The Sun.
London, England, 1870-02-19 00:00:00

LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND ART.

Prom the Athervezaa we take following interesting items
of News :--The title of Mr. Dickens's new serial is to be
" The Mystery of Edwin Drood."—An Anthropological
Society is in course of formation at Vienna.—The
University of Vienna has decided to open its medi-
cal lectures and confer medical diplomas on women.—
Every good thing, after its kind, has its reward. The
little musical farce of " Box and Cox," by Messrs. Bur-
nand and A. S. Sullivan, is " running " at the Gallery of
Illustration, and will run so long as people last who care
for neat dialogue, odd fund, and very pretty music.—
Honours are falling thick upon M. Strauss, of bal de l'opera
fame. His orchestra has just presented him with a cross
of honour in diamonds.

The Orchestra states that a German clergyman, Herr
Kaim of Biberich, is about to bring out several unpub-
lished compositions of Haydn written upon half a dozen
French proverbs while the master was staying at the
monastery of Ochsenhausen near Biberich, and offered
as a compliment to the monks of that retreat.—
Mrs. Howard Paul appears to have created an extraordi-
nary impression in New York by her playing of the
" Grande Duchesse "in French. Her accent is reported
as perfect, and her manner thoroughly ladylike ; in
fact, she " rehabilitates " the wilful German sovereign
with the unaccustomed garment of decency and grace.—
We hear from Milan good reports of a young English
prima donna, who appears under the name of Elisa Savelli,
and who in a new opera by Petrella, has succeeded in
securing the suffrages of her audience. She is accredited
with a sympathetic and vibrating soprano voice
of good compass. In " Norma" she has played
Adalgisa to the Norma of Senora Dezorzi : both ladies
bringing down the house in the duet " Deh conte."—
The Order of Merit sent by the Emperor of Russia to
Mdme. _Adelina, Patti is described as a medal, surrounded
by thirty-four large solitaires, surrounded by the Imperial
crown in diamonds, and mounted in a magnificent diamond
bracelet. The medal itself is of gold ; on one side is the
portrait of the Emperor, and on the other are engraved
the words " The Emperor of Russia wishing to give
Mdme. Adelina, Patti a proof of his high favour and of his
esteem for her incomparable talent, has conferred upon
her the title of First Singer to the Court." This mark of
favour is the more gratifying as it was given spontane-
ously, prompted only by the good feeling of the Emperor.
Madame Patti has already sung twenty-four consecutive
times in the opera, besides in four concerts ; and, in spite
of the extreme cold, she is, as her admirers will be glad to
learn, in excellent health.
Nature has the following notes :—The Rev. Charles
Pritchard, of St. John's College, Cambridge, has been
elected to the Savilian Professorshop of Astronomy, as
successor of the late Professor Donkin.—The number of
candidates for election as members of the Royal
Institution may, we hope, be taken as a fair indica-
tion of the daily increasing interest taken in scientific
matters. The number elected last year was forty-
seven. The number of candidates proposed during
the first six weeks of the present year is forty-two.
We hear that the eminent geographer liiepert is about to
proceed to the Holy Land, and spend some time
there, for the purpose of personally determining
geographical positions. He has the advantage over our
university explorers, recently sent out, in being a skilful
and experienced geodetist, and of acquaintance with the
country obtained during a former sojourn of several years.
—A committee has been appointed to inquire into the
education of naval officers, consisting of Rear-Admiral
Shadwell, C. 8., President ; Captain W. H. Richards,
R.N., Hydrographer, Captain A. A. Wood, RN.,
Director of N aval Ordnance, the Rev. Dr. Woolley,
admiralty Director of Education, the Rev. A. Barry,
D.D., Principal of King's College, S. P. Butler, Esq.,
barrister-at-law, Richard Saintbill, Esq., R.N. Secretary.

