The Sun.
London, England, 1849-05-22 00:00:00

ST. JAMEs's THEATRE.

FRENCH OPERA.
Boisselut's opera culhiyue, .11'e cuclaz pas ala Reins,
was pr‘ duced here lest evening with that success which
has been the invariable attendant of this most delightful
opera at all the continental theatres. The libretto by
Scrihe and Gustave Vacz is a model fur dramatic
writers, and, independently of its merits as an opera, Aie
7 ouch: pus d la Reine is one of the most perfectly con-
structed dramas ever produced. The scene is laid at
the court of Leon, and the sorry turns on the traditional
rule of etiquette at the Court, by which to touch the
sovereign's person, even to save life, is punishable by
d. ath. In the opera, Don Fernando d'Aguilar (Ceti-
dere), whose father had been dispossessed of fortune
and station by lion Fabrique, the Regent of Leon, has
saved the life of the Queen, a minor, but, in doing
so, has held her in his arms. Ho is poor,
almost penniless, but is befriended by Maxi-
mus, the Court jeweller, and his pretty wife,
Estrella. Of the latter, the Regent is desperately
enamoured, even to tl e extent of promising to grant any
request she may make. Site demands the command of a
company for Fernando, whom the Queen, who reme m•
hers his service, though she fears to expose him to peril
for having "touched" her, attaches to her Court. At a
moment when the Queen has fallen asleep under th•
infliction of some State affairs intruded on her ty
the Regent, Don Fernando cannot resist the tempta-
tion to snatch a kiss. See❑ by the Regent, who of
course hates him, he is hurried off to punishment. But
the Regent has made a night assignation in the palace
with Estrella; the Queen, by arrangement with the lat-
ter, takes her place; and, when the lights are brought in,
the Regent is discovered kneeling at the feet of his cove
reign and pupil, embracing her and ki-sing her hand.
By the law of the kingdom of Leon, it is the King alone
who can di►pense with the severe punishment at•
tached to this crime of etiquette. The young Queen,
by choosing Don Fernando d'Aguilar for her hus-
band, at the same time releases him, and enables him
to pardon the Regent for his involuntary less rnajesti.
The music, by Boisselot, is lively, sparkling, appropriate,
and thoroughly dramatic, and sometimes rises above the
level of comic opera—as, for instance, in the opening
scene of the last act, which was given by Mademoiselle
Charto❑ (who acted the Queen) with great taste, im-
mense power, and wonderful execution. It was one of
the most brilliant musical displays we have witnessed for
a long time, and drew down the most enthusastic ap-
plause. Indeed the whole of the music that fell to the
share of Mademoiselle Charton was admirably ren-
dered, and her acting was exquisite. She was indeed
the Queen of the evening. Mademoiselle Guichatd
as Estrella was the most lively and coquettish of sou-
brettes, and sang as she always sings, deliciously.
Zelger was the Regent, and his magnificent bass voice
did full justice to the music of the part; and Couderc as
Fernando was the most interesting of lovers. His aria,
" Ted qui ceduit" was beautifully rendered, and his acting
throughout was full of sprit. The opera was admirably
put on the stage. The orchestra, under the direction
of the prince of conductors, Charles Haussens,
was perfect. Charton. Ceudere, and Zelger appeared at
the conclusion in obedience to the call of the audience,
and there was afterwards a separate call (a well de-
served compliment) for Mudlle. Guichard, who was led on
by Zelger. Ae 7 ouchez pas ala _Reins bids fair to be-
come as great a favourite in England as it is on the con-
tinent. The National Anthem was sung during the
course of the evening, the solo parts being taken by Miss
Messent and M. Octave.

GRAND ENTERTAINMENT TO

TIIE BIHOPS AT THE MANSION-HOUSE.

