The Sun.
London, England, 1858-06-30 00:00:00

131?INCESS',s' TREATRE.

The "Merchant of Venice" continues its successful
career at this house, and such a wonderful production
deserves more than a passing notice. We have again
visited the Princess's Theatre, arid it would be impossible
to convey to cur readers the impressions made upon us
by Mr, C. Kean's last crowning triumph. The " Mer-
chant of Venice" has one great advantage over Mr. Kean's
other brilliant revivals, namely, that it unites to a Epee-
tanie as varied, glowing, and effective as that of "Henry
an opportunity in the priecipai character,
Shylock (which " Heery VIII " did not equally afford),
for the display of all the marvellous powers of Mr. C.
Kean's mind. The grand, bold, Michael Angelo cut-
;ine—the minute, exquisite, Watteau-like iluish—the
passions in all their intensity ; the burning, gallirg
sense of long arrears of wrong ; the deadly hate, the
witheting scorn, the bitter sarcasm, the thirsty ven-
geance, the ravenous cruelty. and those beautiful touches
of pathos which makes Mr. Kean's Shylock human. All
these elements were never before so finely combined
int) such a gsrgeous mice en scene, such a succession of
exquisite, brilliant, and accurate scenes and tableaux
ricans. "Henry VIII." and the "Winter's Tale"
may vie in spectacular effect with the "Merchant of
Venice," but the characters of Cardinal Wuley, or
Leontes—perfect as Mr. C. Kean's Welsey and Loontes
were—do not afford the same scope for his singular and
most affluent genius that Shylock does. "Hamlet,"
which is divested of all show and splendour, and "Lear,"
in which there is comparatively but little, are the only
other characters in Mr. Kean'e Shakesperian revival,
in which his astonishing powers and energies, mental
and physical, have full play. Oi all Shitkeipere's plays
the " Merchant of Venice" is one of the most agreeable,
anal alines to us as a relief after the grand and solemn
e! ~.s, ese rests of the greatest secrets
of dramatic interest, %%N.:6 l'er aLly n R 3 '1"
the casket scene, and in the court of justice. l'he bean-
strings of the audience are straiced almost to cracking
their tension is as great as if the scene were a reality then
going cn in our Central Criminal Court. When Shy-
lock whets his knife, an involuntary shudder passes
through every frame,. People e.ho know the play by
heart forget they knort it, or rather forget that it is
a play at all—for the time it is reality. Mr. Kean is
Shylock just 33 he is Hamlet, and as he is Lear. Even
in Hamlet his declamation is not finer than in that
noble speech, " Hath not a Jew eyes T' &c. The pathos
of that appeal is so finely contrasted with the passion,
the concentrated essence of revenge, hate, sarcasm, and
cruelty with which the bond is chime 1. The expression
of countenance, and the fire of Mr. Kean's wonderful
eye, makes us feel that this, indeed,

" Is the Jew
Which Shakespere drew."

Nothing morn finished than Mr. Kean's Shylook has
been witnessed upon the stage, and it is only the highest
art, the most exalted genius, that can present so perfect
a portrait- Fcr the time being, Mr. Kean is the character
ho impersonates, and how distinct is each character in
his hands. Look upon the astonishing change that
comes over Shylock when from the triumph of antici-
pated, hail glutted vengeance, he, as it were, collapses
into a baffled, bau!ked, spirit broken bankrupt. What
a study for a painter or a poet, when Mr. Kean is about
to leave the court—mental and bodily paralysis suc-
ceeding to the proud consciousness of power, and to the
dignity which force cf.character lends even to a bad man.
Mrs. C. Kean's performance of Portia is the most
perfect we have ever seen, replete with arch grace and
feminine tenderness. The famous speech of " Mercy"
was beautifully delivered, and excited the warmest up-
probatien. .Miss Chapman, as the pretty Jessica, was
graceful, gentle, and modest. We saw in her the reed
lady, fresh, innocent, and young. Tho general cast of
the play is most creditable to the performers engaged.
A new farce entitled " Dying for Love," was pro-
duced on Monday night. It is from the pen of Mr.
Morton, and consequently very tmnsing. Miss Murray,
Miss Heath, Mr. Meadows, and Mr. D. Fisher played
with great spirit, and. succeeded in bringing the piece to
a happy termination.

