The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-13 00:00:00

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE,

COMMENCEMENT OF THE SEASON.

No season could have opened under auguries more
favourable than those which marked the first per-
formance at Her Majesty's Theatre on Saturday
evening. Great talent served not only to attract a
crowded audience, but to arouaa an amount of en-
thusiasm which showed how that talent was appre-
ciated. In addition—the key-note of the season was
clearly and adequately struck. Lyric tragedy was
placed before us as its dominating purpose. One of
the most popular serious operas of the modern
romantic school, supported by four of the finest
voices which it is possible to find in Europe, and an
amount of artistic skill quite on a level with physical
gifts, showed the great distinction as well as force or
the entertainment at this theatre. A double end was
thus secured. The separation was not only marked
between the aims of our two operas—the predomi
nance of the serious muse at one house, as of the
comic at the other—but an advantage was presented
also, that is peculiar ly dramatic. Ordinary tragedy
having for the present disappeared from the London
stage, it is certainly some compensation that we are
at least possessed of lyric. Passion in this intense:
form if no longer allied to the realities, which
raise illusion and convey ethics, has still an ideal
sphere in which it can refine whilst it excites.
Music, if denied the power of prompting imagina-
tion in all its diversity, or of painting character in all
its truth, can still repay us by its almost unequalled
command of the emotions. Serious opera, which
is but an expansion of the Tragedy of the Greeks—
in which the ancient chorus is completed, and the
airs and concerted pieces unite with and relieve
the original pervading recitative—seems to have a
root in human sympathy that must ever endear it
to refined society. Another feature of this per-
formance struck us as scarcely less distinctive. We
can have no better proof of the advance of art than
when we see its study so well diffused as to asso-
ciate and vindicate the purposes of nature—when
we find those national distinctions to which genius
was allied in a past age, subside in the grand
equality that heaven founds on gift and
sympathy. A few years since we were
always told that only Italians were adapted
to opera—we need not remark how this shallow tra-
dition was rebuked on Saturday night by the pre-
sence of two such artists as Mr. Santley and Madame
Titiens.

