The Express.
London, England, 1868-07-02 00:00:00

TILE FORBIGN MAILS.

atur.tx, Jel.T I.—The Inman Boyd MLA steamship Etna
arrivtd here at 6 p.m. yesterday (Tuesday.) All well.
OUTWAPII. ANI.RICAN MA11..-411tRIIPTOWI, Jt.v I. The
pro.Gieon steamship Minnesota, from Liverpool, strived here at 1
o to-day, embarked passengers, sod proceeded for New York
at 2 p.m.

ROYAL BOTANIC Boma-ff.—For a long series ca
years the Royal Botanic Society have delighted the lovers
of floral fetes by taking the lead in giving first-class ex-
hibitions in their well-arranged gardens, and this year has
been no exception to the rule. Favoured by extraordinary
weather, they have been holding double exhibitions un-
rivalled for their excellence. Yesterday was a grand gala
day; and as the show will be continued to-day, the
flowers and fruit being left in the tents, and the 'nine
bands in attendance, all who can should avail themselves
of this opportunity of seeing, for the last time this season,
an exhibition seldom surpassed. The weather yesterday
was lovely—bright, but not overpoweringly hot; and as a
natural consequence the company was very numerous and
fashionable. To select a few specimens of either flowers
or fruit for praise where all were so eminently worthy of
it; would be an ungracious task. Suffice it to say that
they were arranged to the best advantage, and were
awarded their full meed of admirition by the visitors. The
bands of the 2nd Life end Royal Horse Guards were in
attendance, and will be this de,.
CADDRIDOEBHIRE AND ISLE OF ELY AORICUL-
TL-RAL Soeirrv.—The eighth annual meeting and exhibi-
tion of this society took place yesterday, at Newmarket,
and was in many respects a decided MIOCP-M. The show of
horses for agricultural purposes was very extensive, and
there was also a large show of bunters and hacks; but of
thorougblirede, of which a large number might have been
expected to put in au appearance at Newmarket, the ex-
hibition wee meagre in the extreme, only three being
shown, and none of these by residents of the racing
metropolis. The OM prize for a thoroughbred
stallion was taken by Mr. Mitchell, of Derwer,
Norlo.k, with Harkaway, a five-year-old, by Fireaway.
The first prize for agrienitexal stallions went to Mr.
Welcher, of Ifwrell, Cambridgeshire, for Honest Tom.
The prince! 21L, for the test bunter exceeding flee years
old, was won by Phalanx, the property of Mr. Thorp, of
Chippenhanepark; and Mr. Teller, of Great Wilbraham,
tcok the 101. cup for the bed charger. The special New-
market cup for the best thoroughbred stalhon went to
Little I'ippin, shown by Mr. Jennings, of New-
market, the only exhibitor. Lady Pigot took the
first prize for the hest bull of any age, bet
althouph showing in her own neighbourhood,
her ladyship did not quite achieve her usual amount
of FUCCetO, several prizes being wrested from her by Mr.
J. How, of Broughton, who exhibited several magnificent
animate in the cattle class, as did also Mr. Durrant, of
Wimbotsham, and Mr. Aylmer, of Wed Dercham. The
chow of sheep was but poor. and that of pigs was
utterly unworthy of notice. There was a very line show
of poultry ; and the local implement makers were in their
usual strength—the first prize for the best collection of
implements going to Messrs. Ransomes and Sims, of
Ipewith, and the second to Messrs. Woods, Cocksedge,
anal Warner. of Stowniarket
The " Cincinnati Evening Nonpareil," July
NCO. contents the following:—•' Voluntarily, conadens
tamely. and with much pleasure, we recommend to our
seeders the Pain Killer. We speak from our own expe-
rience when we say that it removes pain as if by magic
from all parts of the body, and it is ouc of the bed medi-
cines in nee for diarrh®a and cholera. It is used also ex-
ternally with the boat effects, and none who have onos
tied it void willingly by yithout

That man's time must be of little value who,
after being attracted to South Kensington yes-
terday by the promised display of Abyssinian
treasures, did not experience a slight sense
of disappointment when they were unveiled.
The title is a misnomer, and the exhibition
a farce. The things shown are well enough
as trophies taken from a barbarous enemy, but it
is an error in judgment to suppose they are worth
a special pilgrimage to South Kensington to see.
The word Treasure has an imposing sound, and
suggests Oriental magnificence and barbaric
splendour. It would also be appropriate to the
cellars of the Bank of England, or the raw mate-
rial of the Mint. But the visitors at South
Kensington yesterday were loud in their pro-
tests against its misapplication there, and it
is perhaps wiser to explain at once of what the
Abyssinian treasures consist. They are all eon
d in a glom case of the sire and shape of a
large Punch and Judy show. This stands in the
centre of the north room of the Museum, and was
enclosed yesterday by a canvas screen, behind which
only the representatives of the press were ad-
mitted• until a specified hour had passed. Then
the canvas was removed by tho officials, and the
waiting and eagerly expectant crowd was per-
' miffed to feast their eyes on a couple of robes
worn by the King, some silver Reale, and a large
and handsome one of gilt metal and pebbles, en-
graved by Messrs. Strongi'th'arm ; a crown of
crimson velvet and metal, and another of cloth and
silver ; what looked like a greasy tobacco pouch,
and a pair of slippers lately worn by Abystnnia's
Queen. This was absolutely all, and there was
something ludicrous in the disappointment ex-.
pressed by the public. It is difficult to say exactly
what was expected ; but it was obvious that the
late King Theodore fell rapidly in the estimation
of those present when the extent and character of
the treasures captured from him were understood.
One of the robes is of the golden and flowered
brocade we are accustomed to see in old pictures
and at burlesques or masquerades. It seems quite
new, and the coarse yellow thread of its " tack-
ing" hag never been removed. The other is of
blue silk, and is covered with a variety of
small steel ornaments, fashioned in the
shape of instruments of war, and with
what looks like the model of a helmet

