EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY OF A DILETTANTE.

[Resumed from [page 36].]

January 31st. The magnificent band of the Philharmonic Society met privately at the Hanover-square Rooms, to try some new compositions, written with a view to their being performed at the concerts; among which were symphonies by Mr. W. Griesbach, Mr. Cipriani Potter, (a remarkably clever work,) and M. Rousselot; also an overture, by Mr. S. B. Wesley.

In order to try the effect of the enlargement and alterations in the orchestra, the business of the evening commenced with the overture to the Zauberflöte; and all agreed that the effect of the band was nearly doubled in consequence of the improvements. From being the worst, it has become the best music-room in London.

Feb. 5th. Poor Herold, the French dramatic composer, has been honoured by an apotheosis, or something like one, at Paris. After the performance of his Pré aux Clercs at the Opéra Comique, a fortnight back, a funeral urn covered with black crape, and ornamented with a wreath of Everlastings, was brought on the stage, surrounded by the whole company in deep mourning; when Pouchard delivered a poetical oration, in which the departed composer was decreed a seat in heaven, between Weber and Cimarosa, the whole audience sanctioning the judgment.

11th. A meeting of Mr. T. Mason’s creditors took place this day, when Signora Tosi again claimed the sum of 28,000 francs, which was resisted on the ground of her having refused to perform in male attire. The commissioner, waiting for further information as to the practice of other Italian theatres, deferred judgment.

From the balance-sheet of the theatre, it appeared that the debts due amount to 17,417l.; to meet which, it was stated, that there are debts recoverable, together with the properties at the theatre, amounting to 6,154l. What the recoverable debts are I cannot exactly state, though I believe they do not amount to 1500l.; and as to the ‘properties,’ whoever values them at 200l., estimates liberally.

Mr. Mason’s receipts during the season were—

For Italian opera £ 38,583 18  6
French do.  3,522 10  0
German do. 10,555 12  0
Miscellaneous  2,227 19  4
Total 54,929 19 11

His expenses were—

For French and Italian opera 17,660  9 9
German do.  6,358  1 0
Ballet  8,269 19 3
Orchestra  6,448  0 2
Rent 16,050  0 0
Miscellaneous 11,470  0 4
Total 66,256  0 0

The loss, therefore, amounts to 11,317l. according to the balance-sheet: but of the debts, &c., said to be recoverable, it may fairly be assumed that not much will ever be received—4000l. therefore, at least, may be added to the loss, making a total of 15,317l.

14th. An account of a ‘Recent Voyage to the South Seas,’ states the following as the effect of European music on the natives:—‘In the midst of the shouting (at Nuka-hiva, one of the Washington Islands) and apparent importunity for us to land, Captain Finch ordered the music on deck, and the moment its full and animated strains reached the shore, the effect on them was evident; they instantly crouched to the ground in perfect silence, as if under the influence of a charm. Nothing of the kind, it is probable, ever broke upon their ears before, and well might there have been a mingling of superstition in their minds with the sudden swelling on the breeze of sounds new and seemingly unearthly.’ It might have been said, that they—

————wondering on their faces fell

To worship the celestial sound.

Less than a god they thought there could not dwell

Within the hollow of that shell,

That spoke so sweetly and so well.

We have only to imagine a guitar instead of flutes, violins, &c. and Dryden’s lines would well apply to the scene.

21st. Madame Mara, once the idol of the British nation, died at Revel on the 20th of January last, in the eighty-fourth year of her age. She lost the whole of her property by the great conflagration at Moscow during the invasion of Bonaparte, and has ever since depended on the kindness of a friend who knew her when she was high in public favour, and afterwards when she had retired to Russia, in prosperous circumstances. An interesting memoir of her, from the German, is contained in the Harmonicon for the year 1828.

24th. Paganini has been created a Baron and Commander of Westphalia; the title to be hereditary, descending to his male heirs. If, says the Nouvelliste—whence I obtain this information—nobility will not ensure talent, this elevation proves at least that talent will sometimes ensure nobility. No doubt many will smile at such a creation; but let such look at our house of Peers, and see how many have been sent there with no recommendation whatever, except the possession of wealth, and the will to misapply it.