The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-05 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Stn,—lt is with sincere regret that the Stratford. on-Avon
Tercentenary Festival Committee are compelled to announce
to the public that Mr Fechter has broken faith with them
by declining to put the play of Hamlet upon the stage on
the 27th instant, and to take the part of Hamlet.
At this late period it is totally impracticable for the Com-
mittee to place any tragedy upon the stage, as forming part
of the Tercentenary Celebration, which they much deplore
both on account of the public and the occasion.
The Committee, however, deem it right that the pubPc
should be made acquainted with the circumstances attend •
ing Mr Fechter's breach of his engagement, entered into
with the Committee in December last.
The announcement in the preliminary programme was
drawn up by Mr. Fechter himself, and most extensive pre•
parations made, and the stage enlarged under his directions,
expressly to allow of the scenic effects which he required ;
and up to the day of his unfortunate accident he was in most
friendly communisation with the Committee.
judge then of the consternation and surprise of the Com-
mittee, when, on the 26th March last, they received the
letter from Mr Barnett (No. 1), dated the 23d and posted
at Ventnor in the Isle of Wight, on the 24th. The vice-
chairman, Mr Flower, wrote at once in reply the letter
(No. 2).
On Monday morning (the 28th) a paragraph appeared
in one paper only, the Star, stating the withdrawal of Mr.
Fechter from Stratford, whereupon a meeting of the Com-
mittee was held, and the resolution (No. 3) was passed and
forwarded to Mr. Fechter, through Mr. Barnett.
tickets o fHamlet, l
ht, ea r return o f
h oi r
—I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant,
This has produced no alteration in his determination, and
now, at the eleventh hour, we are placed in our present
difficulty, without any fault of our own; and are driven to
for aoet entertainments.t
the necessity of offering to those who have already taken
mticokneetys
oforratn performanceexchange
eehangeo f
HENRY KINGSLEY, M.D.
Hon. see., of the Stratford-on-Avon Tercentenary
Committee.
Committee Room, Town Hall,
Stratford-on-Avon, April 4, 1864.
[No. I.]

To the Tercentenary Committee March 23, 1861.
, Stratford-upon-Avon.
GENTLEMEN,--Mr. Fechter, prevented by his accident
from writing himself, requests me to inform you of the pain-
ful necessity your late resolution has placed him under,
namely, declining the honour of appearing at the Stratford
Celebration.
The said resolution giving the force of truth to the false
and injurious statement spread. about by one of your mem-
Ytrickery ways," forced on
papers, viz. : that Mr.
the choice of his " Hamlet.
Mr. Fechter would have felt proud to serve in his humble
bFeerno
n,
taenr
,d
by
~ published
under-current by unfri
way to the celebration of the Immortal Master, but he can-
not afford to lose his reputation as loyal artist and honest
man, through thoughtless resolutions or personal vanities
over which he cannot, nor will not, have ally
control.
I am desired by Mr. Fechter to add that the scenery is at
the disposal of the Committee, he having no wish to pre-
vent the carrying out certain proposals so honourably made
by the already, mentioned member still sitting in your com-
mittee, and simply retires,forced to Such decision by your
own will and resolution.—l am, gentlemen, your obedient
servant,

