The Press.
London, England, 1853-12-17 00:00:00

tottipt art, 'Yitcraturr, 11.

X. ALEXANDRE DUMAS' second piece at the Fran-
cais, La Jeunesse de Louis XV., has been prohibited,
like the first, by the veto of the Censure. Nothing
daunted, the intrepid romance-writer has writtem a
letter to the director of the Francais, announcing his
intention t) supply its place by a third. "The youth
of kings appearing dangerous ground for me to
tread (says M. Dumas), this time I shall confine
myself to courtiers. It shall therefore be La Jets•
nesse de Lauzun." M. bumas concludes by saying
his piece shall be ready by Saturday next ; and warns
M. Honssaye that in case his third production meets
the fate of the two preceding ones he will cease to
struggle against destiny.
Tat DUKE DE MONTPENSIER has presented the
municipality of Seville with several valuable paint-
ings of the Spanish school which formerly belonged
to the town. In the number is a "Virgin " of Mu-
rillo, and another of :Morales; four large paintinas
of Zurburan; different portraits of the celebrated
painters of Spain, executed by themselves, and
amongst them only one of Velasques.
A PIECE of intelligence has just rebelled Paris
from St. Petersburg which has caused more mul-
titudes in the theatrical world than Count Nesselrodes
circulars ever produced in diplomatic circlet. Mlle.
Rachel has given in her resignation, and no longer
forms part of the company of the Theatre Francais.
t• preceding accounts be correct, it k hard to cob-
eoi‘o what reason led her to sueh a step, as they
all agreed in reporting her success in the Ilutsian
capital as null.
ROSAT2 has closed her engagement at the Orand
Opera in Paris, after a brief but brilliant season.
She is to be succeeded by Cerito, for whom a new
ballet, founded on a tale by Victor lingo, is in pre-
paration.
As; invention, designed to prevent collisions on
railways, has been contrived by a M. Fraigneau, an
engineer on the La Teste line. It consists of certain
mechanism placed close to the rails at the entrances
and exits of curves, tunnels, &c., and connected with
ono another by electric wires. Upon the passage of
every tram a projecting spring touches a trigger,
which causes a series of detonating signals to explode,
displays the red or warning disc, and gives other
notices of peril, according to circumstances, simul-
taneously at various points to the furthest distance
from which any danger is to be apprehended.

EarPTI AN HALL—Mr. Albert Smith has returned
to Piccadilly, and once more shows Mont Blanc to
the Londoners without requiring them to travel so
far as eltainuuni for the sight. During the past
autumn lie has paid another visit to his mountain—
for his be has made it—and brings back a replenished
budget of songs, stories, and characters. The
scenery also is new, and deserving of all admiration.
Mr. Beverley is, as before, the artist to whom it
should be raid.
bee' Lxisr.—An entertainment of the class
which Jtilliest has done so much not only to
popularise but to refine in Englund—a hal masque—
will be given in Drury lane Theatre on Monday
night by the new lessee Abundant promises are
put forth respecting the decorations, the orchestra,
and the general accessories of the ball ; and, from our
experience of Mr. smith's management, we doubt
not they will be honourably redeemed. The public on
such occasions is, of course, left in great measure to
amuse itself. In times past the attempt, among
Englishmen, invariably resulted in a Itigubrions
failUre. Latterly, however. our countrymen have
~oltiewbat improved in this respect. Thousands of
them crowded to take lessons in the art in Drury
Lane during the aerendaney of the white waistcoat,
and an equal throng will visit the house on Monday
in order to test the perfection to which practice has
brought their fun making faculties.
Airrefey's.—Three acts, comprising a "Chinese
spectacle," as the bills terns it, and entitled The Wise