The Press. — London, England, 1854-07-22 00:00:00

A- ----- -;- - Re ~~~ 692 Re puma. HAYMARKET. A TRourx of Spanish dancers, who have for some time been delighting the Parisians, have tried their legs this week on the less sensitive emotions of John Bull. They are a pretty band and deserve success. We saw them at Paris, and can bear testimony to the profound admiration of the badauds: the audience at the Haymarket were almost as enthusiastic on Wednesday night. The dancing professes to be national, and perhaps it is, but it is not quite what we expect of Spanish dancing, and would serve for good specimens of stage performance from any country. The principal danseuse, Terea Mena, is a young lady full of spirit and physical force to carry it off. Her companions give a highly picturesque cha racter to their groupings. Altogether their perfor mance is, at least, equal to the Spanish corps which itself so brilliantly enlivened our boards some time ago. ADELPHI. ALL the world seems going mad for melodrama. Another translation of Le Courier de Lyon has been produced at this theatre, Mr. Leigh Murray representing the pair of heroes. The piece was well put upon the stage, and was received with applause. The management must excuse us. We cannot enter into an elaborate criticism as to the merits or de. merits of such a third or fourth hand, threadbare piece of business as this. Mr. Webster took his benefit on Wednesday last, on which occasion he gave one of his most celebrated impersonations—the part of Austerlitz in The Maid of Croissey. Mr. Webster's version of the character is a very clever piece of acting, and powerfully af fected the numerous audience who were assembled to testify their respect for the excellent lessee and manager. STRAND. THE Faust and Marguerite of the Princess's has been burlesqued here during the week, and as an excuse for some amusing singing and acting does well enough. It is an extravaganza for the day. for which any excuse does equally well, full of the Rus slims and the Turks, soldiers and war scenes, re minding us of the treat which, if it be disagreeably interrupted, our commercial operations has at least furnished the theatre with new materials. Miss Georgina Hodson as Faust, and Miss H. Gordon as Marguerite, sang very prettily some of the popular airs of the day, and there was some good dancing. Mr. Herbert burlesqued Charles Kean's Mephis topheles, not in particularly good taste. The piece was successful, but of the best things was a farewell march of soldiers leaving their lasses to the tane of " The girl I left behind me." MR. C. MATHEWS is to take a benefit on Wednes day next at the Lyceum Theatre, when will be per formed a selection of pieces contributed by J. B. Buckatone, Esq., Theatre Royal Haymarket ; Charles Kean, Esq., Royal Princess's Theatre ; Benjamin Webster, Esq., Theatre Royal Adelphi ; Alfred Wigan, Esq., Royal Olympic Theatre; Frederick Ole, Esq., Royal Italian Opera, Covent-garden; E. T. Smith, Esq., Royal Opera, Drury-lane. lortign ,Art, Xittraturt, &r. PRUSSIA, and mostof all the city of Berlin, has met with an almost irreparable loss by the death of Borsig, the well-known ironfounder and builder of locomo tives, whose funeral took place on the 10th inst. By his indefatigable energy he had succeeded in creating a profitable and extensive manufactory of engines, and employed nearly 3,000 men up to the time of his comparatively sudden death. His works turned out eighty-five engines last year. His services in the pre servation of order, and the employment of so many hands during the revolutionary times, when all busi ness was entirely at a stand-still for a year and a half, have made his memory highly valued through out Prussia. The estate he leaves behind him is valued at two millions and a half of thalers. ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION between Stockholm and Gottenburg was opened on the 4th, the anniversary of the King's birthday. The first despatch was from Gottenburg, and consisted of a compliment to the King, sent by Major-General Akrelle. The Major- General and Captain Fahnejelm have left Gottenburg for Helsingborg and Copenhagen, in order to make arrangements with respect to a submarine telegraph across the Sound. THE LARGEST PICTURE ON GLASS executed in modern times has just been terminated in the royal establishment of painting on glass in Munich. It is to cover a window in the church of St. Catherine at Hamburg, forty-five feet high and fourteen and a half wide. It has been painted by M. Fernster, from designs by Overbeck representing our Saviour teach ing the Apostles to pray. The superb work has been executed at the cost of M. Vorbe* of Hamburg. THE PRESS. THE MEMOIRS OF THE IMPERIAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES IN VIENNA contains a paper by M. Schlager upon the ancient Court theatre of that city. This curious historical disquisition commences at the year 1560. The registers of the Court treasury for that year contain the