Yesterday being the 148th annivers iry of the Society
for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, the
members and friends of the institution, with the bishops,
the clergy, the Lord Mayor, aldermen, and sheriffs at-
tended Divine service in the afternoon in St. Paul's
Cathedral. In the evening the Lord Mayor and the
Lady Mayoress gave a banquet at the Mansion-house,
and were honoured with the company of the Archbishop
of Canterbury and Miss Sumner, the Bishop of London
and Miss Blomfield, the Bishop of Llandaff, the Bishop
of Worcester and Mrs. repys, the Bishop of Oxford
and Mis Wilberforce, the Bisnop of Lichfield and Mrs.
Lansdale, the Bishop of Carlisle and the lion. Mrs.
Percy, the Bishop of Hereford and Mrs. Hampden,
the Bishop of Salisbury, the Bishop of Ripon and the
Hon. Mrs. Langley, the Bishop of Bangor, the Bishop
of Manchester and Mrs. Lee, the Rev. the Lord Bayn-
ing and Lady Bayning, the Reverends Lord Wriothesley
Russell, lion. J. Evelyn Boscowan, Hon. F. P.
Bouverie, lion. Montagu Villiers, lion. C. L.
Courtenay, and Sir Henry Thompson, the Dean
of Westminster and Miss Buckland, the Deans
of Norwich and Canterbury, Sir R. 11. Inglis,
Bart., M.P., Archdeacon Hale and Miss Hale, the Arch-
deacons Sinclair and Croft ; the Master of the Temple,
thn Rev. Doctors Rice, Jelf, Mortimer, M'Caul, Croly,
Russell, Hawtrey-, Vivian, Rolfe, Roy, and Cumming;
the Rev. Messrs. R. Wood and Mrs. Wood, Dennis
Kelly and Mrs. Kelly, R. Dear and Mrs. Dear, J. Jen-
nings, and Mrs. Jennings, S. R. Cattley, chaplain to the
Lord Mayor, and Mrs. Cattley, Cbarles Marshall, E.
Auriol, E. Pizey, J. Thomas, W. G. Humphrey, W.
Burnett, W. B. Frowd, E. Hawkins, J. E. Tyler, J.
Davis, J. Carver, J. Cohen, Samual Wix, T. Burnet, J.
_Erman, Frederick Poynder, J. Fisher, A. Black, J. J.
Anderson, P. Alte, R. Conington, J. Hamilton, J. W.
Glendon, 1). Williams, G. Goodman, J. B. Murray, R.
Hooper, George Trevor, W. Browne and J. Macdonald;
the Misses Burnett, Aldermen and their ladies ; W.
Thompson, M.P., Sir George Carroll, J. K. Hooper,
T. Farncomb, J. Mangrove, W. Hunter, T. Sidney,
M.P., F. G. Moon, D. Salamons, W. Lawrence, R. W.
Carden; Mr. Sheriff Finnis and Mrs. Finnis, Mr. Sheriff
Goodheart and Mrs. Goodheart, Mr. Chamberlain and
Mrs. Brown, Mr. John Labouchere, Mr. Hill, the Under-
Sheriffs Shearman and Tamplin, with their ladies; the
Town Clerk, Mrs. and Miss Merewether, Mr. W. liar-
greave, Mr. S. B. Brook, Mr. R. Arden, Mr. C. Elliott,
Mr. C. Francis, Mr. C. J. Manning, Mr. C. Hodgson,
Mr. Deputy Bedford, Mr. R. Taylor, Mr. Turner, and
Mr. Williams. &c.

The Archbishop of York, the Bishops of Winchester,
Durham, Gloucester, Peterborough, Exeter, and Lincoln,
who had accepted invitations, were unavoidably pre-
vented from honouring the Lord Mayor and Lady
Mayoress with th• it company.
The dinner, which was supplied by Messrs. Ring and
Brymer, fully supported the high character of that firm
as purvey ors.
The LORD MAYOR, in rising to propose the first toast,
said—l esteem it a high honour and privilege to be per-
mitted to entertain in this hall the Bishops and other
dignitaries of the Church upon this important anniver-
sary. I am aware that it is not usual to offer many
ob,ervations in proposing the toast of the Church and
Queen, and I shall adhere to that rule, but it is impos-
sible on such an occasion to retrain from making allusion
to an incident of recent occurrence, which, although
greatly to be deplored, tends in no slight degree to pro-
duce the most unequivocal evidences of loyalty and love
to the Sovereign.—(Cheers.) It is quite impossible
to conceive any thing stronger than the mingled feel-
ings of anxiety and indignation which burst forth
in the metropolis upon the intelligence that an attempt
was made upon the lite of her Majesty.—(Loud cheers.)
At a time when all the continental nations are struggling
in political convulsions, this country enjoys a complete
immunity from any of those dreadful conflicts to which
the rest of Europe is subjected. It would, indeed, be
matter of regret if the lustre of the character of a peo
ple so distinguished by their attachment to the laws,
were dimmed by an act against the person of the Sove
reign.—(Cheers.) But the occurrence to which I allude,
although calculated to exasperate, on the one side, is
sure, on the other, to call forth renewed manifestations
of devoted affection and loyalty. It is with the highest
degree of pleasure I propose " The Church and Queen."
—(Loud cheering.)
The company immediately rose and drank the toast
with the utmost enthusiasm.