[No. 2.]
the Committee, you this mornirg,
ommittee, and opened
H. BARNETT,
The Hill, Stratford-on-Avon,
March 26, 1864.
dapteEdAtßhoS23ltt,—n9A t l
by me as vice-chairman, is most incomprehensible to me,
Should Mr. Fechter break his engagement after his re.
peeted pledges to the Committee, he would be doing us a
wrong which, at this late hour, would be irreparable, to
say nothing of the still greater wrong me. Fechter
would
di.,eatdtderrersesceedive
do to himself.
Your letter has not been shown to the Committee, but
to a few members of it privately, for r
I cannot imagine
that Mr. Fechter, after having in 80 straightforward
a manner acceded to the request of the Commit-
tee, will really break faith with them at the eleventh
hour; now that they have pledged themselves to
the public, and have, with great exertions, made their
difficult and expensive arrangements to suit his views and
many of them under his own directions ; besides which we
have in the country sold largely of tickets, with a prospect
of speedily selling the whole.
It is my opinion that the Committee cannot accept Mr.
Fechter's resignation, or in any way be a party to such a
breach of faith with the public, the consequences of which
must rest with him alone.
Mr. Fechter's engagement with US is not, and cannot ba
affected by gossip and " unfriendly papers," and there is not
the slightest foundatiof ; for saying that the Committee have
by resolution, or in any other way, given any sanction to
the false reports to which you allude ; in fact, we are quite
at a loss to know to what resolution you refer, or who are
the members of the Committee meant tp your letter. Da
lay this letter before Mr. Feebter at once, and' lot me have
a reply by return of post, as I hope that, upon reconsidera-
tion, he will prevent the matter going before the Com-
mittce.—Yours truly,
(signed.; E. F. FLOWER.

H. Barnett, Esq. - -
____
[No. 3.]
That the reasons assigned by Mr. Barnett for the with.
drawal of Mr. Fechter from the cart of " Hamlet," are
wholly unintelligible to this Commi;tee, who have hitherto
worked with cordiality and in harmony with him. The
Committee, who cannot be parties t) any breach of faith
with the public, aro still prepared b co-operate with Mr.
Fechter in the same spirit, and under these circumstances
they trust that Mr. Barnett's letter may be withdrawn, and
Mr. Fechter's engagement for the performance of hamlet
fulfilled.

THE FREN CFI LANDSCAPE PAINTER Alexander
Calame, pupil of Frangois Didays, and one of the most emi.
neat masters of our time, died a few days ago at Mentone.
A. magnificent funeral has been preparel at the expense of
the French Government.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OP LORDS—This Evening.

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at the usual hour.

Lord COLVILLE of CULROSS presented a petition
praying for a partial or total repeal of the malt duty.

THE METROPOLITAN RAILWAYS AND THE
WORKING CLASSES.

The Earl of DERBY wished to call the attention of their
lordships to a petition he was about to present, which
related to the railways in the metropolis. The petition was
from the parish of St. George the Martyr, Southwark, and
it stated it was inhabited by a number of very poor persons,
the whole parish being set down at 53,000 persons, and
was already densely crowded. One railway had already
destroyed 100 houses, and 300 families had been displaced,
and what was worse there was no accommodation for them
in the neighbourhood. His noble friend the Earl of
Shaftesbury, some time ago, wished that clauses
should be introduced into all metropolitan railways
compelling them either to find accommodation for
those rendered houseless by their works, or that they
should give compensation. That had been found impossible,
and he (Earl Derby) was afraid that the resolutions already
passed by their lordships would also become no protection
at all, The prayer of the petitioners was that their lordships
should compel all railways at present before Parliament
which required to come into a metropolitan terminus to run
two trains in the morning and another in the evening,
to enable the working class to arrive in London
early in the morning, and leave it at the close of the
day's work, at the rate of ld for the entire distance. He be-
lieved one railway, the London, Chatham, and Dover, in-
tended to adopt an arrangement which, by the payment of is
per week, they would convey the working classes by an early
train in the morning, and a late one in the evening, to a ,
distance not exceeding ten miles. He thought it would be
advisable for their lordships to consider whether clauses
could not be introduced into all the metropolitan railways
before Parliament, compelling them to run certain trains
at fares considerably less than the ordinary ones, for the
accommoda, ion of these who had been compelled to leave
the metropolis in consequence of the construction of those
works.
The Earl of MALMESBURY said such a system as
that referred to by his noble friend had been in force in
Peas, and had been found to be of the greatest service to
the workine. classes.
Earl GR'A.NVILLE said the idea was a good one, and
no doubt her Mejesty's Government would consider it.
Earl RUSSELL said one of the great difficulties that
stood in the way was, who was to purchase the land upon
which houses were to be built for the accommodation of
the working classes, as the railway companies were pre-
vented by Parliament front doing so.
The Earl of DERBY said he had seid nothing about
building houses. He had confined himself solely to the
question for granting facilities to the working classes who
were compelled to live a short distance from the metropolis.
The subject then dropped.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The following bills were read a third time and passed :
Bedford G-aE—Clayton, Allerton, and Thornton Gas—and
Wellington (Salop) Markets, with amendments.
FEDERAL ENLISTING IN IRELAND.

