The Express.
London, England, 1863-04-13 00:00:00

ms CRUM-SHANK GALLERY.

As our readers are probably aware, there is on
view at Exeter-hall • collection of the works of George
Ortukshank, comiding of upwards of one bitiedred oil paint-
lop, watercolour drawinp, and original sketches, together
with mom than • thousand proof etchings from the most
popular works of this artist, oomprisiog caricature pieces from
scrap-books, song headings, and so on. Originally the exhi-
bition was ioteoded to be coefined to the large allegorical
ell painting devoted to the amuse of temperance, entitled
"The Worship of Beecham," the singularities and merits
of which have become well known to the public ; but • very
complete gallery was subsequently made up by mesas of
the varied collection above-mentioned. Those, therefore,
who do not specially care for illustrations of the meows
and anomalies of hatempennee which are so graphically set
forth in the large picture, and who would prefer to reoog.
WM George Oniikshank ie the more familiar guise of hie
eagravinp and etchings, have ample opportunity for observ-
ing hie rise and progress in his art ; for some of the plane-
tons are of a date reaching an far back as sixty yearn ago,
and are the first attempts of the artist when • child
of eight or nice years old ; while specimens of every branch
of his labours are to be found in this repreeentative collec-
tion. An agreeable hour ma be meet in passing, cata-
logue in heed, along this reap of pictorial history ; for
a groat portion of the works are illustrative of events,
habits, and manners of the last half century. But on Sa-
turday Mr. Cruikshank himself undertook to describe and
dilate upon the collection. It wee announced that be would
" lecture " upon his works there exhibited; but there
was nothing of the formality which is usually implied
in that wad. On t►e contrary, Mr. Cniikahank, sur-
rounded by his audience, walked and talked along the line
of his pictures in en may, familiar, and essentially piquant.
style ; giving the origin and history of almost every piece,
accompanied by comments and anecdotes connected with
each of them.

MUSIC.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

On Saturday night the old house in the Hay-
market was opined with an Mat which brought to mind
the high and palmy days at " the Xing's Theatre." Yr.
Maple." who is sheering himself as able sad spirited ma-
nager, hes dose a pest dial to insure a preeperotui searce.
His company is of extraordinary strength. His stars are at
the Ant megaitude, and form a condonation es numerous
as it is brilliant. His chorus and instrumental orchestra
are much superior in discipline and power to what
they have bona foe Many years at this theatre ; an im-
provement far which the excellent coodneter, Signor Arditi,
dements the greatest cleitt. All the amaagersents both
behind and Ware the corteis are complete end ammtacters,
and the time-honoured Temple of the Muer, freshly painted,
. . .

decorated, aid "renovated," bas recovered the light and
smiling aspect of the olden time.
The opera was the Tronatore, and it drew a
emerald sad most fashionable Mum Tithing, the
acknowledged queen of mug, has retuned has
her Neapolitan triumphs, flushed with victory, and
stronger, grander. more charming and irresistible then
ever. Her reception when she preempted herself—the peals
of applause that rang through the house foe several minutes
—showed how absolutely she reigns in the hearts and minds
at the English public. She was as beautiful es eh* was
grand; and her deep pathos in the exquisite "Mummers
—an inspiration worthy of the greatest composer that ever
lived—showed that she is not only the queen of song, bat
the Melpomene of the tragic stage. Ginglini, too, never
was received with greater or more deserved enthusiasm.
His delicious tenor voice, sweeter, stronger, mere
thrilling and penetrating than ever, is • marvel.
lons union of power and Meaty, probably uneqoalled
en the musical step. And he never exerted it with patter
energy and effect. Alboai was welcomed with all the
warmth to which she has been accustomed. Her fine oon-
trate voice retake Oa fulness, roundness, sad purity
tone, nor has her execution lost anything of the perfect
finish for which it has always been distinguished Her per-
formai:ice of the wild, passionate gipsy woman, is a remark-
able instanced her versatility of talent. It Ise pert that would
seem " out of her way" is every raped ; sad yet, with the
exception perhaps of Madame Viardes, noses sets it so well.
Last, bat not least, was our countryman Santley, now a
nyder ineenher of as Italian company. To this theses
lie will be invaluable, for he is not equalled for voice,
style, exsention, or dramatic expression, by any baritone
now on the Italian Map. He ma most cordially w dimmed ;
and his peat ax, "II balm del sue sacrist,* wee moored
with acelmealiees.

