The Sun. — London, England, 1848-01-18 00:00:00

HAYMARKET THEATRE. Last evening Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean made their first appearance in London since their return from Americt, at this theatre, in a new play, entitled the Wife's Secret, from the pen of Mr. Lovell, the author of the Provost (If Bruges, Look before you Leap, &c., &c. The WiP's Secret is one of the most effective and interesting plays that has been pro duced for some years. It is in five acts, and is thus divided, not merely in accordance with the rule which says that a legitimate play should consist of neither more nor less than that number of acts, but because the subject naturally divides itself into five portions. The interest is kept up to the last ; and albeit the sources of that, interest are discovered before the conclusion of the first act, and the plot becomes; from that moment apparent, yet so artistically has Mr. Lovell managed, by the skilful introduction of inci dents, to delay the catastrophe, that the interest goes on increasing in intensity scene by scene until, at the conclusion of the play—and not until the conclusion of the play—comes the climax. The scene is laid in Dorsetshire, in the year 1655, in the mansion of Sir Walter Amyot (Mr. Charles Kean), one of Cromwell's generals, a type of the honest and consci entious Puritans of the period. Of the severe and lofty nobleness of his nature we may form some idea from the description he himself gives of the reasons which urged him to take up arms : " When I took arms there was no selfish thought In my heart's purpose—no exciting dream Of interest or glory urged me on, I rose in answer to the holiest call That ever sounded in a freeman's ear— My faith, my country, asked their children's aid. Such as I could, I gave. I would not boast, But thou !twit something known that private wrong Falls dully on my nature. To the foe Who slanders me—at,uses my forbearance — And und, mines the fabric of my peace, I still can give—have given—the hand of pardon. But should one, born and nursed my country's child, Still plot against her freedom—should he, now That she has won her liberty, still seek To pour in poison to her yet green wounds— Then I would reckon such my deadliest foe— Would own no tie of kin—no link of lore." He is wedded to the Lady Evelyn (Mrs. Charles Kean), the sister of Lord Arden (Mr. Howe), an exiled cavalier—a lady of gentle blood and of as gentle nature—one of those exquisitely beautiful feminine characters in the delineation of which Mrs. Charles Kean is without a rival. At the time the action of the play commences Sir Walter is absent from his home. An ill. advised rising of Royalists has taken place at Salisbury, which he has put down, and is ex pected hourly at his mansion on the coast of Dorset shire. During his absence the Lady Evelyn has discovered divers peculations on the part of Jabez Sneed (Mr. Webster), the dishonest Puritan steward of Sir Walter, and Jabez of course is loud in bearing his testimony against the " Amalekitish woman," whom Walter has introduced into the tents of the chosen people. The Lady Evelyn attended by Maud (Mrs. Keeley) is in her bower chamber, when a page enters and hands her a letter, apprizing her of the immediate return of Sir Walter. She exclaims-- " Atnyot returning ! Walter coming home ! Thou dear conveyancer of precious news, A blessing on thine every character. How kind, how tenderly he writes!—what love! Oh! I am undeserving of such bliss! What should Ido to merit it? And thou, Dear paper, that hest sped so fast before, Impatient to anticipate my joy, What largess shall I give thee for thy pains? Be will not grudge thee this kiss—'tis given to him— Dear Walter! Dearest husband!" These beautiful lines were exquisitely given by !qrs. Charles Kean. There was an overflowing of the heart, an intensity of love and devotedness in her manner of rendering them, that drew down the rapturous applause of the audience. It was the first great hit of the night, and from that moment the success of the play was certain. She hears a tap at her window, and rushes forward to embrace, as she thinks, her husband. It is not her husband, but her brother, Lord Arden, the Cavalier, who has been en gaged in the unfortunate rising at Salisbury, and now a fugitive, reeks shelter in his sister's holm until he can escape to France. She promises him the Interest and aid of her husband, which he indignantly rejects, and, in so doing, throws additional light upon the noble character of Sir Walter, Arden thus replies to his sister's offers : " Sister, Rear what I say—and do not after think To change my resolution. When I first Learned you had wedded Walter Amyot, My rage, that any prick-eared cur should dare To marry with my sister, knew no bounds— I heaped upon him insults—public—ones— Challe nge d him—called his temper coward i ce That would not meet,me with as blind a hate— Outraged him as I thought no man could b ear , Thou g h for your sake he d i d endure it still ; And having done this, think you I would now Crouch down and ask for service from him ?—bid him Who comes here in authority and trust Give shelter to his master's enemy ? Raise war between his pity and his duty? Assault his constiesec. , —for these gentlemen, You know, have very tender consciences— Nay, do not interrupt me—Eveline, Promise me —swear to me, no word, no hint, Shall ever reach to Walter Amyot's ear I am so much as debtor to hi. walls For shelter from the sky—promise me this, Or on the instant I'll resume my flight And dare all consequence." Mr. Lovell has shown himself a true master of his craft, in thus artistically preparing the way for the entrance of his hero. Scarcely has Arden time to exact an oath of aecresy from his !lister ere Sir Walter is heard approaching. Arden Is hid behind some tapestry, and Sir Walter enters. Lady Evelyn is in an agony of fear, and her trepida tion at length becomes so apparent, that Maud interferes, and artfully declares that her mistress has passed so many weary hours in the bower chamber, waiting the return of her husband, that the place has become hateful to her. Walter immediately quits the chamber with Evelyn, locks it up, and confides the key to his wife, directing that the chamber shall never be opened until she wills it. This same bower chamber is a source of great anxiety to 'Tuber. Sneed. His accounts, which his lady has suddenly demanded of him, are all in that chamber, and to them he must get access to alter certain figures before they are presented to Sir 'Walter. To get possession of the key is, therefore, his great Object. His suspicions are aroused, and he determines if possible to create suspicions in the mind of Walter also. He begins cunningly by puritanically bearing his testimony against the idolatry of 'Walter in wor shipping an idol of frail clay. The answer of Walter . is beautiful, and was given with a truthfulness and feeling by Mr. Charles Kean, which left nothing to be desired. " I worship not," he exclaitns— " I worship not! I love! A nearer, dearer word—whose human fondness Encloses in its warm and holy clasp Affection, tenderness, esteem, devotion Whatever heaven has left its creatures free Utiblamed to consecrate to one another!" Jabez, however, urges him to demand the key, and be sends fur the Lady Evelyn, but overcome by her look of innocence and purity, instead of asking for the key, he asks what she has done to make that wretch (pointing to Jabez) hate her. She has asked for his accounts, and Walter at once sees the villany of Jabez, who, however, is not yet foiled. As an act of justice to himself, Jabez demands that the accounts shall at once be examined ; to this Walter accedes, but the lady hesitates ; she cannot part with the key until the morrow. Sir Walter's trust is shaken but not destroyed. Jabez seeks to break into the bower chamber by the ; window, but is seen by Maud. He has, however, seen Lord Arden there, and surrounds the house with watchers. He seeks Sir Walter, brings him to the window of the bower chamber. The unhappy husbAnd sees his wife close locked in the embraces of another, and falls senseless, uttering a thrilling shriek of despair. In the next act we find Jahez endeavouring to arouse him to revenge, but all passion is passed with him; despair alone remains. For him there is no revenge. " The bruised %% °nu may turn; The crushed one suffers motionless." With exquisite touching pathos were these words given by Air. C. Kean. It was, indeed, the utterance of a broken and crushed heart. Still he would fain think he might have been deceived, and sends for his wife to have from her own lips an avowal of her guilt or innocence. She comes, and the true, trusting, loving wife, is astounded at the intensely impas sioned agony of her lord. She deems him ill, and says to him : " 11 , :t now T bY head upon my heart." TflE SUN, LONDON, TUEISDAY EVENIN6, JANUARY lB, fB4B, He replies : " Is it so large ? 