The Sun.
London, England, 1852-10-01 00:00:00

THE SUN,

L ITERATURE.

FANNY DENNISON. 3 Vole. Colburn.
Tne heroine of this work. is certainly placed in a
very unusual position, and if the record of her adven-
tures seems unreal it must be remembered that her
circumstances are peculiar. Perhaps many who seek
amusement may be disappointed ; but there is instruc-
tion to he found in perusing this narrative. It con-
veys a solemn warning to all inexperienced in life not
to follow the suggestions of expediency, or to imagine
that they can shape out their course ; above all, it
teaches them the misery of mistaking the greater fur
the lesser evil of marrying to secure for themselves a
home, totally ignorant of the nature of that
home, or of the character and actions of
theindividual who is to provide it. Far better
would it have been for the ill-fated Fanny to
have entered on the most menial service
or bound herself to the hardest task-master by bonds
she could have broken at pleasure, than rush blindly
to destruction, throwing away all chance of repara-
tion, and risking far more than mere happiness, all
peace of mind and self. respect, at a venture, of which
who could foretell the fatal consequences. On the
other hand, it must be seen that Mrs. Staunton com.
mitted a crime of greater magnitude in urging on
Fanny; her pride, reprehensible to the highest degree,
induced her to sacrifice an innocent girl, whose only
fault was that of lowly origin, rather than incur the
risk of thwarting her schemes. In Gilbert
Elton we are presented with a most des-
picable man ; he maintained a respectable
appearance in scciety, with moderate abilities
and great self-sufficiency, but in private he
was possessed of every vice. To crown all he was a
gambler, and thus it may be imagined to what a home
the orphan and destitute Fanny had recourse for a
shelter from life's trials. Her greatest fault was
want of self-reliance, but this was hardly to be ex-
pected from a simple girl who knew little or nothing
of the world
,without, and who was directed by one
selfish and hard-hearted in the extreme. After so
much sin and suffering, it is a relief to meet with the
kind and charitable Miss Martha. One of the most
striking scenes is the following, in which Fanny's
eyes are first opened to her husband's real cha,
ratter

" Alas! it needs but a little thing to bricg back the
soaring spirit from its loftiest flight, and to load it fresh
again with all the chains and fetters of its earthly taber.
nacle. The sound of approaching footsteps turned my
thoughts from distant worlds to the one that I inhabited.
As a sleeper waking from a dream I started, and, bend-
ing cautiously a little forward, I saw two gentlemen en-
tering the conservatory door; I heard the rustle of the
foliage of the orange trees, as the unwelcome visitors
brushed them by; and, drawing myself as far back as I
could, I scarcely ventured to breathe, for fear of being
discovered. The footsteps, however, soon ceased ad-
vancing. There was a cessation of these sounds when
the two gentlemen had come within about a couple of
yards of me.
" We must be cautious, Stephen,' said a voice in a
very under tone, which, low as it was, I recognised as
my husband's. • Dull as he is in many things, he is
somewhat sharp about his money. We have him se-
curely entrapped, however, if we only have a little
patience. We must lure him on for another
night or two, and I think after that our time will

come.' As you please,' returned his companion.
Listen, Stephen. What I brought you here to say is
this. I dine to-morrow with Maccleverer, at Verrier'e.
I want you to drop in there as it by chance, and after a
little while to propose an adjournment to our old haunt
at the Palais Royale. Will you do this, Wellard?'
Certainly, certainly,' was the reply, and then both par-
..

ies moving quiekli_Uway, I was left to solitude ;nee

more. The spell of earthly hopes, earthly fears, tmil
earthly passions again descended on my heart and un

my soul. The few brief sentences which I had heard

roused up every earthly feeling in my nature. I fell
from the lofty pedestal which I had occupied afew mo-

ments previously, and train a calm survey of human
destiny I had again sunk involved in the evils of human

suffering. Oh God of Heaven! I murmured forth, what
is this man whom thou bast given me to be my hus-
band? Did I deserve this fate, this wretched fate, to be

, - -
tied to one in whose soul nothing but falsehood,
treachery, and meanness seem to dwell?"

