The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-03 00:00:00

rnE SUN, LOM3ON, TUESDAY ILYFAIi.\G, MAY 3 1864

receiving the compensation to which he is emi-
nently entitled. It would really seem as if they
were determined to show that they can do what they
like ; and no matter how unpopular may be their
decisions, or how unfair their treatment of im-
portant claims, they must nevertheless still keep
their places, and enjoy the glories of office. This
game may be tried once too often. Lord PAL-
MERSTON had to retire ignominiously from power
when he was far stronger in position than he is at
present. Sometimes, when all seems secure, a slight
circumstance arises that nullifies the effect of pre-
vious advantages, and carries destruction to the
course of the prosperous and powerful. Let it once
he bruited abroad that the rights of the subject are
not safe in the hands of the present Administra-
tion, and no foreign difficulties, no home necessities
will retain them in office. It is true that Mr.
BEWICKE acted injudiciously at the outset of the
affair, but that does not exculpate those who con-
cocted a conspiracy against him. Every one who
was concerned in the effair has been to blame for
their haste and infatuation. The only way to get
out of the affair with anything like decency will be
to institute an inluiry and settle the demands of
the injured party as speedily and as liberally as
possible. If this is not done ether efforts must be
made, for it will never do to let such a tyranny be
exercised as that advocated by the Home Secretary
the other night. Now that the House has so
strongly endorsed the opinion of Mr. BERKELEY
that something should be done, it will not be
becoming to dally with the subject. It must be
settled in a satisfactory style, or more will be heard
of it than may snit the wishes of high powers. If
the proper means ere employed, the committee will
have ample time to meet and settle the matter before
the close of the session. It will be a satisfactory
thing to reflect upon that, in some measure, a great
wrong has been redressed, but all improvements
can be but partial that do not strike at the root of
the evil. The laws that apply to such cases must
be rectified, or else we cannot declare, with a shadow
of truth, that our civil rights are in accordance with
the spirit of the age or the advancement of intel-
ligence.

It is disappointing to find measures of real prac-
tical utility encountering unreasonable and deter-
mined opposition, yet such is unfortunately only
too often the case even in a time when the intoler-
ance of ignorance and the rancour of prejudice are
supposed to have lost much of their power. We
may indeed always anticipate the antagonism of a
formidable phalanx when great principles are in-
volved in any change for the better, or when old
interests have to be attacked or striking improve-
ments introduced into the working of our social and
political systems. The most sanguine reformer or
the most enthusiastic inventor could hardly imagine
that his theories would fall in with every one's
humour, and in a free outspoken country like our
own, he is pretty sure to hear a good many un-
complimentary criticisms, and to receive a good
many sharp homethrusts before his visions pass
into reality. But coming down from great organic
changes and notable discoveries to mere matters of
detail and local management, it is somewhat curious
to find a piece litigation impending respec'ing a
practical improvement in the manner of supplying
London with gas and water, just proposed to be
carried out by the Metropolitan Board of Works.
It seems that some years ago the Board consulted
some of our most eminent engineers on the matter,
and the result of this consultation was, that they
resolved upo❑ constructing large well-ventilated
sub-ways for the reception of the gss and water
pipes, es well as for the telegraph wires and the
pneumatic despatch tubes of more recent date. We
might suppose that a scheme supported by STE-
PHENSON, BRUNELL, CUBITT, and other engineers
of high calibre,would possess some practical merits,
and indeed the advantages of the plan are at once
apparent even to the uninitiated. The continual
stoppage of our large highways for the repairs of
pipes, and countless similar reasons, would by its
means be done away with, so that great expense
would be spared the companies ; and a
constant inspection of the pipes could
be easily kept up; so that efficiency,
economy, and freedom from annoyance are among
its recommendations. We all know that one of the
foremost among a Londoner's share of " les petites
miseres de la vie humaine," is losing a train from a
blocked up thoroughfare, so that it will remove a
good deal of daily vexation if we are henceforth to
have no unnecessary meddlings with the substratum
of the QUEEN'S highway. There is, too, no valid
reason to urge against the plan. We are all grow.
ing familiar with the idea of works ping on under-
ground. " Skitzland" has become a fact instead
of a theory since Mr. MORLEY wrote his witty
sketch of life in mid-earth. It is surely less remark-
able and less extravagant for gas and water pipes
to have regular organised subways, than for one
locomotive to dip under another after the fashion
proposed in the neighbourhood of the Euston-road.
But, whatever the reason, there are very decided
obstacles being put in the way of the scheme,
although the subways have been actually constructed
in the new streets from St. Martin's-lane and in
Southwark. The companies decline to use them
sad accordingly a Bill has been brought before
Parliament, in order to compel their use and to
arrange the terms of payment on the part of the
companies. This Bill, having been read a second
time, has been referred to a select committee, and
now the tug of war is to begin in earnest. The
water companies are to oppose it by means of four
solicitors, who are, it is said, to instruct no less than
twelve counsel. This is a sufficiently alarming
number, but we must remember that the gas come
panies still remain to be represented, so that there
will be more RICHMONDS in the field, and if we add
the legal functionaries employed by the Board Of
Works, we shall see very little of a speedy settle-
ment of the question. Remembering what we have
recently heard about the expenses of a select com-
mittee of this kind, we may conclude that this
battle of the subways will be a tolerably expensive
business. There is so much money needei for really
useful and practical purposes of public interest, that
it is a matter of regret to see such large sums com•
pletely thrown away in foolish and purposeless
litigation.
Th

