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Leader (1850-1860), 24th May 1856, Edition 2 of 2, Page 20, MR. BENEDICT'S CONCERT. The Concert give...

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      Allegory In The Ominous War Of Elements,...

      extent contended himself with portraying individual character . Helms , except in the last picture , not told much of a story , and life has consented £ be in one incident at the mercy of his materials . When the pr ^ -Rap haehtes began they started upon the principle of literal truth ; thinking it sufficient * ° take ft n > - thin * that they found in nature , and thus consenting in a great degree to collect SmateS by Sap ^ azard . They forgot that the painter can never use more than a part of the materials of nature ,-that there is no successive action " oToice nos ound , nothing that reaches the sense except through sight , and Sat Sr for one fixed instant of time . They forgot that m real life ¦ the atfenSon , prepared for the scene of the moment , is concentrated on the incidents that make that scene remarkable , and that the concentration of sense excludes from the frame-work of the view incidents which would disturb the apprehension of the story . The men before Raphael ' s time , performed labours

      which constituted one long study , gradually arrived at the perfection which that master marked , though he was not alone ; they did not complete the idea of a desiffn as he placed it before the world . Raphael found , rather perhaps bv the intuition of a disciplined sense than by any abstract philosophizing , that the incidents necessary for telling a story present that tale with much more force and distinctness when they are themselves grouped in a symmetry of composition which keeps the sense of the spectator always to the central point of narrative , and induces it not to wander beyond the outskirts of the design . Thus the general forms in Raphael ' s compositions are symmetrical as well as the individual forms , incidents which disturb the expression of the whole being rejected as well as those which disturb the expression of particular figures . In Millais ' s picture nothing limits the view of the scene in which the blind

      girl is the centre , save the frame . Xn the picture which . tells' the most complete story , "Ihe Peace Concluded , Mellais has , perhaps , unconsciously worked out , not this praj-Raphaelite , but this Raphaelite principle . A wounded soldier , in the undress of home , is lying upona sofa- he has just read the proclamation of peace in the Times , and the paperis in his hand . His wife , for whom he has " made room" on the same sofa , sits beside him , leaning against him , with her right arm clasped round him over his left shoulder , her left hand in his ; and , from the action of her right hand , it is plain that she is pressing him to her . A little girl , standing by her mothers knee , is asking , as children > ill , what is going forward ; and the husband , , partly stooping down across his wife , though not unconscious of the mute caress , is explainingwhile an elder boykneeling down on the other side of the-group ,

      ; , and looking out of the picture , has already caught the spirit of the intelligence , and is placing , from a toy Noah's Ark , figures emblematical of the war and peace . The lion , the northern bear , the cock , find the turkey are lying together in the mother ' s lap , and the child is presenting to her the dove of peace . 1 his is only the most superficial part of the story : for its deeper incidents you must look deeper . You must see in the flushed , contented , but not unmoved , countenance of the husband-father , who has been interrupted by his little child , the conflict of many thoughts ; while in the countenance of the wife , turned full towards you , there are , in the abstracted look , the vague consciousness , the dappling of red about the cheeks , lips , and eyes , the softened relaxation of the muscles about the mouth , the outward signs of feelings which are partly explained . by that

      scarcely perceptible action of the right hand , and are perfectly intelligible to those who have seen woman's inmost heart through the quickly changing , but faithful , countenance of love . Millais has dealt chiefly in the exact portrayal of individual characteristics , whether in still life , landscape , vegetation , or human nature , —and he has become a master in his art ; but as he still needs to subdue some of the harshness of a student , and he works amid strong emotions in pictures of little action , his compositions at first perplexed ; and they need a practised eye , or repeated perusal , to appreciate their real fidelity to nature , — the power that is still to be developed by the most promising Englishman in an art where the master never ceases to be a student .

      The Operas. M.Ai>Ame Amjoni Appeared In ...