THE DEATH OF WELLINGTON.

" The Hero of a Hundred Fights" has bid the world adieu
The glories of this lower world have faded from his view;
With the departed 'Just"he now holds solemn interview.
His death remows a " household god" from every pa-
triot's home ;
The nation that he nobly served is bowed with grief and

gloom ;
All Europe brings its " immortelles" to spread around
his tomb.

The nation ponders o'er his acts, proud of the work hc's

done ;
It rcvels in the " honours large" his mighty deeds have
won ;
It thanks our God that He vouchsafed to England such
a son.

Ever to duty was he firm—to honour ever true ;
His patriot soul was ever pure, and selfish thoughts ne'er

knew ; _.
Our children's children will revere " the Princa of
Waterloo."

To him belongs the honoured fame of warrior and sage ;
His genius free'd the nations—left its impress on the age:
To see his well-known haunts will bo the patriot's pil-
grimage.
He was the Hero England loved, his motives all were
high,
His martial and his civil deeds show moral dignity;
His life a grand example is to all humanity.
There, by his sea-side castle home, in solitude, he sleeps;
He knows not that his children sob, nor that his country

weeps ;
He does not hear the wave's salute as o'er the beach it
sweeps.
The wail of nations now resounds o'er Arthur Wellesley's
grave,
His memory, long as time endures, will grateful homage
have.
" Peace to the ashes" of the Chief, peace to the Patriot
brave. J. TELL Tonum.

THE DUKE OF BAYLEN.
It is curious that on the same day upon which Vis-
count Beresford was gazAted as Colonel in Chief of the
60th Foot, in succession to the Prince Consort, there
arrived in England the news of the death of Castanos,
Duke of Bay len—an event which, coupled with the
recent decease of the Duke of Wellington, places Lord
Beresford at the head (loyal personages excepted) of
the armies both of Spain and Portugal. Lord Beresford's
commission as Marshal of Portugal dates from 1809, and
the Duke of Wellington and he (the former baying the
precedence) were both appointed Captains-General of
Spain on the same day, June 11, 1811. The Duke of
Baylen was made Captain-General (a rank equi-
valent in the army of Spain to that of Marshal in the
other European armies) in the year 1808. Lord Beres-
ford is now, therefore, the senior officer in Europe of
Marshal's rank, and the only one who received his baton
during the great European war—Soult and Marmont
having also died during the last twelve months. His
Lordship has of late resided in the country, where he
devotes himself to attending to the improvement of his
estate in Kent. The increase of the cottage accommo-
dation of his labourers is, we hear, a chief source of occu-
pation to the gallant veteran.

DEATH OF MAJOR M'ALLISTER, LATE OF

THE 13TH LIGHT DRAGOONS.

This veteran soldier has, like his gie at commander,
" crossed that bourne whence no traveller returns." He
died at Kaimes House Millpurt, on the 17th instant, just
three days after the death of the illustrious warrior who
led him through many a bloody field. The major was
not only a noble and a brave officer, but an accomplished
scholar and gentleman. He entered the army in early
life, and saw much service. He was present at and en-
gaged in the battles of Orthes, Nive, Pyrenees, Nivelle,
Albuera, Toulouse, Vittoria, and Waterloo. Ho also
served is India and elsewhere. At Vittoria he was one
of the centre, led on by Wellington in person, and was
near the brave Cadogan when he received his mortal
wound. At Toulouse his horse was shot under him.
He lost many brave and attached friends in this battle,
especially in the 42d, 72d, 79th, and 92d Highland re-
giments, which, it will be remembered, suffered
very severely in the battle—the 42d alone having
had four-fifths of its number either killed or
wounded. After the battle of Nivelle he lent his assist-
ance!eying the French peasantry from the fury of
the in
Spanishhighl and Portuguese soldiers, and always spoke
Yof the conduct of the Duke on this occasion,
when he sent home 25,000 solders belonging to these'
nations rather than suffer the peasantry to be the vic-
tims of their fury.
fury. In the last charge made by this
by a ba 11 in ti:ae
gallant reg
at Waterloo, the major was wounded
him more or lesa.antle, which ever afterwards troubled
paralysis, which deprived years ago he had a shock of
rt.,ed him of the use of his right
arm. He, however,
. iturlitordiately commenced to write
Weir specimens now before us,
with his left hand
comuch facility and beauty.
this he accomplished
His mortal remains were
place in Milport, on Thuraclutahyseist
gned to their resting-
several old military
heroes accompanying them to
twice married, but has lett no feta"' The major was
respectedaii lady, we
His second wife
survives him. This amiable and Y
with his friend
maedmber of
oedDreghorne,
understand, along
are his two executors. He was an attach
the Established Church of Scotland, and took
terest in everything that concerned the Welfareeeopf hisij.-•
country, whether civil, military, or ecclesiastical.

