The Press.
London, England, 1854-11-25 00:00:00

Ike ilrama.

IiAYMARKIT.—The one-act play by Mr. Samuel
Lover, which was heralded forth at this theatre with
some degree of pomposity, turned out a lamentable
failure. Weak in composition, hastily written, and
containing sentiments utterly opposed to the truth,
The Sentinel of Alma was condemned by the audience

upon the first night, and after two further repro, 44
sentations was finally withdrawn. On Thursday '
evening, however, a petite comidie by Mr. Bayle
Bernard was brought out with such decided success
as made amends for the previous failure. The
Balance of Comfort contains a very wholesome moral;
viz., " that some consideration for another is neces-
sary to happiness in this world," which is to be in-
ferred front the history of Mr. and Mrs. Torrington,
a young couple who have been married—but not
mated, from their uncongenial tastes. One is for a
mil
life of excitement and travel, the other for quiet and, -.
seclusion; and, after repeated differences, they it
length determine to separate, and leave each other
free to follow the bent of their respective inclina
dons. After a two years' separation, the hushana.
returns, and each in that period have had amp
time for reflection and regret. Neither will ailm'
this, and the struggle between affection and pride
skilfully and effectively portrayed. They punish eack ..
other by their affected indifference, until at length,
from a variety of incidents, the woman's gentle na-
ture overcomes her pride, and acknowledges that
she yet loves him, and the curtain falls upon the re-
united couple. This little piece is so well written,
and so skilfully arranged, that an extraordinary in-
terest is felt for the result. It is a case so com-
monly met with in life, and is hero so truly repre-
sented, that, barring the incident of the duel, which
is rather out of place, The Balance of Comfort is one
of the most natural and pleasing works of its cl
that has for some time been seen upon the stage.
Sr. JAMES.B.—Bulwer's Money has been performed
here during this week, but The School for Scandal
proves a greater attraction. The acting of Mrs.
Seymour as Lady Teazle, is remarkable for the girl-
like simplicity which she throws into her voice and
manner upon every occasion except in the library
scene. Here she appears, not as the simple girl,
ready to commit any extravagance or folly in order
to be " in fashion," and listening to Joseph's specious
reasoning with an indistinct conception of what he
really means, but rather as the cool woman of the
world, who, perfectly understanding what he intends,
merely balances in her own mind the value of her
character against her inclination, and has her con-
science fur a moment, though but for a moment,
pricked by his appeal to " honour." This, it strikes
us, is not the true interpretation of the character.
Lady Teazle was not a woman of the world in heart,
though she strove to be in speech and manner ; hers
was a good nature, " frotte de petits Oates " but
still not one that could not have comprehended ;he full
extent of Joseph Surface's meaning. Mr. Ranger as
Sir Peter is a good successor to Farren : he makes
up well, and acts the character thoroughly, but is a
little too boisterous in his mirth when detailing the
joke of the "French milliner." An old man like
Sir Peter would chuckle and wheeze immensely, but
he would be physically incapable of jumping up off
the stage to show his mirth. Mr. Vandenhoff is a
good Charles Surface, but Joseph, the cool, skilful,
polished hypocrite, is but indifferently supported by
Mr. Stuart ; he is too gross in his hypocrisy, and hi s
none of that suaviter in modo so indispensable to the
perfect interpretation of the character. The other
characters are tolerably well acted, and the d
1 and scenery are both in excellent taste. The h
was well attended, and the call unanimous for
Teazle and Sir Peter.
THE l'enicess's.—The usual melodramatic rm•
tine at this theatre has been varied this week with •
solitary performance of The Rivals. The Corsica
Brothers, and The Courier of Lyons, with Faust
Marguerite having been performed on every
evening.