following entry :—" Received an order to pay 4 thalers of 70 kreutzers to Siem Audtorf S. Pillmann and his company for performing before his Majesty." In 1617 there is an account of a prima donna whose salary was 20 florins a month. Her name was Angela Stamp. The Emperor Fer dinand 111. and his son Leopold were both skilful and fertile composers. The score of an opera written by the Emperor Leopold is still preserved. The libretto is written in Italian, its subject being the struggle of a young man placed between vice and virtue. The songs in this opera were accom• panied only by two violins, a bass viol, and a bassoon. M. Schlager says that the score is enriched by many very happily-conceived melodies. AN EQUESTRIAN CORPS, under the direction of Ducrow and M. Hinne, has been giving nightly per formances at Christiania, in Norway, in a vast circus built expressly for the occasion. This species of spectacle being a complete novelty in Norway has attracted immense crowds of spectators, each repre sentation being attended by about 5,000 persons out of a population comprising altogether only some 44,000 souls. THE COUNCIL OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC intend, it is stated, to erect an academy upon a site offered by John Laurie, Esq., of Hyde-park-place, a late sheriff of London, in a central position in Cavendish-square. The building is to vie with any in the kingdom, and not to be outdone by any in Europe, erected for the cultivation of musical science. Mr. Mayhew, their architect, has made plans for the site in question. THE WAR WITH RUSSIA IN 1808. (From a Correspondent.) IN justice to one distinguished officer deceased, the late Rear Admiral Webley Parry, whose name was wholly omitted, it is right to give a corrected ac count of the action with the Russian man-of-war Smola, 84, which appeared in the pages of Fraser's Magazine and copied into the PRESS. If, as that article affirms, it was one of the most brilliant actions " in the annals of the British navy," each party con cerned should have his meed of the credit.. The Centaur, 74, Captain W. Webley, bearing the flag of Sir Samuel Hood, and the Implacable, Cap tain Byam Martin, joined the Swedish fleet, sailed with them from Oro roads on the 24th of August, 1808, chased the Russian fleet for thirty-four hours, and forced them to seek shelter in Port Baltic. The two English ships, however, outsailed their colleagues, and on the morning of the 20th of August the Impla cable brought the leewardmost of the enemy's ships to action, in the words of the despatch, "in a most brave and gallant manner, and only the near approach of the enemy's whole fleet could have prevented her then falling, her colours and pendant being both down." The Russian admiral then sent a frigate to tow the Sewolod out of danger, but Sir Samuel Hood gave chase with his two ships and obliged the frigate to give up her companion. The Russian admiral again came to her support with several line-of-battle ships, but she grounded just at the entrance of the port, though towards evening she rode at anchor. Every exertion was used to repairher damage from the morning action, and one hundred seamen and soldiers put on hoard to supply the place of those killed or wounded. At sunset the boats of the whole Russian fleet were sent to tow her into port, upon which Sir Samuel Hood ordered Captain Webley to stand in and cuther off. " This (says Sir Samuel) was executed in a manner that must ever reflect the highest honour on Captain Webley, the officers, and ship's company of the Centaur." The boats were making considerable progress, and the enemy's ship just entering port, when she was laid on board by the Centaur, her bow sprit taking the former's fore rigging and her bows grazing the muzzles of the Centaur's guns, and driven in by a raking broadside. Captain Webley lashed her with his own hands by the bowsprit, assisted t. ‘; the master, Mr. Strode, and the boatswain and secuy her then, under a heavy fire of musketry from the tops ; a seaman and carpenter killed beside him , and the first lieutenant, Mr. Lawless, severely wo' , coded. She was boarded and taken in half an hour, captain Webley being the first man on her deck. 13( ,lb ships going on shore together, Captain Martin, ir the Im placable, rendered all the assistance in nis power, and by the exertions of both ships' emir the Cen taur was got off, though obliged to burn her prize, as there was too much water in thehad take her out. Two Russian line-of-battle ships weft bearing down upon them just as the Centaur got t iff, but then re treated. The loss of the Sewe&v I in killed and wounded in both actions was imam . ise, amounting to 103 ; whilst the Implacable had. 41 - killed and twenty six wounded, and the Centaur t.tir T killed and twenty seven wounded. Sir Samuel)/ ood stsys, " I cannot speak too highly of the brave and gallant conduct of Captain Webley and every officer and man under his command ;" and the commander-in chief in his des. patch also says, " The brave and highly meritorious conduct of Captains Webley and Martin, with the offi eers and men under their orders, entitles them to the highest commendation in my power to bestow, and excited the amazement and admiration of the gallant Swedes who witnessed their heroic bravery and per severance." After this action the two captains were made C. 13., and second-class Knights of the Swedish Order of the Sword; and Captain Webley was also given an aug.