THE NEW PASSENGERS' ACT.—This day (Friday)
the Passengers' Act Amendment Bill comes into force. ale
former Acts, except as to existing liabilities, and except
hesxcieppptroa:
to an order in Council dated the 6th of October, 1849, are
repealed. The Act is to extend to every pOT)
ceeding on any voyage from the United Kingdom to any
place out of Europe, and not being within the Mediterranean
Sea, and on every colonial voyage stated. The Commis-
sioners of Emigration are to carry the Act into execution
with the assistance of their officers. There are 91 provispns
in the statute, and a number of forms to be used. Among
the enactments there are several to secure proper accommo-
dation and food for the passengers. BJats are to be carried
on board each vessel. Every passenger in a passenger ship
is to be entitled, for at least 48 hours next after his arrival
at the end of his voyage, to sleep in the ship, and to be pro-
vided for and maintained on board. No passenger in any
ship is to be landed without his previous consent at any pert
or place other than the port or place at which he contracted
to land. A certain space on board is to be allowed to each
passenger. Rules are to be made and proper order observed.

LONDON,

THEATRICALS IN FRANCE

FR AISCAIS.—.M. Francis \Vey, a A riter favourably
known in the literary world for his labours as a
plailologi4, and by several works of fiction, made
his appearance here on Friday night, under a new
author
aspect, as the
of Stella, a comedy in four
acts. The piece is not one of those which, at once
raising its author to eminence, inspires a regret that
he should have so long delayed his cleblit as a dra-
matist ; on the contrary, it is rather remarkable for
the absence of the qualities essential to theatrical
success. The dialogue is meagre and vapid, and
the ultra-sentimentality of the subject is by no
means relieved by the variety or dramatic power of
the incidents. The subject—suppressing the details
—is the devoted affection of Stella. a young canta-
trice of beauty, talent, and reputation, to a young
man of rank and fortune, M. de Valency, who,
reduced to poverty by the dishonesty of his banker,
is restored to opulence through her generosity. Her
delicacy, however, induces her to conceal from him
the source of his renovated fortunes; but 'she is
clearly under the impression that his often repeated
protestations of affection will now lead to a mar-
riage from which his pride would have shrunk in
his previous state of destitution. In this she is disap-
pointed ; the inconstant heart of her lover is capti-
vated by another lady, and Stella finds herself aban-
doned. Her rival turns out to be her own sister,
vdaose love for Valencay appears so intense and
heartfelt, that, unable to bear the idea of the pain a
rupture would inflict on her, Stella stifles her un-
worthy passion, and yielding up her claims to his
gratitude, resolves to seek in the triumphs of the
stage consolation for the sufferings of unrequited
affection. The monotony of this affair is relieved
here and there by the cool effrontery of the default-
ing banker (the best character of the piece) creating
some amusement. The exaggerated caricature of an
extravagant dandy, though savouring more of an in-
ferior theatre than the Fran9ais, is also productive of
some merriment. Stella is well acted, Mdlle. Made-
leine Brohan lending the character of the heroine the
aid of her talent and beauty, while the minor cha-
racters are efficiently supported by Mmes. Fix,
Bonval, and Moreau-Sainti. M. Provost made the
most of the bankrupt banker, and in the ungrateful
character of Valencay M. Maillart exerted himself
strenuously, but to little purpose ; in the other parts
Messrs. Gsffroy and Monrose were satisfactory. The
success must be set down as a shade below the
succes d'estime, some murmurs of disapprobation
having greeted the author's name on the fall of the
curtain.