The flerenala to bower of tie nuptials d the Priam osd
Alias= of War, vitiates by Mr. Jolla ()seafood aad own-
pond by Mr. W. G. easbia, did not prodsm all the 'foot
yid& siiest bats bus =pooled from a work of so mach
emit, both poetical east eacsicaL

THE ROYAL BOTANICAL SOCIETY.
.-e.--

The second spring show of this society was held
natarday last, la Regozies-perk„ sad was very largely
stimeded. The treacherous weather wkizth usually prevails
during the present mouth, and the ill-beek which generally
Mien& botanical Pres, even during the summer. render the
bolding of them so early so act of no common boldness.
Nothing, however, could have been more auspicious than
the sky on this mouton ; and although for as hoar or two
daring tie day thump looked rather tlimetesiag, nothing
occurred to Mt/erupt the gay sad animated scene which
prevailed from the opening of the grounds till the
band of the let Life Guards, which had played •
number of opeeatio and other compositions during
the morning, performed the Nathan/ Anthem, end
so gave the signal to the company to Mire.
These spring shows, though an innovation, have attained •
swam amply safficieut to justify their institution. Though
neemearily lees extensive •ad varied than those which are
held et • later period, they are large end splendid enough to
raced all that love flowers a very marked degree of pleasure
end matiefection. Indeed it may be doubted whether the
eye dem not more gratefally appreciates moderate collection
thus early in the mama than it does • more gorgeous one
after it hes Meows sated with the' mature glories of
the summer. The show on Saturday, if somewhat limited,
was perfect of its kind. The unless, especially those of
Yr. Turner, were quite dazzling in the brood manes and
brilliancy of their biome. Mr. Parker exhibited a large stead
of amaryllises, which mined aivesml applause for their per-
fection in form, size, and colour. Them was also an excellent
show of roses. Among the mere curious plants a good col-
lection of begonias„ with their Mood silvered leaves, were
greatly admired. A beautiful Cattleya Skianerii, with floe
beeches of blooms, stood forward as the queen of the
centrals, and there was • hybrid rhododendron which ra-
mmed ell rivalry. A very curious end pretty pleat—
°Twos Alternifolia misenta—resembling the Egyptian
papyrus—attracted much attention. Some carious metallic
plant., with loves like sheen of bright breeze, were also
exhibited, besides many other rare god beautiful plants too
'amorous to menace.

8171PAIIIT WITH POLAND.--Op Saturday eveningi
a public anodes of the inhabitants of Tottenhem wee as the Lecture-hall, for the purpose of expressicatheir spa-
y/ay with the Poles in their pt meat berate straggle for the
resewary of the Khedive of their oanttry aed her re-establish.
Sala es • =dm. Mr. Kirby owed the choir. The
semiliag wee also addressed by Mr. *barite, Mr. }lim-
erited other gentlemen, and resolutioas were adopted
. effect, that the meeting orymmthised with the Polish
make, sad coesielered that Russia had, by her conduct, foe.
Mod all right to the ?omission of it, it she bad ever pos.
missai say. A subscription wee entered bite towards the
fauatioa of a toad to amble tam Polish refugees to return
lame to lilt therhattles of their country, and the proceed-
lap airailasami la the mud meaner. On Saturday after.
=a tows'. saws** was held is Georges Bell, Liver-
for 610 ilzproadivi sympathy with Poland,
aid elf tsar Majesty, and petitioning both
bum psalluaset to Wu auk star as shall in their
wisdom be amt affaativs and advisable a relation thereto.
The arm** was soaroaed by his weed* the Illikyor,
swum tee regwhilioa to him, T2.244,41111•1111012.1PN1d by
Ilma most iwthwatial ausaluala
°wow. FAUX& 1141.r-AZdowir DAY.
anunay, 411.11111. 11. Aiissiraa SD 1401 ;
Mist* isms *km% 2,1109 ; total, 3,311