The Sun.
London, England, 1862-05-30 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY, EVENING, MAY 30, 1862,

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

" LES HUGUENOTS."

This noble opera, the acknowledged masterpiece
of the modern lyric drama, ard, with the sole excep-
tion of " Dorf Giovanni," the greatest triumph of
its class that has ever been achieved, was produced
at this theatre last evenivg with the utmost atten-
tion and success, and did not fail to attract an
audience that filled the hotie to overflowing.
There can be little wonder atthe fact of its steadily
enlarging popularity. It is a result that is to be
traced not more to the advance of musical know-
ledge than to an essential dramatic force, which
strengthens the hold of this great work as much on
the feelings of its most casual as its most cultivated
witness. The infinite skill of its dramatis treat-
ment, in which a grand historical interest supplies
the largest possible excitement both to the ima-
gination and the senses—in the ample pic-
ture it exhibits of mediaeval passions, framed
in all the vivid colouring of mediaeval
grace and movement—whilst this historic interest,
at the same time, is so subordinated to the human
that the sympathies are enabled to seize its central
purpose—the fate of the young lovers—and reduce
all its vivid aspects to the mere rank of illustrations,
is undoubtedly some exp'sanation of the great attrac-
tion this work possesses. Quite on a par, however,
with this merit is the extraordinary power of the
music which can interpret such a subject with such
infinite sufficiency, and which, 'whilst dis-
playing the greatest union of dramatic insight
and musical knowledge, of ability to depict the
passions, and at the same time to invest them with
the most imaginative colouring, never sacrifices for
a moment the solemn grandeur of its character, but
carries its wonderful mingling of the heroic and
religious sentiments to the highest point of poetic
beauty. Little wonder, then, that so constructed,
this work should yearly grow on the public. But
for the illness of Signor Giuglini, which compelled
him to be replaced by Signor Armamli, who is still
suffering from indisposition, the performance of
lest night would have been all that could be
wished. We had first Madame Titiens in all her
strength—the only rival of Grisi in the character of
Valentine, and now, it may be easily allowed, its
indisputable possessor. If our great teutonic song-
stress scarcely invests the patrician maiden with
the peculiar dignity with which Grisi so refined
and elevated her passionate struggles—those
struggles themselves she is able to penetrate
to as great a depth of intensity, and with the
advantage of a voice capable of seconding every
prompting of her musical art or her deep sym-
pathies. Last evening it was in excellent order,
and she never sang or acted with more brilliancy
or force. Whether in the great duet with Marcel,
or the still greater one with Raoul, feebly as on
this occasion she was sustained by Signor Armandi ;
there was all the magnificent passion, and all the
clear ample resonance of her incomparable

tones, which have raised her to her al-
ways great and her now unrivalled eminence.
Another feature of the night was Signora Trebelli,

in the character of Urbain, who made another and
very positive advance in public favour. Her de-
livery of the " Nobil Signor," had a mingled grace-
fulness and gaiety that could not be exceeded, and
almost better was the extraordinary spirit of
the "No, no, caso equal," in which her notes were
so electrical that she obtained a vehement encore.
Her charming appearance and graceful bearing had
also something to do with the matter. A third
success was the reappearance of Madlle,
Michal, in Marguerite, a character
which she sustained at this theatre
some three seasons ago. If we cannot say this lady
is improved, she has lost none of her good qualities.
Her voice is still a clear and pure soprano of consi-

derable fluency and compass, if with a certain
hardness in its tones which abates its effect at
times. The graceful " Alt Questa solo voce" with
which her music opens, and the piquant and
fanciful duett with Raoul were delivered with
great cleverness, and produced a due impression.
A fourth success was the reappearance of
that thorough artist and good singer—Signor
Vialetti—in the character of Marcel, in which he
made so much impression a few seasons ago. His
Huguerint smat—
have had in recent years—far more animated than
Marini's and roughly natural than Zalger's. His
singing also is excellent, and despite the sharp-
ness of his tones—his delivery of the " Piff
Paff " has a bluff reality and power which we
have never heard surpassed. The chorus was
rather uncertain in the first act of the opera, but

it grew steady as it proceeded, The band was
firm and spirited; and the scenery and movement
were highly characteristic,

IA TEST NEWS.

