The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-04 00:00:00

DEATH OF MRS. WARNER.

The severe suffering and lingering illness of Mrs. War-
ner terminated in her death on Sunday week; her secession
from professional duties, the aid refused her in her need
by the Drury Lane fund, the charitable conduct of her
Majesty who placed a carriage at her disposal, when she
needed the benefit of the air, and could not undergo the
fatigue of exercise, are still fresh in the public mind. The
recent demonstration of popular sympathy which took
place on the occasion of hor benefit must have beon grati-
fying to her in the last moments of her existence, and
must have proved the fact that the publicis not unmindful
of those who ha7o laboured zealously in its service, and
afforded it gratification.
Mrs. Warner was one of the principal artistes of the
period which posterity will connect with the name of
Macready. Her debut on the London stage occurred some
time before that gentleman undertook the management of
Covent Garden Theatre, and in the earlier part of her
career she " created" the principal female parts in the
Wrecker's Daughter and the Bridal. But it was at Covent
Garden and Drury Lane, at the time when Mr. Macready
laudably advanced to restore the ancient sites of the
drama to their old dignity, that she took her fixed
position as the chief actress of the matronly, or with
the non-juvenile line of tragedy. Like Mr. Pholpe,
also a member of the Macready companies, she
was evidently impressed by the example of her
great director, and when Mr. Macready had given up
the vain endeavour to settle the poetical drama in its
proper home, it was under the joint management of Mrs.
Warner and Mr. Phelps that Sadler's Wells was placed
on its present respectable footing. After quitting the
banks of
,the New River, Mrs. Warner endeavoured to
apply the same principle of management—the principle of
making the poetical drama attractive by means of elabo-
rate decoration to the Marylebone Theatre, but the per-
fumed lion of civilisation was repelled by that remote dis-
trict. On concluding the thankless task of improving the
most " out-of-the-way" of London houses, she devoted
herself to " star-engagements," both in this country and
in America, and continued these till the fatal indisposi-
tion to which she has recently fallen a victim put an end
to her professional exertions.
The great forte of Mrs. Warner was the representation
of tragedy in its sterner and more dignified aspect. For
this, her stately figure, and her handsome, though strongly-
marked, countenance was admirably adapted. Few who
have seen her as Evadne, in the disagreeable play of the
Bridal, can forget the sublimity of defiance with which
she eyed the luckless bridegroom, and made vice itself
look dignified from the determination by which it was ac-
companied. The softer emotions she did not often depict;
and though Hermoine, in the Winter's Tale, was one
of her most striking parts, it was the truly sculptured
feeling with which she represented the supposed
statue in the last act that left the deepest im-
pression on her mind. Carefulness in study, and
intelligence in apprehending her parts, marked her
career throughout, and had there been a permanent
company of the higher kind at any London theatre, there
is no doubt she would always have held her place in the
troop as a respected and indispensable member. She had
one drawback, and that was the harshness of her voice,
which gave too masculine a tone even to the stern charac-
ters in which she was most distinguished. In private life
she was universally esteemed, and the members of the
theatrical profession will long recollect the great contrast
that existed between the terrible passions she depicted on
the stage, and her uniform mildness and amiability when
the mimic storm had passed.
Mrs. Warner's maiden name was Huddart, and she was
of Irish parentage, though born in Manchester ; hermf
Co.,h
was a partner in the firm of Jenkins, Huddart, I
a coun-
wholesale chemists in Dublin ; he was also commonM. Warner's
cilman, and his partner was mayor.
mother was, previously to her marrilign!rsssaAge.
Gough, the daughter of a Limeriek gentleman
apnerdtyi.ier
f tteehaerneneziNlainnirasso
wasthe church,
rc
Severalu n c le, memberste
Paarotestant faith in Duh
im-
portant member of the Irish
Rev. ofT Thomas
family
il a
dadraertn,
life, to the theatrical
resig for it
pro-
fessionlin;heratfaathleartedeivvoriteodd himselfoftis
the
Huddart was
a lucrative business. Atfi
Exeter, Bristol, and
ger of the Plymouth,
engaged by Mr. Brunton, the
mentioned e do f
At the first Birming-
ham theatres.
contact with Mr. I%u lre:lay playing Lady Macbeth
to his
Macbeth ; she then went to the Dublin theatre, under
the management of Mr. Cal craft, and performed during
the summer seasons in Liverpool, Manchester, and the
l
principal Irish towns. The first metropolitan appear-
ance of Miss Huddart was at Drury Lane, under the di-
rection of Mr. Alex. Leo and Capt. Polhill ; she then re-
turned to the provinces, and re-appeared in 1836 under
the management of Mr. Mil, playing various Shake-
sperian characters in conjunction with Mr. Forrest ;
it was at this period that she made a success as
Marian, in Mr. Sheridan Knowles's unsuccessful play of
The Wrecker's Daughter.
The Haymarket was the next
theatre at which Miss Huddart was engaged, and here she
distinguished herself by her performance of the part of
Evadne, in The Bridal. At the termination of this season
she married Mr. Warner. In October of this year Mrs.
Warner was engaged at Covent Garden by Mr. Macready,
and was to have performed in the late Serjeant Talfourd's
play of The Athenian Captive, but was prevented by the
birth of her first child. The late distinguished author, in
the preface to this play, in the collected edition of his
tragedies, thus alludes to the subject :—" The rep:viten-
, tatio4 of thiA at Connt Gorda, Theatre

