The Sun.
London, England, 1862-08-26 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EvrE *ZING, AUGUST 26. 1862

especially, to the Humber,were rejoicing, they told
us, in splendid weather. This week, however, pro-
bably nearly all the kingdom has been blessed with
the weather for which we all pray, and for which
we trust all are thankful. May we enjoy a con-
tinuance of it for the remainder of the harvest.

Happily, we are not now dependent, as we once
were, on our own supplies alone, till grinding wheat
had reached a famine price. It was one of the many
iniquities of the old corn-laws, that in a season in
which the wheat was much injured by a wet har-
vest, the vast quantity of inferior wheat sold at a
low price, kept down the average price by which
the landlords regulated our supply from foreign
countries, till the wheat fit for human food was
enormously dear. We now look back with wonder
on the subservience of a people, and the power of a
selfish aristocracy, which could allow of such a state
of things. Yet there were not wanting worthy and
sensible statesmen who believed that national pros-
perity depended on high rents for landlords, created
as they supposed, by excluding the country from
the harvests of the earth. In no instance, perhaps,
has the folly of human interference with economical
laws been proved more conclusively, even to the
satisfaction of the immortal Fifty-Three. We have
received foreign supplies beyond all their calcula-
tions, yet never were rents higher or agriculture
more prosperous.

Within the last few years we have done some-
thing towards being less dependent on the seasons.
Draining the land has rendered excessive wet during
the growth of the crops much less injurious. On
the strong clay lands, capable of growing such ex-
cellent wheat, the difference in a year like this,
distinguished by a cold and wet summer is very
conspicuous, both in the quantity and the earlier
maturity. Our great London agriculturist, Alder-
man Mum, can testify to the truth of this ; and
the more extensively and thoroughly the wet lands
are drained, the more shall we be saved from the
injurious effects of wet, from the time of seed-sowing
to that of harvest. But we have also expedited the
cutting of our corn. The reaping-machine will do
the work of 20 men, and even where that is not yet
used the scythe has largely supplanted the reaping-
hook and the sickle. One thing, indeed, we yet
want in a climate like ours—perhaps it is a
natural impossibility—the means to render ourselves
secure against wet in harvest. We read already of
several places in which the wheat had even begun
to sprout, and though modern winnowing machines
easily get rid of the sprouted kernels which used to
give us a soft loaf, yet the grain which has become
wet and discoloured has sustained irretrievable
injury to its quality. It seems beyond human
skill to cut and dry wet ripe corn in the straw,
though after what this generation has seen, who
would venture to prophesy; but between the tent
manufacturer and the field labourer it does not
seem impossible to place a lerge field, pretty
cheaply, in a position to dry safely and at leisure,
be the weather wha it might. It will be worth the
thought of manufacturers when textile materials
shall again become cheap.
But do we get the full benefit of our harvests
when we have secured them, or of the corn
which we import from abroad. Mr. TREMAN-
HEERE'S report raises this question in a very prac-
tical form. Is our bread what it ought to be when
we have got our ordinary flour, and is the flour we
do get from our wheat all that we ought to get
from it ? That report ought certainly to be widely
circulated, in London especially. Called forth
originally by an inquiry on behalf of the cruelly
over-worked men who make our bread, it led to
fresh disclosures of, what was partly known and
partly suspected before, the intolerable and dis-
gusting filth connected with a great part of the

bread •making of the metropolis. Perhaps the man
who has no alternative in regard to the purchase of
his bread, had better not pry into the mysteries of
its underground manufacture. He had better ask
no questions, unless he can act in accordance with
the answers he obtains. Of adulteration, in other
senses, he is perhaps fully aware. He makes up
his mind to take his chances of alum, because he
must have his bread white, although it is chemi-
cally and physiologically certain that the excessive
whiteness is purchased by the sacrifice of nutriment.
As to bone dust, and so forth—well, as we all
have bones, phosphate of lime we must have from
somewhere—it won't make much difference if the
miller, or the flour factor, does add a little to that
which the farmer puts into the soil, and so gives us
it indirectly.

