festival) that local societies serve up OPERAS (!) with the miserable accompaniment of a piano, to their woolly patrons? Another DISCREET and learned society takes credit for executing* Mendelssohn's picturesque conception, the Loreley finale, with sundry supplementary growls from the Town Hall ORGAN (a tremendous fellow, I have heard). Let the men of cloth establish a Philharmonic Society," with a properly-appointed orchestra and chorus, as is the wont of the big manufacturing towns, and advance the musical art by performances of a legitimate and elevating character. *RESPECT THIS.* (When the leaves of the oak tremble it is well to hasten and descend Mont Cenis, as the Chevalier prefers the champaign lands.)

At Bradford, I have been told, George Mactarren's cantata of Christmas has been performed by a society in the Hall of St. George, in that overgrown hamlet, to the "beautiful piano accompaniment of Mr. Burton." Was it he of that ilk who displayed himself at a Yorkshire Concert, at St. James, his Hall (some time ago), by eccentric gyrations on that domestic instrument, while Hallé's fingers were as yet dank and trembling on the clavier?

*

(Knowing these things, why not cross the Eastern Lake before the YEAR is ended? The Chevalier will approach by the Olive Fields.)

BE DUMB.

PAPPUS OF BIRKENHEAD.

I have been always prevented from thanking you for your esteemed letter and your kind present. I wished to write you a long and detailed letter, but could not find leisure for it. Now, at last, only a few hours before starting for Vienna, I claim the greater indulgence for brevity.

My excellent Julius gives me real gratification, and I trust that time, severe study and application, combined with his true talent and intellectual endowments, will some day present him to the world as a genuine artist. Such a long separation from your dear son must indeed be a great trial for you, but I think it my duty to urge upon you not to do the thing by halves, but secure yourself twofold joy and comfort for your whole life by what you now deny yourself.

A serious and deep study of the art must progress slowly and by degrees, and can only thus give self-possession to the artist's mind. Indeed it is a lamentable symptom of our time, that we are all content with the mere surface; and, casting of too soon the bond of apprenticeship, henceforth, in ever vacillating weakness, aim at producing effects, which, glaring without substance, quickly vanish. It excites a sad smile when we think how everybody admits that the business of a merchant requires several years of application, and that even for a mechanic, besides the three or four years' apprenticeship, other probationary years are deemed essential. In art only the profoundest and most comprehensive study of life-probably a few months' of superficial observation are thought sufficient to accomplish the task.

Instead of giving your son the twelve lessons a month I promised. I have had him with me daily. I do not mention this in order to obtain your thanks, but merely to show you what time is required for the simplest elementary studies. To keep alive his inventive faculty, I have even now let him venture upon compositions, which he ought not yet to have been allowed to undertake;

C. M. VON Weber.

MR. JOHN BROUGHAM AT LIVERPOOL.-Few, if any, names have become more honourably associated with English literature on the American stage than that of John Brougham, the univer sally popular Irish comedian, and the author of Romance and Reality, Columbus, Playing with Fire, &c. A son of the Emerald Isle, his wit is eminently racy of the soil; while, gifted with genius of no ordinary kind, he is at once an accomplished actor, an entertaining author, and, above all, a gentleman. Mr. Brougham, during his residence in America, won troops of friends, who testified, in the most marked and pleasing manner, their sense of his worth and abilities. In Liverpool he has also many admirers; and these, last evening, showed their appreciation of him by entertaining him to a splendid supper at the Waterloo Hotel. About 40 gentlemen sat down to supper. Colonel Beverly Tucker occupied the chair, having on his right the guest of the evening. Mr. M. J. Whitty filled the vice chair, and amongst the other gentlemen present were Mr. George Francis Train, Captain Newlands, L. V. E., Mr. Charles Mozley, Captain Miller, Messrs. John Bingham, W. H. Peat, Joseph Belcher, Worrall, Montgomery, &c. Dessert having been placed on the table, the Chairman pro"the Queen." posed The toast was drunk with all the honours. The Vice-chairman then gave "The President of the United States" (great applause).—The Chairman, in responding, said he was proud to witness the good feeling which prevailed between the two countries, and might that feeling long continue (applause). He knew that Americans felt proud of their mothercountry, and he thought the latter was equally proud of her fullgrown and prosperous child (applause). The two countries were knitted together alike by affinity and common interest, and he believed that what redounded to the credit of the one could not but favourably affect the interest of the other (loud applause).—The Chairman again rose, and proposed the toast of the evening, "The health of, and long life to, their friend, Mr. Brougham" (loud and continued applause). He had had the honour and the pleasure of knowing Mr. Brougham for some time, and he knew him to be hoth a man of genius and a gentleman (applause). As an author, an actor, or a friend, he was equally to be admired; and, speaking for himself, he might, in the words of Hamlet to Horatio, say to Mr. Brougham, "Give me that man that is not passion's slave, and I will wear him next my heart of hearts, as I do thee" (loud applause).-Mr. Brougham, who was heartily cheered on rising to respond, said he felt deeply the cordial welcome with which he had been received in this great town. A native of Ireland, he had felt, after a twenty years' sojourn in America, a strong desire to visit and a yarning towards his native land, and he could only say that since his return he had received many proofs of the kind feeling entertained towards him by his countrymen (applause). After making some humorous but highly complimentary allusions to Mr. F. Train, the projector of street railways, he spoke in terms of eulogy of the country from which he had lately returned, and concluded by again thanking the company for the unexpected honour they had done him in inviting him to be their guest that evening (applause). Various other toasts followed, and a most agreeable social evening was passed.

