The Express.
London, England, 1863-01-31 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY

home, and, making due allowances for that indi-
vidual prudence which is expected to be exercised
by every actor, they are also applied to the per-
formers. A poor ballet girl in flames, rushing
wildly along the close passages behind the scans,
may set half her lightly clad companions on fire,
and burn a house down in her agony. For this,
amongst other reasons, she is kept from close con-
tact with the lamps in many of the theatres, and
is immediately wrapped in wet blankets if her
dress unfortunately catches the flame. These
precautions, of course, imply a sense of danger,
and are like the barrels of oil and flour kept ready
at certain mines for use after explosions, but
they show that managers are not unmindful of
their own interests and the lives of their company.
The stage of the Princess's Theatre, in particular,
was carefully fitted up by Mr. CH•RLES KEAN,
who left nothing undone that could produce the
greatest amount of effect with the least amount of
risk. The side-lights, or perpendicular rows of
lamps which run up behind the wing-boards at
the principal aide entrances, are all provided with
tall glasses, and fenced with double rows of thick
wire. The lowest light of the row is at least four
feet above the floor of the stage—far above the
skirts of the tallest ballet-dancer. The heat and
draught of lamp-glasses would ignite a light dress
a foot above the flame ; but only great carelessness
would cause a girl to lean over the lowest of these
glasses so that her shoulder-trappings might catch
fire. The foot-lights are necessary to the proper
lighting of the stage, and are placed at least four
feet beyond the proper acting limit. Very little '
danger can arise from these lamps with ordinarily
careful actors. The greatest danger lies in the
elastic tubes filled with gas, and perforated like
flutes so as to throw out a hundred tongues of
flame. These are moved about the stage to light
up the backs of scenes, and are used without stint
in those elaborate combinations of tinselled scenery
which often remind us of the flaunting glories of a'
gin-palace. It is useless to inveigh against public
taste which demands these combinations, and it
would be unfair not to say that when manufactured
by certain skilful hands, they are often very beautiful.
There are many other scenes besides those called
" transformation scenes," where dangerous lights
are employed, and we are afraid that the ballet
especially would be a dull blank affair without
these highly-elaborated backgrounds.
The fatal accident at the Princess's, we need
hardly repeat, was not caused by foot-lights, side-
lights, nor moveable rows of ground-lights. It
arose from the spluttering of a pan of coloured
sulphur used to throw a bloom upon the scene and
the group of figures. Both sufferers deserve all
the public sympathy they have received and are still
receiving, and we are glad to see that subscriptions
are growing up in several quarters for the benefit
of the survivor, and the mother of the deceased.
This accident, coupled with one or two similar
painful occurrences in private life, has given rise
to a variety of suggestions. The preparation of
dresses that will be inflammable, and yet lose
nothing in appearance, durability, and cheapness,
is the boon we want, not only for poor ballet
dancers, but for our mothers and daughters.
Many of the suggestions point to modes of pre-
paring dresses in this way, either in the manufac-
ture, or the washing and starching. This is what
we are looking for, even more than for the aboli-
tion of a passing extravagant fashion, or the
regeneration of public theatrical taste. In the
meantime, as far as the stage is concerned; we
hope that some attention will be turned to the
burning of coloured fires, with the view of seeing
if they cannot be enclosed in boxes, like the lime-
light, and thrown by reflectors on to the scenes.

FINS ART COIIIIIIIBION.—AVIIITIELILL, JAN. 30.
—The Queen has been pleased to direct letters
patent to be paned under the Great Seal, appoint-
ing the Right Hon. Philip Henry, Earl Stanhope ;
the Right Hon. Charles Stewart, Viscount Har-
diuge ; Francis Charteria, Esq. (commonly called
Lord Elcho) ; the Right Hon. Sir Edmund Walker
Head, Bart., 8.C.8. ; William Stirling, Esq. ;
Henry Denby Seymour, Esq. ; and Henry Reeve,
Esq. ; to be her Majesty's Commissioners to inquire
into the present position of the Royal Academy in
relation to the Fine Arta and into the circumstances
and conditions under which it occupies a portion of
the National Gallery, and to suggest such measures
as may be required to render it more useful in pro-
moting art and in improving and developing public
taste.--Gasette.