In reply to the Earl of DoNl:man:iron.;
Earl RUSSELL again explained the course pursued
by the Government in reference to the case of the
Kearsage.
The Earl of DERBY enquired how it was that the
United States Government could be ignorant of the illegal
enlisting that was going on when the men enlisted were
seen by the surgeon, paid by the United States, and
clothed in the uniform of the United States Navy.
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said he had seen no
statement to the effect that the Kearsage was now refitting
in one of the English ports.
MALT FOR ANIMALS BILL.

The report of amendments on this bill were brought up
and agreed to.
THE COURT OF CHANCERY (DESPATCH OF
BUSINESS) BILL.
This bill passed through committee.
CONVEYANCES, &c. (IRELAND) BILL,

. .
This hill passed ttrough committee.
BILLS OF EXCHANGE AND PROMISSORY

NOTES (IRELAND) BILL-
This bill was read a third time and passed.
REMOVAL OF CONSULS BY THE CONFEDE
.RATE GOVERNMENT.

The Marquis of CLA NRICARDE moved for copies of
any correspondence that had taken place in reference to the
removal of British Consuls from ports in the Confederate
States of North America, or in reference to their ceasing
to act.

[LEFT SPEAKING.]

HOUSE OF COMMONS—This Evening.
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The following bills were read a third time and passed :
Dublin and Meath Railway, Lancaster Local Board of
Health, and Market Harborough and East Norton Railway.
-

THE MALT TAX.

A ♦ery large number of petitions were presented from
different parts of the country praying for the repeal of the
malt tax.

THE CASE OF CAPTAIN MELVILLE WHITE.
In reply to Colonel FRENCH,
Mr. LAYARD said that he had received a communica-
tion promising satisfactory information relative to the claims
of Captain Melville White.
SURPLUS EXPENDITURE.

Mr. A. SMITH gave notice that on Tuesday, the 19th
inst., he would move for a select committee to inquire into
the surplus public expenditure, in order to see whether a
reduction in that branch of the public disbursements might
not be effected.
THE PENAL SERVITUDE BILL.

Sir G. GREY gave notice of the further postponement
of this bill from the 11th until the 18th inst.

THE LISBURN ELECTION COMMITTEE.
The CHAIRMAN brought up the report of the com-
mittee, to the effect that they had adjourned until to-mor-
row, in consequence of the house last evening not having
consonted to the motion for the exemption of Mr. Stirling
from further attendance.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said there was no doubt
the question raised by his hon. friend the member for
Northamptonshire (Mr. Hunt) last evening was very im-
portant. Having stated the position in which the question
stood, ho suggested that the proper course would be to
accept the excuse of the hon, member for Perthshire (Mr.
Stirling) for non-attendance, and to allow the committee to
meet. A suggestion might then be made to them to the
effect that a question had been raised as to their competency
to sit, and then the matter could be referred to the house
again, on the report which the committee would present,
Sir H. CAIRNS said tbat this was a subject which re-
quired great deliberation, in order to avoid a collision with
the other House of Parliament, and with courts of law.
After some observations from Mr. HENLEY.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL denied that there was
any legal question involved in this question.
Some further discussion ensued in which Mr. Hardy,
Mr. Lygon. Mr. Forster, Mr. M'Donough, Sir G. Grey.
Mr. Paull, Mr. Ayrton, Mr. M. Smith, and Mr. Clarke,
took part.
Lord STANLEY said that the house was evidently in a
difficulty from the novelty of the circumstances which had
occurred, and he suggested as an amendment that the dis-
cussion should be adjourned until that day six months,
which would of necessity suspend the functions of the com-
mittee and enable the house to come to a proper decision on
the subject.
[ [Mr. WALPOLE objected to the proposition of his noble
friend (Lord Stanley), which, he contended, would have the
effect of increasing instead of diminishing the difficulty,
and suggested that the committee should be allowed to
Come to a decision, which could then be discussed, and so
the whole question of the functions of the house in respect
to committees be determined.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL also objected to the
course proposed by the noble lord, as superseding the act of
Parliament, and contended that the method he (the Attor-
ney-General) proposed was the proper means of meeting the
case.
After a few words from Mr. AD AIR,
Lord STANLEY withdrew his amendment.
The original motion ont of which the discussion arose—
namely, that Mr. Stirling's excuse for non-t-ttendance on
the committee on the 22d ult. should be received—was
adopted, which, in fact, carried out the suggestion of the
Attorney-General.
MAILS FROM SOUTHAMPON AND BRISTOL,
In reply to Mr. BERKELEY,
Mr. F. PEEL said that there was no intention to make
any alteration at present in the departure of the mails from
Southampton; but the Government were open to any offers
that might be made on the subject.
THE SAXON.

