The Sun.
London, England, 1848-05-12 00:00:00

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

There was, once more, last night a crowded house
and brilliant assemblage... It would be very difficult to
decide which opera, La Sonnambula, or La Figlia del
Reggimento, performed last night, has given Mdlle. Lind
the greatest triumph. Her performance in the latter
part has afforded the sculptor and the painter abundant
occupation, and has certainly been popular with every
class of society. The opera, as regards its present
effects, may almost be said to be of her own composition.
Donizetti threw off this opera amongst those destined to
be ludibria ventis, the lightest of all those he had devised,
resting for success less upon music and more upon asso-
ciation, and working upon the reminiscences and lova of
military life of the French nation. Lind, betwixt her
acting and her singing, has created a new work. How
extraordinary her acting is, is proved by the circum-
stance that the audience frequently burst out in applause
only at the contemplation of her by-play—at her mute
action, without a note being uttered. Her tenderness
towards her lover, her attachment to the sergeant, her
devotion to her collective father, the regiment, are ren-
dered with the most delicate and exquisite shades of
feeling. In other parts of the opera she moves the
audience to laughter irresistibly; her display of military
ardour is full of abandon. the contrast is delineated
with the strongest and broadest touches when the camp
reminiscences break upon her new conventional life of a
fine lady; but still she never loses the delicacy of the
pure maiden; and a tenfold effect is elicited because the
masculine element which other actresses resort to, to
trick out such characters, is totally banished. As to
the music, the changes, the variations, the embellish-
ments, the trilli, the points d'orgue, the cadences, &c.,
&c., are innumerable, and all her own—all original
and truly exquisite. The cadence from C below to
I) above, in the military rondo ; the magnificent
point d'orgue in the duet,with Gardoni in the first
act ; the chromatic passages, and the exemplifica-
tion of every species of the most excessive bravura
embellishments, in the mock heroic scene in the second
act—are all marvellous examples of the inventive genius
by which she has willingly put her powers to the most
trying test. Those high regions of the voice to which
other vocalists attain with so much difficulty form ex-
actly the sphere of Jenny Lind's easiest sport; there she
evolves at will whatever is most difficult and most
brilliant, and withal most pleasing—for it is perhaps her
greatest and justeot eulogy to say that she never forgets
the appropriate feeling of the part, whatever may be the
temptation to surprise her auditors.
It would be tedious to record the interminable plaudits.
encores, and recals of the night's performance. It will
suffice to say that she was four times recalled after the
scene of the music lesson alone.
The audience comprised her Royal Highness the
Duchess of Kent and a brilliant assemblage of the aris-
tocracy, many of the ladies wearing their superb
drawing-room costumes.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.
Mozart's Nozze di Figaro was played last night for the
first time this season, and Mademoiselle Steffanoni made
her rent:* in the part of the Countess. This lady has a
very agreeable soprano voice, and sings with much
feeling, but nervousness is apt to render her intonation
uncertain; this was apparent in both her airs, " Porgi
amor," and "Dove sono," and militated against much
that was expressive and graceful in her execution. In
other respects this comic masterpiece of the greatest of
musicians was rendered with remarkable completeness
and efficiency. The Susanna of Grisi and the Count of
Tamburini have been long acknowledged perfect, and
it is enough to say they exhibited last night all
those vocal and dramatic excellences to which they
owe their fame. Alboni's Cherubino is a later acquaint-
ance, but deserves to rank in the same line; her
acting throughout is full of life and spirits, and the pas-
sionate melodies which Mozart has put in the mouth of
the enthusiastic youth were never uttered by a voice
more eminently fitted to interpret them. Marini's
Figaro is considerably better in every respect than it
was last season; Rovere's Bartolo careful and effective,
and the Basilio of Lavia thoroughly artistic. The bass
and tenor airs, "La Vendetta," and " In quegli anni,"
could hardly be better sung than the two last-mentioned
artists. The whole opera went off with immense spirit;
the ensemble of the orchestra and principals in the two
splendid finales was all that the most fastidious critic
could desire; and the customary encores were awarded
to the overture, " Voi the sapete" (Alboni), " Non piu
andrai" (Marini), " Crudel perche" (Grisi and Tambu-
rini), and " Sul aria" (Steffanoni and Grisi), all of which
were well deserving the compliment, although the per-
formance, intrinsically a long one, was protracted, in
consequence, to an unreasonable hour.

