The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-20 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 20, 1866.

tart

HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, March 19.

The Queen, with Prince Leopold and Princess
Beatrice, drove out yesterday afternoon, and went
out in the grounds this morning, accompanied by
Prince Leopold.
Prince Alfred, accompanied by Prince Hermann
of Hohenlohe, and attended by Lieutenant Ilaig,
went to London this morning.

THE ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA, COVENT-

GARDEN.

Programme of Mr. Gye's New Season.

The coming season of the Royal Italian Opera
for 1866 gives rare and brilliant promise, judging
from Mr. Gye's recently issued programme. And
Mr. Gye has hitherto, as a rule, kept such good
faith with his subscribers and the public generally,
that we have come to look upon his annual prospectus
as a document carrying to us no mere pie-crust
promise, or promise merely made to be broken.
Referring to the announcement put forth towards
the close of the last prosperous season, the
season of 1865, to the effect that the Royal
Italian Opera would in all human probability
be forthwith transferred to a Public Company--
remaining no longer as hitherto in the hands and
under the sole direction of a single individual
the Director of the Royal Italian now announces,
almost, as it seems to us, apologetically--and, if so
(we must add), quite unnecessarily that because
of certain unfavourable circumstances having inter-
vened, that promised arrangement has not been
carried out, Mr. Gye remaining Proprietor, Lessee,
Manager, what you will, of that magnificent Lyrical
Establishment. That things have so fallen out,
let us say at once, we for one are heartily rejoiced.
A vast and complicated establishment such as that
of the Royal Italian Opera requires, as it seems to
us, peremptorily requires, for its judicious manage-
ment, the firm and resolute direction of a despotic
government. And the aptitude evidenced during so
many years past by Mr. Gye for the exercise with
consummate tact of that supreme authority, affords a
guaranteeto. the musical world that the interests of art
are safer in his keeping, so far as his noble establish-
ment is concernedin the furtherance of those inte-
rests here in England, so long as his own unfettered
judgment and discretion are allowed fair play in
the regulation of the whole of the complex organi-
zation, but more especially of the administra-
tive organization of Covent Garden as an Opera
House. That he is in the fullest sense of the word
qualified for the proper discharge of the duties and
responsibilities devolving upon him in his continued
capacity as that great social magnate—potentate we
might even call him—an Operatic Manager, it is
only necessary to glance at his newly-published
programme for the season now immediately approach-
ing to recognize and that moreover upon the in-
stant. Conspicuous among the announcements con-
tained in it is one to the effect, that during the season
of 1866 no less than EIGHT ARTISTES hitherto unheard
in England, will at intervals, as opportunity arises,
make their first appearance. Two from Berlin and
two from Paris, the other four coming respectively
from Naples, Hanover, Madrid, and Copenhagen.
As for the old-established favourites, those Kings
and Queens of Song, without whose co-operation
the fame of the Royal Italian would not be what it
is—namely unsurpassed in Europe—as a temple for
the Lyrical Drama—their services have been as a
matter of course secured. The mere mention of their
names amounts of itself to a magnificent prospectus
including among these the peerless names of Madam-
oiselle Adelina Patti, of Signor Mario, of M. Faure,
and of Signor Rouconi, together with the names also
of Madlle. Pauline Lucca, of Madlle. Carlotta Patti,
(hitherto only known in this country as a concert
singer) of Madlle. Artot, of Signor Graziani, of
Signor Naudin, of Signor Attri, and of llerr
Schmid, who as a basso-profundo takes rank
as the legitimate successor of Staudigl and
Lablache. Then as to the operas, we have
here catalogued for us as the magnificent reper-
toire of the Royal Italian—five-and-thirty of the
great lyrical masterpieces of which one is by Beet-
hoven (Fidelio), one by Gluck (Orfeo), one by
Gounod (Faust), one by Mercadante (I 1 Giura-
mento) one by Herold (Zampa), one by Mozart
(Don Giovanni), two by Auber (Fra Diavolo and
Massaniello), two by Flotow (Martha and Stradella),
three by Bellini (Norma, Puritani, and Sonnambula),
three by Verdi (La Traviata, Rigoletto, and Il Tro-
vatore), four by Rossini (the Barbiere, Guglielmo
Tell, 0 tello, and La Gazza Ladra), six by Meyer-
beer (L'Af ricaine, L'Etoile du Nord, Les Hugue-
nots, Dinorah, Roberto Il Diavolo, and the Pro-
phete), and as many as eight by Donizetti, those
eight being Lucrezia, Don Pasquale, Maria di
Rohan, L 9: Favorita, L'Elisir d'Amore, Linda di
Chamouni, Lucia di Lammermoor, and La Figlia
Regimento. Added to this glorious list, we have
promise now of hearing the new comic opera, Cris -
piuo e la Comare, and of having another added to
the repertoire of the Royal Italian, as the ninth
opera of Donizetti's, to wit, Don Sebastiano. The
castes of some of the pick of the operas above
enumerated are foreshadowed by Mr. Gye before
the close of his programme, and several among the
number will be found calculated to excite and stimu-
late a large amount of delightful expectation. Among
the more choice of these anticipations must be included
of course the premised first appearance of Maddle.
Adelina Patti as Caterina in " L'Etoile du Nord,"
and as Susanna in "Le Nozze di Figaro." That
prince of `musical conductors, Mr. Costa will still,
from his elevated post in the orchestra, wield his
magical baton as Operatic Director or Conductor at
once of the Chorus on the Stage and of the Instru-
mentalists around him—a Chorus and an Orchestra
well entitled to the epithet here applied to them in
the official programme as unrivalled. The stage
management being still left to the direction of Mr.
Augustus Harris, and the scenery to the brushes of
Mr. William Beverley and his assistants, the sub-
scribers to the Royal Italian may now, from every
point of view, look forward with confident anticipa-
tion to the commencement of another brilliant sea-
son in the annals of Cogent-Garden upon the ris-
ing of the curtain on this day, fortnight—,Tuesday
the 3d of April, the evening upon which the season
of 1866 will be inaugurated.

