The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-18 00:00:00

CYMBELINE.

Last evening a brilliant audience assembled to
welcome the return of Miss Helen Faucit (Mrs.
Theodore Martin) to that profession of which she is
so great an ornament ; the play was "
and the part selected that of Imogen, one of Shak-
spere's loveliest heroines. It wou!d be downright
nonsense and needless waste both of time and space
to enter int' a long disquisition on the early tri-
umphs of this highly accomplished lady for the

purpose of adequately conveying an idea of the per

romance of last evening, yet a practice has of late
sprung up, that before an opinion on certain matters
can be vouchsafed a long parade of rhodomontade
must be exhausted, written more for the purpose of
self-glorification than for enabling a reader to arrive
at the information required,viz., the amount of praise
or censure such and such a performance deserved.

rherefore, without waiting to make comparisons,
reflections, &c., &c., we come at once to the point,
viz., the reception and performance of Mies Faucit
After a long and much-regretted absence from the
stage. Immediately the lady made her appearance
in the first scene of the play the sight presented
was one of unusual enthusiasm, and although Miss
Faucit was doubtless prepared for a warm and
hearty greeting, tr,e reception given her cer-
ainly must have exceeded all im 'gination. Fur
some moments she stood, supported by Mr. Phelps,
apparently overcome by the cordial welcome, but,
recovering from her surprise, she gracefully
acknowledged the compliment, which, however,
had only the affect, if that be possible, of increas-
ing the applause. At length the cheering subsided
and the action of the play inceeded. The Imogen
of Miss Faucit has lost none of its historic
beauty. Time has not impaired her powers, as the
entire character was given with all that exquisite
tenderress which has already rendered it remark-
.‘ble. Her action is grace itself, her elocution per-
fection. Every word is uttered either with in.
tensity or emotion ; in fact the character receives
such elaboration at her hands that we should stand
in fear of being thought fulsome flatterers did we
write down and comment separately on each of the
many beauties of her performance. From first to
last it was a perfect masterpiece of high art; and,
having said thus much, we leave the subject, but
not without again offering our sincere congratula-
tions to Mss Helen Faucit on her return to that
stage from which she has been too long absent.
Mr Phelps sustained the part of Leonatus Post-
humus with the highest artistic finish, and
Mr Creswick as lachimo acted with great
skill and judgment. Mr Walter Lacy as
Cloten is entitled to unqualified praise, be-
cause he rescued the part from that low standard
to which it has hitherto been consigned. Mr Henry
Marston gave the vigorous lines of old Belarius
with energy and effect ; and Mr Edmund Phelps,
as Pisani°, unmistakably showed that he is making
rapid strides of improvement in his profession.
The rest of the characters, more especially those
of Cy mbeline, Guiderius, and Arviragus, by Mr A
Rayner, Mr Neville, and Mr \Verde, were well
sustained. The scenery was exceedingly picturesque
and effective; indeed the play was mounted in a
manner the most complete since the memorable
Macready management.
The applause at the conclusion of the play was
renewed again and again, and it was not before Miss
Faucit and Mr Phelps had made their reappearance
before the green curtain that the audience would
consent to leave the theatre.
We congratulate Messrs Falconer and Chatterton
on the success that has attended their exertions in
providing the public with such admirable entertain-
ments.

The vessels sent from Dunkirk to the fishery on
the coast of Iceland have all returned except one, but the
season has not been sati,f4otory. The most fortunate
vessels have only had one-half of an ordinary amount, and
the others only a third or a quarter.
" The Council of State," says the Union, "is at
present engaged in examining tho draught of a decree de-
claring of public utility the works necessary for reclaiming
60,000 hectares of cultivable land in the Camargue, a marshy
island in the Delta of the Rhone. This enterprise will re-
quire the construction of 24 kilometres or canals for drain-
age and irrigation, aad 90 kilometres of roads to facilitate
the conveyance of manure, etc. For the execution of these
works it is proposed to insert a credit of two millions of
trancs in tho Budget of the Ministry of Public Works,"

Several Italian journals announce that at the
Ministry of War in Turin measures are in preparation for
effecting a reduction in the army, Numerous furloughs
have already Lem accorded,

LATEST INTELLIGENCE

[RETJTER'S TELEGRAMS.]

AMERICA.

ARRIVAL OF THE NORTH AMERICAN,

(Via Greencastle.)

NEW YORK, OCT. 8 (Morning

The Federals, under Burbridge, attacked Salt.
Western Virginia, and were badly repulsed
retreating in confusion, pursued by the Confe•

derates.

A portion of Price's forces have appeared before
• Jtfirson City.
The Governor of Georgia has declined Sher-
man's proposition for an informal Peace Confe-

rence.
Gold, 100 premium.

NEW YORK, OCT. 8, EVENING.
The Confederates yesterday attacked Butler's
lines, drove in liantz, and captured his artillery.
They then attacked Biuney, but were repulsed.
Binney recaptured KAntz position, and drove the
Confederates to their inner line of defences.
The steamers Night Hawk and Linch had been
destroyed, and the steamer Condor beached off
Wilmington.
The North American arrived at Greencastle
after 7 o'clock this (Tuesday) morning.
Mr Stanton reports that the operations are pro•
grossing satisfactorily before Richmond and Peters.
burg. No engagement has taken place since Satur-
day. Both belligerents were fortifying. It is
reported that Lee is concentrating on Grant's left.
The Federal loss north and south of the James
River, on Friday and Saturday, is estimated at
4,000.

The Northern papers contain a report that the
larger portion of Grant's corps has recrossed from
the North side of the James River, but states that
he retains his position in the surrounding forts.
General Lee reports that in the engagement
south of Petersburg the Federals broke through a
portion of his line on the Squirrel Level road, but
were driven back with a loss of 400 prisoners.
General Hampton then drove the enemy, capturing
500 prisoners.
Mr Stanton reports that the Confederates in
Sherwan's rear, after capturing Big Shanty, were
pursued and driven from the field with heavy loss,
leaving behind them their dead and wounded.
Unofficial despatches report that the Confederates
left 1,000 dead and wounded.

It is reported that Forrest's transportation has
been captured. The gunboats would prevent his
retreat across the Tennessee river.

Southern papers state that Hood had moved his
army 35 miles westward without molestation.

Sheridan is at Harrisonburg, Guerillas occa-
sionally intercept his supply trains. Early reports
on the 29th that if the people will guard against
raiding he is in a position to check Sheridan's
further advance.

Ewing's force has arrived at Rolla, Missouri,
after having lost 300 prisoners.
Price is reported to be six miles west of Union

City, on the Jefferson City Road. It is supposed
that he purposes attempting the capture of Jeffer-
son City and the establishment of a State Govern.
went. It is reported that Price attempted to
cress the Osage River, but was repulsed by the
Federals.

The Paoifio Railroad, eight miles from Jefferson
City, has been burned. Several trains between St
Louis and Hannibal have also been burned.
Admiral Farragut retains the command at
Mobile.

The Macon telegraph contains a speech alleged

;0 have been delivered by 3tfferson Davis, asset

ing that Sherman will be compelled to re-enact the
retreat of Moscow, that the independence of the
South would be established and the enemy defeated
if half the absent troops returned to their duty.
The Southern press is dissatisfied with the speech,
and doubts its authenticity,

In accordance with a resolution passed by con-
vention, the Governor of Tennessee has issued an
order that all persons voting in the Presidential
election must swear to oppose an armistice and
peace negotiations with armed rebels until cunstitu•
tional laws and constitutional proclamations are re-
established throughout the States. The Governor
of Tennessee has conscripted white men and negroes
between eighteen and forty-five years of age.