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.
Dr. John Ryan still continues his interesting course of
lectures on domestic chemistry. In his illustrations this
week of the doctrine of the laws of heat, he has especially
directed his audience to the phenomena of radiation, re-
flection, and absorption, as applied to the warming of
rooms, public buildings, &c. &c. Dr. Bachhoffner is en-
gaged in an elementary course on electricity, in which
the Learned Gentleman enters deeply into the delightful
science, but by the simple and popular manner in which
he lectures, renders his discourse of great value and
utility to the numerous classes which visit this admirable
establishment. The institution has never since its esta-
blishment been so crowded as at present, nor has it ever
had so large and so select a combination of works of art
and of ingenuity. Numerous works of art and ingenuity
are carried o❑ here; gem and seal engraving by Mr.
Gifford, sculpture by Mr. Rivers, glass blowing, cotton
:pinning, &c. The addition of the specimens of English
manufactured porcelain, from the works of Alderman
Copeland, are greatly admired for their beauty and ele-
gance of design. We are glad to see the directors thus
encouraging native talent and enterprise. The new
Imode of illustrating the dissolving views by historical and
geographical statistics has been found most acceptable to
the numerous visitors who daily resort to this institution,

FALL IN PRE PRICE OF BREAD.—Yestarday morn-
ing the cheap bakers in the Blackfriars-road and sur-
rounding neighbourhood reduced the price of the 41b,
loaf to sid., and some even to sd.

PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS.

(From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Conowno
THURSDAY, MAY 11.
HORSHAM WRIT.
Motion made, and gmestion put, " That Mr. Speaker do
issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out
new Writ for the electing of a -Burgess to serve in this pre-
sent Parliament for the Borough of Horsham,
in the room
of John Jervis, Esquire, whose election has been determined
to be void." The House divided :

MINORITY—AYES, 73. ,
Baldock, E. H. Halsey, T. P. Napier, Joseph
Benbow, John Hamilton, G. A. Newdegate, N.
Bentinck, Lord G. Harris, Hon. Capt. Newport, Viscount
Beresford, William Henley, J. W. O'Brien, Sir Lucius
Blackstone, W. S. lierbert,, 'dewy A. 0 Connor,
Bolling, William lierries, J. C. Prime, Richard
Bowles, Admiralw• J.
liiidyard, R. C. Repton, G. W.
Bramston, T. W. Hildyard, T.O. T. Robinson, George
Buller, Sir J. Y. Hodgson, W. N. Seyiaer, 11. K.
Burrell, Sir C. Hope, Sir .1. Sibthorp, Colonel
Burroughes, 11. Houldsworth, T.Sidney, Alderman
Feargos
Christopher, R. Iludson, G. Smyth, John G.
Christy, Samuel Hughes, W. B. Somerset, Captain
Cobbold, John C. Ingestre, Visct. Stafford, Augustus
Colvile, C. R. Inglis, Sir R. Stuart, J.
Conolly, Col. Kildare, Marquis of Stunt, 11. G•
Cubitt, William Lascclles, E. Taylor, T. S.
Duncombe, 0. Lockhart, A. E. Walsh, Sir J.
Dundas, George Lygon, Gen. West, F. K.
East, Sir:J. B. Mackenzie, W. F. Willoughby, Sir It.
Forbes, W. M.Naghten, Sir E. Wynn, Sir W.
Frewen, C. H. Mandeville, Viscount
Fuller, A. E. Mastermau, John TELLERS.
Galway, Viscount Meux, Sir Henry' March, Earl of
Godson, It. Miles, P. W. S. Goring, Charles
Greene, Thomas
.! Miles, William

