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

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1864.

The long and somewhat angry discussion which
took place on Monday evening on tbe vote for the
Admiralty dock at Malta, proves that public atten-
tion has been drawn to the matter, and that suffi-
cient confidence is not placed in the management
of our naval affairs to remove the uneasiness excited
by Captain TALBOT'S statements. It will be remem-
bered that the dock in question is something more
than a mere experiment in bricks and mortar, it is
no trifling item whose worst result would be the
unnecessary expenditure of a few thousands. It is
a matter of grave and substantial importance, which
may hereafter from the changes of time and circum-
stances even affect cur welfare and kosition as a
nation. The value of a first class dock in the
Mediterranean is at once apparent to all seafaring
men, and it is only marvellous that our authorities,
even allowing for proverbial official supineness,
should not long ago have supplied the want. It is
absolutely preposterous that the first naval power
should have no proper
dock accommodation in so
mportant a locality, when
our French neighbours,
more energetic or less prejudiced, have no less than
three docks in the Mediterranean capable of receiv-
ing the largest ships. One would suppose that
England must be deficient in ships- money, or
elgineeeing skill for such a matter to be long
treated with indifference. As was said by Sir T.
PAKINOTON, who, as is usual with him in naval
matters, took the side of practical common sense in
the discussion, we have no dock in a good position
at Malta, and we ought to have constructed one
years ego. Now that the Government have made
up their minds to do something, of course them must
set about it in the wrong way. The dock is to be
constructed in a comparatively awkward and unfa-
vourable position against the judgment of good autho-
ritiee, when all the while a site in every respect
vastly superior might have been had tn. the choosing,
Lord CLARENCE PAGET entered into a lengthened
explanation of the engagements entered into with
the Maltese Government, and with a curious mix-
ture of virtuous indignation and pathetic appeals to
the opposition sense of honour he deprecated the
idea of " a breach of faith." Oa a careful exami-
nation it appears, however, that the alternative is
not quite so formidable. The Maltese Government
have not declared any objection to the dock being

constructed in the French Creek instead of in the
Musa, and it does not seem that the suggestion of
a change in the plans has been made to them. It
is curious to observe how the defenders of the Mares
dock change their line of argument as the discussion
goes on. When first Captain TALBOT brought the
matter forward the French Creek was spoken of in
slighting terms, its distance from the dockyard was
declared to be much the same, and it was contended
that the natural advantages of the Marsa were
nearly as great. • Now it is admitted that there was
any sort of comparison between the merits of the
two sites, but that the whole matter rests on the
question of possible or not possible. " All the heal
authorities," says Mr. WHITBREAD, would object
to the French Creek, but he does not cite the name
of one of those formidable opponents. Oa the other
hand, it seems that the only four independent
members of the Malta Council have gone sa far as
to address the Duke of SOMERSET on the subject,
stating that they were not at all opposed to the
construction of a dock in the French Creek, and
endorsing their statement with the opinion of the
Chamber of Commerce at Malta, which was to the
same effect. From this we may naturally infer
that there is no strong feeling on the part of the
general population in the matter, and we have yet
to learn that any attempt has been made to smooth
matters with the authorities. The difficulty appears
to be that it was stipulated that the merchant
shipping should remain in undisturbed possession
of French Creek until all the works intended to be
performed at the Marsa are completed. This does
not seem to be an insuperable obstacle, bat in truth
the Maltese Government form a very convenient
excuse, seeing that they did not stipulate that the
basin at the Mersa should be deepened 30 feet instead
of 12 feet, so as to make it available for men-of-war
as well as merchant vessels. One of the worst
points in the Government case, however, is the
manner in which they have treated the opinion of
men of eminent position and long extended expe-
rience. Admirals CODRINGTON and Sir W.
MARTIN, both of whom, from their position, are
intimately acquainted with the requirements of the
dock and the island, have expressed themselves very
strongly against the Admiralty plan, bringing for-
ward many objections, all of which, as Lord C.
PAGET quietly admitted, had force. They dfsap-
proved of the distance of the Marsa from the dock-
yard—nearly two miles, instead of 800 yards, like
its rival—and declared that it would be very diffi-
cult to get large ships through the merchant
vessels moored there. Lord C. PAGET, as we have
said, changed the grounds of his defence, and
endeavoured to pacify his opponents by hinting
that at some future time the Government would
assuredly avail itself of the superior advantages of
the French Creek. Sir JOHN PARINGTON detected
one of the inconsistencies with inzonvenient quick..
ness,-and propounded the embarrassing query why,
if no change could be made without so serious a
breach of faith, the Government should have sent
out gentlemen to Malta to examine into the matter.
It is almost amusing to find the verbal report of the
two Lords of the Admiralty gravely outweighing
the repeated evidence of experienced men like
Admirals CODRINGTON and MARTIN. The public
will be very much of Captain TALBOT'S opinion that
the minds of the Admiralty Lords were made up
before they started. Something, however, has been
gained by the opposition to the matter. Lord C.
PAGET has promised the House that the dock
itself shall not be commenced withcut Parliament
being again consulted, and the vote of last Monday,
so reluctantly agreed to on the part of Captain
TALBOT and his friends, is only to be devoted to
the deepening of the basin. The First Lord of the
Admiralty also proposes to refer the question of the
dock to a select committee, when we may hope to
see Captain TALBOT'S augury realised, and that,
however the committee may be constituted, the
result of their labours will be to produce an effectual
alteration in the scheme for the Malta dock.

