The Sun.
London, England, 1851-11-04 00:00:00

ASTLEY'S THEATRE.

Another grand hit has been made by Mr. Batty
which promises to become an immense favourite with
the visitors of Astley's. Last night this enterprising
manager brought out a version of the popular opera
of // Prodigo, familiar to all, under the name of
Azael, the libretto of which was supplied by the
veteran Fitzball. All the hippodramatic appliances
and means of the establishment were brought into re-
quisition, not, however, so much as essentials as ac-
cessories. The scene of the square of Memphis was
admirable, and especially so was the interior of the
Temple, in which the stage was thronged with
characters. The effect of the voluptuous
group of revellers was striking and gorgeous, and
drew down peals of applause. Azael was played by
Mr. Mattocks, Reuben by Mr. Dale, and the heroine
by Miss Barrett, all of whom sustained their parts
most commendably. The piece was triumphantly
successful, and the principal performers were called
before the curtain amid universal applause.

THEATRE ROYAL, BIRMINGTIAiII.
The inimitable and wirtll-provoking comedian,
Mr. Wright, from the Adelphi Theatre, London, has
been developing his versatile genius and character-
istic personation in some of his newest and best cha-
racters. To say Wright surpassed himself during
his present visit is: to indicate but very faintly how
he succeeded in drawing the play-goers of Birming-
ham in no inconsiderable numbers during the week.
Last night (Friday) Mr. Wright took his benefit, on
which occasion he appeared as Billy Lackaday in
Sweethearts and Wives, and Mr. Simmons in The
Spitalfields' Weaver. The house was crowded to ex-
cess, and a more brilliant audience we have not seen
within the walls of our theatre for some time. Mr.
Wright was thoroughly successful, and richly de-
served all he got—a good benefit and thunders of ap-
plause. The stage-manager announced that, by de-
sire, Mr. Wright had made a re-engagement for five
nights more, and would appear next week in some of
the characters which the shortness of his first en-
gagement prevented his appearing in at an earlier
period of his visit.—Birmingham Mercury of Saturday.

CATHERINE HAYES IN BOSTON.
The concert last evening was fully attended by a very
brilliant and fashionable audience. We have net time
to give the particulars of this magnificent musical enter-
tainment in this edition, but will merely state that Miss
Hayes was received most cordially, and enthusiastically
applauded throughout, while the platform was several
times covered with bouquets and flowers. It was a com-
plete triumph from beginning to end, and we are free
to confess that we were more than pleased with the sweet
and sympathetic voice of the eh:Armin," songstress. Her
singing seems the heart-tones of melody.—.Noston Bee,
Oct. 15.

Beautifully indeed as she sung the first morsel from
Meyerbeer's opera of the Prophae, it was not of that
music which lends a charm to such an impulsive and
passionate nature when it phrases its feelings into melody.
While in the " Savourneen Deelish" there was something
wanting, admirably as it was rendered, to place it beside
that of her grand rendering of the " Caste Diva;" and in
classing this as the highest triumph we have yet heard
accomplished by her, we at once place her first in that
class of operatic artists who feel the vivid inspiration of
tragic passion. That her triumph was among the most
startling and complete ever witnessed in Boston, we be-
lieve none who were present can doubt.—Boston Times,
Oct. 15.

GLASGOW AND SOUTII-WESTEMN RAILWAY.--Traffic for
the week ending November 1, 1851:
Passengers (20,309), goods and
parcels, horses and carriages.. £3,762 9 9
Corresponding week in last year
for Glasgow and Ayr, and
Glasgow, Dumfries, and Car-
lisle Railways £2,925 0 7
Glasgow, November 3.

BONDIING PRIVILEGES.—The revenue authorities
have directed that spermaceti be added to the list of articles
allowed to be landed at llibernia-wharf, and have caused
the proper officers to be apprised of the privilege for their
future government in the matter.

NEW COMET.—Mr. Hind, of Mr. Bishop's Obser-
vatory, Regent's Park, says :—" A new and bright comet
was discovered on the 22d of last manth at the Observa-
tory of Baron Sent tenberg, in Bavaria, by Mr. Brorsen. It
is stated to have a brilliant nucleus and a conspicuous double
tail, one branch being turned towards the sun, which is a
rather unusual direction. Mr. Brorsen compares its appear-
ance to that of the bright comet which I discovered in the
spring of 1847, and hence I conclude it was visible without
the telescope. At five o'clock on the morning of October
23 the new comet was in the right ascension 13h. 42m. and
north declination 32 deg. 50w. The right aszension increases
6m. 17s. daily, and the comet approaches the North Pole at
the rate of VA deg. in the same interval. Supposing its
movement to have been equable during the past ten days, it
will now be circumpolar, or constantly above the horizon of
London. On Monday next (Nov. 3) it may be sought in
the northern part of the constellation Bootes, above the star
Beta, and unless its brightness has very much diminished
since the day of discovery, an ordinary night-glass will pro-
bably suffice to show it without difficulty."
ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 11UNGERFORD HALL.—
The extraordinary experiments in the above very obscure
science by Mons. Lassaigne have, as was anticipated, proved
extremely attractive. The room is crowded every evening
with people eager to detect and expose what they consider
a gross imposture, but they generally leave with altered
notions, and not a little bewildered. Having already men-
tioned in those columns some of the remarkable phenomena
brought about by the magic "passes" of Mons. Lassaigne, it
is needless to do so again. Than there is no collusion between
the Professor and Mine. Prudence may be confidently as-
serted ; certainly none that the most sceptical could detect,
though sometimes on the stage watching every movement
most narrowly, and ready to seize on the most trivial thing
that savoured of their acting in concert. Whatever the
power may be which Mons. Lassaigne calls to his aid, it is
certainly not the result of any ingenious collection of secret
springs, nor can it be produced by any known dumb alpha-
bet. No combination of springs or private telegraphing
could enable a person to play ecarte blindfolded, and always
with success, as is done by Mine. Prudence. Sceptics should
visit these soiries; should they not have their ideas revolu-
tionised they cannot fail in being astonished.
BILLIARDS.—The long expected match at billiards
between Lord Eglinton and Captain Mundy, the best of
eleven games, was played at Eglinton Castle on Monday,
and terminated in the former winning six games to the
latter's three.— Glasgow Courier.

MONUMENTAL FOUNTAIN AT GOLSPIE.—The monu-
ment in memory of the late Duchess-Countess of Sutherland r
erected by tenantry and others connected with the coual
at a ceet of about 70Q1., has just been completed.