The Sun.
London, England, 1860-10-09 00:00:00

THEATRE ROYAL, LYCEUM.

The enterprising directress of this elegant establishment
has allowed no time to be lost in her efforts to restore the
doubtful success of the piece with which the present season
was opened on Monday, and we are delighted to say t'aat
the triumph of Mr. Bourcicault's comedy of the " Irish
Heiress" was complete. This piece was first produced
about 1843, ana played at Drury-lane with the powerful
dramatic caste of that period. The piece itself is a compo-
sition of the best and most esteemed school of English
comedy, and is confessedly one of Mr. Bourcicault's most
successful efforts, whether we look to the ingenious struc-
ture of the plot, the sparkling dialogue, or the rapid de-
velopment of the action. Its reproduction last night was
for the purpose of introducing to an English audience Miss
Gougenheim, a lady who has achieved great success in
America. Miss Gougenheim possesses personal qualifications
of a high order, and is thoroughly mistress of her art, but
we miss the ringing laugh of the charming actress (Mrs.
Nesbitt) who originally sustained the part of Norah Mar-
rion, and the complete harmony of her voice, for, in truth,
Miss Gougenheim is somewhat harsh in tone when she
aims at forced and strong expression. This, we are wil-
ling to believe, may in a great degree arise from her very
natural desire, upon the occasion of a first representation,
to lose no point in the lively and energetic dialogue placed
in her hands, but it is obvious that the natural vivacity of the
character ought not to be deprived of those feminine and sub-
dued graces which constitute the charm of the wild Irish girl.
The general character of the plot is familiar to the play-
going public, and the principal parts were sustained by Mr.
George Vining as Lord Daventry, Mr. Villiers as Sir Wil-
liam Stanmore, Percy Ardent by Mr. Neville, Mr. Rouse
as Major Fop, Mr. Lyon as Supple, the lawyer. Miss
Kate Saville filled the part of Lady Daventry, and Miss
Hatton that of the Hon. Mrs. Comfort. Two of the most
telling scenes in the play were a garden scene in which
the separation takes place between Lord Daventry and his
wife, most charmingly rendered by Mr. George Vining
and Miss Kate Saville, and that at the house of Sir William
Stanmore, which is the closing scene in the comedy. It is
now our most gratifying duty to say that the acting of last
night was in the highest degree flattering to our stage, and
as regards the mise-en-seene we are persuaded that few
houses in London could -have accomplished so artis-
tic a result. Shall we particularise the acting of
any one of the artistes where each and all are
so richly deserving of commendation ? In a word, it
was a great triumph, and the most fastidious critic As well
as the oldest play-goer could not fail to be delighted
with so charming a revival of an exquisite comedy so
admirably played. All honour is due to Madame Celeste
for the very liberal and tasteful manner in which all the
accessories were provided. The house was literally
crammed, and the applause was continuous from the
commencement to the end. We must reserve for a
future notice the reproduction of the "Abbe Vaudreuil,"
which appears to us to be entirely newly appointed in
dresses, decorations, costumes, and scenery, and which is
reinforced by a very charming addition in the choregraphic
department, by the introduction of two very charming
young ladies and most accomplished danseuscs, the Misses
, Collinson.

AS T LEY' S AMPHITHEATRE.

