The Sun.
London, England, 1841-06-19 00:00:00

DRUR-Y-LA', E THEATRE•

The German season is drawing to a close, and probably the
produc' ion of Robert Le Diable is the last novelty. The
opera is a stupendous piece of art, a vast combination of ideas,
an attempt to bring together every variety of effect, and ad-
dress by turns every feeling. Now there is a rude reckless-
ness, and the concerted pieces are hurried along with a bac-
chanal joy ; now a simple romance is heard, and the storm of
gaiety as for a while hushed; now fiend-songs are muttered
under ground in characteristic tones—now departed spirits are
called to earth to revel in preternatural voluptuousness—now
the songs of love and solicitude are raised in mild reproach--
now a church chorus resounds above the works of darkness.
Heaven, hell, chivalry, love, licentiousness, purity, all have
their part in the varied drama, all means are adopted to effect
every combination of voice, and everywhere is the orchestra
introduced with some new expression. At the same time the
work is designed as a spectacle, the most imperative demand is
made for every description of scenery, for the most gorgeous
costume, for a corps de ballet of peculiar talent, for it is not
every danseuse that can give its full import to the revivifica-
tion of the nuns. Every sense should be addressed for the
work to produce its designed effect, and the utmost exertion is
required in every department of the Theatre where it is
produced.
It is not the most successful effort of the German company.
Whether from, the circumstance that the subject has been
treated in every possible shape, as opera, ballet, and melodra•ne,
the incidents have ceased to be effective, or whether a greater
brilliancy in its production was required to give the public a
fresh impulse, we cannot decide. It was, to be sure, very well
put on the stage, but there was not that perfect magnificence
which is necessary to give every scene its force. The first act,
the gaming scene, with the joyous recurrence of the favourite
theme, went off admirably, and indeed the opera proceeded as
well as possible till the scene of the nuns, which was not nearly
effective enough to render palatable the extraordinary incident
of the revivification, and somewhat of a chill was produced.
From this moment the progress was rather heavy, and many of
the audience gave evident signs of weariness at the end of the
four hours which the opera lasted.

•
It was very well sustained. Staudigl, who is admirable in
everything, whose noble voice can accomplish every difficulty,
whose consummate art can accommodate itself to every cha-
racter, seemed to excel himself as the fiend Bertram. He
never became the mere mortal , wherever he stood he was
the supernatural figure that cast a spell over the scene.
His insinuating persuasive manner was chilling, the agony
of his grief appalling, his command majestic, while every
expression of the music was given with fulness and the
confidence of a master. Stoeckel Heinefetter, as Alice, did
all that could be done by the most intense feeling, and a
most powerful voice ; bat a little more light and shade—
a little cessation of effort—would have been refreshing.
In the last scene but one, when she drags Robert from the
fiend, the violence of her exertion occasionally marred the
quality of her notes. . The most favourite airs in the opera,
" Robert, toi que fame," and " Idole de ma vie," (we give
them 'their French names) were sung by Madame Schodel,
as the Princess. This lady has great dramatic talent, is capable
of expussing the most fervent passion, she has some good clear
notes, and often executes well, but, unfortunately her voice is
not equal, and a note violently pushed forth is frequently suc-
ceeded by one of no value whatever, with occasionally a false
intonation. It must be remembered that Dorus Gras has
somewhat spoiled us for these two songs. Tichatschek, as
Robert, sang with good feeling, introducing some very sweet
falsetto notes, and acted with animation. The choruses were
full, vigorous, and energetic, entering, as the Germans always
do, into the spirit of the scene.
At the conclusion the principal vocalists were called for, but
there were several sounds which could not be mistaken for ap-
probation, and which were first called forth by a certain solo on
the horn, which was played in a style which, if not beautiful,
was at least truly original. Her Mak sty and the Prince
honoured with their presence the theatre, which was much
fuller than it has generally been this season.

