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Leader (1850-1860), 26th February 1859, Edition 2 of 2, Page 22, 27$ THE LEADEB. [Ko. 466, February 26, 1...

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      Ox Monday Evening We Attended A Highly P...

      -Witli ¦ the Maestro Giorgio , whose works are at present invaluable ; and , after a few words in praise of this Ware , which he regretted to observe was hardly appreciated" at' its full worth by the public , -the lectured concluded his pleasant discourse amid much applause / The attendance was numerous , and comprised a number of ladies , but , we should say , very few fine art workmen . The Old Water-Colour Society , who had three vacancies in their body to fill up , have , it is understood , blackballed all candidates . There are some who think that Mr . Smallfield , whose water-colour studies of heads . are well known for their beauty of colour , and Birket Foster , the popular wood draughtsman , might both have been acquisitions ; but the wary old society has , pn dit , the idea , that while the productions of its present members sell so well , it has no occasion to acquire new blood , or surrender a foot of linear space on the walls and screens . Such on A ' te are perhaps ill-natured , but also possibly true . If the latter , the body should take the style and title of "The Old Water-Colour Academy . "

      .. ... __ „ , There is every probability that Mr . Holman Hunt ' s picture of Christ disputing with the Doctors , will be exhibited in Mayv It is miich talked of by many \ v ] io have hot seen it ; the few wlio have are not the loudest , but speak of it in high terms . English art should be highly flattered by the empressement with which M . Theophile Silvestre , the fine art delegate of the French Government , has courted the countenance of her professors and admirers . Each week brings us some authentic communication in type , with reference to that gentleman's movements . The week before last we might have inserted , had we so pleased , ungracious remarks sent us with regard t 0 his mission ; then he was ignored in his public capacity by an ilLihformed party then he was honouredby a vote

      of confidence from the UluminatL Mattershaye now gone to such a length , that we have been invited to print , a letter , not by M . Silvestre , but to that gentleman , signed by fourteen academicians and a host of dii minores , of which the gist is a request that hs will get M . Ernest Gambart made agent for the reception of the works of ^ Engl ish artists ^ M . Gambart ' s " shop is a very , [ excellent place for the purpose . No better person than M . Gambart could perhaps be found to act as international agent . But if it . be worth while to move such machinery as the academy , the associates , tlie aspirants , the delegate , the French Minister of State , and the whole metropolitan press , to put the business into his hands , there must be some greater profit hanging to it than his Excellency , the French Minister pf State , or the British artists have ally present notion of .

      The subscription of the Crystal Palace Art Union is , we are pleased to say , filling rapidly . The Coun cil have added several new articles of fine art manufacture to the list , from which subscribers may select the prizes which all obtain in addition to the chances of the July lottery . Among them are an Etruscan , urn of much beauty , made by Messrs . Bat tain and Son ; a vase , called" the Ariosto $ " n , nd a tazza supported by swans , both by Messrs . Eerr and Bihiis ; a cruche , ornamented with enamel and gilding j and a beautiful ceramic vase , a foot high . All of the above are added to the list of articles from which guinea shareholders may choose , and , if they please , at once take away , their " certainty

      prizes / ' For the two-guinea ticket holders there is an electro bronze tazza—> ' the Seasons "—by Elkington and Co , ; a ceramo-graphic vase , copied from a Greek one in the British , Museum ; and the " Verulam , " n vase in Parian , nine inches high , and decorated with Italian arabesque , enamelled cameos , and chased gold . enrichments . , The scheme appears to give great satisfaction to the general public , though if is , of course , unlikely to captivate curiosity-mongers and those pretended virtuosi whose admiration of beautiful things begins and ends with their rarity , Such persons do , and will for ever , unfortunately , prevail ; andj wo need hardly say , they have a holy horror of popularising taste

      for tho fine arts , and regard such'scheme ? as this as absurd , if not wrong . It avails not to tell them that the objects of their worship-r-the pretended antiques —are mrido in modern Florentine and Parisian garrets—nay , even in London and Birmingham—by tho score ; they must have the name , ' if not the reality ; and without the mintmark of Wardour-strect or Hamvny-yard thoy will not bo-comfortcd . Such are the decrlurs of that excellent scheme , tho Crystal Palace Art Union ; but , fortunately , the masses are of auuthpr opinion , anil in a year or two we shall see thus created a greater knowledge of , and desire for , flmo art manufactures ! amd n far more extensive encourngement of the trade than has been dreamed of , even at Madbordugh House Or Kensington ;

