The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-19 00:00:00

IS THERE TREASON IN THE CAMP ?

The soldiers of England would go to the war,
But some folks at home keep them back from the
Czar.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.

Rossinra opera, Matilda di Shabran, one of the revi-
vals promised by the management in the present season,
was- brought out here last night. This opera was com-
posed for the carnival at Rome, in 1821, and the opinion
then formed of it, according to a biographer of Rossini,
was, that "the libretto was execrable, and the music
charming"--a verdict which we are inclined to think
will be 'confirmed, after the lapse of thirty years. Shortly
after its production at Rome, it was given at the Italian
Opera in the Haymarket, but made very little impres-
sion, and subsequent revivals have not been more suc-
cessful, though on one occasion the renowned Persiani,
when in the height of her popularity, selected it for her
benefit. Matilda di Sh,abran possesses little dra-
matic interest, its chief merit consisting in its gay
and sparkling music, which last night was bril-
liantly executed. The principal character (Corra-
dino) is a most inexplicable hero. The owner of a
Gothic castle, situated wherever the imagination of the
audience may decide, has a hatred for women, and
is regarded as a ruthless tyrant by his neighbours.
Nevertheless, Matilda, daughter of the " illustre
Shabran," who, dying on the field of battle, recom-
mends his child to Corradino's care, resolves to gain
his affections, falls in love with him herself, and
ultimately succeeds in riveting the woman-hater to her
chains. Mean While a Contessa, d'Arco, to whom Corra-
dino had been pledged, and whom it appears he had jilted,
is infuriated with jealousy at the triumph of Matilda,
and vows to effect her ruin. Edoardo, the son of
Corradino's greatest enemy, is a prisoner in his Castle ;
and, to further her designs, the Contesse, procures the
liberation of the captive, snaking it appear that his
flight has been contrived by Matilda. Corradino, in an
explosion of rage, condemns Matilda to death, and in-
trusts the execution of his will to Isidoro, a wandering
poet, whom he has taken under his protection. Isi-
doro, however, having a tender heart, allows Matilda
to escape, and, Edoardo himself becomipg the means
of enlightening Corradino as to the fact of who is
really the guilty party, the latter relents ; his de-
' spair at the supposed death of Matilda is turned into joy
on finding that she is still alive, and, a reunion taking
place, the delight of the lovers reaches its culminating
point in a brilliant rondo finale for the heroine. The
pterilify of this story could hardly suggest music of any
real worth, but there are nevertheless some concerted pieces
which have great merit, betraying, as they do, the variety
of Rossini and the delicate taste of his orchestration.
The performance last night was on the whole highly effi-
cient and interesting. Mdlle. Bosio has never appeared
to greater advantage than in the part of Matilda. She
is a perfect mistress of the Italian school of florid vo-
calization, and in most instances her singing was admi-
rable, in some parts magnificent. Mdlle. Marai, who re-
presented Edoardo, made another step in public favour.
The tenor part of Corradino is one of extraordinary,
difficulty; and whatever may be said of the voice or
Signor Lucchesi, which is defective in many respects,
those who are acquainted with the peculiarities of the
school to which this music belongs must in justice
accord him unqualified • praise for the masterly ease
with which he executed it from first to last. Signor
Ronconi, as the poor poet, was irresistible. His was
a -" wandering minstrel" very different from Mr.
Robson's, hut quite as rich and graphic in its way.
In his first air, a kind of spurious edition of " Largo
al factotum," the whole character of the charlatan
was developed with wonderful humour. Isidore is
a capital example of the real buffo of the old
Italian carnival—a kind of mountebank of whom modern
opera knower little or nothing, but so droll, so fantastic,
original and amusing, that, while such a representation
of the'genitse exists as Signor Ronconi, it would be in-
deed re-pity to lose him altogether. Signor Ronconi's
singing was quite as good as his acting; it was the
essence of the buffo parlante style—more declamatory
than vocal yet never so much so as to -deprivo the
music of its effect. The part of the- Contessa. which
is rather insignificant, was allotted to Made-
moiselle Albini, and that of Aliprando, (Corradino's
physician and confidant), though hardly worthy of the
talent of Signor Tagliafico, seas represented by that con-
scientious artist with a care and finish which give it real
importance. The music of the opera made a decided
impression. The singing of Mdlle. Bosio was unanimously
applauded ; more than one of the concerted pieces made
a furore, and especially the septet in the finale to
Act 1., which was encored, and Signor Ronconi, when-
ever he was on the stage, kept the audience in a roar
of laughter. At the conclusion, Mdlle. BOsio,
Marai, Signors Lucchesi, Ronconi, and Tagliafico, were
recalled before the curtain. Too much praise can' scarcely
be given to Mr. A. Harris, for the great ability apparent
in the arrangement of the miss en scene of the opera.
The pretty ballet of Pleurette followed, in whiCh Mdlle.
Quineux made a successful debut. The assistance the
delnitante received from the talented corps de ballet—one
of the best, if not the best, that has appeared at this
theatre—was to her of immense importance'. The group-
ing, scenery, and decorations were exceedingly beautiful,
and here again was the master hand of Mr. Harris visi-
ble. The house was well filled.

