The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-30 00:00:00

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.—Covent Garden. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET..
-1-Yeesoia t,Bsl.=—The Directo:s beg leave most respectfully Under the Management of Mr. CaaaLes SEAN.
to in orm th r N.ibility, Gentry, Suberibe,rs, and the Public, that the i THIS EVENING, Maaca 30,
Season will commence on SATURD Y, April Ist, 1854, being a Will be performed T,IE MARRIED UNMARRIED. Supported
Subscription night, in lieu of Tuesday, March :18. by Messrs. W. Lacy, Ryder, and Cathcart ; and Misses Heath and
The Directors have the honour to present the Prospectus of the 3lu rray.
Eighth Season of the Royal Italian Opera, and trust it will be cons!- Will be performed THE LANCERS; or, The Gentleman's Son.
dared by their Subscribers to be an evidence of their continued efforts
Principal characters by Messrs. Meadows, Ryder, Everett, H. Mellon,
to carry out the original design of this great Lyrical Establishment.
The pnispects of the forthcoming Season are of unusual interest, and D. Fisher; Mrs. ‘Vinstanley, Miss Daly, and Miss C. Leclercq.
and the Directors feel assured that the Subscribers and the Public To conclude with A STORM IN A TEA-CUP. Principal cha-
will share with themselves the feelings of gratification at the arrange- racters by Mr. and Mrs. W. Lacy.
meats which they hwe succeeded in making. it will be seen that
that great artiste, Madame Viardot, after an absence of three years,
will return once more to shed lustre on the representations of the
Theatre. Madeinotelle S eihie Crave( i, whose, eminent talents are
already so highly esteemed in this country, will appear for the first
time at the Royal Italian Opera. Siamor Lablache will also, !or the
first time, lend his powerful aid In supporting the efforts of the
Directors, anirwill enable them to produce many of the most popular
works with a most attractive c.,ste of characters. In addition, Made-
moiselle Marin, a young Artiste of great prumise, who has already
made very samesatul debuts both at Saint P. tersburg and Vienna,
will appear for the first time in Englan i ; also Signor Sushi,, for
the first time at the Royal Hagan opera.
Madlle. Rosin, who, during the p tat winter has acquired fresh
laurels in the Ferenc.' capital continues her engagement. Those un-
rivalled Artistes, Signor Mario, Signor goncorr, and Signor Tam-
berlit. together with Signori Tagliallco, Polonini, Lueliesi. Stigeld,
&e., who have so long assisted to maintain the reputation of Covent
Garden, have been re-engaged, while the Directors still have the
advantage of the invaluable services of Sign r Costa.
The above assemblage of the most eminent Artistes in Europe
will render the Caste of Characters in the Operas Le Nozze di Figaro,
Don Giovanni, I Puritan!, Fidelio, Ii slatrimonio Segreto, quite un-
preced nted.
The forthcoming season, however, brings with it one subject of re-
gret, viz., the retirement from the lyric stage of a lady who for many
years has been one of its brighmst o.namente.
Towards the end of July Madame Giulia Grisi will make her last
appearance be fore an Eng ieh au Hence.
It has probably never before fallen to the lot of any candidate for
public favour to sustain, far 21 successive seasons, the highest and
most ardous characters of the Lyric Drama, and most certainly never
with such unanimous carnmendations as have been unceasingly be-
stowed on Madame Grist.
The Dir eters are convinced that not only will the Subscribers of
the Royal Italian Opera, as well as the musical amateurs of the me- I
tropolis, participate in their sentiments on this occasion ; but they
feel sere that the-retirement of Madame Grist will cause one general
feeling of deep regret in the minds of all those who take any Interest .
In the musical affeirs or this country.
It is the wish of Madame Guist, during this her la,t engagement, to
repeat thoseimpersonations in which It has ben her good fortime to
obtain her greatest successes, and it will accordingly be the care of
the directors to contribute every possin• e eclat t there performances.
relyhni with thegreatest effnfidence that the subscribers, the patrons
of th e opera, and the public, will on these occasions still extend to
their long-favoured Artiste c cheering influence of tneir countenance
and support.
The Repertoire of the Royal Italian Opera now comprises FORTY-
TWO OPERAS, the, whole being complete with Costumes, Scenery,
ad Decorations.
During the Season, of the e
followinges Operas, 'Three will positively be
produced:—

