The Sun.
London, England, 1847-06-15 00:00:00

ASTLEY'S AMPHITHEATRE.

The once most favourite tragedy, Pizarro, has long
lain among the almost totally neglected portions of our
dramatic literature ; but Mr. Batty, of " Astley's," has
brought it once again into public notice by making it
the foundation of "a splendid Peruvian spectacle,' in
which the object, it is stated, has been " to realise the
beauties of the author " by the varied resources of this
well-managed establishment. The idea was excellent,
as the incidents introduce admirable opportunities for
processions, combats, grand pageants, and all the effec-
tive displays that are sure to gratify the spectators at
this theatre, and are equally sure to be excellently and
efficiently arranged. So fur as the different require-
ments of the plot would allow on the present occasion,
the original English text of Sheridan was followed ;
and in the inure striking passages (especially the
well known address of Rolla), Mr. William West
(who has been expressly engaged for this
drama) was spirited and energetic. The spec-
tacle has been produced in the most liberal and
lavish style. The scenery is very good; and the cos-
tumes, properties, and appointments equally deserving
of eulogy. The result was complete success: and we
trust that a portion at least of the immense popularity
that attended the original tragedy will be awarded to
this spectacle, so cleverly founded thereon. Several
novelties also were introduced in the " Olympic Circus,"
commenving with the surprising performances of "Ls
petite Davison," who h described as " the youngest
equestrian in the world;" Let who, however, in the
novel and extraordina•y feats en a single horse, showed
that, young as she may be, she hts livid long enough
to be us much at her t ase on the back of a horse at full
ga !hp as other people are on terra firma. The per-
formant-es concluded with a capital magical spectacle,
entitled The ( harmed Horse; or, the Blach Volley, in
which the amusing plot anti the :cenic and magical in-
cidents toast interestingly and t ircetivt•ly clued an even-
ing's entertainments. lung elough, varicd enough, and
good , ,
erote,h to satisfy even those who are usually the
hardest to please.

CALEDONIAN BALL.-IVe have authority to state
that the Grand Duke Constantine has signified his intention
of honouring this asscmllt• with his presence the Duke
and Duchess of Saxe Weimar, and Prince Lowenstein, ac-
companied by their suite, will also be present.
ASHBURTON.—On Saturday and Sunday, in this
part of Deynn, we had fine showers of rain fall, and on Mon-
day it cleared oft, with a bright sunny sky. The wheat and

barley fields present a most exhilirating appearance. The
otato crops around this town and neighbourhood never
looked more promising, and the swarthy appearance of the
stalks indicate not the smallest sign of disease. A much
larger breadth of land has been sown with potatoes during
the last spring than in the two former years, and great at-
tention is being paid to the potatoes. We trust the crops
will repay those persons who use their utmost energies in
endeavouring to procure this useful vegetable, as in former
years, before the disease presented itself.
EXCHEQUER-BlLLq.—Yesterday notice was issued
at the Exchequer-bill Office, Whitehall, that Exchequer-
bills bearing an interest of 3d. per centum per diem would
be issued this day, the 15th inst., in whole or part payment
of the principal and interest of the bills issued under the 9th
Vic., c. 15, per 18,380,2001., dated June, 1846, and that the
Exchequer-bills now outstanding, issued under the Bth Vie.,
c. 23, per 9,379,6001., in 1545, and Bth Vic , c. 129, per
9,024,9001., in 1845, and dated March, 1847, will bear an ia-
terest of 3d. per centum per diem on and after the 16th inst.
THE HENLEY GRAND REGATTA. -- This grand
affair takes place on the 17th and 18th of June; and from
the following entrances, which have been made, most in-
teresting and spirited competition is anticipated:—For the
Grand Challenge Cup—London—The Thames Club (the
Holders). Cambridge—University Boat Club. Oxford—
University Boat Club. For the Challenge Plate—Cam-
bridge—The First Trinity (the Holders). London—The
Thames Club. Oxford—The Childe of Dale (B. N. Coll.)
—For the Steward's Challenge Cup—Oxtord—Christ's
Church Club and Worcester College Club. For the Silver
IN.,Vinhceernrite:—Tr(ilniotry
Cpaiolrlegoelrcs),,—mEb'r.idPge. ; WrooilisoteeknhaolnmaeFaenudowSs.,
11.0 S.
msb.
am Subscriptionpt,,n
aa_
J R.io,oomi
eta
rnLpetaonnd; eir,e
niC lburb, broke
elC,oonidol
egne„;
Oxford; W. S. Falls and W. Coulthard, St. George's Club,
London. For the Diamond Sculls—W. Maule, Trinity Col-
lege, Cambridge; E. G. Moon, Magdalen College, Oxford;
S. D. Dobson, Gateshead-upon-Tyne ; J. P. Lambert (J. H.
L, W.), London; S. Wallace, Amateur Smilers, Club,
London. For the Town Challenge Cup—Henley, the
Dreadnought Cutter Club. For the Silver Wherry (for
Scullers)-11. Sergeant, Henley ; J. Stevens, Shiplake; H.
Farley, Henley; A. Ive, Henley; D. Lasham, Henley. For
the New Four-oared Challenge Cup the entrances are open
till the 16th.