The LoRD MAYOR—I now rise to propose " The
Health of Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, and the
rest of the Royal Family." It is unnecessary to say one
word in praise of Prince Albert. Every day brings
forward additional proofs of his desire to promote the
good of her Majesty's subjects, and of his benevolent ex-
ertions for the advantage of the humblerclatsoses.—
classes.---
(Cheers.) It has been my happiness personallyhiestima.
wit-
ness his Royal Highness's labours and the h
in
nion
the in
elve(sCheers.)
lively gratification to onlyai d ints theg_. metropolism eg
the m
os butmost
surroundingeishechol'unntioets
'ropagation of the
Canterbury and the Society'tinftrtook occasion to speak 01
The LORD MAYOR nextpr
porseoptobsetehdt:‘4•lThe Archbishop of
Gospel in Foreign Parts.'
his fellow• citizens for that able and eminent l'rehtte who
the respect entertained by his brother magistrates and
discharge
d the difficult duties of his high office in so
exemplary a =timer— (Ch.-ere.)
The Archbishop of CANTeennevon returning thanks,
commented upon the magnificent fn,spitality of the
Lord Mayor, end then proposed the health of his Lord-
ship, many of whose con,tituents were, he understood,
present, and no doubt delighted to witness the strong
reeling of respect and regard which had been expressed
by the company for the Chief Maeistrate of London.
The LoRD MAYOR proposed " i'he Bishop of London
and the Bench of Bishops." Ile spoke of the severe
duties which the Bishop of London had to perform in his
immensely extensive district, and of that Prelate's never-
tailing exertions for the diffusion of learning.
The Bishop of LONDON returned thanks in an admi-
rable speech, which he delivered with great spirit. Ile
had, he said, been happily connected with the city of
London for twenty-nine years, in eight of which he had
served as parochial clergyman, and iu nearly twenty-one
as bishop, and he rejoiced in the co-operation with
which his and his brethren's exertions in the gnat cha-
rity they were cotemetucratinerb had met from the magis
trates of London. Ships, colonies, and commerce were
the great instruments by which the propagation of tht
Gospel must be accomplished, so that the union of the
city of London with the spirit of that charity was indis-
pensable to its success.—(Cheers.)

,A,:ceiblgii,:p of CANTERBURY proposed " The
of Fite lady

S, yore! other toe.sts'iollowt.d. 7-ir 7 t I
Must or the, e.4rnpany retired at an early-hibuk from the
festive boLri, anti 411 appeared to be tieligh..ed with the
redly mugniticent entertainment.