ASTLEI"S EUROPE'S NATIONAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Lessee and Manager, Mr. William Cooke.
THIS EVENING. MAaca 30,
And during the week, will be presented the new, grand, and
VOO I) %. VHM S OE ; or, The
EHo 'se by the pet steed, Beauty,
romantic
aka
Knight—the
afti,tc_tatctlee ewntoodittom, r
,ris
expressly trained by Mr. William Cooke.
After which, the inco nparable 'scenes of the ARENA.
To conclude with BE AS of THE BELL.
Box-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W.
West.

ti Kill WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tito; DAY —Morning 0 rnin.after 3 I Evening 18 min.aft. 3
I'c-gonaow--Morning 35 min.after 3 1 Evening 51 min.aft. 3

THE WEATHER.—Strx Orr Ica, MARCH 30.

THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
61—highest since noon yesterday.
44 —lowest this morning and during the night.
55 —this day at noon.

BA.ROMETER, 30.38.
WIND, W. by N.—Light breeze, and dull weather,
with occasional sunshine.

,
—".„VirreAlialPSk

LONDON, THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 1854.

It cannot but be advisable, immediately before,
entering upon this great war against the Russian'
AUTOCRAT, to take a glance, however rapid and
cursory, at the pecuniary preparations made for
it by the principal European Governments.
If we might regard these preparations alone as
presenting us with an augury, or as affording us
a criterion, through which to calculate the probable
magnitude of the approaching struggle, we should
be empowered at once, incontestibly, to assume that
the contest is likely,.according to the opinion of
the rulers of the earth, to be one of an importance
scarcely within any rational limits of expression to
be exaggerated.
Everywhere throughout the chief Powers there
has been long manifest thisactive movement forthe
accumulation of funds for theliquidating of whatever
expenses may be incurred during the course of the
on-coming contention. Munitions of war have been
collected together—troops have been assembled—
military outposts have been cared for—there has
been an extraordinary attention directed to the
various departments of the public service, such as
the Ordnance, for example, or the Commissariat,
with an eye to their improvement, and with a
view also, in some instances, to their thorough
reorganisation. Among the maritime Stases,
moreover, there has been evident, all the while,
an earnest resolve to bring the sea force at the
command of the Government, to the highest pos-
sible state of efficiency attainable under the pres-
sure of these urgent circumstances. In this
manner each of the more formidable nations of
Christendom has been calling together all the
resources of its strength, and all the energies of
its patriotism, for the evil day of war, which was
seen, from the outset, to be approaching. Each
has, in this way, moreover, had its peculiar soli-
citude. Throughout all these enormous and con-
trasting efforts at warlike preparation, there has
been in one particular, however, a prevailing re-
semblance—whether the State were military or
maritime, whether its position in regard to the
expected contest threatened to be that of a prin-
cipal, or that of a neutral spectator. Some at-
tended peculiarly to their army, some more espe-
cially to their navy—all to their finances. All
looked to the securing, with reasonable despatch,
money adequate to the emergency.
It may be interesting and significant, at the
present juncture, to compare the extent of these
financial preparations.
Observe, therefore !
liitssia has long ago prepared for the struggle
in this respect, according to a scheme quite
consonant with the arbitrary character of her
despotic Government. In other words, the
CZAR has collected the resources necessary
for the carrying on the war against Turkey,
backed by the French and British Governments,
by a " forced loan "—the determination of
NICHOLAS being in this manner announced by
such measures as the issuing of the Ukase of the
17th ultimo, a in.indate addressed to the Directing
Senate, ordering the issue of credit notes for a
casual trifle such as 18,000,000 silver roubles.
Supplies, in fact, are extorted in the shape of
substantial contributions from the Muscovite
population at the glitter of the bayonet and at the
crackling of the knout—while paper money, of a
nominal value, is thrust upon the unwilling accep-
tance of the creclitora of the State, according to
the plan most in favour with the Autocratic Go-
vernment.
Turkey, on the other hand,-has obtained a loan
c.F 2,200,0001.—in a 6 per Cent. Stock, at 85, re-
deemable in 15 years—a loan, the negotiations
for which were readily completed on the 22d ult.,
in our metropolis, by the Messrs. ROTHSCHILD.
England, we all know, has deemed it unneces•
nary to make more than a temporary provision
for the enormous expenses certain to be very
speedily incurred—contenting herself with a
reduplication of the Income Tax for one half-year,
an increase from 7d. to 10id., calculated to be
productive of 3,307,0001., according to the esti-
mate announced, on the 6th inst., in his Financial
Statement, by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
France, it cannot easily be forgotten, has resolved
upon raising a loan of 10,000,000/.--not a forced
loan, like Russia, but a voluntary loan—a loan,
remember, for 250,000,000 francs, and towards
which 98,000 subscribers have offered 214,000,000
francs in Paris alone, and 253,000,000 francs in
the departments—altogether no less actually than
467,000,000 francs

