Journal," August 6th, 1730, quoting the Daily Post, is to the point: "Eton, Aug. 1. This day was celebrated the anniversary diversion of hunting the ram by the scholars What made the solemnity more remarkable was, that his Royal Highness the Duke (of Cumberland) was pleas'd to honour it with his presence, the Captain of the School presented him with a ram-club, with which his Royal Highness struck the first stroke. His Royal Highness was in at the death of the ram, and his club was all bloody'd according to custom." After this, speeches were made, and other ceremonies performed, "and it was generally observed that his Royal Highness returned to Windsor very well pleas'd." In his next number, the "Grubean" editor published a Latin epigram on this subject. THE Pall Mall Gazette, a few days back, spoke of the Statistics of the colony of Victoria as being admirably prepared. As we stated some time since, the Registrar-General of the colony is Mr. W. H. Archer, and the Statistics are his work. They are a model to all countries. Don Justo Zaragoza, who has been for a long time at work upon his History of Latin America,' has been accorded permission to examine the Archives referring to the subject in the private library of the Ex-Queen Isabella, and where he hopes to unearth some valuable records. THE New York Nation says: a copy, on large paper, of the 'Iphigénie en THE death is announced of Mr. J. C. first, the troglodytes, who inhabited the caverns eastern zone Grocott, of Liverpool, a gentleman who, OUR readers will remember that in his THE death is announced of Dr. Hezekiel, Berlin. AMONG new American books which will be ready in a few weeks are, 'The Life of Theodore "Amidst the discussion of the question raised Parker,' by the Rev. O. B. Frothingham, and a 'Life of Prof. Agassiz,' by Mrs. Agassiz. THE Historical Society of Lombardy intends to publish an Archivio Storico Lombardo. It will be issued quarterly. The London agents are Messrs. Dulau. by Professor Goldwin Smith, whether Americans hate England, the Sun of this city has given rise to another whether Mr. Bernard Quaritch, the eminent London bookseller, has an intense dislike of the United States, which he is said to take pleasure in exhibiting to Americans visiting his shop in Piccadilly.' The Sun, in reviewing lately with praise Mr. Quaritch's catalogue of his collection of old books, made the allegation which we have just quoted. The writer does not seem to have spoken from personal knowledge, and we presume there are plenty of Americans whose information or experience is precisely the reverse of his.... Mr. Quaritch. . . in a letter, addressed December 27, to the Sun, says that its writer could not have made a greater mistake:-'Indeed, a "peculiarity" for which I am noted-and not always charitably noted-is a proneness to give warmer welcome to visitors from the United States than to most others. I try to make my house a regular place of call and centre of interest for Americans in London; and I believe that no one from the States who has entered my "shop in Piccadilly" is unaware of the fact. This conduct is not dictated by any special predilection for people who happen to have been born in the lands between the Atlantic and the Pacific; but because I believe the great Republic is heir of a marvellous future, and that her children will predominate amongst the inhabitants of a renovated world.'" new L'Intermédiaire des Chercheurs (French Notes and Queries), which came to a stop in 1870, is attempting to resume operations by sending to its subscribers the number of August 10, 1870, as it was left at the time. It advertises, on its fourth page, a periodical of the same kind, which is to bear the formidable name of Myriobiblion. AMONG the private gifts which the Paris National Library received during the year 1873, we may mention, Euvres Satyriques de P. Corneille Blessebois,' Leyden, 1675, 12mo., splendidly bound in morocco by Capé, a very scarce book, of which the Library had no copy, given by Baron James E. de Rothschild; 6 MR. WALTER THORNBURY is going to lecture on Holborn and its associations, beginning with Furnival's Inn and Charles Dickens, and ending with the Blue Boar Inn, where Cromwell ripped from the saddle the concealed letter of Charles the First. WE learn from Madrid that Don Antonio María Fabié has been elected a Member of the Academy of History. SCIENCE ANTHROPOLOGICAL NOTES. DR. PAUL BROCA, one of the most eminent vexed Celtic question, he takes occasion to point These are: But, as the value of the cranium over other parts of the skeleton depends mainly on the fact that it of the skull is more important than its exterior. encloses the brain, it is obvious that the cavity Yet the cranial cavity cannot well be studied without sawing the skull asunder, and thus spoil ing it. Hence great credit is due to Dr. Brock for devising an ingenious means of studying the interior without the necessity of opening the are described and figured in the last number of the Bulletins de la Société d'Anthropologie de Paris. cranium. The instruments for effecting this object A short description of the Negritos of the Philippine Islands has been communicated, by Dr. A. B. Meyer, to a Dutch East Indian periodical. These people call themselves Ahetas, but were termed by the Spaniards Negritos, of course the diminutive of the word Negro. As but few skulls of this little-known race have hitherto reached Europe, and even those may not all be well authenticated, Dr. Meyer sought to secure some Negrito skeletons, and after some difficulty succeeded. Ethnologists will look forward with some interest to the promised description of these remains. Dr. Petermann publishes, in his Geographische Mittheilungen, a letter from Dr. N. visit to the Negritos of the Isle of Luzon. He v. Miklucho Maclay, describing the writer's finds that the Negrito skull is brachycephalic, measurements of twenty individuals having shown that the cephalic index varied between 87.5 and 90. It is believed that the Negritos are closely related to the Papuans of New Guinea, in spite of the fact that the Papuan skull is said to be dolichocephalic. The writer expresses his conviction, however, that several distinct types may be recognized among the inhabitants of New Guinea. In constructing a new harbour at Kiel, a skull has been found at some depth in a deposit of peat. This relic has been carefully studied by Dr. Pansch, who believes that, although there are no definite geological grounds for assigning to it a high antiquity, yet it is probably referable to pre-historic times. It differs in many respects from the modern Schleswig-Holstein type. The last number of the Archiv für Anthropologie opens with a paper, by Prof. Carl Rau, of New York, on Amerikanische Gesichtsvasen.' These curious examples of early pottery have, of late, attracted the attention of many archæologists, and the present