The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-16 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

TUE FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW—We are gratified to
observe, still continues to flourish as a literary en-
terprize. In this respect it has already far more
than simply justified the very favourable anticipa-
tions in its regard, which were frankly avowed by
us at the time of its commencement—namely, upon
the appearance of its manly, well-expressed and
very auspicious, because thoroughly unhoastful
prospectus, followed up as that prospectus
was immediately by one of the most bril-
liant first numbers of any periodical that we can
to this moment recall to our recollection. As
a literary enterprize, we repeat, our anticipa-
tions in regard to the Fortnightly Review have
until now been completely justified. Of its success
so far we can judge for ourselves—of its success,
that is, purely as an intellectual adventure new
alike to our English system and to our English
taste in the general organisation of our periodi-
cal literature. A whole volume has already
made its appearance number by number,
bi-monthly, or, to use its own rather awkward
titular adverb, Fortnightly. The current number,
the seventh, is here before us. And how varied
that number is in its contents a very few words
will suffice to indicate. Added to a couple more
chapters of the serial tale about " The Belton
Estate," by Anthony Trollope, there are, for
example, among the miscellaneous papers in
No. 7 of The Fortnightly—A chapter on British
India, by Colonel Pelly. One suggestive of an
autumnal ramble through Surrey, by John Dennis.
A critique on Meyerbeer's " Africaine," by John
Mullah—a critique worthy at once of the writer and
of his theme. A trenchant homethrust at the criminal
jurisprudence of the north, by William Chambers,
entitled, " How Crime is Investigated in Scotland."
Another instalment (the 3rd) by W. Bagehot in
reference to the British Constitution. A bold
discussion, by P. G. Hamerton, on that vexed
question as to the Housing of the National Art
Treasures. A yet bolder one in reference to 'that
still more vexed question, as to the Irish Church, by
Anthony Trollope—who seems, by the way, to be
perfectly prepared at all times and seasons to "have
at" anything or everything in turn—a new poet or
an old grievance—fox hunting or the West Indies—
love talcs ad libitum and clerical stories almost we
had said tape ad nauseam. Besides these as
among the contents of this the current num-
ber of the Fortnightly, No. 7, Francis Lawley
leads off with a survey of the Last Six Days of
Secessia—the instalment being brought to a close,
as usual, by a well-digested epitome of public
affairs, followed by two or three terse literary criti-
cisms. Of the literary excellence of the Fortnightly
we can speak, as we have said, from our own grate-
ful appreciation of it. While, of the New
Journal's success as a mercantile speculation,
we are rejoiced to hear accounts the most
favourable and encouraging—the circulation of Mr.
Lewes's English Double of the Revue des Deux
Mondes having steadily, appreciably and con-
spicuously increased, fortnight after fortnight, since
the date of its commencement.

Gallery of Illustration, Regent-street.

Mr. German Reed has commenced his third
" Opera di Camera" season with great eclat. He
has produced two new operas—the one " Widows
Bewitched," by Miss Virginia Gabriel ; and the
other, partly in Chinese (! ), entitled " Ching-
Chow-Hi," by Offenbach, adapted by Mr. William
Brogh and the talented manager. The little plot
of the " Widows Bewitched" is told in a few words.
Two charming young widows, who have turned half
the heads of the courtiers at Versailles, suddenly
quit the court, and take up their residence at a villa
near Fontainbleau, with the intention of passing the
rest of their lives in quietness and seclusion. Two
of their lovers—De Fremont and D'Albret—find
out the retreat of their sweethearts, and determine,
by stratagem, to secure their hands, and convey them
back to Paris as their brides. D'Albret accordingly
disguises himself as an Abbe and Fremont as a
Professor, and in this manner they obtain easy
access to the retreat of the ladies. The Professor's
first lesson in Italian to his pupil, Marie Marquise
de Montaubry, is a conjugation of the verb, to love.
She next takes a singing lesson, and finally one in
dancing ; the result is, the widow is subdued, and
Fremont gains his prize. The Abbe has attacked
his widow in a more quiet way, by talking of eccle-
siastical services, more particularly that of marriage.
He succeeds to his heart's desire, and then he dis-
covers himself to D'Albret, the adorer of the charm-
ing Countess de Berg. The vocalists engaged in
this petite opera were Miss E. Pitt (Countess de Berg),
Miss A. Thompson (Marquise de Montaubry), Mr.
Whiffin (Fremont), and Mr. Shaw (D'Albret), each of
whom have some very telling music allotted to them.
The opera, taken as a composition, is not of a re-
markable or novel description ; there are some
pretty airs in it, but, truth to say, we have previ-
ously heard strains very much the same. The best
and most original pieces in the opera are a song by
Miss Pitt, " There was a maiden," and the quartet
" Who will come into the merry-go-round ?" The
opera was a complete success, and: it deserved
the applause it evoked. Then followed " Ching-
chow-Hi." This opera, we believe, is only intended
to create a laugh, and, therefore, we suppose, any
nonsense is pardonable. As a specimen of the
Chinese part of the libretto we extract the fol-
lowing ; it is a portion of a quartet sung by Ching-
chow-Hi, the brother of the Moon (Mr. Shaw) ;
his mandarin, Tee-to-tum (Mr. Whiffin) ; Pet-
ping-Sing (Miss Thompson) ; and Ba-ba-Whang
(Mr. Wilkinson) :
Ba-ba- Whang—Booriboo goo ! Whang ko-too !
Goon Bang choo ! gong tong kit ch-kee koo!
Hang-ee-Bam boo ! _ cum 100 !

