The Sun.
London, England, 1852-06-03 00:00:00

PRINCESS'S THEATRE

Mr. Wigan's benefit, last evening was deservedly
patronised by a brilliant and overflowing attendance.
We cannot bat again express regret at his approach-
ing departure from this establishment, where his
talents were so conspiouous among a company never
surpassed in the annals cf the modern theatre, for the
excellence of its leading members, whether in comedy
of every grade, tragedy, melodrama, ballet, or
pantomime. Last night the Corsican Brothers was
played for the fifty first time, after which Mr. Wigan
performed in A Bengal Tiger, and in the Critic,
wherein he personated the immortal Puff with ad-
mirable coolness and genuine comic humour.

ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.
Last night the series of German plays commenced
with the Eginont of Go3the. The plot of this tra-
gedy may b thus briefly sketched. The Netherlands,
oppressed under the 3.'oke of the bigoted Philip 11. of
Spain, are ripe for revolt. In some of the provinces
outbreaks have already taken place, and monasteries
and churches have been pillsged by the free-thinkers.
Philip resolves to put down attempts at rebellicn,
and maintain the Catholic faith with a hand of iron,
and appoints the cruel and bloodthirsty Duke of Alba
regent of Flanders, in the stead of Margaret of
Parma. Count Egmont, the idol of the people, is
suspected by Albs of secretly plotting against the
King, in concert vci.4l the Prince of Orange. With
machiavellian dissimulation he entices Egmont to the
palace, arrests him, and, in despite of Egmont's ap-
peal to be judged by his compeers as a knight of the
Golden Reece, he is condemned by Alba, and exe-
cuted. The Prince of Orange, who had in vain im-
plored his friend Egmont to fly from Brussels, escapes.
In the selection of so historical a personage al Eg-
mont for his hero, it is to be regretted that Goethe
has not adhered more strictly to historical veracity.
Egmont is presented to us as a young unmarried
man, with unlimited enjoyment of the pleasures of life,
boundless self-reliance, a gift of drawing all men to
himself, even the son of his implacable enemy Alba.
His courage borders upon daring; he knows no dan-
ger, turns a deaf ear to the warnings of his friend,
and manfully advocates the cause of the people even
in Alba's presence. His personal courage is the
foundation upon which the whole character of Eg-
mont rests. The design of Egmont is to show that
the most firmly established institutions .cannot main-

Lain themselves against a powerful and shrewdly cal-
culating despotism. The love of Egmont for Cliirchen
is entirely distinct from the plot of the drama. It is

