The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-09 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MAY 9, 1865.

LAW INTELLIGENCE—(This Day).

COURT OF DIVORCE.
(Before the Judge Ordinary.)
FORSTER V. FORSTER AND BERRIDAGE-JUDGMENT.

In this case it will be remembered that the petitioner,
Colonel Forster, obtained a decree nisi dissolving his
marriage on the ground of his wife's adultery with the co-
respondent, who is the managing partner in the celebrated
firm of Meux and Co., brewers. The jury awarded
damages of £5,000, and a compromise was effected between
the parties, by which it was arranged that £l,OOO of the
damages should be paid to the petitioner, and the remain-
der to be applied to the benefit of the respondent and the
two daughters, issue of the marriage. The costs had been
taxed at £1,977. The case was argued last Tuesday as to
the manner in which the damages should be divided in the
way proposed, but it appeared that the respondent
was not a party to the arrangement. The 'case was
heard in January, 1863, but it had since been carried
to the House of Lords, but was not proceeded with in con-
sequence of the compromise effected.

His lordship decided this morning that the arrangemen
which had been previously made should be carried ou
with reference to all the parties interested in the applica•
tion of the damages.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT—This Day,

44,-

OLD COURT.
(Before the Recorder.)
STABBING.

Sarah Igo, 22, was indicted for feloniously wounding
Mary Metcalf and James Saman, with intent to do them
grievous bodily harm.

The prisoner had been living with the male pr osecutor
as his wife, and imagining he was on terms of familiarity
with another woman she conceived strong feelings of
jealousy, and seeing Silman in a public house, at the bar
of which some women were standing, the prisoner rushed
in with a knife in her hand, and inflicted the wounds for
which she was indicted.

The case having proceeded some length, the Recorder
thought the case did not amount to a felony, but that it
was a case of unlawful wounding.
The jury hereupon found the prisonerguilty of the minor
offence, but recommended her to mercy.
The counsel for the prisoner urged, in mitigation of
punishment, the state of mind in which the prisoner was
in at the time. She was rendered desperate by feelings of
jealousy, and, under all the circumstances, he hoped the
court would deal mercifully with her.
The Recorder said there were matters certainly that
might mitigate the punishment which otherwise might
have been severe ; still the Ilse of the knife under any cir-
cumstances must be discouraged. The prisoner, no doubt,
was nearly mad by jealousy, and the injury she had in-
flicted on the woman had been, it seems more than pro-
bable, intended for the male prisoner. The learned Re-
corder then sentenced the prisoner to three months' im-
prisonment with hard labour.

NEW COURT.
(Before the Common Sergeant.)

The Court was occupied the whole of the day with try-
ng the indictments against a prisoner named Green, and
leis companions, for stealing a quantity of sugar sweepings,
the property of the Messrs. Hunt.

THIRD COURT.
(Before Mr. Commissioner Kerr.)

Timothy lioineox, butcher, living in Worcestershire,
was found guilty of sending diseased meat to Newgate
Market, and sentenced to be imprisoned for six months,
and to pay a fine of £2O.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—This Day.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

FIVE CHARGES AGAINST A MAN.—Walter Gregory, a
carman, living at No. 3, Marlborough-row, was charged
before Mr. Tyrwhitt with being drunk, furiously driving
a horse attached to a cart, and assaulting police-constables
Langham, 108 C, Maisey, 160 C, and West, 204 C.
Woods, 160 C, said that whle on duty the previous even-
ing, about seven o'clock, he saw the defendant, who was
drunk, galloping a horse attached to a cart in Marshall-
street, Golden-square. He tried to stop the defendant but
could not do so until he got to great Pultney-street.
Langhara, 108 0, said he went to the assistance of 160 C,
wffen the defendant got him down and kicked him in the
head twice, and also asstulted some other constables who
came to their assistance.

Massey, 160 C, proved being bit and kicked by the de.
fondant, and Weal, 204 C, beinglicked by him.
The defendant said his horse was a cripple and couldnoi
gallop, and the police had told lies, as he was not drunk.

Mr. Tyrwhitt said it was clear that a man who had gal-
loped a horse in such streets as Marshall-street and Pul-
teney-street, was a dangerous person to the public. He
should fine the defendant 40s. or a month for the furious
driving, 10s. or 14 days for the assault on 108 C, and ss. or
7 days for each of the other assaults.

The defendant, who, while before the magistrate, be-
haved himself in a very unbecoming manner, was locked
up in default of paying the fines.

THAMES.

