The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-12 00:00:00

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er Royal Highness:the Princess Louise, dress and head-
the same.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge wore a
black satin dress trimmed with black lace, and black satin
ribbon and jet. Head-dress, a tiara of jet with black
feathers, necklace and stomacher of jet.
Her Royal Highness the Princess Mary wore a bllck
tulle dress over black glace silk, trimmed with point d'Alen-
con and bouquets of silver wheat ears. Head dress a diadem
of diamonds and silver wheat-ears; stomacher, necklace,
and earrings, pearls and diamonds,
Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess of Meckleu-
burg-Strelitz wore a dress of terry velvet, trimmed with
point lace, satin ribbon, and bugles. Head-dress, tiara of
j and black ornaments,
The Royal Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard,
accompanied by their officers, Lieut,-Colonel Cooke, the
Ensign; and Lieut,Colonel Sutton, the Adjutant; and
commanded by Colonel Bourke, the Exon-in-Waiting, were
on duty in the grand hall anti on the staircase.
As soon as their Royal Highnesses the Prince and
Princess of Wales entered the concert room, the concert
commenced.
The performers, exceeding 130 in number, consisted of
her Mf.jasty's private band, aided by several instrumen-
talists of the Philharmonic Society, her Majes'y's Theatre,
and the Royal Italian Opera, the chorus being selected
from the Operas and the Sacred Harmonic Society, Exeter
Hall. The performance was conducted by Mr. Anderson)
the director of her Majesty's private band.

IT'S ME."

A correspondent of the _Reader, signing himself
A, J. Ellis, and dating his communication from
Colney Hatch (Park), April 30, 1864, writes :
"In reference to your remarks on it's me in your
notice of Dean Alford's 'Plea for the Queen's Eng.
lish,' I consider that the phrase it is /is a modernism,
or rather a grammaticism—that is, it was never in
popular use, but was introduced solely on some
grammatical hypothesis as to having the same case
before and after the verb is. It does not appear to
have been consonant with the feelings of Teutonic
tribes to use the nominative of the personal pro-
nouns as a predicate. To them—and therefore to
English people—it is lis just as strange as est ego
/crri 6;1, would be to Latin or Greek. These last
languages require ego sum, i-yc'o eillt (Matt. xiv. 27;
Mark vi. 50; John vi, 20). The predicate was here
simply omitted. In Gothic we have precisely the
same construction, ik in: (John vi. 20). The English
Wycliffite translations both give I am, Bat the
Anglo-Saxon version, like the modern German, is
not content with leaving the predicate unexpressed,
and we find is hit eons ; High German, ich bin es';
literally, lam it; namely, that which you see. The
Heliand paraphrase is very explicit (Schmeller's
ed., p. 90, line 2), ' Ik bium that barn Godes' (' I
am the Son of God'). The 'Welsh and Gaelic try
to be emphatic, the first saying myfi ydyw (q. d.
myself am), and the second, is mise a to ens (q. d.
it's myself that's living). But of course we do not
look to these languages as a guide to English. The
Danish is very peculiar and important on account
of its intimate relation with English. As in Eng.
lish, the dative and accusative cases of the personal
pronouns now coincide in Danish, Jeg, mig (I, me);
Du, dig (thou, thee; Ilan, ham (he, him). We find
the following rule laid down in Tobiesen's
Ddnische sprachlehre (Sternhagen's ed., 1828, p.
215) :—' After the impersonal verbs, deter and det
bliver (it is), the personal pronouns jeg, du, han are
not used in the nominative, but in the dative, as det
er mig der liar gjort det (it's me that did it) ; deter
Dig, sons har varet ?nester derfor (it's thee who was
its master); det bliver ham som vi vale tale med (it's
him that we wish to speak with [where also the
construction of the relative and preposition is Eng-
lish] ; and similarly in the plural: deter os, jer,
dem (it's us, you, them): This is perfectly explicit,
and shows the same construction as the English ;
but in the Testament the wish to be uncollognial
has apparently forced the translator to depart from
the usual custom when the words are given to
Jesus, but he returns to it when they are echoed by
Peter (Matt. xiv. 27, 28). ' Jesus—sagde :—det er
jeg—men Peder—sagde Ilerre, dersom deter dig,
ba byd mig," &e. (" Jesus said, It is I ; but Peter
said, Lord if it is thee, bid me,' &e.) The conclu-
sion seems to be that it's me is good English, and
it's lis a mistaken purism. We have now, I think,
come to regard the objective form of the personal
pronoun as a predicative form, and this will justify
that's him, although the Danes will say dome er
Ilan' (that's he). We are therefore in the same
condition as the French with their 'c'est ssui,' though
we have not quite reached their ' lui n'osait pas'
(hint didn't dare)."

