The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-26 00:00:00

?highly desirable. The principal features of Mr.
O'HAGAN's measure are the appointment of chief
clerks; the abolition of the three out of the pre.
sent four Masters in Chancery ; the reform of
process and procedure in the Irish Court of Chan-
cery; and some alteration in the matter of fees
and stamps. There are, of course, a great num-
ber of miscellaneous details in the bill, but such
are the chief outlinas. It is proposed to select the
chief clerks from the profession of solicitors accord-
ing to English custom, or from the examiners in
Chancery, whose offices would be abolished by the
bill. The latter plan would, we should consider,
be the fairest, since these gentlemen will lose their
present appointments through no fault of their own.
The entire existing staff will according to Mr.
WHAGAN be still employed, end no new officers
Ni ill be created, with the exception of the Vice-
Chancellor and the chief clerks. It is in-
tended that the Court of Equity shall conbist of
the three principal authorities, of the Lord Chan-
cellor, Vice-Chancellor, and Master of the Rolls,
with two chief clerks—one for the Vice-Chancellor,
one for the Master of the Rolls. In this, as will be
seen, the example of England has been followed,
and it is proposed to assimilate the practice of the
Irish Court to that of the English in all respects.
It remains to be seen whether the measure will be
passed in its entirety, or whether subsequent
examination will not show some necessity for im-
provement or modification. Mr. WHITESIDE, no
mean authority, objected to it on several grounds,
and declared that it was in a great measure opposed
to the beneficial changes introduced by Sir JOHN
RoMILLY some years ago. The public will, pro-
bably, agree with the right hon. gentleman in
thinking that ample time should be allowed for the
consideration of a matter of such importance,
affecting the:welfare and happiness of such count-
less numbers. Such measures cannot be hurried
through Parliament without detriment to the
objects which they profess lo serve, and since it is
a case in which, however necessary an eventual
reform may be, an immediate change cannot be
urgent, we trust that full and fair time will be
given for the consideration and consolidation of this
important legal change.

the general demand. In fact, geologists have taken
the trouble to calculate the probable extent of the
coal fields both of this country and the continent of
Europe, and have even fixed the period when they
will be exhausted. We are allvery clever in our own
generation, but we know not what the morrow will
bring forth ; while the sages have been puzzling
their heads to find a substitute for coal for their
grandchildren's great grandchildren, accident has
solved the problem. Petroleum, which was disco-
vered in North America, springing up from
the earth, is an oil of a highly inflam-
mable nature, in fact it is of so gaseous a nature
that, like all mineral oils, it is liable to explode
when heated. A 9 a matter of course, as soon as
the existence of this oil was discovered, companies
were formed to " work it," and wells were sunk in
favourable localities, to tap, as it were, Nature's
head. Indeed some of these ventures were so suc-
cessful that the workmen stood aghast at the results
of their own handiwork, for having struck the vein
or artery, or whatever it is called, the oil rushed up
to the surface with such force, and in such quan-
tities that it was impossible to secure it, and hun-
dreds and thousands of gallons ran to waste. Petro.
leum oil has now become a staple of trade, and
large quantities are regularly imported into this
country. There is, therefore, a very possible sub-
stitute for coal for our successors. The extent of
the supply is, of course, yet hidden from us ; but as
we cannot fix a limit, we may safely leave the con-
sideration of that question to future generations.
The American Government, ever alive to the re-
quirements of the moment, have instituted a com-
mission to consider whether petroleum oil can be
made available for the generation of steam. This
committee, in a preliminary report, have informed
the United States Government that petroleum oil
possesses double the belting power of coal, can be
stored in far less space, and is of proportionable
lees specific gravity ; but they have not yet ex-
pressed their opinion on its adaptability for
marine engines, wishing to verify their theories by
experiment before presenting their report. Petro-
leum oil is produced in large quantities in Canada.
It is surely of as much importance to this country
as to America to provide her ships with the most
available fuel which can be procured. The Ameri-
One of the least obtrusive but certainly one of cans are endeavouring to counteract the dangerous
the most appropriate of the festivals which com- elements of this new oil, and render it available for
memorated the birth of SHAKEPERE was the their steamers. Why should not the British Admi•
"A3tor'a Celebration" last Friday night. As the ralty set experiments on foot to arrive at a similar
company assembled shortly after midnight it may result. Surely we are not to wait until a foreign
be said that they ware the first to celebrate the Government has made a di'covery and turned it to
great occasion. The speeches were characterised advantage, before we set about working for our-
with great good feeling, and it was a very pleasant selves. In justice to the Board of Admiralty, we
idea to associate with the day that so many could must say that they have shown more alacrity in
sink prejudices, and banish jealousies, and come taking up the twin screw system than has hereto-
forward to do honour to the memory of the im- fore characterised their movements. A new launch
mortal bard in a spirit worthy of the occasion, is being built for the Bombay, fitted with two
Mr. BIICKSTONE proposed "The birth of SHAKE- screws. Now the drawback to pro vidiug ships
SPERE," a suggestive subject in itself, and one with steam power is the difficulty found in
which in his hands became doubly impressive. stowing sufficient coals for a cruise of any length of
Sometimes the mere mention of ordinary everyday time ; but if petroleum oil could be substitu;ed, a
occurrences bring before us the relative merits and ship could not only carry four times the
quantity
important associations of a theme more effectively of fuel which she can at present, 'oat her speed
than the grandest sounding words or the most might be materially augmented
At all events the
high-flown phrases. Thus, when Mr. BIICKSTONE experiment is worth tryin.g. The objection which
made allusion to the birth of a baby boy in the will naturAlly be raiseel against the substitution of
low-roofed room at Stratford-upon-Avon he put petroler.m oil for coals in ships is its inflammable
before his hearers a picture of everyday existence nettles and the possibility of explosion. This may
simple and commonplace. He then went on to no doubt be hereafter provided against, but until
trace the combination of ideas and the train of that time comes, there can be no harm in trying
thought in connection with this event, an the experiment upon a few ships' launches, when,
emphatically declared concerning the mother's in case of any accident, the boat's crew could pitch
feelings that she never dreamt of the immeeetetlity the whole cargo overboard in a few minutßs. In
awaiting the littlo stranger, " never thor,g'et that these go-ahead times England ought not to watch
that boy would not be of any age but of Fail time— the march of progress, but to lead it.
that he who could but murmur inartf cr.late sounds •11.11111~. .1.1.1•11.

