The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-04 00:00:00

COURT CIRCULAR.

The Queen and Prince Albert took their accustomed
early walk yesterday in Claremont Park.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, Prince
Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice, were
taken for pony and walking exercise yesterday •in the
pleasure grounds of Claremont.
Her Majesty and her Royal Consort took an airing in
the afternoon in a phaeton, the Prince driving, attended
by the Equerries in Waiting, on horseback.
The Dowager Lady Lyttelton arrived at Claremont
on Monday.
The royal dinner party at Claremont yesterday even-
ing was expected to include Lord and Lady De Ros,
Major-General Sir Robert and Lady Gardiner, and Mr.
and Mrs. Spicer.
Mr. George Pemberton, Member of the Legislative
Council of Canada, and Mr. W. Henry Tilston, had an
interview with Sir George Clerk yesterday at the office
of the Board of Trade.

Count de Raventlow, the Danish Minister, transacted
business yesterday at the Foreign Office.
Mr. E. Wolehouse, M.P., had an interview with the
Earl of Dalhousie yesterday at the office of the Board of
Trade.

The Secretary of War, and the Vice-President of the
Board of Trade, had interviews with Sir Robert Peel
yesterday.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.
An original opera buffa in two acts (so described in
the bills), the music by G. A. Macfarren, entitled Don
Quixote, was produced here last evening, and if the
applause of a first night audience is to be taken as a
final judgment, thee is the opera of Don Quixote among
the most successful ever produced. The libretto is by
Mr. G. Macfarren, the father of the composer of the
music; and the portion of the adventures of the Knight of
La Mancha chosen for musical illustration is the adven-
ture of Cumacho the Rich and Basilius the Poor, the
rival suitors for the hand of the fair Quiteria. The
opera opens with a serenade by Cumacho (Mr. D. W.
King) and his companions, under the window of the
fair Quiteria (Miss Rainforth). The serenaders are in-
terrupted by the arrival of Don Quixote (Mr. Weiss)
and. Sancho (Mr. Stratton), who are received in a
friendly manner, and conducted into the house to par-
take of the hospitalities of the rich Cumacho. Basilius
the Poor (Mr. Allea) then enters, and gives vent to his
feelings in a ballad, " Sweet were those hours of
infancy," which was sung with such exquisite taste
and beauty by Allen as to elicit a loud encore ; the
compliment being paid evidently rather to the singer
than to the composer. Quiteria appears in the balcony,
and then follows, of course, a duet for the tenor and the
soprano, which was delightfully given by Allen and
Miss Rainforth. Don Quixote, followed by Sancho, enters
and interrupts the lovers, and a long concerted piece
follows, in which Basiiiius appears on the balcony dis-
guised as a lady, claiming the protection of the Don, and
in which Allen imitating the voice of a woman, sings a
romance entitled " Alas! a thousand secret woes," in
the most admirable mock-heroic style imaginable. This
romance, which is in itself a very pretty composition,
was loudly encored. The Den, mounting a ladder to
kiss the hand of the lady, is suddenly seized and lashed
to the balcony. Sancho, who gives an alarm, is ducked
in a water-trough, and the drop falls on a most admired
scene of confusion. In the second act we find
the father of Quiteria remonstrating with her on
her injudicious affection for Basilius the Poor, and urging
her to marry Cumuli() the Rich. In this scene we have
the gem of the opera, the song by Miss Rainforth, " Ah !
why do we love," a beautiful song, and not one whit the
less welcome from reminding us of a beautiful old ballad,
with a nearly similar title. A good imitation is better
than a bad original at any time. Then we have what in
the libretto is styled a " triumph scene," in honour of
Don Quixote. In this scene there is introduced a
laughing chorus, at the expense of the ducked Sancho.
There is a very similar chorus in the first act of
Der Freischntz, and if Weber flourished twenty
years before Mr. G. A. Macfarren, certainly
that is not the fault of the English composer.
Then we have a grand concerted finale, in which is in-
troduced a dance and a procession in honour of Cuma-
cho's wedding, and in which Don Quixote, aided by
the chorus, sings a jolly Anacreontic, beginning—
" When Bacchus invented the Bowl,"—(we were not
before aware that Don Quixote was in the habit of in-
dulging in songs of the "Jolly Nose" school)—aul in
which Allen, as Basilius, sings a delicious ballad, en-
titled " I quit my pillow," in such an exquisitely pa-
thetic, plaintive style, and in which he exhibits such
taste, such execution, and (strange as it may seem)
such power, as would be alone sufficient to save a much
worse opera than this of Don Quixote. There is not
an English tenor singer living who could approach
Allen in his execution of this song. He is, at the pre-
sent moment, far and away the first English tenor
singer of the day. The plot of the tale is carried out in
the opera. Basilius pretends to be dying, receives the
hand of Quiteria, immediately recovers, and, by the
intervention of Quixote, el are reconciled. The opera
has been placed on the stage in admirable style, the
singers did all that artists could for it, and the orchestra
performed its part admirably. Mr. Macfarren has
nothing to complain of as to the manner in which his
opera was presented to the public. Now, with regard
to the opera itself, it is the work of an accomplished
musician—of one who has thoroughly studied and
thoroughly understands his art—of one who has learned
all that can be taught—but who does not possess that
which cannot be taught, genius. The overture, con-
sidered as a musical academical exercise, is faultless, but
it is also meaningless; and if the music of the opera
is more expressive than that of the overture, it is be-
cause Mr. Macfarren trusts less to his own resources,
and borrows largely from his predecessors. This opera
is a prettily arranged rechauffee of reminiscences, and
will, no doubt, have a run, but we must demur to Mr.
Macfarren's claim to be considered as an original English
composer.
SPORTING IN

