THE public voice has produced an obvious effect upon the selections and the arrangements of the oratorios this season. The hoarse murmurs, dur ing the last few years, had been gathering into all the indications of an approaching storm; but these whisperings have apparently sufficed to give the alarm, and the selections have not only been freed from the most frivolous and objectionable parts the Italian Buffo duets and concerted pieces, which, however meritorious in themselves, have clearly no place in such a performance;-but the acts have been so divided, that the sacred and the lighter parts have been kept completely separate. Thus one has contained sacred pieces; a second has been a part of Rossini's Cyrus, or Lady of the Lake; and a third, a pasticcio of English and Italian dramatic pieces, or ballads. It is singular enough, that at the very time when we last wrote, Dr. Crotch's Palestine, which we ventured to suggest, was actually in Mr. Bochsa's contemplation. We were, however, certainly not in the secret, but we hail, with much satisfaction, the return of eyen so much good taste as now seems to prevail. The juxtaposition of sacred and profane-of things so diametrically opposed to each other as Handel's most solemn airs, and Rossini's or Mozart's most comic compositions, was the circumstance, perhaps, that gave real of fence: few were disposed to banish gaiety which is innocent; but all saw the gross impropriety of mixing such subjects; we conceive, therefore, that most of the ground of just complaint is removed. Matthew Locke's music to Macbeth, which, considering its age, is almost as inspired, and quite as picturesque, as the beings who chaunt it, has also been introduced at these perform ances. It has long been a favourite at the Ancient and vocal concerts, and, indeed, with every lover of the imaginative, as well as the scientific, portions of music.

La Donna del Lago has been performed every opera night, since our last, at the King's Theatre; but as a lyric drama, it exhibits even a more woeful falling off from Scott's poem,

than our English version for the stage, "the Knight of Snowdon," deceased. The opera opens with the hunters of Benledi going to their sport; and the next scene is the meeting of Ellena and Uberto (Fitzjames), who, with the happy oblivion of all probability, which is perfectly admissible in opera, thanks" il ciel pietoso" for restoring her to his sight, and swears that fame has not given her half her charms; but in a scene or two, when wafted by Ellena to the retreat of the Douglas in Loch Katrine, he, on sight of the arms, asks, ove son io, and with great pradence adds, e in qual periglio? These things will serve to show, that La Donna del Lago is a slight edifice run up in haste. Indeed, whether con sidered as a poem, or as a drama, it is robbed of every particle of its original brightness. But to continue our sketch of the altered story. Uberto becomes deeply enamoured of Ellena, who is attached to Malcolm, and is yet about to be espoused to Roderick Dhu, and for a while he imagines that she returns his passion. Malcolm and Roderick appear almost together, both being about to take the field against the royal forces. Roderick becomes inflamed with jealousy against Malcolm, and subsequently against Uberto, who returns (as in the poem), and who, in a passionate conversation with Ellena, is overheard by Roderick, but not till he has given her the ring, which is on any emergency to be shown to "Scotland's king." Roderick rushes in upon them. The striking incident in the original,

That whistle garrison'd the glen At once with full five hundred men, is very clumsily introduced, and Rederick and Uberto go out to combat, Ellena and the clansmen follow them; to see the duel after the Irish fashion, no doubt. News is then brought that Roderick is fallen, and that the day is lost. The last scenes are at the court, where Douglas forces himself into the royal presence. Ellena arrives, finds Uberto in an anti-room, and is by him led into the presence-chamber, where she discovers that

Snowdon's knight is Scotland's king.

Fetters and warder for the Græme," and the laying "the clasp on Ellen's hand," conclude the piece. The selection for this opera, performed at the oratorio, is generally an adaptation of parts of Scott's poem to Rossini's music. Four choruses, three duets, and six airs, make up this epitome, and the chasms are filled by a relation of the intermediate incidents, in the printed book, in order to convey some no tion of a connected piece. This, however, would be a very poor apology for mutilation, were the music worth preserving as a whole; but, in truth, it merits very little en comium.

When a composer has written much, he has usually attained a style equivalent to a polished turn of expression in literary composition, that confers a general elegance, though his work should want the energy and originality which have, perhaps, distinguished other productions of the same mind, when more strongly excited, or when less exhausted, This is precisely the character which appears to us to belong to La Donna del Lago. It is light and airy, and some of the parts are certainly even graceful; for instance, the opening air and duet by Ellen and Uberto, Oh matutini Albori; and another, Ma dove colei che accendi. There are also traits of Rossini's mannerism-transient gleams of melody, and the substitution of passages of execution for those of expression; but we altogether disbelieve that any part of the opera will either be very popular, or will live; for there is nothing that possesses much force, or much captivation. It is very disgracefully got up in point of scenery and decoration. Curioni and Ronzi de Begnis, Madame Vestris, and Porto, were effective; but all the rest of the dramatis persone wretched. Indeed the state of the house altogether presents a specimen of amateur management and noble direction, that is the grossest satire upon the capacity of the committee, and the endurance of the public.