'I - here still is room ? ?mini/ it hold ? lu such a sense as it is due to all, 1:11.-n, all the human kind ; but in that straiter And inner clasp a here love . lit:s hoarded up, Then oily thee." His words, his manner frighten her, but all further parley between them is prevented by the entrance of Jab z, who announces that a troop of horse are in the court below, sent to arrest a malignant, who had sought shelter within the mansion. In an agony Lady Evelyn demands of her husband to shield him from 'hanger. Roused to madness, Walter rushes, sword in hand, to the door of the bower chamber, hut Eve lyn throws herself across his path. In a voice chok ing with rage and agony, WTaltsr commands her to give way, declaring that her own life is not safe ; when, placing herself before the door of the bower chamber, she replies— " Why, take it then — So his be spared. Living thou shalt not pass me. Here is my post, and if thou will advance, illy heart lies upon thy bloody road." This scene was magnificently acted by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean. Walter, however, will not have her ,lifgrace and his dishonour made public, and therefore dismisses the Parliamentary officers without suffering them to search the bower chamber. He, however, determines to separate from her for ever, and an nounces to her his determination. She seeks in vain to mollify him ; she is ignorant of what cause could urge him to such extremity. He speaks of the fugi tive as her paramour, and then the truth bursts upon her. The acting of Mrs. Charles Kean at this trying moment was beautifully pathetic, beautifully true to nature ; never have the mingled workings in the heart, of pride, indignation, and sor row, been more truly, more exquisitely deli neated. She now consents at once to their separation. If the accusation be true, she is not worthy of him ; if false, he is not worthy her. Still, he would fain have some hope ; he almost asks her to declare her innocence, and that will satisfy him. He asks— " Can we again be what we have been?" Lady Evelyn replies— " Never The woman once suspected, from that hour Is never safe again—the sacred fence That hedged her in, when once a doubt has entered, Is broken down; another doubt will follow %Vial less obstruction—easie r s till th e next— Till they have worn themselves a beaten track, And trust dwells there no more." lie gives her a safe conduct to France, tells her to take what she will with her, and orders Maud and the Page to accompany her. He hands her the safe conduct. She observes it is not signed. " And can she be so calm at such a moment ?" observes Walter, in a tone of the most intense agony. The pass is de livered to Evelyn, who gives it unobserved to Maud, An alarm is heard without; a man on horseback is seen escaping. The plot is evident to Walter— it is his wife's paramour escaping with the pass. He demands the pass of her, and , rushing to a window, gives orders to fire on the fugitive. In an agony she clings to him, and exclaims— "Ha ! It is my brother ! Walter, it is my brother! " It is too late ; he believes her not; a shot is fired, and the fugitive falls ; his horse, however, alone is shot, and a moment after the Lord Arden is brought in a prisoner, and Evelyn's honour is cleared. This most effective play was most effectively acted by all concerned. Mrs. Charles Kean was beautiful exceedingly as the Lady Evelyn. No living artist could have acted it like her. We have no one on the stage who can perform the high-born, high-bred, proud, impassioned lady like Mrs. Charles Kean. Witness her performance in Love—witness her exquisitely beautiful and most womanly and lady like performance of Lady Evelyn last evening. Mr. Charles Kean has vastly improved during his long sojourn in America. An actor of high genius (the only actor of real genius as eontradistinguished from mere talent at present on the stage), he occasionally marred his efforts by the besetting sin of men of genius, —exaggeration ; but his artist-like feeling, his ex quisite taste, and his intense study, have enabled him to overcome every tendency to this fault : all is chaste, all is pure, and yet he is as intensely impassioned as ever— as effective, as picturesque. Taste has in him chastened genius, so as to form a perfect artiste. 'Webster, as Jabez, dressed and acted the old steward to the life. Mrs. Keeley, as Maud, was quaint and most amusing, and Miss Reynolds looked the prince of pages. All were called for at the conclusion, and the reception of Mr. and Mrs. liean, like their welcome on their first entrance, was most enthusiastic. Webster announced the piece for repetition every evening of their engage ment ; after which there were loud calls for the author, who bowed his thanks from a private box. (From the Times.) The long dramas produced of late have not been successful, and while the number brought out has been far greater than at previous epochs, the oftener has recurred to us the painful duty of recording failures more or less respectable. And in the case of the Haymarket Theatre this duty has been particu larly painful. It is in this house that authors, who have aimed at a literary kind of dramatic composition have chiefly found a field for their exertions ; and, probably, in theatrical records, there is not to be found a manager more liberal than Mr. Webster in the encouragement of dramatic productions. The course of failure seems at last happily inter rupted, and we may declare the fate of Mr. Lovell's new play to be a legitimate success. Let us not be misunderstood in the use of this word "legitimate," so often employed without any definite meaning at all. This drama scarcely even pretends to belong to the highest class of composition, nor does it aim at anything like creation or original collision ; poetical passages of beauty occur here and there, but these cannot be said to constitute the characteristic of the work. By "legitimate" success, we mean that the audience really liked the piece, and that many future audiences are likely to be pleased with it also. They were not merely moved by that mischievous sort of etiquette which compels a sanguine author to put his head out of his snu g p r i va t e b ox on t h e fi rs t n i g h t o f his pi . ece,when he is d oome d to see i t s li p ou t o f t h e bill s wit tun a week after the felicitous event. The theme of the Wife's Secret (so the play is called) is the reverse of new, and is simple to an ex treme degree. The author has been compelled to use obvious artifice to work it out so as to render gradual progress possible. When a mutual understanding between the dramatis personce would have solved a mystery too soon, and prematurely cut the knot that Was to be unravelled, he has delayed the critical mo merit by employing seeming accident to avoid expla nation, or by sealing up the mouth of the principal speaker with an oath of secrecy. But he has managed his work skilfully, he has sustained the interest of his audience through five acts, and while his subject is transparent he has succeeded in exciting surprise at the successive stages of development. Though new to the London hoards, the Wife's Se cret has been played in America by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean, who brought it with them to this country. They made their debut in it last night ; and in consequence of its success, it is to be repeated every night during their engagement. Lady Eveline, the wife, is played to perfection by Mrs. Charles Kean. She makes the character ex quisitely gentle and feminine, rising on occasion to a haughtiness of conscious right, and looking with abhorrent indignation at the imputation of wrong. It was by the admirable preservation of the tenderer s id e o f th e c h arac t er th a t th e s t erner traits produced their effect, for in her whole performance there was nothing forced or exag gerated. While conscious that she has a secret which she cannot disclose to her husband, the honest fearlessness with which, in one of the critical situa tions of the piece, s h e l ooks uns h r inkirigly into her husband's face, is beautifully conceived ; and when towards the end she i s pl a i n l y accused of infidelity, the change in her count enance, an d the deliberate manner in which she says " I did not think I could so nearly hate thee," is exceedingly fine. It should be observed, that al though she is aware that she is suspected o f harbour ing a fugitive, it is not till late that she finds a doubt is entertained as to her virtue, and the disclosure of this doubt collies upon her as a thunderbolt, the shock of which her pure soul is unable to