The Press. — London, England, 1856-04-19 00:00:00

380 tano, a barytone, who has sung in America; Signor Zacconi, a basso hullo ; Signor Vitro, another basso; Siznora Finoli, and Sign ra Ruzza, all new to the country. Fur the balict, the production of Le Corsaire, wh►ch has been so successful in Park with Rosati, is the principal point of attraction. Various persons have been mentioned as musical director and conductor, and as Mr. Lutnley arrived in town on Wednesday, the name will no doubt soon be made known. ate pram. ADELPHI THEATRE. THE new play, Like and Unlike, betrays its origin by the compact neatness of its plot. The story is one of mistaken identity, very cleverly worked out. A certain Harry Mowbray (Mr. Webster ; and who can play a " Harry " so well ass he ?), a young gentleman with a strong predilection for nature, truth, sincerity, and so forth, discovers the qualities which he adores in a poor and industrious seamstress, Lisette (Mme. Celeste), whose principal employer is a notorious opera•dancer, and, strange to say, the exact image of the virtuous needlewoman. On the very morning of Mowbray's in irria.ge with Lisette, his cousin Arthur ( hr. Selby), and Paul Potter (Mr. Wright), a Manchester warehouseman, afflicted with a jealous temper, and a taste for opera-dancers, both ad mirers of the actress, and who has both fur some time entertained the strongest suspicions of the identity of the seamstress and the dansense, bring their doubts to the test of reality in Mowbray's house, and unanimously declare their conviction that Lisette is no other than the worthless heroine of a hundred amours. Lisette in vain protests that she is " herself alone ;" Mowbray's faith in her has been cruelly shaken, the marriage is broken off, and she leaves Paris. The second act finds her (or the actress, who shall say which ?) at Bade❑ Baden, a heartless, reckless woman of the world, the wile of a rich German baron, whom she boasts of having " hooked " at the gaming-table. Her old acquaint antes, Potter and Arthur, appear at the house at which she is staying, and from them she learns that Mowbray has followed Lisette from Paris : she easily procures an invitation for him to a masked ball at the house. Mowbray arrives before the other guests, and encounters Lisette once more. Stung to the quick by his first violent denunciations, and persisting still in the utter untruth of the alle gations of his friends against her, she refuses all his subsequent efforts at a reconciliation, and resolutely breaks with him for ever. More than ever puzzled, Mowbray resolves on obtaining a full solution of the mystery which, in his mind, still obscures the indi viduality of Lisette, whom he has never ceased to love. He tears the mask from the Countess in the midst of her guests, and uncovers a face which seems to be that of Lisette : in the struggle which follows this outrage, he accidentally wounds the Countess, who is carried off the stage by her attendants, when, after a moment of suspense, the real Lisette, in the simple dress in which he first remembers her, walks calmly in and demands an explanation of the cause of the uproar. She flies to the assistance of her wounded mistress, and discovers in the Countess her " long lost sister." The mys tery is, of course, explained; the wound is disco vered to be a mere scratch; the real Lisette falls into Harry's arms ; the German baron puts off his jealousy to a more convenient opportunity; and the curtain falls on the happiness of everybody. The play is remarkably well acted, every part being admirably suited to the peculiar talents of the actor to whom it is assigned. In no kind of cha racter is Mr. Webster so effective as in that of the honest, hearty, and somewhat rough lover, who is changed by disappointment into the self contained misanthrope; and his tairsts of feeling, whether of pathos or of indignation, have in the present instance a touch of real nature about them which reconciles us to the rather inflated language of his part. In that scene, especially, where Mowbray first upbraids Lisette for her supposed deception, and then, shaken in his suspicion by her strong assertion of her inno cence, recals the memory of their old affection, and pleads in vain for a reconciliation, the acting of both Mr. Webster and of Mme. Celeste is highly effec tive, without the least exaggeration. Indeed, both as Lisette and the Countess, Mme. Celeste achieves a complete success. Mr. Selby, as one of the long coated "swells," whom Mr. Leech has immortalised in Punch, and Mr. Wright, as the nervously-jealous warehouseman, with his short sentences and his long stick, create much amusement ; not that they have, either of them, anything especially brilliant to say, but at the Adelphi, and elsewhere occasionally, au oddly-shaped hat makes as much merriment as a quaint simile, and antics from a favorite go as far as antitheses. Mr. Paul Bedford, in the bulky German baron, with exactly three sentences, which recur at intervals of about five minutes, and possess not one atom of sense or point, is provided with a character exactly suited in every respect to his dimensions. The scenery is tasteful and appropriate. THE PRESS. SACRED HARMONIC SOCIMTY.