ger knows he never can draw one-tenth part | The first of these pieces comes recomof that sum to the house. An actress like-mended by a name to be respected by muwise demands 20 guineas per night, four sicians. It is a polacca for a mezzo soprano, nights in the week. This may answer the of a pleasing and unpretending character. manager's purpose better if she is very beau- No. 2.-Is a reprint of a very effective tiful and very talented, but still this system of bass song, sung by Mr. Phillips at the Anstarring must be injurious, as the enormous cient Concerts. expense prevents the manager from engaging respectable talent to fill up the subordinate parts. Every lover of the drama must regret with us the decline of their favourite amusement, nor do we see any immediate prospect of its renovation. PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.-The directors chosen for the ensuing season are Cramer, Anderson, Bishop, Loder, T. Cooke, Lucas, and Neate, and the days of performance will be March 1, 15th, 29th; April 19th; May 3d, 27th, 31st; and June 14th. EXETER HALL.-A new oratorio, by Dr. Elvey, entitled the "Resurrection and Ascension," has been most successfully produced; it is unquestionably a composition of great merit. Madame Dulcken and Benedict intend giving two historical concerts. Liszt is now performing at Dublin; he is accompanied on his musical tour by J. Parry, Miss Steele, and Miss Bassano; the whole are under Lavenu's direction. Blagrove, Lindley, Hobbs, Miss Birch, Mrs. Fiddes, late Miss Cawse, have been giving concerts with great success in Scotland. The Memoirs of Beethoven, translated from Schindler's work, with several additions by Moscheles, is nearly ready for publication. A new musical society has just been formed at Islington, called the "Islington Amateur Society." The first vocal and instrumental talent in London are engaged. The two first concerts went off extremely well. Three concerts have been given at a new institution in Great Smith-street, Westmin No. 3.-Is a fine expressive composition in the Mozart school of writing, full of exquisite expression, finely conducted modulation, and passages adapted to the voice and style of the first contralto singer in England. VOCAL.-English: No. 1. "The Violet." Canon. Three voices. G. Hogarth. No. 2. "The lights are fair." Ballad. Ditto. No. 3. "The Fishermen." Scandinavian Melody. Sophie Ostergaard. No. 4. and 5. Original Jacobite Songs, "The Hill of Lochiel," and "The Piper o' Dundee," arranged by Miss Masson. No. 6. "The Dawn of the Spring." Song. Frederick W. Horncastle. No. 7. "The Gossamer." Cavatina. Ditto. No. 8. "The Merry Mill." Song. W. Glover. No. 9." The Four Travellers." Third Comic Round. Frederick W. Horncastle. "The Violet," No. 1.-Is a pleasing vocal round, and will be an acceptable addition to private concerts. No. 2.-Is a ballad of the old English style of simple expression, as superior to the usual run of shop music as the true race of English composers were to the multitudinous pretenders who now infest the musical art. In No. 3. we discern an original northern melody, simple, and depending entirely upon the expression of the words. Nos. 4. and 5.—Are two more specimens of Jacobite Songs. "Lochiel" is a beautiful melody; "The Piper o' Dundee," a quaint and spirited air, though in the minor key; is known to the frequenters of the Old English opera times, from having been introduced into the Poor Soldier, commencing "Last Night a little drowsy." No. 6.-Is an elegant song, with a pure style of poetical feeling pervading it; the usual characteristic of this composer's musical ideas. No. 7.-A fairy cavatina, somewhat more ambitious, but certain of popularity when well known. It is for a soprano voice. No 8.-Is a pleasing little song. The melody is well adapted to the sentiment of the VOCAL.-Italian: No. 1. "Eri cara! Eri si No. 9.-Is a proof, if any were wanting, that the talent of catch and glee writing still remains in all its vigour, under every circum stance of depression that any branch of musi- Toby Belch, act 2, scene the 3d, are singing cal composition can suffer. Mr. Horncastle's catches, or rather fragments of catches, there last round," Music in London," we thought is one "To whom drinke thou, Sir Knave?" could not be matched for its ludicrous effect; but in the "Four Travellers," he has introduced an ad libitum coughing and sneezing accompaniment that no four singers, we venture to say, can steadily sing it through without themselves giving way to the most irrepressible cachinnations. No. 10. "Love in Idleness." 11. "Fairy lead them up and down." And 12. "Over Hill, over Dale." Songs in "The Midsummer Night's Dream." By T. Cooke. The last of these is an extremely pretty Dibdin's Songs.