The Sun.
London, England, 1863-10-20 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRE,

It is with the utmost satisfaction that we an-
nounce the gratifying fact that since the produc-
tion of the magnificent choral tragedy or poem of
" Manfred," the audiences attracted have been over-
flowing and enthusiastic. We had a doubt at one
time as to the result of the bold experiment, but all
misgivings are at an end, as on our visit to the theatre
last evening, we never recollect to have seen a
more attentive and delighted audience. The ap-
plause elicited by the finished elocution of Mr.
Phelps, and the unrivalled beauty of the scenery,
was extraordinary. All the trifling contretemps
of a first performance have been surmounted, and
now the splendid and wonderful illusions are pro-
duced with astonishing effect. We again congratu-
late Messrs. Falconer and Chatterton on the success
that has attended the production of " Manfred" at
Old Drury, and cordially recommend lovers of the
picturesque and beautiful to visit this theatre, with
the firm conviction that they will, after having done
so, agree with us that the joint managers' last effort
is the perfection of scenic illusion.

Capture of Confederate Blockade Runners.

The latest news received from Key West an-
nounces the arrival at that port of the celebrated
cruiser San Jacinto, after a cruise of only 12 days,
in which she captured two Confederate steamers,
named Alabama and Lizzie Davis. The following
are the particulars of the captures :—" On the
afternoon of the 11th September the look-out at the
masthead reported a strange sail. We immediately
gave chase, and soon discovered from the black
smoke that she was a steamer endeavouring to run
the blockade off Mobile; so we continued the pur-
, suit until night compelled us to desist. During the
night Captain Chandler shaped his course so as to
intercept either one or both of the steamers, and
early on the morning of the 12th one of the
vessels was reported about twelve miles distant.
Then began a chase of the most exciting nature ;
the rebel steamers were evidently making the most
strenuous exertions to escape, the dense volumes of
black smoke rising from their smoke-stacks plainly
showing that they were getting up as much steam
as possible. Tile gallant old San Jacinto, however,
gradually gained on them, and towards evening
opened on one with her 100 pounder rifle. The
blockade-runner kept on her coarse, however, in
spite of shot and shell, ar.d, as the water was rapidly
shoaling, Captain Chandler despatched a boat with
an armed crew, under the command of Lieutenant-
Commander Quackenbush, to continue the chase.
Soon after the boat started the rebel steamer ran
ashore, and in a few minutes Lientenant-Com-
mender Quackenbush boarded her, and found her
to be the rebel steamer Alabama, with an assorted
cargo. The other vessel, the Fox, in the mean-
time had not been able to escape, as the United
States steamer Tennessee had joined in the chase ;
so the crew, finding it impossible to evade both, ran
her ashore also, set her on fire, and then took to
their boats. The Alabama is a fine boat of about
500 tons, nearly now, and was one of the most
successful blockade-runners the rebels had. The
Alabama was at once got off and sent to New
Orleans. On the 16th black smoke wes again
reported from the mast-head. We immediately
stood in chase, and in a few hours overhauled an-
other Confederate steamer called the Lizzie Davis.
She was bound from Havana to Mobile, and left
Havana on the 13th. She was loaded with lead
and other articles for the Confederate authorities.
She had on board a Confederate flag, but no papers
of any kind."

A STATUE TO THE PRINCE CONSORT IS to be
raised at Guerneey, £1,500 has been subscribed,