—ME. Costa's Eli will be again ptrfoined at Exeter-hall, on Friday next, with the tollo%%ing powerful cast:—Madame Clara Novello, Mr. Sims Reeves, Heir Formes, and Madame Viardot Garcia, who will arrive from Paris to sustain the character of Samuel, as at Bir mingham. Mn. ALBERT SMITH.—In reference to the note of this gentleman which appeared in THE PRESS of last Saturday, denying that he had authorised any adver tising agent to request insertion of the commenda tory paragraph on his performance at Windsor Castle, we have received a letter from Messrs. Abbott and Barton, by whom the circular was sent to us, stating that the request for its insertion was made, not by Mr. Albert Smith, but by a "friend and ad mirer of that gentleman," and that the "venial error" was "committed in the hurry of business," and in a communication meant to be "private and COE fidential." glom ll:lariat nub ditg iittiligtnct. FRIDAY EVENING. THE Bank of England return for the week ending the 12th inst. shows the following changes compared with that for the week preceding:— Increase in Circulation Decrease in Public Deposits '2,667,303 Increase in Other Deposits Increase in Goveinment Securities I becrease in Other Securities Increase in Bullion . . Decrease in Rest .... Decrease in Reserve . Circulation, including Bank Post Bills Bullion in Both Departments This compathon is not a bit more favorable than that of last week with respect to the position either of the Bank or the Government. As far as relates to the Bank, it shows that its reserve is now diminished to the unprece (lently low amount of 4,563,0771., notwithstanding that in the week embraced by the return nearly 3,0009001 was received in repayment of advances, while the temporary loans to Government amounted to little more than 1,(;00,0001. The principle of the Reserve must shortly attract attention unless it proves more satisfactory in the next and one or two following returns : indeed, public confidence in the stability of our financial condition must be very strong if it do not immediately elicit the expres sion of an uneasy feeling. Next week, however, we expect things will be better, as we know that the Bank has still been receiving back advances, while its discounts have fallen off. With regard to the position of the Go vernment, it appears to have been under the necessity of obtaining a large advance upon deficiency bills, in order t', provide for the dividends and the demands of con tractors whose engagements have just terminated with the cessation of the war. The result is, that the Public De posits have fallen very considerably, while it will require the whole of the loan instalments to be paid next Thurs day to meet the advances made by the Bank. The in crease in the bullion is small compared with the imports dnring the period included in the return; but next week will probably show an important addition to this item of II • account. The principal demand for money during the week has been on commercial account, and it has been very large. For a few days there was pressure in connection with the railway settlement in the Stock Exchange, and on account of calls in various undertakings, but much of it has now passed away, though money remains dear, and the demand will revive in consequence of the preparations to meet the final instalments upon the Loan and the Exchegner•hill funding operation, which are due next Thursday. The amount to be provided for these purposes is 1.050,0001. Under these circumstances, no abatement in general rates is anticipated for the present. Much of the commercial demand has arisen out of transactions in the Indian and Australian trades, while bills from the manufacturing die tricts are appearing in greater numbers. Indeed, there are evidences in all departments of the Discount Market of the increasing activity of trade, both home and foreign ; snd the additional number of bills afloat in consequence is at once an indication of returning enterprise and of an inadequate note circulation. The discount-houses have had a large run of business this week, while the Bank has had comparatively few demands upon it. But the lank is having large sums returned to it in repayment of ad vances ; its reserve will thus be materially strengthened during the next few weeks, and we may expect, as soon as that fund amounts to between 0,001,0001. and 7,000,(X)0/., it will compete with Lombard-street for the higher class of commercial acceptances by equalising the rate of dis- count upon long and short dated bills. The reduction can scarcely be announced next Thursday, under pre sent circumstances; but it is improbable that it will be deferred longer than the week following. The comparative exchanges are favorable to the trans mission of specie to this country. Ti,e amounts indirectly received from the Continent are beginning to be appre ciable, though it is difficult to reduce them to anything like a definite estimate. In Holland and the north of Europe much pressure is felt, in consequence of the gold and silver drawn hither; and the rates of interest have risen, with a view to arrest the export The imports of the week are-117,0.5M. from New York; 129.0001. from the West Indic a and South America; and 