e gradually increasing prosperity becoming
perceptible in our distressed cotton districts is a
matter for very earnest and heartfelt thankfulness.
The worst of this storm has passed away, and
streaks of light through the breaking clouds give
hope that brighter days may soon b 3 looked for.
Compared with the immediate past Lancashire is
wonderfully improved, although she may be still
far enough removed from her former flourishing
condition. If the changed aspect of affairs h a
subject of congratulation among those far removed
from the pressure of the distress, what must it bb
to these struggling thousands who have borne so
bravely and so patiently the full weight of the trial ?
It has been feared by some that the long continued
receipt of eleemosynary aid would impair that self-
respect and independence which are among the
most precious possessions of the poor, and that when
cotton was again forthcoming working men and
women might think idleness more pleasant than in.
dustry. T►he relief committees have always borne
in mind the danger of encouraging dependence, and

of pauperising the people by long continued alms,
but the event has happily proved that such antici.
pations were groundless. It was necessary, no
doubt, to bear such a possibility in mind, but those
who feared that any large proportion of the working
classes would voluntarily prefer dependence or
charitable relief to the earnings of honest industry,
did not appreciate the sturdy independence of Eng-
land's sons and daughters. A very touching scene
took place the other day in the neighbourhood of
Preston, on the occasion of the reopening of some
mills which were about to resume work after a stop-
page of a year and a half. The arrival of the cotton
was anxiously looked for, and when at last two
goodly waggons made their appearance by rail, the
popular delight was manifested in unmistakeable
terms. Flags and emblems of rejoicings floated
from the village windows, and the whole place bore
the aspect of a festival. A party of women, pre-
ceded by music, went to the railway siding, and
pushed the waggons off the incline into the factory
yard, when the assembled crowd, number:ng some
hundreds, gave appropriate expression to their feel-
ings on their deliverance from so great and pro-
longed a trial by singing the Doxology to the tune
of the grand Old Hundredth Psalm. Teers rolled
down the cheeks of many of these honest labourers,
and some could not find voice to lift aloud. It was
a scene for a poet or a painter, pourtraying es it
did most vividly the national characteristics which
have made Eflgland what she is. The cheers of
the concourse were heard far away, and were sym-
pathised in doubtless by all who heard them ; for
few indecd could be found throughout the length
and breadth of the land who would not share in
the honourable satisfaction of these industrious
hands in once more earning their own bread.

HAYMARKET THEATRE,

DAVID GA.RILICK.