But there does seem the strongest reason to be-
lieve that in two ways we waste a large part of our
harvest after we have got it. Experiments, con-
ducted by the order of the Emperor of FRANCE,
appear to have proved satisfactorily, that by the
ordinary method of grinding the wheat we lose,
with the bran, a part of the kernel termed eerealine,
which is of the most highly nutritious quality ; and
a mechanical mode of dressing the wheat has been
invented, which separates the silicious part of
the skin of the kernel, leaving the cerealine
beneath it uninjured. But this is not the only saving
which may be effected. The saving of nutriment
by Dr. DAUGLISH'S device of aerating bread, and
rendering it light without the use of yeast, is pro-
bably equally important, if not more so. The public
have long heard of the aerated bread, and can
easily understand its main principle. The light-
ness caused by yeast, baking-powders, &c., is pro-
duced by the disengagement of carbonic acid gas,
chiefly, in the bread. Yeast produces it by the par-
tial destruction of the flour in the process of fer-
mentation, and this destruction is the waste to be
prevented. In the new process, the carbonic acid
gas is manufactured by itself in the same way as
for what is commonly called soda water. It
is then, by an ingenious process, forced into
the bread with the water in the pro-
cess of working the bread. The whole is
effected by machinery. The bread is kneaded by
machinery, and afterwards cut and handled by
implements, so as not to be worked by the imme-
diate contact of the human hand, till it emerges a
perfect loaf from the oven. It is computed that the
saving by there two processes, at ordinary prices,
would not be to the nation less than £8,000,000 per
annum. Inventors and discoverers are of course
liable to overrate the value of their inventions, but
we think the basis of the calculation thoroughly
sound. The universal adoption of the two processes
would probably equal au importation of wheat of
that value.
It seems wonderful that so few families, the sus-
picion of uncleanliness and adulteration of bread
centre
of
with the n
being so general, do not bake their own bread. In
some towns, even, of England, it is still very com-
a
com-
mon. Fifteen or twenty ago, a regular bread baker
did not, we believe, exist in Bradford, the great
worstediron
oven trade.inthe
sEtovle.er,yancdototafgeeouwiases
every better house. Every child of thirteen or
fourteen learned
to bake a loaf. And still, in the
North, the practice of family baking is, se believe,
most common. Families used
to good home-made
bread dislike bakers' bread
as unsatisfying,
as well as prefer the taste of their own
manufacture. After keeping, indeed,
but a short
time, the difference of the smell and taste of the
two lauds is perceptible enough, and the unpleasant

effect of the usual adulterations is easily recognised.
The subject is one of national importance.. Every
family has an interest in it. And, practically, it
would be well for us to give a portion of that soli-
citude we feel respecting the harvest to securing
also a loaf worthy of a good harvest.

ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA.

COMMENCEMENT OF THE SEASON.

