The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-05 00:00:00

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Mademoiselle Jenny Lind made her debiit here last even-
ing, and has surpassed—far surpassed—the highest expecta-
tions that could have been formed of her powers. As early
as four o'clock, persons began to assemble around the pit and
gallery doors of the theatre. At five o'clock the passage
through the Opera Arcade was completely blocked up by the
crowd (among whom were several ladies) assembled
around the pit door. Minute by minute that crowd con-
tinued to increase, until half-past seven o'clock, when the
doors were opened. The crush was terrific, and those who
had waited for hours, thought themselves fortunate if they
could secure standing room within sight and hearing of the
stage. Her Majesty, accompanied by his Royal High-
ness Prince Albert, her Royal Highness the Duchess
of Kent, and their respective suites, entered the
Royal box before the commencement of the over-
ture, and when Mr. Balfe entered the orchestra, there
was not a place is the house from which it was possible to
get a glimpse of the stage unoccupied. The opera was an
Italian version of the chef-cl'cruvre of Meyerbeer, Robert le
Diable, or, as it has been Italianised, Roberto Il Diavalo,
with the following cast :

Alice Mademoiselle Jenny Lind.
Isabella Madame Castellan.
Robert --Signor Fraschini.
Bertram Herr Staudigl.
Rambaldo Signor Gardoni.
Sacerdote Signor Bouche.
The overture was magnificently given, as was the opening
chorus of cavaliers, one of the finest compositions in the opera.
Rambaldo then enters, and the reception of Gardoni was
most flattering. It was not until after this period that the
audience recognised Staudigl, who of course had been on the
stage from the commencement of the opera, but the instant
his clear rich bass tones were heard, the applause
was enthusiastic. Then came the beautiful air, "Regnava
un tempo in Normandie," which was most tastefully given
by Gardoni, and which would, doubtless, have been honoured
by an encore but for the impatience of the audience to hasten
forward the great event of the evening—the debut of Jenny
Lind. At the conclusion of this air, Jenny Lind, undoubtedly
the prima donna of the world entered. She was re-
ceived with shouts of applause, and with waving of
handkerchiefs, that lasted several minutes. Of her
personal appearance the recently published portraits, which
are to be seen in every print-shop window, convey as
good an idea as portraits can convey, of the personal appear-
ance of any living being; but there is an intellectual beauty
in her animated countenance, a mobility of feature, and a
beauty of expression about the eye, which set the limner's art
at defiance, and to which words cannot do adequate justice.
So highly had Jenny Lind's musical powers been praised,
that we went almost prepared to be disappointed. We ex-
pected to find her a second Sontag from the descriptions we
had read, but we certainly were not prepared to find, as
we did find, the beautiful tones of a Sontag, united to the
powers of a Grisi, the compass of a Malibran, the more
than flexibility of a Persiani, and the correctness of
intonation of the most perfect of musical instruments.
It is impossible by language to convey any idea of what the
voice of Jenny Lind really is, because it is so surpassingly
beautiful—so superior to any other voice, uniting, as it does,
the perfection of all voices, that there is no standard to which
it can be compared. It is, in fact, itself the standard, as being
the nearest approach to perfection of any voice ever
heard, and hence the difficulty, nay, the absolute
impossibility of doing justice by description to the powers of
Jenny Lind. Truly has she been called the nightingale, for
she possesses in the utmost perfection the " jug " note of the
bird, and also that marvellous power of throwing, as it were,
the warble into distance—now dying away, and now swelling
again, even as an organ does—a power possessed by no other
human voice that we have ever heard. She first
brought this marvellous power into play in her scena d in-
trata " Vanne desse al figlio mio," and the audience were
hushed into admiring silence—they seemed almost afraid to
breathe ; and at the conclusion there was one loud burst of
enthusiastic applause. This possession of this marvellous power
was still more distinctly manifested in the second act, in the
far-famed Quand Je quittais La Nornsarsdie, the Quando
lasicar la Normandia of the Italian version. Never has this,
perhaps, the c,spo d'opera, been so exquisitely given. Those
who have not heard Jenny Lind sing this air can
form no idea of what it really is. The beautiful
nightingale-like richness and clearness of her tones
the immense power and compass, and the marvellous
flexibility of her voice—the lavishness and exquisite taste of
her fioriture—the perfect purity of her intonation are such,
that it is impossible by words to convey the remotest idea of
the reality. In her manner of reading the prayer to the
virgin, with which this air concludes, there is some-
thing indescribably beautiful. It is as though a nightin-
gale were endowed with the power of warbling in articulate
syllables. Jenny Lind is far and away the greatest singer
who has ever yet appeared, and loudly as fame has spoken in
her praise, fame has in this instance been guilty of no exag-
geration. We wonder not at the enthusiasm she has ex-
cited, wherever she has appeared. She was called for at the
conclusion of the first act, and also at the conclusion of the opera.