vented by the occurrence of an event `untoward' as re=
garded the hopes of the author—an addition to the family
of Mrs. Warner, who had prepared to represent Ismene.
It was subsequently produced at the Haymarket Theatre,
under the management of Mr. Webster ; and, notwith-
standing the diminution of interest caused by its previous
publication, was rendered more successful by the powers
of Mr. Macready and Mrs. Warner than I had ventured
to anticipate, even when I expected that they would be
supported by Miss Helen Faucitt and Mr. Anderson."
Mrs. Warner then returned to Covent Garden, where
she remained during Mr. Macready's management ;
eke afterwards was engaged by Mr. Webster, during
two seasons, at the Haymarket Theatre. When
the former undertook Drury Lane Theatre, Mrs.
Warner shared the first business with Miss Helen
Faucitt. In 1844 she joined with Mr. Phelps and
lir. Greenwood in the management of Sadler's
Wells Theatre, the establishment of which, as a
legitimateions.partly owing to her ability and
eert
thiss season she played Lady Macbeth,
xtheatre,Dnring w
Gertrude, Evadne, Constance, Margaret of Anjou, and
Hermione. The partnership being dissolved, led Mrs.
Warner, subsequently, to undertake the direction of the
Marylebone, which opened oil the 3Jth of September, 1847,
with The Wintcr's Tale—she also appeared about this
time as Julia, Lady Teazle, Mts. Oakley, and Lady Town-
ley. In November of this year, Mrs. Warner revived
The Scornful Lady, by Beaumont and Fletcher, altered
to suit the taste of the day by Mr. Serie; the drama
was produced with the utmost, care and attentionto the minutest details. In 1.43, Mrs. Warner ap-
peared in her original character in The 11,
reker's Daugh-
ter, and in April revived The Double Marriage, another
play by Beaumont and Fletcher, also adapted by Mr.
Serle. Mrs. Warner's management then concluded, and
its termination was distinguished by the performances of
Mr. Macready. In the provinces, and at the Haymarket
Theatre, the energetic actress continued her career, and
assisted in producing the éclat, which signalised Mr. Mac-
ready's farewell representations. Her subsequent profes-
sional tour in America was shortened in a lamentable man-
ner, by the illness which ultimately proved fatal ; she was
first attacked during a performance, and on learning the
nature of the disease immediately returned to England to
secure the best advice. This, however, unhappily availed
nothing, and all attempts to alleviate the sufferings of the
amiable lady were ineffectual.—Musical Transcript.

RAIL.IVAY INTELLIGENCE.

LONDON AND SOUTH-WESTERN.

The adjouinal:meeting of this company was hell yes•
terday at the offices, York-road ; Mr. W. J. Chaplin,
M.P., in the chair.

