The Sun.
London, England, 1871-01-31 00:00:00

ST. JAINIES'S THEATRE.

Mrs. John Wood has made her reappearance in the
capital farce of "Jenny Lind at Last." Although the
circumstances which led to the first representation of the
farce have passed away, it still retains enough
fun in it to provoke great laughter. The admi-
rable acting of Mrs. John Wood, and her extraor-
dinary imitations of Mario, Formes; Titiens, and other
great Italian vocalists, however, gave the old farce a new
lease of existence ; and " Jenny Lind at last " is quite a
relief after the very serious drama of " War." Mrs. John
Wood received quite an ovation at the fall of the curtain,
and from the genial reception given to the entertainment
it will doubtless hold its place in the bill for some time.

THE REV. J. JACKSON, VICAR OF
LEDBURY.

On Sunday,for the first time since the " Ledbury Church
Scandal" has been before the public, the Rev. J. Jackson
again appeared in the pulpit of the parish church. The
rev. gentleman officiated at both services alone. In the
morning there was a large congregation. The reverend
gentleman selected for his text Romans xii., 21, and after
pointing out many Bible characters who had been injured
through the revengeful spirit of others, continued his
sermon with matter more of a personal nature. He said :
—" Why have I brought before your notice these eminent
characters from Holy Scripture ? Are they not at this
time subjects for our imitation?. We meet to-day under
no ordinary circumstances. Since I last addressed you
from this place an attempt has been made to deprive me
of my rectory, and to brand me with infamy and shame.
I need not remind you that my merciless opponents have
signally failed in their attempt. Though the decision of
two inferior courts, being favourable, confirmed their
hopes of r success, yet, thank God, we have a
House of Lords ; thank God, we live in a country
where the most persecuted of her Majesty's
subjects can obtain justice. I have the privi-
lege of addressing you here this day ; and with what
feelings? Do I return to you ; in a revengeful spirit
or in the spirit of peace ? Now that this warfare is
over, now that this litigation is at an end, let the
characters which I have brought before you be copies for
ourselves. I cannot, of course, direct the minds of my
opponents, if by that unhappy title they wish themselves
to be any longer designated, but so far as regards
myself, though my persecutors have inflicted upon me
an amount of misery, anxiety and loss, which at my time
of life it will be difficult to overcome, and by the variety
of crimes they laid to my charge, hoped to inflict a more
serious and lasting damage, which has been pro-
videntially frustrated ; notwithstanding all these
things, as a Christian man, and standing here
as a Christian minister, they have my forgiveness.
Let us all bear in mind, friend or foe, that we have one
day to stand before a Judge, and receive a sentence from
which there will be no court of final appeal. There will
the books be opened, and we shall have to be judged by
what is written therein. How shall it be in that day with
the uncharitable and unforgiving ?"

THE FRENCH PEASANT FARMERS' SEED

_
FUND.
A public meeting in aid of the above fund was held at
the Salisbury Hotel, London, on Monday afternoon, Lord

