The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-07 00:00:00

AUGUST.

LuNDON GAZETTE-LAST EVENING.

ADMIRALTY, MARca 3.
Georgo Gilpin, Esq., has been this day promoted to the
rank of Staff Commander in her Majesty's Fleet,
MARCH 5.
Thowas Edgeumbe Skinner, Esq., has this day bo3n
promoted to the rank of Paymaster in her Majesty's Fleet.

NEWSPAPER STATISTISTICS.—From the News-.
paper Press Directory for 1868 we extract the following on
the present position of the newspaper press:—
" There am now published in the United Kingdom 1,32
newspapers, distributed as follows:
England—
London ••• 2r
Provinces
... 751-1001

... 253

Wales ... ...
Scotland ... ...
Ireland ... ...

••• ••• 49
•.. •11• 132
11•• ••• 124
41111 •111. 16

British Isles ...
Of these there are
58 Daily papers published in England
1 Ditto Wales
12 Ditto Scotland
13 Ditto Ireland
1 Ditto British Isles.
On reference to the edition of this useful directory for
1858 we find the following interesting facts—viz., that in
that year there were publised 4n the United Kingdom 866
jovrnals ; of these 41 papers were issued daily—viz., 29
in England, 5 in Scotland, and 7 in Ireland ; but in 1868
there aro now established and circulated 1,324 papers, of
which no less than 85 are issued daily, showing that the
press of the conn:ry has vary greatly extended during the
last ten years, and more especially so in daily papers ; tho
daily issues standing 85 against 41 in 1853. The Maga-
zines now in course of publication, including the quar-
terly Reviews, numlYlriug 621, of which 219 are of a (15-
cidedly religious character, representing the Caurch of
England, Wesleyaus, Methodists, Baptists, Independents,
and other Christian Communities."
EDINBURGII UNIVERSITY AMATEUR CONCERT.—
The second annual University amateur concert took place
on Wednesday evening in the Music Hall, in presence of
a largo and gratified audience. The chorus was upwards
of fifty strong, and, with the orchestra, formed an aggre-
gate of about eighty performers. The programme was
agreeably varied, and comprised a selection of vocal and
instrumental music, both solo and concerted. The open-
ing overture (" Cenerentola") was very steadily played,

and showed that tho amateur members of the orchestra

had rehearsed carefully. The overture to the " Zauber-
flotte," which opened, and Mendelssohn's " Wedding
March," which terminated, the second part, were equally
effective. The first vocal "number," " The Wreath,"
by Muzzinghi, was nicely sung by three amateurs,
and well received. Professor Oakley's ballad, " I
think of Thee," would have pleased more had it been
better heard, but the amateur to whom it
was assigned appeared to labour under a ner-
vous trepidation that prevented him doing justice either to
himself or the song. Abt's " Sonneeschin," and Muller's
"Der Waidmann" were very tastefully given and deserv-
edly applauded. Bishop's) "Sleep, gentle ',lady," and "In
Autumn we should sing, boys" (encored)—the music by
Marschner, and the words by Professor Maclagan, were
also very tAstefully sung. In these, however, the first
tenors were hardly powerful enough to bear up against the
other voices. The chorus from "Robert le Diable," " Fill
high the generous measure," and the "Warrior's Chorus"
from "Ernani" wont well, the former especially, and the
voices were firmly supported by the orchestra. The
Romance from '6 Dino rah" was so expressively sung as to
elicit an encore, which was complied with. The vocal
gem of the concert, however, was Handel's grand reci-
tative, "Deeper and deeper still," and its accompany-
ing air, " Waft her, angels, through the skies."
Tile former was declaimed with impassioned fer-
vour, and the latter sung with finished expres-
sion. It drew down an immediate and enthusiastic
redemand, which was declined. A duet for two piano-
fortes was excellently played by two amateurs, who pos-
sess not only refined musLal perception, but have acquired
an amount of executive power that few amateurs can boast
of. Professor Oakley played a "Prelude" and "Fugue"
by Bach, and a "Caprice" of his own; the latter was, as
might have been expected, most vociferously applauded.
There was also given a selection from the " Zauberflotte,"
including, besides the overture already alluded to, the

March ; solo and semi-chorus, " 0 Isis and Osiris ;" duet,
" Bowahrot ouch ;" tenor solo, " Wie stark is nicht dein
Zauberton ;" semi-chorus, "Das klingt so herrlich ; and
due; "Das Konnte joder brave Mann." The concert was
a very enjoyable ono, and appeared to afford satisfaction
to all present. Mr. Adam Hamilton officiated as con-
ductor, and Mr. A Mackenzie as leader of the orchestra.—

Scot3man.
FOURTH CLASS RAILWAY CARRIAGES.—TII
llanover Gazette announces the establishment on the rail

ways of North Germany of fourth-class carriages. These,
which will serve to carry ordinary travellers, are at the

same time organised so as to transport wounded soldiers.

For this purpose hammocks will be suspended in each car-

•iage, in which the sufferers will be laid full length, and

protected against all shocks. A passage will be arranged,
so that the attendants can communicate from one vehicle

to a,nuthor.