The Press. — London, England, 1856-06-21 00:00:00

JUNE 21, 1856. he celebrated Beethoven Quartett Society, and was he chiet writer in the programmes 01 the lamed meetings which were in such high repute for so many years. Mr. Hill was an enthusiast for his art, and he earned for himself the title of the Prince of Tenors. His tone was superb, and no player, perhaps, had a greater faculty in accommodating his style to that of the artists, of whatever country they were, with whom he was associated in quartett play ing. He leaves many able tenor players behind him, but no successor in his varied qualities. He played at the Musical Union only a few days since. ate 9 raim LYCEUM THEATRE.-RISTORI. RISTORI appeared last night in a new part—in a real Italian tragedy—in which the scene is in Italy, the characters are all Italian, and the drama itselt is of the genuine Tuscan stamp. The author was Ma renco, and wrote his play some twenty years ago for Turin, a then famed actress being the heroine of the well-known legend of " Pia dei olomeo ;" Ma renco having taken as text, from Dante's " Divina Commeda," the oft-cited passage— lo son la Pia: Siena mi fe, dispecemi Maramma Salsi eolui the' nannellata pria Divonanda m'avea con la sua gemma. Or, as the Euglish translator of the Italian play readers it— Thou then will think of Pia : Sienna brought me forth. This fatal Maremma, as thou seest, has brought me to my grave. Who forgets the melancholy story of the middle ages, when the Italian republics were at war with each other—when the feuds of the Guelphs and the Ghibelines so divided towns, and even families in towns—the story which suggested the Capttlets and the Montagues, and which Marenco presents under the forms of the contending factions in Sienna and Florence? Marenco, in the commonplace colouring of his dramatic passages, has taken Alfieri as his model in the stiff preservation of the unities ; only Pia by her sublime virtue and devotion, rising above the vulgar jealousy of her insipid husband, Rinaldo—an Othello a long way removed from the Venetian Moor —and above Hugo—a dull /ago—whose villany is so transparent that it required absoluttly the stupidity of a Boccomini to account for Rinaldo's absurd blindness. To the husband and the would be seducer must be added the heavy father, Tolomeo, ponderously sustained by Signor Tessero, and costumed like the Ghost in" Hamlet." Before we approach Ristori, it is but fair to her supporters (?) to state that they were more at home than in the heroic Greeks, and the diplomatic persons of Queen Elizabeth's era. Pia del Tolomeo is played more closely therefore than Medea and Maria Stuardo— indeed the child, Mlle. Tessero, who enacted the daughter of Pia and Rinaldo, and Mlle. Rapazzini, who plays the f easant maiden in the last act—a part formerly sustained by Ristori in Italy—both de serve a word of praise. Ristori, in the first act, aprears as the devoted wife, who, on separating from her husband, going to the civil war, strictly en joins him to be merciful, her father and brother being amongst the insurgents. Scarcely has sbe parted with Rinaldo than Hugo proffers his detested love, altlioneh the wife had been lett to his charge by the bushel d, as the latter had once saved Hugo's life. In this scene was the first grand display of histrionic genius by Ristori. Het dignifiLd defiance of Hugo, when the villain threatens vengeance, after his discomfiture, brought the first act to an end amidst peals of applause and a recal before the curtain. In the second act is the trap laid for poor Pia, by which her husband, seeing her with a strange soldier—whom she believes to be her brother, not having seen him for years—is misled by Hugo, and resolves to revenge his supposed dis nonour. In the third act there is a noble scene be tween the husband snd wife in the interior of the castle in Maremma, an edifice erected amidst the most awful and dismal swamps, where Malaria in short reigns in terror. Anything finer than the acting of Ristori cannot be conceived than in the varied emotions of the interview—first her surprise at being brought to such a place, then her amazement at the wild accusations of Rinaldo—again, her momentary triumph when she explains that it was her brother whom she had seen, tollowed by her horror at the announcement that her brother had been killed in battle. The climax of despair, attained when Rinaldo leaves her to her fate, was surpassingly well reached ; but the crowning effeet was when Hugo appears through a secret door, and again tenders his unhallowed love. She has but one mode of escape— the threat to throw herself from the elevated window to the dizzy depths below; and sbe awes Hugo by her attitude of dignity. Here Ristori rose again to sublimity. In the fourth act Pia is not seen, Tolomeo, the father, communicating to Rinaldo the proofs of the wife's innocence, confirmed by Hugo's death confes onon the stage. In the last act there is the death of THE PRESS. Pia from the miasma, elaborated by Ris tori with awful fidelity. Most harrowing iv( the workings of the atmospheric poison, but the details were relieved by the most