The Sun.
London, England, 1860-02-03 00:00:00

ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA.

A new and original operetta, entitled "Romance,'
by Mr. Henry Leslie, attracted a large audience las
night to Covent-garden Theatre. The plot of the
libretto is from the practised pen of Mr. Palgrave
Simpson, and is founded upon a French vaudeville
called " Schubry," which was played many years
ago at the St. James's Theatre, under the title of
" Wanted, a Brigand."
The plot is simply the story of a lady of fashion,
of romantic turn of mind, who is quite ready to fall
iu love with Dick Turpin, and in order to win her
affections a certain captain whom she has never
seen, but who is a candidate for her hand, personates
the bold highwayman, and eventually cures her of
her folly. To enliven the story, a Mrs. Puddlemist
and her husband, a provincial mayor, who is anxious
to capture Turpin, are introduced. Miss L. Pyne,
as the heroine, sang and acted with her usual skill
I and grace. In the ballad " Poor silly heart,'
which she sang to perfection, she was encored.
Mr. W. Harrison, as the hero, embodied the cha-
racter with great spirit, and he was called on to
repeat the last movement of the only concerted
piece in the operetta, and encored in the serenade.
Mr. Honey and Miss Thirlwall, who appeared as
Mr. and Mrs. Puddlemist, had little to do—the
former, however, gave full effect to the buffo air,
" Important is my mission," while kis acting
throughout was characterised by his usual quaint
humour. At the termination of the opera, which
was perfectly successful, the principal singers and
Mr. Henry Leslie had to appear before the curtain
in obedience to the unanimous demand of the
audience.

Her Majesty and the Prince Consort, with the
youthful members of the Royal family, will leave Windsor
Castle, on Saturday, the 11th inst., for Buckingham Pa-
lace, for the season before Easter. It is stated that the
Queen will hold two levees before Easter.
Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cam-
bridge and the Princess Mary, attended by their suite,
honoured the performances of the Royal Olympic Theatre
with their presence last evening.
His Serene Highness the Prince of Leiningen
has loft Howchin's Hotel for Germany.
The Earl de Grey and Ripon, as President of
the Royal Geographical Society, has issued cards for re •
ceptions on Wednesday next, and on the 15th and 29th
instant.
APPROACHING MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE.—The
marriage of the Hon. Adelaide Foley, sister of Lord Foley,
and General the Hon. Thomas Ashburnham, is appointed
to be solemnised on Wednesday next. We understand the
preliminaries are arranged for a marriage between the
Marquis of Hartingtun, M.P., eldest son of the Duke of
Devonshire, and Lady Cecilia Molyneux, daughter of the
Countess of Sefton and sister of the present Earl of Sefton.
The health of the Prince Regent of Prussia is
perfectly re-established, and for some days past the court
circles at Berlin have displayed more than their usual
gaiety and splendour. As the Princess Alexandrine, the
daughter of Prince Albert of Prussia, is now about to enter
on her 18th year, rumours begin again to point to her Royal
Highness as the possible Queen of England. The Prin-
cess Alexandrine is a great favourite with all the members
of the Prussian Royal family, and the talents and acquire-
ments of her Royal Highness are such as are in all respects
in accordance with what might be expected in a Princees
of her exalted position.
THE ALLEGED BRIBERY AT BERWICK.—A very
considerable portion of the Northumberland Spring Assizes
will in all probability be occupied in trying alleged cases of
bribery at the late election at Berwick. The Northern Re-
form Union have entered actions against 12 of the suppor-
ters of Mr. Marjoribanks, and the security for costa that
Mr. Baron Bramwell ordered the plaintiffs to find has been
put in—viz., £6OO in cash, and sureties to the amount of
£2,400. As a reprisal for these actions of the Northern
Reform Union, the accused parties have issued 18 write for
libel against the members of the Vigilance Committee,
Messrs. Cowen, Reed, and Gilmour. The libel is alleged
to exist in the report those gentlemen published of their in-
vestigation into the proceedings of the last election. These
actions for libel will also be tried at the ensuing assizes.
MR. ROEBUCK AT SHEFFIELD.—The annual
meeting of the Sheffield Mechanics' Institution was held
on Wednesday evening, Mr. Thomas Dunn in the chair.
From the report: read it appeared that the institution had
for some years been in a very depressed state, but during
the past year ha i shown signs of renewed 'vigour. The
motion for adopting the report having been moved by the
chairman, and seconded by Mr. R. Leader, jun., Mr. Roe-
buck made a long address to the assembly, in the course of
which he dwelt upon the advantages to be derived from
mechanics' institutions. The hon. and learned gentleman
said he was a working man himself, and proceeded to ad-
vocate the cause of the whole body, expressing his desire
for their comfort, improvement, and prosperity. In refe-
rence to the Reform Bill, Mr. Roebuck said—" You are
about to acquire—you will acquire—political power ; and
then England will exhibit a scene such as the world has
never yet beheld, a people governing themselves, having the
power to do every possible mischief, but, as I believe, doing
nothing but good. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) You will
set the world an example ; but, in order to do this, depend
upon it yon must know the way to do right. I believe my
fellow-countrymen wish to do right; the only difficulty in
their path is their ignorance. I believe from day to day
wthoy
are
that ignorance will be dispersed, and that we shall see, by
f
means of institutions such as this, the rising generation
rc
sure to 'and becoming
gN more
let every mar? lay it to his heart to do in his circle what he
can to avert the possible mischief and promote the certain
moo
woimiliy day o
f to
the apyo acquiring
erwhich knowledge, d,
good. Depend upon it, that the spread of education is the
safety of this country, and so long as you promote educa-
tion, so long you promote the security and happiness
of your fellowmen." A vote of thanks to Mr. Roebuck for
his excellent address was passed, and the proceedings
closed with a similar compliment to the chairman. -