The Sun. — London, England, 1846-12-28 00:00:00

THE BtIN, LONDON, MONDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 2B, 1846. T HEATRES—THE PANTOMIMES. dental. The Prince sings, and descending from his DRURY LANE. pedestal, becomes visible and addresses his mistress, Bilfe's new opera of %he Bondman (Harrison, al- who is so terrified at the sight of a man that she thoush evidently still suffering from indisposition, being falls into a swoon. While lying insensible he discovers by one of his roses, that her heart is true to him, Sian iently recovered to resume his part), was repeated here on Saturday evening, previous to the production of and, placing his miniature in her bosom, he escapes, find t h at a Boxing reg h t au di ence h a d sufficient the new pantomime ; and we were delighted to as A p ricotina enters, to whom her mistress relates B that she has seen a living statue. The maid discredits taste to appreciate this . the chef d'ccuvre of Balfe, the tale, but the Princess maintains that she is right. - which was listened to throughout with the greatest Apricotina brings the news that the island is threatened attention, sets enthusiastically applauded, by a how., with an invasion by Prince Furibund, who comes with an crammed to the ceiling. The pantomime, which is from immense army to demand the baud of the Princess, the pen of Mr. Morton, is i ntitle.l Harlequin and ..et who, in her despair, wishes for her statuesque lover, Georg . a n d the Dragon, and was comptetels successf .1 who suddenly appears, accoutred as a Mexican Ama - It opens with the abode of Kalyba the Enchantress (Mr. zone and offers to carr y a fla g of truce to Furibond and ns Horncastle), a locality not exactly known, but con settle his claim without delay. We are now transported sossidsred b the Anti uarian Soc et to have been to the camp of Prince Furibond. Leander arrives with y ye or other— the flag of truce, and offers Furibond all his tents full of discover e d "s o m e how or q other—sometim ilr a' somewhere or .other." Kalyba i s a tt en d e d h e gold if he will forego his pretensions to the Princess's fiend s and furies, and is soon joined by th. hand—to which he consents; but seeing the gold rising 'Writs of the elements, Fire, Air, Earth, an in immense p iles b y the aid of the rose of wealth, he re• Water. The March of Intellect (Miss Anne solves to kill the savo y and kee p the g old. In this he, , "Yee), however arrives in a balloon and however, fails—for Leander, by means of his cap , rest - , Puzzles Kal)ba sadly. The Enchantress, by the , aid of der i n g hi ms e lf invisible, Furibond's g uards kill him by air and water, drives a ship on a lee shore, but V arch ot mistake, and then proclaim Leander king in his stead. The supposed killed Furibond is carried off the stage , i d Nco water. Aided by fire and e etellect, by means of a steam tug ar th, ag , K alyain g ba rends a its her into but during the finale of all the characters in the Palace l eeuntain asunder, creating a horrible chasm. Straight- of Pleasure he suddenly re-enters, and concludes the piece, amid roars of laughter and shouts of applause, by way M arc h o f I nte ll ect b u d ges over the c h a s m , by moans of a viaduct, along which is sect) singing the following comic epilogue: — "Stup I—l'am dead, but I'd not be forgotten ; 4 railway train, proceedirg on its journey. In the piece I've an int'rest, pray mind I ,IFelyba feels that her reign is nearly at an end, and Let it go off—but not like gun cotton, uterefore determines to do all the mischief that she can. For that leaves no vestige behind. and she therefore proceeds to Coventry Castle, where Nitric acid no doubt is a treasure, 11 . e gets p ossess i on o f St. G e orge and the Seven Chem- But be generous, ye critics who write, f_ i( , ) ,x l s—juvenile Champions, as yet, without any know. And don't blow up our Palace of' Pleasure l'age of arms except their nurses' —and takes them off. With the acid in which you delight. n According to the approved rule in " domestic dramas o L et us have a fa i r share of your l eisure, ! Jonas interest," an interval of fifteen years takes With the rest of the holiday sights ; Place duri ng this and the next scene, as is And make this house a Palace of Pleasure, 'flown by the following notice:—" Nothinge material to In the gay world of Christmas delights." the° historic" occurring during a period of fifteen years , The piece was admirably placed upon the stage ; the author trusts that the audience will allow him to cut scenery , d resses , an d d ecorat i ons were tru l y wor thy o f I t ! , and come again to scene 4, Kalyba's House of Correc the Haymarket, and reflect the highest credits alike I°l3 - At Kelyba'illouse of Correction a slight hitch upon the management and the artistes. As for the actors 2ecurred. and Harley came forward,. and requesred that we cannot say too much in their praise. Miss P. Her ` e audien ce w o u ld permit the performance to be sus- ton, we must confess, was as pretty a little invisible .)!ended for a few minutes, in consequence of the sudden illness of Mr. W. H. Payne, who was to appear as St. prince as we ever met with in any of our daily marches, ex- George, After -an interval of about five minutes, the and one whose prettiness was only equalled by the ex ?oiformance was resumed, and Mr. Payne's cellence with which she sang her parody songs. Miss :felrery must have been as sadden as his at. Reynolds and Miss Julia Bennett were most warmly re tch, for he not only appeared as St. George ceived, and many of their songs, in company with Miss _ld went through the character with all that quaint and P. Horton, were heartily and rapturously en tg.)l.•?t.esque humour:Which is so peculiarly characteristic cored. Mr. James Bland kept the house in roars of laughter at his acting ; and the burlesque spelt Pantomimic perferinances, and which never fails to character he made of the burlesque tyrant Furibond. m alt shouts of laughter and applause. The washing, e piec . e . was eminently successful, and was announced d u ,.. eFrubhing, and feeding, and broth making, suet f o r repetition amid the most enthusiastic plaudits of a . 'Mug throwing, with Which this scene is replete, are house crowded to the ceiling. The principal performers fleetly' suited to Payee's humour, and be made every ,t 7 tell. Kalyba falls in love with hire, and having at the fall of the curtain were called for, made their ap pearance, and bowed their thanks. Mr. Plancbe, also be l lied his companions into stone, enchants St. George acknowledged from a private box the gratitude he felt One old her magic wand, whose first use of it is to enchant for the continued good opinion of the public ex 4nejuld lady herself, so as as to put her hors de combat. hibited to him and his works. We venture to I ,` L his next is •to disenchant his companions. The prophecy that the piece will have a long run, and ekette then, changes to the Dover Roads, and the seven that Planchie who has certainly shown great tact 4 11 .i tilpions mounted on basket chargers and cap-u•pie, and ability in the writing of it, interspersing b r '' attended by their squires, enter in grand it as he has done with pleasant sallies and pertinent 4? cession, They (with the exception of St. George) allusions to many of the political events of the day, will dam out for their respective destinations per rail, each thereby receive the highest reward that an author can s t pion being accommodated with a horse box— viii,Georse himself proceeding per "The Ant" steamer, wish for or desire — the approbation of a discerning English public. The extravaganza of The Invisible thi s plies, Plies, between Dover and Egypt fora penny. In Prince was preceded by Bayle Bernard's new drama of 14; s cene, also, Payne " made fun" at a great rate. We The Round of Wrong and the laughable interlude of , e tt '!tlfen a grand hall in the palace of King Ptolemy Story Telling. Coup u of the Nile, anir - we find every thing in his 4 :Irt upon,the same grand scale on which every thing Itir:',ays found in all the Courts of kings of pantomime. th-.seave.the marilige procession of tae Princess, and titZirtrisnee of the dragon (Wieland), who, after a mi ' ales e ell,lastion of the trousseau of the bride, fo r e !l s s'stfith hr r. A reward is proclaimed . *Oever will kill the Dragon ; and upon ,„ see Let the proclamation read, certain staid and &' oking statoi, pillars, if not of the state, at all k b .0 . the palace, put their fingers to their noses after spoMteimproper and vulgar fashion, and one of them, sy47kere, really so far forgot himself as to wink his es b Ot. Georg*, however, sallies forth and attacks and Nrs"ra the Dragon, and the combat between them P s take n advant age of by . Messrs. Wieland and iIV ) for exhibiting divers interesting and tasteful p i . ; .flit.s.i. cat Poses Plastiques, from the designs of thiMfti, representing the reverse of the crown piece of Pl o ritish coin a g e . -The scene then changes to -the 11 0 ; 14 ° !: Chivalry, and the transformation takes place. l', sbeing the Harlequin, Miss Hicks the Columbine, Tli;S l atthesrs the Clown, and Priorson Pantaloon. sis,SZ :foll ow t h e j ump i ngs , an d thumpings, and Per?, and changes, and hits of pantomime. le. * lits the best menet; was a corn-chandler's shop. 4 eit s "tch were divers hits at the recent Cabinet mea 4 , and sk i corn measures, a lot of " chaff " both. kelh oc t Beene Harlequin proves that there are mot)e tot em 8 than - on e of being clever for leaping head lleei 6i c4 t out of a bi n of clorer-seed. The bin becomes a 0 1'°111dr, in which Harlequin, attired in the dress at,. 4 " porter, takes a comtortable snooze. In the %a t , representing " the Siamese villa " and tritikle grounds, we have a bed of African marigolds ,tl sw t s reled into the (Ethiopian Serenaders, and the Au: steals a - pair of boots and puts his foot into it. ititiiVre:patent Indian rubber, and, like the. Dutchman to sus e s eork leg, he cannot stop himself when he begins la i d . 1 . 1 . ., tUr he bounds and rebounds like a tennis ball 14 4 :nen at last he is thrown on the ground and at le s ' ,- Pt iS made to take the boots off, they stretch th. Al a *lt of ik t u --.-ee stage. The Spanish nut and the Orlean. Is t was au illustration of the Montpensier marriage. p, AY cleverly managed ; but the trick that excited tb. Z ti rtest liughter was the Clown's experiment with gun 1p h !"