CROSBY HALL.
AN interesting musical exhibition took place in this venerable id beautiful building, on Tuesday evening. In order to encourage the cultivation of the pure style of Church Music, which now finds for patrons among those who possess and generally pocket the revenues left for its support, a prize medal has been given for several successive years, by a lady well known in the City, and honourably distinguisliel for her zealous and discriminating patronage of the art. The success. ful candidate on this occasion was Mr. DEARLE, the Organist of Newark ; and the composition, which reflects considerable creditor its author, was performed by a numerous and effective choir. The medal (we presume from respect to the most munificent patron of the art that London ever produced) is called the Gresham medal; wed" delivered to the composer, accompanied with an appropriate addle's'
by fir: HORSLEY. Several:compositions by BYRD, (who was born in &parish in which Crosby Hall stands,) Wisaye, and MORLEY, and Glees by Mr. HORSLEY and the present Gresham Professor, were per. formed. Crosby Hall is one of the few remaining relics of Old London, as it is also one of the most beautiful. The antiquarian zeal of a few individuals, prompted, we believe, principally by the lady to whom we have alluded, has rescued this building from destruction ; and it is sow, through their liberal exertions, gradually resuming its former splendour. The ball is the most finished specimen of its style of architecture in the Metropolis ; of ample dimensions and lofty height, and covered with a ceiling of surpassing beauty, which time seems to have left untouched. Surely Crosby Hall is the appropriate spot on which to fix the future Gresham College. It contains all the requisites within itself for such a purpose; and is, at present, untenanted, became:: the work of resto- ration is not complete. Ample accommodation would here be afforded to the public ; while attached to the Hall, there are other rooms in which the College Library,. the astronomical apparatus, and every ac- commodation which the object of the institution demands, would be amply and commodiously supplied. To these important advantages may be added the interesting historical associations connected with the building and the situation. It is the only edifice suited to the purpose of a college, within the city cf London, that was standing in the time of Sir THOMAS GRESHAM ; and it was the residence of some of his family. It stands directly opposite the site of the mansion in which be lived, and which he bequeathed to the citizens of London as their College, while it nearly adjoins St. Helen's Church, where he lies buried. The question must speedily be decided, where is to be the future situation of Gresham College ? " The Royal Exchange Rebuilding Act" is passed ; and before any plan for its erection can be adopted, the Gresham Trustees must determine whether any part of the new building is to be set apart for this purpose. We believe on this point there is scarcely any difference of opinion. The Trustees are fully aware, that any attempt (which we have no reason to anticipate) to re. build the snug closet in which the Gresham Lectures were delivered, and thus, practically, to perpetuate the sinecures of the Professors, would be hopeless. The Professors, in their petition to Parliament, have strongly remonstrated against any such attempt; and the public (now admitted to the temporary occupation of a spacious lecture-room)
will not very quietly submit to the deprivation of this privilege. We consider, therefore, the restoration of Gresham College as virtually settled. The only question that remains is—where ? Our reply to it, and our reasons for so replying, have been given. We commend them to the candid attention of these who are most interested in the affair.
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