MAJORITY—NOES, 167.
Abdy, Thomas N. Gladstone, W. E. Pearson, Cherie*
Anderson, Arthur Glyn, George Carr Peel,;Sir Robert
Bagshaw, John Graham, Sir James i'endarves,
Baines, M. T. Grenfell, C. Pascoe Perfect, R.
„.
Barnard, E. G. Grenfel , Charles.W. Pilkington, "U""
Bell, John Grey, Sir G. Power, Nicholasßellew, R. M. Grey, Ralph W. Pugh, David C
Bernal, Ralph Guest, Sir John Rawdon,
~,,lonol
Blake, M. J. Hall, Sir B. Ricardo, 011511141
Bouverie, E. P. Hallyburton, Lord Rich, lienrY
Bowring, Dr. Helmer, Sir J. Romilly, Jo"
Boyle, Colonel Hawes, Benj. Russell, Lord J.
Bright, John Hay, Lord Jelin Russell, F. C • 11'
Brotherton, J. Hayes, Sir E. Edward
Rutherford, A•
Brown, W. Hayter, W. G.
SelweY, Colonel
Buller, Charles Heywood, James Sandars, George
Buxton, Sir E. Hindley Charles Simeon, John
Carter, J. B. Ilobhouse, T. B. Smith, It. V.
Cavendish, G. 11. Howard, C. W.
j Benjamin
Charteris, Francis Howard, E. G. Smith, J.
Clay, James Hume, Joseph Somerville, Sir W.
Clay, Sir W. Ilumphery,AAld. Stansfleld, IV. B.
Stanton, W. B.
Clements, Charles Hutt, William
Strickland, Sir G,
Clerk Sir.:G. Jackson, William
Clifford, H. M. Kershaw, James Stuart, Lord D.
ed It. W.
Cochran., 1. King, Peter John Tancr , _
Smith,
Tennent, R. J.
Colebrooke, Sir T. Langston, J. 11.
Thompson,, It. A.
Craig, W. G. Lascelles, W. S.
Th Colonel
Dalrymple,;Captain Lewis, G. C.
Thompson, Alderman
Dashwood, G. 11. Lincoln, Earl of
Thornely, T.
Davis, Sir M. Lindsay, Colonel M. Tucker
Towneley, Charles
Denison, W. J. Loch, James Towneley, John,
Denison, J. E.
Townshend, Captain
Divett, Edward
Train, George
Douglas, Sir C. Maitland, Thomas Tynte,
Colonel
Drumlanrig, Via. lif angles,'E. D.
Lmu, schu
lin, ga
gt ohn, ,
,v. CharlesT.
'Verney Sir H.
Duncan, Viscount Marshall, J. O•
Walmsley,
.sir J.
Vivian, J. H.
Duncan, George Marshall, W. • wail, c. B.
Duncult, John Martin, Samuel
Dunetts, Admiral Watkins, _Colonel
Dundas, Sir D. . Wawn, JT.
Ellice, Edward Melgund, Viscouni, h
west ead, J. P.
Ellice, E., jun. Mitchell, A. T.• Wilcox, Brodie
Elliot, John E. Monsell, William Williams, John
lithiee,soFno,xColonel
Estcourt, J. B. E. Morris, David
Evans, William Mostyn, E. WillianasonWilso , Sir H,
n, James
Ewart, William Mewatt, Francis
,
Fellowes, E. Mulgrave, Earl
Wortley
Wrightson, W. B. J. S.
Fergus, John Mints, G. F. Wyld, James
Fitzpatrick, J. W. Norreys, Lord: Wyvill, Marmadnke
Foley, J. 11. Norreys, Sir D. Yorke, Henry R.
Fordyce, A. D. O'Connell, M. J.
Fortescue, J. W. Ogle, S. C.
Fox, Richard 11. Palmerston, Viscount , WILIAM.
Fox, W. J. Parker, John Tafnell Henry
Mill
Freestun, Colonel Patten, J. W. , Lord Marcus
Gibson, T. M. Pattison, James

REMOVAL OF ALIENS BILL.
Order for Third Reading read ; Motion made, and Ques-
tion proposed, " That the Bill be now read the third time :"
—Amendment proposed, to leave out the word " now," and at
the end of the Question to add the words " upon this day six
months :"—Question put, " That the word now' stand part
of the Question." The House divided :—.

