The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-25 00:00:00

MADLLE. STELLA COLLAS.

At last we have seen a Juliet. This most en-
chanting and immortal type of all that is purest as
well as strongest, because most self-ignoring, in the
heart of woman, is to be regarded as not only the
loveliest, but, in some respects, the most difficult of
all Shakspeare's creations. Juliet is a being of
sixteen. It is her extreme youth that gives her
passion all its attraction and distinctness. Her
charm lies in her presenting the very dawn of a
fervid existence—that has no cloud in its spreading
heavens—the first outburst of a spring of affection
that divests itself of all impurity in the ardour in
which it passes into the being of another. She
combines the woman's soul with almost the look
and manners of a chili. Her embodiment therefore
requires not merely the art and gifts that are re-
quisite to present a true picture of her emotions—
but a form and bearing that should give reality to
their fervour and their freshness. It is the rare
union of these conditions that makes her true
assumption so difficult. Its perception led to the
old remark that when an actress could look the
character she could not play it, and when she
was able to play she could no longer look it. In
the entire course of the past century Mrs. Cibber was
the only instance of a satisfaction of this difficulty.
In our own time—with perhaps the solitary excep-
tion of Fanny Kemble, all the Juliets that have been
seen have been stately and mature women. Miss
F. H. Kelly, Miss Phillips, Mrs. C. Kean, and Miss
Helen Faucit have all imaged the soul of this pas-
sionate being with force and beauty, but not one of
them was able to give us any notion of her pre-
sence. The ideal power was common to all, and,
as " conspicuous by its absence," was the equally
important element of reality.
It is no ordinary event, therefore, we have to
chronicle, when it becomes our pleasing duty to
announce a Juliet who fulfils its required and rare
conditions to an extent that, we can safely say, is
entirely new in modern experience. Madlle. Stella
Collas, from the Theatre Franoaise,and the Imperial
Theatre, St. Petersburg, who made her debut on our
stage last night, in the fair maid of Verona—com-
mences with the distinction of being its most per-
fect personal embodiment that has probably been
ever seen. If her age be as much as twenty, her
appearance does not suggest an hour beyond
seventeen—owing to her petite and delicate
person, and her charming blonde complexion.
This illusion she sustains by an expression the
most artless and engaging—by a manner that has
something childlike even in its raptures and its
sufferings. Thus,'the girl is brought before us in
her bearing as well as look. This will be allowed
to be a rare merit; and yet this is, after all, but
one-half of her great excellence. Madlle. Stella
Collas has the soul of a woman as well as the look
of a girl. She has the inestimable gift of passion; and
this of so true and deep a kind that it gives as much
delicacy to her transports as it does vigour to her
agonies. It does something more than this. It com-
municates an indescribable refinement to her action,
giving to every turn and movement a most vivid
and attractive grace. It is so genuine that at times
it almost makes her meaning independent of her
speech. Aided by her expressive and eager features,
it illuminates her thoughts and feelings, as the
flash precedes the report, so that her words in
many passages come rather as the complement than
as the substance of their purport.
To this great sum of her merits two abatements
may be made. It may be thought by some she wants
repose—but we should hold that such a charge arose
more from the colder temperaments on our side
than a defect of art on hers. Her ardour is in fact
her truth. She presents a passionate Southern
girl—wholly absorbed and self-forgotten in the
delirium of her first love—to whom it presents not
the thrill of an hour but the substance of an exist-
ence. For the brief span therefore of its duration, it
can only consist of an unbroken fervour. A truer
charge lies against her accent, which is not so good
as Mr. Fechter's, and which in some of her
rapid utterances it must be owned was scarcely
intelligible. Yet here, as we have already
noted she was wonderfully assisted by her expres-
sion, which lit up her meaning constantly, whilst
this defect was so soon forgotten in the sense of all
she enabled the audience to realise—that, as in the
case of Mr. Fechter, its barrier must be regarded as
in important measure of her power.

