The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-09 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 9, 1863.

man wilfully throw away great chances, and to
witness those entrusted with power wantonly abuse
it, and pervert its agencies to unworthy ends, and
falsify their professions. Of this class, who pur-
posely ruin their destiny, are the Sovereign of
PRUSSIA and his Ministers. Let them seek to re-
gain their departed esteem, and win back, at the
crisis of peril and perplexity, their vast decaying
strength and popularity, and perhaps they may
regard "bygones as bygones." But if they go on
as heretofore, one plot after another will fail them,
and too late they will turn from the contemplation
of rufflod assemblies and indignant subjects to feel,
if they will not acknowledge, that they have cast
away the substance in running after the shadow,
and that the "regrets of the good and the fears of
the wise" attribute the sad catastrophe to the impo-
litic zeal with which the servants of the Crown
assailed the Constitution of the country, and the
unfortunate encouragement and imprudent sanc-
tion which was given to these untenable proposi-
tions. The Chamber of Depaties has rough work
before it, but with firm and faithful hearts they
may yet prosper beyond their expectations; and, if
they survive the shock to which they will now
be exposed, remain the honoured guardians of
popular freedom; while, if they are cut short in
their work of usefulness, they will leave behind
them a memory of " doing what they could,"
which is the highest recognition and truest epitome
of services rendered to a community.

The proposed alterations in Holborn-hill and its
vicinity have stimulated the inventive faculties of
our architects, and have brought forward a whole
host of schemes for improving this busy and in-
convenient thoroughfare. We have now before us
one of these designs, suggested by Mr. FREDERICK
WALLEN, architect, of which the principal feature
is the opening of a new line of street, sixty feet in
width, to commence at the Old Bailey and termi-
note in Holborn, at the corner of Fetter-lane. This
street would be level throughout, having no greater
elevation than 1 in 155. It would cross Farring-
don-street at a height of 35 feet, and Shoe-lane at
21 feet 6 inches, and would traverse Thavies' Inn
and Bartlett's-buildings so nearly on a level that
communication with them would be easy. It would
pass in a straight line from Newgate-street to St.
Andrew's-court, whence it is to be carried by a
slight curve into Holborn. It would pass to the
south of St. Andrew's Church, over a part of the
churchyard, or, according to a variation in the plan,
it might curve a little more and pass further from
the church, opposite to which the designer considers
the most dangerous part of the hill to lie. Mr.
WALLEN would further relieve the traffic from
Smithfield and Victoria-street by the extension of
the new street already projected from Smithfield-
bars to the Metropolitan Railway•station on to
the west through Ely-place to Hatton-garden ; and
by the construction of a third new street, from
Snowhill to the station in Victoria-street, he would
obtain a direct line from thence to Skinner-street.
Having thus provided so much relief for the
carriage traffic, Mr. WALLEN considers that
the few vehicles that preferred Holborn-hill
route would find the inclination less troublesome
than at present, and he therefore recommends the
construction of the proposed new streets as a sub-
stitute for more costly alterations, this being in his
opinion the most effective and economical way of
settling the question. The scheme has many good
points, and might in some respects work well.. It
has, too, the recommendation of good architectural
effeet, judging from the accompanying designs.
There is, however, ono serious drawback to it in
the sight of the Common Council which we appro..
hend will prevent its finding a place among the
favoured ones, It does not come within the terms
stipulated by the Court, and can, therefore, hardly
be the scheme selected and approved. The Com-
mon Council expressly stated their wish to do away
altogether with the existing route, and to substi-
tute complete viaducts or high-level roadways upon
the line of Holborn-hill and Skinner-street, involv-
ing the entire removal of the present surface and
the property on both sides. That the judges have
had ample opportunity of examining the merits of
the different methods suggested is evidenced by the
fact that, in the course of the four weeks allowed for
the preparation of designs, 84 gentlemen sent in 105
designs, illustrated by 206 drawings and 13 tnodels.
These designs were divided by the examiners into
nine classes, and five of these classes were at once
set aside for the very objection that applies to Mr.
WALLEN'tI design, i.e., they did not contemplate
an entire removal of the surface of the roadway,
and of the property on both sides.