THEATRICAL LICENSES AND REGULATIONS.—The
Parliamentary committee recenty appointed to in-
quire into the present theatrical licensing systenyprepara-
tory, to improve legislation on the subject, sat yesterday
afternoon in room No. 17 of the House of Commons. The
committee was composed of the following gentlemen :
Mr. Goschen (chairman), Lord Ernest Bruce, Sir A. Buller,
Lord Eustace Cecil, Mr. Clay, Mr. Clive, Mr. Locke, Mr.
Du Cane, Mr. T. J. Miller, Mr. Lusk, Mr. O'Beirne, Mr.
Powell, Mr. Selwyn, Colonel Sturt, and Mr. Walpole.
The Hon. S. C B. Ponsonby, Comptroller of the Lord
Chamberlain's Department, was examined at some length,
and in his evidence stated that at the present time there
were 25 theatres in London, but he was not aware of the
number of music halls, nor had the Lord Chamberlain any
knowledge of the number. Mr. Locke asked the witness
whether he was aware of the fact that spirits and beer
were kel•t in nearly all the theatres, and taken round to
persons in the pit by women. Mr. Ponsonby replied in
the affirmative. Ho did not think any of Shakspere's plays
or any ballets or dances, if performed iu music halls, would
elevate the ideas of those present. He thought the drama
should be kept apart from music halls. Ile had been to
the Alhambra, and certainly the audience was not, over
respectable, but ho saw nothing improper there. The Lord
Chamberlain had the power of withdrawing licenses for
dancing, music, &c., if he found anything improper. In
reply to Mr. Goschen, Mr. Ponsonby said ho thought the
power of granting or refusing licenses to theatres and music
halls should be vested in ono person. In replying to Mr.
Powell, the witness said the police always reported any-
thing wrong, and the newspapers were closely watched for
anything requiring investigation. The presence of aban-
doned women at music-halls depended very much upon the
locality. This class of persons frequented the Alhambra
and Strand in numbers, while the Cambridge Music Hall
at the East-end contained but very few of them. The in-
quiry was then adjourned.

GEORGE SAND read recently at the Vaudeville her
new comedy, in three acts, entitled "Lo Don Juan de Vil-
lage."
Tin HEAD-CENTItE.—ROWNId'S Macassar,

but the Lord Bishop of London bad appointed to-
morrow to be observed in his diocese as a day
of humiliation, but he did not see how that would inter-
fere with the meeting of election committees ; and as he
looked upon the proposal of the Government as a prece-
dent, he should feel it to be his duty to divide the house
on the question.
A desultory discussion followed upon the question whe-
ther the election committees should meet at one o'clock or
eleven to-morrow.