It will be recollected, that Mr. Natale Corri, long the arbiter elegantiarum in music at Edinburgh, and the father of Signora Corri, who sustained, at so early a period of life, the station of prima donna at the

King's Theatre, after suffering the ruin of his fortune, by embarking in the erection of concert rooms in the northern metropolis, went abroad with two of his daughters about a year and a half since. He died suddenly at Trieste, leaving a large fa mily totally unprovided for. A concert has been given for them at Edinburgh, and, to the honour of music and musical men, 270., we under stand, were raised.

Mr. Lacy and Mrs. Bianchi Lacy, it will also be remembered, about four years since, left England, and went to the East Indies on a musical speculation. They settled at Calcutta, where they attracted great favour in the highest circles, and much general popularity. They have recently received an invitation from the King of Oude to visit his Court; and in Oc tober last, these enterprising travel lers set out for Lucknow, a voyage of about fourteen weeks, where they will probably conclude their labours, and subsequently return to England to enjoy the competency, they have so meritoriously earned. In spite of the ravages of years and of "climate, Mrs. Lacy retains her voice in its pristine freshness; and if his Majesty of Oude desires excellence and variety of talent, there are not two singers, now alive, who possess so extensive, and at the same time, so perfect an acquaintance with the whole range of legitimate English and Italian style as Mr. and Mrs. Lacy. For such a journey they ought to be, and we trust they will be, amply remunerated.

A grand meeting will take place at Oxford in June.

The compositions this month are not very numerous.

Mr. Cramer's Aria all' Inglese, is somewhat elaborate, and although it occasionally exhibits the peculiar graces of his manner, it is, on the whole, less agrecable than most of his other works. We prefer the introduction, which is full of expression, to any other part of the piece.

Mr. Kiallmark has three new pieces: two Scotch airs arranged as rondos, and Braham's air Though Love is warm a while, with variations. They are in a light and agreeable style.

Mr. Steil has arranged Deh prendi, La dove prende, and Donne L'Amore, with variations, for the harp. He has united brilliancy with easy execution, while the

forms of his variations are by no means inelegant.

Mr. Moralt's three waltzes, for two performers on the pianoforte, are commonplace; but this may be excused, as they are evidently written for beginners.

Mr. Parry is editing a new publication of glees and other part songs, in numbers, under the title of The London Collection of Glees, Duets, and Catches. The capital recommendations of such a selection must be the judgment with which it is made its size mode of printing-and cheapness. This begins with Non Nobis, Glorious Apollo, and some other such things in general use at public dinners; after which follow some of our best wellknown glees, some still more modern. It is portable, and very legible, well calculated for reading at table, or in an or chestra.

The songs are rather of a higher descrip tion than usual. Mr. Bishop has set three from Moore's" Loves of the Angels." This composer has lately attained a very original manner in such compositions; and there are marks of strong sensibility and fine taste in these, particularly in that from the last angel's story, Though gross the air on earth I drew. These songs resemble no others that we know, and the only description we can give of them is, that they are instinct with feeling. The danger Mr. Bishop seems to incur is from a too unrestrained indulgence of modulation, which proceeds probably from carrying red finement to its extreme. Thus, too, he sometimes becomes too chromatic in his melody.

Mr. Harris has also set the Evening Song of Lea very melodiously, This, though wanting the power and originality of Mr. Bishop's productions, will probably be more popular.

My Heart and Lute, a ballad by Mr. Moore, is formed on a melody of Mr. Bishop's, and is an agreeable song, but it is by no means equal to his "National Airs," or "Irish Melodies."

Thou art the giddiest Youth alive, by Kiallmark, on Mrs. Opie's words, is simple, and well adapted to her manner.

