The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-17 00:00:00

THEATRICALS AND MUSIC.

On Saturday Mr. Roxby, the stage manager of Drury-
lane, waited upon Mr. Smith, and presented him with a
superb chased solid silver vase, forming a tea-urn; but on
the top being removed, becoming an elegant receptacle for
flowers. The vase, which is elegantly chased, and weighs
130 ounces, bore on it the following inscription :
" Testimonial to E. T. Smith, Eaq , lessee of the T. R.
Drury-lane, in commemoration of the successful and very
agreeable season commencing October 15, 1855, ending
March 15, 1856."
Enclosed in the vase was the following letter :
" T. R. Drury-lane, March 15.
"My dear Smith,—The accompanying vase will, I trust,
testify to the general of myself and the whole of
your company, the malignity of your scene-Painters, and
the acrimony of year band, towards yen, for your uavary-
ing brutality to us all during the past ruinous season.
" When you turn Fcetotalier (which we feel must b e
very shortly), you will perceive that the vase can be con-
verted at the shortest notice into a tea urn. Should you
fall into difficulties, it would be superfluous to point out
to you the advantages of the spout. You are thus made
aware of our mutual hostility.
"For myself, I have only to assure you that I am your
constant and bitter enemy, "C. J. MATHEWS."
On receiving the testimonial referred to, Mr. Smith ad-
dressed a note to the donors, heartily thanking the ladies
and gentlemen, artisans and workmen, of his company, sea
the kind friends who had joined in the gift, for so elaborate
a present, in commemoration of the agreeable and success-
ful season just terminated; at the same time sincerely
trusting that for many years the same good feeling and
friendship might exist in all departments of the theatre,
and hoping that every season might terminate with the
same agreeable results ; reelecting credit both on the ma-
nagement and all engaged in the establishment.
We may add that this is the tenth testimonial which
has been presented to the present lessee of Drury-laeo
Theatre by the various companies who have appeared
under him since he undertook the direction of that theatre.

PICCO, THE BLIND SARDINIAN MINSTEEL.—Five con-
certs are to be given during the week at the Aaelphi, in
which the principal feature will consist of the Marvellous
performance of Picco upon his rude pipe.
SAIR'ZD HARMONIC SOCIZTY.— " The Messiah" is rn-
flounced for performance by this society on Wednesday
next, the principal Role, parts to be taken by Madame Itu-
dersdorff, Miss lio%y, Mr. Sims Reeves, and Mr. Weiss.
ST. MATITIN'S HALL,—" The Mc4siah," under the diroc-
tion ot Mr. Ilullab, is to be performed today at St. Mar-
tin's•hall, Delby, Mr. and Mrs. Sims Reeves, and Miss
Banks iii take the solo parts.
ChEmoRNE GADDENS.—It is intemhd, notwithstanding
the early ieturn of Easter, to open these attractive gardons
on Good Friday. On that oczasion a promenade vril bike
place, an on Monday will ceinmenco a varied round at
amassment. As no ordinary is run by the lessee in
this early openiu,-;, WO hope the patronng,3 of the publi!l
will afford him that re.nuneration which his energy,
deQervos.
A young pianist, M. Baur, has wade his debut in Pari-
siaa musical circles at a private concert in Erard's salons.
He produced a marked i uepression, and. _seclus destined to
occupy a high rank in the profession, both as a pianist and
composer.

.~.~..~:

TUE DRUNKARD BFSIDE EIS Wire's COFFIN.—LooIt
at yonder desolate little room, at the end of a dreary
court : a funeral will go out from it in the morning I
Enter this evening ! Rll is silent, and a small candle on
the mantle-piece sheds a dull flickering light on a coffin,
the lid not yet screwed down :7—besi-le it, sits, morally,
a murderer : his bloated face is hid in his shaking bands :
he has not 3et ventured to move aside the coffin-lid ;
but, at length, be dares to do so, and to take a last look
at his poor victim—his broken-hearted wife ! Poor,
poor soul ! Thou art gone at lase Gone where the
wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest.
"'Tie a happy release," say the friendly neighbours who
have contributed their little means, to lay her decently
in her coffin 1 Aye, besotted husband ! let your blood-
shot eyes -look now on that white face, that wreck of a
face so sweet and pretty when yon married ! Nay, man,
never fear The eyes are closed for ever, and will weep,
and look mournfully at you, no more. Dare you touch
those limbs, which the woman who laid them out said,
with a sigh, were mere skin and hone ? Dare you take
hold of that cold hand ? Do you see the wedding'
ring, and think of the day you put it on her finger ?
Will yen remove it, or let it be buried as the
badge of your breach of plighted troth, at God's
altar ? Do you see 'how ,her finger is worn with the
needle 1 Durieg the day, during the night, this poor
starved, heart-broken creature was your willing slave,
with wearied eyes, and aching heart,—mending your ,
linen, and that of your poor children—(do you hear their
little sobs in the next room 1) and what was left of her
own, which, alas, poor soul ! were nearly rags after all !
Look again, man, at the sad figure in the coffin? Do
you see the scar on that cheek ? Look, and tremble !
Have you forgotten the blow that caused it ! given by
your hand of drunken and ruffian violence ? Yet she
never reproached you ! And when, at length, worn
away with misery, starvation, and ill•ueage, she was
forced to give up the struggle for life, her last—her very
last act, was gently and in silence to squeeze your un-
worthy band ! Perhaps remorse is now wringing your
heart ; and you groan—
" 0, if she would but come again,
I think yd grieve her so no more I"

—But no ishe will come to you no more, on earth :
yet, you shall meet again ! So, man close
the coffin lid ? Go to bed and sleep, sleep if you can.
The funeral is in the morning, and you must follow the
poor wasted body close past your favourite dram shop,—
Mr. IVarren, on Labour.