The house divided on the question that the committees
meet at one o'clock.
Ayes
Noes
t 7

Majority

The committees were thou ordered to meet at one
o'clock.)

PARLIAMENTARY OATHS BILL.

On the motion for the third-r=ding of the Parliamentary
Oaths Amendment Bill,
Mr. NEWDEGATE deprecated further progress being
made with the bill, seeing that really full discussion had
taken place upon it, nor could he bring himself to think
that the house was at all aware of the magnitude and im-
port•tince of the question.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL reiterated the arguments
which he had used on the previous stages of the measure,
maintaining that obedience to the Throne and recognition
of its supremacy depended not on any oath, but on its
practical exemplification in the laws of the land.
After a few words from Mr. KERR, the bill was read a
third time and passed.
On the motion for going into Committee of Supply,
Mr. O'REILLY drew attention to the present mode of
conducting the relief of troops stationed in India.
The Marquis of lIARTINGTON promised that the
matter should receive the attention of the War-office.
THE LOSS OF THE LONDON.

Sir J. PAKINGTON alluded to the recent lamentable
loss of the steamship London, and especially to the manner
in which the inquiry into the cause of the calamity was
conducted. He expressed his opinion that the tribunal at
Greenwich was a mockery and a delusion. It was really,
as regarded the great question which interested tho public
—the cause of the unfortunate event- utterly futile, and
seemed only to have been conducted with a view to in-
demnify the owners of the vessel from blame. It should
have been an investigation for the public good, instead of
one which, he must say, was turned to a very different ac-
count. The evidence was nearly wholly confined to persons
connected with the builders, the owners, and the Board of
Trade officials who had passed the vessel, and who it was
not likely would come forward to stultify themselves. In
addition to this, the question put by a barrister, who was
retained by the friends of some of the deceased, were dis-
allowed, or only allowed to be put through the assessors
and the magistrate, thus reaching the witness in their own
words instead of those of the counsel, who felt himself at
last compelled to relinquish any further participation in the
matter. What, then, he asked, was the value of the in-
vestigation, in whatever way it was considered ? He
desired to know if it was the intention of the Government
to amend the Merchant Shipping Act ?
Mr. M. GIBSON could not agree with Sir J. Pakington
in his idea that all such inquiries as the ono alluded to
were a mere affair of routine. He pointed out that all ships
like the London passed the surveyors of the Board of
Trade, the functionaries of Lloyd's in the interest of the
underwriters, and lastly the emigration surveyors. For
his own part, he did not think that these officials had in
the present case failed in their duty, nor could he think it
was possible by any system of Government inspection to
make absolute provision for the security of any vessel.
Such investigations had in their composition none of the
elements of a prosecution ; they were only meant, as ori-
ginated by the late Mr. Hume, to discover the cause'of the
loss of the vessel. It was not the intention of the Govern-
ment to make any hasty change in the law on this and the
kindred subject. The whole matter was under careful con-
sideration, and a measure would shortly be laid on the
table. Ho would not, however, admit that there had been
any substantial failure of justice on the present occasion.
Mr. HENLEY expressed his satisfaction with the an-
nouncement of Mr. Gibson in relation to the existing law.
He was convinced that it was impossible to have a court
of inquiry and trial in one, conducted upon principles that
would be either satisfactory to those who wore interested,
or calculated to do justice to those perhaps criminally con-
cerned. He confessed that his own impression from read-
ing the evidence as given in the newspapers was simply a
whitewashing affair. He also expressed an opinion that
these preliminary surveys—imperfectly as they were at
present carried out—were calculated to increase rather than
diminish the number of calamities, by lowering the personal
responsibilities of owners.
Mr. SAMUDA, looking at the steamer London from a
shipbuilding point of view, stated that her proportions
were not in any way liable to censure, from the fact that
her length was seven times her breadth. The vessel in
question was built on nearly the same lines as those which
all the ocean-going steam companies had found most suc-
cessful for their use during a long course of years. Ile
was not of opinion that excessive Government interference
iu reference to the mercantile marine must necessarily be
productive of good resultland expressed an opinion in
favour of counsel being allowed to cross-examine witnesses
at Board of Trade inquiries.

