The Sun. — London, England, 1851-12-27 00:00:00

CHRISTINIAS HOLIDAYS. DRURY-LANE THEATRE. The Th ea t re Roy al, Drury- lane — time - honoured `°ld Drury"—is once more devoted to the represen tation o f the drama, and, as it is now under the manage ' l entof Mr. B un n, the only director of Drury who has, i z e . r ialsoy years past, exhibited tact and judgment suffi i•!lent in his caterings for the amusement of the public to enable him to keep the theatre open through the 'entire of a season, we hope and believe that the Theatre Royal, Drury- lane, will, for many years to l u or ae, continue under his spirited maneg-ment to be t hat t o i ts l eg i t i ma t e purposes; certain we are, ° st whilst he continues in the direction we shall have the bast pi eces , whether lyrical or dramatic, plac ed on ,ee stage and performed in the best manner. , hose who saw the interior of the theatre only one s suort fortnight since, when Jullien gave his las t con . eert, wou l d not recogn i se i n t h e pre,ent exquisitely decoratedhad salle the dingy " dust hole" which they I t' quieted. In ten days the whole interior o f the theatre has been not merely cleaned and redecorated, bat absolutely and entirely renewed. The ceiling is tow decorated in the Louis XVI. style, classically arranged,, in alcoves alternating with shields, and i te hlY decorated with allegorical figures and represen eons.of fruits and flowers. Toe aunellingsp of the va i tills circles of boxes have been entirely redecorated, p .,.. 31 bl ue, white, and gold, and the effect is light and — " e ful, and at the same time brilliant in the extreme. The prosenium has likewise been , te- decorated in white and gold, and the roy al box is :Perfect gem o f t as t e ful and costly decorations. T he ' t le of these decorations reflects infinite credit on the sate of Mr. B. Herwitz, who was their designer. Tu "ereilewb the whole, there is a magnificent new centre i vi andelier, which has been designed an d erected b y e tare• Pellatt. Within ten minutes after the doors were opened the pit and gallery were crowded to oy er e f e slowing and before the commence ment of the p er. • l :glances every seat in the dress cir cle was occu p ied, w h ilst the first and second circles of boxes were very ell , W h filled —indeed, to procure a seat anywhere in the e .,„ (41 , 8 ei except at the very back of the second and third 'ries Was after the performance had begun a matter to e xceeding difficulty. At seven o'clock the curtain .the and discovered the whole company assembled on ; the band struck up , a nd the National n thera was sung. At its conclusion Mr. Bunn ad- I noed to th e f oo tlights, and was welcome d with re t t -e lved and hearty plaudits. He addresse d the audi ettoe as follows :- 01"Ledies and Gentlemen,—To use the language of one *Par greatest favourites, Grimaldi, en this very spot, Le ad ° ll this very anniversary, Ilere we are again ;' In ere t `,You could but be aware of the obstacles which 'be" been thrown in our way, you woul i very much i k _bder how we got here.—(Laughter.) But ten days 'd i e Passed since the parish in which this theatre stands th e ; not contain another such filthy dust-hole as this e0 t4 8 ,. ° in which we are assembled. I trust to your rg hts "7 B Y to say what it looks like now.—(Cheers.) The 44 4 , 1 4 change which you contemplate has been tee " e d bY hands, but I am sure you will concur with it beta thinking that hands could not have done h ad there not been hearts in them. Sims years ago e et :t l the honour in this theatre of explaining the txp e e n why I restricted the performances to ballet and e tte '*. r It arose from this, that those who wanted other .th e „, t4 bensents were sure of procuring them at another e ad "?e over the way. This argument no longer exists, therefore have the honour to announce that ii is teeilatention to give you every description o f entertain. g o i ' that r esearc h an d i n d us t r y c an, devise.—(Cheers.) op it PY misrepresentations have been circul ated as to reltii i g i val, actual, and future intentions, that I have my bly to be d uo to t h e p u bli c an d myself to state eend lisctentiona really are. I cannot betto r illustrate the !kae ed Ta upon which my success depends t han b y an is pr t he which I hav e related on a former occa sion, and to sit cues of another audience. Formerly there used cabled the the orchestra of this theatre a foreig ner, who a k bi e eo the b assoon. I n hi s y ou th be was an admi qieePerformer, his notes being exceedingly melli tee 5, Yet audible through the whom house; but when his those liberties with him which he ta kes with -Er li t r is notes cou ld w i t h diff icu lty be heard beyond the *N"' in the pit. The g ruff old gentlemen , w ho for Pars of the accustomed to take up their positio n in that I ttle the house, at least grew impatient , a nd roared, w -t ocdt louder ;' the little boys in more remote regions th e DOT the cry, and shouted Blow louder,' till at last kite - -r musici an t urne d rou nd in anger, and , fac in g his k nee very exclaimed, 'Ladies and gentlem en, it's all N ee Well for t h ese peop l e to s h ou t Bl ow louder,' but :14 4 7 the vind to come from ?'—(Laughter.) And now, layt e l f a T e d gentlemen, to point the moral and apply it to ' l °4l s e: 4 e s aY, do me the honour to find the wind, and I canto - p. , the rest.—(Loud cheers.) I will do what I t° me, theseerreT your patrona and, should it be granted is sot a heart amongst' you that will be more Th e 7.. r grateful than mine." Alut er r i a gedY of Fazio then commenced, Mr. J. R. the e ' e n Performing the ungrateful part of Fazio Sia n u r e at effect, and Miss Glyn exerting herself to Ilie ac eac ist to fulfil the requirements of the part of I tkli en a ; at the conclusion she was called on by the L it e e - e -e i who had repeatedly applaud ed her during of the performance, and on her appearance !tab . so exhausted that she nearly fainted on the the d . At the conclusion of the play, the band, under ki4 cee ir t ee e t v i n of Signor Schirra, performed the [nag seem • laire to William Tell, and then came the 1 _ 4 44 0 tl ; evv comic Christmas pantomime, entitled triet ilegarth, or The Two London' Prentices. be gathered from the title the " Idle and In- Zaa us •° 3 •Pprentices" of Hogarth have furnished the "se ws exe r e e n h.tvhich this pantomime is founded,. but with "etwe e e`l° ll of the idea there is nothing in common rest II the work of the playwright and that of . the . „ Pictor. f moralist ;we have not even a single t te_h et i i r° o l t a llogartla's immortal series. But if we rtu l t !s rth we have Mr. W.H. Payne, the Lord ofver oWel caicee , 'whose appearance at Christmas is • ajo i , "ma by delighted thousands, and who was al ms greeted with the hearty and heartfelt wel d which • fey is never • accorded save to . an of ourit t hat r. W. 11. Certes the industrious apprentice ki s of the Payne is infinitely more amusing than t hide s e dull gentleman who is Hogarth's hero -on.. -ally • • J i is indefatigable, and he has at least " a e%hib• Prentice it e d Power" of serving customers, as was h ; : n as t e h oog g y r , ocer's shop, where, to quote the t d 7thri P li et P-- he made the nearest approach iet,ti a ilte tic tee d co u btr en ie o sci ti u m e s ever witnessed. In this scene he Truandaise with Chapin°, who the part of the master's daughter, and clotees th eo ' we seen any imitation more grotesquely dance` Payne's imitation of Perrot in epp 7 .. ortat is worthy to rank with his s a etiti ce i mitation of Macready. The Idle le g the was m es well represented by Mr. H. Payne,, be ll t tati Ves of ` - ',„ ° vehey made most fascinating repre eh Y l a the introduction and Knowledge. The ace thttege of t, i ntroduction is very beautiful. The cl%e °l Ind" haunt of Idleness and Ignorance to caged; ana t istrY and Knowledge was capitally ma eiee,tl c ount . tile latter representing richly culti evgleh rY through which run fertilizing streams, •ee an , crossed by magnificent bridges, whilst it k t• he din a 3 train is - s e ist a . seen traversing a railroad se e lice, is a beautiful specimen of landscape ts • Of Palntin g: The departure of an excursi on t etl h .. Midi s., uy childre n in this scene amu sed hive tr ee .re vastly. • ornaati on t a k es The last scene, in whic h e xceed' place—the Fairy Bee• e xceedingly beautiful, and in this is introh ttlivilsciee auektiho_rt but very graceful divertissement, which did h applauded. The transformation takes place, ave shall a Mr. J. Marshall as Harlequin, Mr. H. esevaei Clown, Mr. Barnes as Pantaloon, Mr. i 'J t o teer harrite, and Miss Falser as Columbine. A lquinade company has seldom been col- Zol e t b t v itl i e thie of the walls of any theatre. Of the th e ' speak in Miss Falser it is impossible ale sPrightl terms . of too high praise ; to the essential agility and arch naiveté which Muss 4 ,ho';o adds characteristics of every good Colurn tdil end a gracefulness which is most fascina th t ted. le .n her predecessors have too seldom ex ivt,t we h.. She is the best and most graceful Columbine ertila r d i , a _ v e seen for the last twenty years. Mr. J. K.o4,2tte.lmost active and neat Harlequin , and Mr. . T 4n II is an admirable Clown, full of bustle and (4 the vi the ofcourse of the harlequinade he performed t hick a grotesque and most amusing burlesque ` th o_teh wayerformance of " The Carnival de Venise," he op pee a, a most rapturously applauded, and h e ; ', l l.ta , of " 1 ?,oe introduction of which raised the Z.,the we . the audience to "vociferous applauding egitto rn • uloh vras kept up to the conclusion of the teem -411 1 e. quell me ' e then gave an equally close and of traZeklf,e vs l 'l se e Er e ludicrous imitation of Bottesini, and another a was encored again and again. There new polka introduced, which was th4l3er. The hy Mr. J. Marshall and Miss t tke a re at Ezh'b' • ue last scene represents the opening of d e th e stion on the Ist of May, 1850, and for i,Yerib es programme does not exaggerate, when it i t een _ E l i t as one of the most elaborate and exten ._ N ot e, ever introduced on the English stage, and Zeat. `me added also, one of the most magniti the4 wi t h e of the tricks were excellent, and all th e &r a t . 