-The Lords of the Admiralty have given orders that the best of Dibdin's Songs shall immediately be distributed throughout the navy. Time was when few of our tars could venture among his fellows to deny that he knew at least a dozen of these admirable national melodies by heart; and the days are, perhaps, not far distant, when such easy and innoxious stimulants to their well-known indomitable courage may be useful. In Twelfth Night, in the scene where the Clown, Sir Andrew Ague Cheek, and Sir The whole of this will be found in a curious old musical work, entitled, "Pammelia Musicks Miscellanie, or mixed varietie of pleasant Roundelayes and delightful Catches, of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 parts. London, 1609, page 7." Malone supposes Shakspeare wrote Twelfth Night in the year 1614; if so, this old work may be considered as containing the original catch; it begins, "Now God be with Old Simeon." Musical Conductors.-In an old work, entitled, "A Comparison between the French and Italian Musick and Opera, 1709," we find that only a few years before this time the master of the music (id est, the conductor,) had an elbow chair and desk placed on the stage! where, with the score in one hand, and a stick in the other, he beat time on a table put there for that purpose, so loud that he made a greater noise than the whole band, on purpose to be heard by the performer. The same practice, it appears, was observed in London about the same time. Ancient and Modern Italian Singers.In the same work is a curious account of the superiority of musical knowledge of those Italian singers who were educated in the good old school of their art over those of the present day. "The Italians are so perfect, and if I may use the expression so infallible, that with them an opera is performed with the greatest exactness, without so much as beating time, or knowing who has the direction of the music. To this exactness they join all the embellishments an air is capable of; they run a hundred sorts of divisions in it; they in a manner play with it, and teach their throats to echo in a ravishing manner." The total ignorance of their art now displayed by most of the Italian singers of the present day, is in ludicrous contrast with the foregoing account. They are literally singers, and no musicians, if you take them one step away from their parts. As to singing at sight, the first elements of this necessary branch of a musical education seem to be unknown to them, excepting in the instances of such cultivated talent as Malibran, Lablache, &c. MISCELLANEOUS LITERARY NOTICES. GERMANY. | Universities at the recent conclusion of the academical year, and the nature of their studies, THE number of students in the several German we have been at some pains to collect : The royal library of Berlin has been augmented by 69,418 vols. during the last ten years. Dr. Buschmann, the principal librarian and publisher of the posthumous works of W. von Humboldt, the linguist, intends publishing a new work," Ueber die Sprachen des grossen Ocean;" the celebrated poem, Brata Yuddha, he intends giving in the original text, with a translation, explanations, and a glossary, to which is to be added a comparative grammar of the West Malayian dialect. The King of Prussia has settled an annual pension of 1507. on Ludwig Tieck, and has invited the two brothers Grimm to reside permanently at Berlin. The King of Bohemia has signified his intention of erecting a monument at Cassel, in memory of Johannes von Müller, the historian; and the good people of Kempen also intend erecting a similar testimony to the memory of Thomas von Kempen. The King of Prussia has lately presented the public library at Berlin with the autograph MSS. of the Egmont of Goethe, and a Philosophical and Theological Treatise by Herder. The same institution has also received some interesting acquisitions from the captain of a Prussian vessel, recently arrived from China, and who made some advantageous purchases of rare Chinese books during his stay at Canton. The third annual meeting of German scholars and philologists was held at Gotha on the 29th inst. Professor Rost presided, and was ably supported by Jacobs, Hermann, Thiersch, Lachmann, Göttling, Bernhardy, Osann, Ritschl, Nitzsch, Gerlach, Fritzsche and Hand. After some preliminary business the company proceeded in 43 carriages provided for the occasion by the town of Gotha, to the ducal palace of Reinhardsbrunn, where they were graciously received by the Duke and Prince Ernest, who had prepared a sumptuous banquet. The Duke 84 were studying catholic, and 88 evangelical theology. † 162 afterwards attended them through the pleasure | from the archives and public documents in the grounds, conversing with the utmost affability Bohemian language. and kindness to each of his guests. A catalogue raisonné of the MSS. in the senatorial library of Leipzig has just been published; the execution of this laborious task reflects the greatest credit upon its careful, judicious and learned editors, Naumann, de Bose, Delitzsch, and Fleischer. The valuable collection of books and MSS. of the Chevalier von Schönfeld, has been publicly sold at Vienna, including his heraldico-genealogical archives of nobility, coloured collections of armorial bearings, old German poems, in MS. &c. &c. It would appear that some modifications of the Austrian censorship are in progress, as the Conversations Lexicon, published by Brockhaus from Leipzig, on liberal principles, which was formerly strictly prohibited, is now admitted into the Austrian dominions. Several works on German