The Sun.
London, England, 1848-01-19 00:00:00

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S U N
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STRAND TIC lATRE.
Last evening the performan at this little f heatre
were for the benefit of Miss ,Coleman, on which
occasion she was supported by snarly old favoun'tes of
the play-going public. The pieces selected were
Penley's sterling farce of The Sleeping Dr aught,
Is he Jealous? Matted Falcone, and Me Pantomime.
Of the acting in the first-named farce we must speak
in the highest praise; never have we seen atberry,
who sustained the character of Popolino, richer in
humour than he was last night. Mr. Henry, as
Yaldo, the Dr. Vinculo of Mr. Yarnold, and the
Bruno of Mr. Rogerson, were each well sustained.
Miss Terry, as Nonna, acted as she alone, in her
pt,:nliar line, can act; she also sang a very pretty
song, was rapturously encored. Is he
Jealous p folloZedi in which Mr. H. St. C. Percy
sustained the characte: of Belmour excellently. Miss
Love, as Harriet, elicited trs;Sluent rounds of applause.
()sherry's clever petite drama of .2iatteo Falcone fol-
lowed. This drama was chosen, we suppose, for the
purpose of showing the versatility of the acting of Miss
Jane Coleman, and never have we seem her to greater
advantage than we did last evening, when she
appeared in the character of Fortunate Falcone.
It is undoubtedly her greatest character. The origi-
nal song, but set to a new and very pretty air by
Mr. G. Yarnold, was sweetly sung by Miss Coleman,
and narrowly escaped a double encore, and we hare
no doubt, when published, it will he found on the
music-stand of every pianoforte. Mr: Huff!, as
Matted, was very good, and Huntley, as the corpora!,
was humorous in the extreme. Miss ColetnaSi was
twice called before the curtain, and during the even-
ing received the plaudits of a delighted audience.
There was some very pretty dancing during the
evening by Miss Gilbert's clever pupils, Miss L.
Coleman, Miss Mosely and Miss Lewin ; the Cachuca,
by the former and a medley by Miss Mosely, were
encored. The Pantomime concluded the performance
of one of the most successful evenings of the season.
DEATH OF PROFESSOI FINN
MAGNUSEN.
The announcement of the death of this distinguished
Icelander will be received with sorrow by all friends
of Northern philology. He was born at Skalholt,
in Iceland, in the year 1783. Having shown pro-
mise of those attainments for which he was Afttl'
wards so deservedly celebrated, he was sent at an
early age to the University of Copenhagen, wherss her
completed his education, and took the usual degrees.
Having turned his attention for a time to the study
of the law, he returned to Iceland on his father's
death in 1800, and was appointed an advocate
in the Supreme Court at Rejkjavik, the capital
of the island. In this position he remained
with little interruption till the year 1812.
when he left Iceland and established himself
permanently in Copenhagen, in order that he might
devote himself exclusively to northern literature and
science. His profound learning, and rare powers of
imparting that learning to those who listened to him,
coupled with his amiable manners, soon secured for
him the friendship of the most distinguished men of
the day, and his late Majesty King Frederic VI., as
wsll as his present Majesty King Christian, were
pleased to bestow on him especial marks of their
favour. In 1815 he was made Professor of Northern
Literature in the University of Copenhagen,
and in 1829 Keeper of the State Archives ;
he was also a Knight of the Order of the
Dannebrog, sied of that of St. Anne of Russia. As
might
be expected, tt:sts was ever foremost in advancing
the cause of Icelandic litezure, and took an active
part in founding the various societies which have
sprung up of late years in Copenhagen for that
praiseworthy purpose. He was succs7ssl7lY, secretary,
vice-president, and president of the Iceissn'
""ociety of
ic literary.
society, and on the foundation of the Royal is,
Northern Antiquaries, of which the Crown Prins -
Denmark is President, Professor Finn Magnusen was
elected Vice-President, an office which he filled with
Imola. till the day of his death.
Of his uulerous works it will suffice to mention
the greatest. Theseare,: The Theory of the Edda
and its Origin ;"
in whichthe rise and progress of
the old Northern beliefs as to the relations of Gods
and men, the Cosmogony of the 1.7,
orth, in a word,
are traced to their origin in the East, while at the
same time those beliefs are compared with, anl illus-
trated by the Cosmogonies of the Indians, rersile-''s'
and Greeks, and other peoples. He was also one of the
editors of the second and third volumes of the grub
edition of " Seamund's Edda," and, if we mistake not,,
sole compiler of the voluminous mythological lexicon
which forms by far the greatest portion of the third
volume. In his work, entitled " Runatno og Ru-
nerne' " he was the first to throw light on the pales°.
graphy of the North, and to propound rational ideas
on the Runic system of writing. Besides these great
works he took an active part in preparing the various
editions of early Icelandic works which have been
brought out with equal taste and criticism by the Arnas
magnsean Trustees, by the Icelancic Literary Society,
and by the Society of Northern Antiqtories ; and in the
transactions of those societies numberlesss articles are
to be met with by his hand, almost up to tst'e period
of his death, all testifying that he retained to last
his love for that science to which he had devoted .ktis
life, and for his native island, which has preserved
uncorrupted during so many centuries a language
the early literature of which surpasses both in beauty
and abundance that of any European people.