41 110 i greater neatness than is usual on COght of a pantomime. The applause at I N "' in clusion no , Was enthusiastic, and the pantomime - "a °lust have a long run, iithere is an unsparing tp, %ad s of de eto _ the scissors; it is too long, and the in )1114 13 4-Y see the e curtailed nes are heavy. The introduction stihgoo nailed at least one half, and then, when ) ee " bed 1,, things„ . .. are thus brought close together, it "gthee_ e ules t amusing production, and will have a "ee run. RAYMARKET THEATRE. ktn(ltlier burlesque from the prolific pens of the Pie:2;._ I3rOugh has been produced as the Christmas ..B Ast r " '7 4r . Webster, for the amusement of_ fairy tikie°4B. 'We had almost imagined that everyfilll ttict,tver written had come through the hatesho"ever.f (loutil:n writers; of burlecquPs. No' FO, I,een !elz4 I.l%nailLon's story - of the Ma ) kb Aex bas kat va uPon by the two clever authors in the present v.e) 4/14 m iultifactured into, perbsial Qne of th e TJIE best pieces of the kind they have ever written. The dialogue is lively, spirited, and full of wit and point. • The hits at the fillies of the day are numerous, and the puns, all laughter moving, are of every variety of excellence. There is a rattling fire kept up which perpetually tickles the risible faculties of the audience. 'f he plot of the piece is as follows :—Hardbake the Great, King of Candy, (Mr. James Bland), has a daughter, the Princess Badistit (Mrs. L. S. Buckingham), who has got such a " killing" pair of eyes that no one can see her face and live. " What's to be done for the people" that they may not be utterly annihilated by her piercing glances is satisfactorily answered by Count Vaide, Lord Chancellor (Mr. Henry Bedford), who an nounces a coming man, who will undertake to do something. That person is Pooh-pooh, and by donning a pair of green spectacles, he is enabled to look the radiant leo . ) , in the face—nay, mere than that, tak- s her portrait. This done to his satisfeciiou, he starts in search of his broth,r, Prince Pi,oenix, and in a forest, after having fought and vanquished lions, tigers, griffins, and dragons without number, he meets May flower (Miss CollinO, who is in the power of the witch Dentata (Buckstooe). With thst ready gal lantry and knowledge of tie supernatural which all burlesque heroes seem to learn intuitively, he con trives to rescue her from the power of the aforesaid witch, end elopes in the most approved style on the " man Jingle," and that feat 11-ieg accomplished, the curtain falls on the first act. In the second Buckstone turns Bloomer lecturer (!), and the Princess Radiant takes the command of a troop of amazons. Mayflower again falls into the witch's power, but, by one of those coups invariably intro duced to w ind up an extravaganza, happily she is, by the intervention of the fairy Serena, transformed into the Princess Brilliant„and, of course, is " given away to the valiant Pooh-pooh. Prince Phcenix, too, who has been hovering about the stage in the shape of a mysterious parrot, is also made to fill his proper position in society, end espouses the Princess Radiant, and all is wound up in a " blaze of triumph," with no end of red and green fires. The burden of the piece rests on Mrs. Fitzwilliam, Miss Collins, and Mr. Buckstone.- The Pooh-pooh of Mrs. Fitzwilliam was an extremely clever performance; and the arch im personation of Mayflower, by that talented and rising young artiste Miss Collins, was most delightful. Buckstone's " Dentate" is also most felicitous and irresistibly comic. The audi ence were certainly greatly amused with his grotesque figure as the witch, but when, in the se cond act, he came on in full Bloomer costume, their mirth knew no bounds, peal after peal of explosive laughter bursting from all parts of the house. Even if the piece were not so gorgeously mounted as it is, Mr. Buckstone would be sufficient to insure for the Princess Radiant a run. It was completely success ful, and was announced for repetition every evening. There were vociferous calls at the conclusion for the authors, who came forward and bowed their gratitude. The burlesque was preceded by the Beggar's Opera, and followed by the Two Bonnycastles. The house was crowded. ADELPHI 'THEATRE. The new Christmas burlesque at this theatre, Little Red Riding Rood, is founded upon the familiar nursery story of that name. Ihe wolf of the tale is transformed into Wolfram, Baron of Builiburg, "a robber of the Rhine and the rhino," of course repre sented by Mr. Paul Bedford. Miss Kathleen Fitzwiliam is Trudchen, or Little Red Riding Hood, the daughter of, Grimbold (Mr. G. Honey) the Baron's seneschal, a good specimen of a genuine melodramatic villian of the blackest dye. Red Rid ing Hood is provided with a lover, Otto Von Rosen (Miss Woolgar), the rightful heir of Burliburg, who by a coup d itat turns out the old Baron and takes his place. Be sides these characters, we have Miss E. Harding as Kind-heart, the good fairy of the piece, snd Mr. 0. Smith as Aldebaran, another alias of the " Old Gentleman" who goes about doing mischief for Kind-heart to remedy. It is needless to add that the burlesque was as well acted as it was possible. All London playgoers have repeatedly applauded Miss Woolgar as the lover, Paul Bedford as the ty rant, Miss E. Harding as the good and beau tiful fairy, and 0. Smith as the Old Nick of Adelphi burlesques. The present one contains several good parodies on popular airs, ex cellently sung by Paul Bedford, Miss Woolgar, and Miss K. Fitzwrilltacn, who looked like the original Red Riding Hood walked out of the story-book. Two of the scenes, the Submarine Pavilion of the Rhine Witch, and the last, the Blaza of Triumph and Rush of Water, are ready gorgeous. The burlesque was perfectly successful, and when somewhat curtailed, will, no doubt, for a considerable time, in the words of the play-bills, produce "an overflow to all parts of the theatre." The performances commenced with The Forest Rose, with Mr. Silsbee, and My Pre cious Betsy, with Mr. Wright, who fortunately seems entirely to have recovered his voice, and, of course, kept the audience in a roar of laughter the whole time he was upon the stage. LYCEUM THEATRE. The holyday season had an auspicious commence ment at this agreeable theatre yesterday evening. Never had a manager better cause to be pleased with an audience, and it is but justice to say that the en thusiastic and rapturous bursts of applause so fre quently bestowed during the evening, and the more substantial proofs of approbation afforded by a house crowded to excess in every part, were fully merited by the talented couple who now wield the managerial sceptre at the Lyceum. Long before the com mencement of the performances every avail able corner in boxes, pit, and gallery were completely occupied, save the seats secured by the box-keeper's notices affixed thereto, and whic nt h were looked upon w ith env y by the less provide parties, who trusted to early arrivals as sufficient to ensure favourable positions for the evening. The die s- aointments were, however, submitted to b com pp ing good humour, for all appeared to think any temporary inconvenience cheaply purchased by the just and proper encouragement thereby afforded to the popular caterers for the public amusement. The entertainments commenced with Mr. Slingsby Lawrence's new and eminently successful comedy, The Game of Speculation, in w hich Mr. C. Mathews as ffable Hawke, convulsed th e audience by his A admirable management of his various duns, suiting himself to the disposition of each, alternately bullying and cajoling, until he not merely appeased the ruth less creditor, and obtained further breathing time, but also extracted an additional sum from his pocket, and added largely to the debt which was about to be enforced without the slightest further indulgence. His treatment of the old miser Earthworm (Mr. F. Matthew's) was peculiarly amusing, getting 5001. from him just after 3/. bad been paid as an instalment to save his family from starvation. There is something inspiring in the prospect of a densely crowded house, which had the usual effect, not only on Mr. C. Mathews, but on all the subordinates. Certain it is, that he surpassed himself, and presented one of the most finished pictures that has ever been presented to a London audience. Notwithstanding