The Express.
London, England, 1857-07-16 00:00:00

(Stamped 1d Additional.) [TWOPENCE.

THE DRAMA.

HAYNIARKET.
IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE LATE MR. DOUGLAS

JERROLD.

Last night two of the late Mr. Jerrold's most suc-
cessful plays, The Housekeeper and The Prisoner of War,
were acted at the Haymarket Theatre, in aid of the provision
about to he made for hie family. The Housekeeper was first
performed at this same theatre on July 17, 1833; conse-
quently to-morrow will be the twenty-fourth anniversary of
its production; and though it cannot be looked upon as a
Rock piece, it is often revived with stream—the last occa-
sion being during the engagement of Mr. and Mm. C. Kean,
by whom the two principal characters were personated.
Last night the only two of the original cad were Mr.
Webster and Mr. Ducketone , the former of whom played the
Jesuit, Father Oliver, with that placidity of countenance and
sabre hypocritical expression which have since stood him In
each stead in Tartufe, &c., while the latter endowed the cam-
try boy with that simpering stolidity which never fails of Its
attraction over the risible muscles of the audience. They
were ably aided by Miss Reynolds, Miss Wilton, Mr. Howe,
and Mr. Ferran.
The Prisoner of War, first performed at Drury-lane la Feb.,
11142, is necessarily much fresher in the recollection of play-
pen, and the veriest dramatic tyro has heard of Mr. Phelps'.
tine manly delineation of Captain Channel), of Mn. Keeley's
Adding of her love-letter, and of her husband's hatred of the
French, and determination, as a fine act of patriotism, to
trump every statement of a foreigner. It will suffice there-
fore to say, that each of the three characters was net night
filled by its original representative, that the whole evening
passed of without the slightest hitch, and that each favourite
was received and constantly encouraged with the hairnet
applause from a crowded house.
After Thu Housekeeper the following " Occasional Ad-
dream," written by Mr. S. Lucas, was spoken by Mr. Phelps:
Welcome in Jerrold's name! From Jerreld'e tomb
This greeting chases half the gathering gloom,
And turns our sorrow for his mortal part
To joy and pride in hie immortal art.
If of this art, enduring at its prime,
We gather salvage from the wrecks of time,
You, mindful of the storms and etruggles pad,
Receive and welcome it to shore at het.
True to yourselves, end to each other truo—
In honouring one who greatly honoured you,
Behind this curtain you can greet at will
Hie genius living and triumphant still.
There waits the actor—there the scene is set,
And there the author's thought is pregnant yet ;
There the light offspring, of his fancy sprung,
Betray their parent by their English tongue,
Reflect hi, nerve humour in their part,
Or draw their pathos from Lin manly heart.
As 'teas of old, iu Englend's classic age,
His own creations amply till our stage.
Their's in the savour and the zest we crave,
Surging and sparkling like a Channel wave,
With salt that had b(*11 Attic, but the Nine
Svep'd them in English and a stronger brine.
Forgetful of their elate here kings may oil,
Subjects themeelves to hie imperial sat—
Wit that flows on regardless—free as air,
Like the rough waters around Canute's chair.
You huiebler men, who come to see the play,
And cheer the playwright, carry this away—
The man wir still more worthy of regard,
And—though he smote the Philistines so herd,
He fought a fide, a brave and generous fight,
And struck in honour's name for ruth and right :
—llopelem of cries or riliand—taking hoed
Leas for his fortunes than the common need—
So—for his genden and the common mum,
110 you now crown Lis with your just applause.

AIR. WIGAN'S FAREWELL BENEFIT.
The following noblemen and gentlemen anxious
to teetify their edema for Mr. Wigan an a wen, their admi-
ration of him as an artist, and their sympathy with Lim
under bin prevent painful illus., have formed themselves into
• committee for the purpose of relieving him from the trouble
of organising his farewell benefit, by taking that work upon
themeolves. Thinking the Olympic Theatre too small to ac-
comutolate the numbers which they feel assured will be anx-
ious to do honour to Mr. Wigan on this occasion. the com-
mittee attempted, but in vain, to obtain the use of a larger
theatre. Compelled toabandon the arrangements which the
commend of such • theatre would have enabled them to
make, they have no alternative but to announce that Mr.
NVigun's farewell benefit will take place on Friday, the 24th
instant. Programmes of the evenings arrangements will
shortly be issued. The committee conelets of the following
gentlemen:—The Marquis of Lansdowne, the Marquis of
Clanric•rde, the Marquis of Stafford, the Earl of Airlie, the
Earl of Durham, Vieeount Elcbo, Viscount Goderieh, Lord
Ward, Lord Duthrin, Baron Marochetti, Sir A. Duff Gordon,
Sir J. Majoribanks, Sir W. Frazer, It. Monckton &tithes, Esq.,
M.P., 11, A. Brun, Esq., M.P., It. W. Grey, Esq., M.l'.,
Kirkman Hodgeon, Esq., M.P., W. Stirling, M.P., Clark-
son Stanfield, WA., D. Marilee, R.A., Alfred Tennyson,
Esq., Charles Dickens, Esq , B. W. Procter, Eq., Reginald
Cleolniondelay, Esq., Alfred Montgomery, Esq., J. G. Coolie,
Req., A. H. Layatd, Esq., John Bidwell, Esq., Palgrave
Simpson, Esq., M. J. Iliggine, Esq., Richard Doyle, Eq.,
TWA Taylor, Esq., and Henry W. Phillip, Esq.

