The Sun.
London, England, 1854-05-04 00:00:00

ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.

At this theatre, where Mr. Lafont's small but excel-
lent Parisian company is attracting very numerous and
fashionable audiences, there was played last night the
clever little piece of Od6on, entitled Livre 111., by way
of introducing that charming andtalented actress Mdlle.
Luther, who first appeared here in 1853, and made
a most favourable impression. The vaudeville in ques-
tion, the original of the Haymarket drama, A Novel
Expedient, is well suited to indicate her best spe-
cialties—which belong to refined an I elegant comedy,
The young wife, who is so devoted to her husband that
she would monopolise his attentions altogether, and
feigns a predilection for a visitor so that he may with-
draw himself from the house, requires personation of the
nicest delicacy. Mdlle. Luther's acting in this amusing
little piece, it is scarcely necessary to observe, is just
what it should be ; the address with which she depicts
the alternations of tenderness, petulance, and z.lartn, be-
traying the most finished style and that subtle grace of
deportment which it is rare indeed to find upon the
English stage. Mdlle. Luther was received with general
applause. She is an appendage of great worth to the
troupe, and M. Lafont has done well to secure her ser-
vices. The entertainments concluded with a repetition
of the Reveil du Lion.

THE RAILWAY BILL. -ANOTIIER
GOVERNMENT _DEFEAT.

Mr. Cardwell has had the discretion so to modify the
Railway Traffic Bill as almost to annihilate it. No part
of it remains except a clause setting forth the duty of
railroads to make arrangements for receiving and for-
warding traffic, which is needless, and a clause, which
seems quite as unnecessary, to enable parties to apply to
superior courts for redress against companies contraven-
ing an Act, of which nothing of importance remains.
The biil in its original -tate was a vast usurpation ; in its
altered form it is little better than a mockery of legisla-
tion. As Mr. Cardwell has given up all the essential
parts of it, he would act more gracefully by withdraw-
ing it altogether. His defeat could not be greater ;
thouith, we trust, it will be the forerunner of still more
important defeats which the usurping Civil service is
destined to suffer. Under the pretence of promoting
the public welfare the Civil Serviee, of which Mr. Card-
well is one of the ornaments, is reaLy seeking to throw
its own chains round the whole business of society. It
must be taught that there, is sufficient sagacity in the
public to see through its pretensions, and sufficient
spirit, as in this case, to resist and defeat thein.—Laily
News.

The Right Hon. Sidney Herbert gave a dinner to the
Cabinet Ministers last evening at his residence in Bel-
grave-square.
The Lord Chamberlain, (the Marquis of Bredalbane)
by command of her Majesty, has issued cards of invita-
tion to the Ministers (foreign and domestic) and a select
circle of the aristocracy to a grand concert of vocal and
instrumental music, at Buckingham Palace, on Monday
next.

Sir Robert Peel, Batt, arrived at Lady Peel's in
Whitehall-gardens, last evening, from Italy. The hon.
baronet, we understand, was warmly congratulated by
the members of his on his narrow escape from a
watery grave in the Italian steamer Ercolano, in which
Mr. Halsey, M.P., and family, and a Sicilian Princess
and suite unfortunately perished.
SAILING of THE ATLA.NTIO —Yesterday afternoon
the United States mail steam-ship, Atlantic, Captain
West, sailed from the Mersey for New York, with the
usual mails, about 84 passengers, and a large cargo of
merchandise on freight.

WEST3fINSTER. JEWS' FREE SCHOOL—The anniversary
dinner in aid of the funds of the above school was cele-
brated at Willie's Rooms, St. James's-street, on Tuesday
last, Alderman Salomons, president, in the chair, sup.
Ported by Alderman and Sheriff Wire, Mr. Charles
.t.
Pearson, and many of the elite of the Jewish nation.
Since the last anniversary meeting freehold premises
have been purchased in Greek-street, Soho, and to assist
which donations were given for that and the general pur-
poses of the sch, of to the amount of 7001.
PORT
Pllll.l*.—The Lochnagar has arrived from
S°lt 'hint) (Geelo ig), whence she sailed on the 4th-of
AZl247tllts4iniol, it appari; brentf.iq gold.