THE CALEDONIAN CONCERT.

The Caledonian Sooiety may be fairly congratulated on the sucoess of last evening's concert, for it was both a treasury and a musioal success. The audience wa s large and appreciative, and but for some lack of discrimination shown m the encores, the whole thing would have been perfect. An unusually good programme had been arranged, which, with a very great discretion the Committee had varied, the first part being wholly Scotoh, the second mixed. The wellknown overture from Guy Mannenng, by Mr Cheek, was well played, but of course, being quite an orchestral piece, it lost a good deal of effect when brought down to one instrument. Mr Cheek was succeeded by Mr Tom Snelling, who sang "Annie Laurie." Some vigorous Caledonians murmured as they saw this vocalist approach the footlights, " Well, he'll have to do something good now, any way." And he certainly did justify all their hopes, for a sweeter tenor has never been heard m Blenheim than Mr Snelling's. He lacks power, but, like Squires m the, old Lyster troupe, he- makes it all up m . sweetness, and m response to an enthusiastic encore, he repeated the last verse. Miss Wemyss followed with the " Scottish Bluebells," to which mediocre air she did justice and was encored. She was followed by Miss Powell and Mr J. B. Green m the duet "Ye Banks and Brae," and this was certainly rendered most exquisitely. The blending of the voices, the expression, and the melody, were perfect, and the audience recalled the pair with enthusiasm. Mrs Dillon then Bang "Robin Adair" m a sweet cultivated voice, and was loudly recalled.- An instrumental duet (piano Mr Cheek, organ Mr Lucas) was admirably performed, but it suffered through faulty position ; — the organ should nave been m front. Miss Powell then gave the trying song, " Comin' through the rye." It is almost impossible to describe the sweetness of Miss Powell's soprano, and her dramatic capability. Suffice it to say that, as a matter of fact, this was the " gem of the evening." The audience sat with rapt attention, and on the lady's retirement, they broke forth into enthusiastic applause, to which she responded. "Jessie, the flower o' Dumblane " was chosen by Lady Campbell, and there was a hush of expectancy as she came forward. Musically this was the success of the. evening, truly a suces\d'estime.' Her good and splendidly cultivated contralto voice rendered this beautiful melody as Blenheim ears had never before heard it sung. To an enthusiastic recall, she responded .with " Avid Robin Gray." Lady Campbell's musical antecedents are of a most illustrious character, and she did not belie them, she more than justified them. Mr C. Laishley brought the first part of the programme to a close, with a spirited melody " Bonnie Dundee " which m spite of his non-Caledonianism, he gave m good style. We should mention that Mr Green was cast only m the duet, which was, musially, a great pity, for he possesses a Bplendid voice, which he had to somewhat muffle m "Ye Banks and Braes." After the interval Mr Cheek opened the second part with a fantasia on Mozart's Don Giovanni, and Mr Snelling, the sweet singer of the host, gave " Good Company," for which he received an ovation. Mr Gaskill, a stranger to the Blenheim boards, but evidently no stranger to the vocal stage, then gave " The Ghost of Benjamin Binns." This comic song and impersonation took immensely, as it deserved to do. " John Christopher Benjamin Binns, cut off m the midst of his sins," was an immense hit, and Mr Gaskill received such frantic applause as is seldom heard here. Mr C. J. W. Griffiths sang " The Sleeping Camp" m grand style and was loudly encored. In his case, too, it was a pity that more exercise was not afforded for his vocal talent. Lady Campbell then followed with " Home, Sweet Home 1" which she rendered with perfect correctness and exquisite expression. The audience sat spellbound as the rich, delightful, and suggestive melody came forth, and re-demanded it with storms of applause. Messrs Lucas and Laishley then gave a fine rendering of the patriotic duet, " Oh, Albion 1" Anaria, "L'Estate," by Mrs Dillon served to display her rare culture, and Mr John Holmes succeeded with the popular song " Our Jack 's come home to-day. The Company gave the chorus, but the audience were caught by the sound of voices, and ali took up the refrain. The loud and long encore that followed Mr Holmes' retirement was responded to with one verse. Mr Gaskill's comicality at the close was immense, and then the company gave " Avid Lang Syne," Lady Campbell leading off. This was a partial success, marred a little by an evident misunderstanding among the singers. " God Save the Queen 1" brought the entertainment to a close.