The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-06 00:00:00

Her Majesty's Theatre.

Last evening "La Sonnambula" was p3rformed in Eng-
lish, for the purpose of introducing Miss Susan Galton (a
relative,we believe, of Miss Louisa Pyrie':,), to the theatrical
world, in the part of Amine. The debut was perfectly suc-
cessful, and, if too much is not attempted too early, a suc-
cessful career is destined for the talented young musician.
Her voice is pure and sweet, her style is telling and correct,
and her personal appearance remarkably prepossessing.
The music in the last act especially was well e7eouted, and
at the conclusion of the celebrated finale the applause was
general and enthusiastic. It will be much to be
regretted if the young lady's voice is prematurely
forced ; it is not yet fully developed, but
in due course of time it will doubtless become, with
proper care, one of remarkable power and good compass.
Mr Swift as Elvino, and Miss Hiles as Lisa, both sang the
music with good effect, and Mr Penna's Count Rudolpho
was a vast improvement upon his Don Giovanni.

GALLERY OF ILLUSTRATION.—Mr„ and Mrs.
German Reed, in conjunction with Mr. John
Parry, resumed their very agreeable and lively entertain-
ment last evening with great eclat. Although no novelty
was produced, the brilliant and fashionable audience en-
joyed "The Rival Composer,," "The Bard and his Birth-
day," and " The Sea-side ; or, Mrs. Roseleaf out of Town,',
with as much pleasure as if each had been given for the
first time. Mr and Mrs Reed and the "incomparable
John" received a warm and hearty welcome, and amongst
the attractions for the Christmas holidays, none will be
mere entertaining than that of the Gallery of Illustration.
ST. JAMES'S HALL.—Our country cousins at
present on a visit to the metropolis, attracted
hither by the Great Cattle Show, last night honoured
Professor Anderson's entertainment with an overflowing
audience. Their emolument at the tricks of the Wizard in
many instances was perfectly delightful to witness, but the
culmination of their wonder was wrought by the rope-tying
experiments of Mists Liz
handcuffing performance by the latter produced a bewil-
dering astonishment. which a close examination of the
"derbies" seemed On 9 Anderson and Mr Sutton. The
only to increase. A variety of novel
experiments were given by the Professor with the utmost
neatness, and elicited universal satisfaction and applause.
gIiAKSPERE IN BIRMINGHAM,—We have to
ecord a discovery of interest in connection with
England's greatest poet which has recently been made in
this town. In the offices of Birmingham solicitors, whose
names at present we are not at liberty to publish, some dozen
iniportant deeds,
including conveyances, grants, leases, &c.,
have been discovered relating to property adjoining Shake-
pere's house in Hey-sree
en! t ton the east side. These
deeds bear dates from :1.573 to about 1660. John Shakspere,
the father of the poet, was present at the signature of
several, and the name of William Shakspere himself is
repeated n, few times in some of them. The deeds are in
excellent preservation, and the seals are in an unusually
perfect condition. We believe that the seal attached to
some of these deeds is likely to lead to some very interesting
discoveries, and to throw considerable light on our known
Shaksperean relies.-13irminglaws Gazette.
Trim EA STERN FISHERIES.—In conEeqnenee of
unsettled weather the boats have been compelled to keep a
good deal in harbour during the last few days on the eastern
coast. The catches of herrings have considerably fallen off,
and the voyage may be regarded as virtually closed so far
as the smaller boats are concerned. On the whole, the season
has been highly successful, the catches made having been
large, while the prices realised have been remunerative.

---
PATENT MUSEUM SOUTH KENSINGTON.—NUM-
ber of visitors for the week ending Nov. 26, 1,426. Total
number since the opening of the museum free daily (May
12 (1858), 872,269.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER.—SeveraI civilians came
to the front with General Butler, among whom I noticed
Professor Gold win Smith, of England, who is known both
at home and in this country as the friend of the poor man
and the slave. He is the guest of General Butler,--Cor-
respondent et• the New York, lierald.,

THE LYCEUM THEATRE,

Fechter as Ruy Bias.