- lie has charged his gun, and aims at some cat , Ich appears at the window. The cats disappear, and *P'eappear-at another window, and thus dodge him for a 4 ate , At.length he fires, and brings down a shower of 011 4 4 ss for some time it literally rains cats. This is ste s , 9 !the - most feline catastrophes to be found in tht st A r is range of the British drama. The Wellington a of course, is quizzed. We have the inttrior o Ir s ar ss ° P -- ea toy 'statue in a toy bog, dragged by to) 'rets; t ls h orses . ,.in grand procession to the triumphal f I TN,,, vinch it is scarcely fixed, when the whole dig , Ettii,P stlid we have a spl e endid tableau of Wellington at 44 tre ° ' 'which is• l d Th - with t pantomime cone u es. t tei e k s: Uutio n to this pantomime goes trippingly off ; the 4 0% ; e i,tire excellent, and the harlequinade first-rate. Ilityeattud Torn Matthews are alone sufficient to make Post Pantomime go well, and they were admirably sup ,raesit Of Mira Hicks and Priorson. Another great qi s the Drury Lane pantomime is, that it is short. Pa n e P i e rfarmances on Saturday were all over by half• fai ehlrireenn °'cicck, and this alone, in an entertainment a very great merit. LYCEUM. For some time past the — holiday offerings of this thes pian temple to its bounteous friends, the public—and never were they more bounteous, more boisterous, or attended in greater numbers, than on " boxing night"— have consisted in burlesques replete with rich wit, .parkling repartee, and broad genuine humour, which were wont to set the house in a roar. Not so on Satur day night, as far as the kind of performance is con erned, for after the Battle of Life, in which the blood less battles of the heart are so truthfully depicted, and in which Mrs. Keeley, who is a host in herself, draws tears from those unused to the melting mood, by pieces of the most natural acting, and as natural pathos as we ever heard, the curtain rose and introduced es for the first time here at least, for our memory may be treach erous, since the reign of the Keeleys, to a pantomime bearing the airy title of the Butterfly's Bull. We first behold the " butterfly's bower," and Priam, King of the Trojan butterflies (Miss Daly), Papiliona, his Queen (Miss Howard), and the butterfly court in a flutter at 1 the expected birth of Chrysalinda, afterwards Colum bine (Miss Laidlaw), who emerges from a cluster of How: rs, after having snapt in twain the chrysilia which confined her. Nonparel (Miss J. Coleman), who subse quently becomes Harlequin (Mr. J. Laurie), and other ;silents in attendance on the court, are smitten with the fair intruder, and sue for her hand. The royal pair de fer their decision until they have given their daughter a fair opportunity of selecting a partner for life, and pos• sibly thereby enabling her, like real parents in the world, to " better her condition in life." Theydetermine therefore, to old a ball, and to invite their insect friends, and Gadfly (Miss Turner) is dispatched from the Trojan Court with the invitations. In her progress she encoun ors in " Croker Creek" Count Hornet, afterwards Clown (Mr. J. W. Collier), Colonel Fitz-Scorpion (Mr. Bel lingham), afterwards pantaloon (Mr. T. Gough), Mrs. bb, a garden spider (Mr. Yarnold), who, on hearing o" the entertainment, and that they are not invited, vow vengeance on the butterfly tribe, but particularly on Priam, his queen, and lovely daughter ; but Entomo togia, the guardian sprite and fairy queen of the insect race (Miss Grove), overhears their determination, re solves to break it to the Court, and to bring confusion to the hornets. The mes s enger wends her way to " corn ti 'lds and the grasshoppers' glade," where the insect world—frogs, bees, bluebottles, cockroaches, glowworms, grasshoppers, beetles, &c., are in full activity. They are invited to the ball, and in the next scene, entitled "The Fungus Fen," a succession of dissolving views by Mr. Child, exhibits the procession of the " insect world" to the butterfly ball, to which we are next introduced, and in which various dances take place—a butterfly polka, ‘)y Master Forrest and Miss Frampton ; a grand Pus de Papillon, by Miss Laidlaw and the butterfly court, and a nazourka and galope by the whole insect tribe. The uninvited insects unceremoniously appear upon the scene, disturb the festivities, and the hornet is in the act of carrying away Chrysalinda, when the guardian sprite appears, makes Nonparel and Priam's daughter happy as Harlequin and Columbine, and the hornet and sc.irpion Clown and Pantaloon, in expiation of their offences. and the two frogs (Master F. and C. Lauri), attendant sprites upon the harlequin. The usual stirring scenes of pantomimic life ensue; hard blows are struck and returned with interest, and the leading events of the expiring year are hit off with some smartness—the despicable charlatan " What is it ?" and the " Wellington Statue" c omity -, in for their share of ridicule. In scene ten Mr. Collier drew down shouts of laughter by a fine piece of burlesque. A soldier, with a wooden leg, is put to bed, part of which protrudes through the curtains ; with .1 saw, which he from time to time greased with a candle, be determines to amputate the limb. Whilst (pireerperartionggoerl th e ife ; de t e he d e h a e g depicted er i is t e n n t hge, the m el o w d a r l a k m i n a g t i c to naaunrd fro and up and down, the sudden starts, and gutteral sounds f l r n o d in t h t h e e w t a h s r h o i a n t g , and of t h t e h ebni bloodstained d d e st im a s in e e mb d eri eg hands, w f t e h r e e s t unsp richly coml. g a S r o . s m ci e u s o r f e t a h n e d t r t i h c k e s N , a p t a i o r n t i a c l u G l a r a y l e r t y h e i n changing of ship i o n f t :t y r o u i in g f u full i s d a s i h l , p a n m d e n t he were old ;voooodd. e n T - 1 e h g e g L e d Lauri pensioners uri family, consisting of Mr. J. Lauri, who made an excellent har vfeeqrualing,3a.mndnaMscastersF. and C w . h L ic a h ur p ie le , through audience.se- Laidia evo lu tions , a clever Clown' ; and a Mr. Collie r , pleased the r, who i s 'the " inventor and director of the comic business " trou bled with a bad cold, pretty and agile Columbine, and but who was saloon. credit on the dancing, in cener Y, the dresses, the music, The a t and Mr. Gough a very fact,respect.ableendPathne manathe whole production, reflects great and will no doubt b! enlelit forperformed many nights to come. ST. JAMES'S.—Er f aosis- - Albeit the Ethiopian The piece was successful, performances on account Seren aders do not vary their IP t -GliV SERENADERS. account of, the various amuse ments season, yet in giving an cannot omit the mention of th ese of the metropolis, we entertaining, and mcst original pe e rf most talented, most friends who are home for the holiardirrilevveis tir e O et u l r y yo u n g neither can d ifep t t rellto visit the St. James's theatre to he sere naders. They are perfectly unique, and unap proachable. They imitate not, tated. all they b e inn. _ ~ E Illr :1? E T he - i the chara cter .. of the 1131 :mar iC k e t Theatre for the Taci t, r! wit, _Anterest, completeness, and excellence of its 4.. istmas pieces, was hardly ever equalled, and rarel) ."Passed. That charaer was fullY maintained, if not 2eelled, oft Saturday e ve ning, by th e act, entitled T il lie Invi produnion of a witttd 4' • al/ fai ry, extravaganza, in one 1 , 4 re Prince ; or, the Island of tranquil D e • 9, b t. The _.ore attem th e Le is the work of that able variteriz te tt " nr e , Planate, and is founded on tht : r e thi, 3 d'Arr *' tale of Prince Luton. Before ‘ 4 ,,, , _ OlB • oun. Pting th 4 c riticism upon the actors, scenery, or decorations of Of bt l ecOovewilrattempt to put our readers•in p ossession pi p : plot, The-scene lies, at the commencement of the oe - r i ,r - in the royal castle of Allaquiz, a city "somewhere 11 1 „ - ,,. ° SPainish main," whereof Blouzabella is the q ueen. t r ," Infante Furibond, her only son and heir, is an ex. P_iri:l r j lin ary prince, whose chief amusement consists it. .I`6",.ng the ladies, and kicking the courtiers and pages de ~;- I nfante has a distant relative, Don Leander, lineally te s l D6o lue L El from the kings of Allaquiz, who is in every it ti -..'a this opposite in person and character, and is con thi.; f ea tly hated by the ugly prince. Ambassadors from t heir . f idl Y tribe of the Cat's-paw Indians arrive, to pay Le ttn ,,7hutit tribute to the Queen, and mistaking Don g'r eu - "L a r for the Crown Prince, they treat the latter with !Its a ; l u.,_ ignity, which so enrages him that he induces nitei t t . ,er tO banish the unconscious offender. The 4 Po a t rn ' l L Leander repairs to an old bunting lodge, and a ril :P ul ses the ancient family seat in the following • "Before this scat with moistened eyes I stop, Where first I suck'd my ea rliest lollipop ; Here i n a f ro li c mood, at evening's close, T o 4 . With a new top I pegg'd my tutor's toes." disci with his melancholy, he takes his flute, when an str,:rahmiliarly wakes a ladder of his leg, and is pre ehiefe," by Leander—not in spirits, but inhis f l i t a h n e d ke r• defie r . "d Protected by him from the attack. gar i'Ls• The hunt is now heard approaching, and o Infante n d 13 thrown from his horse, and in danger ?! resrlt? killed by a wild boar, when Leander rushes to hi,„ ntrieea-ea lid saves him for which kindness the prince ab out t-tlik_his follower's to kill his preserver. They are has 'jeY, when the Fairy Gentilla, whom Leander rt a proteeted under the form of the snake, suddenlyap new"' an-, in return for the service rendered to . her, .