The Sun.
London, England, 1835-10-29 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sin,—Having observed in The Sun Newspaper, of the
26th inst., a paragraph referring to the respective ages of
several Peers, and contradicting the report that Lord Car-
rington was the most aged Member of the House of Lords,
I beg to state, for the information of your readers, that, in
addition to Lords Stowell and Eldon, whom you have men-
tioned as older than Lord Carrington, you might also have
inserted the names of Lords Lynedoch, Egremont, and
Scarsdale. I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your very obedient Servant,
Leamington, Oct. 28, 1835. N. L. T.

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.

Fitzball's new musical piece, Paul Clifford, was com-
pletely, and very deservedly, successful. It is founded on
Bulwer's novel, some of the most striking incidents of which
are very skilfully dramatised, with many alterations, which
are unavoidable in such cases. The dialogue is clever
and spirited, and the whole affair really gave a lively
idea of those " halcyon days" when (in the words of the
Duke of Wellington, so classically quoted in the play-
bill) " scarcely a carriage could pass without being robbed.
and frequently the passengers were obliged to give battle to
the highwaymen who infested the roads." The robbery of the
Bath coach, by Paul Clifford's gang, was one of the best
scenic representations we have witnessed. The coach enters
gallantly, drawn by real horses, and in an instant is assailed
,by a numerous hand, who overpower the coachman, guard,
and passengers, and complete the work of plunder with sur-
prising dexterity. The scene representing the exterior of
the old Covent-garden Theatre, with the audience leaving it
after the play, is also admirably manaaed. Dr. Slopperton
and his wife and daughter appear as coming out of the
house. While the doctor goes to call a coach, the ladies
are accosted by two of the gentlemen of the road, who offer
their protection till he• returns, and then pick his pocket
while they are loading him with attention. This party are
joined by Sir William Brandon and Lucy. Long Ned
makes an attempt on Sir William's pocket ; but he dis-
covers it, and thinking Clifford, who was standing by, the
culprit, he seizes him, and gives him into custody. These
incidents determine the future fate of all the parties. Paul
Clifford, an innocent lad, is confined among felons in New-
gate, and becomes one of them ; the silly girl Terpsichore
is captivated by Scarlet .lack, with whom she afterwards
runs away ; and Miss Brandon, pity being akin to love,
pities the poor youth whom she sees dragged to prison.
This nocturnal street scene, in which these incidents are
mixed with the bustle and confusion' of the crowd quit-
ting the theatre, the cries of the link-boys, people
calling for coaches, &c., is worked into an excellent con-
certed piece, which ends the first act, and is the best con-
certed musk in the drama. The scene of the grand hail in
the third act was got up with great elegance, and that
vraisemblance with which such things are exhibited on the
French stage. The acting was excellent throughout. Miss
Taylor, in Terpsichore, the giddy school-girl, fond of " nice
young men," and ready to run away with the first nice
young man that would ask her, was as amusing as she was
pathetic in her after-state of the broken-hearted widow of
the highwayman, who had gone the way of all his race.
Collins made a very good Paul Cliprd ; there was little
room for acting, but he looked the part well, did what he
had to do with great propriety, and sang beautifully. Miss
Turpin, too, though we have long thought favourably of her
qualities as a singer, exhibited a degree of power and finish
for which we were not prepared. Mr. Manvers, in Scarlet
Jack, acted well, and would have sung well too, had he sung
less ambitiously. The music is very unequal in quality.
Part of it is truly excellent, and part insipid and common-
place. The overture is dla Rossini—lively, but shallow.
Paul Clifford's song, " Hurrah ! o'er Hounslow Heath," is
a powerful composition, both in words and music. The
piece was given out for repetition amidst the loudest accla-
mations from every part of an excessively crowded house.

HER MAJESTY.—The Oxford Journal, in refe-
rence to the Latin oration pronounced before the Queen
by the Registrar of the University of Oxford, on Mon-
day, says—" We should observe that her Majesty appeared
to follow and appreciate the meaning of this oration, as
did also, very markedly, the Duchess of Saxe Weimar.
The German education of both the illustrious sisters em-
braced, we understand, a knowledge of the classic las-
gTigeS."
RAMSGATE, OCT. 26.—The answer to the nu-
merous inquiries to-clay at Albion House for the health of
the Princess Victoria, is that her Royal highness is going
on favourably. She joined the party in the drawing-room
last night, to hear the usual Sunday evening performance
of sacred music; and although she was wheeled in, on
account of the local weakness in her ankles, she looked
well, and was in excellent spirits. The weather has been
very
.unfavourable for out-door exercise, but it is hoped
the Princess will shortly resume her carriage airings, and
also her walks, as her feet are gaining strength, though not
very rapidly. The Duchess of Kent is in excellent health.
We have great pleasure in stating that the Duke of
Wellington was much better yesterday, although still con-
fined to his room,
The Russian AmbassadOr still continues to imprOve
in health, but has not yet transacted business.
EARL SPENCER.—We are authorized td contra-
dict the statement in the Northampton Herald that Lord
Spencer is in the receipt of a pension.
A public dinner was given on Thursday last, by the
Reformers in the Crieff district of Perthshire, to the Hon.
Fox Maule, when upwards of one hundred 'gentlemen sat
.
down to dinner, in the Mason Hall. .