The committee having determined that their de-
sign should be of the most comprehensive nature,
would not adopt any scheme that only dealt par-
tially with the matter. The great object, in their
estimation, is not only to secure a good road for
the traffic between East and West, bit to provide
also improved roads between the high and low
levels. It appears from the returns that on an
average upwards of 4,200 vehicles go daily up and
down the hills from the low levels. The indispen-
sable condition which they attach to the plau Bug.
Bested we have already referred to—the construc-
tion of viaducts or high-level roadways on the pre-
sent site of Holborn-hill and Skinner-street. This
method would, they consider, fully carry out the
required principles, and comply faithfully with the
terms of the Act of Parliament granting the rever-
sion of the coal duty. It would remedy the defec-
tive gradients, improve the neigbourhood (which
greatly needs improvement), and give increased
facility for traffic, When the Court has succeeded
in obtaining all these advantages, however, there is
yet more to do. A new street is urgently needed
running eastward from Covent-garden—a middle
passage between Holborn and the Strand. Such a
thoroughfare has long been needed, and it should
be a broad, open highway, note network of narrow,
roundabout turns and passages. Leaving Covent-
garden and proceeding rastward, we now pass
through dark, nen", dirty ways, until we emerge
in Lincoln's-iar, fields, from whence, on the other
side, we Wi.-ad about more intricate little miserable
roads, till we come out into Chancery-lane. This
sb.buld be remedied without delay, and the more
readily as the neighbourhood through which it would
pass will bear a good deal of improvement. No
scheme for City improvement will be complete that
omits this indispensable item ; and we trust the
Common Council will carry out the undertaking in
a large-minded, open-handed manner, remembering
that the work to be done is work that will last. It
will not only affect the comfort and convenience of
the busiest city in the world, but it will endure for fu-
ture generations. Mr. DISRALI once happily said that
the youth of a nation were the trustees of posterity,
and it is as the trustees of the future that we should
carry out such works as the present. Let the
authorities in this matter act boldly and liberally,
and the Public will not begrudge the payment if the
work be well and thoroughly done. Lsi them not
rest half way satisfied with in'ovation instead of
improvement, and leave our east and west traffic
still
pressing along the two great over-crowded
thoroughfares. Let a broad highway start from
Covent-garden, or there abouts, and run interme-
diately through the poor and valueless buildings
that lie north of the Strand, by the Fleet and
Cheap-
Nevrgate market, until it emerges facing

side. Such a road, if it were extended as it
might be, to reach Cranbourn-street, would form
one broad thoroughfare from that great centre of
city life, at the corner of St. Martin's-le-Grand,
to the quiet suburban retreats of Hammersmith.
Of course the Common Council could not extend
their jurisdiction beyond Temple Bar, but if they
begin at the most important end, and carry on
the task as far west as Temple Bar, there is no
fear that the Metropolitan Board of Works will
not complete the task. Let both bodies act in
concert, and let no local jealousies or rivalries in-
terfere with a matter of public urgency. The
construction of such a street as we have spoken
of would, in conjunction with the great highway
of the Thames Embankment, leave four thorough-
tams along which the mighty traffic of the me-
tropolis might roll eastward and westward daily
without the delay, the danger, and the thousand
inconveniences now arising from restraining it in
streets built fora tenth part of the population,
and a hundredth part of the traffic.

