The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-09 00:00:00

=DELPHI THEATRE.

The annual benefit of Mr. Webster is always looked for-
ward to with great pleasure by the numerous patrons of the
Adelphi Theatre, because on that occasion, more especially,
they are enabled in some degree to mark, in a substantial
manner, their high appreciation of the efforts made for their
amusement and gratification. The interesting event came
off last evening, and drew together one of the most
mumerous and brilliant audiences that has yet as,
sembled within the walls of the new theatre. The
entertainments commenced with the drama of " Janet
Pride," which was wisely reserved for the occasion, for
certainly within the whole role of the characters of Mr.
Webster there are few that gives him greater scope to dis-
play those great abilities which have stamped him as the
most intense and natural actor of the present generation.
His magnificent embodiment of the part of Richard
Pride is too well known and appreciated to stand
in need of the slightest adulation or elaborate
eulogy. From first to last it was the perfection of
dramatic art, and the moist eyes of the audience amply
testified how truly he played his part. His "make up,"
as it is professionally termed, for Richard Pride was ano-
ther triumph of artistic skill; and whether as the idle,
drunken, dissipated workman, or the wild and reckless
denizen of the bush, in each he was unapproached and un-
approachable.
To Mrs. Mellon the greatest praise is due for her pathetic
delineation of the suffering mother and injured daughter
(Janet Pride). In both parts she exhibited the most in-
tense and truthful acting, and won immense applause. Mr.
Toole also contributed greatly to enliven the play by the
capital manner in which he sustained the part of Dicky
Trotter. Mr. Selby's Carl Bernard was one of those
finished bits of acting for which that gentleman is so cele-
brated ; and Paul Bedford acted with all his usual good
humour and gusto.
At the fall of the curtain the applause was immense, and
after the principal actors had all re-appeared a special call
was made for Mr. Webster, who shortly afterwards ap-
peared before the curtain. He seemed to be particularly
gratified at the warmth of the applause, and after bowing
bowing his acknowledgments he came forward and briefly but
gracefully returned his thanks. He said the recognition of
his labours in the cause of the drama that evening was par-
ticularly gratifying, and he only regretted that he was not
able at that moment adequately to express how deeply he
felt the honour. For many years it had been his good for-
tune to receive the favours of his audience, and he trusted
that his future efforts for their amusement would be deemed
worthy of continued support. In the ensuing season many
novelties would be produced, supported by new and original
talent, all "native and to the manner born." After remark-
ing that he looked hopefully to the future, Mr. Webster
again thanked the audience for the extraordinary enthu-
siasm of his reception, and then retired amidst loud applause.

EXTRAORDINARY DEATH FROM POISON IN HYDE
PARK.—lnformation was yesterday received by Mr. C. St.
Clair Bedford, the coroner for Westminster, of the death
from poison of a respectably-dressed female, described as
Miss Anne Owen, aged about 30, of No. 1, Lower George-
street, Chelsea, which took place in Hyde Park, about half-
past nine on Tuesday evening, apparently under the sub-
joined singular circumstances :—At the time above men •
tioned some persons, male and female, were sitting on a cir-
cular scat in the park, near the Serpentine, when attention
was suddenly attracted to one of the females (the deceased),
who fell suddenly from the seat. Ono of the party called a
policeman, and the hapless female, appearing lifeless, was
conveyed to St. George's Hospital, where, on examination,
she was found to have died from the effects of poison. The
body was then removed to St. George's Workhouse, Mount-
street. Upon her person was found a phial three parts
full of cyanide of
potassium, which it is alleged was pur-
chased by the brother in •lasir of the deceased, with whom
she had been lately residing, the day previous, for photo-
graphic purposes. An inquisition is appointed to take
place on Friday next, to investigate the circumstances of
this, at present, mysterious case.
THE LIVERPOOL POLICE COURTS.—Yesterday
the business of the Liverpool police-courts was conducted
for the first time in the court-rooms attached to the new
police-office buildings in Dale-street. There was nothing
in the way of ceremony or observation of any kind on the
occasion, and the business, which had been conducted in
the borough sessions-house ever since its opening on the
30th of Oct., 1828, was quietly transferred to the new pre-
mises], where it will be conducted in future.