PUBLIC Somoza COMMIRSION. The Public
fieheols Commiesimers hare had meetings cm Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Thutsday of this week. Present—The Earl
of Clarendon, the Earl of Devon, the Lord Lyttelton, the
Hoe. Edwd. Twialetoo, Sir 8. H. Northeote, Bart., M.P. ;
H. Helloed Vaughan, Esq., and the Rev. W. H. Thompson.
The secretary was in attendanos.

The address in the Rouse of Commons, in reply
to the royal speech, walls moved by Mr. Ca"theme, mem-
ber for East Worcestershire, and mewled by Mr. Barley,
member for Namdavister.

Mr. H. B. Loeb, C. 8., will in all probability
suocewi to the motet lientemot•governonhin of the Isle
of Mae. It wul be recollected that Mr. Loch was one of
the party taken prisoners during the last Chinese war,
whom offerings sad fortitude elicited so much public sym-
pathy and admiratioa.

It is proposed to erect in Canterbury Cathedral
a monument to the memory of the late Archbishop Benner.
With this view it is ieteixied to rains a sum not lean than
1,0001.

The numerous friends of the right rev. prelate
of Exeter are much concerned et his serious illness. We
(Western Times) are informed that his lordship is very
dangerously iIL

Mrs. Watson, the widow of Commodore R. B.
Watson, CH., has bees assigned apartment' in Hampton
Court Palace. Mrs. Watson occupies the suite in which the
Dowager Duchess of Buckingham formerly resided.
We (Gardeners' Chronicle) understand that the
following changes is the council and officers of the Royal
Horticultural Society will be proposal at the next anniver-
sary. viz., Sir Daniel Cooper, But., J. Belk, Esq., and the
Rev. Joshua Dix as new members of council ; William
Wilson Saunders, Fag., as secretary ; and John Glutton.
Esq., as teresurer. Dr. Liodley has resigned, from inability
longer to fulfil the duties of the office he bas occupied for
more than forty years.

The people of Rochdale are about to move in re-
cognition of the mympathy shown by the Americans to the
operative. of Lancashire. A meeting will be held next
week, in which, it is stated, Mr. Bright will take part
The collection made on Sunday last in the dif-
ferent French protestant churches in Paris, in favour of
the unemployed workmen of the Seine-Inferieure, produced
• sum of 20,382 fr.

LITRE ARY AND &DINT! PIC MEITINOR FOR THE
Exsurmo Wm.—Made , Entomological, at 7: Royal
Inatitatios, at 2; monthly mention ; Royal Veiled
Service Institution, at 8y ; " 800-rudder." Commander
Warrea. —Tuesday, Ethaological, at 8; " Psychological
Differences among Rams of Mao," Mr. Dann ; Eogiosera,
at 8• "Sleeper Woods, Madras Rail," Mr. M'Mastow ;
Royal Institution, at 3 ; "Animal Mechanics," Professor Marshall ; Photoiraphio, at 8 ; Anniviamary " "Taking of
Instantaneous Pictures on Large Plates,Lieutenant-
Cokes! Stuart-Wortley.—Wthisidg. &mkt/ Ara, at
8; " Cooking Depots for Wafkiag tamers uhlagrws Mr.
Barrel ; C•oloMoal, at 8 • ' Hynes-dm, Wools Y Rola,
Wells," Mr. Dawkins • " bi=of Paradoxidas in Bri-
tain," Mr. Salter; "Fossil , Malta." Dr. Wright
•• M.ooroo Beds, Malta,' Dr. Adams.—Thunda , Royal
Academy at 8," Architeetare," Professor Bourke ; ihsesq
at " Existiser of Two Forms la Linea," Mr. Darwin ;
Chemical, at 8 ; Royal, at si ; Antiquaries, at 811 • Royal
Destitution, at 3 • " Chnadsal Affluß4ai,LDer. E. Prialdala
Philoiliestaia.4 8; ballistics, ,at 8 •
ANtal beisatifis " Mr. • Archaeological
Detente, at 4.—ffalorday, Royal Institutich, at S; " Life
and Death," Mr. Savory.
Cirsrat PALAOI.--ON a SHILLING DAY.—FRIDAY,
JAN. 30.—Asindisteas on payment, 499 ; ditto by season
Robb, 506; nalal, I.OOL

frbe Cant
---•---.
OSBORNE, JAN. 30.
The Queen, accompanied by Ptinoma Helena,
walked sod drove yeiterday.
The Marchioness of Ely hue succeeded Lady Churchill
is lady-in-Waiting.