DEATH OF SIR RICHARD PLASKET, R.C.M.G.
This gentleman, whose name has for many years been fa-
miliar in the history of our colonial empire, died on the Ilth
instant, at Hampson House, Torquay, Devon, aged 65. In
early life he formed one of the staff at the Colonial-office,
and subsequently held appointments in Malta, Ceylon, and
at the Cape of Good Hope ; his career in such respect ex-
tending over a period of nearly thirty years. He usually
acted as public and private secretary to the home Govern-
ment, and generally gave much satisfaction to all parties.
In consideration of his valuable services he received th• order
of St. Michael and St. George on its first institution.
DR. CHALsunts's B FLAIN.-The cause of Dr. Chal-
mers's death was generally understood to be apoplexy, but
the autopsy has shown it to have been disease of the heart,
that organ having to a considerable extent been converted
into fatty matter, and so becoming incapable of muscular
action. The other parts of the body were decidedly healthy.
phrenology is rather at fault respecting Dr. Chalmers. From
the largeness of his head externally, and the peculiarity of
his
mentals n
himo temperament,
ants oinfspeeti
necessityot the eol
possessingaf
tdhienge
n craniologistsencephalon
pah a lloanrg has
a brain
haverdainab; long
dt
t,ll s
thesthp iosk pspoken
t of
idea. Thus, the weight of brain in DuPl n
64 oz. ; in Cuvier, 63, in Abercrombie, 63, in Chalmers,
i 3
re
53
the average weight in persons from 50 to 60 years of age
being 50 oz. 2 dr. O'Connell was also spoken of as possess-
ing a brain of extraordinary dimensions, and it would be in-
tTe
he tri r:mg
et
No.
ski ne(f)wh
iisf
hd iesssrete tnioenc
est,ht
rrew
scalpel, and doubtless it would have ve light
the ere of the
tuhpeoncratnhiiasl.
in
as well as in the thoracic regions.
TILE WATERLOO BAISQIIET —The cards of incita-
tion for this annual entertainme It at the Duke of Welling-
ton', were issued at the close of last week. Above 90 offi-
cers, who were present at that glorious engagement, have been
invited by the Noble and Gallant Duke.
DISPATCHES FOR PORTUGAL.—Foreign-office dis-
pLaitscbl.o,tels, for
and Sirwith G.
A. Id In. itish
for ceA AmbassadordmAdmiral
l Sir
from London on Sunday night, by the mail train of the Lon-
donW. Parker, the Commander-in-Chief in the Tagus, were sent
and Southampton Railway. On their arrival at the Royal
Admiralty Seymour,
Clarence Victualling-yard, Gosport, a boat in waiting took
themte m
. steam-sloop, theeand put them on board the Polyphemus
Commander 111‘Cleyerty, which ve ,sel had her
sa
steam up ready to start, and on receiving them slipped her
moorings, and departed immediately for the Tagus. The dis-
patches tram Lisbon and Oporto are hourly expected to ar-
rive in the Bulldog steam-sloop.
-tsot
The Marquis of Anglesey intends to give a grand
banquet to his Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Constan-
tine of Russia, on Thursday next, at Uxbridge House. The
Noble and Gallant Marquis has invited a distinguished circle
to meet the illustrious Grand Duke.
The prospects of the forthcoming harvest in the
vicinity of Brussels are magnificent. The most satisfactory
accounts continue to be oceived from all parts of Franoe.