McEux.—This theatre is to open on Monday
next, under the management of Madame Vestry,
and the performances to consist of the well-known
Game of Speculation, a new comic drama entitled
A Comical Countess, and the farce of My Fellow
Clerk.
AnEr.rni.—A new farce, The Railway Belle, with
but little real wit in dialogue, though full of irresis•
tibly comic situations, was brought out at this theatre
on Monday last with great success. The characters
wire sustained by Mr. Rogers and Mr. Selby with
great spirit, and Miss Wyndham was the most
charming of " station girls." The Serious Family,
Bond Fide Travellers, and the insufferable Slow Maw,
have also been performed during the week.
Otxxric.—The Beulah Spa, The Trustee, and The
Blighted Being, have been repeated every night
during the week without any additional novelty.

1124

Pusit.

DRUBY LANE.—During the past week we have had
selections from the Huguenots, Euryanthe, Lucrezia
Borgia, Der Frieschiitz, Puritani, and Zampa, with
some of Beethoven's symphonies, and a novelty
called "The Allied Armies Quadrille." It is of
course descriptive of the "ferment of war "—military
marches, bivouacs, and battles, tremendous con•
filets, and shouts of " Victory." It is a piece of
" loud " music, and, composed as it is for a double
orchestra and three military bands, likely to prove
successful and popular. On Tuesday next we are to
have " The Beethoven Night," on which occasion the
first part of the performance is to he entirely devoted
to the works of Beethoven; and we hope that the
cruel lacerations his immortal symphonies have
hitherto suffered, will be amply made amends for.
LONDON SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY.—On Monday
evening last this society commenced its series of
oratorio performances for the season at Exeter-hall.
The band and chorus, conducted by Mr. Surman,
were on the usual great scale—nearly 800 perfor-
mers—a number that gives weight without power,
though in the Judas Maccabeus the choruses are of
that plain, broad caste which are easy of execution,
and do not, perhaps, require so much delicate pre-
cision in their perfomance as the more intricate pas
sages of other oratorios. The principal singers con-
sisted of Miss Birch, the Misses Wells, Mr. Augustus
Braham, and Mr. Farquharson. The ball was
crowded, and the performance, which was repeated
on Friday evening, very creditable on both occa-
sions.
THE SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY will commence
the season on Friday evening, December 8, upon
which occasion Handel's oratorio of Deborah will be
performed. M. Costa continues as conductor, and
the principal vocal performers are to combine Miss
Dolby, Madame Clara Novelle, Miss Huddart, Herr
Formes, and Mr. T. E. Williams, &c.
HANOVER-SQUARE Rooms.—The second perform-
ance in England of Sebastian Bach's " Grosse Pas-
sions-Musik " will take place at the above rooms
next Tuesday. The principal vocalists will consist
of Miss Dolby, Miss Williams, and Madame Ferrari,
with Messrs. Allen, Walworth, Signor Ferrari, and
Mr. Hopkins at the organ ; the performance con-
ducted by Mr. W. S. Bennett.
Two soirees musicales are to be given upon the
30th of November and 13th of December by Miss
Dolby, at her residence in Hinde-street, Manchester-
square. Herr Ernst, Mr. Blagrove, Mr. Benedict,
Signor Regondi, and Signor Piatti, &c., are to per-
form.

gimustmtitts.

THE PANOPTICON, LEICESTER-SQUARE.—Otte of the
prettiest sights to be seen in London is the " Lumi-
nous Fountain" at the Panopticon. By means of an
optical apparatus in the centre of the dome of the
building, a ray of light is directly thrown down upon
the ascending jet of water that spouts up to the very
roof itself, a height of nearly one hundred feet. The
effect of this ray of light, with its exquisite variation of
colour, from deep crimson to bright viclet and pale
green, as it dashes upon the crest of the rising
Jets of water, is very beautiful, and the apparent and
gradual efforts of the stream to reach the dome are
regulated with great skill and effect. Now ascend-
ing, now drooping, again spouting forth with renewed
vigour, dashing aside clouds of silvery spray, that
listen in the light; higher, higher yet, it rises in
=lons, transparent stream, amidst glittering
plets like clusters of falling asteroids of every
ing hue—now crimson, now violet, anon purple
pale green ; each effort crests the other with
aseless and successive growth, till at length, glow-
ing with dazzling light, the dome is reached; but, in
moment, as if exhausted with the struggle, the
11 and graceful palm-like stream sinks slowly down,
d dissolves itself beneath a shroud of vapoury
ray. The variety of exquisite hydraulic effects,
sides those caused by the optical apparatus dis-
played in this exhibition of the " Luminous Fountain,"
is remarkable, and tends to produce one of the most
lieautiful and successful experiments of the kind that
ban been seen. The exhibition also comprises many
other objects to interest and entertain the spectator :
a series of dioramic and panoramic views of Verona,
I't: et. Petersburg, &c., lectures upon scientific subjects
'ity able professors, and some fine musical perfor-
piances by the Flugel Horn Union and the grand
'organ are daily given.
ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INsTrrtrrion.—A new and in
uctive entertainment descriptive of the rise and
rogress of America, accompanied by a series of dis-
lying views of the country, has lately been added
the many other popular entertainments that are
be found within the walls of this institution. Miss
filyn's periodical readings of Shakspeate, a Tyrolese
concert of national melodies, and cosmoramic views
'r St. Petersburg, dec., are all excellent in their