THE GOVERNMENT of China is divided into four departments, each presided over by a mandarin. The fourth department is that of music, and is managed by the brother of the late Emperor.

THE TENOR, Herr Reichardt, is in Paris, where he will sing at several concerts. He has also accepted engagements for the provinces with several local musical societies.

MONDAY POPULAR CONCERTS.-With one exception, the instrumental pieces of last Monday (fifth concert) were the same as on Nov. 26th, when the name of Beethoven was the attraction. Thus the sonata in E flat, Op. 7, for pianoforte alone, that in F major for violoncello and pianoforte, and the trio in G major (Op.1), were heard for the second time and with increased pleasure, the pianoforte solos especially eliciting the warmest applause. As before, the whole sonata was played by M. Hallé from memory. The novelty was the quartet in A minor (No. 15, Op. 130), (MM. Sainton, Ries, Schreurs and Piatti being the executants), one of the erroneously styled "posthumous," for an explanation of which we cannot do better than refer our readers to the analytical programme. Not one nor a dozen hearings would suffice to reveal the numberless beauties with which this composition abounds. From the opening bar to the last note there is an unceasing vein of the most highly-developed musical thought, never-ending melody -combined with the most perfect harmony, and an overflow of ideas the most original, a tithe of which would be sufficient to stock many modern composers for life. So replete with charms, that it is almost difficult to individualise any particular movement as finer than another, we are nevertheless inclined to select the adagio as our favourite. The "Song of Thanksgiving in the Lydian mode," written in gratitude for recovery from severe sickness-anything more solemn and impressive than this it would be impossible to conceive; and we do not wonder at the devout attention of the audience and their subsequent enthusiastic plaudits. Sceptics who, not believing in themselves, are inclined to place everybody else on the same level, should attend St. James's Hall on one of the Monday Popular Concert nights. There they will find that, be the weather what it may,-the thick November fog, the pelting, merciless rain, the blinding snow, or the melting hot evening of midsummer, the large hall is always filled, and that with an audience who have paid their money; that almost all the audience are seated by the time the concert commences, and that, let a quartet or sonata last even forty-five minutes, as was the case with the A minor on the present occasion, it is heard throughout with an intense gratification that finds in applause the genuine heartiness of which there is no mistaking. This is the second of the later quartets which has been heard at the Monday Popular Concerts. We shall anxiously await the third. The vocal selection comprised two songs, in which Miss Lascelles' remarkably fine voice was heard to great advantage; one by Benedict, "The maiden and the river," a work of easy expression; the other, Mr. Wallace's "Sweet evening star." Miss Augusta Thomson sang Haydn's canzonet "Fidelity," and took part with Miss Lascelles in a charming duet of Dussek's, "My pardon, dearest treasure," in which Mr. Oxenford's beautiful words have been substituted for the weak originals. Mr. Benedict accompanied the vocalists with that skill and taste for which he is noted. The new screen at the rear of the orchestra is a manifest improvement. The sound is now thrown out into the room, and the most delicate passages are distinctly heard. At the next concert (and last before Christmas) the programme will be selected from various composers-Miss Arabella Goddard, Mr. Sims Reeves, and Mr. Weiss making their first appearance this season.-DODINAS.