touching dis plays of divine forgiveness of the husband, who arrives with the father, only to receive the last sigh of Pia. On this magnificent performance by Ristori an essay might be written. Her conception is pre sented in a totally different form from the previous delineation of Morita and Maria Stuardo. It was difficult to imagine that it was the same tragedienne, so versatile are her attributes. She succeeds in identifying herself completely with her assumption, and, as on former occasions, presents the part in its totality, and not in shreds and patches. The effect she produced on her auditory was greater than before, and the curtain fell amidst continued plan .its, and twice was she compeiled to reappear by the fashion able auditory, amongst whom were many artistic celebrities of many nations. pug parka lath Qt itg Illtiligentr. FRIDAY EVENING. THE return of the Bank of England for the week ending the 14th of June shows the following chamos compared with that for the week preceding:— Decrease in Circulation.. Increase in Public Deposits Decrease in Other Deposits Decrease in Government Securities 455,858 Increase in Other Securities Increase in Bullion . . 370 374 , Increase in Rest .. Increase in Reserve Bullion iu Both Departments Circulation, including Bank Post Bills The principal elements in this comparison are again favorable. They are the addition to the stock of bullion, and the increase in the reserve of notes, which together amount to 1,096,0991., the position of the Bank having been improved to that extent. As the Government Secu rifles show a considerable falling off, it is inferred that sales of Stock have been made with the object of adding to the Reserve. The increase in the Public Deposits is mainly owing to the payment of the twenty per cent. in staltnent upon the new loan yesterday week. This item, nevertheless, is but low in relation to the dividends about to become payable; but it will be increased nest week by the payment of another twenty per cent. inst flment upon the loan amounting to 1,000,0001. The small addition to the " Other Securities" is worthy of notice as showing the extremely limited amount of the Bank discount trans actions. We have had an easy market for money all the week, and no symptoms are apparent of any immediate change. The banks and discount houses are well supplied with cash, notwithstanding that the present is a month when large amounts of capital are locked up in revenue pay ments and in reserves for the liquidation of the public dividends and the dividends of a whole host of various descriptions of joint-stock undertakings. This state of things is primarily due to the confidence that continues to prevail in the soundness of our home and export trade, to the more satisfactory aspect of the unsettled questions with the United States, and to the universal anticipation of lower rates of discount consequent, among other causes, upon the influx of gold. In the present week the Dorn , bard•street houses have been transacting the best class of their bill operations at four and a half per cent., being one half below the Hank minimum, and in no cases have they required more than four and three quarters. These terms of course have attracted almost all the bill circulation from Threadneedle-street ; and, so far as we can hear, there is no prospect of any considerable return, unless a large re duction equal to one per cent. is made upon the Bank minimum at the very earliest opportunity. The Bank, with an accumulating reserve, would under these circum stances naturally be losing one considerable branch of ordinary banking profit; but in, the current week it has been deriving compensation from its profits on the loans and advances which are always made during the shutting of the transfer books. The repay ment of these loans early next month will again strengthen its reserve, while the diffusion of the public and other d.vidends will cause an abundance of capital to be waiting employment. From this reasoning. which is common in monetary circles just now, the infer ence is irresistible that money must be at least one per cent. cheaper than it is at present at a comparatively early period in the ensuing month, it not before. Political events have also concurred to reassure the Money Market and to strengthen its position. The Government announcement made in both Houses of Parlisnient on Monday that Mr. Dallas, the American Minister, would not be dismissed, and the conciliatory spirit which animates all parties in the State in reference to the existing causes of difference, has ever sine exer cised a wholesome influence upon the Stock Exchange markets. The immediate effect was an improvement in the value of all descriptions of securities ; and there has been no subsequent reaction of any consequence—a clear proof that the sensitiveness of the market during the pre vious fortnight arose from political rather than from /man- 597 cial causes. The markets, too, derived some support •rn the resolution of the. Conservative party not to inter pose in the present condition of the question, notwith standing the strength of the case against the