The Express.
London, England, 1850-03-18 00:00:00

MUSIC.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.
Covent Garden has begun its fourth season u a
great Italian Opera-house ; and we hope that the new ,
managers will conduct its affairs with greater 1141CCeli
than their predecessers. They have received from
experience severe, and, we trust, salutary lessons,
which have probably taught them to avoid the rocks
on which others have split and escape the disastrous
shipwrecks of former years. For spirit, enterprise, '
and liberality the management of the Royal Italian
Opera has all along been distinguished. But a ju-
dicious economy must be substituted for reckless pro-
fusion; and prudence and foresight must take the
place of that improvidence which has hitherto
lavished immense sums at times and in circum-
stances when they must necessarily have been
unavailing. One rock there is, ahead of the
present management, the danger of which they
should keep constantly in view. We have seen many
attempts to form theatrical commonwealths, but none
that have been successful. They are pregnant with
the seeds of dissolution. When actors are also
managers (or, which is the same thing, have power to
control the nominal management) there arise among
, them conflicting interests and feelings, jealooeies of
each other, unwillingness to admit or give fair play to
apprehended competitors and rivals, and other selfish
movements of the spirit, which it is almost beyond
human nature to be free from, and which demand
almost more than human magnanimity to subdue. If
each " bright particular star " of the Covent-garden
hemisphe re is content with its place in the constella-
tion to which it belongs, they may long shine brilli-
antly together, and utter music harmonious as the
music of the spheres.' If not—but we will not anti-
cipate what, in such a cue, would be the inevitable
end.
The theatre opened on Saturday evening. The in-
terest taken by the public in this event was shown by
the eager press to gain admittance, and by the great
audience who filled every part of the holm,. The
Queen and Prince Albert evineed their favourable dis-
p‘sition towards the theatre by honourin; it with
their presence on the opening night. They occupied
the royal box, accompanied by the Prince of Wales
and the Princess Royal; this being, we think, the
first visit of the royal children to a public theatre.
The opera was an Italian version of the " Frei.
'chills," under the title of " II Franco Arciero."
Its production on the Italian stage was not an un-
precedented step. This had been already done—nay
more, in Germany itself, and in the most classical
part of Germany—Berlin—where Weber's memory is
held in the highest reverence. Several years ego, it
baying been resolved to produce the " Freischtitz"
at the Grand Opera, at Paris, it was ne-
cessary, in compliance with the exigencies of
that theatre, that
_the dialogue should be rendered

, .. ___, .
-- . ......._ recitative.
understood that Meson. Itiaby are asauted. but to west into- - ------- . adioit7log Ike sew., when a .....g daemon*.
This task was committed to Ber- Jae"— -. tint! Whim
samara is cot seeertnined. From the eonl 'talon which pre-
railed, it weld sot be learned how the an originated. lion, who executed it with such skill and moons, that, ttcsswircda the meejleg emjesatending nego WOOS be.
Tan EXPLOSION AT HOUNSLOW. —Tbe funerals of when the pimp, was afterwards produced at the tweet' Resters aad misers, with the view of coming to as
the aarortuaste no. who were killed by the blowing op or Berlin halms Opera, his recitatives (originally amiable sellesuseat as regards the points is dispute. After
Mime. Castle and liervay's mile, took pleat on Friday last. written for the French words) Were adapted to the the . speechify* had eloped, the ballot was taken, each rasa
Poet were iaterrod is the stench of the village of Han-
worth, and three la illoosillw churet.yard. Their remains ..,__ gerd ow 9 dotty the iotermination to remain on strike, and the white
Italian version ; and they have now been ad ted at having alms to him a white mid black pea ; the black to
were followed to the last resting plies try several thoueosa uovent- en. Ws e had some milifivi!ige, we 0011- to go to work. Wean the bet was produced, the peas were
lamas From inquiries wads
_yesterday es to the state of fess, as to such a departure from the original design all ii.ook. without a giggle exception. Toe announcement
the wounded men, Hoary CliCrdr Jose emptai, sad of the author, and the interpolation of so much was wiserwid with cheers, and one of the leaden said," Have
Wiliam Plan% It was sesirtidoed that Cligord, wile was music by another hand ; but these doubts were int- eor amp, boys, there is money slough to support you toe six
injured very tea. Is SW folly tapered to survive; but --_": i
eriwuratery removed. The vocal phrases of the recite- w lathe loam" Thanks were then voted to the reporters
John Uorraptoa is still lying le a meet precarious 'tote, sag ~ree
were
so
clear, pointed, and forcible, nod were r .41 o_____imestina minedaistortsiolosar till sir amttendainarinand the meet
that no hopee are eutorradatd that his life will be preserved. "leg quietly dupe , ion urn eg prom ost
William Nara who le still lying at 81. Oeorge'e licapital, supported by _ _ .I:46.l4_,_____
_rat sunfetemee,a"
_._.° i",_ _
_ge" I their headgear'''. The mesas( lasted Are hours, tad wait
ie goring ea mud favourably. DiOuer mint and Imuregm-- . in suede av, 1 soadasied *meant la Ws WO* maw.