.-....••••••.•••

THE PRESS.

way, and are certainly calculated to increase the
popularity of the exhibition and of its resident direc-
tor, Mr. Pepper.

BIIITISII INSTITITTION.—TIIO annual exhibition of
the works of the students at this institution took
place on Thursday last; and although few of the
productions were above the usual average merit, yet,
on the whole, the result was creditable to the stu-
dents, and satisfactory as compared with the exhibi-
tion of last year. Among the most successful efforts,
that by Miss S. Staunton of a landscape by Van Der
Mer, is remarkable for its unquestionable merit as a
copy, in the mellow tone and excellent general effect.
Mr. H. Stanley's three studies of the Cuyp, Murillo,
and "Female Drummer," from Hogarth, are deli
cately and cleverly painted. Of the Cuyp, Mr. Malkin
and Mr. Powell have also made correct and judicious
copies, though in Mr. Malkin's copy the light in the
foreground is too bright ; and Mr. Powell, on the
other hand, though spirited and natural in his draw-
ing, is yet too warm in tone. Lord Warwick's " Guard-
room," by Teniers, has been copied by a great num.
ber of students, and with good success. That in oil,
by Miss Lear, displays much power and artistic
skill. Where there are so many repetitions of the
same subject it is difficult to balance exactly the re-
spective claims of the students to public mention.;
but if there were few to any very extraordinary
merit, yet there were none which did not deserve
praise.

FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE.
Tuesday, November 21.

