The Express.
London, England, 1864-05-25 00:00:00

STRAND.

The managers of the above theatre are evidently
resolved to nod that rarity, • new low comedian, and as
neither Mr. Rice nor Mr. Wood have been quite the "arti.
els wanted," a trial was made on Monday night of Mr. Thomas
Thorne, an actor with • full-blown Surrey reputation. The
piece selected for his appesranos was a slight personation
farce by Mr. Byron, called Timothy to the Fkacut, which
gave hint an opportunity of personating • strolling player,
• smuggler, being of the Jim Bags order, and • police-
man. None of these parts were very strongly marked,
either by author or actor, bet an amusing mimic song, that
tested fresher than the pica in which it was set, was sung
by him with sufficient spirit to obtain an swore. Physically
Mr. Thorne is something like the late Mr. James Rogers,
but here the resemblance eseass, and unless he shows more
humour and force than be did on Monday night, he can
hardly become a very prominent member of the company.
The home was crowded, sad Mr. Byron's new burlesque,
Manmtrl.4, is as great a swam as we expected it would be.

AMATEUR PERFORMANCE AT ST. JAMES'S HALL.

Au amateur performanoe for the benefit of the
Immaculate Conoeption Charity took place at this hall last
night in the presence of a arowded and distinguished audi-
ence. The entertainment was called a "festival" in the
balls, and it is worth noting as an attempt to aid • charity
by some other means than the perpetual taws dinners
with the stereotyped speeches. A very few introductory
words by Cardinal Wiseman served to introduce the pro-
gramme. which consisted of • little drama, written, we
believe, about thirty years ago by his excellency for the
English College at Rome, an original operetta, the wordsand
music by Mr. J. L Molloy, an amateur composer, and the
ald Lyoeum farce of /jiffs Toddkkim. The performers
were mostly amateurs, well known in fashionable eadety,
and prominent amongst them were Mr. Molloy and the
Mae. Lewis Wingfield. The little piece called Extracting a
Sarre, which is said to be by Cardinal Wiasm►n, hai the
advantage of good dialogue, and • knowledge of theatrical
construction ; wed the operetta called d Stade nes Frolic,
another version of the German drama which formed the
original of Vain Killed, bag musical merits which we hope
to see tested by • lees indulgent audience. Like all works
by young composers, it hears some traces of musical nod-
factions, but it is so full of dramatic feeling that it
can wellafford to face the keenest criticism. It was rendered
with extraordinary spirit and correctness, considering that
it was almost unrehearsed, and the composer war honoured
with ► loud call, which he was almost too modest to respond
to. The stage, fitted up in the great ball, was small, and
might have been tar better oonstruoted—a fault which rests
with the contractor, Mr. May, end not with the committee.

ROYAL HOETICITITITEAL GARDE:att.—Yellin(lay
a floral jek took place at the Royal Horticultural Society's
gardens, South Keitsington, in honour of the Queen's birth.
day. An unlimited number of tickets bevies been issued
to members at 6d. each, and the general public being
admitted at a charge- of It each person, a large
number of visitors availed themselves of the low
price of admission, and a splendid day to see
the exhibition of Bowies, and to enjoy the delightful
promenade which the gardens afford. Although it might
be supposed that the visitors on an occasion like this, when
admission was accessible to the million, would not present
that gronde tense aspect with which the frequenters of
total shows are familiar on aristocratic five-shilling days,
it would be difficult for any but a very experienced eye to
detect any difference in the class of visitors—all were so
respectable in deportment and appearance. The exhibition
of Bowen was very good, but possessed no special claim to
attract the attention of the visitors. There was a fair show
eof ornamental shrubs, of ferns, of risen, and other flowers.
Severs! cut specimens ware arranged in crystal mirror
frames, toilet glasses, plateaux, and presented a very chaste
and elegant effect. The cascades and fountains, Minton's
Majolica Fountain from the Exhibition of 1862, the mast
.tent for the rhododendron show, and the new orchard
houses were all "on view." The bands of the let Middlesex
and the Civil Service Hide Corps were in attendance, and
played alternately during the day severed operatic selections,
This society holds its first convenasione to-morrow evening,
at 9 o'clock, in the garden at South Kensington. The fel-
lows and the guests will be received by the president, the
Duke of Buecleuch. The great conservatory has been fitted
up with gas for the purpose of holding these evening re-
captions, it being now well established by experience that
the injury dose to plants in places lighted by gas is simply
the result of defective ventilation. The ooeversaximse is
strictly privet. to the fellows of the society, the public not
being admitted, and ease but a few guests of the very
highest rank being invited, and to prevent improper admis-
sions fellows moat exhibit their this year's tickets. Gentle-
men will be in messing dress, ladies either in full dress or
demi-toilette, as if the evening is fine they may choose to
stroll through the garden. Arrangements will be made for
taking Wits.' cloaks, but not gentlemen's hats.
CITY or LONDON HOSPITAL FOR DISEASES OF
Tan CIiENT, VicTORIA PAWL—The somber of patients re-
lieved at this institution during last week WY 1,116, of
which 2:32 were new cease.
HORNIMAN'S TEA is choice and strong, moderate
is peck and oboluaorn• to use. These &chanted., bays &Mired
for tab as a general premium It Is sold la packet by 1,240
Onssba—tAilverttainant4

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