Three Italian Ariettes, by Bertoli, are very sweet things, with an accompaniment for the Spanish guitar. They are equal to some of Sor's best-high praise.in

Allan Cunningham's very spirited songs, The Lea shall have its Lily Bells, and The Mariner's Song, have been set; the former as a ballad, and the latter as a glee. Miss Mainwaring is the author of the melody, which is as simple, sweet, and pathetic, as most of the compositions of the day. It exhibits another proof, if any were wanting, that amateurs are, in this department, quite upon a level with profes sors. Mr. Graham, an amateur, not less distinguished by his literary than his musical attainments, is the author of the glee. There are words, which, by the high expectations their excellence raises, may tend to discredit a composer; and such, pethaps, is the case with these. Roused as the mind is by the force and freedom of the diction, we are led to anticipate, perhaps, a more than corresponding fire in the music. Mr. Graham's glee is, however, an exceedingly creditable composition; it is pure in its construction, manly and bold in its melody, and the accompaniment is 'picturesque and masterly. It has great com petitors in Mr. Walmisley's Ye Mariners of England, and Mr. Willis's Merrily goes the Bark; things excellently well conceived, not to mention the celebrated forerunner of them all, Ye Gentlemen of England.

species of ox, horse, deer, hyæna, wolf, and fox. None of them were gnawed, except one, that of the fore arm of a wolf, which presented traces of the canine teeth, and incisions of an animal, apparently about the size of a Weazel. The bones of the vari ous graminivorous class were found together, but those of the carnive rous at a distance from each other. All were very fragile and white, and varied considerably in the quanti ty of animal matter. The frag ments of shells, found in one of the caves, retained their pearly matter, and seemed to belong to the oyster tribe; but they were too small to

H

present any satisfactory characters. The bones collected were those of twelve oxen, with short conical horns standing upright, and larger than the medium size of the present breed. A few seemed to belong to a deer; but this could not be satisfactorily determined, as there was neither the head, horns, nor teeth. Some small bones of a young animal, apparently a calf or fawn. The bones and teeth of about twelve horses, which must have been fourteen hands high. The bones of five or six hyænas, includ ing two jaw-bones with teeth, and those of several wolves of the same size as the present existing species."

ALLOYS OF STEEL

A very interesting paper on this subject has been lately published in the Philosophical Transactions, by Messrs. Stoddart and Faraday. The metals that form the most valuable alloys with steel are silver, platinum, rhodium, iridium, osmium, and palladium. After various trials it was found that steel would combine with only 1-500th of its weight of silver, The alloy was harder than the best steel, or even than iridian wootz, with no disposition to crack either under the hammer or in hardening. Some articles, for various uses, of a very superior quality, have been made from this alloy; as the additional expence of the silver is but trifling, it may be used advantage ously for almost every purpose for which good steel is required. Steel combines in any proportion with platina, rhodium, iridium, and osmium. Equal weights of steel and rhodium gave a metal, which, when polished, presented a surface of most exquisite beauty, and not liable to be tarnished by exposure to air. The same proportions of steel and platina afforded an alloy, the surface of which, when polished, had a crystal line appearance. For edge tools the best proportions seem to be 1-100th part of the alloying metal. When alloyed with this quantity of platina, the product is not so hard as that with silver, but it is much tougher; owing to which it may be used for every purpose where tenacity and hardness are required. The alloys with rhodium are by far the most valuable, but from its scarcity it cannot be expected to come into general use; and the same objection

applies to those of iridium and osmium. Perhaps, however, a sufficient quantity may be obtained for the finer kinds of instruments, as lancets and razors.

The alloys with gold, tin, copper, and chromium, have been made only on a small scale, but they are not so valuable as those already mentioned; indeed, copper and tin do not seem to improve steel. It is a curious fact, that when pure iron is used instead of steel, the alloys are much less subject to oxidation. Three per cent. of iridium and osmium fused with iron afforded a metal, which, when exposed along with other alloys to a moist atmosphere, was the last in acquiring rust on its surface. The colour of this alloy was blue, and it had the property of becoming hard when heated and suddenly plunged into a cold fluid..

PARACHUTE ROCKET.

A newly invented rocket, of a very peculiar and curious construction, has been lately let off at Chatham, in the presence of the officers of the garrison. After rising a considerable way in the air it explodes, and a parachute is discharged, having a fire ball of considerable magnitude at tached to it, which gives sufficient light to illuminate the country for nearly a mile around, and as the pa rachute, when discharged, immedi ately expands, it prevents the ball from falling. This rocket is intended to show the position and movements of an enemy's army, or any body of troops, during night.

ADVANTAGES OF OIL GAS ESTA
BLISHMENTS.

THE following remarks on this subject are by M. Ricardo, Esq., deduced from observations on the Whitechapel Road gas-works, situated at Oldford. Two sets of retorts, with necessary apparatus, a gasometer containing 8000 cubic feet, and capacious reservoirs for oil, have been constructed; seven miles of main pipe have been laid, the total cost being 7300l. At present, the average number of burners is from 500 to 600; besides which, there are 180 public lights supplied at a price which yields no profit. One man as gas máker, and a boy to assist him, are the only labourers required; and, without any addition, these might supply double the number of lights,