the anxiety to behold the new labour, which it was truly anticipated would prove a new triumph of the veteran Plenche, the first piece was listened to with an attention, and as heartily applauded, as if it had constituted the chief attraction of the evening. At length, after a pleasing overture, the curtain once more drew up for The Prince of Happy Land; or, the Fawn in the Forest. The laureate of fairy land, once more drew on the inexhaustible stores, supplied by the Countess Daulnoy. La Biche au Bois was the tale selected on the present occasion, and Plancho has followed the original closely, but without servility. The first scene is a grotto and fountain, at which Nigretta, Princess of Ethiopia, comes to seek the assistance of her fairy godmother, Carabossa, in consequence of being jilted by Prince Felix. The phantom of her rival, the Princess Desi derata, is raised by the fairy, who promises speedy vengeance on the Prince and Princess, the former by being compelled to marry the sable complainant. The next scene is one of those gorgeous pictures for which the Lyceum has rendered itself remarkable. The fair Desiderata (Miss Lanza) is discovered sleeping in the Point-lace Chamber in the Tower of Tapers. On waking she communicates a dream to her attendant, Floretta (Madame Vestris—who was received with an enthu siastic welcome on here ppearance), in which she sees, and falls violently in love with, Prince Felix, ac cording to the approved precedent in such cases made and provided. This vision induces her to reject with disdain the addresses of ten potentates, just commu nicated by her father, the Grand Duke of Vert-and venison (Mr. Frank Mathews). An ambassador then arrives from Happy Land, bringing with him a speaking picture of bis master, which is at once re cognized as the original of the vision, and the offer is at once joyfully accepted. A difficulty however arises. The Prince is dying for love, and nothing but the immediate celebration of the nuptials can preserve his life. On the other hand, the Princess will fall into the power of the Fairy if she beholds daylight within the first twenty years of her life, of which seven days are as yet to come. This impedi ment is removed by the Ambassador undertaking to have her conveyed in a close litter, impervious to the light. There,ie then a prospect of floppy Land, in which the Prince hears with delight of his good fortune, and sets cut to meet " his better half half way, Then comes the " Black Gang Chine,'''' in which the project of the malicious fairy is to be carried into execution. The serenaders of the Princess of Ethiopia are engaged to attract the attention of the guards of Desiderata, which they succeed in doing so effectually, that th e y were loudly encored. The ssharnouekelorampvl,i,magehaitnwacsornapseliceodnd complied, N i i o gh p: t i, and adonuitehy re e y • •• 1.01, ,ea fur to ,tar (i • 11 the curtain, and let day-light in upon the unfortunate Desiderata, who is forthwith turned o in t " the White _t_ON _DON, Fawn." " The Peerless Pool," with the grand gathering of fairies v,ith fruit and flowers, is another of those brilliant pictures in which the frequenters of the 'Lyceum delight. The fairy ballet was admirably performed, and Miss Rosina Wright was greeted in a manner becoming an established favourite. In the second act the faithful Floretta is brought by fairies to the retreat of the White Fawn. Pressing a ring which she had received from her mistress, she sees the fairy Pine Apple, who offers her assist once to the ruistress of the ring. Through her aid Floretta not only obtains an interview with the Fawn, but it is also granted that the Princess shill resume her original form every night at sunset, and retain it until sunrise. Felix, who has lo,t his way in the forest, receives from a how and arrow from the ledien Chief Tan-tee-vee nod gees in pursuit of the Fawn whom he aims at. The Fawn is brought in wounded, and is known to be the Princess. At nightfall Desiderata herself appears, with the cruel shaft piercing her ear and hand. The fairy Carnbosia and Nigretta then appear, and threaten the complete destruction of the unfortunate Princess, which brings on a contest of generosity be tween the lovers. Floretta, however, again invokes the fairy Pine Apple, who restores happiness, coil quering the malignant Carabossa and her sable protege. Tee piece, concludes with a scene of extraordinary splendour surpassing even the concluding tableaux of King Charming, or, the Queen of the Frogs. The curtain felt amid torrents of rapturous applause, during which Madame Vestris and Miss Julia St. George, who performed the Prince most admirably, were called for and led before the curtain in turn ; a compliment which many were disposed to pay to Miss Lanza, who made a decided hit on her first appearance, and who will prove a valuable acquisition to the company, as well as a vocalist as an actress. SUN, OLYMPIC THEATRE. The genius of pantomime has certainly taken up her abode at the Olympic. Could the celebrated John Rich re-visit the scenes of his labours and triumphs, he would, doubtless, at this plum-pudding period, make a friendly call upon his brethren in Wych-street. In fact, no one can do better, if he desires to witness a pantomime of the good old English standard, whose effect is heightened by the inventions and improve ments of modern pantomimic science, and not destroyed by the un necessary innovations of pretending reformers, than visit the company of the veteran Farren. The occupants of the gallery, after all, though their up roarious conduct and free criticism, would have led to the supposition that they were the most tremendous of reformers and innovators, are as much wedded to old customs and usages as Sir Harry Inglis or Col. Sibthorpe themselves. To them the pathetic song of " the old woman and ber hot codlings" has a peculiar charm, and the thieving propensities of the Clown, and the roguish connivance of the Pantaloon, an endur ing interest and attraction. The success last night was not equivocal, but as great as any ambi tious author could desire. To say this, however, is almost superfluous, when it is known that the prolific brain of Nelson Lee—the very im personation of pantotnirne himself—supplied the budget cf fun, wit, and jollity for the delectation and amusement of the audience. His former efforts were a guarantee that he would not fail on the present occasion. For a period now nearly reaching over a quarter of a century he has endea. voured, and that successfully, to excite the risible faculties of little and great children during their Chrismas holidays. He would seem to be a dweller in fairy land, who drops down among us just before boxing-day, to make us acquainted with the nymphs and other beings in the other region, in whose society he takes such especial pleasure. This year history forms the ground-work of the pantomime, and Nelson Lee's fancy, which, of course, has a considerable range, supplies the superstructure. He instructs a t , well as amuses. The period chosen is the beginning of the twelfth century; the subject William Rufus, the red-haired and red-whiskered monarch; and the scenes Harrow-on-the• Hill, Westminster, and the New Forest. Hume and Sniollet have not been followed to the letter, nor is Doomsday Book sup posed to give a correct account of the situation or relative distances of the spots selected—but that is not hing. In the first scene we are trans ported to the magical Halls of Fiction, on the island of Great Romance. Certain sprites, overpowered by cloud and difficulty are pouring over heavy story books to find a subject to please their mistress— Great Romance, a story-teller of imaginative disposi tion—on her return from earth. This pompous lady, who is well supported by Miss Rawlings, suddenly appears from the regions below, and, after a brief con sultation with her servants, resolves " To call on fact to aid her in her diction, Then form a pantomime of fact founded on fiction." By a magic whirlwind the spectator travels to the enchanted Grove of Datrydowndillys, where there is a questionable union of fact and fiction. Here Miss IVyndbain Snowdrop leads the mazy dance, followed by a stream of animated beauty. This fancy ball a la Jullien, is kept up with great spirit by the corps de ballet, who are attired in the most light and beau . _ titully coloured of fairy dresses, and look charm ingly. Miss Wyndham is not only a graceful and agile dancer, but a good actress and vocalist, and possesses the additional qualifications of a good leg and ancle and a pretty face. The arrival of Queen Fancy (Miss J. Adams) in an enchanted car of animated butterflies, leads to the consummation of Great Romance's idea, and the pantomime is forth~ with named Red Rufus; or, Harlequin Fact, Fiction, and Fancy. The plot is simple and intelligible :—Sir Walter Tyrrell, the renowned archer, is to be united to the Faire Alice Bullseye, the daughter of a bow and arrow merchant, of Harrow-on-the-Hill. King Rufus has a passion for her, and desires to satisfy it by the destruction of Tyrrell's hopes. Accordingly, after the curfew had tolled the knell of parting day, and warned people to put out their fires and candles and go to bed, he comes, in company with his friend Beauclerk, to Harrow, and carries off the fair maiden to