The Sun.
London, England, 1853-12-30 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

The great success of E. L Blanchard's excellent Christmas
pantomime King Bumming Top, and the Land of Toys,
has attracted dense throngs of holiday people here every
evening since its representation ; and both as regards the
merits of the performances and the patronage bestowed
by the public, it may now be said the Old Drury begins
to take its wonted position as the first theatrical esta-
blishment in the metropolis. Let us hope it may long
continue to retain this position, and that the time may
be very far distant when the portals of the building are
shut against the genius of pantomime at such a festive
season as the present. For the delectation of the thou-
sands of juveniles who, fresh from school, now invade the
houses of their respective papas and mamas, and long for
some opportunity of letting off their long pent up animal
spirits, we cannot name any place where the entertain-
ments are of a better description. Every effort appears
to have been made to get together a capacious budget
of wit, fun, and frolic ; and, judging from the loud
hearty laughter and astonished looks of the young
theatre-goers, we opine that Mr. E. T. Smith, the
energetic lessee, will have the best wishes of his juve-
nile friends for a long and happy reign as monarch of
this temple of amusement. The second morning perform-
ance is to take place on Wednesday next, when the boys
of the Royal Military School, Chelsea, with their cele-
brated band, will attend.

Tau IRISH LAND QUESTION. —lt is rumoured that
the Irish land question—one upon which so many states.
men and as many political charlatans have suffered ship-
wreck—is likely to be taken up in the ensuing session
by the Earl of Donoughmore, who means to bring the
whole subject of the relations between landlord and
tenant in Ireland under the notice of the upper branch
of the Legislature. Lord Donoughmore's reputation as
a fair and indulgent lordland stands second to none, and
his friends maintain that he is in every respect compe-
tent to fulfil the contemplated task, by submitting such
a measure as will go far towards reconciling all interests
involved in the settlement of this long-disputed question.
Mn. SMITH O'BRIEN.—Such as have any real regard
for the honour and good faith of Mr. Smith O'Brien will
scarcely be displeased to learn that he has not imitated
the example of his late fellow prisoners, and that the
reports of his flight are totally destitute of foundation.
That they are so is placed beyond all doubt, by the re-
ceipt of lettersin Dublin from Mr. O'Brien, written
from New Norfolk, and bearing date the 18th of Sep-
tember, just three days later than the date assigned for
his escape.
THE FORTHCOMING HILARY TEnnt.—Yesterday, on
the opening of the common law offices after the holidays,
the lists of rules for the forthcoming Hilary Term were
exhibited. The numbers have increased since the com-
mencement of last term. The aggregate of the three
courts is 108, of which 52 belong to the Queen's Bench,
9to the Common Pleas, and 47 to the Exchequer. In
the new trial paper of the Court of Queen's Bench there
are 2 rules standing for judgment, and 21 for argument,
whilst in the special paper, demurrer list, &c., there are
4 for judgment, and 19 for argument, besides which
there are 6 enlarged rules. In the Court of Common
Pleas only 3 demurrers have been entered, there are 2
enlarged rules, and a solitary rule for a new trial, and 3
matters standing for judgment. In the Court of Exche-
quer there are 6 rules standing for judgment, 2 for argu-
ment in the peremptory paper, and in the special paper
1 for judgment and 2 for argument. Of new trials there
are 3 for judgment, and 33 for argument, making a total
of 103 in the three courts. Hilary Term commences ou
Wednesday, the llth proximo.