A WAGER AT WIIIST.—I tell the story as nearly
as I can as he related it to me. " I used to play a
good deal with Rechberg," said he, "and took pleasure in
worrying him, for ho was a great purist in his play, and
was outraged with anything that could not be sustained by
an authority. In fact, each game was followed by a discus-
sion of full half an hour, to the intense mortification of the
other players, though very amusing to me, and offering me
large opportunity to irritate and plague the Austrian. One
evening, after a number of these discussions, in which
Rechberg had displayed an even unusual warmth and irri-
tability, I found myself opposed to him in a game, the in-
terest of which had drawn around us a large assembly of
spectators—what the French designate as la galdrie. To-
wards the conclusion of the game it was my turn to lead,
and I played a card which so astounded the Austrian
minister, that he laid down his cards upon the table and
stared fixedly at me, In all my experience of whist,' said
he, deliberately, ' I never saw the equal of that." Of
what ?' asked I, ' Of the card you have just played,' rejoined
he. It is not merely that such play violates every principle
of the game, but it smelly stultifies all your own combina-
tions.' I think differently, count; said I, ' I maintain
that is good play, and I abide by it.' Let us decide it by
a wager, said he, 'ln what way ?" Thus : We shall
leave the question to the galirie. You shall allege what
you deem to be the reasons for your play, and they shall
decide if they accept them as valid,' I agree. What will
you bet ?' Ten napoleons—twenty, fifty, five hundred if
you like '.' cried he warmly. ' I shall say ten. You don't
like losing, and I don't want to punish you too heavily.'
There is the jury, sir,' said he haughtily ; make your
ease.' 'The wager is this,' said I, ' that, to win, I shall
satisfy these gentlemen that for the card I played I had a
sufficient and good reason. Yes. My reason was this,
then--I looked into your hand I' I pocketed his ten napo-
leons, but they were the last I won of him. Indeed it
took a month before he got over the shock.—Blacktcood's
Magazine for May.

