The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-01 00:00:00

it has by no means lost its interest with the general
public as the meetings et Brighton and Wimbledon
may show, while every such review or general
assembly proves that we have no reason to fear for
the number or efficiency of the force. The sturdy
spirit of perseverance which characterises English-
men is in this instance assisted by a deep-rooted
conviction of the practical value of the movement,
while the mere interest• of the athletic and rifle
practice has had, we may suppose, its influence
upon some. It was felt that it would be a matter
of national reproach and humiliation, if a move-
ment so warmly taken up were suffered to die of
inanition, and we may congratulate ourselves that
the time of trial is so far past that we may rank the
Volunteer movement among our regularly esta-
blished institutions. It has been wisely and judi-
ciously done to arrange prominent meetings in the
course of every year so as not only to keep alive
the interest so generally felt in the movement, but
to stimulate the energies of the Volunteers them-
selves, to afford a public test of their training and
to encourage the practice of rifle shooting through-
out the kingdom. The Easter Monday review is
looked forward to by many besides the actual
volunteers, and has hitherto passed off most satis-
factorily. The meeting at Wimbledon is even
more useful since national skill with the rifle is no
unimportant auxiliary to the Volunteer movement.
At the general meeting held on Saturday, under
the presidency of the Duke of CAMBRIDGE, his
royal highness mentioned some statistics which
afford gratifying evidence that the service has by
by no met.tub lost its► attractions. Tho oompotitoro
for the Queen's Prize in 1862 were 913 in num-
ber, while in 1863 they increased to 1,145. The
total Volunteer entries in 1862 were 1,283, but in
the year following they had increased nearly
1,500. The total all-comers in 1862 amounted to
3,269, while last year they reached the number
of 4,684. With regard to the financial
position of the association its affairs are
satisfactory, although not flourishing. Its
income, last year, amounted to £12,000, show-
ing an increase of nearly 3,000 on that of the pre-
vious year, although the amount expended in prizes
was greater by a thousand pounds. Nevertheless
the amount possessed by the Association in funded
property is so small—only £4,ooo—as to necessitate
prudence, and his Royal Highness, the President,
expressed the conviction of the Council that it
would be wise to defer all great increase of expen-
diture until their funded property should amount
to £lO,OOO. This may seem at first a large sum,
but the Council are probably in the right. Their
income, at present, is principally dependent on
casual and uncertain resources, and however liberal
the public may now be, a movement of national
character and importance should be placed above
the reach of any fluctuations of sentiment or of com-
mercial prosperity. It is thought desirable that the
Association should possess a reserve fund, which
shall put it on a permanent footing,And render it
independent of any sudden reverse or unforeseen
contingency of any kind. One very practical sug-
gestion for increasing their resources has been made
and will probably be put into execution. It is pro-
posed that instead of only one competitor from each
company being allowed for the QUEEN'S prize two
may be selected, and that the entry, instead of 10s.
should be 203. The entry being purely voluntary,
there is no hardship in this trifling increase, but it
will make a useful addition to the income of the
Association. Various other topics connected with
the Volunteers were considered at the meeting on
Saturday, and the sensible practical tone of the
discussion augurs favourably for the stability of the
Association and the efficiency of the force.

Earl GRANVILLE last night moved the second
reading of the Insane Prisoners' Bill. It is satis-
factory that something has been resolved upon at
last to mitigate the evils that have arisen from the
present mal-administration of the law, and the very
insufficient provision which its statutes now make
for the due administration of justice. As Lord
GRANVILLE explained the alteration which was to
lie made, it seems a very feasible one, and one
likely to answer the purpose in view. Instead of
the Secretary of State being called upon, as at pre-
sent, to remove a prisoner to a lunatic asylum if
the certificate of his insanity is signed by any two
medical men and two justices, it is arranged that
henceforth the certificate must be signed by two
visiting justices, and two medical men appointed
by them. Of course, by this means there will be
a greater responsibility resting, with the justice, and
the whole arrangements will not be hurried over as
they often arc at present, and the public will discover
at last that an important questionof justice has been
thoroughly mismanaged. The angry altercations
and confused accounts that get abroad in such cases
is very detrimental to the interests of justice, and
must prove hurtful in its effects on the criminal
population, that ought especially to be influenced
by the solemn majesty of the law in dealing with
offenders. Notwithstanding some objections that
were raised, the bill was read a second time.
This is as it should be, for an important change
has now been made, and the danger in these
cases always is that the session be wasted in the
discussion of the proper treatment and difficulties,
and after one has brought forward his plan and
another introduced his scheme objections are raised
to one and the other, and at last the important
settlement is indefinitely deferred, This question
of the lunacy of a prisoner who is condemned to
death is one that ought to be attended to promptly,
and the Government deserve credit for having done
something to put an effectual check to the recur-
rence of a scandal as that which recently took place
in the ease of TOWNLEY. Doubtless, there is great
truth in the objections urged by Lord ST. LEONARDS
as to the inadvisablity of introducing an alteration
into
.a measure because of the excitement which
prevailed in consequence of the mischievous effects
of the said measure. The fact is, however, that
nothing of a remedial nature is ever done unless
some great event calls it forth, and the urgent ne-
cessity arises of putting a stop to evils. It is better,
therefore, to act in these matters not quite en regale
rather than to lose opportunities and waste precious
time. It is, then, considering all things, to be re-
garded as a qualifying occurrence, that some definite
progress has been made in the bill to amend the
laws relating to insane prisoners.