Attention may be given to an appeal to the
people of Europe which has recently been drawn
up for the National Association at Copenhagen.*
It has been translated into English, and well de-
serves that some notice should be taken of its
contents. They are the expression of strong con-
viction, and earnest feelings on the part of a
nation that has indeed cause to declare its opinions.
The indifference that has been displayed by some,
and the unworthy part that has been taken by
others in these unhappy disputes, certainly call for
a fall explanation of all particulars, and a decided
protest against the tyrannical conduct and aggres-
sive policy that has been displayed. Some pas-
sages in particular of this little pamphlet call for
especial notice, and seem, more particularly to point
out the real issues of the question, such as appertedn
to actual events, and not such as figure in the pro.
blematical reports of diplomatists, and the one-sided
accounts of interested parties. For instance, the
enormity of the case is thus forcily described in
these terse words: " The fact is that two millions
of men are engaged in a life•and-death struggle
with sixty millions." Certainly this is pettink the
chief feature of the affair before us in a prominent
form, and with strong colouring. The moral de-
duced from this telling circumstance is that so much
faith under difficulties, zeal under discouragement,
and spirit before hosts of enemies could never be
displayed by a people that were strengthened by
the " consciousness of right." Justifiable
indignation is expressed at the manner in
which Prussia and Austria carry on the conflict,
and the treatment which they exercise to the
countries they are now occupying. This is a heavy
charge against these arrogant and aggressive States,
who seem to think themselves privileged to do as
they please, and are sufficiently short-sighted- as
not to perceive that their cruel and unjust mode of
attack is injuring their opponents less than it
damages their own reputation. It is no disgrace
to a small nation to succumb before a large one. If
courage and constancy animate the defenders they
have done their utmost, and all must honour their
motives and hallow their memory--

"In man's regret they live and woman's tears."