paper, without adding much to our knowledge of the subject, offers some interesting descriptions of certain American specimens. Some of these vessels have the figure of the human head on the belly; in others the head is represented on the neck of the vase, and forms its mouth; whilst, in a third class, the vessel itself presents the form Some fine examples of of a kneeling figure. vessels with human faces are found among the early efforts of the Peruvian potters. DR. NEIL ARNOTT. On the 2nd inst., at his residence, Cumberland Terrace, Regent's Park, in his eighty-sixth year, Neil Arnott closed his useful career. He was the son of a Scotch gentleman, whose family for generations had been connected with Upper Dysart, Montrose. He was born in 1789. His early education was obtained in the Aberdeen Grammar School, and in due time he entered the University of that city as a medical student; but from the first he gave a large share of his time and attention to natural philosophy. After having graduated, he left Scotland, came to London, and in a little time obtained an appointment as surgeon in the Naval Service of the East India Company. In the course of a few years we find Dr. Arnott established as a physician in London, and he was so successful as to be appointed in a very short time the physician to the French and Spanish Embassies. Having delivered a course of lectures on the Circulation of the Blood, on the Mechanical Forces active in the Phenomena of Life, and kindred subjects, which were considered remarkable from the extreme clearness with which difficult points were explained, he was persuaded to write a popular treatise on science. In 1827, Dr. Arnott's 'Elements of Physics' was published, and, so great was its popularity, that within five years five large editions were called for, although the concluding chapters on Electricity and Astronomy had not yet been written. The book was translated into the principal languages of Europe, and various reprints were made in North America. Rapidly extending professional duties, and the various calls made upon him, prevented Dr. Arnott from completing his "Elements" until 1864, when Part I. of the sixth and completed edition was published, Part II. following in 1865. Dr. Arnott was requested by the General Board of Health to aid them, by written reports and otherwise, in public sanitary matters; and when, in 1836, the Government founded the University of London, Dr. Arnott was appointed a member of the Senate. He was ever most active and zealous in arranging the courses to be pursued by candidates for the University degrees, and in organizing the competitive examinations in general knowledge which have been since so widely adopted. In 1838, Dr. Arnott was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. In addition to his high claims to distinction as a physician, and to the position in the ranks of science which Dr. Arnott achieved by the peculiar excellence of his writings, he won honours in the field of practical experiment, and in that of the useful applications of scientific knowledge. "Arnott's stove" (which obtained the Rumford medal from the Royal Society in 1854) is well known. Its value, as one of most scientific and economical arrangements for burning fuel, so as to secure the largest possible amount of heat, is admitted. Yet Dr. Arnott, with all his zeal, and notwithstanding the examples of its use in his own house, where an almost unvarying temperature was constantly maintained, failed in securing for his invention anything like a general adoption of it. This, however, and the simple, ingenious, and useful "Arnott's ventilator," and his "Water-bed," connects his name with those who have benefited their race. In 1861, Dr. Arnott published A Survey of Human Progress,' in which he surveyed the advancement of men from the lowest state of savage life to the highest state of European civilization. Dr. Arnott wrote, "But there is a change going on in the world, connected closely with the progress of science, yet distinct from it, and not less important than many of the scientific discoveries themselves-it is the diffusion of existing knowledge among the masses of mankind." Few men have done more towards accelerating this change than he whose loss we mourn. In 1869, Dr. Arnott gave to each of the Universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and St. Andrews a donation of 1,000l., for the promotion of the study of experimental physics among the medical students. He also placed 2,000l. at the disposal of the Senate of the University of London to found a scientific scholarship. SOCIETIES. ROYAL-Feb. 26.-The President in the chair.The following papers were read: 'The Winds of Northern India in Relation to the Temperature and Vapour Constituent of the Atmosphere,' by Mr. H. F. Blanford,-'On White Lines in the Solar Spectrum,' and 'Note on Displacement of the Solar Spectrum,' by Mr. J. B. N. Hennessey. GEOLOGICAL.-Feb. 20.-Annual General Meeting.-His Grace the Duke of Argyll, President, in the chair. The Secretary read the Reports of the Council, and of the Library and Museum Committee. The general condition of the Society was said to be satisfactory. After presenting the medals and the proceeds of the Murchison and Wollaston Funds, the President read his Anniversary Address. The Address was prefaced by some obituary notices of Fellows and Foreign Members and correspondents deceased during the past year, including Mr. J. W. Flower, Mr. J. G. Marshall, Prof. Agassiz, and M. de Verneuil.-The ballot for the Council and Officers was taken, and the following were duly elected: President, J. Evans; VicePresidents, R. Etheridge, R. A. C. Godwin-Austen, Sir C. Lyell, Bart., and J. Prestwich; Secretaries, D. Forbes and Rev. T. Wiltshire; Foreign Secretary, W. W. Smyth; Treasurer, J. G. Jeffreys; Council, the Duke of Argyll, H. Bauerman, Prof. G. Busk, J. F. Campbell, F. Drew, Sir P. de M. G. Egerton, Bart., M.P., R. Etheridge, J. Evans, D. Forbes, Capt. D. Galton, R. A. C. Godwin-Austen, J. G. Jeffreys, Sir C. Lyell, Bart., C. J. A. Meyer, J. C. Moore, J. Prestwich, Prof. A. C. Ramsay, S. Sharp, W. W. Smyth, Prof. J. Tennant, W. Whitaker, Rev. T. Wiltshire, and H. Woodward. Feb. 25.-J. Evans, Esq., President, in the chair.-Mr. A. J. Jukes-Browne and the Rev. M. H. Close were elected Fellows.-The following communications were read: Geological Notes on a Journey from Algiers to the Sahara,' by Mr. G. Maw, On the Trimerellidæ, a Palæozoic Family of the Palliobranchs or Brachiopoda,' by Mr. T. Davidson and Prof. W. King, and 'Note on the Occurrence of Sapphires and Rubies in situ with Corundum, at the Culsagee Corundum Mines, Macon Co., North Carolina,' by Col. C. W. Jenks. SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES.-Feb. 26.-C. S. Perceval, Esq., V.P., in the chair.-Lord Mahon, M.P., was elected a Fellow.