would live to give a petic and Ir,sting lustre to

the English tongue it had never known before,

and bequeath to England those imperishable
plays that have made our country's drama
the noblest in the w ()rid," Such thoughts
are worthy the occAsion for which they
were uttered, and refi.ect great credit on him who so

skilfully, yet so s',lmply, put them forward. It is,
indeed, most apr2rupriati to consider the blank that
would have e,zisted in our language and literature

had this irAfant never appeared on the scene, or
never liv.ed to strut his hour on the stage of life.
Mr. MaCESTONE was also very happy in his allu-
sion to the unity that appeared among the company,
acid the large gathering of English actors was, in-
deed, a good offering to lay at the shrine before
which all were to bow in reverent homage and wor-

ship in proud devotion. It was au assembly the
like of which bad never been before, and certainly
FA better occasion could not have bee❑ found for it.
There is nothing more delightful than to witness
unity reigning among a band of workers. It is,

ho waver, well known that from various unhappy
causes the actors, as a body, have never heartily co-
operated with each other or harmoniously consorted
in large bodies. This has been a bright exception
to a rule that it was most desirable to break, and it

mast ba remarked that the unity which reigned
paramount on this festive occasion, found a striking

contrast to the want of goodwill and the lack o

cordiality which have appeared in some other ar•
rangemcnts that were made far the same great oc•
casion. Mr. WEBSTER'S speech on the "Irnmorta
Memory of Shakspera" was very excellent and en•

tirely imbued with the sentiments most fitted for

the theme, When he said that the " kingdom o,

genius is the greatest inheritance on earth," he

spoke of a truth which cannot be too fully recog.

nised, and ha gave a glorious illustration in the

hero of the hour. What King ever sat in such state

as SIIAKSPERE enthroned in the hearts of all man-
kind ? This is the true way to look on such a

subject, and the real and right appreciation of him

- -
who was indeed " a dear son of memory and a great
heir of fame." It is a welcome sight amid the tur-

moils of existence to notice these little landmarks

on th© way-
side, which serve to refresh and reani.

mate the pilgrim in his course. A meeting like
that referred to is a most delightful retrospect, and
one that does honour to all concerned. Long will
it live in the thoughts and recollections of those
who were there, and it is to be trusted that the

spirit of unity which then prevailed may live on
now the occakion is over, and thus form a most,

graceful testimony to the influence of the great
departed. If so, a very appropriate recollection

will be kept of the time, and the most enduring

PRINCESS'S THEATRE,

RE-APPEARANCE OF STELLA COLAS.

memory will illnmiue the associations of
"The hallowed morn when WILL was born
In the spring time of the year."