sustain.. The in trinsic goodness of the Lady Eveline never lost sight of by Mrs. Kean, who endows virtue with all its cheerfulness and all its indignation. The character of Sir Walter Ainyot, the husband, though well conceived by the author, is one capable of less delicate effects than that of the Lady Eveline. I3uNts of sorrow, rage, or despair, mark the chief phases in his position. Mr. Charles Kean, who played the character, has, in a great measure, softened those mannerisms by which he was distinguished prior to his departure for America. He read the part well well throughout, and though there was perhaps some what of sameness in the more violent passages of the character, many of the strokes of pathos were given in a really touching manner. The attitudes, expression of dejection, and a sense of abandonment, which often occur in the course of the piece, and which give a picturesque character to the part, were well devised and striking. That admirable actress, Mrs. Keeley, plays a lady's-maid, forced into puritanism by the manners of the time, yet dropping the garb of sanctity at every possible opportunity. The alternation of the nasal twang with her own merry little voice tells with ex cellent effect, and the piquancy of the actress renders this trifling part one of the most interesting in the piece. Mr. Webster plays the crabbed dishonest steward with care and judgment, and dresses the cha racter to perfection. Indeed, in the art of dressing so as completely to change his exterior individuality, Mr. Webster has scarcely an equal on the stage. Mr. and Mrs. Kean, at the end of the performance last night, were enthusiastically called by a crowded house, and received a shower of bouquets; Mr. Lovell was invited to bow from his box ; Mr. Web ster was loudly applauded when he announced the play for repetition; and, lastly, Mrs. Keeley and Miss Reynolds (who acted a page) were summoned before the curtain. (From the Chronicle.) There was a double attraction at this house last night—the representation, for the first time in this country, of Mr. Lovell's five act play, called The Wife's Secret, and the re-appearance, upon London boards, of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean. The drama achieved a cornpleta triumph, and the success of its principal performers was not less decided, and not less deserved. Indeed, we have not often known the applause of a "first night" FO evidently spontaneous and genuine, and it was bestowed with equal hearti ness upon the play and the two old favourites who filled its principal characters. We shall speak of the drama first. The Wife's Secret will be in some quarters called a melodrama. And it is a melodrama, but a good one, and we have yet to learn that a melodrama—that is, a mixed drama in which skilfully built up story and striking situation and effect are added to poetical conception, and keen and acute delineation of cha racter—we have still to learn that a play of this class may not take equal rank as a work of artistic genius, with dramas which possess far higher pretensions and far lower capabilities. The Wife's Secret is, in the first place, an interesting play. That is one great point,gained. The man who sees the first act will stay to see the last. The story, in its general fea tures, is clear, simple, and natural ; while the interest flows on in a broad, unbroken current. The tale, too, is managed with great dramatic tact and ability; you feel that a clear head has guided its course, has planned out every scene, and put an artistic finish to the work, which is not in these days to be frequently met with. The characters hare little subtlety in concep tion or execution. They are struck out broadly and boldly with a hand which is steady in outline drawing, and not unskilled in more minute filling in—touches which show the master. The dialogue is not bril liant, neither is it dull. Here and there are touches of poetry, put naturally and effectively; but in general —and it is high praise to say so—the characters talk very much in the fashion they would have used had they been realities instead of fancies. Slr. and Mrs. Charles Kean did their parts full justice. We doubt whether the character of Eveline is one which calls Mrs. Kean's full powers into play, but she rendered it with a genial force and exquisite touches of simple pathos. Were we to name the grand characteristic of her performance we should say it consisted in the full, tender, womanly spirit which she breathed forth over all the delineation. There was an utter 'absence of all exaggeration and straining in her performance, but there was in it a heartiness, a full earnest glow of mingled passion and pathos which the audience not only appreciated but shared. Mr. Charles Kean has made decided progress since we saw him last. His manner is much toned down, and that without the loss of energy or power. He played last night with great passion and with great Ipathos. lie is more artistic than he was. Nothing could be finer than the bursts of grief which choked his utterance after the discovery of his wife's supposed infidelity, and the closing scene was 'given with great energy and commanding power. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean were recalled on the fail of the curtain amid a perfect storm of applause. The subordinate parts are comparatively slight, Webster's make jup as the old steward was quite Vandykean, and Mrs. Keeley played a little part— that of a saucy handmaiden of the heroine—Puritan in a ppearance, but Cavalier ii, heart—with exqui sitely clever sauciness and great apparent relish. ;She shared with the hero and heroine of the night the honour of a call. (From the Advertiser.) Last right the long-announced and anxiously expected new play was produced at this house with triumphant success. On many accounts, the occa sion had been looked forward to as interesting and at tractive in an unusual degree. The first representa tion of an English drama, of "legitimate" preten sions, is, of itself, sure to offer powerful charms to a large class of playgoers. Then, last night, there was the pleasure added of once again greeting the dramatic productions of an author who has already succeeded, on several occasions, in gratifying the public by effective comedies. Their titles —Love's Sacrifice, Look before you Leap, The Provost of Bruges, &c., will at once recal many a recollection of hours right pleasantly passed in hearing "the quick comedians" give utterance to his language, and moreover, good effect th ere t o , as we ll. G reat l y in creased interest, also, was imparted to the performancce last night, in consequence of it being made the medium of introducing Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean to a London audience, for the first time since their return from Ame rica. They have fulfilled various engagements, sub sequently to that return, in the provinces, and very recently, in Dublin ; but, in the metropolis, they have not appeared for many years. It is almost needless, therefore, to state that the audience were eager to behold once again those who have been so well known on the English stage, and who were so successful in their transatlantic trip. The delays occasioned by the envious and unenviable influenza (which caused the production of the play to be de ferred from last Monday) having been surmounted, the first representation took place yesterday evening. In recording this circumstance, and without regard to the success or intrinsic merits of the piece itself, we cannot avoid expressing the sense of the praise worthy and persevering efforts of Mr. Webster, in support of our high-classed native drama. Through good and evil days through encouragement and frequent discouragement, he has proceeded, intel ligently and energetically, on his way, his exer tions ever having the tendency to elevate the Eng lish stage, and to encourage all promising, as well as established and popular dramatic writers. Many names which now hold an estimable position in public repute, might be mentioned as having first ob tained a hearing for their plays at his delightful theatre. But these facts are too generally known, and we hope, appreciated, to require more remark thereon from us on the present occasion. It will be more appropriate, indeed, at once to proceed to de scribe last night's proceedings, and to record the style, character, and fate, of this " new and original play." It is entitled, The Wife's Secret, and has the legitimate number of acts—five. Contrary, how ever, to what has often been obviously the result of adhering to that set length, this production did not in any respect suffer therefrom. There was no re tarding of the action of the piece, as too frequently is rendered requisite, in order to make the incidents last out the