The Sun.
London, England, 1825-08-02 00:00:00

THE THEATRE.

ENGLISH OPERA JIOUSE.—The Opera of Der
Freischutz, first represented at this Theatre, and
not surpassed in the general merit of the repre-
sentation by the rivalry of Drury-lane and
Covent-garden, was performed last night for the
first time this season. - It was more attractive on
this occasion than was to be expected, consider- j
ing how 'often at the three theatres it has been
submitted to public attention. But it had last
night the support of BItAIIAM, Miss PATON, Miss
GOWARD, and PHILLIPS. They were all much
applauded, and were encored in most of the
allotted airs. The incantation went off with
striking effect.—This popular piece was followed
by a new farce, entitled, Who's at Home, or Man
and IVife Before Marriage. The plot is very
simple. Captain Shape(/ (WH.Excn) is in love
with the Widow Solace (Miss Ga AN), The Cap-
, (nun is of a jealous disposition' and therefore she
leaves Swansea, where they had quarrelled on
this score, and departs for London, but is soon
followed by her lover. Mitten (Miss KELLY),
the servant of the Widow, and Schernezcell (CHAP-
MAN, jun.), footman to the Captain, are also
lovers, and the only expedient they can de-
vise for bringing their Master and Mistress toge-
ther is to take apartments for both in the
same house. The widow arrives first, and the
Captain soon follows. The perplexities arise from
each supposing that the apartments are their own,
and that the other is an intrusive visitor. There-

fore they each bid the other " good morning," as
a signal for departure. But they both remain there
under the same delusion ; they surprise each other
in an undress, and after the usual alternations of
bickering and fondling, they are reconciled, and
of course are to be married. There is a whim-
sical character, Mr. Scruple (Mr. BARTLEY), who
is so over-delicate that he is offended with the
naked statues on the stairs, and shocked beyond
[measure in seeing the Captain and the Widow in
an undress in the presence of each other. Such
is the plot, which is sufficiently probable for time
Stage, and which, if not enlivened by much wit
and humour, has at least the support of some
very good acting in Miss KELLy, Miss GRAY,
WRENCH, CHAPMAN, and BARTLEY. Some op.
position occurred when Mr. BARTLEY came for-
ward to announce it for repetition, but the gene-
ral voice was evidently in its favour.

Mr. POWER, who has appeared to so much ad-
vantage in Irish Characters at the English Opera
House, particularly in the new Opera of Broken
Promises, has been engaged for three years at
Covent-garden Theatre. That Theatre now
possesses, in Messrs. CONNOR and POWER, the
two best representatives of Irish parts now on
the London Stage; nor are their talents confined
to such parts, but are capable of being otherwise
considerably useful.

Thursday, the foundation of the NEw Limit
SCHOOL of EDINBURGH was laid by Lord GLENORCIIY, on
the Calton Hill. amid crowds of applauding spectators. The
scene was highly interesting, in every view in which it can be
regarded, whether we look to it as connected with the rapid
improvement of Edinburgh, the interests of science, or the hap-
piness and welfare of the rising generation, or whether consi-
dered as the mere pageantry of the spectacle, which was really
striking and beautiful. In the evening there was a public
dinner, at which the Lord Provost presided, supported by the
Earl of Fife on his right, and Lord Abercrombie on his left.
The old school, the inconvenient situation of which rendered
this change necessary, was founded in the reign of Queen
Mary.

We congratulate all fair sportsmen on the pro. spect of the approaching shooting season. Almost every species
of game has been unusually prolific in the present year. Phea-
sants, partridges, and hares are very abundapt, large, and
vigorous. The corn is likely to be carried so early as to afford
dangerous. facilities to the depredations of poachers before the
Ist of September.
A private letter from Paris states, that the heat.
continues to be excessive in that capital, and that diseases is
making frighful ravages. There are numerous cases of di
arrlicea, and some of cholera morbus.

A NECDOTES, &c.

