The Sun.
London, England, 1837-05-19 00:00:00

JOINT-STOCK BANKS.

The English and Irish Joint-Stock Banks must be vigi-
lant, as we see Mr. E. Tennent has given notice of a motion
for the 22d inst. for liberty to bring in a Bill " To Amend
the Public Joint-Stock Bank Act, 6th Geo. IV., c. 42, re-
gulating Joint-Stock Banks in Ireland," (similar to the
English Act, 7 Geo. IV.) Any measure of this kind should
not be hastily introduced to the House, or legislated upon,
without (Inc consideration, as much property has bean in•
vested in Ireland on the faith of the existing Joint-Stock
Acts ; and any enactment of this nature must also be ex-
tended to England. In our opinion this question should
not be introduced until the Report of the Select Committee,
now sitting, is received, when the House will be in posses-
sion of evidence which may be acted upon with greater
safety, and be better able to judge if any further legislation
is necessary.

THE NEW OPERA of MALEK ABEL

I M. Costa's Opera was produced last night at the King's
Theatre. The Opera was well received, and for the most part
met with complete success. The story is taker, from the well
known and beautiful work of Madame Cottin, but the author
of course has not adhered very strictly to it. The Opera opens
with a chorus of Christian prisoners, in which the voices min-
gle well with the rage and terrors of a storm, after which the
Archbishop gives his blessing to the multitude, and receives
Josselin, who breathes sentiments of patriotism worthy of the
scene. He then expresses in touching accents his love of Ma-
tilda, and declares that she alone is the star of victory. Al.
bertazzi, dressed in a brilliant suit of armour, looked and
sang in a manner equally attractive. The scene then
changes to the tent of Malek Adel, who, after addressing
his warriors, delivers himself up to softer thoughts, and con-
fesses how deeply his heart has been smitten by the
charms of the Christian damsel Matilda, the sister of the
King of England. He has scarcely concluded the avowal of
his passion when the object of it enters, dressed in the robes
of the Queen, her sister, and covered with a veil. Malek, be-
lieving her to be the Queen of England, inquires for her be-
loved sister, when Matilda, unable to contain her love, throws
off the veil, and owns the deceit she had been guilty of in
sending the Queen to the Christian camp in her place. Ru-
bini, of course, gives full effcict to the song commencing " Di
tua vista, di tua voce." A chorus of captives is heard, on
which Malek proclaims pardon to all, and he and Grisi
join in a charming duet " Oh, santa parola." A very
noble scene is now disclosed. The crusaders' camp is
seen, occupying a large extent of ground, and Richard
and Lusignan appear, with all the pomp of martial
life. Both are splendidly dressed,
.but it is to be re-
gretted that the music was not differently arranged-
-for Tamburini's person, voice, and manner would have
suited better our national idea of the lion-hearted King, and
Ivanoff might have sustained with advantage the dignity of the
King of Cyprus. Matilda and the slaves who have been sent
from the Saracen camp by the generosity of Malek Adel now
make their appearance but even in the midst of her brother's
Court Matilda's heart is a prey to grief, and in a noble air,
" Ingannato it cor," she recalls the image of her infidel lover,
and swears to live for him. A scene of discord soon occurs,
in consequence of Richard offering Lusignan as her husband ;
and the mutual hopes and fears of the persons present are ex-
pressed in a very good quintett. The whole strength of the
corps is then combined in a sestetto, commencing, " Odi una
misera," which ends in an insult and challenge being offered
to the Saracen, and a crash, in which every instrument of
the orchestra is brought into play, terminates the first act, in a
manner calculated to leave an impression on the audience.
The second act opens with a view of the Crusaders' camp,
and the progress of a conspiracy, in which Lusignan and some
of his partisans are engaged. Tamburini has an opportunity
of developing some of his powerful intonation, and in an air
commencing, " Oh, furie tremendi," exhibits the workings of
a desperate mind, torn with anger and distracted with a hope-

