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

Zte girama.

HAYMARKET THEATRE.—The Spanish Dancers still
continue to attract great attention. As their peculiar
style is studied, it seems evident these dances may
be traced to the Moors. There is something so vo-
luptuous and so Eastern in the style, that those who
have seen the dancing girls of the East are strongly re.
minded of them. It is by no means improbable that
the Moors, who inhabited Spain for so many centu-
ries, should have imprinted many national customs
upon the character of the conquered nation.
PRINCESS'S.—An adaptation of a new drama lately
brought out at the Porte St Martin, Paris, was pro-
duced at this theatre on Monday evening, under the
original title of Sehantyl, The Warrior Prophet. The
story embodies many of the principal events of Scha-
myl's life, and concludes with an epilogue, in which
the allies and the Circassians inaugurate the freedom
and happiness of Dircassia. The subject, as might
be supposed, abounds with patriotic expressions and
sentiments, which are particularly apropos at the
present time, and the final triumph of the Circassians
over their hated enemies the Itussians is warmly ap-
plauded. As a spectacle, Schamyl is certainly suc-
cessful ; nothing can equal the beauty and variety of
scenery and costume, and the mechanical and pic-
torial effects that are produced ; but the dialogue is
of that melodramatic Porte St. Martin caste which
has generally been thought bett.r adapted to the
southern than the northern side of the Thames.
However, the house was crowded, the piece very
successful, and, probably, a " long run " will reward
Mr. Kean for the expense he must have been at to
put the spectacle on the stage in so beautiful a
manner.
ST. JAMES'S.—The King's Rival and Honour Before
Titles have been continued during the week without
change.
OLYMPIC.—The Trustee and The Blighted Being
have as yet been succeeded by no novelty.
SOHO THEATRE.—This theatre opened on Thursday
evening with a French company, under the manage-
ment of Mr. Mowbray. The company is weak in
number and ability, but M. Amend Villot, as Fredi-
rie, in the comedic vaudeville of La Somnambule,
redeemed the character of the French stage. His
acting was a finished and artistic performance. The
house was well attended, and M. Villot warmly ap-
plauded.

AMATEUR THEATRICALS IN AID OF THE
PATRIOTIC FUND.
AN amateur performance has been given at the
Theatre Royal, Hyde, under the distinguished pa-
tronage of the leading families resident in Hyde and
its vicinity. The performances were arranged with
the view of raising a contribution to the Patriotic
Fund. The efforts of the promoters of this object
were crowned with success, for, although the usual
prices of admission were doubled on the occasion,
the little theatre, before the rise of the curtain, was
crowded in every part. The sum of 801. was handed
over to the fund as the result. The performances
consisted of Mr. Planche's comedy of Faint Heart
never won Fair Lady, and of the farce of His First
Champagne. The principal male characters were
supported by Sir H. Chamberlayne, Captain Disney
Roebuck, Captain Blatchford, Mr. A. Pratt Barlow,
Mr. A. Arcedeckne, and Mr. H. Collingwood Ibbet-
son, and between the pieces the following address
was delivered by Captain Roebuck. It was written
for the occasion by Mr. Shirley Brooks :
A few brief words, I need but few to tell
What every heart before me knows too well.
Ours are no days for vaunt, and, least of all,
Vaunt we our deeds in War's grim Carn.val.
Stern is the work appointed, dread the blow
The Twin-Avengers deal on Europe's foe.
0, may the hallowed swords—that leaped to light
To help the injured and uphold the right—
Cleave the proud crest, and rend the fierce array,
Of him whose dark ambition stirred the fray,
And blow on blow descend, like wintry rain,
Till that scant need be left to strike again.
But leave all boast to him who dares proclaim
New victory in each chastisement and shame.
But who without some touch of kindred fire
Takes each brief message from you lightning wire—
What eye but sparkles and what pulse but speeds
When the broad page tells out our warriors' deeds?
How the glad waves to Kalamita bore
The glorious armament from Varna's shore.
Hark 'tie the signal sound—the bugle's call—
And freemen march where slaves were wont to crawl.
On ! Foes before them I See where, rank on rank,
The massy phalanx lours from Alma's bank !
Then the theta rush—the fierce and deadly close—
Death's ghastly harvest reaped by grappling foes—
The Russian's frenzied rout—and Alma's name
Henceforth emblazoned on our scrolls of fame.
Noble achievement—be it nobly told
Where History lingers o'er her page of gold.
But is there not some deep and sacred debt
She will not note, but we may not forget—
A debt we tal are proud—yet sad—to owe
Ws those whose deeds hare made each Woos glow ?

THE PRESS.

Not the bright circlet for the hero's brow
The silver badge—the ribboned order—now
There's a fair royal hand, well skilled to place
Each graceful tribute with an added grace—
An humbler duty at this hour demands
Service from all warut hearts and liberal hands.
You know the letter—scarce a week has fled
Since in each English household it was read—
That soldier's letter—written to his wife
After the day of Alma's glorious strife.
He said, " When our grand, rushing charge was made
I thought of you and baby, and I. prayed "
Words which tell better than aught else could do
What the brave fellows yonder ask of you.
"ris scarce a fit occasion to present
The darkest picture from the soldier's tent.
Nut on the mimic scene—l think—should come
The mourning banner and the muffled drum ;
Nor needs it. Who but knows the battle story,
How Death trod close upon the steps of Glory,
How many—dying—left you this bequest—
Those who loved them, and whom they loved the best?
But not alone the widow's heart to cheer,
And not alone to dry the orphan's tear,
Be ours. "rwere consolation, not in vain,
ro him who writhes upon a couch of pain,
To know his wounds had eloquence to make
His country tend his loved oues—for their sake.
You've heard our aim. We own to little fear
Lest you should disapprove—for you are here.