The Sun.
London, England, 1855-04-17 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

Last night the Italian operatic season commenced
here with every prospect of success. The opera last
night was La Sootambula, which was given in a man-
ner much superior to previous performances. The
orchestra was well selected, and ably conducted by
Tully, and was both numerous and efficient. The great
feature of the evening was the appearance of Madame
Gassier, who sustained the part of Amina ; and the
continental reputation which this lady has at-
tained was fully confirmed last night by a most
crowded and attentive audience. This lady, a
Spaniard by birth, made her first appearance in
Madrid, where she soon became an immense favourite,
which circumstance led to engagements without end
being offered from Paris, Berlin, and numerous other
places. La3t winter M. Ruggani succeeded in engaging
her for the Theatre Italien, where she made her first
appearance as Rosina in Il Barbiere with marked suc-
cess. On her appearance last evening she was very
warmly received, and the first few bars in " Come per
me sereno," at once gave evidence that she was a first-
rate artiste. ller voice is a high clear-toned soprano, with
great flexibility in the upper register. This lady is a vocal-
ist of more than ordinary talent, and skein a short time will
take her place among the very first soprano singers of
the day. The remaining portions of the music in the
first act she sang exquisitely, introducing some of the
most elaborate and original flop/lure with consummate
skill. In the famous finale "Ah non giunge " she
created a perfect furore ; it was given with a finish per-
fectly wonderful—F in alt being given with the gre"atest
ease imaginable. At the conclusion of the opera Madame
Gassier was recalled, and was received with loud ap-
plause. The other parts in the opera were well sus-
tained. After the opera the National Anthem and "Par-
tant pour la Syrie" were performed, and the entertain-
ment concluded with a very pretty ballet divertissement.
The house was crowded to excess.

EXETER HALL.-SIR HENRY BISHQP'S

CONCERT.

Last evening Sir Henry Bishop gave the second and
last of his evening vocal concerts in the large room of
Exeter-hall. Miss Birch, as usual, came in for her fair
share of applause. A Miss Heywood made her first ap-
pearance in " Sons of Freedom," and at the end of each
verse she was most vociferously encored. She bids fair
to become a great favourite in London. Mr. Sims
Reeves sang, with great taste, "Be mine, dear Maid"
and " My pretty Jane," and was rapturously encored in
both songs. The hall was crowded in all parts, but not
the least inconvenience was felt owing to the admirable
arrangements provided by Mr. Mitchell. The concert,
as a whole, went off with great eclat.

Le Duc de Fernannunez and Le Comte Albert Fulio
have arrived at the Clarendon Hotel, from Paris.
The Earl and Countess Cowper return to town this
morning, from Panshanger, Hertfordshire, where they
hare been passing the Easter holidays.
The Earl and Countess of Harrington, Viscount
Petersham, and Lady Geraldine Stanhope, have arrived
at Harrington House, Palace-gardens, for the season,
from Elvaston Castle, Derbyshire.
Frances Countess Waldegrave and Mr. Harcourt,
M.P., returned to town from Essex yesterday looming.
The Earl and Countess of St. Germans have entered
upon the occupation of a portion of Claridge's Hotel,
Brook-street, formerly Mivart's.
Earl Fitzwilliarn leaves Milton•park, Northampton.
shire, this afternoon, for IS indsor Castle.
Viscount Hardinge leaves town for Windsor Castle
this afternoon.

Lady Mary Vyner will return to Earl de Grey's man-
sion, St. James's-square, this morning, from the
country.
Lord and Lady Ravensworth and the Hon. Miss
Liddell arrived in town last week from Ravensworth
Castle, Durham.
The Duke of Manchester is rapidly regaining his
health, and is now able to take carriage airings. The
duchess is now quite recovered from her indisposition,
and, we understand, with the noble duke, intends to
pass a few weeks at Brighton.
His Excellency Count Kielnoansegge, the Hanoverian
Minister, has been suffering from indisposition, at the
Hanoverian Legation, in Grosvenor-place. The noble
count was suddenly attacked while dining at the Earl
and Countess of Jersey's, and although the alarming
symptoms have since subsided the count is still obliged
to keep his reorn.
THE HORSE GUARDS.—The Military Secretary will
hold a levee this day (Tuesday), at the Horse Guards,
being the first occasion of the kind for some months,
such has been the press of business at head-quarters.
COURT OF LIEUTENANTCT.—We are reque,ted to state
that, at the Count of Lieutmantcy, he'd on Monday, the
address to the Emperor of the French, moved by Col.
Wilson, was seconded by Mr. John Francis Moon, and
not by Sir Moses Montefiore, as erroneously reported.
Her Majesty's discovery ship, Enterprise, Capta'n
Collinson, C. 8., was at the Cape of Good Hope on the
17th of February, and her arrival in England may be
expected in the course of a,few, days—,
A boy in one of our London ragged schools having
shown a great taste for acquiring languages has been
sent out as an interpreter to Balaklava, and frequently
has the honour of:dining with Lora Raglan.

It is understood that-M. Kossuth will take a part to-
morrow in the proceedings of the meeting to be held in
'A'larylebone to originate subscriptions for a testimonial
to the late Lord Dailey Stuart.
On the (Ith Reschid Pact-ro. was at Alexandria, his ob-
jo.eL being t) obtai: men and money from Cie govern-
ment to assi,t in carrying on the war.
The merchants of the St. Petersburg bourse have re-
solved, at the instigation of Baron Steiglitz, to erect in
the hall of the Exchange a monument to the late Czar
Nicholas.

