The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-25 00:00:00

F}IE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 25, ISE7_'.

Lyceum Theatre•

On Saturday evening "the Master of Ravens-
wood," an adaptation of the great novel of Sir
Walter Scott, the' Bride of Lammermoor," by Mr.
Palgrave Simpson, was produced at this theatre,
and met with a brilliant success. Mr. Fechter's
embodiment of the part of Edgar is the great
feature of the play ; and we may say at once that
anything more artistic cannot be conceived. It is
equal to his " Ruy Blas." The mounting of the
play is absolute perfection, and the applause it
elicited was enthusiastic, spontaneous, and universal.
We reserve a more detailed notice of the play for
another occasion, and therefore on the present oc-
casion we merely record with high satisfaction the
successful production of " the Master of Ravens-
wood."

The New Surrey Theatre.

--,..----

On Saturday afternoon a considerable number of
dramatic authors; architects, and other gentlemen
assembled on the stage of the New Royal Surrey.
Theatre by the invitation of the lessee, Mr. R. Shep-
herd, for the purpose of going over the new struc-
ture which has been raised during the past summer
and autumn on the site of the theatre which was so
recently destroyed by fire. An inspection of the
building, under the guidance and instruction of the
architect, Mr. John Ellis, was convincing that the
claim of being the most commodious and elegant
theatre in London is deserved by the new house, and
that the comforts of the audience portion have
been well studied, whilst the contrivances and
works behind are well calculated for the effective
production of any class of drama, and are superior
to those in most of the metropolitan theatres.
The following interesting description of the build-
ing has been prepared by a gentleman well qualified
for the task :

