The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-25 00:00:00

HER MAJESTY'S T

FAUST.
The directors of Her Majesty's Theatre ou Satur
day last gave the public at large an opportunity of
bearing M. Gounod's "Faust" in English, and
whatever doubt might have been entertained as to
the result of the experiment, the enormous audience
attracted by the performance must have been quite
sufficient to convince the governing powers of the
splendid theatre that their fears were groundless,
and that success—decided and unmistakeable—would
attend the production. There is a very large por-
tion of the musical public whose delight is materially
enhanced by the comprehension of the language in
which delicious strains are sung, and as the
setting of " Faust" is so immediately inspired
by the text, the greater will be their
enjoyment in listening to a composition
that fairly turned the heads of the aristocratic
patrons of the two Italian operas last season. The
task of adapting "Faust" for its representation in
English was entrusted to Mr. Chorley, a gentleman
of well known ability, and although he has taken
great pains to accomplish his task, the effort has clot,
in our opinion, resulted in one of his happiest efforts.
In many instances the words set down for the singers
sink into utter absurdities, not to say vulgarities, and
this will, in a great measure, account for the licence
Mr. Reeves and Mr. Santley took with their por-
tion of the libretto. Very frequently both these
gentlemen entirely departed from the words set
down for them; and Mr. Chorley must forgive us
for saying that by doing so we think they exer-
cised a very wise discretion ; in fact, we believe they
only did what Mr. Chorley would have done him
self had he carefully revised and reconsidered his
work before submitting it to the public. Fortu-
nately the success of " Faust" depends more upon
the ability of the singers and the completeness of the
raise en•scene than upon the rendering of the text ;
thus with the artistes engaged in the performance
on Saturday no room was left for improvement, as
the talented entrepeneur had secured the greatest
talent at his command, a fact which will at once be
admitted when we mention that the lovesick philo-
sopher Faust was represented by Mr. Sims Reeves,
Valentin by Mr. Santley, Mephistopheles by Signor
Marchesi, Siebel by Madame Florence Lancia,
Martha by Madame Taccani, and Margarita by
Madame Lemens-Sherrington. The superb intro-
duction was played by the band with the greatest
delicacy and precision, and on the rising of the cur-
tain a very warm reception was accorded to Mr.
Sims Reeves, who is discovered pining and reflect-
ing upon past love and youthfulness. The firte
few notes from the great tenor were quite sufficient
to tell the audience that he was in splendid voice
a circumstance that must have given universal satie.
faction. We have already spoken in the most eub
gistic terms of Mr. Reeves' Faust cn the occasion o
his appearing in the part two or three months ago, so
all that is necessary on the present occasion is to say
that his embodiment of the character was as fine, it
not finer, than ever. The music in the second act was
sung with all that tender sweetness for which he is
so celebrated, whilst the more energetic portions of
the character gave him scope to display his mag-
nificent voice to the very utmost. Where all was so
beautiful it is not easy to pick out particular parts,
but we may mention the cavatina, " All hail that
dwelling pure and holy," as the morcottu in which
he made the deepest impression on the audience.
As Valentin, the chivalrous brother of Margarita,
Mr. Santley had butone important scene, but that was
quite sufficient to display his masterly skill. To
compensate for the gloomy foreshadowing of the
part M. Gounod introduced a new cavatina for Mr.
Santley, and this was most certainly one of the
features of the evening. It is entitled, " Even the
bravest heart may swell," and is linked to the second
theme in the introductory music, or overture. It
is somewhat remarkable that so sweet a composition
should not have been repeated in the opera, but
until Saturday evening all that was heard of it wee
its performance previous to the commencement of
the piece. Now, however,!it has been given to Mr.
Santley, and it is almost needless to say it is ren-
dered with the most exquisite tasie and feeling. Such
immense applause followed the conclusion of the song
that all attempts to escape an encore were fruitless,
and Mr. Sentley, in the most pleasing and graceful
manner, came forward, and at once repeated the
song with, if possible, greater effect than before.
The death of Valentino was given with extraor-
dinary effect, and albeit Mr. Santley has not the
longest part in the opera, he certainly has one of
the most effective. The Mephistopheles of Signor
Marchesi was also an admirable performance ;
and, as a first attempt at singing in English,
before an English audience, he must allow us to
congratulate him, which we do most heartily, on
his success. Perhaps the most important novelty
of the evening was the appearance of Madame
Lemmens-Sherrington. It might almost be take❑
as a debut, but in whatever light it be regarded,
the fact that she was triumphantly successful
admits of no doubt. Madame Sherringtoa's Mar-
garita is characterised by all the simplicity, con-
fiding innocence, girlish humour, and tender grace
that belongs to Goathe's immortal' creation, while
at the same time neither tragic power nor passion
ate wanting to give expression to the terror and
remorse of Faust's unhappy victim. She did full
justice to the sweet and florid music allotted her, and
in no instance was she more telling and effective
than in the jewel song. Her confession of love for
Faust was another brilliant achievement, and in
her love duet she was uuapproachable. Great as
Madame Sherrington is as a musician, she is equally
great as an actress, and from henceforth she,
and she alone, will be looked upon as the
reigning queen of operatic actresses. Madame
Florence Lancia as Siebel, although suffering some-
what from nervousness, sang the music of the boy
over with taste and effect, more especially the

