The Sun.
London, England, 1858-01-19 00:00:00

ADELPHI THEATRE.

Last night an original dra,, from the pen of Mr.
W. Phillips was produced at this theatre, and met with
the most triumphant success. The piece is called " The
Poor Strollers'—the plot:of which is briefly as follows:
Pierre Leroux (Mr. B. Webster), his daughter Marie
(Madame Celeste), two strolling players, are at an inn,
near Strasbourg, when Mr. Michael Cassidy (Mr. Garden),
a type of the old irascible gentleman arrives, accom-
panied by a relative, William Lawson (Mr. C. Selby),
equally a type of the smooth-faced fawning scoundrel.
Tile old man rates the younger one soundly, tells him
he euspecta_ him of foreerg. and that in a second
his nephew, Walter Cassidy, whe was originally his
heir, but whose dissipation had proved his bane. Law-
son, enraged, determines on stealing the second will
from the valise where it is contained, but a theft has
already been committed. Leroux, tempted by hearing
of money, which he much needs, cuts open the valise
and steals not only the purse, but a pocket-book
containing the will. Eventually, crossing a wood,
Lawson murders not only Mr. Cassidy, but Samson,
a poacher (Mr. P. Bedford), who sees him commit
the deed. The second act is passed in England ; Lawson
has inherited his relative's wealth, Walter Cassidy has
fallen in love with Marie, Pierre has taken to drinking,
The third act takes place in Ireland, here Marie dis-
covers her father's secret, and the pock et book of the
murdered Cassidy. Her intense agony is relieved by the
declaration of her father that the only crime he has bee•
guilty of is robbing and that only to a certain extent, for
he has never appropriated the money, but also kept it
concealed. Restitution to the heir of the horded money
is decided on, but Pierre expressed a doubt as to Lawson
being the rightful owner, the latter endeavouring by
force to possess himself of the all-important packet. The
daughter arrives in time to save her father. The villain
Lawson is handed over to justice, and the lover of Marie
—Walter Cassidy is restored to his estates, and all
ends happily. It is impossible adequately to praise the
acting of Mr. Webster as the poor conscience-stricken
father. The pangs of remorse, his love and pity for his
darling child, and his horror of being debased in her
eyes, were all portrayed with truth and intensity.
Madame Celeste, as Marie Leroux, gave one of those
exquisite performances for which she is so remarkable.
In the scene in which she discovers her father's dishonour
her acting was of the highest order, and added another
laurel to her well won wreath. Mr. Selby deserves great
praise for his exertions; his " make-up " was the work
of a thorough artiste. At the fall of the curtain the
applause was immense. The piece is destined for a long
run.

SUDDEN MATH OF MRS. IfISBETT (LADY

BOOTHBY).

We announce with much regret the sudden and much
lamented death of this talented and unrivalled actress,
who expired on Saturday, the 16th inst., at St.Leonards,
suddenly.
Louisa Cranstoun Boothby was born the let of April,
1812, at Ball's Pond, Islington, and was consequently
only in her 46th year. She was the eldest daughter of
Lieutenant Frederick Hayes Macnamara, of the 52d
Regiment of the Line, by his wife Jane Elizabeth
(formerly a Miss Williams.) Family misfortunes led this
lady early in life to adopt the stage as her profession,
and she made her first appearance in the province. 3
when only 13, where she soon gave evidence of the great
histrionic talents which she eventually so eminently dis-
played. After a short career on the London boards, where
she established her name as the first actress of the day in
comedy, and being then scarcely 15, she was married in
January, 1831, to Capt. John Alexander Nisbett, of the
Life Guards, and of Breteuhana Hall, who met a melan-
choly death eight months subsequently, while trying a
high-spirited horse, which had not been properly broken
in. Not obtaining possession of a considerable portion
of her husband's property, who died before he was of
age, until many years after his decease, she again sought
the stage, where each year she added fresh laurels to her
already great name as an artiste. When little more than
30 years of age she was again led to the altar, and mar-
ried to Sir W. Boothby, Bart., son of the eighth baronet
of that name by the daughter of Senor Don Miguel del
Gado, of Mahoo, Minorca, and retired to his seat,
Ashbourne Hall, Derbyshire ; bet a few years domestic
peace were allowed to her. Sir W. Boothby dying shortly
afterwards, left her for the second time a widow. In the
course of time Mrs. Nisbett agai►, appeared before the
public, but breaking health and a desire for repose
induced her to retire from the stage. Her last few years
were pas'ed at her marine villa, Rosemont, St. Leonard's-
on-Sea, where she resided with her eldest brother and
mother. The repeated shocks caused by the almost
sudden deaths of her mother, brother, and sister, all
tenderly beloved, within a short period, proved too
much for her over-wrought mind and shattered nerves.
For some time in precarious health, she was attacked on
Thursday last and died on the day but one following,
having been insensible from the attack to the time of her
death. Lady Boothby in her family circle was dearly
beloved by one and all, and those who knew her find in
her death an irreparable loss.

VISIT OF AN AFRICAN PRINCESS TO THE PRINCESS
ROYAL'S WEDDING.—The Rev. J. F. Schon, chaplain
of Melvi le 11°,1)441, Chatham, has received a command
from her Majesty for Sarah Bonetta Forbes, the young
African princess who has been placed by her Majesty
under the care cf Mrs. Schon, at Chatham, for the pur-
pose of being educated, to be present to witness the
marriage ceremony of the Princess Royal on Monday
next. Mr,. Schon has received the Queen's commands
to attend at Buckingham Palace with the young prin
cess on Friday next is receive the final instructions rela-
tive to their attendance at the royal wedding. Her
Majesty has manirested her thoughtful care towards th-
priecas by forwarding her, within the last few days, a
apply cf dresses and other requisites suitable to be
warn on the occasion. The princess, who is the Baugh-,
, ter of a 1 ite African king, was brought to this country
a few years since by Captain Forbes, of her Majesty's
ship Bonetta, and ever since her stay in England the
Queen has manifested the moat lively interest towards
her, The princess is about 18 years of age, and is
stated to be highly accomplished.