-Mr. J. Brent communicated ing the past year. Mr. A. W. Franks exhibited, an account of antiquarian discoveries in Kent durfrom his own collection, six more brass dishes of the same description as that exhibited by him on Feb. 5.-Mr. G. W. G. Leveson Gower exhibited parish of Ash; and, by permission of the Rev. G. some Romano-British urns found at Frimley, in the Hoare, some similar urns found at Godstone, Surrey. Mr. Franks remarked that one of these urns was of a very peculiar type, and resembled rather the Merovingian urns found in Gaul.-Mr. T. Layton exhibited various objects found in the Thames-1, an Anglo-Saxon umbo, or boss of a shield; 2, an iron axe of uncertain date; 3, a rapier of the sixteenth century; 4, a very remarkable Roman sword, with a portion of the bronze covering of the sheath. This covering was richly decorated with repoussé work; among the decorations was the popular representation of the fable of Romulus and Remus. The rest of the plaque was filled with foliage and flowers, birds, butterflies, and rabbits. This sword recalled the so-called sword of Tiberius in the British Museum, and a sword found at Wiesbaden, and figured in Lindenschmit.-Mr. W. Bragge exhibited two Psalters of the thirteenth century.-Mr. Franks called attention to some names which had been erased from the Calendars of these Psalters, but which he had succeeded in deciphering. These names led to the conclusion that the Psalters were of Swedish origin. ROYAL SOCIETY OF LITERATURE.-Feb. 25.— Sir P. de Colquhoun, V.P., in the chair.-A paper was read, contributed by M. Ferdinand de Bompois, 'On an Unique Coin of the Town of Ichnae, in Macedonia,' in which he gave an interesting and learned account of this remarkable piece of the early part of the fifth century B.C., and suggested a new arrangement of the coins of that part of Northern Greece. INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS.-March 3.T. E. Harrison, Esq., President, in the chair.Sixteen candidates were elected, including three Members, viz., Messrs. A. W. Brind, A. H. M'Donald, and J. A. Paskin. Thirteen were elected Associates, viz., Lieut.-Col. C. S. Hutchinson, Messrs. R. Ballard, O. Brown, T. Duerdin, M. Graham, G. G. M. Hardingham, S. H. James, H. Loupold, M. Longridge, F. B. Maclaren, J. C. Searle, C. W. Whitaker, and A. Woods.-The Council have transferred Messrs. J. Gordon and J. Tomlinson, jun., from the class of Associate to that of Member; and had also admitted the following Candidates as Students of the Institution, viz., Messrs. J. E. Catton, W. P. Churchward, H. H. Hely, W. H. Jones, W. G. Kerle, J. E. Paul, and W. Pole, jun. The papers read were, 'On the Great Basses Lighthouse, Ceylon,' by Mr. W. Douglass, and 'On the Tracing and Construction of Roads in Mountainous Tropical Countries,' by Major J. Browne. ROYAL INSTITUTION.-Feb. 2.-G. Busk, Esq., Treas. and V.P., in the chair.-Capt. A. Baillie, the Rev. F. Bowyer, Mrs. A. Brandreth, Mrs. C. Southwell, Miss L. Garrard, Miss H. Gassiot, the Hon. A. Michie, Capt. W. D. Miller, Messrs. W. F. Ball, T. R. Bannon, C. J. Busk, J. W. Busk, W. H. Challis, J. G. Fraser, C. A. Hanbury, W. T. F. M. Ingall, J. S. Phené, S. Rivington, A. B. Shepherd, and A. M. Silber, were elected Members. ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE.-Feb. 24.-Sir D. Gibb in the chair.—Mr. B. Lloyd read a paper 'On the Beothucs, a tribe of Red Indians, supposed to be extinct, which formerly inhabited Newfoundland.' The author, after reviewing the various accounts related of the Aborigines of the island from the time of Sebastian Cabot downwards, gave the results of the information he picked up from various sources during an exploratory cruise he made last summer round the coast of Newfoundland, respecting the tribe of Indians which inhabited the island up to a period which terminated about forty years ago, when, by reason of the cruelties practised on them by the English fishermen, and the warfare carried on against them by the Micfinally the few of them that were left, it is thought, mac Indians, they were reduced in number, and disappeared.-Mr. Lloyd also read Notes on crossed over the Straits of Belleisle, or at all events Indian Remains found on the coast of Labrador.' The Indian remains found on the coast of Labrador consisted of rudely constructed buildings of stone slabs, which were discovered on the sea-shore at the western entrance of the Straits of Belleisle. They were described to the author as Indian graves, but there was no evidence to show that such was the use to which they had been applied. On the contrary, it seemed probable they were stone wigwams, built by some Indian families for a summer residence. The author was fortunate enough to discover, at L'Anse du Diable, which is a cave situated about twenty miles east of the locality where the so-called Indian graves were found, a few arrow-heads of quartzite and hyaline quartz, on a sandy "barren," which stretched inland from the head of the cave. From circumstances connected with the cave, the author concluded that the locality had been chosen by some unknown tribe of Indians for the manufacture of their arrow-heads during an occupancy of some considerable time on the spot.-A paper was read, by Dr. S. Holden, 'On a peculiar Neolithic Implement from Antrim.' MEETINGS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. Royal Academy, 8-Sculpture,' Mr. H. Weekes. TUES. Royal Institution, 3.- Physical Properties of Liquids and Anthropological Institute, 8.- Half-bred Races of North- Civil Engineers, 8.- Gun-Carriages and Mechanical Appliances for Working Heavy Ordnance, Mr. G. W. Rendel. WED. Literature, 4.-Council. London Institution, 7.-Travers Course, II. WED. Geological, 8.-' Relationship existing between the Echinothuridae (W. Thomson) and the Perischoechinidae (M'Coy),' Mr. R. Etheridge, jun.; Discovery of Foraminifera, &c. in the Boulder-Clays of Cheshire,' Mr. W. Shone, jun.; Occurrence of a Tremadoc Area near the Wrekin, in South Shrop. shire, with Description of a New Fauna,' Mr. C. Callaway. Society of Arts, 8.- Manufacture of Cocoa,' Mr. J. Holm = British Archeological Association, 8.- Pilgrimage to Bromholm, in Norfolk,' Dr. 8. Simpson. THURS Royal Institution, 3.-Cryptogamic Vegetation, Ferns and Mosses,' Prof. W. C. Williamson. = FRI = SAT. Royal Academy, 8.- Architecture,' Mr. E. M. Barry. Antiquaries, &-'Silver Plates with a Chart of Sir F. Drake's Voyage,' Mr. A. W. Franks; Roman Remains of Mendip,' Rev. H. M. Scarth. Mathematical, 8.-Cartesian Equation of the Circle which Cuts three given Circles at given Angles,' Mr. J. Griffiths; Another System of Poristic Equations,' Prof. Wolstenholme. Society of Arts, 8.