A SILLY CAPTAIN.—Mary Crawley, a very low and dirty
woman, was brought before Mr. Paget charged with steal-
ing two sovereigns and four half-sovereigns from the per-
son of Captain Thomas Stephenson, the master of a ship
called the Lumley, lying in the river of the Commercial
Dock, Rotherhithe.
The prosecutor said he met the prisoner in Broad-street,
Ratcliff, and they had two or three glasses of grog together,
and she took his purse with £4 in it.
The prisoner—Yes, she took his purse with £4 in it—
that's right. We were both drunk, and 1 took his purse
from him to take care of it for him. (Laughter.)
George Coleman, a police-constable, No. 270 K, stated
that he saw the prosecutor holding on to the prisoner, and
he charged her with stealing his purse and money. She
said she knew nothing of it at all. At the station house
he saw her tucking something in her bosom. He seized
her hand, and said, " What have you got here ?" She re-
plied, "Nothing." He snatched the purse out of her hand.
It was the captain's purse, with £4 in gold in it.

Tha prosecutor was recalled, and said he changed a half
sovereign at the first public house he entered, and that be-
tween the second and third public houses she took his purse

from him.

Mr. Paget—You went into three public houses drinking
with her ?

Witness—Yes, sir; we had some grog together.

Mr. Paget—And you aro master of the ship Lumley ?

Witness—Yes, sir.

The prisoner repeated that she took the purse and money
from the captain for safe keeping, because he was too drunk
to take care of it himself. She had known him eight
years.

Capt. Stephenson admitted the prisoner was a very old
acquaintance. _ _

Mr. Paget committed the prisoner for trial.

EMBEZZLEMENT A DISHONEST SERVANT. - Patrick
Mangin was brought before Mr. Paget, charged with felo-
niously embezzling various sums he bad received for and
on account of Mr. John Harris, tobacconist, of No. 3,
King's-place, Commercial-road, East.
The prisoner was in distress, and Mr. Harris took him
into his service without a character, and gave him em-
ployment. He employed the prisoner on Tuesday last and
three following days to deliver goods for him. On Friday
the prisoner absconded and did not return. Mr. Harris
ascertained that the prisoner had received three sums of
money from as many customers, which he had appropriated
to his own use. The amounts in all were 18s. 9d. only,
but the prisoner had added ingratitude to his dishonesty,
and Mr. Harris felt called upon to prosecute.

The prisoner, a most impudent fellow, put on the ap-
pearance of an ill-used man.
Mr. Paget committed the prisoner for trial.
Mr. Harris begged of the magistrate to dispose of the case
summarily, and save him the expense and inconvenience of
attending the sessions.
Mr. Paget said he had no power to dispose of this case
summarily. He had no alternative ; he must send the
case before a jury.

AST,

'RE.

The energetic lessee of this theatre, Mr. E. T.
Smith, last night commenced his efforts to revive the
taste for English opera, such as pleased the public
in the 'days of Braham, Incledon, and Phillips.
The opera selected for the opening night was " Guy
Mannering," and in order that it might be given
with the greatest effect, Mr. Smith has entered into
an engagement with Miss Louisa Pyne, Miss Susan
Pyne, Mr. W. Harrison, Mr. and Mrs. Weiss, Mr.
Vernon Rigby, Mr. E. St. Albyn, Miss A. Cottrell,
and a powerful orchestra, admirably conducted by
Mr. J. H. Tully. The opera of " Guy Mannering,"
to the older portion of the audience, is full of the
most delightful associations; and those who are not
thus attracted by it cannot but feel charmed with
the pure, simple, and touching music of Sir Henry
Bishop, and the admirable story of Sir Walter Scott.
In order to move with the taste of the time some
popular songs were introduced, and thus we had
a ballad from all the principal artistes. Mr. Har-
rison sang "Be mine, dear maid ;" Miss L. Pyne,
" The Power of Love," from the opera of " Sata-
nella ;" Mr. and Weiss, " The Wolf." The original
music was excellently sung, the celebrated gipsy
glee and chorus, " The Chough and Crow," elicit-
ing the most enthusiastic applause. The dramatic
characters were well supported by Mr. B. Potter as
Dandie Dinmont of Charlie's Hope ; Mr. Atkins,
Dominic Sampson ; and Mr. Fraser, as Gilbert
Glossin. We could have wished that Mrs. Macready
had been a little more natural in her assumption of
the part of Meg Merrilles. It seemed to us to be the
lady's desire to imitate Miss Cushman in the part,
but the attempt fell far short of accomplishment.
Her reading was in many parts pointless and
monotonous, whilst her attitudes were at
times perfectly absurd and unnatural. The
opera, however, gave the greatest delight, and at
the fall of the curtain the applause was general and
enthusiastic. The popular burletta of " Midas"
followed the opera, and was much enjoyed from the
lively and clever way iii which it was performed,
and the number of attractive ladies it comprises as
heathen gods and goddesses, foremost amongst
whom shines and sings Miss A. Cottrell. Altogether,
we may congratulate the manager on the new vein
of performance he has opened ; and there can be no
doubt that the fine old English opera, full as it is
of airs and music that have become national, will be
duly appreciated.

