The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-05 00:00:00

ST. J-131ES'S THEATRE.--FRENCII PLATS.

A new piece, entitled Tambour Battant, which, how-
ever, has made its appearance in this country in a native
?nib, as Tak,inv by Storm, was produced here last night,
in which M. Ravel played the principal part. A young
lady who has determined to marry nobody who does
anything like anybody else, finds at length a spouse in
M. Ravel, who comes to look after lodgings which she
is to quit in six weeks, but which he wants sooner— in
ten minutes "—and who, by the perfect ease of his im-
pudence, the cleverness of his volubility, and his deter-
mination not to have the house, first excites the wrath,
and then the mirth and interest of the lady. The in-
truder is an artist, and he has also made a vow that he
will only marry a ladywhom he never saw, and of whose
existence he was only conscious by having pressed her
foot when travelling in the 'unlighted coupe of a dili-
gence. His only clue to the fair one's identity is
small pistol which he finds after she has left the vehicle,
and by this means he, of course, discovers that his
host •ss is the inamorata in question. Accordingly he
offers his hand and heart, but the lady not at irst se'
cepting either, he proves that he answers to her beau
ideal of a husband by crowding together all the visits,
letters, and observances of a courtship into a ten
minutes' interval—a feat certainly never performed by
any lover but himself before, and which is accordingly
duly successful. The character was one which gave full
play to M. Ravel's peculiar powers, and, in spite of a
severe cold, we never saw him to greater advantage than
in the rattling, audacious, and light-hearted lover of last
night. There was another novelty—a little piece plaYe(!.
first—entitled, Diviser pour Regner, slightly extravagant
in its construction, but which served to introduce two
débutantes, M. Fede and Madame Marimont, both valu-
able additions to the company. To-night M. Ravel
makes his first appearance in L'Etcurneau.

SOCIAL SOIREE OF REFORMERS AT
MANCHESTER.

