The Express.
London, England, 1863-09-14 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

MR. CHARLES MATHEWS IN PARIS.
(nox 001 OWN 001116P0NDEIT.)

PARIS, SUNDAY &masa.

Politics being just where they were yesterday, I
shall send you a resume of the French feuilietoas on
the pleasant international event of Mr. Charles Ma-
thews's appearance on the French stage. In the
few lines which I wrote on the first impression, at
11 o'clock in the evening, I paid a tribute of ad-
miration to his wonderful mastery of the French
lanituage, and expressed an opinion that, although
the particular piece dragged a little towards the
end, his success on the French stage was assured
if he cared to persevere, and that judicious critics
would overrule the ill-natured opposition of a very
small minority on the first night. This estimate of
the taste of the French public and of the merits of
an eminent actor in a totally new capa-
city are entirely borne out by the weekly
criticisms which I have now before me.

In the Opinion Nationale K Sarcey notices, as I
did, that Mr. Mathews neglected to take the usual
means to make himself known, and that not only
the general public but even the journalists did not
know who he was. The English, says K Sarcey,
read our journals and reviews, but we unfortunately
do not read theirs, et pour de bonne, raison,. [He
means that very few Frenchmen can read English.]
After criticising the piece (The Bashful Man) as
unsuited to a French audience, and particularly
tedious in the latter part, M. Sarcey censures
the rioters of the first night for their want
of international courtesy, especially at a
time when M. Fechter and Mdlle. Stella
Colas are so well received in London.
But he goes on to express his opinion as a critic
that Mr. Mathews is a "comedian of the highest
ekes," and that there is not at this moment "any
actor upon the French stage who can be compared
to him" in the particular style of light comedy
which he plays. He reminds K Sarcey of Arnal,
and the critic hopes that before leaving France Mr.
Mathews will play Arnal's part iu L' Homme Blase.
He predicts a great success for such an experiment.
As it is, Mr. Mathews draws crowds to the VarioStes
every night, some judicious cutting having been
made in The Bashful Man; and, notwithstanding
the slight contretemps of the tirst night, "all Paris
is now talking of Mr. Charles Mathews and his
success."

K Florentine, the eminent critic of the F rasa
and Coastitutimnel, and who writes in the Ifoniteur
under the signature "De Rovray," says, in the
France :

I only saw Mr. Mathews on the second night. It seems
that on the first representation of L'daglais Tiatide the
audience was very severe and very unjust towards an actor
of the greatest merit. They thought the pima, written by
himself and translated by himself into esciallest French
too long—just as if nothing but short chefs day rre wore ever
played at the Veriaes' . Mr. Mathews was visited
with the demerits of the Can town de la Marguerite—
[a miserable trifle span oat into four actej—and other corn.
positions of the same kidney. The English actor is supported
very wretchedly, and must form a poor idea of the actors
of this theatre. His piece is now so much cut down that
instead of being too long it is too short, but what remains
of it is very original and very amusing. . . . Mr. Mathews
has very great qn ankle ; he plays with an ease, flow of
animal spirits, nice discriminatioo, and perfectly natural
manner which are charming. His accent in speaking French
is in no way disagreeable. I trust he will not confine him.
self to this first attempt, but let us see him in other pieces.

In the Temps, Id. Louis L lback, after lamenting
the rudeness shown to Mr. Mathews on the first night
by an audience too much accustomed to " routine,"
says : . . _

Mathews is a comedian of the very beat schooL He has
no infirmity whatever to make an effect with. He speaks
just like anybody else—neither stammers nor squints, is
neither hump-hacked nor bandy-leggad, and yet he makes
you lanes, sod that is an itali:ation d solid talent.
M. Ulback would like to see Mr. Mathews in
some of Levassor's characters.

The Pays hails the appearance of L'Anylais
Timide as a "new production of dramatic free
trade." It considers Mr. Mathews as a comedian
of the family of Arnal, and congratulates the
Vari6t44 upon having given the French public au
opportunity of seeing an actor of such great talent.
It suggests that he should oome out in some of
Arnal's characters.

We have authority for stating that the two iron-
clad vessels now building at Liverpool will not be
allowed to leave that port pending further inquiries,
and until fresh instructions are given.

It is stated that M. Fouled is preparing a report
to the Emperor Napoleon oa the finances of the empire,
which are said to be in a favourable condition. Although
several branches of the public revenue have suffered from
the cotton crisis, the produos of the excise, particularly the
tobacco duties, have increased considerably. It is believed
that the Minister of Finance in his report will take credit
for the first payment to be made by the Mexican government
towards the expense of the French expedition. It is
further surmised that the minister will relinquish some of
the taxes voted in the last session of parliament. i

A New Zealand paper says :—" Six Maori pro-
phets have arimn within the last few weeks, and very long-
winded tales are told by the natives respecting the accn.
racy of their predictions thus far. We hear they all agree
is stating that the natives are to get another licking at
Taranaki far worse than the last, but that then the tide
will turn ; they will capture the town of New Plymouth,
and drive all the soldiers into the sas."
GIFT or Tease THOUSAND POUNDS To TRB
EDUIBUIGII UJIVZMtTT MOB Btu DAVID BAZTZIL—ISO
Dundee Adrertiarr mays it is reported that Elk David
Baiter has funded 3,0001. for the purpose of astablihing
two scholarships in the University Edinburgh, of the value
of 601. each per annum.