The Sun.
London, England, 1848-12-15 00:00:00

ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.

Mr. Mitchell has re-engaged Robert Houdin, and
this dexterous professor of popular magic commenced
a winter series of entertainments last night at the St.
James's Theatre. None of the wizards who have
previously amused the town have possessed the
adroitness of this individual, whose exploits baffle
the keenest vision and cheat the senses in the
most agreeable manner possible. Robert Houdin is
the inventor of most of the apparatus which modern
necromancers use, and his ingenuity in this department
of mechanical art is remarkable. His programme last
night contained several of his best feats, all of which he
demonstrated with his accustomed skill and precision.
The " second sight " performances of his son Emile, and
the " Suspension Etheriene " were, as usual, prominent
features in the list. The house was well attended.

WESTMINSTER SCHOOL PLAYS.
Last night, the Phormio of Terence was performed
by the senior alumni of Westminster School, before a
very numerous audience. Amongst those present were,
Dr. Buckland, the Dean of Westminster; Lord Mahon,
M.P.; Mr. Sergeant Talfourd, M.P.; the Chancellor of
the Exchequer; Sir F. Thesiger, M.P.; Mr. Justice
Williams; Mr. Hawes, M.P., &c. &c. The different
characters were thus personated :
Phormio, Mr. R. G. H. Somerset; Geta, Mr. N. R.
Smart, Captain; Demipho, Mr. A. Johnson; Antipho,
Mr. H. Clapcott; Dorio, Mr. R. A. Cook; Chremes,
Mr. Waterfield; Phtedria, Mr. E. Balfour; Sophrona,
Mr. C. P. Ingram; Nausistrata, Mr. W. D. Somerville;
Hegio, Mr. Chamberlayne; Davus, Mr. Elliott; Cra-
tinus, Mr. F. W. Stokes ; Crito, Mr. W. G. Armstead.
The prologue was delivered by Mr. Smart, as captain,
and composed, as we heard, by Mr. Little, one of the
masters. After deprecating tho criticism of the audience,
and bespeaking a favourable consideration, if not on ac-
count of the actors, for the sake of the author, allusion
was made to the disturbed state of the Continent, and a
contrast drawn in favour of England as compared with
the Gallic cock, agitated and fretted in the pursuit of
new theories of government, and Germany abandoning
the culture of philosophy for the same object. These
allusions were receivei with loud applause. It also re-
ferred in flattering terms to the late and present Deans.
Of the play little more need be said than that it was acted
in the usual excellent style of the Westminster boys.
The nice characterization for which Terence is distin-
guished was well sustained, and very few of the telling
points were missed. The second scene in the
second act, and the last scene in the last
act, were particularly good. Messrs. Somerset, Clan-
cott, and Balfour acted their parts with much energy
and vivacity. Somerville made a capital Nausistrata.
The voice answered excellently well for the part of a
female, and the histrionic points of the character were
evidently well appreciated. The play was terminated
by an epilogue, in which the petition and the incendiary
projects of the Chartists were classically ridiculed. The
cassis and cuspis, the helmet and spear—arms which
would strike terror into the hearts of either Windisch-
grat or Jellachich—were exhibited a la Punch, in the
form of spit and coal-scuttle, amidst peals of laughter.
Somerville, as the leader of the female Chartists, de-
manded perfect equality with the men ; and a band of
young Chartists came forward with their six points, the
last of which was that they should be allowed to go home
as often as they pleased. The other principal speakers
in the epilogue were Messrs. Smart, Somerset, and John-
son. The allusion to the peace of the kingdom and to
her Majesty, at its termination, was received with the
greatest enthusiasm.

COURT CIRCULAR.

OSBORNE, THURSDAY.

His Serene Highness Prince Victor of Hohenlohe
Langenbourg paid a visit yesterday to her Majesty
and Prince Albert.

This morning the Queen and Prince Albert walked
injthe royal pleasure grounds.
The Royal Children took their accustomed exer-
cise in the walks and rides this afternoon.

Prince Albert went out shooting this morning.
His Royal Highness was attended by Lord Elphin-
stone and Colonel Bouverie.

The Hon. Miss Dawson, Maid of Honour, left this
morning, and Lady Caroline Somers Cocks, Maid of
Honour in Waiting to her Majesty, arrived at Osborne
to-day.

Mr. Bancroft, the American Minister, had an in-
terview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yes-
terday, at his official residence in Downing-street.
The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England had
a general meeting yesterday, at their office, in White-
hall-place.
Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-
office, from the Governor of the Mauritius.
The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council sat
yesterday. An appeal from Bengal, " Maharajah
Mahtab -Chund e. The Government of Bengal," was
commenced. Mr. Turner, Q.C., and Mr. Wigram,
Q.C., were heard.—The case was adjourned.