DOVER BAY AND BREAKWATER.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR, —A sense of public duty impels me to reply to a
noice of my rcmarks on the above subject by Colonel
Williams, of Ramsgate, in The Jun of Monday last.
I regret that he should give himself the slightest trou-
ble as to individuality in a subject where principles are
involved of such vital importance. He asserts that he
is "at no he .s to discover the author," and having duly
chronicled this important result of his imaginings, pro-
ceeds forthwith to make a personal attack un mistaken
identity.
The Colonel gives in a very general adherence to the
principles and causes adduced by the as being in cunti-
final operation on the south coast of Eugland ; ho dues
not ev, n eitqute that it may Le a hundred years before
the shingle rounds a pier extending 800 feet from the,
.h.re —his words are that it will and must -` ultimately'
rehell the end of the pier. Agreeing with one another so
nearly, I cut rather surprised that he should be so
wroth with nic. It must be Vat he takes me fur the
gentle man at the Admiralty, who lately gave him bush
a rap nv r the knuckles for his meddling interference
with works against which he was raising a factious op-
position. He also feels very ill at ease because I wrote
anonymously. Now, Sir, as I have no personal vanity
to gratify—no petty pamphlets to puff—nor no desire
fur undue notoriety, I have therefore adopted the more
customary course of modestly retiiieing my real name;
but as my pen is and has always been employed pro bona
public°. If 1 thought that the public would be bene.
tited by removing the veil of incognito, I should at once
do so. The Colonel further makes sundry insinuations
as to my being a hired scribbler,
_which, although ex-
tremely lame and impotent, must still be repelled.
I beg him and your numerous readers to understand,
that I am entirely unconnected with any Government
establishment, have no interest whatever in the port of
Dover, or the works at present going on there ; have
never solicited, never obtained Court patronage or Go-
vernment place or pay; I have no affix to append to my
name at my country's expense. My bureau is not
adorned with an official inkstand, from which to " apirtle
ink ex cathedra." Being thus free from party bias, local
j. alousy, disappointed hopes, or that prejudice which is
blind to truth, I humbly conceive myself in a favourable
position for making your readers acquainted how matters
stand, and that with strict impartiality.
It is sad to see Colonel Williams evidently suppress-
ing or perverting the knowledge he possesses on this
subject, and whether be does so to damage Dover or re-
store Ramsgate, I am quite at a loss to discover; certain
it is that he conceals the truth, so that he may have a
kick at a body of men of whom I know but little, viz.,
the Commissioners of Dover Harbour; but were he in
possession of one tithe of the knowledge to which he so
unblushingly lays claim, had he taken the trouble to
compare the present operations with his own ideas of
protection of shipping from the north west gales, he
would have been prepared for the " startling announce-
ment" contained in my last letter, as to the separate,
di-tinct usefulness and independence of the present works.
The great national object of the Refuge Harbour at
Dover is in plan exceedingly simple. A strong sea-wall
running out at right angles from the mainland, close to
the entrance of the harbour forms the west side; above •
wile to the eastward of Dover a similar wal is to be
erected. Jutting out from the south foreland near to the
Cornhill Coast Guard Station, at the outer extremities of
these walls, wide navigable entrances will be made for
the free ingress and egress of shipping of every tonnage;
whilst beyond these openings, much further to sea, runs
a third massive stone wall in deep water, running nearly
parallel to the shore, and extending from pier to pier,
thereby covering in the whole of Dover Harbour and
Bay, some knowledge of the extent of which may be
formed when it is known that these walls will enclose an
area of upwards of 600 acres; and the outer wall or
breakwater is to be upon the upright wall principle, and
not at all like the negligent, haphazard plan adopted in
Plymouth Sound, where a most irregular mass of stone
was allowed to find its own bed, and yet so much ad-
' mired by the Colonel. The western wall or angle of
this great work is that which now so excites the ire and
calls forth the letters of Colonel Williams, and this pore
non though most assuredly forming a prominent part of
the gigantic undertaking, is at present known as the
" New Dover Landing-pier;" and certainly the country
is indebted to the genius of their engineers (not royal)
when the several parts of a great work are brought to
bear upon public comfort and convenience, just the same
as we find directors opening tne portions of their rail-
ways as they become ready for traffic, without waiting
for the completion of the whole.
Most nobly do the works proceed on this western
angle. Standing within a window niche of the Folke-
stone Hotel lately, my attention was arrested to observe
the robust head of this massive piece of masonry pres•
sing sternly out to sea beyond the lofty face of Shaks-
pere's Cliff; standing forth in bold relief from the line of
coast, it seemed to bid defiance to the angry lashing of
the winter's storm, a grand monument of the triumph of
engineering skill, guided by that Almighty power which
eieldeth all the destinies and deliberations of men.
The Engineer. Colonel thinks that " a harbour of re-
fuge in Dover Bay is imperatively called for;" then why•
dues he rail out against the first step to his thoughts and
wishes? If the aspirations of his soul and his pamphlet
are about to be realised, then why does he turn round
and denounce a very successful commencement of what
he deems imperative, spitefully maliogning it as for a
mere " temporary purpose"—a clutch for a deserted
seaport?
With Plymouth Sound, Spithead, Beachy Head, Dun-
geness, the ;South Foreland, the Downs, and the Nore,
all protectors, within a few hours' sail of each other, and
being an ardent financial reformer, I have some doubts
whether it is so very loudly called for to have a refuge
harbour at Dover; but if I did consider it necessary, I
certainly would hail with delight the successful com-
mencement of such a work. I have stood upon the
works several times, with gentlemen great by birth and
great by talent; I have conversed amid the diving-bells
and machinery employed with the most scientific men of
the present day, iecluding engineers, civil, military, and
practical, and have seen and heard unmingled satisfao-
tion as to the works and their ultimate benefit; and yet
we find an obscure individual calling it a "job," which
he believes "will be dearly purchased at twopence-
halfpenny." Sic transit gloria mundi. It is,
however, one consolation to know from the
Gallant Colonel that, although it is a " job,"
it will, nevertheless, be an important " local benefit—a
great prate" for the port of Dover. Ilow is it that
Colonel Williams has " applied to every Member of the
House of Commons who takes an interest is questions
of finance, and received no encouragement for inquiry
into that grave job?'" He tells the public that he has
appealed to the press, and then he appeals to the publio
themselves; yet no one lends an ear. He then tries
threats—he "demands to be heard," and repeats " that
nothing will or shall put this matter to rest but inquiry.'!
The House of Commons he implores to take a flue sieve,
and ",have the matter sifted." Hear you this further—
ye Gentlemen Commoners and ye Noble Lords—Colonel
Williams has discovered " strong ground" for your in•
tervetaien. The restoration of the prize is a secondary
consideration—only remettre the Gallant Colonel.
In my last letter, which you did me the honour to in-
sert, I endeavoured to show your readers that so great
was the magnitude of the scheme which the Refuge Har-
bour Commission decided upon, that to future genera-
tions would be left the honour of completieg the task;
whereat the Colonel jumps to the conclusion that all is
abandoned but the pier, and that the country is doing
what private or corporate funds should have accom-
plished long ago. Now, I certainly know that the cor-
porate funds of Dover, whilst they have been
applied with care, have been expended with liberality to
improve the harbour; within the last few years they have
constructed additional harbour accommodation. The
deepening of the harbour has been decided upon, amd
been commenced; and not only these, bat whilst on 4
visit of health a few weeks back, the bliging master of
the works there kindly pointed out to me the centre line
for a splendid double ship slip, which is to be commenced
forthwith, in plan and principles superior to that at
Ramsgate, and which must prove a. vast acquisition to
the port, for not only is the situation for the slip conve-
nient, but it actually touches upon the only two ship-
builders' yards of this port. Considering the extent of
these works, and taking these three undertakings toge-
there, we should find but small reason to stigmatise
" those in charge of Dover Harbour."
I trust you will, Sir, accept an earnest apology
for the unexpected length to which these remarks have
run, and an assurance that I have no other interest or
motive to serve in this matter than solely and entirely
the information of your readers, and to put the
public in possession of the true merits of the case.
I am, Sir, &c.,
ALPHA.
London, May le, 1849.

