The Sun.
London, England, 1862-05-19 00:00:00

CHARLES DICKENS'S _READINGS. 'LATEST NEWS.

The popularity 'of Charles Dickens as a Reader
vies, so far as that is in any way possible,
with his popularity as a Writer. And this
latter—it can in no respect be invidious to
assert—is, if not unrivalled, certainly unsur-
passed. Whenever Mr. Dickens is announced
to give one of his " Readings" the Hall selected for
the occasion is, as a matter of course, crowded in
every part. Directly he makes his appearance
upon the platform he is received with acclamation.
For two hours, as accurately as time could be
marked out by Shrewsbury clock—with a midway
interval of ten minutes by way of breathing-time
—he keeps his audier ce upon the alert, with the
greatest ease to himself, and with quite unmis-
takable evidences of delight to his hearers.
The more frequent among these tokens of delight
being—breathless silence and uncontrolable bursts
of laughter. The less frequent among them being
—occasional rounds of applause, given at intervals
few and far between, as if grudgingly, on the part
of an audience especially unwilling to interrupt
their entertainer.

On Saturday evening, at St. James's Hall, the
customary scene in this way was witnessed by
about as many as that noble structure could hold
conveniently. The Selection set apart for the
Readings on Saturday being unusually varied, and
for that reason perhaps mere than ordinarily at-
tractive. Nicholas Nickleby at Mr. k queers's
School, in Four Chapters, to begin with. An inter-
lude, in the shape of that famous little Christmas
story of Boots at the Holly Tree Inn. And, to com-
plete all, like a roaring farce after an elegant little
comedy—Bob Sawyer's Party from Pickwick.

There is one invariable source of disappoint-
ment, however, to us, in all these delightful Read-
ings by our great novelist. It is the crumpled
rose leaf, of course—we are never satisfied in this
world there is a discoverable-want everywhere:
and all that ! Yet, at the risk of apparently carp-
ing idly, it does always appear to us matter for
regrot whon, one after another, a series of 44 good
things," in passages that we know absolutely
by heart, cannot but be missed with a sense of some-
thing very like disappointment: For example, in
" Bob Sawyer's Party from Pickwick," not a word
is read about the anecdote partially told by the
" prim personage in cloth boots :" in fact, the whole of
the preliminaries up to the very point of the joke—
which the narrator has unhappily forgotten! Again,
in the description of Nicholas's supper that first
wretched night at Squeers's, the uncut pie
is, in the Reading, passed by without men-
tion. However, when we have said this in the
way of exception, we have said everything. Be-
sides—in the very eliminations themselves that we
are carping at, we do not fail to recognize the hand
of the consummate artist. What is left, moreover,
is just—read to perfection. Not read so much
either, as—impersonated. That rascally Squeers,
the one-eyed schoolmaster—poor jaded, worn-
out Smike—and, best of all, that glorious incarna-
tion of the burly, warm-hearted Yorkshireman,
John Browdie : one after another they live and move
and breath before ns, as the creator of them
reads on with his plastic features ever varying
in expression and his voice sounding less like
that of a Man than like that of a Chorus.
It is something alone to hear John Browdie's
laugh! The most exhilarating and contagious
sound in the way of laughter surely that one
could well listen to anywhere—a laugh some-
what resembling the description given by Mr.
Dickens himself of the laugh of Scrooge's
Nephew—" If you know anyone with a better,
introduce him to me, and Ell cultivate his
acquaintance." The charm of the whole evening
to us, however, was, beyond a doubt of it, the im-
personation by Mr. Dickens, in look, in voice, in
manner, of that delightful fellow—(own cousin on
the father's side, we cannot but feel certain, to
Sam Weller)—Boots at the Holy Tree Inn ! And
the impersonation here—perfect though it is, as it
were, to a hair, to the inflexion upon a syllable—is
accomplished throughout with such inimitable ease!
If the creatures of his imagination stand thus vividly
before his mind's eye while he is writing about
them, no wonder Charles Dickens has peopled our
literature with beings as real and actual to every
one of us, in their all but tangible individualities,
as any among our own living flesh-and-blood con-
temporaries !
At first the great and prominent attraction of the
public at large to these Reaainv, xr cm— AB a matter
of course, and, under the circumstances, not at
all unnaturally —to catch a glimpse of the
Great Author whose name has so long been a
cherished " household word" in so many •homes
throughout the land. That attraction, with a very
large part of the multitude, still remains, of course,
undiminished. But, added to it, beyond the mere
gratification of an amiable curiosity, there is that
higher and more enduring attraction still—the
knowledge that, while Charles Dickens is one of the
most delightful Writers, he is also, and quite as
indisputably, one of the most delightful Readers
in the world.