__zt _delivers him from his enemy, and gives him u t 7 a rlet e itp and feathers, by means of which ho c . an . visri:Port himself wherever he likes, and become in , ; le w hen he pleases. She also bestows on him three whte roses —red, white, and yellow—the first of andh Confers on its possessor health, the second clove *jai' the third is a test of the truth of woman's *j a il ,' Provided, he departs on his travels, and is by a pi " transported to a . forest "five miles distant from the ma rs Where formerly stood Hicks's Hall." Here he eliatrs the cry of Police," and four sanguinary ruffians of !f, dragging in Apricotina, own maid to the Princess t "le Island of Tranquil Delight, who has return( d L 4 O the island in search of her mistress' stray parrot. thander, rendered invisible by his cap, causes the ruffians e uarrel and kill each other; after which he unbinds 4,Young lady, who, in a capital parody to the air of „ I ` 3 hQ Bold Dragoon," informs him that her mistress ereautiful oung princess, who has been brought tip 4441 3 ' S trictly hy her mother, und not allowed to see a • Leander is naturally anxious to see this charming epreattire: but being told by Apricotina that she cannot tlssib lY eonve to the island, he has recourse to his FaPhe , a Palace is con Y v eyed in an hist Jit to the Hall of Mirror: la ta lace of u Delight, where the Princess Xquizit, little dPet is disc overed surrou nded by her female court. The aringd intruder conceals s himself by his invisible cap, °sli ming the v o i ce o f one of the pet parrots, keeps w i l h r o l vry animated conversation with te ncess, wit 4 0 , 41 e he isi already deeply enamoure h d. Pri Apricotina ttreturns and, relating her adventures in the forest. ets.,such) a ' glowing description of her gallant deliverer the ...,!!e I rincess is in love with him before she sees him. ara"! princess and her ladies then go to supper, and a' u sing scene then takes place at table, where the .. v isible P r i nce eats all the nice tid bits to which the co rl _ li cesai helps h er f avour i te cat . After supper the hurt retire, and the Princess repairs to a grotto in tad Palace gardens, when the bank of the grotto opens L elder appears as the statue of Apollo, after the - of the .pases plastique3, on a revolving pe. PRINCESS'S. The pantomime at this theatre was preceded by Boyle Bernard's elegant little drama of Blanche de Vans Y (in which Mrs. Stirling sustained the part of Blanche with her usual grace and tenderness) and Mr. G. 11. Rod well's highly successful opera of The Seven Maids of Munich, in which Mr. Allen (as Frederic) and Mr. L•ff ler (as Bellejambe) were, as usual, loudly applauded, and occasionally encored. The pantomime itself wa; one of great splendour, produced, as the play-bill in forms us, " under the superintendence of Mr. Emden," and entitled The Enchanted Beauties of the Golden Cas tle; or, Harlequin and the One-eyed Genii. The over ture (" from the joint compositions of all the celebrated composers") introduced most of the airs of the Ethiopian Serenaders, commencing with " Lucy Neal," and con cluding with an imitation of the " Railroad Overture," and was a rich treat to the god's, who did not fail to join in, with more mirth than good order. The plot of the piece is very simple, Goggle (Mr. S. Smith) " a shortsighted one eyed genii, moving his own orbit and singularly looking to his own interest, whose cast has not yet been taken by any eye authority," has in his power 100 maidens who by enchantment are kept in deep sleep, in a certain golden castle, Inaccessible to mortals unaided by supernatural power. The spell by which the 100 beauties are bound, can only be broken by the liberation of one of them, the Princess Joan, and this lady is therefore guarded with extra care. Any Prince, who can gain admission to the castle., is at liberty to enter the chamber in which the Princess is confined, but on turning the fatal key, the too adventurous intruder pays forfeit by the loss of his eye, and of his liberty, fur on failing to effect the escape of the Princess, he becomes the slave of Goggle. At the opening of the piece, ten Princes rejoicing in such names as Queersight, Squinny, lialfcast, and Spec, are in the p twer of Goggle, having had the hardyhood to turn the key, and having paid the forfeit of their temerity. The ten captives arc interrupted in the middle of a doleful lament by the arrival of Prince Hiram, Star-and-Stripes, Frizzlewig, Sovereign of Batnboozle-'em, whose territories lie in the fertile land of the back woods of America (Mr. S. Cowell), who having heard of the hundred enchanted maidens, is anxious to get an intro. duction, with a view to " matrimonial alliance" with one of them. The request is immediately granted by Goggle, on a condition, essential in all agreements with gentle men of his order, namely, that Frizzlewig shall ulti mately become his property. The contract being made, the Prince is carried off by a gigantic bird, who is to set him down at the toot of the hill on which the castle is placed. Hirano objects to hi 3 plan, l ut, if er some con sideration, he assents. Ai the same time, however, Prince Pop—nephew of his uncle, taking on principle an excessive interest in the fate of Princess Joan (Mr. P•'.ogna)—has t eea commissioned by Dalits (Miss So mers),, the " Fairy of the Basaltic Rock," to go to the castle under the guidance of her attendant sprite, Rain bow (Mr. H. Marshall). for the purpose of liberating the Princess. He is warned that whoever turns the key of the Princess's chamber will lose his sight. and become the slave of Goggle, without saving the Princess ; but whoever has the courage to open the door after another, has turned the key, will succeed in his object. Hiram having been introduced to the " Hall of 100 doors," and having " payed .his attentions" to the enchanted beauty, insists on being introduced to the 100th maiden, for he perceives that there are but 99, and notwithstanding the warning that he will lose his sight, he says that " Goggle sha'nt keep the nret!iest gal for himself," and add., "If I die a pantile, I'll live a brick." He is conducted to the lOaih chamber, turns the key, and, of course, loses his eye. Not having the courage to go on after tbis, he hangs back, but Prince Pop, who has watched him for some time, now comes forward, throws open the door, and enters. The Princess awakes from her trance (the spell being broken), and the Fairy, Dahlia and Goggle make their appearance. The latter, disappointed as he is, has some consolation in the fact that he has gained a new slave in the person of Prince Hiram. The characters are then transformed by Dahlia, Prince Pop to Harle. quin (Mr. Bologna), the Princess Joan to Columbine (Miss Burbige) Prkce Hiram to Clown (Mr. Flex more), and Dame Pimple Kongue (housekeeper of the Golden Castle and locker•up of the enchanted beauties), to Pantaloon (Mr. Paulo). The "comic'' portion of the piece is made up for the most part of the thumping, kicking, and shouting of clown and pantaloon, with a slight sprinkling of tricks and transformations, which, however, are all good. A severe cut is given to Mr. Hervey Leech, and his late attempt to "gull" the public, in the character of the " Wild Man of the Prairies." A -chest, marked " Harvey's Sauce, from California," is placed in front of an oilman's shop, and from it, a monster apparelled after the " What-is it ?" fashion, appears, and, after cutting a few gro tesque capers, leaps through the window of an oyster shop, in which appears a label marked " Gone to take in the Natives." Mr. S. Cowells, acting in the character of Prince Hiram, deserves the highest praise. It is in the highest degree comic and transatlantic. He sang a new song " Tarnation Strange," introducing a budget of Jonathanisms (amongst others that of " the Nigger who was so black that charcoal made a white mark on him), with great effect, and was vehemently encored. The other gentlemen also acquitted themselves " excellent well," but truth, as well as gallantry, compels us to say, that the success of the pantomime depended mainly on the efforts of the ladies of the corps de ballet. ADELPHL The clever directress of this favourite theatre has, at the present festive season, indulged her friends and ad mirers with a new three act drama, entitled Colomba ; or, the Corsican Sister. The state of society in the island of Corsica—the national irritability of its people—the partiality for feuds and litigation which prevails—vices transmitted as so many sacred heir-looms from father to son—have furnished Prosper Merimoe, Inspector-Gene ral of the Historical Monuments of Frame, with the ma terials for a story of thrilling interest ; and the present drama, which is adapted from it, contains, in prodigal profusion, the varied incident, the pathos, wit, and humour, which distinguishes the original. The story, as given at the Adelphi, is one not easily described within our brief limits. The incidents result from a long standing feud between the Hubbies and the Barricinis ; and the principal of the one family having been slain by the members of the rival house, his daughter Colomba (Maclaine Celeste) burns to revenge his death upon the Barricini. With this sole object in view, she impatiently expects the return of her brother Antonio, an officer in the French army, and great, therefore, is her disappointment when she finds that the influence of Lydia Neville (Mrs. Yates), daughter of an eccentric English Colonel, whom he has met, and with whom, as a matter of course, he falls in lore, has half turned him from his purpose. What the persuasions of Colomba could not do, the treachery of the Barricini themselves effected, and having, in the first and second acts, seen their attempts on the life of Antonio (Mr. Howe) defeated,, through the vigilance of Colomba, the third act closes with the disgrace and punishment of the guilty Barricini, and we are left to infer that Antonio and Miss Neville married, and reared a family, that they lived long, and died happily.. There is an under current of comedy running throughout the piece The broad farce of Mr. Wright, as Barnaby Puffball, the Colonel's man, the e x quisite archness of Miss Woolgar, as Chilina, a peasant girl, contrasting admirably with the grave comicality of 0. Smith and Paul Bedford, who per sonate two social bandits. Mr. Selby, as Mons. Dude vent, the French Prefect, afforded great amusement by his forcible delineation of the fastidiously polite gentil homme of a certain age, condemned to live among bar barians, and at a distance from the gilded salons of Paris, and the endearments of his own loved France. Madame Celeste, as Colomba, was all fire and passion. When the curtain fell Madame was loudly called for, and on her appearance, and while announcing the piece for re petition, she was loudly and enthusiastically cheered. A similar honour was conferred on Miss Woolgar, Mr. Wright, and Mr. Howe. The scenery was admirably painted, and the costumes well got up. This was fol lowed by the gymnastic exhibition of air. John Lees and his three pupils, al.