      THE OPERAS . M . ai > ame Amjoni appeared in La Sonnambula on Tuesday , an opera somewhat dimmed by the traditions of vanished Aminas , but ever dear to the general London audience . If there was something not entirely vraisemblable in the appearance of the present Amina , it was forgotten in the delightful naivete and goodnature of her face , and in the luxury of listening to her voice . The supreme charm of listening to Alboni is the confidence you have in the resources of her voice , but in sincerity we must say that now for the first time we found her singing with a certain effort . Perhaps it is not inexcusable to regret that this transcendant artist , so richly endowed by nature and a papil of Rossini , should have felt ill at ease within the narrow range of parts allotted to the contralto , and should have been tempted to force her extraordinary powers . That she is still the most perfect singer living we think there can be no questioq , but has her voice not suffered—wo do not say it has not succeeded—in the attempt to be—two voices ?

      Calzolaki is a most agreeable Elvino . Signor Beneventano does notimprove upon acquaintance as the Count , whom he makes a more terribly stagey courier than ever ( we noted the action of the legs particularl y ) , and what is worse , he bellows . The Iwo , whose name we regret to have missed was singularly successful , and was once eagerly encored . ' To-night Madlle . Piccolomini , the delight and glory of Italy , whose romantic and consuming passion for the art was superior to the prejudices of hisrh birth and to the remonstrances of aristocratic kindred , and whose young career of triumphs recals that charming episode of Viola Pisane in Bdlwer ' s Zanoni appears in her favourite part of La Traviata , the Italian and lyrical version of La Dame attx Camelias . No doubt on a smaller stage this beautiful and impassioned artist is seen and heard to greater advantage ; at Her Majesty ' s Theatre she will have to contend with extraordinary difficulties , but it is impossible her debut in England should not be welcomed with all the enthusiasm due to so romantic a heroine .

      By a clerical error last week we converted the name of Signor BoNETTt , the present chefd ' orchestre at Her Majesty's Theatre , into Boscuetti , which happens to be the name of a danseuse . We beg Signor Bonetti ' s pardon for this slip of the pen . Whatever opinion we may have formed of his conductorshi p or of his orchestra , he enjoys a certain reputation in his musical capacity in some of the chief cities of the Continent , which we are fully disposed to respect . Vkhdi ' s Rigoletto was revived at the Royal Italian Opera on Thursday . It is one of the operas of Verdi , best adapted to a theatre of moderate dimensions ; and Ronconi ' s acting deserves all the advantage of being seen closely by the audience . There are few parts in which Makio is now heard with more satisfaction than the Duke in Rigoletto . The whole performance is very successful-It is sufficiently amusing to observe with what incessant fury the professional critics pursue Verdi , and with what obstinate delight the public accepts , and prefers , his operas .

      State Of Trade.—The Trade Reports From T...

      State of Trade . —The trade reports from the manufacturing towns for the week ending laat Saturday nhow a considerable interrnptfoh of business from the Whitsuntide holidays , which have been generally kept in all quarters . At Manchester , tho transactions have been limited , and the tendency of prices has been towards flatness . Tiie Birmingham iron-market ia steadily maintained , since , although the supply of fresh orders has been small , manufacturers are fully engaged on previous contracts . In tho general occupations of the place there aro symptoms of improvement . At Nottingham , a good inquiry has prevailed both for hosiery und loco . In the woollen districts increased caution is manifested , owing to the high price of the raw material . From the Irish linen-markets the accounts continue very favourable . At Dublin , tho provision trade has been influenced by largo arrivals from America . — Tivies .

      500 THE LEADEE . [ No . 322 , Saturday

      Births, Marriages, And Deaths. Births. B...