-Races of Dardistan (North-West of Cashmere),' Dr. Leitner. "On the Nonsensical Assumption that M. Vambéry never travelled in Central Asia,' is the title of a lengthy paper published by the Russian Councillor of State, M. Grigoriyeff, in No. 26 of the Russky Mir, in St. Petersburg. Mr. Schuyler, who visited Bokhara and some of the neighbouring countries last year, finding some inaccuracies in M. Vambéry's books, came, as our readers are aware, to the conclusion that M. Vambéry never visited Central Asia. M. Grigoriyeff does not share M. Schuyler's opinions. The inaccuracies detected in M. Vambéry's book had, he says, been already noticed by a Russian officer, who, although speaking of the shortcomings of M. Vambéry, caused by the extremely difficult position in which he was, on the other hand corroborates many of the details of the Hungarian traveller. WE regret to hear that Dr. Beke is suffering somewhat from the fatigue caused by his journey to Mount Sinai, and that he will, therefore, not return so soon as was expected. THE death is reported of Mr. Philip Barnes, at the age of eighty-two. He was the founder, in 1838, of the Royal Botanic Society in the Regent's Park. THE Report on the forty-sixth meeting of German men of Science at Wiesbaden shows that many important papers were read, the larger number being purely chemical. Amongst others of general interest, we may name M. A. Mayer's account of his experiments to determine the power possessed by plants to absorb ammonia above the surface of the ground. The general result being that the healthful growth of the plant was interfered with if the introduction of ammonia by the roots was prevented. M. Flight described some curious experiments on the influence of heat and light on the colour of the diamond. Diamonds of a yellow colour, from the Vaal river, lost their colour when heated to redness in a current of hydrogen, and remained colourless when cold in the dark, but if exposed to light they gradually recovered their colour. THE Monthly Records of Results of Observations in Meteorology, Terrestrial Magnetism, &c., taken at Melbourne Observatory during July and August, 1873, are to hand. WE regret to hear of the death of Dr. Forbes Winslow, the author of many works on lunacy, and for many years editor of the Quarterly Journal of Psychological Medicine. MR. F. R. MALLET, of the Geological Survey of India, is reported to have made an important discovery of coal near Punkabaree, at the foot of the Darjeeling hills. The principal seam is 11 feet thick, another is of 7 feet in thickness, and others measure from 2 to 5 feet. A sample of the coal analyzed is said to have given 80 per cent. of carbon. We shall be glad to find this report is confirmed by further examination. Ir is worth noting that, according to a Report made to the Lyons Society of Industrial Sciences, the Broom (Sarothamnus scoparium), which grows so abundantly in many parts of this country, and which has been long known to yield a yellow dye, and a fibre which has been used as thread, may, by a little care, be made to produce a fibre quite equal to hemp in strength and fineness. WE have received 'Microscopic Examinations of Air,' by D. Douglas Cunningham, M.B., of the Indian Medical Service. This volume contains the results of observations on the nature of the solid bodies present in the atmosphere of Calcutta and the neighbourhood. The Report is very complete. The observations were carried on within two large jails in Calcutta, and were fifty-nine in number, the first being made on the 26th of February, and the last the 18th of September, 1872. The direction and velocity of the wind for each day is given, and the statistics of disease. A series of fourteen lithographic plates, each containing many figures of the atmospheric organisms detected, accompanies the text. The final results appear to be that spores and other vegetable cells are constantly present in atmospheric dust; that no connexion can be traced between the numbers of bacteria, spores, &c., and the occurrence of disease; and that the amount of débris suspended in the atmosphere is directly dependent on conditions of moisture and of velocity of wind. FINE ARTS ROYAL ACADEMY of ARTS, Burlington House.-The EXHIBITION of WORKS of the late SIR EDWIN LANDSEER, R.A., is NOW OPEN-Admission (from Nine till Dusk), One Shilling; Catalogue, Sixpence. Season Tickets, 58. NOW OPEN, in the GALLERIES of Messrs. THOMAS AGNEW & SONS, 5, Waterloo Place, Pall Mall, the ANNUAL EXHIBITION of Selected WATER-COLOUR DRAWINGS, by Deceased and Living Artists, from 10 until 5 o'clock. Admission, including Catalogue, 18. The SHADOW of DEATH.' Painted by Mr. HOLMAN HUNT. -NOW on VIEW. From 10 till 5.-A spacious Platform has been erected, so that Visitors now have an unimpeded View of the Picture. ---39B, Old Bond Street.-Admission, 18. DUDLEY GALLERY, Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly.-GENERAL EXHIBITION of WATER-COLOUR DRAWINGS.-The TENTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION is OPEN DAILY, from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M.Admission, 18.; Catalogue, ed. GEORGE L. HALL, Hon. Sec. DORE'S GREAT PICTURE of 'CHRIST LEAVING the PRETORIUM,' with Night of the Crucifixion,' Christian Martyrs,' Francesca de Rimini,' 'Neophyte,'' Andromeda,' &c., at the DORË GALLERY, 35, New Bond Street. Ten to Six.-Admission, 18. SALES. MESSRS. CHRISTIE, MANSON & WOODS sold, on Saturday last, the under-named drawings and pictures, the property of Mr. E. Heritage. Corinth, 661.-Mr. E. Duncan, Wreckers, 1831. The Drawings C. Cattermole, Distributing Alms at Launch of the Lifeboat, 1891.; Cumberland Hills, stow Castle, 3831.-Mr. A. D. Fripp, The Anglers, 731.; Mountain Scenery, 601.-C. Fielding, Chep771.—Mr. B. Foster, The Seaside, 1891.; A Cottage at Harborough, 891.; On Lake Como, 681.-Mr. L. Haghe, Interior of St. Mark's, Venice, 987.-J. Holland, The Rialto, 2587.; Canal in Venice, 1637.; Interior of Milan Cathedral, 741.; Sunset, 631.; On the Grand Canal, Venice, 531.; The Valley of Ampozzi, 511.; A Calm, Venice, 544.; The Grand Canal, near the Rialto, 1057.-Mr. W. L. Leitch, Schiehallion, 151.-W. Müller, A Street in Cairo, 861.—Mr. J. H. Mole, Near Tynemouth, 561.-S. Prout, Stormy Weather, 501.; A Church Porch, Rouen, 531.-D. Roberts, The Grand Mosque, Cordova, 761.-G. Schalders, Landscape, Surrey, 661.-Mr. E. G. Warren, A Woodland Scene, 791. Pictures: J. Holland, The Colleoni Monument, Venice, 850l.; Venice, 1997.-M. R. Madrazo, The Happy Thought, 1207. The same auctioneers sold, on Monday last, the under-named drawings: Mr. H. B. Willis, The Traeth Mawr, Port Madoc, 701.-Mr. A. W. Hunt, A View on the Rhine, 687.-D. Cox, A Hayfield, 2151.-P. De Wint, A Landscape, with a cottage and ducks, 631.; A Woody Landscape, 631.-Mr. E. Lundgren, The Pride of the Harem, 1417. At the Hôtel Drouot, Paris, the following prices were recently obtained for modern French pictures: M. Corot, Environs d'Arras, 11,000 francs; Au Bord du Lac, 5,200 f.-M. J. Dupré, Le Ruisseau, 4,250 f.-Théodore Rousseau, La Lisière d'un Bois, 5,600 f. On the 20th ultimo, the undermentioned sums were obtained for the following paintings: L. Backhuizen, Marine, 2,400 f.