The Sun.
London, England, 1852-04-13 00:00:00

A P l3 42.

STRAND THEATRE.
A new piece, by Mr. C. Reads, described as " an
illustration of our country homes," and bearing the
title of a Village 7 ale, was the opening performance
here last evening. The Village Tale is in three acts,
and the scene laid in Berkshire. The incidents all
occur in the house of Farmer Hathorn (Mr. W. Att-
wood). In the reaping season, Corporal Patrick (Mr.
E. Stirling) and his daughter Rachell (Miss Maskell)
are employed by the farmer to assist in getting in the
harvest. When the reaping is all over, and the cor-
poral and his daughter are about to quit the farm, the
latter suddenly encounters Richard Hickman (Mr.
Moreland), a young termer of somewhat idle and
roving habits, and between the two there appears
to be some m3sterious connexion, of which all
that is learnt at first is, that Rachel had some
four years before become the mother of a child,
of which Hickman was the father. In the mean•
time the farmer's son, Robert Hathorn (Mr. J.
Rogers), becomes enamoured of Rachel, whose conduct
while reaping had pointed her out as a person supe-
rior to her occupation, and makes several overtures
to her, which she treats very slightingly. Tnie at-
tachment is viewed with great dislike by the farmer,
but his wife, won by Rachel's behaviour (Mrs. Charles
Selby), is not so averse to it. In the development of
the plot appear two other characters, Mrs. Ruse
Mayfield, a widow (Mrs. W. R. Copeland), and
Mr. A. Priori (Mr. Moore), a retired tradesmen. The
former of these is a sort of village flirt, being alter-
nately courted by Mr. Priori, by Richard Hickman,
and for his son, by Farmer Hathorn. Hickman
appears to have the beat chance of winning her,
but she at length begins to look upon him with
distrust, and he, to spite Rachel for a supposed
disclosure to the widow of his real character, hastens
the denouement by asprsions on the latter. Such
being the relative positions of.the several parties, the
corporal and his daughter are taunted by the farmer,
in order to break off the attachment of his son, with
a reference to Rechel's past history and implied mis-
conduct; when the corporal admits the birth of a
child, but defends his daughter's character by stating
that Hickman had married her, that she subsequently
discovered that he bad a wife living at the time, and
that in order to save him from the consequences, she
had consented to conceal the fact. Foe widow
now generously renounces her pretemious ;
to Robert Hathorn, who had all along citing to the
notion of Rachel's innocence, and becomes a mediator
fur him to his father; Rachel rejects an offer of
marriage 'vim Hickman, now a widower, and, to re-
move the lingering repugnance of old ilithorn, in
the very nick of time the maligned and virtuous suf-
ferer is discovered to be the owner under the will of
an aunt of 3,0001., and the very farm occupied by
Hickman. To complete the retributive lesson, the
self-denying Mrs. Mayfield becomes Mrs. Priori.
The piece was well received, and will doubtless have
a good run. It was succeeded by the rattling extra-
vaganza, Antony and Cleopatra, by a ballet diver-
tissement entitled La Vivaudiere, and finally, by The
Ragged School, all of which met with a cordial re-
ception.

MART-----LEI 3 JNE TeIEATRE.
The entertainments at this theatre last night were
The Tempest, a grand national ballet divertissement,
under the title of Britannia, the Gem of the Ocean,
and Planche's burletta The Loan of a Lover. In the
Tempest, which was well cast, Miss Lavine, of the
Tneatres Royal Edinburgh and Newcastle, made her
first appearance in London, in the character,;of Ariel,
and indicates that she will prove an acquisition to the
compeny in other lines of theatrical character. Caliban
lot nothing of his glory, growl, or power of curting in
the hands of Mr. E. Laws; Prospero was well E uvained
in those of Mr. Cowie ; and Miranda, his daughter, had
an admirable representative in Miss Grosvenor.
Britannia, the Gem of the Ocean, the Easter novelty,
is an attractive ballet, in which the nations of the
world, in a grand allegorical tableau, pay tribute to
" the Queen of the Waves." It is a light production
of Mr. W. H. Harvey (of the Italian Opera), whose
dancing was admirably supported by the exquisite
pas of Mdlles. Louise Blanche, Julie, and Kate Kirby.
The Lean of a Lover was a good wind up, and was
well received by " the gods," whose fancy it tickled
very happily, and who departed, well pleased with
the evening's entertainments.