We need not go into a minute analysis of a most
striking and delightful performance when she enables
us to say that its most triumphant efforts were dis-
played in the two greatest scenes of the play—those
of the balcony and bedroom. This is an epitome that
renders any detailed account superfluous. Never
in our experience were those two scenes
played with more consummate power. In the one
the grace and delicacy that struggled with the new
emotion, but as it strengthened, gave it birth in
the most artless sense of its rapture, filled the entire
scene with a series of expressions that were all as
true as they were delightful. Perfectly charming
was the manner an which, when the feeling had
once possessed her, she gave way to the little
artifices that endeavoured to diguise it,
and deeply affecting the unrestrained fer-
vour of her farewell to her lover when no
longer able to delay it, her whole being seemed
to pour out in her parting gaze and words. Quite
as striking, on the other hand, was her scene on
taking the potion—in the vigorous delivery of the
picture of its probable fatal issue, and of her vision
of the dead Tybalt rising to urge her brain to
madness. The culmination of this effort was a
burst of genuine energy, startling and impres-
sive in the extreme. We might refer also
to her scene with the Nurse, and her admirable
delivery of the-vindication of her lover on receiving
the news of the death of Tybalt; and to the scene
in the graveyard, which was full of the deepest
pathos. We think we have said enough to justify
our conviction that the Juliet of Madlle. Collas is
the nearest approach to Shakspeare's intention,
both in person and in mind, that has been witnessed
in our time.

Mademoiselle Collas, who was received
with a most encouraging welcome on her
first appearance, elicited the loudest demon-
strations on all the occasions that we have
referred to, and at the close of the bedroom
scene was warmly summoned before the curtain,
as well as at the close of every act. Her
success, therefore, was as marked as it was
in every respect deserved. She was ably sup-
ported by Mr. Walter Montgomery in Romeo,
who played with great earnestness, and
feeling,—and Mr. George Vining in Mercutio, who
gives to the light-hearted wit of Shhkespear a very
jovial and comic rendering. Mr. H. Marston was
also very impressive in the Friar—and the entire
play was placed with great care upon the stage.
The house was crowded in every part.

OUR ENGLISH LAWN. —None of the ancients seem
to have appreciated the luxury of a lawn. Homer
praises the fabulous gardens of Alcinous, but they were
more what we should call orchards. The Grecian idea of a
garden was a sacred grove planted with flowers to supply
garlands for the deities, while the Romans thought less of
lawns than of fountains and rows of stately trees shading
terraced walks. It was only in the Elizabethan era with
ourselves that grass began to be considered a component part
of a garden. The tilt yard passing insensibly into the
bowling green, as the days of chivalry died out, left us the
lawn ; the word as well as the thing being thus compara-
tively modern. Even Milton knows lawns or level downs
only as sheep commons ; and Lord Bacon, when laying out
his prince-like garden, out of 30 acres, assigns four to the
green at the entrance.—Once a Week.

The Prince de 'Windischgraetz, who has just been
murdered in his bed by his servant, was quite a young
man. His father was killed at Solferino, and he came to
Paris after the peaca. About five weeks he was at Batna,
in Algeria. with Chassaing, the lion hunter, whom he ac-
companied on one of his expeditions. Chassaing was then
obliged to return to France, but engaged to meet the Prince
next year.

The great annual wool markets of Breslau, Leip-
sick, and Dresden took place -last week. Contrary
to general expectation that article, which had been greatly
neglected during the previous month, recovered favour,
and prices rose above those of the previous year. Wools of
good quality were paid from four to seven francs the quintal
more than at the fair in 1862. Upwards of 70,000 quintals
(7,000,0001b5. were sold at the Breslau fair alone. Severa►
important lots were purchased by English, French, and
Belgium houses.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

RUSSIA.

BERLIN,
,JUNE 25.

Private letters received here from Sc. Petersburg
state that an Imperial ukase authorises the issue of
notes to the amount of 10 millions of roubles, in
order to cover the deficit and additional expenditure
which have been caused by the insurrection in
Poland.

PORTUGAL,

LISBON, JUNE 18.

In the Chamber of Peers the Minister of Finance
has replied to a question respecting the determina-
tion of the Government as regards the tobacco
contract. The Minister said that at present he did
not consider the contract would be again put on
the market, but that in January next a decided
step would be taken.
The Government has ratified the contract with
M. Debrousse for the construction of a railway to
Cintra, and docks for the port of Lisbon.
The railway from Lisbon to Badajoz is finished,
and the entire line will be opened for traffic.
The Portuguese press continue to animadvert
largely on the Anglo-Brazilian question, and
without a single exception the tone is entirely
against the attitude England has taken throughout
the affair.