prescribed number of acts. Indeed, the construction throughout was admirably skilful and effective; and the consequence was that not for one minute did the interest flag, mar the progress of the plot, halt or linger to the detriment of the general effect. Too high praise could not well be bestowed upon the performance of the principal parts in this in teresting play. Mrs. C. Kean (whose reception was enthusiastic, while her husband's was also very hearty and flattering to him) rendered the heroine a character of great beauty and deep interest. Her performance was throughoat earnest, unaffected, elegant, and impassioned. Her concluding scenes were especially fine. Mr. Kean was admirable as Sir Walter. It was a singularly careful and well studied representation ; and the struggles between an ardent and surely founded affection, and the dictates of jealousy and strongly damnatory evidence, were powerfully and efficiently displayed. Mrs. Keeley's Maud was a singularly well sustained, finished, and striking performance. It was wonderfully natural and clever. Beneath the outward seeming of sanctity which Maud has to assume, as she states, in accord ance with the fashion of the times, there ever and anon peeped out the true and "carnal" spirit of the woman. The quaintness, naivete, and heartiness which shone throughout were delicious, and were enjoyed by the audience to the utmost. Miss Reynolds, as a gay gallant, and many-coloured page, made much of the part entrusted to her; and Mr. Howe was also a good representative of the fugitive cavalier. Mr. Webster's version of Jabez was painstaking and very effective. The canting, cunning craft of the character was admirably well displayed, arid the dressing of the part was excellent. Indeed the play has been, in every respect, beautifully placed upon the stage. The scenery (by Mr. P. Phillips, Mr. G. Morris, &c.) is especially deserving of high praise. It still remains to speak of the poetical merits of the drama ; and it is gratifying to be able to pro nounce them, at once, great and numerous. The lan guage is tine and the thoughts powerful, impressive, and oftentimes highly imaginative. Many passages of peculiar beauty and excellence were receive - I with most laudatory plaudits ; and the audience, altogether, appeared unanimous in their favourable reception of this interesting and impressive play. At its conclusion Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean were brought forward, and numerous bouquets were cast at the feet of the gifted actress. alie author was then called fur, and bowed his acknowledgments front one of the stage boxes. Mrs. Keeley was, most deservedly, afterwards led forward by her loving "Page," Miss Reynolds, in obedience to the flattering applause combined with her name. Mr. Webster then stated that he con sidered that he was justified in announcing the play for repetition every night during Mr. and Mrs. Kean's engagement. The theatre was crowdedly attended. (From the Post.) After an absence of five years, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean made their re-appearance last night. During their absence in the United States of Ame • rica, they have not only gathered new laurels, but, if report be sooth, have discovered a new El Dorado. We need scarcely add that their welcome was genial and enthusiastic; and if we may judge by the effect produced by their efforts on this occasion, they have not moulted a single feather of their deserved popu larity. Mrs. Charles Kean possesses still the same musical voice, each tone of which is exquisitely mo dulated to the passing emotion. There is still the same delicately feminine character—the true woman hood—the gentle, the passionate, the persuasive, the suffering. Never for a moment is the woman for gotten in the heroine. There are still the same poetical appreciation—the same mentality—the same speaking features. If any change is perceptible, it is, perhaps, in an increased fulness of figure, and a greater appearance of health, but not such as to des tract from the symmetrical outline, or lessen the in tellectual expression. Mr. Charles Kean has increased in vigour, and his style has gained breadth and consistency. His decla mation is more even, and his enunciation of poetical passages more continuous. In the more passionate phases of the drama he has been ever fervid—nay, even powerful ; but he failed to convey with equal success the rninuter delicacies of character. In the performance of last night a decided improvement is manifest, the several developments of the scene were signalised, not only by a natural earnestness, but by careful study and artistic feeling. The author of the new play, Mr. Lovell, has pro duced a capital drama in five acts ; the construction is good, the incidents cleverly involved, and much of the writing is distinguished by poetical excellence and dramatic skill. As will be seen in our attempt to convey the plot, the " heart of the mystery" is dis closed in the earlier portion ; but this prevents a single doubt to rest on the innocence of the wife, and affords full opportunity to the author to exhibit the cunning of the playwright's art. The period selected is that of the Protectorate, and the ruling incident results from the dispersion of the few devoted Loyalists who sought, at Salisbury, by a last effort, to restore the monarchy. This deed of chivalry was headed by Lord Arden ; the few honest fellows in the west who aided him were ultimately taken prisoners and lost their heads ; but Lord Arden escaped, and fled for shelter into Dorsetshire. A more stirring scene of action—one more rife with moving accidents by flood and field—or richer in dramatic means, could not have been selected; Then were family affections severed, domestic ties wrenched asunder, suspicion was abroad, scoundrelism assumed the vizard of an ultra piety, and all the elements of society and legitimate rule were shaken to their bases. The cropped-eared Roundheads scrambled for the posts of trust and profit, and old Noll assumed the royal state. (After developing the plot of the play at consider able length, the critic thus concludes :—) The character of Babes Sneed was capitally acted by Mr. Webster, and may be deemed one of his most finished embodiments. The temptation to caricature the shuffling gait and the nasal snuffling of the old Covenanters was avoided, while the fell purpose and demoniacal ruthlessness of the part were delineated with fearful vividness. Mr. Howe's Lord Arden was dashing and earnest, Mrs. Keeley's Maud quaint and clever, and the Page of Miss Reynolds arch and piquant. The dresses were admirable, and the scenery ap propriate and picturesque. The attack of influenza under which Mrs. Charles Kean has been suffering was slightly apparent in her more passionate scenes, but, despite this, she achieved a veritable triumph. Very many of the passages we have quoted elicited great applause, and at the end of the play Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean were called before the curtain amidst cheers and the waving of hats and handker chiefs. A similar compliment was paid to Mrs. Keeley, Miss Reynolds, and Mr. Webster. In answer to the summons of the house, Mr. Lo vell, the author of the play, bowed his acknowledg• ments from a private box.s ASHBURTON. At the conclusion of the dinner given on Thursday night, at the London Inn, Ashburton, in honour of the Liberal Member, Colonel Matheson, M.P., our reporter migrated to the other party at the Golden Lion, where the chair was occupied by James Matheson, Esq., M.P., the Gallant Colonel's brother, near whom sat Robert Tucker, Esq., solicitor, G. Caunter, Esq., Captain Clifton, R. B. Berry, Esq., of Chagford, W. Hancock, Esq., &c., forming altogether a very large and respectable company. The Rev. Mr. DORE (Baptist minister) had just risen to propose " Health, happiness, and prosperity to one who was dear to the inhabitants of Ashburton, and whose liberality made his mme dear to every one who wished well to his fellow-creatures—their re spected Member Colonel Matheson." The reverend speaker at considerable length enlarged on the satis faction he had experienced from seeing from his window the poor people return from the distribution of bread in the morning, with their loaves in their hands, and expressed his own lamentation that ill health prevented his b e i ng present at t h at d el i g h t f u l scene. Hi e nsisted that a gentleman of property who preferred the arduous task of a Member of Parliament to the couch of ease and the mansion of comfort, and offered himself to be sent to Parliament, ought not to be considered as under any obligation to his con stituents; but that they were rather under an obli gation to him. He declared that as a minister of the gospel he left political and commercial affairs to their proper officers; but on behalf of the dear youth rising up around him, he put in a plea for a literary society (as was understood) ; hinted that electrical and astronomical apparatus was required, and suggested that their worthy Member, with Mr. Matheson and other might form an institution. ormacommittee to patronise the e g s e t n a t b l l e i m sh e m n e nii of such nt The CHAIRMAN returned thanks for his brother, saying that it was his highest ambition to prove himself deserving of their confidence. Mr. BERRY proposed the health of their worthy chairman, and late respected representative. After the long time they had had the pleasure of knowing him, they need not enlarge on his kindness of heart and the benevolence he had displayed towards the inhabitants of the town of Ashburton. lie had now entered on a larger sphere, and no doubt would enjoy the respect of those he was now representing in another part of the country.