It is a works of supererogation to praise the Bertram of
Staudigl. It is one of those performances which have be-
come classical, and which are ranked with the Coriolanas of
Kemble, and the Sir Giles of Edmund Kean. Madame Cas-
tellan was in excellent voice, and sang and acted
Isabella exquisitely. Never has the far-famed
" Oh, Robert ! oh toi que J'aimie," (Roberto o to
the adorn of the Italian version), been more correctly,
more feelingly, or more beautifully given. Henceforth
that aria (at least in this country) is Madame Castellan's.
Fraschini was the best Robert we have seen in England. His
fine,:powerful, and rich chest tenor is excellently suited to the
part, and he acted it admirably. The dining song in the first
act has never been better given. Gardoei's Rambaldo is beau-
tiful. We have already alluded to his scena d'intrata
in which he was much applauded. His duet with Staudigl
in the second act was also exquisitely given, in fact,
Gardoni has made the character of Rambaldo. The cho-
ruses were splendidly given, and the manner in which the
music of this, perhaps the finest opera in the world, was
given by the orchestra, was a perfect triumph for Balfe.
The opera has been put upon the stage in the moat perfect
manner possible. The scenery, by Marshall, is superb. The
effect of the resurrection of the nuns was quite novel, and was
admirably managed. The mysterious and gradual appearance
during the incantation was quite dioramic. Carolina Rosati
was the principal nun, and if anything could excuse Robert's
sacrilege, it would be the fascinations of such a tempter.
A divertissement, embracing the talents of Cerito and St.
Leon, and Lucile Grahn, concluded the evening's enter-
tainments.
The Queen and his Royal Highness Prince Albert were
present. They were accompanied by her Royal Highness the
Duchess of Kent and his Serene Highness the Duke of
Leiningen. The Royal suite included the Countess of
Desert, Lady Augusta Bruce, Hon. Miss Kerr, Hon. Miss
Cavendish, Lord Waterpark, Hon. Colonel Phipps, and Col.
Bouverie ; her Majesty the Queen Dowager, accompanied
by his Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar,
and attended by the Earl and Countess Howe, Viscount and
Viscountess Barrington, Hon. Miss Wheatley, and Captain
Somerset ; and her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cam-
bridge, attended by the Ladies Augusta and Honoria
Cadogan, and Baron Knesebeck, were also present. Amongst
the general company were the Prince Louis Napoleon, the
Duke and Duchess of Beaufort and Lady Blanche Somerset,
the Duke and Duchess of Montrose, the Duke and Duchess
of Cleveland, the Dec de Melfort, Marquiss and Marchioness
of Ailesbury, Marquis and Marchioness of Douro, his Ex-
cellency the Baron de Brunnow, the Baroness Brunnow and
Sidlle. Olga de Lechner, his Excellency the Hanoverian
Minister, Marquis of Huntley, Marquis of Conyngham,
Marquis of Donegal, Earl Cadogan, Earl of Strathmore,
Earl and Countess of Wilton, Earl of Warwick, Earl of
Arundel and Surrey, Countess of Jersey and Lady Clemen-
tine Villiers, Earl of Munster, Earl of Chesterfield, Earl of
Falmouth, Countess of Blessington, the Misses Power, Earl
of Cardigan, Earl and Countess Granville, Countess Dowager
of Essex and Miss Johnson, Earl of Belfast, Countess of
Dalhousie, Earl and Countess of Powis, Countess Grey,
Viscount Cantalupe, Viscount and Viscountess Maidstone,
Viscountess Falkland, Viscount Canterbury, Viscount Ra-
nelagh, Viscount Castlereagh, Viscount Clifden, Lord and
Lady Willoughby de Eresby, Lord and Lady Macdonald,
Lord and Lady Ernest
'Bruce, Lord Alexander Gordon
Lennox, Lord and Lady Seymour, Lord Brougham, Lord
Brooke, Lord Gardner, Lord Sandys, Lord ,Saltoun, Lord A.
Fitzclarence, Lady Glentworth, Baron and Baroness Roths-
child, Baron and Baroness Lionel Rothschild, Baron Re-
hausen, Baron Nicolai, Baron Koller, Count d'Orsay, Count
de Berke, Count de Courcy, Count de Blacas, Hon. G. L.
Smythe, Hon. R. Curzon, Hon. W. Willoughby, Hon. J. Mac-
donald, Hon. Mrs. Dyce Sombre, Hon. R. Lawley, Hon. Mr.
