The Express.
London, England, 1864-12-24 00:00:00

DRAMATIC " CRITICS.'

(nom A

ir contemporary, the Reader, in an article con-
nutcy sensible remarks upon the present state of
ite drama and so-called dramatic criticism, has the follow-
set altogether just observations upon the critics of the
11014

It certainly seems strange at first sight, when one con-
viers the enormous resources of a leading London daily
And its command of ability, that the work of this
iezi:cul.sr department should be so wretchedly done. Bat
render diminishes when we find that this work is en.
c ;401, in almost every case, to a dramatic writer, with hie
medal associations, likes and dislikes, ties of obligation,
t,-; es of employment, fears of offending, creditable reserves
rez.rd, and natural influences of eelf-interest. The range
various disturbing forces ineltubsboth managers,
ye, ...nd authors ; and their effect is, as a rule, to rob the
written judgment of all courage, fairness, and hide•
„Ines lie takes refuge in stereotyped phrases, because
e:inion is in fetters ; he resorts to washy praise,
it is least likely to give offence; occasion.
_;:e be abuses virulently, when his overbears
u ether motives, or he can afford honestly to utter
Le disapproval. Not unfrequently he praises with exagge•
!ILA where he has the opportunity of gratifying a private
or sees his interest in laying on his butter and
w:th a trowel. The effect of this deplorable
, of duty in the daily critics of the
~ Len been to leave managers, actors, end
I,:tiors without the encouragement or fear, the
or restraint, of au independent, intellectual, and
..native mind, specially devoted to the task, and bringing
.tiik but reasonable standard to the guaging of plays and
;:sjers. Oecasioual able criticisms in the weekly papers
supply the want. The circulation of these papers is
I,: lugs enough to make their fiat formidable."
ut contemporary is too sweeping in its blame, for the
silty of dramatic critics on the London daily press are
dramatic authors or adapters. Threejournals alone are re-
;:eiented by dramatist authors and adapters ; the other five are
::;resected by gentlemen who are not dramatic authors.
:-: weekly papers which our oontemocrary praises depend
more upon dramatic authors foe their criticisms,
the daily papers and the Saturday Reties. The
~• the Athenteunt, the Illustrated Times, the
; ..eed London Nets, and even the Reader itself, are
represented by these much-abused writers. The Landon
the Examiner, and the Spectator (which rarely has
notices) are the chief London weekly papers re.
:::aected by independent writers.

WILLS A.VD BEQUESTS.

TLe will of Robert George Cecil Fane, Eq., a
'rmuioner of the Court of Bankruptcy, of 4, Upper
.•:x::-street, was proved by his relict, Harriette Anse
=.:.e, only daughter of Admiral Sir Henry Blackwood,
: .:i., tie sole executrix nominated in the will, to whom he
i.,, be.jueathed the whole of his property absolutely. The
;.,....aoualty wee sworn under 40,00 W. The will is dated
_;.t, 1....61, and is executed on a printed form. The
::.riled commissioner died on the 4th of October, at the age
.! aitty-eight. The will of John Leech, Esq., artist, was
~..yed by his relict, Anne Leech, the sole executrix, and
....e personalty sworn under 6,0001. He has left the whole
.! his property, reel and personal, to his wife, for her nes
...,olutely. The will bears date March 10. 1854. The will
.f Hudson Gnney, Fee,., of Keswick, Norfolk, and St.
a, Westminster, was proved in London under
.........0.0/. personalty in England. The executors are John
a .-....:iry Gurney; Daniel Gurney, of North Ruoctoo,
w :ear Lynn : and Francis Hay Gurney, of Thorpe,
: Nvrsich. The attesting witnesses are Frederick Janseu,
. ~,.ggliall-street, and George Gomm, land agent, '
$. . ingleford. The will is dated the- 26th of June,
it ' -...... and there ere six codicils, the last dated the 26th of
..:io'ber, left, and the testator died oa the 9th of No- i
i...idier. There are many legacies. The principal legatee
a John Henry Gurney (the testator's second cousin, and
r son-m•law of the testator's late brother, Joseph Henry
. o :rue)). To him he has devised the mansion end fr, 'hold
0 .! Keawick, and all other his real estates, sod has left to
!Lm the plate, library, manuscripts, sod family reininis-
,, ,:nose as heoloonia, bequeathing 5,0004 for the erection
.f a room suitable to cootein Lis collection • end further
leueaths in trust for bin the sum of 160,0001., to be in.
i,:taid and settled in the same meaner with the inharitenos
the freeholds, appointing him also residuary legatee of
:he personal estate. And the testator further directs that
toe sum of 1:30,000/, shall also be invested in the purchase
.f real property, to be held in trust for the sone (according
', seniority) of the late John Gurney, of Earth= (who
ear the son of testator', late cousin, Samuel Gurney,
i Upton-street). To his said amain and executor.
..aniel Guroey, he leaves 120,0001. ; to his maid executor,
p• I:,c :is Hay Gurney (eldest son of the said Daniel Gurney).
.:•,votil. Amongst the legatees is W. H. Covington, of
Barclay and Bovan's Banks 100 guineas, and a like sum to
11, entletnen in Gurney's Norwich Beek; and legacies to
• (then in the brewery of which the testator war principal
y pallier. Annuities and legacies to his domestics, and 101.
• : : each year they have been in his service. The charitable
• i, iaests are:—To the Old People's Hospital, St. Helen's,
:, 4..1 zh, 1,0301.; Norfolk sad Norwich Hospital, 1,0001.;
i.iiers' Monthly Meeting in Norwich (to which his family
• :...., betooged), I,OOW. ; Norwich Public Library, 100/. ;
• . midi Literary Institution, 1001. He also leaves 2,001. is : he Wheel at the entire discretion of his executors in pro-
. :log for such miser allowances as he had Leen is the habit
if n...siog ; and, m they fall in, the principal to be given to
,:.-iities in sod about Norwich rad elsewhere woe,. he
1 1.,1 property. All charitable bequests, legacies, and annuities
1
. : raceeding 20,0001. are to be paid free of legacy duty.
.:, will of the Hoe. Hannah Mayer litutoy, of Upper
- •:eveoor-stresi, the widow of the late Right lion. Henry
i .:...1:oy and daughter of the late Baron Nathan Mayer
it :..:-schild, has been proved in the principal Conn of Pro-
, Ede. It was made on the 21st of November lug ; and, after
I. LafiltliC various bequests to Lady Southampton and other
qt :::,tires and friends, the will directs 4001. to be applied by
o ::.: executors, through the National Lifeboat Society, in the
• ; .a.-hase of a lifeboat, to be called the Arthur Frederick,
.:ter Ler late son • also 4001. to besiege to the Dm' of the
1 ; ~,Les of Si. George, Hanover-guars ; St. Marylebone, Si.
' te • esoge•in•the-Eest. and St. Margaret, Westminster. Then
.1E a•Inl legacies +Lod alter beq oats to all her set vents ; asid the
:.i :or is belusetbed to her oily daughter, Caroline Blanche
.....o.eth, the wife of Sir Coutts Lindsay, lean., who inherit,
lie 1-, shale of the large fortune of the deceased. The exacta-
...rs ere Sir Couto Lindsay and Mr. Edmund Barlow, by
4 .;.,mthe will was proved. The will of Charlie Lewis,
* F.....;.. of the Mansion, Albany, has Leen proved in London
10 7 , Lieutenants Frederick Lewis and Alfred Lewis, and Mr.
. 7rrell Lewis, solicitor, three of the executors. The will
• - .r. date Oct. 5, 1562, and after making ten specific
~cies of 1001. for the immediate nee of his widow and
.1 :....,e children, and specific provisions for his eldest and two
7 uLdst sons, the testator gives a further legacy of 2,0001.
t :, each of his tire sons, Lieutenants Frederick, Alfred,
• irnest, and Somers, and Mr. Tyrrell Lewis ; his freeholds
:, Lis widow and daughter far life ; and empowers hi* elm-
- e..tors to sell his pictures and personalty, sod gives the
' reline of his estate to his mid five soda The personalty
,
, VAS sworn nadir 2.s,oo.ol.—Blostrated Lundom .News.