Mr. MAGUIRE also stated his view that the general
feeling was that the recent inquiry was a sham and a delu-
sion—a sort of buffer to prevent auy collision which might
prove unpleasant to the owners of the ship. If there were
some constituted authority to try such cases as others were
tried, a slight security would be given to the public that
their lives would not be quite lightly treated.
After some remarks from Mr. Weguelin, Mr. O'Beirne,
Mr. Ayrton, and Mr. A. Grant, the topic was allowed to
drop.
The house then went into Committee of Supply on the
Navy Estimates.

On the vote of £12,656 for the half-pay and reserve half-
pay of flag officers, to be placed on the retired list, a long
discussion ensued on the proposal to extend the system of
compulsory retirement to officers of this rank.
On a division, the vote was carried by 88 to 70 votes.
Progress was then reported, and the house resumed.
On the order of the day for the second reading of the
Court of Chancery (Ireland) Bill,
Sir FITZROY KELLY objected to proceeding with the
measure, containing more than 100 clauses, at so late an
hour (ten minutes to 12 o'clock). He moved the adjourn-
ment of the debate. •

On a division, the motion was negatived by 99 to 55
votes.

Lord C. HAMILTON denounced the bill as a job, and
solely intended to create places. He moved the adjourn-
ment of the debate.

Mr. LAWSON (the Attorney-General for Ireland) vin-
dicated the bill from any such imputations, stating that its
introduction was the result of the report of a Royal Com-
mission composed of eminent men whose names he read.
Its principle was very simple, and ho protested against
these attempts to delay its progress.
Mr. WHITESIDE also depredllted proceeding with a
measure involving such enormous interests at so late an
hour.

Mr. SULLIVAN (the Solicitor-General for Ireland) de-
fended the principle of the bill, and denied that there was
any semblance of jobbery in the matter.
After some discussion the second reading was postponed
till Wednesday, and the motion for the adjournment of the
house was withdrawn,
A number of bills were advanced a stage, and the house
adjourned.

HEALTH OF THE SPEAKER.—The health of the
Speaker, we regret to say, does not improve. From
inquiries made yesterday it appears that the right hon.
gentleman had a quiet day on Sunday, and passed a good
night, but that it cannot bo said that he was better than
on Saturday. He is very weak, and has been recommended
a visit to the sea-side. He will go either to Brighton or
Hastings. He is attended daily by Sir William Ferguson,
hiimedical attendant.

MEETING OF THE CONSERIATIVE PARTY.—On
Friday afternoon there was a numerous meeting of
the Conservative members of the House of Commons at
the Marquis of Salisbury's residence in Arlington-street,
Piccadilly. Tho members began to assemble at 2 o'clock,
shortly after which hour Mr. Disraeli joined his political
friends. The Earl of Derby, owing to an attack of gout from
which he has been suffering during the past week, was
unable to attend. In consequence of his lordship's absence
Mr. Disraeli addressed the meeting. His remarks were
enthusiastically received, and it was agreed that the Re-
form Bill should be opposed. Upwards of 200 members
were present.—The Morning Herald says the Times pub-
lished yesterday a list of the members who attended the
Conservative meeting at the Marquis of Salisbury's on
Friday last. It includes a member of the Government and
a score of Liberals, and is absurdly inaccurate. The Pall
Mall Gazette contradicts our statement as to what took
place; but, as it tells us that the meeting was pledged to
secrecy, and that therefore it could not know what did
happen, we do not exactly see the value of its contradic-
tion. - The Daily News says a list was published yesterday
in the Times, purporting to give the names of the Conser-
vative party who were present at the meeting lately held
at Lord Salisbury's. Without inquiring into the origin of
the list, we may point out that it is manifestly inaccurate,
containing as it does tho names of more than a score of
sound Liberals. Gentlemen who have written to us to
deny their presence at the meeting—although the list was
excluded ,from our columns—will please to accept this
general statement in lieu of the insertion of their notes.
CONVICTION FOR MURDER.—There was a convic-
tion for murder at the Manchester assizes on Satur-
day. The prisoner was James M‘llfanus, twenty-ono
years of age, who had stabbed a youth of eighteen, named
, Thomas Dowd, in Rochdale-rosd, on Christmas Eve. The
prisoner is said to have been intoxicated at the time when
ho struck Dowd with a knife, but from the evidence it
would appear that he had had very slight provocation from
his opponent, avid that he was not known to him. Poor
Dowd died a few minutes after he was struck. M‘Manus
was sentenced to death, and wept bitterly on receiving
sentence. The jury recommended him to mercy on ac-
count of his youth, and the judge said that he would un-
dertake to send their request to the proper quarter.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.—This Day.

