The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-23 00:00:00

- new one-act operettas have been pro-
duced here—viz., " Les Begaiements rAmour " ana
Cousin Babylas," the former by M. Albert Grisar, and the
latter by M. H. Carpus. In the first, Caroline, a young
widow, is the heroine ; of a tender, sentimental, almost
poetical nature, one defect alone prevents her attaining
perfection—she stutters. Toquandel is also young, inno-
cent, and even more poetical than Caroline ; for, whereas
she only reads, he writes verses. A further similarity
exists between them—he also stutters In virtue probably
of the esiom guise ressenzble s'asseinble, they are brought
together, fall in ove with each other, and finally marry,
after amusing attempt o conceal their infirmity, which,
however, is miraculously dispelled—probably by the
intensity of their passion—before the curtain falls,
The music of M. Albert Grisar is lively, pi-
quant, and full of melody. itime. Faure-Le-
fevre and Fromant materially contributed to
the suttee of the piece by their singing. Lo Cousin Babylas
is in person as ridiculous as in name. Reduced to a skeleton
and almost to idiocy by the potions and treatment of his
uncle, a kind of experimental Sangrado, the latter, by way
of making amends, has promised him the hand of his ward
Isabella. She, however, determines to bestow herself on
her lover, the fascinatirg Pedrillo, and ultimately carries
her point. M. Carpus's music is light, airy, agreeable,
thoroughly French in character, thanks to it, "Le Cousin
Baby las" was favourably received. The reproduction of
Gaunod's " Mireille" in its present shape and proportions
is likely to prove more remunerative to the director of this
theatre than was the case last year when first brought
out. It then was somewhat tedious. In London,
where it was consideraLly curtailed, and assisted
by all the talent of Titiens, Trebclli, and Giuglini, it was
still a failure; but given as it is now, and better sung by
Michot than by Morini, and still retaining Mmes. Carvalhos
Faure, and Ugalde, its representation gave very great satis-
fact'on.

GYMNASE.—We have to record the appearance of two
novelties at this theatre. In " Les Truffes," by M. E. Mar-
tin, we have an amusing picture of the efforts of a young
couple, anxious for an evening tete a tete, to get rid of an
old bore of an uncle, who insists on staying to dinner on
discovering a truffied turkey is to be the chief plat. "Le
Point de Mire, by Messrs Labicho and Delacour, introduce
us to the rivalry of two mothers, each anxious to bestow on
the hero—young, handsome, and a millionaire. The plot
is drawn out to such tedious length, that though not with-
out merit, the piece only met with a lukewarm reception.
VARIETES.—M. Offenbach's new operatic burlesque,
"La Belle Helene," just brought out here, is likely to
prove as great a hit as his " Otphee aux Eufers ;" th
music is lively, sparkFrg, and original, and the piece itself
is extremely amusing. Of the plot, it is sufficient to set)
that it describes, after the somewhat crude fashion the pub.
lie of the V arietes delight in, the conjugal misfortunes Of
Menelaus on the arrival of Paris at Sparta, Mlle. Schneider
is an appropriate representative of the fair but frail daugh-
ter of Leda; and, to render the partmore correctly, has
availed herself of the aid of modern science to impart a
golden hue to her hair. The authors of the libretto are
Messrs. Meilhac and Ludovic Halevy. _ _ _

BOUFFES PARISIENS.—Cham, the witty caricaturist of
the Charivari, is the author of a new operatic extravaganz
produced here under the title of " Le Serpent a Plumes,"
he music by M. Leo Deslibes. It was fairly received, but
cannot be set down as a great success.

The Theatre-Frangaia and the Vaudeville last evening
gave special representations in honour of the 225th anni-
versary of Racine's birthday. At the former " Phedre"
and the last two acts of the " Freres Ennemis" were repre-
sented, and at the latter " Raci,e a Uaes," an " Ode to
Charity," sot to music, the words by the great poet; and
" Les Plaideurs."