SURREY THEATRE.
The entertainments provided for Easter' at this
house were on a scale of enterprise and liberality
which the success that has attended the present ma-
nagement gave its patrons a right to expect. They
comprised a three act drama, a comedietta, and a
burlesque extravaganza. The drama, we need hardly
state, is the Corsican Brothers, for, though it con-
tains many bad features of the French, from which it
is a translation, there are yet in it such well-wrought
passages, and so wide a scope for effects, that it pro-
mises to become as universal throughout this country
as the vendetta which it illustrates was interminable
in Corsica. Tnepresent adaptation is one of the best
yet.produced, and owes ite quasi paternity to the•bro-
there Sala. The principal characters were sustained
by Mr. Creswick and Mr. Mead in an energetic and
artistical style. The comedy of the Young Couple
introduced the Bateman children to this side of the-
water. Their performances were characterised by
the same taste which has from the first distinguished
them; and their arch and winning manner elicited the
warmest approval. The burlesque is from the pen
of Mr.- E. L. Blanchard, the author of
the Christmas pantomime produced on the same
boards, under the title of Harlequin Prices Blue Cap;
and is -entitled the Three Perils of Nan;
_or, ll'a
Knights of the Round Table. It is founded
e'u2„,."n,..,_
portion of the history, fabulous or otherwise,ahtlea:,'"ai
the
Arthur and his Knights of the Round T
passage selected being that in which La Belle Isende
is stolen from her father by Sir Tristram, immured
_r
many
in Castle Dolorous, and eubsequentYs
moving ' accidents, rescued thence,
..by Lionel.
Prince Arthur himself forms a subordinate Sir
feature in
the burlesque. Of his trusty
,sword Caliburn, and
nor do we
his magic lance Rou, we hear nothing,. yer ; but in
aloe . the
even see the fair and beauteous G
place of all this there are lota •°.f enchanting Welch\
of the knights in most
fairies with hats and leeks, Druids and devils, good
spirits and elves, an i the whole
of thplot is
gallant:•arrayi -The tenor of e more closely
and the
allied to some of the Freno versions than any of the
acqueinted,
English with which
.we
representedare
as
knights, as a whole, are
‘,.._ a somewhat
licentious set of gallants, -albeit "'Ong champions
The whole Storyfaith.hinges
upon the one point which v.. have
L indicated. Sir
Lionel seeks the aid of Morgans
La Pqe, a Welch
'fairy, to rescue .
the beautiful Ronde ... .
.. et whilst Sir
Tristram enlists on his behalf illerliu the enchanter.
These latter subject Sir Lionel to all , , ~ .
sorLs or trials in
the shape of wine, women, and, finally, an accommo-
ditill. Meier t uidance of the good fairy he
resists. on bialt with successes d signalises his victory over
the last by a duel with a veritable kite. Clothed in
these slight vestments the dialogue is
smart end racy.
Numerous sparkling hits are interspersed,and some
clever parodies upon popular airs. The -scenery is
good, but not startling. The 6 burlesque will enjoy, as
it deserves, a good reputation, and a long and pros-
s career awaits. AT;
Perou - ---sa Julia Harland -made a
charming
.Sir Lionel, singing and acting with ha-
w, fe,e T:ri:-. 'l-. Wiilieuinb?, ass vn admirable
Sir Tristram, and 14r. Wynn an effective Merlin
It, only remains to add that the house was crowded,,

