The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-05 00:00:00

COURT CIRCULAR.

WINDSOR, JAY. 4.

The Royal dinner party yesterday included the
Duchess of Kent, the Lady-in-Waiting to Her Royal
Highness, Lady Frances Bruce, Colonel Hall, Com-
manding Officer, Ist Life Guards ; and Lieut.-Colonel
Sir Charles Hamilton, Commanding Officer 2nd Bat-
talion Scots Fusilier Guards.

Her Majesty's private band was in attendance in the
evening, and played the following selection :
Overture (Op. 15)
Solo, Violin M. Saintort.
Sinfonia (No. 4)... Mozart.
Selection " Marco Spada"
Prince Albert went out shooting this forenoon.
The Duke of Beaufort had an audience of the Qtteen,
to deliver up the Insignia of the Order of the Cruder
worn by the late Duke.
The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone has been invited,
and is expected to-day.

The Commissioners for the Reduction of the National
debt had a quarterly meeting yesterday at the official
residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in Down-
ing-street. Present : The Chancellor of the Exchequer
the Governor of the Bank of England, and the Deputy
Governor. Mr. Higham was in attendance.

The Cathedral commission had a meeting yestesrday.
Present : The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Marquis
of Blandferd, the Bishop of London, the Bishop of Ox-
ford, Sir John Dodson, Sir John Patteson, the Rev.. Dr.
Wordsworth, the Hon. and Rev. Canon Villiers , the
Rev. Canon Selwyn, and the Rev. Richard Jones (F„z 4ecre•
tary).
The Lord Chancellor will receive the Judges, Qiteen's
Counsel, &c., on Wednesday next, the first da y of
Hilary term, at his lordship's residence in Upper 131:00k-
street, at 12 o'clock.

Despatches were received at the Colonial-office ft )ster-
day from the Governors of the North American. Pro-
vinces.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

One of the great evils of London existence is, t 1 at the
majority of persons cannot go to a theatre or other place
of amusement, without running the risk of havii ng to
traverse on his way home, miles of streets in a pouring
rain, or during a cutting north wind. To be sure, there
are omuibusses and cabs, but you may just be in ti me to
miss the last of the former, and as to the latter co nvey-
ance, " cabby" has always got some mysterious prior
engagement, though politely hints he will break faith,
if you only pay him something like 200 per cent. 'extra.
This inconvenient is felt at all times, but douibly so
during the present inclement season, when few Ca/ i visit
a theatre without taking a whole string of juvend les to
see the Christmas pantomime. Let all who hat e not
been subjected to the annoyance of the journey :home-
ward under such circumstances, take a glance :at the
misery of Paterfamilias, as cleverly depicted this week
by our amusing friend Punch, and they may easily
imagine some of the attendant "pleasures" of a, :family
expedition to our West-end places of entertain ment.
The enterprising lessee of Drury-lane, who seems 1k ) take
an especial delight in catering for the amusement of the
rising generation, has done hiu best to overcool e the
scruples of their papas and mammas to venturing- out at
night, by giving morning or rather afternoon pm form•
ances. The next of these, since the production •of the
pantomime, is to take place on Wednesday, January
the 11th, when the boys of the Royal Military kic hool,
Chelsea, with their celebrated band, will attend. Th
afternoon performances will be continued every Wed-
nesday at 2 o'clock, as long as the excellent pantomime
of Harlequin King Humming Top and the Loind of
Togs runs, which will, no doubt, be for a very ccr.nside•
rable period.