      BIRTHS , MARRIAGES , AND DEATHS . BIRTHS . BAYLY . —On the 10 th inst ., at 20 , Woodnldo-tcrraco , GlnsroW , tho wife of Captain Bayly . Royal Engineers : a daughter . HATOHABD . —On this 10 th inst ., at tho Rectory . Havaut , the wife of the Rev . V . Goodwin Hatchard ; a ( ton . TERRERO . —On tho 20 th in » t ., at Rockstono House , South-Aihpton , I / a 8 < morfcDoua , Manuolita do ttouaa do Tcrreio : anon .

      VIVIAN . —On tho 18 th inst .. at Glyiin , Cornwall , Lady Vivian : a son . MARRIAGES . BOWI 2 N-DIAMANTINA . —On tho 28 th ult .. at Corfij . in . tho Palace Chapel , Sir George Ferguson Bowen . K . CM . t ... Secretary to tho Lord H igh Commissioner of tho Ionian Islands , to the Countess Diamautina , daughter or ins Highness Count Candiano do Roma , G . 0 . M . G-, President of tho Ionian Senate . „ . , t . r FORBES-DAWSON . —On tho 15 th inst , at Iligham , . Suffolk . Captain Thomas George Forbes , R . N ., son of Lieut . - Gonoral Forbes , R . A ., of Stokc-by-Naylaiid , Suffolk , to Elizabeth , widow of tho lato Lieut . Alexander Clotworthy Daw sou , R . N ., and youngest daughter of tho lato It . Gresloy , Esq ., of 11 , Oxford-squaro . London . lilleV-cassweLl .-oh tho m . n lust ., ij tsuiw Church , Islington , by tho Rev . I > . F- Wilson . Mr . Edwin J . Lilley , of London , to Maria , youngest daughter or iur . Henry Casswell , of Portland . DEATHS . BOURDOIS . — On tho 10 th inat .. at hor residence . 19 , Wimpole-strcet , in the 84 th year of her ape . Madame BourdolH . relict of Mons . Autoino Jiourdois , eldest daughter of tho lato Charles Rousseau Jiuruoy . of Bath , and nieco of Madame D'Arblay . BURRARD—On tho 17 th inst .. at his scat , Walhamnton . Lyinington , Hants , tho Rev . Sir George Burrard . B « rt ., brother of tho lato Admiral Sir Harry Burrard Noalo , Bart ., G . C . B .. G . 0 . M . G .. Chaplain in Ordinary to Her Majesty , rector or Burton Coggles , Lincolnshire , and Vicar or Middleton Tyas , Yorkshire , in tho 88 th yonr of his ngo . CAMPBELL . — On tho 8 th Inat ., Major-Genoral James Campbell , lato of tho 61 nt Rogt . Light Infantry . nK « d 75 . CASTLE . —On tho 20 th of April , of typhus foyer , tn the Crimea . Edward , of tho lbfc Royal Regiment , SJd battalion .

      youngest son of the lato Mr . Samuel Castle , lato of Oxford-S ^ SK ^ fl ^ T ^ bruary . 18 * . In hi . ffl GeSMii ^ sffiuiS ^ tho 10 th . inst ., at 2 Ca . nbndgo Villas Cheltenham , Mary Georguia , wilo of CoOii « l htirIn K Freeman Glover , and daughter of General the Kiglit lion . Lord . Charles Henry Somerset .

      Mr. Benedict's Concert. The Concert Give...

      MR . BENEDICT'S CONCERT . The Concert given by this most esteemed composer on Wednesday evening may be pronounced the concert of the season . Not only were selections ( too few ) from Mr . Bbndict ' s own operas performed , but Madame Goldschmidt-Ljnd and Madame Viardot sang a duet ( JLa Mere Grande ) of Meyerbeer ' s , as only two of the greatest lyrical artists of this or any age could sing it . Was not this worth a pilgrimage to see and to hear ?

      Mr. Mitchell Announces The Farewell Conc...