—(Cheers). Mr. MATHESON said it would be difficult for him to find words to express the grateful feelings with which he was indeed overwhelmed by the gratifying► manner in which his health had been proposed and drunk. He could only say that he appreciated the honour most highly ; and that if he wanted words adequately to express his sense of it, that arose from the excess of emotion with which he was penetrated. —(Cheers.) When it was his good fortune to come first among them he enjoyed a degree of confidence and kindness from them which could not but inspire him with a most ardent desire to acquit himself to the best of his humble ability of the duties imposed on him by the distinguished honour they conferred on him. It was a source of great pride to him to reflect that the manner in which he had performed those duties had uniformly met with their kind approbation, and nothing would have afforded him greater pleasure than again to solicit a renewal of that confidence, were it not that he was called upon to assert the supremacy of the liberal cause among a constituency who had such claims on his attention as he could not resist, and who were kind enough to believe that the interest of the liberal cause would be served in his humble hands, with greater prospect of success, than in those perhaps of any other.—(Cheers.) Such was the call and sense of public duty which alone could have induced him to deprive himself of the pleasure of again soli citing their suffrages.—(Cheers.) It was a great satisfaction to him that they all appreciated those motives, and it added greatly to the satisfaction which he could not but experience at the success which attended his contest in a very different field.—(Cheers.) It formed no small part of that success that the report of the kind confidence with which they had always viewed his efforts in this place no doubt served to establish some degree of confidence among those to whom he was not so well known as he was by them, and although he had no longer the honour of filling the plaee of their representative, it was with no ordinary pleasure that he was still connected with them by beat ties which he hoped would long continue to atlbrd him renewed opportunities of cultivating their goodwill in a private sphere.—(Great cheering.) He should always look forward to their approbation as one of the brightest rewards which could be bestowed on him, and he should conclude by drinking all their good healths, with hopes that he might often have agreeable occasions of meeting them.—(Cheers.) — Western Times. SUICIDE OF SIR J. MILDMAY, BART. It is our painful duty to record the premature death of Sir John Mildmay, Bart., which melancholy event took place by his own hands, at an early hour yesterday morning, at his residence, No. 6, lialkin terrace, Belgrave-square. It appears, from the intelligence carefully gleaned by our informant, that the deceased gentleman had resided as above for about five years, occupying the upper part of the house, the ground floor being let to Mrs. Cox, a milliner; his establishment consisting of two male and an equal number of female servants ; and his health of late was stated to be tolerably good ; but for several days past his valet had noticed that he appeared low and depressed in spirits, but on the previous day (Sunday) the deceased appeared some what better, and partook of his meals apparently with a better appetite. He retired to rest between eleven and twelve o'clock, and nothing more was heard or seen of him until shortly before five o'clock yesterday morning, when his valet was awoke by a deadened report of firearms. He was undecided for some time what to do, but eventually he went up stairs to Sir John' s bedchamber, on the second floor, when on entering the room he was horror-struck on discovering his master lying prostrate on the carpet, weltering in his blood, and lifeless ; his head wes shattered to atoms, and the walls and ceiling were covered with his blood and brains, a small double barrelled holster pistol, which had been recently dis charged, was lying close to his right hand, and had evidently been discharged in the mouth. Several medical gentlemen were promptly in attendance, who pronounced death to have been instantaneous. Cap tain Mildmay, a son of deceased, who resides in Chesham•place, was informed of the melancholy event, and in the course of yesterday information .I‘. t r h , b otdh3e, lies, ie s coroner an for i who v•a eo wi ll n yleo M i ddlesex, hold an n l‘ q l u r e . whosestl I'da to-morrow iksitercr't morning. DEATH OF THE EARL OF POWIS. —lt is with much regret we announce the death of this estimable nobleman, which took place yesterday at Powis Castle, in consequence of an accident he met with whilst out shooting. Sir Benjamin Brodie, who had been sent for express on Saturday, returned to town last night, bring ing the melancholy intelligence. THE LATE DREADFUL ACCIDENT AT EUSTON SQUIRE STATlON.—Charles Gage, one of the sufferers by the fall of the buildikgs at the Euston-square station, died on Sunday in the University College Hospital. This makes the second death amongst the wounded. The others are doing well. CONFESSION — OF Mum:lnt.—Within the last few days rumours have been rife that a mason residing in Douglas (Isle of Man), and who was not expected to live, had sent for one of the ministers of the town for the pur pose of making a confession of murder, as he felt that he could not die without revealing the secret. The murder was said to have taken place some eleven years ago, and was perpetrated by three parties, one of whom struck the unfortunate man with a mason's hammer, and after wards threw him into Douglas Harbour, where he was found the next morning with his skull fractured, but which was supposed to be occasioned by a blow against a vessel at the time of his fall. The man said to be murdered was Robert Cannon, of the parish of Marown, who was very well known throughout the island. The private letters received yesterday, by the Hibernia, from New York are interesting, and seem to indicate that many singular and rapid changes in the monetary relations of the United States and Englnial may be looked for during the present year. The efflux of bullion, which had already far exceeded the antici pations entertained on either side, continues unchecked, and produce is still retained for higher prices in the face of a rate of discount ranging for the choicest paper from 12 to 15 per cent. Part of the specie brought by the present steamer is stated to consist of American gold, as there were no more sovereigns to be had ; and at the same time the demand for bills was extremely heavy, causing the price to close with much firmness at from 101 to 101. From these circumstances it would appear that shipments of manufactured goods must have been made extensively from this country during the present pressure, with orders for immediate sale and remittance in bullion, since the sales of State stock on English account hare not been sufficient to explain the continuous flow that has taken place. THE MAILS.—The dates by the Hibernia steamer, delivered yesterday from the Post-office, were Montreal, December 25th ; Quebec, 96th and 27th ; Prince Ed. ward's Island, 28th, and Sackville, the 30th ; St. John's. New Brunswick, January let ; New York, the 2d ; and Halifax, the sth instant. Next packet due from Boston —the Caledonia, on the 29th instant. Ship letter-bag for New York.