      27$ The Leadeb. [Ko. 466, February 26, 1...

      27 $ THE LEADEB . [ Ko . 466 , February 26 , 1859 .

      Cfceniqai,.—The Rov, Dr. Hook, Vicar Of ...

      CfcEniqAi ,. —The Rov , Dr . Hook , Vicar of Leeds , has hud the deanery of Chlchoeter offered him by the Government , and has accepted the otfbr .

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      . ¦ .. - ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ¦ . ——¦ ? ¦ ¦ •• ¦ ¦ - . ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ THE MUSICAl SOCIETY GE LONDON . t-ST . JAMES'S . ¦ ' ... ¦ HAI . I 1 . ¦ ' ; Th b second concert of the Musical Society , of London , given at St . James ' s Hall on Wednesday , was fully up to the high standard of excellence established by their ni-st . This body—comprising , as it does , among its members and committee an immense strength of professional and amateur talent , and without , as far as present appearances go , any affectation of aristocracy or cliqueism-r bids fair to ta ' ke the lead among the musical bodies of the metropolis . But / without instituting comparisons , which would be invidious , especially as the Society itself disclaims broadly all idea of rivalry , we may content ourselves with recording that never have the Ancient or Philharmonic concerts been graced by more numerous or highly cultivated audiences ^ or dismissed them fuller of charming recollections , than have the first two

      performances of the Musical Society . The first part or fast Wednesday ' s performance was opened by a somewhat dull " Highland Overture , " by Niels Gade , a Danish composer ; and this maybe at once dismissed as the least effective item of the programme . Next , Purcell ' s fine scena from The Indian Queen- — Ye twice ten hundred deities "—was classically sung by Mr . Santley , who was followed by Miss Dolby , as popular as ever , in the beautiful refrain in Mr . Henry Smart ' s " Medora . " The first part was concluded by a delicious "duet for pianoforte and ' orchestra / ' by Mr . E . Silas—a composition abounding in dainty conceits , and most ably performed , the composer himself taking the piano . The grand feature of the evening was , of course ^ Spohr ' s magnificent "Programme Sjinphony , " "JDieWeike der Tone , " which is interpreted " the power of sound / ' This glorious composihas

      it was on the side of discretion . The pleasing sentiment conveyed in the words * at all events ^ procured . him some hearty applause ; Mr . Morgan , who has a rich voice took a popular romance from Weber ' s JEwyanthe , a ' ud Mdlle . JEmilie Lends was encored in a -. brilliant specimen of Vapidity called " A Spanish National Aii-, " by Yrardier . The choral , gems of the evening , were Franz Abt ' s part-song VThe Night is peaceful , ? ' portions of Barnett ' s " Magic-wove Scarf , " and a highly dramntic accompanied motett by Diabelli . The star artiste of the evening was Madame Poma , who sang an ill-selected more , eau of Rossini ' s in her best manner , and only missed an encore through the anxiety of the company to get to the favourite trio chorus from the Mountain Sylph , and the end of the entertainment ; ; On Wednesday evening next the Association will essay a higher flight .- They propose to undertake Mendelssohn ' s "Lorelei , " with the addition of his " Aye Maria , " a work written for soprano and chorus , and not yet performed here in public . Madame Catherine Hayes will sing the soprano solos . The Society will , on the same evening , give Sterndale Bennett ' s beautiful " May Queen , " with MissStabbach , Mr . Santley , MissLascelles , and Mr . Wilbye Cooper , in the parts in which they have already distinguished themselves . We understand the powerful band and chorus have spared no . pains in assisting Mr . Benedict to produce these worfcs in such a manner as to enhance their reputation . MDLLE . VIC' # OIKE BALFE . We have great pleasure in announcing , on the ; authority of our contemporary The Musical World , that on Thursday evening last Mdlle . Balfe made her appearance at the Teatro Regio , as Amina , in the Sonimvibula , with the most brilliant success , and was called enthusiastically before the curtain at the etfd of each act .