Lady and the Misses Graham leave the Admiralty
to-day for Netherby.
Lord and Lady Seaton and the Hon. Miss Colborne
have left Farrance's Hotel, for Deer Park, Devon.
Lord and Lady Monteagle have left their residence in
Park-street,-on a visit to the Lady Marian Alford, at
Ashridge Park, Herts.
The first new character in which Mdlle. Rachel will
appear in Paris is that of .316dee, in a tragedy of that
name, by M. Legouve, which is highly spoken of by
coma isseurs.

• WINDFALL TO THE PRINCE OF WALES.--lair,
Ilol-
ford, the rich merchant, who long resided in the
Regent's-park, died on the 9th of April, and has left his
large fortune to the Prince of Wales.
LETTERS FOR THE ARCTIC SHlPS.—Letters for
officers, seamen, and marines serving in the under-
mentioned ships will be in time to be forwarded if sent
to the Admiralty on or before the 26th of this,inonth :
Her Majesty's ships Assistance, Resolute, Intrepid,
oneer, North Star, Enterprise, and Investigator.
LOBS OF LIFE ON THE RlVER.—Yesterday the body
of a man unknown was found in the Thames, at Shad;
well. The deceased was 'removed to Shadwell dead-
house to be owned, and for an inquest. A fine young
man, named David Watson, fell overboard from the
schocmer Clunie, new the London-dock buoy, and be-
fore the boats that put off to his rescue could reach him,
he, sank„ and WS.3 droved. The body. 7r4s *.to`► re-
covered.

Accizzia co AN E:aattLlTT. SIXI7.—PLYXOUTE,
TUESDAY EVENING. -- The Government emigrant-ship
Maria Hay, Captain Brown, 1,007 tons, which left
Southampton en Monday morning, with a full general
cargo and 401 passengers, came in contact at 9 o'clock
in the evenine, with a strange steamer (probably the
Harbinger), which carried away her bowsprit "close to
the stem. She entered the Sound this evening at sin
o'clock, and to-morrow (Wednesday) morning fill be
to Tr
wed up to Catwater. er repairs will OCou.py iserdrEl
days. The stranger was a large and - ribi!;Ortia
Protably a packet bound 2outhoaptou

MONEY MARKET

AND
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.
The sales of cotton -at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated. at 5,000 bales, including 1,000 American
taken for export. The market closed with a hard-
ening tendency for solid American and Surat, and,
-compared With Friday's prices of all kinds, are
quite- as high.. The sales comprised 4,500 American;
50 Pernam and Matanham at 6id. 20 Bahia at
Old.; and. 400 Surat at 3d. to 3/d. Railway shares
are quiet.

The communications received yesterday from the
United States were of an interesting character, as
showing the first sensible influence of the state of
war in Europe, and we expect that this will be still
more manifest ere long. Money will probably be-
come dearer, and specie will have to be sent to
England, and already this year, up to the latest
date, nearly four, millions of dollars were shipped to
-Europe.

The letters and papers by the Harbinger steamer,
being of an earlier date than those per Overland
Mail, supply only a few items of intelligence not
previously noticed. A river, twenty miles long,
had been discovered in Van Diemen's Land.

