The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-13 00:00:00

tained in this country to enable him to be examined
as a witness, and to prove the forgeries under which
the heir-at-law claims to obtain restitution of the

property.

The trial is expected to last a week, if

not longer.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean in British

Columbia.

(From the British Colonist, Dec. 13.)

I Last night the celebrated artistes Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Kean, made their first appearance before a Victoria audience,
and were received with an enthusiasm befitting their
world-renowned fame. The theatre was crowded by one
of the most select and fashionable assemblages that ever
graced its walls, the greater number of the ladies being in
full dress, thus adding an unusual charm to the scene.
The new drop curtain, a copy of one of the
great artist Turner's paintings of Venice, was beau-
tifully executed by Mr. Bowes, Mr. Ward's scenic painter,
and added greatly to the improved appearance of the
stage. A marked improvement was also visible in the
orchestra, for which indeed there has been room enough of
late. Mr. Ward has evidently spared neither pains nor ex-
pense in fitting up the stage in the best possible manner for
the comfort of his distinguished performers and the suc-
cess of the representations. Shakspere's Historical play of
King Henry VIII. is rarely produced on the English boards
—not that the characters of the Cardinal and Queen Cathe-
rine do not afford full scope for some of the finest acting,
but because a superabundance of accessories and scenic
effect is necessary to relieve the piece of a portion of its
weight and carry it successfully through. It was, in a
great measure, the magnificence of the mise en scene which
made it so attractive when produced under the aus-
pices of Mr. Kean himself, in London, who brought
the piece out on a scale of magnificence never before at-
tempted. Mr. Ward had, however, done his utmost to
make the play as attractive as possible, and his efforts were
successful. On Mr. Kean's first appearance last night as
Wolsey he was greeted with a genuine burst of applause
which detained the passing train for a long time on the
stage. The same ovation awaited Mrs. Kean on her entree
as Queen Catherine, and Miss Chapman as Anne Bullen.
Space will not admit of our following the two distinguished
actors through the play, and dwelling upon the numerous
passage which, in their hands, form distinct subjects for
study. The audience listened with the deepest attention while
the mirror of nature was held up before them, and could
not even restrain themselves during pathetic scenes from
giving expression to their gratification. Mr. Kean's con-
ception of the ambitious, haughty, subtle Cardinal is ad-
mitted to be superb. There is intense meaning in every
glance, every intonation, every movement. His exclama-
tion against the attachment of the king to the maid of
honour, where he exclaims "Anne Bullen ! no ; no
Anne Bullens for him," and again, immediately afterwards,

" This candle burns not clef; I must snuff it ; then
out it goes," were delivered with most impressive effect.
The grand effort, however, is of course reserved for the
downfall of the Cardinal, in the third act, commencing with
the beautiful soliloquy : "So farewell to the little good you
bear me."

Mrs. Kean's Catherine is a noble embodiment of the
high-souled and injured Queen of tho dissolute monarch.
Plain, quiet, and unpretending, yet dignified, it is not until
her spirit is aroused by the consciousness of being wronged
by designing and corrupt enemies, that her real power is
revealed. The alternative tone of her petitions to the
stony-hearted King and the bitter rancour of her railings
at Wolsey during the trial scene, are master-pieces of acting.
The words, "Lord Cardinal, to you I speak," were uttered
with a depth of feeling sufficient to make any clerical old
gentleman quake. Mrs. Kean is also particularly effective in
the interview between the two Cardinals ; nothing can be
more beautiful than her reference to the Heavenly Tribunal
"where sits a Judge that no king can corrupt." After
the fall of the curtain Mr. and Mrs. Kean were vociferously
called forward to receive another outburst of applause.
Miss Chapman is a very pleasing and graceful actress, and
the fair Anne could not have been entrusted to better
hands. Mr. Cathcart, who has a fine deep mellow voice,
enacted Cromwell with much care and judgment. The
Earl of Surrey was personated by Mr. Everett, one of Mr.
Coppin's company, who is evidently a good actor, though
more at home, perhaps, in comedy than tragedy. Of our
old acquaintances wo can only afford to mention Mr.
Taylor, who in dress, appearance, and gait was a very "old
Harry," and was as careful as he invariably is in rendering
the text faithfully.
The evening's entertainment concluded with Coleman's
glorious comedy of the "Jealous Wife," which the
immensely
amused. as Mr. and Mrs. Oakley kept the house
amused. They were, in fact, irresistible, and we only hopeMr
s
we shall have another opportunity
of
witnessingof the
-
Kean's most artistic representation
_t of the
most effects
ably sup
"green-eyed lobster" malady. They
ported by Mr. Everett, Mr. Cathcart, and Mrs. Leslio.

OMANO FELICE -.P . author of the libretti of
,
" Norma" and of " La Sonnambula," is recently deceased.
APOTHECARIES'-HALL.—The following gentlemen
Passed their examination in the science and practice of
medicine, and received certificates to practise, on Thursday,
February 9 :—Edmund Farrington Boult, Bath ; James
Mason, Barrowden, Rutland; John Roberts, Festiniog,
North Wales; Geo. Welland Mackenzie, Tiverton, Devon ;
Arthur John Watts, Alfred-road, Harrow-road ; Francis
Zuck, Oxford; and Charles Edward Heron Rogers, West-
meon, Hants. The following geatlemen also on the same
day passed their first examination: Walter Owen Withers,
King's College ; Frederick Barton, University College ; and
Gilmore Winton Croft, St. Thomas's Hospital.