The Press. — London, England, 1855-01-20 00:00:00

city, his insane fury, and still more insane suspicion of everybody near him, an i his final delirium, were certainly finely given. On the whole, the imper sonation is a mixture of bad and good, of many failures with some occasional successes, and seems to us nut to deserve precisely the kind of commendation which has been so fulsomely bestowed upon it. The rest of the diameters were fairly supported ; Mr. Ryder was most disagreeably honest in Cortier, and made as many ugly faces as he commonly does, and Miss Heath played the slight part of Marie charmingly, as she plays everything. The house was crowded in every part, and the applause as enthusi astic as it was indiscriminate. ST. JAMES'S.—An English version, by Mr. Henry Spicer, of the Alcestis of Euripides, enriched with additions from Gluck's well-known opera, was brought out at this theatre on Monday evening. A Greek tragedy, Anglicised and fitted for the modern stage, is, to say the least of it, a great experiment ; but the introduction of the choruses from Gluck's opera, with sixty voices insupport of them, and improved orches tral arrangements ander the direction of Sir Henry Bishop, go far to insure the success of the trial. The story of Admetus and Alcestis is too well known to need repetition; but the original text of Euripides has been anything but accurately followed by Mr. Spicer, and his free interpretation rather weakens the effect of the tragedy than otherwise. The first act is entirely reconstructed; for, while Euripides commences at once with the parting between Admetus and Alcestis, who is about to immolate herself to save her husband, Mr. Spicer opens with the priests be seeching Apollo for a respite, and while Admetus is in despairing anxiety, and Alcestis has not even thought of sacrificing herself, Hercules arrives, and is received with assumed gaiety by Admetus. Now, in Euripides, Hercules does not arrive until Alcestis has died, and the exquisite grief of Admetus is thus put to a much more effective test, in having "to as sume a virtue" which at that moment he hath not, and the scene is altogether more forcible and expres ewe. This looseness of adaptation occurs through out; and although the second act, in which the parting scene occurs, is very powerful, and the last scene, in which Hercules restores Alcestis to life and to Admetus, is most effective, yet it is only so wherein the English version most approaches to the original text. Miss Vandenhoff, who will be remembered as Antigone when that drama of Sophocles was pro duced at Covent Garden, has undertaken the part of Alcestis, and supports the character most effectively. Her delivery is clear, intelligent, and earnest, and her " burst of animation," in the transition from death to life, was very fine. Mr. Barry Sullivan was an efficient Admetus, and Mr. Stuart was a very res pectable Hercules, though rather undersized for that Farnesian hero. The choruses, which are some of the finest which Gluck ever composed, were tolerably well executed, and the piece was decidedly successful. The scenery and costumes are good, and great care has been bestowed upon the grouping, so as to form impressive tableaux. The house was well attended, and Miss Vandenhoff was warmly applauded. HAYMARKET.—The morning performances of the excellent pantomine of Little 80-peep, have been greatly attractive at this theatre, and another re presentation is announced for this morning, and also on Saturday week, the 27th. On Monday next, Mr. Compton will make his first appearance in Paul Pry, while on Tuesday next, at the request of many families, another juvenile night will be given, when the pantomime will conclude at ten o'clock, Mr. Buckstone, in his renowned character of Box, in Box and Cox, by desire, commencing the entertainments at seven. The Knights of the Round Table, have, we think, done their uuty, and it would be as well if the enterprising manager of this theatre were to substitute some novelty in his bill. WINTER GALLERY, PALL MALL.—Active prep' rations are being made by the proprietors of this gallery for the reception of a collection of pictures by Belgian brtists, ibcluding several specimens uelected from the Royal Gallery. The exhibition, which will be opened in the course of next month, will no doubt prove as interesting as the late exhi bition of works by French artists, which, it will be remembered, took place late in the autumn. POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.