The Press. — London, England, 1855-09-22 00:00:00

912 rnustrnents, et. PHOTOGRAPHIC PICTURES OF THE CRIMEA. AN exhibition of photographic views of the Crimea was opened on Thursday last at the Water-colour Gallery, Pall-mall. This series of views and por traits has been taken during the present year by Mr. Fenton, the eminent photographer, who appears to have executed his task with considerable ability. The pictures in all number some 280, and comprise portraits of the most distinguished officers who have been and are engaged in the war, besides various views of the camp and the trenches. As specimens of photography, considering the circumstances under which they were taken, some allowance must, of course, be made ; but the interest of the exhibition does not lie so much in its art as in its subject; and though a few of the pictures here and there are not so sharp and effective as could be desired, yet most are accurate and excellent specimens, and, from the grave historical interest attached to every spot of ground now so well known by name, the exhibition is one which directly appeals to our inte rest and curiosity. The living likenesses of many of those who have since gone to their long home will be found here, Lord Raglan, General Estcourt, Colonel Shadforth, and many others; while of tl ose that yet " live and move and have their being " we have clever and characteristic portraits. That in particular of General Bosqiiet (No. 110 giving orders to his staff is extremely clever. The position of the general, his outstretched arm and his sharp, eagle eye, with the earnest attention of the staff officers, is admirably caught; while Marshal Pelissier ( No. 264) looks precisely what he is—a most determined general. The groups of soldiers, officers, or Croats, are all re markably good: taken in an idle moment, a better opportunity was probably afforded the photographer. The views of the camp enable one to obtain an ex• cellent idea of the spaces and distancei, as well as of the positions of the different batteries and the appear ance of the town from our lines. Among other things, in those views which represent it, it is remarkable how low the Malakoff Tower looks. About the best views given will be found in the series of eleven, from No. 152 to No. 162 inclusive, presenting a pano ramic view of the plateau before Sebastopol, from Inkermann round, including part of the French left attack, a centre view of Sebastopol, with the Radon, Malakoff, and Mamelon, and Cathcart's-hill, with the Cemetery, &c. Another excellent specimen of pho tography is No. 260, "The Quarries." "The Plains of Balaklava" (No. 243 to No. 247) are also clear and good views, and the " Group of Croats " (No. 265) is remarkably clever. It is to be regretted almost that portraits should have predominated in such an exhibition of camp life as this purports to be. Still. life, perhaps, is essential to the photographer, and hence he would be limited in his subjects ; but Mr. Fenton might have given us more landscape and less portrait. Like Virgil's heroes, we have here not only tie living likenesses of the leading generals, but "fortemque Gyan, fortemque Cloanthem." By photography we gain in accuracy what we lose, by the pencil, in variety ; but in a series of represen tations of camp life, at the time of the vigorous pro secution of a siege against a vast fortress, if we do not find, we sadly miss those scenes of that active, despe rate life we know is led in tho trenches. As the first in the field of exhibitors, Mr. Fenton's exhibition is, however, full of interest and attraction, and we have no doubt will obtain a large share of patronage. The views, we believe, have been already submitted to the approbation of her Majesty the Queen, and also of the Emperor of the French, under whose august patronage the publication of the views in these clas sified sections of scenery, incident, and portrait is about to be undertaken by an eminent house in Man chester. The first part of each section is to appear I n October, and to contain six subjects, to be con cluded in ten parts. THE AFRICAN Tvrtits, EoYrrlAN•nAls,.—ln these children is to be beheld one of the most remarkable of Nature's freaks. United for their lives, back to back, by a band of flesh in the lumbar region, and, in the most peculiar and extraordinary manner, sharing the functions of certain organs, they pre sent a singular phenomenon. It is for a medical journal, of course, alone to enter into a minute description of the physiological and anatomical features which the children present, and to decide whether or not the vertebtte of the back are joined, or the spinal chords affected ; but it is open to all observers to remark the leading features of the phenomenon presented to them. Distinct in dispo sition and feature, having no peculiar similarity of taste, possessing separate wills, with different pulses, and in perfect health, these children offer a living puzzle to physiologists and surgeons. Unlike the Siamese twins, there is