Westminster. Rufus subsequently has a dream, in which he is told ' Rufus. Rufus, Red, To-morrow will your life be s p e d." But disregarding the warning, he gees on the mor row to hunt n the New Forest, we suppose by rail way, for he journeys thither very quick, and then loses himself amidst the labyrinths of that rich p l an tation. Tyrrell has followed his foot steps with a determination to be revenged, a nd when in a lonely part of the forest attacks him, swo rd in hand. A fierce combat ensues, and, after much fighting, which elicited loud and hearty laughter from the audience, they give in, from exhaustion, neither having succeeded in inflicting a fatal blow. Tyrrell takes advantage of the pause to send an arrow into the eye of the hunting monarch, from which he eventally dies. Then comes the transfor mation of characters. Mr. A. F. Forest is Harle quin, Miss Lees Columbine, Mr. G. Tanner Panta loon, and Mr. Edwin F. Ed wards Clown. They all sustained their parts in a way which redounded much to their credit. Mr. Edwin Edwards deserves espeeial notice; he is inferior to no Clown in modern times, and promises to become one of the first favourites in London, where he appeared last night for the first time. --As a tumbler he is certainly unsurpassed ; one of his great hits was walking backwards and forwards upon a hall up an inclined plane, and then descending in a similar way. He exhibits two small dogs, which are the most skilfully-trained specimens of the canine race we ever saw ; they a t leapfrog, ascend and descend ladders , and perform play other acts which none could believe un less he saw them. The scenery was splendid through- Out, and the dresses said much for the taste and ex ecution of Mr. G. Allen and Mrs. Rawlings. Mr. Sbalders, who is the scene painter of the establish ment, enacted the part of Rufus with his usual broad comicality. The allusions to the events and topics of the day were few and far between, but all were good. Among the best hits was one with reference to the patent exhibition bedstead, which not only wakes the sleeper at a particular hour, but throws bim upon the floor. The clown was the victim in this case. The first piece, the Road to Ruin, was listened to with some impatience and interruption, though the caste was excellent and the acting very good. The only ,drawback last night was the announcement that Mr. Diddear, who was to have been Sulky, was too in. disposed to appear, end that Mr. Cooke would read the part- - an apology which was received in the best pos sible humour. PRINCESSES' THEATRE. To announce the production of a new piece at this theatre without having at the same time to record its legitimate and complete triumph would cause no little astonishment to ourselves or to our readers. Such is the admirable spirit of its management, liberal in outlay, exact in discipline, and clear-sighted in taste, that nothing unworthy of approbation is brought upon the boards ; whilst the efficiency of the troupe, individually and in the aggregate, guarantees the success of the representation as far as depends upon the performers. We looked forward, consequently, with perfect security to reaping considerable enjoy ment from asisting at the representation of the pan tomime ushered into public existence last evening; but we are compelled in justice to confess that, as regards comic richness and variety, the agreeable an ticipation was exceeded by the reality. In the department of dialogue it is much smarter than the Christmas piece of last year, and, in the strictly pantomimic, the achievements of the Grimaldi and Eller of the day, with their associates, are exhaustive of the vocabulary of praise. A nautical adventurer, celebrated in familiar song, is the hero of the piece which has been launched upon the tide of popular favour under the title of Barle tt( Big & ; or the Flyirg Dutehtnan aal the King of Itaritongo, and in which the fortunes of Mr. William Taylor are set forth in the manner fol- SATURDAY lowing. The opening scene discloses the submarine caverns of the Nereides, where the deep sea nymphs and tritons are beheld in gleaming, garb The fairies Coralia (Miss Vivra) and eii,ila (Miss Desbo rough) discuss the goods they have in store for their favoured hero, but their anticipations are frustrated by the unexpected appearance of Britannia enthroned on one of her wooden walls, a scenic effect which was greatly applauded. The Ocean Queen dismisses a press-gang to seize the fated Billy, who in the succeeding scene is discovered in busy preparation at the sartorial board for his approaching marriage. The wedding suit donned by his representative (Mr. F. Cooke) is one of the most ludicrous fashion, and the aspect of hi s l a dy-l ove (M r . Wy nn ), as a full blown Bloomer, equally provocative of mirth. This clever pair of actors contributed a large quota to tho jollities of the induction. The press-gang seize their victim, who makes a deadly resistance with a monstrous pair of shears, and transfer him to the " gallant Thunderhamb," the quarter-dock of which is next beheld crowded with tars in masks of laugh able hideou , ness. They are speedily boarded by the Flying Dutchman (Mr. Leber) and his ghastly crew, sod after a tremendous engagt meat Billy Taylor jumps overboard, and is cast on the shores of It ari tongo. The moonlit scene of the marine residence of the sable King of t his region is exquisitely beautiful. Here he is on the point of espousing the Princess of the royal nigger -house, basely preferring ambitious pros pects to his early love, when his faithful betrothed, who has followed him in disguise of a sailor, " under the name of Richard Carr," avenges herself by shoot ing him through the head. As Richard Carr, Wynn manifested a highly appropriate development of fun damental symmetry. Britannia again comes on the scene, and restoring the defunct delinquent to exist ence, transforms the leading personages. Billy Tay lor becomes Harlequin (Mr. Cormack), his true-love i changed to Columbine (Miss Carlotta Leclercq), the King of Raritoego to Clown (Mr. Flexmore), and the valorous Admiral of the Thunderborub, whose top-boots denoted his commandership of the Horse Marines, to Pantaloon (Mr. Paulo). Rich and rare were the consequent freaks and boundless the approval of the spectators. The " hits" flew fast and thick, and scene followed scene till an inimitable climax was arrived at in " The Bird's-eye View of London by Moon light," in which the serenading of Clown and myriads of cats upon the house-tops baffles all description. It was literally " a screamer," and the Brothers Sala and Mr.:Ellis here worthily brought their excellent store of mirth to a crowning pitch of glory. " The Home of Britannia in the Floral Realms of Light" brought down the curtain amidst unanimous testimonies of adhesion. The success was unqualified, and de servedly so, for the pantomime both possesses intrinsic merit, and is superbly put upon the stage. Cormack, who received a very warm welcome, fully sustained his reputation as the prince of harlequins. The brilliant activity and finish of his dancing excited great applause. Miss Leclerq, to a spirited and re fined agility, adds a piquant joyousness that renders her, impersonation of Columbine singularly happy and fascinating. La Belle Carlotta, who is thinner than she was last season, wore, last night, a most tasteful yet simple attire, which became her exceed ingly, and helped to make her look the character to perfection. If Palser be the Empress, then Le Clercq is the Queen of Columbines. Flexmore, the "great Run " of the affair, was hailed with a universal feu de joie of affectionate greeting, and rattled through his nefarious career amid continous explosions of mirth. His customary imitation of the Stars of the Ballet were most effective, and the assumption of suitable costumes which he has now introduced lent them a novel and peculiar zest. He lied an immensity to do and did it immensely well. Paulo, well known as a satisfactory representative of the hoary caitiff Panta loon, did his decoirs well ; and last and least in sta ture, but not in merit, we must make mention of Miss Kate Terry, who was a most regal little Bri tannia in the introduction, and in the last scene but one danced a Mazourka wonderfully well. This very clever little creature yielded the most marked plea sure to the juvenile portion of the audience in parti cular. In this pantomime the scenery, dresses, and appointments are in first class style, the tricks capi tal, and the piece from beginning to end "all alive." If any "cutting down" be deemed essential, we re commend that it be done with a very sparing hand, and that there be no omiion or transposition of scenes. There was nothing in the slightest degree to be excepted to on the score of tedious ness, and it should be borne in mind that every pantomine shrinks of itself some twenty or thirty minutes after the first night or two. In short, the management have produced en entertainment blame less in the composition, the getting up, and the per formance, and whoever wishes to enjoy a thoroughly good legitimate pantomime will find no reason to re pent an evening's visit to harlequin Billy Taylor. 