Her Majesty's Theatre.---Jullien's Concerts,

The Promenade Concerts, at Her Majesty's
Theatre, under the direction of M. Jullien, son of
the late eminent composer and musical director,
commenced on Saturday evening, and attracted an
overflowing audience. In AI. Jullien's announce-
ment he says his anxious lesire is the same as that
which animated his father—viz., a diffusion of the
best and most wholesome influences of music by
the popu:arisation of the works of the great masters,
executed in a style worthy of their genius. And
truly the splendid band engaged for the pur-
pose shows that he is perfectly in earnest
in that intention. Oa making his entree,
welcomed, firstly, on
account
c.
oJullien f wasth emost r
work
heartilyhe was engaged in ; and,
secondly, in kindly recollection of the great exer-
tions his deceased father made to familiarise the
million with those choice gems of melody which
before his time could only be heard by the upper
ten thoasand at the Ancient or Philharmonic Con-
certs.

The orchestra has been erected in the usual posi-
tion; the pit of course boarded over, forming, with
the stage, the promenade; and altogether the inte-
rior of the theatre presented a brilliant and cheerful
aspect.

The concert was divided into two parts, to the
first of which the dance music was confined, and
even there it was in small quantity, Consisting only
of Jollien's Quadrille, "Fra Diavolo," and the
famous British Army Quadrille. The part
also contained Mendelssohn's overture to " Ruy
Bias ;" Mozart's Symphony in E fiat, given entire,
admirably played, and listened to with delighted
attention ; and the aria, " Seper vorreste" from " Co
Ballo in Maschera," charmingly sung by Mdlle.
Volpini, and rapturously encored. There was,
moreover, an air with variations on the cornet-5.•
piston, played by M. Legendre (his first appear-
ance iu England) and encored with great warmth.
The second part was a selection from Gounod's
"Faust"--the air, "Le parlate d'amor," by Mr.
Richardson, on the cornet-a-pistons ; " Salve
dimora," on the violoncello, by Signor Pezze, with
the violin obligato by Mr. Carrodus ; and " Es-
trano peter," by Mr. Tyler, on the clarinet. The
gorgeous march, " Gloria immortale," was per-
formed by the orchestra, three military bands, and
a full chorus; it went off with immense effect, and
was vehemently encored.
The selection from "Faust" was followed by
several miscellaneous pieces. Mdlle. Volpini sang
Arditi's very popular song " Il baccio," and his new
bolero, " Legger3 inviaibile," creating a furore in
both.

Camillo Sivori has arrived, after an absence of
five years, and will appear at the concert of Mon-
day next.

Exhibition of Cabinet Pictures by British
Artists, French Gallery, Pall Mall.

-,...~__

The eleventh winter Exhibition of Cabinet Pic-
tures by living British artists opened to private view
on Saturday, and showed no deficiency in the
quality or quantity of the specimens. Many of our
old friends and favourites had contributed to the
walls, and in other corners new and promising aspi•
rants for popular favour displayed their powers.
J. S. Cooper gives us two rural scenes from Canter-
bury meadows, in which the cattle are painted with
lifelike fidelity. Mr. Creswick has several landscapes,
the best being his charming " Stepping Stones."
Witherington's " Stacking Hay" carries us back
from the dreary November day to the full glory of
the Midsummer noon, while Mr. Gilbert's " Loch
Ericht—a Bright Night," transports us to a lovely
lake amid the mountains, where we can almost see
the moonlight sleeping on the quiet waters. Coming
to the figure pieces, it would be impossible to pass
over Mr. Egley'a " Miranda's first sight of Ferdi-
nand," whose peculiar beauty of colouring, well
suited to the enchanted island, at once rivets the
gazer's attention. Mr. Linnell, senior, has a large
painting of "Christ and the Woman of Samaria," of
which we cannot speak very highly, and Mr. Ward
contributes a picture of Charlotte Corday contem-
plating her portrait before her execution, which is
more striking than satisfactory. Less pretentious
efforts are sometimes happier, and examples of this
are to be found in Mr. Faed'a lifelike " Market
Girl," Mr. Morgau's wonderfully clever "Country
Jury," and Mr. Le Jeune's "Young Anglers." The
pre-Raphaelites are, of course, not without represen-
tatives, and those who wish for colour and nothing
more, bad better inspect Mr. G. D. Leslie's "Margue-
rite." Miss Mutrie has painted some roses with rare
skill, and Mr. Corbould has represented some Scotch
cattle to the life. "Going to the Drawing-room" is
a clever painting, not unmixed with satire of the
absurdities of fashion. Sir J. D. Gordon's "Diana
Vernon" is by no means so attractive as Scott's, and
the two fair ladies in H. Schlesinger's " Hark the
Lark" are too evidently standing for their portraits.
The peasant wife in Mr. Clark's natural little scene
" Any Crockery to-day, Marm ?" must certainly re-
turn a favourable answer to the tempting question;
and nes Dundee's " Dandie Dinmont" looks sharp
enough to be a veritable " Pepper." Mr. Gullick
has painted the sudden repentance of the Apostle
Peter with care and ability, and other artists have
distinguished themselves in different degrees. On
the whole the Exhibition leaves us no room to
complain of the decadence of British talent.