flower song.
The chorus deserve unqualified praise for their
exertions. The exciting scene of the Kermess, with
its quaint round for the old men, was so admirably
given as to secure an enthusiastic encore, The cele-
brated march chorus (" Glori Immortale") " Glory
and love to the men of old," was grandly given, and
here both band and chorus vied with each other,
and the result was worthy the magnificent compo-
sition.

The curtain descended amidst the most enthusi-
astic applause, and thus another successful career is
destined for M. Gounod's brilliant opera of "Faust."

THE COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sxu,—Being, as I am awry to say, a frequent visitor at
Basinghall-street, in search of dividends, very seldom, in-
deed, successfully, I was much alarmed by a paragraph
advertisement in your columns mentioning a total release
from liability charges under £5 payable by instalments,
fearing our losses would soon largely increase if whitewash-
ing was thus cheap, I have, howeNer, talked the matter over
with another solicitor also practising in bankruptcy and
examined the last act, and find the court fees for stamps
and messenger alone in the very smallest cases, without
any profits to the attorney, exceed £5. I see no objection
to solicitors, like others, advertising business; but, is it fair
to any party, I suspect indeed the charges refer in fact to
very different releases, that in forma pauperis and prison
adjudication, more unfortunately on the increase, and in
which all the legal work is done by the official assignee's
solicitor, and no stamps or court fees paid. Surely the
mercantile public has suffered enough by these pauper cases,
and the debtor would be sufficiently considered if he was
allowed to stay in prisons until the registrars monthly visit,
unless he had estate enough to pay the stamps and.,solicitor
for his bankruptcy.

If you can spare a corner for these few remarks you
much oblige.

A ,lERCIIANT.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURN S .—Thetraffic receipt s
of the railways in the United Kingdom for the
week ending January 22, 1864, upon a mileage of 11,083,
amount to £532,519, being equal to £lB is per mile. For
the corresponding week of last year the receipts were
£490,755; the number of miles open, 10,712, or £45 16s
per mile. A comparison of the two weeks shows an increase
in the aggregate receipts of £41,764, and of miles open, 371,
being at the rate of £ll2 per mile. On the lines having
termini in the metropolis the increase has been on Great
Eastern, £1,417; Great Northern, £4,805 ; Great Western,
£3,896; London, Chatham, and Dover, £1,334 ; London
and North Western, £8,933; London and South Western,
£544 ; Metropolitan Extension (London, Chatham, and
Dover, £620. On the Midland, £1,272 ; North London,
£132; South Eastern, £546. 00. the Metropolitan lines
there is a decrease upon Blackwell of £4B, and on the Lon-
.
414 prighwa of 41,0,—,gal1way Bows.

-4.-----
WINDSOR CASTLE, Jan. 23.
accompanied by their Rog alfl
Her Majesty, Beatrice,
nesses Princess Louise and Princess
arrived at Windsor today at a quarter riot °TII3
o'clock from Osborne.
Her Majesty was met by the Prince of Nira'es at
the Great Western station, and drove with hisiqa
highness to Frogmore House.
The suite in attendance consisted of Mai
Churchill, the Hon. Mrs. Bruce, Colonel the 11°111;
Biala'? '
Sir Charles Phipps, Colonel Sir T. M-
aud Dr. Holzrnann.

Jan. 24*
The Queen and Princess Louise attendl.d e Di'ne
service this morning in the private c
of 1
hape hot
The Hon. and Very Rev, the Dean "3
officiated.
Her Majesty passed the afternoon at 114131(lre
House,

