The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-07 00:00:00

HAYMARKET THEATRE.

The season terminated last night with the benefit
of Mr. Buck:sten?, who revived for the occasion the
old-fashioned " opera° of the " Casle of Andalusia,"
a work that has lain on the shelf for 30 years, but
is still remembered by elder;y playgoers. Musrs.
Buekstono and Compton made the comic parrs as
amusing as possible, though gfl:ieraity the VOt.ltii
force was insufficient for the due execution of the
music.

After the conclusion of "A Regular Fix," which
followed the "opern," and in which Mr. &them
represented toperfection the impudent and eccentric
Mr, Hugh de Bras, tho blowing address was
spok,:n by Mr. Buc►ketone

Lidies and Gentlemen,—As 1 have promised in
my programme of this night's performances to ad-
dress a few words to you, according to custom oa
these occasions, I must do' my best to full that
promise; but, as I find myself, in my advertised
position, of realty having nothing very particular
to say, I can only refer to the past, and
speak a little respecting the future to make
up the requited b nefit address. When I
closed last Jury, I announced that certain enera-
dons in the theatre—chairs in the dress eirc,e—an
enlargement of the stalls, with two entrances to
them, and other changes would be made, all of
which have been carried out, and I trust for the
comfort of my many visitors; and although the yen.
illation is not so pert ct as I could wish, Ist ill hope-
to remedy that defect; yet if any of you were to
become lessees of a theatre you would soon discover
that a manager does not like to ace his house too
much ventilated, I have been asked my reasons
for closing while such great success still attends
this theatre, especially when it is knoWn that in my
lesseesbip I have gone through two seasons, c•rcb of
them or five years' duretion, making a cubstderubie
deduction from a man's litetime. L,st year I was
compelled to close to repair, bs:autify, and alter ;
this year I can advence CO such exquisite reason,
but, as Sir Andrew Agueefieek says, have no
exquisite reason for 't, but I have reason pod
enough," and when we consider the many oat-
dour amusements during the hot weather—me
many new railways now taking the public in the
summtr evenings into the country, together with a
certain indolence natural to those who nave worked
very nerd all their lives, end wish for an occisionet
noliday, however brief, you cannot wonder that we
want a short respite from our labours, although
there is one reason that has been given for closing
he theatres on the coming in of hot weather that
does not in any way apply to the Haymarket—
that is to s.y, deserted houses—a phrase used lately
in one of the morning papers. 'We never have de
sorted houses here, thanks to your appreciation of
our exertions; we are now and then certainly not so
well furnished with faces as at other times, but we
are never empty. You will always find a comfort-
able attendance here, fie quently full, and more fre
quently crowded to overfl,wing, and which has
been the fact for many weeks past, as thousands
among our patrons can prove; therefore a deserted
touse, caused by the hot weather, is not among our
reasons for shutting up shop. But as regards this
desired holiday, the company here will have bur
one of four d iye, as they appear at Manchester on
Monday next, and afterwards) at Bradford ano
Leeds, and other places during our nine weeks' va
cation. As for myself, I intend to take about triree
weeks' relaxation—though it will not be all holi-
day for me—because at the nest Dramatic College
fete, at the Crystal Palace, you will find me very
energetic and very hot, superintending en Auut
Sally, or perhaps a merry-go.roand, I hardly know
which. With respect to the ituure, leh ill reopen
on the 12th of September next with :he c..)mic opera
you heve witnessed this: evening, but with the addi-
tion of a new farce, written by the immortal author
of "Box and Cu;" and " Lend Me Five Shillings,'.
to be called "On the Sly." A brilliant Italian
actress, speaking English to perfection, will after-
wards make her first appearance in England,
in a new drama, while my Lord Dun-
dreary (Mr.' Saihern) will again come be-
fore you at Christmas, and during his en-
gagement a sensation comedy will be produced,
written by Mr Watts Phillips; and we have not
yet given up all hope of inducing Brother Tnam to
come from America, and appear during the next
London season. You will also be glad to bear
That I em promised toe first dramatic work of Miss
Breddon, the accomplished and wonderfully popu-
lar author of " Lady Audtey's Secret ;" with such
materiel I think you will acknowledge that I have
secured a continuance of that success which has
never yet deserted the H.lytalrhot l'hea,re. A tittle
While ago, ladies cud gen; lemen. I had some idea of
retiring from public life, thinking I bad been quite
long enough before you, and dreading to be looked
upon as the feeble veteran lingering on the stage'
—('hat is not the exact quotation, Bat it is near
enough)—but, as I have yet a long unexpired term
of this theatre, and held under one of the best of
landladies that ever owned so important a property
as the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, and whose sym-
pathies and good wishes I am never without, and
not yet feeling any symptoms of feebleness, and at
all times meeting with every encouragement from
you, I intend, health and life permitting, to go on
to the end of my term, and perhaps longer than
that; therefore, I still hope to appear occasionally
before you as Bub Acres, Tony Lumpkin, 6crub, S,r
Andrew Auguecheek, Marplor, and other ola
characters, and also in as many new parts as I cars
get. And now, ladies, in the name of the company,
I thank you for all your favours, individually I
hank you for this brilliant termination to a most
successful season, and until September next respect-
tulip bid you farewell.''
At the end of tha above a shower of bouquets
was flung by the audieno3, who crowded the house
in every part.

Exeter HalL—The National Choral Society.

Mr. G. W. Martin last evening brought his fourth
season to a highly successful conclusion by the per-
formance of the magnificent oratorio " Judas Mac-
aata3us." The vocalis,s were Mr. Sims Reeves, Mr.
Santley, Madame Parepa, and Miss. Palmer, and
certainly never has the brilliant composition been
wore efficiently given. The first encore was the
great chorus, " Oh, Father!" and this was suc-
ceeded by another one, by Mr. Santley, for his
splendid rendering of the recitation and air, "Arm,
arm, ye brave." We sum up our praise in one word
by saying it was unsurpassable. Madame Parepa
secured:a similar honour for," From mighty kings,"
and Mr. Sims Reeves as usual electrified the im-
mense audience by his singing " Sound an alarm."
We doubt whether such loud, enthusiastic, end un'.-
versal applause over on any former occasion followed
the wonderful musical efforts—certainly it has never
been exceeded. To refrain from complying with the
general demand for its repetition would have been
useless, so, without the slightest hesitation, the
great English tenor again gratified the delighted
Aud ien ce, and, if it be possible, with. increased effect.
The whole performance was a great success, and we
therefore take our leave of the National C:loral
Society for the present with our most ardent wishes
foe its future prosperity.

Advices from Berne state !bet the Federal Go.
vet nment of Switzerland is employing every effort to obtain
tlw prompt ratification of the treaty of commerce with
France, which was signed on the 30th ult This formality
is aft:wed by the Legislative Chambers, but the Federal
c;ottncil not being yet prepared to present the treaty itself.
with tha explanatory report, has determined to inform the
Chamber of she conclusion of the treaty, and to ask that
Assembly to kopuint a c Jumittee ..etoreband, in order lobe
ready to ootatuence the business as soon as the docataents
shall arrive. The affair will therefore probably be brought
Wad durit is the rreVeAt Roam.