It is expected that her Majesty will leave Bal-
moral on her return south about the 28th inst.—Court
Journal.
Preparations are commencing at Osborne for the
approaching marriage of her Royal Highness the Princess
Alice with Prince Louis of Hesse. We believe the cere-
mony will take place about the 9th of June, though the
state of the health of the King of the Belgians may have a
considerable influence in determining the exact date, as it is
understood to be her Majesty's wish that the Bing should,
if possible, represent the late Prince Cons3rt on this occa-
sion, and give the Royal bride away.—Court Journal.

We believe that Lady Victoria Scott, the daughter
of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch, is destined to the
honour of being one of the bridesmaids of the Princess
Alice. Lady Victoria has not yet been presented at Court,
but, had her Majesty held a Drawing-room this sea-
son, her ladyship's debut would have been for every
reason a marked one in the beau monde. Lady Victoria is
goddaughter to the Queen, and this may be one of the
reasons why so marked a distinction has been conferred on
her previous to her presentation.—Court Journal.
CRYSTAL PALACE CONCERTS.—The concert of
Saturday last was rendered specially interesting by the
performance, for the first time in this country, of the
march composed by Herr Me) erbeer for the coronation
of the King of Prussia. It is every way worthy of the
authhor's fame—a work thoroughly characteristic of his
melodic genius and masterly use of modern orchestral
resources. The performance, under the able direction of
Herr Manna, was admirable, and at its termination Herr
Meyerbeer, who made one of the audience, was summoned
to appear by the delighted visitors and heartily cheered.
The concert was altogether of unusual excellence. The
universally celebrated Sisters Marchisio contributed some
of their duets with the greatest possible success.

Sir John Trelawny, on the 27th, will bring for-
ward a bill to allow certain persons to make affirmations in
all cases where an oath is or shall be required.

Lord Henry Scott intends to move, as an amend-
ment on the second reading of Education (Scotland) Bill,
" That this house is of opinion that legislation as to educa-
tion in Scotland is inexpedient, until Parliament shall have
been put in possession of more full and accurate informa-
tion with regard to the state of popular education in that
part of the United Kingdom."

THE JAPANESE MISSION.—On Friday several of
the Japanese suite, in company with Dr. Chambers, visited
the writing, drawing, and mathematical classes at King's
College School, and examined the mode of teaching in those
departments. They requested that a half holiday might be
given in memory of their visit, to which Dr. Major kindly
consented, and thus gave our Oriental friends an opportu-
nity of hearing some hearty cheers from 400 or 500 school-
boys' throats. They then went over the Blind School in
St. George's-fields, and were presented by Mr. E. Johnson
with specimens of printing for the use of the blind, cipher-
ing types, basketwork, &c. They remarked upon the loss
of sight which so frequently follows smallpox, and stated
that in Japan compulsory vaccination had been rigidly car •
ried out with excellent effect for the last 10 years. They
then went to the workshop of Messrs. Whicker and Blaise,
the cutlers, and saw the process of making razors, surgical
instruments, &c. The swords of the party (each gentle-
man carries two) were inspected with much interest by the
workmen, and pronounced equal, and of similar make, to
the best Damascus blades. The steel has the curled grain'
so much admired in the latter. It may be remarked that
these famous blades are only to be found in private hands,
being costly heirlooms, often of great antiquity; one of those
examined had a Japanese cutler's mark, showing it to be
more than 200 years old.
A ROMANCE OF THE PEERAGE..—An advertise-
ment in a recent number of the Melbourne Argus (Aus-
tralia) seeks for information concerning Viscount Guilla
more, who was last heard of under the name of Dennis
Grady, as a stock-keeper at one of the remote cattle stations
of the colony. Information was earnestly requested to be
directed to the superintendent of police at Melbourne. Paget
Standish O'Grady, fourth Viscount Guillamore in the Irish
peerage, born in 1835, succeeded his brother in 1860,

NAPLES, MAY 18.

His Majesty has laid the first stone of the new
harbour works, on which occasion his Majesty
received an immense popular ovation.

The King will leave Naples on Tuesday next.

BERLIN, MONDAY.

It is asserted in well-informed quarters that a
Prussian ultimatum has been despatched to Cassel,
demanding the dismissal of the Ministry within 48
hours after its presentation, on account of the in-
sulting treatment to which General Willesen had
been subjected.

PARIS, MONDAY.

The Paris papers of today publish telegrams
from Ragusa, confirming the capture of Nickrich.
The loss of the Montenegrins was 200 ; that of the
Turks 500, besides prisoners. The citadel still
holds out. The Montenegrins are said to have
made a reconnaissance in the direction of Mostar.

MADRID, MAT 18,
Official despatches have arrived from Mexico.
A Ministerial Council will be held this evening.

MADRID, MAT 17.

In to-day's sitting of the Congress Senor Olozaga
requested that the documents relative to the
Mexican question should be communicated to the
house.

Marshal O'Donnell said, in reply, " I shall exa-
mine the papers as soon as I receive them, and shall
communicate them to the Chamber if I see that
there would be no inconvenience in my doing so."

