The Sun.
London, England, 1871-02-07 00:00:00

11HE SUN, LONDON, TUESDA Y, FEBRUAII Y. 7, 1871.

THE RECEPTION OF THE FENIANS.
The correspondent of the Times, writing from Plilla-

ROBERTSON, THE DRAMATIST.
We extract the following observations, on the late Mr.
Tom Robertson, from the Birmingham Morning News :
Mr. Robertson may be said, in his own bright words, to
have been " nursed on rose-pink, and cradled in proper-
ties." His father was an actor, and his mother an actress;
his sister Madge is one of the first artists in London ;
another sister, whose stage name is Miss Brunton, and a
brother who acts as a Mr. Craven, are now distinguishing
themselves in the provinces, in Mr. Young's comedy com-
pany, Mr. Robertson, sen., being the manager of an
important theatrical circuit, young Torn Robertson
naturally turned actor. But he was not a good actor;
he has owned this over and over again. During
the intervals of acting, and during his peregrinations
from town to town lie tried his hand at play writing,
but his plays were refused over and over again. lie
managed to get a farce called "The Cantab" produced at
the Strand in 1861, but his first original production was a
drama, called " A Night's Adventure," at the Olympic
when under Mr. Farren's management in 1851. Throughout
this tiresome acting Me in the provinces, Mr. Robertson
was not idle. He slaved at translating, and a rummage
over Mr. Lacy's book shelves would no doubt bring to light
many plays translated by him from French originals, which
were acted from time to time at the east end of London.
Tired of the stage, and of wandering from one garrison town
to another (wherein, no doubt, he acquired his love of sol-
diers and soldiering), Mr. Robertson came up to London
in 1860, and determined to cut the stage and earn his
bread by light literature. His clever and charming style
soon found a market, He tried his hand at journalism of
all kinds, and it will no doubt be read with some little
surprise that the brilliant author of " Caste "
was ten. years ago editing a mining journal, to whose
pages he contributed a novel, which was subsequently
dramatised by him, and called " Shadow Tree Shaft."
He wrote for the best light periodicals of that time ;
he was dramatic critic to the Illustrated Times, to which
newspaper he also contributed some admirable
dramatic sketches, which ought to have been re-
published long ago ; he threw in his fortunes with those
of a little band of struggling authors like himself, and to-
gether each Christmas they produced a nosegay of
novelettes. The plots of most of Mr. Robertson's Prince
of Wales's plays will be found in these little Christmas
volumes. Undaunted by this never-ending periodical
and newspaper writing, Mr. Robertson still wrote plays,
and they were constantly rejected. "Society," the
play which made Mr. Robertson, was in the Haymarket
for many months, and was eventually sent back,
to the bitter disappointment of the author, though
no doubt, he subsequently bleSsed the day when
" Society" was rejected at a theatre where it would
very probably have failed, At last, in 1864, Mr. Sothern
listened to Mr. Robertson, and " David Garrick "—an
adaptation of a French piece called " Sullivan "—was
bought, paid for, and produced. In the following
year (1805) the Prince of Wales's Theatre was opened
by Mr. Byron and Miss Marie Wilton, and after the
theatre had been opened some time Mr. Byron determined
to give his old friend a chance. A new and clever
company was procured ; Mr. Robertson was allowed full
liberty to stage manage his play as he liked, and after a
preliminary rehearsal at Liverpool " Society " was pro-
duced at the Prince of Wales's, and Mr. Robertson's name
was made. There was something so fresh and charming
in the style, such an utter absence of conventionality
about the whole thing, the artists—most of them new to
London —were so clever, and the play so bright, that the
Prince of Wales's Theatre and Mr. Robertson became
the talk of the town. Thus, having got his foot on the
ladder at this little theatre, up went Mr. Robertson. He
knew exactly the strength and the cleverness of his
company, and lie fitted it to a nicety. "Society" was
followed by " Ours" in 1866, " Caste" in 1867 (certainly
his best work, and one which must be popular under
any circumstances), " Play " in 1868, " School " in 1869,
and " M.P." in 1870. Mr. Robertson's career at the
Prince of Wales's was unchequered. The audience would
listen to no one else. Mr. Boucicault and Mr. Edmund
Yates both tried to compete with the popular Prince
of Wales's author, but unsuccessfully. At other
theatres Mr. Robertson was naturally sought after. He
has given " Home " to the Haymarket, " Dreams " to
the Gaiety, " For Love " to the Holborn, " Shadow
Tree Shaft " to the Princess's, " A Rapid Thaw "
and " War " (his last work) to the St. James's ;
and he has written several plays, such as
" Birth " and " The Passion Flowers," which have only
been acted in the provinces. Mr. Robertson also wrote the
libretto to an opera by Mr. F. Clay, called " Constance,«
which was produced at Covent Garden, and an entertain-
ment for the German Reeds, called " A Dream of Venice."
Mr. Robertson's work and his style are so well known,
and they have been so often criticised, that there is no
occasion now to repeat what has been so often said before.
His plays are miniature plays. The artist painted in very
delicate colours, but at a time when the stage is deluged
with vulgarity and overloaded with absurdity it is with
sincere sorrow we part with a faithful friend who has done
nothing which will endanger his memory, and who has
certainly called back to the theatre people of taste and
education. The loss of such an author is seemingly all
but irreparable. We can well imagine that tears will be
shed for him by the members of that clever little com-
pany, for whom he has worked so devotedly ; and we
are quite sure that none us who have spent happy even-
ings in Mrs. Bancroft's theatre will forget to sigh regret-
fully for our old friend—to mourn for " poor Tom
Robertson." It may not be out of place to record in what
affection Tom Robertson was held by his brother workers
in literature, indeed by all his friends. He was a brilliant
conversationalist, and he told a story with a rich unction
and appreciation (particularly anecdotes of his theatrical
experiences) which made him invaluable as a companion
and a treat at the dinner table. His so-called cynicism,
on which he occasionally prided himself, was after all only
a pretty affectation. Everyone could see through it. No
one with such a beaming and good-natured face, which
VMS for ever sunning over with smiles ; no one with such
a generous disposition, or such an affectionate heart,
could be a cynic in the true sense of the word. He
made no enemies. He was beloved in private as
much as he was appreciated in public. No one envied him
his success, for which lie struggled with such untiring
energy, though all regret that he has died with the laurel.
wreath only just planted on his brow. The winter of Tom
Robertson's life was a long and cold one, and he died when
the happy summer time had only just begun. The work
of the clever author, the touch of the delicate artist, will
live after him ; while the name of the man, yes, and the
man himself, will be affectionately remembered by all who
lad the privilege of his friendship.