Professor Finn Magnusen, who, during a visit to
England some years back, became acquainted with
many to whom his memory is still dear, had been in
ill-health for some months before his decease, which
took place at Copenhagen on Christmas Eve. From
what we have already said it will readily be conceived
that his death has caused a blank in Icelandic litera-
ture which will not easily be supplied.
GENERAL THEATRICAL FUND. --(Under the patron-
age of her Most Gracious Majesty. )—We are happy to. •
learn that Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, Bart., has con-
sented to take the chair at the annual dinner of the
above excellent institution, at the London Tavern, on
Monday, April 17.
WEST LONDON ANTI-ENCLOSURE ASSOCIATION.—
At the last committee meeting of this association, at
Clarke's-rooms, 114, Edgeware-road, Jan. 17th, Goodwin
Barmby in the chair, H. D. Griffiths moved, and Mr.
Clark seconded, the following resolution, which was
agreed to, viz., " That a vote of thanks be accorded to
Colonel Peyronnet Thompson, M.P., for an additional
gift of books to the library of this association ; and for
instructing the association in the way to maintain foot-
paths, &c., by the presentation of that for which no
advocate for footpath rights should be without, viz„ the
sth and 6th of William IV., on Highways." The
chairman also presented a volume to the library. Most
kind and encouraging letters were read from the Colonel,
and after a warm eulogium from the chairman upon the
Colonel's merits, the meeting was adjourned till the fol-
io', ing Monday, at half-past seven for eight.
FIRE AT BETHNAL-GREEN.—Last night, about a
quarter past ten o'clock, the neighbourhood of Bethnal-
green-road was thrown into a state of considerable bustle
and confusion, in consequence of the sudden outbreak of
a fire of a most alarming character, upon the premises
belonging to Mr. Laws, a bread and biscuit baker,
carrying on business at No. 78, Gibraltar-row, Church-
street, Bethnal-green. An instant alarm was spread,
and Mr. Laws and his family were without delay ap-
prised of the outbreak, which had barely been done when
a large sheet of flame shot through the windows, and
with such fury did the fire travel, that it was at one time
'eared the whole of the contiguous houses would have
'alien
a prey to its fury. Notwithstanding the efforts of
e firemen and an abundant supply of water, the work
sf destruction continued, and it was not until past eleven
o'clock that the fire was safely got under, and not until
every portion of the premises, with the exception of the
front shop, were destroyed. The total loss is considerable.
OUR NATIONAL DEYENCES.—Last evening a meet-
ing of the inhabitants of the borough of Southwark was
held at the Bridge House Hotel, London-bridge, for the
purpose of petitioning Parliament against any addition
to the existing naval and military forces, the enrolment I
of the militia, or the establishment of additional for-
tresses. The meeting was got up under the auspices of
the London Peace Society. Apsley Pellatt, Esq., was
voted to the chair. Samuel Sturge, Esq., moved the
first resolution, to the effect, " That the meeting believing
the system and practice of war at variance with the true
principle of Christianity and the interests of mankind,
deeply regret the attempts now making to excite the
public mind to believe war imminent, and to make an,
addition to the military establishment of the country.
He maintained that a large military force always en-
tailed a deterioration in the morals of the people. G,
W. Alexander, Esq., seconded the resolution. The re-
solution was put by the chairman and carried unani-
mously. The Rev. J. Burnett moved the second reso-
lution, whieh was as follows :—" That the meeting
desires to record its deliberate conviction that the ap-
prehension of war and invasion is unfounded, and that
an increase of the existing naval and military forces of
the empire, whether by the enlargement of the army,
the: enrolment of the militia, the establishment of ad-
ditional fortresses, or by any other means, is not only
uncalled for and unnecessary, but must inevitably tend
to destroy rather than make peace, lower the tone of
public morality, obstruct improvement, and aggravate
the commercial difficulties of the nation." The reso-
lution was seconded by A. B. Stevens, Esq., and carried
by acclamation. A petition to Parliament was then
adopted, and the meeting separated. •,
MANCHESTIR.—DARING HIGHWAY ROBBERY.—
About a quarter past one o'clock on Saturday, the Rev.
T. N. German, the head master of our grammar school,
was driving out in his gig, accompanied by his wife and
daughter, up the Cheetham-hill• road, and had driven as
far as the entrance to Eaton-park, and on turning down
the rural lane which leads from Kensal Moor to Middle-
ton, and known by the name of Sheepfoot-lane, all got
out to walk, and sent the gig on a short distance before
them. They had not proceeded more than about thirty
yards, when two men rushed on Mr. German, and each
presenting a pistol to his breast, demanded his money.
He begged that they would not do any harm to the
ladies, and he would give them what he had. He then
delivered to them his gold watch, and purse, containing
all the alone) h., toad. an 1 the villains made off across
the fields. No time was lost in giving information to the
police, and in the coarse of the evening two men were
apprehended in the neighbourhood of Blakeley-street, on
suspicion of the robbery.—Liverpool Mercury.