" Shortly after the destruction of the theatre,
plans and designs were selected from architects for
the rebuilding by Mr. Robert Gamlen, of Gray's-inn,
on behalf of Lieut.-Colonel Temple West, who is the
owner of the site, as also a great portion of the land
in the neighbourhood ; several sets of designs were
submitted, and the choice ultimately fell upon the
plans submitted by Mr. John Ellis, architect, of
Austinfriars, London. In the beginning of April
the excavation works were commenced, and great
difficulties encountered both from the treacherous
nature of the foundations and the constant burst-
ing in of water while forming the cellar under the
stage. The first thing done was to sink a well 6ft.
in diameter on the north side of the excavation, into
which the water rushed and rose to a considerable
height; in this well was fixed a 6in. suction shaft,
attached to a double-action pumping engine, and
after constant working night and day for three
months the level of water gradually began to fall.
While this was going on, the foundations of the main
walls forming the sides of the large cellarand carpen-
ters' shop behind, as also the foundations of the
main building, were excavated in trenches 6ft. in
width and some 40ft. in depth, where the stiff clay
stratum was re-ached. Upon thiA the architect com-
menced the superstructure by a bed of concrete
3ft. in depth and 6ft. in width, upon which
were placed the massive walls, built in Portland
cement, and 3 feet 6 inches thick, puddled at the
back with 12 inches of stiff clay. After great
labour the ground-level was reached ; still the
water rose and fell in the well, although constant
pumping was carried on. The next step was to re-
move all shoring and excavate the earth enclosed
within the walls of the cellar and shops, forming a
mass of earth 100 feet long, 70 feet wide, and 40
feet deep. This completed, the bottom was still full
of water, which afterwards lowered to about 6
inches, when some tons of stone-lime were thrown
in, and simultaneously worked up with the gravel
left in for this purpose to a thickness of 5 feet ; after
some days of labour, and mixing together, this en-
tire mass of concrete was levelled down and set ;
since which time no water has appeared, and thus
the cellar and foundation work were brought to a
successful issue. The main walls were now com-
menced, and carried up in a short space of time,-
The site of the new theatre may be described as an
irregular pentagon, about 200 ft. in its largest dia-
meter, and about 110 ft. in width, fronting the Black-
friars-road by a façade of 62ft. Those who remem-
ber the old theatre will see that the new building
covers a much larger area than the former one.
Most of this increased space has been added to the
stage, which, with its mechanical appliances, is one
of the most perfect and best arranged in Europe.
The main entrance is by a tetrastyle lonic portico,
62ft. in width by 30ft. in height, projecting 13ft.
from main wall—the centre doorway leading to the
box entrance lobby by a massive stone staircase en-
riched with ornamental iron balustrades. On the
right hand is formed the pit entrance, placed on a
level with the roadway. On the left hand the en-
trance to the gallery is by a massive stone staircase
7ft. in width. The auditorium is horseshoe in form,
68ft. in length, from curtain to back wall of pit,and
62ft. in width. Two rows of stalls are provided,
separated from the pit by a partition surmounted by
an ornamental iron cresting ; the floor of the dress
circle is raised on the average 10ft. above the pit
level, supported upon iron columns and girders.
The first tier of boxes and circle are 9ft., and the
second tier 10ft. in height from floor to ceiling :
these are supported upon iron columns of very ela-
borate design, brought forward to the front of the
circle, thus forming the safest and strongest method
of construction, and a pleasing architectural feature.
The whole of the fronts to the boxes and gallery
are enriched and modelled in carton pierre, with
medallions and wreath decorations finished on light
tints and gold ornamentation. The outline of the
proscenium opening is very elegant and of good pro-
portion, the upper part very richly decorated, and
the effect of thependentives, entablature,and covered
ceiling with the royal arms, is both striking and
original. The auditorium is covered by an enriched
and coffered dome, 50ft. in diameter, rising 10ft. in
the centre, and is 55ft. above the level of pit floor-
ing ; it is highly ornamented in gold and delicate
tints upon the blue ground work of the coffers ; as
as also is the entablature round the base of the dome,
with sunk panels, tinted light Venetian red, with
the names of celebrated dramatists inscribed thereon
in gold letters. The illustrious names selected are :
—Shakspere, Ben Jonson, Drayton, Beaumont and
Fletcher, Massinger,Wycherly,Vanbrugh, Farquhar,
Dryden, Congreve, Steele, Cibber, Addison, Gold-
smith, Fielding, Rowe, Colman, Garrick, Otway,
Byron, Sheridan, Macklin, Sheridan Knowles,
Douglas Jerrold, and Bulwer, in all 26. The com-
pliment to Douglas Jerrold will be felt in a theatre
which produced his most successful dramas. In the
centre of the ceiling, which is of moulded carton
pierre, is fixed a large sunlight burner which illu-
minates the entire house ; the heat arising from this
is carried away by an iron tube, 18 inches in diame-
ter, both going through the roofs into the open air,
thus thoroughly and effectually ventilating the en-
tire building. The whole of the roofs are constructed
of iron ; that over the auditorium in 11 trusses, each
65 feet span, and over the stage in 10 trusses, each
72 feet span. The flies are supported by four lattice
girders, each 60 feet in length, thus leaving the stage
perfectly clear and open from side to side. Spiral
iron staircases, 6 feet in diameter, communicate from
scene docks to upper ;lies, affording the quickest
possible access to all the working machinery of
stage and barrel loft, as also for the development of
large transformation and other scenic effects. These
would also be of great service in case of fire.
The carpenters' shop and painting room are placed
at the back of the building, and very conveniently
planned. Three frames can be painted at one time,
the whole being under the control of the prin-
cipal artist engaged in preparing any scenery re-
quired, and separated from the theatre by iron doors,
so that the dangerous part of the theatre is com-
pletely without the main building—a great conside-
tion in the case of fire. These rooms being placed
in the roofs of theatres, have caused the destruction
of several ; the last in London being Covent-gar-
den, and the late Surrey Theatre, as before men-
tioned. All the great entrances and exits are
capitally planned, being of great width, fireproof,
and stone construction, offering ready escape in
case of fire or alarm of any kind. The designs for
the modelled ornamentation and coloured decora-
tion have been supplied by the architect himself,