French Theatricals.

FRANCAISE.—A new piece entitled " Le Supplice
d'une Femme," has been brought out at this theatre
with a success which is well deserved, though the
incidents are rather sensational than delicate. The
curtain rises upon a home which has the out-
ward appearance of happiness. M. Dumont
has a charming wife, a charming daughter, and a
trustedfriend, Alvarez, who has saved him from ruin
and has become his partner. Alas ! there is crime
in this seeming Paradise; Madame Dumont had
hardly been married when she forgot her vows, and
the fruit of her forgetfulness is her daughter Jeanne ;
her married life has been spent in remorse, for she
never loved her seducer, Alvarez, a man of violent
temperament and jealous of her husband. This
false situation has lasted for years, but at last it
becomes suspected and insupportable ; a dismissed
maid and some scandal-loving ladies soon made
known a secret which remains hidden from the
husband alone, and the passion of Alvarez and his
jealousy reach their climax. Alvarez leaves the
house and writes to Madame Dumont to join him
with Jeanne ; this letter is delivered to her in the
presence of a lady who with perfidious kindness
informs M. Dumont that his wife has been greatly
afflicted by a letter which she has just received.
Several ideas pass rapidly through the brain of the
unfortunate woman—death, flight, or shall she re-
main and acknowledge all ; she is still undecided
when her husband enters and finds her in a state
bordering on madness ;• kind and gentle as ever, he
tries to console her and asks for the fatal letter,
which after a slight hesitation his wife places in his
hands. M. Dumont at first fails to comprehend
its meaning, and fearful is the scene which follows be-
tween the deluded man and the penitent woman as she
kneels and confesses gradually the whole extent of
her crime. M. Dumont has nothing left to him but
vengeance, and this shall be the signal :
" The robb'd that smiles steals something from the thief."
He asks for Alvarez, and shows hir that the whole
measure of his iniquity is known ; he tells him that
his wife prefers the anger of an injured husband to
flight with a man she never loved. He will have
recourse to no tribunal, nor will he fight the wretch
who has dishonoured him. "Ifl do not kill you,
where is the reparation ? If you kill me, where is
the justice ?" Dumont exacts that Alvarez shall ruin
him by demanding immediate payment of certain
sums. It is in vain that Alvarez protests against
this infamy ; in case of his refusing Dumont
threatens suicide. He then, refusing to pardon his
wife, who continues to protest that she never loved
another, orders her home to her parents, and directs
her to write that, unable to support poverty, she
has preferred to leave him. Dumont saves his
wife's character, for scandal imagines that Alvarez
has ruined Dumont to revenge his wife's resistance.
Dumont retains Jeanne, who, sitting on his knee as
the curtain is about to fall, asks if she shall ever see
her mother again, and the answer is, " perhaps," for
Dumont knows that his wife is not irrecoverablylost.
During the three acts of this piece the interest never
flags ; the incidents of the plot follow each other with
wonderful rapidity but perfect clearness, and the
author makes this passion, pent up for seven
years, and this concealed crime, appear natural by
the vigour of his delineation and the lucidity of his
dialogue. The play is admirably acted by Regnier,
Lafontaine, Mlle. Favart, Mlle. Ponsin, and a little
girl called Duquesnois. At the close of the piece
Regnier came forward and announced that " the
author desired to remain anonymous." His name is,
however, well known—it is M. Emile de Girardin ;
but the play having been touched up, on-dit, by
M. Dumas, fils, M. de Girardin declined to assume
the honours of paternity—at least, such is.the story
current on the subject.