-J. B Greuze, Le Petit Boudeur, 6,900 f.; La Petite Fille au Fichu, 10,000 f.-F. Guardi, La Douane, 8,600 f.; Vue prise du Grand Canal à Venise, 5,900 f.— M. de Hondekoeter, Oiseaux de Basse Cour, 16,500 f.; Oiseaux et Animaux de Basse Cour, 10,100 f.; Coq et Ponies, 6,000 f.; Oies et Canards, 3,200 f.-Leclerc, Danse Champêtre, 3,200 f. Aart Van der Neer, Rivière en Hollande, Clair de Lune, 2,550 f.—A. Van Ostade, Fête dans l'Intérieur d'une Chaumière Rustique, 76,000 f.— J. Van Ruysdael, Site en Norvége, 4,900 f.— Weenix, Gibier, 10,000 f.-Wynants, Paysage Montueux, 6,750 f.-Isabey, Le Jour de Réception, 3,000 f.-G. Koller, Faust et Marguerite, 6,580 f.— G. Van Os, Fleurs et Fruits, 1,920 f.-M. F. Willems, Le Départ pour la Promenade, 7,000 f. Fine-Art Gossip. THE Report of the Artists' General Benevolent Institution is ready. The income in 1873 amounted to 2,7361. odd, and the sum of 1,970l. was distributed among ninety-eight applicants. Sir Henry James is to take the chair at the Annual Dinner, which will be held on the 9th of May. WE are able to state that the Council of the Royal Academy have had the subject of architectural drawings for their Exhibition before them, and have decided for the future, as far as possible, to give a preference to those drawings which are evidently the actual productions of the architects who exhibit them. This is as it should be; for the only way to make such an Exhibition really interesting is to discourage as much as possible the exhibition of drawings which bear no marks of the artist's own hand. It has also been decided that geometrical elevations and detail drawings of interest are admissible. It will be the fault of architects if this room at the Academy Exhibition does not attract more attention in the future than hitherto. THE house at Luton Hoo used to be famous for a chapel fitted up with rich fifteenth-century Flemish wood-work. When the house was burnt down all this was entirely destroyed; and when Mr. Leigh purchased the estate of the Marquis of Bute, he did not touch the chapel, and did not completely restore the interior of the Mr. Street has lately been engaged by house. among the features of the completed mansion Mr. Gerard Leigh to finish this work, and will be a private chapel of an unusually ornate of the house, and it is approached by the princicharacter. It occupies a portion of the north wing pal corridor, which runs the whole length of the house. This wing, fortunately, was built with a circular east end, corresponding with a great drawing-room at the other end of the house, and thus lends itself very conveniently to the arrangement of a chapel with an eastern apex. There are rooms above the chapel, so that, of necessity, it has a flat ceiling, which is of wood, richly painted and gilded. The eastern apex is finished with arcading in alabaster, and a semi-dome vault, which is being painted by Messrs. Clayton & Bell with a sitting figure of Our Lord and saints on either side. All the windows are being also executed by Clayton & Bell, generally with single figures, delicately painted, and mainly in white, for the sake of transparency and light. The altar stands in the centre of the apex. This, we are glad to say, is to be backed by a reredos, with a sculpture in marble of the Crucifixion with SS. Mary and John, which Mr. Woolner has undertaken to execute. We view with no little pleasure the employment of such an artist on such a work. If sculptors would but exert themselves a little more and take part in the work which is going on in the way of church decoration all over the country, it would be better not only for the churches, but for themselves. Here we shall, no doubt, see Mr. Woolner at his best, and with surroundings which will add to the effect of his work. The pavement of the chapel is mainly of marble; the stalls, with their canopies, are elaborately wrought in oak; and the whole of the walls as well as the ceiling are to be decorated richly with colour, after Mr. Street's designs. A gallery, on the level of the bed-rooms of the house, occupies the space over the ante chapel, and is also to be fitted up with stalls and THE Fine Arts Exhibition of Amsterdam will be opened on the 7th of September next, and be closed on the 5th of the following month. THE celebrated engraver, J. N. Passini, died on the 14th of January last, at Gratz. MUSIO WAGNER SOCIETY. - Last Concert but one, FRIDAY, March 13. formers. Solo Pianoforte, Mr. Walter Bache: Conductor, Mr. Edward to commence at 830 precisely. Orchestra and Chorus of 180 per Daunreuther.-Beethoven, Overture, King Stephen'; Choral Fantasia, that she is to sustain the Pasta-Grisi line of parts these vaunting Prospectuses proved no joke to the subscribers, who, at the close of a season found that the majority of the promises contained in them were unfulfilled. There are, however, hopes of amendment when things come to the worst, and as the practice of boasting eventually turned The new-comers are Mdlle. Ghiotti, Mdlle. out to be a losing game, there are signs of the Clemence Cálasch, Mdlle. Diani, Signori Bolis, break-up of the system. Mr. Mapleson's Prospectus, Sabater, and Piazza, and M. Blume. The troupe if not altogether free, when referring to artists and will include of last year's artists Mesdames Sinico, to lyric dramas, from the faults so long complained Smeroschi, Pezzotta, D'Angeri, Scalchi, Signori of, ridiculed, and protested against, is a decided imPavani, Nicolini, Bettini, Graziani, Cotogni, Baga-provement on former productions. He enumerates giolo, Ciampi, Capponi, Tagliafico, MM. Faure the engagements of nine new singers, and he simply and Maurel. The stage staff and musical officials expresses the hope that the patrons of Her remain as before, Signori Bevignani and Vianesi Majesty's Opera may be satisfied with them, as he being the conductors. The band and chorus, "un- will not presume to influence or anticipate their rivalled," as they are still called, are to remain judgment. Now we do not hesitate to affirm that "nearly the same." If there are changes, it is to be the new comers will meet with more consideration hoped that they may be for the better. The most and indulgence than if their antecedents had been important item in the Prospectus is at the close, specified in glowing terms. The Director's next where the production of Glinka's opera, 'La Vie innovation in his programme is, that he has pour le Czar,' is promised. At any rate a pledge refrained from supplying imaginary casts of is given that, out of four works mentioned, at least operas and lists of the operas in his répertoire. three will be brought out. We trust that the He contents himself with the statement that he work of the Russian composer may be pro- proposes "to give as varied a selection as cirduced. It has a libretto which will interest here cumstances render possible, and he trusts that as well as at St. Petersburg, and it contains neither the lovers of the classical nor of popular works will have cause to complain of the results." messi Sposi' of Signor Ponchielli, is a popular comic opera in Italy. For Madame Adelina Patti the mounting of Signor Verdi's 'Louisa Miller' is mentioned, and for Mdlle. Albani the 'Mignon' of M. Ambroise Thomas is specified. of Edinburgh. Conductor, Mr. George Mount.