s

Last night a new and grand spectacle, entitled " Robin
Hood ; or, the Merrie Men of Sherwood Forest " (from the
pen of the veteran author, E. Fitzball), was produced at
this world-renowned place of amusement, and was received
with extraordinary success.
The subject of the drama—brave, gallant Robin Hood—
has always been a favourite with men, women, and children
for ages, and a more pleasing subject for dramatic illustra-
tion could not have been selected. Unlike the generality
of hippo-dramatic spectacles, Robin Hood possesses the
rare merit of a neat and consecutive plot, with the additional
advantage of being clear and easily understood. after a
very characteristic overture the curtain rose and revealed
to view one of the most splendid scenic illusions within the
reach of imagination, namely, Old London from Tower-
hill by moonlight ; and the applause elicited by the opening
scene seemed to animate the actors into a desire to show
their talent to the utmost. The story of the piece is as
follows :—Robert, Earl of Huntingdon, is on the point of
marriage with Lady Marian, daughter of the Earl of Clare,
when Sir Robert Perrys, the illegitimate son of Robert's
father, lays claim to his estate and fortune. In order that
he may do so successfully, he, by the assistance of the
sheriff of Nottingham, concocts a forged will, leaving to
him (Sir Gilbert) everything but the title of Earl of Hunt-
ingdon. Having laid claim to the revenues of Huntingdon,
and that claim being considered good, he proposes to the
Earl of Clare for the hand of Marian, especially as Robert
has become penniless by the loss of his estates. The father
secretly favours the suit of Sir Gilbert, and, at the moment
Robert is about to claim the hand of Marian as the reward
of his success at the archery fete, it is refused, and Robert
is driven ignominiously from the castle. In a fit of des.
peration he vows to become an outlaw, and to live for but
two purposes—love, and revenge on those who have be-
trayed him. in the second act we find Robert surrounded
by his merrie men in Sherwood Forest, with a reputation
of being feared by everybody, while, on the contrary, by
those by whom he is known, he is beloved for his kind-
ness and bravery. Marian, to escape the tyranny of her
father, quits his castle, and fortune directs her steps
to Sherwood Forest, where she is discovered by her lover,
Robin Hood. By accident Robin has rescued the King,
who had strayed from his attendants, from the violence of
Sir Gilbert; and as his Majesty, who is in the disguise of
a forester, happens to be on the spot, he presides at Robin's
nuptials, and presents the bride with a ring, telling her
that one day she may perhaps stand in need of a friend. This
prediction is very shortly afterwards verified, for Robin Hood,
having gone into the town of Nottingham to raise money
on some jewels, is captured through the instrumentality of
a Jew usurer, and taken before the Sheriff, who orders
him to be instantly executed. Marian thinks of her ring,
takes it to the King, and asks the life of her husband, Robin
Hood. The request is instantly granted by his Majesty,
and the bold outlaw is rescued from danger, and restored
to all his honours ; and the Sheriff and Sir Gilbert, whose
villainy has been discovered, are both marched off to pri-
son. There is a smart little under plot, in which Allen-a-
Dale, Will Scarlet, Little John, and Claribella are intro-
duced, which gives additional interest to the piece.
Mr. John Pritchard, as Robin Hood, acted the part with
great spirit and ability. For some years this gentleman
has been a stranger to the London boards, but his reappear-
ance at Astley's will no doubt be a source of great pleasure
to those with whom he was a great favourite when last in
the metropolis. Mr. Francis's Will Scarlet was an admir-
able performance; and Mr. Roberts, Mr. Ellis, and Mr.
Johnson all deserve high commendation for the manner in
which they acquitted themselves in their respective parts
of King Richard, the Sheriff of Nottingham, and Friar
Tuck. Miss Rebecca Isaacs, as Allen-a-Dale, has a number
of pretty songs to sing, which she does in the sweetest
manner—in each case she was honoured with an encore—
and Miss Bathurst and Miss Scott, as Marian and Claribella,
acted most charmingly.
The piece has been put upon the stage in a most magnifi-
cent manner, both with respect to scenery and dresses—the
expenditure upon which must have been enormous. Nothing
could exceed, both for beauty and reality, the representa-
tions of Sherwood Forest, with Robin Hood's bridal, the
Hunting Tower near the forest, and the exterior of Notting-
ham Castle. They all elicited the most enthusiastic ap-
plause.
At the fall of the curtain all the principal artistes were
called for, and the announcement of the piece for repetition
every evening until further notice was made amidst the
unanimous applause of a house crowded to the ceiling.

REPRESENTATION OF DARTMOUTH. -- John
Hardy, Esq., of Dunstall llall, Staffordshire, and of Carl-
ton-terrace, London, a proprietor of the Lowmoor Iron
Works, is about to offer himself for the vaca icy created by
the untimely death of Mr. Dunn, the M.P. for the borough.
Mr. Hardy is the son of the late John Hardy, Esq., who
represented Bradford for 10 years, and brother of Gathorne
Hardy, Esq.,
M.P. for Leominster, who was an Under-
Secretary of State in Lord Derby's Government. He un-
successfully contested Plymouth at the last general elec-
tion but one. He sat for a short time in the last Parliament
for Midhurst on the retirement of Mr. Warren, but did not
offer himself there at the last general election, Mr. Hardy
is a Conservative,

" JN 7
LATEbi EWS.

The following telegrams have been received at
Mr. Reuter's office :

ROME, OCT. 6.

The French occupy Viterbo, Velletri, Civita
Vecchia, Castellana, Tivoli, Palestrina, Frascati,
Albano, and Valmontone.

It is asserted that the Pope has refused a pecu-
niary indemnity offered by Napoleon and Victor
Emmanuel.

The Pope will remain at Rome.

The report of Major Reilly states that the loss
of the Irish battalion in the fight at Spoleto was
only three killed and ten wounded.

It is said that Monsignore Merode will be dis-

missed.

ANCONA, OCT. 9.
Ft The King has proceeded towards the Neapolitan
frontier. A manifesto of his Majesty, addressed
to the people of Southern Italy, has been published.
To• day the Sardinian troops enter Neapolitan ter-
ritory.