A social soiree or reunion of the leading Reformers of
the county of Lancaster, and their representatives, took
place on Thursday evening at the Town-hall, Manchester,
of a pleasant and successful character. From 300 to
400 invitations had been issued, and the room was veil .
crowded. After partaking of refreshments, the business
commenced, a little before 7 o'clock, by Mr, George
Wilson taking the chair, supported by Mr. John Bright)
M.P., Mr. T. M. Gibson, M.P., Mr. Joseph Brothertont
M.P., Mr. James Heywood, M.P., Mr. J. Kershaw,
M.P., Mr. Charles Hindley, M.P., and Mr. George
Hadfield, M.P. Among other gentlemen present Were
—Mr. Alexander Henry (late member for the county),
Mr. Thomas Bazley, Mr. Bailey, Mr. A. Buckley, Mr'
Henry Ashworth, Sir Elkanah Armitage, Mr. Sale
Schwabe, Mr. E. R. Langworthy, Mr. Watkin Lees,
Mr. John Platt, Mr. R. N. Philips, Mr. R. Munn'
Mr. F. Steiner, Mr. F. J. Philipi, &c. There were
gentlemen present, in fact, from Liverpool, Lancaster,
Blackburn, Burnley, Preston, Bolton, Oldham, Roll'
dale, Stockport, Ashton, Busy, and almost every town
in the county.
The CHAIRMAN took a review of the various county
and borough election struggles in Lancashire during the
last 20 years (since the Reform Bill) ; and after conga'
tulating the meeting on the result of the recent returns'
and urging upon his friends not to let success render
them careless of the registration, said, he felt stronglY
indignant that their power in the Legislature should 13!
so limited, in consequence of the arrangements made at
the period of the Renos.n Bill. He would not do any
such thing, but he thought that reasons could be shol
why 25 of these meml'e:s should be taken away an
given to the towns possessing a population of frore
10,000 of 25,000, which were now wholly unrepresented'
And the most timid reformer and most moderate man
would hardly object to the disfranchisement of thong
boroughs which had a population less than 5,000, An
to handing over the 20 members to those large c°11;
stituencies. He would go fui-:,her, and.eay that no ine
could object to take one, at least, of the members 1a
„
those cases, and hand him over to those distrire
which were so feaifu]ly unrepresented. Under tn
new Reform Bill they would have the same franchise.
in Manchester and in Buckingham. The pretece
tion to the voter, whatever it was, would be kbg,
same ; but, when they c.7.me to this question of the 4111
tribution of seats, which was the true leverage by
they were to cos:e3t abuses, and to give its due wetici
to population, property, and industrial rights, it w°
be found that the struggle would commence, and that
would be ten times more difficult to give them their 1.a15,
and just rights, as large and improving constituencie4.
than in- giving them a low franchise and theballu
(Cheers.) 'fed
The Right Hon. T. M. GIBSON, M.P., was roe', /if
with great cheering. He said—Although the budgel'
the late Ministry, as a whole, was bad, and altlul.)ile
the attempt to re2eal half the malt-tax, and substituis
an increased house-tax, was an impolitic propositiotnoro
my opinion, still there were good indications of at
policy in that budget. (Hear, hear.) And I hope
tto.
those indica":,ions will not be ost sight of by by theoriee
censors of the late Government, particularly in rei.ties,
to one proposition—l mean with regard to the tea atelrest.
in which this district must take a most especial int foe°,
(Hear.) Lord Derby's Government came into °oriels
lived, produced its plan, died, and all in ten n3f
(laughter)—and if reform, and those measures t°o the
provement that are expected, are to be put Off,resee
year 1854, we should actually be allowing thet. r Kith"
Government no less a pc.rlod than 14 o: 15 motit'gir' e 511,
out requiring from them that they should rall" .u.
sign. (Hear, hear.) And was there ever a Pert'
when the matter could b 3 undertaken better thap til
present one ? Are we ro:; now ca-able of considerinl
this question calmly and deliberat A) s—can it be said that
a measure of reform would be hastily earriA in a scramble,
and. by a mere concession to clamour, or ill-considertt
demands ? Nothing of the kind. (Hear, hear.)
would be his endeavour, as it would no doubt be tieja,
of his hon. colleague, to enforce these views in perGe-
ment without going into neelle,3 opposition to th to
e
vernment. They would at the came time endeavou
promote, to the utmost of their ability, those great Pried
ciples dpublic policy which he believed were sanctvi° to
by the constituency of Manchester, and comities 0,
the welfare of the whole population. (Loud cheerSi) of
Mr. BROTHERTON, M.P., Laid, the Reform hod
1832 was considered a great measure, and yet ltnear
disappointed many, who thought that it was ne'__hiels
extensive enough. (Hear, hear.) Every reform
was not complete must set the people after other Pill
forms, and obtaining those measures which tend to roll
mote their happiness and cons-ort. No Reform nose
would be satisfactory at this Vine which did not 1)t,
to equalise the distribution of the representation. , 710,
hear.) The commercial and manufacturing al° vier.
must insist on getting their fair share of political P°oje•
(Applause.) The hon. member then alluded to the jio
cation question and the various schemes proposed- rated.
hoped the people would say explicitly what they wait re'
He was almost in favour of any general scheme, to its
spected the rights of conscience and admitted all
benefits, (Aplause.) TS°
Mr. J. HEpYWOOD moved, and Mr. H. Asir°
seconded the owin resolution :
rs
"That this meetings equeets the Liberal memee-theer
nested with the county of Lancaster to consider }sir
selves a committee for the purpose of aiding in eill'th
ceedings with reference to Parliamentary reform, othe
view to secure such additional representatives ado°
county as its population, industry, wealth, and We'
require."
• stir
Mr. BRIGHT, M.P., made a lengthened speech 11l that
port of the resolution, and concluded thus :—I or
an extension of the franchise to household suffrag.e,;:stel"
a Si. franchise, would be to alarge extent annul:n(l7; the
evil in many districts, if it were not accompanie the dc'
ballot. (Cheers.) It would lead of necessity to the
moralisation of the workmen, and ultimatelYy by 7, the
temptation it would hold out to us, it would lea' ar:
demoralisation of the employers. (Hear, hear, antesey
plause.) Well, now, we are going next week °cos
in
the new Government, and the new circumstane-oerss
which we find ourselves. Mr. Gibson stated the thing'l
which he should pursue—Mr. Brotherton,
coincided in that view—l am willing to subscribe leper
they said. Our posit'on has been
one of perfect in otvei
deuce. Whether Lord Melbourne were in jor'
whether Sir Robt. Peel were in office, Wbetherwerei°4
John Russell were in office, whether Lord DerbY: seen
office, office, or whether Lord Aberdeen be in office;
to me that our duty is precisely the same—t° es °-t
all the favour that honest men in favour of re.,°r
look upon Governments, surrounded as they are.,l");,;ion4
difficulties, and having (even when honest and
es for
or
to do right) to contend with most powesful inter or
posed to them. (Hear, hear.) But we must Of poor
get that we are the reprezentatives of industry) °t par
bers, of intelligence, and of wealth ; that we Vte(iinalig,
liament opposed to many antiquated blunders, ,Tilefie,o
hoary abuses, to many selfish and mischievous Prt!-itig
(Hear, hear.) We must not lo wet that everYt6llBB...-sno
country has gained since the revolution of 1 •eed in
es
especially everything of late years—has been classes
manly contest of the industial and conireerci of tl!ot
against the aristocratic and pHs ileged classes
Coefilio
country. We must cairy on the same resaid,
There are great things yet to be done.
of past exertions are most encouraging—there is aloe 00
wide field before us for future exec tions and fteWDeire°
cess. When lam permitted to speak here or ereol:
vo
without the walls of Parliament I would alwaYsi rhelieio
ttf favour vebo
Hen rpo
profitable
fiewt
aohfbalcte
olamebmde
oai endvsvealnto
dt
aobgene just,eoutea
t,es p
ire
ehde
people e ; ne
to ilecial betbo
mentary displays, or to the mere seeking of
_e to be rie
ours or emoluments. I would rather aspure
faithful representative of this great constituencieore to
fend all its rights and interests—(cheers)--t° :s adore
far
fa
as possible all the liberties we now P°ese-till ni-ere
lay up, if it is possible, for our children shers W
glorious inheritance of freedom than our t
able to bequeath.to us. (Loud cheers.)
seer after
t°' rid
the The resolution was then unanimously agre dor
proceedings terminated about a quarter
o'clock.

LITEBATUBff•
,erg V°
sHook ;"
The Art vex, ~,b,,
engravin
174, attraction raen-odr
Journal.—There are three tb, 1- if
first ••
-g8 in the Art Journal of this mc',. 46,P,0
Time.T, from
attention
The second is a beautiful pi.et,i_lr.! not lino
Angler' a painting of Mulreadys c''.of g The
rior in
Rome"u• An " Artist's Ra bl from Ali 640°
etsheenttshNiVrde'stwmhinic:teirtbwreiarPgv ts(l,4
m e
is •,,
as a illustrated by several woodcuts' ii wof
eat
th e Art," by Mrs. Merrifield, is web° 01.04
of all ladies. No. 19 of tf Niell° rt
oMasters of Art continues the " IlistorY 9,
~ iloor
of lissill." There are also arficles ou tn_v,ifiol
ornamenting metals, and art in the pry Y