-FOURTH CONCERT, highly dramatic and effective music. The 'Pro BRITISH ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.-Patron, H.R.H. the Duke THURSDAY, March 12, St. James's Hall, Eight o'clock. Overture, St. John the Baptist, Macfarren; Concerto, Violin, Dramatic, Spohr-Violin, Mr. J. T. Carrodus: New Overture (MS.) in D. The Witches' Frolic,' Henry Gadsby: Symphony, Scotch, Mendelssohn; Overture, Zauberflote,' Mozart. Grand Orchestra of Seventy-Five Performers. Dingle Tickets: Stalls, 108. 6d; Reserved, 58, 38, 28., 18.; Stanley Lucas, Weber & Co.'s, 84, New Bond Street; usual Agents; and at Austin's Ticket-Office, 28, Piccadilly. ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA. THE programme for the Covent Garden season, which will be commenced on the 31st inst., was issued by the Impresario last Thursday. It follows the example so properly set by Mr. Mapleson, in its brevity and in the adoption of a less vaunting tone than has been assumed in former announcements. Indeed, Mr. Gye, indirectly perhaps, but still clearly enough, indicates the errors of his ways in the following preamble:-" It has now become unnecessary, in these annual Prospectuses of the Opera season, to enter into a lengthened description of the achievements of the Royal Italian Opera, or to dilate on the reputation of the artistes engaged, and such like subjects; nor is a minute detail now required as to the distribution of the roles in the different operas, nor as to other particulars appertaining to the performances of an approaching season." We are glad to see these signs of repentance; but the old style cannot so easily be got rid of, as will be seen by another quotation from Mr. Gye's manifesto:-"Madame Adelina Patti, who has just concluded another season of uninterrupted triumphs at Moscow and St. Petersburg, bearing away from both cities substantial and magnificent marks of Imperial and public admiration, has been re-engaged; that Mdlle. Emma Albani, who has also, during the autumn and winter, fulfilled a most brilliant engagement at the same Opera-houses, and who is also the recipient of several splendid tokens of the favour of the imperial family, as well as that of the abonnés, is also re-engaged." Now, what can any amount of jewellery presented to artists have to do with their professional attainments? What the operatic public cares to learn is, whether Madame Patti preserves her great powers, and whether Mdlle. Albani is sufficiently improved to be classified as a first-class prima donna; and these facts can only be known when the two artists have appeared. The organization which secures presents and bouquets is well known; but no réclames nor favours can alter the artistic attributes that alone must decide the pretensions of singers. Besides the two vocalists just mentioned, the Prospectus announces the first appearance of Mdlle. Marimon at Covent Garden, and this without commentary, although as an artiste the Belgian lady is entitled to a consideration second only to that which Madame Patti enjoys. The re-engagement of Madame Vilda (Frau Wilt, of Vienna) indicates Although it is true that Madame Pauline Lucca's contract for Covent Garden is in full force, it would have been better not to have mentioned her name in the Prospectus. There is a combination of circumstances which render her return to London this year most improbable, if not impossible. The latest accounts from Havana state that Madame Lucca and Mdlle. Murska have been compelled to remain there, to await the result of legal proceeding taken against them by the members of the band and chorus whom they engaged at New York to accompany them to open the Operahouse, an event which never took place, owing to the refusal of Signor Tamberlik to join in the speculation. HER MAJESTY'S OPERA. As regards the troupe, the returns will comprise Mdlle. Tietjens and Madame Nilsson, Mdlle. Marie Roze, Mdlle. Valleria, and Mdlle. Bauermeister, sopranos; Madame Trebelli-Bettini and Mdlle. Macvitz, contraltos; Signori Campanini, Fancelli, Marchetti, and Rinaldini, tenors; Signori Borella, Catalani, Campobello, Casaboni, Zoboli, and Agnesi. To these re-engagements, the Director adds the names of artists already known here, but new to Drury Lane, namely, Mdlle. Risarelli, a prima donna, who made a favourable impression in 1872 at the St. George's Italian Opera speculation, and Signori Naudin and Fabrini, tenors, the former of whom will be a most usefu) acquisition, as an artist with a varied list of parts at his command. The nine artists new to London are, Mdlles. Lodi and Singelli, prime donne; Signori Paladini and Ramini, tenors; Signori De Reschi and Galassi, baritones; and Signori Perkins, Costa (no relation to the Conductor), and Herr Behrens. Mdlle. Lodi is an Italian, who has met with great success in Milan, in the Sonnambula, Dinorah, and other characters. Mdlle. Singelli is French her name has been Italianized; she succeeded Mdlle. Marimon at the Athénée in Paris, in Ricci's 'Folie à Rome,' and has been most favourably received at Berlin. Signor Paladini is one of the young and rising tenors of Italy. Herr Behrens has a great reputation in Germany. Signor Perkins, the American basso, has been heard as a concert singer at the Royal Albert Hall. Of his stage qualifications, we have yet to judge. The other names are unknown to us, except that of Signor Costa. The long list of artists in this Prospectus shows that their services are to be utilized in concerts, as well as at Drury Lane. THE late Mr. Chorley, in his work 'Thirty Years' Musical Recollections, while giving a summary of the season at Her Majesty's Theatre in 1843, under the heading "Mysteries of the Press," made the following remarks:-"For some time there had been employed a system of cajoling the press, till then tried on a very small scale; and, howsoever complimentary to those of the 'fourth estate,' anything but flattering to the taste and judgment of our amateurs. The 'puff preliminary,' by aid of which 'whiting's eyes were to be made to pass for 'pearls' had begun, with regard to our Italian Opera, to assume forms of an invention and a courage hitherto unknown in England." Mr. Chorley never ceased in the Athenæum to protest energetically against the system he thus denounced. We know with what result. No critic We cannot at present understand why Mr. exercised a stronger influence on public opinion, Mapleson should have selected