Of the merits of the performance, whether gene-
ral or special, we should certainly find it difficult
to speak in terms of exaggeration. On the whole
we have rarely heard the Trovatore so grandly
given. One reason was that all its singers were
in the finest possible voice; another, that their
powers and their warm reception seemed to urge
them to unusual rivalry. Madame "Miens, who,
during the recess has been exchanging battle.
fields with Madlle. Patti—and whilst the latter
has been reaping some of her greenest laurels
in Germany, has, with the courage of true genius,
thrown herself boldly into the South, and at Naples
especially raised a furore never surpassed—returns
to us with, if possible, augmented force from her
successes, and it struck ns with an increased delicacy
from her brief contact with Southern tastes. In the
cabaletta of her aria D'entrata, the exquisite " Tacea
la notte," we could not help thinking there
was a deepened tenderness—a more dreamy
and luxurious sentiment, and not less in the
" D'amor soil all roses
"—of the last act,
that deep murmuring of affection which the soul of
Leonora seems to exhale towards her imprisoned
lover. In all her other leading solos all her old
excellence was manifeste—all her unrivalled passion,
all her consummate art, from the indignant fury of
her share in the finale of the first act, to the piteous
appeal in the last, the " Mira di ecerbe," for the
delivery of Manrico, and the transport in which it
culminates, the " Vivra contende"—when her boon
has been obtained at the sacrifice of herself—all
these, coupled with the exquisite pathos of her
dying address to her lover, displayed a power
in Madame Titiens which we may easily
term unrivalled. The whole performance
is in fact a masterpiece, which makes the charac-
ter her own. If Mdme. Alboni's placid face and
bounteous person presents rather the reverse of the
physical idea of the suffering gipsy Azucena, she
still was able to fulfil Franklin's dictum—that
mind can conquer matter--in the manner in which
her genius made us conscious only of the presence
of her vocal and dramatic power. Her incom-
parable voice, and her most Ferfect mode of
singing, left no point in the music unrealised, from
the vivid terrors of the " Stride la Yampa " to the
tender and pathetic murmuring of the gypsy's
dream in the last act. Signor Guiglini also seems
to return to us with an increase of power this
season, his noble voice unchanged, whilst his
energy and feeling are conspicuously deepened.
He may now securely take his stand as our leading
tragic tenor, and without vanity claim possession
of a whole round of lyric heroes. In Maurice,
which was always one of his vividest
impressions, ho never shone more signally
i knowledge,
E the
th an on Saturday night last. He re -
newed all his great successes from the wonderful
Ah, ei ben mio," never so given
nour
and the kindling fire of his " de
tenderness
quella pira," to the profound pathos, wholly unap-
preached, of his the la morte," which, as
usual, was very vehemently and deservedly encored.
Mr. Santley very adequately completed this group
of vocal luminaries. To his superb voice, and his per-
fect culture, he now adds a depth of dramatic feeling
which befits him to essay the severest trials of
the lyric drama. His delivery of the " Il Balen" was,
of course, one of the great features of the night, and
was rewarded with its usual, and always merited,
redemand. And not less admirable was his treat-
ment of the music of the Count throughout, and
more especially in the last act. Each of the great
favourites we have named was honoured with the
most cordial demonstrations throughout the opera,
sharing in all the warm recalls which
marked, as usual, the close of the acts.
In support of their exertions we are happy to
announce that the chorus, which we believe has
been imported entirely from Italy, was very full
and well disciplined; and the band, under Signor
Arditi, which appears to be augmented to 100,
evinced an amount of skill quite on a level with
its numbers. We must add that this reproduc-
tion had also the advantage of some pleasing
scenery—a moonlight especially, in the last act,
doing every justice to the fame of Mr. Calcott.
Having thus referred to the leading artistic dis-
tinctions of the evening, it is but justice to Mr.
Mapleson to mention a few of the material with
which he has sensibly added to the comfort and
beauty of the theatre. The entire house has been
redecorated ; the amber colour, in deference to the
taste of the ladies, has been retained ; and whilst all
the patterns of the mouldings of the proscenium and
boxes remain the same, they have been regilt and
retouched so much as to regain their early fresh-
ness. Great comfort also has been secured in the
ampler size and ease of the seats, and though
this advantage has been gained in the stalls
by a further contraction of the pit, Mr.
Mr. Mapleson has compensated the public by
throwing open the centre of the fourth tier of boxes,
where the advantage of sound and sight will be even
more enjoyed. This addition to what may be called,
the democratic part of the audience, if it should rob
the theatre of a little of its dignity, will undoubt-
edly add much to its warmth, and have a percep-
tible effect on the exertions of the singers. Between
the second and third acts of the opera
a cantata was introduced, in honour of the recent
royal marriage—the words of which were by Mr.
Oxenford, and the music by Mr. easins—but of this
all we can say is that it was moderately well re-
ceived. This noble performance is to be repeated on
Saturday. next, when we doubt not it will attract
as brilliant an audience as at first, and on Tuesday
is to be given the " Puritani," supported by Mmde.
Titiens, Signor Guiglini, and Mr. Santley.

A NON-SEQUITUR.--FABLE FROM LESSING,—A
hawk pounced upon a nightingale singing in the
hedges, crying, " Since 37 ui have such a sweet voice, how
delicious you must be to cat !" Was this ignorance or irony
in the hawk ? I don't know, but I heard sours one say
yes'erday, " That young lady, who sings so delightfully,
would make au e,xallent wife,"—ilmarican Paper.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

THE INSURRECTION IN POLAND.
CRACOW, APRIL 12.
The Superiors of the Carmelite and the Reformed
convents have been placed in confinement.
The reasons for these arrests, as well as for those
of Herr Bentknowski and of M. Chrzanowski, one
of the writers for the Czas, who are still in custody,
have not transpired.

RUSSIA.
AN AMNESTY FOR POLAND.