3.10,1241. from Australia, by the Btackwali : total, 693,1241.; or, in round numbers, 600,0001. The exports are not yet re• gATURDAY, ported They are, however, inconsiderable ; but, in a day or two, about 40:URN/L, will be despatched to India, China, and the East It is believed that a portion Of the od brought by the Blaekei all was bought more than a month ago on French account. Public Securities have rno lerately fluctuated since our last, and business has been exceedingly languid. Consols closed on Saturday at 031 to for the account; and they closed at the same quotation last night. But, in the mean. time, they have been dealt in,at 931 to 1 ; and for a short t i me a t 9:11, alternately buyers and sellers. The range of fluctuation, therefore, hrs not exceeded three•eigh.hs per cent. ; so that steadiness may be assigned as the prevailin feature of the market. In the course of the week a con siilerab a purchase was made by an eminent Hebrew house, at 911 ti r m iney. Exchequer hills ( March), par to 3s. prem.; ditto (June), 3s. to Is. this. The Railway Market has been firm, and prices, though without any material change, generally, are better. Some of the heavy Ines have improved form three-eighths to five•eighths per cent., and a few have rather declined, but the tone of the market is, on the whole. favorable to advancing prices. Foreign lines, especially French, have considerably advanced. Since last Saturday the iniproviment in Faris and Leone amounts to 90s. per share, in addition to 60s. in the pre vious week, making 71. 106. in less than fourteen days. Northern of France are aeaily 81. better. but in both these lines there was a slight reaction today, in the first case of thiee-fourths, and in the other of three-eigliths per cent. Belgian lines have not been in much demand; but quotations were without change until to•day, e hen they declined in all descriptions. Sambre and Meuse fell '2os. A fair amount of business has been dune in Preference Shares for investment. The railway st ttlement this week proved heavier than was expected. It passed off well ; but one operator, who had dealt largely in several stocks. waa unable to meet his engagements. Foreign Securities have been steady, with no great amount of business; and for the most part there is no alteration in prices. To.(ltty they were all (lull. Joint•stock Bank and Miacellatteous Shares have beat dealt in to a moderate extent; but neither of these markets have presented any features worth special notice. Ottoman Bank Shares declined to-day irom 1j to prem., to Ito l I prem. upon the announcement of a call. A new Swiss bank, under the name of the " General Bank of Switzerland," with exclosi‘e power to issue notes on demand to the extent of three times the amount of bullion in its coffers, is announced. The Commercial Bank of the Midland District, Canada, is about to increase its capital troni 510.0001. to 820,0001. A portion is now being offered to English subscribers at a premium of ten per cent. The brand Surrey Docks and Canal Company have divided tour per cent., leaving a balance in hand of 4,1k•;)1. .14 a Account, pursuant to the for the week ending SAtili Ur' N(iLAND. 7[ll and Nth Victoria, cap. :i2 r, the Pali day or April, 106. /SRI:b. 11.V1 , 41t11/IENT !Votes Issued .... 423,90;,,130 Government Debt £11,015,100 Other Securities .. 3,45900 Oold Coin & Bullion 9,480.130 Silver Bullion .... --- 133,905,180 I BANKINO DKPLRTMENT. k 23,905,1 30 Proprietors'Capital4l4,s63,o(l4l4O;e — riiniint Seim dest Public Deposita , — 8.443.14 Dead WeiglitAn4 412,918 437 Other Deposits ~ 12,314,701 Other Securities Pi :04.528 84ven Day & (Abel Notes Bills 184.278,512 • Including Exchequer, Commiasiont Saving's Baia., •ud Dividend Accouuta. g54 2 271.,543 of Natiomil Debt, BRITISH FUNDS. Closing Prices. OFFICIAL Q►IOTATION. Mond. Tuesd. Wed. Thum Friday. -- 1 — "J 3 93 21 921 3 93i t 031 .93 / 931 f'3l 1 9.11 31 t .92 I 91 191 id !0. 1 3 92 .199 92 92 1 92f a 93 2; ,183.11,+ I 81 ,818163? 3 It: j 213 2; 218 4 2134 i 2.14 , ! I d 4d 4d dl I d Bd per e per Cent. Consols Ditto for Account i pet Cents Reduced per Cents Long Annuities Rank Stock, 7 per Cent Omnium Kxch. t3iile , 24d.o.Tune• • • • I I ndis Bonds, ( 1,0001.) FOREIGN FUNDS. Per Cent. Mond Tnepd. II ed. 'Mira Brazilian b I 'lOO, ad to 1 Danish 5 I I —1101 i Itch. (Ex 12 0 tni ),2i — I French 3 in: 3:J::3' 90c 7-1: c Do. 4; I ! c'93: bee' ; r Do. Bank Stock —LI I. I. li.xican 3 221 i I 23 Peruvian 4l 1 • Portuguese 4 ttuaaian 5 -tpattiah 3 —i — 4 3 i 451 1 Turkish kcc 0 99a xd 98i xd 9) ad 9si ad 281_11! Fridob. 631 73: Luc ~93: 70:1 1 10 - 6 - 61 FOREIGN RAILWAYS. Mond. Tuesday. Wednes , Thmrs! 11 9 1 84 84 I; ei 4 . 4 , 2i id ill I P 1 4 * 9 P id 1 4 I P 1 4 21 IP .11 3 !224 3 224 8 224 8 21 21 214 21 1 214 21 214 2 4 25! ixd 261 61xd 261 41d 12 3p 12 412 3 W P 20 4 124 2 . 2+19; 201 n 194201 41 .11 441 4 Ali 2 434 1 810 8 10 1 10 8 9 0 514 854 6 67 s 16 '; 8 4 SU d 166 6 (66 7 1 66 7 Ant«. & Rttrdw. Belgian Kant. .1. Dutch Rhenish East Indian—. 111.1ifilk Pen .3 %V .oi Can.,Sh Lyons & Geary Madras Ne. & I,ge.( win ) Nrthrn.ot Friic . Norw. Truk. Pri Paris & Lyons PAM; at orleaub ?arts &Rouen Friday 1 8 1 i id 23 20 191 p 2 411 3 1 8 9 Sit 65 -1 7