literature have recently appeared; most of them, however, are works of a very inferior description. Dr. Laube has published one of higher pretensions; but the only one which displays the necessary research is that by Professor Gervinus, which has reached a fourth volume. It treats of the commence The memoirs of Karl Immerman, the drama-ment of the modern period which preceded the tic poet, who died at Düsseldorf, on 25th August last, will be shortly published at Hamburg in two volumes. The total income of the University of Leipzig has been estimated at 241,1501., the annual expenses amount to 13,350., of which amount 5,4301. is annually advanced by the state until 1843. The professors annually receive 6,3757., and other officers 1,550. The annual cost of the library is 5301., and the botanical gardens 1451. The number of professors is 35; of these, 6 superintend the theological, 10 the medical, 13 the philosophical, and 6 the juridical clas ses. great revival of the German literature, and although somewhat lengthy, displays many interesting features of the dawn which afterwards brightened into such a glorious day; and the student who has patience to follow the author through this uninteresting period, will have a clearer idea of the gradual progress of the revival than he can gather from the brief remarks in Goethe's Autobiography. A new translation of the works of Sir Walter Scott into German, by Mr. Clifford, has been announced; and Mr. Moriarty has translated Master Humphrey's Clock, Sam Slick, and Turnbull's Austria, into the same language. Moritz Retzsch has at length published his The celebrated historian and politician, Karl outlines to Shakspeare's Tempest; the work von Rotheck, died on the 26th of November. contains thirteen plates, with text and explana- His history, although it displays no great depth tions in German, French, and English. The of research, was written in an easy, popular style, preface and explanations are by Dr. H. Ulrici, and has reached the fourteenth edition. Profesof Halle, who states that "in the former parts sor Hermann, of the University of Leipzig, (viz. Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and celebrated his jubilee on the 19th inst. (DecemKing Lear) the remarks were all printed to-ber), having been fifty years a Doctor of Philogether, instead of being annexed to the several sketches they were intended to illustrate. By this arrangement they lost a great part of their interest. The introduction and explanatory remarks to the Tempest are accordingly written at greater length, and upon a broader basis than in the preceding part of the sketches. Professor Albrecht has been appointed to the vacant chair in the University of Leipzig, and the King of Saxony has conferred on him the title of Hofrath. Professor Ewald is at Tübingen, and Dahlmann has accepted the invitation to Bern; so that of the seven Göttingen professors whose fate has excited such great interest in Europe, Gervinus and Weber alone remain without an appointment. The former is rich, and will most probably prefer continuing his literary career of historical investigation; the services of the latter, well known as one of the first natural philosophers of his time, will doubtless be eagerly secured as soon as a vacancy shall be found in one of the German universities. The first number of a journal, called Archiv Chesky, has just appeared in Bohemia, and has excited great attention. It is published at the expense of the Bohemian Diet, and under the editorship of the learned historian F. Patacky. The work promises to throw great light on the history, manners, and philosophy of Bohemia, as it is intended to make a critical selection sophy. The translation of Sir H. Davy's Memoirs and Salmonia by Dr. Neubert deserves honourable mention. The translator has exhibited equal care and ability, and the poems are rendered with much grace and feeling. Professor Wagner, the successor of Blumenbach, in his introduction, after adding his meed of praise to the manner in which Dr. Neubert has performed his task, concludes with a request to the inhabitants of Geneva, which we think it our duty to lay before the English public. "When I visited Davy's grave this summer (1839), I found the inscription almost obliterated; it stands in need of repair; and if I am not mistaken, Lady Davy has left a bequest for its preservation, the surplus of which should be given as prizes on scientific subjects, by which Sir Humphrey's memory, it is true, is brought more livingly before us than in monuments of stone or metal. And yet it excites, or at least it did excite in me, a melancholy feeling to witness the traces of decay in this fresh monument of human greatness, so recently departed." Burns is at present a great object of attraction to the German poets, no less than four translations having recently appeared. Notwithstanding the difficulty of the subject, many of the poems and songs are rendered in a manner worthy of the original. We have likewise seen the first part of a translation of Shelley's works. It is not without merit, although the translator, recent journey in Tuscany he occupied himself, probably a young man, has not