The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-19 00:00:00

THE WESTMINSTER PLAT.

The second performance of the Eunuchus of Terence
by the Westminster scholars took place last evening.
The little theatre was again crowded. Among the many
distinguished persons present were Lord Wrottesley,
Baron Alderson, the Dean of St. Paul's, Mr. G. Corne-
wall Lewis, Mr. It. Monckton Milnes, Archdeacon
Lane Freer, Dr. Haggard, and Dr. Sutherland ; and,
as before, the representation was graced by the pre-
sence of a brilliant assemblage of ladies. We have little
to add to what we have said of the first performance
on Thursday last. The play went off with increased
spirit ; the young performers evidently feeling m ore
at home on the boards. Their attitudes and ges-
tures were more easy and unconstrained, and they
gave the points of the dialogue—the delicate traits of
wit and humour with which Terence abounds—with in-
creased animation and effect. The best performances,
as before, were that of Parmeno by Mr. Dickson, Thais
by Mr. Fisher, Thraso by Mr. Wells, Gnatho by Mr.
Freeman, and Chorea by Mr. Harrison ; but there was
another part, that of Pythias, a waiting-woman, deserving
of especial notice from the archness and vivacity with
which it was acted by Mr. Thompson.
On this occasion there were a prologue and epilogue'
both spoken by Mr. Dickson, the captain of the school.
The prologue contained a tribute to the memory of se-
veral eminent persons connected with the school who
have lately died, particularly the late Mr. Clinton, the
author of the "Fasti Hellenici -" and some allusions to
the great topic of the day. It has been usual for the
epilogue to be a little dialogue or dramatic scene of a
comic and satirical description, full of jokes upon passing
events. But last night's epilogue was an address, also
delivered by Mr. Dickson, in which the speaker, after
saying tbat, in the present state of public affairs and tone
of the public mind, this was no time for indulging in jests
and merriment, entered into a train of reflections on the
subjects most congenial to, the feelings of every one at
this time. This little poem, written with considerable
power and beauty, and exceedingly well delivered, was
enthusiastically applauded.
The third and last performance takes place on Thurs-
day next.

NEW YORE.—The commercial advices from New
York this week are uninteresting, and describe little
change. The diminution in the exports of specie has
had the effect of preventing an extension of the confusion
and alarm in the money market, but there had been no
definite signs of a return of confidence. The amount by
the present steamer is only 32,0001., and the Baltic,
which may be expected on Wednesay, will probably
not bring much more. With regard to the prospects of
the spring trade, in imported goods an improved opinion
appeared to be entertained, the falling off in the sup-
plies during the past four or five months having
brought the market into a better coaditien. The total
value of the foreign manufactures taken during the
first eleven months of the present year exhibited a
reduction of 3,000,0001., or about 19 per cent. from
that of the corresponding period of 1853, chiefly observ-
able in articles of woollen and silk. Still it was likely
to be long before a steady demand would again spring
up. As regards wheat and flour the possibility of the
high prices lately reached on this side being maintained
seems from the first to have been doubted, and hence,
although a decline bad taken place and the arrivals from
the interior had increased, there was less activity in
shipments than might have been anticipated. The canals
were just about to be closed for the winter, and hence-
forth the quantities brought in would depend upon the
facilities offered by the railroads. There had been no
new failures. Messrs. Reeve, Buck, and Co., of Phila-
delphia, whose stoppage was announced by a former
packet, have undertaken to pay all their liabilities in in-
stalments commencing nine months hence and terminat-
ing in 27 months. Their debts are 200,0001. and their
nominal assets 600,0001., of which, as they consist chiefly
of questionable railroad bonds, only 250,0001. are repre-
sented as available. Messrs. Selden, Withers, and Co.,
of Washington, the financial agents of the State of Vir-
ginia, had also made an assignment. Advices a week
later had been received from California, but they con-
tained nothing new, and the gold production continued
satisfactory. From Texas the accounts show that Cara-
vajal, whose insurrectionary incursions have been re-
peatedly put down by the Mexican Government, is being
encouraged by subscriptions and other aid to commence
a, frail inroad.