Slashee clashey skew CUM Bang she-loo!
The conspirators listen attentively to these words, and ap-
pear deeply -moved by their meaning.
Chitty (rising)—Ah ! sago ! Tapioca macaroni sa fago,
Archipelago• ah Tic-dol-roo Lum-bago !
There is, however, some better things than this in
the piece, and that which pleased best was the comic
trio, on the discovery that all the characters
are not Chinese, beginning " I'm English too."
The audience laughed heartily at the trifle, so we
suppose the object for which it was produced is at-
tained. The dresses and scenery are really splendid,
and forcibly remind one of those beautiful little
displays in stage illusion made by the late ➢iadame
Vestris during her reign at the old Olympic Theatre.
The operas will, doubtless, prove highly attractive,
and bring the third season to as satisfactoity a ter-
mination as the two former ones. The gallery, it is
almost needless to say, was crowded in every part.

Exhibition of Art and Manufactures for
North-Eastern London—This Day.

This exhibition was opened at the Agriculturall Hall,
Islington, to-day by the Lord Chancellor, assisted by the
Lord Mayor and the Marquis of Salisbury, the lord-lieu-
tenant of the county of Middlesex. The articles have
been for the most part furnished by the local tradesmen,
manufacturers, and gentry, but assistance has not been
refused from remoter quarters for the purpose of complet-
ing the specimens of any particular baranch of art, or in-
creasing the mere general attractiveness of the scene. The
exhibition is divided into three main departments—viz.,
arts and manufactures, fine arts, and a loan collection.
In the centre of the great hall, in a court of their own, are
the contributions from the Kensington Museum, further
enriched by one or two articles sent in by her Majesty. They
consist of specimens of Indian goldsmith's art, silks, and
carved oak cabinets and rnuniment chests, which aro, it is
true, all good of their kind ; but, looking at the praise-
worthy object of the present exhibition, it may be ques-
tioned whether the South Kensington authorities might
not have been a little more liberal in their contributions.
Round them, at different stands, aro the scientific and
horological instruments. There are some very good paint-
ings, and in ono of the galleries a small collection of statues
arranged hero and there. A large space in another gallery
is appropriated to an admirable photographic collection.
Over the body of the hall aro scattered a number of small
courts, containing works in the precious metals and jewel-
lery, philosophical instruments, articles of architectural
decoration, fabrics in cloth, and ornamental hair work.
The trustees and committee met the Lord Chancellor
and the Lord Mayor at the entrance in Liverpool-road,
and conducted them to the platform, at 3 p.m., the band
playing the March from " The Prophet."
On arrival at the platform the choir sang the Old
Hundredth Psalm.

The chairman of the general committee then invited the
Lord Chancelljr and tho Lord Mayor to inspect the exhi-
bition, during which operatic selections were played by
the band.

On their return the Right Hon. Lord Mayor requested
the Lord Chancellor to declare the exhibition opon, which
was done. • _ _

The National Anthem was sung by the assembly•