DINNER TO LORD IVIINTO ANI
THE LORDS OF TILE ADMIRALTY.
On Thursday last, a splendid entertainment was given to
Lord Minto, as First Lord of the Admiralty, and to his Lord-
ship's colleagues, at the Thatched-house Tavern, by the
Navy Club, consisting of upwards of forty of the oldest and
most distinguished officers in the naval service. The dinner
was sumptuous and worthy of the occasion. That eminent
officer Admiral Sir Philip Durham presided on the occasion,
and gave additional zest to the entertainment, by the polished
urbanity and happy spirit of anecdote for which the gallant
officer is so distinguished.
In proposing the " Health of Lord Minto,"
Sir PHILIP DultiriA3l addressed the company somewhat in
the following terms :—Gentlemen, I know you will receive the
toast I am going to propose with that enthusiasm which it de-
serves, and which is called for much less by the dignified sta-
tion which the distinguished subject fills, than by his official
and personal character. No 111inister ever took charge of the
Naval Department under greater disadvantages than did our
Noble guest ; and I say, without any fear of decent from any
one who hears me, no one ever administered the affairs of
the navy with more credit to himself, or advantage
to the service, than the Noble Lord has done. At the time of
his assuming office, the navy was reduced to the lowest
ebb it had ever reached, at least in recent history. The
storehouses were almost destitute of all the materials of war ;
the ships were dismantled ; the seamen were scattered far and
wide ; and the officers were grumbling in retirement, ne-
glected, and deeming themselves forgotten. In the House of
Commons many gentlemen, either from conscientious motives
to relieve the people's burthens, or to court popularity, were
actually calling for retrenchment; and the expenses of the
navy was with them a constant theme. " What is the use ( was
their constant cry) of so large a force in time of peace? Why
so many ships in commission ? Why? bat to give employment
to the sons of the aristocracy ?" The result of these attacks,
year after year, was the destitute state of the navy which
greeted Lord Minto on assuming office. I had myself ample
opportunities of witnessing this deplorable state of things • as
I had also of witnessing its improvement under the admi-
nistration of the Noble Lord. On my assuming the command
at Portsmouth in 1837, I found the officers and seamen dis-
heartened, believing or fearing that the country had for-
gotten their former gallant services, and thinking that the
star of naval glory had set for ever. But the scene was soon
s!ltifted under the enlightened management of our Noble
guest. All deficiencies of stores were repaired ; the sounds
of industrious preparation were soon heard once more in our
arsenals; :,nd when shortly afterwards the trumpet of war
sounded, the officers hurried to resume their cherished duties,
with unexampled vigour, and seamen flocked in from every
quarter of the empire, uncompelled by pressing, and even
unallured by bounties. In the course of two years from
this time, to the astonishment of Europe, seventeen sail of
the line, of the largest and fine.t ships shat Britain could
ever boast of, were discovered in the Mediterranean, manned
by the most distinguished officers and the most gallant
seamen, superiorly fitted in every respect, and ready and
anxious to meet any enemy that might present himself. This
discovery—for such it was to those who were net aware of the
activity that presided in our naval administration, had a most
beneficial effect on other countries, and it was soon
found that to send a fleet to overawe, if not overpower, that
of Great Britain, would be a more hazardous matter than
had been imagined. Nor, Gentlemen, have the improve-
ments that have of late taken place in the navy been con-
fined to the fitting out of an efficient fleet ; they have ex-
tended to every branch and department of the service. These
improvements I had daily opportunities of witnessing
during my command at Portsmouth, and it was with de-
light that I saw them advance progressively from good to
better. You are all aware of the improvement that has taken
place of late years in the gunnery department, and. that for this
we are mainly indebted to the exertions of that distinguished
officer, Sir Thomas Hastings. The progressive advances in
this department took place under my own eye ; and I could
not sufficiently admire the constant attention paid to it, and
the perfect precision of firing to which this alteration led—a
precision since demonstrated, in characters not to be mistaken,
upon the coast of Syria, before, or rather through, the hitherto
unconquered walls of Acre. It is pleasing to know that the im-
provements in what may be termed the domestic or social state
of the navy,. of late years, have been equally great. The ge-
neral behaviour and manners of the officers—their language
and demeanour to the men under their command—the quiet
and gentlemanly way in which duty is carried on, without abuse
or intemperate language—the regularity with which divine ser-
vice is performed—in a word, the amelioration and refinement
of the whole social condition of the navy, was then, and is now,
thesubject ofmy admiration. All this shows a marvellous change
for the better from the old times of the navy ; and, what is more,
the recent events on the coast of Syria, and on the distant
shores of China, sufficienily demonstrate that this refinement of
manners has been obtained without any sacrifice of the old
sterling and substantial qualities of the British naval officer and
British seaman. These improvements are, perhaps, in some
d .gree inseparable from the progress of events ; still they can-
no but reflect honour on the Noble Lord under whose en-
lightened administration they took place. In speaking of the
navy, Gentlemen, you will, of course, with me, comprehend
the Marines, that distinguished corps of which the service is so
justly proud. But I cannot allow this opportunity to pass
without bearing testimony to the just consideration which this
body has received from the Noble Lord and his colleagues. a
consideration highly important, yet still less than it deserves.
If the Noble Lord was not here present, I would say more of
the large
avrgneshylre he may claim in these and other improvements
in th
and it is only doing justice to his colleagues to say
that they have exerted themselves in their respective depart-
ments to carry out the same liberal and enlightened policy
which has given so rich a lustre to their administration, and THE WEATHER.---1\ GON, JUNE 19.
so well entitles them to sh?, warmest thanks of every well- ROYAL GALLERY OF SCIENCE, ADELAIDE-STREET.
,
wisher to that pride and glory of our country, the British Navy. Barometer
The Gallant Chairman's eloquent address was loudly cheered, Thermometer... 62 —Hig_hest ......... 78 1 Lowest ... 54
plied to in appropriate terms by the First Lord. and was re Wind W.—Freezing Point 32 Deg.

GRAND CALEDONIAN FANCY

DRESS BALL.