The Graphic states :—Mr. Benedict has nearly finished
his oratorio of " St. Peter," which is to be produced at
the next Birmingham Festival.—The Royal Dramatic
College have hung out " signals of distress." A meeting
of the council has been held to consider the best way of
raising means to enable them to pay regularly the pen-
sions of the residents of the college, and to meet other
expenses. It has been decided to hold several morning
and special performances, with a view of raising extra
funds. Mr. B. Webster, Miss Oliver, Mr. Chatterton,
Mr. Abrahams, Mrs. C. Pitt, and others have placed
their houses at the disposal of the council.—Messrs.
Tinsley Brothers will issue immediately a book of unusual
literary interest, entitled " Memories of My Time." Tho
author, a gentleman well known on the newspaper press,
gives his personal reminiscenses of eminent men, including
the late Douglas Jerrold, W. M. Thackeray, Leigh Hunt,
Sheridan Knowles, Thomas Hood, Charles Kemble, Peter
Cunningham, Vincent Wallace, E. H. Bally, R.A.. Sir
Joseph Paxton Albert Smith, Angus Reach, John-
Leach, and W. C. Macready. The book will'
be in one handsome volume, and will contain
many interesting anecdotes, not only of the every-
slay life of men who have passed away, but also sayings
and doings of popular characters still living.—Several
changes have taken place in the theatrical world. Mr.
George Honey has accepted an engagement with Mr.
Montague, who has at length decided to call his new
theatre, building in the Strand, " The Bijou." The public
are to lose their old favourite at the Haymarket; Mr.
Compton, who goes to Manchester. We hear that Mr.
Toole has purchased the exclusive right of Mr. Byron to
play his " Uncle Dick's Darling," which he will take with
him in the provinces when his engagement at the Gaiety
ends. Mr. and Mrs. Rousby hgve presented to Mr. John
Ryder a handsome silver snuff-box, in acknowledgment of
his services as stage-manager in producing the new play
" 'Twixt Axe and Crown." A morning performance will
take place early in March, at the Queen's Theatre, for
the benefit of the General Theatrical. Fund. The Prince
of Wales takes the chair at the aunroachiaag annual
festival.

NA-V
AL AN D MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.
The Army and Nary Gazette says that in no case will
the reductions which it is the intention of the Govern.
ment to effect fall more heavily upon individuals than will
the abolition of djpOt battalions upon those comman-
ding officers appointed prior to the 15th of December, 18,6.
Than this treatment it would be almost impossible to
imagine anything more unjust. Upon acceptance of the
appointment each officer received a positive assurance
that the position would be permanent, and a great
majority, after serving their country in various quarters of
the globe, wishing to settle down quietly at home, paid
large sums, varying from £1,.000 to £2,000 to obtain them,
under an expectation of retaining the same until removed
by promotion, or until such a time as they might think lit
to retire by sale or accept half-pay. Now, nofens miens,
the latter alternative is forced upon them without any
satisfactory equivalent.
The Army and Nary Gazette says that after the com-
mencement of the next financial year the regulations, cost
of lieutenancies in the cavalry and infantry of the Lino
will be reduced to £450.
It appears by the Broad Brrow that the reduction of
secowl majors will only take pt;ace in cavalry regiments,
infantry battalions still retaining both majors.
According to the Monitcur, reductions are also taking
llace on the other side of the channel, though not to a
arge extent when compared with the magnitude of the
French army. Ten thousand men are to be
disbanded, it says, and the saving thus obtained
will amount to ten million francs. The Temps remarks that
this is undoubtedly something, but that public opinion
xp,3cted more. If, moreover, other journals are to be
believed," it adds, " the effect even of this measure will be
lessened by General Le Bceuf's alleged intention to reduce
ill
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have 400,000 men under arms ?"

The Lancet says the health of Mr. Bright has
undergone a slight improvement. He is, however, still
suffering from symptoms of nervous depression. There is,
nevertheless, every reason to hope that physical and
mental repose will restore his health.

We are glad to learn, FflyS the Globe, that the
Archbishop of Canterbury continues to make satisfactory
progress, and that there is every prospect of his speedy
recovery. His Grace's physicians, however, order
thorough rest from his public duties for a short-tine
longe4