THAMES
T CONSERVANCY.—The following is the
general report of the proceedings of the conservators
of the river Thames, appointed by and under the powers of
the Thames Conservancy Act, 1857, from the Ist day of
January, 1363, to the 31st day of December, 1863. The
conservators of the river Thames have, daring the year
ended December 31, 1863, exercised the powers vested in
them by a careful supervision over the river within the
limits of their jurisdiction, The conservators have carried
on dredging operations for the improvement of the river
received of rock. as far as the means at their disposal have admitted. They
have commenced the removal of a shoal situated nearly in
in surt
hfaece removalof Wh ioefha shoale nsiso
mid-stream off Dagenham:
made
ee
chiefly of conglomerate gravel hard enough to justify the
the material of which
of a similar
l character—viz., hard con-
appellation it has commonly
difficult
.eu tto remove. The powerful
Consider-
able progress has also been
Baonhdinveerlwhichin their last annual report the con-
servatorsthe Gun Shoal,
itl3 liege
ckowmapllo,sknedobewninasg
to execute the dredging dredgingg l con-
glomerate, m e at e 1
n,
etttiome se
nt they eoyf had
the i
tic ogurse
requiredo f c construction,
thetr ucTt iho na
m, e
st 0
rent Act has been completed. In their last annual
described as being
steamboatni et'itlileinndigs
Parliament the conservators described the legal
carryingneer
London
-bridge
—those difficulties having n
been overcome, the pier at Old.
Swan Stairs was erected in the early part of the year, and it
has been found to be a great public convenience. A very
numerously signed application having been received from
the inhabitants of the neighbourhood of Southwark, and
persons carrying on business at Bankside, requesting the
conservators to place a steamboat pier in that locality, they
transferred thither the Blackfriars pier, which, in conse-
idrEemeinEpaorebborulantvei
pence of the erectic a of the two new bridges, had to be
removed. The Mackfriars pier it is proposed shall be re-
placed when practicable. The moorings alluded to in last
year's report as being about to be laid down in Gravesend
Reach for troop and emigrant ships have been completed to
the number of four, and they have been found so convenient
that the conservators have determined to extend them by
placing four more, and they have accordingly provided the
necessary gear for the purpose. The repairs and renewals
required
from time to time for all the other moorings
have been effected so as to preserve them in the greatest
possible state of efficiency. The bangs, locks, weirs, and
towing paths in the western part of the district within the
jurisdiction of the conservators have been maintained, and,
as far as opportunity has occurred, have been improved.
Eighty vessels have been sunk in the river during the year,
all of which have been raised. There have been 20 grants
for embankments, and 36 for jetties, piles, and other accom-
modation. The conservators have met for the despatch of
kimigeog 1S limo during the year.

pink glace silk, handsomely iiinimed with r 't#Artikt
e. }lead-dress of convolvalus, with veil; orn4ineN

Established 1837.
BRITANNIALIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY
1, Princes-street, Bank, London.
Empowered by. Special Act of Parliament, 4 Vict. cap. 9.
Every description of Life Assurance business transacted.
ANDREW FRANCIS, Secretary.

BONNET'S SILKS a LYON,--Every Article of
commerce takes its title either from the inventor or
manufacturer, and the more perfect the production the
grater is the credit which attaches to the originator.
BONNET'S SILKS are said to be incapable of identifica-
ton in England ; but the fallacy of such an assertion is ex-
os. dby the very trade mark of the firm, as exhibited by
Messrs. JAY, of Regent-street.
The following interwoven mark may be seen at the end
ofeach piece :—" Manufacture de C. J. Bonnet et Cie., a Lyon
c Injurieux." Wear guaranteed.

NEW AMERICAN ODE—Silent Paupers, or
Starved to Death—Oar Critic among the Pictures, &c.
&c., in FUN this week. One Peany.

THE DERRY.—RACE GLASSES ltho best),
at CALL AGE AN'S, VA, New Bond-street, W., corner
of Conduit-street. N.B.—Sole agent to `'outlander, Vienna.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA,
From this time until the end of the season there will be four
Opera nights in each week, viz., every Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday, and atsrday.

Grand Extra Night.
Mdlle. Lucca ; Mdlle. Battu ; Madame Didiee ; M. Faure;
Signor Attri ; and Signor Mario.
THIS EVENING (THURSDAY), May the 12th, will be
performed, for the first time this season, .51eyerbeer's Grand
Opera, LES HUGUENOTS. Valenti, a, Mdlle. Pauline
Lucca, her fourth appearance in England. and first appear-
ance this sea on ; Margari a de Valois, Mdlle. 3. arie Battu ;
Dama d'Onore, Madame Tagilafico ; Urba Madame
Didiee, her fir t appearance tnis season ; Ii Conte di San
Be , N. Faure, his first app e
he
this season; Marcello,
Signor Attri, in consequence of •he illness et Herr Schmi,it
11 Conte de Nevers, Signor Tagliatice ; Meru( Signor
Polonini ; Tavannes, Signor Lucchesi; De tzetz, Signor Fa lar ;
Huguenot Soldier, Signor
Mario,

