is, in fact, the death-music of Charlotte. She dies, as in duty bound. Blair gradually recovers, in the course of about 40 pages, which we now hastily pass over (being really weary of this interesting interesting and pathetic story). Captain Campbell returns, and forgives the Minister. Adam is suspended in his parish by the Presbytery, at a meeting where he pleads guilty, and in the course of ten years of humility, and all that, is restored to his post; "and lives very happy ever after!"

Such are the passages in the life of Adam Blair! Such is the story which the idle readers of the day pronounce to be matchless for its morality and its pathos! We have given a very faithful abstract of its follies, its impieties, and its cant; and we cannot dismiss the volume without seriously and earnestly protesting against this parody on feeling; this mockery of pathos; this mad and wicked brawl of intemperate and unnatural passion. We

know not what real and pure interest can be excited, by this filthy betrayal of vice in characters and in situations to which we are accustomed to look for the decencies, the virtues, and the white enjoyments of life!-For what worthy end religion is thus to be stained and insulted we cannot conjecture, and we should be very glad if those persons who laud it' would communicate to us the causes of their eulogies. Is it absolutely necessary that crime should be prepared as a dram for the world ;-that women should be wives before their seduction; and that the adulterers, -the Lovelaces, should be in holy orders!-That a man should woo a woman at the tomb of his dead wife, - and that prayer and religion should be made the panders to immorality? Having shown the book in its true colours, and spoken strongly of it as we feel, we hurl it aside;-and rejoice that it is not from the English press, that so dirty and helpless a volume has issued,

A NEW Opera, with some claim to public consideration, has been this month brought out, and it is the work of Signor Mosca, a composer of some celebrity on the Continent, but hitherto known in England only by a few detached but elegant morceaux. His little air, Amor perche m'accendi, has been for some years a favourite in private circles; and Signor and Madame de Begnis have brought an excellent comic duet of his into notice at the late Oratorios and the public concerts, To sono di contento. The plot of I due Pretendenti is constructed upon the supposition, that a lady obtains her favoured lover by impressing two disregarded suitors, (of whose importunities she wishes to rid herself,) with the belief that she is a vixen, and mistress of sundry other repulsive ⚫ qualities which they had failed to discover. Thus deceived, they join in procuring for her the man she pre

fers.

Elegance, facility, delicacy, and airy melody, are the prominent characteristics of the music; which, like Rossini's, is calculated to charm by its levity, and fix itself by its spright

liness. The scenes between Procopio (De Begnis) and Emilia (Madame de Begnis) are particularly animated, and one duet Dolce dell anima for the tenor (Curioni) and Emilia is very superior in graceful expression. Curioni sang remarkably well; indeed he has scarcely had fair play since his engagement in England. He was lost in the secondary part of Gianetto in La Gazza Ladra, and still more unfortunate last year in Il Turco in Italia. His voice is certainly limited in power and compass, but he is a scientific singer. The regular and established concerts are proceeding in their course. At the Oratorios, a composition by Lord Burghersh, called Bajazet, was performed and well received. It is of the modern fashion, not remarkable for any quality beyond a general suavity, illuminated by occasional gleams of brilliant ornament. Whilst his Lordship has been charged by some with want of originality, marked character, and design in his music, he has also been lauded to the skies by other critics. The fact appears to be, that he has studied and refined his taste by the best models, and that, consequently,

in his passages is to be found a frequent recurrence to classical examples; all that, perhaps, can be expected from a composer at this advanced period of the art. His production seems to show that the study of music is cultivated by some of the higher classes in this country with assiduity and success, and that Italy has not to boast that her nobility only give the best and highest proofs of musical virtù.

At the Philharmonic, M. Mazas, the Parisian violinist, has made his debût; Mr. Kiesewetter succeeded him at the last concert. In addition to these celebrated names, it is reported that Lafont and Vaccari are both on their way to this country. There will then be no scarcity of eminent violin players, and our champion Mori will have to sustain the honour of his native England against new competitors.

The vocal Concerts have not by any means been attended with their former fashion or success. This is but too clearly indicated by advertisements of a half subscription for the remaining three nights. Yet

there are the same conductors, the same excellence in the performers, and the same taste in the selections. The truth is, probably, that the fickleness of fashion is already diverted to some of those novelties which are offered. The Opera Concert Room is again opened, for four concerts at two-guinea subscription, and they are to be supported principally by the band and singers of that theatre.

a

• There are, however, several concerto players of great eminence, Mademoiselle Pallix, a harpist from Paris, Puzzi, Bochsa, William Lindley, and among the rest Mr. Kalkbrenner. Pianoforte players have certainly arrived at prodigious acquirements. Mr. Moschelles and Mr. Field have each done wonders; although taking the combination of force and delicacy in expression, and of fire, rapidity and sweetness in execution, we doubt whether Mr. Kalkbrenner, on the whole, is exceeded or equalled; while Mr. John Cramer continues to receive the honour which is justly due to the beauty, polish, and sensibility with which he plays.