a domestic tragedy in itself, subservient to the deve-
lopment of Egmont's character. 'Ciarchen a lovely child
of nature, the daughter of an artizan' lives with her
aged mother. She is seen, courted, and won by
Egmont. Clarchen is one of those wonderful deli-
neations of character of which Goethe was so great a
master, and may teke place by the side of Mignon,
his masterpiece. This gentle girl has one sole passion
—her love for her seducer. This love is so pure—
though so guilty—so beautiful in its devotion, so fond
in its expression—that to say one harsh word to the
fair girl in whose breast it dwells would need a heart
of stone ; hence the character of L'rackenburg—an
honest, bluff soldier, betrothed to her before Egmont
crossed her path, and who, though his heart is break-
ing, remains true to her to the last, and hovers near
her as a brother. On hearing of Egmont's arrest and
sentence, Clarchen loses her reason in vein attempts
to excite the people to deliver him, and poisons her-
self in despair. Egmont beholds her vision in a
dream, and the curtain falls on the appearance of the
soldiers who are to lead him to execution. Egmont
was first represented at Weimar (then the Athens of
Germany), in 1796 ; the original part of Egmont
was taken by Iffland, the most celebrated actor of
the day. Schiller helped Giiathe to put it on
the stage. Last night the part was tak -n by Emile
Devrient, an actor who fully maintained the high re-
putation he enjoys in his own country. He personi-
fied admirably the noble bearing of Egmont, and in-
terpreted the true meaning of the author with a clas-
sical correctness and true delivery which elicited en-
thusiastic applause. His voice is manly and clear.
At the end of the fourth act, when Alba demands his
sword, his simple exclamation of the name of his
friend embodied the whole story of warnings given
and rejected. Frau Stolte's personification of Clarchen
was in many respects an admirable piece of acting,
especially in the scene where, with childish joy, she
admires her lover, who, to please a whim of hers,
appears dressed as a Spanish grandee, in her humble
chamber—a scene which Sir Walter Scott has been
accused of borrowing in "Kenilworth," with what
justice we do not pretend to say. The corps is an
efficient one. Vansen (Herr Birnstill), a roué clerk
who urges the people to revolt, was well got up.
On the whole, the performance was most
successful, and the series of German dramas
promises to be one of the greatest attrac-
tions of the season. The Queen and Prince
Albert, the Duchess of Kent, and a very large
number of the aristocracy, honoured the performance
with their presence, and the house was full to over-
flowing. Before the drama a prologue, expressly
written for the occasion by Dr. Kuenzel, was deli-
vered by one of the corps, dressed as the Germanic
Muse, in a flowing robe of white and a wreath of oak
leaves in her hair. The prologue alludes to the
bonds of consanguinity by which England is allied to
Germany, a passing compliment to the " Bard of
Avon," and the influence of his works on the drama-
tic literature of Germany. The Muse then placed
the crown upon a bust of Shakspere. A compliment
is paid to the happy state of England in the midst of
European convulsions, and to Prince Albert, as the
originator of the Great Exhibition, as a step towards
the unity of nations. After the prologue the Na-
tional Anthem was played, the whole house rising.
The miss en scene was good—the music well adapted.

MR. ALBERT SMITH'S 1110 NT BLANC.
Last night was the hundredth representation of this
entertainment at the Egyptian Hall, and Mr. Albert
Smith gracefully signalised the occasion by presenting
every lady present with a bouquet. The crowds of bold
adventurers who nightly stroll through the Alps—
encounter fanny travelling countrymen and country-
women, and who finally and in the most dauntless
manner follow the lecturer up across the crevices,
past the Grand Mulcts, and to the very tip-top of the
monarch of mountains—continue unabated in eager-
ness or numbers; and as Mr. Albert Smith has sig-
nalised his first hundredth night by a bouquet, his
second similar epoch will come handily in among the
peaches. If even the " nights" go rolling on as un-
brokenly as the Arabian ones, we still trust in Mr.
Smith's inventive faculties to find out new modes of
celebrating his Heviras.
.712 R

S. ANDERSON'S CONCERT.
Mrs. Anderson's concert is sure to be one of the
most brilliant of the season, and yesterday it outdid
itself. No reception could be more cordial than that
which the bentficiaire received, when, after a profes-
sional silence of many months, she sat down to the
pianoforte to accompany Mario in the "Adelaide."
The programme included twenty-four pieces. The
whole force—vocal, instrumental, and choral—of the
Royal Italian Opera were in the field ; and in addi-
tion, Miss Louisa Pyne and Madlle. Clara Novella
contributed their aid, while Miss Kate Loder end
Miss Anderson Kirkham were the pianoforte soloists.
Herr Joachim also performed a fantasia upon Scotch
airs, which exhibited to the full his powers of strong
and fervid bowing, and his rapid and distinct mani-
pulation. Miss Anderson Kirkham played Mendels-
shon'a concerto in G minor, and, with Miss Kate
Loder, a very attractive duo, by Osborne, upon
themes from the Huguenots. The lady in question,
who is a niece of Mrs. Anderson, bids fair to bear
well aloft the musical honours of the family..
Her style is light and delicate, and her
touch remarkably nimble and neat. Over the key-
board, so far as rapid brilliance is concerned, she rulea
with absolute sway. Miss Anderson Kirkham's ren-
dering of the sonata was marked by much apprecia-
anon7dt;:sl.
tion and perfect executive facility, and in the Hugue-
nots duet both performers gave a brilliant reading.
The execution of the poignard chorus was particu-
larly good. The single overture was that to Oberon.
is
pthrepcmioosnat.h of
B esiViiptshinfe
Beethoven's
t'rhi
The choral performances included the well-known
Walpurgis Night chorus, " Disperse, disperse ;" the
oomw
compositionmadrigal,
great song, Mario gave, with Grisi,
duet from Don Pasquale, and Grisi and Formes wer
associated in the well-known " 0 Zerrer," from the
Huguenots. Macille. Anna Zerr was encored in a
German Lied, " Das Striiuss,le," Madame Clara No-
vello gave the " Bel raggio,' and Miss Pyne an us,
from Coppola. Madame Castellan sang the favourite
bravura, " 0 luce," from the Linda, and, with Ron-
coni, the as well-known " Quanto
.an.rore," fr,m
L'Etisir. A duet by Plata
.and Bottesini,,and seve-
ral
ni tce,, closed the principal
and concerted pieces by M. Caueymard,
features of the concert.
Signor Marini, Galva I