delphia on January 20th, says :
The steamer Cuba, from Liverpool, bearing O'Donovan
Rossa, Mullady, M'Clure, O'Connell, and Devoy, the
released Fenian prisoners, arrived at quarantine, New York,
on the evening of the 19th of January. Tammany Hall,
and, in conjunction with it, the New York City
Government had prepared for them a grand recep-
tion. The various Irish societies, and delegations
from different Fenian bodies, were also ready to take
part in this reception, the object of which was to give it
a Democratic leaning and flatter the large mass of Irish
voters who act with that party. The Republicans, how-
ever, made up their minds that they would capture the
Fenians too, and, if any political benefit was to be got frotn
it, secure it for their party. The consequence was that
two rival reception parties went down New York Thty •
last evening -- the Democrats, headed by the MIL \
Richard O'Gorman, on the steatner Antelope ; the
Republicans, led by Mr. Murphy, Collector of Cus-
toms, on the revenue cutter Droux. The various
Irish societies chartered a third steamer, the Andrew
Fletcher. The Andrew Fletcher reached the Cuba first,
and its committee went on board, closely followed by the
Tammany committee from the Antelope. The released
Fenians were in the cabin, and were considerably
astonished at the attentions pressed upon them, the scene
being heightened by the excitement on board the
rivat= vessels; for, the Droux arriving but a
few minutes later, its committee also went
on board the Cuba. Wrangling and excite-
ment followed in the cabin, the rival committees
each endeavouring to get control of the Fenians, and each
making them the most generous offers. Finally the
Fenians, unable to decide what to do, retired, and, join-
ing in the following letter, presented it to their would-be
entertainers:—

- - -
"TO THE GENTLEMEN OF THE SEVERAL DEPUTATION'S
FOR RECEIVING THE IRISH EXILES.

" On Board the Cuba, January 19, 1871.