The production of the new three ant play, " David
Garrick," so long underlined in the bills of the Haymarket
Theatre, has at length taken place. It is, alas, but an
adaptation from the French, by Mr, W, I'. Robertson,
founded on an incident "said to have occurred to Garrick,
but which has no pretensions to biographical accuracy."
The anecdote allu'led to is, that a young lady, the daughter
of a very wealthy citizen, oa seeing David Garrick perform
the part of Hamlet, at once fell desperately and hopelessly
in love with the actor, and he, curiously enough
was smitten by the same lady, whom he had detected pay-
ing the utmost attention to the performance, whilst the
majority of the audience wore to a great degree unmoved.
Garrick takes active steps to discover who the lady fair
is he has thus interested, but for a time fails until the
father of the lady, who has by accident discovered his
daughter's attachment, invites the actor to his house to
inform him of the mad passion of his child, and also
to prevail upon him to relinquish the stage and
leave England, as he has already selected a husband
for his daughter in the person of her cousin Dick, whose
prospects of a peerage are by no means unfavourable.
Garrick listens to the father's story, and is so much moved
by it, that he, without seeing the lady, promises on his
word of honour to do his utmost to cure the lady of her
romantic attachment—his plan being to make himself so
revolting that the lady shall become disgusted with him.
The play cpens in the house of Mr. Ingot, where
we discover his daughter Ada, a young and bloom-
ing girl of 18, reading passages from her " dear
Shakspere." The father gently chides the girl
reading " such stuff," but the fascinating creature
has her loving parent completely in her power, and can
wind him round her finger like a piece of silk. Ingot tells
his daughter he fears he shall become jealous of Mr. Shak-
spere, to which she archly replies there need be no fear of
that, because he and Shakspere are two such diffirent kind
of people. He afterwards tells her he has invited some of
his old friends to dinner, and Ada, taking no interest in the
matter, dec;des upon nor changing her simple morning
dress, but immediately she hears the name of Mr. David
Garrick announced as one of the guests, the rushes to her
boudoir to don her evening attire. Garrick is introduced by
Mr. Ingot to his city friends, all of whom are the most
homely business set of people imaginable, and lastly to his
daughter Ada, who now appears a perfect Venus. Garrick
instantly recognises in Ada Ingot the object of his soul's
adoration, but the discovery comes too late, his word is
pledged as a man of honour to act in such a manner as will
render all attachment between thorn impossible. At dinner
Garrick simulates unbridled indulgence in wino, a love of
gambling, riotous uproarious vulgarity, insulting be•
havicur towards the guests, and flashy his presence be-
comes so unbearable that Ada is compelled. to ring
ihe bell, and give directions to the servants to call Mr Gar-
rick's coach. During this episode Ada has some misgivings
as to the reality of Garrick's conduct, but these are set at
rest by fresh acts of coarseness, and in despair she gives
her promise to her father to marry her cousin Richard the
next morning. Garrick has accomplished his task, but at
the expense of his own peace and happiness, and is con-
veyed, overpowered and nearly heartbroken, to his
home, from whence he betakes himself to a tavern, and
there the whole affair is related, the names of the parties
only being withheld. Cousin Richard Chivey, a sort of
Toney Lumpkin, happens to be present, and he, not know-
ing that the scene has taken place at the house of his
prospective father-in-law, hastens there in a state of real
intoxication, and relates the whole affair, the listeners being
Ada and her father. In vain the old man tries to stop the
relation of the story, but as Dick has had more than hie
fair share of wine, he goes on with the tale
to the end, adding that in consequence of one
in the company, to whom Garrick relatedahe story, Bp eak-
ing in disrespectful terms of the lady and her father, he,
Garrick, bad challenged him to a duel. Ada hears all this,
and, to prevent the encounter, and fly from a marriage
with her stupid, vulgar and unmannerly cousin, she calls
at Garrick's house on her way to that of her aunt's. She
fails to prevent the hostile meeting, and bef„re she can
leave the place her father enters and upbraids her with her
conduct. Hearing Garrick returning, Ingot conceals him-
self behind the bookcase, and there he overhears Garrick
address the daughter in such terms of filial tenderness,
rather than those of an enraptured lover, that the
old man instantly recognises in Garrick a man of whom
any father• in• law might be proud, and having discovered his
nephew Dick is not the sort of person he expected, he gives
' his daughter to Garrick, and thus terminates the play.
The great event looked for with such peculiar interest
was the assumption of the part of David Garrick by Mr.
Sothern, and although it could not be otherwise than a
gentlemanly performance, yet we regret to say it was no
more. The most effective portion of the performance was the
assumption of drunkenness, but there was no real art exem-
plified in the simulation, nor in the transitienfrom it to deep
emotions of love and horror at the effect produced upon his
beauteous Ada. Mr. Sothern seems to lack the power for
such an effort, and the melodramatic bombast into which
he breaks now and then is not in the slightest degree more
artistic. The situation in the last act, viz., the interview
between Garrick and Ada, although perhaps one of the
finest ever imagined for the display of high art, produced
no enthusiasm in the audience, because all his expressions
of pathos and earnestness were uttered in a guttural tone of
'voice that positively grated on the ear. We cannot but say
we were disappointed, because it seemed an impossibility
that one who could hit off such a matchless:performance as
Lord Dundreary, should lack the power to infuse the same
life into another, and by no means a difficult part. At all
events, ono thing is very certain, Mr. Sothern lacks pathos,
so that if he desires to maintain his place on 'the metropo-
litan boards, he eaust:try his hand at something else—high
comedy for instance—and let his first effort be Charles
Surface. We have had Charles Kemble's version, and
also that of Charles Mathews; can't we have another ?
Mr. Chippendale's Alderman Ingot was a thoroughly
artistic performance; and our ever lively, ever entertaining
and amusing manager, Mr. Buckstono, as Squire Chivey,
had only to keep the audience in a merry mood, which it
need hardly be said he did from first to last. Miss Nelly
Moore has achieved a great success by her embodiment of
Ada Ingot, and we heartily congratulate her on the circum-
stance, and trust she will continue her studies, because she
is evidently destined to take a very high place in the pro-
fession. The minor parts were all very efficiently repre-
sented, and at the fall of the curtain last night the applause
was enthusiastic and universal.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, attended by
Major Teesdale, honoured the theatre with his presence.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.]