TELLIGENCE.
ir MEETING, 1846.
es Cup of 200 soya., &c.
Mervis, 5 yrs, 6st 101 b
L)curgus, 4 yrs, 6st 101 b
Redstreak, 4 yrs, Est 101 b
Flalowlagh, 4 yrs, Est 81b
Duc an Durras, 4 yrs, Est 61b
Clumsey, 4 yrs, 6st 61b
Annie filly, 4 yrs, 6st 61b
Cataract, 6 yrs, 6st 51b
Miss Burns, 6 yrs, Est 51b
Little John, 5 yrs, 6st 51b
Flattery, 4 yrs, 6st 51b
Anti-Repealer, 4 yrs, 6st 51b
Connaught Ranger, 4 yrs,
6st 51b
Columbus, 4 yrs, Est 41b
Elemi, 5 yrs, Est 31b
Plaudit, 4 yrs, 6st 31b
'The Magnet, 4 yrs, Est 31b
Advice, 4 yrs, Est 21b
IFitzwilliam, 4 yrs, Est 21b
Queen Pomare, 4 yrs, 6st 21b
Vitula, 6 yrs, Est
Best Bower, 5 yrs, sst 12ib
Mongrel, 4 yrs, sst 121 b
Colleen Bawn, 4 yrs, sst
121 b
Devil's Dust, 4 yrs, sst 101 b
John Davis, 4 yrs, sst 101 b
Artist, 6 yrs, sst Slb
Arthur, 4 yrs, sst 81b
Stream, 4 yrs, sst 81b
Petit Morceau, 4 yrs, sst 81b
The Warrior, 3 yrs, sst 71b
Correct Card, 4 yrs, sst slb
Deodara, 4 yrs, sst 51b
Marquis of Conyngham, 3
yrs, sst
Blackbird, 3 yrs, sft
Mercuriad, 3 yrs, 9st
Punch, 3 yrs, 4st bib
Muscatel, 3 yrs, 4st 10lb
Finvaragh, 3 yrs, 4st 10lb
Spur, 3 yrs, 4st lOst
Brother to Sir Marry, 3 yrs,
4st 101 b
Tell, 3 yrs, 4st Blb
Billy Purvis, 3 yrs, 4st 61.6
Little Cassino, 3 yrs, 4st 61b
Elena Clara, 3 yrs, 4st

CHESTER SPRIN
Acceptances for the Trad
Lothario, 6 yrs, 9st 21b
Inheritess, 6 yri, Bst 101 b
The Baron, 4 yrs, Sit 101 b
Corrunna, aged, Bst 91b
Sweetmeat, 4 yrs, Bst 91b
St. Lawrence, aged, Bst .31b
Zanoni, 6 yrs, Bst 71b
Discord, aged, Bst 61b
The Libel, 4 yrs, Bst 51b
Trueboy, 6 yrs, Bst 31b
Mess Trooper, aged, Bst 21b
Sorella, 5 yrs, 7st 131 b
Glossy, 6 yrs, 7st 121 b
Rowena, 5 yrs, 7st 121 b
Intrepid, 5 yrs, 7st 91b
Miss Elis,4 yrs, 7st 91b
Weatherbit, 4 yrs, 7st 81b
Event, 4 yrs, ist 81b
Queen of Tyne, aged, 7st 71b1
Example. 5 yrs, ist 71b
Vol-au-Vent, 5 yrs, ist 71b
Eboracum, aged, 7st 61b
Mickey Free, 5 yrs, ist 61b
Hope, 4 yrs, 7st Gib
Ruff, 4 yrs, ist 51b.
Gamecock, 6 yrs, 7st 41b
Pride of Kildare, 5 yrs,7st4lb
Hooton, 6 yrs, 7st 31b
Valerian, 5 yrs, 7st 31b
Roderick, aged, 7st 21b
Little Hampton,s yrs,7st2lb
Warp, 5 yrs, 7st 21b
Sir Diggory Diddle, 5 yrs,
7st 21b
Ould Ireland, 4 yrs, 7st 21b
Salopian, 4 yrs. 7st 21b
Extempore, 6 yrs, 7st lib
Beaufront, 5 yrs, 7st llb

