The Sun.
London, England, 1858-10-04 00:00:00

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.

Mr. C. Kean's farewell season as a manager commenced
on Saturday evening last, when " The Merchant of Venice"
was presented for the seventy-third time with unabated
effect and attention. The house presented a crowded
appearance in every quarter, and the warm reception with
which Mr. and Mrs. C. Kean were severally honoured
indicated in the most gratifying manner the feeling of the
public towards these distinguished artistes, who have so
nobly won the highest position -which any members of the
dramatic art have ever attained. Mr. Kean's Shylock
is a magnificent impersonation ; true to the author's meaning
in every look, gesture, and uttered sentiment. A Shakesperian
portrait as distinct as it is powerful, and rendered still more
impressive by the marvellous accuracy of the scenic details
with which it is environed. This grand embodiment alone
suffices to establish his supremacy as the first tragedian of
the day : and when we call to mind his extraordinary
excellence in Hamlet, Richard, Lear, Wolsey, Louis XI.,
Mephistophiles, Macbeth, and many other diversified parts
of equal importance, it would be difficult to select one from
among the celebrated •of his predecessors, entitled to
take rank •in a higher line. Versatility and ideality
are amongst the leading qualities which mark
the superior genius of a great actor, and we
could not readily. hit upon a name and person in the annals
of the stage, in which they have been more strongly deve-
loped than in Mr. C. Kean. Mrs. C. Kean's Portia is equal
to her husband's Shylock, as, a dramatic effort in a totally
different class, and gives to the secondary or episodal plot
of the play an equal prominence with the leading incident.
Twelve nights more will close the long and successful run
of the " Merchant of Venice," when, from foreign history
and scenery, we shall once more find ourselves on English
ground, and in the old feudal times of the Plantagenets—
we allude to the revival of "King John," which is pro-
mised for Monday, the 18th instant, and supplies one of the
finest subjects that Mr. Kean has yet handled.

Mr. Charles J. Mathews, the comedian, with
Mrs. Mathews, sailed by the Asia, from Boston, on the 22d.
Sept., for Liverpool. Mr. Mathews has several engage-
ments at Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham, and
plan his way up to London.
MADAME CELESTE.--This popular directress of
the old Adelphi Theatre has returned to London, after her
autumnal visit to France, and will commence a short star-
ring engagement at the National Standard Theatre this
evening, in her celebrated character of Miami, in the drama
of " The Green Bushes." Mr. Paul Bedford, who is also
engaged, sustaining his original character of Jack Gong.
We very much regret Ito say (says the Court
Journal) that the Earl of Derby is suffering from a severe
attack of gout at Knowsley. The gout is a bitter enemy,
of the Premier's, for though others may suffer more fre-
quently, none can do so more severely. In Lord Derby's
case it not only seizes the feet but the arms also, and the
present attack, which has now lasted about a week, equals
in virulence that which kept the noble earl so long con-
fined to his house in St. James's-square, in the height of
the Parliamentary session. Unless his lordship's recovery
is much more rapid than anticipated, the meeting of the
Cabinet, announced for next week, cannot possibly take
place.
The Cabinet Ministers are nearly all out of town.
Lord Derby is at his seat, Knowsley-hall, Lancashire,
where he is suffering from an attack of gout. Mr. Spencer
Walpole is in Ireland. Lord Malinesbury remains at his
residence in Scotland. The Chancellor of the Exchequer
is at Hughenden-manor. General Peel is at Balmoral.
The Marquis of Salisbury and Mr. Henley are at their
respective country seats. Sir Edward B. Lytton, the
Colonial Secretary of State, remains in London.
Mr. Secretary Walpole ended his official attend-
ance at Balmoral on Wednesday last, and took leave of her
Majesty. The right hon. gentleman does not return to
official duty in town, but purposes making a short tour in
Ireland previous to resuming his attendance at the Home '
Office. Major-General Peel succeeds Mr. Walpole as
Minister in attendance on the Queen at Balmoral. The
Home Secretary proceeded in the first instance, to Glasgow.
—Court Journal,