PIC INSTITU
PUILANTHRO
and subscribers to this institu-
tion, court of the governors
esterd ay a quar-
terly
which was founded in 1778 for the reformation of juvo-
nileTlON.—Y
offenders, was held at the the corporation;
pose of transacting the usual busines
The report, which was
Mr. William Gladstone in the chair.
of boys admitted
very satisfactory, stated that the number
Lom.lon,sToafvern, for the pur-
pose
number there had
during the past year was 74- of which ~ 23 boys had
emigrated or otherwise been discharged,
been received from Illillbault Prison under
and 8
pardons, commuting their sentence of transportation;
the
others had been received under a similar pardon from ,
Westminster Bridewell. The number of boys in the school
at the commencement of the past year was 96, and there are
I I ; conditional
at the present time 99. It is the intention of the committee
to increase the Lumber of boys from 100 to 200 ; and the
average cost per head, exclusive of emigration expenses, will
sink from 32/. to 25/. per annum. The. total receipts for the
past year had been 16,139/. 13a. 10d., and after the necessary
expenses had been defrayed there was left a balance in hand
of 223/. 4s. Some routine business having been transacted,
the meeting Sepira.
Tun EARLY CLOS_4I.NG MOYLALENT.--It WaS extra-
ordinary the number of betting offices that were eloped earl
the morning after the Derby l--Punch.y

_ FACES BY THE FIRE.
(From Eliza Cook's Journal.)
I pass a.window in..the dusk of the evening. A
broad stream of--light flows across the darkening
street,- and shines against the opposite wall. The
blaze Italiea in my eyes, and, but for an instant, un-
consciously I taro aside to meet it. I catch but a
glimpse of the interior of a home, but it is enough.
Through a screen ihf green leaves, I see a group of
merry faces by the fire, the cheerful blaze making "a
sunshine in the shady place." The light flashes upon
the features of a beautiful girl, with a laughing child
upon her knee; a little ruddy fellow is crouched at
her feet, and a cheerful-looking old dame, in specta-
cles, busy at her knitting, from which for a moment
she looks up to watch the gambols of the youngsters,
occupies the farther side of the hearth. There is
another figure, that of a man, with his back toward
me, on the opposite aide doubtless the fire brightens
his face, too, but the faces of the women and the
children ere enough. What is a cheerful fireside with-
out tham ? they are the precious jewels which glitter
and shine around the happy hearths, and make light
and beauty there even in the saddest hours. Like
white flowers in the dusk, they cheer and hallow it—
they speak of the thousand hopes and joys which
cluster about a home—they are the emblems of vir-
tue, cheerfulness, beauty, and divine comfort.
Burke has said that "to love the little platoon we
belong to in 'sbciety, is the germ of all public affec-
tions." Yes, unless the feces shine by the fire, they
will shine nowhere else. If we feel not warmed by
the fire which glows about the hearthstone—we mean
the affection and love which are its true moral glow—
how can we feel affection end sympathy for those who
compass us about in ever-widening circles in the
outer world ? All genial warmth emanates from the
home; it is there the affections are first moved, and,
there the heart is first attuned to human sympathy.
You see that-child laughing in the full glow of the
firelight—it is drinking in impressions which will last
its life out. The. little child is formed by love, its
character is moulded:by love, its future is determined
by love—
" Ah! how skilful grows the hand
That obeyeth Love's command.
Ittis the heart, and not the brain,
That to the highest loth attain;
And he who tolloweth Love's behest,
Par exceedeth all the rest."