Government for their share in the recruiting matter, as it might have involved a Ministerial crisis that would have been incon venient under present circumstances ; and the nomination for the Presidency of Mr. Buchanan, the late United States Minister at this Court, has also bud the like tendency. This state of things has naturally improved our future prospects ; so that, with cheap money in anticipation and a highly probable immunity from lb* calamities of a war necessarily destructive to the most profitable branches of our home and foreign trade, it is 14 no means surprising that the markets are elastic and buoyant, with a constant tendency to increasing improve ment. The imports of specie during the week have again been considerable. They have amounted, including 340,0001. arrived to-day from Australia, to 1,009,268/. The ex ports are about 250,0001. Nearly 500,0001. is now upon the route from Australia ' • and the succeeding packets from the United States will bring probably 400,0001. in the course of the next week or ten days. The shipment of silver for the East by the packet which left Southampton to day was only 191,0001. It would be an error, however, to infer from the falling off in the export by a single packet that the demand has relaxed. We are assured that the dit&nution is only apparent, and that the drain for India and China may recommence at any moment. Consols left off last Saturday at 934 to 94 ex div. for the July account. On Monday it was known that the Cabinet had decided not to dismiss Mr. Dallas ; and purchases being made upon the faith of the intelligence, there was an improvement to 94f to 4. The official assurances to this effect strengthened the market on Tuesday, and quo tations advanced to 954 to 4, which has been the highest point yet attained since the close of the war. With the dividend added, these quotations were equal to 964 to ; consequently, with money nominally worth five per cent., the range was very high, and some reaction was not un natural. The reaction, however, only extended to 4. for prices subsequently remained firm and stationary at 944 to 4. Business generally has not been active, but the tone and feeling uniformly good. To-day the opening prices were again 944 toe, with some symptoms of we.kness, but after being steady the whole day they declined, at the close, to 944 to 4, in consequence of unfavorable weather, lower exchanges, and lower prices from Paris. The scrip of the uew loan has in like manner advanced from 21 to 4 prem. to 3 prem., closing to-day at 24 to 3 prem. A considerable demand has prevailed for Exchequer Bills doting the greater part of the week ; and the pre mium upon them has advanced from 9s. to 13s. Railway Shares have derived the greatest advantage from the improved aspect of our political relations, for their value has been increased from one to four per cent. These securities are now about attaining a real hold upon the in vesting public, after a long period of depression. In the present week there has been a fortunate conjunction of circumstances favorable to a considerable rise in prices. For instance, there was first the smoothing down of the American difficulties, next uniformly increasing traffics, then hints of reduced working expenses in the current half-year, and consequent deductions in the public mind of larger returns. In this state of opinion numerous orders for investment came up from the country ; the natural consequence was a simultaneous demtintl, with supplies of Stock, that soon became limited. The im proven•ent thus ct.mmenced extended over all the heavy Stocks, but it was most marked in South Westerns, Great Westerns, London and North•W'esterus, Lancashire and Yorkshire, and a few others. There was a very slight reaction to-day in some descriptions, but the best re mained firm. Foreign Securities have partaken in the general im provement, particularly the Turkish descriptions; and this market is still regarded as favorably placed for a further advance, though there was a slight decline to-day. Joint-stock Bank Shares have been in moderate demand. The business of the week, however, has not presented any features of importance, unless it be in respect to the Western Bank of London, which was opened on Monday, and the shares have since advanced to one and a half premium. Miscellaneous anti Mining Shares are much the ume. There has been nothing in either market to call for obser vation. BRITISH FUNDS.— Closing Prices. OFFICIAL QUOTATIONS. 1 Tuesd. Wed. Thum Fria, 941 911 # 1 941 1 1 941 94 i 1 4 941 94i j 94 1 I oil 91f 95 94 5# 95# 5 94j 3 6-1 0 1 217 8 217 8 217 8 O I 10p, 7p 8 l i p 12p 1 911 ILop 'lO 2p 10 p 11 p 6 per Cent. Console Ditto for Account i per Cents Reduced 3 per Cents Long Annuities Honk Stock, 7 per Cent Omnium Exch. fills, .20 India Bonds, FOI Per Cent. Brazilian b Danish 5 I Dtch. (Ex 12 0 uil )24 French a I Do. 4k Do. Bank Stock M..xiean 3 Peruvian 4e Portuguese 4 Russian 5 'panish S Tarki3b Mo S REIGN FUNDS. IN god Turn!. Wed. Thurs. F 101 —65 i -- 11:110e 1 71f 10e lf 1643 71:74e s d e'33f 00c f c i e dtk 4. ei ell I 'l o o 4r 10104 101, A -__.... - .... ... .... li 21