tors then a Ministerial reply Oyes an explicit answer
to the interrogatory of an opponent. Funky Franke,
with ailiara the ataiiencis is most itm-nedi%tely eon-
cerneti, labours under the impression that his half-
brotoer will be his own, and that a kind of mesmeric
or electric telegraphic sympathy or communication
exists between them. The cleverly-arranged super-
natural appearance of Fighting Franky, and a
teblt.au or vision, in which be is having a " mill"
with an antagonist, strengthens the fears of Funky,
and leads to the expectation.that en interesting, if not
eeraerdinary, denouement will follow. At the close,
however, of the first act Mr. Albany Brown, ot
_Marionette reputation, is drawn forward on a string,
and, after a disserarion on the ancient and modern
drama, apologises alike for what has preceded and
what is to come, and asks his gOod-burnoured hearers
to fill up all gaps, blanks, and incongruities by the
aid of their imagination—a request as necessary as it
was modest. This bit at the Marionettes was one
of the most . amusing events of the evening.
The living actor dressed as a doll to perfection, and
his movements appeared to be entirely at the mercy
of the string above, which of course was not so skil-
fully maraiged as at the Adelaide Gallery. The se_
cond act censisted chiefly of a series of adventures by
a few i,wells r t Cremorne-gardeng. Fighting Frank",
the supposed severed half of Funky, forms one of
the notable body, and the only perceptible reference
to the pathetic opening is the fulfilment of the pre-
diction in the fighting tableaux, by his en-
gagieg in a prolonged contest wish a boast.
ing and halligerent Irishman rijoiciog in the
name of Pat ()Manta and whom he dtimately
spiflicates. Mr. Shalders enacted the
part of
the Irishman with great humour and genuine Tippe-
rary brogue. The other characters were well sus-
tained; but, notwithstanding the exertions of the
actors and actresses, the production was rather dull,
and its success questionable. Too much praise cannot
be awarded to the scenery and dresses, which were
extremely beautiful. The view of Creinorne-gardens
by night on the occasion of a bed masque, with innu-
merable variegated lamps, was as fine a piece of
scenic design as we have seen at any theatre. The
extravaganza wound up with a Terpsichorean divlay,
illuminated by.fitimmes de Bengale. The Merchant
of Venice commenced the performances, but the only
noticeable part in the piece was that of Portia, which
was taken by Mrs. Walter Lacy for the first Limo at
the Olympia. Her acting throughout was charac-
terised by considerable taste and feeling, and easy and
graceful action.

ASTLEY'S THEATRE.
The introductory piece at this most popular.
theatre was a grand historical, equestrian, and mili-
tary spectacle, which has been eminently succestul
in Paris, entitled Bonaparte in Egypt, and it is,
scarcely necessary to say that it was got up with all
the arts end appliances for which the Royal Amphi-
theatre is so famous. The speotacle, which is full of
bustle and incident, consists of a series of picturesque
tubleaux—amongst the most effective of which we
may notice the storming of the city of Alexandria,
and the flight of its defenders before the im-
petuous attack of the grand army. Another
scene which told remarkably well was the grand
entrée of Bonaparte through the golden gates
of Cairo, accompanied by his cortege, puffiei-nt in
number to occupy almost the uni:ire stage. 'lllB
battle of Aboukir was manfully coat,iteri on both
sides, but of course in the end the Mame Jukes ip.t
terribly thrashed, and were obliged to succumb to the
" kJj leis." In addition to the een,"ral company, Mr.
Frazer made his debut is the great general, and was
ably aseisted by Mr. iliddicornb, who enacted the
part of Kleber, end Mr. Crndtfock, who sustain&ii
that of Colonel Victor. Miss L‘-,dia Pe;a%:e, who
personsted the ohursct,-2: or A servqty, promises to be
a e,l-isiderable
ivia, accrisition to the ; and
sad terl Arthur Leclerq, the son of thest,ge
ballet was well reetived in a PasGrecque,
aksi sted by the corps de ballet. 'rte ect•nes in ihe
arena were admirably gone through by Mule Louise
Messolta, M.l4'ranconi, Miss Birrsud, Mr. Bridges,
and Tom Thumb the Great; and the evening'; amuse-
ment was concluded with the amusing farce of the
Lottery Ticket.

