The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-23 00:00:00

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.—Covent Garden.
—Season 18.54.—The Directors beg leave most respectfully
to inform the Nobility, Gentry, Subscribers, and the Public, that the
Season will commence on THURSDAY, March 30th, 1854, being a
Subscription night, in lieu of Tuesday, March 28.
The Directors have the honour to present the Prospectus of the
Eighth Season of the Royal Italian Opera, and trust it•wlll be eons!. dexed by their Subscribers to be an evidence of their continued efforts
to carry out the original design of this great Lyrical Establishment.
The prospects of the forthcoming Season are of unusual interest,
and the Directors feel assured that the Subscribers and the Pabllc
will share with themselves the feelings of gratification at the arrange-
Meats which they have succeeded in making. It will be seen that
that great artiste, Madame Viardot, after an absence of three years.
will return once more to shed lustre on the representations of the
Theatre. Mademoiselle Sophie Cruvelli, whose eminent talents are
already so highly esteemed in this country, will appear for the first
time at the Royal Italian Opera. Signor Lablache will also, for the
first time, lend his powerful aid in supporting the efforts of the
Directors, and will enable them to produce many of the most popular
works with a most attractive caste of characters. In addition, Made-
moiselle Marai, a young Artiste of great promise, who has already
made very successful debuts both at Saint Petersburg and Vienna,
will appear for the first time in England ; also Signor Snsini, for
the first time at the Royal Italian Opera.
Madlle. Bosio, who, during the past winter has acquired fresh
laurels in the French capital, continues her engagement. Those un-
rivalled Artistes, Signor Mario, Signor Ronconi, and Signor Tam-
berlik, together with Signori Tagliafico, Polonini, Luchesi. Stigelli,
&c., who have so long assisted to maintain the reputation of Covent
Garden, have been re-engaged, while the Directors still have the
advantage of the invaluable services of Signor Costa.
The above assemblage of the most eminent Artistes in Europe
will render the Caste of Characters in the Operas Le Nozze di Figaro,
Don Giovanni, I Puritan!, Fidelio, Il Matrimouio Segreto, quite un-
precedented.

The forthcoming season, however, brings with it one subject of re-
gret, viz., the retirement from the lyric stage of a lady who for many
Tears has been one of its brightest ornaments.
Towards the end of July Madame Giulia Grist will make her last
appearance before an English audience.
It has probably never before fallen to the lot of any candidate for
public favour to sustain, fDr 21 successive seasons, the highest and
most ardour characters of the Lyric Drama, and most certainly never
with such unanimous commendations as have been unceasingly be-
stowed on Madame Grist.
The Directors are convinced that not only will the Subscribers of
the Royal Italian Opera, a. 9 well as the musical amateurs of the me-
tropolis, participate in their sentiments on this occasion ; bat they
feel sure that the retirement of Madame Grist will cause one general
feeling of deep regret in the minds of all those who take any interest
In the musical affairs of this country.
It la the wish of Madame Grist, during this her last engagement, to
repeat those Impersonations in which it has ben ber gem fortune to
obtain her greatest successes, and it will accordingly be the care of
the directors to contribute every possible eclat t , these performances,
relying with the greatest confidence that the subscribers, the patrons
of the opera, and the public, will on these occasions still extend to
their long-favoured Artiste the cheering hid uence of their, countenance
and support.
The Repertoire of the Royal Italian Opera sow comprises FORTY-
TWO OPERAS, the whole being complete with Costumes, Scenery,
and Decorations.
During the Season, of the following Operas, Three will positively be
produced

- -
LA VESLALE ..... •
•• ••• • • • Sontlni.
(As lately performed at the Academie Royale, at Parisp
), the principal
part by Mademoiselle SOPHIE CILUVEL LI.
LE DOMINO i\ 01R • . .... .•
.. • • Huber.
• •
DON SE BASTIA N.. .. .
Donizet MATILDA DI SIIABRAN
.............. Rossini. DON PASQUA.LE OBERON . • .• ••••• • • • • Donizetti.
• . • • . • • • .. Weber.
The Engagements for the present • Season are