—The indefatigable management of this popular institution are about to commence a series of lectures upon the late improve ments in firearms, and at the same time to exhioit specimens of the different inventions. The subject will be highly interesting at the present moment, and Mr. Poppet deserves great praise for his arrange ments and exertions. M. DE LAMARTINE, it is said, is about to publish memoirs of his life. A Paris publisher offered him 60,000 f. if he would complete a work in two volumes, but be declined. He requires six volumes to do justice to the theme. TEE EMPRESS ELIZABETH OF ATISTRIA has sent a brilliant ring to Herr Autnberger, of Munich), the publisher of a beautiful engraving of Perngino's " lintombrnent.." THE PRESS. lortign xt, sittraturt, at. A PROCESS by which glass is made to perfectly resemble and answer all the purposes of marble, at fifty per cent. less cost, has been invented in Ame rica. Centre tables, mosaic floors, grave slabs, monu ments, and even statuary as per mould, are the al leged fruits of this process. "The quarries of Car rara," says the New York Churchman, "can yield no more delicately-veined blocks ; the sand that lies in the hill-side the open field, or out on the beach yonder, touched by the inventive genius of our age, becomes marble." Two HUNDRED AND FORTY-THREE journals and periodicals are published in seventy different locali ties in Switzerland. Several of the newspapers have lately increased their size. The Gazetta Populate, of Cagliari, of Jan. 2, says :—" The first attempt at transmission of an electric telegraphic' between Cagliari (in the island of Sardinia) and Oristano (on the mainland) was made on the evening of the 30th of December. Mr. Craig, the English Consul, and also the company's agent in Sardinia, invited a number of persons of distinction to be present at the trial, which proved quite successful. The despatch that was trans mitted expressed the gratitude of Cagliari towards science, which had thus annihilated distance, and also to the company that had introduced the electric telegraph into Sardinia. From the other side Oristano sent a sisterly salutation to Cagliari, lauding in like manner the benefits of electricity. The latest despatch says that the line between Oristano and Sassari is in a great state of progress, with very trifling exceptions. In three days the communication with Macomer will be perfect, and in six with Sassari also. Beyond that six wires extend to Santa-Teresa, and those are already united with the submarine cable laid down in the Straits of Bonifacio." The above extract refers to a portion of the submarine line which is rapidly being extended from Europe to the French possessions in Africa. M. SCRIBE'S new drama, the Czarine, was produced on Monday night at the Theatre Francais; the Em peror and Empress were present, and, the title of the piece having at this moment a particular meaning and interest, the house was much crowded. During the performance every word that could be twisted into even the remotest allusion to present circum stances, or to the character of the Emperor Nicholas, was seized on by the public with avidity. These occasions were, however, comparatively few, as the Emperor Napoleon is said not to be disposed to encourage or admire the undignified warfare carried on by squibs and theatrical hits. The principal characters in the drama are. Peter I. and the Empress Catharine. The latter was played by Rachel, and proved, consequently, the great attraction ; but the piece itself, though well received, is not likely - to be classed among the chefs d'(2uvre of the author. The plot is entirely imaginative, but the brutal ferocity of Peter is brought out with much of Scribe's ancient dramatic skill, and this is the only feature which possesses the least historic vraiaemblance. The Emperor and Empress •were received with warm demonstrations of popularity on entering their box. AT a charity performance at the theatre at Batig nolles, a few nights ago, two young English artistes, sisters, made a promising debut in a musical intermezzo. The elder, Mdlle. Agnes Rowland, sang the well known air from the Favorite, " Oh, mon Fernand," and an Italian morceau, with much effect, displaying a fresh, well-toned mezzo-soprano voice, which with a little training and study, may lead her to a brilliant career. The younger sister, Mdlle. Fanny Rowland, appears about twelve years old, and per formed a cavatina, of Ricci's, arranged by Her; in a manner truly astonishing for so youthful a performer. Both the fair artistes received most encouraging marks of approbation. ste 4ring• WAR-OFFICE, JAN. 16. 7th Regiment of Foot—Ensign Charles Errol Hope to be Ensign, without purchase. To be Ensigns, by purchase. 