Last evening the announcement of the First of
Twelve Performances by Mr. Fechter of his
favourite character of Ruy Blas, quite as a matter
of course, filled his elegant Theatre from floor to
ceiling. And, equally as a matter of course, the
densely-packed audience, there assembled to greet
the great actor in one of his very noblest impersona•
tions, not only welcomed him upon his first appear
ance in his gorgeous but detested livery as the valet
or lacquey of Don Salluste, with an unaffected burst
of enthusiasm, but applauded him to the echo
throughout. The superb manner in which this
abbreviated version of Victor Hugo's great Five
Act Drama of " Buy Blas" is put upon the stage of
the Lyceum Theatre-4 done into English," as it is,
by some anonymous translator, and fore-shortened
by him to three acts in the very process of the
transmutation—the splendour of the scenery, of the
dresses, and of the appointments generally are
worthy of the revival of the play in his own House
and under Mr. Fechter's own management. It is
true that there will be detected at once by those who
bear in their remembrance (as who will not who but
once witnessed the original performance by Mr.
Fechter in this country of Ray Bias at the
Princess's !) one or two notable, and some of them
we cannot but think wholly unaccountable altera-
tions or ellisions in the version of "Ruy Blas'' at
the Lyceum as contrasted with the version of it
given two or three years back at the Princess's.
Sufficient will it be, by way of explanation as to our
allusions here, if we simply remark that we cannot
in any way conjecture the reason why Mr.
Feohter now wilfully deprives himself of the op-
portunity of winning for himself a repettiion of all
that unrestricted admiration and of all those thun-
dering plaudits which were so very freely accorded
to him at the Princess's in return for the consum-
mate excellence of his refined acting aed of his most
subtle by-play in the delivery by him of the King's
letter to the Princess of Neuborg during the course
of the second act. As the arrangements of the
drama are now, the letter is delivered, not by Ray
Blas, but by one of the nameless attendants at the
court ! Nevertheless, having given utterance
to this one objection—an objection extorted from us
half by regret, half by bewilderment (for the more
we think of it the more incomprehensible does the
alteration appear to us)—we should be, at once un-
gracious and ungrateful, did we not simply accept
" the gifts the gods have given us," such precisely
as they are, and, so taking them, enjoy them, as we
certainly did last night from beginning to end, as
a histrionic treat of a very exceptional character
indeed. At the instant of the rising of the curtain,
in Victor Hugo's original version of the play, it is
Roy Bias himself, and not, as in the English ver-
sion of it, Gudiel, who is directed by Don Salluste
to close the door and to rr en the window—man-
dates that seem to give an instantaneous key to the
whole history and mystery of the coming incidents
of the play. Not until the first scene of the first
act has somewhat advanced is the hero of the drama
summoned by his—master !—Don Salluste, from
between the curtains veiling the entrance to the
corridor—to the whispered call " Hist I Ruy Bias !"
Then it was—immediately upon his apparition in
his gold-laced livery as a lacquey—that Mr
Fechter received his inaugural ovation. His by-
play throughout the whole drama is something
very admirable. His interviews in that first scene
of the first act, now with Don Cmsar, now with
Don Salluste, were, in many noble touches of tee-
lure, very masterly. The finest situations of all,
however, were those that followed in the two slice
ceeding acts—first, in the Grand Council Chamber
—secondly and finally, in Ray Bias' own house at
midnight ! As a mere stage effect, a singularly beau-
tiful scene, the one here just mentioned—with the
large open window at the back of the stage, the
window through which the moonlit city is visible !
The window through which the dying Don Salluste
is hurled to destruction by his avenging lacquey,
when they stab each other to deathwith their daggers
in that last fatal combat in the presence of the ago-
nised and horror-stricken queen-that-was-to-have-
been—then no more than the love-lorn Princess of
Neuborg. In some respects we cannot but still
think that the central portion of the drama, is rene
dered by Mr. Fechter's impersonation of the chae
ratter of Ruy Bias the most important—almost we
had said the most affecting. There are portions of
the soenes in the grand council chamber—which are
indeed wonderfully touching. But--the most affect-
ing portion of the whole undoubtedly (it were un-
grateful not to protest as much here at once and
unreservedly)—incomparably the most affecting
part of the entire play is the actual close of it. As
The curtain descends upon that last scene, in which
Ruy Bias is dying in the presence of the Queen—
in which he dies there—falling prostrate with
that Queen of his heart weeping over his inani-
mate form—lacquey though he is—forgiving him,
loving him to the very last —we cannot see
the actor's form and features distinctly for our
tears—he has won the mastery of our emotions—it
is no calmly balanced judgment that we pro-
❑ounce upon him in measured terms of approbation
—we yield him then nothing less than an affec-
tionate admiration. Then it is, in effect, after the
final fall of the curtain—(Mr. Fechter, by the way,
at the close of each of the two preceding acts
having been summoned before the footlights to re-
ceive the applause of the crowded house)—
then it is, when the curtain has fairly closed upon
the drama—that upon his final appearance
—alone—in answer to a general call for him by
name—then it is that (as Leigh Hunt said of
Paganini)—
" The thunder of the applauding house came down,
And bowed the breathing sorcerer into smiles."