LA VESL ALE • • • , . Spontint.
(AS late/ performed at the Academie Royale, at Paris), the principal
part by' Mademoiselle SOPHIE CRUVELLI.
LE DOMINO . ..... ........ • Auber.
DON SEBAsTIA Donizettl.
3fATILDA DI SHAB RAN .. • • • • Rossini.
DON Pk4Q(JALE • • • • • DonizettL
OBERON • ....... Weber.
The Engagements for the present Season are :

SOPRANI.
Madame
(Being most positively her last Engagement in England.)
Madame YEAR ,OT,
(Her First Appearance these Three Years.)
M.demoiselle MARAI.
(From the Imperial Theatre. of, St Petersbu-g and Vienna, her

First Appearance in England)
Mademoiselle ALBI • I.
Mademoiselle ANGELINA BOSIO,
and
Mademoiselle SOPHIE CRUVELLI,
(Her First Appearance at the Royal Italian Opera.)
CONTR ‘LTO.
-.Mademoiselle NAN CI ER DIDIER.
sF.CONDE DO • NE.
Mademoiselle COTTI,
and
Mademoiselle BELLLNI.
TENOR[.
Signor MARIO.
• Signor STIGEL LI,
Signor SOLDI,
Signor LUGI MEI,
Signor LUCHESI,
• and
Signor TA MB ERT.IK.
BAS '•I BARI rONI.
Signor RONCONI,
and
Signor FORTONI,
(His First Appearance at the Ro,al Italian Opera.)
' BASSO PROFONDL
Signor L ABL ACHE,
(His First Appearance at the 114,yil Italian Opera.)
Signor TAGLIAFICO,
Signor OR EGORIO,
Sign ir PJLONINI.
Monsieur ZELGER,
and

Signor USINI.
(Mr First Appelrance at the Royal Italian Opera.)
• - -

The Orchestra and Chorus will be on ,lie same scale of efficiency
u heretorore.
DIRECTOR. OF THE MUSIC, COMPOSER AND CONDUCTOR,
Mr. COST t.
The Military Band will he under the superintence of
Mr. GUDFRE Y.

Maestro ,i 1 Piano .......... •• • • •• Signor PANTZZI
Chorus Master •• •• • .. • • Mr. SM CHSON.
Prompt:r - • • .. S g•nor ItONTER AST.
Poet.. • •• ••••••••• • • .. • • • . Signor MAO GIONI.
ENGAGEMENTS FOR TUE BALLET.
Mademoiselle BATTA.LINI,
Mademoisele ,STORI,
3fademoiselle EL!Z 1 NEHR,
(Their First sppenrances in England,)
Mad• !noise le SANTI,
Madethoiselle ESPER,
and
Mademoiselle PLUNKETT.
Maitre de Ballet Mons. Deglelaceg.
Leader of the Ballet .... • • ..... Mr. Alfred Mellon.
Mrector of the Mise-en-Sceae .... Mr. A. Harris.
Scenic Art ...........• ••..• • .. Mr. Willia n Beverley.
Cos:tar:l6re •• •• Madame Marzio.
.. • • Mr. Pr,scott.
Machi.isc •• • •• .. Mr. Allen.
The Box Onlee is open from 11 to 5 o'clock.
Royal Itali,n Opera, Covent Garden,
March, 1851.

THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE.-
IL Mr. E. r. i %Ifni, Lessee, has the honour to announce that
he ha 3 piaced the ahore named Nati ‘nal Establishment at the tier.
vice of the FUND in AID of the F IMILI^:S of the EXPE DI PE° v.
ARY ARMY. In parlance (;)' this desirable object, a FANCY
F IR w]ll be held on the 13th and 1 ith of April, wader the follow-
ing Royal and distinguished patronage:— •
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge
Her Royal Hi thness the Duchess of Kent
Her Riyal Highness the Duchess of Glocester
Ber Royal Highness the Princess Mary of Cambridge
The Right Hon the Lady Mayoress
Her Grace the I auchess of Hem lion
Her Grace the Dueness of Beaufort
Her Grace the Duchess of Montrose
Her Gra e the Duchess of Inverness
Her Grace the Duchess or Somerset
Her Grace the Duchess of Richmond
The Most Noble the Marchioness of Londonderry
The Most Noble the Marchioness of 11l incifird
Tne Nrnst 7Vcble the M irchionem of Aylesbury
The Right Ilon. the Countess of 'hestertield
The Right lion. the'Conntess of ICrutoul
The Ra ht Hon. the Countess of Gleligall
The Right lion. the Comifess of Bessborough
The Right Hon. the Couititess.of Deray
The Right lion. the Counters, of Shelburne
The flight Hon. the Countess of Wilton
The Right lion. the Countess of Desalt
The Riga-Han. the Countess of Donoughmore
The Right[-lop, the Viscountess Palmerston
The Right Hon the Vi,,countess Maidstone
The Right Hon. the Viscountess Newport
Lady SO Alia Des-Vacua
Lary Colville
lady Raglan
The Hon. Miss Anson
Mrs. Disraeli
Mrs. J. Stanley.

Every cop int.neut and appearance of the Theatre will be called
Into requisittm on this important an t in.terestiiig occasion ; decora •
lions are preparing. The pit wi:i be covere 1 for iront,iade, and an
efficient ba,4l prov ded fit the execution of choice and new ori4inal
music. Ladies desirous of by their presence this benevolent
demonstration are respectfully reinfriiLid that they shout t make early
applicaclon fx stalls. A hoo:( is now open in the lobny of the grand
entrance to revive contributions in the shape of articles intended for
sale on the occasion.

So much for the principals in the great
European war, so much for Russia, and Turkey,
and France, and England in regard to the finan-
cial part of their warlike preparations.
Now for the States which have virtually pledged
themselves to a course of neutrality.
Sweden. has required for purposes of armed de-
fence an advance of 5,000,000 francs, through a
loan of 2,500,000 rix-dollars, readily resolved

upon in the Legislative Chamber at Stockholm,
while her twin-sister Norway has quite as readily
decided upon raising her contribution of 300,000

rix-dollars, a sum at once cordially voted at
Christiana.

. 'Sardinia, as the State especially interested in
the preservation of order throughout the northern
part of the Roman peninsula, has resolved no less

promptly than her northern contemporaries upon
requiring a loan—the deputies at Turin conceiv-
ing that one of 35,000,000 lire could not be
considered extravagant even for a neutral State
under these imminent circumstances.

Prussia, though pledged more strongly than
any other of the principal Powers of the Continent,
being bound by the ties of dynastic relationship
with the CZAR, and by the notorious timidity or
duplicity of her own SOVEREIGN, was required to
place no less a sum than 30,000,000 Prussian
dollars in the coffers of the Administration—a
demand which, all things considered, not unna-
turally provoked the hesitation of the national
representatives.

Austria—and this among the neutrals is, of
course, the most important of all —has decided upon
a loan of 50,000,000 florins, in a Five per Cent.
Stock, a loan favourably received, like the ma-
jority of its predecessors.
Such are among the chief financial proceedings
adventured upon by the principals and the neutrals
in reference to the European conflict just coin-
numped---sucharethe pecuniary aids secured to
th9goo3llbY more powegul among thsi