The Duke de Morny has read to a select party from the
Theatre-Frangais—M. and Mme. Lafontaine, Coquelin,
and Dalauny—a new piece, in one act, written by himself,
which is to be performed at his hotel during the winter.
On Sunday 3,000 dilettanti asseu.ble I in the Cirque de
l'lmperatrice to hear a grand ch ral performance by 800
artistes. The selection of music was good, and the volume
of sound most imposing. The instrumental part of the
programme was entrusted to the excellent band of the
Garde de Paris, which moll efficiently discharged its duty.
The receipts of the theatres, concert rooms, and other
places of public amusement during the month of Novem-
ber amounted to 1,709,518 f, being 2,463 f more than in the
preceding month.
Thackeray once figured as a dramatic author in Paris.
On the Ist Feb., 1840, the playbills announced the produc-
tion that evening at the Theatre de la Porte St. Antoine
(now Theatre Beaucmarchais) of a melodrama, in three
acts, called " L'Abbaye de Penmarch," "from the joint
authorship of MM. Tournemine and Thakeray." This
drama had a fair run.
Three thousand pounds is named as the rum given for
the English copyright of Meyerbeer's " Africaine."
Signor Bocce, director of the Theatre Reggio at Turin,
has cancelled his contract and forfeited his caution-money
(10,000 f.), in consequence of the Italian Parliament having
sanctioned the removal of the cl,pital to Florence. Signor
Mattinotti is spoken of as his probable successor.
Ullmann, who is now travelling in Germany with Car-
lotta Patti, lately published the following advertisement in
a Leipaic journal : -
" Talented Young Ladies—l am in search of a girl of 16
or 18 years, daughter of parents without means, well edu-
cated, good-lug and gifted with a fine voice (high
soprano), and decide,: talent for music. Such a young lady
I propose to have educates :,?r the opera at my expense dur-
ing three years, by the best teacher; of singing, first in Ger-
!ter her education
many, then in Italy, and last in Paris. IN..
is finished she will receive contract for six years with
the following stipulations :—Travelling expenses
for
two persons, theatrical costumes, and 1,500 thalers It;
the first, 2,000 thalers in the second, 2,500 thalers in
the third, 3,000 thalers in the fourth, 3,500 thalers in the
fifth, and 4,000 thalers in the sixth year."

Liverpool Cotton Market—This Day,

_
Market firm. Stales, probably 10,000 bales.

CRYSTAL PALACE.—Notwithatanding the incle-
mency of the weather yesterday nearly 2,800 people were
present at General Tom Thumb's reception. The palace
being comfortably warmed presented a marked contrast to
the weather out of doors. This day and to-morrow are the
last two days the General and his party will receive
visitors, The Palace is decorated as for the ChriAmas
holidays, and the great Christmas-tree will also be illu-
minated.
THE CHAPEL ROYAL IN THE SAVOY.—Dr. Jelf,
the Principal of King's College, has with great
kindness placed his College Chapel at the disposal of the
Rev. Henry White, the chaplain of the Savoy, for a morn-
ing service on Christmas day, Some months since the
Savoy Chapel was burned down, and the congregation
having no place in which to meet, the Principal of King's
College gave them his chapel for evening services, Every
Sunday night the chapel is crowded ; one side being set
apart for the persons who are in the habit of attending the
Savoy, the opposite side being freely given to such other
persons as may like to attend. Mr White's own people
completely fill ono side of the chapel, and the other side is
invariably crowded by strangers, who are attracted by the
heartiness of the services. On Christmas-day there will bo an
evening as well as a morning service in the College Chapel.
Principal, professors, students, and even gyps (if there be
such things at King's), being away for the holidays, the
Savoy congregation will be enabled to join in the two full
set vicss to which th• y have been accustomed at Christmas.
Mr. White was formerly a student of King's College, and
Dr Jell's offer of his chapel is at once a mark of respeot
to his old pupil and a compliment to the Savoy congre-
gation.