Last evening our National Opera re-opened for
its seventh season, and with an amount of success
whieh we trust prognosticates the fortunes of the
year. Its noble theatre was entirely filled almost
at the opening of the doors, and the demonstrations
of the audience speedily attested that they were
not more numerous than they were in every way
appreciative. We presume there can be no occasion
now to enlarge on the merits of an undertaking
which six seasons of expanding strength have
served to stamp with so much distinction. There
can be little need to remind our readers how that
great desideratum of a London public—a native
English Opera—so often attempted and so often
sacrificed—from its initiation by Mr. Arnold, who
built a theatre to that end, to the last efforts of Mr.
Bunn, whose only merit as a manager was his desire
to see that end secured—was destined to be accom-
plished at the hands of Miss Pyne and Mr. Harri-
son. If more than forty years ago there was suffi-
cient musical taste in England to demand
that our metropolis should be placed on a
level with foreign capitals by being able to boast of
a theatre, where native art—creative and executant
—could vindicate the genius of the country, and
possess an arena, that would as much serve to em-
ploy and develop the artist as to delight and refine
his patrons—a hundred fold had grown the neces-
sity when some eight or nine years since every one
observed the wonderful advance which musical taste
had made in the interim. The rise in London
alone of at least some twenty musical societies—
vocal and instrumental—the marked improvement
in our choral power—more especially in Oratorio—
the higher character of our executants generally—
both metropolitan and provincial—and combined
with these, the indisputable evidence of the creative
power amongst us, as shown in the various supe-
rior compositions that came from time to time be-
fore the public, all tended to supply the proof—that
if the absence of a national opera was a great pri-
vation formerly, it was not only a privation then,
but also an absolute disgrace. A country in which,
avowedly, the love and knowledge of music had
spread more rapidly and generally than on any
other soil in Europe, to be without a lyric
theatre which could give the most distinctive
expression of its power—was undoubtedly a pheno-
menon that was as little creditable to its spirit as
it was in accordance with its resources. Neverthe-
less, there was a great reluctance to remove such a
discredit, and we are bound to say that this reluc-
tance was not without its justification. A theatri-
cal experiment, however promising, is of all adven-
tures the greatest risk, and the most certain, in the
event of failure, to involve its projectors in insol-
vency. Whatever the skill and whatever the
energy brought to bear on it—in addition to means
—there are a thousand unforeseen vicissitudes—of
climate, period, and public taste, which may arise
to enfeeble or overthrow the wisest scheme that can
be adopted. As this is a fact sufficiently patents we
cannot wonder that people should feel, however they
may love art, that they are bound also to think of
character, and not admit that they must become
martyrs, simply because they are musicians. It
was with a full knowledge of this risk that Miss
Pyne and Mr. Harrison resolved to meet what
must be considered as a national want—in a native
opera; and their claims on public favour are not
to be duly estimated unless the courage and
fervour of such a step are adequately
valued. Of the superior skill and untiring
vigour with which they have carried out their aim,
and the entire faith they have kept with the public
in the fulfilment of its leading pledges, the record
of their management is a sufficient attestation.
They have opened a home and an arena to native
composers and executants, which have not only
exercised but strengthened them ; and they have
added works of enduring merit to the stores of our
lyric drama. But for their experiment it is un-
questionable that the public would never have en-
joyed the manifest lyric power that is among us ;
and that not only would our established composers,
such as Wallace, Balfe, and Benedict, have been
compelled to suspend their labours, but our young
ones, such as Glover and Macfarren, would never
have written at all. Their experiment is, therefore,
one that concerns not only the present but the
future. As it has grown it will continue to grow;
strengthening yearly, we believe, both in the power
it will develop and the sympathy and taste it will
attract. The character of the past is a sufficient
assurance of the years to come, and proof we think
sufficient that what has been so well expanded for
six years has at last reached a strength that must
render it enduring. A national English opera is
now an accomplished fact, and we can pronounce
no higher eulogy on Miss Pyne and Mr. Harrison
than that we owe it to their hands.

The present season, we may remark, lays claim
to two distinctions. First, its increased leng th,
in order to provide, at moderate prices, a
great enjoyment to our country visitors. Next,
its superior executant force, which makes its
company the most powerful that has yet been
assembled by this management. We have, first,
Miss Louisa Pyne, the chief of English female
singers; we have Miss Parepa,T an admirable
second, and of a Nnolly different school ; and
we have Madame Laura Barter, who is
our best English contralto. We have Mr.
Harrison, without exception our first dramatic
tenor; we have Mr. Santley, our noblest baritone;
and we have Mr. Weiss, our finest bass. When we
add to these Mr. John Rouse, as the buffo, equally
good as comedian and singer ; the versatile Mr.
Corri, and half a dozen other good voices—such as
M. Dussek's, Mr. Patey's, and Mr. Lyall's—we
fancy we have instanced talent which of itself
ought to decide the fortunes of the season. It com-
menced very appropliately with its last and great
success, Mr. Benedict's "Lily of Killarney," which
was given with all the freshness and force of its
first performance. Miss Pyne delivered her
ballads with all that melodiousness, taste, and feel-
ing which place her claims beyond all rivalry. Mr.
Harrison sang and acted the Irishman with a
humour and a truth which demonstrated again the
singular range of his ability ; whilst Mr. Santley
declaimed his scena, in reference to the death of
Eily, with a vigour and impressiveness which even
surpassed its first delivery. Tne only novelties in
the cast were those of Miss Thirlwall in Anne Chute,
and Mr. George Perren in Hsrdress Cregan—in lieu
of Mr. Haigh—the latter of whom made a favour-
able impression, especially in his singing
of the "Eily Mavourneen," which won a well-de-
served encore. We must not forget the admirable
nand under Mr. Mellon, which is quite as destine-
tive of this management as is Mr. Costa's of the
Italian Opera, and which never displayed its claims
to admiration more entirely than on this occasion.
This evening is given the " Rose of
Castille," in order to afford a first appearance to
Mr. John Rouse, and also to Mr. Weiss, after an
absence of some seasons.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT NEW-CROSS (Trus DAY).
--About hilf-past 2 o'clock this morning the railway car-
riage works at New-cross took fire. The premises a, o be-
tween 270 and 300 feet in length, and from 50 to SO feet
wide, and consist of three floors, which were filled with
carriages, some finished, and others in various stages of
manufacture. Capt. Shaw, with two steam land engines,
and numerous other engines, was soon on the spot, but the
steam engines threw so much water on the fire that very
little could be got for the b and engines, and they were
therefore of little service. The fire continued to rage until
about 6 o'clock, when the firemen had so for mastered it as
to allow of the brigade being withdrawn, but some men
were left to throw water from the standpipes on the smoul-
dering ruins. The loss must amount to some thousands,
as most of the carriages and also machinery are destroyed.
Richard Burk; who was convicted at the last
Clonmel assizes for having poisoned his wife by the ad-
ministration of strychnine, was executed yesterday, The
culprit appeared to be very contrite, but he made no public
confession of his guilt. He died with great firmness.
There was an immense crowd of spectators, and a regiment
of hussars and a large body of constabulary were present.