ST. PETERSBURG, SUNDAY.

To-day (being the Russian Easter Sunday) an
Imperial manifesto has been published, granting a
full and entire amnesty to all Poles in the kingdom
who shall lay down their arms and return to their
allegiance by the 12th of May. The same term for
laying down their arms and giving in their sub-
mission is also fixed for the insurgents in the
Western Polish provinces.

The only exceptions are with regard to ordinary
crimes, and to such offences as have been committed
by the army. The manifesto further announces that
the institutions granted to the Polish people shall
be maintained, and after practical experience shall
be developed according to the necessities of the age
and the country.
ST. PETERSBURG, SUNDAY.

The following is a summary of the text of the
manifesto granting an amnesty to the insurgent
Poles:—

" The obligation rests with us to preserve the
country from the return of disorders, and to open a
new epoch of political life, based upon the rational
organisation of administrative local autonomy.
"We have already laid the foundations of this
autonomy in the institutions which have been
granted, but whose efficacy has not yet been put
to the test. It is our desire to maintain these in-
stitutions, while reserving to ourselves the right of
proceeding with their future development accord•
ing to the requirements of the age and of the
country."
ST. PETERSBURG, APRIL 12 (Evening).

The amnesty granted by the Imperial ukase ap-
plies not only to all Poles, but also to such Russians
as have taken part in the insurrection, and who
shall !ay down their arms before the let of May
(old style).

MEXICO.

ST. NAZAIRE, APRIL 13.

The Messageries Imp eriales steamer Florida has
arrived here from Vera Cruz. She brings intelli-
gence that the attack upon Puebla was expected to
commence on the 16th March.

ROME.
ROME, SATURDAY EVENING.
Cardinal Barberini died to-day.

FRANCE.
THE POLISH QUESTION.
PARIS, APRIL 13.

The .3foniteur of to-day in its bulletin, says:—

" The Austrian Government having displayed
views upon the Polish question in conformity with
those of the Western Powers, an understanding has
been established between the three Courts for acting
in concert towards the Cabinet cf St. Petersburg."

Referring to the statement put forth by some
journals to the effect that it is impossible to esta-
blish an accord between the French, English, and
Austrian Governments, Le Pays distinctly denies
the accuracy of this sinister accusation, by saying,
" The accord is possible, because it exists."
According to Le Constitutionnel, In Prussia, it
appears, just now, they are less occupied with a
consideration of the Polish question than with the
Danish Decree of the Ist of April. They seem there
to be even now undecided as to the attitude likely
to be taken upon that subject by the Government at
Berlin. It is generally supposed that before pro•
nouncing in any way definitively in reply to that
decree, the Germanic Diet mill be convoked. In
the meantime, they affect to rely with confidence
on the concurrence with Prussia of Austria, Bavaria,
and Hanover.
Le Siecle still maintains with confidence that so
far from the Polish Revolution dying out, it
steadily and appreciably increases both in extent,
and therefore also in importance.
L'Opinion Nationale, of to-day, on the contrary
throws somewhat of a damper on the hopes of the
friends of Poland by intimating, and this time
with the utmost distinctness and precision of
words, as a fact now perfectly well known, its as-
sertion of yesterday that the Court of Vienna has
expressed itself entirely satisfied with the good in-
tentions of the Cabinet of St. Petersburg in regard
to the Poles!

BOURSE, April 11.—The market has again re-
covered its firmness and buoyancy, and the business
has been at an improvement on the closing rates of
yesterday. Threes, for the Account, are now at
70f. 15c. Mobilier have also advance. Little
doing in Railway Shares. The market continued
firm to the end, and closed as follows :
Italian Loan 72 85
Do. end month 72 60
New ditto ...... 73 70
Do. end month 73 75
Russian
Austrian ..
'-
Spanish Threes —
Home Debt .. 5O
TAYS.
Cash. Account.
Orleans lOl3 75 .. 1015
1045 .. 1050
Northern ....
New ditto •
Lyons and Mediterranean 1200
....
Geneva.. l2O,
426 25 .. 435
Southern ........ 777 50 .. 780
532 50 .. 530
Western
stern
Ea
Sardinian ........ 467 60 .. 467 50
Austrian
507 50 505
Lowbard .... 6OB 75 .. 610
North of Spain
Saragossa 757 50 .. 760
Ditto to Barcelona