On Friday the 12th of April, a grand selection of music was performed at the Surrey Chapel, for the

benefit of the Surrey Alms-houses. One circumstance which attends the increasing passion for music in this country, is the corresponding employ.. ment of its powers in works of charity; and it is one which deserves to be pointed out and dwelt upon with a fixed regard. From the frequency of these contributions of art to the purposes of benevolence, they are less particularly remarked; but, both in the metropolis and in the provinces, the pecuniary aids thus obtained are most important in their amount and application. There is scarcely a county hospital in the kingdom which does not derive a considerable income from this source. The instance of Birmingham stands conspicuous; and we again take occasion to recommend to the governors of charities the benefit derivable to such institutions from concerts of magnitude. At the Surrey chapel, the performance was conducted by Mr. Jacobs, the organist of the chapel, a professor well known for his admirable style of organ-playing. Amongst the principal singers were Mr. Goulden and Mr. Blackbourn. The former gentleman has been heard as a counter-tenor at the Oratorios last season, when he came to London from Canterbury. His voice is good; and he is much improved in his style, which is chaste and pure. Mr. Blackbourn is a bass, and has not, to our knowledge, been often heard in public, except in glees; his voice is sound, but limited in volume, and his ner is modest and unpresuming. The females were Miss Goodall, Miss S. Travis, and Miss Tattet; and the choruses were numerously and well supported by the gentlemen of the choral fund and other similar societies. Mr. Harpur, who is rising into celebrity as a trumpet player, accompanied many of the obligato songs with effect.

man

Madame Catalani has concluded her successful tour through the northern and western provinces, and announces some concerts (in London) previous to herquitting England, and, as it is reported, the profession. If so, she is wise, and will leave behind her only the impression of unimpaired powers. The first will be on the 25th of April.

The month of May will, probably, produce a prodigious number of benefit concerts. Those of Messrs. Cramer, Mr. Greatorex, Mr. W. Knyvett and Mr. Sapio, are already announced.

The publications this month, though numerous, are scarcely in such superabundance as the musical springtime produces; they are, however, of a higher quality than usual. La Bella Biondina, by Rawlings, is a lesson of great elegance. The introduction shows much imagination and contrivance. The second movement is an expressive Andante, leading to an air from Mozart's Opera of Il Seraglio, Ebbene ti lascio, which is treated with variety and brilliancy. Mr. Rawlings's compositions are always attractive from their melody, brilliancy, and invention; and La Bella Biondina cannot fail to become a favourite.

Kiallmark's Divertimento Scozzese, in which are introduced the airs Charlie is my darling, and We're a' Noddin, with variations for the Pianoforte. The airs selected as the subjects for this piece are now so popular, that little additional composition is required to recommend them. Mr. Kiallmark has been, however, very happy in the additions he has made; and, with the exception of the second variation, which is common-place, his divertimento is a very spirited and agreeable piece, and much above his usual manner...

The 18th number of the Dramatic airs, by Steil, the subject A me tutte le Belle from La Modista Baggiratrice, once a great favourite when sung by Viganoni. The lesson, in the form of a Rondo, is bold and animat ed, without, however, being vulgar, A very elegant and melodious passage is introduced at page 5, in B. flat, and the entire piece is striking and effective..

Rondeau brilliant pour le Pianoforte, composé par J. Moschelles. This piece is better adapted to the execution of the generality of Pianoforte players, than any of the compositions Mr. Moschelles has yet published; still it contains many of the difficulties of his particular style, although they are not so appalling as those of his Characteristic Sonata, &c. He appears, in the present case, to have written less for himself, and more for others. The subject of the Rondeau is very graceful, and its beauty is in

creased by the various forms in which it appears in the course of the piece; the skill so apparent in this instance is observable throughout; but this display of science is admirably adapted to heighten the effects of melody and expression. The composition is another proof of Mr. Moschelles's fine taste and eminence in his art. - A Barcarolle, with variations for the Pianoforte and flute, ad lib. by Latour, opens with an introduction of great feeling and elegance. The Barcarolle is composed by Mazas, the great violinist, and has been played by him at the Philharmonic Concerts, and is original and graceful. Mr. Latour has seized the moment of inspiration; for his compositions must have been very rapidly produced, Mr. M. having played only a fortnight since. In the variations, he has manifested his accustomed good taste. The flute part is so arranged, that it may be omitted without injuring the effect of the performance, although it has more in it than an ad libitum accompaniment is usually allowed.