—A ship letter-bag will be made up for New York on Friday evening next, the 21st instant, to be forwarded by the Sarah Sands steamer from Liver pool, on the 22d instant. The Hibernia steamer will convey the British North American, Bermuda, and United States' mails, to be made up on Friday evening, the 28th instant, viri Liverpool, Halifax, and New York, on the 22d instant. Her Majesty's steamer Acheron, with mails for 51adeira, Cape of God Mips., Sian River, Sydney, New South Wales, and Auckland (New Zealand), is expected to sail from Devonport on the 18th instant (this day). Iler Maje , ty's ship Bonetta, with mails fur St. Michael's (Azores), Madeira, Caps Verde, and the Island of Ascension, sailed from I'orts mouth on the 14th instant. Mails will be made up at the General Post-office on the evening of the 31:.t inst. for Madeira and the West Coast of Africa, to be con veyed by one of her Majesty's ships appointed to sail on the Ist of February. IRISH SPECIAL COMMISSION. (From Saunders's A'ews Letter of yesterday.) ENNIS, SATURDAY, JAN. 15. MURDER OF MR. JAMES WATSON.—SENTENCE OF THE CONVICTS RYAN AND ITAYES.-At the sit tiug of their Lordships this morning at ten o'clock, Patrick Ryan " Small" and James Hayes, the two men convicted on Thursday last of the wilful murder of Mr. James Watson, of Ballycorney, in this county, were placed at the bar to receive the sentence of the Court. The Clerk of the Crown (George Sampson, Esq.) having asked them if they had anything to say why sentence of death and execution should not be pro nounced against them, The prisoner Hayes said —My Lord, we have nothing to say but that we are both innocent of the charge, and were not near the place where the murder was committed. I never knew William Ryan " Puck " in my life, and it is a hard thing to be hanged for a crime of which one is innocent. The other convict, Ryan " Small," said—l have nothing but the same thing to say, my Lord, I was fifteen miles away from Ballr;orney that day, and I am convicted on perjured testimony. The witnesses swore falsely to get the reward, and may God help them that are innocent. I hope we will get a long day, my Lord, for we are both as innocent as a child unborn. Their Lordships having put on their black caps, The CHIEF BARON proceeded to pronounce the sentence of death and execution upon the prisoners.. His Lordship having recapitulated the circumstances of this most barbarous murder, and warned those who had as yet escaped from justice, or had not been up to the present time implicated in crime, to keep aloof from all illegal confederacies, which would only lead to their ow n d estruct i on, and be the means of injuring the country, by obliging the proprietors of land to become absentees for their own self-preserva tion. He concluded by ordering the prisoners to be hanged on the 15th of February next. The prisoners received their sentence without exhibiting much emotion. Ryan appeared to be less concerned than Hayes, although it was still apparent from his unsteady step from the bar that he was not wholly unmoved. Hayes turned deadly pale, and rolled about his eyes as a person would in a faint or fit',; he was, however, able to leave the bar unassisted. MURDER. ANOTHER CAPITAL CONVICTION. Michael Butler and William Harrington, both men about forty years of age, were placvd at the bar, and indicted fur having, upon the 6th of November, 1847, at Gurtnaluck, in this county, wilfully and feloniously murdered one Patrick Cleary. The prisoner Butler was charged as having fired the shot at the deceased which caused his death, and the other prisoner with being present, aiding, and abetting. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL briefly stated the case for the prosecution. He said that the deceased was a man in very humble life, residing in the city of Limerick, and had met with his, death in consequence of having exercised the rights of a subject, and pro secuted some persons who had committed an outrage on him some time previous to the Spring Assizi.ts of 1847. Before the assizes he was attacked by a number of men, and having prosecuted them to conviction, he was immediately made an object for persecution, which ultimately ended in his death, which was caused by a shot from a loaded pistol, which shot, it would be proved, was fired by the prisoner Butler, in the other prisoner's pre sence. The facts were these :—The deceased had oc casion to visit Broadfort in that county in the month of November last, and being on his way home, about a mile and a half from that village, on the evening of the 6th, the two (prisoners came up to him and fired at him, as he (the Attorney-General had already stated), and inflicted a wound, of which he died on the 21st of November, having previously made a dying declaration, fully identifying the two men at the bar as the men who attacked him on the night in question. Evidence of a corroborative character would be adduced, to show .that the prisoners were seen on the spot where the murder was committed, and were seen running away after the firing of a shot. Witnesses were examined who fully corroborated the statement of the Learned Attorney. General. The following document was put in : " The dying declaration of Patrick Cleary, taken before Wm. Roche, Esq., J.P., on the 18th November, 1847, at Limerick : " I, Patrick Cleary, of the Englishtown, in the city of Limerick, when returning from Broadfoot, county Clare, on Saturday evening, at about half-past five o'clock, upon the 6th of November last, was fired at by a person named Mich. Butler, and seriously if not mortally wounded in the chest and shoulder, in consequence of which wound I am now languishing at Barrington's Hospital, in said city. I also saw a person named Matthew Hourigan in company with said Butler, and seemingly aiding and assisting in said crime. There was also a third person of the party, whose name I do not know ; and I thus make this deposition as my dying declaration, being in formed that I have little or no hope of recovery ; and I make it therefore with the same truth and solemnity as I shall answer for it before the throne of Almighty God." The deceased's wife proved that in less that a quar ter of an hour before he died she asked him was he sure that Butler and Hourigan were the men who attacked him, and he replied that he knew he was dying, and was positive as to their identity. . _ . ._.. The Crown case closed here, and Mr. Olize addressed the jury for the defence in a most eloquent and able address. The CHIEF JUSTICE charged the jury, who retired, and in a short time returned with a verdict of Guilty against both prisoners. They received the announcement with the same indifference the convicts both in this county and the county Limerick displayed when in the same position. ROBBERY or FIRE-ARMS.-- William Li , i'dy, a man between 25 and 30 years of age, was indicted for stealing a gun, at Kilnacrandy, in this county, the property of John Shea, on the 6th June, 1847. The jury convicted the prisoner. He was sea tnced to one year's imprisonment, with hard labour, to commence at the termination of his present im prisonment, which will not terminate for upwards of twelve months. POSTING THREATENING NO TICES.—James Hence, Nicholas Duggan, Michael 11I'llfahon, and Austin Brooke, were indicted for having, on the 31st of De cember, 1847, posted a threatening notice upon the gate of Col. Crofton Vandeleur. Simon Curtin, a man residing in the neighbour hood, deposed that he knew all the prisoners, and saw them post the following notice on Colonel Van deleur's gate upon the evening before New Year's day. " Take notice Croftin Vandulure If you Dont Chang your mind and give relive :to the young as well the old and Not to Put a stop to the Publicke worke as you are and Also Capt;n Kenidy if ye Dont be said by this Notice blive me I will do with ye as I Did with Pirce Carige so have yeir will maid in time." Examination continued by the ATTORNEY-GE.. NERAL.—I went borne after I saw the notice was posted, and in about an hour afterwards the four prisoners came to my house, pulled me out of bed, and made me swear I would never tell what I saw to any one. Nargaret Curtin, wife to the last witness, identified the prisoners as the men who c ame to her husband's house on New Year's Eve , a nd made him swear he would not tell any one in the world that he saw them posting a notice on Colonel Vandeleur's gate. Catherine Cane identified on.e of the prisoners as baying been one of a party of five who came to Cur tin's house on New Year's Eve, and swore him, as stated by the other witnesses. Peter Curtin, a boy about ten years of age, s on t o the first witness, identified all the prisoners as b e i ng of the party who attacked his father's house. The jury at once convicted all the prisoners. Sentence deferred. The Court adjourned until Monday. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, MONDAY.