The Express.
London, England, 1862-03-03 00:00:00

CRYffrAL PALACE.

Though the breezes of an English spring are not
in general balmy, and were very much the reverse us Satur-
day, yet the severity with which this present March has
set in did sot prevent a very great number of lovers of
music from assembling at Sydenham to hear ail excellent
end atilmetive concert. The petfonnanoe begea with
Mendslaselm's symphony in A minor, commonly called the
"Scotch symphony" (in our opinion the finest at Me
orchestral works), played in a manner which did the utmost
honour to the Crystal Palace band and their able emoductor,
Mr. Manna. It was followed by Dosisetti's ark, "O ado
Fernando," snag by Millie. Omni, a young vocallue of
much merit, who is makiag tepid WWI!, in publics
f►vour. The beautiful eavatina, " Enumi isvolami,"
from Verdes ,Ernani, was then most charmingly sung
by Madame Gnerrabella, who enchanted the audience by
her brilliant execution of the melody and the impassioned
tenderness which she throw into 'its expression. Thla lady
(who, we ere glad to observe, is to appear at the first
Philhansaaie Cowen, on Monday next) has lately hem
gathering lamas in the provinces, especially at Halle's
concerts at Manchester, where else made an extasoldinary
seesation. The rising young pianist, Miss Fanny Howell
(the daughter of Mr. Howell, our most eminent oontrabasso)
played Machette celebrated (shuts, "The Bacollectione
of Inked," mid achieved • distinguished means. She
eireedy a performer of the first class, possessed of • shin*
of hand awl !sines of tone surprising in a young female
peritonea., united to • touch at once smooth and
We expect greet things from this young lady. Mlle.
! Georgi then fang Horn's pretty and once popular song,
"The deep, deep sea." Madame Guerrabella warbled the
Irish balled, "Kathleen Mavourneem" with exquisite
simplicity and sweetness ; and Chen:dunes fine overture to
" Les Abemensges" terminated the concert.

DRAMA.

ADELPHL

There mud be something in theatrical life which
is most cariosityexicopelling, so be ss the exterior

public is concerned, or dramatists and novelists would
scarcely find it worth their while so frequently to repre-
sent its phases. They have reason for their belief no doubt,
the feeblest periixlicals containing biographical records of
third-rate low comedians and never-to-be distinguished
walking gentlemen, command a circulation ►nd are read
with interest in certain classes of society ; a hall of justice,
so lately as last week. was crammed from floor to ceiling
when it became known that • theatrical trial was going
forward. A well-known beffo was received with shouts of
laughter when he appeared as a witness, and the ushers had
difficulty in preventing rounds of applause from mingling
with the peals of merriment which greeted every word of
his testimony. And on Saturday night • very large, and in
many senses a distinguished audience filled the Adolph;
Theatre to witness the tint representation (in England) of
"an entirely new and original drama, in five acts, called
The Life of an Actress, founded on incident* familiar to
theatrical history, and depicting the romantic scenes of
theatrical life." - -

When we announce that Mr. Boucicault is the author of
the new drama, it is unasoesmary to say that throughout its
development one can perceive the hand of au artist
imeustoined to stage exigencies, which be knows how to
sort, and that one can tram in the dialogue that knowledge
of the world, arid that freedom from couventiosality which
an Yr. Boaciesult's greatest charms. His ohmmeters sever
talk the silly slip-slop which passes current for sentiment,
nee the pointless platitudes which do duty for humour with
so many of our dramatic writer', but they always utter
human sentiments in the language of the day.
The first two acts are really very good, showing
individuality of character aid being well written, but
from them the interest decline', and the repugnant feelings
which manifested themselves on Saturday is strong
aibilla-
tions began to be aroused. Tbe behind.the-acenie busioesa
has been done to death, and is quite familiar in its details of
stage fright, ke., to the moat resent section of the play-
going public, by Mr. Wipe's acting in the First Night; and
the scene in the old manor-hates with the drugged potion
and other accessories wee too strong for a large portion of
the audience, who vehemently mental an assertion that
the " band of Heaven" was manifest in the unpleasant
proximity of a pistol-barrel. The fifth act, too, is obviously
de trop, and unless Mr. Boucicault omits this and (following
his plan as stated per Octoroon advertisement) gee the
public to write a new conclusion for the fourth act which
he can edit and wind all up at that point, we fear the drama
will not, take rank as a success. _

This ia Nbe regretted, inasmuch as that, as we have
already stated, some of it is very well written ; and, a. a
whole, it is admirably acted. Mrs. Boucirault is very
charming, never attempting to exaggerate, but even, quiet,
and thoroughly interesting. Mr. Emery gives a good broad
picture of the villain—not too gentlemanly, perhaps, but
spaced with the billiard-room slanginess with which such a
man would probably be iuveated. Mr. Bouchault should
have yielded has part to Mr.' Webster, who would
have played it to perfection ; it is a little above Mr. Bouci.
cook, who, whileadminible in a little character " bit "
(in Myles be fitted himself to a hair's•Meadth)—is not suffi.
agent actor to bear the weight of au entire drama on his
shoulders. But., beyond question, the best acting in the
eveoing was that of Mr. Toole, who played the pour, loving,
low comedian with thorough artistic genius, and whose
scene with Violet is one of the most realistic, and, at the
Name time, one of the most touching, bite of nature ever
attempted to be pourtreyed.
The first three acts went merrily, end amidst loud ap-
plause ; but the verdict of the audience at the mold the
piece was by se emu unanimous.

CIYeTAL PALMA DISTRICT GAS COMPANT.—The
direeton' report for the half-year ending the flat of De-
amber, states that they have secured a freehold basis for
the works ; they have enlarged sad unprovul the works and
plant, to meet the great inmates of building and population
throughout the district occupied by the company ; they
have reduced the price of gas to the consumers, an opera-
tion which they hope will move advantageous to the share-
holders; and they bare endeavoured to carry out such •
system of economy of managemeet as shell be but adapted
to consolidate the interests of the shareholders. Two calk
have been made on the six per cent preform°, capital;
these calks have been fully reepooded to, and it is proposed
to make • further optional call on this stock, to meet the de-
mands which the grant increase of the works and plant
has created. The balance-sheet appended shows the
financial positiou of the company. The profits for the belt-
yea are 2,4281. ills. ld. Out of this sum the directors re-
oommend the &dandiest of a dividend after the rate of
seven per met per mourn, together with • boom after the
rate of one per cont per annum on the ordinary capital at
the company, both free of iecome tax ; the balance of 1481.
13•. 2d. to be carried forward to the profit of the seemed*
Ulf-per.