The news from the Azores notices that sugar is
being largely planted in the Island of Terceira.
The American corvette St. Louis is in port.
Senhor Thomas Maria Bessone, who has for many
years held rank as on e of the chief Lisbon merchants,
has failed, The liabilities are said to be very heavy,
the Bank of Purtugal being the largest creditors,
its debt being some £90,000 unsecured, most of the
other creditors are said to hold securities. It appears
that Senhor Bessone some time ago became surety
for the agent of the Bank of Portugal in Rio de
Janeiro, who was besides his own agent, and the
backruptcy of this party making Senhor Bessone
liable for a very large amount has caused him to
surrender to creditors.
Business dull and the transactions in exchanges
are limited.

London, 90 days, 531; Hamburg, 48; Genoa,
535 ; Paris, 530 ; Rentes, 481 ; Coupons, 481 ;
Bank of Portugal shares, 555 ; Oporto, 256.

THE AMERICAN MAILS.

SOUTHAMPTON, JUNE 25.

The North German Lloyds steamship New York'
Capt. Wenke, sailed hence yesterday for New York
direct, taking the United States mails, 68 pas-
sengers, and a general cargo, including jewellery
from Havre, value 62,450 f.

On her passage from Bremen the New York
spoke off North Foreland the Hamburg brig No.
310, bound west.

The North German Lloyds new steamer America
at New York, all well, at 6 a.m. o❑ the 7th, after
a run of little over 10 days from Southampton.
She sailed from New York on the 20th, and may be
expected off Cowes on July 1.

SOUTHAMPTON, JUNE 25.

The Hamburg and American Company's steamer
Hammonia, from New York on the 13th inst., has
arrived off Cowes.

She brings 141 passengers for Hamburg, Havre,
and this port, and 150,000 dols. in specie for
England.
On the 16th she spoke the English bark Rubens,
bound west, and on the 24th the Dutch bark
Peking.
Her news has been anticipated.

FRANCE.

PARIS, JUNE 26.

A private telegeam from Constantinople, dattd
the 24th inst., received here to-day, announces that
by order of the Emperor of Russia, M. de Novi-
koff, Councillor of State, has communicated his
Majesty's thanks to the Sultan for having sent tho
Governors of Trebizond to congratulate the Grand
Duke Michael on his journey to the Caucasus.

A letter from Paris says :
We have at present in Paris several agents of
Governments who are travelling round the money
markets of Europe, in a sort of semi -official manner,
to ascertain where money can be had cheapest for
national loans. Russia, Prussia, " the National
Government of Poland," Austria, the Danubian
Principalities, and Greece, all want money ; and
as an opinion prevails that the American war has
thrown many unemployed millions into the market,
now is the time for raising new loans. The Polish
insurrection, however, keeps up that uncertainty
and hesitation throughout •the Continent which is
felt in every branch of commerce. Russia appears
to be in the most immediate need of financial aid.
The cost of the Polish insurrection begir s, it seems,
to be felt severely at the treasury. The superior
officers find it difficult to get money from St.
Petersburg. Russia does not contemplate any early
relief from this heavy drain. Poland, we learn, is
to pay the expenses of the war; but for a long time
to come the taxes must be collected by dragoons.
So that Russia must have money for immediate
use. Will it be found here or at Frankfort ? I
learn that the latter city is most likely to come to
the aid of the Czar. At all events a journal of that
town publishes a statement of that town publishes
a statement of the national finances of Russia, which
is as follows:—" In Russia the public debt bearing
interest amounted, on the Ist January, 1863, to
975,734,691 roubles. The interest, sinking fund,
agio, and banking expenses will, during the current
year, absorb 57,487,218 roubles against 54,296,188
in 1862. The Russian debt bearing interest is as
follows :-95,577,000 Dutch florins, 30,590,000
pounds sterling, and 751,700,000 roubles. This
latter amount includes 138,000,000 of Treasury
Bonds, bearing interest at 4 32.100 per cent.,
38,640,000 roubles from the Bank at 4 per cent.,
and 149,431,822 roubles from the Bank at 5 per
cent. interest. The remainder consists of different
loans. To the 975,734,691 roubles bearing interest
must be added a floating debt of 699,600,822 paper
roubles, a sort of assignat, circulating without in-
terest." Perhaps these statements are supposed
to invite later new subscriptions for the sup-
pert of military despotism in the North of Europe,
Austria must go on borrowing money from the
Rothschilds so long as Hungary and Venetia are
only held by the sword. No one knows the real
state of Austrian finance; but it is a patent fact to
all that taxation in that country is already at that
point which kills the goose for the golden egg. I
get a statement from Venice which is drawn up
from official returns. Tnat ancient centre of the
world's commerce is now completely reduced to
beggary by the weight of taxation. According to
returns made to Vienna, the trade of Venice has
gone from bad to worse in the following propor-
tions :—ln 1850 Venice imported to the amount
(in Austrian florins) of 48,864,500 ; in 1861,
39,143,189 ; which in 1862 was reduced to
33,359,948. The reductions in exports run as fol
low :—ln 1860, 31,233,220 ; in 1861, 16,932,508 ;
and in 1862, 12,945,225. In a report sent to the
Minister of Finance by the Chamber of Commerce
of Venice on the 'working of the new taxes, the
Minister is told plainly that this extreme taxation,
and the vexatious and arbitrary manner in which
the income tax is levied on the mercantile class, is
giving a finishing blow to the commerce of the
place, and that many of the principal firms are
reducing their establishments with a vie vv either
of liquidating their affairs or of transferring them-
selves to Ancona or other thriving localities. The
printed figures of imports and exports require no
comment. Venetia is to Austria what Poland is
to Russia, a financial ruin, and a cause of
political
weakness. As for Prussia, no one here will have
- '
anything to do with that country unless Parlia-
ment votes the loan ; and that the Berlin Parlia
talent it is supposed will net do. Greece, I learn,