for special mounting in bringing about the Opera revolution of 1847 than or revival the six works specified in his ProMr. Chorley. The formation of the Royal Italian spectus. The production of Balfe's posthumous Opera was a death-blow for a time to the "puff pre-opera, with Madame Nilsson as the heroine of liminary." The modest and unpretentious Prospectus with which the late Mr. Frederick Beale opened the new Covent Garden undertaking as Director, with Signori Persiani and Galetti as speculators, was for some period imitated; but of late years the Italian Opera Prospectuses have been marked by disregard of facts, an assumption of superiority, and inflated eulogies of artists-good, bad, or indifferent. Moreover, these Impresario pronunciamientos promised a series of novelties which no Director in his senses could possibly carry out. To such an extravagant extent was the vainglorious tone carried, that many amateurs looked forward to the "annuals" of the "puff preliminary" with as much gleeful expectation as they did to their comic almanacs or their weekly Punch. But II Talismano,' was, of course, imperatively required, after the flagrant breach of faith last season. Both the Impresario and the prima donna were compromised by what the former calls the "unavoidable postponement." The lady's re-appearance as Desdemona will be most welcome. The delineation by Mdlle. Tietjens of Elvira, in Verdi's highly dramatic 'Ernani,' will be another source of gratification; the only wonder is that she has not "created" the part long since, so well suited is the music to her powers. The policy of reviving Donizetti's 'Roberto Devereux' is doubtful. This opera was produced at Her Majesty's Theatre in 1841, during Laporte's last season; but, even with Grisi as Queen Elisabeth, Rubini as Devereux, Tamburini as the Duke of Nottingham, and Lablache as his experience on the Italian lyric stage; his Cecil, the work met with but little favour. It voice has gained in volume, and his method is now was revived in 1845 by Mr. Lumley, with Madame artistic, and not amateurish. He sang Gluck's air Rossi-Caccia, a French prima donna from the from Iphigenia in Tauride,' "Sin dall'età più Grand Opera-house and the Opéra Comique, as the tenera uniti," and Haydn's song, "In native Queen, with Signor Moriani as Devereux, and worth." Madame Lemmens gave Mr. J. F. Signor Barroilhet, the famed French baritone, as Barnett's air, "I will bless Thy name," from the Nottingham, but it was not well received. Mdlle. Raising of Lazarus.' With the 'Anacreon' preTietjens's great success in Anna Bolena and Semi-lude of Cherubini and the dashing 'Masaniello' ramide has, perhaps, suggested the notion that her overture of Auber, the former to open and the Queen Elisabeth will be equally as imposing, and latter to conclude the scheme, the concert was an so it will physically; but she will not have music excellent one. anything approaching to that in the two beforementioned operas. The mounting of Auber's 'Fra Diavolo' and of his 'Diamans de la Couronne' will mainly depend for success upon Mdlle. Lodi as Zerlina and upon Mdlle. Singelli as Caterina, the former will have to contend against the remembrance of Madame Lucca, and the latter will have to compete with Madame Adelina Patti-formidable opponents for two young aspirants for lyric glory. The Wagnerites will, of course, be disappointed at not seeing 'Lohengrin' or 'Tannhäuser in the Prospectus, especially as Signor Campanini, who "created" the former at Bologna, Florence, and Milan, is to sing the part in New York, with Madame Nilsson as Elsa. We may, however, repeat our opinion that no fair trial of Herr Wagner's operas can be made here unless a German "troupe " well versed in his répertoire be imported. Mr. Mapleson maintains his efficient staff in the musical and scenic departments of former seasons; and to record that Sir Michael Costa will again be the Director of the Music and Conductor suffices to prove how careful, conscientious, and effective will be the ensemble in each opera. And to do justice to Mr. Mapleson, it must be added that, as he is the son of a professor and a musician himself, his sympathies and tendencies will be enlisted in behalf of the adequate execution of all the works he may produce during his present venture. CONCERTS. A NEW Symphony and the début of a lady pianist were the interesting events of the Crystal Palace Concert last Saturday, and success attended the novelties. Place aux dames. The execution of Beethoven's Pianoforte Concerto in G major (the fourth of his five orchestral works for that instrument), by Miss Emma Barnett, certainly surprised many experienced connoisseurs, who scarcely expected from one so very young such power combined with delicacy and refinement. Her touch is excellent, her phrasing poetical, and her manipulation clear and distinct. It was a performance of more than ordinary merit, reflecting credit on the juvenile artist and on her teacher, her brother, Mr. John Francis Barnett, composer of the Ancient Mariner,'' Paradise and the Peri,' the 'Raising of Lazarus,' &c., who wrote the cadenzas for his sister. The first, an elaborate and clever bravura, taxed the nimble fingers of the fair executant, who, however, conquered its intricacies and showed both skill and precision. Miss E. Barnett has proved herself a worthy member of a gifted musical family. The symphony is by Mr. Prout, whose concerto for the organ, produced in 1872, showed the hand of a thinking and practised musician. His present essay will not detract from his fame. It is a thoughtful, coherent, and musician-like composition. It does not affect to be dazzling or bewildering, for it is conceived and carried out on the model of the standard composers, that is, the schools of Haydn and Mozart, Beethoven, Spohr, and Mendelssohn. This is the more remarkable as Mr. Prout is credited with being a disciple of the Wagnerian and Liszt systems. He has the regular four movements, the opening one of which, in c, "Poco sostenuto, allegro," will, perhaps, be found the most attractive. His interweaving of the two subjects in the coda is able and effective; and his recall by the audience was a well-merited compliment to a really clever and orthodox symphony. Madame Lemmens and Mr. George Bentham were the vocalists. The tenor has evidently benefited by The overture to 'Iñez de Castro,' an opera by Mr. Alfred Holmes, which was accepted at the Grand Opéra in Paris in 1870, but was not produced owing to political events, is a much more favourable specimen of its composer's powers than the 'Cid' prelude, noticed in our last week's issue. Certainly, the Portuguese story is more exciting than that of Corneille's tragedy, and it has been often selected as a libretto for Italian operas, one of which, by Signor Persiani, composed for the famed Madame Persiani, Rubini, and Lablache, was produced in Paris. In