Have you seen the—child's face by the fire, half
concealed in his mother's lap, while, knelt there, be
whispered out the faint accents of prayer which she
had first taught him, and which he never after for-
gets ? She it was who first told him of God and
Heaven, and by her daily example inspired him with
love of holiness. And even though the child, when
grown up into manhood, has gone astray, and the
chain of love which bound him to the Home has
been snapped, the links still drag at his heels, and he
is never happy until they are bound together again.
The bright fire is the eye of the home; it
bespeaks cheerfulness, peace, cleanliness, comfort.
About it the small sweet courtesies of life—in which
there is no parade nor affectation, which manifest
themselves in kind words and affectionate looks,—
cluster naturally and gracefully. The seeds of love
are fostered by its genial warmth, and the faces by
the fire look.bright through affection and lively inter-
course. The 'cheerful fire indicates domesticity, love
of home, and humanity. Even though the circle be
a small one, there are larger circles beyond ; and still
it is the centre of a congeries of rays which extend
beyond the home, and warm the world without, even
to far outer circles. The root is hid in the home, but
the branches extend into the glad daylight of society
and public life.
Faces by the Fire I how many pictures spring to
view at the words ; how the poets of England have
revelled around the fireside and the home—the great
national temple of our race! Longfellow has written
his delicious poems of " The Fireside." You remem-
ber his " Fire of-Drift-wood :"
"We sat and talked until the night,
Descending, filled the little room;
Our faces laded from the sight,
Our voices only broke the gloom.
" Oft died the words upon our lips,
As suddenly, frOm out the fire
Built of the wreck of stranded ships,
The flames would leap, and then expire.
,4 0 flames that glowed! 0 hearts that yearned!
They were, iniieed, too much akin I
The drift-wood fire without that burned,—
The thoughts that burned and glowed within."

And there are his lines on. the " Twilight" by the
Fireside, certainly the most- luxurious point of time
which a fireside can present—the time when old re-
collections are brought forth, and old stories told, and
old poetry talked of, and old songs chanted,—music
at such a time opening the windows of the soul, and
letting heaven peep in. A t such a time the feeling of
snugness is delicious ; perhaps the wind blows with-
out, but all is warmth and comfort within:—

" Fast by an ingle, bleezing finely,
Wi' reaming swats, that drank divinely;
The storm without might rair and rustle—
Tam didna mind the storm a whistle."

Or, more temperate than Burns in his "Tam
O'Shanter," there is our genuine Home Poet, Cowper,
who thus introduces one of his finest poems :
" Now stir the fire, and close the shutters fast,
Let fall the curtains, wheel the sofa round;
And 'while the bubbling and loud-hissing urn
Throws up a steamy cohlmn, and the cups,
That cheer but not inebriate, wait on each,
So let us welcome peaceful evening in."
Even the Italian poets, whose skies are in a glow,
have been inspired by the Homer Fire, and felt that
human faces looked the brighter by its light. Alfieri
makes a commodious fireplace the climax of his
wishes with regard to lodging; and old Horace tempts
his friends to visit him by the promise of a neat room
and a sparkling fire :.--
" Dissolve frigus, ligna super food
Large reponens."