"Gentlemen, —We thank you for all your invitations,
and we will try to aocept all, but we are only a few of
many. Our fellow-prisoners are on the way hither, and we
will take no public step until they arrive. You look upon
us as representing the cause of Ireland. for the interests of
which cause we desire that all Irishmen should be united.
It is painful to us to-night to seesomuch dissension among
yourselves. For what your reception concerns us as indi-
viduals we care little, compared to what we feel about it
in connection with the interest of Irish independence, and,
as you have not united harmoniously to receive us, we will
not decide upon anything till the arrival of our brothers.
We will remain on board the ship to-night, and we will go
to an hotel to-morrow.
" We remain, Gentlemen, yours very respectfully,
"J. O'DONOVAN ROSSA. "JOHN DEVOY.
" CHARLES UNDERWOOD " JOHN M'CLURE.
O'CONNELL. " HENRY. S. MULLADY."
The various committees remained until 2 a.m. this
morning disputing the matter, and finally, going on board
their steamers, each came back to the 'city empty-handed.
This morning the Cuba came up from quarantine and
anchored off the battery, where there was a great crowd
of excited people. The Fenians, still refusing the
hospitality of either committee, came ashore them-
selves and went to Sweeney's Hotel on Broadway,
whither they were escorted by a company of soldiers from
the 69th Regiment New York State Guard. Large
crowds followed them through the streets, and still sur-
round their hotel. By the last accounts they had not
decided what to do, but it is quite probable that Tammany
will ultimately capture them and give the reception for
which during the past two weeks the Democratic chiefs
have been making such elaborate preparations.

NEWS FROM INDIA.
We have received, vi,l Brindisi, the Indian mails to date
January 14th. The following heads of intelligence arc
extracted from the Bombay Gazette :
It is understood that the income tax will be retained,
but at a low figure.
An influential committee has been appointed in Cal-
cutta to take steps with a view to the erection of a public
memorial to the late Sir Henry Durand.
General Barrow is believed to be likely to succeed Mr.
Davies as chief commissioner of Oudh, but Sir George
Cooper is also mentioned.
It is said that Mr. Lushington, accountant-general, will
.be appointed financial secretary to the Madras Govern-
moat, from the next official year.
There is a rumour afloat in Calcutta that a secretariat
is to be created f-r the Marine Department, and that an
officer of the royal navy is to be appoint,d head thereof.
The came system of work which obtained under the late
Marine Board is, the rumour continues, again to be intro-
duced into the department.
The following telegram has been received from Colonel
Pelly :—" Reports of Saood's victory, capture of leader of
Wahabee Ameer's forces, and death of Wahabee Ameer
Abdulla confirmed. Saood's success beneficial to interests
of Bahrein and coast line."
On the sth instant Sir Salar Jung was decorated with
the Order of Knight Commander of the Star of India by
the Resident.
His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief of the Bom-
bay Army has now taken up his quarters for the sea-
son in Bombay. He arrived from Poona last Monday

evening.
The number of fresh students who have matriculated
for the Calcutta University is estimated at no less than
1,500.
Sir Colley Scotland's health has very much improved,
and he has been able to resume his seat in the Madras
High Court.
Mr. H. L. Davis, executive engineer, P.W.D., died at
Hooshungabad on the 4th January from the effects of
wounds inflicted by a tiger.

' A county meeting was held at the Lion Hotel,
Cambridge, on Saturday afternoon, under the chairman
ship of Major Pemberton, to devise means for raising a
subscription for the purpose of supplying the distressed
peasants of France with seed corn for spring sowing.

A. Galway man named Patrick Gallignn was taken
nto custody on Friday night at Warrington, charged with
be murder of Michael Glynn, in the mouth of January,
868. It is said that the Lancashire police have been on
be look-out for him for eighteen months.

I he Glasgow Herald states :—" The suspension of
the shipbuilding firm of Messrs. M'Cnlloch, Patterson,
and Co., Port Glasgow, is announced. The liabilities are
said to be considerable. The firm has only been in business

"Mrs. Yelverton" has purchased a farm in Mis-
souri for her permanent residence.—New York World.
ROYAL ALBERT HALL.—We understand that at
the ceremony of opening the hall by the Queen on the 29th
of March, an officially reserved free seat will be offered to
the mayor, provost, or bailiff of every place in the United
Kingdom which paid ..£lOO and upwards to the subscrip-
tion fund of the Exhibition of 1851.
_ .

for a few years."
A prospectus has been issuel of the Isle of Wight
(Newport Junction) Railway Company, with a capital
of £84,000, in shares of £lO each, of which 2,800, with a
preferential dividend of 6 per cent., are offered for sub-
scription. The line is 9i miles, connecting Cowes with
Sandown.
A marriage is arranged, and will shortly take
place, between Mr. James Norton, late 2nd Life Guards,
youngest son of the late Hon• and Rev. James Norton,
of Anningsley l'ark, Chertsey, and Henriette Clara
Marie, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bsrclay, of Stock-