Arrival of her Majesty at liAriad°;l gb
The Queen, accompanied by their NeY°l - j—tici
nesses the Princesses Louise and Beatrice' fil
o'
attended by Colonel Sir T. M. Bidduiph (tPre l‘sak
terc of the Royal Household), Colonel the ocil‘ $.
..: B. Phipps, Lady Churchill, the on. tiff.r
Bruce, Dr. Holzmann, &c.,,, arrived at l'''' to
shortly. after one o'clock on Saturday, in order
visit the Princess of Wales at Frognaore.
1, tte°'
The royal party left Osborne House at e-°,,° os
minutes to ten o'clock a.m.. and embarked at Oboto
in the Fairy, Commander Prince Leningeo•° 10,
tena o'clock, whence her Majesty, the Prince's:id
nd suite crossed to the Royal Clarence Vcl/410elf.
Yard, Gosport, which they reached at eleven de. Co.
t The royal party immediately disenabar/Ociliritior
ered the special train, which arrived at "-n '
at 1.18. . ce of
At one o'clock his Royal Hi_liness the rciali dbl
Wales arrived at the terminus, having'
ette°-deive°
Captain G. H. Grey, the eqnerry in vieiti6: tb°
overci from Frogmore House in order to receerpio
ueen and the princesses on their arri/61' toot
Princebi on meeting the Queen and princestles 4
ctionately embraced them, and the r°)fiege°
at once, on leaving the train, entered the c"'" ioer
outside the station, and drove off, amid °lea°. Delp
tions of the bystanders—which were g'h:oor
acknowledged by the Queen and Prioce-"t"."leaot
the town to Frogmore House, where they a:1:d viitl;
20 minutes past 1 p.m. Her Majesty retna'n' an°
the Princess of Wales during the aftere°°°'
returned to the Castle in the evening. ro Der
The Queen is still in mourning, and we: oat'f
widow's weeds, though the princesses are o"
mourning. also oil $(
During the afternoon her Majesty ,o°'
visit to the mausoleum, where rest the re°l-
- late Prince Consort. ttedia
Yesterday morning the Queen, after °- liri'les
divine service, again visited the Princes° °f of
,
at Frogmore.
The Queen will leave the Windsor ti
terp_i
th fitfilli
e Great Western Railway this afternooei 5
return to Osborne via Gosport and Cares'
thi

YesterfdayThafeterPnroinoncehisofElAroyro. igbn-Gleer.l
Prince Wales, attended by Lieutenant' ,ice ill,
Ka flys° and Captain Grey, attended the ser.e. Bpd
suite occupied
Royal of St. George. The i,,ell•rf.all.
Very
n seats in the choir of the elliirl'er
the Dean of' Windsor and nliec'r
officiated.
On : 01 °
On Friday night the Prince of Wille°,l,a,"l:lolieff
the officers' mess of the 3d battalion cif v;,901135.
G.suards, of which Prince Edward of 50e.:,(./jet.
1 colonel, at the barracks, Sheet-street, ' Ipier;
AmongG. the guests were Major-Gen. s°° cat
Seymour, Captain G. H. Grey, the 1004
the Royal Horse Guards, from Spit al
batrac
several officers from London.