ADELPIII THEATRE.

"ADRIENNE LE COUVREUR."

An adaptation, in four acts, of this romantic
drama was produced last evening, in order to afford
Miss Avonia Jones another opportunity of testing
her claims to public favour. We regret we are
compelled to say we think the selection was in-
judicious. The drama is ono of real life, to which
this lady, of undoubted genius, is not at all adapted,
and possesses but two positions, so entirely
infused by passion as to enable her to
rise to the true level of her power—the close
of the third act, in which she points her impas-
sioned recitation from Racine at the CI tiel treachery
of her rival—and the close of the play, at which
she dies, through that same rival's means, by poison.
In the purely real scenes of this drama Miss Jones
wanted ease and naturalness. She evidently
laboured under the constraint of the petty tram.
mels they imposed on her; and her entire action
and expression were an tine anseious but false endea-
vour to endow them with th© significance of the
scenes of passion she is at home in. Their effect
therefore was necessarily artificial and untrue. It
was the actress in situations which simply re-
quired the feeling of the woman. It was only when
she entered on the great scenes, and became in-
spired by their adequate feeling that she renewed
all her previous impressions, and substantiated her
claims. The denunciation of her rival was a burst
of fury worthy of Rachel, and the entire picture of
her death one of the most terrible, and yet affecting,
that we have ever witnessed on our stage.
The impression was, accordingly a very great
success, which led to her being summoned
before the curtain very warmly at the close. We
cannot restrain, however, the hope which we have
more than once expressed to see this lady in a field
which would give adequate scope to her power,
either in Shakespeare, Knowles, or Milman. Her
Lady Macbeth or her Bianca, we feel assured,
would be performances that would place her claims
in their true light. Miss Jones was very well
supported by Mrs. Billington on this occasion
in the thankless character of the rival ; by
Mr. Fisher as the fashionable Abbe, and
more especially by Mr. Toole, in the
poor Prompter Michonnet, whose secret pas-
sion for Adrienne expressing itself in every form
of generous service and devotion, this admirable
actor conveyed in a manner which showed how
various is the power he possesses, and how superior
to that demanded by the ordinary characters he
appears in. The house was well attended.

The Duchess (Dowager) of Sutherland, who en
leaving Vichy proceeded on a tour in Germany, has arrived
at Stafford House, St. James's, from the, Continent, her
return home being hastened by the serious illness of Vis-
count Belgrave.

The Marchioness (Dowager) of Lothian and
Lady Alice Kerr left town afew days ago for Paris, with
the intention of passing a few weeks in the capital.

The Marquis and Marchioness of Westminster
and Lady Theodora Grosvenor returned last week from
Paris, and have since been staying with the Earl and
Countess of Macclesfield, at Sherborne Castle, Oxon.

The Marquis and Marchioness of Bath, and
infant son and heir have left their temporary residence, in
Stable-yard, St. James's for Longleat, Wilts, for the
season.