      Mr . Mitchell announces the farewell Concerts of Madame Goi-DSCHMiDT-LiNn in this country . On Wednesday evening , June 11 , a miscellaneous Concert ; on June 25 , The Creation ; and on Monday evening , June 30 , another grand miscellaneous Concert , on which occasion we are assured , with all the emphasis of type , that Madame Goldschmiut " will make her last and farewell appearance in this country . " We strongly recommend our readers to believe that this saddening announcement ( which we confess takes us by surprise ) is likely to prove only too true . Madame Goldschmidt has not returned to the opera ; she will not return to the concert-room . She is one of those who know how to retire with dignity . Her sun will set upon England in unclouded glory .

      Madame Ristori. The Italian Tragedienne ...

      MADAME RISTORI . The Italian tragedienne is announced to make her first appearance in England on the 4 th of June , at the Lyceum , in the tragedy of Medea , translated from tho French of M . Legouvk . We are aware that fashion knows no language , or to speak less enigmatically , that many will go to hear Madame Ristobi who are sublimely unconscious of the words she is speaking , although ignorance of Italian is happily becoming every day more rare in England . Bu , remernberin- the conclusive reason alleged by Fuseu for the British indifference to Petrarch , we commend to the attention of our readers an advertisement m our present number , by which we learn that Count Armvabene , the refined and accomplished essayist on the P oet 3 of his native land , whom we noticed wit ' i sincere commendation in the Leader some months ago ( Dec . 15 , 13 oj ) , proposes to lecture on the Italian drama in tho course of next month , with readings from the tragedies in which Madame Rrsxoiu will perform .

      We Observe That The Managers Of All The ...

      We observe that the managers of all the theatres except the Piiincess s , wiH commence the performances at three o ' clock in the alternopn on lhursday STSSfcuSrofthe -Peace Rejoicing-. " in order to enable the public to vieJ ? hVfireworks This is very kind to the public , and very judicious , we think , on the oar of the managers . But Mr . Caulks Kean ? Does he hope to hold his own wh tie spectacle of The Winter ' s Tale , v . the fireworks . Why not ?

      From The London Gazettetuesday, May 20. ...

      FROM THE LONDON GAZETTETuesday , May 20 . BANKRUPTCY ANNULLED . —John Davibs . Shrewsbury , printer and bookseller . ,,, ,,, nnTfCNBANKltUPTB . —HiSNUY STUAnT and » lc * 5 ? £ ™ NKTT . 17 . Cork-street , « urlIiiKton-K » rdoiiS j Midd esox teilon-CuARLBS Uuswell , Saffron Waldon , kssox . lrauuer -Anqkl Bmmanubj . Giujhoi . . St . Mary-axe . CMi '"« ohant-llonRUT Samubx . Mjkdib . , Long-acre . MuUUx box wood engraver and dealer in boxwood - « RW *¦«'" Hawthoun . 5 , Ll 8 le- « treet Lp ieester-square M . ddlc « ox and 8 , St . Paul ' a-placo Wandsworth-road , Surrey , hi ™ inorccr-Johw IIosvauu ilLAOKWBir , «;»< 1 O » $ ™ $ Smothwiek . Stafford , ironmasters- Jon » a vibb . bll £ £ , burv printer and bookseller—Jobeimi < Jo 1 ? f ? ( S .. i , ( ln , ftmiituro roker-GKOROK Bxnwb , l » opplowoM-m » ll . bchoU * ! C cokheiton . Birstal . York , eloth mauufootugr-CiUWg BKADSHAW . tho Seven Oaks , Nleholaa-Htreot , Mosloy-siruu , MancheHtor , licensed victualler . m-cnur incr-SCOTCH BANKRUPTS-G . P . Oiiomak , ™ W ™>™ chant and Hour dealer-A . MBbvii * K , < Uu » gow " . com inlNHWn aBont and drysalter-T . ISabton . 1 > bnnnr , SJ" ™ " * ; ld J keeper and poat-horao proprietor—A . Malcolm nu «

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), May 24, 1856, page 20, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_24051856/page/20/