The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-01 00:00:00

SOUTH AMERICA.

The acceptance of the proposed mediation of
England and France between Spain, Chili, Peru,
and her allies, is confirmed. Bolivia had
demanded an explanation from the Brazilian Minis-
ter at Cobija respecting the conduct of Brazil in
having allowed Spanish ships to repair damages
sustained in war with Peru. At Valparaiso busi-
ness was improving.'

The Presidential election in Peru monopolised
public attention.

Ninety vessels were loading at Chinches. It was
stated the guano was fast disappearing, and in three
years the Chinches would be deserted.

FESTIVITIE3 AT ST. PE rERSBURG.

ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. 25.

On Friday evening a theatrical performance was
given at the Palace of the Hermitage, followed by
a supper. The Theatre of the Hermitage has riot for
a long period been opened except upon special occa-
sions. It was erected during-the reign of the Em-
press Catharine, when St. Petersburg did not pos-
sess the splendid theatres with which the capital has
since been provided. Within the last few years it
has been restored, and, though not extravagantly
splendid, is charmingly elegant. The interior is a
semicircle, containing six tiers of seats covered with
crimson velvet, and arranged in an amphitheatre
These seats will accommodate 400 persons, and there
a;4, no boxes, nor is there a gallery. Marble columns
support the cornice, which is white, adorned with
paintings. Statues stand between th© columns. The
walls are finished in stucco. It is lighted by 10
lustres, and by chandeliers bearing lights covered
with ground glass globes, and supplying a light at
once clear and soft. The curtain is of vast extent,
of blue velvet drapery.

At this representation their Imperial Majesties,
the members of the Imperial family, the foreign
princes, the ladies of the ambassadors, the ladies of
honour, the ambassadors, and the great dignitaries of
the empire occupied seats which had been placed on
the floor of the house below the amphitheatre and in
front of the-orchestra. On the steps of the amphi-
theatre were the remaining guests —the ladies to the
right of the entrance steps, which divide the amphi-
theatre into two parts, the gentlemen to the left. The
mention above of the number of persons which the
theatre holds is sufficient to show that the invita-
tions were strictly limited. Among the diplomatic
body, for example, only the heads of the embassies
and the Ministers, with their wives, were invited.
The English Embassy and the Danish Legation were
the only exceptions, and of these all the members
were honoured with the invitation. The diplomatic
corps entered by the grand staircase of the Council
of the Empire, the other guests by that of the com-
mittee of Ministers. The former, in the first in-
stance, met in one of the hails of the French school,
which looks out on the Neva. This hall, which is
hung with yellow damask, and is lighted with
splendid crystal lustres, contains, among other
notable works, the large painting, by Mignard, of
Alexander and the family of Darius. The pillars
of the chimney-piece arc magnificent specimens of
jasper, and the doors, richly adorned with gold
chasings, are esteemed masterpieces. At about half-
past 8 their Majesties left their inner apartments,
and soon afterwards entered the theatre, which was
iterally full.

The entertainments commenced with an opera in
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sions to science and originality, it goes well, and is
graceful and lively. In France it would be called
an opera comique. "La Fiorina" was well received.
During a very short interval, on the fall of the cur-
tain, refreshments were served, the company moving
to the nearest saloons, where the buffets were spread.
After the opera came a ballet, " The Wallachian
Bride, or, the Golden Tress," a little gem, espe-
cially for spectators who hold the maxim, " Long
works frighten me." The plot is not very compli-
cated, and, as an involved plot renders a ballet per-
fectly unintelligible, the simplicity of this adds to
its attractions. It was accompanied by excellent
music, and Madame Fetissa was most charming in
her dancing.
The supper was served immediately on the ter-
mination of the ballet. The imperial table was laid
with 30 covers in the great hall of the Italian school,
which opens pn the grand staircase of the new Her -
mitage on the side of the Millionaia. The hall pre-
' seuted a wonderful appearance. In the centre was
the imperial table covered with its magnificent ser-
vice of silver gilt, and surrounded by four tables
loaded with splendid burdens of massive silver. The
light sparkled from lamps surmounting two giant
vases of malachite, and from wax-lights set in two
enormous jasper candelabra. It poured also from
the cornice, where glittered from the mirrored ceil-
ing a lustre shedding its brilliancy over the chefi-
d'ceuvre of Veronese, of Tintoretto, of Guido Reni,
Domenichino, Salvator Rosa, Caravaggio, and Carlo
Dolci. What a magic picture a skilful painter could
have made of the imperial supper in this hall, hung
with.chefs-d'aurre, and all glittering with treasures
wherever he could turn his gaze. In the neighbour-
ing halls—two of the Flemish school and one of the
Spanish—tables were also spread, and the same
brilliant
feli-
citously bright light shone. In all, covers were laid for 500.
Several bands were in attendance. The idea of
et heies, portion i t of
couldthe feitieotwahsaveeertai
beenn
certainly a
more
carried out. We live
e
in which it is difficult to hit upon
splendour or magnificence. The scene of anything new in
y
evening in the galleries of the Hermitage
y
rivalry, and the evening has been a fitting conclusion
of the series of fetes
son. It was half-past 1 • lien suppteor
olfl
alanEy r
daeagf
given by his Majesty the Em-
peror on the happy occasion of the marriage of his
displayed to the
ended. `When their Majestiesee‘enw
apartments a final picture fhad
magnificentreturned effect
g aestsretiring
bythe
etheira was
randstwaiar-s
case. This assemblage in festival dresses, descend-
ing the broad steps of this magnificent hall, where
the marble on all sides reflected the rays of number-
lea formed one of the most astounding and
magnificent vistas that could be imagined. The
guests of his Majesty thus departed, bearing with
them a last and truly enduring impression of the
imperial dwelling, in which the productions of art
had formed a magnificent surrounding for the
sumptuous display of imperial greatness.
Addresses and telegrams of congratulation have
been sent to their Imperial Highnesses the Czare-
witch and the Grand Duchas3 Maria Feodorowna,
on the occasion of their marriage, from 37 different
governments of the empire-,---from Astracan, Tobolsk,
Kherson, Moscow, St. Petersburg, &c. Their Im-
perial Highnesses have returned their cordial thanks
for these congratulAtions, which have been sent by
all classes in the empire.