The agents of the Sovereign of the Seas, which
left Melbourne after the Harbinger, and has per-
formed the passage in 83 days, had advertised that
the vessel would make the voyage home in 65 days,
; or return part of the passage money.
To the numerous parties who hold scrip in abor-
tive schemes, or even in undertakings which have
legislative sanction, but, from the present adverse
condition of-the money market, are unable to pro-
ceed, it will afford great satisfaction that the share-
holders, about two-thirds in number, of the Char-
tered Bank of India, Australia, and China, have
filed a bill in Chancery to restrain the directors
from making the call of 2/. per share, as advertised.
It is quite true that the directors have had
considerable trouble in obtaining a charter, but un-
fortunately this charter is of but little intrinsic
Vahie, and after all would -not be much respected
. in the Colonies which assume now the. fair right to
exercise a greater control over their own resources.
Moreover, several of •the new banks having already
commenced business, it is most prudent that a new
competitor shguld retire from the field and avoid
the risks inseparable from an undue extension of
banking facilities. Another Banking Company,
the Merbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide, we believe
is the name, have a local charter for Sydney, and
Yirtnal official recognition at Adelaide, but the
capital not being entirely subscribed, it would
offer a reasonable opening for amalgamation. Un-
Jess: some measure of the kind be adopted, the
wiser course will be to wind up both, and to this
complexion the obstruction thrown in the way of
the proprietors ,seems to be tending. There are
many other companies which must be vigorously
dealt with, unless the directors•recognise forthwith
the altered state of the money market. The Aus-
tralian Coal Mining Company is an honourable
exception, having already announced a meeting
early next month for the purpose of taking the
sense of the shareholders in favour of a dissolution.
The Carson's Creek, which has not purchased the
mine for which it was formed, is loudly complained
of, not the slightest explanation being given, while
it is suffered to " drag its slow length along."
There can be no pretence for continuing a Cali-
fornian scheme that has,not become so far involved
in enga,gements and leases as to make retreat costly
anU undesirable, and many large Shareholders are
resolved to agitate the subjeot, and we expect the
same will be the case with many other concerns.
Yesterday afternoon there was a decline in the
rate for Bills of Exchange on Trieste ; and on other
places, except Hamburgh, the quotations were
feeble.
The demand 'for gold to be shipped to the Con-
tinent continues, and all the amount per Ellen-
borough was taken yesterday, besides a small sum
withdrawn from the Bank of England.. The So-
vereign of the Seas brings 37,334 ounces from
Melbourne.
The English Stock Market has been firm, with
less dcsing, however, this being "pay-day" after
the settlement of the Account. Consols have been
871 to 88k for transfer, and 87i to fpr the llth
of May. he scarcity of Stock has been partially
got over by borrowing the amounts required, and
it now remains to be seen whether speculators for
a fall will venture upon renewed Bear opera-
tions. Bank Stock is heavy at 212. Exchequer
Bills have remained at par to 4s. premium, and
East India Bonds at 3s. discount to par. The
New Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents. have been
ea to
Foreign Securities continue very inactive. Mexi-
can Bonds are dull at 24, and Brazilian small have
been supported' at 944. Greek Reduced Bonds
have been done at 6. Russian Four-and-a-Half
per Cents., are 79.1. - _ _ _

- There has been very little doing in railway shares,
but the prices are maintained at the advance which
occurred yesterday afternoon, viz., to per cent.
upon the previous rates. French Shares have been
nominal.

The Gold Mining Shares have been inactive, the
banks are firm, Mid the Land Companies' without
alteration.

RITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.—CLOSING PRICES
(From the Oficial List.) _

• Business done.
-130.1 E Stock_ 212

I Per Cent, Reduced Annuities. - 86a a 76i 7 -6i
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities . BB 7ai 81 i 8
New 31 per Cent. Annuities ' B7# 8i 7if
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan~ 1860
India Bonds, 21000 . .
_Ditto, under 21000 2 p
Consols; for Aceount 11th May ' 87i i f 1 7
Exchequer Bills, 2d. ,
£lOOO , —............ par 4 p
.
£SOO
Small - par 4 p
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY.
gramilian Bonds, 5 per Cent. , , 95
Ditto Small
Ditt,o4s per Cent. (Rothchild'si) ‘.. 95
Greek Bonds, 'Red , • 6 .
Mexican 3 per Cent ,•••• .. .. . . •• . .
... 24
Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. :st —
Ditto aii per Cent . • 79 •
/French Renter, 44 per Cent. , 9lf. 50c. Ex. 24f.90c.
Dividends on the above payable in London...