Bat language is powerless to express the scorn and
contumely that belongs to those who violate the
principles of fair play, transgress the laws of
nations, and carry on war with the vindictiveness
of barbarous tribes in savage lands, rather than as
becomes the soldiers of civilisation fighting beneath
the banners of Christendom. It is shown how the
fair promises first made by the besieging armies
were broken, the engagements unfulfilled, and the
tactics
entirely changed. They who were for not
disturbing
any civil functions at first, speedily
c'lngei their determination, and proceeded to en-
force their dictatorial decrees in the most barefaced
manner and with the most unblushing effrontery.
Ainlic
theirffi sympathies
vvetrheiedsismissed that were not German
; the Danish language was put
aside. In all places
where the mixed tongues of
Germany and Denmark were in use, it was impera-
tively commanded that German solely should be
substituted. In fact, as it is put here,
S‘hleswig was thenceforward to be trans-
formed into a German pro,: 'nee. Such
trickery and subterfuge may be very well in

* "Appeal to the People of Europe," isen,-xl by the
National Association, at Copenhvu, Deatieb New
arliagtoultreot.

accordance with the notions of despotic powers
who think the end justifies the means, but the
general world of honest and independent spirits
will censure and condemn such low cunning, and
such deep-dyed treachery. Can a more unfair edict
be sent forth than the one which enforces atten-
dance for two years at the University of Kiel, as a
sine qua non for the admission of candidates to
any official appointments in the duchy. Great
stress is laid upon the fact that Germany has
never ceased to prevent the disputes and foster the
differences that reigned between the inhabitants
and the governors. These would long since have
given place to universal feelings of amity had not
the insidious enemy laid in ambush and dealt the
fatal blow in the dark, which open and straight•
forward warfare could never have accomplished.
The greatest impartiality was always displayed by
the Danish Government in the matter of languages,
and hence the summary extinction of the Danish
tongue is as unwarrantable as it is harsh and
interfering. " The wise and equitable rule of the
Danish Government that in those parts of the
country in which both Danish and German are
spoken, should be used in public life, has been
destroyed by a stroke of the pen." Those who have
not minutely investigated the question nor
thoroughly analysed its details will be struck on
perusing this earnest little sketch with the deep
design and subtle maaceuvres that distinguish the
course of the aggressive intruders. Their cunning is
worthy of the dark secrets of the middle ages, when
all law was put aside if it chafed against the
wishes of the strong, and stood in the path of un-
worthy ambition and greedy love of gain. A
danger that lurks in the distance is very strongly
spoken of here, namely, that Prussia will not rest
until she has effected a sweeping change in the Go-
vernment at Copenhagen. This dark design was
foreshadowed in the interview which took place be-
tween Lord WODEHOUSE and the renowned Herr
VON BISMARK. The latter expressed his conviction
that it would be necessary to have the present
Danish Ministry dismissed, for no certain under-
standing could be arrived at between Germany and
Denmark so long as the present democratic institu-
tions were maintained. There can be no doubt that
the consequence of this unhappy change would be
to intioduce innovations of a startling nature into
the political constitution and national existence of
Denmark. It is quite impossible to overlook the
significance of the mode adopted by the invaders in
removing all traces that would tend to show that
any part of Schleswig ever appertained to the
Danish Crown. The Royal arms and initials are
to be removed faotn the public buildings, the clergy
are forbidden to pray for the Royal family, and the
Dannebrag, the ancient and glorious flag of the
country, which has for centuries waved over the
territory of Schleswig,and from the masts of its ships
navigating the most distant oceans, has been super-
seded by the flag of the Schleswig-Holstein rebellion
of 1848." Surely it is a strange thing that such
transactions shbuld take place, and yet Europe
looks on unmoved, thus sanctioning in a great de-
gree the oppressors and their actions. Political
motives, personal prejudice, party claims, and
a host of other influences ail combine
to cause the fatal delay and create the unfortunate
situation which all lovers of freedom must deplore,
and all honest men reprobate. The wiseacres must
be indeed at a loss for opportunities of displaying
their petty spite and malice, when they order the
editors of newspapers to insert news from the king-
dom under the head of " foreign intelligence."
Truly is it here stated that all these plans and pro-
positions tend to reveal that there was truth in
Marshal WRANGEL'S words, that " Schleswig must
now become a German province." When the offi-
cials of a country are permitted to ill-treat and
assault respectable individuals, it augurs ill for. the
justice of their cause, or for the integrity of their
rulers at home. We are informed that some of the
" arrested citizens" were marched through the
streets with their hands tied behind their backs,
and scarcely any covering on tleao, though it was
piercingly cold. Such brutality ie. a stigma on the
name of Prussia that no time will efface, and the
most renowned exploits in the field could never
atone for the want of common feeling and sense of
honour so glaringly manifested in these details.
There was a monument in Flensborg churchyard
over the graves of the Danish warriors who fell
in the battle of Idstead in 1850. Instead of pro-
tecting this noble work of art from injury, as was
expceted, the Prussian general allowed his troops
to destroy it. Surely it was enough to trerep"te
upon the living, without desecrating th?. dead, It
is truly sala of this disgraceful ass; dastardly trans-
actiosa, that by this act of infamy the Prussians
have put the crown on their brutal proceedings at
Schleswig, and have rendered themselves worthy
of the name of the modern Vandals of Europe.
This appeal to the people of Europe is a mournful
thing to peruse ; it should be a stirring summons
to the free people of all lands, and speak to them
as the trumpet blast that calls to action, but at
present there is too much reason to fear that it will
be put aside for a more convenient opportunity—
at all events we here meet with a very excellent
resume of the events of this unequal struggle, and
can ponder on the position of a brave people
deserted by all around them, and true to the last
to the instincts of honour and of freedom. Far
distant generations, in the light of a younger and
brighter day of the world's annals, may wonder how
the nations were mute while the sacrifice was
made, and that there was no warning voice to tell
the governments of the different states of their
departure from good faith, and their unworthy in-
action when so much was required from them.

