The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-28 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sin,—A paragraph having appeared in your paper of
the 25th, referring to the natural advantages of draining
the town of Holt, in the county of Norfolk, in which
your correspondent states that not only have the inha-
bitants neglected to take advantage of it, but also the
proprietors of the property have refused to find the ne-
cessary accommodation for their tenants, and which will
naturally lead your readers to suppose that the authori-
ties of Holt, together with the rest of the inhabitants
(of which your correspondent speaks of in no measured
terms of disgrace), must be a filthy, uncivilised race,
in reply to which, I beg to state that I have been an
inhabitant and ratepayer of this said parish of Holt since
the year 1837. At that time the town was rudely
paved, the drains all running on the surface of the
streets, and in a very bad state of repair. That within
the last fifteen years not only have old buildings been
removed from the centre of the town by the spirited
subscriptions of the owners and tenants of the property,
assisted by the neighbouring gentlemen, but also the In-
habitants voted a highway rate, several years ago, for
the purpose of laying down a common sewer to drain the
town and other repairs. The streets were well paved
and macadamised, obstructions removed, and a neat
granite kerb, with a York flag-stone walk, through the
entire main street of the town, for which (as an officer
of the parish) I have paid upwards of 1,2001. And fur-
ther, I will venture to say (instead of the small parish of
Holt, with its 1,700 inhabitants, being in the dirty and
filthy state which your correspondent describes) there is
not a cleaner, healthier, or better drained town in Eng-
land than Holt, in the county of Norfolk.
I am, Sir, yours very respectfully,
W. PARKE.
Feathers Hotel, Holt, Aug. 26, 1854.

DEPARTURE OF HER MAJESTY FOR SCOTLAND.—The
Queen and Prince Albert leave Osborne for Scotland on
the 14th of September.
PRINCE ALBERT'S BlRTHDAY.—Saturday being the
anniversary of Prince Albert's birthday, the national
colours were hoisted at Somerset House, the Admiralty,
the Tower, and most of the public buildings and
churches in the metropolis, the steeples sending forth
merry peals of bells in the course of the day. In the
evening the inhabitants of the West End evinced their
loyalty by illuminations ; amone the most attractive
were thel,ollowing :—The Cambridge University Club.
house, Pall-mall, displayed over the portico a large
crown, with the royal initials, " P.A., ' and a star in
; brilliant jets of gas Messrs. Pongcnby and Cu., carvers
and gliders to her Majesty, an elegant star (with the
royal arms in stained glass in the centre), with the
initials " P.A." in' gas jets ; Messrs. Storr and Mor-
timer, jewellers to her Majesty, 156, Bond-street,
exhibited an elaborate illumination in gas—over the
royal arms was a star-crown, with the initials " P.A.,"
and laurel branches effectively displayed ; Messrs,
Asprey and Co., dressing-case makers to the Queen,
13,,nd-street, a crown, with the royal initials, "P.A.,"
in gas ; Messrs. Thornhill and Co., cutlers to the court,
144, Bond-street, a large brilliant star, in gas. In
Regent-street—No. 194, Messrs. Melton, batters to
Prince Albert, a star, in gas ; No. 167, Messrs. Aubert
and Co., jewellers, &c., a star, with the royal initials,
in variegated lamps. Mitchell's Royal Library, Old
Bond-street, exhibited a large Brunswick star, a wreath
in centre, and the initials, "P.A.," in jets of gas. The
event was celebrated at Woolwich by hoisting the
Royal Standard on the various flagstaffs at the Dock-
yard, Garrison, and Royal Arsenal. The Fisguard was
decorated with flags, and a royal salute fired at twelve
o'clock from the front of the Mortar Battery.
BIRTHDAY OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE ALBERT.
—On Saturday last, the 26th inst., the gun division of
he Hon.- Artillery Company assembled at the head-
quarters of the regiment, in Finsbury, at one o'clock,
under the command of Capt. Robinson and Lieutenant
Kitchen, and fired a royal salute on the occasion of the
birthday of his Royal Highness, who is Captain-General
and Colonel of this corps. The duty was'performed in
the most admirable style, and in such a manner as to
elicit, for this and their general duties, the warmest ex-
pressions of praise from Captain Robinson. After some
remarkably good practice in the rifle gallery of the regi-
ment, and the conclusion of the dinner, the men were
dismissed at six o'clock. The officers end men appeared
in their full dress uniform, as is usual on such occasions,
and the adjutant of the regiment was present on the pa-
rade, but not being an artillery officer, took no part in
the duties of the day.
ALBERT SMITH AT OSBORNE.—On Saturday, Mr.
Albek Smith had the honour of appearing in his enter-
tainment before her Majesty, the Prince Consort, the
Duchess of Kent, the royal children, and a distinguished
circle of visitors. The council-room, in which the per-
formance took place, was fitted up to resemble the
E,iyptian-hall as closely as possible. At the close of the
performance, her Majesty and Prince Albert were gra-
ciously pleased to express to Mr. Smith their sense of
the great amusement which they had derived from the
entertainment.