Colonel SYKES asked the Under Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs, whether he could give any information w
the house of the results of the reference to the American
Government respecting the seizure of the Saxon, and the
conduct of Lieutenant Donegan.
Mr. LAYARD said that her Majesty's consul at New
Yoak had reported that the vessel and cargo had been re-
stored to the owners withoad expense, but that the question
of salvage had been reserved. Ho believed that Lieut.
Donegan was to be tried.
DISMISSAL OF MR. MORELL.
Lord R. CECIL asked the Vico President of the Council
if he would state to the house the grounds upon which Mr.
Morell had been dismissed from the office of her Majesty's
inspector ?
Mr. LOWE considered it would not be fair to the gentle-
man in question to make an cx pane statement ; but if the
noble lord would make a motion for the production of the
correspondence that led to his dismissal, it would be laid
on the table;
PUBLIC LANDS AND BUILDINGS (LOCAL

RATES).
Mr. Alderman SALO MON S called attention to the ex-
emption from local taxation now claimed on account of pro-
perty in the occupation of Government departments, and
moved that all lands and buildings used and occupied for
public purposes should be assessed to local rates, and pay
rates accordingly, and was
ARMY ESTIMATES,

_ ln reply to a question, 'r
The Marquis of lIAUTINGTON said lie would bring

in the Army Estimates when the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer made his financial statement.

[LEIT

HOUSE OF COMMONS—Last Evening.
'POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS.
On the motion for going into committee,
Mr. LANG moved for a select committee on the Post-
office, with an especial view to the improvement of existing
arrangements for the transmission of mails in provincial
districts.
The motion was seconded by Mr. G. CLIVE, and sup-
ported by several hon. members,
Mr. PEEL, after giving explanations in reply to Mr.
LONG, and stating the rules observed by the Post-office in
relation to the acceleration of mails, observed that he was
far frcm saying that there was not room for improvement;
but this was the province of the Post-office department,
which had facilities for obtaining local knowledge, and he
should not be justifixl in agreeing to the motion.
After some further discussion,

The CHANCELLOR. of the EXCHEQUER sug-
gested that, as the Post-office department was not repre-
sented in that house the motion was premature until the
Treasury (according to the general principle observed by
the house) had had an opportunity of examining the subject
in conjunction with the Post-office.

The amendment was ultimately negatived, and the house
weal into a committee of supply upon the Navy Estimates.
On the vote of £1,161,100 for naval stores in the Store-
keeper-General's department, a long distuksion took place,
embracing, among other topics, the state of the effective
list of the navy, the condition of the steam reserve, the
actual strength cf the iron-plated navy of France, the policy
of employing upon a larger scale private yards in the con-
struction of ships of war, the comparative merits of the
Royal and private dockyards, and the question whether we
were to rely upon armour-plated vessels alone, or whether
wooden ships were to form a part of our navy. Upon these
matters, explanations were given by Lord C. PAGET, who
stated the number of ships proposed to be built in the course
of the year (contingent upon what might be doing by other
nations), and that wooden ships could not be entirely done
away with.

