The Sun.
London, England, 1860-04-04 00:00:00

7HEA2RICALS.

We published in a recent impression the speeches
of three lessees who closed their season on Satur-
day last. These were Madame Celeste of the
Lyceum, Mr. A. Harris of the Princess's, and Mr.
Chatterton of the St. James's. The first of these
loses the Easter holidays, and looks forward to the
Ist of October, when she will again appear as a mana-
ger. Madame Celeste has shown a great deal of
spirit and enterprise throughout her brief reign,
during which she has increased rather than re-
duced the prestige of her name. The address of
the second, Mr. Harris, goes more into par-
ticulars. Thai gentleman boldly describes his
position as " purely commercial," owns that he
has been near a " lee-shore," and rejoices in
having, after all, made his first port " with colours
flying." On Easter Monday he introduces the third
tragedian who has courted the presence of the
public at this house. The first was Mr. Mao-
ready, the second Mr. Chas. Kean, and the next
will be Mr. Phelps, who will appear as Sir Pertinax
Macsycophant in " The Man of the World."
The first two were not remarkably successful in
themselves ,Many, however, went to see the
former, and many went to witness the pieces
produced by the latter; and both did their
best. Mr. Phelps will, of course, be a great acqui-
sition ; but there will be other attractions. Instead
of relying upon his own reputation and abilities
only, Mr. Phelps will be assisted by ladies and gen-
tlemen of unquestionable talent ; and we believe that
there will be "no monopoly ;" so the Princess's pro-
mises well. The third lessee, Mr. Chatterton, corn-
meßced by telling his audience that for the lastlsyears
his was the only season of six months' duration that
had been accomplished at the St. James's. This was
certainly a remarkable declaration. Mr. Chatter-
ton proves what might have been done had the
right men and women been in the right places, and
the right people presiding over them. Well, " bet-
ter late than never." He opens again on Monday
next, " without boasting," but assuredly with
some grounds for so .doing.—Daily Director and
Entr'aste.

THE DEFENCES OF TILE CHANNEL

ISLANDS.

We are glad to learn from late and sure authority
her Majesty's Government is not unmindful, nor
forgetful, of the words of the Duke of Wellington,
" Once get a good naval station at the Channel
Islands, and you will be as free from French inva-
sion as if you were in my own room." It is now
fifteen years since the Government of the day ap-
pointed a secret commission, composed of military
and naval officers, to survey the islands of Guern-
sey, Jersey, and Alderney, and to report upon the
best means of fortifying them, and of establishing
at each a naval station, or harbour of refuge, as it
was called for obvious reasons. The commissioners
suggested the construction of such harbours at the
three islands, but at two only were their sugges..
tions carried out. The harbour of St. Katherine's,
Jersey, which is immediately opposite St. Malo,
has one breakwater complete, and could afford ac-
commodation to a considerable squadron, but the
principal works are being carried on at Alderney,
whose small ordinary population of 1,200 inhabit sob
is now increased by a settlement of 900 artisans and
60 horses, working under the direction of Messrs.
Jackson and Byng, the contractors. An immense
breakwater had been constructed at Braye Bay
capable of affording shelter and anchorage to 15
sail of the line, at a distance of about eight miles
from Cape La Hogue and Cherbourg on one side,
and not more than forty from Portland on the other,
where there is accommodation for a powerful fleet.
The new harbour is studded with recently-erected
forts, armed with guns of the heaviest calibre, and
the whole of the works are being carried on with
the greatest activity. It is the confident opinion of
competent judges that when these fortifications of
the Channel Islands have been completed, all
chance of annoyance from Cherbourg will be quite
out of the question. The whole of the works have
been planned by, and are under the direction of,
Messrs. Walker, Burgess, and Cooper, the Trinity-
house engineers.— United 'Service Gazette.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS.—At the Cotni-
tia Majora, held on Monday, April 2, the following gentle-
man, having undergone the necessary examination, was
admitted a member of the College :—.Frederick Beverley
Dixon, M.D., Hoxton House Asylum, Hoxton. At the
same Comitia the following gentlemen, having been pre-
viously elected under the temporary bylaws (no longer in
force), were also admitted members of the College :—Ed-
ward Rayner, 111. D., Paris; Alex. ArmAreng, M.D., Malta,
Daniel John Dui an M.D. H.M.S. Vulture; George
Mackay, M.D., Royal Naval Hospital, Plyiamuth • Alex.
E. Mackay, M.D. H.M.S. Royal Albert; samuei Laird,
M.D., Douglas, Isle of Man. At this Comitia four mem-
bers of Council are annually chosen, and the following Fel-
lows of the College were duly elected to fill that office :—Dr
Alderson, Dr. Bence Jones, Dr. Basham, and Dr. Good-
fellow.