The Sun.
London, England, 1847-12-10 00:00:00

S Ny DECEMBER 10, 1847.

accommodation bills—had long flown between them; so
long indeed, that the flight grew somewhat feeble.
Parsons was himself an original and a wit. A tall,
lanky man, he gave effect to his waggeries by a pe-
culiar lisp. The retrieved associates on their way to
court for the first time, indulged naturally in mutual
gratulations. " What a lucky hit (said Peter), who
could have expected it?" " Everybody, Peter. What
else had we before us, but the benefit of the act ?"
There was a grave, literal meaning about Parsons's
notabilia which at once affiliated them. One instance
occurs to us in his answer to a Crown solicitor on
circuit. This man had an awful halt in his gait, and
limped hastily up to Parsons in the streets of Trim,
with—" Pray, Mr. Parsons, did you happen to see Mr.
MacNally walking this way?" "Upon my word, sir
(was the answer), I never saw him walking any other
way."

MAGAZINES, &c.—(CONTINUED).
DOUGLAS JERROLD.
In this number of Jerrold we have a proposal for
the establishment of an Art-Manufacture Union, the
formation of which would, the writer opines, give to
schools of design the impetus they lack at present.
Speaking of the objects of such an institution he
says :

" An Art-Manufacture Union would substitute useful
household articles, designed by eminent men, for the
tasteless, misshapen utensils now in general use. The
proposed union would distribute such prizes as Towns-
hend's Beer Jug—an article in common use, and beau-
tiful to the eye, and suggestive to the mind. The union
would, in fact, spread art-manufacture after the fashion
designed lately under the superintendence of Felix
Summerley, on an extended scale, throughout the
country. To such a union, poor people would contribute,
because the certainty of reeceiving the value of their
subscription, in the shape of some useful utensil, would
enable them to afford the price of a ticket. In the
establishment of this union, let the present system of
distribution be extended on the most liberal principles,
and allow non-subscribers to become purchasers of any
article at its market value. When the idea of this union
was first conceived its adoption appeared to be encum-
bered by so many obstacles that we were about to aban-.
den it as an impossible proposition, had not a closer con-
sideration of the subject fixed in our mind a sense of the
simplicity of the means whereby the objects of this union
might be effected.
" The first stumbling-block we set aside was the diffi-
culty that would attend the manufacture of artists'
designs by the union. It at first appeared to us, that
either the committee must cause a large stock of designs
to be executed, or themselves select the prizes; and it is
obvious that these alternatives are very great objections
to the plan, inasmuch as the former proceeding would
leave a large stock of goods on the society's hands, while
the latter would partially frustrate the immediate object
of the society's foundation, because it would compel the
subscribers to abide by the taste of the committee. It
afterwards occurred to us that these difficulties might
be surmounted by the exhibition of designs which should
be executed in any material that would bring them within
the amount of the prizes, when the said design had been
selected by the prize-holders. This method would
effectually do away with the above objections, and at
once simplify the principle of an Art-Manufacture
Union. The subjects of the designs should include all
household furniture, both the useful and the ornamental.
The sale of the copyright of these designs would be a
source of considerable income to the society. The
manufacturers would be glad to become purchasers of
the productions of our most eminent men; and so our
patterns might be equal to our fabrics. This union
must be a national institution, not a private speculation.
Its sole object must be the advancement of art, and not
the pecuniary gain of some few speculative individuals."
The " Worker and the Dreamer" is brought to a
conclusion in this number, and Paul Bell gives us a
caustic article anent) courts and courtiers, under
the title of "The Prince and the Philibeg." The
number concludes with a long and well-written
metaphysical disquisition on the " Cause of Surprise."
We are promised in the January number a new story
by the editor, to be called " Twiddlethumb Town,
which is to be completed in twelve parts.
TH

-E PATRICIAN. Edited by John Burke, Esq.
The " History of the Clubs of London" is brought
to a conclusion in this number, in which we have
the first part of a series of papers on the romantic
heroes of history—Bayard, the chevalier sans peur
et sans reprocke, being the hero who sits for his
portrait in this number. Some of the achievements of
the chevalier sans peur et sans reprocke; would in
these degenerate days have subjected him to a pro-
secution for highway robbery, such for instance as
his adventure with the banker whom he kidnapped in
Italy, and from whom he plundered fifteen thousand
ducats. The days of chivalry, notwithstanding all
that Lord John Manners may say or sing in their
praise, must have been anything but pleasant days for
peaceable persons to live in.

THE COMIC HISTORY OF ENGLAND. No.
XVIII. By G. A. A'Beckett.
This number of the Comic History carries us
pleasantly through the reigns of Chemicals 11. and
Jaynes 11., and concludes with a chapter on Litera-
ture, Science, and the Fine Arts. Of Sir Isaac
Newton our author observes :
"Though Newton was a pattern of modesty in his
intercourse with the external world, he was bold enough
in his approaches to Dame Nature, and would not allow
her to hide her face from him, if by any amount of
perseverance he could get a peep at it. He even had the
audacity to go the length of tearing off her veil, for the
purpose of revealing her beauties; and Nature, instead
of becoming indignant at this rough treatment, was evi-
dently flattered by his attentions, to which she offered
every encouragement."