ROYAL MARIONETTE THEATRE
We had two novelma here last night, the one being
a piece of apropos called Now in Rehearsal; or Confi-
dential Revelation Strictly Public, and the other an Ltd
Easter favourite, Aladdin, and the Wonderful Lamp,
newly trimmed and burnished for the Marionettes.
The audience must, indeed, have been hard to please
that could find much fault with either performance,
for apart from one or two little gaucheries incidental
to first performances, everything was excellent. We
have not space to criticise either piece at length, ncr
is it necessary, as the performances more than sus-
tained the already good name of the Marionette
Theatre. The story of Aladdin was well told, the
libretto was entirely new, and the introduced songs
and duets gave opportunities for displaying the very
creditable vocal talent engaged here. In the intrduc-
tory brochure, Now in Rehearsal, we had something
after the style of the Critic, with a good-natured
exposure of some of the bickerings and jealousies of
green-room life. We cannot retrain from speaking
in the very highest terms of the scenery and costumes
in the spectacle, for they were truly magnificent, and
this little theatre may successfully vie with its
proudest rivals in the admirable scenic effects pro-
duced. The audience was very numerous, and of
the highest fashion, and were evidently delighted with
their evening's entertainment.

MISCELLANEOUS EXLIIBITIONS, &c.
Tan BRITISH MUSEUM.—Tbe chief objects of
tnatetrnatcytioosntiefrodraythwe numerousere te gig visitorsan tic scuttO tphtius
reesstalbal
ti
es ill y-
arrived from Nineveh, and only de osited in the Mu-
sewn a few weeks ago. These worksp consist of two
winged human headed lions, and two bulls, likewise
winged and human-headed, fTorhmeedbotlhl: phorretaolsf
to the temples of the Assyrlviatisc.ll
enormous size, being no less than 14 feet 5 inches in
height, and of proportionate bulk. These objects are
placed in the Ga lery of Antiquities, near the en-
trance, in a species of transept, which', though spa-
cious and lofty, is scarcely sufficiently so to allow of
their being seen to proper advantage. They are such
extraordinary productions of the art of sculpture and
Of such extreme antiquity that it is no wonder they
excited the admiration of all who looked upon them.
PICTURE GALLERIES.— rise National Gallery,
Trafalgar-square and the Vernon Collection of pic.
tures, at Marlborough House, received, as usual, a
great accession of company yesterday. The different
exhibitions of paintings now open also received their
share of public patronage :—That of the Society of
British Artists, in Suffolk street, which, though not
first-rate, is still particularly interesting on account
of the variety it displays both in the selection of sub-
jects and in style of execution ; that of the Brit's
institution in Pall-Mall, which includes among ire
contents eotne creditsole historical pictures and some
fine landscepee; and Mr. Grundy's Winter Exhibi-
tion of Wirer-Colour Paintings end Sketches itt
in which are to be found several excellent works by
tee leading artists of the day.
Tem Cenossenee—This old-established and popular
haunt comes forth this Easter with a new face. For
some time past it has been in the hands of the im-
prover and decorator. The principal change is in
the Glyptothece, the inner walls of we-lich are now
lined with mirrors, set in elaborately gilt frames
which reflect the statuary on the opposite side. By
this devise the hall seems to have increased in size,
while the figures appear to be multiplied upon the
same principle. The whole of the ernbAi,hments
have experienced renewal, and the ensemble is now
lustrously and delicately beautiful. The other at-
tractions of the place remain unaltered, though they
have all undergone the process of revivification. The
conservatories, the stalactite cavern, the Roman anti-
quities, the aviaries, &c., are replete with interest, as
they always must be, for the cost which they have
occasioned in forming, and the grace and beauty of
the several effects, are too obvious and remarkable
ever to be overlooked. The Colosseum, iu a word,
with its two elaborate panoramas of London and
Paris, is a sight among sights, in which the best con-
trivances of art have been associated with the highest
refinements of taste. As a refuge for the idler, and a