-IN:asters Hanlon's ; and when we say, that in grace of posture, and ease of effort, they equalled, if they did not exceed; Professor Risley and his son, we convey the highest praise that it is possible for us to do. The evening's entertainments were wound up by the spectacle of the Phantom Dancers. The theatre was well crowded in every part, and the au:H ence seemed highly delighted with the intellectual feast which had been provided for them. OLYMPIC. King Afred the Griot; or, Harlequin History and the Enchanted Raven, is the title of the Pantomime which Mr. George Bolton produced on Saturday for the amuse ment of his patrons. The Olympic was, at one time, celebrated for its pantomime, and Mr. George Bolton has this year, well sustained the honour of his house. The basis upon which it is founded, is, as the oills informs us ; Bolton tell us an " Ancient Saxon Chronicle," which thus runs :—" About this time, ye good Kynge Alfred beinge sorely pressed, didde fynde hym.,elf com pelled to f•ynge exceedinge small, and-ye cruelle Danes havynge may-de themselves atte home in the Kynge, hys land, he putte on ye garb of a gleeman, or street myn stralle of those dayes, in ye whyche guise he would stryke merElye uppe anent ye doores of publycke taverns, and send hys cappe for the coynes. Whylst ye poor Kynge was thus so dreadfullie harde uppe he tooke shelter at ye house of a Dame, who was makynge some cakes, and when she sette hym to mind thate they didde not burn, ye poor Kynge, thinkynge of hys sad plyghte, didde forgette to turn them, and so got soundlie rated for hys neglect, which was a daintie conceit he didde laugh atte with good cheer. Then came to hym onne who sayde that ye Danes were feastynge merrilie, and makynge a night of itte at Stonehenge, whereupon he attacked them with heartie goode wille, crybbedde their magic Standard of ye Raven and kyllynge ye savage Guthrum, ye Danish leader, didde gene hys own again to ye wonderre and admiration of elle. Whence cometh ye saying of Kynge Alfred and hys cakes, thatte lie who doeth onne goode turne deserveth another."—An cient Saxon Chronicle After a most effective overture by Mr. Thiriwall the curtain was raised and displayed a magnificent scene, representing the " British heroes i n the realms of history," which drew down rounds of ap plause from the crowded audience. History, whs iTbsyhheelr, pantomime,sabeml en a c k a i nta n idnl g ednT u ar p cta:l a h aens e s gtt r i,efis a x d ( : c ot upuconaant Castle ttt lot efi tour eu r us subject ne t gen oonf searchs Ai i n : o : f e tel e (i e White Horse Vale, Berkshire, where we find the Dines, headed by Guthrie, interrupting a Saxon festival, an d d o ing awful execution among the viands. Edwin, a young Saxon, whose lady-love (Elfrida) is captive to the Danes, •after sundry hair-breadth escapes, joins Alfred, who has received a magic lamp from a Druid, and who having token refuge in the cottage of Dame Wonapenny, of course, leaves the cakes accordi ng to the traditio n. Alfred, with his harp, and FAwin, with a key bugle, serenade the Danes encamped at Stonehenge, and filially overthrow them, and th en co mes the harliquinade. Mr. Cormack being Ha r l equ i n; Mi ss Annie Mott , Columbine ; Mr. Jefferini, Clown ; end the veteran F. Dartland, Pantaloon. Cormack is one of the most agile Harlequin's we have . ever seen, and ! L i o s r o ) n l a v, n , e d r are t s h u ti c e e n i t l e a n s t .. Miss Mott, as Columbine, was exceedingly graceful. i T u h r e an n e a e m th es: t of c The scenery, by Browning, was beautiful, the tricks pantomimes should be—a The pantomime is very well and is what all were exceedingly clever, and the written,masks most . grotesque. j l Clown r n n a P n a d n t quizzical commentary on the events of the past year. The Olympic pantomime will, no doubt, have a long run. • Who has not heard of Sadlers' Wells . sales have not panto mimes? or what person is there whose d A a n y no fo D ll o cs rni i n t i will be the holi day To . shook with laughter at witnessing them? SA--DLERS' WELLS. and its ,bethseomfears-4ftt! not " bated one jot or tittle" of its former attractions, or its claims to the merited support of the laughter -loving people of the metropolis. The new pantomime, h is at ha in s Harlequin and a Happy New Year, or, the White Got and m sfa ed etio s n ad ti e the King and his Three Sons," was equal, if not superior k rs no l vi Ve t l to anything which has been produced fur some years at this or any other theatre. Mother Bunch's dioramic illustration of fairy land,. and the enchanted lake and forest, were got up in the beat style, and reflect great called credit upon the taste of Messrs. Fenton and Finlay. Among the incidents calculated to lash the follies of the age were the Wellington statue, upon which the " Moral engine of Punch" being brought to bear, causes the arch of Burton to crumble beneath the superincumbent weight, and engulfs in its ruins the mammoth horse, while its colossal rider, in his huge dime ns i ons , walks his " half hour" ou the s t age in evident discom fiture at the loss of his charger, and Trench standing by, bewails the catastrophe with the most grotesque lamentations imaginable. The Prize Peasant, in another scene, receives his medal for his twenty years service, close by the spot, at " Stuffpig's Agricultural Establish ment and Experimental Farm," where the appetite of an enormous pig is being fully attended to by some dozen men in smock frocks. The Duchess of Marlborough is not. forgotten. Attired in the veritable "ladies shooting dress," designed by Punch, she brings down a pair of pheasants, and is seized by one of the myrmidons of the law, but shortly liberated on the ground that " ladies are allow e I to kill." The Duke of Marlborough's mansion is "open `de fy from ten to four, admission one chilling—.children 1 If price." The ducal poulterer invites purchasersito p trchase his game, and finally " makes game of John Bull." The ghost of the game laws "goes off with a tremenduous explosion." Shakspeare drawn by the tra4ic muse, is "removed from Covent Garden to a stn tiler house." Time and space would fail to go torough all the parts worthy of notice. One exact likeness we m us t not, h owever, pass over , which waa neither more nor less than the living type of Clown (Mr. Charles Stilt), who, judging from the progress he ha s n ale, an d the effects of parental " training up i n the way he s h ou ld go, " w i l l one d ay exce l even his father's doings, strange and wondrous as they are. Mr. C. Fenton was an exce ll ent Harlequ i n ; an d a ll praise is due to Miss Caroline Barnet, for the very tasteful man ner in which she disposed of the laborious character of Columbine; and as for Pantaloon.(Mr. Johnson), Sprite (Mr. R. Stilt), and Clown (Mr. Charles Stilt), their achievements were of a most extraordinary kind. Mr. and Miss Maskell danced the pus de deux Aeapolitaine with the greatest precision and accuracy, and received loud and long continued plaudits from all parts of the house. We were sorry - to hear that in consequence of the sudden illness of Mr. Phelps, he would not be able to make his appearance in The -Stranger. His part was, however, well sustained by Mr. Marston; and Mr. Hos kins, at a brief notice, played Baron Steinfort in a creditable manner. Miss Laura Addison's acting in the part of Mrs. Haller, was the best performance of that lady's which we have seen for some time. The house was crowded in every part. SURREY. The performances at this theatre commenced with an entirely new drama, from the pen of Mr. Edward Sterling, entitled The Hand of Cards, produced with the effective concomitants of new scenery and additional per formers. The drama was one admirably calculated to attract the lovers of sight seeing, as man) tremendous positions were announced in the bills. It would be un necessary to follow t h e production throug h its entire plot, suffice it to say, that all those engaged sustained their parts with s pi r i t , and the piece appeared to give unlimited satisfaction, not one mark of disapprobation being heard during the whole evening. Indeed, although the attention of the audience was sufficiently engrossed by the piece, it was evident that they were expecting with impatience the grand attraction of the evening —the pantomime—which was entitled, The King of the Castle, or Harlequin in the Land of Dreams. The production, by Mr, Irarebrother, affords ample scope for splendid effect, and it must be said that the scenery was arranged on a scale of magnificence very creditable to the management of the theatre. The curtain rose to a scene representing the Laud of Dreams, with the ex terior of Imaginary castle and the Enchanted lake. Lunario is discovered sleeping, and under the protection of Nymphalia and her train of fairies, by whom a clever little ballet is enacted, Lunario dreams that he is united to:the Princess Adorina. The scene is well changed to the Illuminated Castle and Grotesque,,Hall of Statues (we did not observe the Dnke of Wellington). The scene was well got up, and a clever effect,, was produced. A combat takes place between Fatterissidio, the Chamber lain, and the Prince Leanini, for the love of the Queen Lollipoppi. Peacock Castle is then presented, and Scrunchall, the monarch, dispatches divers state affairs, and discovers the elopement'of his daughter, who has been transported to Lunario by fairy power. All start in pursuit, and arrive in the fairy grove, where Scrunch all and Lollipoppi are transformed to Clown (Herr R. Deulin), and Pantaloon (Herr N. Deulin) ; whilst Ado rina and Lunario are transformed into Columbine (Madlle. Theodore), and Harlequin (Herr Deulin). The Chamberlain becomes Punch, the only competent per son. The real fun of the evening then commenced, and no expense has been spared to render th e tr i c k s amus i ng . Most of the situations a nd tricks were entirely new, and there was little or none of the advertisin g system which has of late been introduced into pantomimes. The thing went off admirably, and though somewhat long in conse quence of its being the first night, and so many new effects being introduced, there is no doubt that the prac tice of a few nights representation will render it such,as will sustain the high reputation of this theatre for its Christmas amusements. The Deulin family, by whom the principal personages were represented, went throm,h their parts with their usual spirit and agility, and the concluding scene, the Temple of Refulgent Brilliants, was very good. It is but justice to observe that a more orderly Boxing night has rarely been witnessed at this theatre, every word of the performances being clearly heard, and nothing disturbing the harmony of the even ing except interjectional remarks of doubtful propriety from the pit, with reference to hats in the front. The curtain fell amidst the loudest applause. ASTLEPS. The performances at this favourite place of amusement Commenced on Saturday with the representation, for the fortieth time, of the Demon Horse; or, the Twelve Wishes and the Charmed Bit. This popular piece was received with all the manifestations of approval that have hitherto marked its progress, and was