Earl Granville. Lord President of the Privy Council,
gave last evening • dinner at his residence, in Bruton-
street, to the following party :—The Lord Chancellor, the
Hake of Somerset, the Duke of Argylg the Earl of St.
Germans, Viscount Palmerston, Viscount Sydney, Lord
Stanley of Alderley, the Right Hoe. Sir Charles Wood, the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Right Hon. T. Milner
Gibson, the Right 800. E. Cardwell, the Right Hon. C. P.
Villiers, Mr. Helps (Clerk of the Council), and Mr. Harri-
son (Deputy Clerk of the Council). The roll of sheriffs for
the present year was settled at the meeting.
A deputation from the Committee of the General Asso-
ciation for the Australian Colonies had an interview with
the Duke of Newcastle at the Colonial-office yesterday,
and presented an address on the subject of transportation.
A deputation from the National Temperance League had
au interview with the Right Hon. Sir George Grey yester-
day at the Home-office, and presented • memorial respecting
licenses by the Excise to beer-shops, licensee to public-
houses for singing and dancing, and also respecting the
dosing of public-houses on Sundays.
A deputation of the Coal, Corn, and Finance Committee
of the Corporation of London, consisting of Mr. Alderman
Phillips, Mr. Norris, M.P., Mr. Rowe, Mr. Lumley, Mr.
Helloed, and a deputation of the Improvement Commis-
sioners of the Corporation of London, Mr. Deputy Fry
Mr. Chamberlain, the City Remembrancer, the City Archi
tact, and Mr. Jas. It. Scott, bad an interview with the
Right Hon. William Cowper, M.P., yesterday at the office
of her Majesty's Works and Public Buildings in White-
hall-place.

THE MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.—
A meeting of the town-council of King's Lynn was held
yesterday to consider what steps should be taken to cele-
brate the approaching marriage of his Royal Highness the
Prince of Wales. The Mayor moved a resolution to the
effect—that in order to give the inhabitants an opportunity
of expressing their loyalty and attachment to the Queen
and to the Prince of Wales, the day of the marriage be kept
as a general holiday, and that suitable means be taken to
give all classes an opportunity of celebrating the event. The
motion was seconded by Mr. Alderman Moyse, and agreed
to ; ►nd the council then resolved itself into a committee to
consider details. The result of their deliberation was that
the proceedings of the wedding-day should include a dinner
to people over 60 years of age, a tea to all the school chil-
dren, fireworks, rustic sports, illumination of the public
buildings, a public dinner and ball, &c. The corpora-
tion voted 2001. towards the expenses, and a subscription
was entered into besides.

A ROYAL GODMOTHER.—On the occasion of the
christening of the infant son of Dr. William Jeoner, one of
her Majesty's physicians, which event, so interesting to the
family, took place yesterday, The Queen was planned to
stand sponsor, being represented on the occasion by Ldy
Bruce, who, in obedience to the wishes of her Majesty,
gave the boy the name of Albert Victor, aocomnanied
with the present of a magniAceot tankard beariog a suitable
inscription, and as a royal recognition of the great pro-
f essional attention paid by Dr. Jenner to his Royal Highness
the late Prince Consort.

Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cam-
bridge and the Princess Mary have arrived at their resi-
dence at St. James's Palace, from Cambridge Cottage, Key,
for the season.

His Excellency the Italian Minister has arrived
at 49, Groommor-straet, from Torus.

The Duchess (Dowager) of Sutherland and Lady
Blantyre have arrived at Stafford House, St, James's, from
Cliefden Park, Bucks. We learn that Lord Ronald Liveson
Gower is nearly recovered from his recent severe illness.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Kildare have
left for afar mat in Ireland, and purpose to join the Duke
at Lainger early in the ensuing month, at Carton Horns,
Maynooth.

The Countess of Portsmouth was safely delivered
of a daughter on Tuesday last, at Eggeeford Home.

Viscountess Palmerston arrived at Cambridge
Howe on Thursday evening from Broadlands. The E.rl
and Countess of Shaftesbury and family, and Viscountess
Jocelyn and family, remain at Broadlsads.

