The Sun.
London, England, 1858-06-09 00:00:00

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

The programme of the season contained a pledge
that Mdlle. Piccolomini should appear, at an early
date, in the character of Luisa Miller, wherein
she had achieved,_in Italy, triumphs equal to those
which attended, and still attend, her performance
in " La Traviata;" and last evening the opera was
produced. Among Mr. Lumley's merits as a mana-
ger is conspicuous the tact with which he arranges
and varies the attractions of his theatre. He has
chosen for the production of this successful opera,
by Verdi, exactly the time when such a novelty
was eagerly desired, and was sure to be favourably
greeted. He has his reward in one of the most com-
plete successes of his three most successful seasons.
The story of " _Luisa Miller," as most of our
readers are probably aware, is taken from Schiller's
"Kraft. mid Liebe." It is simple, touching, tragic,
and very dramatic. A slight sketch of it will
facilitate a comprehension of the chief points of the
performance. Luis t is the daughter of Miller, a
vassal of Count Walter. She has been woced and
her affections won by a young lover named Carlo,
who is unknown to the neighbours, but for whom
she has rejected a more ill-favoured suitor, Wurm.
This Wurm is a retainer of Count Walter, and be-
t wean them there is some dark secret. Old Miller
has his doubts as to the young lover, which are
converted into certainty when Wurm coramuni-
cites to him the face that Carlo is no oiher
than the young Count Rodolpho, son of Walter, in
disguise. Rodolpho, on the ether hand, is beloved
by the Duchess Frederica, a wealthy and beautiful
young widow, and Walter is bent on their marriage.
Rodolpho tells the duchess the truth, and of course
only succeeds in rousing her to a frenzy of jealousy.
Miller now tells his daughter the true position and
character of her lover, but his denunciations are ar-
rested by the arrival of Rodolpho himself, who
avows his love and swears fidelity. At this point
Count Walter enters, upbraids his son, insults
Luisa, and is at once braved by old Miller. For a
vassal thus to beard his suzeran is punishable by
death; and the old man is removed in chains. In re-
taliation, Rodolpho whispers to his father that he
is acquainted with his secret, which is nothing less
than that he has obtained his title and estates by
murdering his elder brother.

Th 6 second act developes the "Krafr," or in-
trigu©. A plot is contrived by Count Walter awl
Wurm to sep•srate the lovers. The third act oin-
bocEes the tragic catastrophe. Luisa and her lover
die by poison.

The distribution of parts is as follows :--jmisa
Miller, Mdlle. Piccolomini; the Duchess Frederica,
Mme. Alboni ; Rodolpho, Signor Giuglini ; Count
Walter, Signor Via'etti ; Miller, Signor Beneven-
lane ; and Wurni, Signor atstelli.
Piccolom'ni, in the charACer of Luisl, has more
than sus ained her high reputation as a tragic
actress in parts depending for their interest on the
development of toe natural emotions and syrnpa.-
thies of the female heart. She was ably seconded
throughout by Giuglini, who acted with even mole
than his usual verve and spirit, and by Beueveti-
tano, who, if he continues these succcsees, will soon
monopolise the "heavy feathers" "of the opera
stage, thus attesting the versatility which, at the
same time, makes him the best Don Giovanni we
have.

The scenery of the opera is admirable, and the
dresses new and brilliant. Supported as it is by
the superlative talent of Alboui, Piceolomini, and
Giuglini, it will probably " ruu" till the close of
the seaion.

SIB HENRI HAVELOCK AND THE

VICTORIA CROSS.

Yesterday was published with the Parliamentary
papers a return (moved for by General Buckley) of
copies of the telegram from the late Sir H. Have-
lock in reference to tie conduct of Lieut. Hawlock
in leading the 64th Regiment at CAwnpore, for
which that officer subsequently received the Vic-
toria Cross. Also, of the correspondence between
Sir Colin Campbell •and the Adjutant-General
on
the subject.

Sir Colin Campbell informs the General Com-
naaudina-in-Chiel that in consequence of this dee-
patch, a feeling of dissatisfaction, which has been
testifi 'd in the most respectful manner, has arisen
among the officers of the 64th Foot, who consider
it contains a slur on the character of the late Lieut. -
Colonel Stirling, then in command of the regiment,
and on the regiment generally; and Sir Colin con-
fesses to having ."a strong feeling of sympathy
with the officers of the 64th Regiment."
" This instance," he proceeds to say, "is one of
many in which, since the institution of the Victoria
Cross, advantage has baen taken by young aides-
de-camp and other staff officers to place theinselv.s
in prominent situations for the purpose of attract-
ing attention. To them life is of little value as com-
pared with the gain of public honour; but they do not
reflect, and the genenls to whom they belong also do
not reflect, on the cruel injustice thus done to gallant
officers who, besides the excit-ment ot the moment of
action, have all the responsibility attendant on th's
situation. We know that the private soldier expects
to be led by his regimental officers, whom he knows
and recognises as the leaders to whom he is bound
to look in the moments of the greatest trial and
danger,: and that he is utterly regardless of the ac-
cidental presence of an aide-de-camp, or other staff
officer, who is an absolute stranger to him. There
is another point, also, having a greater importance.
By such despatches as the one above alluded to, it
is made to appear to the world that a regiment would
have proved wanting in courage except for an acci-
dental circumstance. Such a reflection is most
galling to a regiment of British soldiers, indeed
almost intolerable, and the fict is remembered
against it by all the other corps in her Majesty's
service. Soldiers feel such things'most keenly. I
would, therefore, again beg leave to dwell on the
injustice sometimes done by general officers when
they give a public preference to those attached to
them, over old officers who are charged with the
most difficult and responsible duty."
To 'Sir Cilin's despatch the -.Adjutant-General
replies, by direction of the Duke of Cambridge,
saying—that "His Royal Highnessregretssincerely
that any unfavourable imputation of the courage or
conduct of the lieutenant-colonel should ever for
a moment have been supposed to attach to the cha-
racter of that gallant and excellent eai‘.er. His
Royal Highness enters fully into the feelings of
Lieut.-Colonel Bingham, who has, in vindication
of the character of his late commanding' officer, and
of the 64th Regiment, so honourably
appealed
your sense of justice, and he has much gratificationto
in now recording his entire satisfaction with the
whole conduct of Lieutenant-Colonel Stirling, and
of the excellent regiment which he commanded
with so much credit to himself and advantage to
the service."

AUSTRALIA.—The Black Ball clipper ship Saldanba
will sail this week for Melbourne, having on board
about 350 passengers, including 25 recruits for the 4@th
Regiment, in Melbourne, to ri-place others returning
borne. Among the officers are Captain Cook and
Assistant Staff-Surgeon Lynch.