The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-09 00:00:00

French Theatricals.

ITALIAN OrERA.--"The management has dis-
played commendalAs activity since our last notice,
and the frequenters,' .of this aristocratic house cans
not fairly complain that their pleasures are not
varied. First, we 'ha ve had Mozart's chef d'oeuvre
"Don Giovanni"—Taut this masterpiece to be really
enjoyed requires a perfection in every branch and
in the ensemble of its execution which at the pre-
sent day it is simply chimerical to hope for. Since
the time—more years ago than we care to specify
—when Lablache, Tamburini, Mario, Grisi, Per-
siani, Sontag, and Corbari, all united their efforts
to render the great master's inspirations—we can-
not say we have heard "Dan Giovanni" given to our
satisfaction, or hear 'Witness to its having produced
on the public en impreesion commensurate with i's
merits. The star system," which answers well
enough in more modem compositions, will not
do for Mczert. Theiefore, though Mile. Patti is
a charming Serlina, though D2lle-Sedie is a per.
feet artiste, we cannot but think that with the
present trove the revival of " Den Giovanni" was
a mistake. Flotow's " Marta" has also been given
—the soprano pert is admirably adapted to Patti's
style, and she alone would have ensured success.
Brignoli who appeared here some twelve years ago
with indifferent success, and who more recently ex-
perienced a somewhat rough reception in Madrid,
renewed his acquaintance with the Parisian public
in the part of Lionel. He labours under two great
faults, nervousness, and a slavish imitation of Mario
—a little judgment ought to convince him of his
error; he is only a bad copy when he might be a
good original. Under these reserves, it may be
said that he was not unfavourably received, and
that his fine voice, and evidently perfect com-
mand over it, render him an acquisition. We have
nothing but praise to bestow on the performance of
the " Ballo in Maschera." The music grows upon
one at every successive hearing, and nothing more
perfect can be imagined than the sieging of Fres.
chini, Done Sedie, Mmes. Charton, Meric-Lablache,
and Vanderbeck. The sisters Marohisio made their
rentree last week in "Norma," but the performance
was interrupted by an untoward indisposition of
Mlle. Carlotta (the soprano). From the moment
of her appearing it was obvious that she was suffer-
ing from sore throat ; she struggled bravely against it
for a time, but, after attempting a few notes, had to
be removed in a half-fainting statc—the audience,
it is gratifying to note, evincing the deepest spite
pathy with that most deserving artiste. A con-
cert was extemporized, to which Barbara Mar-
chisio, DelleeSedie, Mme. Charton, and Anto-
nucci contributed their aid, and the public left the
theatre pleased with the makeshift thus speedily
improvised.
THEATRE ST. GEItMAIN.—This a new house, built on
the Boulevard Sebastopol (south side), near the Cluny Mu-
seum, in apparent disregard of the law of supply and de-
mand. It was inaugurated last week with three insignifi-
cant little pieces—" La Libre Behange," "La Bounue,i-
ere de Trianon," and "Le Lion de St Marc," the two last
bring operettas. They are none of them either very good
or very bad—mediocrity (we fear, alas I not aurca) is their
chief characteristic. The theatre on the first night was
very fully attended.

BEAUMARCHATS,—This little theatre has undergone a
transformation as complete as many quarters of Paris. A
new salle has been erected in the place of the dingy, dirty,
inconvenient one which former'y stood there. The seats
are roomy and comfortable, and to reach one's stall it is
unnecessary to perform those gymnastic feats which render
locomotion so painful in many houses of greater pretensions.
A. new piece was brought out called " Surcouf "--a series of
episodes in the life of that celebrated rover strung together
by the experienced pen of Bernard Lopez, Tho audience
of the Beaumarchais is not remarkably fastidious, and
" Surcouf" may be pronounced a success,

"Roland a Roncevaux" continues to fill the Grand
Opera. Meanwhile, a great deal of gossip finds its way
into print respecting " L'Africaine," which amounts to this
—that the first acts are by far the hest. Competent judges,
however, who have seen the whole partition, and gone over
ft carefully, assure us that this last work of Meyerbeer's is
also his greatest—Macho. Beaugrand, who has formed part
of the corps de ballet since her childho- d, has now emerged
a full- blown dansense, and taken the part of La Mouraview
in" Diavolina," with almost as much success as her exotic
predecessor.
M. Scjour's sensational melodrama, " Le Fils do la Nuit"
—the chief features being a naval fight and a storm at sea
—has been revived at the Gai:e, where it was originally
produced in 1856. It was then played every night for six
months running, and there is really no reason why its
second career should be less prosperous.
Those of our readers in want of a hearty laugh cannot do
better than go and see Arnal—the great Arnal—who has
made his rehtrce at the Bouffee Parisians in "Passe
Minuit,"

The inimitable Levassor has returned to Paris, and gave
a moat successful entertainment last night at lieiz's—.he
was most ably seconded by Mdlle. Teisseire.