9th Foot—Richard Charles Henry Hermon, Gent. 14th Foot— Henry Theodore Vernede, Geut. lath Foot—Alfred ('ottee, Gent. 21st Foot—Arthur Grey Hazlerigg, Gent. 42nd Foot—William Green, Gent. 44th Foot—Edward Charles Pemberton Pigott, Gent. 46th Foot--Charles John Burgess, Gent. 49th Foot—Christopher Michell, (lent. 50th Foot—Robert Charles Goff, Gent. 55th Foot—Percy Lytton Bellamy, Gent. 57th Foot—Hickman Rose Russell, Gent. 6)-ith Foot—Henry John Richard Villiers-Stuart, Gent. 71st Foot—Robert Lewis, Gent. 77th Foot— William Marmaduke Dizwell Alderson Gent.. 79th Foot—Edward Gamin), Gent. Bfith Foot—Lucas Clements Scott, Gent. Foot—Montagn Charles Browning, Gent. ; William Drage, Gest. ; Robert Johnston, Gent. SATURDAY ) 03rd Foot—Andrew Fitz James Cunningham Rollo, Gent.; William Gordon Alexander, Gent. 97th Foot—Edward Mott Alderson, Gent.; Maurice George Reaufoy FitzGerald,,Gent. OFFICE OF ORDNANCE, JAN. 15. Royal Regiment of Artillery—Second Captain Arthur Conlyn Pigou to be Captain—First Lieutenant Francis Cornwallis Maude to be Second Captain—Second Lieute• nant Francis Arthur Whinyates to be First Lieutenant— Second Captain the lion David McDowell Fraser to be Captain—First Lieutenant lEneas Clarke to be Second Captain—Second Lieutenant Frederick Coulthurat Elton to be First Lieutenant. Corps of Royal Engineers—Lieutenant•General Sir John Fox Burgoyne. Gr.C.B., to be Colonel Commandant. WAIt•OFFTCE, JAN. 19. sth Regiment of Dragoon Guards—Veterinary-Surgeon Stephen Price Constant to be Veterinary-Surgeon. 2nd Dragoons Veterinary-Surgeon Tom Parinder Gudgin to be Veterinary-Surgeon. 6th Dragoons—Lieut. Richard Henry Currie to be Captain; Cornet Arthur Fiuch Dawson to be Lieutenant; To be Cornets—Alfred Thomson, Gent, Edward Picton Baumgarton, Gent Bth Light Dragoons—To be T.ieuts. without purchase— Cornets Robert Poore, George Gooch Clowes, William Mussenden. 12th Light Dragoons—Paymaster James Gustavus Hamilton Holmes to be Paymaster. 15th Light Dragoons—Paymaster Blayney Townly Walehe to be Paymaster. 17th Light Dragoons--Walter Raymond Nolan, Gent., to be Cornet. Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards—Philip Smith, Gent., to be Ensign and Lieutenant, without purchase. Coldstream Guards—Captain and Brevet Major the Honourable W. G. Boyle to be Lieutenant and Captain. To be Lieuts. and Captains without purchase—Captains John Augustus Conolly, Henry Fitzhardinge Berkeley Maim. To be Ensigns and Lieuts., without purchase — Captains Henry J. Begot Lane, from the 3rd Stafford Militia, Alexander W. Adair, from the let So►nerset Militia; William Frederick Ernest Seymour, Gent., Stapleton Thomas Mainwaring, Gent. Scots Fusilier Guards—George William Knox, Gent., to be Ensign and Lieutenant, without purchase. Ist Regiment of Foot—Brevet Major William Little Stewart to be Major; Lieut. E. T. St. L. Mai-wire, to be Captain. 4th Foot—Lieut. Frederick Antony Trevor to be Cap tain ; Ensign James Constable to be Lieutenant, without purchase; Charles Thomas Wilson, Gent., to be Ensign, without purchase. 9th Foot—Ensign W. H. Rainsfora to be Lieutenant, without purchase ; Arthur Worthington, Gent., to be Ensign, without purchase. 14th Foot—Andrew Alfred Le Mesurier, Gent., to be Ensign, without purchase. 20th Foot—Lient. Charles Lutyens to be Captain; John Henry Waterfall, Gent., to be Ensign. 21st Foot—Thomas Bruce Hutton, Gent., to be Ensign. 28th Foot—Henry Thackwray, Gent., to be Ensign, without purchase. 30th Foot—Charles James Palmer Clarkson, Gent., to Ensign ; Richara Grenville Deane, Gent., to be Ensign, ithont purchase. 38th Foot—Ensign Walter Hume, to be Ensign, without 11 UM 1114 NC C. 42nd Foot—Francis Edward Henry Farquharson, Gent., to be Ensign, without purchase. 47th Foot—Lieut. Henry Gem, from the Ist War wick Militia, to be Ensign. 49th Foot—Arthur Ferdinand Platt, Gent., to be Ensign, without . purchase. 50th Foot—Charles Frederick Young, Gent., to be ;nsign, withoet purchase. 54th Foot--Captain George Cumming Miller, to be Major. 55th Foot—Lieuta. William Baroston and James Han nay to be Captains, without purchase ; Ensigns Francis Williams and William Edward Nunn, to be Lieutenants, without purchase. 57th Foot—Lieut. Arthur Maxwell Earle to be Captain, without purchase; Ensign John Nixon Gooch Macartney to be Lieutenant, without purchase; Ensign Heath Hsvi land Chanter, from the Ist Devon Militia, to be Ensign, without purchase. 81st Foot—Ensign Robert Hutton to be Lieutenant, without purchase. (ilird Foot—John Richard Ramshottom, Gent., to be Ensign, without purchase. (16th Foot.—Lieut. Richard Horner Paget to he Captain; Stephen Weston Bent, Gent., to be Ensign. 77th Foot—Ensign John Marsh Simpson, to be Lieute nant, without pu•chase. 79th Foot—Ensign John Edward Allen to be Lieutenant, without purohase ; Lieutenant Richard Bisse Roland Bed ford, from the 2nd Warwick Militia, to be Ensign, without purchase. Bist Foot—Ensign Walter Musgrave to be Lieutenant, without purchase. gird loot—Captain Edward Steele to be Major, without purchase; Lieut. William Mills Molony to be Captain without purchase ; Ensign John William Huskiseon to be Liontenant, without purchase. Kith Foot—Lieut. Walter C. E. Snow to be Cap tain, without purchase ; Ensign Thomas Goodricke Pea cocke to be Lieutenant, without purchase. 90th Foot—Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Gervas Stanford D!!- verill to be Lieutenant-Colonel, without purchase ; Cap tain William P. Parnell to be Major, without purchase. Ride Brigade—Frederic Carl Playne, Gent., to be En sign. To be Ensigns, without purchase—Christoph er Rice Havard Nioholl, Gent.; Frederick Edward 16041 10 b7 , Gent.; iiiehard Borough, Gent.