The Sun.
London, England, 1867-08-15 00:00:00

PRINCESS'S THEA TRE.

The " Man o' Airlie" continues to hold its place
on the boards of this theatre, and is attracting as
well filled houses as can reasonably be expected,
considering the almost tropical heat which obtains
at the present time. Mr. Herman Vezin's portrayal
of the chequered phases attending the life of James
Harebell, the poor poet, whether in the earlier
scenes attending his career, the distraction of mind
brought on by his overwhelming troubles, or the
impressive denouement, in which after his return to
reason he expires in the arms of his son, are alike
felicitous and expressive, and display to great ad-
vantage the versatility and finished talent of the
actor.
The other characters are well supported by the
same efficient cast as on the occasion of the pro-
duction of the drama, which continues to be
nightly received with genuine enthusiasm.
The " Man o' Airlie" was preceded last evening
by " The Day after the Wedding," and the per-
formances terminated with " The Unprotected
Female," which severely taxed the risible faculties
of the audience.

DEATH OF IRA ALDRIDGE.

The death of Ira Aldridge, who was well known
in England a few years ago as a black tragedian,
and who was termed the African Roscius, is an-
nounced at Lodz, in Polinia. He was about 62 years
of age. He was the son of a chief of Senegal, who
was brought over to New York by a Christian Pro-
testant American missionary to be educated in the
faith, and who returned to his native country
after having completed his education. But the
desire for a civilised life prevailed over the love
of country at home, and after some difficulties
and troubles he contrived to obtain a passage
to America, where he settled down as a pastor to a
negro congregation. Young Ira was destined by
his father for a similar position, but he had an
irresistible penchant for the stage, and at length
contrived to make a debut in New York with a
troup of amateurs. His talents were immediately
r,,cognised, and he received a perfect ovation
but his representations appeared to have provoked
serious riots, for the police put a stop to them at
the time, and he found himself obliged to accept
the position of a servant at an inferior theatre in the
city. In the year 1833 his father sent him to Eng-
land to pursue studies in theology ; but here again
the Tragic Muse enchained him, and yielding him-
self 0 her charms, he, after many attempts to
overcome the obstacles in his way, made his first
appearance in England in Othello, and subse-
quently played Macbeth and Shylock. He was en-
thusiastically received, and entered into an engage-
ment to perform in Covent-garden Theatre, after
fulfilling which he made the tour of the kingdom,
and won laurels as well as more substantial rewards
in Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool, Dublin, and
the principal towns of the kingdom. Though
well appreciated in these islands, his perform-
ances were, however, yet more applauded and
better remunerated on the continent of Europe,
and especially in Russia. His genius was also
more particularly noted as that of an African,
and his race gave an additional zest to the specta-
tors of his dramatic creations. In Brussels, Cologne,
Berlin, Pesth, Vienna, Paris, &c., he has been re'
ceived with acclamations by crowded and delighted
audiences. From the year 1852 he was 111 the
habit of making tours through the principal cities
of Europe, but he was particularly fond of Russia'
He had the honour of receiving decorations from
the Emperor of Russia, and had been similarly
noticed by most of the European sovereigns. 14°
many weeks since he performed in Brussels, where
he was most warmly received, and he was on MI
way to St. Petersburg when he was taken ill and
died.