TIER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.—TiIe Queen'e box was last
evening occupied by the Viscountess Forbes, Lady Cod-
rington; and party. Amongst tha numerous illustrious,
nablo, and distinguished visitors also honouring the
theatre with their presence were ihe Duke of C'eveland,
K.G., and Lady Augusta Pauktt, the Russian Am-
bassador and the Baroness de Brtnnow, the Marquis of
Clanricarde, the Marquis of Hartington, Frances Countess
of Waldegrave, Maria Countess of Harrington, accom-
panied by the Marchioness of Con3ngham; the Countess
of Mountcharles, Lsuisa Countess ol Seafield, tie Countess
of Wilton, Lady Catherine Grey Egerton, Lady Alice
Magdalen Grey Egerton, Lady llizabetti, Gray Fitz
gerald De Roa and the lion. C. F. Da Ros, Countess of
Durham, Countess of Sefton, and Ladies Molyneux M.
Da Tcl,toi, Earl of Sefton, Earl of Wilton, Earl of dope-
toun, Earl of Westmoreland, Earl ( f Durham, Earl of
Mocntcharles, the Count Pahleu, 'riscount Exmouth,
Viscount Powerseourt, Viscount Grey de Wilton, Vle.
c-,unt Ingestre, the Count A!oys, Karoly, Viscountess
Ligestre, M. 0. Delapierre, Lord H. Vane, Lord E.
Tieynue, Lord W. Lennox, Lord Burghersh, Lady Harry
• 'Vans, Lady Vitallscourt, Lady Howard, Lady Burgs
bomb, the Hon. 0 :way Tol4, Gen. H. Cove/1(11.4h, Sir
G. Langton, the Hon. Percy Doyle, Sir Ralph Howard,
Bart., Sir R. Duck worth King, Bart., Sir G. Wombwell,
Bart., Mr. Hubert Da Burgh, Sir George Bowles,
Colonel Sir Prohy Cautley, Admiral Ryder Burton,
Mr. J. N. Astley, Colonel Wigram, Colonel Bigge,
Colonel Watson and Mrs. Watson, Colonel Plunkett
Burton and Mis. Burton, Octavius Mor2;an, M.P.,
Mr. Verner, Mr. A. Campbell, Mr. Sibthorpe, Mr. E.
Cutler, Mr. F. Cooper, Mr. Alphmas C. Bi lings, Mr.
Thomas Baring, M.P., Mr. B.mamy Dobree, &c.

