The Sun.
London, England, 1851-09-30 00:00:00

THE SErN,

ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.
There are some men born under a lucky star, or
according to the vulgate, with " silver spoons in
their mouths." Our friend Barnum is one of this for-
tunate class—there is nothing that he touches in
which he does not achieve not merely a common suc-
cess, but a triumph of the most brilliant description.
Some years since we found him introducing General
Tom Thumb to British audiences, and creating a sen-
sation previously unparalleled in this country. Count-
less thousands flocked to witness the performances,
and all parties concerned " realized" pretty hand-
somely by the speculation. And it is but
justice to the manager to say that his youth-
ful protege participated fairly and equitably
in the enormous profits, so that he had re-
tired with a handsome fortune at the age when
other more capacious youths are commencing the
education that is to fit them for " the battle of life."
Then he succeeded in luring the Swedish Nightin-
gale across the broad Atlantic. The golden nets were
spread profusely ; few thought that an undertaking
involving so lavish an outlay could prove remunera-
tive, but Barnum was " wide awake," and the event
fully verified the accuracy of his calculations. At
present the Bateman children are the attractions which
he offers to the sight-seeing public, and " the young
couple" continue to draw crowded and fashionable
audiences, who by their enthusiastic and rapturous
approbation testify their astonishment and delight at
the extraordinary and almost incredible performances
of the infant prodigies. Last night witnessed their
first representation in this country of Bomloastes
Furioso Kate as the mighty Artaxomines,
" yclept the great," and Ellen as the illustrious
General. 'We need scarcely say that they
were thoroughly at home in their respec-
tive parts, in which they, bad already appeared on
more than 250 occasions in the principal theatres of
the United States. The maudlin wisdom of the con-
vivial Monarch was well represented by Kate, who
made every point tell, while Ellen, bewhiskered and
mustachoed, displayed a fierceness that might have
struck terror into many a juvenile heart. The se-
niors appeared to enjoy the performances exceedingly,
but it was among the more youthful portion of the
auditory that the enthusiasm exceeded all bounds.
The cup of felicity was for once filled to overflowing,
and it was delightful to witness the pure, unalloyed
happiness so unequivocally displayed on many beam-
ing countenances. To parents anxious to bestow a
rich treat upon their children, we heartily commend
these attractive and highly interesting exhibitions, and
if the rising hopes of their houses be like all hom
we have heard speaking of " Kate or Ellen," and
contesting the claims of their respective favourite, we
can assure them that a sensation will be occasioned
that will not terminate with the evening of their
visits.

OLYMPIC THEATRE.
Two revivals were produced successfully at this
theatre last evening, being received by a crowded
house with marked favour. The first was Mr. Dance's
comedy of the Country Squire, in which Mr. Farren's
make up as the " old English gentleman," to say
nothing of his admirable performance, is enough of
itself to draw a multitudinous attendance. Alto-
gether a more artistically finished portrait never was
seen upon the boards. The two Messrs. Farren, jun.,
Miss Louisa Howard (who looked charmingly), Miss
Adams, and, above all, Mrs. Alfred Phillips, sustained
their several parts very creditably. The rustic dance
was capitally done, and vehemently encored ; Flex-
more himself could not have got it up better. The
other was the melodrame of The Demon Gift, in
which Miss Fielding, albeit her fine figure was con-
cealed by an envious dress,, and the part which she
had to sustain was not one of great prominence,
evinced high melodramatic talent, which was justly
appreciated. Mr. Henry Farren was quite at home,
melodrame being his forte, and Compton and Mrs.
A. Phillips made a delightful Burgomaster and Vrow.
The jolly farce of I've Eaten my Friend is running
with undiminished attraction, and certainly the
comicalities of Messrs. Compton and W. Shalders,
who have a fund of most laughable humour, are irre-
sistible. The curtain fell about a quarter-past eleven,
dismissing the audience delighted, and not wearied.