The Festival of 1848 commenced on Tuesday, September 12th, with a miscellaneous concert, followed by similar concerts on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. On Wednesday morning the programme comprised a sacred Cantata, by L. Spohr, “The Christian’s Prayer,” and Haydn’s Oratorio “Creation.” On Thursday morning Mendelssohn’s Oratorio of “Elijah” was performed. On Friday morning “David Penitent,” a sacred Cantata by Mozart, was given, followed by Handel’s “Israel in Egypt,” one of the best of his numerous productions. The principal vocalists were Madame Castellan, Madame Alboni, Madame Viardot Garcia, Miss A. Williams, Miss M. Williams; Signor Lablache, basso; Mr. Sims Reeves, tenor; Mr. H. Phillips, basso; Mr. Whitworth, tenor; Mr. Lockey, tenor. Mr. Benedict was conductor; Mr. H. Blagrove, leader of the band; Mr. Harcourt, organist. Professor Taylor translated “The Christian’s Prayer” for this occasion. Mr. J. F. Hill was chorus master. In September, 1852, the Festival again comprised grand miscellaneous concerts on the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, which concerts were well attended. On the first evening, Mrs. Fanny Kemble read the “Midsummer’s Night’s Dream,” but the reading was a failure, as she could only be heard a short distance from the orchestra. On the Wednesday morning a new Oratorio, “Israel Restored,” by Dr. Bexfield, was performed for the first time at a festival. On Thursday morning Mr. H. H. Pierson’s Oratorio, “Jerusalem,” was performed for the first time, and occupied nearly four hours. On Friday morning the “Messiah” was performed as usual. The principal vocalists were Miss Louisa Pyne, Miss Alleyne, Miss Dolby, Madame Viardot Garcia, Madame Fiorentini, Signor Gardoni, Signor Belletti, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Lockey, Herr Formes, Mr. Sims Reeves. Mr. Benedict was conductor; Mr. H. Blagrove, leader of the band in the morning performances, and Mons. Sainton in the evening performances; Mr. J. F. Hill, chorus master. At the close of the performance on the Wednesday morning (September 22nd), a short selection from Handel’s Oratorio of “Samson” was given as a tribute of respect to the memory of the late Duke of Wellington. Madame V. Garcia sung the solo— “Ye sons of Israel, now lament, Your spear is broke, your bow unbent, Your glory’s fled. Among the dead, Our hero lies, For ever closed his eyes.” The “Dead March” was played and the chorus sung— “Glorious hero, may thy grave Peace and honour ever have; After all thy pains and woes, Rest eternal, sweet repose.”