CURIOUS SPECIMEN OF BLENDID ANIMAL AND
VEGETABLE LIFE FOR BOTANICAL AMATEURS.-013 that,
delightthl spot, Hampstead-heath, there are now to be found
great numbers of the Drosera Rotundifiora or Fly Catcher.
This plant is furnished with a curious apparatus 'for catching
flies, which it lives on ; the leaves being radiated with hairs,
and being provided with a pellucid viscious liquid for-the 'pur-
pose. The D Latifolia found on Leith Hill, Dorking, has a
similar ettparatus. These are the only two indigenous English
plants, which require animal pod ; but several exotics have had
the experiment of being provided with nutriment from beef,
successfully applied to them.
NEW Siircrat ENS OF LITHOGRAPHY, DY Mit.
LANE.-Nire have repeatedly made mention of lithographic'
works, and hinted our opinion, that the capabilities of the art
were yet little understood. Some prints have recently appeared
however. from drawings on stone by Mr. LANE, which we are
confident will produce a very general appreciation of its beauty
and fitness for pecuiiar effxts. I'Ve have now before us two of
these prints. One is a ftililength Portrait qf Captain Lyon, of
Polar exploring celebrity, who has somewhat whimsically chosen
to be represented " in his Tripoline costume." reclining on a
sofa in Eastern luxury ; yet it must be confeSsed the picturesque
dress is far better adapted for effect than the barbarous habili-
ments with which the people of modern Europe disguise their
persons. This portrait is both painted, and drawn on
stone by Mr. Line ; and we - hardly know which
branch of the art does him the more credit. The designs
is admirably easy, free, and natural • and the execution
on the stone surprisingly clear and mellow.—The other print
is entitled " Repose," and is from GAINSBOROUGH, repre-
senting cattle and trees in tile foreground, shown off against a
warm but low-toned sunset. This print is a triumph for the
lithographic art. The effect of light and shade is splendidly
rich, without violating the truth of nature; the animals are
full of character, and the general calm, sultry, glowing aspect
of the air and sky is given with an astonishing fidelity. Part
of this success is attributed to the plan (of which this is the first
specimen we have seen) of coverin; With a yellow ground—
which we suppose may he varieii to anothee celour—the paper
upon which the impression from the stone is taken. It is diffi-
cult to convey any idea by mere description of the des
lightfully soft and rich tints produced by this process.—
It appears to open a new view of the scope of Lithography,
as a combination of the beauties of painting and en eTaviri,„r, ;
and certainly, if this plan is successfully pursued, coloured Li-
thographic prints must supersede the use of engraving, tbr cer-
tain kinds of subject. It behoves us to mention, that both the
lithographic prints we have noticed issue from the lithographic
press of Mr. HunnatasmEt., whose skill, accuracy, enter-
prise, and taste, have, we are confident, contributed in no
small degree to the rapid progress which this beautiful art has
lately made in public estimation.
DESIGNS FOR MILTON.—The last Number of
Mr. MARTENN Illustrations of Milton contains some of his
happiest performances, particUlarly his Ei)e at the Fountain ;
which, for personal grace, as well as for the beauty of scenery,
is one of the most attractive prints we have ever beheld.
ENGLISH PLAT—The grass from whence this
is made, is the C ?pm:urns Christalus, or crested Dog's
tail Grass. It grows in abundance in some parts of England ;
generally in small patches among other grass, which the cattle
consume, but this is universally left untouched. Mr. Con-
nvry deserves great encomiums for his system of drying,
bleaching, and applying this native product to the manufactory
Of straw plat.
THE LATE DR. JACKSON.--The large statue
of Dr. CYRIL JACKSON, by CHANTREY, from his portrait,
by OWEN, was last monthl placed in Christ Church, Oxford.—
It is spoken of as one of the finest pieces of sculpture in this
University.
REBELLION OF TILE BEASTS.---By a late Fel..
low of St. John's College, Cambridge.—This is evidently the
prodection of a very clever and humourous writer. The book
may be considered as a sort of satirical fable, executed very
much in the style of the satires of Dean Swift. The wit in
many parts closely resembles that of the Dean ; but it is also,
we are sorry to say, sometimes accompanied by much of his
grossness. The dedication, " To any Lord Chancellor," is
written in a very lively manner, and makes sufficient promises
of supple obsequiousness to that Lord Chancellor who shall
present the Editor with a good fat living. The Editor informs
us, in his dedication, that the volume he is about to offer to the
world, was discovered among the papers of a Fellow of St.
John's, to whom he has been appointed executor. We should
think they cannot fail, if there be humour, or the love of it,
among men, to produce a very goodly amount of assets to the
editorial executor._( The Iris.)
COI:,ciDENCE.--A curious coincidence of
names has lately occurred, in the marriage of a Mr. JOSEPH
Jr.,. with a Miss 3A1411 JOSEPH.
A NEw BunylNG CompAN•v is talked of—
Sir J. Coffin is to be the President—NV. Churchyard, Esq.
the Vice-President—Mr. Tombs to he the Treasurer, and 3lr.
.Sexton to be the Secretary. The offices will be in Bury-street,
St. James's, and Grub-street in the City.
NEW TOWN OF LEEDS.--We state from un-
doubted authority, that a plan has been submitted to Lord
COWPER for the erection bt a
estate, on which it has been determined to act. For the pur-
pose of commencing this extensive operation, a plot of ground,
containing about 250,000 square yards, situate between the
Leeds and Harrogate, and the Leeds and Roundhay turnpike
roads, in a few weeks will be offered for sale in-lots, subject to
such restrictions as may be found necessary for securing uni-
formity of building and respectability of neighbourhood. We
consider this undertaking as the greatest improvement that has
occurred to the town of Leeds within our memory. One great
object, we understand, will be to exclude smoke, machinery,
and offensive trades, and to form such a neighbourhood as will
command the attention of persons retired from business, or
whose pursuits would enable them to reside at a short distance
from the old town. The beautiful views on Lord Cowper's
property, combined with the salubrity of the air, and the ad-
vantages of a luxuriant garden-soil, will enable the, projectors
to form one of the most healthy and elegant retreats in the
kingdom. (Leeds Intelligcncer.)
Silt WILLIAM CURTIS'S LAST BON MOT.—Sir
NVILLIASI Guar's is returned from his Baltic expedition, and
we are rejoiced to say, in excellent health—he is a loyal sub-
ject, an eminent banker, and an honest man ; and, as such,
we respect him. The worthy Baronet is a funny fellow withal,
for a friend called on him the other morning to ask after his
health. He found him in his dressing gown and slippers, with
a velvet cap on his head—" Pray, Sir William," said he,
" how are you after your Water excursion." " Tolerably
well, my friend, I thank you," replied the Baronet_" but
(pointing to his cap) you see I have come home eel yet over
head and ears !"

