The Sun.
London, England, 1836-05-03 00:00:00

ENGLISH OPERA HO USE.

A new piece, from the pen, we believe, of Mr. Serle, and
intitled The Witch's Son," was produced at this theatre last
night. The witch's son, Michael (Mr. Serie), is a person of
an extreme sensibility, which is poignantly touched by the re-
miniscence of his mother having died at the faggot, for the
supposed crime of inflicting crooked pins on her neighbours,
and making their cows miscarry. Michael bears this in mind,
especially against Squire Ardeley, who had been the prose-
cutor in the case. Rose Ardeley, however, the daughter of
the Squire, wins his favour by her amiable, artless character,
and subdues the desire of revenge on his part, as against her
father. Not that he aspires to her hand ; on the contrary, he
is devoted to a girl in his own humble rank of life. Rose
Ardeley, on the other hand, has been deceived by a favourite
of her father's, a young gallant, named Sir Philip Rankland
(Mr. Heming), and she pines away under the consequent un-
happiness which she feels. She is supposed to be bewitched
by Michael, and the suspicion against him on that score is
heightened by the gossip of a rustic, Master Peter Porous,
who is his rival in love. The consequence is, that Michael is
doomed to the same fate as his mother, particularly upon the
disappearance of Rose Ardeley, who has been carried off by
Sir Philip. The participation of Master Peter, and a fellow
droll of a village doctor in the progress of this plot, is anything
but serious or pathetic. The result, however, is, that Michael,
notwithstanding great devotion shown by his sweetheart to pro-
cure his freedom, is on the point of being put through a fiery
ordeal, when Rose Ardeley effects her escape from her se-
ducer, exonerates our hero, and then dies of a broken heart—
thus, by a sort of poetic justice, inflicting a retributive sorrow
on the faggot-loving 'Squire. Michael is left thus in a fair
way to wed his mistress, and Peter Porous is petrified with
perturbation and prostration of all his hopes of connubial bliss.
Mrs. Keeley performed the part of Rose Ardeley with that
homely truth which made it thoroughly affecting. Mr. Serle,
as usual, was sedately sorrowful, with a palpable consciousness
of his own griefs. Oxberry rendered the part of Peter ex-
ceedingly droll, and saved the audience from an over indul-
gence in dolorous dumps. The whole piece, being balanced
between the gay and grave, passed off with perfect success.

Prince Esterhazy and his son have arrived at Paris
on their way to England.
The Duke and Duchess of St. Alban's, and Miss
Burdett, left Stratton-street at eight, p.m., on Saturday, for
Dover, on their way to the Continent, where they are going
on a short tour, intending to return the end of May. The
dejeune given by her Grace before her departure was in honour
of the debut of Miss Henrietta Beauclerk, daughter of the
Rev. Lord Frederick Beauclerk.

The additions and improvements made to the Mar-
quis of Hertford's Pagoda Villa, in the Regent's-park, are
nearly complete. Towards the end of May his Lordship will
commence his splendid parties in the house and grounds of that
unique residence.
Charles Mathews has added very much to the cele-
brity he previously acquired at the Olympic by his acting at
Liverpool—he is a great favourite. After acting one fortnight,
and having one of the greatest benefits ever known, he has
been induced to remain there another week ; he then goes to
Manchester, with the brightest prospect of a successful harvest.
FRENCH PLAYS.—Madame Carmouche, with the
design of increasing the already great attractions of her theatre,
has just engaged another artiste, upon whose talents the public
of Paris has expressed the warmest approbation. M. L'Hiere,
who is known both as an author and as an excellent comic
actor, will make his first appearance before a London audience
on Friday next, in two pieces a travestissement, called Folbert
and L'art de ne pas monter sa garde. He will also perform
in the laughable vaudeville called La Sonnette de nuit, and
Le Roi de Prusse, on which occasion M. Fabien Mars will
lend his aid.

Madame Dulcken's annual concert took place yes-
terday morning, in the Opera Concert-room ; her own per-
formances on the piano-forte were admirable, particularly
Weber's celebrated Concert-stuck, which she played with the
utmost brilliancy and great variety of expression. She was
assisted by Grisi, Tamburini, Rubini, Lablache, Mrs. Bishop,
Miss Novello, and Mr. Balfe, all of whom exerted themselves
very successfully. De Beriot's solo on the violin was in his
happiest style. The Concert was attended by a fashionable
and overflowing audience, and the different performances, par-
ticularly those of Madame Dulcken herself, were warmly ap-
plauded.
NEW COMPANIES.—No fewer than 119 new com-
panies have been started in London during the last year; of
these 41 are mining companies; 85 for the establishment of
railways: and 43 miscellaneous. The nominal capital is—
mines, 2,894,0001. ; railways, 34,040,000/. ;_ miscellaneous,
19,811,0001. ; total, 56,845,0001.—Frazer's Literary Chron.
DUssELDORF.—A grand musical festival will take
place in this town on the evenings of the 22d and 23d of
May. The first performance will comprise Mendelssohn's new
oratorio of " Paul," and the second one of Handel's anthems ;
an overture, not yet decided upon, but probably one of Men-
delssohn's ; a grand cantata, by Weber, composed on the
jubilee of the late King of Saxony; and the celebrated choral
symphony, No. 9, of Beethoven. This last is doubtless Mr.
Mendels.sohn'S own selection ; for he is conductor of the
music, although the general arrangement is in the hands of a
committee. A ball will conclude the festival.—Musical

THE CROPS.—We are glad to hear, that in spite
of the inclement season, the crops generally are looking well.
The flocks, however, have suffered from the cold, and from
their low condition caused by the scanty pasturage of last year.
—Kent Herald.

The afternoon of Saturday last, the Norfolk, o
Berwick, sailed for her season's fishing in Davis's Straits.—
Berwick Advertiser.

The cigars imported into France from the Havannah
last year amounted in value to 6,660,000 fr. ! In 1831 the
valuer was only 3,484,000 fr.
THE DUBLIN STEAM PACKET COMPANY'S

BILL.—The rejection of this Bill seems to have given great
satisfaction in Scotland generally, and particularly to those
persons who are interested in the trade of the Clyde.
The Dullfries Courier says, " Scotland is pressing
forward in the career of improvement, however inferior to her
elder sister (England) in the great elements of national en-
terprize—wealth and population."
It is said to be .in contemplation to remove the po-
lice-Office, Hatton-garden, shortly, to a more commodious and
convenient situation, at the corner of Christopher-street and
Hatton-wall, Hatton-garden, and that soon the business will be
performed (this being mere report) at the Middlesex Sessions
House. The former premises are very spacious. It is said
that the lease of the present establishment, which belongs to
Mr. Stirling, the Coroner, has nearly expired.