The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-05-23 00:00:00

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(By British and Irish Magnetic Telegraph.)

THE FRENCH MISSION TO CHINA.

PARIS, FRIDAY EVENING.

Baron Gros, the Ambassador Extraordinary to
China, and the attaches of the mission, left Paris
this evening for the port of embarkation.

THE PRINCIPALITIES,

TRIESTE, FRIDAY EVENING.

The American Minister to the Porte left Con -
stantinople on the 15:h instant for the Principa-
lities. It is pretended that his visit has a political

object

CIRCASSIA.

The Tribes have assembled and established a
Court of Justice for each 1,000 families.

FRANCE.

The Funds closed yesterday (Friday) at 68f. 85e

AMUSEMENTS, &c.

THE AMPHITHEATRE.—The performances at this theatre
have received this week a graceful and attractive accession.
Two German dancers of distinction, August Iforsehelt
and Lina Brandstrup, of the theatres of Vienna, Prague,
and Stuttgard, have been engsged for a short time, previous
to their making their first appearance in the metropolis.
The combination of agility and artistic grace is one of the
characteristics we are least inclined to associate with
German talent, and the spectator can scarcely help being
surprised, as much as grat'fied, with the singular lightness
and elasticity of movement which distinguishes the per-
formers at present displaying their skill in the Amphi-
theatre. Neither in appearance nor in action do these
artistes appear to have any kindred with their famous
countryman, who tumbled over chairs and tables in order
to show his liveliness and agility. Without any of the
extravagant physical efforts, and anatomical distortions
of feature, which characterise many dancers in the French
style, these performers exhibit a singular skill in
the performance of some of the most remarkable
feats of the art, and even when they most surprise do not
cease to be graceful. The " Steyrischer Tauz" became an
especial favourite with the spectators, who evinced a full
approbation of both performers. The local company has
been performing during the week in a style which, taken
the whole, would be creditable even to a metropolitan
theatre. Mr. Baker's never failing comic powers would
indeed be in themselves sufficient to attract an audience,
and most of the other performers, among whom we must
especially mention Mr. Villiers and Mr. Lunt, are capable
of assuming even the most difficult parts, and sustaining
them throughout with talent, good judgment, and success-
ful effect. Miss Sedg wick, Miss Page, and Mrs. Power,
in their several parts, deserve 'equal commendation.
Among the performances of the week we may mention that
of " Ivanhoe," which (although, as is usual the case with
dramatised versions of greatpeorks of fiction, little better
than a parody of Scott's great novel,) was brought out, so
far as the performers and the stage were concerned, with
general ability and artistic effect. The characters were in
almost every instance admirably sustained, and many
striking tableaux and effective spectacles introduced. The
costumes were richly got up, and, except in some slight
particulars, such as the introduction of Templets in the
ordinary head pieces of Norman knights, instead of the
well-known flat helmet peculiar to the Templar order,
were correct and in keeping with the age. A somewhat
amusing anachronism was also indulged in by one of the
performers, who drew down a gallery cheer by proudly
talking of " a banner planted by British hands," in a drama
representing a period some centuries before the word came
to be used, in the acceptation at present delightful to
platform and dinner orators.

FESTIVAL CHORAL SOCIETY. —This society, one of the
oldest in Liverpool, and numbering among its members
many of our most talented local artistes, will, on Wednes
day, June 3rd, in St. George's Hall, perform the grand
oratorio of " Judas Maccabees," on which occasion, in
addition to the numerous choir, numbering several-
hundred, Mrs. Sunderland will appear for the first time
at the festivals of this body. W. T. Best, Esq., will preside-
at the grand organ, and a full band. will also lend its aid,
all tending to render the magnificent music in a first-rate
manner. We understand the demand for tickets has been
tolerably brisk, and therefore would recommend our readers
to at once supply themselves with the necessary " open
sesame."

Tom THIMB'S VALET.—pit the Westminster County
Court on Thursday, an action was brought by one Nasseth,
a foreigner, against the renowned Barnum, the exhibitor
of General Tom Thumb, at the Prince of Wales's Bazaar,
Regent-street, to recover £l.O for a month's wages due to
him under an engagement as valet to the
.General. Mr.
Roberts, solicitor, was for the defendant, and the court was
crowded to excess to witness the deportment, in his new
character, of the general, who had been subpoenaed. From
the statement of the plaintiff, who spoke tolerably good
English, it appeared that in consequence of an advertise-
ment in the Times of the 20th of April last, requiring, as
valet, a person who could speak French and German, and
was a good hair-dresser, application to be made at 79,
Regent-street, he repaired thither, and was engaged by
the defendant to fulfil the situation at the rate of £lO
month, and had only been in it three days when he was
suddenly dismissed, at that time £1 being offered him by
Mr. Pearce, the treasurer, which he refused, requiring £lO
for which he brought the present action, By. Mr. Roberts :•
He was engaged to dress the general, and at his exhibition
to transform him. as cptickly•as possible from a Roman
gladiator to Viliikins—(laughter)—but not to run errands.
The general, being called by plaintiff, said he certainly.
was told that tdie latter had been engaged as his valet, and
being a good linguist, was 3o have accompanied him to the
Centinent. Mr. Roberts said the fact was plaintiff dis-.
charged himself, which ht: should prove by Mr. Barnum,
who deposed that the day he left, plaintiff came very late
to his duties. Whin, on remonstrating with him, he said
the place didn't suit him,_ and he thought he should leave,
witness replied, " I don't think you do suit, and if I had
my will you should leave in less than thirty seconds."
Plaintiff, upon that, said he would go, and witness, telling
him he should be paid for the time he had been there,
took him to the treasury, where he was offered and refused
Xl. He had nothing to In with engagements, which
duties devolved on Mr. West, to whom, on plaintiff's
applying, he referred him. Mr. We:t said he made no
permanent engagement with plaintiff, but said if he suited
be would be' paid X 8 a month. His EiOnour was of
opinion that plaintiff discharged himself, and gave judg-
metit for defendzet, who handed over to him LI. •