'The house was crowded from top to bottom long be fore the conclusion of the first piece, the Merchant cf Venice, of which some of the less important portions passed off in dumb show, owing to occasional ebulli tions of inconvenient hilarity on the part of the gods. There must have been at least a thousand persons in the pit, and the denseness of the Olympian region was something awful to contemplate. At the fall of the curtain a call was raised for Flexmore, who came forward and claimed indulgence for the imperfections necessarily attendant on a first night's representation. The performances were over shortly after twelve. EVENING, PUNCH'S PLAYHOUSE. This neat and comfortable little temple of amuse ment has undergone many mutations, but was never applied to so excellent a purpose as when under the modern designation of Punch's Playhouse; and the title is not altogether inapt, for what Punch is to the reading public this theatre is to playgoers who love the ridiculous and- comic a s presented on a stage. There are no three or four-act pieces, whose merit, if any, is of lost in their extremelength ; and as brevity is the soul of wit, so th e m anagers here condense their productions a s P unc h d oes hi s pungent para graphs. The Chri s t mas nove lti ea produced at this theatre last night c ommenced w ith a new comedy by Mr. R. B. Brou g h, entitled the Twelve Labours of Hercules. The pri nc i pa l c h ara t er i s the Chevalier de Murilac (Mr. W a lt er L acy), l obo unites in his per son the charact ers o f a dru n kard, a gambler, and a profligate, falls i n l ove with t h e C ou ntess de L'Es trange (Mrs. C o p e l an d) , who it i n different to his at tachment. Not at a ll daunted byer expressed dislike, he pursues her w ith t h e greates t perseverance until, at last , to rid h erse lf o f hi s i m portunities, she im poses upon hi m t we l ve con iit i onat agreeing to be come his wife if h e succet ds in observing them for the space of 24 h ours . Th ese ale t o avoid swearing, m; to learn to dance, to drinking, gambli ng , duelling, to pay his debts, to cause Lela, an o p era d ancer OMiss Marshall), who is attached to hi m , t o h ate hi compose verses, &c. H e app li es h i mse lf to his task, and the difficulties i n hi s way form t h e pl o t of the piece. He is, however, marr i e d to the C oun tess, this event being aided by L e l a h erself, an d all ends happily. The piece is e xcee di ng l y well wr itten, and the dia logue is smart an d w i tty. It loan c apitally played, and the mise en scene excellent. The actors and actresses did full j us ti ce to the i r parts. At the fall of the curtai n th e pr i nc i pal c haracters and the author were s ummone d b efore it, and the piece was announced f o r repe titi on am id s t general applause. The entertainment s conc l u d e d w i t h an extravaganza, called The Mand ar i n ' s D aughter, being the Simple Story of the Will ow P a tt ern Pl ata . This is a most amusing production. Th e s t ory i s s light, but the plot has furnished scop e f or : one o f the mos t a musing pieces ever produced at this th ea t re . I t w as perfectly and deservedly successful, and it reflects great credit upon Mr. E. Stirling, the manager, for the excellent and splendid way in which it is got up, Mr. Rogers, in the course of tne piece, convulsed the house with laughter with his apparent sufferings from sea-sick ness. His acting was really excellent, and in this point painfully natural. The house was well attended. SADLER'S WELLS MEARE. Last evening the Temple of Fancy of the Isling tonians, 'yclept " the Wells," a tt r acted one of the largest and merriest audiences we ev er remember to have seen even at this famous stronghold of panto mime. The Christmas entertainments provided for the holiday-makers commenced with B u lwer's beautiful play of The Lady of Lyons, w hi c h, as is generally the case with the first piece on a Boxing-night, was nearly gone through in dumb show. Miss Cooper appeared to sustain the part of Pauline very beauti fully—we say appeared, for, under the circumstances, it was impossible to hear hardly t wo s ucceeding sen tences. Having arrived at the fifth act of the play, nothing then could be heard except the words " the pantomime," and the falling of the curtain was the signal for a hearty round of applause. The panto mime is from the pen of Mr. Greenwood, and is en titled harlequin and the Yellow Dwarf; or, the En chanted Orange Tree and the Ring of the Golden Mines. The opening scene is the Court of Revels in the ancient Palace of Old Style, where the Abbot of Misrule, attended by various well-known characters, from Tom Thumb up to Sir Roger de Coverley, are represented enjoying themselves in a very pleasing though somewhat old-fashioned manner. Their amusements are, however, speedily chock( d by the entrance of Old Style, who tells them ' that their noses are put out of joint by the rapid improvements of the fast-going present age. This is confirmed by the appearance of New Style, who expresses her contempt for her pre decessor's taste, and quickly changes the scene to the Temple of Design in the Realms of Invention, where, after showing him how things ought to be dons in these times of improvement, she consents to allow him one short hour for the production of his Christmas annual, of which the old gentleman takes I advantage, by at once changing the scene to the en chanted Orange Grove, with a distant view of tce Sandy Desert by sunset. Here we are introduced to the rriacen AllfAir (Miss de Yere), otteuded by her DECEM BIER 27, 1861. rubynose guards, who, afflicted by that fatal curiosity to which most ladies are said to have always had un fortunately a tendency, determines, in spite of the en. treaties of her attendants, to taste the forbidden fruit. Of course she does so; but the fatal consequences of her indiscretion are averted by the appear ance of the Yellow Dwarf (Mr. Thorne), who being mesmerised by her charms, falls into the pit of love, and obtains her promise for their future nuptials. To show his gratitude, he immediately changes the scene to the Emerald Boudoir of the Princess Allfair, where the Princess is discovered fast asleep, in bed, much to the delight of her anxious mother, Golconda, Queen of the Rubynoses (Mr. Naylor), who, having cheered the spirits of her daughter and herself by a substantial breakfast, prepares to receive as graciously as most mammas do a rich suitor for her daughter, in the person of California, King of the Gold Mines (Mr. C. Fenton), who now enters, attended by his metallic guards. His courtship is cut very short by the sudden appearance of the Yellow Dwarf, who, after sundry encounters, carries her off in triumph w the Giant's Courtyard of the Polished Steel Castle. Here, after many gigantic difficulties, the pursuers, by the aid of the Desert Fairy and Smorls park, a very active sprite, obtains an entrance. The scene now changes to the Hall of a Hundred Steps, where the Yellow Dwarf is attempting to prevent the necessity of an action for breach of promise. In this, however, spite of his endeavours to captivate his mis tress by the magical illustration of the various senses, he is frustrated, and being disturbed by the entrance of the King of the Golden Mines and the young lady's distracted family, a struggle ensues, the issue of which would be very doubtful, but for the entrance of the Desert Fairy, who changes the face of things. The Hall of a Hundred Steps becomes the Brilliant Palace of Diamonds, and the various personages are transformed into the usual pantomimic characters. The comic business consisted of puns and hits, some of them good and others remarkable for their pro fundity. Fenton made a good Harlequin, and Miss De Vere a very graceful Columbine. Mr. Rochez was hardly up to the mark as Clown, Naylor and Thorn as Pantaloon and Sprite were both excellent. The very clever performances of Master Rochez as Little Sprite, and Master Still as Little Clown, also deserve to be recorded. The scenery, by Mr. F. Fenton and Mr. Wright, was the subject of general admiration. The pantomime was perfectly successful. MARYLEBONE THEATRE. Great pains and liberality appear to have been be stowed at this theatre on the productien of the Christ mas pantomime, which rejoices in the title'of Sir John Barleycorn; or Harlequin Champagne and the Fairies of the Hop and Vine. The harlequin and Columbine were highly meritorious. The celebrated Tom Matthews, a host in himself, was Clown and the character of Sprite was admirably sustained by H. Wright, who played with much applause the last two seasons at the Princess's. This talented artist made a decided hit last evening at the Marylebone, proving himself a trump card for the management. He is likely to become an immense favourite with the frequenters of the theatre. The pantomime was thoroughly successful and promises to have a long and profitable run. ASTLE Y'S THEATRE. The pieces produced at this house last evening were Azad the Prodigal, and an original, equestrian, comic pantomime, introducing the whimsical per plexities, escapes, dilemmas, and extraordinary adven tures of the father of a family, taken from Punch, ex pressly for this theatre, entitled Mr. and Mrs. Briggs; or, harlequin Punch's Festival. The audience were tint introduced to " the Dell of Dire Confusion, on the Borders of Fairy Land." Dame Nature ar rives in her emblematic car of state, drawn by six highly