The Sun.
London, England, 1869-10-29 00:00:00

until the close of the first fortnight of the new year.

In theatrical matters, I may mention that the Lyceum
is opening again with another attempt at the "legitimate"
drama, in the shape of Shakspere's plays. "Lost at Sea,"
by Mr. Dion Boucicault and Mr. Henry Byron, is running
at the Adelphi. Mr. Boucicault's " Formosa" is still
running at Drury-lane. It is quite true that this gentle-
man has been laid aside by illness. He has overworked
himself. But as he is under 50 years of age he may well
hope to achieve fresh successes. No play-writer of his time
has been so successful as he, judging by the pecuniary
test. He has produced over 150 pieces, and
he once stated before a commission that he was
ready to keep all the theatres of London going. He is an
Irishman by birth, and was educated by Dr. Lardner.
Before he was 21 he brought out at Covent Garden the
comedy " London Assurance." His other best known plays
are "The Willow Copse," "Louis the Eleventh,"
" The Vampire," " Faust and Marguerite," " The
Colleen Bawn," " Arrah na-pogue," " The Octoroon,"
" The Streets of London," " The Long Strike,

"Flying Scud" and "Formosa." He spent seven years in
the United States, and on his return to England, in 1800,
took Astley's Theatre, but lost money there. Latterly he
has been earning £lO,OOO a year.
The Illustrated London Hews is to have a formidable
rival. A new high-class illustrated paper is to be brought
out very soon, probably in time to publish engravings
of the Royal visit to the City. Mr. Clay, the well-known
printer, of Bread-street, is concerned in it. Another
illustrated paper, The Period, has made its appearance. It
is of the vulgarest, fastest, French-est character.
The arrangements for the forthcoming contests between
the Thames and the Tyne are progressing favourably. The
representatives of the latter river are expected at
Putney to-day, and will in all probability appear on
the river to-morrow. The south countrymen are in
capital health and excellent form. Kelley has got rid of
the blister on his thumb, with which he was
troubled when first the crew commenced practice
in concert. The race on the Thames, which will be
pulled off on the sth of next month will, I think, be won
by the Londoners, though that is a matter open to ques-
tion ; but I expect to see the Tyne four the victors on
their own water on the 19th. Regard being had to the
double event, the men who hail from Newcastle are cer-
tainly the favourites at present.

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.

TILE It.rPltEmEN I'ATIVN cJ 13.111CWICICSraa
Both parties in Berwickshire are already mating
preparations for a contest, it being generally credited
that Mr. Robertson, of Ladykirk, will be raised to the
peerage. The hon. gentleman, who is the fourth son of
the late Sir John Marjoribanks, assumed the name of
Robertson by royal sign manual in 1834, in
compliance with the will of his wife's maternal
grandfather. He is Lord-Lieutenant of the county
of Berwick, for which he was elected member
in 1859. Since ho has been in the House he has
always steadfastly supported the Liberal party. It is
understood that Lord William Hay, who was
defeated by Lord Elcho at the last general election,
will be chosen as the Liberal candidate ; whilst Lord
Douglass is expected to come forward in the Con-
servative interest.