VAUDEVILLE.—In La Jolie Ilieuniere a smart little
rustic lass, who, not liking a village lout proposed
for her husband, gets up a little intrigue which would
do honour to the most sharp-witted grisette of the
quartier Latin, by which she disgusts and frightens
him, and finally marries the man of her heart.
Messrs. Luguet, Schey, Leonce, and Mmes. Clary
and Bader, exerted themselves successfully in support
of this affair. Another novelty on the record here is
La Nuit Orageuse, which has been acted at various
theatres scores of times before, with trifling altera-
tions in the incidents, characters, &c. It has seldom,
however, been more pleasingly put on the stage. A
retired tradesman, of singularly peaceable disposition,
has a daughter whom he is about to unite to one M.
Gaston, a pleasant young fellow, who must be set
down as a downright "fast man." His escapades
coming to the ears of his father-in-law in perspective,
the marriage is broken off. Gaston is, however, more
than a match for his unsophisticated beau-pere' whom,
with the assistance of a fair danseuse (played
merveille by Mdlle. Cico) he seduces into going to
the bul del' opera, then to a supper at the Maison
Dore, the old gentleman loses a large sum at cards,
on parole, and under the. generous influence of cham-
pagne, challenges a gigantic cuirassier to fight a duel.
In the morning he awakes to a dreadful headache, and
a painful consciousness of all his previous night's ex-
travagance, and is only too happy to accept the offer
of Gaston to settle and hush up the matter, the mar-
riage following as a matter of course. With the help
of a sprightly dialogue, smart couplets, and clever
acting. La Nuit Orageuse was received with general
marks of approbation.
VARIETES.—M. Numa, one of the best actors of the
Gymnase, has emigrated to this theatre, where he
made his debut a few nights ago in a smart little affair,
Les Deux Gouttes d'Eau. The idea of the Meneech-
mei has furnished the data of the subject. An at-
torney, well to do in the world, in order to indulge
his partiality for balls, ballerine, suppers, &c., with-
out awaking the suspicions of his wife, resorts to the
expedient of making a scapegoat of an imaginary
Soeia. After giving rise to sundry quid pro quos of
a most laughable description, his stratagem is dis-
covered, and he only obtains forgiveness on condition
of becoming a model husband for the future. Numa,
as the attorney, was excellent, and from his rececption
he may be said to have at once risen as high in the
favour of the public of the Varietes as ever he stood
in tha= estimation of his admirers at the Gymnase.
GAITE.—The pieces here, however different their
subjects, are invariably cast in the same mould. The
villain of the piece is always some evil-minded, sour-
looking nobleman, while we find the " inal de plebe
Quiritem" some sturdy " ouvrier"—an epitome of all
the sublunar virtues. In the last piece produced
here, Paris qui pleure, et Paris qui rit, the same
idea predominates, though not perhaps to so great an
extent. A young scion of the nobility, such as it is
understood at the Gaits, to repair his fortune, seri-
ously compromised by gambling, &c., marries Mdlle.
de Lucenay, who, in her turn beloved by a young
naval officer whose affection she reciprocates, consents
under the influence of her father's authority. Her
husband rapidly runs through her fortune, and his
ruin, together with the unexpected return of her
former lover, gives a shock to her understanding, from
which she only recovers to learn her husband's death,
who is run over in coming home from a ball, and gives
her hand to her early admirer. By the side of " Paris
happiness
qui pleure," " Paris qui rit" introduces us to the
smiling picture of an artizan, whose calm
receives only momentary interruptions from scarcity
of labour, &c. Such is the outline of this melodrama,
which, notwithstanding its dimensions, which are
sufficient to strike terror into the most inveterate
playgoer, and the absurdities which it abounds in,
was successful. The acting is more than respectable
by the
Adolphe
doi Grandph
e
—Mdlle. Laurentine and MM. Aubree, Serres, and
music
such de-
light Francis carrying off the honours.
Mdlle. Fanny Cerito is engaginedu
Opera, and is, dit-on, to make her debuten giangeannz
ballet composed by St. Leon, the
oAfdtahmis.
favlotuarpipteeadrasntsheamtvethweasnerweeseoivfedthwe
imme-
diately placed their resignation in the harms of their
by her slater ballerine that three of them,
Petersburgh, is
director. How this little emeute will end still remains
concealed by the veil of time.
Mdme. Plessy Arnoult, a great favourite at the
Fr: ncais a few years ago, and who has since been the
star of the French theatre at
announced shortly to return to the scme of the Rue
Richelieu.