SOPRANI.
Madame GRISI,
(Being most positively her last Engagement in England.)
Madame VIARDOT,
(Tier First Appearance these Three Years.)
,Mademoiselle MARAI,
(From the Imperial Theatres of St. Petersburg and Vienna, her
First Appearance in England.)
Mademoiselle ALBINI.
Mademoiselle ANGELINA BOSIO,
and
Mademoiselle SOPHIE CRUVELLI,
(Her First Appearance at the Royal Italian Opera.)
CONTR ALTO.
Mademoiselle NANTIER DIDIER.
SECONDE DONNE.
Mademoiselle COTTT,
and
Mademoiselle BELLINI.
TENORL
Signor MARIO.
Signor STIGELLI,
Signor SOLD',
Signor LUGI DIET,
Signor LUCHEST,
and
Signor TAMBERLIK.
BASSI BABITONI.
Signor RONCONI,
and
Signor FORTONI,
(His First Appearance at the Royal Italian Opera-)
BASSO PROFONDI.
Signor LABL IC lIE,
(His First Appearance at the Royal Italian Opera.)
Signor TAGLIAFICO,
Signor GREGORIO,
Signor POLON' IN'.
Monsieur ZELGEII,
and
Signor mUSINI.
(Ills First Appesranee at the Royal Italian Opera.)
The Orchestra and Chorus will be on the same scale of efficiency
as heretofore.
DIRECTOR OF THE MUSIC, COMPOSER AND CONDUCTOR,
Mr. COSTA.
The Military Band will be under the superintenee of
Mr. GODFREY.

Must* al Plano ..•• • • •• •• ••• • • Signor PANIZZA
Chorus Master ...........
Prompter •
•• •• •• •
Mr. SMITHSON.
• ...... -• S,gnor AIONTERASIL Poet.... ••••••••• •• . • • • • • Signor MA.GGIONI.
ENGAGE3IENTS FOR TtlE BALLET.
Mademoiselle BATTAGINI,
Mademoiselle A STORI,
Mademoiselle ELIZA NEHR,
(Their First Appearances in England,)
Mademoiselle SANTI,
Mademoiselle ESPER,
and
Mademoiselle PLI7NRETT.
Maitre de Ballet
Leader of the Ballet ••• • .• Mr. Alfred Mellon.
Director of the Mise•en-Scene
Scenic Artist ...........• •• •. •• Mr. William Beverley.
Costumiere •• •• • •• •• Madame Marzio.
Decorator ...........• •• •• •
Machinist
The Box Office is open from 11 to 5 o'clock.
Royal Italian Opera, Covent Garden,
March, 1854.

THEATRE ROYAL DRITRY LANE.-
Mr. E. T. SKI UT, Lessee, has the honour to announce that
he has placed the above-named National Establishment at the ser-
vice of the FUND in AID of the FAMILIES of the EXPEDITION-
ARY ARMY. In pursuance of this desirable object, a FANCY
PAIR will be held on the 13th and lath of April, under the follow-
ing Royal and distinguished patronage:—
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Glocester
Her Royal Highness the Princess Mary of Cambridge
The Right Hon. the Lady Mayoress
Her Grace the Duchess of Hamilton
Her Grace the Duchess of Beaufort
Her Grace the Duchess of Montrose
Her Grace the Duchess of Inverness
Her Grace the Duchess of Somerset
Her Grace the Duchess of Richmond
The Most Noble the Marchioness of Londonderry
The Most Noble the Marchioness of Blandford
Tne Most Noble the Marchioness of Aylesbury
The Right Hon. the Countess of Chesterfield
The Right Hon. the Countess of Kinnoul
The Right Hon. the Countess of Glengall The Right Hon. the Countess of Ilessborongh
The Right Hon. the Countess of Derby
The Right Hon. the Countess of Shelburne
The Right Hoa. the Countess of Wilton
The Right Hon. the Countess of Desert
The Right Hon. the Countess of Donoughmore
The Right Hen. the Viscountess Palmerston
The Right Hon. the Viscountess Maidstone
The Right Hon. the Viscountess Newport
Lady Sevilla Des-Vceux
Lady Colville
Lady Raglan
The Hon. Miss Anion
Mrs. Disraeli
Mrs. J. Stanley.
Every appointment and appearance of the Theatre will be called
into requisition on this Important and interesting occasion ; decora-
tions are preparing. The pit will be covered for promenade, and an
efficient band provided for the execution of choice and new original
music. Ladies desirous of aiding by their presence this benevolent
demonstration are respectfully reminded that they shoti:d make early
application for stalls. A book is now open in the lobby of the grand
entrance to receive contributions In the shape of articles intended for
sale on the occasion.

