The Sun.
London, England, 1818-03-16 00:00:00

INSTITUTION OF SACRED MUSIC.

Au extraordinary circumstance happened on the
eve of the public- performance on Fri.tay last,
which prevented it. from proceeding as in the
printed hills. This was a
scombination among a
number of the most advanced pupils not to slug
without pay, tot toed with the utmost secrecy, and
intended not to be disclosed ill the very hour of
the .performanCe commencing, in the hope
-tbat the Directors would be compelled then
to agree to their terms:.. "With this view, thuy
attended rehearsal the evening before, took
!their ticket's for the following night., and acted
all.the- other parts of their plot with infinite call.
!ion as well as duplicity. FOrtunately; however,
it was discovered in the course 'of Friday, but as
the Directors scarcely give it, credence; they did
no more than be in readiness for either alternative
of the pupils coning or not coming,
and they had a notice ready to he diStribtited at
eight o'clock, 16.t1e audience; if the report proved
true. It turned out (ike correct ; the notice was
accordingly circulated throligh the Assembly
Room, and the pet formance went on remarh-
ably well, without the assistance of the de.
setters. Mr. flesmeesON
,gave a flute con-
certo; Mr. SWIFT and Mr. 'tees -sung a Lttie
more than they had been- previously engaged
to do; Master DouoLas gave.the song " Holy,
Holy ;"-anti'Mr. MATHER played a concerto on the
organ, beiides the choral music and posits) tunei.
Thelatter were excellently pert,ttned by the re-
spectable pupils who had continued stedfast to their
duty. The conduct of the.-piiPils who absente'd
themselves will be considered as more reprehen-
sible, When it is known, that similar proposal
having been made on a former occasion, a fell
ex-
planation was made to them of the unreasonableness
of their demands, and they testified their full saris-
faction with it. The public performances are
meant as Mere exhibit ions of .1 heir progress, the
examinations, as it we-re, of the School, though
they are also made subservient,' by their attrac-
tions, to the purpose of creating a fund to the In-
st itiltion, all of which fund so raised, after paying
the necessary expences, is applied exclusively to-
wards their gratuitous edocarion in sacred music,
ah edtication Which, besides its other advantages,
is profitable to them, by enabling them to go into
bandS' in the churches., and to all:. public profes-
sional perftirtnances,.where they are paid.
Under these circumstances, the''Directors have
expelled the pupils engaged in ' the combination
now mentioned; and have notified their tfames to
the churches where they are engage:l. The reach-
ing at the school is at the same time renewed
with increased Vigour, and this'. purification will
in the end be a great benefit. On the old popilt
that remain, the Directors Can rely, and on Toes...
day evening as many new pupils applied for ad.
Mission as will replace the numberS expelled.
While thus speaking of the Institution, it nv:y
not, by the bye, be improper for np, as t herr is
some public curiosity on the subject of another
Festival this year.' to mention, t-hat, at a late
meeting. of the Directors, a question on this sub-
ject was put by the Lord Proyost, to whom the
matter had previously beets suggested, and the
Meeting gaye an unanimous opinion, that it ought
not to be attempted, us the general election
(which 'will probably he held in autumn) would
entirely destroy the Festival, should they both by
any chance happen about the same time. This
probably will be regarded as decisive by the public,
who are aware that the Institution comprises so
large a proportion of the musical talent, and:of
the Other relative influence,' in Edinburgh.-4
(Edinburgh Courant, March 12.)