The Sun.
London, England, 1841-12-31 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

Mr. Macready loses no time in evincing the earnest-
ness with which he intends prosecuting his plan of
putting the legitimate drama once more fairly upon its
trial ; or rather of putting the public taste once more
upon its trial, and ascertaining whether it be really such
as to enable the legitimate drama to take permanent pos-
session of the stage as regards at least one of our
national theatres. The experiment cannot prove unsuc-
cessful without involving a reproach to London to which
no other capital of Europe is subject; for it is well known
that in all others one theatre is uniformly eonsecrated to
the higher order of dramatic representation. The produc-
tion of The Two Gentlemen of Verona on Wednesday may
be accepted as an intimation that Mr. Macready does not
intend timidly to confine himself to the beaten track, but
among the rest to bring forward dramas which, from the
comparative infrequency of their appearance, may almost
be designated novelties. It has been much the fashion to
underrate this play, and some critics have even gone the
length of throwing doubts upon its authorship. But
though a play of Shakspeare may be acknowledged in-
ferior to the generality of his writings, it may yet far
surpass what any other author could have produced. As
Johnson observes—" If it be taken from Shakspeare, to
whom shall it be given? It will be found more credible
that he should sometimes sink below his highest flights,
than that any other should rise up to his lowest." This
play may not present the high-wrought energy or deep
development of passion which distinguishes those more
popularly known ; but it is unsurpassed in the beauty
of its sentiments and the romantic interest of its situa-

tions. The poetic fire of its language is also eminently
Shakspearian. Who could doubt the writer of these lines:—
" I am as rich in having such a jewel
As twenty seas, if all their sand were pearl,
The water nectar, and the rocks pure gold."
It has been got up with great care and judgment, as
well as with due liberality, in all that regards the acces-
sories of scenery and costume; and, which is still more
important, the performers entered fully into the spirit of
their characters, and exerted themselves, for the most
part, very successfully, to do the utmost justice to them.
Macready's part of Valentine is not the most prominent,
nor the one affording most opportunities for display, but
he went through it gracefully, and with the sound dis-
cretion habitual to him. The scene in which his attempt
to carry off the Duke's daughter is discovered was a
highly effective one. The character of Proteus was taken
by Anderson, who has not yet learnt to refine himself, so
much as might be desired, into a true expression of the
tender passion. His style, however, is visibly improving
in this respect, and he can be more subdued on occasion
than heretofore. We have great pleasure in noticing the
judicious and excellent performance of Miss Fortescue
as Julia. It is a character to which proper effect cannot
be given without true natural feeling and good
taste, and these qualities she possesses in an eminent
degree, combined with perfect elegance of manner,
whether vivacity or pathos is to be depicted. Nothing
could be more prettily played than her examination of
the fragments of Proteus 's letter, which, in the first im-
pulse, or perhaps to save appearances, she tears to pieces.
In the subsequent scenes, when in male attire, with Silvia,
and with Proteus after the discovery of his faithlessness,
her acting was never over-strained, but was touching and
full of sensibility. The answer to Silvia, who inquires
whether Julia were not " passing fair," was given with
captivating naivette :
" She hath been fairer, Madam, than she is ;
When she did think my master loved her well,
She, in my judgment, was as fair as you.
But since she did neglect her looking-glass,
And threw her sun-expelling mask away,
The air hath starved the roses in her cheeks
And pinched the lily-tincture of her face,
That now she is become as black as I."
The audience showed their appreciation of Miss Fortes-
cue's very efficient performance by calling her forward to
receive their applause anew after the fall of the curtain.
Miss Ellis, as Sylvia, performed her part satisfactorily.
Keeley appeared as Launce, and gave admirable comic
effect to the " exquisite fooling" of the part ; nor should
his canine companion be forgotten, whose propriety of
demeanour was highly laudable ; he was, moreover, a
handsome specimen of his tribe. There was a pretty
serenade sung in the third act. Among the scenery, a
street in Verona ought to be particularly noticed, as
being both well arranged and finely painted, affording an
accurate idea of the beautiful Palladio style of edifice.
Macready was summoned on the conclusion of the per-
formance, and was warmly greeted, not less on account of
his spirited management than his effective acting. The
pantomime followed, and promises to continue in favour
for the full term usually allotted to these entertainments.

OLDHAM RELIEF FUND.—The subscriptions
entered into for the relief of the distressed poor of Old-
ham amount at present to upwards of 1,040/ ; the Relief
Committee, which consists of the magistrates, chief
constables, overseers, and fifteen principal inhabitants,
have resolved to dispose of these funds in the follow-
ing manner :—For the purchase of blankets, 3001. ; cloth-
ing, 200/.; and food, 300 L; leaving about 240/. still un-
appropriated. During the recent investigation, about
1,900 poor families of the township of Oldham have been
visited; the income of the individuals composing these
families, probably does not exceed from 6d. to Bd. per
head per week. . _ _

