The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-25 00:00:00

DRURY LANE THEATRE.

On Saturday an overflowing audience assembled
to witness the revival of the favourite drama of
" Rob Roy." The cast was remarkably strong, and
derived special interest from the fact that two of
the chief characters were supported by performers
new to London. Miss Cross, who has a fine voice
and an expressive style of singing, appeared for the
first time in the metropolis as Diana Vernon—a part
she has been in the habit of playing in the provinces
with immense success ; while Mr. Powrie, as Rob
Roy, impersonated for the first time in London that
very popular hero. Mr. Phelps's assumption, more-
over, of the character of Bailie Nicol Jarvie, was a
novelty, so far as the Drury-lane audience were
concerned. Then there was a new overture, the
composition of Mr. Tully, there was new scenery,
there were new dances ; while among the audience
there was the old enthusiasm with which the
romantic, semi-operatic, and thoroughly Scottish
play of " Rob Roy," whenever it is brought for-
ward with anything like the care bestowed upon
its production by Mr. Chatterton, is always received.
To Mr. Powrie, the new representative of Rob Roy,
a very cordial greeting was accorded. This gentle:.
mau has made himself a reputation in Scotland in
this character, and there he is considered the best
living representative of the part. His first entrance
on the stage on Saturday, dressed in the garb of a
Lowlander, called forth a welcome which has seldom
been exceeded. His great reception, however, was
partially due to his appearance, which realised in
the most remarkable manner the description of
Macgregor so graphically given by Sir Walter Scott.
Scene after scene be grew in greater favour, and the
climax was reached when be appeared in the High-
land costume, in which be looked a perfect picture ;
his manly, graceful, and bold bearing setting off to
advantage his Macgregor tartan. Throughout the
piece he played with a manliness, ease, discrimina-
tion, and forco which stamps him as an actor of
genuine talent.

Mr. Phelps, as Bailie Nicol Jarvie, gave one of
those remarkable delineations of eccentric character
for which be is so well known. The scene in the
Tolbooth was excellent, and his acting while in
company with the major iu the bothie was inlinit-
able ; the audience was convulsed with laughter
when he attacks the major and his dragoons with
the red-hot poker, and totally routs the whole party.
During the whole of his scenes the audience were
in a constant state of hilarity, and applauded his
efforts repeatedly.
Mr. llarrison undertook the part of Francis
Osbaldistone, which was originally assigned to Mr.
Sims Reeves, and sang the songs with such effect as
to gain continued and repeated applause. The
Dougal creature was played by Mr. M'lntyre in a
most remarkable manner ; he presented a vivid por-
trait of the wild, weird, and faithful Highlander.
The llelen Macgregor ofMiss Le Thiere was bold
and dashing; her fine fort.a and bearing adding
much to the effect of the scenes in which she was
engaged. Mr. Edmund Phelps performed the un-
thankful part of Rashleigh Osbaldistone with care,
and with a due appreciation of the requirements of
the character.

Miss Cross was encored in her solos, Mr. Harrison
was encored in his ; and a duet was given with so
much success by these two singers as to be in its turn
redemanded. The overture, too, was called for a
second time, and special marks of approbation were
bestowed upon a harp solo performed by that accom-
plished professor, Mr. Frederick Chatterton. Im-
mense applause was called forth by the picturesque
mountain scenery, by the animated representation
of the meeting of the Macgregor clan, and by the
spirited fight between Highlanders and the British
troops ; but perhaps the greatest enthusiasm of all
was excited by Mr. Harrison's singing of his well-
known and always successful ballad, " Oh, smile as
thou wert wont to smile."

" Rob Roy," to judge from the favour with which
it was received on Saturday evening, might enjoy a
run of 100 nights ; but its career can only be a
limited one, for on Easter Monday Mr. Andrew
Halliday's new and original play, entitled " The
Great City," is to be produced.

THE IRISII LEGAL APPOINTMENTS.—WC learn
that consequent on Lord Chancellor Blackburne's resigna-
tion the following appointments have been made : —Lord
Chancellor, Mr. Brewster; Lord Justice of Appeal,
Judge
Christian ; Judge of the Common Pleas, Mr. Morris ;
Attorney-General, Mr. Chatterton ; Solicitor-General, Mr.
Warren.

HUNTINGDONSHIRE ELECTION.—Lord Robert
Montagu having recently accepted the office of Vice-Pre-
sident of the Committee of Council on Education will
offer himself to his constituents to-day for re-election•
There is no probability of any opposition.
DEATH OF LADY GEORGIANA ELIZABETH RoDiILL~•
—We regret to announce the death of Lady Georgians
Romilly, which took place on Friday evening, at her resi-
dence in Wilton-place, after a few days' illness. The de-
ceased lady, who was the eldest daughter of John sixth
Duke of Bedford, fifth daughter of Alexander, fourth Duke
of Gordon, was born 23d June, 1810, and married, 13th
January, 1842, Mr. Charles Romilly, clerk of the Crown in
Chancery. Her ladyship was half sister to the Earl Rus-
sell, and sister of the Marchioness of Abercorn. By lier
death several families are placed in mourning.
The death is announced of Mr. S. P. Labouchere,
the head of the house of Hope and Co., Amsterdam. He was
the uncle of Lord Taunton and of the late Mr. John
Labouohero. The deceased gentleman was a most liberal
contributor to works of charity and philanthropy.

SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY, EXETERI-lALL.--'
Mr. Benedict's new cantata, " Tho Legend of St. Cecilia,'
will be performed (for the first time in London) on Friday
evening next, the 29th inst. (to be conducted by the comp-
poser). On the same evening Rossini's "Stabat Mater
will be given. Principal vocalists : Madame Lerumens-
Sherrington, Madame Sainton-Dolby, Mr. Sims Reeve,
Mr. Cummings, and Mr. Weiss.
TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF ST. ANDREW'S CHURCII,
NOTTING-RILL.—At half-past nine on Saturday
night a fire was discovered in the above church, and within
an hour the sacred edifice was a complete ruin. It was an
iron structure, erected at a cost of £1,600 or £1,700 about
four years ago for the accommodation of the well known
Kensington Potteries, and was in every respect ascommo-
dious and elegant as iron churches can bo made. The
building was left perfectly safe at five o'clock in the after-
noon. A light was observed about nine o'clock, but as this
was no unfrequent occurrence it excited no surprise. It
member of the choir, however, passing by, looked in, and
saw the interior in flames. The engines were immediately'
sent for, and energetic efforts to save tho building were
made. The communion service, robes, books, Scc., were
quickly removed, and a considerable portion of the seating
The engines were promptly on the spot, but it is alleged
were rendered useless from a want of water. The cam s°
of the fire is unknown. The church was only partiallY
insured, and the loss will fall heavily on a poor district.
CONSERVATIVE DINNER AT
.SAXMUNDIIAM.---it
Conservative dinner was hold at the Corn Exchange, S°-
mundhain, on Friday evening, in commemoration of the
recent return of Mr. F. S. Corrance, the Conservative Co"
didato for East Suffolk. There were about 100 gentlemen
present. The chair was occupied by Mr. W. Long, of 111.0
Hall, while Lieut.-Cul. Thellhson was in the vice chair.
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