In Mr Fechter's inimitable representation of Buy
Bias the effect of that wonderful realisation by him of
a wholely exceptional character—a lowborn lacquey
raised to the accumulated rank and honours of a
Spanish grandee, Prime Minister of the Kingdom,
Duke, Knight of the Golden Fleece, and what not—
the astonishing effect produced by the whole bear-
ing, aspect, career, character of Ruy Blas is mar-
vellously enhanced by the admirable acting of Mr
Ryder as the diabolical and tyrannical master
of Ray Bias, as that very demon of vengeance
upon the unfortunate young Queen Don
Salluste. His insolent, domineering, demoniacal,
derisive, sneering mode of heaping one petty in-
dignity after another upon the unhappy Prime
Minister of Spain—Don Salluste's sworn lacquey,
he who is solemnly pledged to Don Salluste
in absolute obedience as his valet—to close
the window, to pick up his dropped
handkerchief, to do his bidding in every menial
office of servitude, even with the order of the
Golden Fleece glittering on his breast, his hand
wielding the while the destinies of Spain, him.
self clad in the apparel of a Grandee—all
this seems, as we watch the great scene in the Coun-
cil-chamber, to transform the Don Salluste of Mr
Ryder into a very Mephistopheles. The senility
of Mr. Garden, as the Marquis De Santa Cruz, was
excellently well rendered, Mrs. Winstanley's
pragmatical pomposity, as the Duchess of Alba-
querque, was now and then irresistibly laughter-
moving. Mr. Fitzpatrick might, with advan-
tage, we cannot but think, throw a trifle
more of expression into his countenance,
even while still pourtraying in the character of
Don Cm3ar all the tokens (not necessarily expres
sionless) of Aare-.devilry ar.d nonchalence. The
Princess Neuborg, as represented by Miss Leclerq,
looked—royally handsome. The cynosure of all
eyes, however—so long as he appeared upon the
stage, alone or among the other performers, during
the whole of the three acts between the first rising
of the curtain and the last fall of it—was Buy Bias,
as impersonated by Mr Fechter ! Ruy Bias, who,
in all the shifting turns of the plot, is throughout a
Hero not simply " to his Vdlet" (as the proverb has
it), but although ho is himself a Valet-de-place or a
Valet-de-chambre ! Buy Bias, who is by birth
and by position, if you will, a liveried lacquey,
but who, if he has the lowly rank and the lowly
garb of a lacquey, has, at any rate, besides that—
the soul of a Gentleman.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.]

AMERICA.
ARRIVAL OF THE PERUVIAN.
(Via Greencastle.)

NEW YORK, Nov. 25 (Evening).

The Richmond papers of the 21st inst. report
that Sherman is marching in two columns, ens
upon Augusta, the other upon Macon, which it is
supposed will form a junction at Milledgville. The
Confederates are stated to be endeavouring to
concentrate the militia of the Gulf States in Sher-
man's front.

Hood is reported to be at Waynesboro, Tennessee,
threatening Nashville and Padneah. The Fedcrals
opposing him are concentrated at Pubasci.
Breckenridge was reported on Monday to be
within six miles of Cumberland Gap. Heavy
skirmishing was progressing.
Burbidge has moved from Lexington to defend
the Kentucky border.
Sheridan's cavalry made a reconnaissance on
Tuesday, and found Early in a strong position at
Rood's Hill. After a slight encounter the cavalry
withdrew.

It is reported that Lee is receiving reinforcements
from Early. The Confederates are mining before
Petersburg. A movement by Lee in the neigh•
bourhood of Petersburg is expected.

The Etna and Bremen have arrived out.
MONTREAL, Nov, 25,

The Canadian authorities have forbidden the
export of arms and ammunition, in consequence of
having received information that the Southerners
in the Western cities of Canada were collecting
shot, shell, and cannon at various points.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

NEW YORK, Nov. 25.

Money easy. Gold 120 per cent. premium.
Stocks dull. New York Centrals, 120—Illinois,
1234—Erie, 03a-5 20 United States Bonds, 1051,
NEW YORK, Nov. 26; MORNING.
Money easy. Gold 1201 per ceLt. prem.

NEW YORK, Nov. 26 (Afternoon).

