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Coiitutm'inl Maim.
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ۤt Irte.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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THREE WEDNESDAY EVENING CONCERTS .
Since the farewell of Mademoiselle Wilhelmine Clauss , and the departu re of Benedict , these Concerts have fallen into the miscellaneous and popular line to a degree below criticism . Last Wednesday evening , for instance , the performance -was one of the most wearisome ever inflicted even on an all-suffering British public . It was all " miscellaneous" except Mendelssohn ' s ever welcome Midsummer Night ' s Dream , which was indifferently played . A solo on the double bass by Mr . Rowland deserves a word of praise for its cleverness . The rest of the concert was what Sam Slick would call " cautionary . " Madame Amadei sang , or rather dragged through the In si barbara from Semeramide ( inseparably with to time
identified with the voluptuous tenderness of Alboni ) a disregard quite exasperating-. A lady of the name of Ximpus sang Robert , toi quefaime , transposed a third lower ; and , by way of a climax and a contrast , Mr . Gengethe idol of the tavern—squeaked through his nose and teeth The Fairy Tempter , a third higher than it was written . A solo on the harp was as interesting as could be expected , and the pianiste of the evening , a Miss Kate Rogers , attempted Mendelssohn ' s Rondo brillante in E flat not discreditably . However , we had not the courage to remain to the close of the concert . Mr . Genge—that " popular British tenor "—was too much even for musical nerves hardened in the service of an ungrateful public .
We have little to record about last week ' s Concert , and that little not so favourable as we could deiire . The March composed expressly for the Sultan by Rossini , and which Avas announced with a flourish of trumpets to be strengthened by two military bands , turned out a very trashy affair ; apparently a mere pasticcio of leavings from some forgotten commonplace-book of the eminent and obdurate pig-fancier of Bologna . The only performance that compensated for the poverty of the programme , so horribly miscellaneous and " popular , " was the selections from Benedict ' s compositions , which were full of science , interest , and beauty , besides including songs which are household favourites of the English public .
We crave leave to repair an involuntary omission , and to say a word or two on the Concert of the week before last , which , for many reasons , and especially for one , was the most interesting of the series . The first part was a repetition of the Mendelssohn night , which a fortnight before was so cruelly used by the fog . The Fimjafs Cave overture , that grand reminiscence of the land of mountain and flood—passages of which sound like the chant of the old sea-gods departing , was given with fire and spirit by an orchestra of very moderate pretensions , under the energetic baton of Mr . Benedict : and the symphony in which , as in an enchanted mirror of sound , the life , the
audiences / But to calm and cold critics there was still much to be desired , and much to be feared , in that success and in that enthusiasm . There was still so much to learn , and if this uncritical applause should " spoil / ' there would be so much to unlearn . All that genius could give was there indeed : feeling , touch , expression , and that indefinable something called charm : but a thorough grasp of the composer ' s intention , an unfailing correctness of reading and certainty of hand , were often wanting . How fortunate for the young artist that she should have found friends as well as admirers , and that she should have had the sense and courage to listen to the judicious few who sometimes shook their heads when applause was the loudest ! She went away and studied , and came back and studied , never resting , ever aspiring . And now this intense devotion to her . Those sterner critics that