Dillon, Sir R. and Lady Peel, Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore,
Sir George Talbot, Lady Palmer and Miss Palmer, Sir
Loftus and Lady Otway, Sir Alexander and Lady Wood-
ford and Miss Woodibrd, Sir Fitzroy and Lady Kelly, Sir
Charles Lemon, Lady Colbourn, Sir Wm. Fremantle, Sir
Henry Webb, Sir H. Willoughby. Sir Andrew Barnard, Sir
George Wombwell, Sir Bellingham and ,Lady Graham and
Miss Graham, Lady Slade, Sir Henry Ihd Lady and Miss
Meux, Lady Douglas, General Upton, Colonel Tynte, Colonel
Merrick, Mrs. Colonel Powell, Colonel Bowers, Major Butler,
Major Baring, Major Colgreave, Captain Reynolds, Captain
Greville, Captain Smith, Captain Laing Messon, M. C. De
Koudriaffsky, Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert
de Burgh, Mr. and Mrs. Trelawny and Miss Trelawny, Mrs.
Cunningham, Mr. C Packe, M.P., Mrs. Packeißeading, Mr.
Leader, M.P., Mrs. Grote, Mr. Barry Baldwin, M.P., 151 r. G.
Delafield, Mr. W. Delafield,"
Mr. J. Hankey, Mr. Hucksley,
Mr. W. Williams, Mr. Montagu Gore, Mrs. Capel, Mr. and
Mrs. G. Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler, Miss Gyles, Miss
Gee, Mr. Clarke, Mr. 11. Villebois, Mrs. Matheson, Mr. H.
Barclay, Mr. Amory, Mr. Howard, Mr. Holford, Mrs. Perry,
Mr. B. Lindo, Mr. Roberts, &c.
(From the Times.)
We have had frequent experiences of the excitement ap-
pertaining to " first nights,' but we may safely say, and our
opinion will be backed by several hundreds of her Majesty's
subjects, that we never witnessed such a scene of enthusiasm
as that displayed last night on the occasion of Mademoiselle
Jenny Lind's dealt as Alice in an Italian version of Robert
le Diable. The uproar which followed her entrance is some.
thing to be remembered, not described. The whole crowded
mass displayed a power of lungs truly astounding, and hats
and handkerchiefs waved from all parts. It was not like the
encouragement given to a debutante, but the welcome given
to an established favourite—a declaration of an existing
sympathy. For a moment Mademoiselle Lind was a little
overcome by her immense reception, but it was for a moment
only, and as a singer and an actress she had perfect posses-
sion of all her powers throughout the evening. If the ex-
pectations were great, we must say that they were more
than realised. People came prepared to admire, but they
admired beyond the extent of their preparation. The de-
licious quality of the organ—the rich gushing notes were
something entirely new and fresh. The auditors did not
know what to make of it. They had heard singers over
and over again, but here, that wondrous thing, a new
sensation was actually created. The conversations in the
box-lobbies were all indicative of the highest gratification
and the highest wonder, were all variations in the
oneo theme
of " Did you ever heir such a thing in your life
of our readers who were not in the house may fancy we are
rhapsodizin,. but all that were there, and had an oppor-
tunity of joining in general conversation, know that what we
pure unexaggerated fact. The sustained
are statini is a
notes, swelling with full richness, and fading down to the
softest piano, without losing ono iota of their quality,
being delicious when loud, delicious when whispered,
dwelled in the public ear, and reposed in the public
heart. The shake mezzo voce with which she concluded
the pretty air " Quand jo quittai ma Normandie" was
perfectly wonderful for its rapidit
ithy
the and equat
lityhusia . T sic
sic
air was rapturously encored w mos ent
Waving of hats and bandkerdliefa. Lyea 614 way iu

which she uttered the first two or three notes of her
Romanza "Va dit-elle" so completely took thelaudience
by surprise that they interrupted her progress, and forced
her to stop by their impetuous applause. While
Mademoiselle Lind raised her audience to enthusiasm
by the exquisite nature of her organ, and by her per-
fect execution, the impression she made on them as an actress
was no less profound. There is no conventionality about her,
no seizing the strong points of a character and letting all the
rest drop. She acts thoroughly, and whether she is singing
or is confined to by-play, her histrionic exertions are the
same. Hence a perfect naturalness, and an infinite variety
of gesture. All seems dictated by the moment, and yet all
is graceful. There is no stereotyped form for love, anger, or
what not ; but all has the impress of immediate inspiration.
As striking points we may mention the clinging to the cross,
when attacked by Bertram, and the expression of rapture
just before the final descent of the curtain, when she feels
that she has saved Robert from perdition. We just set down
these points almost at random, and would not have our
readers imagine that they jut out like pyramids from a desert.
Her whole conception of Alice is a fine histrionic study, of
which every feature is equallj, good. On the fall of the cur-
tain the burst of applause showed that the expectations of
the audience had been more than realised. Three distinct
times was Mademoiselle Lind called upon the stage, and it
was a certain hearty " one cheer more" sort of feeling, which
we have never seen so strongly manifested.
(From the Morning Herald.)