The bridge over the Berre, between G rignan and
Montelimart, in the Drome, had several of its arches car-
ried away by the late flood. The Courrier of Valance
states that some nights ago a merchant's clerk, travelling
with goods in a cart, being unaware of the accident, drove
on to the sound part, and passed for some little distance,
but towards the middle the road sunk under him, and
with the cart and horse he fell into the river, 20 feet be-
low. By a miraculous chance he contrived to get on dry
ground again, without the least injury to the horse, the
cart, the goods, or himself, except a good drenching.
The Alsace relates the following cruel and cold-
blooded murder :—M. Hamaan, the Cure of Schlestadt,
had long been accustomed to make his house an asylum
for benighted travellers, giving them a moderate supper
and a bed, sending them on their way in the morning,
with a small sum of money in their pockets. On Wednes-
day evening last he brought home a man of decent ap-
pearance, whom he admitted to partake at his own table,
and then conducted to the guest chamber. In the morn-
ing, when the hour of mass came, and the servant of the
good priest went to call him, he was found dead on the
floor, his throat having been cut with a razor. The
stranger had fled, taking with him 50f., all the money in
the house, though probably he expected a much larger
booty, the deceased's watch, his cloak, and some other
portable articles. Ile has not been discovered, and it is
believed took his departure by the Colmar Railroad.

THE BLUE BELLES OF EN0LAND......." What
does Mrs. Trollope mean by calling her new novel The
Blue Belles of England,' " said a literary lady to a friend
whom she met with at a conversazione the other night.
" What say you ? Shall we cite her to appear before a
court of Blues, and show cause why she has taken liber-
ties with our fraternity, and why she has drawn public
attention on us as a body, by calling this new novel of
hers 'The Blue Belles of England ?' "—"Nay, for my
part," replied her lady friend, " I am delighted at Mrs.
Trollope's spirit. Did you not know that she was form-
ing a new regiment of which she is to be the Lady-
Colonel, and we are to have commissions under her ac-
cording to our merit ? Its title is The Blue Belles of
England,' and it is expected that thus organised we shall
henceforth be a pet corps. You know that Mrs. Trol-
lope well deserves to take the command, being, as she
undoubtedly is, the greatest Blue Belle' of us all."
EXCHEQUER BILL FRAUD.—We are able to
contradict distinctly the rumours that have got into cir-
culation respecting the alleged implication of certain in-
dividuals, high in rank and station, in the affair of the
Exchequer bills. In the whole course of the investiga-
tion that has taken place, not a fact has transpired to
have justified the reports in question, which could only
have originated in some such circumstances as those by
which the character of a Noble Viscount was brought
before the public, when he promptly came forward for
the purpose of clearing it. There may be individuals,
illustrious by talent and by other circumstances, whose
pecuniary affairs may not be in the most flourishing con-
dition, and who may hare been compelled to obtain
temporary accommodation from men who are known to
have been holders of fraudulent bills; but we are assured
that there is no other ground whatever for having
alluded to them in connection with the affair of the Ex-
chequer forgeries.—Evening paper.
The General Steam Navigation Company's
vessel the Giraffe, R. Stranack, from Rotterdam, arrived
off the Custom House at half-past eleven o'clock, A.M.,
yesterday with the Dutch mail.
Lord and Lady Robert Grosvenor have joined
the domestic circle at Eaton Hall, to spend their Christ-
mas. We have great happiness in announcing that the
Noble Marquis of Westminster is much recovered in
health, and is rapidly approaching convalescence.—Man-
chester Guardian.

On Wednesday afternoon a young woman of the
name of Elizabeth Macintosh, a servant in the employ of
knives sat
dah and
bdprrfoookrnekgnss uei
entered
t stairs,
ehreerd hh ee
r\a‘di i.
righten
The
fooththeeermp sur-
geon, e
Mr. Pettifer, of Cleveland-street, Fitzroy-square, was
Part slipped, carrying.t and three somepro kngn is
therefore, holds out no hope of her recovery.
FRACAS IN DUBLIN.—...We
have heard that
a serious fracas has taken place between some
high func-
tionaries, which has led to a long and most edifying cor-
respondence. Rumour is busy respecting portionscorrespondence, which we do not feel w; would be justi e
-
fied in publishing. It is enoug
who h to state that the causa
Belli originated with the Archbishop,of
adoptedth the
precedent set by Lady Haddin ton respecting the lady
of the Lord Chancellor ,as is stated, who,g feeling himself thereby
aggrieved, a long and,
most angry corres-
pondence ensued. How the matter will terminate we
know not. It has, however, set the gossip-mongers by
the earS.—Dublin Monitor.,
DEATH FROM STARVATION.—An inquest
was held on Wednesday morning at the Royal Mason,
Poplar, before Mr. Baker, the Coroner, on the body of
Frances Goodwin,
aged 45. Johanna Desmond, of Irlsi-
alley, Well-street, Poplar, said that on Thursday night
last the deceased called at her house, and. begged a
as she was destitute, and did not know
night's lodging,
where else to
apply. Witness gave her a bed, and on
the following morning, observing her weak state, she
t
gave her some food. Deceased said that she was starv-
ing. Witness then put her to bed, andgradually grow-
ing
weaker, deceasedT died on Saturday (Christmas)
morning. Verdict—Natural Death, accelerated by want
and privation.
THE COUNTRY CRIER.—A certain parson
in an English country town having lost two sporting
dogs, sent notice to the crier of the parish to the follow-
ing effect:—That the Rev. Gentleman having lost a pair
of setting bitches would liberally reward any person who
would restore them. The crier was no great scholar,
and the parson's writing not being of the most distinct
character, made the following whimsical blunder:—" Oh
yes ! oh yes ! whereas the Rev. Mr. Grouse has lost a
pair of his satin breeches; whoever will restore them to