Polish, 6 Yrs, 7st
Surety, 5 yrs, 7st
Lady Wildair, 4 yrs, 7st
Roper's Daughter, Est 1 aged,
31b
Highwayman, 4 yrs, Est 131 b
Crim. Con., 4 yrs, 6st Islb
Judea, 6 yrs, Est 121 b
Whinstone, 4 yrs, Est 121 b
Pedometer, 5 yrs, Est 111 b
Rose of Cashmere, 4 yrs,
6st 11lb

BATH RACES.
Acceptances for the Somersstshire Stakes.
Newcourt, 6 yrs, Bst lllb Taglioni filly, 4 yrs, 7st
Wolfdog, 4 yrs, Bst 91b Giantess, 4 yrs, 6st 121 b
Pantasa, 4 yrs, Bst 51b Columbus, 4 yrs, fist 111 b
Antler, 5 yrs, Bst 41b Miss Burns, 4 yrs, 6st 91b
Ould Ireland, 4 yrs, 7st 101 b Haitoe, aged, 6st 71b
Queen of Tyne, aged, 7st Collen Baun, 4 yrs. Est 61b
91b Dexterous, 3 yrs, 6st 61b
Intrepid, 5 yrs, ist 71b Anti-Repealer, 4 yrs, Est 41b
Young Lochinyar, 6 yrs, Nik‘ filly, 4 yrs, Est 31b
7st 51b Devil's Dust, 4 yrs, sst 121 b
Connaught Ringer, 4 yrs, Marquis of Conyngham, 3
7st 41b yrs, sst 101 b
Fausta, aged, 7st 41b Buttress, 3 yrs, sst 91b
What, 6 yrs, 7st 41b Lady Charlotte, 4 yrs, sst
London, 4 yrs, 7st 41b 81b
Ninety one, 5 yrs, 7st 31b cby Montreal, dam by Dr.
Salopian, 4 yrs, 7st lib Syntax, 3 yrs, sst 51b
I Lord Saltoun, 4 yrs, ist llb Cerberus, 3 yrs sst 41b
Fama, aged, 7st I.lb Muscatel, 3 yrs, sst
Teetoller, aged, 7st
Pet colt, 3 yrs, 4st 101 b
(RECEIVED THIS DAY.)
BETTING AT MANCHESTER—TUESDAY.
THE CHESTER CUP.

20 to 1 agstßest Bower--taken 27 to 1 agst The Baron—t.
20 to 1 agst Sweetmeat—off. 35 to 1 agst Hope—offered
20 to 1 aget Whinstone—take 40 to 1 agst Mermaid—taken
22 to 1 40 to 1 agst Annie filly—do.
25 to 1 agst Miss Burns—off. 50 to 1 agst Redstreak—do.
27 to 1 agst Mickey Free—do.,so to 1 agst Arthur--.-do.

TILE DERBY.
5 to 1 agst Sting—offered N to 1 agst Malcolm
15 to 1 agst Brocardo—off. 40 to 1 agst Humdrum.
25 to 1 agst lago—taken

OAKS.
Offers to take 12 to 1 about Osprey.
WORCESTER STEEPLEE CHASES—TUESDAY.
Handicap of 20 sovs. each, with 100 added, 10 ft, &c. (22
Subs. ; 8 paid.)
Mr. Preston's Brunette, 12st ...... (MDonogh) A
Mr. J. Elmore's Alice Gray, list .................................
Mr. Tilbury's Culverthorpe, list ............... ..... .......
The following also started, but were not placed
011iver's Vanguard, 12st 91b—Mr. Adams's PlOneer,ds2ts4trb
Mr. Beville's Lycurgus, 12st.--741r. Welsh's Sampson,
Bnt t' s
—Mr. Ekin', l'et,r Simple, 11st _6leb—maliaCa,
21b—Cap-
,Pltlasitn ar
e
Boxkeeper, Ilst 4.1) —Mr. De Rode's
Mr. Rogers's Wilton, aged,
thin Alle- ' • l's- list 21110 st 61b—
Jerry, and Mr. Pearce's
lOst 811,23;1,T 2,i ;,cley's
Scavenger, ltist
4to 1 oli tile field, 5 to 1 agst Lycurgus (talten), 5 to 1
agst Pioneer (taken), 6 to 1 agst Brunette (take 7 to 1), 8 to
1 agst Exquisite, and 10 to 1 agst Culverthorpe.—Won
cleverly. •