AIVIERICA.
(Per the Peruvian, via Greencastle.)
NEW YORK, APRIL 22 (Evening).

The Government has stopped the transmission of
news from Virginia. It is supposed that Lee or
Grant has commenced moving.
Deserters report Longstreet to be moving down
the Shenandoah Valley, and state that Lee's army
has received ten days rations for a forward moves
ment.

General Grant 133 s left for the front, and Burn-
side has gone to Fort Monroe.
Further Rod River advices confirm the news
of BAnks's defeat, but state that the engagement
was renewed the following day, when the Con-
federates were routed with heavy loss. The Con-
federate Generals Morton, Pearson, and Green
were reported killed.

Banks has countermanded the order to retreat
to Alexandria. The Federal fleet, which had ad-
vanced to within 80 miles of Shreveport, has been
ordered to return. While on its way down, the
Confederates attacked the fleet, but were repulsed
with heavy loss.
The Confederates were repulsed on the 17th
in the land attack upon Fort Gray, Plymouth,
North Carolina. Advices to the ltsth report that
a Confederate ram had sunk three Federal gun-
boats at Plymouth. It was expected that the
Federals would be.compelled to evacuate Plymouth,
but would be able to hold Newbern. Large num-
bers of Federal troops are returning from Port
Royal to Fort Monroe.

Some accounts state that General Forrest
is moving into Mississippi, others that he
is marching towards Memphis.
Guerillas have burned the greater portion of
Hickman, Kentucky.
The Governors of Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, and
Indiana are in Washington, urging President Lin-
coln to call out 200,000 six months volunteers.
The Governor of New York has tendered the ser-
vices of the State militia for the defence of the forts
around New York and the frontier.

The Australasian av d Kangaroo have arrived out.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, APRIL 22 (Evening).
(Per the Peruvian, via Greencastle.)
Money continues tight, but the stringency of
the market is gradually abating.
Gold declined yesterday to 65, but has since ad-
vanced to 75 prem. under war rumours and on ac-
count of the Government broker ceasing to sell
gold. Exchange—Bankers' bills, 193.
A better feeling prevails in the stock market, and
prices are firm and advancing. New York Cen.
trals, 134 k ; Illinois, 130; Erie, 114 ; 6 per Cent.
United States Bonds, 1131,
Cotton steady—Midland Upland, 80. Four,
wheat, corn, and provisions advancing, Coffee
quiet, Sugar slightly firmer, Molasses pod in-
quiry. Petroleum dull—Crude 40e.; refined, 54e.

NEW YORK, APRIL 23 (Morning).

The Federals have evacuated Pilatka, Florida.
Another Federal transport has been sunk by tor-
pedoes in St. John's River, Florida.

The Governor of New York has urged the Legis-
lature to reconsider its resolution to pay the interest
of the State debt in currency.

NEW YORK, APRIL 23 (Afternoon),

.Advices from New Orleans to the 16th inst. con-
firm General Banks's defeat near Shreveport, but do
not mention his reported victory on the following
day. Further advices from Plymouth confirm the
report of the sinking of three Federal gunboats.
The Confederate ram his now possession of the
river below Plymouth, cutting cff communication
with the garrison of that place. The garrison is
well provisioned, and it is supposed can hold the
position.