MUSIC.

MADAME UGALDE'S CONCERT.

The celebrated prima donna of the Open Comique,
new on a visit to this country, had a concert yesterday mom-
ing, at the Dudley Gallery, in the Egyptian-hall, with the
permiasion of Lord Ward, and under the patronage of the
French Ambassador and the Countess de I'ereigay. Thiel
gallery. is certainly the pleasantest concert-nem in London,
for it gives pleasure at once to the eye and the ear. You can
enjoy the lamina of music while you gore on the fine works
of art which cover the walls.
Madame I:galde in well known to all who have any
acquaintance with the French musical stage. She has been
fur many years the idol of the Parisian public, and been called
"le romignol de l'Opt,ra Comiire," a pet name very deserv•
edly bestowed. The Opim Comique be* always been her
greet field of triumph, and it is not easy to form an idea of her
unless in connexion with it. She is very pretty, very lively,
very piquante, and very French ;—French as a singer not
leas than no an actress. Even the French singing vui* Ilea
a quality or timsre of its own, as different from that
of the Italian video as the tone of the Mite from that of
the oboe. Madame Ugeilde'e voice in recognised as
French the moment she opens her lips. Its tones
are clear, light, end flexible, delightfully culled to the
gay, airy music of the French comic opera ; while her rich
agcy and unbounded power. of execution enable her to in-
dulge in every variety of brilliant embellishment. But all
three vocal accomplishment. are subsidiary to her gifts as an
entices, and enhance tenfold the effect of her livelineas,
nnivive, and plajful archness on the stage. The English
public, hearing her only in the concert room, can toms but
an imperfect estimate of her powers; and we have often re-
gretted that she never appeared among us as a bright parti-
cular star, while Mr. Mitchell was giving his delightful
French comic operas at the St. James a Theatre.
At the concert yesterday, Madame Vgalde sang leveret
piece., both of the French and Italian schools; all very
charmingly; but she was of course moat successful on her
own ground. Her two romanoce from Ambridge Thomas's
operas, Psyche and I.e Cud. were delightful reminiscence* of
the Opera Comique. Nothing could exceed the animation,
refinement, and finiah of style and execution with which
they were sung. She was moat warmly applauded, and her
whole reception wan such as was due to her merits and
reputation.
The
in other reelects, was very agreeable. Fa-
vourite airs and duets were sung by Signor Subse Herr
Reichardt, and M. Julie Lefort. Signor Batmen played a
brilliant role, d la raganini, on the violin; and Mdlle.
Coulon displayed considerable execution in a fantasia on the
pianoforte. It is scarcely necessary to add that the gallery
ma tilled by a most fashionable weemblage.

SOUTRAVARK LITE:BART INSTITUTION.—A public
dinner in aid of the funds of this institution took place at
the Bridge•house Hotel, London.bridge, lag evening. Sir
Charles Napier, M.P., presided, and was supported by Mr.
John Locke, M.P., Meters. Cumbe, Vickers, G. It. Darling,
T. Martin, J. Chitllicott, J. Adderley, and many other
friends of the gallant admiral. The usual loyal toasts
having been given, Sir Charles Napier proposed " Prosperity
to the Institution," and in doing so expressed his opinion
that these institution], had done great service to the work-
ing classes. Mr. Vickers proposed, " The Health of the
Members foe the County and Ear ugh and the Houses of
Parliament," to which Mr. Locks responded. Mr. Edward
Evans addressed the meeting on the general prospects of the
society, and made an appeal for a more liberal support than
had hitherto been given to it. The eubeeriptions in the
amnia of the evening amounted to 1001. The company re-
tired with a determination very generally expressed to infuse
greater energy in the management of the institution.