The Confederate War Steamer Georgia,

The members of the Liverpool Southern Club in-
tend to entertain the officers of the Georgia at a
banquet. The names of the officers are Lieutenant
Commanding W. E. Evans, of Alabama ; Lieuten-
ant G. H. Ingram, South Carolina; Lieutenant C.
K. King, Virginia ; Lieutenant S. S. Lee (nephew
of General Lee), VirginiA ; John G. Walker, master,
South Carolina; Thomas J. Wbeeden, doctor;
R. W. Curtis, paymaster ; James M. Morgan, mid-
shipman; Cornelius Hunt, master's mate; Dunn,
gunner. With regard to the Georgia herself, she
is now moored alongside the Victoria Wharf, Bir-
kenhead, close to the spot where the Alabama was
fitted out. On Monday evening Lieutenant Evan
addressed the crew, informing them that those who
wanted leave of absence might go away for a short
time, while those who wished to leave the ship
altogether might do so at once, and would be paid
off. Very few of the men, however, left the ship.

MRS' MACREADY'S DRAMATIC RECITALS.—Mrs.
Macready, a laly who is well known in America as a " reci-
tationiste," and in England, Ireland, and Scotland as a
reciter, commenced a series of dramatic recitals last night at
the Queen's Concert-room, Hanover•square, before a very
good audience. The selection comprised part of the fourth
canto of Scott's "Lady of the Lake,' scenes from the
" Honeymoon," and the " School for Scandal," several comic
and pathetic miscellaneouspieces, and two scenes from "Mac-
beth," including the sleep-walking scene. Mrs. Macready
has a fine presence, an expressive face, a powerful voice,
and the most perfect self-possession. Her delivery has all
the force, faults, merits, and peculiarities of American
elocution, and it reminds us somewhat of Miss Bateman's
delivery. The series is announced to extend to six more
recitals, which will be given on different dates throughout
the month, the programme being changed on each occasion.
SHIELDS, Tuesday, Noon.—lt was currently re-
ported in this seaport last night that the Austrian fleet had
left Deal for the North Sea, and had orders to call at the
Tyne to coal.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE,

Otto Nicolas " Falstaff,"