      tion , in which the lllustnoiis German grapplea successfully with the highest difiiculties of expression , and tliTough which he has prodigally scattered the marvellous difficulties of musical engineering in which he revels—was interpreted and pJayed con amare by the gifted conductor , Mr . Alfred Mellon , arid the admirable array of talent , whose presence in any orchestra may always be taken as an indication of intention to succeed , and as presage of success . This monster symphony , which , from its very length , defies newspaper criticism , comprehends three movements or eight sections , illustrative of the birth and progress of sound , as well as of that absolute Nothing , the silence of Nature before the former event . The andcintino , the" Cradle Song , " which

      opens the second movement , and the superb March , with . the ¦ latter of which the ¦ public are more familiar than with any other part of the work , are its most fascinating' portions , and served to desennuyer that portion o ^ the audience—and of Such there - were of course a few r—who wera not prepared to take in and appreciate the entix'e symphony . An old-fashioned bass aria , disentombed by Miss Dolby from Francisco Rossi's " Mifrane , " composed in 1686 , was next excellently given by the fair antiquarian . Mr ., Santley gave a . classic sceiia by John Barnett , in which occur several phrases of power and exquisite beauty ; . and the Zauberflote overture brought the . long and charming concert to a close . ' .

      PALACE OF THE PEOl'LE , MUSW-BLL HILL . The scheme for the erection of a People ' s Palace at Muswell Hill is being- quietly matured , and its publication may be expected shortly . A board of direction is in course of formation , and will comprise persons of recognised position and means ; and the list of honorary patrons , which we have seen , is a strong one . An interesting feature of the plan is the proposed appropriation of thirty acres of land tp benevolent institutions connected with art , science , jliteratufo , music , the drama , horticulture , and the railway interest . Committees are at work in each department , making the necessary arrangements for the erection and endowment of the different colleges , the designs for which are all to be

      submitted to the approval ot Mr . Owen Jones . At the outset of its career , therefore , this undertaking bids high for the sympathy and support of those arts and ' professions upon which it must mainly rely for success . The idea is a good and politic one , and will probably prove ns boijenciar to tho company aa to the recipients of tho gifts . The yfdue of the remaining land will be enhanced y the erection ot public buildings in a superior style of architecture , and tho proposal to place such asylums under the shadow of an establishment rich in the attractions of art science , and horticulture , and within a few minutes railway vide of London , strikes us as more eligible than cither' of those supported by the parties to the Dramatic College strife . .

      VOOAI . ASSOCIATION , 8 T . JAMES'S . HALI .. The second undress concert of this progressive society took place on Tuesday evening , and wua well attended . Tho opening madrigal , " Lady , see on every side , " a well-known composition of Mnronzlo , wns followed by SQ-verdl promising solos by mombers . Miss M . Goulden gave Sir H . Biehop ' a " Peace inviting : " Mr . RadcUffo Abbott , the celebrated " Sconce of my Youth , " from M . Benedict ' s Qlpap ' a Warnina ; Miss F . Hnldane , Hqnry yarmer ' s « I'll iollow Theo / 5 and MissCaroliuo ^ t . Clalr . Moyorbeer ' s " Volllesur eux , " rrom hteEioile du Nord Mies BInokcs played vovy neatly a slmplo nnd chafactoristlc cam-lcclo by Mendelssohn , ai 8 « nB « Ishea for simplicity of thomo nnd ologanoo pf ombroldory . Thu popfcymanco ,, by the wholo chphs unaccompanied ,, of Ottb Goldachmidt's nnrt-sopg . *« 001 x 10 when tho Dawn , " a light and sparkUng' melody , with a delicious endonoo , yflSftdirilrftWo . Mr . Ramsdon next gave M . Bonodlot '» lieautlfHl ballad , I vo no soft Words . I ' ve no fond aigliB , " in a creditable manner . A little' more spirit »») B » thavoboenadiulttslbloj but , if tho vocalist orrqd