- mentation to his coat of arms, emblematic of his ser vices. Sir Samuel Hood was made a baronet and a first-class Knight of the same Swedish Order. SxrtirmAy, THE CRYSTAL PALACE. THE first report of this company since the comple tion of the edifice and its opening for business was presented by the directors at the meeting of share holders held on Thursday last. The document is tolerably satisfactory. It states that the amount expended on capital account up to the 10th of June,. 1854, the day of opening, was 910,3291. The further amount expended, up to the Bth inst., has been 91.000/. ; and the remaining liabilities, so far as they can be possibly ascertained, amount to about 209,000/.. additional, for completing works now in progress. In addition to the above, a sum of 90,0001. will be re quired to erect the water-towers, and to carry out the whole scheme of the palace and park, comprising the fountains, gardens, terraces, and interior fittings and decorations, to final completion. The total cost. of the understanding will thus be 1,300,00 W., of which about 100,000/. arises from objects such as the refreshment department, stabling approaches, • purchase of additional land, and improvements of the Dulwich-wood property, which are either pro ductive of a large separate return in themselves er are available as assets to be realised at some future period, with every probability of a profit. The re ceipts on revenue account from all sources,. (Wen to the Bth of July, comprising four weeks from the opening, have been as follows :—Season tickets,. 35,388/. ; admissions, 13,032/. ; rental for space (ions account of first half year's rent), 12,`384)/.; refresh ments, 11,5001.; miscellaneous (including stabling,. cloak-rooms, Ac.), 7041. Total, 72,9131. The ex penses of staff maintenance, repairs, &c., is esti mated at 1,0001. per week, or 52,0001. per annum. The directors have determined, under the opinion , of the Solicitor-General, to leave the question of ire posed gratis Sunday admission for thei r shareholders to be settled by Parliament. Sir R. Bethell con sidered the legality of the step dor,btful, and appre hended that it might even comp ..omise the validity of the company's charter. The attendance continues to increase. On Saturday last 't,213 persons. paid five " shillings each. On Mond ay shilling visitors; on Tuese , ay , 10,559; Wednesday, 7 ,7 15,606 ; and Thursday, there were- 1 6 , 763. ,414 Henceforth there are to be five one-shilliw days in the week, Saturday only being reserved fe c season -ticket holders arull " exclusive " visitants. THE I I MOD MONUMENT. THE public mon - Hood, erected it ament to the memory of Thomas gurat i Kensal-green Cemetery, was inau friends and ad . •ed on The? ,day in the presence of a number of his Monckton hl, .nirers, assembled for the occasion. Mr. .Ines mounted the adjoining tombstone, and briefly r Adresse& the assembly, expressing the honour in which Hood was held as an English h u monst, tF - public e, ough at the same time shrinking from a .logy at the tomb of a man of his character, whose' iesire was "To kneel remote upon the simple sod, And sue inforsui pauperus to (}od." The monument was then uncovered. It consists of aI. Arge bronze bust of Hood, elevated on a handsome rw :dental of polished red granite. On a slab beneath t .he bust is his own self-inscribed epitaph—" He sang ' The Song of the Shirt '"; and upon the pro jecting front of the pedestal the inscription is carved, "In memory of Thomas Hood, born '23rd of May, 1798 ; died 3rd of May, 1845: erected by public sub scription A.D. 1854." On the sides of the pedestal are medallions illustrating "The Bridge of Sighs" and "The Dream of Eugene Aram." The monu ment is the work of Mr. Matthew Noble. machi FROM CINCINNATI, U.S., we are told that an "infernal machine," enclosed in a box, had been sent to the Marine Hospital, and deposited in the room of the steward, J. It Allison. About ten o'clock the steward and his wife, being alone in the room, opened the box. when it exploded with terrific force, mangling the bodies of both in a horrible manner. Mrs. Allison had both her arms blown off and her skull fractured, while Mr. Allison was dreadfully mangled. The furniture, windows, and ceiling of the room were shattered to atoms. Mr. Allison made a statement before his death which may probably lead to the detection of the guilty parties. It is said that a fellow named Conwell committed a murder some time since, and that Allison was acquainted with the facts.