Fifteen years after its original production at
Berlin, Nicolai's sprightly opera " Die Lustigen
Weiber von Windsor"—otherwise the operatic
version of Shakspere's "Merry Wives of Windsor"
has been at last performed (let us say at once, with
the moat brilliant effect) here in London. It was sub-
mitted for the first time to an English audience last
evening at Her Majesty's Theatre, and that too with
a success throughout the whole performance so really
remarkable of its kind that upon that success we
may at once offer Mr. Mapleson our very heartiest
congratulations. Foremost upon the extraordinary
list of novelties, promised by the Director of Her
Majesty's, at the commencement of the season,
Nicolai's chef d'ceuvre is aptly enough the earliest
of those novelties to have been produced. And the
manner of its production is such that it renders us son •
guide as to the possibility of Mr. Mapleson being yet
enabled to fulfil within the compass of this present
season the majority at least of the radiant promises
massed together in his prospectus. Although
Nicolai's comic opera has been condensed in its
present form from the original four acts into Three,
the performance of merely those three acts was not
over until after midnight. Again—although the
libretto has been duly Italianized from the German
original into " Le Spose Ailegre di Windsor," the
wcrk comes, even in its Italian form, before an
English audience under the more terse and equally
appropriate title of FALSTAFF ! Its production, thus,
at length upon the stage of Her Majesty's, occurring,
moreover—of all good years that could have been
selected for that purpose—in the year of the Shak-
sperian Tercentenary. And, as if in especial
honour of that circumstance, the whole strength
of Mr. Mapleson's establishment may be said
to have been lavished upon its performance.
The characters, to begin with, were distributed
among the very pick of his cowpony. Signor
Giuglini was the young lover, Penton. Made-
moiselle Titiens was one of the Merry Wives, Mistress

Fardi-Mademoiselle Bettelheim, the new contralto,
being the other, that is Mrs. Page. Signor Mar-
cello Junca was the Fat Knight. Mr. Santley, the
Jealous Husband. Signor Gassier being not only
the other Husband, who is not jealous, to wit, Mas-
ter Page, but as soch (an innovation this, as will be
seen, in the plot of the comedy) the impersonator
of Herne the Hunter, in the closing scene of the
Opera—to the crowning terror of Falstaff, himself
already duly disguised in that scene as ihe antlered
spectral-huntsman. Added to these Madlle. Vitali