Six,—My vote us a freeholder of the county of
TO THE. EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Kent was objected to by the Conservatives, and I at-
tended yesterday at the Green Mai, Blackheath, to
sustain my vote, before Mr. Ogle, he revising bar-
rister. I was detained several hours, and had the
opportunity and pain of seeing
tie names of seye-
-1..1 first-rate men (among whom was Mr.
George Grote) struck off, Mug absent, pro-
bably not knowing the day of sitting, or because
they would not take the trouble to attend, but what
appeared to me still worse, was that the Revising
Barrister did not order the expenses to be paid in se-
veral cases, where the objections were altogether
" frivolous and vexatious." I mention one case. A
gentleman, living at Camberwell, appeared to sustain
his vote, which was unexceptionable, and was told
deliberately by the Conservative objector that he
thought he was dead, and that he had only been
killed a little before his time. In addition to this insult
his expenses were refused,as ell other equally frivolous
objections had been up to this time. At length my
name was called. I had held the freehold several
years, all the particulars on the' registry; were
strictly correct. I asked permission to address
the Court, and respectfully submitted to the
Revising Barrister that the wisdom of the Legislature
for the protection of the voters had enacted, that in all
vexatious and frivolous cases of objection the Revis-
ing Barrister be empowered to order the costs to be
paid by the objector, and that it was the duty of the
court to carry out the whole Act, and protect the
voters by enforcing the expenses. The Barrister
immediately ordered that I should be paid ten shillings.
Now, I beg to ask why I was the only one paid ? I
can attest that several other cases occurred during
the morning quite as frivolous and vexatious as my
own, and I respectfully submit that it is the duty of
the Revising Barrister, without being urged to it, to
carry out the only clause in the Act for the protection
of voters, by ordering the expenses to be paid by the
objectors in all cases where the objections are frivo-
lons and groundless, and thus save the time and
annoyance to a large and respectable body of her
Mjesty's faithful subjects, and put a check to this
unbearable annoyance.—l am, Sir, Sec.,

JAMES LOW.
10, Wailter's-buildings, Holloway, Oct. 1.

SUICIDE FROM LONDON-BRIDGE.—On N-BRIDGE. On Wednesday
nigbt, at half
a m
balf-past eight o'clock, a determined suicide took
Place
A Iran jumping from London-bridge into the
Thames.
of age,
attired man, and apparently about
centre of the bridge, tort y years
rgi wasghe e, observeleaped itaking
fro on theo
west side of thaeT. and when near the recess in the
on walkingth e seat,
and,and
his hat, looked round and threw it into the river, and imme-
diately precipitated himself
act elf over the parapet. A passer-by,
th
observing the man in
ran to him, but only in time
to touch his coat, witheut,eelinng able to obtain a tight hold.
given, An alarm was instantly
a aantdbtehe drags put into requi-
sition, but without any EneeeSs, tide was running down
very rapidly. Up to a late hour last evening the body had
not been recovered.