Several gunboats have left Fort Monroe for Ply-
mouth to assist the Federals.

Money easier. Gold, 77 premium. Stocks ad-
vancing. New York Central, 137; Illinois, 134;
Erie, 117; 6 per Cents. United States Bonds, 114;
Petroleum, crude, 42 to 45 ; refined, 55 to 56.
The Etna, sailing to-day for Europe, takes out
1,300,000 dols, in specie.
The Virginia takes 500,000 dols.

AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA.
VIENNA, MAY 2 (Evening).
The semi-official General Correspondent of to-

day says:
" The mission of the Austrian and Prussian re-
presentatives at the Conference is to obtain from
Denmark a satisfactory indemnity for the damage
done to German shipping and commerce, and like-
wise a full guarantee against any future recurrence
of the same."

It is stated that there is no intention to despatch
the Austrian fleet to the Baltic, and that no reso-
lution to that effect has been adopted by the Cabinet

LITERATURE,

Janita's Cross. By the Author of " St. °lave's."

Three Vols. Hurst and Blackett.

The author of " St. Olave's," already well be-
loved by many readers, has given us a charming
work in " Janita's Cross"—a work that will very
greatly enhance her popularity. It is a pleasant,
homely, domestic story, containing many delight-
ful and most natural characters. Janita herself
is a very loveable heroine—friendless and home-
less, born at sea, and named after the vessel—the
"Janita "—which is her cradle—she happily falls
into good hands. First adopted by the kind family
at the Marisa of Inverallan, the dear playmate of
Agnes and Willie Home, she grows up a wild and
joyous Scottish lassie, free from thraldom and free
from care. Then transplanted to the (at first)
ungenial soil of Meadowthorpe, she ii domi-
ciled with her mother's relations, gr o I old
Professor Ruthven and his strong - minded
sister Hepzibah. This lady's portrait is delineated
with some happy touches, very stern and strict is
her guardianship of the young Janita, whose name
she abbreviates to the more proper appellation of
Jane. Miss Hepzibah believes herself to be endowed
with three talents—one for cookery, one for house-
hold management, and one for conversation. Tele
two latter gifts are matters of incredulity to her
friends, but the first, the gift of cookery, no one dis•
putes with her. It is on the frequent occasions,wheil
damson cheese, and orange marmalade demand
the good lady's incessant care, that Janita is
enabled to enjoy a little freedom, One of her
greatest pleasures in her new and lonely life is the
friendship of Miss Alwyne, an authoress, and also
a very delightful and amiable personage. We can
fancy that the writer of Jauita's history has, in
depicting Miss Alwyne, taken, perhaps uucon-
sciously, some traits from a portrait near home.
It is by Miss Alwyne that Janita, when eager, with
the impetuous longing of youth, for work to do,
and good to accomplish, is reminded of the real
lesson cf life—a truth which her history afterwards
admirably fulfils, and which gives its title to the
book. "My child," said Miss Alwyne, in that grave
sweet voice of hers, and one might be content with
much pai❑ to win the peace which made that voice
so sweet. "My child, your work lies close at hand.
See God's purpose for you in the simplest duties of
your daily life. Fulfilling these with reverent care
you are doing his will, surely the highest, noblest
thing which can be done. And if that will should
one day meet you as ' a cross,' heavy and hard to
bear, carry it bravely, carry it patiently. It is but
for a little while. And there is no cross so borne
which he who gave it will not sooner
or later exchange for en eternal crown.''
In time the cross comes to Jai:ll4: as it comes to all,
and proves to her, as to all who bear it well, a bless-
ing i❑ disguise. The development of Janita's cha-
racter is very naturally pourtrayed in the unfold-
ing of her history, and will be followed with inte-
rest and sympathy by all who make her acquaint-
ance. Very natural and very charming is the
little sketch of Bessie Ashton, the parlour-maid,
coquettish and wilful, like Dolly Varden and
Mary Barton, and, like these lively lassies, she too
nearly throws away the substantial happiness at
hand in grasping after the shadow of admiration,
Bessie naturally takes toJanita—asElizabeth Hand
took, to Hilary Leaf iu the "Mistress and Maid "
of Miss Muloch, is preference to the grim head of
the household, Mistress Hepzibah Ituthven. Of
this latter lady's peculiarities we have already
spoken. A better idea of the mistress may, how-
ever, be obtained by a glimpse of the mansion.
Here is a peep into