Or, as Dryden translates it :
" With well-heaped logs dissolve the cold,
Pt
And feed the genial hearth with fires.
Then there. is the exquisite little cabinet picture,
painted by Milton, a master of description, and a true
lover of home and home joys:—
"Or, if the air will not permit,
Some still, removed place will fit,
Where glowing embers through the room
Teach light to counterfeit a gloom;
Far from all resort of mirth,
Save the cricket on the hearth,
Or the bellman's drowsy charm
To bless the doors from nightly harm."
Of course, as there are children, about a family
fireside, there will be lively prattle, mirth, and
laughter, which comes of freedom. In the glad fire-
light the young heart rejoices; for the time, merri-
ment suffices. Pleasantry in the home is like the
flowers which often float around the margin
of deep
streams, beautifying the solemn waters of life. The
heart will be free and will dance nowhere if not in the
home. Young nature is ever happy.
"The young, they laugh: laughs not the sky?
The winds, they laugh us they pass by;
The sun, he laughs, and Nature's face
Beams with a joyous, laughing grace.
Yes, laughing ever she renews
The verdant fields her morning dews."
" Yes," exclaims Theophilus Trine!, " we Will
sing, and we will laugh, and rejoice in the lily-work ;
but we will also be wise of heart' concerning the
pillars' of the world—the great truths of conscience,
the pril and the worth of free beings, the saving and
perfecting love—by which truths alone can our well-
being, and the well-being of our race, be secured."
Speaking of the prattle of children about the fire-
side, reminds us of a touching passage in the life of
Dr. Kitto, whom en accident in early life deprived
of the faculty of hearing, wherein he says, in lan-
guage of deep pathos, " I never heard the voices of
any of my children." The reader, of course, knows
this • but the fact, as stated in plain words, is almost
shocking. Is there anything on earth so engaging to
a parent as to catch the first glimpse of his infant's
tongue ? or so interesting as to listen to its dear prat-
tle, and trace its gradual mastery of speech ? If
there be any one thing,';arising out of my condition,
which more than another fills my heart with grief, it
is this ; it is to see their blessed lips in motion, and to
hear them not ; and to witness others moved to smiles
and kisses by the sweet peculiarities of infantile speech
which are incommunicable to me, and which pass by
me like the idle wind."

have been taken away ! Even
our richest blessings are un-
tt
hh
eoul Thus,i
gg h
light
t: ob f
ofo uvt i
hn
et manyi
sluthue
is they
scarceof
valued, because it comes
to us daily, and we regard it as a thing of course.
And the sunshine of the heart is unnoticed and scarce
felt until, alas ! it has gone down in darkness, and
then we awake to a sense of the blessing we have lost.
And so with the Pares by the Fire; while we have
them beside us, seated in their accustomed places—
ha n.
gdh oe I,itr virtuoushiere e
happiness,exa tnple,
one by the mother's knee, another on her lap, and
perhaps a third in " the old arm-chair," let us prize
them dearly, and labour by our cheerfulness, our love,
at on
dmake then eme e
sfis
at treyd for
st he e
.
quence, enable them to pass
th h roug the world use-
fully and honourably.

THE IRISII CHANNEL Su BMARIINE TELEGRAPH
connexion With the laying
acrarbanlegebmeetnwtosenin coponn
g
L isolated—T he
of Scotland, for the purpose of establishinghaf?e and the coast
dCodownA theN
telegraphic communication between the two a submarine
m islands, are
already rnen
upon the very point of being co
cable, we understand, is already manufactured. ucerd p. The
0
townsman, Mr. Robert Henderson, has promptlyofresrered
use of a steamer and steam-tug to render any assistance thate
may be required from the 2d to the sth of June. Here then,
is a public coniftany, established by enterprising Englishmen'
—the submarine cable already manufactured and paid for_
all the necessary- contracts, &c., arranged—and now it is to
be hoped that the people of Belfast, who will so largely par_
ticipate in the immense adyantages the undertaking will
appreciate the •rtfon, made
confer upon them, will duly ex= roof,
for their benefit, and give the project that encouragement
and support it so eminently merits at their bands,—,Wast
News Letter.