thus rendering this theatre a really architectural
work, and free from that upholstery look which dis-
figures many buildings of this class. The stage is
60 feet in depth and 70 feet in width between the
scene docks, which are each 15 feet deep, making a
total of 100 feet for the working room ; beneath this
is a large cellar, capable of receiving the heaviest
set scenes that may be required. Great care has
been taken that this part of the theatre should be
unexceptionable. In order to arrive at this result,
the machines and appliances of theatres, not only
of England but on the Continent, have been studied
and examined ; the consequence is that there are
features in this part of the building that have never
been seen before in this country, and the whole eco-
nomy of the scenic art will be here carried out with-
out that confusion, noise, and delay which so sadly
disfigure the drama, even in many of our principal
theatres. It may be here mentioned that the soli-
dity of construction and economy of space in this
theatre is remarkable. The green room, refresh-
ment and retiring saloons, dressing rooms, ballet
room, property room, wardrobe, treasury, and
numerous offices, are all spacious, lofty, and conve-
nient ; quite equal, and in many cases far superior,
to any theatre in London. Had the architect been
commissioned to erect an opera house or fashion-
able West-end theatre, no doubt alterations and
modifications in the box department would have
been needed, and greater architectural decoration
aimed at ; but his instructions were to build a solid,
strong, airy, and spacious theatre, as befits the
Royal Surrey, and the public must admit that
he has admirably accomplished the task allotted
to his care. The contractor entrusted with
the building was Mr. C. N. Foster, of
New "Wharf, Whitefriars, for whom the iron
roofs; girders, and columns were made by Messrs.
Rankin and Co., of Liverpool ; the iron staircases
by Mr. Pountney, of Blackfriars-road ; the gas-
fittings by Messrs. Jones, of Bow-street, Covent-
garden ; the furnishing by Messrs. Green, of Mor-
timer-street; the modelling and decorations con-
jointly by Mr. E. W. Bradwell, of Great Portland-
street, and Mr. Parlby, of Rathbone-place, from
special designs by the architect ; the sun-light by
Messrs. Strode, of St. Martin's-le-Grand ; the sta-
tuary by Messrs. Squires and Owen, of Oak Wharf,
City-road. Mr. John Hurley superintended for the
builder, Mr. Bilborough acted as foreman for the
excavations and brickwork, Mr. Joseph Derry, fore-
man of carpenters, Mr. Mesher as foreman for
Messrs. Rankin ; the whole of the stage was en-
trusted to the care of Mr. William Mather, and the
portico to Messrs. Bellman and Ivey ; and it must
be acknowledged that all have done their work most
thoroughly and efficiently, and this without any
serious accident to life or limb from commencement
to completion, although the early part of the work
was of a very dangerous character, and the latter
part principally performed by gas light. The whole
of the drawings and designs were supplied by Mr.
John Ellis, architect, Austinfriars, and carried out
under his personal superintendence, on behalf of
Lieutenant-Col. Temple West, to whose taste and
liberality, both in the erection and in the additional
expenses incurred, we sincerely trust the building
now completed may remain as a substantial monu-
ment of the judicious investment of a large amount
of capital."

After the inspection the company repaired to the
green-room, where an excellent collation had been
laid out. Mr. John Oxenford took the chair, hav-
ing on his right Mr. R. Shepherd, whose health and
success to the new house was drunk with much
enthusiasm. Mr. Shepherd, in reply, stated that it
would be his intention to make the new Surrey
second to no other house in the metropolis, and
threw out an invitation to dramatic authors to
supply him with works of a sterling quality, for
which he promised an ample remuneration. The
healths of the architect and of the builder were sub-
sequently drunk, and after a brief list of toasts had
been disposed of the majority of the visitors dis-
posed themselves on the luxurious seats in stalls and
boxes, whence they witnessed a dress rehearsal of
the 'new pantomime, which is to be produced to-
morrow-night, and which it may safely be predicted
will attract crowded audiences for two months to
come at the very least.

AMERICA.

-

ARRIVAL OF THE SCOTIA.
(Via Roche's Point.)
NEW YORK, Dec. 13 (Morning).

The following concurrent resolutions have been
introduced in Congress and referred to the Com-
mittee for Foreign Affairs.

Whereas in pursuance of the policy expressed by
Napoleon, in his letter to General Forey, dated
on the 3d of July, 1862, an attempt has been
made to establish a monarchy in Mexico, contrary to
the people's wishes, and to support Maximilian in
his usurpation by European soldiers, and Maximi-
lian having practically established slavery, and vio-
lated the usages of civilised warfare, by declaring
Republicans outlaws ;
Therefore, the Senate contemplates the condition
of Mexico with profound solicitude. The attempt
to establish a monarchy on the American Con-
tinent, sustained solely by European bayonets, is
opposed to the declared policy of the Federal
Government, offensive to the people, and con-
trary to the spirit of their institutions. The
President is requested to take such steps con-
cerning this grave matter as will vindicate the
recognised policy, and protect the honour and in-
terests of the American Government.

Both Houses have requested the President to
furnish all correspondence touching the French
occupation of Mexico, Maximilian's decree order-
ing armed Republicans to be shot without trial, and
the establishment of Peonage.

Another resolution, strongly pointed against
Mexico, was introduced in the house, and laid

over.

The Senate has passed the resolution appointing
a committee to decide the claims of the Southern
members to seats, with an amendment making the
resolution concurrent, permitting debate on the
subject, and providing for the admission of one or
more State delegations without waiting for the cases
of all to be decided.

The house has consented to receive the credentials
of the Tennessee members, and has referred them to
the joint committee. Pending a decision the Ten-
nessee members have been granted the privilege of
the floor. The other Southern members
..are ex-
cluded.

The House has refused to allow the introduction
of a resolution declaring the insurrection to be sup-
pressed ; that the, paramount duty was to restore
the privileges and relations of all the States as
quickly as possible, and that the President's recon-
strucLion policy is the best adapted to attain that
end.