No sooner was Jenny seen than a hurricane of welcome
sounded through the house, lasting for so long a period that
the fair object of it was well nigh overcome with its violent
and enduring heartiness. It was a considerable time before
she recovered her self possession and was enabled to pro-
ceed with her part. Without having the ghost of a preten-
sion to beauty, there is a charm encircling her to which few
could be indifferent. Her fair hair, her blue eyes, and her
slight figure, are facts to be jotted down ; but the intelli-
gence and child-like goodnature which overrule everything
else are less tangible, and it would be hard to define the
sensibility, the benevolence, and the innumerable little graces
reflective of feminine worth and guilelessness which play
over her visage, producing an effect ineffably special, amiable,
and engaging. When Miss Bremer, in the novel which first
made Jenny Lind's name known to the English public, de-
scribed her as " captivating," it is clear she was not wrong ;
and the estimate of Andersen, the Danish poet, who pro.
nounces her " pure-hearted, pious, and kind—a noble woman
and a faithful friend"—the sympathies at once justify,
though no one can tell wherefore. Notwithstanding the
amount of large and unfair expectation in which the public had
indulged—a perilous expectation to face—disappointment did
not follow; on the contrary vast was the delight. Her voice, a
true soprano, is rich, full, and mellifluous— clear, distinct, and
voluptuously bell-like—while there is a charming evenness
of texture throughout. It extends to D in alt, a point
she reaches without loss of power or tone. Her capacity
to execute volant passages seems to be similar to that of
Sontag, every note being accurately and separately articu-
lated with the nicety and finish of an instrument ; but,
unlike Sontag, her merits do not stop here, for these me-
chanical arts are entirely, subordinate to the poetical ex-
pression, and the hearer is not so much surprised as in-
tensely gratified. That she is an excellent musician there
are proofs in her taste, her modes of phrasing, her exquisite
sostenuto, and her rare judiciousness. The first air was
therefore a triumph in the consideration of the audience,
who were moved to admiration as much by the delicate
earnestness of the delivery as by the pure and un-
affected style of singing; and its consummate cer-
tainty. Her execution of the pretty pastoral, " Quand
je quittai Normandie " was inexpressibly naive and win-
ning, disclosing the specific qualities we have noted still
more perfectly, and meeting with an encore to each sepa-
rate verse. In the unaccompanied trio, " Ses yeux sent
bsttact,hirooen u
lastgbhet
twerewscheoeeefnrnet hpeet
withhr
fheoi gn
nßph r
ioe sabnnteccrvie
stpa laune
Bb
eur
tt rha emr
tr
ha ne d
typical ff r t
basses," the justness of her intonation, and her artistical
principles
g:tcidd wanitdh eexvtilra—ordwinhaicn
wcoaslliin-
ry
triumph and eclat. Altogether the first hearing of Jenny
Lind has been satisfactory in the extreme, and we donne t
now wonder at the criticism of Mendelssohn, who Mils
with generous emphasis, that he has nowhere " met with
such a genuine and true artist—nowhere found natural
capacity, study, and deep sensibility, so perfectly united ;
and that, although here or there one of these qualities may
have appeared much more prominent, he believes the combi-
nation of all these to such a degree has never yet oc-
curred." In common, therefore, with others, we can but
congratulate her upon achieving such a complete success
here, in the teeth of expectation the most enormous and the
most exigent. The enthusiasm of the audience knew no
bounds. They called her three times before the curtain, and
showered flowers upon her in abundance, while handkerchiefs
were waved in all parts of the house with unmitigable zeal.
And Jenny received all these honours with the modest grace
that so well becomes her.
(From the CAronicle.)
Of the Swedish Nightingale there can be but one opinion.
She is a most delightful artiste. She is careful and con-
scientious. We did not find any novelty in her cadenza
grace, or groupetti indicative of an inventive faculty; but
what she did was charming. Her talent has been carefully
trained, and, with a voice not remarkably sympathetic in the
chest tones, she has, by industry, acquired great facility in
the management of her upper register. Her shakes are well
prepared, articulated, and terminated. The few notes above
the line up to B natural are brilliant, and by far the best
part of her vocal organ. In acting she identifies herself
with her part and is remarkably intelligent, but in the lofty
passion of lyrical portraiture, musical impulse, and purl
method of Italian vocalization she must only be considered as
inferior to her It ailian rivals. We are convinced that she never
can be dignified or heroic enough to sustain Norma, Semira-
mide, &c., or passionately impressive to be a Donna Anna or
a Desdemona. In timbre of voice, beauty of method, genius
in pathetic delivery of cantabile, she does not approach Al-
boni,
nor in mastery of all the graces, and refinements so
richly cast in the mould of nature, and perfected by the
traditionary art instruction of a great master, Tacchis
nardi, to his gifted daughter, Persiani. Still, Jenny Lind
is a talent of the highest order. We cannot point out
its speciality, but there is a freshness and an exquisite
naturalness about her with which one is pleased and de-
lighted. Pasta was sublime, and by a single note electrified
an audience. Grisi, like in the finale to Norma, reproaching
the faithless Polito, thrills an audience. Malibran bewil-
dered her public with her exuberance in musical fancies, and
ravished the audience by the intensity of her dramatic deli.
neation. Sontag surpassed all these singers in facility of
execution, and equalled all of them in purity of intonation,
taste, and truthful reading of characters suited to her voice.