The Earl and Lady Constance Grosvenor have
been detained at Calverley Park, Cheshire, by the very
serious illness of their son Viscount Belgrave, who for
several days was in a critical state from fever. Yesterday
and the previous day the accounts received by telegraph
were more encouraging, that of yesterday pronouncing him
out of danger.

The Countess of Dunmore and daughter have
left Carlton-house-terrace for the family seat in Scotland.
Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston, who came
to town last evening from Walmer Castle, will leave Cam-
bridge House tl-morrow for Melbourne, her ladship's old
family seat in Derbyshire.

Lord and Lady Carington, and the Hon. Miss
Carington, are making the tour of the German Spas, and
are not expected home before the latter end of next month.

Lord Richard Grosvenor, M.P., and the Hon.
James Stuart Wortley (brother to Lord Wharneliffe) took
their departure on Saturday for a tour in lurkey. They
are likely to be absent abroad for several months.

CRYSTAL PALACE.—A great gathering of the
German Gymnastic Associations will be held at the Crystal
Palace to-morrow afternoon. More than 200 members
will take part in the athletic exercises appointed to take
place in the Balloon Ground, which will be appropriately
decorated ; commencing at three o'clock precisely. The
Poultry Show will also be
_continued this day and to-
morrow,

REPRESENTATON OF STOKE UPON-TRENT.—Late
on Saturday it was ascertained that the Hon. Mr. Gower
had declined the invitation forwarded to him, in conse-
quence of which a meeting of the Liberal committee is to
be held at Hanley this day (Monday), to determine what
steps should be taken. Mr. Sargeant Shee's name has been
favourably received, and that learned gentleman arrived in
this town on Saturday evening, prepared to place himself
at the disposal of the Liberal electors of Stoke, where, we
understand, he will be this day. Mr. Smith Child, to whom
the Conservative party applied, has declined to tecome a
candidate.—Birmingham Daily Post.
ALLEGED ADMISSION OF A PLAGUE SHIP INTO
LONDON.—EXTRAORDINARY STORY..-The following story
is current in the neighbourhood of Plaistow and the Vic-
toria Docks, and has caused considerable excitement, not to
say consternation. It is said that a screw steamer, having
on board 90 bales of cotton and some crew and passengers,
ran the blockade of the American southern ports, and so far
as the ship was concerned,succeeded in reaching Gravesend
in safety. At this place, though it must have been well
known that yellow fever was raging in the ship, it was not
detained, but permitted to come up the river and take its
moorings in the Victoria Doel,s, with some of its crew or
passengers lying dead, and the fever at its height. This
appears to have come to the knowledge of some person in
authority, for the vessel was speedily ejected from the dock
basin, and where it has taken up its location is a mystery.
To give some colour to this feasible and easily invented tale,
it is added that two men, well known in Plaistow as getting
their living boarding newly arrived ships—one for work and
the other for the seamen's washing—went on board this
alleged plague .ship, and have not been allowed to come on
shore again. If these facts be as stated, and no secret is
made of the matter, great blame must rest somewhere, as a
vessel of this kind should most certainly not have been
permitted to go into a dock situated in a district densely
populated by people who obtain their livelihood from the
shipping, &c. ; and supposing that the man who went on
board the steamer for the washing had brought the clothes
on shore and delivered them to the washer woman, who
can tell what amount of contamination might have resulted.
THE BANK OF ENGLAND NOTE FORGERIES.—A
circumstance has just transpired at Brighton, which it is
hoped will lead to the detection and apprehension of some
of the parties concerned in the recent forgeries of Bank of
England notes. Yesterday Mr. White, chief officer of
police, obtained a warrant for the apprehension of a man
who has given his name as John Lee, and who on Thurs-
day last was committed by the Lewes magistrates to seven
days' imprisonment for drunken and disorderly conduct.
Mr. White has pretty clear evidence that this person has
beeninstrumental in passing three forged £5 Bank of England
notes on different tradesmen in Brighton, and under very
suspicious circumstances. One of the notes was passed at
the shop of Mr. Corder, linendrarer, North-street; and the
assistant who took it went and saw Lee in gaol on Satur-
day, and says he should have no hesitation in swearing to
his identity. Yestei day another of Mr. Corder's assistants
went to Lewes and saw him, but could not positively iden-
tify the man, as be had been allowed to shave off his beard
since Saturday. The second note was passed at Mr. Walton's,
jeweller, King's-road; and Mr. Walton has aho seen Lee,
but could not swear to his being the person who passed
the note at his shop, although he has not much doubt about
it, The third note was passed at Mr. Steven's, shoemaker,
Western-road. One very suspicious circumstance is that
the endorsement on two of the notes is unquestionably in
the same handwriting, although different names and ad-
dresses were given. One is signed " Fredk. Lardner, 14
King's .road, Chelsea," and the other " Charles Harvey,
14, Cumberland-Place, Brompton." The indorsement on
the third note was written by one of the shop attendants at
the dictation of the person offering it, as "C. Fowler, King's-
terrace, Brompton." There are several other signatures on
the notes, but a careful comparison shows them to have
been written by some two or three persons, as distinct
traces of the same handwriting may be seen on each of
them. Two of the notes bear the same number, viz.,
91,103 ; the other is 83,165. Lee, who we believe is a young
man of about 26 years, a, d of gentlemanly ap; earance,
will be brought up before the magistrates on Wednesday, I
his term of imprisonment capiring on the morning of that
day.