—The Queen and Prince Albert, accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal, arrived at the Castle, in a carriage and four, at eight minutes before fire o'clock this afternoon, from Claremont. Four carriages and four followed, conveying their Royal Ilighnesses Prince Alfred, the Princess Alice, and the Princess Helena, and also the Countess of Desart, the Earl of Morton, Mr. George Edward Anson, Major-General Bowles, Alajur-General Wemyss, and Captain the Hon. A. H. Gordon. _ . A party of the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards, commanded by Lord G. Lennox, formed the escort of the august party. Her Majes!y was received at the royal entrance by the Hon. Miss Paget, one of the Maids of Honour in Waiting. His itoyal Highness Princ• Albert, attended by Mr. G. E. Anson and Captain the Hon. A. H. Gor don, enjoyed the sport of shooting yesterday morning at Claremont. Her Majesty and Prince Albert, accompanied by the Royal Children, and attended by the Royal Suite, left Claremont for Windsor Castle at ten minutes past three o'clock yesterday afternoon, escorted by a party of the 12th Lancers. Mr. Matheson had an interview with Earl Grey, yesterday, at the Colonial. office. Sir Edward Codrington transacted business on Saturday at the Board of Trade, with the Secretary chantto the s Royale Commissi on f or i nqu i r i ng i nto t h e Mer a F mee's und. Dispatches were received yesteday at the Co lonial-office, from the Governor of Canada, and also f ro m the Governors of th e ot h er N ort h American Provinces. Dispatches for Sir Harry. Smith, Governor of the Cape of Good Hops, were sent off yesterday evening from the Colonial-office. The Right Hon. Edward Strutt, Chief Commis sioner of Railways, arrived in town yesterday, from Kingston Hall, Derby. - ROYAL DOCKYARD BATTALION. The following mi nu t e has this week been issued by the Captain Superintendent of her Majesty's dock yard, at this port : 4 To the respective Officers. tf ISIV Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having directed that the following number of drill officers are to be allowed for the brigade at this yard, together with instruc tions as regar d s th e d r ill p a y, lI ioi have v'a\ei to signify the same f or your informs lion, one adjutant and two sergeants major, one for the hattaliou. of infantry, and one for f t fo h o of infantry and artillery, and one office,one ii g n u d a r t t e w r -omas drillte r sergeants- s e r quarter-master-sergeant ean t drill sergeant for each company of the boat batta lion. With respect , to the drills, in order not to exceed the sums allowed, my I Lords have decided for the t t e l a l e c o h d f u c o ti m a i t a l o i n i f e y r t 3 l7e . that during the month of April the officers and non commissioned officers only shall be drilled, and for this two days in the week. During th e mon th s o f M ay , June, July, and August, th e whole force is to be drilled, also for two days in the wee k ; an d t h e d r ill w thmeilllsbteSloespttebmyhthere shortness September, as by of a therrr ange - 'ldays. NNi7inith closele sson my Lo r d s d es i re th at i t shall consist of not more than twenty- one men , w hi c h number is to include a band- master and corporal ; a drum-major and bugle - major, will be all owe d f or th e teltime respect t o the brigade generally, and one drummer ri or bugler to each company of the brigade. Ine per sons compos i ng the band are to be pa i d only on the d a y s o f d r ill practice, fo and th e i r pay is to be on for one one day a week d ur i ng th e dvvinritnegr August 3oeltnsstuhm and months m fo e r r s eason—nam e l y, from May Ist to u the following sc ale :—Band-mast er and drum and bugle-major, ls. 4d. ; corporal, ls. 2d. ; privates, Is. My Lords are also,pleased to allow the adjutants of the brigades an additional allowance of 301. 23. 6d. per annum for coals, candles, and a servant.—Devon port Independent.; CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.._.- Yesterday a public meeting of the members and friends of this insti tution was held at the London Coffee-house, the Rev. John 'larding, M.A., Rector of St. A Blackfriars presiding. Several speakers referred, i n terms of ' eulogy, to the Society's operations in India (where the most extraordinary conversions had taken plane through the instrumentality of the missionaries), and various districts which the Society had t a k en un d er its care. In China the Rev. George Smith, of Magdalen Hall, had made an exploratory visit, in conjunction with another clergyman, and the reports which haul been made by those gentlemen induced the belief Unit, if proper excrtioils were made, Christianity might be extensively diffused, at no distant day, thr oug h out t h at Extensive and idolatrous country. " utions, affirming the usefulness of the Church Missionary Society, and pledging the meeting to its support, havin g b een a d opted, a vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, and the meeting separated. EXTENSIVE Famrns IN GOLD BARS. -011 Saturday morning, a resi,ectable•looking young wan, by trade a jeweller, was brought before the sitting magistrate at the public office, Birmingham, charged with fro,rdulently cutting off the essay marks affixed to bats of pure gold, and affixing them to a spurious metal which he had sold as genuine to Messrs. Alston and Co., the eminent re finers and bullion merchants of this town. The frauds committed by the prisoner already detected, arc said to amount to upwards of 1,...,004 Tho prisoner was re manded until this day. AMERICAN AFFAIRS. NEW Yoax, DEC. 30, 184 7.—Nothing of an im portant or decisive character has yet been done in Congress. The committees are engaged, however, in making the necessary arrangements for an active campaign. Next week, in all probability, the scene w ill open. The wants of the Government will be large, as we are assured from all quarters that the Administrationis determined to prosecute the war with renewed and in crease d v i gour . T o d o t hi s w ill require a large expenditure of money, wbicn can only be procured by m eans o f l oans . The money-market is at present very stringent, and the aspect exhibits the probability that it will be more so. Ye s t er d a y a nd to-day there was some thing like a panic in Wall-street. It may, indeed, have been produced by artificial means, brought to operate upon timid minds ; but there it was, and unless allayed before the close of the week, its effect must be injurious. Under the circumstances of the case, the best in formed men are at a loss to explain or understand the financial movements of the Government. I will state a fact. A short time since a house in this city wished to remit to England a sum in gold. They .addressed a letter to the Secretary of the Treasury, informing, him that they understood he had a large amount of Mint sovereigns, which he proposed to send to the and convert into half-eagles. They, therefore, as an dolls. economy to both parties, offered 502000 half eagles for 50,000 dolls. in soverogns. o this ar rangement the Secretary assented, and the contract was closed. Shortly after the same house offered, on the terms, to exchange 500,000 dolls, in amount. The Secretary declined the arrangement, and imm e di a t e l y ordered 800, 000 dells. i n sovereigns to be sent to the Hint, and coined into half-eagles. Th e mot i ve for this movement is beyond the ken of the uninitiated. It is said, however, to have for its object the prohi~ bition of the exportation of gold. A loan for 15,000,000 or 20,000,000 of dollars must shortly be negotiated. Congress will not authorise it to be sold at a fraction under par for a six per cent. stock. 11.1oney-lenders think it cannot be obtained on these terms; and this opini on i s sus t a i ne d b y t h e• present value of United States stocks —say Six per Cents., lf to 1 under par; Treasury Notes 1 per cent under par. There are some few people, supposed to be far seeing and sagacious, who entertain, or pretend to entertain, strong apprehensions in relation to our banks. I have tree access to several of the most discreet and intelligent managers of these institu- tions, and I have not found an individual among them who has expressed or experienced the least anxiety on the subject. All consider anything like alarm ridiculously idle, and confined to the weak minded. You will notice in the journals which accompany this letter the latest accounts that we have from the seat of war. Rumours continue to reach the United States of a pacific character, but they have in reality, not the shadow of a foundation in truth. The Mexicans are becoming daily more malignant towards the United States. The hanging of de serters, and those who have violated their parole, produces no effect but the desire of revenge in the living. Ido not wish to examine this subject in de tail, and therefore refer you to the newspapers of the day; they contain all that we know in relation to the war and the movements of the army. There is no doubt the Administration