THE CHEVALIER NEUKOMM.
Tins great musician, whose compositions formed so remarkable a feature in the late Oxford festival, gave two extemporaneous performances on the organ entirely, Thr the benefit of the poor in Ireland. The first, in the University Church at Oxford, produced 351., though it was announced only two hours before it commenced; the second, in St. John's Church at Cheltenham, produced above SO. On this occasion, a pleasing trait of generosity was exhibited by a poor woman, who came up to one of the gentlemen who undertook to make the collection, and put threepence into his plate : the gentleman told her that there was no occasion for her giving any thing, it being the duty of the rich to bestow charity on the poor ; but she persisted, saying that she could "do without" the threepence, and desired to give it. This was indeed the widow's mite of Scripture. M. Neuisomm may truly be called a stupendous organist. We have frequently had the good fortune to hear hiepublic improvisations on that instrument. In this sort of concert, where he is the sole performer, he generally plays thrice, for nearly half an hour each time ; during which he pours forth a flood of harmony of inconceivable variety and richness, sometimes gliding smoothly along, supporting a graceftel and expressive air, and sometimes rushing on like a torrent or whirlwind, but always preserving the lofty character which belongs to the noblest of instruments. To hear such music is one of the highest pleusures which art affords.
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