The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-03 00:00:00

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.

The first night of Les Huguenots is always an event in
the season. It draws as great a crowd as a new opera, and
never fails to create an excitement which none other,
whether new or old, has yet been able to rival. It never
seems to weary an audience however frequent may be
its repetition in the course of a season ; but to hear it
again, after the lapse of a twelvemonth, is one of the
greatest treats to which opera-goers look forward. The
strength of cast, the precision and perfection of detail,
and the brilliant tout ensemble with which it is produced
—apart from the charm of its music and the romantic
interest of its plot—make it the brilliant chef d'oeuvre of
the management, on which they can at any time fall back
in the absence or failure of other novelties.

It was given last night with all these ingredients of
success, and was received with all its well-won, and now
almost traditional, honours. The applause was as enthu-
siastic as ever it was in the earliest days of its freshness,
and we must say were never better deserved.
The chief alterations from last year's caste were Bel-
letti as the Count de St. Bris— and Mdlle. Didiee as the
Page. Of course, Belletti greatly added to the general
strength of the opera ; but we scarcely think the part
one of such prominence or scope as to require the inter-
pretation of a first rate artist. In former years it has
been sufficiently well played and sung by, what we may
be permitted, speaking comparatively, to call, subordi-
nates.
Mdlle. Didier is a decided improvement on last year.
Grisi, as the tender, yet courageous, ill-fated Valentine
—Mario, the impassioned Raoul—and Formes as the
faithful, rugged Huguenot—each sang and acted their
best ; and what that is we need not describe.
So long as Les Huguenots is given as it was last
night, it will never lose ground in this country, or dero-
gate from the position which it at present holds of being
on the whole the most popular opera of the day. The
house was crammed to suffocation ; every box was occu-
pied ; and the avenues of the pit were so choked up by
persons who could find no seats that ingress and egress
were barely possible. Her Majesty the Queen, accom-
panied by Prince Albert and suite, attended the theatre
for the first time this season.

MINISTERIAL DISAGREEMENTS.—We are assured, by
parties likely to be well informed, that Messrs. Keogh,
iitionsell, and Sadleir have retired from the places they
held under Lord Aberdeen's Administration. What
may have led to this Ministerial rupture will, no doubt,
be known before long ; but for the present we shall con-
tent ourselves with saying, that we believe the statement
mentioned above to be correct.—Morning Herald.
COUNT NESSELRODE'S VISIT TO
.CONSTANTINOPLE.
The prevailing impression that the Count Nesselrode,
who has arrived at Constantinople from St. Petersburgh,
is the distinguished Russian Minister of that name, is
erroneous. The latter Count Nesselrode remains in the
capital of the. Northern Autocrat. The Count Nessel-
rode, who has arrived in the capital of the Turkish em-
pire, is a nephew of the eminent statesmen of the same
name, but is a young man of no political status, nor of
status of any kind, except what he derives from his near
relationship to the other Count.
DEATH OF SIR CHARLES ABRAHAM ELTON, BART.—
This gentleman died on the 2d inst., at Bath, in the
75th year of his age. The name of the deceased may be
well honoured as the author of several poems, tales, and
translations. The deceased was the sixth holder of the
title, which was created in 1717, and the first baronet
was i nayor of Bristol in 1710, and represented that city
in the' second Parliament of George the First. The
family have been seated for some time back at Clevedon
Court, near Bristol. The deceased is succeeded by his
son Arthux Hallam, born in 1818.
CITY OF LONDON RAGGED AND IDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS.—
The fifth annual meeting was held at the Centenary-
house, Bfshopsgate-street, last night. Sir J. Duke,
Bart., M.. 2., took the chair. The secretary read the re-
port, which was of a. satisfactory character. The Rev.
Mr.. Rogers moved the first resolution—" That the re-
port be received, adopted, printed, and circulated."
Seconded by the Rev. Wm. Arthur. A second resolu-
tion, expressive of gratitude to God for the blessings
which had been bestowed upon the efforts of those who
befriended these schools, was ably moved by Mr. Green,
and eloquently seconded by the Rev. S. R. Ward, of
Montreal (an African gentleman). Other resolutions
were passed, and the meeting separated at a very late
hour.
RICHARD CcEUR DE LION.—We are authorised to
state that her Majesty the Queen has been pleased to
signify her intention to cause a donation of 2001. to be
made to the fund for the erection of the colossal statue
of Richard Cceur de Lion, by Baron Marochetti, in a
conspicuous part of the metropolis, and that his Royal
Highness Prince Albert has announced his intention to
contribute 1001. to the same object. • A public meeting
will be held at Willis's-rooms on Saturday next, at 12
o'clock, for the purpose of opening the subscription, and
naming the committee to carry tl ie design into effect, at
which the Marquis of Lansdowne, K.G., has consented
to take the chair.
THE SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY A ST. PAUL'S CATHE-
DRAL.—Yesterday the annual a ssemblage of parochial
children within the Metropolita‘ a limits, took place at
St. Paul's Cathedral, it being the 151st anniversary.
The annual sermon was preache it by the Right Rev. J.
A. M'Crosky, Bishop of Michigan, before the Right
Hon. the Lord Mayor, the She:rigs, &c. The number
generally reaches about 2,000 children. Previous to
the children leaving their schools, they were supplied
with substantial breakfasts.
PLYMOUTH ELECTION.—CIos e of the Poll. Palmer
(Conservative), 944 ; Braine V.Aberal), 876. Majority
for Palmer 68.