caparisoned horses, and exclaims— " I cannot sleep, I'm in a furious passion; Dame Nature now is getting out of fashion!" The hissing of a railway engine is next heard, and Art arrives on his new steam-propeller. Art re lates his new inventions, at which Nature laughs. Art exclaims—" You may laugh, you merry rattling cricket; but I have invented a new look." Nature replies, " Yes, for Hobbs to pick it." Even tually, Nature and Art becomes friends, and unite for the purpose of providing a new pantomime for the coming year. Art, to show his pow6r, changes the abode of Nature to the " Palace of Glass." Wit, Satire, and Jollity are then summoned by Punch, and two subjects are presented—Mrs. Caudle and Mr. Briggs. It is needless to say Briggs is instantly chosen, and Art directs Punch to " Depart to Ea' tb, your fortune try, What you have to keep well open is your weathereye." The audience were next introduced to both the exterior andinterior of Mr. Briggs's house, and to an infinity of laughter-stirring scenes, the leading incidents of which have recently characterised the pages of Punch. Mr. Briggs eventually assumes Clown (Mr. Arthur Nelson) ; Mrs. Briggs, Panta loon (Mr. Ruckman) ; Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Brigg's Salley's sweetheart, Harlequi❑ (Mr. W. H. Harvey) ; and Salley, Columbine (Miss T. Avery). The ordinary freaks of the Clown, the imbecility of Pan taloon, the sprightliness of Harlequin, and the grace of Columbine, terminated a very amusing and mirth exciting pantomime, of which Mr. Nelson Lee is the author. The house was crowded. THE GREAT GLOBE. Mr. Wyld's Model of the Globe is decidedly one of the most instructive and interesting exhibitions now open to the public. The graphic descriptions of the gentlemen who officiate as guides, and conduct, as it were, in half-an-hour, the spectator over the whole earth, completely obviates the objections raised by some critics as to the usefulness of the model, upon the suppposition that it was necessarily upon too small a scale, No map, however, could give so ac curate an idea of the general features of our planet ; and not only the situation, but the relative size of continent and island, river and mountain, are instan taneously presented to the view. We were glad to observe that, of the exhibitions which it was yes terday our duty to visit, Mr. Wyld's Model appeared to have by far the largest number"of visitors. HERR SOMMER'S CONCERTS. The first of a series of concerts b y thi s gentleman was given last evening at Willis's Rooms. The en tertainments consisted principally of operatic selec tions performed by the Sommerophonic Hungarian Band, who appeared in full native costume, and exe cuted a variety of popular airs with precision and effect. M. Dupont gave an illustration from the Prophe'te on the piano, which well deserved the rap turous applause it elicited, and at the request of one of the audience he extemporised a number of brilliant variations on a popular Irish air. Herr Sommer performed a fantasia from Puritani on the Sommer°. phorn, the', powerful instrument which attracted so much attention and admiration at the Great Exhibi tion. The vocal part of the entertainment was ade quately sustained by Madlle. Therese Magner and M. Jorez, who sang some German and French airs. The audience, which consisted chitfly of foreigners, was tolerably numerous, and seemed highly gratified by the performances, notwithstanding the indecisions apparent in the management, and the vexatious omis sions and alterations that were made in the,programme. PROPOSED ROYAL " MARIONETTE " THEATRE. On the site of the once popular Gallery of Practical Science, in Adelaide-street, Strand; a very elegant theatre has just been constructed for the performance of a troupe of artistes of an extraordinary character. The humorous vaudeville, the interesting spectacle, the comic bur lesque, and the :elegant ballet, will here be repre sented by " Marionettes," or :mechanical figures of such exquisite construction, that every movement and every action will, it is said, fairly rival those of their human contemporaries. " There is speech in their dumbness, Language in their very gesture."— Winter's Tale. The scenery to be used in this extraordinary per formance will be remarkable for artistic truth, the dresses for splendour and strict adherence to histo rical authority, and the decorations for gorgeousness and correctness. The first performance will take place next week. DESTRUCTION OF THE GLOUCESTER HOTEL, GREEN^ WICII, BY FrnE.—Yesterday (Friday) morning between twelve and one o'clock, a mounted police-constable of the R division arrived at the London engine stations with intel. ligence of a serious fire having broken out in Silver-street, Greeenwich. The moment the news was received, Mr. Hen derson, the chief officer of the D section of the London esta blishment, started to the scene with an engine and a power ful body of firemen, and was followed by Mr. Connorton with the West of England engine. On entering Greenwich they found the spacious range of premises belonging to Mr. A. Larkins, and termed the Gloucester Hotel, in a regular blaze. The building, which was about three times the size of an or dinary house, stood in Silver-street, and at one period it was feared that every place near would have fallen a prey to the fury of the flames. The engines of the parish, as well as those from the Royal College and her Majesty's dockyard, had previously arrived, and being supplied with an abundance of water from the Kent main, the police and inhabitants were fortunately enabled to cut off the extension of the fire in the direction of the other buildings, during the time lost in sending to town for additional assistance, but they could not succeed in extinguishing the main body of flame. The London firemen, therefore, went to work most vigorously, and with the assistance of the local aid eventually succeeded in subduing the conflagration, but not until a serious amount of valuable property was reduced to ashes, which is thus The reported by Mr. Superintendent B ra id wood :—" Th Glou cester Hotel, in Silver-street, Green w i c h , a b out two-thirds of the building and its contents destroyed;',, No. 1, in the same street, Mr. W. Doo, tobacconist, contents seriously damaged by removal. Mr. Larkins was insured in .the Kent Fire office for the contents, an d the buildinginsured was in the Royal Exchange Office, but Mr. D oo was not insure d. The origin of tie fire is unknown. "Go IT, BOOTS." —A Mrs. Boots, of Pennsylvania has left her husband, Mr. Boots, and strayed to parts un known. We presume this pair of boots are rights and lefts. We cannot say , however, that Mrs. Boots is right, but there is n 9 mistAkt, Mr, Boots kft.-4merican raper. RESIGNATION OF LORD PALMERSTON. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.) . . It is but fair to recollect that one side only of the explanation necessary to clear up the mystery (for a mystery it is at present) of Lord Palmerston's retire ment from a cabinet, of which he was always a lead ing and by far the most popular member, is before the public; and it is important to keep steadily in view the fact, that the side of the case which has been given comes from ajournal which has invariably endeavoured to alienate his late colleagues from Lord Palmerston—which, as the o r g an of the Russian and Austrian embassies, h as pursued him w i t h una b a t e d rancour, hostility, and calumny—and which was first and foremost in that intrigue that was last summer exploded and defeat e d b y the memorable majority of the Hotise of C o m mons on Mr, Roebuck' s motion. Great caution is, theref ore , necessary before any be lief can be repos e d in th e s t a t ements made in the sense in which they are propounded. Lord Palmerston's signal services to the Liberal cause, his past devotion to constitutional government, his high, frank, and c ourageous b earing on all occa sions, his generou s sen ti men t s an d his pop u l ar man ners, all require, nay demand from the Liberal party hesitation before they c an cre dit th e assertion that- he belied the prineipl es o f hi s lif e , b y expressing " unbounded approb a ti on an d a d m i ra ti on f or a coup -- cl'etat that annihilated the liberties of France." This is too huge a draught on popular credulity in the broad, unexplained, and coarse manner in which it is put, to go down with a public which has hitherto known him as by far the most advanced and liberal Foreign Secretary England ever had. Besides, it is accompanied by other demands on popular gullibility of a still more difficult character. We are required first to believe that a Court, from the hospitalities and courtesies of which (notwith standing some gratitude was due to him for his con duct and policy in Portugal) he was for upwards of twelve months excluded, and to which he has of late been only once re-admitted, has given Lord Palmers ton that uninterrupted confidence and support which were peculiarly and emphatically necessary for a Foreign Minister in his exceptional and difficult po sition; with the representative of every despot bat tering at him without, and hostile critics and col leagues annoying him within the Cabinet. This the liberal party cannot credit. Lord Palmerston, be his ' present error and fault what they