THEATRE norAL DRURY LINE.

Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith.

Last Week of Mr.' G. V. BROOKE'S Engagement previous to his
sailing for California and Australia.
TUIS EVENING, Merton 23,
Will be presented VIRGINIUS. Princial charactes by essrs.
G. V. Brooke, G. Bennett, Kinlock, Younpge, and T.r Mead ;M Miss
Cathcart and Mrs. Vickery.
After which, a Grand BALLET DIVERTISSEMENT.
To be followed by the new Farce, called MY COW AND HOUSE-
KEEPER. Principal characters by Messrs. Younge and Belton ;
and Miss Featherstone.

THEATRE. ROYAL IIAYAIARKET.

Under the management of Mr. kuckstone.

THIS EVENING, Maecu 23,
Will be performed a new comic drama, called R iNELAGIL
%erecters by /if wows. Vandenhoff, W. Farren, Ruckstone, Tilbury,
and Rogers; Miss Reynolds, Mrs. FitzwilLiern. &c.
MAfter which, WILLIKIND ANO iiYA DINAH. Supported by
grs. Brick,itone snd Corri ; Miss Louisa Howard, Mrs. Fitzwil-
an, and Mrs. Cauitteld.
lIA.PL
Atter which, the opening Scenes of the PANTOItIME, called
and ther Qll
' -1'; AND THE THREE BEAR,i; or, Little Silverhair
Fairies.

LYCEUM THEATRE.
trader the Management of Madame Vestria.

Will be THIS EVENING, Meacu 23,
berrortted WANTED, A SHE.WOLF. Characbrs by
Messrs. Char ies Mathews, F. Mathews, and Baker ; Miss Oliver.
To be fclleweibY A CHARMING WIDOW.
Concluding with NUMBER ONE ROUND THE CORNER.
After which, the PePblar Fairy Extravaganza, entitled ONCE
TIME TaRKB WERE TWO KiNGs.
OF to
A
Characters by
Messrs. Rc'xbY'.F.l4tthss, and Bland; Madame Vestris, Misses
St. Goorg,, Egian.on. Mason, Alartindaie, Etna, waduain, and
Foote.

TLIEATRE ItO -------------
TAT. A E—D LPur.
Pro2rieter, Mr. B. Webster.—. _
bire-ctreas,
THIS EVERING, Madame Celeste.
°4IC
Will be performed TWO LOVES AND 11 23,
Messrs. C. Selby, Leigh Murray, genjamtn. w,.LIFE. Supported by
Smith ; ;was Wool gar and 11.fadume Celeste. e.ster.:cKheaerieaye.teanrsdbOy.
To cone/ado with Tif E SERIOUS FANITL.r.
Messrs. B. Webster, Leigh Murray, Parselle, and
Murray, Misses Woolgar, Fanny Maskell. and LaT'meeleY;
Keeley. —aw• and Mrs.

ROYAL OLYMPIC THEITRE,
Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan.

THIS EVENING, MAxcir 23,

Will be performed THE WItON"Gi BOX. Supported by mews.
Alfred Wigan and Robinson ; Miss P. Horton, Miss Wyndham, and
Miss E. Turner.

To be followed by TO OBLIGE BENSO'. Supported by Messrs.
Emery, Robson, and Leslie ; Mrs. Stirling and Miss Wyndham.
To be followed by THE FIRST NIG fIT. Characters by Messrs.
Alfred Wigan, Leslie Franks, Harwood Cooper, and Vincent ; Miss
P. Horton, and Miss 'Wyndham.