Alboni imparts to the simplest melodic forms an irresistible
charm, that at once attests the possession of a superior faculty
and beauty of voice. Persiani leaves all her predecessors and
contemporaries in the shade in distinctness of articulation
and phrasing of the most fascinating, novel, tasteful oroupetti.
Jenny Lind has not one of these special excellencies of the
above eminent singers, and as a dramatic vocalist must rank
below them; but with Lind one is delighted if not asto-
nished, charmed if not ecstasied. Her Alice is engaging but
not overwhelming. Hear her in the upper octave and her
notes are pure, limpid, and resonant ; below, husky, veiled,
and ineffective. Her shake is perfect, in the pianissimo it is
deliciohs, her chomatic scale is admirably articulated. We
do not effect to render an account of encores, callings for-
ward, showers of bouquets, &c., for we have seen these
honours conferred on artistes whose claims by the side of
Lind are contemptible. What she obtained she merited, and
that is the highest compliment we can pay her.
(From the Post.)
Never did any theatrical event within our memory create
such a sensation, both without and within the walls of a
theatre, as the &Nit last night of Mdlle. Jenny Lind. But
the most important fact is, that never was expectation so
gloriously realised, Surrounded by the highest aristocracy
of the land sat the whole of the Royal Family, including the
two Queens. The reception of Jenny Lind was most enthu-
siastic, and as the performance proceeded this enthusiasm
grew into a perfect furore. Each time she sang, the whole
house—pit, stalls, boxes, and gallery—applauded simultane-
ously, amidst waving of hats and kerchiefs, and such irre-
pressible laudatory exclamations as baffle all description.
Whatever had been anticipated of the vocalist who has filled
the journals, and supplied the topic of conversation for
many months past, she surpasses all expectation.
Whatever had been hoped of the splendour of
the cast, that likewise was more than fulfilled.
Mdlle. Jenny Lind, as Alice, in that tender and sublime
cavatina known as " Va, dit-elle," exceeded, indeed, all that
has been said of her; well might an electric burst of applause
follow its conclusion. We have never heard a voice equal to
hers in sweetness and flexibility ; her ornaments, unlike the
stereotyped style of the old artistes, are so fresh and so chaste
that they seem to be the spontaneous impression and inspira-
tion of the moment. Then her faculty of imperceptibly
swelling and diminishing her voice is quite unequalled in
all modern singers. We would say that in this respect
her voice resembled an instrument, were it not for the
extreme sensibility and wonderful power of expression
displayed in all she accomplished with so much true
artistic finish. She is indeed a consummate artiste, com-
bining all the harmony of the German school with all the
purity and taste of the most finished Italian style. Her
shake is the most wonderful we ever heard. Each note, as
well as each word, is as distinct as a coup de marteau.
We must add a few words as regards Mdile. Jenny Lind.
Her acting is equal to her singing to the least word
she gives importance and intensity
ed of ex
ispression. Wher4
Bertram asksuhNerullifa
Ishneuhliaast d,,ethecutdehpth 4:pf whieeerleianbgou,
andta
the answer
of truth surpassing anything we ever witnessed. But
when she clasps the cross, defies her awful persecutor,
and exclaims, " Heaven is with me!" the effect is of a
most soul-stirring nature. The encores spun out the
performance to so late an hour that we must despair,
with our fatigued attention, to do justice to so extra-
ordinary and exciting a performance as that of last night ;
in a word, the termination was, that the chief performers
were thrice recalled with the most vehement plaudits we
ever heard, and when we left the house the spectators bad
been for more than twenty minutes demanding the pre-
sence of the proprietor of the theatre to thank him for their
enjoyment.

THE END 01 THE WORLD.—THE NEW PLANET:
We give the following from the New York Sun :—" If it be
true that this planet, which could not once be clearly seen
by ordinary telescopes, can now be seen almost by the naked
eye, it certainly is rapidly approaching the earth, and is,
therefore, a comet, not a planet. It is said to travel towards
the earth at the rate of a million and a half miles in twenty-
four hours. We believe that this announcement, now goiiig
the rounds of the papers is not verified by actual observa-
tion. It seems to be an idle story, circulated by soipsyr,
who might have made it more alarming by addicg—t Philo-
sophers express apprehensions of its coming in contact
a_naaacithwitaittl:
oar earth, and, being a very large boFly,
„
We make this suggestion for the benefit of edsitoßoyes,
the
our globe, and thus fulfil the predictions oitf theala
Millerites.'
