The Sun.
London, England, 1867-06-19 00:00:00

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Last evening was a crowning-triumph for Afdlle.
Christine Nilsson. She appeared again as Margue-
rite, and on the occasion she proved her right to
rank amongst the greatest artistes the lyric drama
has yet produced. The comparison of the new
singer with other great vocalists of course is ine-
vitable, but that can be fearlessly encountered with-
out in the slightest degree diminishing the unmis-
takable success Mdlle. Nilsson has achieved. She
seems to be the perfect embodiment of the
Gretschen of Goethe—her slight and fragile figure,
her pale golden tresses are quite in keeping with the
creation, and an artless, natural demeanour all give
an additional charm to the character with which,
from henceforth, she will be eminently inseparably
connected. Favoured by nature with a voice of rare
and uncommon beauty, the accomplished lady uses
it with a skill and taste that is perfectly charm-
ing. She avoids altogether that disagreeable
vibrato which is so greatly used by many
who claim to rank amongst our greatest singers.
Mdlle. Nilsson's notes are clear, fall, and exqui-
sitely in tune, whilst her execution is as easy
and delightful as the most ardent lover of music
could desire. That her range is extensive is cer-
tain, for during the opera her voice at one time
touched the lower B flat, and at another reached D
in alt, with remarkable ease. The few bars allotted
to Marguerite in the second act were sung most
charmingly, but the great triumph, of course, was
in the succeeding act, in which we have the quaint
old ballad " C'era un re, un re di Thule,"
and the brilliant aira known as the jewel
song, both of which were perfect and absolute
triumphs, the latter being most enthusiastically
encored. The duet at the close of the act was
given with such exquisite expression and fervour
that it produced positively a great excitement
amongst the aristocratic, and generally somewhat
cool and quiet audience, and Mdlle. Nilsson had to
be led forward twice by Gardoei before silence
could be obtained. In the cathedral scene her
horror at the mockery of Mephistopheles was
intense, and her vocalisation was unsurpassable
and unparalleled. Marguerite's dying appeal for
heavenly pardon, " 0 del ciel angeli im-
mortal," was given with a refined purity
and intense aspiration, that formed a worthy climax
to a performance that throughout was characterised
earnestness of intention and thoroughly poetical
perception of the purest and most touching aspect
of the character, added to those sympathetic powers
of vocal expression and finished execution which
we have already stated are possessed by Mdlle.
Nilsson. Gardoni sang the music of Faust with great
taste, but Pandolfini, as: Mephistopheles, was per-
haps a trifle too comic in his idea of the character.
Santley's Valentine is so well known and appre-
ciated that reference to it is perfectly needless.
Madame Trebelli Bettini sang the music allotted
to Siebel charmingly, and in the minor parts Marta
and Wagner were well supported by Mdlles.
Bauermeister and Bossi.

Every seat in the immense theatre was occupied
at the commencement of the opera.

'WIMBLEDON PRIZE MEETING.

The following are the days on which the prizes
will be competed for :
The shooting will commence on Monday, the Bth
of July, at 10.30 a.m., on other days at 9.15 a.m.
Monday, Bth.—Oxford and Cambridge Bronze
Medal ; Middlesex Bronze Medal ; Tower Hamlets
Bronze Medal ; All Corners' County Match ; the
Bass Prize; fourth series, extra prizes.
Tuesday, 9th.—His Royal Highness the Prince
of 'Wales's Prize ; St. George's Challenge Vase, Ist
stage ; International Enfield Trophy, 3 p.m. ;
Alexandra, Ist stage, 500 yards ; the Bass Prize ;
fourth series, extra prizes.
Wednesday, 10th.--Queen's Ist stage, 200 yards ;
Alexandra, Ist stage, 200 yards ;
.Daily Telegraph;
extra prizes.
Thursday, 11th.--Queen's, Ist stage, 500 yards ;
Alexandra, 500 yards, Ist stage ; Daily Telegraph;
extra prizes.
Friday 12th.—Queen's, Ist stage, GOO yards;
Alexandra, Ist stage, 600 yards ; Albert, Ist stage,
200 yards ; Carbine, Ist stage ; the Martin's Chal-
lenge Cup.
Saturday, 13th.—China Challenge Cup ; Belgian
Challenge Cup, volley firing.; the Martin's Cup;
Albert, Ist stage ; extra prizes.

Monday, 15th,---Alexandra, 2d stage, 9 15 a.m ;
Dragon Cup, 10 30 ; Albert, Ist stage ; Windmill,
Ist stage ; special prizes for Belgians.
Tuesday, 16th.—Queen's, 2d stage; Albert, Ist
stage ; Windmill, Ist stage ;'Any Rifle Wimbledon
Cup ; special prizes for Belgians.
Wednesday, 17th.—Albert, 2d stage ;
Ist stage ; Five-grooved Rifle (probably) ; Rifle
Oaks ; Enfield Wimbledon Cup; Chancellor's Plate,
Oxford and Cambridge ; special prizes for Belgians
(if necessary).

