The Sun.
London, England, 1863-08-29 00:00:00

ADELPHI THEATRE.

The last novelty produced at this favourite
theatre—a petite-comeclie entitled " The Hen and
Chickens," bids fair to become a standing attraction
for a considerable period ; and we feel a pleasure in

making that announcement, because the principal
part in it is sustained by one of our most genuine
end finished actresses, viz., Mrs. Stirling. We most
heartily welcome the lady's return to her profes-
sional duties, as we possess none amongst the un-
doubtedly talented actresses on the metropolitan stage
who can fill the void which exists in the theatrical
world when the name of Mrs. Stirling ceases to
appear in the daily " bills of the play." In " The
Hen and Chickens" she has to pourtray the
struggles and weakness of an over-ford and doting
mother, who, through too much affection, prevails
upon her newly-married daughter to accept half
her house as a dwelling-place for her and her hus-
band, Mr. Caseby. The last-named gentleman at
first willingly accepts the offer, and promises,
moreover, never to separate permanently mother
from daughter. This arrangement, for a few
months, goes on most satisfactorily, but even-
tually Mr. Caseby begins to tire of the un-
ceasing attention the said Mrs. Soft Sawderly
lavishes on her' daughter, Mrs. Caseby. Scarcely
for an hour during the day does the mother allow
the husband to enjoy the society of the wife, owing
to Mrs. Soft Sawderley's over anxiety to do every-
thing that is required ; and ultimately to rid him-
self of the killing kindness of his mother-in-law,
Caseby rushes from her house, and engages a villa
at North Bank, Regent's Park. This coming to
the knowledge of Mrs. Soft Sawderley, she at once
comes to the conclusion that it is for some person
other than his wife. Caseby humours the notion
for a short time, but eventually the whole is ex-
plained, and Mrs. Sawderley is reconciled to the
loss of her daughter by finding that her son Toro,
a rollicking officer in the Royal Navy, has been
left a widower, and also a father. The pride and
honour of becoming grandmamma is so strong that
Mrs. Sawderley, without the slightest solicitation,
determines to adopt her son's daughter, and the
curtain descends amidst universal congratulations.
From the foregoing brief outline of the piece it will
at once be seen that abundant opportunity is given
to Mrs. Stirling for a full display of all her bril-
liant powers, and we are perfectly at a loss to
say whether she excelled most as the affectionate
parent, the indignant mother, er the good and loving
grandmamma. Each was perfection, and taken as a
whole, we have never seen a more natural display
of the ability of this truly great English actress.
Miss Henrietta Simms excellently supported the
part of Mrs. Sawderley's daughter, Mrs. Caseby,
and Mr. Billington that of the husband, overloaded
with kindness, to the life. Mr. Phillips and Mr.
Stephenson—the former as James, a fine specimen
°f the genus flunkey, and the latter a goodly hue-
band,e who " does as he is told"—act their respective
parts with spirit and ability. The drama has been
most carefully
mounted, and to those who wish for
the gratification of witnessing a perfectly acted
petite-comedic we recommend a visit to the Adelphi.
The
Of Haunted Man," in which the great
"Ghost Effect" is displayed, and the capital bur-
lesque of "
111-treated Il rrovatore," with the inimi-
table Toole and Paul Bedford, and the fascinating
sisters Nelson, still continue highly attractive fend,
although it has been said that London is to a great
extent deserted, yet, from the crowded appearance
of the Adelphi Theatre, one would imagine that the
season was at its height instead of at its close.

THE TIMES'S 013 THERN CORRESPOND EN T.—lt may
be of interest tokno vr that the fervid and admirably
written letters of the special correspondent of the Times in
the Confederate camp are from the pen of Lieutenant
Butler, one of the two young Englishmen who, it will be
recollected, threw themselves into Silistria, and who ac-
quitted themselves with such conspicuous valour in the
defence of that place against the Russians.—London Cot-
respondent of the Glasgow Citizen.
DRESS AND DISEASE.—There is no truth more
firmly established among medical men than that
disease follows fashion as much as bonnets do. When
thin shoes prevail, consumption is the prevailing
epidemb with females in every fashionable commu-
nity of the country. When low-necked dresses are
in the ascendant, sore throat and quinsy are the raging
maladies. When " bustles" and " bishops" made their
appearance, spinal affections became " the ton." The reign
of corsets is denoted by collapsed lungs, dyspepsia, and a
general derangement of the digestive organs. Indeed, so
intimately are dress and disease connected, that a doctor
says all he needs to determine what a majority of the women
are dying of, is to have an inventory of their wardrobe
handed to him.—The Queen.

RELIGION, according to a noble phrase of Dr.
Johnson, should appear to be the Voice of Reason, and
Morality the Will of Ood I