NAVAL.
LAIINCIt OF TSB NANKIN, 50 GUNS.

Wootwion, MARC. 16.—The Nankin, • 60 gun frigate
built from the designs of 84.0. Lartgjaniar 'obtuse master
shipwright of Chatham Dockyard, and Km of Mr. 0. Laag,
maw shipwright of this yard, was lanaehed this afternoon.
The event 'rested a seamtlea whisk the sin of the vessel
and the "ireenistaams ordinarily attendant upon & launch
would never Imes mated. The demand for Habits was un-
preetAintedo Inept en the cession et the visits of royalty,
sad dukes, starquisee, awl lords, to say ambits; of the
bumbler ranks of the aristocracy, crowded to the Admiralty,
to the unumedons, and the muter shipwright, to oblate
tickets of admiesion. Though the wind was cold and
biting, • large number of persons were present, and the
beats and railway brought down numerous visitors. The
interest manifested to the event may be traced to • distinct
male. For • long time put, • battle royal has existed
between the two rival schools of shipbuilders, Chown pops.
larly as the intuitive school and the sedentifte school. The
name, however, do not fairly express the distinction between
the Wm schools, being both exaggerations ; and it has been
this previa", Mame ponies of tee dally press to increase
these eaampratloas by a wanton perversion of lasts and
figures. Thus the intuitive school, as represented by Sir
Wm. Sysainds, the late surveyor of the navy, has been mar.
ninety preeenned, while to all unprejudiced persons it
mast be evident that his Taub were not a vast improvement
on the previous existing ships, but wßis many of them models
which it will be difficult to eclipse. That he made great
failures is °befogs, bat many of the more earl's* of them
are not fairly chargeable upon him ; the armament, and
lie the case of steam.veseels, the amount of engine power
I having frequently been altered after the vessel was laid
down. Oa the other hand the products of the scientific
school as represented by the School of Naval Architecture,
have been greatly over rated, as the vessel turned out by
this school show. A new school is now before the public,
combining the selentilio" with the intuitive," and of this
school the architect of the Nankin boos of the representatives.
The Nankin is understood to be Mr. Lug's first essay in
sailing vessels, and the eyes of the naval world will be in-
tently fixed open ire first pertermanoss. Her dimensions
are as L.—Length betimes the perpeniiculars 186
feet ; length of keel ler tonnage, 154 feet i in. ; breadth, ex-
treme, 60 feet 10 is. ; ditto molded, 60 tut 2 in. ; d-pth ie
hold, 15 feet 104 in.; burden in toes (old measurement),
2On 6.94. Her keel was laid down on the Bth of June,
1846, and she has consequently been on the stocks nearly
four year.. She is to the eye a very fialli specimen of a
vowel of her class, and is °nauseated by way of figure-head
with a but of Admiral Sir W. Parker.