Yesterday afternoon witnessed an interesting
ceremonial, which although partly a matter of form
and precedent, was yet raised in some degree above
the level of mere courtly routine. The presentation
of congratulatory addresses to the Prince and
Princess of WALES, on the birth of their infant son,
was more than a simple profession of loyalty. It
expressed in some degree the warm and cordial in-
terest which the public feel in the welfare and hap-
piness of the young Prince and his bride, and the
gratification with which they see the prospect of an
assured continuance of that Royal house which has
become so much endeared to the people through the
virtues and graces of Queen VICTORIA. We have
every reason to hope that when the Prince of WALES
shall be called on in the inevitab!c course of years
to wear his mother's crown he may wear it as
worthily, as constitutionally as she has done. At
present the young Heir to the Throne has had
little opportunity of displaying his capacities or his

sympathies, but we know that be has studied the
aspects and the histories of the Old World and the
New, that he has had every oportunity of acquir.
ing that enlightenment, that oleration and free-
dom from prejudice which form so important
a part of the qualificatons of a ruler,
more especially of a busy, thinking, acting
people like our :own. The interest which
we all felt in the young Danish Princess at
the time of her arrival has orly been increased by
her residence among us, and it is now considerably
heightened by the unmerited misfortunes of her
father and her country. We all feel that, however
bright the hopes and peacEful the scenes which
surround her here, her thoug4its must instinctively
turn to the home of tier earlylife and the people she
so long dwelt among. Evm in the pride and de-
light of the young mother, and her confidence in
the future which awaits herlittle son, should he be
spared to reach man's estate, her heart must be
touched by the terrible anzbties of her father and
saddened by the clouds wiich are closing round
him. It must be a grief to the Princess that her
adopted country has as yet ;iven no further aid to
him in the struggle, but at east she must feel con-
vinced of the warm sympatay of which all classes
and all parts of the three kingdoms feel with her
sorrow as well as her joy—sharing alike in the in-
tense eagerness with which she watches events in
the North, and participatilg still more in her re-
joicings over her infant's cradle.

HAYMARKET THEATRE,

BUNKUM MULLER.

Mr. Sothern has now completely worked himself
into the new character provided for him by Mr. H.
F. Craven in his whimsical little extravaganza
entitled " Bunkum Muller." Every night since its
production the audience have been delighted beyond
measure, and they have very wisely, in our opinion,
given themselves up to the enjoyment of the fun,
without for one moment troubling themselves with
the controversy at present raging in a small but
peculiar circle as to whether Mr. Sothern is or is
not a versatile actor. Supposing he is declared not
to be so by the very learned few now intensely oc-
cupied with the question, their fiat certainly will
not in the slightest degree diminish his popularity;
whilst, on the other hand, if it should be decided the
contrary way, it certainly cannot heighten it. There-
fore the audience, in our opinion, do well to enjoy
poor Bunkum Mullet's perplexities, and to leave
to ethers the trouble of solving • a problem
in which not one person in five thousand
takes the slightest interest. Many " wise in
their own conceit" saw nothing original in
Lord Dundreary; but, previous to the arrival
of Mr. Sotbern in London, we never had anything
of the kind before, neither had a single one of the
many jealous professionals ever attempted anything
of a similar description. Genuine talent is sure of
reward, and in that was the seeret of Mr. Sotherns
immense success. The part of Bunkum Mullet
differs in every essential from the senseless
idiotic " swell " Lord Dundreary. Bunkum is an
author—an unappreciated author, and in place of
the exquisitely fitting coat, &c., we have the thread-
bare, shabby, dressing gown and delapidated
slippers which are continually getting entangled
with the ragged carpet, threatening every minute
to bring their wearer down with a run. The change
is perfect both in face, voice, and action. The fun
commences as soon as the curtain rises, when the
• unhappy Bunkum rushes into the apartment (we
beg pardon, his study) to avoid the " silvery tones"
of his shrewish wife whom he has married for re-
venge and—money. He takes a piaster of Paris
bust of Shakspere into his confidence, and then the
unappreciated bard tells the story of all his dismal
wrongs to his attentive listener. The fun of the situa-
tion is greatly heightened by the interogation put
every now and then to the plaster bust, viz.,
" Would you stand it, Bill ?" In the midst of his
(roubles ho is afflicted With the visits of organ-
grinders, &c. ; and, to bring the fun up to a culmi-
nating point, he discharges a pistol accidentally,
and imagines he has shot his first love, who occu-
pies a zoom precisely opposite his, but on the other
side of the street. Then, the imaginary speech of
his prosecuting counsel is another aide-splitting
effort, and we mistake not if the audience don't
regret—(selfish individuals !)—the fortunate turn
that takes place in poor Bunkum's affairs. The
shot fired, fortunately, has penetrated nothing but
a mahogany chest of drawers. The supposed dead
husband of Bunkum's wife again turns up—thus he
is enabled to marry his Julia—a chancery suit
is decided in his favour, and oh, joy
of joys! he receives a letter informing him that a
tragedy he has sent to Mr. Buckstone will be " pro-
duced" on applicatioc. The idea of seeing his own
creations embodied on the stage has such an effect
on Bunkum that he treats his audience to a taste of
its quality, at the conclusion of which the curtain
is brought down amidst immense laughter and
applause.