4f per Cents 97 50
Do. end month —
3 per Cents
Do. end month 7O 20
Credit Mobilier 1447 50
Do. end month 1453 75
Bank Shares 3:15 --
Credit F oncier 1525
BA IL"

WEST INDIA AND PACIFIC MAILS.

SOUTHAMPTON, Sunday.

The Royal Mail Company's steam ship Atrato,
Capt. Woolley, with the above mails, arrived this
morning. She brings 99 passengers and specie to
the value of 995,818 dols.
Strange occurrences were daily happening at
St. Thomas, caused by the presence of several Fede-
ral war steamers, which continually keep up steam
in the harbour, and whose commanders were acting
in a most extraordinary manner. On March 20 the
British steamer Neptune left St. Thomas, bound for
Havannah in ballast. She was immediately pur-
sued, but unsuccessfully, by the Federal war steamer
AVauchusetts. On March 24 the British steamer
Dolphin sailed from St. Thomas for Nassau, with a
general cargo on board ; within 15 minutes of her
departure she was chased by the Wachusetts, and
soon after boarded and captured. A prize crew from
the Wachusetts was put on board the Dolphin, with
orders to take her to Key West. The Wachusetts
then returned to St. Thomas. Her Majesty's ship
Nile was in the harbour, but not until 48 hours
after the return of the Wachusetts, nor until the
Nile had left the island, did the fact transpire that
the Wachusetts had 16 of the crew of the Dolphin
on board, who were indignantly landed in a state of
destitution, and were sent home by the Atrato as
distressed British seamen. It is stated that the
Dolphin was bound to Nassau, and that her crew
were engaged only to that port, it being the inten-
tion of her owners that she should be sold to the
highest bidder. Information by the Atrato reports
that St. Thomas is fast becoming a Federal war
station, and the arrest of shipping most
unscrupu-
lous. No less than seven war steamers were shortly
expected at St. Thomas, and the United States con-
sul stated that 5,000 tons of coal were to be sent
there to form a depot.

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I m 4113, maz. ik.i/
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HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, April 11.
The Queen, accompanied by their Royal High-
nesses Princess Helena and Princess Beatrice,
attended by the Duchess of Athole, drove out yester-
day afternoon in a carriage and four. Colonel Hon.
A. Hardinge attended on horseback.

His Royal Highness Prince Alfred, attended by
Lieut.-Col. Kingscote, rode this morning.

SUNDAY.

The Queen, Prince Alfred, Princess Helena,
Princess Louise, Prince Leopold, and Prirco Louis
of Hesse, and the L:tdies and Gentlemen in Waiting,
attended Divine service this morning in the private
chapel.
Tie Hon. and Very Rev. Dean of 'Windsor
officiated.

Her Royal Highness the Princess Louis of Hesse
and the infant Princess continue to progress
favourably,

It is understood that as soon as the health of the
Princess Louis of Hesse is re established her Ma-
jesty, accompanied by her Royal Highness, will go to
Osborne, and remain there until the Princess has quite
recovered her strength. The Queen and Court will then
return to Windsor, and, after a short stay at the Castle, will
start for Balmoral, where it is expected her Majesty will
arrive about the middle of May or soon after that period.—
Court Journal.

THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES.—SAN-
DEINGHAM, Sunday.—Their Royal Highnesses the
Prince and Princess of Wales rode out yesterday in the
N icinity of the hall. The Prince has quite recovered from
his recent slight indisposition. His Royal Highness has
accep,ed a terrier dog, presented by Mr. Willins, of Gor-
gate Hall, in this county. The Prince and Princess of
Wales, attended by Lieut.-Gen. Knollys, Capt. Grey, Mr.
Fisher, Hon. Mrs. Bruce, and lion. Mrs. F. Stoner, at-
tended Divine service this morning at Sandringham Church.
The Rev. Dr. Stanley officiated.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge,
attended by Colonel Clifton and Sir Richard Airey, has
arrived in town from Portsmouth.
The Doke of Montrose returns to town to-mor-
row from visiting Lady Emily Foley at Stoke Edith Park,
Herefordshire. The Duchess end Lady Violet Graham
are expected home this week from Paris, where they have
been sojourning en route home from Egypt and Italy.
It is stated very positively that the Prince and
Princess of Wales have accepted an invitation to spend a
few days with the Emperor and Empress at Fontair ebleau ;
the recent excursion of the Empress to that palace is said
to have been connected with preparations for this interest-
ing visit.
The Earl and Countess of Derby came to town
on Saturday from Tunbridge Wells. The noble earl has
greatly improved in health.
The Earl of Sheffield met with a severe accident
from the kick of a horse at the volunteer review at
Brighton on Easter Monday. His lord: hip is going on
well.

The Earl and Lady Constance Grosvenor left town
on Friday for Paris where they purpose a fortnight's
sojourn.

Lord and Lady Vivian have arrived in town from
Glynn Bodmin, Cornwall.

Lady Chelmsford has issued invitations for an
assembly on Thursday, the 23d inst., and for a danse on the
4th pros., at the family residence in Eaton-square.
Lord Stanley, M.P., has arrived in town from
Knowsley Park, near Prescott.

Lord George Manners, M.P., and Lady Adeliza
Manners come to town eany in the present week, from
Cheveley Park, near Newmarket, for the season.

The Right Hon. the Speaker of the House of
Commons and Lady Charlotte Denison left Ossington
Park, Notts, at an early hour this morning for the New
Palace, Westminster.
Sir Robert Peel, M.P., arrived in town o❑
Saturday morning, from Nice. Lady Emily is expected
home in about a fortnight.
General Sir Wm. M. Gomm, G.C.13., is recover-
ing from his recent illness. There is now every hope of
his recovery.

La Marchesa Gaetini, nec Piccolomini, is coming
to England, expressly to sing at three performances to be
given at Her Majesty's Theatre for the benefit of its ex-
lessee, Mr. Lumley.

Mdlle. Titiens, Madame Letnmens Sherrington,
Miss Palmer, Messrs. Sims Reeves, Montcm Smith.
and Santley are already engaged, we perceive, for the Nor-
wich Musical Festival. The new oratorio by M. Silas is
entitled " Joasb," The new cantata:by Mr. Benedict,
"Richard Cur de Licn.