announced in the bills as one of the toany attractions to this theatre during the whole of the present week. Mr. Batty's Scenes of the Circle also fully sustained the long-lived reputation of thi- house ; and those who witnessed the feats of Miss Isabelle, the beautiful training of Mr. R. Smith's two spotted horses, and the laughable eomicalities of the brothers Polaski, and their black attendant, Mr. Hender son, must have telt that the immortal Ducrow had left his mantle behind him, for novelty followed novelty in rapid succession, including the singular exhibitions of Neupert, the bottle equilibrist. But the crowning inci dent of the night was, of course, the pantomime. We are never disposed to to hypercritical on subjects that are got up solely to entertain the young, and which may ge nerally be considered successful if they effect that object. Judging from these premiies, we should say that the Forty Thieves; or, Harlequin All Baba and the Robbers' caves, was eminently successful ; for, independent of the usual fun and changes, among which the " open sesame" figures Conspicuously, the dazzling brilliancy of several of the scenes must have compelled those even to admire who were two cynical to laugh. The regions of pearl in the grotto of the silver stream—the ruby chariot of the wave—the Fairy Queen, with her steeds of the illumi nated waters—the representation of the Wyatt-Welling ton statue—the rich fairy halls of dazzling light—and the final scene of the realms of Love, Or the radiant aerial bower, with the wondrous revolving stars—these were chef d'auti, es in their way, and reflected equal credit on the artists and on the management, as neither expense nor pains could have been spared in the pethcting of these designs and spectacles, at once boldly conceived and brilliantly executed by the inspiration of genius. Amongst the hits at the times—the enormous penny loaf of the League bakers, and the rival Paddington omni buses, at 3d., 2d., and Id., were the most significant, perhaps, while the devices and subscriptions, " Victoria, England's prid e ;" e C o bd en and Cheap Bread ;" " Free Trade and Sir Robert Peel," elicited thunders of ap plause from all sides of the house. We think it unne cessary to detail the plot of the pantomime previous to the tranformation of the characters ; for who has not read the " Arabian Nights ?" Suffice it to say, that Alt Baba, Abdallah, and Morgiana, might be imagined to have resuscitated f or t h e occasion ; an d t h e Cl own , Pantaloon, Harle qu i n , an d C olumbine, leaped, tumbled, twisted, and t w i r l e d, t ill our sides literally ac h e d , an d our eyes grew di zz y. F a i rlop Fair was admira bl e . I n deed this pantomime is one of the best ever produced. 1 7 /C 7'o RIA. The Christmas merrymakers assembled at this house on boxing night in overwhelming numbers, and, lsng before the curtain rose, the theatre presented a con densed living, though hardly breathing, mass of human beings, abounding in unmistakable specimens of the facetious low life of London, amongst whom Boz and his imitators so much delight to revel. Every available nook or corner, which afforded a seat or a sight, was eagerly contested, and those who could not secure a full view of the stage, were content to peer through holes and crevices, or strain their necks over the heads and shoulders of their more fortunate neighbours. A French translation called the "Black Doctor" was the first piece on the list, but, it would seem, the audience con sidered it undeserving of the least attention, and four acts were hurridly p'rformed in mere dumb show. The elevated portion of the auditory, however, amused themselves during its representation with cracking jokes upon each other, and now and then the tedium was relieved by some caustic witticism giving rise to a slight ebullition of pugilistic feeling, which invariably ended in an appeal to a police officer, and a noisy request to " pitch him over ;" at length the welcome sounds of " Hat's off."—" Sit down," announced the com mencement of the pantomine, and immediately the " rebellious gods " became hushed and still. The subject was both seasonable and instructive, and the entertainment well merited th 3 unequivocal success it met with. It was entitled The Birth qf the Steam-Engine ; or, Harlequin Go a-head ; and the incidents were intended to illustrate the rise and progress of steam, from the first descovery of its power, through the simple medium of the spent of a tea kettle, down to the introduction of the leviathan locomotives on the Great Western Railway. The bubbles and follies of the day were hit off in smart style, and the tricks, illu sions, and transformations being very cleverly managed, were rewarded with a good deal of laughter, and a good deal of applause. A capital caricature of a prize-fight was given by the Clown and Harlequin, who, of course, appeared in a multitudinous cast of characters—now railway directors, next cheap steam-boat proprietors, and, anon, the driver and stoker of a railway train. The Wellington Statue, Westminster -bridge, London by night, the Eastern Counties R a il way, the HuLgerford cheap Omnibus stand were all brought into requisition, and the " oldest inhabitant" gave it as his decided opinion, that it was the best pantomime that had been produced on that side of the water for many a day. FOREIGN CATTLE.—The Sir William Wallace steamer, arrived at Blackwell from Boulogne, has brought another entire cargo of live cattle, comprising forty-two cows and 600 sheep, the produce of France. CONVEYANCE OF COAL BY RAIL. —It seems pri bable that there will be in future considerable compet don in the coal traffic at Stamford, and that the public will be supplied by a different class of persons from those who have hitherto carried on the trade. Since the an nouncement that the Eastern Counties Railway Company had determined to carry coals along the line, there have been numerous applications at the Stamford station rola t've to the rate of charges and the wharfage accommo dation; and it is understood that several tradesmen, such as druggists, drapers, grocers , maltsters, enter ing into arrangements to deal in that article. Part of the supplies are expected from Lynn by way of Ely, but &c . are it is thought that the greater portion will come from the Thames along the Blackwell and Stratford line. It seems that coals unshipped at Black wall avoid the Lon dotaillp and thus than in the metropolis, although the colliers br;nging ws o e r o t d dues, coals can Nith ic be l t are sold e in x ceedingl y Stamford heavy, a t aower price them reach within ten miles of London. It is calculated that Yorkshire coals may be delivered here Io- 17s. or 18s. a ton, and Newcastle for 21s, or 22 s.—Cambridge Advertiser. THE FUTURE OF CANADA. (From the Colonial Gazelle.) A new era is opening upon Canada. The progress of s-ttletnent, of the development of territorial resources, is about to take a fresh start. The recent mineral disco veries on the Canadian shores of lakes Superior and Huron present a remunerative field for the investment of capital and labour. A due admixture of enterprise and judicious caution will soon call forth busy settlements in that region as populous and thriving as those on the rich agricultural peninsula between lakes Erie and Huron. Of the extent and local features of the mineral region our information is limited and desultory. But according to a litter from Mr. Allan Macdonnell, of the Quebec Mining Company, in the Montreal Times, the rich mi neral district on the north (or Canadian) side of Lake Superior commences at Maimanse, only 45 miles from Soult St. Marie, at the outlet of the lake; and according to the statement made by Mr. Forrest Shepherd at a meeting of the Montreal Mining Company, held on the 16th of October, it extends to Nirigon, nut far from Fort William, which is near the western extremity of the tongue of Canadian territory running out between the United States and the lands of the Hudson's Bay Company. Specimens of the ores analysed by Professor Saharan have been found to yield from 40 to 63 per cent. of copper, and may be expected to work on a great scale from 30 to 50 per cent. The ore is, in many instances, combined with iron ores, and in some with native silver. On the northern shore of the lake numerous islands and bays form available hat boors. Waterfalls for driving machinery abound. Respecting the mining districts on Lake Huron we are without information. When public attention in Canada was first directed towards this mineral region, licenses to explore were issued for a short tim e; but an Order in Council was soon passed by the Local Government to the elf ct that no more should be granted. Those issued were not, however, withdrawn; and the region has been widely and minutely examined for mining localities, principally, it would appear, ti parties in connexion with the two companies named above. The provincial geologist, Mr. Logan, passed the last season on Lake Superior, making surveys and marking locations for the adventurers. On the 7th of October last a minute in Council was made under which the then several license-holders were to be permitted to work the mines, under the authority of the licenses which they held, with the option, either then or at any other time within the period of two years, to purchase locations of ten square miles, at the rate of 4s. per acre, payable one-fifth part in hand, and the re mainder in five yearly payments, with interest. It is added that, when the licenses which have been issued are all located, the lands on lakes Huron and Superior are to be forthwith opened for sale at the minimum price of 48. per acre in blocks of ten miles square. On the 7th of last month a public notice, issued from the Crown Lands department, intimated some further regulations agreed upon at a meeting of Council on the 2d. Every license-holder, whose location is designated 1:.3 the Pro vincial Geologist, is entitled to a certificate of location from the Commissioner of Crown Lands on payment to that officer of 1501., to cover the cost of survey and other contingent expenses. This sum is to be placed to the credit of the locatee, as a part of his first instal ment, when the price shall be confirmed, ti..d shall be forfeited to Government, and the land again offered for sale, in the event of his declining to purchase the location or failing to pay the first instalment within two years. All future applicants for locations are entitled to the same rights on the same conditions. Before any further locations are surveyed the Commissioner of Crown