BANKRUPTS.—WM. WESTON, Chiswell-street, Finabury, boot
and shoe agent—HENRY BROOME, Portsmouth, licensed vic-
tualler—BENJAMlN WORKMAN PEARCE, Bayham-terrace,Camden-
to en, builder—HENßY JOHNS, Battersea. and Grange-terrace,
Brompton, distiller—ROßEßT GRAY, Bishop's Waltham and
Southampton, corn merchant—THOMAS BAYS, London-road,
Southwark, and Wisbeach, Cambridgeshire, miller JosHuA
CLEMENTS, Mill-street, Hanover-square, woollen draper
BIIIDGER WOOLOER, jun., Deeding, Sussex, wheelwright—
THEopHILus BETHELL, Riley-street, Bermondsey, licensed Tic-
tualler—ANTHowir MADDISON TODD, Clement's-lane, City, mer-
chant—Wm. PAXON, Queen's-road, Bayswater, corn dealer—
GEORGE BASTES, St. George-place, Knightsbridge, tobacconist—
THomAs NIGHTINGALE, Broadchalke, Wiltshire, innkeeper—
FRED. CARSON, St. Helen's-place, City, and West Ham, Essex,
merchant—JOHN CLAY, Wednesfield, Staffordshire. bricklayer—
JOHN BROWN, Westbromwicb, Staffordshire, corn factor—JOSEPH
Ewe, Bishoptborpe, Yorkshire, farmer—ROPEß DuxsultY,
Over Darwen, Lancashire, innkeeper.
SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS. Wm. M'LEAN, Glasgow,
cotton-waste dealer—JAMEs WALLACE., Glasgow, contractor—
FRED. SAMUEL BARNJUM, Portobello, wine merchant—FßANClS
EDWARD BARNJUM, Portobello, wine merchant JOHN THOMSON
TEI.TER, Edinburgh, working Jeweller.
Friday November 24.
BANKRUPTS.—ALFRED REYNOLDS, Birmingham, iron-mer
chant—CHARLES BRADLEY, Tipton,
_ Staffordshire, iron-dealer—
BENJAMIN SCEPTRE, Birmingham, builder—FRANCIS AUGUSTUS
HATTON, Chesterfield, auctioneer—THOMAS WRIGHT LAWFORD,
Tivydail, Carmarthen, market gardener—JAMES BROWN, Mab-
gate, Leeds, flax and tow spinner—WlLLlAM KEATING STOCK,
Manchester, manufacturer of cotton goods—THOMAS HAWORTH
and FRANCIS ALSTON, Bury, cotton manufacturers—JAMES
HAMMOND, Chancery-lane, City, furniture dealer—JOSEPH
BERNSTEIN, Essex-street, Strand, outfitter—ROGEß DUXBURY,
Over Darwen, Lancashire, innkeeper—EDwAßD KEMP, Wal-
wortitroad, Surrey, linen draper—JOHN CLOSE, Stortford, baker
—MORRIS ELLIS PEMBERTON, Lime-street, City, merchant—
WILLIAM GEORGE SHARP MOCKFORD, Rood-lane, City, mor
chant—RICHARD LEwis, Wootton-under-Edgel Gloucester
cloth manufacturer—JOHN WHITMORE JONES ,and THOMAS
CARRIER, Wolverhampton, hosiers—MAX ESSINOEIL Old
Change, City. straw hat manufacturer—EDMUND SHORT, Bland-
ford Forum, Dorset, horse dealer—GEORGE STOKES, Hereford-
lodge, Gloucester-road, Old Brompton, boarding-house keeper—
WILLIAM H. WOODHOUSE, Woolwich, brewer.

Intelligence from Stockholm announces the death
in that city of LORD DUDLEY STUART, M.P. for Mary-
lebone. Immediately after his lordship's arrival in
Stockholm, about the beginning of October, he was
suddenly attacked with a complaint resembling cho-
lera, which was succeeded by typhus fever. From
this alarming illness he recovered sufficiently, in less
than a fortnight, to carry on his extensive correspon-
dence with almost his usual activity. He had a long
audience of the King of Sweden and attended the
meetings of the Chambers, where his appearance was
observed with lively satisfaction by the majority fa-
vourable to an alliance between Sweden and the
Western powers. But, unfortunately, his enfeebled
frame was unable to resist the severity of a climate to
which he was unaccustomed. He was attacked on the
11th instant with an affection of the lungs, producing
great difficulty of breathing, and, although somewhat
better on the 16th, he became worse on the morning
of the 17th. He then perceived that his recovery
was hopeless, spoke calmly of his approaching end,
and expired without a struggle the same evening.
IT is now certain that the gallant young Viscount
Fitzgibbon, who fell in the charge at Balaklava, is
no more. He was the grandson of the celebrated
Irish Chancellor, the Earl of Clare, and nephew
to the peer to whom Lord Byron was Ko affectionately
attached. It is stated in the journals that Viscount
Fitzgibbon was an only son, and the grief of his
noble parents is naturally increased by the circum-
stance that there are no junior branches to inherit
the title and estates won by the brilliant talents of
the first founder of the family. This has been one
of the saddest casualties of the war.

SATURDAY,

6 arrtspanttnct.

'lr must be understood that the Paass is not Identified with
the opinions of its Correspondents, though we invert no
communication which does not appear in some way deserving
of publicity. The letters of our Correspondents are open to
reply. We requiro only that the language of fair discussion ba
employed, and that due attention be paid to the facts stated.
We beg that no mention way be made of our " ability, in.
fluence." Jtc., as we unhesitatingly strike our you through
every allusion of the kind.]

of St. Pe