ROYAL ALHAMBRA PALACE.-The new Music Hall in Leicester Square was opened on Monday night, and attracted an immense audience. The Alhambra Palace is an extraordinary establishment, and one which, with proper and enterprising management, is likely to prove a fortune to its proprietor. We shall not enter into a minute detail of the decorations or arrangements of the salle, which will be found better set forth in the advertisements. Enough to say that the general effect is brilliant and tasteful, and that accommodation has been provided for about four thousand persons, who may sit, and eat, and drink at their ease, listening to music, and witnessing terpsichorean performances. The whole designs have been conceived and carried out on the most liberal scale, and afford an assurance that everything is likely to be done necessary to make the Alhambra Palace highly attractive to the million. For the admission fee of sixpence an excellent series of diversions has been provided. A numerous and efficient orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Tully, performs a selection of appropriate and effective music, while the vocal portion of the entertainment is in the hands of such artists as Mr. Parkinson, Mr. E. Rosenthal,

Miss Emma Heyward, Mad. Volkener, &c. The programme of the week, besides vocal solos from these virtuosi, includes a duologue called "Folly and Fashion," by Mad. Caulfield and Miss Louisa Graham; a comic mélange, in which Mr. George Perren, Mr. Tom Matthews, Miss Rosina Collins, and other performers appeared; with a mixed entertainment of ballet and opera, well devised and executed. On Monday night, after the National Anthem, Mr. E. T. Smith was summoned before the curtain, and vehemently cheered and applauded. We may venture to predict that the new undertaking of the great "entertainer" will be hailed with welcome by thousands, the moderate and decorous amusement of whom we have persistently advocated.

CRYSTAL PALACE.-The concert last Saturday comprised, for the instrumental pieces by the band, Mendelssohn's symphony in A major and the overture to Euryanthe, vocal solos by Mad and Signor Palmieri and Miss Eleanor Armstrong, and a solo on the violin by Mr. Joseph Heine. The songs most admired were the polacca from 1 Puritani, by Mad. Palmieri, and the grand scena, "Bel raggio," from Semiramide, by Miss Eleanor Armstrong. The last-named young lady is a highly promising singer. "Bel raggio" is taxing to the most accomplished and experienced singer; but Miss Armstrong exhibited such good taste and skill, and showed such a nice voice withal, that the audience were delighted, and applauded liberally. The new violinist played Ernst's Pirata fantasia, and created a decided impression. We shall be glad to hear him again.

MYDDELTON Hall, Islington.-A concert was given here on Monday evening, the proceeds of which were to be devoted to the liquidation of the debt on the new organ of St. Jude's, Mildmay Park. The hall was well filled, so that something, at all events, may be anticipated in liquidation of the debt. The vocalists were Miss Clari Fraser, Mad. Sainton-Dolby, Mr. Donald King, and Mr. Lewis Thomas; instrumentalist, Mr. T. J. Cooper (piano): Mr. Liddell was accompanist. The performance calls for no particular remarks, beyond stating that Miss Clari Fraser and Mad. Sainton both sang admirably, and excited great enthusiasm, the former being encored twice, the latter once.

The band of

GRAND VOLUNTEER CONCERT OF THE FIRST SURREY RIFLES. -This exceedingly brilliant affair came off at the Athenæum, Clapham Common, on Tuesday evening, and brought together all the rank, youth and beauty of the neighbourhood. Such an assemblage indeed has rarely, if ever, been witnessed at the Music Hall on the Common. An establishment under the direction, or patronage we are not authorised to say which-of the First Surrey Rifles, more especially of that distinguished section of the corps, No. 5 Clapham and Wandsworth Company, would of itself have proved eminently attractive to the fair sex at any rate; but when it is added that the concert was supported by those eminent artists, Mad. Sainton-Dolby and Miss Arabella Goddard, assisted by the Orpheus Glee Union and the band of the corps, under the direction of their band-master and leader, Mr. J. Callcott, enough has been said to account for any degree of excitement. The programme was constructed skilfully and with taste. the Rifles played selections from Der Freischütz, Il Trovatore, and Robert le Diable, and proved themselves blowers of the first windplayers of the first water. They also performed an arrangement from the Prayer in Mosé, and a polka, by Mr. J. Callcott, which was greatly admired. Miss Arabella Goddard gave Listz's enormously difficult fantasia on the quartet from Rigoletto, and Benedict's enchanting "Where the bee sucks;" in both of which she was rapturously encored. She respectfully declined the first, but graciously accepted the second, giving in place of Mr. Benedict's piece, Mr. Wallace's "Home, sweet home," again with triumphant success. Mad. Dolby was not less heartily received. She sang "The skipper and his boy," which she was compelled to repeat; the ballad, "Janet's choice," and Signor Randezzger's serenade, "Sleep, dearest sleep," all in her most admirable manner. Mr. Fielding, too, sang with the Orpheus Glee Union Kücken's solo and glee, "Soldier's love," a very effective perfor mance; while the "Union" contributed Webb's glee, "Discord, dire sister," Hatton's part-song, "When evening's twilight," and Otto's part-song, "Pretty maiden." The concert, in short, was a great success, and thoroughly pleased and gratified every one present.