no possibility of separation in this instance, on account of the extreme narrow ness and thickness of the ligament which joins them, and a community of organ in a vital part THE PRESS. of the frame. The inconvenience of their after lite when grown up is scarcely conceivable. At present they do not appear to suffer mentally or physically, and as they gallop across the room, or romp with their attendant s they present a most curi ous and attractive picture. In appearance they are exceedingly interesting children, but differ as widely in temper as they do in expression. Yet, on the whole, they seem to agree very well, and, from habit or necessity, to act together in tolerable concert. Of a light copper colour, with large eyes, very intelligent expression, boisterous spirits, and pretty faces for Africans, they are rather attractive than otherwise, and in appearance present nothing repul sive or remarkable. They look precisely like two children tied round the waist back to back. Sir Benjamin Brodie, Sir James Clark, and many of the most eminent surgeons of London, have examined them, but no careful physiological or anatomical report has yet been drawn up on the phenomenon which they present. The Lancet, we believe, was to produce one shortly. LYCEUIL—The popularity of the "Wizard of the North" appears to be unbounded. Although ten years have elapsed since Mr. Anderson's last per formance in London, and the most famous conjurers of the Continent have more or less successfully en• gaged public attention, yet never before were such crowds attracted to an entertainment of legerdemain. Some of his tricks, excellent and elaborate to a degree, have rarely been equalled and never sur passed, and the delight with which they are received by the juvenile portion of the audience is not the least entertaining part of the evening's amusements. His clever mechanical illustrations of spirit-rapping attract considerable attention—the spirits reply to every question, and unfailingly return the most accu rate answers. The theatre is nightly crowded to excess, from the pit to the gallery, and the wizard's bon•bons and free gifts are upon the most liberal scale. CREMORNE-GARDENS.—A series of brilliant spec tacles have taken place during the week at these popular gardens. The capture of the Malakoff is, of course, the piece de r e sistance ; and, while great im • provements have been introduced since its first exhibition at the Wellington F ete, many additional and striking effects are displayed. The preliminary bombardment, the forming up of the columns of assault, the spattering fire of the iiflemen, the blast of the bugles, the roll of the drum, and the rush of the columns, are given to the life. Then the stubborn resistance of the Russians, beating back the first assault, the re-formation or the allied columns, their final irresistible rush, and the capture of their hardly acquired conquest amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the spectators, creates an effective dinouement. As a pyrotechnic display, it is undeniably one of the best seen for some years. The gardens have been nightly crowded to excess. We understand that the proceeds of the Wellington Fete handed over to the authozities amounted to upwards of 8401. sterling. Bearing in mind that the whole proceeds of this week's enter tainments are to be given to the Patriotic Fund, few will dispute the claim of the proprietor of these gardens to being one of the most munificent and liberal subscribers towards these two funds. "Ne despicias donum quovis exortum." VAUXIIALL-GARDENS.—It is late in the season to open these gardens, and, with such a rival as Cre morne and its Malakoff, a questionable experiment; but the brilliant entertainments which have taken place, and the tolerable weather, have attracted large numbers of spectators. Fetes in commemora tion of various occasions have been held, and the usual "150,0(X)" coloured lamps have displayed un wonted brilliancy. The entertainments have been numerous and varied, comprising songs and music, some clever equestrian performances, and a tolerable display of fireworks. Upon the whole the gardens have been well attended, and the entertainments attractive. WYLD'S NEW MAPS.—Mr. Wyld has lately pub lished a small map containing an admirable panora mic view of the Crimea and the surrounding coasts of the Black Sea. An excellent coup d'oeil of the whole theatre of war is thus obtained; and though the scale is small yet the outline of the country, the positions of the different towns, and the tracts of the main roads are preserved with clearness and accuracy. A second edition of the map of Sweaborg gives us the position of the allied vessels during the bombard ment of last month, with the depth of water, &c., around the islands. These accurate and excellent maps, so useful to a thorough comprehension of the locus in quo, are not the least valuable publications which the war has brought out. _ _ AN accurate and well-drawn map of the position of the allied and Russian armies during the battle of the Tschernaya has also been issued by Mr. Stanford, who continues his series of these useful and historical documents with praiseworthy promptitude. IT is said that a railway between Boulogne and Calais is in contemplation, and that all the prelimi nary surveys have been completed. SATIIRDAT s tip pram& DRUItT LANE.