The extravaganza, or whatever it may be termed,
has been written merely as a vehicle for Mr. Sothern,
and as such it suits its end remarkably well.
but to that gentleman &one will it be dependent
for the length of time it will keep possession of the
stage. For him alone it has been written, and ho
alone is able to give a true and entertaining re-
presentation of Bunkum Muller.

EPITAPH ON LORD WESTBURY.--ThB following
has been circulated through the Inns :
" Richard Baron 'Westbury,
Lord High Chancellor of England.
He was an eminent Christian,
An energetic and successful Statesman,
And a still more eminent and successful Judge.
During his three years' tenure of dace,
lie abolished

The time-honoured institution of the Insolvents' Court,
The ancient mode of conveying land,
And
The Eternity of Punishment.
Towards the oloe of his earthly career,
In the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council,
He dismissed Hell with costs,
And took away from orthodox members of the
Church of England
Their last hope of everlasting damnation."
PAT MALONEY was pacing the parlour in a great
rage; and he exploded in these words, as Pompilard
prosente 1 himself : —‘ Ar'n't
Ye ashamed to look an honest
man in the face, yer desateful ould sinner ?'—' What's the
bother, now, Pat ? Whose mare's dead ?' said Pompilard.
—' Whose mare's dead, yet
wicked ould man ? Ts that the
kind o' triflin' yo think is gain' down wid Pat Maloney?
Look at that wall.'—' Well, what of it ?'—' What of it ?
See the cracks of it, boded, and the dirt of it, and the damp
of it, and hearken to the rats of it, yer wicked ould man I
What of it? Sao that baste of a cockroach comin' out as
confidint as ye plaza, and straddlin' across the floor. Smell
that smell up there in the corner. Dead rate, by jabbers !
And this is the entertainment, is it, ye bring a dacent family
to, that wasn't born to stenches and filthiness I Typhus
and small-pox in every plank under the feet
of ye! And a sick soldier yo've got in the
house, too; and becauso ho wasn't quite kilt
down in them swamps on the Chickahominy, yo think yo'l 1
stink him to death in this hole of all the nastiness Mr.
Maloney, this is my house, sir, such as it is, and I must re-
quest you either to walk out of it or to keep a civil tongue
in your head.'—' Hool Ye think to come the dignified over
me, do yer, yer silly mild man ! I'm not to be scaret by
any such airs. I tell yo it's bastely to bring dacent women
and children inter Bich a cesspool as this. By jabbers, I
shall have to stop at Ilarkeria, as I go back, and take a
bath.'—' Maloney, leave the house.'—' Lave the house,
is it I Not till I'm ready, will I lave the house on the
biddin' of the likes of a man who hasn't more regard
for the mother that bore him nor to do what you've
been dein,' yer ould barbarryan.'—' Quit the house,
I say If you think I'm going to borrow
money of a beggarly Irish tailor, you'll find
yourself mistaken, Mr. Pat Maloney ?'---0' its that game
yez thinkin' to come on ins, is it ? Ha I By jabbers,
I'm ready for you there toe I Ile's a beggarly Irish
is he ? Then why did you hqve the likes o' him at all yer
grand parties at Iledeliff? Why did yo have him and his
at all ycr little family hops ? Why couldn't ye git tnrough
a forenoon, yer ould hyppercrit, widout the beggarly Irish
tailor, to play billiards wid ye, or go a fishin' wid ye, or a
sailin wid yer ?—' I don't choose to keep up the acquaint-
ance Mr. Maloney, now that you are poor.'—That's the
biggest lie ye iver tould in yer ould chafe! Do you
tell me I lie ? Out of my house I Pay your own debts,
you blackguard Paddy, before you come playing flash of
your money. to a gentlemen like tne,'"..