INDIA.
!(BY TELEGRAPH FROM JUBAL.)
BOMBAY, MAY 12.

The troubles in Affghanistan are ended.

According to news published in the Bombay
papers, Dost Mahomed and the Persian Govern-
ment have agreed to a compromise in reference to

Farrah.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Shirtings firm and active; Bilb, 5r 13a. Mule
twist has decidedly improved ; 40's are quoted 11/a
per lb. Cotton—Higher prices demanded. Broach,
240 r; sawginned Dharwa, 275 r. Copper dull.
Mal wa opium dull, at 1,580 r per chest.

Exchange on London, first-class credits, 2s. OZd.
Government Securities—Four per Cents., 951;
Five per Cents., 105 ; Five-and-a- Half per Cents.,
1111.

Freights to Liverpool for cotton, 62s 6d.
(BY TELEGRAPH TO BOMBAY.)

Shirtings firm, but little doing. Mule twist firm,
Copper sheathing dull and unchanged; tile 4 annas
lower. The indigo crops are progressing well.
Linseed firm: Rice dull and unchanged.
Exchange on London—First-class credits, 2s. Otd.
Government Securities—Four per Cents., 93 ;
Five per Cents,, 105; Five-and-a-Half per Cents,,
111.
Freights to London for seeds, 655.

PARIS, MAY 29.
The Paris papers publish the following, dated
Ragusa, Ma; 28:—

" Hussein Pasha, having thrown a bridge across
the Lemna, occupied Bielopeoluski.

" Abdi Pasha entered the Montenegrin territory
by the Albanian frontier at Podgorizza, while Der-
visch Pasha attempted an invasion at Grahovo.
" Dervisch Pasha returned to Belecia, after hav-
ing threatened to burn Banjani.
" The town of Nicksich has been burnt, and the
fortress is blockaded.

"The Prince of Montenegro has protested against
the invasion of his territories to the foreign consuls
at Mostar and Scutari."

This being Ascension-day, no business was done
on the Bourse.

SCUTARI, MAY 27.

The Turkish troops who entered the Montenegrin
district of Bielopavlovich on the 23d inst. met on
the following day, after two hours' march, a body
of 6,000 Montenegrins occupying an advantageous
position on rocky ground.

The Montenegrins were immediately attacked by
two columns of the Turkish troops, by whom they
were dislodged from their position.
They then made a retreat through the villages of
Upper and Lower Martinich, Revina, Choupina,
Gliziva, Ponsiezi, and Glivitza.

The houses and towers of these villages, being
built of stone, became for theMontenogrins so many
fortresses, which were, however, successively stormed
and taken by the Turkish troops in the midst of the
flames kindled by the Montengrins themselves on
their retreat.

Although the Montenegrins had in the meantime
been reinforced by 11 companies of 100 men each,
they were forced to give way before the Turks, who
pursued them into the mountains.

The Montenegrins left 500 dead on the field, ex-
clusive of those they were able to carry away with
them. The number of their wounded is estimated
at 1,000.
Th. T..lf;al, lnaa amnrynted to 57 killed and 137
wounded, among whom was Moustafa Bey, Staff
Colonel.

The number of houses and towers burnt was 890,
'neluding 400 huts.

The 25th was a day of rest, during which the
Turks celebrated their victory. The following day
they continued their march.

THE BRAZILS MAIL.
LISBON, MAY 29.

The Royal Mail steamship Oneida has arrived
here with the above mail, and will leave for South-
ampton at 10 a.m. to-morrow, with 124 passengers,
19,286 in specie, 1,347 rolls of tobacco, and 300
packages tapioca.