MAJORITY—AYES, 146.
Abdy, T. N. Fox, Richard M. Owen, Sir J.
Alcock, Thomas French, F. Paget, Lord A.
Arkwright, George Frewen, C. ff. Palmerston, Vic
Armstrong, Sir A. Galway,, Viscount Parker, John
Arundel, Earl of Godson, Richard Pendarves, E. W.
Baines, M. T. Graham, Sir J. Perfect, Robert
Barkly, Henry Granger, T. C. Pigott, Francis
Barnard, E. G. Greenall, Gilbert Pinney, W.
Bell, John Grey, Sir George Power, Nicholas
Bellew, R. M. Grey, It. W. Povriett, Lord W.
Bentinck, Lord G. Belford, Sir H. Rice, E. It.
Berkeley, Captain Hamilton, G. A. Romilly, John
Berkeley, H. F. Hamner, Sir J. Rushout, Captain
Bernal, Ralph Harris, Ciptain Russell, Lord John
Blake, M. J. Hawes, Benjamin Russell, F. C.
Boyle, Colonel Ilayter, W. G. Rutherfurd, A.
Bremridge, Richard Heald, James Shinto, R. D.
Brisco, M.l Henley, J. W. Shell, H.
Broadley, Henry Hildyard, R. C. Slbthorp, Colonel
Brockman, E. D. Hobliouse, Sir J. Smith, J. A.
Brotherton, J. Hobhouse, T. B. Somerville, Sir W.
Brown, W. Hodges, T. L. Spooner, Richard
Browne, R. D. Hodgson, W. N. Stafford, Augustus
Buck, L. W. Hood, Sir Alexander Stanley, E.
Buller, Charles Hope, Sir J. Mansfield, W. R. C.
Burrell, Sir C. Hoths.m, Lord Stanton, W.:II.
Busfeild, W. Humpliery, Ald. Stuart, John
Cayley, Edward S. JerTts, Sir John Talfourd, sergeant
Christy, Samuel Jocelyn, Viscount Thesiger, Sir F.
Clerk Sir George Keppel, George,T. Thicknesse, Ralph
Cowper, W. F. Knox, Colonel Thornely, Thomas
Craig, W. G. Labouchere, Henry Tollemache, F. J.
Dashwood, G. H. Lacy, Henry C. Tollemache, John
Denison, W. J. Langston, J. H. Turner, E.
Denison, J. E., Lascelles, W. S. Verney, Sir 11.
Dick, Quintin Lewis, G. C. Walsh, Sir J. B.
Divett, E. Lindsay, Colonel Ward, 11. G.
Drummond, Henry Lockhart, A. E. Watkins, Colonel
Duncan, George M'Cullagn, W. T. Wawn, . T.
Duncuft, John Maitland, T. Wellesley, Lord C,
Dundas, Admiral Mandeville, Viscount Willcox, Brodie
Bandits, Sir David Marshall, J. G. Wilson, James
Ebrington, Lord Matheson, Colonel Wilson, Matthew
Egerton, W.,T. Manic, Fox Wood, Sir Charles
Elliot, J. E. Morpeth, Viscount Wyld, James
Evans, John Morison, General Yorke, 11. R.
Fergus, John Mulgrave, Earl TELLERS.
Ferguson, Sir R. Napier, Joseph
Fitzpatrick, J. W. Newdegate, C. N. Tufnell, IL
Fordyce, A. D. • O'Brien, Sir Lucius Bill, Lord Marcus

MINORITY-NOES, 29.
Blewitt, R. J. Henry, Alexander Sullivan, Michael
Bright, John Kershaw, James Tancred, il• W.
Cobden, Richard Lushington, C. Thompson, Colonel
Crawford, W. S. M'Gregor, John Thompson,
D'Eyncourt, T. Meagher, Thomas Urquhart, David
Ewart, William Muntz, G F. Walmsley, sir J.
Forster, Matthew Pllkington, James Williams, John
Fox, W. J. BalweY, Colonel
Gardner, Richard Scholefield, William
Gibson, Thomas M. Smith, John B. George
Greene, John Stuart, Lord D.