The time flied for the launch was about half-past two
o'clock, and at that hour an immense number of spectators
had assembled, including persons of rat k and title,
whom to name alone would transgress the limits ordi-
narily allotted to an article of this kind. Rear
Admiral Dendas, M.P., First Naval L.rd of the Ad-
miralty with several of his collosgues were present. and
just before the vessel left the stooks, the Black Eagle,
Admiralty at.-yacht, which had conveyed their lordships oa
the previous day to Chatham and Sheerness, arrived from
the Medway. This bands of the R gal Marines and dockyard
battalion were in attendance, and performed several aattonal
and naval airs. At half past two Miss Parker performed the
ceremon of christening the vessel, by breaking a bottle of
wine on her bows and in pronouncing her name. Owing to
some delay in main the arrangements, it was nearly tea
minutes after this time before the dogshores could be knocked
away. When this was don, however, the vessel slowly left
the •` cradle of her birth," and was in a moment upon the
water. The bawls immediately played " God save the
Queen," and the assembled thousands save three hearty
and prolonged cheers. The tide carried her some distance
up the stream, and the African and Jasper, at tugs, hav-
ing been harnessed to her, started off immediately for Chat-
ham, where the Nankin will be fitted for sea. .

ADMIRALTY, MARCH 16. APPOI ToAreghswa
—Master's Assistant : it. Mustard. Acting Assistant Sur-
geon : J. Wallace. Barrefto--Surgeon Superintendent
R. W. Clarke.
PORTSMOUTH, MARCH 17.—Tha Lily, 12, Commander
Betlfori, Swag in this harbour, will tail on the 23rd inst.
with the mail for the Coast 01 Africa, whei.as she will pro-
ceed to the East Indies to relieve the Arab, 12, Commander
Morris. The Superb, 80, Captain Purcell, is ordered from
Cork to Plymouth, to be fitted for foreign service. Tile
Philontel, 12, Commander Forbes, has lett Plymouth for the
Caul of Africa, to relieve the Contest, 12, Commander the
Row. J. W. Spencer, that vowel having been ordered to pro-
ceed te the East Indies and China station. The ifficial
inquiry relative to the Sprightly, steam Under, getting
ashore, has terminated is lice master, Mr. Allen, being ac-
' quitud of all blame, the compasses having been proved to
be defective. _ _

--During the letter put of last week a private investigation
took plum st Clarence Victuallieg-yerd, before Sir Edward
Pan", R.N., F R S., captain superintendent, William
Davis, Bsq., master attendant, and Thomas Oran; Esq.,
stonkes per, reapecting some tea musing from the ware-
holm. About 12 days ago a small quantity of tea was
discovered scattered about the yard, and on a search being
made in the store, some canisters in which tea for present
shipment was kept, were found to be pertfelly emptied, the
deficiency amounting to nearly &fibs. There being no clue
to be had as to the cause of the decrease, Kr. William Leg-
gett, superintendent of Portsmouth police, wee sent for,
likewise an officer from the London police. By their joint
exertion a discovery was made, which caused the investiga-
tion, and upen its termination the result was made k men
to the Admiralty. On Wednesday morning an order came
from their lordships, dismissing from the yard Richards,
foreman of the tea store, and three labourers—Brown,
Saunders, and Berry. The latter has been above 30 years
in the yard, and has always borne en excellent character.
The foregoing c:reumstances have occasioned considerable
exeitement, audit is not improbable but that further inquiries
will have to be made, c insequent upon disclosures said to
have been made sine* the discharge of the men before
mentioned. _ . _

DIVOMPORT. Mart= 17.—The Arethusa, Captain Sy-
monds, was towed out of harbour by the Stromboli and
Cuntlance stratum, on Thursday. The wind blowing strong
trots the east when she got into the Sound she cut off the
steamers and stood out to ma so far as the Eddystone. She
made a run of about 10 miles an ►our, close hauled. She
put back into the Sound in the evening, and will be paid ad-
vance to-morrow and be ready for sta.