PARIS, OCT. 9.

M. Mon, the Spanish Ambassador, remitted yes-
terday to the Emperor an autograph letter of Queen
Isabella, in reply to the letter left by his Majesty
at Mahon.

NAPLES, OCT. 4 (via GENOA).

Yesterday the Royal troops made a sortie in order
to support a column of Bavarians, whose retreat
had been cut off by the Garibaldians.
The Royal troops were repulsed.

The report is current that Capua has surrendered,
and that the Royalists are retiring towards Gaeta.
The number of Royal troops made prisoners in
the battle on the Volturno is 5,000.
The Ministers have waited on Garibaldi and de-
clared that they would remain in office if the Dic-
tator accepts the programme they are about to
present.

PALERMO, OCT. 5 (via CAGLIARI).

The Pro-Dictator has issued a decree convoking
the electoral colleges for the 21st of October, when
they will proceed to the nomination of deputies.
Another decree will indicate the day upon which
the oleputics will assemble at Palermo.

TURIN, OCT. 8.
General Lamoriciere has arrived at Genoa and is
lodged in the Royal Palace.
In to•day's sitting of the Chamber of Deputies
Signor Ferrari spoke against the laws of annexa-
tion. He said, "No difference exists between Up-
per and Lower Italy. Everybody wishes Italy to
be free. This idea animates both Garibaldi and
King Victor Emmanuel; the difference between
them exists in its realisation. In delivering Upper
Italy Piedmont imposed upon that country her
laws, her capital, and her Administration. Pied-
mont has made Upper Italy Piedmontese. Accord-
ing to historical tradition and the opinion of Balbo
and Gioberti, the capital, laws, and administration
of Naples are superior to those of Sardinia. The
Two Sicilies cannot be unconditionally annexed to
Piedmont. To enforce their immediate annexation
would be to act with ingratitude towards Gari-
baldi, who desires to defer this measure. Neither
is there any urgent necessity for it, as anarchy does
not exist in the Two Sicilies." Upon the question
of confidence in the Ministry Signor Ferrari said
that he was opposed to Count Cavour, whom he
stated to be unequal to the situation, because he
would not attack Rome and Venice.

Signor Ferrari then expressed his apprehensions
that France would in time absorb Italy. He con-
cluded by eulogizing at length the project of an
Italian confederation, which he declared would
alone save Italy.
Signor Boggio remarked upon the present policy
of Sardinia, and said—" Thanks to the patriotism
of Charles Albert and Victor Emmanuel, the initia-
tive in favour of Italian unity was taken by Sar-
dinia, but the national sentiment was planted in
our country by the influence of the exiles, the elite
of whom have come to disseminate it throughout
the Italian territory.
The rise in Sardinian Rentes continues.

PARIS, OCT. 9.

Baron Mayer de Gravenegg, Secretary of the
Austrian Embassy at Rome, has passed through
Paris on his way to Marseilles, where he will embark
for Civita Vecchia and Rome. He is the bearer of
the reply of the. Austrian Cabinet to the Circular-
note addressed by the Holy See on the 18th of
September to the European Courts.
The Austrian Cabinet, although severely cen-
suring the Sardinian invasion of the Papal States,
declares the utter impossibility of intervening other-
wise than in the ordinary diplomatic way.
The Patric says :—" According to despatches re-
ceived from Italy, considerable military prepara-
tions are being made in Sardinia, as well as in
Venetia."

The Patric also publishes, under reserve, a rumour
to the effect that the bombardment of Capua com-
menced on the sth inst., and that the Garibaldians
had taken the south bastion.

The same journal announces that M. de Kisseleff
will leave to-morrow for Warsaw, and says :—" M.
de Schowarloff will not leave until Thursday next.
It is asserted that M. de Balabine will not proceed
to Warsaw."

VIENNA, OCT. 8.

It is asserted that at the interview at Warsaw
the basis of a programme for a future Congress on
Italian affairs will be examined and afterwards sub-
mitted for approval to France and England.
ST. PETERSBURG, OCT. 8.

Count Thun and Baron Bismark Schoenhausen,
the Ambassadors of Austria and Prussia at the
Russian Court, will proceed to Warsaw to be present
at the interview of the Sovereigns.

GENEVA, MONDAY.

The .Journal de Geneve states that the questions
of Savoy and the neutrality of Switzerland will be
discussed at the interview at Warsaw,

BERLIN, MONDAY.

Baron von Schleinitz has addressed a fresh des-
patch to Baron Werther, the Prussian Ambassador
at Vienna, on the affairs of the Duchies of Schles-
wig-Holstein. This despatch states that Prussia
will soon be obliged to give her serious attention
to these questions, and instructs Baron Werther to
claim the co-operation of Austria.