may, had not, it is certain, that fair play in high quarters which every Secretary of State needs, but which to him, under such circumstances, was indispensable. Next, we are required to believe that those wretched animosities and pitiful jealousies which Mr. Macaulay, in his letter to the Lord Provost of Edin burgh, plainly stated, prevented the formation of a liberal administration towards the close of 1846, never entered the present Ministry ; we are required to be lieve that Lord Palmerston's policy was never opposed in the Cabinet ; we are required to believe, that it was most frequently and most energetically supported therein by a peer, who never opened his lips the Greek debate in the House of Lords ; and more than all, we are required to believe that on Monday that Noble Lord was ignorant of the cause which had in duced Lord John Russell to hastily assemble a Cabi net Council to receive Lord Palmerston's resignation ; although we are at the same time told that another Members of the Cabinet connected with his Lordship, who did not attend, had declared he would never again enter a council-room in which Lord Palmerston was present. This is what the liberal party cannot credit. It needs something much more authoritative than our contemporary's statement to exculpate some of Lord Palmerston's colleagues from the imputation of unfairness to him. And lastly, more startling than all, we are re quired to believe that the despots of Europe, that the " strong governments" of the Continent, that hostile diplomacy in London, that the ambassadorial intrigues which Lord John Russell denounced in the House of Commons, as the cause of the Greek con spiracy against Lord Palmerston, were all quiescent on the 'present occasion ; when, at the same time, it is stated that Lord Palmerston " approved of a coup d'etat which annihilated liberty in France," in order that he might form an alliance with France to counter-weight the norther n con f e d eracy . Thi s th e liberal party will also hesitat e i n cre di t i ng. F or i t will ask itself, who gains by Lord Palmerston's retire ment? Who? Why Russia and Austria, tyranny and despotism. Yet, with the innocence of lambs, their ministers in London bad nothing to do with the matter. They opened and shut their eyes ; and some one dropped the sugar plum in ! Simple souls ! Lord Palmerston's recent conduct may have been indefensible ; but it is not on such gobemoucherie as this that he can be condemned. His strength, his support, his existence lay in the liberality of his policy. It was on that ground that the House of Commons so emphatically sanctioned his proceedings in Greece; it was on that ground that municipality after municipality lately thanked him for his exer tions in the liberation of Kossuth ; it was on that ground that he was hated and detested by continen tal despots ; it was on that ground that his less liberal colleagues carped at, and,—it may yet turn out—at last betrayed him. It is not credible, there fore, that he admired and approved of a policy which annihilated liberty in France ; he may have hesitated from rushing into hot hostility with an usurper capa• ble of seeking support from any quarter, and daring any crime. That is possible. Probable, too, it may be that Lord Palmerston saw danger in the continued struggle between a discredited Assembly and a des perate adventurer. But that the Minister who created constitutional government in Belgium—who rescued Spain from absolutism—who successfully defended the Swiss from the intrigues of the Jesuits when backed by Austria and France—who stretched forth his hand to Italy—who declared that the Hungarians were not rebels—and who h as l os t no opportunity of avowing that in his judgment civil liberty is the only basis of national happiness —desired to see military violence permanently rule France, cannot be true, unless, indeed, the vigorous intellect and the fine mind of L or d P a l merston h a ve, for the instruction of mankind, been suddenly afflicted with insanity. If, however, he did really desire such a fall for France, no punishment that public opinion can devise is too signal for such treachery. What, then, is the conclusion to be reached ? That the circumstances which led to Lord Palmaraton's re tirement, have yet to be fully explained. And justice to him requires from the liberal party that it suspend its judgment until he himself shall have been heard.— Daily News. PRIVY COUNCIL. WINDSOR, FRIDAY.—Her Majesty held a Privy Council at Windsor Castle, at three o'clock this afternoon. The Council was attended by his Royal Highness Prince Albert, the Marquis of Lansdowne (Lord President), the Lord Chancellor, Lord John Russell (First Lord of the Treasury), Sir George Grey (Secretary of State for the Home Department), Earl Grey (Secretary of State for the Colonies), the Right Hon. Henry Labouchere (President of the Board of Trade), the Right lion. Fox Maule (Secretary at War), the Marquis of Clanricarde (Postmaster- General), Lord Seymour (First Commissioner of Public Works and Buildings), Earl Granville, and the Marquis of Westminster (Lord Steward). Her Majesty having been pleased to appoint the Right Hon. Granville George, Earl Granville, to be one of her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, he was this day, by command of her Majesty, sworn one of her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State ac cordingly. Mr. C. Greville was clerk of the Council in waiting. The Marquis of Lansdowne, Lord John Russell, and Earl Granville had audience of her Majesty. Earl Granville received from the Queen his seals of office as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The Court was attended by Lord Edward Howard, Vice-Chamberlain ; the Marquis of Ormonde, Lord in Waiting ; and Colonel the Hon. N. Hood, Groom in Waiting. The Earl of Westmoreland had an audience of the Queen. _ _ The Lord Chancellor, Sir George Grey, Earl Grey, the Marquis of Clanricarde, the Right Hon. Fox Maule, Earl Granville, the Marquis of Westminster, Mr. C. Greville, and Lord Edward H owar d , travelled from London by a special train on the Great Western Railway ito attend the Council. Lord John Russell travelled from Pembroke -lodge, Richmond-park; and the Marquis of Lansdowne and Lord Seymour arrived from Bowood-park Wiltshire. The Right H on . Henry 1, oucuere T. v came from Stoke. After the Council the Marquis of Lansdowne and Lord Seymour returned t o B owood, Lord John Rug sell returned to Richmond, and th e Bight non. 11 ' Labouchere to Stoke. The Lord Chancellor , Earl G ra nville, and the rest of the Ministers and.,,,Oilicers of State , returned to London by s p ec i a l train on the Grea t Western Rail way, taking their departure from the Castle at twenty minutes past four o'clock. 14u Luncheon was served to the o ffi cial circle in the Castle, previous to the Privy Council. ROYAL MARINBS* - WOOLWICH, DSC. 26.—PRO luOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS. —Colonel SecondC9rnmandant John; Rawlins C or y ton, of the Ply mouth division, to be Colonel-Commandant, and appointed to the same divisio n , ',ee Gordon, retired. Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen Giles, of Chatham division, to be Colonel Second Commandant, and appointed to Plymouth, vice Coryton. Brevet-Major James Whitcomb, of the Chatham division. to be Lieutenant- Colonel, and appointed to the same diviaion, vice Giles. First Lieutenant Richard Farmer, of the Plymouth division , to be Captain, and appointed to the Chatham division, vice Whitcomb. Second Lieutenant Dixon Whidbey Curry, of the Plymouth division, to be First Lieutenant , an d appointed to the same division, vice Farmar. DEATH OF SIR WILLIAM B. COOKE, BART.--We have to record the demise of Sir William Bryan Cooke, Bart., of Wheatley-hall, near Doncaster. The deceased gentler= yeas ig hie 59th year, hayhig been Wm in 1792. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. MALTA, DEC. 19.