SUDDEN DEATHS.—On Sunday
was being
mother of Mr. Frederick Noyes, the maTigrer.,
neared her residence
driven home from chapel, when,
as
she
bserved by two ladies
of the postal
department on the South-Western Railway, .
residence
in the Wandsworth-road, she was.no a fit. Ir. Statham,
who accompanied her to drop ast
unfor-
tunate lady; he directed her speedyarrival,
On the same
day, at
who was passing at the momen,wi was
removalcalled hteomtah,eandsh
expired immediately after her
mi
no rnr Georgumtng.eyp are. 1
aLnizes‘dys,
seen
keeper o
about nifnethoe'
to drop suddenly into the ditch by the side of the road. He
o'clock
katem gtahtee
was picked up by the police in a lifeless state, and conveyed
in a cart to the surgery of Mr. Shillito, at Putney, but was
pronounced dead on his arrival. Deceased was eighty years
of age.
LORD ARRUTHNOT.—We have pleasure in stating
that, at aetyaalgHenoetraellhmereeetoinngThofurhsids Lordship's Thursday last,
a
proposal creditors,
waheld at
sub-
mitted by Mr. Christopher Kerr, of Dundee, on behalf of the
Hon. the Master of Arbuthnot, and other members of the
family, offering such arrangements as will afford a reasonable
security to the creditors of full payment of all their claims.
The proposal was considered highly satisfactory by the meet-
ing, and is very creditable to his Lordship's family. It is
new, we understand, in progress of being carried inte effect.
—Aberdeen Herald.
LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY.—The Royal Mail steam-
ship Britannia, Captain Harrison, sailed yesterday for Hali-
fax and Boston, with a fair complement of passengers, and
150,000 i, in specie.

COURT CIRCULAR.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert visited the Royal Col-
lege of Chemistry, of which his Rcyal Highness is Presi-
dent, yesterday afternoon. 'The Prince arrived at the Labo-
ratories at three o'clock, and was received by the Vice-Pre-
sidents and Council.
After inspecting the whole of the new Laboratories, which
have just been completed, his Royal Highness presided at a
meeting of the Council, at which were present—the Mar-
quis of Northampton, the Earl Fitzwilliam, Earl Dude,
Viscount Ebrington, Viscount Newry and Morne, the Right
Hon. W. B. Baring, Mr. R. Blakemere M.P., Mr. Philip
Pusey, M.P., Mr. VV. Ewart, M.P., Dir. B. Bond Cabbell,
M.P., Sir J. Clark, Mr. Tite, Dr. Arnott, Dr. Daniell, Dr.
Reid, Mr. Leslie, &c.
ocneitoenses
anwtseiitsrphteadtrhk(e),fi rLthi peeuresLC
.oecnu
The Queen and Prince Albert., accompanied by the Prince
of Leiningen, honoured the performance at Her Majesty's
yesterdaythel f
ensa rent v: ecni noßgn
sh The
s Phipps,RKoaeinrardl,
Colonel Bouverie. Her Majesty the
TLsuitea t .cveo
Queen Dowager, accom-
panied by Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, honoured the
performance at Her Majesty's Theatre with her presence last
evening. Her Majesty was attended by the Viscountess
Barrington, Hon. Sophia Wheatley, and Earl Howe. Her
Royal Highness the Duchess of tent (attended by Lady
Augusta Bruce), and her Royal Highness the Duchess of
Cambridge (attended by Lady Augusta Cadogan, and
Baron Knesebeck), also honoured the performance at her
Majez-tv's Theatre with their presence yesterday evening.
The Countess of Desart has succeeded the Countess of
Charlemont as the Lady in Waiting to the Queen. And
Lord Waterpark has succeeded the Earl of Morton as the
Lord in Waiting to her Majesty.
Their Royal Highnesses
the Princess of Wales, the
Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice, took airings yester-
day in the Royal Gardens.
Her Majesty the Queen Dowager visited her Royal
High-
ness the Duchess of Kent yesterday at Clarence House, St.
James's, and also visited her Royal Highness the Duchess of
Gloucester, at Gloucester House.
Among the visitors to view the Royal Pictures in the
Banquetting-room, St. James's Palace. were the Archbishop
of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, the Duke and Duchess
of Beaufort, the Dowager Countess of Charleville, Earl of
Fingall, Lord Sheffield, Lady Lyndhurst, Lady Cottenham,
Lord Sondes, the Countess of Arundel, Lady Ormande, Lady
Barrington, Marquis of 'Westmeath, Lord Frederick Fitz-
clarence' Viscountess Glentworth, Lord Colborne, Lord
Somers, Sir J. Yarde Buller, Lord Aylmer, Lord J. Stuart,
and Lady Charlotte Egerton.