The House has passed a bill to prevent the cattle
disease by the temporary prohibition of the impor-
tation of cattle.

The Threw York Times believes that the opposi-
tion of the Union members to the admission of the
Southern representatives is diminishing.
The Charleston correspondent of the Herald as-
serts that General Grant, in the course of conversa-
tion at the dinner given by General Sickles, stated
that now was the favourable moment to drive Maxi-
milian from Mexico, and that such an opportunity
might not occur again.

General Grant has returned to Washington, and
reports that the negroes are in comparative idleness,
and refused to renew their contracts. He believes
that the professions of loyalty expressed by the
Southern masses are sincere.

General Logan had an interview with Mr. Seward
on Monday on the subject of Mexican affairs. The
reports concerning his acceptance of the Mexican
mission are still contradictory.

President Johnson has instructed the Provisional
Governor of Georgia to continue in his f unctions
until specially relieved ; and also not to issue certi-
ficates of election to candidates elected to Congress.
The Provisional Governor of Georgia has since
asked to be relieved, and recommended the installa-
tion of the newly-elected Gcvernor.

The Mississippi Legislature have declined to pass
the constitutional amendment because of the second
clause.

• Judge Jefferson of the Circuit Court of Ken-
tucky has dismissed the indictment against General
Palmer for abducting slaves, on the ground that
the requisite number of States having adopted the
constitutional amendment previous to the indict-
ment all criminal and penal acts of the Legislature
relating to slavery are null. General Palmer has
issued a proclamation declaring slavery to have
ceased in Kentucky.

The Fenian Senate have impeached John
O'Mahony and deposed him from office for mal.
feasance and misappropriation of funds. They have
elected W. R. Roberts President, and issued an
address urging all Fenians to rally round the new
organisation.

O'Mahony's supporters act independent of
the Senate, and have called Congress to
assemble in New York in January. Meet-
ings of the supporters of both parties
have been held throughout the country endorsing
the respective organisations. The Fenians are
making preparations for the reception of Stephens,
who is expected in New York. It is believed
that he will be accepted as arbiter between O'Ma-
hony and the Senate.

The steamer Colorado left San Francisco on the 9th
with a million dollars, of which $860,000 are for
New York.

The Teutonia and City of Boston have arrived
out.

The remodelling of Ford's Theatre, Washington,
has been completed. It cost $20,000.

_ .
Peace is reported to reign in Texas. The freed-
men are making contracts for next year's labor.

Many English merchants and bankers have agents
in the Southern States selecting cotton lands.

The Louisiana Legislature has passed resolutions
endorsing the President's policy, and stating that slavery
is abolished for ever in Louisiana.

Elaborate preparations are being made for solemn
obituary services for President Lincoln in Congress. Many
members will deliver eulogies.

In New York, the Fifth Avenue Hotel pays
$BO,OOO rent; the St. Nicholas and Metropolitan, $70,000
each ; the Astor and New York, $60,000 each ; and the
Everett, $40,000. A. T. Stewart owns the Metropolitan
and St. Nicholas, and William B. Astor owns the Astor
House.

The committee of the French Universal Exhibi-
tion of 1867 has just decided that there shall be no days of
admission gratis. The charge will bo one franc, except on
Friday, when it will be five. Persons who may wish to
enter before ten in the morning will pay one franc extra.
The price of season ticks will be 100 f. for men, 60f. for
women, and 20f. for children.

Hon. Tom Corwin, of Ohio, says that he would
hare continued in the Mexican embassy, but that he had
to climb mountains and keep on foot all the time to keep
in reach of the -Mexican Republic, and he was too old for
that.

Steamers are running between Charleston and
Savannah and ports in Florida.
A correspondent of the New York Herald writes
from the Valley of Virginia that there is abundance of
food and a good deal of money in that region ; and says,
also, that the prejudice against Northern immigration is
dying out.

On Friday, December the Ist, a coal train on
the New Jersey Central Railroad, running on an up-grade,
broke in two. Part of the cars ran back down the grade,
and smashed an express train coming at full speed towards
them. Seven persons were killed and twelve wounded.
Libby Prison and Castle Thunder at Richmond,
so famous during the war, will soon be converted into
warehouses. _ _ _

COMMERCIAL.

NEW YORK, Dec. 13, Morning.

Money abundant. Gold, 1441. Exchange on
London, 1581 ; on Paris, $56/. Stocks very firm.
Erie, 931- ; 50.20 Bonds, 1021. Cotton heavy.
Midland Upland, 48. Flour quiet. Wheat steady.
Corn good inquiry. Provisions firm. Coffee quiet.
Sugar dull. Molasses steady. Petroleum steady.
Crude, 41k ; refined, 66 67.