A despatch from Rio Janeiro, dated 9th May,
says :—" The Chambers were opened on the 4th
inst. The Ministry do not hold a strong position,
as they scarcely command a majority in the Cham-
ber of Deputies."
Exchange on London was quoted 251. Coffee
sold at 7,400. The shipments since the last mail
amounted to 67,960 bags, of which 16,994 were for
the Channel. Stock, 180,00 u bags. Freights, 70s.
Exchange on London, at Bahia, was quoted at 26.
Cottons, 9,500. Sugar, 1,91)0.

At Pernambuco sugar was quoted 3,500; browns,
1,900. Coaons, 11,400. Exchange on London,
25k.

The Messageries Imperiale steamer Navarre ar-
rived at Pernambuco on the 12th of May.

THE MAURITIUS.

ALEXANDRIA, MAY 29.

According to advices received here, the cholera
in the Mauritius is diminishing, the total mortality
up to the present time amounting to 3,400.

Sugar is in demand. Stock small, 7,000 tons.
The April export to England amounts to 1,700
tons, while nothing has been sent to France. The
coming crop is estimated at 140,000 tons.

THE WEST INDIA MAILS.
SOUTHAMPTON, FRIDAY.

There is as yet no news of La Plata, with the
homeward West Indian mails. It is supposed
that she has been detained at St. Thomas's for the
inter-colonial mails.

It is reported that the Marquis IV ielopolski, who
was on the point of leaving St. Petersburg, delayed
his departure at the desire of the Emperor, who
again promises to sanction the Marquis's plan for
the reorganisation of public instruction and schools
in this country.

THE CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

(PER NOVA SGOTIAN.-LATEST BY TELEGRAPH

TO CAPE RACE.)
NEW YORK, MAY 20.
The Federal Colonel Campbell has, with the au-
thority of General M'Clellan, officially reported that
the Federal iron-clad gunboats, consisting of the
Monitor, Galena, Nangatuck, Port Royal, and Aris-
took, has been repulsed by the Confederate batteries
at Fort Darling, seven miles below Richmond.
Washington despatches state that the James
River is clear of obstruction to within eight miles
of Richmond. At that point there is a heavy bat-
tery on a high bluff, the river being temporarily
closed to navigation by sunken vessels, piles, and
chains. The Monitor could not elevate her gun
sufficiently to reach the high battery, and was
therefore useless.
The 100-pounder gun of theNangatuck exploded
at the first fire.

The banks of the river were filled with rifle pits,

from which a constant fire was poured on the Fede-
ral fleet, part of which was engaged at 600 yards
distance from the main battery,

After an action of four hours the Federal flee.
withdrew.

The Federals are stated to have lost from 1,000

o 1,100 men.

Col. Campbell's report states that the Federal
dead were interred on the banks of the river,
and adds that part of the gunboat fleet had re-
turned to Jamestown Island.
Gen. M'Clellan's advance has arrived at Beton's
B ridge, 15 miles from Richmond. The bridge was
destroyed when the Federals arrived half a mile
from the other side of the Chickahominy river.
The Federal gunboats have made a reconnais-
sance 25 miles above White House, on the Pa-
'flunkey river. The Confederates destroyed two
of their own steamers and 20 schooners,

They are also reported to have destroyed al
the bridges, and to have placed every imagin•
able obstruction in the way of the Federal ad•

vance.

The lrewbern Progress states that the Gover-
nor of North Carolina had refused to afford further
aid to the Confederate Government, and ordered
home all the North Carolina State troops.
The Mobile Advertiser announces that the Con-
federates have evacuated Pensacola after destroying
the navy-yard and forts. All public property was
removed.

The Federals had sent a force from their pickets
,o occupy the place.

