THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.
WE have abstained from taking part in the discussion which has at intervals been carried on in various newspapers and journals on the propriety of dividing a certain portion of the profits of these Concerts among the members of the Society,—not from want of interest in the decision of the question, nor from want of informa- tion as to its merits, but simply because we thought it an affair with which the public had no concern. Nor do we think it in good taste for some of its members to have made the pecuniary arrangements of the Society matters of newspaper discussion. The question is at length settled by a nearly unanimous vote of the Society, and no partition of its funds is to take place. Andnow that the discussion has ended, we have no hesitation in congratu- lating the Society upon the decision to which they have come. Its primary object, as stated in its original laws, " is the honour and advancement of the musical art, to which purpose all monies received " are directed to be appropriated. And this is the cardinal point to he kept in view. Let it be lost sight of, and the exertions of its members directed to individual profit, and the certain consequence will be loss of reputation, loss of sub- scribers, and finally bankruptcy and dissolution. The success and permanence of the Philharmonic is certain, if the spirit of this law be constantly kept in view and strictly adhered to. So far as the decision of Monday night went, all was as it ought to be. The Di- rectors have only to follow up the same principle—to be guided by it in the arrangement of their performers, and, above all, in their selections. The Concerts of last year were strangely chequered—some very bad, others very good. There is no need to descend even• to mediocrity. Not a single step should be downwards. In a word, let the Directors choose the music they would wish to select were they the only auditors, and they cannot err.
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