history , the fatal beauty , the skies , and seas , the plains ^ and groves , and palaces ; the antique glory , the luxurious decay , the passionate aspirations of Italy are pictured—the Italian symphony held the Hall in rapturous attention But the special interest of the Concert was the farewell appearance at the piano of the most divinely gifted , most delieate , and most sensitive musical genius an age of innumerable executants has yet produced . Mademoiselle Clauss repeated her performance of Mendelssohn ' s concerto in G minor and it was the opinion of the whole host of critics present in the Half that never had she played more finely ; never was that marvellous touch more soft and full , more airy and tender , more round and melting : never was the expression more intense and passionate : never was the largo , with all its lingering and wayward melancholy , more sympathetically , more caressingly cadenced . Mademoiselle Clauss seemed resolved to bring admiration and delight with her , and to leave despair behind . The career of tfiig young celebrity is a lesson to students . When she first appeared in Paris and in London , two years ago , her childlike and gentle aspect , touched with the shadow of an early grief , conquered the affections of the public even before her accomplished genius secured their admiration . She became thedarling of her
Art for the Art ' s sake , has its reward . say to all the charms and graces that only genius can bestow , she now unites that correctness grasp , and certainty , which nothing b ut severe , ardent , conscientious study can achieve . And she is only nineteen—this gifted and devoted girl—and she studies unrelaxingly , with that finer sense which ever sees a better beyond the be = t accomplished yet , and never rests content in the . excellence of to-day ! Need we say that on this farewell night the exquisite prformance of the concerto in G minor was listened to in rapt and breathless silence , and that the gentle sorceress whose soul was in the chords was rapturously recalled by an audience that thronged the Hall , and wou ld not willingly let their favourite depart ? Mademoiselle Clauss is now in Paris , where , at pressing solicitations , she gives one concert . Before the New Year she will be on the wing to St . Petersburg , where imperial honours and triumphs await her . She has promised to return * to us with the spring , when the swallows and . the green , leaves come again ! ' ¦ ± .: of It on
_ .. .... . „ ____ _ , _ One word ^ about the miscellaneous portion these concerts . was this occasion , with few exceptions , a continual burlesque , little calculated to elevate the popular taste , but rather to convince foreigners of the deplorable absence of real musical intelligence in England . There was a British tenor hissing ballads , with occasional vociferations of "No ! by Heaven , " through his teetfr and nose ; two commanding young ladies jerking out a duo , in that nervous ancfl intense manner familiar to drawing-rooms , always accentuating m the wrongplace- there was a fine bass voice and manly style shouting with forty-lung power ? a confident and courageous debutante , who executed Kode ' s Variations with an audacity of incompetence worthy of a better cause . There were exceptions to tbis . fifmnao mprilov . In Madame Amedei we recognised at once the physique ot a-
powerful contralto , which is always supposed to be constructed on the principle of a steam-frigate—to carry an 84-pounder amidships . But we also found a ncu and sonorous voice totally beyond control : in a word , there was too mucn . powder in her guns . Mr . Chipp the younger , who appeared nervous , plg j untasia on the violoncello , with an excellent tone and bow , but with a « miuuy that failed to do him justice . We protest against a horrible pot pourrt overture—beginning with Euryanthe , going on with Don Giovanni , and ending [ wii » Masaniello . We are bound to say , with sincere regret in the avowal , tnatii ™ audience rapturously enjoyed all these vulgarities . Our only ™ nder " \ J"J 3 . do the people come from who applaud such things ? M . Julhen gave usi nuscei laneous concerts : but the music , if only polkas , waltzes , and rnazurKas , «*> always the best of the kind , and always given in the best style .
