The Sun.
London, England, 1851-05-01 00:00:00

MAY 1, 1851.

OFFICIAL CATALOGUE OF THE EX-

.HIBITION.
Associating their energies in the production of this
remarkable catalogue, the Messrs. W. Clowes and
Son, the printers, and the Messrs. Spicer, Brothers,
the wholesale stationers, have contrived to issue, on
May-day, the first instalment of this enormous com-
pletion. Among other things, it contains a very
lucid introduction, comprising a succinct narrative of
the rise and development or the entire enterprise.
Subsequently, we have a complete and authentic
Directory, including the names of every individual,
whether native or foreign, connected officially
with the undertaking—each particularized in his
respective department. Thereupon follow details re-
lating to the construction of the building, with a
chapter on the scientific revision and preparation of
the catalogue. A classification of the subjects into
which the thirty classes are divided, is prefixed to a
most interesting list of the articles exhibited by her
Majesty, his Royal Highness Prince Albert, and his
Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Then comes
the pith and marrow of the portion now published,
namely, Classes One to Four. In the compilation of
this, the first division of the catalogue, the official
contractors have evinced not only enterprise and
activity, but an extraordinary amount of care and of
conscientious application. Nothing scarcely could
be more clear than the whole arrangement of the
contents, more easy of reference, more complete even
to minuteness, or more comprehensive in their en-
tirety. Those touching and majestic lines of Holy
Writ are with a solemn significance inscribed upon
the title page—" The earth is the Lord's, and all that
therein is ; the compass of the world, and they that
dwell therein." Several valuable and attractive illus-
trations accompany the letter-press, and tend to com-
plete this section of the catalogue. Altogether Part One
appearsin the form of a handsome volume, and possesses
the merit of being an invaluable companion to a con-
siderable branch of the Great Exhibition.

NEWSPAPER PRESS DIRECTORY. By
Charles Mitchell.

Experience bas enabled the compiler of this exceed-
ingly useful compilation to render it as perfect as
can possibly be found practicable under the circutn,
stances. Being a third edition, and entirely
revised throughout, it possesses obviously the
advantage of being popular in its character, and cor-
rected with a scrupulous exactitude. As a guide to
the newspaper press of the United Kingdom, it stands
altogether as completely unrivalled as the Post-office
Directory does as a guide to the metropolis.

-PEERAGE AND PARLIAMENTARY Dl-

RECTORY for 1851.
Published as this work is by the Messrs. W. Kelly
and Company, and this, moreover, in imme-
diate connexion with the " London Directory," it
must be obvious that it bears on its very title-
page the evidence of its authenticity, and in the name
of its proprietors an effectual talisman of success.
Being corrected up to the date of publication it con-
tains, of course, the very latest information as to
the members of the peerage and the popular repre-
sentatives. The directory appended to this list of
the Lords and Commons, giving the hours of delivery
and the time of closing the boxes, will be found, we
doubt not, of the greatest service to our numerous
visitors, whether foreigners or fellow-countrymen.

FRENCH PLAYS.
ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.

The performances of Monday were repeated last even-
ing, and nothing could be more perfect than the manner
in which Scribe's delightful comedy Une Bataille de
Dames was acted. Maxine. Judith as the Countess was
the very perfection of high comedy, and the Henri of
Lafont was perhaps one of the most artist-like render-
ings ever seen of a somewhat difficult character. The
De Gregnor of Regnier was a perfect model of humour-
ous yet gentlemanly acting. Would that the humour-
ous actors of our own stage would study Regnier and
strive to imitate him; in such a case imitation is not
only allowable but much to be desired. The house was
well and fashionably attended.