The Sun.
London, England, 1856-07-29 00:00:00

STAFFORD•HOUSE ENTERTAINMENT.

A select audience assembled in the hall of Stafford
House yesterday afternoon, to hear a dramatic reading
by Mrs. Webb. It consisted of extracts from " Uncl.e
Tom's Cabin," selected ace arranged for reading by
Mrs. Stowe herself, for this lady. The scenes were well
selected, and br,ught forward the chief incidents of the
book very skilfully. Great praise is due to the
reader, who displayed considersble dramatic talent.
The principal merit consisted in the skill with which
she personated the different characters. Those who
had not read the book could have formed an accurate
Won of their distlnguidhing- individuality from the re-
presentation. Whether it was the volatile negro, the
affected fine lady, the harsh slave-driver, or the original
Topsy, she seemed to enter into the peculiarities of each.
The few passages in which Uncle Torn appeared were
delivered with a peculiar emphasis, which suited the so-
lemn style of one marked out from his fellows to point
the way to suffer and be strong. The touching story of
Cassy exemplifies in a striking manner the horrors of
slavery in its worst forms, in no way more terrible than
in its awful results, breaking down all trust and confi-
dence in laws both human and divine. This portion.
Mrs. Webb rendered with particular effect, and gave the
sudden changes of voice and manner with much discri-
mination. The fact of her being herself a mulatto, and
the daughter of a fugitive Blare, added greatly to the in-
terest. Her appearance and deportment were intelli
gent and lady-like, and she is possessed of a clear and
powerful voice. She has already obtained an extended
reputation in the United States, and will no doubt be
equally successful in this country. The audience yes-
terday appeared highly gratified, the splendid hall of
Stafford House accommodating a numerous though
very select assembly. Through the kindness of the
Duchess strangers were allowed to visit the state
apartments, picture-gallery, &c., which permission several
availed themselves of. Papers were distributed on behalf
of the free-coloured population in Canada, who are many
of them in a state of great distress and ignorance, as the
whites refuse to agssciate with them. At one point the
average arrivals
are five daily, and consequently the
population is rapidly increasing. Efforts are being made
by the Colonial Church and School Society to afford
tl2ir assistance and instruction ; and those who wish to
ctribute to this praiseworthy undertaking may forward
their subscriptions to the office of the society, Sergeant's-
inn, Fleet-street. We trust that Mrs. Webb may obtain
the success in this country that her talents as well as her
interesting history appear to merit, and which her aus-
picious introduction to English society would seem to
warrant.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Prussia, who ar.
rived at Buckingham Palace yesterday, from Osborne,
will proceed to Goodwood this morning, on a visit to
the Duke and Duchess of Richmond, His Royal High.
ness, on leaving Goodwood, will return direct to Berlin.'

His Excellency the Belgian Minister and Madame
Van de Weyer have returned from Brussels, where his
Excellency had been officially invited, as ex-member of
the Provisional Government and of the National Con-
gress, to be present at the fetes. His Majesty the King
of the Belgians has on this occasion conferred upon M.
de Weyer the Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Londonderry ar-
rived at Chesharn-place on Saturday night from the
Continent, after an absence from England of eight
months.
Lord and Lady Brougham have left town for
Brougham Hall. We are glad to learn that the noble
and learned lord continues to enjoy excellent health.
Lord and Lady Poltimore and the Hon. A. F. Bamp-
fylde have left Grosvenor-square for Germany.
The select committee appointed by the Lords' C -)m-
mittee on the subject of the office of the Clerk of Parlia-
ments, recommend to the house that a retiring allowance
of 1,5001. per annum should be granted to the Earl of
Devon, to commence from the sth of January, 1856, and
be paid quarter out of the Fee Fund of the House of
Lords.
NATIONAL GALLERY.—An altarpiece, by an early
Florentine master, Benozzo GezzJli, has been added to
the national collection. It represents the Virgin and
Child, surrounded by angels and saints, From the ori-
ginal contract, recently published at Florence, it appears
that this picture was painted in 1461.2, for the altar in
the church of the Company of St. Mark; it is thus iden-
tified with a work noticed by Vasari in his life of the
artist. The picture subsequent!ycame into private hands,
and was purchased from the remainder of the Rinuccini
collection for the National Gal!ery.
ETON COLLEGE, Monday.—The intelligence of two
vacancies having occurred at King's College, Cambridge,
occasioned by the resignation of the Rev. Frederick
Long and Reynolds, Esq., arrived at Eton yesterday
morning, and the ceremony ): ripping, by the Provost,
of Bosanquet, ma., and Browning, two of the King's
scholars at the head of the sixth form, who have suc-
ceeded them, took place the Provost Lodge in the
afternoon. This morning the two fortunate students
took their departure for Camizidge. Hodson, who
obtained the Newcastle scholarship of 1856, is now the
captain.
THE MAILS.—SOUTHAMPTON, MONDAY.—The Penin-
sular and Oriental Company's steam-ship Sultan, Capt.
Cook, left this day, with the usual Peninsular mail for
Vigo, Oporto, Cadiz, Lisbon, and Gibraltar ; a general
cargo, specie for Lisbon 6,5701., for Cadiz 6,8801., and
31 passengers, among whom was Major King.
CHARGE' OF CONSPIRACY AND ILLEGAL ARREST.—
Yesterday at the Marlborough-street polioe office, Ro-
bert Johnstone, of the Army and Navy Club, was sum-
moned before Mr. Beadon "far having wantonly and
wilfully conspired and combined with another person
unlawfully and under false pretences to arrest William
Kay against his will, and in pursuance of such con-
spiracy arresting and imprisoning the said William Kay
, for a ,p.,n, of tim,_, t', wit, .ix !1,,,ir,;." Ile fAx.t.. of t'e
Icase have airea,ty appeared iu The SIM. Mr. Beadun
bound Mr. Johnstone to answer the charge, but offered
to take good bail.
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