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BIRTHS , MARRIAGES , AND DEATHS . BIRTHS . On the 2 nd November , at Rawul Pindee , in the Punjab the wife of W . S . R . Hodson , Esq ., Commandant of tho Corps of Guides , and Assistant-Commissioner ; a daughter . On the 17 th December , at Oban , Argyleshirc , tho wife of Lieutenant John Ward , R . N . ; a son . On the 18 th , at 15 , Horford-strect , the wife of Thomas Somers Cooks , jim ., Esq ., M . P .: a daughter . On the 18 th , * at 6 , James ' s-square , the Lady Alfred Hervey : a daughter . On the 18 th , at Torquay , the wife of Sir Paul Hunter , Bart .: a son and heir . On the 18 th . at 25 , Gordon-street , Gordon-square , the wife of George d'Olier Gowan , Esq .: a daughter . On tho 20 th , at 44 , Torrinp ; ton-p lace , Plymouth , the wife of Commander B . II- Bunco , R . N ., II . M . ship Prince Regent : a daughter . MARRIAGES . On tho 13 th December , at Thurles , county of Tipperary , Major Gaisford , of tho Seventy-second Highbinders , son of tho very Rev . tho Dean of Christ Church , Oxford , to Jano VauKhan , daughter of the Venerable II . Cotton , Archdeacon or CaHhel , and widow of Major Montizambtsrt , of the Tonth Regiment of Foot . On the 17 th , by tho Right Hon . Rev . Lord Thyiuio , William Lowther , Esq ., youngest son of the lion . Colonel Lowthor and II . B . M . Secretary of Legation at ; Naples , to Charlotte ' Alice , daughter of tho Eight Hon . Baron Parko On the 20 th , at St . Thomas ' s Church , Hyde , lulo of Wight , " Frederick Charles , only son of the late Major-Gonoral Hir Charles Ashworth , K . C . B . and K . T . S ., to Elizabeth , daughter of Arthu Frederick , Esq . On the 20 th . at Hungerford Church , Berks , J . G . Thon-Hted , Esq ., late second olllcor . H . M . Customs , Sierra Leone , to Fredorica , daughter of tho late Captain Carpenter , . 1 . I ' , for the county of Middlesex . On the 20 th , at St . Alphogo Church , Orconwich , R . I ' . Morrison , Jiuq-, Ninoteouih Itogimont . only son of Richard Morrison , Euq ., and grandson of the late Kir Richurd Morrison , of Walcot , near Bray , county of Wicklow , to Jane , - fourth dnUKhtor of tho late Colquho-m Grant , Vm \ ,, HtniV burgeon atZante , «»< l of Kinchirdy , Morayshiro , NJJ ,
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MONKY MARKET AND CITY INTELLIGENCE . Friday Evening , December &' $ , 1853 . BirsiNKHU in the Stock Exchange haw been at a standstill during the week , save a few transactions in "Consols , " a Nensitive plant which looks very languid nnA . Hhalcy this morning . The impression gains ground ( hut i , he days of tho Aberdeen Ministry an ) numbered , and that Lord Palmerston must be Premier eventually , dowpito of Court oppo HiUon— at the latter , by tho way , ono hears most irrovorend grumblings . There have been nomo few tiunsiiotiouti in
Peruvians , owing to tho belief that the «? n < smopro ^ dg tho Government of that country will . fall po thabX »» ^ and tho bonds maintained in their original intcgnj £ ports arc rife this morning of the possible ™ , 9 " jffilvo of M . do Brunow and M . do Ktssileff from . the r r espu stations , should tho now * of the entrance of tho como ileots into the Black Sea | be onlcially «"'? rra < ^ - ,, cil yes too , of serious disagreements at tho Cabinet Cminc J . terday , and a report wilder than all , of a pencil ^ „ this country , who is said to be endeavouring to hire siea for the conveying troops from Toulon and M ' f" mav Constantinople , so that there in some reason , M yc » £ perceive , lor Consols going to 1 ) 1 sellers . "" ^ othlnK inoro 18 likely enough to take place thisafternoon , if notn » "B , „ decided come to light . Mining Shares I ' ^ o ^ g ; ,, rC ; dealt in ; some of . tho English copper mines t ™ t tof ported to bo auriferous-iii some Instance . to the , o » ^ 8 oz . to the ton—have been "" a " ™ " /< £ - .. p " __ tho sharoK sols . Quintroll Down , and above all . l ' oltl "' ° ™ t ,, romium . of tho last have been done at J , or fifty por ¦ ont . ^ MtraUft » Land Company Shares have been very l »»« J [ , - ¦ ' ort 8 ol Agricultures have declined 31 I , ,. haro ' „{ the K » ic » 2 tho Peninsular copper mines near Bilbao , and w ^ dccd > p ( "Obfiruhof" loud mines arohighly satisfactory . ()() , „ the Urst-mentioned mino-Jf the Compai v b io . V , „ « vory particular cOrrcct-Jturra *} u r ™ lZt ? A ? ( Wheal Maria ) may hide their diminished lu . n **• „ iH not At this time , 2 30 , Consols are Wl . 