A deputation, consisting of the Lord Provost of Glasgow,
Mr. Anderson, Mr. Lumsden, Mr. Turner, and Mr. Dennis-
toun, M.P., had an interview with the Chancellor of the
Exchequer yesterday, at his official residence in Downing-
street.

Count Kielmansegge, the Hanoverian Minister, had an
interview with the Earl of Clarendon, yesterday, at the office
of the Board of Trade. _ _ _

The Governor of the Bank of England, and the Deputy-
Governor, had an interview yesterday with the Chancellor of
the Exchequer.
Lord Seymour bad an interview with the Right Hon. E.
Strutt yesterday. Mr. Learmouth bad also an interview yes-
terday.with the Right Hon. Gentleman at the office of the
Commissioners of Railways in Great George-street.
Lord Sandon, M.P., Sir Howard Douglas, M.P., and a
deputation from Liverpool, had at interview with Sir George
Grey, yesterday, at the Home-office. Lord Sandon, Sir H.
Douglas, and a deputation, had also an interview with the
Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The Portuguese and Turkish Ministers transacted business
yesterday, at the Foreign-office.
Mr. Hudson, M.P., had an interview with the Chancellor
of the Exchequer yesterday.
Mr. Wynn Ellis and a deputation from Leicester had an
interview with the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson yesterday,
at the office of the Board of Trade.
Major General Sir Harry Smith had an interview with
Earl Grey yesterday at the Colonial office.
A Deputation of the Commissioners of Sewers for West-
minster and part of Middlesex had an interview with Vis-
count Morpeth yesterday at the office of the Commissioners
of Woods and Forests in Whitehall-place. The Deputation
consisted of Messrs. E. Willoughby, T. S. Donaldson, H.
Harrison, and T. L. C._ Hertslet (clerk), and Mr. Wyke

Smith, S'olicitor to the Commissioners.
A deputation of Yorkshire millowners on the Factories
Bill, consisting of Messrs. W. Rand, W. E. Forster, John
Fielden, jun., and W. Walker, had an interview with the Earl
of Clarendon yesterday at the Board of Trade.
Mr. Barkly and Mr. Osborn had an interview with the
Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday. Mr. Freshfield had
also an interview yesterday with the Right Hon. Gentleman.

MAGAZINES—(CONTINUED.)
TAIT'S MAGAZINE.
Upon the Government scheme of education, our tardy
friend of the northern metropolis pronounces a decisive
and unmistakeable opinion. Tait is altogether averse
to the scheme propounded by the council of which Lord
Lansdowne is president; he denounces the plan as one
unconstitutionally commenced, frivolously advocated,.
and preposterously developed. He looks upon one part
of the arrangement as affording an irresistible loophole
for jobbing and imposition, another as precluding those
who really want State assistance towards the acquisition
of knowledge, and another as rendering those who are
already by their position independent of Government
uid, the peculiar favourites of the executive and the
recipients of its superfluous bounty. Such in effect is
the point of view in which the Ministerial proposal is
regarded by Tait. Now, although we by no means
regard the scheme explained by Lord John Russell as
in any striking manner approximating to perfection, we
would remind all those who would league themselves
among the antagonists of the present Administration
that we should feel rejoiced that the State has at length
acknowledged the necessity for any interference
whatever. Let but the people get their wants in this
particular acknowledged, and the improvements of
the plans by which those wants are to become
satisfied will follow in due succession. Sir Thomas
Dick Lauder has taken a hint from a contributor to the
Dublin University Magazine, and has herein commenced
a series of delightful pap. rs—discursive and facetious—
upon the rivers of Scotland. The half inspired, half-
deranged opium-eator, Thomas de Quince•, has another
eccentric article, called " The Nautico-Military Nun of
Spain." William Thom has an earliest poem, in which
be chaunts one noble verse about the ripening corn :
We saw it wave in stately ranks
Our gowden fields aroun ;
Each stem a styrdy warrior
To bat/ie./amine doun."
There is the average variety of miscellaneous fragments
of metre and criticism.

-- ----= - -=---_
STEAM NAVIGATION OF THE II UMBER.—TiIe
recent additions to the number of steam-vessels and the
celebrity which the builders of Hull have attained in their
building, has induced us to lay before our readers the total
number employed in the navigation of the Humber. There
are at present upwards of 74, which may be divided into
three classes, viz., foreign traders, coasters, and those en-
gaged in the river and towing trades. Of the first-mentioned
class there are 15, most of them tine sea vessels and fast
sailers, with a registered tonnage of 4,730 tons, and the crews
of which number about 280 men. Seven of this class are
built of iron, and five of them are propelled by the Archi-
medean screw. Out of the number of foreign trading
steamers only eight are British, the remaining seven sailing
under a foreign flag. The second class, or coasters, number
about 20, two of which are built of iron. Most of these
vessels are of a large class, and possess first-rate aCCOIIIIIIO-
- ion and superior sailing capabilities. We may mention
this as being particularly the case with those engaged in the
Hull and London and the Hull and Leith trades, which, in
point of speed, are not inferior to any boats on the coast. Of
the last class there are about 38, chiefly employed in con-
veying goods and passengers, and in towing on the Humber
and its tributary streams.—Hull Advertiser.