The Federals have retreated from Pulaski,
Tennessee, to Columbia. Hood is advancing on
Pulaski. An engagement is expected at Co•
lumbia.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

NEW YORK, Nov. 26 (Afternoon).

Money easy. Gold, 1221 per cent. premium.
Exchange on London, 2401; oa Paris, 2-81 to 2-131.
Stocks dull. New York Centrals, 119; Illinois,
1234 ; Erie, 931 ; 520 United States Bonds, 1058.
Cotton quiet—Middling Upland, 132. Floor and
wheat slightly firmer. Corn very firm: Provisions
and coffee quiet. Sugar good enquiry. Molasses
steady. B.,,fined petroleum 68.

NEW YORK, Nov. 26, (Morning.)

Southern papers report that Sherman is laying
waste the country on his march. Detachments of
his forces have burned Jonesboro, Griffia Stone
Mountain, Hillesboro, Montecello Canton, and
other Georgian towns. The Governor's residence at
Canton was also burned down.

The latest advices to the 20th inst. report Sher-
man's advance to be at Gordon, on the Savannah
railroad, 60 miles east of Macon. •
Savannah despatches of the 20th state that Sher•
matt has crossed the Ointgee River in fores, and is
supposed to be en route for Augusta.
Telegraphic communication between Savannah
and Macon, has been destroyed.
Deserters arrived at City Point report the occu-
pation of Macon by Sherman, and the steamer
Atlantic, from the Savannah River, on the 223,
reports that rumours were current at Savannah of
the burning of Macon and Milledgeville by
Sherman. According to Georgian papers, Sherman
had not occupied Macon up to the 21st.
Beauregard issued a proclamation from Corinth
on the 18:b, informing the people of Georgia that
he was hastening to their defence, and urging them
to destroy everything in Sherman's path.
Hood is reported at Waynesboro, Tennessee, and
threatening Nashville and Paducah.; the Federals
opposing him are at concentrated at Pulaski.
An unsuccessful attempt was made last night by
incendiaries to burn the principal hotels and public
places in this city, but the plan was frustrated by
the activity of the police. Two persons have been
arrested. It is supposed that Confederate emissaries
are connected with the plot.

The Asia has arrived out.
The City of London and the Barnesia take out
millions of dollars.

The Montreal Ocean Co.'s steamship Peruvian,
from Portland on the 26th ult., arrived at Green-
castle at 7.30 a.m. today.

FROM THE TELEGRAPHIC NEWS ASSO-
CIATION.
(Per Peruvian, via Greencastle.)

NEW YORK, Nov. 25.

Sherman's orders to his army direct it to live on the
country, but not to destroy private property except in case
of hostilities. Then devastation should follow to the mea-
sure of such hostility. The destruction is to be confined
principally to arsenals, powder factories, depots of supplies,
and railways. The ultimate object of the expedition is to
sever the connection between the Confederate army in Vir-
ginia and the army in the South-west; and finally to effect
an union with Grant's army, for the capture of Richmond
and the destruction of Lee's army. With this object Sher-
man will pass by Savannah and proceed to Branchville, 60
miles from Charleston, which he will fortify, and also use
Beaufort as a base for assailing Richmond in rear. The
siege of Charleston can be proceeded with more vigorously
at the same time.

The Times thinks the Confederates may assemble an
army of forty thousand men in Georgia, South Carolina,
and from the garrisons on the coast to oppose Sherman's
gra.d erestgu whila it is poooiLlo lloanrogardo may have
transferred his forces by Selina and Montgomery to harass
his rear. Reports also prevail that Lee is sending troops
from Petersburg to join them with portions of Early's
forces. The Confederate Senate, in view of the emergency
has passed a bill allowing the Militia reserves to act beyond
the limits of their respective States, and this will bring into
the field the reserves of Georgia, South Carolina, Florida,
and Alabama to oppose Sheridan.
The .Richmond Whig believes Sherman's march can be
so obstructed as to render the destruction of his army
highly probable. The Enquirer hopes the military autho-
rities will be instructed to destroy everything in the way of
subsistence fur miles around, as never was there presented
so fine au opportunily of destroying an army. The corre•
spondent of the Daily .Netvs says Baauregard is fully ap-
prised of Sherman's movement, but shows no disposition
to abandon his designs upon Tennessee, which he hopes to
regain for the Confederacy. The correspondent of the
World says that it Sherman goes north or south of the
Georgian Central road his difficulties will insurmountable,
Another correspondent of the same journal reports disasters
to Sherman's army, but they lack confirmation.
Early's army has received a fresh supply of artillery, but
remains strictly on the defensive. The Pennsylvanian
authorities have organised. a system of scouts to watch the
approach of the Confederates in the Shenandoah Valley,
Breckenridge is now in full possession of East Tennessee
and South-Western Virginia. The Federals anticipat that
he will advance into Kentucky, via Bull's Gap, and state
that forces are being concentrated beyond Lexington to
check his movements.

