The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-23 00:00:00

—that she may again entitle herself to a
respectable position in the comity of nations,
he distinctly and unequivocally declared ilia!:
a consummation was utterly impossible on any
other terms that those already indicated—viz., a
frank and explicit avowal of her intentions, and a
readiness to undertake the risks incidental to such
a course. Prussia cannot hope to be recognised
as one of the Great Powers unless determined to
act in a manner becoming a Great Power. The
option rests with herself, and she is herself the
arbiter on the question so deeply affecting her
honour and dignity.
In all these matters the observations aected
the Court and Government only, but not
the people of Prussia. Lord LYNDHURST
fully exonerated them from all connivance
in the tortuous policy pursued ; and we believe
there is but one feeling throughout the country, of
unmitigated shame for the conduct of those who
ought to have taken a very different part from
the commencement.

WRECK OF THE ,STEAMSHIP
EDINBURGH.

(By Electric Telegraph.)
BUCHAREST, Mecca 21.

The Edinburgh (steamer) has been wrecked near
Varna. Tke crew are saved, but nothing else ; her
engines are in 41 fathoms of water.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

Last night Mr. Smith took his annual benefit, and the
attendance was everything that could be wished. We were
much pleased at the appearance of the house, as it was a
proof that the exertions of the enterprising lessee had neither
been overlooked nor forgotten by the public. The whole
of the performances went off with great eclat, and all ap-
peared highly gratified with the treat Mr. Smith had pre-
pared for them.
The lessee having been loudly called for appeared, and
announced the close of the present season on Saturday
next, and referred briefly to the past performances.
Mr. Smith having referred to the success of the pan-
tomime and the public favour bestowed upon it, came
at once to the great event of his late management, the
production of Meyerbeer's grand opera of L'Etoile du
Nord, and in doing so criticised the critics, aptly enough
remarking that he had a right to do so on his own stage as
he could not do so in his adversaries' newspapers. We are
not so orthodox in our notions of our rights and position
as to say that no reply shall be given to criticism ; on the
contrary, we think that nothing should escape its ken,
and consequently that it should itself bo subject to its own
principle. Mr. Smith then said he had been prejudged
by one writer a fortnight before he appeared y and by an-
other, the saime chorus and band that had been applauded
at the operatic theatre in the neighbouring street,
had been condemned when put on his stage and in
his orchestra. Under these circumstances he withdrew
a grand and complicated musical work that had run a
hundred nights at Paris, and on which he had be-
stowed a great deal of pains and money, in the hope
it would have met similar success here. Justice had
been done him as to the scenery and getting up of the
opera ; but fault had been found with his singers. In
justification he specified offers he had made to the most
celebrated in their different lines; but engagements
prevented their accepting his terms, and under the circum-
stances he had engaged the best that could be procured.
He announced a five-act play, from Mr. Robson, the au-
thor of Love and Loyalty, as in preparation after Easter,
whoa, on renewing the season, every effort would be made
to deserve a continuance of the extensive public patronage
the theatre had re-acquired under his direction. The
worthy lessee then retired amidst very hearty applause
from Li i numerous friends, who completely filled the the-
atre.

To-morrow, to suit the convenience of those who live
" out of the smoke of London," Mr. Smith proposes to
give a grand morning performance of the magnificent
L'EloPe du .Xord, to be followed by other attractions.
As this is the last occasion on which it will be represented
this season there will undoubtedly be a large attendance ;
and it would not be amiss, to prevent disappointment, to
secure a place early.