An important innovation has been introduced at the Vau-
deville—ladies are now admitted to the orchestra etalls.

---
The Bahia Outrage.

It is with undescribable repugnance that we write of the
outrage effected in the harbour of Bahia by the North Ame-
rican man of war the Wachusetts. It is, indeed, with re-
luctance that we bring before the country so grave an accu-
sation against our Government as that which we proceed to
make. In the United States very high prizes have been
offered for whoever should take or destroy the Florida. An
association declared that it would give 500,000 dols. The
Government of Washington also offered prizes for the same
end. The Washington Government, hearing that the Florida
pursued her career by preference on the coast of Brazil, took
the necessary measures for her capture or destruction. En-
ergetic precautions were taken, and our ports were more
visited by Federal ships of war. The American Minister at
this Court had orders, as we are assured, to come to an un-
derstanding with the Imperial Government as regards the
necessity of capturing or destroying the Florida in whatever
port of Brazil she might be found. Gen. Webb spoke with
frankness to the Marquis of Abrantes, ex-Minister of Foreign
Affairs, and formally declared that the Florida would
be captured or destroyed in whatever Brazilian port she
might enter, though the Government of the Union might
afterwards have to give all the satisfaction which Brazil
should require. Persons of great discretion inform us that
they have heard Gen. Webb himself in Petropolis mention
this fact, that his Excellency had declared to the Brazilian
Minister the resolution taken by the Washington Govern-
ment, and the orders given for the taking of the Florida in
any Brazilian port whatever. We cannot, and must not,
mention names. We did not hear Gen. Webb's statement,
but the persona who have communicated to us his words are
above all suspicion of levity or falseheld ; they deserve full
coedit and the greatest respect, and they go so far even as to
assert that Gen. Webb made no secret of his resolutions in
respect to the Florida and the Brazilian Government. On
the arrival here of the news of the proceeding of the Wa-
chusetts the Brazilian Minister immediately had an inter-
view with Gen. Webb; they conferred, conversed, and ar-
ranged those curious notes which were exchanged and have
been already published* This fact also has been related to
us by a person worthy of the highest credit. It was necessary
to mystify the Brazilian nation, and the two Ministers at-
ranged this magnificent comedy. The inaction of the Presi-
dent of Bahia, the state of desertion in which the forts of
the port were feud, the easy escape of the Wachusetts, the
tardy pursuit by our vessels of war, are motives for the most
serious reflection. The terms Qf the Webb note about the
outrage, declaring that if it had (Warred in an English port
or in one of any other powerful nation, satisfaction wolud
not have been given so promptly and effectively as it will be
given to Brazil—th. &viz.& vr thu satisfaction being gua-
ranteed by the Minister of the Union at this Court—all this
indicates connivance of the Brazilian Government in the
deed, and combination with thsenister Webb. In Brazil
there are Ministers capable of Mis extreme misconduct—
capable of concurring in the taking of the Florida, capable
of not dismissing Mr Webb from the Brazilian Court with
24 hours' notice; and in France and in England there are
Ministers to whom no American Minister would dare to ex-
press, even in conversation, the rash desires of his Govern-
ment, still less accepting arrangements so insulting to the
national honour and to the honour also of those charged
with the supreme authority. Here Mr Webb has found with
facility Ministers of a sort who, in those countries. would be
visited with infamy, In England Mr Webb knows well
that he would have to deal with a statesman like Lord Pal-
merston, who towers far above the plenipotentiaries and the
Generals of the North
4.merican Republic.—From the
Ferdade sent Rebueo (Truth without Disguise) of Nov. 7.

An industrious statistician has found the sums
which Weber received for every one of his operas in Ger-
many and elsewhere—the gross total amounts to 16,280
thalers (L2,442).-111. Castil Blaye, for his translation of
" Freischutz," alone netted 100,000 fr. (£1,000). Poor
Weber I
French critic points out the fol-
lowAinnginFdrigntenncahpisces which are being acted under
disguised names in London :---` Lee Pauvres de
Paris,' `Faufan la Tulipe," La Chambre i Daui
Lite," Don Cesar de Bb no," Ali Baba,' L'Aieule,'
Le Capitaine Fantome," Les Freres Corses,' 'Ma-
demoislle do Belle-lele,' J'invite le Colonel,'
L'Avacat des PAnvres; and Lee Drama du
Cabaret.'

THE BANK OF FRANCE. -""

PARIS, DEC. 8, 1.55 r.af.
The Mink of France hes reduced its rate of dis.
count from 6 to 5 per cent.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

TATTERSALL'S—TauItsDAY.
Not more thou a dozen members dropped into the sub.
scription room this afternoon. Business was all but a dead
letter, the only attempt at speculation resulting in 1,000 to
70 being taken four times about Chattanooga for the Derby,
a fact, however, which proved that the "something amiss,.
with Mr nylor's horse was but slight.