goes direct to London for money. Turn which
way you may, nearly all continental States want
money, and London and Paris are to be invited
to supply it.

La France makes the following comment^ upon
the Ministerial changes which have taken place in
Paris :—" The change of Ministry which was an-
nounced as likely to take place has been accom-
plished, Various of the Ministers who sat in the
Council Chamber of the Emperor have retired. They
are C,Junt Walewski, MM. Delangle, Rouland, and
Count de Persigny. The new Ministers are—MM.
Boudet, Behic, and Duruy. As we foresaw, the
management of the Foreign-office remains in the
hands of M. Drouyn de Lhuys. M. Billault is ap-
pointed Minister of State, and in this position will
be the mouthpiece of the Government in the Cham-
ber, with M..Rouher, who is appointed President
of the Council cf State.

" MM. Billault and Rouher are two politicians
of the highest order or tallent. M. Bii-
lault will be entrusted with the relstions of the
Government with the great political bodies. M.
Rouher, in directing the labours of the Council
of State, will be in immediate connection with all
matters brought before the Chambers. He will be
the real Minister as regards all legislative enact-
ments. The transitory institution of Ministers with-
out a portfolio has thus been abolished. Two bona
fide Ministers will henceforth represent the Govern-
ment in the Senate and in the Legislative Assembly.
We look upon this as a happy change. To quote the
words of the Moniteur, 'The object in view is to
organize on a more solid basis the representation of
the views of the Government in the Chambers with-
out deviating from the spirit of the Constitution."'

The writer in La France concludes as follows :

"In our opinion these Ministerial changes have
but one signification. They mean :—Maintenan9e of
the liberal concessions made with so much foresight
by the Empire. They also mean, calm for the
public mind after the somewhat lively emotions
caused by the recent elections, and an appeal to
conciliation in the name of the tutelary guarantees
of right and respect for the law."
BOURSE, June 24.—The announcement of the
Ministerial modifications has produced but little
effect on the market either as regards the amount
of business done or in prices, Threes, for the
Account, showing an improvement of only ,20 cen-
times, being now at 68f. 70c. Railway Shares
have been in general firm. The market closed as
follows:
It per Cents .. 97 Italian Loan 73 10
Do. end month.... Do. end month 73 05
3 per Cents
Do. end month.... 68 60 Do. end month 74 JO
Credit Mobilier.... 1210 Russian
no. end m0nth....1210 Austrian
Bank Shares 3495 Spanish Threes.... 53
Credit k meter 1230 Home Debt