St. James's Theatre is announced to be opened about
the end of September for dramatic performances, under
the management of Mrs. Seymour. The enterprise is
reported to be well sustained ; and the announcement
of a new drama by Messrs. Tom Taylor and Charles
Reade looks like an earnest of success. We hear that

Miss Glyn is among the leading engagements, and that
the performances are to be limited to drain; with no
afterpiece. The common mistake of all managers is to
give too much ; to begin too early and end too late.
The consequence of this surfeiting system is, that a late-
dining and indifferent generation of playgoers leave the
theatre sulkily resolving not to go again. Mr. Wigan
very wisely infringed upon this system, and the result
has been equally satisfactory, we believe, to manage-
ment and public.
LYCEUM THEATRE.—The short engagement of Mr. and
Mrs. Sims Reeves has proved very profitable to Mr.
Allcroft. The Bohemian Girl, the Sonneembula, and
Lucia di Lammermoor haveall been performed to crowded
audiences, the first two twice. The popularity of Mr.
Reeves with the public is unquestionable, and has not
abated in the smallest degree since he was first introduced
to London by M. Jullien in 1847, when that enterprising
gentleman undertook the management of Drury lane
Theatre. It is strange that while there is so great a
favourite and so talented and accomplished a singer as
Mr. Reeves, the institution of an English operatic esta-
blishment on a durable basis should appear to be im-
practicable. There must be something wrong somewhere.
The performance on Saturday night—the last of the
series—was for the benefit of Mr. Allcroft, who, having
kept faith with the public in all his undertakings since
be began to be a caterer for their amusement, was well
entitled to their support. The programme was composed
of the Sonnanibula, Patter v. Clatter, the Waterman, and
other entertainments—a varied and attractive bill of fare.
Gaisr AND MAlllo.—Seventeen thousand pounds is
the sum to be paid to Mme. Grisi and Signor Mario for
a six months' engagement in the United States. For this
very triflinc, consideration, which is exclusive of the pay-
ment of all expenses of every ciescription, they will sing
three nights a week in whatever operas they choose.
Mr. Hackett, the American actor, represents the specu-
lation, and half the sum has been paid in advance.
DANGEROUS ILLNESS OF COLONEL CLIFFORD, M.P.
—lnformation has this (Friday) ' morning reached us
that the gallant and respected commandant of the Royal
Monmouth Militia has been taken ill at Tenby, where,
with Mrs. Clifford, he has been residing a short time.
George Wilson, Esq., surgeon, of this town, has just
been sent for, and is now on his way to Tenby.—M on-
mougskire Beacon.
OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS.—Mr. Thomas Lloyd, of
Coedmore, is appointed Lord-Lieutenant of the county
of Cardigan. Mr. Neville Parker is appointed a Puisne
Judge of the Supreme Court of New Brunswick.
Messrs. Toussaint Rostant and Richard S. Darling are
appointed members of the Legislative Council of Trini-
dad. Mr. T. D. Archibald is appointed a member of
the Legislative Council of Nova Scotia.
SCREW-STEAMERS FOR AUSTREA.—Two war screw-
steamers are now fitting up at the manufactory of
Messrs. Mare and Co. Blackwall, for the Austrian Go-
vernment. One is laid out for 50 guns, and the other
will carry a smaller number. These vessels were origi-
nally designed and ordered for the Sultan of Turkty,
but subsequently they were transferred to the Austrian
Government.