The Sun.
London, England, 1859-02-24 00:00:00

CHRISTY'S MINSTRELS.

Paris is indebted of old to Mr. Mitchell for
several excellent things ; among them the repre-
sentation of English' tragedy by the celebrated
Macready, Miss Faucit, and a highly talented com-
pany ; then came the Choral Society from Germany,
whose part singing commanded general admiration ;
and afterwards he brought us Mrs. Butler (Fanny
Kemble), with her Shakspearean readings. With
these well-established claims on the attention of
the public, the crowd which attended the opening
performance of these minstrels on Monday night,
presented under the same auspices, was not to be
wondered at ; and it is satisfactory to state that
though in an entirely different, style—the robe
of classicality being here wholly thrown
aside—the fun, humour, and singular origina-
lity of the entertainments were attended with
complete success. The performers are Ameri-
cans representing Riggers, but have no further
claim to the character of that dingy race than they
derive from artificial colour and side-splitting imi-
tations of their dancing, singing, eccentricities, and
indescribable comicalities, which were received with
übounded laughter and applause. Their execution
of the negro melodies was capital, some of them
presenting a perfect model of old English glee-
singing, several voices in the troupe being admir
able, but we are not yet sufficiently acquainted
with the persons of the singers to particularise.
We can, however, name a Mr. Brown, who danced
an American jig in a most amusing and extraordi-
nary style ; but the entire entertainment, from its
originality, oddity, and burlesque humour, requires
to be seen to be appreciated. The soiree concluded
with a parody upon Jullien's London Concert,
which, though few of the spectators were ac
quainted with the original, was heartily laughed
at, and the crowded audience broke up with such
general expressions of satisfaction as to afford a
most promising presage Tor the future performances.
—Galignani's Messenger.

THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SIIN.

SIR,—It is with great pleasure lam enabled to
announce to you and the numerous friends of the
noble duke, that the late report of his grace's
decease has no foundation. From a letter I have
received this morning from his grace, who is in the
north of Scotland, I am informed by him that
although he has of late been indisposed, he is now
much better, and in a fair way of recovery.—l have
the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant,
HENRY SMITH, Solicitor to the Duke.
33, Norfolk-street, Strand, Feb. 23.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge will
leave his apartments at St. Tames's Palace, to occupy
Gloucester House, Piccadilly, bequeathed to his Royal
Highness by the late Duchess of Gloucester.
The Duke of Roxburghe has left the Clarendon
Hotel for Broxmouth Park, Dunbar, N.B.
The Marquis Grabielio has arrived at the Bruns-
wick Hotel.

The Earl and Countess Fitzwilliam have left

`own for Milton Park, Northamptonshire.

Mr. and Lady Edith Hastings have arrived at
Claridge's Hotel, from Wellesley Hall, Ashby-de-la-Zeuch,
Leicestershire.

Mr. and Mrs. Robertson and family have arrived
at Farrance's Hotel, from their seat, Netherseale Hall,
Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
" It is stated," says the Pattie, "that the day on which
the marriage of young M. de Rothschild took place with
Mdlle. d'Anspach, Baron James presented his daughter-in-
law with a small pocket-book covered with crimson velvet.
On the young lady opening it, she found inside an inscrip-
tion of rente of 50,000 fr. That sum,' said the Baron, is
quit e independent of the allowance which your husband
will give you each year for your toilette and private ex-
penses. This sum will serve for your charities, fancies, or
any use you choose to make of it
CONSECRATION OF THE BISHOP OF COLUMBIA.--
The consecration of the Bishop of Columbia took place this
day in Westminster Abbey. The service did not extend to
the same length when the Bishop of Calcutta was conse-
crated last year.
The death was announced yesterday morning of Mr.
Abel Smith, the head of the large London Banking firm of
Smith, Payne, and Smiths. Mr. Smith was in Parliament
for a period of between 30 and 40 years ; and during a con-
siderable
portion of the time sat for Hertfordshire, where
his loss will be greatly felt. His age was 71, and he had
lately retired from public life.
Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess
d'Aumale, Prances Countess of Waldegravo, and Lord and
1,a(1? Clarendon, visited the Adelphi Theatre last evening.
EW ADELPHI THEATRE.—Mr. Webster, with
his usual liberality, gave a dinner last evening at the Nell
Gwyne Tavern, to the ladies engaged as the box-keepers,
money and check takers. The large room of the above
tavern was tastefully decorated, and the dinner was placed
on the table in a most recherche manner, gratifying to the
eye and to the palate, and highly creditable to Mr. Little,
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by the ladies in a most enthusiastic manner. A high com-
pliment was paid to Mr. Webster, as being the originator
of a new occupation for ladies, and which they have ful-
filled, in the above theatre, to the entire satisfaction of the
P• üblic They have thus had the opportunity of being the
pioneers of a new system which must ere long be generally
adopted.