STRAND THEATRE.—MISS SwANBOROUGH'E BENEFIT.
—Tee fair manageress of this elegant little theatre
Swanhorougl) takes her benefit this evening, on which
occasion she appears, for the first time, as Constance, in
Sheridan Knowles' celebrated comedy of " ree Love
Chase." A variety of other attractive eraterainmeuts
are announced, and it is to be hoped that an owrfiewing
house will testify the appreciation estimated by the,
public of the laudable endeavours of Miss Swathorough
to render this theatre worthy of the patronage of all
lovers of genuine acting.
Her Majesty the Queen and his Royal Highlese the
Prince Consort left Buckingham Palace at 10 eainutee
past 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon for Frogmen. The
aueuet party travelled by the South-Western Rtilway.
Lady Churchill has succeeded the Duchess of Atholl
as the Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen. .The earl of
\requiem and Lieut.-Col. F. Cavendish have succeeded
Lord Crofton and Major• General Berkeley Drummond
as the Lord and Groom in Waiting to her Majesty.
Prince Henry XII., of Reuss, four days ago riarried
at Stonsderhf, in that principality,
the Countess de
Efeehbere sole daughter of the late Prince of Pbas.
TAEVINE IN SPAIN. --In the districts of urge], in
Spain, the harveet is drawing near its close, aed the
results are most satisfactory. The appearance of the
vines is also highly promising, and there is every reason
to anticipate a very abundant crop.
PRICE OF GOLD.—The quotation of gold at Penis is
about 2 per mills discount, and the short exchange cn
London is 25.024 for 1/. sterling. On comparing there
rates with the English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 104 per
ounce for standard gold, it appears that geld is
nearly 4-10tha per cent. dearer in Paris than is Lon-
don. By advicea from Hamburg the price cf gold
is 424 per mark, and the short exchange on London
is 13 41 per 1/.. sterling. Standard gold at the
English Hint price is therefore about 1-10th per cent.
dearer in London-than in Hamburg. The cotrse of
exchangs at New York on Loudon for bills at 00 days'
sight is 109 to 109.} per cent., which, when compared
with the Mint par between the two ceectriee, shows that
the exchange is slightly against England. And after
waking allowance for charges of tranpert and difference
of iuterrat, the present rate would have no profit on the
itnpertetien cf gold from the United States,.
A toieerem from Lisbon to-day states the arrival of
the Tamar with the Brazilian mails, and that she was
to leave for Southampton last evening. She brings
43,00 X. in gold. Her d rtes from Rio are to the 7.h of
June. The exchange Via 3 25:!. Coffee 4,700 to 4,800
reie. Thet..shlenneptesiere the departure of the previous
wail Lad been 93,000 Lags, of which 70,000 were to the'
United :rates, and the stock cow on hand was 100,000
bags.. Tee very serious failures are announced by this
arrival—one ct them for an amount little short of
700 0001. ; but the irregularities of the telegraph betweee
Lisbon and London are such that it is necessary for the
present to withhold the names.
Tin CEYLON, AUSTRALIAN, AND NEW ZEALAND
MAILS.—The Teviot arrived at Malta from Southampton
and Gibraltar, on the 221 inst., bringing. for Alexandria.,
LieuteCel. Broughton, R.E., and the Rev. Dr, Steele,
for A'exAndrie, for which port she proceeded on the
seine morniref, when the Wye, with the overland anal,
arrived from Marseilles. The Celia schooner, with naval
victualling stores, arrived at Malta from Deptford on
th 19th inst., and on the 21st inst. the brigantine Isie,
with a general cargo, from London for Malta, and Go-
vernment stores for Corfu.
Tuz INDIA AND CDINA NIAILS.—TiIe Peninsular and
Oriental Company's steamer Euxine arrived at Malta
from maroiilles or. the 14,h inst., bringing, among other
passengers far Malta, Dr. El wards, and for Alexandria
Lieut. TO)LoOson. Toe latter went on in the Indus
steamer belonging to the earns company on the 14 h,
ebertly eller Lee arrivai from Southampton and Geb-
reLer, briegioe fur Malta the Hon. Mr. R. L. P. Trend,
Captain end Moe Fairelougb, and the Rev. Mr. De
o.Wren'°, .for Alexandria the Hun. W. la`;
Jecelytn 'the Hun. Captain Toe,ieer, Mejor Calluait,
and re.sier. James,; the Hon. Mr
Ficnea ALAI 'i; 7.77-^rh Ift Tkr.2,lt3 fee
Meesica and Coriu in tee Austrian ieieju'a
V;rxmits on the 14th, which vessel returned on the
221. ins Peninsular and Oriental C mepauy'e new
et am pEI. t the Salsette arrived at Mal-a from South-
amptea and Gibraltar cn the 21 t, bringing among other
passengers for ilalta, Ensign Corbett, awl for Alex-
andria, for which port mho 0(4; icon degterteee rte the
souse afternoon, Major Andreas, Major Itay, wife, and
child, Captain Burke, and Captain Smith, The Panther
belonging to the same company, with the overland mail,
arrived at Malta from Maned:ea on the same everting,
bringing for 41-eledria Captains Briston and Busk,
the Rev. E. N. Dickenson, and Comniendee Western, I
R.N., Appointed Admira'ty Agent in charge of mails on
board the European and Australian Royal mail steamer
a-Anal:llan, running on the line between Sydney ..and
Suez, vice CI erproandar Frederick Hildebrand Stevens, '
appointed Commander in the Ccaaguard,