Thursday,lBth.—Elcho Challenge Shield ; Wind-
mill, 2d stage ; Rifle Oaks ; extra prizes.
Friday, 19th.—His Royal highness the Duke of
Cambridge's Prize, second stage of breech-loading
prize.; Consolation Prizes ; henry Peck Prize ;
Dudley Prize ; Earwig, 2d stage ; extra prizes (if
necessary).
The Enfield Association Cup will be shot for
every day during the first week ; the Any Rifle
Association from Saturday, the 13th, to Thursday,
the 18th.

The first stage of the breechloading prizes will be
open from the Bth to the 18th inclusive.

Swiss Cartons prizes, the Running prizes, and
the Earwig, Ist stage, will be open from the Bth to
the 19th inclusive.

The Ashburton Challenge Shield and the
Spencer Cup will be competed for either on the
16th or the 18th ; early notice of the day finally
fixed upon will be given.
Pools and Running Deer as usual.
Pool and sighting tickets shall be available
throughout the meeting.
The entries will close on the 22d inst.

THE KEBLE COLLEGE AT OXFORD.—The nego-
tiatious for the purchase of a piece of ground at Oxford
for the Keble College are nearly completed. The spot
selected is the property of St. John's College, in the gar-
iens nearly opposite the museum overlooking the parks.
The architect will be Mr. Butterfield, and a commence-
ment will probably be made without much longer delay.

LAW INTELLIGENCE—This Day.

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.

(Sittings at Nisi Prius before Lord Chief Justice
Bovill and a Special Jury.)

GIBSON V. THE LONDON, BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH

COAST RAILWAY COMPANY.

In this case the plaintiff sought to recover com-
pensation for the loss of a roulette table, and the
defendants denied their liability, or that there had
been any contract between them and the plaintiff
for the safe delivery of the property in question.
From Oa opening statement of counsel it ap-
peared that the plaintiff, whose business is that of
a roulette-table keeper, had arrived at Brighton
from Jersey on the 4th of. August, and on the Gth
came by the company's train to London. Ile had
the roulette-table packed up,' and. he alleged that he
explained to one of the clerks of the company the
nature of the property, and received,a ticket from
him, with an assurance that on its presentation at
the London terminus he would receive the property.
It appeared, however, that it was lost in transit'',
and the company denied the allegations of the plain-

tiff Ps to what occurred between him and the com-
pany's servants at the Brighton station. They
pleaded that the property was not of a description
for which they were liable as general carriers,
in the absence of a contract for its safe
delivery. The learned counsel explained that there
were anomalies in the law as related to the liability
of railway companies for the safe delivery of certain
descriptions of goods:which were very much in their
favour. Ile illustrated this statement by showing a
company were not liable in the case of a lady's silk
dress unless it were made for a veil with a string,
or unless it were made by machine.
_

The plaintiff was examined, and swore positively
as to what he alleged took place between him and
the clerk at the station.
The latter was called and denied this.
The jury found a verdiot for the defendants.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.--This Day.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

AN AWKWARD LARK.—William Stone, a young
man, was charged, before Mr. Knox, with stealing
a plated tankard, of the value of 165., the property
of Mr. Thomas Laybourne, of the Red Lion
Tavern, Windmill-street, Haymarket.
Henry Thomas, barman to Mr. Laybourne, said
that about twelve o'clock last night the prisoner
and some other young men came in and called for a
pot of ale, with which they were served. In con-
sequence of what he was told by the potman he
followed the prisoner out of the house and detained
him, and sent for a constable, but before the con-
stable arrived the prisoner threw the tankard,
which he took from his pocket, on the ground.
Thomas Smith, potman to Mr. Laybourne,
proved seeing the prisoner put the tankard into his
coat-tail pocket and leave the house. He went
with the last witness after the prisoner, and asked
him what he had got in his pocket. He replied
" Nothing," but afterwards took the tankard out of
his pocket and threw it down, saying he was only
having a lark.
In answer to Mr. Knox the witness said the
prisoner was drunk.

The barman said that another tankard was
missed at the same time.

John Canes, 79 C, said the prisoner was given
into his custody for stealing the tankard. The
prisoner was sober, and said he did it for a lark, and
that he had been treating some policemen outside
the house, and placed the tankard under his coat.

Mr. Knox asked the constable whether there were
any police constables outside of the house ?
The prisoner answered the question by stating
that they had left before the other constable came
upi He only took the tankard out of a lark.
Mr. Knox said the prisoner would be remanded.

NOTES

PROM

TRAINING QUARTERS.

TIIIS DAY.