3fesara. Bickers and Son announce " The Tale of
:ttnigh Itereinse," by John Edwin IL Skinner, ■pecial oor•
ksroodeet of the Dotty Pats.

JO The troupe accompanying Madame Riatori (La
larches* del Grillo) to Constantiaople eamiste of twenty-
.ght artists. The priocipal members, with Madame RUN
ri herself and her two cluldrao, are staying at the Hotel
Colonies. Their stay wall probably be for two months.
n. Ronan, who, with a French party, is 1.11 hill
•.r to Thebes, and poesibly to Amman. has been received
Giro with especial distinction by the Viceroy.
Tue two following advertisements, announcing
• ale of pogrom by auction, are cut from the Rich nand
• —" Auction Seles.—This day. Sale of negroes, crop,
yy and plantation utensils. At public auction, will be
: Mooday. November 14, 1864, at Ward's Fork, two males
. Chorlotte Court Houle, negroes, including some

i mechanics, 70 sheep, 61 ho:;s, 25 head cattle, 11
:- •-• i at.,l mules, 30 stacks of oats, 17 stacka fodder, about
isrre'.. clrn, plantation utensils, kitchen furniture, ono
4. and hu.;,iy. Terms.—Credit of six months, except
' • ... sums of 10) dole. and leas, parchuar giving hood

roeed security. —RICHARD V. GAMMA, Rolm. H.
Executors of R. J. Gaines deceased." "20 Negros.
▪ •• • liou. I will sell at auction this morning 20 likely
:• S. N. Dane &Go., Odd Fellows' Hall."
',Nt I MALT; Dec. 23.—ArrorNrwarre.
• - B. Lambert. to the Royal Adelaide, F. R.
~,an and I. Mist, to the Excellent. for the Steady.
[ .1, -vitlaN Isi•vir.—lt is reported, upon ap-
,, •:‘ rthable authority, that the Emperor of Austria is
i t make a strenuous effort to put him navy on a
w • footing. The very severe lemon which the
r • .r.. reoeived during the war in which they lately en-
: • x-eh lieemark, and the fact that Italy and Turkey
. number of powerful iroo-clad men-of-war,
'.rn to afford snfficieet reasons to hie Im-
O to set about • work of " re-construe.
a We in this country have had considerable expo-
, the expense and difficulty attending upon the
. ' banged; in artillery and naval architecture, and can
• •.. -ran some idea of the task which the Austrians
a • to undermice ; but it is more than likely that
5 leading ship-buildioe and armonr-plate rolling
• ,e called upon, with the great appliances and the
which they have at their disposal, to assist
• •
• • .ocietit ally in acquiring a navy of such strength
with her aspiring neighbour—dray and