THE BRITISH ALMANAC and COMPANION.
This, the first almanac which, eschewing the
humbug of astrology and prophecy, dared to become
what an almanac should be, viz., a useful year book
of facts, still continues to maintain its proud pre-emi-
nence. In addition to an immense mass of useful
information on various subjects, the Companion for
1848 contains a paper of great value on the progress of
education in England, and another on the Government
offices.

[PRICE SD.

THEATRE ROYAL, DUBLIN.

(From the Dublin Evening Packet of December 4.)
For years there has not been such a crowded
house as that of Thursday night, boxes, pit, galleries,
pigeon-holes, and even the stage, being filled with
spectators. The dress-circle presented a most bril-
liant appearance, overflowing as it was with rank,
fashion, and beauty; and the coup diced presented
by the vast building, on the rising of the curtain,
was one of the most magnificent we ever witnessed.
The performances were by command of his Excel-
lency the Lord-Lieutenant and the Countess of
Clarendon, who, accompanied by their suite, occupied
the usual state box. In the front row of the adjoin-
ing box sat the Countess of Verulam, and the inter
esting and graceful Countess of Caledon.
Shortly after half-past seven o'clock, the Vice.
regal party arrived at the piazza of the theatre,
escorted by a half troop of the 7th Hussars. The
band and colours, with a guard of honour of the 85th
regiment, were in waiting, and presented
arms as his Excellency alighted from his car-
riage, while the band played the national an-
them. His Excellency and the Countess, on entering
the state box, were received with loud cheering, which
they duly acknowledged, and this cheering was re-
doubled when a slight hissing from the galleries made
itself heard. Lord Clarendon wore a blue Court
uniform, with a broad red ribbon, and also the collar
of the Order of St. Patrick ; and her Excellency,
who was attired in a dark crimson velvet dress, or-
namented with black lace, wore a superb tiara and
necklace of diamonds, and a stomacher of brilliants.
The Commander of the Forces, who occupied his
usual seat, met with the accustomed hearty reception
when he entered the theatre, but the " boys " who
were placed in the gallery to applaud Sir Philip
Crampton, did not earn the price of their admission.
Silence having been restored, the national anthem
was sung by the strength of the company, after which
the comedy of Much Ado about Nothing commenced
the performances.
We confess, that with all our knowledge of Mr.
Kean's ability, and with the fullest appreciation of that
sterling talent which has won those " golden opinions"
he so eminently deserves, we were not prepared for
such a genuine piece of life-like comedy as was em-
bodied in his representation of Benedick. We consi-
dered it a character entirely unsuited to him, and one
not coming at all within the range and compass of his
powers. But what obstacle is there that true genius
cannot triumph over ? His Benedick was a perfect
embodiment of the glorious creation of the world-re-
nowned bard. Every pungent sentiment and sting-
ing witticism was uttered with force and keenness,
and his efforts to gain supremacy in the war of words
with the witty and satirical Beatrice were re-
ceived with repeated bursts of laughter and applause.
One peculiar and most excellent quality that
distinguishes his comedy is, that it is not a
whit exaggerated, and never puts on the meretricious
garb of broad farce, too frequently donned by those
in whose minds the plaudits of the judicious few does
not unweigh that of a whole theatre of others. From
the first scene to the last nothing was overdone, and
yet all the minutest points were brought out in the
most effective manner.

Of the Beatrice of Mrs. Kean it is impossible to
speak in too warm terms of admiration. Graceful, ani-
mated, full of life, spirit, and piquancy—never was
the " dear Lady Disdain " more faithfully or more
beautifully imagined. Her rallying of the masked
Benedick as " the prince's jester, a very dull fool,"
was admirable ; and the causticity of Beatrice's wit,
and the biting nature of her sarcasms, lost nothing in
the genuine emphasis of their delivery. Were we, in
fact, to attempt to speak of Mrs. Kean's entire
performance as we feel it deserves, we should begin
with the first ironical query, anent the return of
" Signor Motanto " from the wars, and terminate
only with her acceptance of Benedick, " upon great
persuasion," noting every word uttered with justly-
bestowed admiration.

Claudio was well sustained by that very efficient
actor, Mr. Bland, and the Dogberry 'of Barrett was
fairly rendered. The remaining parts were tolerably
cast, and the comedy altogether passed off with the
utmost eclat. The farce of the Barber Bravo con-
cluded the performances, his Excellency the Lord-
Lieutenant and the Countess of Clarendon remaining
until its termination, when the National Anthem
was again sung, and the Viceregal party retired.
Last night the new play of the Jacobite was per-
formed, Mr. Romer mutilating the part of John Duck
after his peculiar deadly-lively fashion. No wit,
however sparkling, no humour, however racy, could
survive his delivery thereof. We may, indeed,
speaking of Mr. Baker, to succeed whom this origi-
nal has been imported, use the words of Hamlet,
and say—

" What judgment
" Would step from this to this ?"