- •
Sir William Russell, Bart., M. P., and lady
Russell, mane ed the Channel yesterday (says the Dorer
Chronicle) on the completion of their wedding tour on the
Continent, and after a short stay at the Lord Warden left
for the metropolis.

At the Royal Institution last night, Cardinal
Wiseman delivered an address on the Points of Contact be-
tween Science and Art. The theatre was crowded to excess.

Two missionary bishops will be consecrated in
Westminster Abbey on Monday next., viz., the Rev. Edward
Twells, as bishop of the Orange River Free Territory in
Africa ; and the Rev. G. W. Tozer, as sucomeor to Bishop
Mackenzie in the Univenities' Mission to Central Africa.
The Bishop of Oxford preaches the oosseamtion sermon.

The Cambridge Independent says :—"Mr. H.
Fawcett, of Trinity Hall, has offered himself in the room
of Colonel Adair ; sad as he is an earnest liberal, rued an-
DOWKOS himasif as a supporter at Lord Pahnersten's go-
vernment, we heartily hope he may gain the seat. His
speech at Vie Town Hall on Wednesday night was able,
eloquent, and effective, and more than equalled the high
expectations which had been excited by the previous vs-
potation of the speaker. It made ► strong impression
upon his immure, and this impression wee confirmed and
strengthened by another speech which Mr. Fawcett delivered
last night at the theatre."

Oue of Mr. Millais's contributions to the Royal
Academy Exhibition (says the 4Mearessi) is entitled " The
First Hermon," and moments a demure and dainty damsel,
some live yearn old, mated in an old-fashioned, grewbalas.
lined pew of a country church. She is dreamed in a brilliant
red cloak, wears a black Garibaldi bat with a bright white
wing in front ; has her little bands ensooooed in • rich
brown muff, her feet put before her and crossed as she
makes herself comfortable, as young ladies do, by sitting
straight upright. Her face gives, with its bright, shallow,
yet earnest eyes, and set childish mouth, the expression of
attention. It is clear that she will not fail in her ses's
duty to took, at least, as if she understood all that was going
on. From a gnaw. hole among the ragged edges of the
baize, that peculiarly necessitous animal, the church mouse,
looks askant a► her.

Mr. Leighton (says the Reader) has nearly
Mashed a picture of Elijah meeting Ahab and Jezebel is
Naboth's vineyard, " which in likely to prove the greatest
work we have seen from his brush." He is also at work
co frescoes in the church of Lyndhurst, is the New
Forest.

The Reader says that Mr. Tennyson's new poems,
Boadiemi," and " Epoch the Fisbermaa," are complete.
The latter is a dramatic subject, worked out in powerful
and area, it said, harrowing detail.

Means. Allen and Co. have made arrangements
to bring out a translation of Y. Michelin; new work
' La Sorcri•re."

We read in the A thencrum :—" Mn. Eliza Fleury,
Shanger's 'Lieette, ' has just died in • Paris hospital,
71 years old. For some tinie previous to her death she lived
in a poor attic, on ten halfpence a day, the produce of her
handiwork. Not one of the many admirers of the great
diansonnier seem to have remembered his old friend, or
tried to alleviate the gnawing hunger and want to which
she must have been pretty often subjected, thee her feeble
bands failed to earn the miserable pittance upon which
we should fancy ooly • Frenchwoman would be able to sub-
sist."

Under the title of " Lady Travellers on the
White Nilo," we lately published an account of the re.
margins of three ladies who were amending the Whit*
Nile above Khartum in a steamer which they had fitted oat
diem cost. Of these adventurous ladies. the eldret, Ma-
dame Tina& and her sister, the Baroness van Cappelli°, aro
daughters of the renowned Dutch Admiral Baron van Cap.
palmy who was the coadjutor of Lord Exmouth in the
namsesbis capture of Algiers in l'll6. The youngest of
t►se ladies is Mies Alergedrine Ties', who is a British
whist As the daughters aid granddaughter of the chival-
rous Dutch admiral, these ladies seem to have imbibed the
spirit which he displayed in liberating Christian slaves.
La Muette has been at last revived at the Grand
Opera of Paris, with Ydlls. Varna as nada, and a new
&WILK, Male. Poste, who is praised as pretty sod pro-
mising.

Signor Giuglini is about to fulfil an engagement
at Visalia.