Conductor, Mr. Costa.
The incidental Divertissem nt
e wi
Desp I be
la _e, supported by Mite.
alvic nI, Mdlle. Carmine, and M.
Commence at hal past Eight.
Pit tickets, 7s. ; amphitheatre .ta Is, lOs. 6d., 75., and ss.
amphitheatre. 25. 6d. Boxes, stalls, and tickets may be had
at the box-offic.! under the portico of the tbealre, which is
open from ten to five, and at the principal musicsellers' and
librarians'.

THEATRE ROYAL DRUR Y-L AN E.
Managers, Messrs. Edmond Falconer and
F. B. Chatterton.
THIS EVENING, AN APRIL FOOL. Mr. G. Belmore.
Alter which, will be produced the Grand Stage
Revival of Shakspere's Chronicle or Historical Play, entitled
the First Part of
HENRY THE FOURTH.
The cast will include impersonations by those eminent
trtists, Mr. PHELPS, Mr. Walter Montgomery, Mr. Waiter
Lacy, Mr. A ddisoq, sir. Ryder, Mr. nobert Roxby, Mr.
Barrett, Mr. E Phelps, Mr. Rayner, Mr. H. Vandenhoff, Mr.
G. Belmore, Mr. Ellerton, Mr. Fitzjames, Mr. Neville ; Miss
Edith Wynne, M ss it, se Leclercq, ,nd Mrs. Edmund Fal-
coner, supported by all the Members of the Drury-laae (,cm-
pany.
Concluding with MY HEART'S IN THE HIGHLANDS.

THEATRE ROYAL HAY M ARKET.-
Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr, Buckstone.
THIS EVENING, AN UNLUCKY MORTAL. Mr. Wm.
Farren and Miss M Barris.
After which, DAVID GARRICK. Messrs. Sothern,
Chippendale, Buckstone, Rogers, Clark, AV eathersby, &c.;
Mesdames Snowden, Nelly Moore, Fitzwilliam.
After which, the new Easter piece, entitled VENUS AND
ADONIS. Messrs. Compton, Wm. Farrell, Coe. &c. ; Mes-
dames Louise Keeley, Snowden, Nelly Power, Hill, Wright,
Rogers, &c.
To conclude with A KISS IN TILE DARK.
Commence at 7.

ROYA.I, LYCEUM THEATRE.
Under the Sole Management of Mr. Fechter.
With the most earnest d.-sire to adhere to the previous
announcement, Mr. FECHT ER is compelled, in consequence
ot the extradinary Scenic prepar.tion-TPONE
the productionor of HAMLET until SATURDAY, May 21.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-
Sole Lesee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining.
THIS EVENING, DONNA DIANA. Messrs. Vining,
Hermann Vezin, Nelson, D. Fisher, &c.; Mesdames Hermann
Vezin, C. Carsun, &c
After which, THE COMEDY OF ERRORS. The Two
Dromios, by the Brothers Webb.
To conclude with DRAWING-ROOMS, SECOND
FLOOR. AND ATTICS.

STEWTHEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPHI.-
Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster.
Last Week but lour of he mat Tragediene, Miss Bateman,
in the character of LEAN.

THIS EVENING,an apropos Sketch. SHAKESPEARE'S
HOUSE : Messrs. J. L. Toole, It. Phillips, Stephenson.

er which, at 8, LEAH : Miss Bateman, supported by
Messrs. A. Stirling, R. Phillips, BiLiington, Stuart, Eburne,
Stephenson ; Miss H. Simms and sirs. Billington.
To epnclude with T I-1E AREA. BELLE : Messrs. J. L. Toole,
P. Bedford, r.. homer, Miss Woolgar, and Mrs. H. Lewis.