Lands is to require of each applicant to point out the situa tion of the land he wishes to obtain on Bay field's map, and to receive the 150/. The Commissiober or Crown Lands it to report on the best method of laying out the mineral locations on Lake Superior.; and a surveyor will be ap pointed to lay out the mining districts on Lake Huron whenever the applicants shall have - complied with these requirements. All grants are to be subject to such re• gulations to ensure the vierking of mines as may be hereafter enacted by (the Provincial) Parliament. Under these regulations, the Quebec Company have already,secured locations at Maimanse and elsewhere . Two shipments of ores have already been made by them with a view to test their qualities, and the rate of re muneration which may fairly be expected for exporting them. Mr. Shepherd, the agent of the Montreal Com , pany, has also secured locations with excellent aarbours and mill sites ; has got the islands and shores of the lake on and near which they are situated laid down in a map, with all their mineral and geological features ; has erected cabins, houses, and blacksmiths' shops—in all thirty buildings, with entrances for boats and schooners ; has prepared ground for making bricks and for gardens, and has, in short, got everything in readiness for setting to work next spring. All this betokens energy and judgment, and was accomplished " without losing a man, or a boat, or scarcely an oar." But the most creditable circum stance for the company remains to be told. At the meeting of the 16th of Oetober, the Hon. Mr. Moffatt stated :—" Inquiries have been frequently addressed to the trustees, to know the value of stock ; what loca tions the company had got, and the mineral value of them ; and I have been asked for a copy of the articles of assocation. The greater part of these que,tions seemed to have in view some operation on the price of shares— all had this tendency. The trustees resolved to be no parties, directly or indirectly, to any influence of the price of shares. They have never desired to see the shares rise in price, because, until we had got our loca tions from Government, and until Mr. Shepherd had re ported the character of the discoveries he was engaged in making, we had nothing solid, nothing in hand upon which real value could be based. If the explorations were to turn out unsuccessful, it was right that the ori ginal parties to them should bear the loss." There can be little doubt of the eventual success of en terprises conducted by men animated with the honour able sentiments expressed by Mr. Moffatt, and the enterprise evinced by Messrs Shepherd and Macdonnell. The an ilysis of Professor Silliman establishes the value of the ores, and the concurrent reports of all who have examined the region, their abundance. Their is a fair field of investment, and it has been entered in the spirit of real labourers and legitimate traders, not of parkkir and Stock-Exchange speculators. As to the regulations adopted by the Local Government for guiding and en suring the bond fide working of this colonising experi ment, they seem fair and just, and likely to be condu cive to its success. Something there is, no doubt, in the remarks of the Montreal Pilot, that the issuing of a limited number of licenses at first, then the temporary intermission of the issue, the holders of those issued being allowed to proceed with their investigations, looks like favouritism. But what is vast cure is with us past care. The better system is now fairly in operation. If the suspicions of the Pilot are well founded, it is a matter to be kept in mind by the Canadians when public men ask their confidence, but it cannot materially affect the future development of Canadian resources. The working of the mines over the vast mineral region will necessarily fix upon it an industrious settled popu lation. The region, so far as hitherto known, is not re markable for fertility, and its climate is likely to be rather inclement. It is from the fertile districts to the south that the mining settlements must draw their stores of provisions. under any circumstances, the Huron district and the rest of the great alluvial peninsula of Canada West would have as fair a chance of being their principal garner as any of the neighbouring states of the Union. But, as Canada West lies in the track of the navigation by which the ores will be carried to the sea board, the vessels employed in that carriage, finding botb out and return cargoes, will be able to carry from it at cheaper rates, and thus give to the British farmer a preference in the markets of the mining districts. The mineral region will not only become the seat of a flourishing and industrious population—it will accelerate the settlement of Canada to the eastward of it. There are two obvious lines along which industrial enterprise will act in rivalry to make them thechannelsof communication between the mining districts and Montreal. Montreal, of course, either as at the head of the sea-nagivation of the St. Lawrence, or as the western terminus of the St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railway, is certain to be the depot of the mining trade. The carriage of the ores will, in the first instance, be by the lakes. But com paratively short and expeditious routes may be con structed, either from Goderich to Toronto; or by the line projected long ago by Mr. Sheriff from the em bouchure of French River in Lake lluron to the waters of tha Outawa. We look for the revival of the pro jected railway from Goderich to Toronto, and the un dertakiug of a mixed line of water and railway commu nication from Montreal by the Outawa to the north-east angle of Lake Huron. And the opening of these lines of communication will open up the country on either side of them for settlement. The effect of bringing into play this mineral region of Canada will be to give the interior of British North America a valuable article of export, and to create an extensive home market for the agriculturists. It is pretty certain that the simultaneous discovery of rich deposits of copper in Australia and on the lakes of Canada will be to keep down the price of the metal. But it is available for so many purposes, and the population and industrial wants of civilised (and of uncivilised) nations are so rapidly increasing, and thereby widening the market for it, that the obtaining a fair price need not be feared for all that can be produced. The growth of a settled population to the north and west of lakes Huron and Superior, and over the whole intermediate• country between that region and Montreal, and the settled agricultural dis tricts of Canada West, will give British North America what it has been hitherto most deficient in—breadth of settled territory. So long as Canada is a mere strip along the St. Lawrence—a mere hem along the broad cloak of the United States' population—it can have no weight in the political balance of the American continent. But when it extends in breadth as well as in length, its substantive existence will be felt by all. The mineral regions may find other outlets to the sea than the St. Lawrence: they lie close to the upper waters of those rivers which disembogue themselves at the Hudson's Bay Company's fort of Albany. Some will regard the opening of this new field of en terprise in Canada as a compensation for the " protec tion" of which it has recently been deprived. 'We re gard the removal of that " protection" as the first step to the adoption of a new comma rcial system, under which alone these mineral regions can be worked with profit. The "protection," with its corresponding re strictions, was the remnant of that system under which Pennsylvania was, before the war of Independence, pro• hibited to establish founderies or manufacture grates, pots, and kettles, lest the cast-iron ware of Great Britain should be undersold in the American market The abolition of "protection" on Canadian produce must lead to the abolition of all restrictions on Canadian trade ; for the abolition of these restrictions is neces sary for the prosperous development of its mineral wealth. The claims of the Montreal Board of Trade cannot long remain ungranted : "1. The repeal of the Imperial differential duties. 2. The repeal of the 3s. frontier duty on American wheat 3. Such a modification of the British Navigation Laws as will leave us free to employ, at our option, the cheapest vessels we can procure,whether they be British or fortign. 4. The removal of all restrictions that now operate gnat the free trod° of the St. Lawrence, . _ RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. BRISTOL AND POOLE HARBOUR RAILWAY. (From th e P oo l e H era ld o f S aturday.) On Monday last, a public meeting ef the inhabitants of Poole, called by requisition, which document received 82 signatures, was held in the Town Hall, for the pur pose of raking into consideration the proposed Bristol and Poole Harbour Railway, and, on the event of a de claration in favour of the line, to determine on the steps to be adopted in furtherance of the scheme. H. M. ALDRIDGE, Esq., Under Sheriff, in the una voidable absence of the Sheriff, A. Adams, Esq., wa ' called to the chair, who, after reading the requisition, observed that that document had been signed by many persons, and he hoped some of them were prennt for the purpose of supporting the objects for which tne meeting= had been called. es i M. K. WELCH, Esq., observed, that perhaps as one signing the requisition, in the absence of any of the pro moters of the undertaking, he might be allowed to make a few observations. The meeting had been fixed to take place on a very inconvenient day for the attendance of parries from Bristol. lie had heard that Mr. Goldney, the mayor of that city, intended to be present, though he had not arrived, and no doubt Monday, the day chosen, had been found as great an obstacle to his leaving his own town as it had been to others. Unfortu nately, also, Mr. Castleman, of Wimborne, one of the secretaries pro tem., had written to say he could not be pre sent in consequence .of the Corporation of that town holding a meeting also upon the same day, at which that gentleman had business, though Mr. Castleman stated that one of the directors would be present. No director, however, hid arrived. Having thus premised, he would proceed to make a few observations on the scheme. He was not aware whether the prospectuses of the company had passed into the hands of all the gentlemen present, and, therefore, it would be preferable, perhaps, to state broadly the object of the undertaking. The