with a centre spike decorating its middle. It
is armless, and without opening in Vick or
front, so that his Majesty must have put it on by
the simple process of thrusting his head through
the hole made for the purpose. The state seal, of
English manufacture, is the handsomest article in
the case, is large and massive, with a handle of
parti-coloured agate, and a rude lion, with en in-
scription round it engraved on its impressing part.
The slippers are of silver gilt filagree work, and
are moderately ornate, but the whole of the
articles are of small intrinsic value, and are inte-
resting only from their late ownership, and
the circumstances under which they ap-
pear. The cloth cap seems to be an
ordinary crimson fez ornamented with metal,
and is very like the one worn by Theodore
in the conventional portraits in the shop windows.
The blue robe is of the child's pinafore shape we
have been accustomed to in .Pizarro, and heroic
dramas of its class. It has seen service, and it
needs but a slight effort of the fancy to realise the
bare, dusky arms protruding from it, as its warrior
wearer led on his troops to battle. Rut viewed in
the light of an exhibition, as those present
evidently regarded them yesterday,
re the Abyssinian
ca
Treasures are poor. They the beads and
shells of a more artless savage than the barbarian
with whom we have waged war. They give, how-
ever, a curious insight mto the sort of state kept
up by Theodore, and show, almost painfully, its
hollowness and pretence.

MUSIC.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.
The benefit and last appearance this season of
Mdlle. Pauline Lucca took place last night, when the per.
formance consisted of one act from each of three operas, in
which her admirable impersonations have long been a
powerful source of attraction at this establishment. The
entertainments commenced with the overture to Fra
Diarolo, brilliantly played; followed by the second act of
the opera, the bed-room scene, with that exquisite piece
of coquetry at the toilette which is a prominent feature in
Mdlle. Lucca's escellent performance as Zerlina. The
grace with which she gave the charming couplets Si
Domani," the innocent vanity of the phrase " non c'e
coal " when surveying the reflection of her figure in the
glans, and the gentle pathos of the murmured prayer " 0
Vergin Santa," displayed the same artistic power and
charm last night as on previous and recent occasions, and
called forth the same demonstrations of applause. The
east of the opera in other respects was as before. Signor
Naudin, as Fra Diavolo, disguised as the Marquis, gave
the barcarolle, " Agnese Is Zitella," with the usual
effect—Madame Sherrington, and Signori Ciampi and
Neri-Baraldi were again Lady Koburg, Lord Koburg,
and Lorenzo; and Signori Capponi and Tagliafico were
the same capital pair of contrasted banditti—ruffian and
sneak—that
.have before largely contributed to the
picturesque and dramatic effect of this excellent version
of Auber's charming opera. The next portion of last
night's entertainment consisted of the third act of
Gounod's Feast—the garden scene—in which the per-
formance of Mdlle. Lucca as Margherita was
again conspicuous for dramatic and vocal power.
In the dreamy abstraction of the legendary "King
of Thule" ballad; in the extasy and impulsive
brilliancy of the bravura Jewel-song (the latter portion
encored, as usual), Mille. Lucca again manifested those
gifts and accomplishments which have long since raised
her to the highest rank as a stage singer. The close of
the Jewel-song was followed by vehement applause and a
perfect shower of bouquets. Siebol, Marta, !deist 'fele,
and Faust were, as on other occasions, represented by
Mdlle. Locatelli, Mdlle. Anese, M. Petit, and Signor
Mario. The performances terminated with the fourth act
of Meyerbeer's .Africaiite the scene of the
Indian Queen's Court, to which the captive Vasco di
Goma is conveyed after the seizure of the ship.
Millie. Lucca's impersonation of Schka is well known for
its dramatic intenseness—a performance as admirable in
its way as the refined comedy of her Zerlina in Fee
Diarelo, and the dreamy idealism of her Margherita in
Faust. Again, last night, in her imperious bearing as the
Indian Queen, softened by her love for Vasco, and
in the passionate duet with him, Mdlle. Lucca
displayed those high histrionic and vocal powers which
have so largely aided the effect of this posthumous work
of lleyerbeer in its performances at this establishment.
Signori Naudin, Graziani, and Tagliefico were, as before,
the Neluako, Vasco, and Gran Sacerdote of last night's
cast—neither, however, having much prominence in the
act selected, with the exception of Signor Naudin, whose
rhapsody ("0 ridente sol ") at the eights and scenes of
the strange land in which he is suddenly cast, is one of
the most characteristic pieces in this portion of the opera.
The splendour of pageantry, processions, and costumes with
which this scene is decorated at the Royal Italian Opera-
house needs no fresh comment- The three detached
scenes, from works of very opposite character, in which
Mine. Pauline Lucca took her farewell last night, offered
excellent illustrations, in close association, of thaws ver-
satile and varied powers which that artist possesses in a
high and exceptional degree. Her reception in each in-
items* was enthusiastic; the manifestations at her de-
parture proving bow greatly her return will be desired
next season.
5,

LONDON GILSZSAI. Oluasts COMPANY
(Lnarsp).—Tratic receipts for week ending June 28,
12,2841. 10s. 7d. .

For 30 years Horniman and Co. have co-operate I
by
l. =t tab en sore advaateeeous terms=
mime pan sett leet6 the 'revisor it le Mend te potkagh