EVENING.
President Lincoln has issued a proclamation,
declaring General Hunter's recent proclamation
null and void.
The President further declares that he reserves to
himself to decide whether he is competent, as Com-

mander-in-Chief of the army and navy, to declare

slaves of any State free, and also to decide whether,
at 01:7 time or in any case, it shall become a neces-
sity ina.;,spensable to the maintenance of Govern-
ment to exe:cise such supposed power. He refers
also to the resOlution adopted by Congress to co-
operate with any .',!ave State for gradual emanci-
pation, and says :
" I now earnestly appeal to the people of those
arguments for States. I beseech all to make .
your-
selves. You cannot, if you would, be blind to the
signs of the times. Will you not emb:ace the pro-
position ? May the past and future not have to
lament that you have neglected an opportuni.tv to
do so much good."
The commander of the United States' steamer
Tuscarora has written a letter to the New Fork
Herald declaring that Captain Patey, of the Royal
Navy, had not held good faith towards him in the
case of the Nashville, and declaring that British
justice is measured by false weights, and that neu-
tral obligations have never been allowed to interfere
with British interests. He concludes
with an
assertion that the British Government has cop..:9tted
with the Confederates from the beginning.
Eighteen shots from Fort Darling penetrated the
Federal steamer Galena. The Monitor is reported
to be uninjured.
No official details of the affair have yet been
issued.
Commodore Goldsborough is reported to be pre.
paring mortars to attack Fort Darling.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, MAY 20, EVENING.
Money abundant. Exchange very firm at 113;
to 114. Stocks very firm.
Cotton steady.

t wes found necessary to put a picket of Cossacks
before the house of the prelate to prevent the crush.
The system of espionage has reached its climax,
for even the very altars in the churches are not free
from it. On the 16th inst. the commissary of police,
Jachimowskoy, had placed two police agents, Bialy
and Hertzberg, dressed as civilians, on the very
steps of the altar, who, with an assumed air of
piety, kept a look-out on the congregation, and in
leaving the church pointed out persons suspected of
having had the intention of singing national hymns.
To arrest people for such or such intention is a
novel idea, worthy of the Muscovite rule ; and the
vengeance against singing is carried to such a point
that any religious chant is construed into a mani-
festation, and dealt with according to martial law.
Such a state of things can hardly be endured, and
it is evident that the Russian Government employs
all means to provoke a rising among the Poles.
The treatment of the ladies recently arrested is
revolting, as almost all of them being under age and
possessing a good education, are placed in a prison
together with the questionable fallen characters,
whose language and manners shock every pure and
honest heart. Here are the names of some—Miss
Anna Czajensig, 15 years old ; Sophie Rutkowski,
16 ; Matilde Rutkowski, 17; Emilie Hanke, 16 ;
Alexandrine Milobendzki, 17; Frances Drzewsecki,
18; Mary Ann Roszynski, 20; and many others.
What a cruelty it is to punish such young persons,
and in the manner described.

Such a brutal work cannot be done except by
overpaying the tools employed for it. Therefore,
in addition to their salaries, substantial gratuities
were awarded from the public Treasury to the
functionaries in the office of the Governor-General,
to M. Szwecow, £1,330 ; to Aloise Komornicki and
Michael Ludogowski, £327 each; to George
Leoniew, £170; and to Felician Krukowski, £lO5,
all well known for their humiliating conduct. This
freedom with the public money, which could not be
tolerated in any constitutional country, sustains
the state of siege in Poland, as the Governor-Gene-
ral, General Luders, is an absolute little king here,
and he does what he pleases.
Some curious details respecting the arrest of the
Russian officers here have transpired. Two visits
have been paid to Count Tolstoi (one of the most
distinguished families in Russia), the first by the
chief of the police, whe, on appearing, was saluted
by the Count with this laconic answer :—" You
come to search my papers! Now, I tell you if you
do not get out immediately I shall blow out your
brains." The functionary, without saying another
word, ran to General Kirzyzanowski ; and the
latter, having obtained a written order from Gen.
Luders, repaired to the Count's apartments, but no
papers compromising him were found. Among
the higher officers who received visits from the
police ere General Prince Bebutoff, Generals Mer-
cheleurz and Gicewicz. Of the subaltern officers
who have already been sent before courts martial
are Lieut. Nieprenin, Pleszko w, Sliwicki, and Arn-
hold, chiefly charged with diffusing liberal ideas in
the army. _