      Improved Electrical. Cable. Ox Tuesday E...

      IMPROVED ELECTRICAL . CABLE . Ox Tuesday evening , the Rev . Walter Mitchell , ¦ M . A ., delivered a lecture " On the Atlantic Telegraph , and Electric Telegraphs in general , " at the Russell Institution : The most novel feature of the lecture , and one which elicited great interest , was the description of some very interesting experiments by Professor Hughes . A copper * . wire insulated in the ordinary nianner was placed in a bath of salt and Water . An electrical circuit was made , interrupted only by the water . The complete insulation of the copper wire was indicated by the needle of one of Mr . Henley ' s most delicate galvanometers connected with the interrupted current standing at zero .

      A hole of considerable size Avas then made through the gUtta ^ percha , allowing the salt water to reach the wire . ' The electrical circuit- Svas then immediately completed by the water , the deflection of the needle , and its permanent position at 90 deg .,- marking what is technically called " dead earth , " or in other words the complete escape of the electric force through the opening into the surrounding water . A minute hole was then made , when . the " , following curious phenomena presented themselves . The needle of the galvanometer was deflected about 70 deg . ; but instead . of remaining stationary at that point , " kept vibrating irregularly through arcs of two or three degrees on each side of 70 tleg . The perplexing vibrations of the galvanometers applied to the Atlantic cable were thus exemplified . It is probable that the vibrations supposed to be produced by earth of the

      currents are nothing more than an- indication minute nature of the flaw hi the gutta-percha , which has destroyed the conducting power of the present cable . To remedy such defects for tho future , Mr . Hughes has devised a form of cable as simple us it seems to be effectual . Gutta perclui is porous . Minute flaws may exist , which jnny not show . themselves until some time after tho immersion of a cable . To meet these defects , to fill up any mi mi to pores m tho gutta percha , and also to euro any accidental fracture or puncture of it , Professor Hughes introduces a viscid semi-fluid substance , of a non-conducting character , between tho conducting wire iuia the gutta-percha . The gutta-porcha covering ox the wire is drawn out into a tube a littles larger m bore than the wire , the space between them being filled with the viscid fluid . As soon as any puncturo is made through the cutta-percha covering , tho lima

      oozosout , and is of that nature that it hardens as soon as it comes in contact witli tho surrounding water . A puncture was mado in a piece of tins prepared cable while Jn tho bath . Tho nocillo ot tho galvanometer instantly showed tlio injury received ; but immediately tho fluid began to oo / . o out aim repair thelnjury . In about half a minute , thu roimn of tho needle to zero indicated tljo complete restoiation of tho covering of tho cable , it > vas stuieu that there wore no mechanical dlfllcultios in thu " ' ]/ of the manufticturo of such a cable , and thai it "' "" . " not bo' more exponsivo than thoso now niiuk ' . — JJ « t < v JVews .

      Kossian And Austuian Comstkkon.—-Ilio Co...

      KossiAN and Austuian CoMstKKon . — -Ilio Continental journals stato that tho negotiations lor » commercial troaiy between Ruaiiia nnd AuHtriiviw u boon hitherto unsuccessful . Ifc Is ¦ reported t « while Austria is willing to make ovory concession Russia refuses to lower tho duty on some oi tnu most important articles .

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 26, 1859, page 22, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_26021859/page/22/