ERRATA.—In our review of the new edition of
Professor Wilson's IVoctes Ambrosiance, two typo-
graphical errors remained inadvertently uncorrected on
Saturday evening. In the very last line but one of the
last sentenco " even" should have been " ever ;" while
about the middle of the criticism, the sentence beginning
"The swifter running" should obviously havo begun
" The swift runner."

THE MINISTRY.—On Thursday the Ministers
received summonses to attend a Cabinet Council on
Tuesday next, the 10th inst., at Lord Palmerston's resi
dance ha Downing street. Earl Russell, the Lord Chan-
cellor, Earl de Grey, and Mr. Milner Gibson are staying in
London and its vicinity. Lord Palmerston, accompanied
by Viscountess Palmerston, accompanied by Viscountess
Palmerston, arrived at Cambridge House last evening from
Broadlands. Sir G. Grey, Sir C. Wood, Lord Granville,
and other members of the Cabinet, are expected to arrive in
town in the course of to-morrow (Monday).—Obseruer.
SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY, EXETER-HALL.--
The opening concert of the season will take place on Friday
next, November 13, when Mr. Costa's oratoria "Eli" will
be performed. Principal soloists, Madame Rurleredoiff,
Madame Sainton Dolby, Mr. Sims Reeves, Mr. Winn, and
Mr, Santley.
AMERICAN MAIL STEAMERS DUE THIS WEEK.—
Tho mail steamers due ac Liverpool-this week are the City
of New York, from New York on the 31st ult., due at
Queenstown to-morrow (Tuesday) ; the Hibernian, from
Quebec on the 31st, is also due at Greencastle on the same
day ; the Cunard steamer Scotia, from New York, on the
4th instant, will no doubt reach Queenstown on Friday
evening or Saturday morning next,
MDLLE. ADELINA PATTI is to appear at once in
Paris instead of going to Madrid, according to the an-
nounced programme.

MADAME OTTO GOLDSCHMIDT (nee Jenny Lind)
is announced to sing at two of the Liverpool Philharmonic
Concerts on the 24th and 26th of the n00n.,13., Handers
"Allegro" and " Elijah" are to he performed.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE

[REUTER'S TELEGRAM.]

AMERICA.
(Per the City of Limerick.)
NEW YORK, OCT. 30 (Evening.)
(By Telegraph to Cape Race.)

General Thomas reports that General Hooker
was attacked at midnight upon the 29th instant.
Severe fighting ensued, lasting two hours, and with
less vehemence until four o'clock. At seven o'clock
General Hooker reported that the troops repulsed
the enemy's attack, and drove the enemy from every
position they assumed.
The Confederates abandoned Look Out
Mountain without resistance, and the Federals
occupy the south bank of the river from Bridge-
port to Chattanooga. The river and railroad com-
munication are unobstructed, facilitating supplies
reaching General Thomas.