Mr. Crombie, the secretary, read the resolution ad-
journing the meeting from that place on the 16th of
august to the 19th of September, at the Law Institu-
tion, Chancery-lane, then to proceed with the scrutiny,
and on the 3,1 of Oct.ber to declare the state of the poll
on the question of electing a director. Mr. Willcox,
M.P., and Mr. W. P. Snell were the candidates.
The CHAIRMAN entered into an explanation of their
proceedings since the last meeting, which was held
there on the 16th of August. The scrutineers met the
Hon. Mr. Denman, as legal assessor, himself, and some
of the directors and shareholders on the 19th of Septem-
ber, at the Law Institution. Mr. Snell appeared with
his solicitor ; Mr. Willcox did not attend, but was re-
presented by his legal adviser, feeling at the time that
Mr. Snell wvs anxious to claim an investigation, and.
that all the necessary explanations would be given. On
the 19th it was proposed to hear a statement from Mr.
Snell ; at first he appeared ready to proceed, but on
further consideration it was agreed to give him a few
days to prepare, and the meeting was adjourned to Fri-
day, the 22d of September, when it was understood he
was to be examined and to explain everything. The
assessor was unable to attend on that occasion ; they
could not, therefore, proceed with the business, and the
meeting was adjourned to the 29th of September. They
had had no notice of the change that had taken place on
the part of Mr. Snell, who refused at the time appointed
to give evidence or to explain anything with regard to
the matter in dispute. The solicitor for Mr. Willcox, in
consequence of that refusal, withdrew from the scrutiny,
and the matter ended. That being the state of things,
the whole was in so confused and unsatisfactory a state
that lie (the chairman) could not come to any decision
on the votes or make any declaration on the state of the
poll. It therefore was not his intention at present to
make any declaration on the subject.
Mr. MAYNARD said he appeared there as a share-
holder in the company to assist Mr. Snell in the discus-
sion of the question. He disapproved the course adopted
by the chairman, and entered ably at considerable length
into several matters connected with the state of the
proxies, and technical matters relating to them. He con-
tended that the scrutineers had nothing to do with pre-
liminary matters ; they were merely the agents of the
candidates, and it was their duty to examine the votes,
disallowing those that were objectionable, and to report
on the result of the scrutiny. He censured the obser-
vations made in the report of Mr. Saintsbury, one of
the scrutineers, and defended Mr. Snell from the impu-
tations contained therein, Ile had taken the responsi-
bility of advising Mr. Snell not to submit to an exami-
nation before such a tribunal. They had no right to
call on Mr. Snell for explanations. A large majority of
the votes were in favour of Mr. Snell, after deducting
all those objected to on the part of Mr. Willcox. They
had only to strike off the votes that had been objected
to, and declare the result of the poll. The proxies ob-
jected to were bad, but he did not consider that the cir-
cumstance arose from any want of integrity, but from a
want of judgment on the part of Mr. Snell in carrying
out the express wish of the shareholders ; and, as the
objectionable proxies were withdrawn, there was an end
of them. The proper course was to declare the state of
the poll, and, should the shareholders think an inquiry
necessary, that would form a separate and distinct mat-
ter, but they had nothing whatever to do with any other
matter at present than the state of the poll, which
would show a large majority in favour of the election of
Mr. Snell.

The CHAIRMAN said they only required a fair inquiry
into the votes before declaring the state of the poll.
Mr. SAINTSBURY went into a variety of details in de-
fence of his report as one of the scrutineers, and con-
tended, as a shareholder in the company, that it was
necessary an investigation should take place before de-
claring the state of the poll.
Mr. TITE considered it more a question of character
than of law, and he hoped Mr. Snell would follow the
course pointed out by his friends, and relinquish that
recommended by his legal advisers.
Colonel LIIARD, a director, said he had voted for Mr.
.Snell, believing that he was a suitable person to sit at
the board. He (Colonel Luard) did not think that any
objection was offered as to the majority of votes being
in favour of Mr. Snell, but he held it of importance, and
that it was necessary that certain matters with regard
to the 14 proxies that had been withdrawn should be
satisfactorily explained before electing him to a seat at
the board.