STRAND THEATRE.
Sole Lessee, blr. F. W. Allcroft.—Diractres3, Miss Rebecca Isaacs.

THIS EVENING, MARCH 23,
Will be preen RUSSIA.N TYRANNY; or, The Fatal Snow-
storm.

Followed by PADDY SHOOTING THE MOON.
After which, THE BLUE JACKETS.
To conclude with THE CORKONIAN BROTHERS. Paddy and
Tim Muillg.tu (the Brothers), Mr. G. Hodson.
It. it
alls, e. ;; Boxes,,
; Pit, Is. Gd ; Gd.; Private Boxer,
Is. Gd., 1p be bad of nr. AI croft, 15, New Bond-etreet.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET.
Under the Management of Mr. Cuestas Kum.
THIS EVENING, MARCH 23,
Will be performed THE LANCERS; or, The Gentleman's Son.
Principal characters by Messrs. Meadows, Ryder, Everett, H. Mellon,
and D. Fisher; Mrs. Wlnstanley, Miss Daly, and Miss C. Leclercq.
After which, THE CORSICAN BROTHERS. Principal cha-
racter by Mr. C. Kean.
To be followed by A STORM IN A TEA-CUP. Principal cha-
racters by Mr. and Mrs. W. Lacy.

ASTLEY'S EUROPE'S NATIONAL AMPHITHEATRE
Lessee and Manager, Mr. William Cooke.
THIS EVENING, MARCH 23,

And during the week, will be presented the new, grand, and
romantic spectacle entitled THE WOODMAN'S HORSE ; or, The
False Knight—the Woodman's Horse by the pet steed, Beauty,
expressly trained by Mr. William Cooke.
After which, the incomparable Scenes of the ARENA.
To conclude with BESS OF THE BELL.
Box-office open from Eleven tin Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W
West.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
TEIIR DAY —Morning 13 min.after 8 Evening 0 min.aft. 9
Talicutaow—ldorning 50 min.after 9 I Evening 41 min.aft. 10

THE WEATHER.--Sum OFFICE, Miami 23.
THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
51—highest since noon yesterday.
45—lowest this morning and during the night.
51--this day at noon.

BABOMETICIi, 30.48—falling.
WIND, N.N.E.—Light breeze, and fine, sunshiny weather