The annual ball for the benefit of the Scottish Hospital
and the Caledonian Asylum took place last night, at Willis's-
rooms, King-street, St. James's-square. It was attended, as
usual, by almost all the fashionables in town. Nearly a thou-
sand persons were present. The costumes, both in richness
and variety, fully equalled, if not surpassed, those exhibited on
any former occasion. The Highland garb and military uni-
forms were the predominating costumes of the evening. At
twelve o'clock, the boys, 70 in number, preceded by the High-
land pipers, to the tune of " The Highland Laddie," entered
the ball-room. Their clean and healthy appearance was the
theme of general observation. The children having retired,
dancing commenced, and was kept up till an early hour in the
morning, with much spirit. The ball was conducted and went
off with as much eclat as on any former occasion. Amon,st
the company present we observed the Duchess of Inverness,
the Countess of Zetland, the Countess of Kilmorey, the Mar-
quis of Londonderry, the Marchioness of Londonderry, the
Duke of Argyll, the Duchess of Argyll, the Marquis of Hast-
ings, the Marchioness of Hastings, the Countess of Surrey, the
Marquis of Huntly, the Countess of Carnwath, the Earl of
Cardigan, the Viscountess Duncannon, the Alai quit of Head-
fort, the Duchess of Somerset, the Duchess of Sutherland,' the
Countess of Morton, the Lady Emily Foley, the Countess of
Haddington, the Countess of Wemyss and Aiarch, the Countess
of kosebery, Lady Saltoun, Lady Elizabeth Gower, Lady Mary
Howard, Lady Emily Drummond, Countess Powis, Ladies
Louisa and Ann Primrose, Lady Glenlyon, Countess of
Cawdor, Lady Frances Vane, The Chisholm, lion. Miss
Somerville, Lady Bateman, Hon. George Stewart, Colonel
Cameron Sir Edward and Lidy Smythe, Sir Wm. Moles-
worth, Count Baptiste Aletaxa, Lord and Lady Alford, Sir
Thomas and Lady Bradford, Sir Archibald APDonald, Sir
George Hamilton, Lord Cranstoun, Sir Arthur and Lady Chi-
chester, Countess of Winterton, Lord Ternplemore, Lord W.
Lennox, the Countess of Mountcashel, Lady Jane Moor, Lady
Pearson, Aliss Emma Pearson, :•ir John Campbell, Mrs.
Charles Lushington, Lady Campbell, Sir Robert Camp-
bell, Sir Charles Morgan, Lady Agnes Buller, Miss M.
Drummond, Sir T. Aloncrieffe, Lady Campbell, Lady
Blantyre, Lord Stavordale, the Honourable Miss -Murray, the
Honourable Mrs. Henry Murray, Lady M'Kenzie, Colonel
Browne, Lady and Miss Clifton, Sir Duncan M'Dougal,
Viscountess Newry, Alajor Hallifax, the Honourable Mortimer
West, Sir John Thorold, Lady Thorold, Major Wilmot, the
Due de Lante, Lord Jocelyn, Baroness Brahe, Lady Co-
drington, Miss E. Codrington, the Hon. Henry Dundas, the
Hon. Charles Spring Rice, the Hon. Edward Spring Rice,
Lady Olivia Taylor, Lord Castlemain, the Hon. Miss Han-
cock, Lord Aberdover, Sir Hervey Bruce, the Hon. J. Mur-
ray, Dowager Lady Cunningham Fairfax, the Hon. Captain
Knox, R.N., Lady Wors!ey Holmes, Miss Iliorsley Holmes.
the Honourable Mrs. Knox, Lady Selina Needham, Lord
and Lady Leigh, Lady Jane Charteris, Lady Charlotte
Fletcher, Lady Selino Needham, the Honourable Julia Anna
Leigh, the Hon. William Leigh, the Hon. Aliss E. Leigh,
Mrs. Peel, Sir Gabriel Wood, Lady Wood, the Honourable
Mrs. Wyndham, Miss Wyndham, Aliss Seymour, the Hon.
William Henniker, Lord Carnoys, Lady Camoys, the Hon. K.
tse Flower,
Honourable Lrd
Aiiss
Fre-
derickand Mrs. Stonor, Lady Mary Agar, the Hon. Captain Mur-
ray
V isnceoauunetieesrksA, sLhobrrdookc,. thßeealluocnl
e h
. is
Otway Cave, Lieut.-Colonel Johnston, Lady and Miss John-
ston, Lord Paget, Lady Caroline Stewart, Lady L. Churchill,
the Hon. Mrs. Ramsden, Viscount Torrington, Colonel Allis,
the Hon. Miss Stewart, Sir Wrn. Elliott, Bart., Lady An-
struther, Lady Wight.man, the Hon. Miss Stewart, Lady Gor-
don Cumming, Sir Edward Elliott, Lord Brooke, Lady Brom-
ley, Miss Bromley, Sir Thomas Winning y
Sykes,
Airs. Milner Gibson, the Hon. Henry Pitt, Miss C. Ramsden,
Mrs. Allix, &c.