Bristol and Poole Harbour Railway Company were desirous of opening a communication between the port of Poole, the Bristol Channel, and the port of Bristol, passing from Bristol through or near the important towns and villages of Whitchurch, Pensford, Clutton, Shepton Mallstt, Bruton, Castle Cary, Wincanton, Stalbridge, Sturminster, Newton, Shillingston, Stourpain, Blandford, Spettis bury, Sturminster Marshall, Wimborne Minster, to Poole Harbour, and terminating, as the map showed, at the north-east part of the town, near the Fish Sham bles. Independently of the communication to the west, this line, if completed, would create a communica tion with the north of England, as at Bristol, lines were already in existence with the northern and eastern parts of the kingdom. The distance to Bristol by the line now before the meeting was calculated at 67 miles. He did not, of course, think it necessary to go through the whole prospectus, but he would observe the traffic Was considered large, and the convenience to the town very great. With these few remarks he should call on gentlemen present to make some suggestions on the question. - G. LEDGARD, Esq., was of opinion that it would be premature to support the line now before the town, without its advantages being well pointed out, and that the probabilities of its being carried to comple tion were also shown. The town should recollect that the South-Western and the Great Western Companies came in the neighbourhood, and both intended to reach Blandford. Both these companies were powerful, and if the inhabitants of Poole came to a resolution of sup porting the line from Poole Harbour to Bristol, the opposition of both would be exerted against the scheme. —(Hear.) He thought it, under these circumstances, preferable to come to no conlusion upon the Bristol line at present. Mr. PYKE inquired if the Bristol line was intended to communicate with other great lines at Bristol, or to ter minate trzere Mr. WELCH replied that the line would join others. namely, the Gloucester and other lines, which would carry the traffic northwards. Mr. PYRE was of opinion that the interest of Poole, as respected railways, had not been sufficiently cared for.—(Hear, hear.) The Southampton and Dorchester line bad fixed their terminus at Ham, and not in the town of Poole. He thought by the position in which Poole ails placed by the railway companies already in their neighbourhood, the town should support an inde pendeet line. As one of the shippers of clay he should wish a line by which clay could be carried by rail direct to the Potteries where it was %%anted, and he thought the Bristol and Poole Harbour Company would be able to do so by their line. The other day he had seen and conversed with the celebrated George Stephenson, at Birmingham, who had gone in that neighbourhood fur the establishment of potteries, and he had told him that the manufacturers were enabled to carry by the rail at the small expense of three halfpence a ton, with the addition of half-a-farthing for the trucks. Look, therefore, at the effect of a railway on the transit of clay; the cost of freight of which by vessel to Bristol, was 10s. a ton, and 10s. more in additional expenses. Poole required a railway. He believed the town might have been accommodated with a railway coming vid Salisbury, had not a division of opinion taken place upon the subject. He had no doubt that the line would have been brought to Poole. Under these considerations, though it appeared, no one of the promoters was present to explain the good purposes of the line, he thought the inhabitants of the town were, nevertheless, bound ti support it, and he had little d. übt the project would eventually be carried into beneficial effect.—(Applause.) Mr. PARROTT said he agreed with some of the obser vations which had fallen from Mr. P)ke, and some from Mr. Leilgard. It would certainly be of undoubted rd vantage to the town of Poole, if a company could be in duced to come to the town, but it seera‘ d impossible, at least, with the lines in the neighbourhood. The Great Western did not wish, it would appear, to come beyond Blandford, and the Southampton and Dorchester no fur ther than Ilani. lie did not see how Poole could rest Fads fled with a connexion with three only. No place, per haps, in the whole kingdom required a connexion 1% ith the manufacturing districts snore than Poole, for the cheapness of the port was well known, arid its connexion with the - internal part of the kingdom would, without doubt, make *her recommendations more available. It was the bounden duty of Poole to seize any chance that presented itself to obtain this benefit.—(Hear.) According to his opi nion there were three points which made the Bristol and Poole Harbour Railway beneficial to the town. Bristol would be benefited by the line, though no more than Poole. It would avoid the passage round the Land's End, a project which, 25 years ago, occupied the atten tion of the pubic, he having been called on to give evi dence on the subject, and which passage, could it have been effected, would have cost two millions of money. This Land's End passage would be avoided by the rail way to Bristol, and bring the traffic hitherto passing that way to the port of Poole for land transit. Ile would not allude to the trade with Manchester, that town being too near Liverpool to be affects d; but he could safely say that the foreign trade of Birmingham and its busy neighbourhood could be brought to the town in which they were then met. Southampton could be no rival to Poole. Southampton would answer as a port on a large scale, where vessels of heavy tonnage came once a year. That place could not interfere with a port like Poole, where ships could enter often and at very small charges. These were his points of consideration. The fruit trade of the Mediterranean, both green and dry, would also be brought to Poole. For these and other considerations he thought the line of railway under dis cussion likely to prove, if completed, of considerable benefit to the town. Mr. PYRE read a resolution which he thought would support a line of railway without giving a pledge. Mr. W. PEARCE seconded the motion. No doubt could exist that a line of railway connecting Poole with the manufacturing districts would be of iintnenr.e ad 'vantage. The traffic on the proposed line would be un doubtedly great ; indeed it was stated as likely to be enormous. It was not improbable that by a proper line an important communication with France and the Conti nent might also be promoted. G. LEDGARD. Esq., agreed with the necessity exist ing of railway communication. It was very well for Tyke and others who supplied clay to speak of railways, as connected with their own interests, but 40,000 tons of clay were annually brought from the Isle of Purbeck and shipped at Poole for the pot teries—thus employing 260 vessels. The trade of these vessels would be lost. Much inland trade existed, in coals, for instance, from the port of Poole. This was carried into the interior by carts and waggons, all rate which came to Poole, each,'perhaps, not spending in the town less than from ss. to 7s. each visit. Besides, the intention of this company might, after all, end in smoke. He did not think they would be ready to make the necessary deposit of 150,000/. by the 16th of January, the legal time to do so. Some of the landowners did not like the scheme, anti S:r J. Guest would not have supported the Southampton and Dorchester if against the interests of Poole. He thought, under all the omin/a stances, that the meeting should stand adjourned until the 17th of January, as by that period it would be seen if the company hal paid its deposits, and was, there fore in a coedition to go to Parliament. He would propose this as an amendment. The 17th falling on a Sunday, Mr. Ledger(' said any other day might be named after the day of do posit. Mr. RICK MAN said he thought, if the line was calcu lated to do good to Poole, that every facility should be shown to the project. It would be better that an earlier day should be named, because, if proper explanations were made, they might strengthen the views of the pro moters before the 16th of January. If, therefore, Mr. Ledgard would name an earlier day, he should second his amendment. Mr. LEDGARD had no objection to name an earlier day. Mr. PARROTT said he had no objection to an adjourn ment. Mr. PENNEY saw no objection to an adjournment. Mr. PYRE thought no good could result by an ad journment. No place in the country required railway connexion more than Pole. The town was isolated. and this isolation he wished to remove. If the railway before the meeting was likely to do good to Poole, why not say so at once. Eventually the amendment was withdrawn, and a general resolution in favour of the line, without a pledge to support it, and that a further meeting be held on the 29th instant in order to obtain fuller explana tions from the promoters of the undertaking, who shoul , l be specially requested to attend, was carried unani mously. ON DITS AND GOSSIP. The shareholders of the North British have prepared a requisition, calling upon the directors to convene a special meeting to consider Mr. Hudson's offer for the purchase or lease of the line. This requisition has eli cited au advertisement frotn the directors, rt questing the shareholders to suspend all proceedings in the matter for the present. It is, therefore, concluded that negotiations are pending. The directors of the Muichester, Midland, and Great Grimsby have declared their intend m to wind up the concern. It appears from an official statement that 31,220 shares were paid upon, producing 42,9271. 10s., being 11. 7s. paid per share. The directors state that they intend to return 4s. 6d. per share, after all the liabilities I are pH. The London and York have just purchased the East Lincolnshire, which extends from Bost on t o G reat Grimsby, where it joins the Great Grimsby and docks. The terms are 6 per cent. on the capital to be expended, with the option of taking London and York shares at par. when that line is completed. The certificates of the shares in the Birmingham and Oxford Junction have been issued at Birmingham; and to afford convenience to shareholders, they have been supplied to the brokers in all the large towns. The Eastern Counties and Great Northern, it is said, are abot.t conjointly to erect two immense docks at Wisbeach, in connexion with their lines there. One of the docks will cover an area of thirteen acres. The Southampton and Dorchester have applied to th• Town Council of Poole to learn upon what terms they will sell the quays. The Great Western are to lease the Wilts, Somersct, and Weymouth, and to make application to Parliament fix powers to extend the line. In the event of the powers being obtained an alteration will be made in the course of the railway between Pilcombe, near Bruton, and Rodden, near Frome. Alterations will also be mado near Bradford in the course of the branch to Bathampton. The South Devon are reported as being about to lease the Ashburton and Newton. The terms are stated to be five per cent. E ORDTNA TIONS. CHICHESTER.