'S ; »>« ^ „; unlikelv to occur before the bourn of bus uos » u „ . FourVclock . Market closoa ilrinor . ConHOls ioi i » K . u » s . m- " . ,, Calodonian . CM , !; Eastern Counties 1 . 11 . S ; ^^ hiro and Glasgow , < M , « r , ; ( in : at Western . « . « , » . « ' tU (> , a . s . and Yorkshire , ( 57 , 07 J ; London . Brighton ,: m *» Mion « ' « 1 M ) , 100 ; London and North Western , 10 JJ . lt * . Worc efltor , South Western , 7 H . 79 ; Midland O ^ < 5 » 4 ; Oxford , w H lt | , and Wolvorhainpton ,: J 7 . UH ; Scottish Conti ftlB , ^ ftU „ - , Kastorn . « a «» j York , Newcastle arid 1 > W » ' J (! H 1 ^ m , York and Nortli Midland , 474 . 4 «* ; M ^ a »« j , | 1 j . 24 , !{ 4 pin . ; East Indian . : « . 4 * l « n . ; ^ T ^ J eaa , J . H Ditto ( ltailway ) , 7 , 7 *; Ditto lW . 1 i . &- Nortl" * ' nm . ; Nainur and Llogo ( with Int . ) , 7 i . J . ^ j >) ir h nj [ ' ' ranee , a-H , ! J 5 ; Paria and ; Lyon « i ^ 10 ,, 1 « 4 . P « ,, IIoVi' - Orlvaua , «) , 4 S ; r . * ria and llouon , 41 , M ; ho' *"
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DEATHS . At Simla , on tbo 2 f » th of October , whither ho had gono to recruit his health after his x-cturn from Burmah , Major-General Sir Henry T . Godwin , K . C . B ., Colonel of tho Twentieth Regiment , aged sixty-nine . On tho 12 th December , Eliza Dorothea , relict of Captain Sydcnham T . Wylde , and only surviving daughter of the lato Penyatono Portlock Pournoy , Esq ., of Ivos-placo , Maidenhead , Berks , M . P . for Windsor , aged seventy-live . On tho 15 th , at Alloa I » ark , N . B ., Philadel p , tho Countess of Mar and Kellie , eldest daughter of the lato Sir Charles Giaiivillo Stuart Menteath . of Closeburu and Manslield , Bart . On tho Kith , at Eglinton Castle , tho Countess of Efflinton * On the 17 th , at Hazcley , tho Hon . Francos Mary Waldograve , infant daughter of Viscount and Viscountess Chewton . On thel 7 th , at Flesk-lodgo , Killnrney , after a short but severe illness , Major William Sorjeantson Dalton , youngest son of the late John Dal ton , JOsq ., of Sloningford-park , in the county of York , and Fillinghani Castle , in the county of Lincoln , a ^ ed fifty .
Coiitutm'inl Maim.
Coiitutm'inl Maim .
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lilClltO 111 tlUC O ^ JCVOl , * YC 1 LIU . J ViUlUlUX u U Ol" I > J ^ ... J . follows midnight ; and if we have done the duty that lies before us , be it simple or great , we may . even in the midst of trouble , sanctify our own enjoyment by the faith that it belongs to that which is to come .
While cholera is suspended for the winter , sanitary reformers are contending with old custom in the effort to make great artificial systems conform to those laws of nature , which reign on the mountain and the prarie , m the river and the ocean . We are asking ourselves whether the death entailed by a too protracted and effeminate peace is not worse than thq summary death visited upon nations by war ; and we cannot yet answer . ^ The book of nature is stilt as dark for us as the sky of tins mid-winter Christmas . But the one thing we know is , that destruction is theservant of life , and that he who has failed to follow the simple light which God has raised like the pillar of fire in the broad wilderness of nature itself , shallbe able , through industry or through destruction , to work out the blessing which mankind must attain , — through blood perchance , through the sweat of the brow certainly ; but at all events shall attain , and shall foretaste m some degree , even in the midst of suffering . It is the midnight of the year ; but while we gather round the fire , and listen to the howling of the elements outside , or to the bowling of the ele-
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1244 THE LEADER . [ Saturda ^
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 24, 1853, page 1244, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2018/page/20/
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