PART I.-Quartet, in E minor, Op. 41 (Mendelssohn), Two Violins, Viola, and Violoncello. By desire, M. SAINTON, Herr RIES, Herr SCHREURS, and Signor FIATTI. Song. "The Monk within his Cell" (Mactarren), Robin Hood. First time, Mr. WEISS. Canzonet, "Gentle Hope, from Heav'n descending" (Dussek), Canzonets, First time, Mr. SIMS REEVES. Sonata, in E flat, Pianoforte solus dedicated to Madame Buonaparte (Steibelt). First time at the Monday Popular Concerts, Miss ARABELLA GODDARD.

PART II.-Sonata, in F major, Pianoforte and Violin (Haydn). First time at the Monday Popular Concerts, MSS ARABELLA GODDARD and M. SAINTON. Song, "Adelaide" (Beethoven), by general desire, Mr. SIMS REEVES, accompanied by Miss ARABELLA GODDARD. Song, "I'm a Roamer (Mendelssohn) Pedlar's Song-Son and Stranger, Mr. WEISS. Quartet, in A, Op. 18, with Variations (Beethoven), Two Violins, Viola, and Violoncello. By desire, M. SAINTON, Berr RIES, Herr SCHREURS, and Signor PIATTI.

Conductor-MR. BENEDICT. To commence at Eight o'Clock precisely. Stalls, 5s.; balcony, 3s. ; unreserved seats, 1s.

Tickets to be had of Mr. Austin, at the Hall, 28 Piccadilly; Messrs. Cramer and Co., Hammond. Addison and Co., Schott and Co., Ewer and Co., Simpson, and Oetzmann and Co., Regent Street; Bradberry's, London Crystal Palace, Oxford Street; Duff and Co., £5 Oxford Street; Prowse, Hanway Street; Chidley, 195 High Holborn; Purday, 50 St. Paul's Church Yard; Keith, Prowse, and Co., 48 Cheapside, Turner, 19 Cornhill; Cook and Co., 6 Finsbury Place, South; Humfress, 1 Old Church Street, Paddington Green; Fabian, Circus Road, St. John's Wood; Ransford and Son, 2 Princes Street, Cavendish Square; Ivory, 275 Euston Road; Mitchell, Leader and Co., Ollivier, Campbell, Hopwood and Crewe, and Willis, Bond Street, And CHAPPELL and Co., 50, New Bond Street.

ROYAL ALHAMBRA PALACE MUSIC HALL,

LEICESTER SQUARE.

Lessee and Proprietor, Mr. E. T. SMITH.

N announcing the Opening of this Grand Establishment,

as a favoured caterer for their amusement, and based his claim for a patent of precedency in that respect upon the "Great Fact" that, by no ordinary struggles against "quality" prejudices, he had established the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, as the playhouse for the people. Mr. Smith further challenged the musical army to point out one volunteer who had made more rapid strides towards advancing the taste for music than himself. He had provided for the million, at the lowest prices of admission, the grandest Operas, English and Italian, illustrated by the most accomplished artists; in a word, he had broke up that inharmonious monopoly which shut out high-class compositions, not only from the humbler, but from the middle classes of English society. In his present great effort. unmatched in the history of modern times, Mr. Smith would, he trusted, amply sustain the character it is his ambition to boast.

The Alhambra Palace was no ordinary place of entertainment; and, with emphasis, Mr. Smith directed attention to theOpening Night, on Monday, December, 10, 1860. The Musical Direction was confided to Mr. JAMES TULLY, the popular Conductor at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, whose name was alone a guarantee for the Orchestral Department.