Cowls THREE ?'CLOCK.
Ditto May Account

MALTA., A.PRIL 13.—The.Colombo' with Commissary-
General Elder and suite, has arrived.
COURT OF 13AnitIIPTCY—OFFfCIAL NOTlCE.—Notice
was this morning posted at the Court of Bankruptcy,
in lieu -of one previously issued, stating that, in conse-
quence of the order of Privy Council for the observance
of Wednesday, the 26th inst., as a day for.religious pur-
poses the court will be closed. The meetings appointed
foe that day,. before Mr: Commissioner Fonblanque, will
betaken on the Ist of May; and those before Mr..Com-
lnissioner. Goulburn on the 3d May. '
ARRIVALS OF GOLD.—Tlie Harbinger steamer from
Australia has brought 73,000 ounces of gold, and the
Sovereign of the Seas, from Port Philip, 37,300, making
a total of 110,300 ounces,. valued at 441,2001. With
the 40,0001. brought from New York by the Africa the
arrivals yesterday reach an aggregate of 481,2001.
.The SzasoN.—About sixteen -years since, such a
season as the present was known in the south of Eng-
land. Avery severe winter was succeeded by,a beau-
tiful but rainless spring, A very thin crop of hay was
got.in very early in the Summer.
THE LONDON DOCEB.—The new premises erected by
direction of the Lords of the Treasury for the wine and
spirit department of the Customs establishment at the
London Docksare entirely completed, and were occupied
yesterday for the first time. An important feature in
the new 'arrangements consequent upon the removal of,,
the wine and spirit establishment to this new building
will be, that the accounts and deliveries of spirits will
be kept entirely separate from wines, instead of being
together as before. —This will simplify business, and
facilitate-deliveries.
HANDSOME PRESENT.—the Ordre et la Liberte of
Caen says :—Lord J. Russell has just made a handsome
present to one of the churches in this neighbourhood.
His lordship is of Norman origin ; his family having
before the Conquest been in possession of the estate of
nosel. The cure of the place having applied to his lord-
ship to subscribe something towards 'the purchase of a
bell for the church of the commune, his lordship replied,
that in place of sending a simple subScription, he would
pay for the bell itself, and that he wished it to be of the
weight of at least 4200110.
WARLnuc ALARMS. —On _the appearance a her ,
Majesty's ship Tartarus in the Bay of Cromarty, a short
time ago, the good peoplenf Balintraid and Barbaraville;
taking it into their"heads that- they were to be " im-
pressed!' to fight the Russians, took to their heels :and
concealed themselves in, the neighbouring wood a for
several* daYs; till the disappearance of the suspicious
craft. It is said that many passed the night in the
old churCh of ik linatiir. The fishermen of Tarbat also, a
few days ago, were greatly frig.btened by a Sudden re-
port that the Russians were just landed at the light-
house. The utmost alarm prevailed, and hurried pre=
parations were made for the hills (or to face the enemy?)
when some bold Man ventured to approach the cause of
terror, and found it to be a delusion.- The hoax had
been traced to an elderly gentleman in the neighbour-
hood, whose joking propensities are inveterate.—lnzur-
nes* Ootnier. _ . .

_ .
A WICKED Nvirat.G.—Some .a..ag lately consigned to
Toluntary impritionment a respectable elderly gentleman.
of Exthouthi.who labours under an asthmatic complaint.
Is the, garden, fronting 'the invalid's house, a tiag-stiff
is erected, 'with a_vane on the top, a , view of which he
commands from his sitting-room window. During the
prevalence of easterly winds he avoids getting out of
doors' as much as possible. Our wicked hero took an.
oPportunitir one night .to climb up the flag-staff, and,
with a hammer and nail,. fastened the vane due east.
The consequence yap, the old gentleman, referring to
his wane every morning, as was his custom, to see what
Tairtar the wind was in,-and. not suspecting anything
Vtkoligi Was -kept indoors thirteen days aftdr it• had
chattgedo-Gizzesies4 Orem.

_