It is thought that herMajestywig 1P ..00r
visit to Balmoral about the same time as lotii::; i°°°rtile
that the Queen will proceed to Saxe-CO ,
Or
autumn. Mt ' 8
The Prince of Wales has printed, for Plepilf
cht
Museum,
hui
his
.nititon,a copy of a Papyrus which was discoTer c jo°lo,l
theevtilsmitetoofThebes.
Pericles, TyelitisitEhgeLpntgiaantodoserf ePoaett:4Jo,
by the decline of Pharaonic art. Mr. Birch, ° to
time
seen it through the press. el' 11,
It is most probable (says the Court oo' mfortriloi
some
convenienceOoratt s: fnWh wialsei
those b ~. oroal)t:
be made ethnissu;:ar:hset
telle0:0000./eroorti;
of Commons for slteratione 111 Pr°,, 007',
ctihreawilinour "a€l%
Any little bill that i•nel be fridia "A 11
accommodation
country,nde
in the matter, efxeeplressu:eed willitsel
fbe:tiololin;lY:g
tilessi::::10
which, although it does not largelYd viitilo,l,lB
ts.recTephteiorens
will a many
y holdd is
a theg
sympathy for those whose position in life e3.ose- iinci_te;',ol4
r etie:obulre
meeking to pay homage to their Sovereign, to„ Pi.''','oo
~ 010°6 to 7,1
h Pt' ots
is known.
How gratifying it would be to t—° ore opfr
theth Queen resume those duties need not iiej, rellteei6o4
the respectful
if it please her Majesty still to IN'reePile pfet
respectful and heartfelt sympathY ibr, :ijoge• ~ ti)e,
grief will take precedence of any persoaal 'e",a as to a,
ishearseblfe,libeuf D tnil!‘: '''l,;(fr ::,
i Nothing has been positively 61141°„;. tbe t 3
,°t 0
time
end
locality of the christenieg " vici;'ool
e Prince and Princess of Wales, bnC Jr, die t; cof Ili;
take place in St. George's Chapel, ell,hci: hb.tliel,W 6 isr
will be followed of the ceremony t r.,,,b"- c e '.' 1 if
Princess Charlotte, the daughter at'
'ecrsi °III 1.
V °II
compatible with o,rt o ,,
modern custorns.--- George,,,gll°°l)s
The Prince of Wales, atterWercll%toprail' 10
exhibited to the admiring beau monde at "-- tiab
which took place 12 days after his
birtD. left Cis
His Highness
Prince Murat OS di,
Hotel for Paris. tteri
~e tea i% •tioli'
The Duke of Newcastle Was re' -t:joise,l,,, toll!,
the Cabinet Council on Saturday WOO ' rivett;c, 4r
0 The Duke and Duchess of .Argill °Oa gro)%il'
n Friday night from Roseneath, S•r,l3.biact C° I
called to town by a meeting of the ° Vlie
Saturday. • OW
.1
left
The Countess de La - 110629 bti° ef','
el i 1°
Hotel for Paris. Oa' 00
Lord Stanley of Ald P Otto .
erley, ~.00 Di 7
if
arrived at his "
residence in Dover-street 11 10 ;
Cheshire on Friday "
evening.tO if
. cog .4
The Right Hon. Sir Charles tide od v.,. tile I'
es °' tO
on Friday expressly
to meet his colleagd Or, 0(
Council on Saturday, ieseer IA
The Right Hon. B. Disraeli, as 05„,,c14;p,
Opposition in the House of Coniraons, 11°,000
r
invitation to a Parliamentary dinner far
lii
3d proximo. an
ft‘ljpitliv
Herr von Carn, Madame Caro' il t, oa
sae°
rived at the Brunswick Hotel, Jere Viv of
morning, from Hamburg. 0
—' AO tilt
______ ___----- ~e .. , .
By V,
lace 0 ,/,
PARI.JAMENTARY VACANCIES. ‘,05 AI y 0
Sir William Atherton a vacancy ttt.,,e vititwAi
representation of the city of Duran. 'l7.loetolty
bably not be issued until then' eeting of v3,,,a bete , of O,
will be moved for in the usual way. It is et efeeiVos
to be a contest for the seat. On the ars 0)4(1i" re,
session a new writ will be moved for the Pr esoo
terplj
bury, in the room of the lion. .F. 1-40°I;Voree:044
elected member for the western division 0, ~i 0 jot ~,01040,
Sir J. Buller East, Bart., has an Ir.
yir.;efieo,
resigning his seat for Winchester, and 11‘.t.,,,e o°ll fere/sf,
has announced himself as a candidate in_ the rePolx,
interest. Mr. Coning
has retired from 01)°01:';
tion of Brighton, and several candidatevs 000
01.00890
among them being Mr. Otway, jr.A ~, /De bl, of
Moore. A vacancy is expected to 0000;0010,w ;t•
Rye in the course of a few days bY the ,) sad add
moo/ 111
Mackinnon. Captain Mackinnon (I, Of
donald (Conservative) are candidates.
......00
00
TuE GIANT AND TUE llwAla• ,31,'4
1,54,44
late :--
subjects of each German Sta
.......: ot4o
Austria ........ 12,502,944 Bad
••••,_ei ...q., .01,V
Piussia ........ 14,138,864 Ilesse Lij;,7ota,' . e,}1,0
Bavaria ........ 4,689,837 lie6sembUr!,....% 0,.t1i
2,225,240 leiNeu p uo:teis ;too 60
Saxony ........
liauover ........ 1,856,070 b°.° socio Vis • 5.17,11
Whitemburg. •• . 1,720,706 Bruns.
_..,,, . 0
e.
.. _ 0 j
Free Cities.• •• • • 465, Olaf,,L'iutti: sist :reel 1,1 00
The Mecklenburgs 650,521 111
9-1-4. _ 0000 of
of
01,0,
The total is 42,675,157 ; but it mu t bt''y
...,,ro 01,0eP,,0
warlike purposes Austria rules twenty.
5'.',.'08.0
0,0,,
Prussia four in
not included in L'sl,so ,I)
.id;
liolstein is touts IP)
lation of Denmark minus 00.OeS', IP 0
Sweden and Norway onlY 4,500,0
,it BALL
moo
.0i
THE LARGE MOISTGOLFIINI-. ~.30,1,t fA:e'cltf:
has recently been constructed
_boyult :I:it. ittotrOcee;
t,
cii
aeronaut, was exhibited on 1
14 000 cul,'° v',,,a ' 00
l'lndustrie. Its capacity is . ,
110 inetres; i to 0
cumference of the parachute is
_r,
top oco
cular car, 4 taetrcs ill iii4a.3elv
persons,

y
~~