A long discussion ensued, in the course of which it
was contended at one side that the poll ought to be de-
clared at once, while the other maintained that an in-
quiry into all the matters in dispute should be insti-
tuted ; that there was no hurry in the matter ; and that
Mr. Snell should have plenty of time to explain matters
which his legal advisers contended had nothing to do
with the question of declaring the state of the poll in
his favour.
Mr. Serjeaut GASELLEE, a director, said he hoped Mr.
Snell's friends would advise him to have an investiga-
tion into the whole matter,
Mr. A. BEATTIE thought the scrutineer had a right
to object to anything irregular, and not to let it slip.
They were bound to look at it in a moral point of view,
notwithstanding what the legal gentlemen had said.
Mr. PUNCHER, as scrutineer, demanded the election
of Mr. Snell to a seat at the board. The House of Com-
mons was a good precedent for the company to follow,
and in doing so they should first declare the state of the
poll, and if any inquiry should be thought neoessary it
should be instituted afterwards. He concluded by de-
manding of the chairman to declare the state of the poll
according to his (Mr. Puncher's) account.
The CHAIRMAN said that he should have been pre-
pared to do so were it not for the decision come to by
Mr. Snell and his legal advisers. He (the chairman)
did not feel that he was in a position to declare the state
of the poll, and in that view he was supported by the
majority of his colleagues.
Mr. Serjeant GASRLEE considered that the question
was of vital importance to Mr. Snell, an regretted
that he (Mr. Snell) did not take the proped r course to
not in a position to declare the poll, and if Mr. Snell
clear himself. It was evident that the chairmtaosentweahkas:
feltsta aggrievedeo fmist
to
ottahanetd that
Courtco
uncertaintyuo course s eQh
Queen's
set rniewnpaa yes
nfwacvhoou requisiteul dlbne an ap-
plication
plenty of time.had a majority
gMtr.o. Snellt
hish e effect
that
Mr. SAINTSBURY gave notice
. be would move a
of 312,0r00P
resolution at the
toixonheofw:iurl.d
A call
;No
oecr
votes
teds:ecaxlnatdrineudepetwhuaanrt
nominal majority was for.med. wholly of' proxies, many of
which had been tampered with, so that the scrutineers
.BuEploTninthesecchoanidremdanbyto
Ju
had found it impossible to decide the state of the poll.
and that as the majority of personal votes were in favour
de-
clare Mr. Willcox duly elected.
vv. Tim a resolution adjourning• the meeting to the 17th
of November next, at the
same place, was carried, and
the meeting adjourned.
ofOlsinntbWe motion

GLASGOW AND SOUTH-WESTERN RAlLWAY.—Traffia re-
turn for the week ending Sept. 30, 1854 £5,927 11 1
Corresponding week last year 6,687 9 2

Increase in 18M..,

£240 1 11.

METROPOLITAN BATHS AND WASHHOURBS.—A Ithough
the recent outbreak of cholera fell with great severity
upon the densely populated and dirty districts of Lon-
don, there can be no doubt that its violence was very
considerably mitigated by those habits of personal clean-
liness which the establishment of baths and waehhonses
has done so much to promote.
ILLEGAL NETTING IN THE RIVER THAMES, —At
Stains, on Monday, John Harris, of Twickenham, fisher-
man, was charged before the magistrates, upn the infor-
mation of Thomas Rosewell, assistant water bailiff, with
using a net and attempting to take fish on the 25th of
September, in the preserve at Chertsey, set apart by
order of the Lord Mayor fur the preservation of the
spawn and fry of fish in the river Thames. The case
being wholly proved, the net was condemned, and the
defendant fined 3/. and 10s. costs.
FATAL ACCIDENT AT SUNDERLAND.—.A melancholy
accident happened at the new works of the South Dock
at Sunderland on Monday, by which one man was killed
on the spot, and three others were severely
thereinju
They were engaged in removing a large tone by
of a crane, one of the iron handles of which broke. The
men at the other side were. jerked, and the handle which
they held not being sufficiently r.estrained, broke from
their grasp, and drove. round with groat velocity ; it
came in contact with the head of the Ompaixis who wail
isitaatly killed

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