ST. JAMES'S ASSEMBLY Rooms.—This fashionable
resort, which was once exclusively reserved for the gay
aristocracy, is now opened as a place of entertainment, and
certainly every visitor will be astonished with the grandeur
of the establishment, and the excellence of the entertainment.
The Female American Serenaders are a great attraction, and
sing the principal airs—which have been rendered so popular
by the Ethiopian Serenaders—with much humour, just
feeling, and good taste. The " Railroad Overture" was
excellently well executed, and elicited hearty applause. In-
deed, many of their songs called forth an enthusiastic encore.
There are few establishments where those who have a little
leisure time can enjoy more agreeable recreation and amuse-
ment. To those who have not before visited the place, the
splendour and elegance with which it is fitted up, will amply
repay their trouble. There is a day performance by the
serenaders, a table d'hote in the afternoon, and a ball after
the evening concert, in the magnificent room up stairs. The
refreshments and wines are of the choicest kind, served by
attendants whose obliging and polite attention is sure to give
satisfaction. So long as the establishment is conducted in
the same orderlystyle as atpresent, it is sure to be patronised.
A COOL PROCEEDING. —An actor named Flemming,
of the theatre of Wurtzburg, in Bavaria, lately met in the
street M. Usterwagen, editor of the Wurtzburg Gazette, and
complained of some bitter criticisms which the newspaper
had made on him. M. Usterwagen replied in a railing tone,
which so irritated the actor that he struck him. The editor,
in the calmest possible manner, drew a pistol from his pocket
and fired it at the actor. Fortunately the ball passed by
isithout touching him. M. Usterwagen then went into a
restaurant, and calmly ordered breakfast, but the police came
in and arrested him.
HUMANITY It EWARDED.—We are happy to find
that Mr. Thompson, the stationer, of Southampton, who lost
a cargo of fruit in consequence of an act of humanity on the
part of the captain of his vessel, in saving a shipwrecked
crew, has received the. sum of 2001. from the Government,
which has been awarded to him because his loss arose from
the act of saving human life.—Hampshire Guardian.
The final balance-sheet of the Newcastle meetitng
of the Royal Agricultural Society of England
twaes perewsen ed
at a recent meeting of the council, showing, on h N
of
7:13
meeting account, an excess of payments over receipts 7
Newcastle Journal.
NATIONAL GALLERY.—A
slight rearrangement of
the pictures has taken place, but it is merely a change of
position of some, which are now better seen. a
none the ad
ad
of
March, 1845, at a meeting of thewas re
from the executors of her late Royal Highness the Princess
Sophia Matilda, forwarding the copy of a codicil to her will,
in which she bequeathed a picture by Salvator Rosa, to be
placed in the National Gallery. The offer was accepted,
perhaps from respect to the rank of the testator; but on
examination it was found to be of so inferior a quality, that
it has never been hung, and remains in an apartment be-
neath. On the same day a picture by Francis Wouters, of
"Nymphs and Satyrs," was offered as a gift by Mr. M.
Forster. The trustees having viewed it agreed that it should
be received. That it has not yet been hung in the gallery
is said to have arisen from an opinion subsequently forme,
that its exposure would offend the delicacy of many visitors.
The newly purchased Raffaelle will not adorn the 'collection
until a suitable case, with plate glass, is ready to enclose it—
such as those which protect the Corregios and some other
valuable works.— The Art- Union Monthly Journal.
EXPECTED ARRIVAL OF GENERAL SIR JOSEPH
THACKNVELL.—One of the most distinguished officers who
contributed to the victories of last year in India is expected
to arrive at Southampton, by the Oriental, on the 21st inst.
We refer to Sir Joseph Thackwell, K.C.8., K.H. Sir Joseph
was one of the heroes of Waterloo, where be lost his arm.
He arrived in Calcutta in 1837, and commanded, during his
service in the East, including the campaign! in Affghanistan,
Gvralior, and the Sutlej, nearly every regiment of cavalry
of the Bengal army, very many regiments of infantry, and
a great portion of artillery. The Calcutta Englishman, in
speaking of Sir Joseph, says—" We may safely say he is
one of the most popalar generals who ever served in India.
Able and judicious in the field, cool and collected under the
hottest fire, kind and hospitable in quarters, and at all times
and under all circumstances a perfect gentlemen. He did
good service at Sobraon, a cavalry exploit never surpassed
by any recorded in history, which, notwithstanding his un-
just exclusion from the list of honours conferred for the
' Waterloo of India,' will hand down his name
"-- as
ir one of the
noblest and worst requited of English soldiera.Banarsho
Advertiser.