The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-30 00:00:00

This gentleman assumed, on Tuesday, the arduous
character of Hamlet, and very considerab:y en-
larged his previous favourable impressions. If we
were forced to think his Othello was not sufficiently
inspired by passion, the same defect was to be de-
tected in his present impersonation—bat, of course,
rendered by its different medium infinitely less
imperious, To Othello, passion is truth—want-
ing that be is no reality, bat the double-
sided Hamlet, who, equally compounded of thought
and feeling, so marvellously reflects the human-
mind, allows an actor great scope on one side, who
might be wholly wanting on the other. Accord-
ingly the Hamlet of Mr. Montgomery, if not dis-
tinguished by its emotional, may claim no ordinary
credit for its reflective characteristics. If not suffi-
ciently electtical, it is full of thought and judg-
ment, exhibiting the evidence of a very close
and careful study of the poet, and in the present
state of our stage is entitled to be accepted as a
sound Shakesperian contribution.

.....,.._
Mr. Montgomery's best scenes were those with
Ophelia and the Queen, in both of which he rose to
expressions of great vigour; the reference to
Polonius in the first, especihlly, striking us to be
new as well as impressive, whilst his climax to the
play scene had a most adequate intensity. We
could refer also to a variety of points in the per-
formance which were ingenious, if not correct. Oa
the whole, this was an achievement that entirely
justified the impression it produced upon the audi-
ence, who were frequently aroused by it to great
applause, and who further evinced their feeling by
calling for Mr. Montgomery at the close of each of
the acts. We have only to add that he was very
worthily supported by Mr. Marston in the Ghost,
the very best that we remember, by Mr. C. Verner
in the King, and by Mr. Belmore in the Grave.
digger.
-------7---
The Volunteer Review at Wimbledon.

Horse-Guards, 24th July, 1863.
My Lord,--Having reviewed the volunteer corps of the
metropolis and its neighbourhood at Wimbledon on Satur-
day, the 18th instant, I have pleasure in stating that I was
well satisfied with the general efficiency of the corps then
assembled and with the drill of the battalions.
I directed the force on the ground to be divided into two
corps—the one, the attacking body, under Lieut.-General
the Hon. Sir James Yorke Scarlett, who was assisted by
Major-General Taylor, and Brigadier-General Bates in
charge of Divisions; the other, the defending body, under
Major-General Lord Frederick Paulet. The former force
was composed of five brigades, commanded respectively
by the senior officers of volunteers on the ground—Lord
Colville, Lord Ranelagh, Lord Grosvenor, Lord Bury, and
Lieut.-Col. Bigge. The latter, of three brigades, com-
manded by Lord Elcho, Lord Radstock, and Lieut.-. Col.
Brewster.
The attacking force was posted in the hollow ground at
the western extremity of the common towards Combe;
the defenders took up a position near the furthest firing
butts. Having been attacked in front by the brigades under
Brigadier-General Bates, the force under Lord Frederick
Paulet retired behind the ravine, taking up a fresh position.
Sir J. Scarlett then brought forward his right wing under
Major- eieneral Taylor, throwing forward two brigades as a
flank movement. Upon this, Lord F. Paulet's three
brigades changed front, throwing back their left, and posted
themselves across the Common with their backs to the
grand stand ; Sir J. Scarlett moved his three brigades to
the right, forming with them a second or supporting line to
the two brigades which had made the flank movement from
the right. At the end of the field-day the whole of the
troops marched past in quarter distance columns before
returning to their quarters.
I was much satisfied with the excellent fire maintained
by the battalions in line, and I thought that the men
showed great aptitude in skirmishing, The artillery was
efficiently handled, and the heavy batteries seemed to move
with considerable facility. I was also much satisfied with
the efficiency of the two horse-artillery guns, and the field
battery belonging to the Honourable Artillery Company.
I think it would be desirable on future occasions to im-
press upon the several corps the necessity for greater punc-
tuality in the time of reaching the drill-ground. The hone
specified for the commencement of the evolutions was 5.30,
but it was 6.45 before it was possible to commence opera-
tions, very few of the corps having reached their destination
before that hour. The delay and inconvenience caused by
this want of punctuality was very great.
In conclusion, I can only express my satisfaction at the
zeal with which all the ground carried out the instructions
they received ; and I have a firm conviction that the volun-
teer force is becoming a very efficient body of men, and
valuable as a great auxiliary to the regular army of the
country. —I am, my Lord, yours,
(Signed)
a The Right Hon. Earl de Grey and Ripon.
:rape

GEORGE.

War Office, 28th July, 1863.
SIR,—I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of
your Royal Highness's letter of the 24th instant, and to
express, in reply, the pleasure which I have experienced in
learning that your Royal Highness was well satisfied with
the general efficiency of the volunteer corps assembled on
the occasion of the review at Wimbledon on the 18th inst.
--I have the honour to be, Sir, your Royal Highness's
obedient servant,
(Signed) DE GREY and RIPON,
His Royal Highness the Field-Marshal
Commanding-in-Chief.