the Iñez de Castro' prelude the dramatic feeling and power and elaborate and picturesque orchestration of Mr. A. Holmes are strikingly developed. Mr. Franklin Taylor played Beethoven's Pianoforte Concerto in G artistically. The other items of the third programme of the British Orchestral Society's concert were thoroughly hackneyed, and the same remark may be made with reference to the vocal pieces, although they were nicely sung by Miss Rose Hersee, formerly comprimaria at Her Majesty's Theatre, to whose vocal and dramatic attainments the Athenæum called special attention when she played Adina, in the 'Elisir d'Amore' at the Lyceum. Since that period Miss Hersee has had great experience as a prima donna in America and with Herr Carl Rosa's English Opera troupe in the provinces. Mr. Dannreuther, the Director of the Wagner Society, was the pianist at the Monday Popular Concerts, on the 2nd inst. He played as his solo Schumann's Sonata in G minor, Op. 22, and was associated with Herr Joachim in Bach's Sonata in B minor. Thus there were two artists, equally great in their respective ways, although the pianist, by some kind of mismanagement or perhaps of management, has not been so much before the public as he ought to have been. Mr. Dannreuther, however, can claim a distinguished position as a resident pianist, and he can honourably compete with any continental celebrity. It was pleasing to find his abilities heartily recognized last Monday. Herr Joachim and Mr. Dannreuther were called upon to repeat the second movement, the allegro in в minor, of J. S. Bach's sonata, and the great violinist was encored in the Minuet and Trio of Haydn's Quartet in G major, Op. 64, No. 4. He led in grand style the c sharp minor, Op. 132, of Beethoven, one of the posthumous string quartets, in which Herr Joachim had the valuable co-operation of MM. Ries, Straus, and Piatti. Mr. Bentham was the vocalist, and sang airs by Mozart and Mendelssohn. Madame CarrenoSauret, the accomplished and brilliant South American artist, was the pianist last Saturday, and Miss A. Williams the vocalist. The Athenæum referred last week to Mr. W. Coenen's programmes of classical chamber compositions as illustrating his excellent purpose of striking out a "new line" by the introduction of works of the period, and we mentioned those by Herr Rheinberger, Herr Brahms, Herr J. Svendsen, and Miss Agnes Zimmermann. Owing to the omission of a date and of the name of M. C. SaintSaëns, the French composer, his Suite in D minor, Op. 16, for pianoforte and violoncello, was ascribed to Herr Svendsen, the composer of the string Ottetto in a major. We can now add that, at the third and last concert, on the 18th, in the Hanover Square Rooms, the second one having been given on the 4th inst., there will be some further novelties, namely, a string Quartet, by Herr F. Gernsheim, a pianoforte and violin Sonata, by Waldemar Bargiel; and a piano, flute, clarionet, horn, and bassoon Quintet in F, Op. 55, by Herr Rubin stein. Mr. Coenen will pardon some confusion in dates, as we were anxious to do justice to his enterprise in giving concerts of modern music, knowing too well that there is only artistic fame to be attained. Financial loss is almost certain, so little disposed is the general body of amateurs to accept any works but those to which the names of masterminds are attached. Musical Gossip. NEXT Thursday will take place the concert of the British Orchestral Society, and on the Friday that of the Wagner Society. M. Gounod's Choir Concert will be given this afternoon (the 7th inst.). The final London Ballad Concerts for the season will be on the 11th and 18th inst. The first Philharmonic Society's Concert will be on the 25th inst. The Chamber Concerts of Mr. A. Gilbert and Madame Gilbert will be commenced next Wednesday. On the 20th inst., the Sacred Harmonic Society will perform, for the first time, Mr. G. Macfarren's oratorio, St. John the Baptist,' under the direction of Sir Michael Costa. THE Royal Albert Choral Society, under Mr. Barnby's direction, announced Mendelssohn's 'St. Paul' for performance on the 5th inst., with the names of Madame Otto-Alvsleben, Miss A. Sterling, Mr. Bentham, Mr. Pyatt, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Lewis Thomas as the solo singers. On the 12th, Mr. W. Carter's choir will perform his cantata, Placida,' and Rossini's 'Stabat Mater.' On the 14th, the Amateur Orchestral Society will have a concert to celebrate the return of the President, the Duke of Edinburgh, who, with the Duchess, will be present at the production of Mr. A. Sullivan's oratorio, 'The Light of the World,' conducted by the composer, on the 19th inst., being the last subscription concert of the Royal Albert Choral Society. THE new three-act comic opera, 'Le Florentin,' M. the libretto by M. H. de Saint-Georges, and the music by M. Charles Lenepveu, just produced at the Opéra Comique, in Paris, has only met with a succès d'estime, although both poet and composer won the prizes for the work at the triple competition in 1869 for the three lyric theatres. Lenepveu, who won the "Prix de Rome," was sucmust have been certainly curious if the Florentin ' cessful against sixty competitors, whose music score was the best. The story is laid in the times of "Laurent le Magnifique," and turns upon the jealousy of an old painter, who seeks to have his pupil assassinated because he has outdone his master. The story is weak, and the music is not good enough to redeem the defects of the poem. The cast comprised Mdlle. Priola, Mdlle. Duthe new sole director, M. Camille du Locle, was casse, MM. Lhérie, Ismaël, Neveu, and Potel, and liberal in his outlay for the mise en scène; but the opera is not destined for a long life. M. Gounod's new work, in three acts, is to be produced next winter at the Opéra Comique, and not at the Grand Opéra. We learn that M. Gounod, for the second time, has turned to Molière for his libretto. One of the composer's masterpieces is his admirable setting of 'Le Médecin malgré Lui,' for the Lyrique in Paris, an English version of which was produced at Covent Garden Theatre, under the management of Miss Louisa Pyne (Mrs. F. Bodda) and the late Mr. Harrison. M. Gounod the book of which he will himself prepare. He has selected 'Georges Dandin' for his comic opera, proposes in treating Molière's tragi-comedy to devote more attention to the dramatic elements of the famous piece than to the farcical portious, which will be confined to the dialogues between Georges Dandin and Lubin. THE Paris Ménestrel of the 1st inst. has the annexed announcement :-" M. Gye, Impresario of the Theatre Royal Covent Garden, and appointed (nommé) Manager (Régisseur) of the Imperial Italian Theatres of Petersburg and Moscow, is expected in Paris on Monday (the 2nd inst.), on his way to London." A correspondent has sent us an extract from a letter from St. Petersburg, |