repast for the sight-seeker, it surely can have no
equal. The Cyclorama will re-open shortly, with a
moving diorama of the Crystal Palace.
• MR ALBERT SMITH'S ASCENT OF MONT BLANC.
—One of the most attractive of the Easter exhibitions
is this, which not only contains a series of charming
paintings by Mr. William Beverly, illustrative of an
excursion between Paris and Chamouni, but is further
enriched by the viva voce descriptions of Mr. Albert
Smith himself—a tourist of great observation, and a
lecturer of the most agreeable vivacity. His narra-
tive of a journey to the foot of the celebrated Mont
Blanc is replete with comic gaiety, while his sketches
of the personages whom he has met with are given
with an apt sense of the ludicrous, .and with.
dmuouchr
versatility and address. We need not
readers that Mr. Smith actuallyin accomplishedns
The
cent of Mont Blanc in the autumn of la.sht year.this adven-
second art of his lecture deals solely
pleasantwit converse-
&hazardous
practicals
everly
ture. He tells the spectator,nd
hreiremind
compa-
nions the as -
tional manner, of the difficultiesti he
encountered while prosetcounsnregc,tties
undertaking; and his descriPa_ltures of Mr. Beverly
which from the several portraitures
ttwhb hei e
process
sides ano kr thegu perpendicularlyg e t th e
mountain.i.d s Toe; sa entertainmenttghreadstage,ualpr a,.nd dby
es ascent
since up
it
more than
inssructive, but ex-
it has been opened
ha
this is amount of patronage,.
IsA thoughnnovoLnnlyE ROOMS, -The public
ex-
quisitely ipterieyd inc
mte clu,s
,f)ogr.
LanaENT's
?igt°'to theetpwroitplifivatimu:
irabl
it to one of the recognised public amuse
of thia este.
owe DO alight thanks
blishment for the a e manner which they
places, ere here shown to be'
mhaevrleteraoifsetdhe metropolis. Propriety and decorum, so
lik,eted, in such
. accord-ince with enjeem t d in•
,`PTICe. ••• r en pleasure ; and,
i we mar Jude s from the crowds which nightly fill
excellent manner which the arrangern.lnts
this elegant room, the public appreciate to the full
the rerY
here are carried cut. The orchestra is one of the
most numerous and best conducted in the metropolis,
sfietildects dtheLwritip4iicenaPiZdmiBu. of the newest and most
the lover of the, mazy d musical dilettante, as well as
which will well dance,
will find a treat. here
repay him fora stroll into Windmill-
street.
Sr. GEORG2'S GALLERY.—The diorama of Jeru-
salem,painted under the superintendence of Mr.
William Beverly, from sketches made by Mr. Bart-
lett during his long sojourn in the East, has been one
of the most popular of the picture exhibitions. In
solemnity of interest it has no rival, for the scones
which it depicts are those of grave and momentous
peculiarity. The scale upon which these views are
painted is vast in comparison with other works of the
same class with which the metropolis abounds, the
measurement being the same as that required in a
full• sized theatre. This great extent of surface adds
considerable grandeur to the pictorial effect, inasmuch
as it has enabled the artists to embrace wider ensem-
bles, and treat the moat remarkable localities with a
breadth due to their individual importance. The
diorama contains views of the Mount of Olives, Mount
Hor, Mount Sinai, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and other
places of like holy suggestiveness.
DIORAMA OF THE HOLY LAND.—This diorama,
exhibiting at the Egyptian Hell, is similar in plan
and purport to the foregoing, though not painted
upon so magnificent a scale or so elaborately. The
views professedly illustrate the same localities, which,
it is said, were " deguerreotypee for the purpose.
Most of the scenes are, however, taken from different
points of view to those which are to be met at
the St. George's Gallery, and hence thehemt"es, have
dio-
ramas, ramas, although dealing with the am
separate specialities, and can scarceelybeet
said to in-
terfere with each other.
DIORAMA OF HINDOSTAN.--
m, Diorama of Hine
dostan, painted by Mr. Philip Phillips and Mr. Louis
ifighe, which for some months
establishment
has been on ex-
in Baker-
street, at Madame Tussaud, s
street, affords an instructive glimpse of the external

and the throng of indulgYnt Epectaturs seemed ready to make dlowance3 fur the contretemps very
a first presenta:ion, and before leaving joined in con
ttnue.d rounds of applause.