A LOYAL SCRNE.—The tide of loyeity tever,
perhaps,flowed higher than it did on Saturday evening,
when metropolis were in the
streets viewing the illuminations in honour of the birth-
day the whole population of the
of our beloved Sovereign. It seemed as if the
people had by electric agency received the intelligence
of the diabolical attempt upon the Queen's life, and, at
the same time, the cheering news that she had provi-
dentially escaped unscathed. So profound was the
emotion excited in the minds of the populace, and ao
strong was the affection elicited from all classes, thgs
every opportunity was s&zed that would verve to give It
expression. This was particularly exemplified in the
laige assemblage collected during the whole of the even-
ing opposite the Paletot Warerocuis belonging to the
Messrs. Nicoll, whose several houses in liegent-street
prc.,se nted perhaps the most tasteful and brilliant illutni-
ift.tion ever see n in London: one portion of the device
consisted of the words " God save the Queen" in gi•
gantic letters of gas; this, it would seem, suggested in
the spectators the idea of singing the National Anthem,
and though it may not be considered as having been
accomplished in a very artistic manner, yet was it most
pleasing to hear from the heartiness with which it WI.
given; and few that witnessed the scene will forget the
fine expression displayed upon so many loyal and en-
thusiastic faces during that evenin. The effect was
much assisted by the blase of light which almost seemed
to turn the night into day.—Murning Post.
KILLYBEGS, MAT 19.—The Emely Maria smack
Liverpool to Donegal, sunk off St. John's Point, in 20
fathoms, having struck upon a rock; crew saved.
DEAL, Max 21.—Wind N.E.—Arrci. Jupiter, Goy.
encheu, liavarinab, having been warned off the Elbe ;
Man inn, 11.,Ionquist, New Orleans for Gothenburg.
OFF DOVER, MAY 19.—Hermine, Henrlci, Rio
Janeiro for [lull.
COWES, MAY 21.—Wind S.W.—Arrd. Ann ;rant,
Rigby, Batavia ; Coquet, Pruhn, Rio Janeiro ; both ter
ilumburgh.