TURIN, MAY 17.

News has been received here from Bergamo and
Brescia, announcing that perfect tranquillity pre-
vails in those places.
Reinforcements have been sent to the frontiers,
which are so guarded as to render the success of any
attempt to cross them impossible.

ROME, MAY 17.
General Goyon left Rome this morning for Paris,
in order to confer with the Emperor.

MILAN, MAY 18.
It is asserted that the Prefect of Brescia has
resigned.
The entire Milan press approve the energy dis-
played by the Government with respect to the
recently discovered project of crossing the frontier.
The Alsanza publishes a manifesto from Kossuth
calling upon the Magyars, Slaves, and Roumans to
unite in a confederation.

BERLIN, MAY 17, Evening.

In the further election of a member for the second
Berlin district Dr. Johann Jacoby was chosen by
250 votes against 225 polled for his opponent, M.
Banck, a landed proprietor.
There were 486 voters present.
The semi-official .Allgetneine Preussische (Stern)
Zettung of to-day says : _ _ _

"It is asserted that General Schack (of the in-
fantry) has, for the time of the concentration of
the 4th and 7th Corps d' Arnzee, been appointed
Commander-in •Chief of the two corps. Lieutenant-
General Bonin, General Aide-de-Camp to the King,
has been appointed Provisional Commander of the
4th Corps d' Armee, and Major Krosigk Provisional
Chief of the General Staff of the same."

CASSEL, MAY 17.
The Electoral Government has not yet replied
either to Prussia or the Federal Diet.
A Council of Ministers will, however, be held
today, after which the Government will give its
reply, which, it is expected, will hardly be an
assenting one, but will probably, as on previous
occasions, be of an evasive and temporising cha-
racter.

MAY 18.

It is said that after the Ministerial Council, held
yesterday, the Elector ordered his two recent
ordinances to be withdrawn.

The Ministers are said to have advocated the
adoption of an opposite course.
The information received up to the present
moment from the electoral districts show that in
nearly all of them the electors have unanimously
abstained from voting.

Thus, in point of fact, the elections have been
without result.

STUTTOARD, MAY 18.

In yesterday's sitting of the Chamber of Repre-
sentatives one of the members moved that the Go-
vernment should be requested to use every endea-
vour to create a Central German Power and a
national German representation.
Minister von Huge!, in reply to a question ad
dressed to him by Herr Mittuacht in a previous
sitting, said a satisfactory solution of the Electoral
Hesse question could only be obtained by re-esta-
blishing the Constitution of 1831 and the electoral
law of 1849, which were to be considered as an
integral part of that Constitution.

THORN, MAY 17.

Numerous arrests, chiefly of women, have taken
place at Warsaw on account of prohibited songs
having been sung in the Carmelite Church.
Some conflicts with the police took place in
Warsaw to-day.

Cossacks are encamped in the public squares of

the city.
The Archbishop of Warsaw has addressed a let-
ter to Governor-General Kozizanowski, stating that
the persecution of the people by the police in the
churches must certainly be attended with sad conse-
quences.

MAY 18.

News has been received here from Warsaw that
the Marquis Wielopolski has fallen into disgrace
with the Emperor Alexander. It is stated that he
will leave St. Petersburg and go abroad.

RAGUSA, MAY 17.

Niksich was taken by assault on the 13th inst.
by the Montenegrins. 800 prisoners were taken,
among whom was the Mudir of the town.

The prisoners were conveyed to Cettigne. A
body of Turkish Militia, numbering 2,000 men, are
hemmed in by the insurgents.

CHINA.

(Br TELEGRAPH FROM JUBAL.)
CAN FON, APRIL 15.

Water twist declining.
Tea.—Higher
prices demanded. Total export,
90,241,0001 b.

Exchange on London, 4s, 61d.
SHANGHAI, APRIL 5,

Gray shirtings active and prices advancing.

Tea quiet.
Silk firm, but little doing. No. 3 Tsatlee, 400
taels. Settlements during the past fortnight, 2,500
bales. Export to date, 60,300 bales.
Exchange on London, 6s. Otd.; on India, 296.
Freights lower.

BUENOS .AYRES, APRIL 14 (via Lisbon).
Exchange, 655. Ouncers, 417.
Wet saltrod ea hides, 45 rls ; dry hides, American,

43 rls; wool, 80 dols to 95 dols ; tallow, 161 rls ;
lumber, 38 dols to 41 dols; flour, 7 dols to 8 dols;
refined sugar, 21

Exchange, 400.

MONTEVIDEO, APRIL 15.

Wet salted ox hides, 67 rls ; dry hides, American,
56 rls ; wool, 4 dole to 5 dole ; tallow, 20 rls ; lum-
ber, 34 dole to 36 dols ; flour, 7 dole to 8 dole ; re-
fined sugar, 25 to 26.