The Sun.
London, England, 1856-10-28 00:00:00

THE LATE JOSEPH HAYDN.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—At a period when so much has been done on
behalf of our gallant countrymen returned from the
Crimea, and for the widows and orphans of those who
sleep in "honour's bed," I would crave the favour of a
small space in your excellent journal to revive the sym-
pathies of the public in behalf of the widow and orphans
of a son of peace and progress —I mean the recently de-
ceased Joseph Haydn, who was, as you know, from his
earliest days, connected with the press and the literature
of the country. He was for many years the editor
and proprietor of the Court Journal, in Ireland,
editor of " Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of the
United Kingdom," author of "The Book of Dignities,"
author of " A History of the Azores," author of " The
Book of Dates," in itself a voluminous library condensed
into one volume. He also, for a very long period, by
his literary contributions to the leading periodicals,
proved himself the advocate of order and good govern-
ment. This was in some degree acknowledged when
exhausted by unremitting exertions, age, penury, and
increasing infirmities, rendered still more terrible by an
attack of paralysis, compelled him to explain his position,
his name then was placed upon the pension list as a re-
cipient of 251. per annum. It might, perhaps, appear
invidious were I to allude to the merits or reo-npences of
some more fortunate, but not more needy, of his literary
contemporaries ; but whatever visions of bliss may have
resulted from this bestowal upon hi ei of 251. per annum
he never realised, for after lingering in agony for nine
long months, "the friend of the unfortunate" interposed,
and be expired before even the first payment of the
stipend became due. So much for the man. I venture to
think the widow and orphans of this pioneer of literature
ought not to be allowed to struggle on without assist-

ance. Mrs. Haydn laudably endeavoured to combat her
emergencies by taking a stationery and library business
at 13, Crawley-street, Oakley-square, St. Pancras, but
having no capital, and broken in spirit and enfeebled by
many years of anxiety and her late husband's protracted
illness, she is quite inadequate to its continuance. The
children—the eldest a daughter about 14, and the two
boys, aged respectively 13 and 9 years—appear to in-
herit their father's cleverness. For their future she feels
all a mother's solicitude, but almost without hope for
good. Sha has fruitlessly endeavoured to obtain for the
boys admission into Christ Church or the St, Ann's
Schools, but she does not possess influence for the first,
nor the money requisite to purchase votes for the latter.
21st Oct., 1856. HUIVIANITAS.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

ITALIAN OPERA.

Last evening Mr. E. Smith, the enterprising lessee
of Drury-lane Theatre, commenced a series of six per-
forruances of Italian opera with Bellini's " Norma."
Toe house, opened for the occasion at " old playhouse
prices," was crammed to the ceiling ; and when we
state that the incomparable Grisi was the heroine of the
evening, and that she sang and acbd with all her well-
known grandeur and beauty, we think it will be ad-
mitted that the audience had enough, if not toe much,
for their small money. But still Grisi was not the only
bright star, for Herr Formes, with his noble bass voice
and rare dramatic genius, was there to add force and
vitality to the cast • whilst the intelligent and tasteful
Madlle. Sedlazek (the best Adalgisa we have seen eit
cepting Madlle. Marai) shone charmingly, if with less
solid brilliancy than her companions in the character of
Norma's friend and rival. Signor Lorini, too, who
personated Pollio, was, to say the least, respectable ;
and as much may be averred of the band and chorus
under the direction of Signor Li Calsi.
Grisi's performance was, as on former occasions, a
splendid triumph of executive art—a perfectly truthful
conception, thoroughly and beautifully realised. Criti-
cism has doubtless been exhausted upon this subject.
every critic of every country has written columns about
Grisi's Norma ; and yet, although nothing remains to be
said, how much is still there to be felt and admired.
For many years past Grisi has certainly not been in
better voice than she was last night, or more capable of
doing herself justice physically in every respect.
Tke loEsr-sustained A fiat in the opening recitative
was never given (even by her) with greater force, or a
richer quality of tone ; and in the slow movement of
" Casta Diva" she displayed a firmness and purity
which have not invariably characterised her delivery of
this portion of the music during the last few seasons.
The same species of praise, too, may be awarded to
Grisi's rendering of the cabaletta " Ah hello a me."
On the whole, the opera was admirably performed and
enthusia3tically applauded from first tb last.
This evening "II Barbik.e" is to be performed, with
Signor Mario as Almaviva, and Madame Gassier as
Rosina.