VAUDEVILLE.—M. E. Feydeau has made his debut
as a dramatist at this theatre, by placing on the
stage a man whose infamous character he had pre-
viously sketched in a novel which appeared in the
Opinion Nationale. M. Feydeau has gradually im-
proved the tone of his novels, and it is to be hoped
that the same amelioration will be perceptible in his
dramatic works if he should continue writing for the
stage ; nor will this be found difficult when ono com-
mences with such a piece as " M. de St. Bertrand."
M. de St. Bertrand, who is the hero of the play, has
wormed himself into the confidence of a banker--M.
do Valmascda ; he wishes to marry his daughter,
who is engaged to and loves a bold dragoon, M. de
Bugny ; and to effect this object he gives play to
all his rascality. St. Bertrand has been born
beyond the pale, and his reputed father is the
Chevalier Florim ond, who has on several occa-
sions been forced to turn the scapegrace out of
doors. The Chevalier at length learns that his
son has reached the lowest depths of degrada-
tion—that he has been living not only with, but
upon, a popular danseuse, and, having squandered
her fortune, has left her. This damaging fact forms
the pivot of the piece, and Saint Bertrand's efforts
to prevents its disclosure lead to several powerful
scenes. At length he is unmasked, and contemptu-
ously dismissed by all connected with him. This
piece, reprehensible as is its subject, is not devoid of
an 'amount of interest which will carry it through a
fair number of representations, but it bears evident
traces of being the work of a new hand. It is
hardly probable that a richer banker would stoop
to learn finance from a stranger, or that a diplo-
matist like the Chevalier should allow himself to be
constantly outwitted by so transparent a rogue. At
the close of the piece the author's name was pro-
claimed amid loud applause.
BOUFFES.—MIIe. Theresa is singing with great
success at this theatre in a little piece written for the
occasion, and called " C'est pour ce Soir." Many
persons who would not venture to a cafe chantant
are now enabled to hear this celebrated artiste, who
sings a different song each evening.
The director of the Union Musicale of Paris, M.
C. Soullier, recently offered prizes for the best
musical compositions adapted for the represen-
tation as comic operas. The awards have now
been made, and are as follows : first prize, "Le
Chevalier Lubin," by M. A. Boieldieu ; second,
"Le Reve," by M. Savary ; and third, "La Char-
meuse de Saint-Vallier, by M. Dard, of St.
Etiene. Le Chevalier Luoin was sent in under an
assumed name, and M. Boieldieu only came foriVard
and declared himself to be the composer after the
decision of the jury by which the prizes were awarded
had been published. This work was accepted by the
theatre of the Opera Comique some time back, but
has not yet been put into rehearsal.

AUGUSTE BRAVAIS.—The biography of a scientific
man is often science itself, and this is the case with
" Eloge ilistorique d'Auguste Bravais" by M. Elie
de Beaufnont, the distinguished geologist and Per-
petual Secretary of the Academy of Sciences. We
cannot enter into the particulars of a life of unparal-
leled activity, every hour of which, so to say, was
marked by some incident of scientific interest ; and
will therefore only mention a characteristic trait
of the indefatigable traveller and naturalist
whilst yet a boy. Young Bravais was not more than
ten years old when his elder brothers, returning from
a trip to the Pilat, a mountain at a few leagues'
distance from Annonay (Ardeche) where they lived,
brought with them a quantity of new flowers and curious
insects, at the same time describing in glowing terms the
spectacle of the sun rising behind Mont Blanc. The
boy could not resist the temptation ; he disappeared one
morning, and only returned on the following day, with
flowers and insects, informing his parents that he had
passed the night on the summet of the Pilat, had drunk
water at the source of the Gior, and seen the sun rise from
behind Mont Blanc! Such was the future member of the
Institute, whose exploration of the Polar regions, and sur-
veys and observations in those high latitudes, contributed
in such an unusual degree to the advancement of various
branches of science. From among the different subjects
touched upon by M. Elie de Beaumont, we will select that
of white rainbows, which many of our readers may bo un-
acquainted with. This phenomenon is sometimes observed
in low fogs, and at a short distance from the spectator.
The common rainbow had been explained by various
philosophers, including Descartes and Newton, by the
refraction and reflection of sunlight playing on the rain
drops; but the white rainbow remained unexplained until
Bravais showed that when a cloud is formed of little hol-
low spheres the thickness of whose watery film is comprised
within 38 and 55 hundredths of the inner radius, a lumi-
nous white bow of a radius of from 34 to 40 degrees (and,bo
therefore, smaller than the common rainbow) must
formed. In common clouds the watery envelope of the
globules is thinner than the proportion above stated admits,inbow
and this prevents the formation of a white
Bravais, born at Annonay in 1811, died at. Versailles in
1863, of the consequences of a brain fever.