are heartily sick of the war, and would 'gladly creep out of it if they could ; but such an attempt would heap upon them shame arid disgrace mountains high. The immense loss which the country has sustained in. killed and wounded, with the additional considera tion of an accumulated and accumulating debt, is be ginning to attract public attention. When General Jackson retired from public life his pride and boast was, that during his Administration the whole of the national debt accumulated in two wars had been paid, off. Only a few years have passed away, and one of his successors (Mr. Polk) has illegally and unconstitutionally commenced a war against Mexico, which, in eighteen months, has emptied an overflowing treasury, and created a national debt of nearly one hundred mil lions of dollars, with a certainty, if the war continues, as it doubtless will, of adding to it an incalculable amount. And all this distress and misery is brought upon the country without producing any effect upon - the enemy, of the slightest prospect of conquering a peace. Such is the difference between the states- - men of 1837 and 1847. What will be the situation of the country ten years hence no thinking man dares to inquire. If the Administration succeed in inducing Con gress to grant all it requires to carry on this war successfully, they will accomplish more than I believe they can accomplish. Many of their adheretes, how ever, appear to entertain the most sanguine hopes that the President will succeed in all he wishes, and that the effect will he, first, the complete pfostration of Mexico, and then the annexation of that country to the United States. The presidential question is exciting the whole community. The question who shall be our next President occupies almost exclusively the attention of nearly every politician in the nation. It is too early to hazard a decided opinion. It is certain, however, that all parties appear to fear the influence of Mr. Clay, which may produce a combination against him. —Times. A GENE VESE TRAVELLER. FOREIGN FUNDS. lIAMBURGH BORSENLIA.LLE, DEC. 21. Bills. Money. kustrian 5 per Cents ................ 104 Bank Shares •• .• • • ............ 1600 Anglo-Russian Loan • • . Russian 5 per Cent., lamb. Certificate. 101% 101 Ditto Ist series Inscription ••• • • • •• • 101% Ditto, /lope and Co., 3d and 4th series • 95 Ditto, in Cortiticate• ••••••••• • • • • • • • • (.15 New 4 per Cent., Rope and Co. ••• • .• % Ditto Stieglitz •••••• • • • • • • ••••• • • •• 86% 86 Spanish New 5 per Cent • • • • • • 13 12'5. Ditto 3 per Cent ••••••••• • • • • • • • • 24 23% Anglo-Portuguese Loan, 2% per Cent • • 22 Dutch Actual Debt, 2% per Cent— • • 55 Ditto 3 per Cent. Polish New 4 per Cent. Loan, 1844.... 79 Anglo-Danish Loan, 3 per Cent •••• • • 82 81% National Bank Shares •••••• ••• • • • DUTCII FUNDS.—Axmanast, JAN. 11. - Money. Bills Actual Debt, 2% per Cent •• • • .• •• • 54% 55% Ditto, 3 per Cent ••••••••• • • • • • • • • • 66% 67 Ditto, 4 per Cent.. ••••••••• • • • • • • • • 84 ji 85 Amort Syndic, 3% per Cent.......... Commercial Company, 434 per Cent • • 162% 163% East India Loan, 4 per Cent • ....• Exchange on London, at sight •• ••• • • • 12 12 Two months... ••••.•• • • • • • 12 On Hamburg!), at sight .• • • 35 Two months.. ••••••• • • • • • • 31 GE On Paris • •• •• • . •• .. 5e 50 Twomonths. •• .• .•••• • • • • • 86 AUSTICIAN FUNDS.—VIENNA, JAN. 8. 5 per Cent. Metalliques• • • • ........ ...... 103% 4 per Cent. ditto• ••••••••••••• .• • • • • • • •• 90 3 per Cent. ditto.. • . • • •• •• •• 6534 Loan, 1834 ...... •..................... mR, Ditto, 1839 .• •••••••••• •• 1115, Bank Shares •• •• •• •• •• •.••• •• —1616 Esterhazv's Loan ........ 57 PRUSSIAN FUNDS.-11xaL1N, JAN. 13. honey, St.Sehuld Sch., 3 ki perCeut • •• •• 92!Y I'2 Prue*. English Bonds, 1830, 4 per Cent."... Foreign Exchanges •••••••• •• •• •• ••• • • • Exchange on London, £1 Sterling, 3 Months BELGIAIc FUN DB.—Baussm.s, JAN. 14. Actual Debt, 2% per Cent .......... Rothschild's Loan, Five per Cent ........ Loan of Thirty Millions, FourparCent.... Ditto Three per Cent.. .......... Ditto Thirty-seven Millions,ditto Ditt0,ditt0,1840...............• •• . 9814 Ditto,ditto,lB42.• •• ••.•••••• • • • • • • • • • 9 - ”4 Ditto, 1836... • • .....• .......... •..... Ditto, 1838 ..................... 67% Ditto of the City, 1832 ............ . Ditto, 1843 . . .... 95% Bank of Belgium ••• • • • 79% —Brimels Papers, Jan. 15. 6 27% RAILWAYS. The Northern, or Ferdinand .. • • • •• • , . 139 4 Gloggnitz • . • • • • • • - • • • • • • • • • • - • 110 Vienna—Milan Leghorn • • •• • • • • •• • • • Sienna . • • rosetto .... Oldenburg .... , Peatoj a ....... Pesti' Bridge Apennine!' . •••• • • • • 71 ATTORNEYS.-177 gentlemen hav e given notice this term of their intention to apply to be admitted to practise as attorneys in the Court of Queen's Bench. There are also 42 notices f,r the renewals of certia cates. Letters from Hamburgh, received yesterday, state money to be abundant. at 3i per cent. Bills on London were very scarce, and the rate for three months paper was 13. 10. NEW ASYLUM FOR INFANT ORPHANS.—Yesterday a general meeting of the subscribers to the above charity w:'s holden at the Hall of Commerce. Threadneedle street, the Lord Mayor presiding, when 12 children were elected from a list (if 47 candidates. The report for the past year stated that the affairg charityoftlie w'e h re av it i t n a g prosperous condition , upwar d s of 400 subscribers joined it during the past y ear. T here are now on the foundation (irrespective of yesterday's election) 68 children under eight years of age, who are clothed, nursed, and educated. The balm ce she. t. for the pa s t year showed the re c ipts to be 2.723/. 16s. 101. ; the expenditure, leaving a-balance of 4!')91. 14s. 24d. The business of the day being gone through, thanks were voted to the Lord Mayor for his presidency, and the meeting broke up. STARTLING DISCOVERY IN A RAILWAY CARRIAGE. —l(te.stt rday moreing, nt 8 Welutle, Mr. IV ilium) Pay the City Coroner, resumed e.n inquiry, for the third time, in the Vestry hall, llorAydown, concerning the death of a newly-born female child, foetid under the most ex traordinary circumstances. The evidence went to prove, that on the afternoon of Friday, the 24th of December, upon the arrival of the Dover train at London- bridge, one of the servants commenced his usual duties of letting out the passengers; and while searching one of the second-class carriages, he discovered a brown paper parcel lying on the floor under the seat. He rett.ived the same, and not fiutnng any direction on the outside, it was thought necessary to examine the contents of the paper, which it was found contained the body of a newly born female child. There were several marks of violence on the head, and the umbilical cord had been partially securA. The nose and mouth were much compressed. giving ample testimony of some external violence. The iequest had been twice adjourned, to allow the railway authorities to make the nec(ssary in quiries along the line, and also at Dover, from whence the said carriage came. Mr. Meed, tie summoning' ffieer, stated that he and the police had 11.. they eve r)• means to find out the guilty parties, but that.):wecrlee unfortunately quite Unable to thre w any light ,11 mystery of the case. The. ~.juFurvo,anfdtedreaadbr. et cursulta time returned a verdict of tion, but from what means such_ was caused, there W 35 not sufficient evidence to pro ve. . , SINGULAR CIRCUMSTA NCE. A r ather staguier phenomenon happened in the neighbourhood of Lerwick a few days ago, and in trying to account fur it the neople have been a good deal puzzled. It seems to be a kind of lan d- s lip. The surface of a gentle declivity, to the extent or about three . hundred f eet l ong, an d e i g h ty f eet wide, has been pr , t lpilated into the flat below, and all around the ground Las been cracked and rent. The eurface consisted of e. pretty solid mass, was about five feet deep, and rested on a hard impervious bed. It would seem that the rain from the surface, sinking down to the hard soil, ail not being able to get further, had there softened the moss, making it slippery and soft ; but there being no roots nor rocks to support or retain the superineumbent mass, it then slid away, tossing up On their sides, on both hands, large masses of the sur face, but in its main body flowing like a stream five hundred feet bqond into the bottom. Edinburgh Witness. WELLS, JAN. 14.—The Abdiel, Holland, which went on shore on Holuie Brach, Bth ult., has been gut off, and arrived here 12th inst. HARWICH, JAN. 15.—The schooner, Conrad, Kohler, of Bremen, from Hartlepool to St. Thomas. got on shore on the Long Sand, bilged, and soon became a total wrtck; crew and part of materials saved. ~.~~