The second Number of Mr. Burrowe's Hibernian Airs has appeared. The subjects are Gramachree Molly, and Planxty Kelly. This number is at least equal, we think it superior, in merit to the first.

Pastorale Rondo pour le Pianoforte, par F. Kalkbrenner. There is great beauty and originality in the subject of this composition; the passages have a smoothness and flow which are highly agreeable, and well suited to its particular style. The lesson contains several cadences of a very novel form, and is difficult both in regard to expression and execution. In the former respect it is very per culiar.

Messrs. Birchall have reprinted, in a very handsome manner, the fine old music of Matthew Lock to Macbeth, with an introductory part containing the music to the Witche, a Tragiccomedy, by Middleton, from which Shakspeare, it has been conjectured, caught the first idea of his supernatural imagery, and Lock, the themes for his music. It is curious thus to trace the rise and the expansion of subjects, which still justly engage the admiration of the present as they have done that of former ages.

1

THE affairs of the last month have possessed very little interest either of a foreign or domestic nature. The great powers of Europe in whom the question, perhaps, virtually lies, are still coquetting on the subject of the Turkish war. Continual movements of messengers-rumours, now of immediate hostilities, and now of the renewed influence of Lord Strangford, succeed alternately, and are alternately contradicted. In the mean time a grand sitting of the Divan has taken place, the details of which as published must be interesting, or at least novel, to the English reader. The question was, whether or not the Russian ultimatum should be accepted. The Sultan himself is said to have been present, concealed behind the curtain of a window opening from his cabinet into the council room. All the councillors of the Porte then at Constantinople attended; an invitation was also sent to the chiefs of the Janissaries and of the Ulemas. The question of peace or war was supposed to hang, as it very likely did, on the decision. The Mufti and the chiefs of the Ulemas, in the first place, declared that several of the demands of the Muscovites were contrary to the principles of Islamism, and to the dignity of religion. After this significant and ominous commencement, the Grand Vizier, as president of the Divan, demanded-" Is it just and conform able to the principles of the Holy Koran, to raise the standard of the great Prophet, and to call to arms the mussulmen of the east and of the west, when demands like these are addressed to the Prince of the faithful?" On which all the Muftis answered, "It is just." These words were then re-echoed by the Ulemas. The next proposition was" Is it just and wise to withdraw the mussulmen from the principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, while the Muscovites have assembled on the frontiers a numerous corps which they will not dissolve?" To which all present unanimously answered--"No, it would not be just-it would not be

1

wise!" The following questions were then discussed-"Can the administration of the two frontier provinces be intrusted in future, as it has hitherto been, to the perfidious and traitorous Greeks or Boyars?" Unanimously answered-"No, that is impossible." - "Can we restore to the rebellious Rajahs all their churches and their privileges, so long as they obstinately persist in their disobedience to the sublime Porte?"-" No, that cannot be!"-The Sultan approved all these decisions, and gave orders to the Grand Vizier to cause his intention to be notified by the Reis Effendi to the foreign ambassadors, and to explain to them, at the same time, the reasons which had induced the Porte to come to such a re solution. It was affirmed that in the same Divan it was resolved, that in case of a new war with Christen dom, some mysterious plan, which was under consideration during the war of the Porte with Austria and Russia, in the reigns of Joseph and Catherine, but which was frustrated by the victories of Suwarrow and Prince Coburg, should be put in execution. In consonance with this decision of the Divan, a sort of demiofficial rejection of the Russian ulti matum has been published, in language, if it be authentic, quite sufficient to excite even the frozen blood of a northern autocrat. In pursuance of this, the Sultan was said to have ordered a general impressment of seamen, which was carried into exeoution with great rigour, and without any respect to persons. The city of Constantinople is represented to be as light during the night as it is in the day-time, in consequence of the fires of the bivouacs; by day or night, it resembles a large camp; and the people are so elevated at the idea of the plunder of the accursed infidels," that the Sultan's determination seems scarcely voluntary on his part. The consequence of this has been a grand council at Vienna, to which the foreign ambassadors were invited, and at which a renewed and simultaneous remonstrance of the