MODERN GREECE.—The Island of Chios is the
Paradise of Modern Greece, more productive than any other,
and yielding to none in grandeur. The houses being all white
present a lively contrast to the evergreens which overshadow
them ; seemin,, like little palaces in the midst of bowers of
citron, lime, olive, and pomegranate trees. It is not a little
singular, that no work of any celbrity, on the Greek Islands and
Seas, has appeared since M. Tournefort's Voyages. A new
edition of this able and splendid work cannot tail, at the pre-
sent time, to he very acceptable and gratifying to the Public.
AI A GISTRATES.—We are not sorry, to hear that
the Commissions of the Peace in Middlesex and Surrey are to
be purified in the manner recently adopted in Ireland. Purifi-
cation is wanted in more counties than the two above named.
We believe that in Hampshire and Derbyshire no Clergy are
placed in the Commission.--(Sunday Paper.)--[ The Editor of
the newspaper from whence the proceeding article is taken ap.
pears to be misinformed on the subject ; for the present Lord
Lieutenant of Hampshire has nominated several Clergymen to
the Commission of the Peace. The late Lord Lieutenant for
that County, the Earl of MATJasnunY, excluded them from
it. And we also believe, that the Lord Lieutenant for the
County of Sussex has likewise declined to name any of the
Clergy in the Commission of the Peace for that County.]
NECKCLOTHS.--A reform in dress which neither
utility, reason, comfort, nor good taste, has been able to effect,
may perhaps be brought about by the heat of the weather.
During the recent broiling days, several gentlemen have been
noticed walking in the streets with their necks freed from the
linen bandages with which they were wont to be swathed ; and
their dress in consequence appeared so much more cool, easy,
and handsome, that we have strong hopes the community at
large will resolve to reform the linen abomination. We are sure
the ladies will patronize the change—we will not call it innova-
tion, because in fact the neckcloth-fashion is itself really so,
having been introduced, as all elderly gentlemen must recol-
lect, to conceal the marks of disease in the neck of the originator !
Modern dress has been, in other respects, considerably im-
proved within the last 150 years ; and it really would not be
peculiarly frightful, if we abolished neckcloths and those ex-
traordinary chimney-top masses of pasteboard and beaver, with
which we heat and encumber our heads. Both fashions are
ugly, painful, and unwholesome ; but if we were called upon
to choose between the two, we should say, considering the
greater mischief of the former, and the disgusting idea at•
tacking to their origin, " Let the neckclotlies go first !"
(Sunday Paper.)
BEES.—A singular instance of the caprice of
these industrious insects now exists in Liverpool, on board the
brig Francis. This vessel has lately been under a course of
repair at Trammere, on the opposite shore of the river Mersey
• a

and whilst in the Graving Dock of that place, a swarm of bees
settled upon the larboard quarter staunchion, about noon, on
Saturday, the 9th instant. After remaining there about an
hour, they entered a small hole under the taffrail, and proceeded
to form their domicile, several attempts to dislodge them having
proved ineffectual. On the 18th inst. the vessel was brought
to Liverpool, accompanied by her new Colony, who may now be
daily seen pursuing their industrious occupation, and their ar-
chitectural labours are already visible through the entrance to
their singular habitation. The Francis is now lying on the
west side of tile Salthouse Dock.
A MATHEMATICAL WIND..=--TIIP late Professor
VrNEsone,morning (several trees having been blown down the
previons.uight) meeting a friend in the walks of St.john*.,,
Cambridge, was accosted with " How do ye, Sir ?-._quite a
blustering wind this 1"--" Yes," answered Vines, " it •is a
rare mathematical wind."—" A mathematical ...Ind I" ex-
claimed the other; " how so ?" " Why," said Arjnes, "'it has
extracted many roots."
A SOMERSET JURY.—Lines discoveri.ii written
on the Jury-box at the last Bridgwater Sessions, on twelve
Jurors :.--

" This box contains a man of wit,
A man of sense, a man not fit,
A man of strength, a man of place, • •
A man quite void of every grace,
A man of r7,,nk, a man of none,
A man who wou'd rather be at home,
A man of luck, a man of taste, • •
A man who would his cot try waste.
These men when sworn a jury make, .
To clear up many a mistake."
1 TAKE: I.EM AS THEY COM E.—A kdanitib-one clay
seeing a ragganmffin looking boy scratching his head at the
door of Alderman Pu acilasE, where he was begging, and
thinking to pass a joke on him, said, " So Jack, yott are pick-
ing them out; are you ?—" N;zh, Sar," retorted the urchin,
" I takes 'em as they come." •