—Tbe French steamer Osiris, due here on the 13th inst., having damaged her rudder very seriously by getting on chore in the bay of Aboukir, has been detained at Alexandria for repair, and the Nil has been ordered to carry on her mails. She arrived here this morning. We have no movements among the shipping. B a n, and parties are the order of the day, and the wint er season promises to be unusually gay. The accident which befell Mr. Magrath, as men tioned in our last, has proved lighter than was at first reported, and the young man has escaped with a severe concussion of the brain. The greatest hopes are now entertained that the sufferer will be pre served. On the opening of the Council yesterday, Sir W. Reid gave the following address : ___ " We are met this day in consequence of adjourn- ment from the 2Gth of August, 1851. " On meeting the Council of Government for the first time I wish here publicly, but briefly, to express the earnest wish I feel that the recent change in this Council, by which elective members have been intro duced into it, may prove a beneficial measure for Rll interests concerned. "In order to work out the principle of elective as semblies successfully, forbearance in pressing new measures and calmness in discussion are amongst th e first re qu i s i tes . Free discussion, regul a t e d b y estab lished rules, is an essen ti a l e l emen t to representative bodies. which were formerly ill un d ers t oo d, i s ren d ering pro- But the gradual solution of poliical problems, tracttd di scussion less necessary, an d tending to re move party spirit from legislative assemblies. We require t o meet here in order to give legality to our proceedings, but much advantage would be derived from habitually consulting 'with each other upon pro tthroedeulceeedtivien principle,Council has e he pro posed measures, and endeavouring to mature them, and to agree upon them, before they are formally in legislating by order of the Queen Council. It will be for us here so to conduct our in p dings as to give as few occasionswaeswisely e . se l v rv h e i reserved the admitting right this reserved right. between elective Members and Members no difference the Crown. It shall be my constantm r n s de named by protect all the rights of elected meemberaavoauarthto _ best guarantee for united action in this Council. ° exercise . _ of e Never losing sight of Imperial interests, we should all of us endeavour to cement still closer the union of possibleahou l d for_ r proceedings Malta with England, by s t r i v i ng to a dvance the in terests of the Maltese people. "I find it is intended to erect a light-house o n the western extremity of Gov), and I have been instructed to propose a short ordinance for commuting the ton nage dues to be paid by steam-vessels. If y ou ps this ordinance, it will become my d u t y to urge th as e completion of the light-house as speedily as possible. I can scarcely conceive an object of deeper interest to humanity than that of erecting beacons to guide th e mariner in danger, and happily the erection of suc h lights coincides with commercial interests. "I have observed with great satisfaction your de.. sire to improve your charitable institutions. A pro posal will be submitted to you for carrying out still further these intentions by the erection of new build ings, for a lunatic asylum and a poor-house. If you agree to their construction, I recommend you to come to an early decision regarding the sites you may yourselves prefer for these buildings, in order that they may be begun without delay. ° These two subjects will be brought before you to day. The subjects of the different codes, in which you have a great interest, o I hope will be with at our next meeting." PORTSMOUTH, DEC. 26.—The ,Net Pune, 120, Cap tain Yates, will be taken into the basi n to-morrow, ready for docking, to have her bottom overhauled. The Birkenhead iron steam-frigate, Master-Cotn mender Salmond, will embark at this port draughts from the 12th, 45th, and 60th Regiments and Assis tant-Surgeon Bowen, 48th Foot, on pr omo ti on to Second-class Staff urgeon, for the Cape of Good Hope. She calls at Queenstown for other draughts. The Hon. Pownall Fleetwood Pellew, First Lieu tenant of her Majesty's yacht Victoria and Albert, died at Tatterdell's Hotel, Portsea, last night, after a short illness. PLYMOUTH, DEC. 24. —Mr. Henry B. Jackson, late acting mate, and Mr. James Edmonston, late acting assistant-surgeon, both of her Majesty's sloop Fly, just returned from the New Zealand station, were on Saturday last tried by court-martial at Hamoaze, on board the Impregnable, 104, Captain A. Lowe, for desertion. The former was sentenced to three months' imprisonment at Exeter, and to be die. missed the service of her Majesty. The latter was dismissed the service. The same Court passed a sentence of six months' imprisonment on William Golding, ordinary seaman, for desertion from the Ilavannab, Captain Erskine, on the 6th of October, 1848. The steam block ship Sanspareil is to be fitted with Grant's cooking apparntus. The hired troop-ship Chatham, 16 days from Ber muda, with one company of Artillery and one com pany of Sappers and Minners, arrived in the Sound this morning, bound to Chatham. The Resistance troop-ship, from Gibraltar for Portsmouth, was off the port this morning. APPOINTMENT. WOOLWICH, DEC. 26.—Lieutenant George W. Watson, (1849), recently serving in the Phoenix steam-vessel, is appointed to the Centaur steam frigate, flag-ship of Rear-Admiral William Wilmot Henderson, C. 8., on the south-east coast of America station. The Chatham transport-ship is daily expected at Woolwich with the Ist company of the 24 battalion of Royal Artillery, under the command of Captain J. R. Domville, and the Ist company of Royal Sappers and Miners, under Captain J. W. Gordon, Royal Engineers, on board, on their return from foreign service at Bermuda. Letters from the companies were put on shore and posted at Plymouth on Wed nesday, the 24th inst. It is stated that the vessel made the passage from Bermuda to Plymouth in 16 days, and it is noticed as a remarkable fact that although the company of Royal Artillery went to Bermuda on the 28th of September, 1646, and con sequently has been upwards of five years on that sta tion, not one death has occurred—a circumstance hitherto unexampled in so long a period on a foreign station. The strength of the company is about 100, non-commissioned officers and men. The Right Hon. Sir P. Baring, Bart., is spending the Christmas holidays at Stratton Park, Hants ; Rear-Admiral Dundas, C. 8., is at Larsden, Chipping Norton ; Rear-Admiral Hon. M. P. P. Berkeley, C. 8., is at Berkeley Cottage, Fishbourne, Chichester ; Captain Mike is at Brighton ; Hon. W. C ow per, M.P., is on a visit to Lord Palmerston, at Broadlands ; and Mr. Secretary Parker, M.P. is the guest of Earl Pitzwilliam, at M a lt on, P ete rsfield. Lieut. J. Morseby,o of the of theGorg steam-s loop , Thetis, nbetis7 38, Pacific, and Lieut. Packwood, ex changed ships previously to the Gorgon quitting the station for England. DEPARTURE Or THII RIFLER.—The Rifles will em bark for the Cape in the lklegesra, screw-frigate, Master-Commander Barlow, at Dover, Jan. 2. The ship is ordered round from Sheerness. The Birken head, steam-transport, Master-Commander Salmond, proceeds to Cork, and fills up all her detachments for the Cape. Captain Rodney Mundy, flag captain at Sheerness, has proceeded on leave of alosence to the 17th of January. Britannia, 120, Captain Goldsmith, will b e out of the hands of the dockyard at Portsmouth about the 7th instant. She has vacancies for a b ou t 200 only blue jackets. Simoon screw-frigate, at Portsmouth, is reported ready for trial. T r h e e st t eb i e e e , t ib 3 e a B gd , Capta in th e been 20. She interests tbe ] i re e e f p o or e fri: thewasm o n British i C ftio o srh q t u h i e mb purpose O e t. during the di s t ur b ances about the pres identship. T he e affair was ne ar l y over and and she wo ex pected to receive par her orders for Val well; only t our The ship's company were men wer e on the sick list. orAL MAIL STEAMER ARABIA. LAUNC H or Tog last ad dition .ean eo ll mai st ea was made y th e to u t n li c e h Cun ard of th e lTn O e n of lN ß 'e o d y ri al esdsY ? n n g es th a a r t e t rn r i l pbuilding-yard of Messrs. Steel and Co., Arabia, fi vin ha e e s ngines are to be furnished by Mr. Robert Greenock. GTas_ow. The Arabia promises to be one of the N a pe, of . 6 ficent steamers afloat, and it is confidently ex.- most mag i " • y en th g i i h a s yet been that sh d e o w n i e ll b fu y ll t y h e e qu c a u l n , a if rd no l t in s e u r rp s. ass il an e side levers, of the largest size, we believe, ever put on board vessel, the cylinders being 103 inches in diameter, with a n a ine feet stro - se. The collective power of the two engines will be upwards of 1,000 horse-power, working at a low pressure. There are to be two sets of tubular boilers placed before and abaft the engine-room, each having, of course, a pected separate funnel. The wheels are 27 feet diameter, with fixed wooden floats 11 feet long by about 3 1 A t feet broad. The principal dimensions of the Arabia are—length of keel and fore rake, '285 feet; length on deck, 310 feet; breadth of beam, 40.8; depth of hold, 27.7 inches; tonnage, 2,402 tons. The Persia, now on the stocks, and in an advanced state, is a counterpart in every particular of the Arabia, and will be ready for launching about April next. We may add that the Arabia is to have two funnels, and only two masts, which latter, penden c o ef willstandconrsbc:3,on the veryiwin farens apart.immensity of h e i r l s e r t eaanilmpoosvit poser. She de pendence expected to b e rea d y for her trial trip early 10 Apri l. John Hay, R.N., an d the Messrs. Burns, the principal owners, were pre sen t at the launch. Lord rot!, DUBLIN.— It lis3RvsT unders tood slT ir that O P according to ! Trinity College, Dublin, by Q u een ..°.: that on a vacancy of the Prfty n o vr 7 ; should be elected by the 11 Charles I. the appointment the statutes of the college shall born holy ordeal, tire these stattg wn. pensation from 1688 the Provost fellows, Hutc w ith the exception binsOP, Nviwg'i reign W E l izabeth, it was provided iai the new Provost charter granted to but in the reign of w fe as vested in the Crown. By it is required that the Provost t i d at least a B.D. ; and no depar ais allowable except by special die- Ever since the Revolution of the Crown. been chosen from among the senior of the notorious Prime-Servant u moat disutrou to till collsge._ ..,. jot .lb; lute► lb.; par 6 d On And I' el' id bei ~D~~ ~tß ~ ~efl~ ~ pqe