In the Refreshment Department a' prospectus was needless, when it was stated that it would be under the superintendence of Mr. JAMES ELLIS, from Australia, favourably remembered as the original proprietor of Creorne Gardens, Chelsea, and of the Adelaide Gallery, Strand. Mr. Ellis might fairly lay claim to having given rise and impetus to all the popular music halls and salons of amusement which now form so conspicuous and leading an element of public appreciation.

Mr. Smith felt it scarcely necessary to add, that he had gone to enormous expense in making the Palace of the Alhambra a giant specimen of good taste and of public comfort. Experience had long since proved that those who solicit the patronage of the public must endeavour to deserve it; and nothing less than the supply of the very best articles could entitle any public caterer to that high distinction. In evidence of his

good intentions, Mr. Smith trusts the opportunity of publishing the names of the firms in the wholesale trade with whom he was dealing, and thereby made them responsible,

with himself, for the excellence and genuineness of the Wines, Spirits, &c., which were supplied by Messrs. Swaine, Boord and Co.; and of the Malt Liquors, which are supplied by the celebrated firms of Messrs. Huggins and Co., Messrs. Reid and Co., Messrs. Bass and Co., and Messrs. Guinness and Co. A Tariff of Charges was conspicuously placed in every part of the building. It was respectfully requested that any complaint of incivility or inattention on the part of the waiters or assistants might be at once communicated to the Manager. In thanking the public for the gracious support previously conferred on him, Mr. Smith respectfully submitted to their patronage an unparalleled example of his energy, expenditure, and zeal.

CATTLE SHOW WEEK-ROYAL ALHAMBRA PALACE MUSIC HALL, Leicester Square: Proprietor, Mr. E T. SMITH.-Iminense Success.- Visited by 6,000 persons nigh ly.-THIS EVENING, at 7 o'clock. The musical direction is confided to Mr. J. H. TULLY, the popular conductor at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The whole of the building has been altered, and the designs carried out under the superintendence of Mr. William Beverley, of Her Majesty's Theatre, and the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The proscenium and paintings in the dome have been executed by the celebrated artists, Messrs. Danson and S ns; the decorations by Mr. Hurwitz, of Southampton Street, Strand. COME THIS EVENING! REFRESHMENTS the most récherché at a MODERATE TARIFF. ADMISSION, 6d. Commence at 7.

A GREAT book, a wonderful book, has come before us—a history in music! The history, that of England, the music, that of Mr. George Linley. Mr. Linley is of opinion that next in importance to knowing one's-self, is a knowledge of the history of one's country, which is quite true to a certain extent, though we do not think an acquaintance with the bare facts, the "dry bones," of history serves any purpose but that of enabling the person possessing this knowledge not to appear grossly ignorant before his betters. That, however, is something, and it is an advantage that may be attained by any man, woman, or child, who chooses to read over a few times the eight hundred lines or so to which Mr. George Linley has reduced the records of his native land.

.י

"Learning, to some, is a mistress,
Of charms which can never decrease;
To others, a cow which supplies them,
With excellent butter and cheese,"

says Schiller; to which we may add

66

To others a cloak which permits them
Their folly to hide with more ease."

And no one need seem unable to understand the history of
England since the Norman conquest who has once accus-
tomed himself to say or sing the metrical annals of Mr.
George Linley. Whether the music will aid many students
in remembering the verses is another question, and, we be-
lieve, we may safely say, that scarcely one person can recol-
lect a melody perfectly and distinctly where twenty can.
with ease learn to repeat stanzas of poetry by heart.
Whether it is that Mr. Linley is greater as a poet than as
a composer, no matter for what other reason, we think the
majority of persons
majority of persons would be more impressed by such
striking lines as the following, than by the somewhat mild
music to which they are set :-

"In the year fifteen hundred and fifty-eight,
Elizabeth governed the English state;

Her soldiers and sailors and ministers grave
Brought conquest and glory on land and on ware.
Her rule was an era of talent and worth,
The genius of Shakspeare beamed brilliantly forth;
Brave Sidney, and Raleigh, and Crichton, and Drake,
Howard, Burleigh, and Effingham shone in her wake."
Unfortunately, Mr. Linley, in setting history to music,
has restricted himself to the most simple style of com-
position, so simple that we fancy here and there it falls