The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-16 00:00:00

FRENCH PLAYS-ST. JAMES.

La Dame de St. Tropez, which on its first production
at this theatre, during the last engagement of M. F. Le-
maitre, excited such thrilling interest, was performed for
the first time this season last evening. Frederic Lemaitre
being, of course, the George Maurice. His George
Maurice is a superb piece of acting, and it really last
evening seemed to be even more powerful and effective
than it appeared two seasons ago. The drama is most
artistically constructed, and the last scene is the cli-
max. In that last scene how painfully true to nature is
the acting of Frederic Lemaitre. His dying scene is the
most affecting thing on the stage. 'He was admirably
scpported by Mademoiselle Clarisse as Hortense, by Du-
mery as Antoine Caussade, the villain of the piece, and
by Cartigny as the Notary. The house was crowded.

The various ornamental woods lately brought from
New Zealand surpass every thing of the kind known to
the cabinet-maker of this country. The company have
certainly shown, through Mr. Seveir, a very intelligent
German, who was a settler at Wellington, not only the
extraordinary rarity and beauty of these woods, but to
what elegant purposes they may be applied. A visit of
inspection to the New Zealand Company's House in
Broad-street will amply repay the curious in the
natural produce of this island.
EXTRAORDINARY RENCONTRE.—The quid nuncs of
an ancient town in Derbyshire that has figured rather con-
spicuously in our columns of late, were on the 13th instant
thrown into a high state of excitement by a rencontre in the
public market-place of a somewhat extraordinary character.
It apr ears that for some time past squibs, composed of very
combustible materials, have been flying about the town, to
the annoyance of some parties, and the amusement of others ;
and an explosion of a rather ludicrous nature has at length
taken place, which our faithful chronicler thus graphically
narrates :—Between the hours of twelve and one o'clock on
the day above-named, two highly respectable parties,—one
a gallant lieutenant in her Majesty's navy, the other a son
of an indefatigable and very useful Member of the House of
Commons—happened to meet in the market-place, and mu-
tually suspecting each other of being the author of certain
printed cards, letters, hand.bills, &c., words ensued, and they
challenged each other with the fact. From words they
speedily came to blows, which resulted in a gallant contest for
the victory. Round one—the combatants closed in, " pitched"
right and left with determined fierceness, each bent on doing
great execution, aud bringing the battle to a climax; chances
about even, but the" young 'un " rather the best of it. Round
second : fiercely contested, science at a discount, with both,
passion getting the better of judgment; the " young 'un "
pitched into his opponent's " bread- basket," who, in return,
struck at the visage of his antagonist, neither doing any
execution. Several rounds followed in succession, and a
crowd having collected round the combatants, a friend of
one of the parties interfered. The Gallant Lieutenant was
dragged from the scene into a shop by a chivalrous lady, and
the young esquire was forcibly held by thebvstanders, and
prevented pursuing his antagonist, and taking the full
amount of his injuries—real or imagined—out in " kind."
The former, says our chronicler, showed marks about ,the
eyes, and blood was seen at intervals to trickle from the
mouth of the esquire. Of course the conflict caused a great
sensation in the" ancient and loyal " town, and it will serve
the quid nuncs to talk about for many a day to come. We
insert these particulars in the hope that their publication
will tame these fiery spirits, and bring them back to a pro-
per state of mind. Those who play at bowls must expect
rubbers • and if either, or both parties, are guilty of the con-
duct which they impute to each other, we would advise tsetm
k,
ew
to fight the battle out with in and most religisli tou
a contest with clenched fists.—From the Second F
the Derby Reporter.
OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.—At the close of the
last session it was fully expected that the new House of
Lords would have been ready for the reception o
House is ftheir
ships at their next meeting; but, although that in
a very considerable state of forwardness, her Majesty will
once more, and in all probability for the last time, address her
faithful Parliament on Tuesday next from the throne in the
present House of Lords.
GAME PRESERVING.--On some occasions of late
there have been more than 50 night watchers employed to
protect the game on the preserves of the Duke of Buching-
ham at and around Wotton.
CAMBRIDGE B.A. EXAMINATION.—The examina-
tion of the candidates for honours at the University of Cam-
bridge for the year 1847 commenced on week.
The 3
The betting, and there is betting even on the racea Wednesday
ho-
nours, is not very animated. There is not much uncertainty
with regard to the senior wrangler. It is the general.
opinion that St. John's College will have the first four
wranglers. The examination lasts six days.—.Doncaster Ga-
zette.

At the meeting of the Royal Humane Society, on
Tuesday, a silver medal was unanimously voted to Com-
mander J. W. Finch (then Lieutenant of the Victory), for
saving the life of a seaman by jumping overboard through a
port-hole after him, from the Naiad, in July last, during
very rough weather. This is the second occasion of Com-
mander Finch receiving a testimonial from the same society
—the former Was for saving lives during
a storm, from a
wreck,