—Since the departure of the Italian company we have had a long series of English operas at this house; and it would be unjust to the management to deny that the attempt has been in the highest degree creditable and successful. The house has been nightly crowded, and the constant variety offered, as well as the admirable company engaged, have contributed to the most successful result. Among the operas which have attracted a great deal of attention is Handel's Acts and Galatea, which has been revived during the week. Through out the whole of this exquisite serenata the music is inexpressibly beautiful, and, though not highly florid, yet presenting many oppor tunities for singers to distinguish themselves. Miss Lucy Escott, who on Wednesday evening sang the music allotted to Galatea, achieved a great suc cess, especially in the florid " Hush, ye pretty war bling choir !" with its fanciful, imitative accompani ment. "As when the dove" was also given with great feeling and intelligence. Miss Huddart, as Acis, and Mr. Geier, as Damon, admirably sustained their respective characters ; but, though Mr. Hamil ton Braham's deficiencies of voice scarcely enabled him to successfully fulfil the part of Polyphemus, the choruses were generally correctly given, and the performance of the serenata throughout was highly satisfactory. The house was crowded on the wee sion—a "benefit" for the Manager—a proof of the appreciation felt by all classes for his praiseworthy efforts. HAYMARKET.—The Man of Many Friends may prove to have a good many in this theatre, but the Spanish senora has more. Her recovery from position and reappearance on the stage have brought back her crowds of old admirers once more, and in the new ballet of a Pretty Gipsy and the Bullfighter she displays more than her ordinary grace, elegance, and skill. After Peres. Nene, conventional ballet dancing proves very insipid ; in Spanish dancing there is a vitality, combined with a national grace, which all other schools fail to attain. There is a warm, southern reality about the one, while with the other all is stereotyped and conventional even to that brilliant smile with which the coryphie concludes her postures. The popularity of the Spanish Dancers does not appear to fail at all; on the contrary they seem to attract as much admiration and to draw as good houses as in the first week of their engagement. THE theatrical season would be dull at present, were it not that as soon as one house closes another opens, and a fair average of novelty is thus sustained. The Princess's, with its gorgeous display, and whole sale costumier style, has no sooner concluded its representations with a parting speech from Mr. Kean —who, en passant, represented himself as conferring considerable benefit on the memory of one William Shakspeare—than at the other extreme of London we have a revival of another of Shakspeare's plays, The Tempest, which Mr. Phelps has put upon the stage with scenery of the most beautiful and varied kind. His revival of Pericles, Prince of Tyre, last year, was a marvel of scenic display, but in The Tempest the romantic beauty of the views, with rock and sea, and wooded hill and valley, so skilfully and exquisitely painted, quite surpass all previous effort. The east of the characters is also excellent, and the parts well sustained by Mr. Phelps as Prospero, Miss Eburne as Miranda, Miss Hughes as Ariel, Mr. Robinson as Ferdinand, and Mr. Barrett ss Caliban. The elaborate care which has been bestowed upon the mice en scene, and the extreme beauty and wag: nificence of the effect, must insure for Mr. Phelps a most successful result. THE PATRIARCH Or THE GREEK PAPISTS died a few days since in Alexandria, and his bode, seated on a throne, with a jewelled mitre on his head, was taken to ,the Latin Church with great solemnity. Several consuls attended in full dress, and a company of Egyptian soldiers, with music and drums, beaded the procession. Great crowds of Papists flocked about the body, to kiss the hands or part of the dress. A LETTER from Rome, in the Venice Gazette, states that grape-blight has destroyed nearly all the vines of Albano, Marino, Ariccia, Genzano, Castel Gandolforf, Tivoli, &c., all at a short distance from Rome. This is the fourth crop lost, and wine which used to be bought at thirty scuds per cask now costs 170. THE cases of cholera in Genoa up to the last ac counts were 1,040, of which 590 were fatal. In the province of Voghera there were 3,666 cases, and 1,978 deaths. M. MEYERBEER, who has been rather seriously ill since his return to Paris, has now quite recovered. He intends leaving Paris towards the end of the present month. ■il