in common with the theatre and the concert-room, becomes the scene of gaiety, frivolity, and amusement; and though the speculation is a charitable one, by which it is hoped that the funds of the benevolent institutions of the town or county may be increased, a considerable loss is nevertheless often incurred, which falls upon the committee, or upon the borough or county members, according to the equity of the case.  These gentlemen also furnish another proof that there are at least some among us who will incur any risk, and make any sacrifice, rather than forego the indulgence of their musical tastes and inclinations.  Are there not also choral and madrigal societies, glee-clubs, and concerts innumerable, in every part of the country?  It is surely a mistake to suppose, “Que les Anglois ont peu d’aptitude pour la musique;” we agree that the remainder of the sentence, “Ceux-ci le savent et ne s’en soucient guere,” is altogether inapplicable now, however true it might have been when the lively Jean-Jacques framed the sentence.  Our ambition has been roused, or our vanity has been piqued, and we are now pretty much in the same condition with the French, when it was said of them, that they “would renounce a thousand just rights, and pass condemnation on all other things, rather than allow that they are not the first musicians of the world.”  This is one of the signs of the times, and we hail it as a symptom of better things.

In the metropolis, music has advanced with far greater rapidity than in the provinces.  This appears the natural and inevitable result of causes to which we have already alluded.  Ten or fifteen years ago, the street-music of London consisted of such tunes as Tom and Jerry—­an especial favourite—­the Copenhagen Waltz, and other melodies of the same class.  Now we have instruments imitating a full orchestra, which execute elaborate overtures in addition to the best airs of the first masters of Europe.  The better the music the greater the attraction, even in the streets of London; and the people may be seen daily to crowd around these instruments, and to listen with attention to Italian and German melodies.  We have, of late, repeatedly heard the juvenile unwashed, whistling airs learned from these instruments, which, however humble, thus appear to influence the taste of the poorer classes.  During several weeks of the present year, operas in an English dress were simultaneously performed at three of our theatres.  The very gods in the galleries now look benignly down upon the Italian strangers, which—­to use a theatrical phrase—­draw better houses than any other performances would command.