equalled the in common with Alberi, in translating the beautiful rhythm of the English poet. We fear German classics, which are to form a part of that the long prose notes will find but too many admirers. HOLLAND. the European collection about to be published by this learned and accomplished young author. Two hand-books, one for Northern and the other for Southern Italy, will shortly be published by Mr. Murray. Professor Siebold is making rapid progress with his great work on Japan; he also intends The first part of an ecclesiastical dictionary, writing a History of every Species of Arms that entitled Dizionario di erudizione storico, ecclehave been in use by all nations. He has dis-siastica da S. Pietro sino ai nostri giorni, by posed of his invaluable collection of Japanese and Chinese antiquities at Leyden to the state; although he had several noble offers from the Duke of Orleans. FRANCE. Gaetano Moroni, has just appeared in Rome. It explains in alphabetical order the ceremonies and the history of the Roman Catholic Church, including the lives of the saints, martyrs, &c. The work is printed at Venice, and a part is to be published at Rome, under favour of the Pope, The academy of moral and political philoso-every month. phy at Paris have offered, among other prizes, one of 60., for the best solution of Déterminer les différences qui ont existé à cet égard entre les assemblées et le parlements d'Angleterre et faire connaître les causes qui les ont empêchés devenir, comme ces derniers, une institution regulière de l'ancienne monarchie. It is to be decided early in 1842. The second volume of the Histoire Antediluvienne de la Chine, or Histoire de la Chine jusqu'au déluge d' Yao l'an 2298 avant notre ère, has just been published by the Marquis de Fortia d'Urban. The first volume excited considerable attention on its appearance. Felix Ravaisson, the general inspector of the public and royal libraries of France, has discovered in the course of a strict search of the libraries of Tours, Angers, Avranches, Alençon, Falaise, a general history by Julius Florus, a work by Scotus Erigena, hitherto unknown, a Fragment by Guido de Arezzo, the celebrated musician of the eleventh century, and twentyfour of Voltaire's letters to Turgot, which have never been printed. Eugène Pelletan, the fashionable novel writer, has just published a new romance under the title of La Lampe éteinte, which is likely to prove as attractive as his Elie Arvert. The fifth volume of Roux Ferrand's work, Progrès de la Civilisation en Europe depuis l'ère chretienne jusqu'au 19me siècle has been published. The sixth and last volume will appear in January. ITALY. SPAIN. Romero, the dramatic author, has written a new drama entitled Garcilaso de la Vega, and which has proved highly attractive. The best Spanish novels of the present day are Los Amigos Enemigos, El Caballero de Madrid, and Los Hospitalarios en la Isla de Rodas. MADRID. The historical society have just published the acts of the cortes of Burgos in 1374, in the reign of Enrique II. of Castile, as a continuation to the Ordenamiento de Chancelleria, acts of the Cortes of Castile. the production of a geographical, statistical, and Don Jose Yanguas y Miranda is engaged in historical work on Navarre; it will be entitled Diccionario de Antiguedades del Reyno de Navarra. lorze, has appeared at Malaga. A new journal of great promise, La Guarde SWEDEN AND NORWAY. It is with great regret we announce that Bishop Tegner, the great living Swedish poet, author of the Frithioffs Saga, has retired from his diocese of Wexio to Stockholm much afflicted in his health, both bodily and mental. Insanity, his brother, a very distinguished man, died insane, it appears, is hereditary in the poet's family: and the poet, it is said, has continually trembled at the prospect of a similar fate. His last work was the poetical greeting with which, on the 5th of June last, as director of the Swedish academy, he congratulated the poets, Atterbom bers of that body. In this performance there and Graffträm, upon their admission as memmay be discerned the scintillations, though not He is now living in retirement, and his disorder, the continued vigour, of his earlier writings, though confirmed, has assumed a very mild and gentle character. Manzoni is engaged upon a new edition of his CHRISTIANA.-A philological society has been Promessi Sposi, to which he intends adding the established here, the members of which recently piece Italy has so long expected from him, "La gave a feast in honour of Professor Sverdrup, Colonna Infama" and in lieu of the many Lom- whose exertions in behalf of the ancient lanbardisms with which he was once reproached, guage deserve the highest praise. The Norhe intends substituting the most elegant Tuscan, shows his knowledge is not confined to theory, wegian Constitution is principally his work, and an improvement highly gratifying to the lovers of pure Italian literature; for this new edition but extends to practice. Hayez will supply the vignettes. Andrea Maffei is engaged in completing his RUSSIA. translation of Schiller's works. VOL. XXVI. During his The literary world at St. Petersburgh have 34 |