The Sun.
London, England, 1849-05-28 00:00:00

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.

In addition to the usual round of scientific entertain-
ments presented at this popular place of instruction and
amusement, Mr. Russell, the well-known comedian, is
delivering a series of dramatic readings of the plays of
Shakspere. The subject chose❑ by him last night was
selection from the first part of Hell, y the Fourth. Pre-
vious to commencing the play, however, Mr. Russell re-
marked that he presumed his auditors were all aware
that there once was such a person as William Shakspere.
He was led to make this rem ark from the fact that on
several occasions he had met with parties who were en
tirely ignorant alike of the name of the immortal bard
as of his glorious works. A curious instance of
this came to his knowledge but lately. A friend of his
having to attend a Committee of the House of Commons
was passing the spare time he had previous to entering
the House in examining the tombs in Westminster Ab-
bey. While thus occupied he observed a lady and her
daughterlooking at the Shaksperian monument, when the
young lady, remarking the crown which formed a portiot,
of its ornament, quietly demanded of her mother if
" Shakspere were a king." The mother considered for
a brief period, and then answered, she believed " he was
something of that sort." The Asiatics, said the reader,
would soon make us ashamed, for on the authority of a
worthy missionary, the works of Shakespere formed one
of the principal educational subjects in Calcutta and
other parts of the East; and a certain Noble Lord, when
writing home to a relative, had said that it would sur-
prise an Englishman, and delight him too, to see tht
little "dark-faced rascals reading Shakspere." The
portions of the play chosen last night were the planning
of the robbery at Gad's-hill; the robbery and the de-
scription of it by Falstaff, at the tavern, in Eastcheap.
In his reading, Mr. Russell exhibited evidently that he
was fully acquainted with his subject, and aware of its
interest and importance. The modulation of his voice
in the giving of the various characters was highly effec-
tive. The full clear tones of the fat Knight, the less
round, but more musical accents of the Prince, and
even the shrill pipe of the hostess, were all given to per-
fection ; whereby the characters were finely contrasted
and rendered distinct, so that the audience were enabled
to tell at once who was the party supposed to be
speaking. Mr. Russell also threw great comicality and
humour into the reading, which produced a due amount
of laughter. He was loudly applauded at the close as
well as throughout the course of his reading. The large
theatre in which the entertainment was given was
very
well attended.

KING'S COLLEGE, MAY 26.—THEOLOGICAL DE-
PARTMENT.—The following students have passed their
final examination and received the Principal's certificate:
—First Class, in alphabetical order—Crawford, Fripp,
Lincoln, Perry, Wheelwright. Second Class, in alpha-
betical order—Bibby, Boardman, Goodman, Grant,
Jacob, Maturin, Mitchell, Reynolds. Passed—Darling,
Mao, Mayon, Newenham, Snepp.
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