HORRIBLE MUTILATION OF A FEMALE BY A
FRENCIIMAN.—The police have received information of a
frightful case of mutilation by a young Frenchman on the
person of an unfortunate female, named Rosa Stanley, in
one of the infamous brothels near London bridge, by cutting
her thighs and the lower part of her body with some short
instrument, supposed to be a stiletto sharpened on both
sides. The miscreant is described as being about 35 years
of age, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, having a dark complexion,
with moustache, beard, and hair dark. He was dressed in
very dark or black clothes. The unfortunate woman lies in
a most precarious condition, and we are sorry to learn that
up to the present time the police have not obtained any clue
to the diabolical wretch who perpetrated the offence,

LATEsr NEI-vs;

PARIS, AUG. 26.

The appeal of Vassel, Allot, and others against
the judgment pronounced against them by the
Tribunal of Correctional Police for conspiracy
against the Government, was heard yesterday.
The Court of Appeal confirmed the sentence of
all the accused, except Adine and Bray, who were
acquitted.

COPENHAGEN, AUG. 25.
The English Baltic squadron arrived off here to
day, and anchored in the roads.

TURIN, AUG. 25.

The report that the King was about to visit

Naples is incorrect.

The National Guard of Catania has refused to
yield to the Garibaldians the custody of the prisons.
The official Gazette of to-day says :

" News received from Palermo and other towns,
except Catania, states that the authority of the
Government has been everywhere maintained, and
that perfect tranquillity prevails.
" The latest despatches contradict the alarming
statements invented by several journals.

" The Extraordinary Commissioner telegraphs
that agitators have adopted a system of propagating
disquieting intelligence.
" Reassuring news has been received from all
quarters.

" The day before yesterday Menotti Garibaldi
advanced towards Messina. He encountered the
royal troops upon his march, and was compelled to
return to Catania.

" With a view of intimidating the population of
Catania, Garibaldi has published the false news
that the prefect and people of Palermo had joined
the movement; that Palermo was free, and in the
hands of the National Guard; and that he (Gari-
baldi) had full liberty of action.
" Yesterday a rumour was circulated at Acireale
that Garibaldi had taken forcible possession of two
steamers in the port of Catania, but the news has
not yet been confirmed."

EVENING.

The Discussione of this evening contains a tele-
gram from Messina stating that Garibaldi, having
left Catania in the night, had embarked on board
an English ship, accompanied by a few of his staff.
He is believed to have landed at Calabria.

PARIS, AUG. 25.

La France of this evening states that arrange-
ments have been made for sending reinforcements
to Rome should circumstances refluire it.
The same journal announces that Marshals
Randon and M.Mahon will remain with the Em-
peror until Wednesday.

La France also states that the rumour that
Garibaldi had telegraphed to Turin that he would
negotiate with the King personally, requires con-
firmation.

CONSTANTINOPLE, AUG. 21.

It is stated that the Montenegrins, in spite of
their aceEptance of Omar Pasha's conditions, have
hung 100 Turkish prisoners.