, but about midday the
sun broke out, and at one o'clock it was roughly
calculated that there were upwards of 20,000
persons within the grounds. After a perform-
ance on the calliope or steam orchestra in the
centre transept, and after several pieces of music
had been executed by Mr. James Coward on
the Handel Festival organ, the performance pro-
ceeded according to the programme with a march,
entitled " Schiller," by Carl Gross, succeeded by
an overture by Rossini. The execution of the lat-
ter was weak in effect, and it was very imperfectly
heard. The large area in front of the orchestra in
the centre transept was by this time densely
crowded, and among the jostling crowd on the out-
skirts of the assembly for whom no sitting accom-
modation was available exclamations in guttural
German were more frequent than in English.
After the conclusion of the overture Dr. Kinkel
stepped forward in front of the orchestra, and de-
livered an eloquent oration on the genius of Schiller,
which, notwithstanding his efforts to extend his
voice, was heard by a very limited number. The
cantata written by Freilegrath for the occasion as
a tribute to the memory of Schiller, with music by
Herr Pauer, was next performed with brilliant
effect, and was loudly applauded. Among the vo-
calists were Mademoiselle Jenny Bauer, Mademoi-
selle De Villar, Mademoiselle Behren, r. Wilbye
Cooper, Mr. Isaacs, Mr. Hartman, &c., with chorus
by the Vocal Association, conducted by MM. Bene-
diet and Manns. During the performance of the
cantata, the colossal bust of Schiller, by Grass,
which occupied the centre of the orchestra, was un-
veiled amid loud plaudits. The bust was adorned
with evergreens, and supported on each side by two
large allegorical figures supporting a lyre. Both
by expression and attitude the sculptor has endea-
voured to convey the idea of thought ; the brows
are knit, and the head is turned towards the left,
as if the attention was fixed or the mind engaged.
A solo on the violin was next executed by Herr
Wieniawski, after which a German song, " Trauma
and Gesang," was sung by the German Glee Asso-
ciation, to which succeeded the performance of
" The Song of the Bell," with Romberg's music, to
which ample justice, both in effect and in execution,
was done by the powerful choir of about 1,000 male
and female voices. This concluded the principal
part of the musical entertainment, and all were now
on the qui vice to witness the torchlight procession
which the programme stated would next take place
in the grounds. The upper terrace and open corri•
dors as the evening set in were crowded, and shortly
afterwards a few straggling torches were seen at
the bottom of the grounds. So9n they opened out in
view through the avenues until the spot looked as if
on fire ; gradually, however, they assumed some
order and moved in a circular form around the
basin of one of the large fountains, each torch hav-
ing to the eye of the distant beholder its counter-
part in the water, while at length the fountains
burst into play, and blue and other variegated lights
were placed around them contrasting with the
dusky glare of the torches. The moon also added
not a little in enhancing the beauty and effect of
111 C SLE:il(^. which altogether was somewhat imposing.
After the procession had mado a detour from right
to left and proceeded along in front of the Palace,
the principal features of the Schiller Centenary
Festival, as with those of him to whom this tribute
of admiration was paid, had passed from view.

THE ELEC7ION OF MAYOR FOR

BILVINGIfAiIf.

The meeting of the Town Council for the purpose of
electing a Mayor, Aldermen, Committees, and Corporate
Officers for the ensuing municipal year, was held on Wed-
nesday, the retiring Mayor (Sir John Ratcliff) presiding.
It being understood that there would be a close contest be-
tween the supporters of Alderman Lloyd and Aldermen
Baldwin, the most strenuous efforts were made by each
party to secure a majority, and the greatest excitement pre-
vailed throughout the proceedings.
The result, after the most energetic representations of the
qualifications of each candidate, terminated in favour of Mr.
Alderman Lloyd, who was elected by the very unusual ma-
jority, on such occasions, of one vote.
The Mayor Elect having signed the usual declaration,
Sir John Ratcliff left the chair for his successor, who re-
turned thanks for the honour conferred upon him.
After the election of Aldermen for the various wards,
Mr. Alderman HAWKES then proposed the following
highly-complimentary resolution That the thanks of
this Council are due and are hereby tendered to Sir John
Ratcliff, Knight, late Mayor of this borough, for the firm-
ness with which he has maintained the rights and privi-
leges of the Mayoralty, and for his great attention, uniform
impartiality, and courtesy, in the discharge of the duties
of his office during the present year." (Great applause.)
He said, in consideration of the time which had been already
occupied, he should not use many words in moving a reso-
tion to which he was sure every member of the Council
would respond heartily. (Hoar, hear.) The resolution and
calmness with which their late Mayor had maintained the
rights and privileges of the Mayoralty, under circumstances
of extreme difficulty, entitled him to their warmest thanks ;
and, to enhance their esteem, he had only to mention the
able, firm, and consistent manner in which Sir John had
ever carried out their wishes. With regard to his courtesy,
they had had the pleasure of meeting him for three years
at ordinary meetings of thebody, at committees, and at de-
putations of all kinds. No one had ever filled the civic chair
who had given so much time and attention to the indivi-
dual members of the Council and to the borough at large in
the performance of duties not strictly belonging to the
Mayoralty. (Cheers.) During the last three years his
mind must have been well stored : almost every lecture,
scientific or otherwise, every discussion, every meeting, in
fact, held in the Town Hall, he had presided over. (Year.)
Having got through the arduous duties of the day he did
not retire to his home and his rest, but continued his la-
bours with the greatest patience with the desire to pro-
mote the various religious and social meetings of the bo-
rough with his influence and support. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. CUTLER seconded the resolution in highly compli-
mentary terms. He eulogised the services rendered to the
borough during the three years which Sir John Ratchiff
had presided as chief magistrate, and heartily concurred
with the observations made by Mr. Alderman Hawkes.
Alderman ALLDAT said no one had ever fulfilled the
duties of his office more faithfully and watchfully than Sir
John Ratcliff. He congratulated Sir John on the high
honour which had been conferred on him by her Majesty,
and said he was the first man who had been knighted by
royalty in Birmingham. He also congratulated the town
on the fact that Sir John Ratcliff, when he first entered
upon his duties, found an item of £25,000 owing by the cor-
poration to the Bank, and £17,000 to others, but that on his
, retiring from office thene was a balance in their favour of
£13,300. Formerly they were paying £1,600 a year as in-
terest, and now they were receiving interest—a fact sufficient
in itself to show the lasting obligation Birmingham owed
to Sir John Ratcliff.

The resolution was most enthusiastically carried.
Sir JOHN RATCLIFF, on rising to return thanks, was re-
ceived with loud cheers, both by the Council and the nu-
merous auditory. He begged to thank them for the very
flattering manner in which they had been pleased to express
their approval of his services 'as Mayor of the borough,
and to say that when he accepted the duties of the office he
did it with a determination to fulfil them to the best of his
ability. (Hear.) Now at the termination of office, having
received so flattering an assurance of their approbation, he
felt it was one of the greatest honours that could he con-
ferred upon him. (Loud applause.)