The Sun.
London, England, 1851-08-25 00:00:00

ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.

The well-known Mr. Barnum having engaged
Kate and Ellen Bateman, two children of the ages of
eight and six years, whose dramatic performances
have excited the greatest kolmir4tion in America, to
give a series of representations in this country, they
made their first appeari.nce b,,fore an English audience
at a dress rehearsal on Saturd.y last, in the filth act
of Richard 111., and an adapta.i,n of a petite comedy
writt. n expressly for them by M. Scrib.-, entitled The
Young Couple. The character of Richmond was
sustained by Kate, and that of Richard by Elen
Bateman, in a manner that was truly wonderful, con-
sidernig their youth ; but the next piece, The Young
Couple, was much better adapted to theca. Tne pier.is very slight, and the piece is entirely supported by
the two children, whose performance of the young
Charles de Blonville and Henrietta de Vigny is much
more natural and pleasing than that of the Richard
and Richmond of Shakespere. The same performance
is to be repeated this evening, together with other
entertainments supported by an efficient dramatic
company. It is well worth a visit to the theatre to
see these youthful prodigies, and no doubt this will
prove as profitable to the enterprising Mr. Barnum as
his other speculations.

RE-OPENING or BLACKFRIARS-BRlDGE.—ArrEtnge-
ments have been made for this purpose of facilitating the
works at B ackfriars-bridge, so that the important thorough-
fare may be thrown open to this public as early as possible,
there having been of late several complaints from the pro-
prietors of vehicles plying from the City and the eastern and
western suburbs to the southern side of the Thames of the
eircuitous route they have been compelled to take since
the bridge has been closed. Complaint has been made that
the whole of the carriage-way was blocked at one time, but
this was not ordered by
until it was found that if the half was left opens s'l (lari e.
the Bridge-house Estates Committee
'nage might result, and further that the works wouldi
Mr.
ce wily have occupied a much longer period.
psc.ted that
Chad-
wick has paved half the new work, and •
t is
"end ot this
the whole will be completed by the
week, so that the bridge may be fullytteropen on Mon-
d other scieutitic
day next. Mr. Waiker,thrown 1;
the lighteningengil'eer'f the bridge, and the
men, arc of opinion that the o
over the defective
removal of the portion of the side walls .
sinking, and render the
piers, will prevent their further o f
traffic
bridge perfectly able to bear the enormous weight
constantly passing over it.
Her Majesty has
bas been graciously pleased to direct
that the order for
carriages to
permitting private pass
' through Buckingham and Staule-yard gates, into and out of
St. James's pack, which will expire on the 31st of this
month, he.renewed for six months, from the 2d of Seplem-
-1 ber next.
During Lord Holland's last illnEs., George Selwyn
called and left his card. Selwyn had a fondness for seei
dead bodies, and the dying lord, fully comprehending his
feeling, is said to have remarked---" It air. Selw3 ncalts
again, show him up ; it I ani alive. I shall be delighted LO
It'tTt him i ad if I am dad, he wolici like tk, aie ria*.''