Q33g
-
4444,,

LONDON, THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1854,

An excellent effect has been produced in Paris
by the publication of the Secret and Confidential
Correspondence between the British and Russian
Governments. It is recognised by the people of
France that they have no longer any reason what-
ever to look with jealousy on Perfide Albion—
the documents constituting this secret and confi-
dential correspondence demonstrating in the
clearest manner the perfect honesty and good faith
of her Britannic MAJESTY'S Government. A
little later we shall hear of the effect produced
by this same revelation at Berlin and Vienna.
It cannot but be perceived then, both by
Austria and Prussia, that England has displayed
the utmost fairplay throughout towards their
respective Governments. Not that the know-
ledge of this honourable course on the part of
the British Cabinet will be sufficient to emanci-
pate the German Powers from the thraldom in
which they have been so long held by the pre-
dominance of the great Northern Autocracy. But
that a sentiment of compunction may be thereby
infused into the policy of the Councils at Pots-
dam and at Schoenbrunn, such as may ultimately,
perchance, dissipate the rigorous neutrality resolved
upon by the two Administrations. In the French
capital, as we have seen, the liveliest satisfaction
has been manifested at the scrupulously straight-
forward conduct of England in resisting, from the
first to the last, the evil influence of the CZAR'S
gorgeous and insidious temptations. It is perceived
by our Gallic neighbours that our Ministers would
never for an instant yield to the suggestion of the
AUTOCRAT that the fate of the Ottoman Empire
should be in any way arranged without our hav-
ing first consulted the wishes of the other great
Powers of Europe—but more especially without
our having first submitted the whole question
formally to the consideration of the French Go-
vernment.
Everything, indeed, tends to indicate more and
more clearly that the alliance between France and
England is based upon motives more stable than
those of merely a prudential character. The
compact entered into by the two Powers has
been drawn from a nobler source than one
constituted solely by reasons of convenience.
It is an actual and not simply a nominal union,
having for its object the maintenance of the
loftiest principles—those principles most con-
sonant with the holier dogmas of Christianity.
It is an alliance having for its objects the preser-
vation of Order, the vindication of Right, the
consolidation of an enduring tranquillity. It is one
which aims chiefly at restoring the world to peace,
and by so doing conducing the most effectually
to the more rapid and extended development of
civilisation. The alliance of France and England
is an alliance in the cause of justice, and not in
that of a lawless and selfish ambition. It is an
union effected for the protection of the weak and
the punishment of the powerful—not for purposes
(we repeat here what we have before now asserted)
of commercial, or political, or territorial aggran-
disement. Originating in these noble motives,
this alliance does not reveal in it the seeds
of its dissolution. It bears no resemblance what-
ever to the compact between two robber states—.
a compact maintained only so long as the atrocity
resolved upon is in course of accomplishment.
Whatever victories, won by land or by sea, may
be ours in the approaching struggle, they must be
victories of which France and England shall be
mutually proud, achieved as they will be for
nobler objects than those enhancing the martial
or maritime glory of the two countries--a glory,
by the way, that needs no enhancement. With
Russia, on the contrary, it has been, is now, and
will be altogether otherwise. For Russia has con-
trived, by the blundering arrogance of her ruler,
to place herself in a position wholly and entirely,
to all intents and purposes, insulated. Turkey is
against her—against her in arms, and as yet vic-
toriously. France and England are against her
together, by an almost unparalleled combination
of circumstances. Her obsequious shadow, Prussia
nay, her alter ego, Austria each withdraw
from the responsibility of aiding her in the ter-
rible conflict with the Western Powers—finding
refuge from that unacceptable peril in the alter-
native of a pusillanimous neutrality. Denmark
and Sweden adopt a bolder course, by declaring
themselves for a neutral policy of an armed and
defensive character. Persia holds herself aloof,
while Egypt is sending auxiliaries eagerly and spon-
taneously to her liege suzerain at Constantinople.
All the while--Hungary looking for the signal
of its second and more secure emancipation, and
Poland watching with faith in her heart, and
valour in her eye, and energy in her hands for
the day which may now very speedily witness
the glory of her restoration. At such a juncture
as this it is something more than simply gratify-
ing—it is matter for grateful exultation--to ob
serve the happy effect produced at Paris by the
publication, at the most fortunate moment and in
the very nick of time, of this Secret and Confi-
dential correspondence between the British and
Russian Governments. •

A vigorous and decided step has at length been
taken in reference to the unfortunate dispute be-
tween the masters and men in the manufacturing
districts. It appears that COWELL, GRIMSUAW,
WADDINGTON, and other delegates, and committee
men (nine in all) were arrested ; and it is under-
stood that warrants have been issued against others
of the leaders iu the labour movement. On Tuesday
and yesterday the case against the parties was gone
into, and the charges preferred in due form. It was
for a conspiracy, the overt act being the sending
back the strangers brought to the town to fill the
places previously occupied by the turn-outs.
After a prolonged investigation, the Magistrates
decided on sending for trial, at the Liverpool
Assize's, COWELL, GRIMSHAW, GALLAGHER, LANG,
GARDNER, WOOD, and BROCKLEHURST. Bail was,
however, taken for their appearance, which was
speedily forthcoming, and the accused were dis-
charged from custody. The turn-outs, although
greatly excited at the proceedings againstitheir
leaders, remained peaceable.
It is not our practice at any time to prejudge
a question that still remains sub judice, neither
should we desire to see men subjected to stringent
punishment for acts committed under the impres-
sion that they were pursuing a strictly legal course
in furtherance of the interests of the class to
which they belonged, and of which, to a certain
exteatint, at least, they were the recognised repre- sentves. We shall not, therefore, enter at pre-
sent into any consideration of the point as to
whether the accused have transgressed the limits
within which they were confined, as well by the
spirit as the letter, of the law. That will, in all
human probability be discussed before a comPe-
,