__....._....,„:$ .1211, - - , _.. ~...,...... c.a.
less passion. Iffit, goer!! assumes now a more touching n,
ratter ; the field ofr afais, -s abandoned,
Z:0 141 a is discovered in the ovaiGry of a convent, and i,_°, tif
white robes of a novice. The dress is moat becoming- to. uis.,
he
and we never saw ilei, look more beautiful. On her kuce3,s,_i
Furs out her sorrows arid 'sr prayers—she discloses the 18."_'..
p :s=sioti. Ifith which she struggles, mod calls on Heaven to teachn i,ell,
how to resist. .Le then rises, apparently more composed, a °l5
an gir worthy of the occasion, " Tu me creatti l'anima,” exPresie
the consolation which a reliance on Providence has gife,n'
a igi the beautiful
The finale is most effective, and the second act closes with, 'LI):
creasing interest. The third and the most beautiful act of tay
opera opens with a view of Mount Carmel and of the churc.,
Grist:
in which Matilda is to pronounce her fatal vows•
nettim was highly imaginative : she follows, with aching sir,
ii
the vision has fancy has conjured ❑p—she seeks to tine,
the blood flowing from its wounds—and then. sinking toiled
the weight of agony, she falls into the arms of the Priest, an,,,
appears to render up her soul. Slowly recovering, she ea".
again on her lover's name, and is at length conducted by gcri
tlil violence within the gates of the church,
upon her. No sooner are the gates shut than Malek es,
enters with his Arabs, and, though disposed to peace, be 4 e
outraged by the Archbishop, and excited by the intelligeneif
that Lusignan is advancing to attack him, that he gives hiellic
up wholly to thoughts of revenge, and declares that no eneleid
shall escape him. This scene is Rubini's grand effort, a°.
Thereto
we must say that it crowns the opera with success.
nothing finer on the stage than his dramatic action ; end as ;
the manner in which he .i..ngs the air, which we may even 11° t
call celebrated, beginning " Tiranno cadrai," it is beyond o°._
power to do it justice. It is the combination of all tbat.s
admire
which are cl ideal
touching and powerful ; and we are at a loss which to
more, the sweetness of his voice at one ;lament, or the liel
energy which he displays the next. The pronunciati,o,;
the words " Che m'arde mi strazzia, e orrenda !rernen,da'„ id
magnificent. None but a man of the highest ;tennis -°telo•
have given such force to every syllable. The house it 11 -e,f,
raptured, Rubini was compelled to' sing the air three n'',
and an attempt was made to call him back again. Oise-hi
alone would be enough to make Costa's fame as a c01013°44
as it would Rubini's as a singer, if he had not already reae"gy
the summit of reputation. The house was fully and fashion ell
attended. The performers were all called forward on Ole d,
of the curtain, and Signor Costa himself afterwards appeffew
in compliance with a general desire, to receive the core
lations of the audience.

- - -- -
HOUSE OF LORDS.-(THIS DA"
The House sat to-day to hear Writs of Error. The Ord
present were the Lord Chancellor, Lord Brougham, ne,
Denman, and Lord Wynford. All the Judges were als°
sent, with the exception of Lord Abinger and Mr. Bar°nesp
derson. The arguments were resualed in Garland V•
lisle, and had not concluded when our reporter left.

'LLOYD'S SHIPPING.—(THIS PA"
DEAL, MAY 18.—Wind E. N. E.—Arrived the Sea 1":"!
Smith, from Buenos Ayres ; and Oby, Barker, from line,
STANGATE CREEK, MAY 18.—Arrived the Rebel, sflir

- _
from Vostizza.
PORTSMOUTH, MAY 18.—Wind N. to E. N. E.--No
FALMOUTH, MAY 17.—Wind N.—No arrivals.

PIAMOUTH, MAY 18. —Wind N.—No arrivals. I oril
DOVER, MAY 18.—Off port the Camilla, Marshal, -I.

Hobart Town.

fro t"

tea, ....,

xrivel

HASTINGS, MAT 18.—
Cape
of Good Hope. .
ric"
COWES, MAY 18.—Arrived Victoria, —, from Rio Allem
ISLE OF WIGHT, MAY 17.—Arrived the Duke of
rence, —, from Calcutta. ti MO
SWANSEA, MAY 17.—Arrived Robert Finney, from ws-cre.
LIVERPOOL, MAT 17. —Wind W. N. W.—Arrived the "-...4
derick William, —, from Gresswold ; North American, „%,
from New York; and Old Colaig, —, from New Orlgs"
Off port the Cllarlotte, —, from Africa. 010
ABERDEEN, MAY 16.—Arrived Rapid, Millar, from -
OFF WHITST—The Magnet, Price, from DantziC.