—On Sunday, the 20th instant, in resi dence, the Lord Bishop, the Very Rev. the Dean, the Rev. C. Hutchinson, and the Rev. H. Browne, the bishop's examining chaplain. Morning Scrvico—Te Deem and Jubilate, Boyce, in A ; Sanctus, Kyrie ; Creed, Aldrich, in G. The sermon was preached by the Rev. C. Pilkington, canon of Wyndham, from the Second Epistol to Timothy, c. 4, v. 13 and 15. Evening Ser vice—Cantatc and Deus Misereatur, Hayes, in E ; an them, " Awake, put on," Wise. On Sunday week the Lord Bishop held an ordination, when a larger number than usual were admitted to deacons' and priests' orders. An impressive sermon was delivered by the Rev. C. Pilkington, prebendary of Wyndham, on the duties of the ministry. The follow ing contains the names of all the candidates : DEACONS.—Charles Edward Douglas, 8.A., Trinity College, Cambridge; Charles Pitman Longl an d, S t B ee ' s College, Cumberlad ; William Henry Pritchett, 8.A., Corpus Christi College, Cambridge ; Richard Francis Tompkins, 8.A., St. John's College, Cambridge ; William Clarke, 8.A., Queen's College, Oxford ; Al fred Roberts, 8.A., Br asennose College, Oxford ; Henry Lacon Watson, 8.A., Gonville and Caius College, Cam bridge ; John Bartholomew Vale, 8.A., Emmanuel Col lege. Cambridge ; Charles Runs Drury, 8.A., St. John's College, Cambridge. PRIESTS.—Rev. Henry Francis Udney Hall, 8.A., Trinity College, Dublin ; Charles Daniel Crofts, 8.A., St. John's College, Cambridge ; Thomas Coombe, M.A., Trinity College, Cambridge ; Robert Foster, M.A., Corpus Christi College, Cambridge ; Andrew Vogan, Literate ; Thomas Walter Perry, Literate ; Charles Baker Teesdale, 8.A., Christ Church, Oxford. HEREFORD.—An ordination was on Sunday week held by the Bishop of Hereford, in All Saints Church, in that city, when the following gentlemen were admitted deacons or priests. The sermon on the occasion was preached by the Rev. John Venn, vicar of St. Peter's, and was a forcible and clear exposition of the duties and responsibilites of the ministerial offices. DEACONS.— William Henry Boscawen, 8.A., Magda lene Hall, Oxford ; John Fortescue, 8.A., St. Edmund's Hall, Oxford ; Vernon George Guise, 8.A., College, Oxford ; Edmund Baskerville Mynors, 8.A., St. Mary Hall, Oxford ; David Price, 8.A., Jesus Col lege, Oxford ; Vernon George Yonge, 8.A., late scholar of St. John's College, Cambridge. PRIESTS.—Henry Browne, 8.A., Trinity College, Oxford ; John Peter Carey, 8.A., Trinity College, Dublin ; John Cawood, 8.A., St, Edmund Hall, Oxford; Charles Harris, 8.A., Wadham College, Oxford ; Josiah Turner Lsa, 8.A., University College, Oxford ; Edward Wilton, 8.A., St. Mary Hall, Oxford. FALL INTO A SEWER.-011 Christmas-eve as a smith, named John Phelps, living in Lant•street, South wark, was returning home through the Borough Mint, with a goose that he had provided for his Christmas dinner, being the worse for liquor, he reeled against a pole placed to guard an opening into the sewer, and fell in. Ile was extricated with difficulty. CITY OF LONDON LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY.-- The first ordinary meeting of the above Society is to be held at the London Tavern on Wedesday, the 6th of January. HOP INTELLIGENCE.—WORCESTER, DEC. 23.—Our market o❑ Saturday showed great firmness, and the few lots disposed of realised rather more money than the previous week, the best samples fetching as high as 88s. to 90s. per cwt. The inferior sorts are more plentiful, and are less in request, prices of such ranging from 745. to 80s. per cwt. SPECULATION BY SHEFFIELD GENTS.—It iS 6 con fidently expected that a cnmpany of Sheffield gents. are about to undertake the carrying out of the Morewood Sough, Eyam, which unanimous opinion states will drain ihe lead mines in Eyarn Edge of water, a result that would be att, nded by the attaining therefrom immense mineral wealth. A POLITICAL JURY MAN.—We read in the Espe rance de aney One of the jury at the assizes for the Mvurth , ‘, which have just closed, was dining in the early part of the session at a table d'hote. The affair of Cracow having been much talked of at the dinner, the ju , yman, when it was over, said to one of the company : --‘ A great deal has been said of the affair of Cracow ; would you have the kindness, sir, to tell me if this affair is one of those which is to be tried during the present assizes ?' " • lionamr.E ACCIDENT.—On Thursday morning, upon a person going into the tap-room of the Dove and Rainbow public house, Nottingham, he was horrified at seeing a young man with his right shouloler, chest, and face upon a large fie! The poar creature, while warm ing hitn,e:f, was seized with an epileptic fit, and fell into the position in which ho was found. He was imme- diately carried to the General Hospital, where he — ;as discovered to be John Strutt, coal Niggler, aged 21. We are glad to hear that he is likely to recover.—Notting ham Guardian. DREADFUL. CASE OF DISTRESS.--Thursday an in quest was held before Mr. Baker, at the Duke of York, S.ihnon's-lane, Ratcliffe, on the body of Michael Hutchins, aged forty-eight )ears. The deceased resided in a miserable tenement, at No. 3, Fox's-court, Narrow street. The house was in a most ruinous condition, every pane of glass beirg broken. The cellars and larlours were evidently used for dust heaps, and the water was pouring in in all directions. The room pre setae(' a most destitute appearance, and the family, wt.ich consisted of six children, the deceased, and his wife, had scarcely any clothes to cover them. Mary Hutchins stat, d that she was the wife of the deceased. lie had been out of employment for a very considerable period, and he only occasionally worked in the docks. lie had been suffering from a cough, and he would never have any medical assistance. They had been in a most dreadful state of destitution, and the deceased would ne , er apply for relief. Witness paid ls. 6d. a week rent, and the only means of supporting her large family was by going out to wash. The deceased expired on Monday last. The Coroner said he should communicate to the district sui veyor, respecting the dilapidation of the houses in Fox's-court, for he was of opinion that those houses ought to be razed to the ground. He then gave the poor woman si. A verdict of ".Natural Death " was returned. A WILD SWAN.—In March, 1845 ' a wild swan visited Lowry's Lake, about two miles from this city, and it having been observed that he desired to abide in that locality, the late Mr. M•Williams procured a female from a neighbouring county, and had her placed on the lake. Thus coupled, in the course of time there were four cygnets, the whole family being regularly fed by Mr. James Wilkin, of Lakeview, up to the commence ment of the late frost, when he found it impracticable. Missing her regular allowance, the female forsook her brcs.d, and came direct to Mr. Willtin's kitchen, where she was fed, atter which an attempt was made to drive her back to the lake, but in vain, she resisted, literally • rolling on her back, so that she was allowed to remain.; On Friday last, when the thaw set in, the fugitive went • back to her family, and on the following morning re turned with the whole flock to the kitchen door, where they waitod until they were fed. The wild swan never attempted to leave his mate, aad has become quite do mesticated.—Armagh Guardian. ADVENTURES OF AN EXPRESS TRAIN.—On Tues day night, at six o'clock, an express train on the York and Newcastle Railway left Darlington, being about an hour and a half behind its usual time, having been de tained by the snow. The road was heavy all the way, and an additional engine was put to at Belmont, but there was no stoppage caused by the snow till they reached Washington, which it did about eight o'clock on Tuesday night. At Washington station the train stopped halt an hour, and it being reported there that the line was passable, it proceeded; but it had not gone more than half a mile when it was brought to a stand still. The engine-men and stokers, who were prepared with shovels, partially cleared away the snow which had drifted in the path of the engines, and the steam was again put on. Another half mile was got over, but fur ther progress was found to be impracticable. The snow drifted round the carriages with such rapidity, that in a very !few minutes it was found impossible to move them either one way or the other, and the snow gathering around the engine, soon extinguished the fires, and rendered all attempts at self-extricatioa hopeless. In this dilemma, what was to be done? ITwo gentlemen, second-class passengers, determined on walking onward through the snow ; and away they went steering in the direction of the telegraphic wires. As they have not been heard of since, it is pro bable they succeeded, after many difficulties, of course, in reaching their destination, wherever it was. One gentleman, returning from the hymeneal altar, having been married but a few days previously in London, and was bringing home his bride, suggested to his cars sposa the expediency of returning to Washington, where a comfortable bed might be found i a m tyh o e r c e aadr c rv o iea n ng v te e u, n r repose ,agge t ati l i i i a a n h t a h v e interior of a approved, raila ae r adventurous the st for pair essayed the difficult, nien ctlhodui a gn n hg d t tp d hr a eo n p g tew e r r ot o o u t s ihm t a a it s t other ladies in the train, whi c h comprised fifteen pas ps e a n r t g e e d r , s but iin a none Five gentlemen escort e d th e b r id e and bridegroom, :ti e d heralreadyrlh ere examplew d e e r - e . leav ing behind them, in the train, three ladies and three gentlemr n, who remained there till noon on Wednesday, when they also repaired to Wellington, under the guid ance of the engine-drivers leaving Donaldson, the guard of the train, alone. All parties reached Wellington in safety, and !Rind comfortable accommodation at the inn near the station, and at the village in its vicinity. This is p-rhaps the first instance on record of a railway train having been buried in the 8710"1,