was Anne Page—Signor Mazzetti undertaking
Doctor Caius—and Signor Manfredi, Master Slen-
der : absurdly misprinted, this last, " Flanders" in
the libretto. It will be seen at once, therefore,
that nothing whatever was omitted to be done
that could be done, with a view to ensuring the
effective impersonation of the different characters.
Reduced as it is to three acts, Nicolsi's" Die Lusti-
gen Weiber von Windsor" has most appropriately,
as it happens, bees rechristened " Falstaff," seeing
that each of these three acts ii an exhibition of one
of the princ:pal practical jokes played off by the
Merry Wives upon Sir John, or rather, as he now
masquerades before us in his title, upon Sir Gio-
vanni. The first act reaches its climax with the
carrying away of the buck-basket to have its con-
tents tumbled into the Thames at Datchet. The
second act attains its climax with the trouncing
administered by Ford's cudgel to the burly Lothario
while the latter, in waddling out in the disguise of
the Fat Woman of Brentford. The third and last
act, closes, as a matter of course, with Falstaff's
final escapade under the Haunted 011 t in Windsor
Forest. Most appropriately, therefore, we repeat,
the opera, thus revised and condensed, is entitled
not the " Merry Wives," but " Falstaff."
Now, however, as to what was obviously, of course,
the consideration beyond all others of paramount
importance in regard to the performance yesterday
at Her Majesty's, for the very first time here in Eng-
land, of Nicelai's masterpiece—the music ! Saving
and excepting only, in regard to the instrumenta-
tion, it would be difficult, if not impassible, to
detect through the opera itself, its German author-
ship. The animation, vivacity, sprightliness, and
espieglerie of the whole of this graceful and vari-
able composition, breathe far more of an It ilian, or
even it might be said, of a French, than of a German
origin. The charming overture (already familiar
to us, the only portion of the opera we will acknow-
ledge that was familiar to us) inaugurated the even-
ing, so to speak, respendently. In this Overture it is
that occurs the loveliest air in the whole opera,
for that matter, it should be said, the only haunt-
ing one—that air, namely (any one who has ever
listened to it will surely recognise it by the de-
scription), resembling, as we may say, an undulat-
ing wave of melody, the outline of the curves of
which are carved out, as it were, by the sweeping
bows of the violins. So masterly was the performance
of the overture last night by the orchestra at Her
Majesty's, peeler the potent wand of Signor Arditi,
that the last movement of it, before the raising of
the curtain, was announced with a thunder of ap-
plause-, evidencing the admiration with which the
' tole crowded house had listened to it. A
similar greeting was accorded to that slow
movement, beginning with the " Bench e geloso
umore, " of Ford, which constitutes the
most admirable portion of the brilliant finale of
the Second Act—admirably rendered by Mr.
Santley, Madlle. Titiegs, and the rest, and re•
demanded with acclamation. Frequent though the
encores were during the later portion of the
evening, the most conspicuous success of all in that
way was achieved by Signor Giuglini, whose
exquisite delivery of the Serenade " Nel boschetto
l'uaignuolo"—to the delicious accompaniment of the
hushed violins and warbling flutes—was rewarded
at its close with a crash of palms and an unanimous
cry of encore from boxes, stalls,
and amphitheatre.
Of Signor Marcella Junca's Falstaff we would say
at least this, unhesitatingly—that in the mere look
of it, in the make up and so forth, it was an ex-
cellent impersonation. As for anything
we must freely acknowledge our incapacity to ad-
mire it. Enough perhaps if we say in explanation
of our remarks, here, that it, Sir John as repre-
sented by Signor Inca, lacked altogether one
particle of fun—if we except only, that is, the
assumption of a shrill tone of voice by the basso
profundo when disguised as the Fat
Woman of
Brentford. Otherwise, Signor Junca's Falstaff was
a Falstaff with all the fun taken out of him. Mr.
Santley's Ford, like everything else he doesrawas
admirable—admirable alike in acting and in
singing. Mademoiselle Miens, as
the most charming contrast to her jealous spouse
in the latter's more serious moods, when eaten up
with suspicion oe infuriated to outbursts of un-
governable indignation—the Mrs. Ford, was
most charming con-
trast, with her brigtt, happy, delightful face, her
features often sparkling
all over with laughter, and
beyond this, by reason of her gay, glorious voice,
fresher than ever it seemed last evening, and more
dazzlinglin its brilliancy As for the Master Slender
of Signor Bettini, end the Doctor Caius of Signor
Mazzetti, they were the merest shadows of character
well imagineable—the latter in his make up
resembling, by the way, one of John Leech's bullet-
headed Frenchmen—in masquerade. The way
in which the whole opera was put upon the stage
reflects the highest credit upon Mr. Mapleson's
establishment. Two of Mr. Telbin's scenes were
exquisite—the garden scene at the back of Master
Page's House and
(best of all) the moonlit glade
in Windsor Forest. This last one being an eminently
beautiful and really wonderful stage i'lusion. Alto-
gether,
we are speaking strictly wilt in the limit of
plain truth, when we say that a more brilliantly
successful first night of any opera could not by
possibility have rewarded the strenuous efforts
of the management to ensure it. At the end of each
of the three acts the principal performers were
summoned between the curtains and the footlights :
the last time, receiving what is called an ovation,
meaning thereby simp'y a greeting marked by
genuine enthusiasm. We are equally notifying
here a mere matter of fact, we believe, when we
add that the audience assembled last evening within
the walls of her Majesty's Theatre was the most
brilliant that has been there collected together
this season, if we except only that purely excep-
tional night, the night set apart at her Majesty's
for the entertainment of the great Italian Adyens
tuner.