The vote was ultimately agreed to.
The house adjourned at a quarter past 10 o'clock.

LONDON GAZ I T TE. —This Evening,

CROWN OFFICE, APRIL 2.

MEMBER RETURNED TO SERVE IN THE PRESENT PAR-

LIAMENT.

County of Armagh—James Matthew Stronge, jun., Esq.,
of Tynan Abbey, in the county of Armagh, in the room of
Maxwell Charles Close, Esq , who has accepted the office
of Steward of her Majesty's Chiltern Hundreds.
WAR-OFFICE, PALL-MALL, APRIL 5.

6th Regiment of Dragoon Guards—Captain Courtenay
William Bruce to be Major, by purchase, vice Thomas
Bott, who retires—Lieutenant John Fryer to be Captain,
by purchase, vice Bruce—Cornet Cecil Edward Martyn
to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Fryer—Sydney
Charles Du Vernet, Gent., to be Cornet, by purchase,
vice Martyn.

13th Hussars—Lieutenant George Croft lluddleston to be
Captain, by purchase, vice Francis James King, who
retires—Cornet Joseph Bonham Clay to be Lieutenant,
by purchase, vice Huddleston.

3d Regiment o't Foot—Captain Charles Edgar Gibson, from
49th Foot, to be Captain, vice Huyshe, who exchanges.
6th Foot—Captain Spencer Field, from 9th Foot, to be
Captain, vice Stillman, who exchanges.
7th Folt—Ensign Henry Fraucis Keane Penrose to be
Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Francis Johnston Murray,
Murray, who retires—Ensign Hugh Massy Barton, from
the 67th Fort, to be Ensign, vice Penrose.
9th Foos—Capts.irt James Stillman, from 6th Foot, to be
Captain, vice Field, who exchanges—Cyril Rippingall
Jackson, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Samuel
Goodman, who retires.

24 h Foot—Lieutenant-Colonel and Brevet-Colonel Thomas
Itoss, from hall-ply, late Perticultir Service, to be Lieu-
tenant-Colonel, vice the Honourable Daniel Greville
Finch, who retires upon temporary half•pay.
25th Foot—Captain Theodore Gordon, from 92d Foot, to be
Captain, vice Sr. Leger, who exchanges—Duncan Wm.
Cork, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Remy
Hartley Prior, transferred to 100th Foot.

32d Foot---The names of the Gentleman Cadet appointed to
an Ensigney, in the Gazette of 22d March, 1864, are
Matthew William Lister and not Mathew William Lyster,
as then stated.

47th Foot—Ensign John Larpent Utterton to be Lieute•
nant, by purchase, vice Richard Parker Haukes, who
retires—Edward Montagu Manning, Gent., to be En-
sign. by purchase, vice Utterton.
49th root—Captain Alfred George liuyshe, from 3d Foot,
to be Captain, vioe Gtbsor, who exchanges.

60thhFoot--Gentlemen Cadet the Hon. Augustus William
Charles Ellis, from the Royal Military College, to be
Ensign, by purchase, vice Gerald Henry Talbot, who
retires.

61st Foot—Lieutenant Harry Hutchinson Augustus
Stewart, from the 92d Foot, tabs Lieutenant, vice Dash-
wood, who exchanges. _

67th FOot—Gentleman Cadet Hugh Massy Barton, from
the Royal Military College, to be Ensign, without pur-
chase, vice William Mascail Kenrick, promoted—Philip
Quirk, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, rice Hugh
',Jassy Barton, transferred to the 7th Foot.