COURT OF PROBATE AND DIVORCE.
(Before Sir J. P. Wilde.)
HYDE V. HYDE AND IVOODI§IANSEE.-JI.7DGMENT IN TIII:

MORMON CASE.

This was a petition by the husband for a dissolution of
marriage with the respondent, and was an undefended suit.
The case was tried before this court about a month ago,
and it was then proved that the petitioner had been origi-
nally a member of the sect of Mormons, and that his mar-
riage, which took place in Utah, in the United States of
America, was solemnised according to the rites of the Mor-
monites, but that, having become a convert to Pro-
testantism, ho was divorced, and his wife had since been
cohabiting with another man, a practice permitted under
the rules of this extraordinary sect. The court deferred
judgment, considering the novelty of the case, and the
important question involved as to.whether, under such cir-
cumstances, it could interfere.

Sir J. P. Wilde delivered a very able and learned judg-
menethis corning. Having referred to the principal facts
of the case as developed at the trial, he said that the
only question upon which he took time to consider
his decision was whether in the present instance, accord-
ing to principle or precedent, the court had and jurisdiction.
Before redress could be afforded to a petitioner seeking to
dissolve marriage, it -must be established to the satisfac-
tion of the court ; it must be proved that there was a mar-
riage, such as the court could recognise. • According to the
laws and practices of Christendom, by which the court could
allow the regulated marriage was to be regarded as au in-
stitution, and conferred a certain status on the parties.
Now that was not the case in polygaminous marriages,
where the wife was placed in an entirely different position
to what she occupied under the usage of Christian coun-
tries. Here, under the matrimonial law, the wife could
obtain redress for the grievances of which she complained,
and could be divorced. She could also claim alimony to
the extent of one-third of her husband's income, and she
had other privileges which it was evident she could not
' enjoy in a polygamous state. Having cited the authority
of Lord Brougham in the celebrated case of Warrendon v.
Warrenden, and other eminent jurists, he said that he had
carefully considered the case, and arrived at tho eon-
elusion that he had no jurisdiction. In dismiss-
ing the petition, he said he was not to be under-
stood as dealing with any other question than than
Of divorce, for right of property and other matters of that
description might arise, and the Court would have to deal
with them on different principles to those applied to the
question of divorce.

COURT OP BANKRUPTCY.
(Before Mr. Commissioner Winslow.)

IN RE SIR JOHN BENSON, %NT.

This bankrupt was described as of 8, Cecil-street, Strand,
civil engineer, and to- day was appointed for the last exa-
mination and order of discharge.
The debts are £27,055, of which £26,015 aro liabilities
in connection with the Cork and Kinsale Junction Rail-
way. The assets are only £459, and the deficiency £26,595.
The principal creditors are W. Bainbridge, of the Tees
Paper Mills, £13,000, and he holds the joint promissory
notes of the bankrupt, Lord Kinsale, and others; A. Dixon,
Birmingham, £6,095: Financial Corporation, £-1,350;
Joint Stock Discount Company, £2,000; Warrant Finance
Company, £2,000, and others ; the creditors being pro-
tected generally by joint promissory notes, signed by Lord
Kinsale, Sir P. C. Roney, and other gentlemen. It was
understood that the case would be adjourned, but an
arrangement is anticipated as regards the liabilities in con-
nection with the railway company.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—This Day.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

A RUFFIAN.—PhiIip Crowley, a rough fellow, residing
in Church-street, St. Giles's, was charged before Mr.
Tyrwhitt with assaulting the police.
Dickinson, 123 C, said that he was requested by a gen-
tleman to remove the prisoner, who was asleep, from his
door, when the prisoner became very violent, and kicked
him and struck him.

341 S proved assisting le last witness and being struck
by the prisoner.
Sergeant Ingerson, G E, said that on going to the assist-
ance of the constable the prisoner went quietly a short
distance, and then threw him, and it required five con-
stables to get him to the station.
The prisoner said he had been drinking, and whenever
he took any drink it flew to his head.
Mr. Tyrwhitt committed the prisoner for 14 days with
hard labour.