Vernon iu the chair.
A report of the Executive Committee was read, from
which it appeared that the Committee have given their at-
tention to the formation of country committees in order that
the necessary steps should be taken for the prompt collection
of subscriptions. Several satisfactory replies have been
received, and in some counties meetings have already been
held. M. Drouyn de Lhuys had written to Lord
Vernon making some valuable suggestions as to the
distribution of the seed corn, and after expressing regret
at being unable to attend the last meeting of the com-
mittee, he added, " The impulse having been given, I feel
convinced that the movement will not be arrested until
the object has been attained, the well-known perseverance
of your nation being a sufficient guarantee. The English
farmer does not abandon his plough in the middle of the
furrow." The remainder of the report was devoted to cor-
respondence which has taken place between the committee
and the agents of the societies abroad, and to the arrange-
ments made with some of the railway companies for the
free transit for contributions of grains, and to the financial
statement, from which it appeared that money donations
already promised amount to £2,076 ss. 11d., of which
sum about £9OO has already been ,received, in addition to,
which large quantities of grain have been given.
The Chairman said the first thing that would strike
them on hearing the report read was that consequences
had occurred which owing to the vicissitudes of war, had
rendered it almost obsolete, while this made the
report of somewhat less value, he was sure they would
all congratulate the country which had been desolated by
war that the cloud which had hung over it was rolling
back, and the silver lining 'was gradually appearing.
(Hear, hear.) The report shewed that the committee had
not neglected their duty. The committee had been in
communication with the Scotch and Irish Societies so as
to secure unanimity of relief. The thanks of the Com-
mittee were particularly due to Colonel Lloyd Lindsay,
and also to the representatives of the press abroad, for
the aid they have rendered the society. The French
Government had agreed to a scheme of transportation, and
it would be for that meeting to say when the distribution
should take place. He hoped that a better future was
dawning for France, and if through this society they
could be the means of relieving the pressing necessity,
which was no doubt weighing down the spirits of hundreds
of the French people, a great international step would be
1 taken, which would cement the bonds of friendship per-
manently between the two countries.
The Earl of Airlie moved, and Captain Talbot, M.P.,
seconded, the adoption of the report, which was unani-
mously agreed to.
Captain Talbot, M.P., then moved, and Mr. J. 13-
Robinson seconded, the following resolution : " That it
is desirable to secure an agent to go to France to assist io
the distribution of the funds of the committee." •
Mr. H. M. Jenkins suggested that the words " or agent
of the executive committee think necessary" be added to
the resolution. This was agreed to, and the resolution 0,4
altered was carried unanimously.
Mr. Caird, C. 8., then moved—" That, considering the
armistice which had just taken place, and the prospect of
an early peace, the committee recognising the advantage
of making an early beginning, entrust to the executive
all the arrangements they may deem most expedient for
the distribution of seed, hoping that the instrumentality
of the French Minister of Agriculture may be utilised
in so far as may be found possible."
Mr. Aveling seconded the resolution, which after some
discussion was carried.
Mr. Gibbs, hon. secretary, then read a list of subscriP,'
tions amounting to about £4OO which had been receiveo,
that day, and also a list of the articles, in kind, which he,o
been sent in since the last meeting.
A vote of thanks was then passed to Lord Vernon for
' presiding, and the proceedings were brought to a close.
rec

THE MEMOIR or M. W. BALFE.—We under-
stand that Mr. St. Leger has presented his Royal WO
ness the Duke of Cambridge with a copy of his book,
called " Reminiscences of M. W. Balfe," recently noticed
at some length in the Sun, and that Mr. St. Leger 10
received a very flattering letter from the Hon. JaLIO°
Macdonald, written by desire of his Royal Highlol;
thanking Mr. St. Leger for his book, and graciollou
accepting the same. The book was printed on velloo,
toned paper, bound in emerald green watered silk, wit"
his Royal Highness's monogram and ducal coronet In
gold, and got up in the first style of elegance by IVlessr°'
Henderson, Rait and Co., Berners-street, Oxford-street.
AMATEUR THEATRICALS.— On Tuesday eve""
a dramatic performance took place in St. George's 1-01:,'
Langham-place, in aid of the funds of the Opthalirl.;
Hospital. The corps of amateurs acting on the occasic)"
were the " Essayists," andthepieces selectedwere
Park Francais," and " The Ticket-of-Leave Man."
efj 't
the farce Mr. Kennaway's Victor was the
bo
supported 'male character, but the female 13,1
were each admirably sustained by Miss Harrif-f:
Miss Warrel, and Mrs. Newberry. In the " Tickel3ob
Leave Man" Mr. Leighton supported the part a
Brierly with excellent effect. He seemed quite ate °'
y",.,
in the character, and never during the whole of thg.fig
formance forgot his Lancashire dialect. He evidently
a good notion of the requirements necessary for raree
a good actor. Mr. Lambert supported the part a ur.ve,
Jones, and Mr. Powys that of Hawkshaw, the Detect!, 01
with some ability, whilst Mr. Merry threw a good d 0.017
eccentricity into the part of Melter Moss. His roAke,cel.
and conception of the part were bot 0-0,5
• lent, and, after Bob Brierley, it has_,
best-sustained character in the drama. xis gr,
e as
Harrison made a good Jane Willoughby,
Norton's Jem Dalton was satisfactory. Miss Maripyi
May Edwards, and Mrs. Newberry as Mrs. Wilougto.ad
were both excellent in their respective parts. I-he, will
was very inefficient, and the Essayists, we doubt v, Dols
secure a better one on their next performance. the.,4,
was crowded, and the night's entertainment gave ge"
_satisfaction.