The Sun.
London, England, 1862-05-20 00:00:00

W BO i ALT; 2HEATRE.

It has seldom been our lot to chronicle a more genuine
success than that of the new operetta produced here last
tvening on the occasion of the opening of this theatre for
the summer season, under the management of Mr. Elliot
Galer. Its title is " Blonde or Brunette," it is in two
acts, is written by J. P. Wooler, Esq., and the music is
composed by M. W. Luta. Not only is the dialogue witty,
but the songs, ballads, and concerted pieces are extremely
pleasing, and the fact that'not fewer than five were encored
is a sufficient proof of the gratification they afforded the
audience. The plot, too, if not in every respect probable, is
amusing, and contains a sufficient amount of intricacy to
keep the interest alive. The hero of it, Captain Aspinall
(Mr. Elliot Galer) in love with Lady Maud Towersley
(Miss Fanny Reeves), is waited on by her brother Lord
Towersley (Mr. H. Drayton), that he may explain if he
means to marry her. He states that his intentions are
honourable, and goes to her to propose, but a lover's quarrel
ensues, they part, and Lord Towersley, thinking his sister
ill-used, insists on a duel, in which ho is wounded
and disarmed ; but a picket of soldiers, commanded by Sir
Anthony Clinton (Mr. Hillier), instigated by an offi •
cious servant, comes up, and the duellists are
placed under arrest. The scene now changes to Sir
Anthony Clinton's house in the country, where Captain
Aspinall is staying in durance. But it happens that Rose
Clinton (Mrs. H. Drayton) is a friend of Maud's, and the
latter, who has pardoned her lover and longs for a recon-
ciliation, determines to torment him a little for his desertion
of her, but at the same time give him an opportunity of re-
,e= ./. Itecoreingly sne (a blonde) disguises
herself as a brunette, assumes a brogue and the name of
Miss Matilda Mortimer, and purports to be an Irish girl on
a visit to Rose. Introduced to the Captain, he is at first
struck with the remarkable resemblance to his beloved
Maud, of whom he has given up all hopes, and as the
young lady is byno means bashful he is fascinated, propuses,
and is accepted. Now comes a dilemma. Lord Towersley
arrives, admits that he was hasty, and offers the Captain
his sister's hand by way of reparation, an offer which that
susceptible hero is forced to decline; and now appears also
a certain Hector Brian Boroo, who insults the Captain for
proposing to his sister (Miss Mortimer), and enrages the
Lord by assuming to he on most intimate terms with Rose
Clinton, to whom that nobleman is attached. Ho is chal-
lenged by both; they quarrel es to which shall fight him
first. He retires, comes in as Lady Maud, the mystery is
cleared up, and all ends happily, as lovers' quarrels should.
The characters are very ably personated. The music is
ag eeable, varied, and skilfully performed. The piece will
unquestion bly have a considerable run, and the entertain-
ment is one thoroughly deserving patronage,

The R-d Sea and India Telegraph Company have
notified to the shareholders that by a clause in the bill now
before Parliament for converting their guarantee into an
annuity charged upon the Consolidated Fund of the United
Kingdom it is provided that the transfer books of the com-
pany are to bo closed immediately on the passing of the
Act, in order that a list of the shareholders may be prepared
for inscription as annuitants in the books of the Bank of
England.

TOE PASSENGER TRADE TO BRITISH COLUMBIA.
—The gold discoveries, and the stimulus given to the deve-
lopment of the colony in consequence, have caused a very
large increase in the passenger traffic between this country
and British Columbia. The Pacific United States Mail
Company have been adding some large and powerful vessels
to their fleet, including the Constitution (now on the sta-
tion), which is capable of carrying 1,503 passengers and
1,200 tons of goods. These steamers now run four times
monthly, instead of three, from Panama. The vessels of
the West India Royal Mail Company are also carrying large
numbers of passengers bound for the new land of gold.
RUMOURED OUTRAGE IN TIPPERARY.—It is
rumoured in Limerick this evening, that one of ihe popu-
lar proprietors of Tipperary was shot last night. He had
been warned by two armed men at his own hall-door, some
evenings ago, to beware of pursuing a certain course in
reference to his estate. 7he truth seems to be that after
their losses of the past year, and the increasing distress
which they are suffering, the occupying peaQantry and
working labourers are growing reckless of any consequences
that may attend their desperate efforts to retain possession
of their homes and holdings,-21funster _News.

THE GALWAY STEAMSHIP HIBERNIA.—This
vessel, which was built by Palmer, of Newcastle, and has
been rebuilt by Messrs. Laird, of Birkenhead, made a trial
trip on Wednesday last, under the command of Capt. Leitch.
It is not likely that the people of Galway will recognise tbe
Hibernia when they see her. She is now a noble looking
ship, and is capable of performing efficiently any service in
which the Atlantic Steam Navigation Company may em-
ploy her. No expense has been spared in making her sea-
worthy and comfortable for passengers. A hurricane deck
has been built, sheltering the vessel from the paddle. boxes
forward. The steering wheel is placed on the bridge.
During the trial on Wednesday she drew 16 feet 4 inches
forward and 18 feet 7 inches aft. She ran the measured
distance (41 miles) at the rate of 141 knots. She an wered
her helm quickly, turning at full speed in 6i minutes.—
Liverpool Albion.

Mn. W. F. WINDHAM, OF FELBRIGG.—It is
rumoured in the law courts, and there seems to be no doubt
about the correctness of the statement, that another inquiry
will be opened forthwith in reference to the state of mind of
Mr. W. F. 'Windham, of Felbrigg Hall, who was not many
weeks since declared by a jury to be of sound mind. The
proceedings, it is said, will be promoted on this occasion by
Lady &TU.). Giubelei, the mother of the young man. His
eccentricities are said to have developed themselves in so
extraordinary a way as to render another inquiry impera-
tive. Amonst other strange things he has had an express
mail cart made, painted red, and having on the panels the
Royal arm::, with "William Frederick Windham" in small
lettere. underneath. On this cart he starts from Felbrigg '
every morning to Ni rv.ich to fetch his letters, and on re-
ceiving them he immediately returns to Felbrigg, thus
every day accomplishing a di, tance of thirty-six miles.
Mrs. Windham (Agnes Willoughby) is not living with her
husband.

SETTLING A DIFFICULTY.—The Eastern (Port-
land) 4rguB of May 3 contains the following :—Yesterday
afternoon, two of the firemen of the steamship Bohemian
started to go on shore, to settle by a fight some difficulty
that existed between them. In crossing the plank one of
them slipped and fell between the vessel and the wharf,
striking the fender and pitching into the dock. His oppo-
nent immediately jumped down, and rescued him from his
perilous situation, The -fight did not take place, and the
019 ate butter frieride than they ever were before