'LUAU.
billuomwaett,Jyosreanpheis

DREADFUL MURDERS NEAR
ofa SWANSEA.mo
st.
SWANSEA, WEDNESDAY.—At an
morning the inhabitants of this early hour yesterday
own were alarmed by a
report that a murder
diabolical character, and
under most aggravated circumstances, had been perpe-
trated on the persons of two
unoffending men, who
the
re-
sided
with their families in
neighbourhood of the
Marquis's Arms, on the road from
Swansea to Loughor,
and within three miles of Swansea.
the locality of this awful tragedy, we On ascertaining
lost no time in
proceeding to the spot, and s
current had not been in the rn found that the rumours
slightest degree exaggerated.
The unfortunate victims lay
sur-
rounded by their families and
ead in their cottages drelatives. The names of
the deceased are John Williams, a man about 50 years of
age, employed as a sub-contractor
on the South Wales
Railway, and Jenkin Evan, aged 52, residing in a
cottage near the Beaufort Arms, on the Loughor
road. Both were considered well conducted men, and
John
bore excellent ,characters. Williams's death was
produced by a deep wound
the on the left side of the left
nipple, penetrating to heart.o A large quantity. of
blood had flowed from the
flicted by some sharp instrumentiad, which had hnin-
used with considerable
force—probably a large knifedied
The other mant
from the effect of a similar wou. nd but
this, although probably penetratinondthee
ihrewasas
;much
smaller, and appeared as though if hieidP been inflicted
with a dagger, or some long and slender instrument.
There were likewise other wounds about the body, but
not of a dangerous character. With respect to the origin
and cause of the frightful outrage thus committed, and
the precise circumstances under which these poor men
were so barbarously murdered, it was found extremely
difficult to procure definite and conclusive information.
This is owing partly to the alarm created is the minds of
the parties present at the melancholy character of the
affair, to the circumstance of the murder having been
perpetrated during the darkest period of the night and
outside a cottage door, and from the drunken state of
the parties, who had been drinking up to the commis
sion of this deed of darkness in one of the pests of this
district, a " cwrw bach," a „me given to the nightly
gatherings so frequently made for the purpose of drink-
ing in cottages, although not licensed for the sale of
beer.
The facts of the case are briefly these:—On Monday
night a person named William Davis held a " cwrw
bach" in a small cottage adjoining the road, and within
a few yards of the public-house called the Marquis's
Arms, kept by David Evan, the son of Jenkin Evan, one
of the murdered men. A companY, consisting of about
twenty persons, remained at the cottage drinking until
1 o'clock. Abut half past 12 a party of Irish " navvies"
entered the house. 'They remained there for about
half an hour, during which time they drank several
pints of beer. They entered into conversation with the
deceased John Williams, and some other parties, saying
that they had been discharged by one of the contractors
at Loughor, and were then in search of work. It is said
that Williams had promised them work, and had asked
them to visit the part of the line where his contract lay
next morning. Soon afterwards it appeared that some
words, arising probably from the feeling of ;e l
J a ousy
and antipathy existing between the Irish and Welch,
ensued between one of the " navvies" and a man
named Edward Morgan, who was eventually
knocked down. One or two other men, who inter-
fered on behalf of Morgan, received blows about the
head from spades, &C. However, the injuries they
sus-
tained were not of a serious character. The scuffle then
;
appears to have concluded, and they left the house
some say they were turned out, others that they went
voluntarily, A considerable number of those wh-c, were
in the house, including John Williams, deceased,
seem
to have gone out at the same time; but the majority
immediately returned to the house, John
Williams
and
one or two other persons—it was not quite clear how
many—being out. A little noise, hardly deserving the
name of a scuffle, was then made, immediately after
which a loud cry of " Murder" was heard. On the
people rushing from the house, John Williams and
kin
Evan were found lying on the road lifeless,
while
one of the "navvies" was observed to strike
Evan's
body with a spade. The murderers then made
off to-
wards Swansea; one or two of the other men
m
efforts to pursue them, but with no effect. ade faint
The sud-
denness and horrible result of the transaction
to have paralyzed them. The policemen appeared
re making
every exertion to trace the murderers, who are severally
named Patrick Leary, Michael Leary, Thomas
William Norris and John Norris. Martin,