In the sixtenth century, when the population of
Europe was becoming very considerable, and the
forests of necessity gradually fading away, those
who took the trouble of considering the possible
position of after generations were sorely puzzled
as to what they would do for fuel. Although the
existence of coal was well known, and its inflammable
properties understood, it was never suppoeed that
it could be procured in sufficient quantities to meet
the requirements of an ever-increasing population.
That era passed away, the world seemed to be pro-
vided with an inexhaustible supply of fuel. Again
a donut arose, steam machinery and manufactures
so increased the demand for the article, that in
spite of all the improvements in mining that science
could bring to bear, doubts were entertained as to
the possibility of procuring, sufficient coal to meet

A brilliant audience assembled last evening to welcome
Mdlle. Stella Colas Lack to the metropolis. The highly
sifted lady made her re-appearance as Juliet, and her whole
performance more than confirmed the high opinion we ex-
pressed of her abilities last season. She is, in fact, the only
Juliet that has appeared since the days of Miss O'Neil, be-
cause we have, in Mdlle. Colas, youth and beauty, accom-
panied by every elegance of art, heightened by a keen and
perceptive intelligence, and united with a reverence for the
majestic words and thoughts of her incomparable and im••
mortal author. Honour, high honour to the lady, for
though she speaks every line in the text, she delivers them
with such grace, taste, and pathos that those which have
been looked upon by others as deformities at her hands be-
come beauties that glitter as they fall. Her foreign tour
has somewhat matured her juvenile appearance and
strengthened her in health ; but in other respects her acting,
if any, is rather increased than diminished in finish and
effect, In Mdlle. Colas we have an actress gifted with a
vivid, intense, and apprehensive imagination, one intent on
giving meaning and intensity to every epithet, and if in rare
instances she fails to charm the ear, it is through no fault
of her own, but wholly, solely, and entirely through that
which time and only time may in some degree efface--viz ,
her inability to pronounce the English language. It is,
however, wonderful that the lady succeeds so well, but if it
were otherwise, we are amongst those who would gladly
accept her Juliet, because were we to get the pure accent in
another, most certainly we should not have a creation half
as sweet, gentle, beautiful, and womanly as that of Stella
Collas. The balcony scene again created all that
enthusiasm and admiration it evoked on her first; ap-
pearance, and in truth, it must be said, she held her and f-
ence as spell-bound as her lover Romeo. Her appearance
as she breaks through the rosy trellis work to feast her eyes
upon her lover was a striking and masterly performance,
and one that will long remain impressed upon the memory
of every person present. Then, again, her girlish im-
patience to hear the result of the Nurse's mission to her
lover was another fine effect, but the scene in which her
acting rises to perfection, is that in which she listens to
the project of Friar Lawrence to save her from her hated
union with Paris. The applause which followed this fine
dramatic effort was immense, and never was the unstinted
approbation more richly deserved. Wo can only sum up
our admiration by saying that the Juliet of Madlle. Colas
is a performance that every lover of Shakspere
must witness. We shall not attempt to record the
number of "calls" the lady received during her arduous
performance, but had they been tenfold she would have de-
served them all. Mrs. H. Marston's Nurse was worthy of high
commendation, but the lady has perception and ability, and
therefore she invariably identifies herself with any part she
is called upon to sustain. The Mercutio of Mr. Vining
has become rather too boisterous. A little moderation
would undoubtedly improve it, though yet withal it is a
praiseworthy performance, Mr. J. Nelson's Romeo was a
complete and utter failure; it was singularly deficient in
caste, feeling, and discrimination, and proved most unmis-
takably that Shakspere is far beyond this gentleman's
reach. One would have thought that with such a Juliet
some sort of warmth of feeling might have been
awakened ; but not in one instance did Mr. Nelson
respond to the impassioned and loving outpouring
of the sweet and gentle Juliet. Mr. Mellon's Capulet
was absurdly ridiculous; and as to Mr. Seyton's Tybalt,
it resembled the ravings of a lunatic rather than that
of a Venetian gentleman. Mr. Forrester's Friar Law-
rence was passable, and the same may be said of Mr. D.
Fisher's Peter; but certainly the most artistic perform•
ance, amongst the male parts, was the Apothecary of
Mr. R. Cathcart.

The tragedy is to be repeated alternately with Mr.
Westland Marston's successful comedy, "Donna Diana,"
in which Mr. and Mrs. Vezin appear.

THE KING OF WUItTEMBURG has given Stntt-
gardt a zoological gardens and acclimatisation garden, and
a grant of 512,500.

A LUXURIOUS RAILWAY CARRIAGE.—The Great
Eastern Railway Company have just built a magnificent
carriage for the use of the Prince and Princess of `Vales in
journeying to and from Sandringham, The interior is
divided into three compartments---aute-room, saloon, and
sitting-room. The length of the saloon, which is the cen-
tral compartment of the carriage, is 12 feet 6 inches,