FEDERALS AND CONFEDERATES.—Henri Dray-
ton continues to give his attractive and interesting
entertainment on the American Question, with pictorial and
musical illustrations, at the Polygraphic Hall, every even•
ing, and on Wednesday and Saturday afternoon. All the
news front the North and the South is duly incorporated in
the lecture in the telegram style, as each mail arrives.
The success of " Macbeth" in France is still a
subject of conversation in theatrical circles.
Shakespeare has made slow progress in France since Vol-
taire translated "Julius C'resar," and called its author an
Inspired savage. The street bo3s of t'aris used to follow
Macready shouting, " Monsieur Macbet," "Monsieur Mac-
bet," and even that great actor's performances were looked
upon with half admiration and half disgust; and now the
most, wild and imaginative of Shakespeare's plays attracts
audiences in Paris, in spite of Banquo's ghost, and the
witches' brown paper noses, which will too often get loose
and fall into the cauldron.—Latly's Ncrespaper.
PRINCE NAPOLEON.—A Russian semi-official
print makes light of Prince Napoleon's speech in the
Senate, and speaks of him as a man of no weight, whose
opinions have no echo. That he is not authorised to speak
officially on behalf of the Empe or is sufficiently pr wed by
M. Billault'a disclaimer of his doctrines, But the Russian
print is quite mistaken when it says he has no " echo" in
France. It is a most curious fact that whereas Prince
Napoleon, during the first ten years of the empire, never
enjoyed any popularity, the doors of the Palais R )yal have
been daily besieged since his speech on Poland by a large
crowd, which watches his coming out to cheer him. The
cheers which now greet him are quite as numerous, and
much more genuine, than those which, in 1851, were or-
ganised at the gates of the Elysee when the President of
the Republic was cogitating the coup-d' itat.
Mr. J. S. Westmacott has recently finished, in the
marble, a statue of Alexander the Great, the attitude
being suggested by a well-known passage from Dryden.
Many of our readers are aware that the large chamber at
the Mansion House, called, for some non-architectural
reason, the Egyptian Hall, is being gradually decorated
with sculpture, and Mr. Westmacott'a latest work is in-
tended to occupy a niche in the civic temple.
ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY, REGENT'S-PARK.--
The second spring show of this society took place
on , Saturday at tha gardens in Regent's-park. Many
beautiful and new azaleas were exhibited, these plants
forming the chief objects of attraction. There was a fine
display of begonias and hyacinths. Among the visitors
were the Duchess of St. Albans ; the Countesses of Buck-
inghamshire and Camperdown ; Lord Falkland, Ladies
Rolt, Panmure, Llewellyn, Pollock, Hamilton, H. Rams-
dale, Fellowes, and Malden; Baron Hambro ; Sirs Walter
Stirling, J. Rennie, J. Mountjoy, and F. Goldsmid, and
the French, Danish, Bavarian, Spanish, Turkish, Ame-
rican, Brazilian, and Austrian Ambassadors. First prizes
were awarded for the best two azaleas (amateurs) to Mr.
J. Cross, gardener to Sir F Goldsmid, Regent's-park ; for
the best six azaleas (shown by nurserymen) to Mr. C. Tur-
ner, Slough, Bucks; for the best three azaleas of 1860, '6l,
and '62 (open) to Mr. C. Turner, Slough, Bucks; for 12
hyacinths (amateurs) ; to Mr. A. Carr, gardener to B.
Noakes, Esq., Highgate; for 12 hyacinths (nurserymen),
to Messrs, W. Cutbush, Highgate; for siz amaryllis (open),
to Mr. R. Parker, nurseryman, Tooting ; for 12 British
ferns (open), to Miss Clarkson, 40, Avenue-road; for six
begonias (open), to Mr. J. Cross, gardener to Sir F, Gold-
smid ; and for six miscellaneous plants (open), to Messrs.
J, and C. Lee, nurserymen, Hammersmith,
PRINTERS' ALMSLIOUSES•—We understand that
Mark Lemon, Eaq., the editor of Punch, has con-
sented to give a dramatic reading, in aid of this society, of
his popular " Hearts are Trumps," in the large hall of the
Whittington Club, on Saturday, the 2d of May ; when we
hope a good party will assemble to assist the object, for two
reasons—first%because the funds of the institution sadly
need replenishing; and, secondly, to mark the kindness of
Mr. Lemon in thus endeavouring to assist the cause of be-
nevolence.

COURT.MARTIAL ON CAPT, HILLYAR AND LIEUT.
LILLINGSTON. PORTSMOUTH, Saturday. —The
court reassembled this morning at nine o'clock. During
the day Lieut. Sandys, Lieut. Hunt, Mr. Long, midship-
man, and Sub-Lieut. Mtliecknie, were severally examined
up to five o'clock, when the Court adjourned until Monday,
when the latter officer will be cross-examined by the pri-
soner, and the further examination of witnesses continued.
As yet not one half of those for the prosecution have ap-
peared before the Court, therefore it is probable the proceed-
ings will occupy some time, if we may judge of the slow
progress hitherto made.
A FACT FOR NATURALISTS.—In the village of
Knightley, near Stafford, a parrot, which had been confined
in a cage for 15 years, recently laid two eggs—one on the
16th ult., and the other on the 20th,—)Stafordshire Ad-
vertiser.