The Sun.
London, England, 1866-11-21 00:00:00

The Oxford.

Mr. Robert Fraser, " buffo-vocalist and come-
dian," from Glasgow, Dublin, and the provinces,
made his first appearance in London at the Oxford
on Monday in a musical, mimical, and humorous
entertainment, entitled " A Crop of Comicalities."
The new corner is a decided acquisition to the
Music Hall stage, for he is really what he calls
himself, and is in all respects a vast improvement
upon the dolorous and well-worn exhibitions coming
within the forced category of " comic singing."
Mr. Fraser, in face, person, and gait is like the late
Mr. Robson ; and, by rapid transition of action and
expression, produces unexpected effects, after the
manner of that lamented comedian. He is not so
much a close imitator of individual actors and singers
known to fame, as a sketcher of types of character,
from the Italian baritone in "Il Balen" to the
fluttering soprano of the drawing-room. His make-
up for a " heavy swell," mode of rendering a ballad,
and finely drawn out " Yaw-yaw" with a drawling
accent, and utter obliviousness to the presence of an
audience, might furnish hints even to a Lord Dun-
dreary. With a little pruning, or rather husbanding
of strength, which familiarity with London audi-
ences will suggest, these buffo assumptions will pro-
bably maintain their ground with anything now
before the public and upon any stage. Mr. Fraser
vindicated his claim to the much-abused name of
"comedian" by a clever delineation of a crusty old
gentleman, who sings a song in denunciation of
tyrant fashion, short weights and measures, and all
sorts of social abomination. In response to a third
call, Mr. Fraser proved that he could dance as well
as sing, circumnavigating the stage to a well-known
tune, and commenting on passing events and follies
the while. This new candidate for metropolitan
favour is likely to put our stock comic singers on
their metal, and severely test their versatility. One
crowning advantage which Mr. Fraser possesses
over some of his competitors is that he can be funny
without being slangy. There is not a tinge of
vulgarity about him, and with the Oxford audience
his success is unquestionable.

Dr. Mary E. Walker, the Ame: ican Female

Physician.

One of the largest assemblages ever witnessed at
St. James's Hall gathered together last evening to
hear this celebrated lady deliver a lecture " On the
Experiences of a Female Physician, in College, in
Private Practice, and in the Federal Army." It
was a strange announcement, but, like all strange
things, brought hundreds to hear the novelties
about to be disclosed, and to witness with their
eyes a lady physician who had studied in a medical
school, practised as a physician in her native coun-
try, and served with the Federal army during the
late unfortunate war. The general impression
must have been—as it certainly was ours—that in
personal appearance she was as tall as Hercules and
as strong Achilles—that,
in point of fact, she
was a perec as t hi
Amazonclles— int endurance and daring.
f A
Nothing of the kind. Dr. Mary E. Walker is a
young lady—we do not wish to guess what age—
of a singularly graceful deportment, and possessing
a handsome face, a slight figure, and an exceedingly
sweet and intelligent countenance. She was
attired in a tunic of the colour we call " rifle green,"
handsomely braided, and buckled across the waist
with a belt of leather ; on her left side she wore the
order of merit given by the American Government
for her late services to the army ; and the costume
was completed by trousers of the same colour as the
tunic, which reached to the instep. Her hair dis-
played no other ornaments than a few simple flowers,
which certainly showed off her personal appearance
to great advantage. The hall, as we have already
said; was crowded to excess, but the upper gallery
from an early hour in the evening was taken pos-
session of by a number of young men—some said
medical students, others Southerns—who were de-
termined to get up a " shindy," and did create a
great deal of noise. It was thought to be a settled
determination not to hear the lecturer, which created
a very painful impression among the audience gene-
rally ; first, because it was a gratuitous insult to a
lady ; and, secondly, that it betrayed a want of
kindness to a stranger, and hospitality to a
foreigner. Mr. Nimmo, the English Barnum,
here came forward in the midst of the tumult

—for tumult it had really become—and having
craved leave to say a few words was allowed
to proceed. He then informed the company that
the lady was determined to proceed with her
lecture, as she had been the cause of bring-
ing them together, but he begged to remind them
that she had been four months in an American
prison, and was now in consequence suffering from

ill-health ; and that she was a lady who wore an
order of merit given her by her own Government
for public services, and next that she was a lady
who claimed their courtesy and kindness. (Loud
cheers followed these few observations, and the
angry gods were silenced in a moment.) That
short speech would have at once assured her a hear-
ing ; but her appearance shortly, and the beauty and
grace of her person and movement, silenced all
opposition and clamour. She then proceeded with
her lecture, first on her experience in college, in
private practice, and in the Federal army, many
portions of which caused considerable laughter.
Her voice is sweet and harmonious, ithout any
great compass ; but her attitudes, especially in re-
citing lines of poetry, were a little beyond the
dignity of a lecture. It was also too long, having
acted nearly one hour and a half, and we would, in
the most friendly manner,
recommend her in future
to avoid politics, and especially any reference to
those irritating topics between the Northern and
Southern States, which, now that the war between
them is over, ought for ever to be buried in oblivion.

OLD AND FINE WINES.—One of the largest sales
of fine and old wines that we have for some time
seen is advertised to take place at Crosby Hall, Bishops-
gate-street to-morrow, at 11 for 12 o'clock. Tho winesaro
the property of Messrs. 11. B. Williams and Co., who are
removing to their now and more extensive premises in
Lime-street. The well-known firm of Debenharn, Towson,
and Farmer aro the auctioneers, whose name is a sufficient
guarantee of tho importance and genuineness of the sale.