The Sun.
London, England, 1841-09-21 00:00:00

SURREY THEATRE.

A new grand hippodramatic spectacle was produced at this
theatre last evening, under the title of The Battle of Blen-
heim; or, the Horse of the Disinherited. The drama turns
upon the fortunes of a certain Walter Alarchmont (Mr. N. T.
Hicks), the younger son of a decayed Hampshire Baronet, who,
with he horse Punch, his only fortune, fights his way up to
fame vnd wealth at the battle of Blenheim. Of course the
horse Punch is the principal character of the piece, and
admirably he sustained his part. The docile animal
seemed endowed with all but reason. He rushed into the
tower of an old manor-house, which was on fire, and rescued
a child from the flames, by bringing it out in his mouth. He
conveyed despatches, concealed in the hollow of his hoof. He
saved his mastor's life many a time and oft • and, what was
better still, often rescued his master's lady love from peril ;
and, to crown his achievements, the first standard taken from
the enemy on the glorious 3d of August, at the battle of
Blenheim, was captured by the Horse of the Dis-
inherited. The scene of this capture is admirably managed.
Walter having seized the standard from a French officer, is set
upon by four of the enemy, who seek to rescue it. He tears
the standard from the staff, his horse takes it in his mouth,
and while Walter, who has dismounted, keeps the enemy at
bay, the horse carries the standard to the British head-quar-
ters. The scenery was superb, and the groupings and situa-
tions were managed with an admirable knowledge of effect.
The night bivouac of the allied forces was most excellently ma-
naged ; and the gradual break of day, discovering a view of
the distant country. was perfectly dioramic. The battle scene
was also most effective. Cavalry, infantry, and artillery, all
were there, and the lovers of desperate combats must have had
quite a treat. The last act is almost solely devoted to the cele-
bration of Marlborough's triumph, on his taking possession of
that magnificent domain near Woodstock, with
which a na-
tion's gratitude had rewarded his services ; and advantage is
taken of this circumstance to introduce the whole of Ducrow's
stud of trained animals in an allegorical procession, got up in
honour of the hero. In this procession we have Yoath and
Spring mounted on the fairy ponies—Commerce on
a zebra, and Peace on a South American lama,
The piece was completely successful, and most deservedly so.
It is more interesting. in its plot than the generality of spec-
tacles, and it may challenge the most magnificent of that class
of productions to equal it in gorgeous scenery and effective
tableaux. It was announced for repetition every evening
amidst loud applause. The scenes in the Circle followed, in
which the horse Alfred, from her Majesty's ecurie, made his
first appearance. He is a beautiful cream •colour, and his
performances reflect the highest credit on his tutor, Signor
Hillier. The house was crammed to suffocation.

DESTRUCTION OF THE SHIpI, of theNDIA A
s los of
counts have been received from Rio Janeiro
this vessel by fire at sea, on the 19th of July. The fire w
a
mired by a candle falling between two barrels where some.
spirits had been spilled, which were immediately ma blaze and.
set fire to the store-room which was of canvass and other
combustibles. The vessel was soon burnt to the water's edge,
and the passengers and crew, to the amount of 214, made their
escape in the boats of• the India and those of a French
whaler, which came to their assistance. Unfortunately eigh.
teen persone perished, of whom sixteen were steerage passen-
gers, one .a cabin passenger and the boatswain ; the people on
hoard the French vessel showed the survivors every attention
and conveyed them to Rio Janeiro, a distance of 600 miles.
AGED H US$ A NDM E N.-011 Thursday week,
three men, whose united ages amounted to 241 yea"
were reaping by themselves in a field Clf con which they
had engaged to cut for Mr. Wm. brooks, of Foxeote, near
Stourbricle, and performed their work in a most satisfao-
tory manner. Their names are Richard Norris, aged
83 ; Benjamin Round, 79 ; and George Jones, 79.
TVorcesl,r Herald

SIR MAYERNE.—Sir T. Mayerne,
who got an immense sum by his practice, was once con-
sulted by a friend, who laid two broa4 pieces of gulci
(six and thirties) on tho table, and Sir Theodore put
them in his pocket. The friend was hurt at his pocket
in; such a fee ; but Sir Theodore said to him, " I made
my will this morning, and if it should appear that I had
refused a fee I might be deemed non compos."
RELIGIOUS STATISTICS.—The number of
Baptists in the United States is estimated tobe 4,000,000 ;
Methodists, 3,000,000 ; Presbyterians, _9,000,000 ;-
Friends, 220,000 ; Roman Catholics, 1,300,000 ; Epis-
;:opalians, 1,000,000.