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.

Not anything of great importance has been intro-
duced into the scientific world since our last notice
of this most valuable repository. Several additions,
however, have been made to the museum of a
minor character, all aiding in the general
interest, though separately of no great importance.
Amongst the most recent deposits may be observed
a sofa bedstead, of a very compact description,' by
Mr. Burdett. A safety azletree, by Ehyn, and
Millichap. Fuller and De Bergur's patent buffer
springs for railway carriages ; this latter is a valuable
application of vulcanized caoutchouc. The buffer
springs formed in this way are beautifully elastic, not
more than one-fourth the weight of steel springs, and
occupy a much less space. Price's chopping machine
is a neat little contrivance for domestic use, and
would, no doubt, prove a serviceable appendage to the
kitchen. This is but a portion of the many inge-
gious contrivances that have been recently intro-
duced in this truly national institution, and the
advantages derived by the inventor in being thus
enabled to place the work of his ingenuity where
it can become known to the world, and
thereby appreciated, must be at once evident.
The laws of nature in reference to sanitary measures
are still being discussed by Dr. Bachhoffner, and still
proves attractive by the importance of the subject.
Draip traps, models illustrating the ventilation of
sewers, &c., &c., are to be found here. Little has
been left undone by the mechanical portion of the
world in endeavouring to render our cities and towns
a 3 salubrious as possible.

THE ADMIRALTY.—We understand that Captain
Alexander Milne, of the St. Vincent, son of the late
distinguished Flag-officer Admiral Sir David Milne,
G.C.8., who was second in command at the battle of
Algiers, will be the new Lord of the Admiralty, in room
of Rear-Admiral Prescott, C. 8., who, as we announced
yesterday, has been appointed to succeed the late Rear-
Admiral Shirreff as Superintendent of Portsmouth
Dockyard.—Morning paper.
Mr. Thomas Frederick Elliott, the senior Com-
missioner of the Colonial Land and Emigration Board,
has been appointed Joint-Assistant Under-Secretary of
State for the Colonial Department with Mr. Merivale.
Mr. Murdock, who has been appointed a Commissioner
in the place of Mr. Elliott, has been one of the senior
clerks in the Colonial-office.

Among the company present at the Grand Opera,
Theatre Royal Drury-lane, on Wednesday evening, we
observed—The Marquis of Clanricarde, Lady Augusta
Lennox, Lady Caroline Lennox, Lady Brinekmas, Lady
Lawley, Lord Henry Lennox, Lord Arthur Lennox,
Lord Robert Clinton, Lord Suffield, Lord Brooke, Sir
Henry Goring, Sir William de Bathe, Count Felix de
Latour, the Hon. Major Needham, Colonel Taylor,
Colonel Hughes, Captain Maxwell, Captain Cockburn,
Captain Cuddy, Mr. Chandos Pole, Mr. Clayton, Mr.
Salomon, &c.
THE HALL AND THE HAMLET. By the Author of
" The Book of the Seasons," &c.—Under the title of
" The Hall and the Hamlet," that able delineator of
rural life and manners, William Howitt, has just put
forth a new work which cannot fail to interest a very
wide circle of readers. Here may the English gentle-
man—the possessor of " The Hall"—find himself
sketched to the life; and here, too, the humble denizen
' of " The Hamlet" may see himself pourtrayed in truth-
ful colours, by one who has well studied his character
and habits. There can be no doubt that Mr. Hewitt
has had in his mind
originals, whom he has
's
eye
introduced as the principal
livpienrgsonages of this charming
work. On this point, however, he observes, "As we
deal very much with facts and realities, we must be
careful not to localise too minutely. The aim of a
writer should be to draw, examples, lessons, and warn-
ings, from the actualities of human life, rather than to ,
I enable the common finger of the gossip to point to this, I
or that person, and say ' This is he!' That is she!' "
THE DIAMOND STEAM-PACKET ComPANT.—_An
adjourned General Court of Proprietors of the Grav esend—
and Milton Diamond Steam-packet Company,N,,,t,s held
t loth the
of business
November
of the at the Town-hall, Gravesend, on Wednesday, for
. last. After
much held with and
finishinge
on h
much discussion, the report of the committee
to consider the state of the company, appointed
and which recom-
mended increased economy, wa
adopted, and the meeting then a ulmr,st unanimously
proceeded to the election
of directors ; Mr. Ditchburn
refused. to be re-elected as
a delegate to carry out the views
of the committee whose
report had just been read,
and, of course, resigned his
office. Other gentlemen, together with some of the old
directors, were then elected ; and Mr. Deputy Finnis, in
conclusion remarked, that as an infusion of new blood
into the board had been effected, he hoped they would
now witness a more wholesome state of things. After a
vote of thanks to the committee for their labours, the
meeting separated, and, for the second year, without de-
claring a dividend.