There is to be a meeting., or conference, to-morrow,
at Freemasons' Hall, consisting of opponents of May-
nooth, and preparatory to the motion which will be
made by Mr. Spooner, on the let of May, for a com-
mittee of the whole house, to reconsider the whole May-
nooth question.
TIIE POST-OFFICE ESTABLISHMENT.—From a return
to the House of Commons yesterday published, it ap-
pears that last year the increase in the number of per-
sons in the Post Office was 223, and the increase of ex-
pense was 27,0661. 12s. sd.
ALEXANDRIA, April 6.—The 10th Hussars left Cairo
on the 26th, and are expected to arrive at Alexandria, a
distance of 130 miles, to-day.
The continental advices with regard to the exchanges
continue very favourable. At Hamburg money is ob-
tainable at 2 per cent., in consequence of the quantity
of bar silver lately sent there.
_ _

Pembroke has rapidly regained its strength
garrison at
ft; Royal Monmouthshire Light Infantry Militia in
since the recent discharges. It now numbers 420 men,
and is effectively carrying on the duty of the arsenal.
THE WIGAN STRUM—Nearly 2,000 colliers are on
strike at Wigan in consequence of a reduction of wages,
The authorities have given notice that in consequence
of the riots which took place at the last strike they will
not permit large and
tumultuous assemblages of the in-
habitants in the borough.
—The Margaret Thompson has arrived
from AUSTRALIA.—The
Australia, but is not believed to bring
any gold. Lriaa.iry,
DEPARTURES FOR AUSTRALIA. —The departures from
the port of London for the Australian colonies during
the week have comprises four vessels--two to Sydney,
with an aggregate burden of 1,222 tons ; one to Port
Philip, of 640 tons ; and ono to New Zealand, of 840
tons. Their total capac'ty was 2,702 tons. The rates
of freight continue to exhibit heaviness.
PORT OP LoNDOY.—In the business of the port of
London during the past week there has been increased
activity. The total number of vessels reported inward
was 194, being an increase of 47 over the previous
week. There is also an increase of 30 in the departures,
the total number cleared out being 149. The number
of vessels on the berth loading for the Australian colonies
on the 14th inst. was 48. Of those 7 were for Adelaide,
5 for Geelong, 3 for Hobart Town, 3 for Launceston, 5
for New Zealand, 1 for Nelson and Wellington, 8 for
Port Philip, 3 for Portland Bay, 12 fur Sydney, and 1
for Swan River.
THE Caudzaar ARMY FUND.—The following is a re-
turn of the amount of game forwarded by the Crimean
Fund subscribers for the use of the British army in the
Crimea :-300 hares, 2,500 pheasants, 300 rabbits, up-
wards of 800 turkeys, ducks, geese, &c., 80 brace of
game, 500 head of deer, liesides a number of haunches of
venison, &c. The Duke of Marlborough, the Duke of
Norfolk, and the Earl of Normanton were large contri-
butors. The Duke of Portland sent on his own account
a large quantity of game and preserved meats ; and
Lord Ward is about to follow his example. The Messrs.
Gunter and Co. put all in a preserved state irrespective
of profit.
LuCcA AND PISTOJA RAILWAY.—The 'Wean Moniteui
of the 30th ult. publishes a decree, stating that as the
Lucca to Pistoja Railway Company failed in its engage-
ment to open the line in the month of December last,
the Grand Ducal government has an undoubted right to
withdraw the concession, but as it is anxious to give
every facility to the company to perform its arrange-
ments, it orders that a general meeting of the share-
holders shall be held as soon as possible, in order to be
made acquainted with the exact state of the works, and
to adopt such measures as they may consider best suited
to their interests, under the express reserve of all the
rights of the government.
THE NEW LOAN.—Our predictions have been fulfilled;
it would be premature in us to enter upon a lengthened
Criticism of this financial arrangement at the present mo-
ment, and we shall therefore reserve such comments as
we may feel it our duty to offer till the amount of the
loan and the rate of interest are settled ; another reason
for this caution on our part is the uncertainty as, to
whether the loan will he obtained on a permanent or ter-
minable annuity. It is, however, very evident that Sir
Cornewall Lewis differs fundamentally from Mr. Glad-
' stone, who has always insisted that the burdens of the
war should be paid by annual taxation. Lord Palmerston
has evidently rejected the policy of his late colleague,
and, what is more remarkable Mr. Wilson has not yet
announced his intention to abandon a Cabinet which di-
rectly repudiates the opinion which he also entertained
of the wisdom of the late Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Mr. Disraeli and Sir Fitzroy
Kelly may now sing a song
of triumph, for Lord Palmerston, as Prime Minister.
has sanctioned their financial views, which he opposed
as Home Secretavy. It is highly probable that much
party discord may arise out of this new arrangement,
for it involves a great principle of finance, and it is diffi-
cult to believe that Mr. Gladstone will be silent, or
record his vote in ',favour of the Government measure ;
if ho should, he must be composed of very pliant mate-
rial:Ea—R(lo;re Circukr,