NEW ORLEANS, Dec.
Middling Upland, 47 49. Sales to-day, 800.

-
THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION.—The New _York Times
states that a second part of Captain Hall's report on his
search for fuller information about Sir John Franklin's
Arctic expedition has been received. The wrecked ships
of Franklin appear to have been visited, the remains of a
large number of their crows seen, frozen and mutilated,
and the valuables left in the ships appropriated by the
Esquimaux. They encourage Capt. Hall to believe that
some of the men may still be living.
General Schofield, who has just paid a visit to
England, has returned to Paris, where he purposes spend-
ing the winter.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

METROPOLITAN.

On Saturday the new Farringdon Station of this
company, and the extension line to Finsbury, were
successfully opened for traffic, great numbers of
passengers having passed over it during the day.
The time occupied in running between Finsbury
and the Great Western Railway at Bishop's-road
was 22 minutes, calling at all the intermediate sta-
tions. There are to be four lines of rails on the
extension line, two for the Metropolitan line proper,
over which the trains now run, and which will be
continued to Trinity-square, and there, by a junc-
tion with the District Metropolitan line, form a por7
tion of the " Inner Circle" line on the narrow gauge.
The other two lines lines are on the mixed gauge
for the accommondation of the Great Western,
Great Northern, and Midland Companies traffic,
but the mixed gauge lines are not carried further at
present than Aldersgate Station. They pass through
the intended site of the goods stations at the Great
Western and Metropolitan Railway Companies in
Smithfield, the goods stations being on a level with
the rails, and over the whole of which the new meat
market is to be erected, on the level of the sur-
rounding streets, which are to be 60ft. wide. The
goods stations underneath and market over them
will cover several acres in Smithfield. The Chatham
and Dover Railway Company can have access to
the Smithfield-market, which might hereafter be
extended to the Finsbury Station. The unfinished
works are actively progressing under Mr. Kelk, the
contractor. The completed works have been well
and carefully executed, the permanent way has been
most substantially constructed with steel rails 841 b.
to the yard, laid on large rectangular creosoted cross
sleepers, about Ift. 10in. apart, the ballast is of the
best sort, having the great advantage of being ob-
tained on the spot. Mr. J. Flower is the engineer
in chief, and Mr. T. Marr Johnson the resident en-
gineer. The new permanent Farringdon Station
fronts Charles-street, a short distance to the north-
east of the temporary station, which until Saturday
had been in use since the opening of the Metropoli-
tan Railway on the 10th of January, 1863. It is a
large station well lighted with an iron and glass roof,
has very convenient and spacious booking offices and
refreshment rooms. The first and second class pas-
sengers enter by one doorway, and the third class
passengers by another, the refreshment department
being in the centre between them. There is an en-
trance platform running across the building, having
stairs to the train platforms below ; further on an
exit platform or gallery, also having proper stairs ;
and an exchange gallery also across the station having
stairs for enabling passengers to go from the Metro-
politan trains to those of the Great Northern and the
London, Chatham, and Dover Railway Companies,
and vice versa when those trains can run over the
new line between Blackfriars and King's-cross. The
station in Aldersgate-street has an iron and glass
roof, is spacious, lofty, and convenient. Thepresent
terminal station is a temporary structure, close to
Finsbury-pavement, and, like the other stations,
carefully planned and very convenient. It appears
that Mr. Fenton, the general manager, has devoted
a good deal of attention to the various details, so
that the stations should be as convenient and com-
plete as possible, and that the line should be worked
in the most efficient manner for the accommodation
of the public and the benefit of the company. Per-
haps one of the most important matters is the im-
proved mode of working the signals. The electric
disk or block system, by Mr. Spagnoletti, has been
used successfully on the line from the commence-
ment. Then, in combination with that,_ but inde-
pendent of it, there is a mechanical lock system,
patented by Messrs. Saxby and Farmer, for working
the points and signals on the line by means of levers.
They are so contrived that the points on any part of
the line must be changed first before a signal can
be given for a train to pass over them. One signal
must be changed before another at the same place
can be given which might clash with it. The self-
acting system of locking the levers prevents those
from being moved which should not be moved until
the proper time, and thus prevents mistakes.
Signals out of sight of the signalman cannot be
properly given until verified by another signalman
near the spot, so that every signal for a train to
come on must pass through the hands of two men
before it can be given. The evil of overworking
has been provided against by the general manager
having arranged that the men who come on duty in
the morning shall be relieved at three p.m. by fresh
men, who continue to work the points and signals
until the days` ends, so that no injury should arise
to the men or the company from that source.