CONCERT—On Wednesday evening a concert of sacred music, consisting of Slainer's "Daughter of Jairus,” and selections from Handel's "Messiah" was given in the Old Baptist Chapel, by the Rushden Choral Society, and proved a great success. The principal vocalists were Miss James, soprano; Mrs. Huckson, contralto; Mr. E. Smith, tenor; and Mr. J. Farry bass. They all acquitted themselves remarkably well. Miss E. Self presided at the piano, Mr. C. K. Fisher at the harmonium, and Mr. W. Skinner conducted.

RUSHDEN CHORAL SOCIETY—A concert of sacred music was given in the Old Baptist Meeting (kindly lent for the occasion), by the above Society, on Easter Wednesday, when Handel's overtures to the "Occasional" and "Samson," and Root and Bradbury's popular sacred cantata "Daniel," in three parts was performed. The conductor was Mr. W. Skinner. The following was the programme:—Overture, "The Occasional," the Band. "Daniel"—Introduction, the Band; solo and chorus, "By the rivers of Babylon,'' Mrs. Bull; quartet, "O Zion, city of our God,” Mrs. Bull, Miss Harris, Mr. Mackness, and Mr. Elliott; chorus, "In God is our trust;" solo and chorus, "Blessed be the name of the Lord," Mr. G. W. Skinner; solo, "O people and nations," Mr. J. Mackness; duet, "Oh, my Brother," Miss Knight and Mr. C. Stringer; solo and trio, "Hark, hear the hateful cornet," Miss Knight, Mr. Stringer, Mr. Sargent, and Mr. Elliot; solo, trio, and chorus, "Bring forth these stubborn princes," Mr. Farey, Messrs. Stringer, Sargent, and Elliott; chorus, "Blessed be the God of Israel;" chorus, "Sing, O sing, and magnify the Lord.;" chorus, "Jehovah reigneth;" trio, "Still do we long for thee," Mrs. Bull, Miss E. Denton, and Miss Harris; chorus, "Sound we the loud trumpet;" solos and chorus, "Yet, O Princes," Mr. C. Stringer and Mr. Mackness; solos, trio, and chorus, "But which accusation," Mr. C. Stringer, Mr. Mackness, and Mr. Ellis; solo, "According to your desires," Mr. J. Farey; solo, "Hear the voice of my cry," Mr. G. W. Skinner; chorus, "He prayeth;" duet, "Alas, O King," Miss Wilby and Mr. Farey; duet, "O Daniel, servant of the living God," Mr. G. Skinner and Mr. Farey; chorus, "The Lord reigneth;" solo, quartet, and chorus, "O sing unto the Lord," Mr. Mackness, Mrs. Bull, Miss Denton, Mr. Stringer, and Mr. Ellis; overture, "Samson," the Band; solo, "O come, let us fall down," Mr. W. Claridge; solo and chorus, "We have sinned," Mr. G. W. Skinner: recitation, "The Lord hath sent His angel," Mr. G. W. Skinner; chorus, "Thou O Lord, wilt have mercy;" solo and quartet, "How lovely is Zion," Miss Wilby, Miss E. Denton, Miss M. Harris, Mr. B. Vorley, and Mr. Elliott; trio, "Our God O King hath bade us," Miss Knight, Mr. Stringer, and Mr. Skinner; solo, "Go, servants of the mighty God," Mr. Farey; solo, "Judah's children," Mrs. Bull; octett, "Thou who art enthroned," Misses Tye, Ellis, Vorley and Butcher, Messrs. Sargent, Claridge, Ellis, and Elliott; quintet, "May God, in whom we trust," Misses Wilby and Knight, Messrs. Stringer, Skinner, and Farey; chorus, “Once more the spot;" chorus and quintet, "Freedom again is bringing," Miss Bull, Miss Harris, Messrs. Stringer, Ellis, and Farey. The whole performance gave much satisfaction.

CONCERT—On Wednesday evening, the Rushden Choral Society gave the oratorio "Daniel" in Succoth Baptist Chapel, which was kindly lent for the occasion. The solos were rendered by members of the society. There was not a large attendance. The band was assisted by members from the Higham Ferrers Philharmonic Society, Mr. C. Fisher accompanying on the harmonium.

CONCERT—On Friday last, the members of the Rushden Choral Society, assisted by friends from Higham Ferrers, Thrapston, Northampton, Wellingborough, &c., gave Handel's oratorio "Samson," in the large hall of the Coffee Tavern, which was filled. Mr. W. Skinner wielded the baton, and the services of Miss James (London), as soprano, Miss K. Cosford (Northampton), contralto, Messrs. C. Stringer and Smith (Thrapston), tenor, and Messrs. Farey and Warren (Rushden) were secured. The concert was commenced by the overture, which was exceedingly well rendered. The first one or two choruses were perhaps a little wanting in vigour, but the singers warmed to their work as the evening wore on, and did excellently, the chorus, "Let their celestial concerts all unite," which was given with the greatest precision and taste, being specially worthy of mention. Miss James and Mr. Smith were recalled for their admirable singing of the duet, "Traitor to love," and bowed their acknowledgments. In the air, "Let the bright seraphim," Miss James was very nicely accompanied in the trumpet part by Mr. K Skinner, and the audience upon this occasion persisted in their encore, and would not allow the chorus to be sung until the aria had been repeated. Miss Cosford sang her recits in a most accomplished and pleasing manner, and was much applauded. Mr. Stringer sang "Why does the God of Israel sleep," very correctly and with much taste, as did Mr. Warren in the parts allotted to him We never recollect to have heard Mr. Farey to better advantage than on this occasion, and Mr. W. Packwood sang "The good we wish for," and "Thy glorious deeds," very creditably. Perhaps it would have been as well had the orchestra in some of the airs, notably "Ye men of Gaza," played rather softer, as the acoustics of the hall are so good the instruments somewhat overcame the voices. Taken on the whole, however, the concert was musically and financially a great success.

SOIREE—On Friday, the 29th ult., the annual tea and soiree of the Rushden Choral Society was held in the New Hall, when a large number of friends responded to the invitation of the Society An excellent tea was served in the Hall by the Management. After tea the trial scene of "Bardell v. Pickwick" was given by an amateur company. Some of the impersonations were very good, while others were very much at fault in their parts, but taken as whole it was creditably placed upon the boards. Scene I. was laid in the common room in thee Great White Horse Inn, Ipswich; II., the Court of Common Pleas; III., Palace-yard, Westminster, IV., interior of the Fleet. The characters were taken by Messrs. G. W. Button, C. West, C. Stringer, F. Vorley, J. Mackness, J. Stringer, E. Wrighton, Miss F. Pung, and Miss Stanton. Between the scenes songs were sung by Mr. W. Packwood, and Miss Packwood; and a duet by Miss Knight and Mr. W. Skinner. At the conclusion of the piece Mr. J. Warren stated on behalf of the society the pleasure it gave them to see so many friends present and expressed the hope that many more would join them, and attend the practices regularly, especially those who had good voices. Those, however, who have not voices, but have purses, they would be glad to receive as honorary members, and thus they might help to make the society a good one. Round games and refreshments followed, and these were varied with an impromptu charade on the word "Vatican," which was guessed by Mr. J. Claridge, obtained the valuable purse offered by the society. At midnight a vote of thanks was passed to the committee who carried out the task of providing amusement and refreshment so abundantly. Mr. C. Stringer responded, and a merry party broke up.