The accounts from Brazil, via England, concerning the
seizure of the Florida excited considerable comment at
Washington. The Annie and Lady Stirling have been
condemned as lawful prizes.

Nothing important from Virginia. The World says the
peace bubble has burst, Tice-President Stephens writes

that no proposition for peace need le looked for Jrin
Lincoln's Government.
Gillen lost all his artillery and trains in his defeat a
Bull's Gap at Breckinridge.
Five cotton-laden vessels arrived at Havannah Wit'
the last fortnight, Several new blockade-runners have
arrived at Nassau from England and Canada,
Mexican advices represent the French at Natal:notes
equally sociable with the Federal and Confederate tide°
on the Texan side. General Drayton, Confederate cflioer
at Brownsville, had paid a visit to the French General'
which the returned. The Estafete, urges the policy of pre-
serving relations with the Confederacy and encoursgiog
emigration into Texp.s.
The culture of cotton was increasing. The steamer
Mexico has been seized at Matamoras and sent to Hay-snail'
it is supposed, for the Confederates. The policy of the
Emperor Maximilian is daily becoming more liberal. The
tuwn of ZAcolaeo has been sacked by Republican troops•
NEW YORK, Nov. 26'
The rebels report that the following towns in Georgl3
have been burnt by General Shernaf,n's troops :—Nillbcra'
Jonesboro', Griffin, Canton, Monticello, and Stone idatir
tain.

Nothing further from General Grant's army.
-(7 An attempt was made to burn the city of New x°r—
night. Nearly all the hotels, theatres, and other buildi3Bt
ng
were fired, but no serious damage was occasioned. Fifteen
hotels were fired, and there was great excitement.
NEW YORK, SATURDAY, 11 A
Georgia papers report that Sherman is carrying the W°l,o
of destruction with a high hand, wholly contrary to tma
terms of his order. He has burnt Jonesboro', Griffin, stoP
Mountain, Hillsboro, Clinton, and other towns, including
the residence of Governor Brown. Telegraphic comet
cation between Macon, Millidgeville, and Savannah
been destroyed. All the country between the Georgia
Central Railway has been swept. On the 20th (latest
data
the infantry was moving equally towards Macon
sn
Augusta. The rumoured capture of Macon is no‘
firmed, and a serious battle is expected there. wheel°
engaged Sherman's column, which is advancing on 14°11:
but fell back upon Macon at dark. The Georgia znertlber
of the Confederate Congress have telegraphed that ele6;
thing should be removed or destroyed on the invader's
of march, General Beauregard has issued a atirriDg
dress to the population of Georgia (dated Corinth, N°11.,/,'
counselling the same course, and saying he would soon icII"
them. The Georgia Legislature had passed a resoluticil
calling to arms every able-bodied male between 15 and 6'c.
for 400 days, after which it adjourned.
dir

Several hotels and other buildings in this city were
covered to be on fire last night. The World says it tel
a diabolical attempt to burn the city. Two supposed re
emissaries have been arrested.
It is reported that the Confederate Governor Alia' of
Louisiana, has organised ten coloured regiments.
At Shreeveport, arrangements have been made to ere
change cotton for clothing for Confederate prisoners ill al
hands of the North. A thousand bales will leave Dlablle
in a few days,
Coffee firm ; sugar declined one-eighth; iron dull; OS'
petre unchanged ; cotton quiet; dollar 30.
LATEST FROM WASHINGTON.
SATURDAY, NO,* 2'.
It is reported that a Cabinet meeting was held to 01°Iii:
der the Brazilian affair. Bates has resigned his Place
the Cabinet.
meal
The burning of Macon and Millidgeville not confir—,
On Monday Sherman's main body was 23 miles froull4ll
lidgeville. Macon is reported to be strongly fortified.
Southern papers do not confirm the wreck of theTTale"

haksee.
Beauregard is reported to have arrived in GeDais'
Hood has been heavily reinforced.

Two o'Cx,ocs:3;
Stocks to-day firmer. Five-twenties, 105 ; Erieth 1/11,
Illinois Central, 123 ; New York Central, 119, S(3/1
Thirties declined to 1181. Gold, 223. Sterling, 9}