The Witley Selling Stakes of 5 sous. each, and 30 added.
Four miles. (8 Subs.)
Mr Stagg's The Fowler, lOst 71b ...(Owner) 1
Mr. Tilbury's Tom Tug, 1 Ist ....••.. ......... 2
Mr. Herbert's bay mare, 10st 71b ... 3
Mr. Powell's Barnaby Rudge, 11st 91b ... ••• 4
Three others started. Won by two lengths.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
PORTSMOUTH, MONDAY.—The Harlequin, 16, having un-
dergone a thorough overhaul and refit, almost amounting to
a reconstruction, was commissioned here this morning. Com-
mander Douglas Carry (1840), of the Coast Guard, is ap-
pointed to her. This gallant officer was midshipman of the
Rose at Navariuo, where he was wounded, and was promoted
for his services when Senior Lieutenant of the Pique, at the
taking of the towns of Caiffa and Tsour, and subsequently the
capture of St. Jean d'Acre in 1840.
The Wanderer, 16, lately employed on the China station,
having undergone a thorough overhaul and refit at this port,
was also put in commission this morning by the appointment
to her of Commander Philip H. Somerville (1842).
The above vessels are each to have complements of 130
men and officers, but what stations they are to be employed
upon the Admiralty have not made known.
The Retribution steam-frigate, Captain Lushington, hav-
ing returned her paddle-box boats to the dockyard on ac-
count of their great weight, will not have any more paddle-
box boats fitted, and the paddle-box is accordingly already
built up in the usual way, it being apparent that the vessel
can carry conveniently as many boats as are necessary on
board and upon her quarters, without encumbering herself
with such frightfully heavy appurtenances as those she has
jest cast off The removal of the paddle-box boats has
given this fine vessel a much more sightly and light appear-
ance, and we have no doubt will ease her very materially in
sea-going.
TUESDAV.—Rear-Admiral W. Bowles, C. 8., one of the Lords
of the Admiralty, visited this port yesterday, and inspected the
various ships and works in progress, and in the afternoon
witnessed from the Excellent the process of destroying a boom
with gunpowder. His Lordship, together with other mem-
bers of the board, will visit the port officially in a few days.
The Monkey steam-vessel, Master Commandant W. Bryant,
which arrived on Sunday with a new funnel (the old one
having been knocked away), to be fired at from the Excel-
lent, is taking in stores, &c., for the eastern depots.
The Harlequin, 16, Commander Curry, was taken under
the shears and masted this morning.
The Cyclops steam-frigate, Captain Lapidge, came into
harbour this afternoon to refit, prior to returning to the River
Plate.
The Dauntless and Arrogant frigates, on the designs re-
spectively of Mr. White, of Cowes, and Mr. Fincham,
master shipwright of this establishment, are progressing
very rapidly towards readiness for launching; their timber-
ing is finished, and their ceiling and planking nearly so. The
Dauntless (Mr. Fincham's design) is intended to be strictly
a steam frigate, but the Arrogant will only have steam as an
auxiliary to work a screw. We have already given the
dimensions of the Dauntless. The following are the prin-
cipal dimensions of the Arrogant :

Feet. Inches.
Length between the perpendiculars 2OO 0
Length of keel for tonnage 175 0
Breadth extreme 45 4
Breadth moulded 44 0
Depth of hold
Burden in tons, 1,800; horse power for screw, 300.
This fine ship appears to be in the most forward state of
the two, and presents a boldness of outline very much ad-
mired by all who have seen her, since she has been planked.
She presents a very: handsome-looking model, and is ex-
pected to prove a perfect man• of-war, but this remains to be
seen.

The Dasher steam-vessel, Commander Sherringham, is
preparing to resume her surrey of the Solent, &c.
The Scourge steam bomb-vessel, Commander Caffin, has
not yet completed coaling, and is now alongside the jetty.
The Cygnet brigantine, Commander Layton, arrived at
St. Helena from Benguela on Christmas•day. She had cap-
tured a slaver with 360 slaves on board, which she brought
in with her.