A NOVEL NV AGER.—Captain Travers, of Roches-'
ter, New York, has made a wager of 25 dollars that he
will, at the distance of 36ft., with a pistol, shoot from
the top of a wine bottle a cork on which is plaCed a
bullet, dropping the bullet into the bottle and not break-
ing the bottle. He has 12 shots, and engages to perfoun
the feat four times.
PUBLIC OUTLAY ON LAW.—An investigation in-
stituted at the Treasury, into the expenditure of the Law
Courts, has led to the following curious result : For
effective services in the Courts of Chancery, Common
Law, Probate, and Bankruptcy, the outlay of public
money is £420,000 per annum, For non-effective services,
such as pensions, the outlay is £210,000, or exactly 50 per
1 cont.—Observer.
xi n
.01R. ~,RASSEY'S ESTATE.—Proba,bly the larg.:Eit
amount of personalty ever transmitted by one person is
the personal estate of the late Mr. Brassey, the railway
contractor whose will was proved last week in the Court
of Probate. His personalty alone, exclusive of his vast
landed estates, amounted to £6,500,000. Of this gigantic,
and during the existance of of the court probably un-
paralleled sum, £3,000,000 passed to his children in equal
share's, and the remainder was settled in trusts to , their
equal benefit.
THE FAILURE OF THE ALBERT.—As an instance
of the melancholy results produced by the collapse of the
Albert, we may mention the case of a student of one of
the Inns of Court, and an undergraduate of Oxford, whose
father was entirely ruined by its break-doWn. The young
gentleman in question had completed all his terms, both
at Oxford and at his Inn, and only awaited a remittance
from his father to enable him to take his degree at the
former, and be called to the bar at tl' 3 latter. The losses
of his father, however, put a stop to his supplies, and con-
sequently left hint totally unable to prOCeed in a promis-
ing career. —lnsurance Guardian.
BREAKFAST.—EPPS'S COCOA.—GRATEFUL AND COM-
FonTING.—The very agreeable character of this preparatiOn has
rendered it a general favourite. The Civil Service Gazette re-
marks:—" By a thorough knowledge of the natural isws whi:th
govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a
careful application of the line properties of well-selected cocoa,
Mr. Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately
flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors'
bills." Each packet is labellpd—JAMEs EN'S & Co., Homeo-
pathic Chemists, London. Also, makers of Epps's Cacabine, a
very thin evening beverage.—Advt.

holm, Sweden.
On Saturday an inquest was hold at Brighton on
the body of a gentleman found floating off the pier. When
taken ashore it was identified as that of Mr. Breidenbach,
the well-known perfumer of Bond-street. He bad been
lately suffering from mental depression, but his daughter
said he had not exhibited .any suicidal tendencies. The
verdict was " Found Drowned."
THE PAISLEY SHAWL TRADE.— Considerable
activity is at present manifested at Paisley in the manu-
facture of double cloths, and weavers can scarcely be got
in sufficient munbers to supply the demands on the manu-
facturers. •
INSPECTION OF SCHOOLS.—The Bishop of Lo -
don, believing that the tendency of the Elementary Edu-
cation Act must he to deteriorate both the quantity and
the quality of the religious teaching in denominational
schools, unless counteracted by watchfulness and effort,
has issued a circular calling attention to the importance
of making such periodical inspections as are permitted by
the Act.
THE LATE LORD WALSINCHIAM.—The• exeeuVas
of the late Lord Walsingham, who, it will be remem-
bered, recently committed suicide, have ordered the sale
of the short-horn cattle and the southdown sheep, reared
by his Lordship with much pains and expense, in May and
June. The sale will doubtless attract much attention in
the agricultural world, Lord Walsingham having generally
figured successfully at the meeting of the Royal Agrieutl-
tural Society of England.
A FRESH COMPLICATION IN THE EAST.—The
Independance Beige hears from St. Petersburg of a fresh
complication in the Eastern question. The Servian repre-
sentative has presented to the Ottoman Government a
memorandum respecting the annexation ,of Bosnia and
lierzegovnia to the Servian Principality. The Servian
Government proposes to settle the question in an amicable
fashion ; but nevertheless, it is, says the Independence,
the spectre of Servia making another appearance on the
political stage. If Turkey is alarmed at the prospect it is
certain that neither Pesth nor Vienna will feel more
.reassured. •