78[11 Foot—Lieutenant Andrew Murray to be Instructor of
Musketry, vice Lieutenant Thomes Owen Silvester
DAvies, promoted—Quartermaster Charles Skrine to be
Paymaster, vice Paymaster, with the honorary rank of
Major, Joseph Webster, who retires upon half-pay.
84th Foot—Captain John Penton to be Major, by pur-
chase, vice Corneliuo Charles RoHeston, who retires—
Lieutenant Henry Latham Brownrigg to be Captain, by
purchase, vice Penton—Ensign Norcliffe Gilpin, to be
Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Brownrigg--Charles
LioLel Maitland Kirwan, Gent., to be Ensign, by pur-
chase, vice Gilpin.
91st Foot—Lieutenant Hubert Plunkett Burke to Le Cap-
tain, by purchase, vice John Charles Sweny, who re-
tires—Ensign William Darling Caudwoll to be Lieute-
nant, by purchase, vice Burke—Charles James
Thorburn, Gent„ to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Cand-
well.

92d Foot—Captain Henry Hungerford St. Leger, from the
25th Foot, to be Captain, vice Gordon, who exchanges—
Lieutenant Charles Francis Dashwood, from the 61st
Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice Stewart, who exchanges.
98th Foot—Ensign Edward Houghton to be Lieutenant,
by purchase, vice W. Henry Stmmonds, who retires—
Gentleman Cadet Alexander Harley Hyslop, from the
Royal Military College, to be Ensign, by purchase, vice
Houghton.
99th Foot—Ensign Anthony Charles Montague Jellicoe to
be Lieutenant, without purchase, vice Henry Kinahan,
deceased—Gentleman Cadet Charles Robert Gibson,
from the Royal Military College, to be Ensign, without

_
purchase, vice Jellicoe.
lOOth Foot—Lieutenant John Worthy Chaplin to be Cap-
tain, by purchase, vice John Lee, who ree,res—Ensign
Waiter Hudson to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice
Chaplin—Ensign Henry Hartley Prior, from the 25th
Few-, to be Ensign, vice Hudson.
,05th Foot—Gentleman Cadet Hugh Be la Motte Hervey,
iroin the Royal Military College, to be Ensign, vice
Henry Easttield Wilkinson, deceased—Rile Brigade,
Ensign Leopold Victor Swaine to be Adjutant, in suc-
cession to Lieutenant George Roberts Noseley, appointed

Paymaster.
4th West India Regiment—Thomas Aked, Gent, to be
Ensign, by purchase, vice William Cairnes, promoted.
PURVEYOR'S DEPARTMENT.—Purveyor's Clerk Arthur
Bull to be Deputy-Purveyor, vice George Washington
Warwick, resigned.
BREVET.

Lieutenant-Colonel John111;de; C. 8., Bth Foot, having
completed the qualifying service in the rank of Lieutenant-
Colonel, under the Royal Warrant of 14th October, 1858,
to ba Colonel.

Paymaster (with the honorary rank of Major) Joseph
Webster, retired on half-pay, late 78th Foot, to have the
honorary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

Paymaster William Causabon Freud, 51st Foot, to have
the honorary rank of Captain.
ADMIRALTY, APRIL 5.

Vice-Admiral of the Blue Michael Quin has been ap-
pointed to receive a pension of £l5O a-year, as provided by
her Majesty's Order in Council of 25th June, 1851, vacant
by the death of Admiral Sir Edward Tucker, G.C.8., and
the name of Vice-Admiral Quin has been removed to the
Reserved Half-pay List accordingly. In consequence of
that removal the following promotions, dated the 28th ult.,
have been made :

Rear-Admirals Brunswick Popham, Thomas Ogle,
George Evans, and John Hackett, on the Reserved List, to
be Vice Admirals on the same List.
Rear-Admiral of the Red Frederick Bullock to be Vice-
Admiral of the Blue. _

Rear-Admiral of the White Sir Edward Belcher, Knt.,
C. 8., to be Reir-Admiral of the Red.

Rear-Admiral of the Blue George Henry Seymour, C. 8.,
:13 be Rear-Admiral of the White.

Captain Arthur Forbes to be Rear-Admiral of the Blue.
Retired Rear-Admiral John Parker to be Retired vice•
Admiral, in pursuance of the Older in Council of 7th May,
1858.