The Sun.
London, England, 1859-02-09 00:00:00

Commence at Beven,

THEATRE-ROYAL, DRURY-LANE.
Lessee—Mr. E. T. Smith.
EVENING, OUR GAL. Mr. ina Mrs. Barney
Williams.
Followed by BARNEY THE BARON,
l'o conclude viith the new pantomime, ROBIN HOOD ;
Pr, -Harlequin Friar Tuck and the Merry Men of Sherwood
"rest.

OYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.
AI) 'Under the Management of Mr. Charles Kean.
/His EVENING will be performed the play of LOUIS XI.
Louis (King of Prance), by Mr. C. Kean.
After which, a new grand Christmas Pantomime, entitled
tIE KING OF THE CASTLE; or, Harlegrin P.ince
I);arnond and Princess Brig,hteyes.,

THEATRE-ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
Lessee, Mr. J. B. Bnckstone.
THIS EVENING, AN UNEQUAL MATCH. Miss Amy
Sedclwick, Mr. Buckstone, &c.
Alter which, a new grand Comic Pantomime, entitled
UNDINE; or, Harlequin and the Spirit of the Waters.
Commense at 7.

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.
Manager, Mr. Edmond Falconer.
THIS EVENING, will be performed EXTREMES ; or,
Men of the Day. Messrs. Emery, E. Falconer, Rogers, &c,
To be followed by the new Drama of THE SISTER'S
SACRIFICE. Messrs. Emery, Barret, and Rogers. Madame
Celeste, Mrs. Keeley, and Miss Julia St. George.
Reduced Prices—Dress Boxes, 4s. ; Upper Boxes, 35. ; Pit,
25. • Stalls, ss. ; Gallery, ls.
Box-office open from 11 to 5 daily. Doors open at half-past
l to commence at 7 every evening.

NEW THEATRE - ROYAL, ADELPHI.
Sole 'Proprietor and Manager, Mr. Benj. Webster.

THIS EVONING, the performance will eommence with
THE BIRTHTLACE OF PODGERS. Mr. J. L. Toole,
Mr. C. Selby, Mr:. Billington, Miss Kelly.
To be followed by THE LAST OF THE PIGTAILS.
Mr. C. Selby. Mr. J. L. Toole, C. J. Smith, Mrs. Chatterley,
Miss Henrietta
After which, GOOD FOR NOTHING. Messrs. J. L. Toole,
Killington, Eburne, and Miss Woolgar.
To conclude with the ;'rand Christmas Pantomime, entitled
MOTHER RED CAP or, Harlequin Johnny. Gilpin's Ride
fo Edmonton. Clown, Mr. Croueste ; Harlequin, Mr. liilde-
beand ; Colurnbing;Miss IT.lyman ; Pantaloon, Mr. Lupino
Sprite. Mr. Le Barr.
Doors open at half-past i.x7Commence at seven.

RO'YAL- STRAIqD THEATRE,
Lessee and Directress, Niiss Swanboronzh
THIS EVENING, THE BONN..TE FISH WIFE.
After which, the new Extravaf.ranza, KENILWORTH ; or
Ye Queene. ye Earle, and ye Maydenne.
And THE LITTLE SAVAGE.
Commence at 7 o'clock..

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE,
Westminster-road.

Lessee and Manager Mr. William Cooke.
Crowded Houses Nightly.
Another high'y attractive and successful Drama.

THIS EVENING, and during the week, the grand 4ec-
tacle of THE GIPSY GIRL OF MADRID; or, The Edict
of Spain.

After which, the inimitable SCENES IN THE CIRCLE,
Introducing Mr. Wm. Cooke's beautiful and highly-trained
paifries and ponies, and the Starßiders of Europe.
Te conclude with the great Operatic and Burlesque Eques-
trian Pantomime, ..nititled HARLEQUIN BARON MUN-
CHAUSEN, AND HIS COMICAL CREAM COB
CRUISER. Baron Munchausen, Mr. W. Anson ; Harlequin,
Mr. IL Hemmings ; Pantaloon, Mr. Morley ;1 Clown, Mr. A.
F. Forrest, the Grimaldi of the day ; Columbine, Miss Julia
Weston.. Brilliant and unsurpassable Transformation Scene,
with dazzling effects of Colour and Fire. Gorgeous Scenery,
and every incident in bustling reality, from Regent-street to-
the "New Palace for the People, at Muswell Hill,"
Dress Circle, 4s. ; Boxes, 3s. ; Pit, 2s, ; Gallery, is. ; Upper
Gallery, 6d.
Stage Manager, Mr. R. Phillips.

CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road.—
Proprietor --C. MORTON.
The public is most respectfully informed that the FINE
ARTS GALLERY, in connection with the above Hall, IS NOW
OPEN DAY AND NIGHT, from 11 o'clock a.m. until 12
o'clock p.m. The New Gallery contains an extensive Collec-
tion of Pictures, by Ancient and Modern Masters and is also
devoted to Art productions generally. The Proprietor feels
he may confidently assert that, viewed altogether, the exist-
no• Music Hall, the New Fine Arts Gallery, and the recently
dded Ante-Hall, will present an attraction which, whether
s regards the architectural beauty of the structures them-
selves, or the varied and hitherto unattempted combinations
within, will be found to be wholly without parallel in the
Kinr,dom.

The MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT COlllmelaCes as usual at
Seven o'clock.

In addition to the usual entertainment, the SAUVLET
FAMILY, of Amsterdam, Eight in number, whose varied
instrumental performances have created so marked a sensa-
tion in the principal cities and towns of the Continent, silt
perform every Evening at Nine and Eleven o'clock.

THE WEATHER.--SUN OFFICE, FEB. 9.

THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
47—highest since noon yesterday.
47—lowest this morning and during the night.
48—this day at noon.

BAROMET zn-29.48.
WEin, S.W. ; fresh, with rain, and dirty weather.

Our hopes have been fully realised in regard to
the harmonising of the conflicting interests of the
National Gallery and the Royal Acadenty. Our
confidence in the satisfactory settlement of this
long-pending difficulty by the combined decision
and discretion of Her MAJESTY'S Government has
been justified to the full. Nothing could well be'
more gratifying than the whole of the admirably
lucid statement given upon this matter last even-
ing to the House of Commons by the Right
Honourable Gentleman the Chancellor of the
Exchequer. As Mr. DISRAELI was the first.
Minister of the Crown to kindle in the popular
mind a distinct and sanguine expectation of a
new palace of art—a gallery in every respect
worthy of containing en permanence the art trea-
sures of the United Kingdom—so it was but fitting
that he of all men should have been the one (as the
event happily proved yesterday) to gratify the com-
munity at last with the explicit announcement
that the obstacles hitherto intervening between
us and the realisation of that golden hope
have now really been at length removed alto-
gether The explanation given yesterday
by the leader of the House of Commons, in answer
to the inquiry addressed to him by Sir H. WIL-
LOUGHBY, cannot by any posiibility fail to give to
every reasonable mind the most complete satisfac
tion.

The arrangement which has now been de-
finitively made reflects the highest credit at once
upon the Royal Academy and upon the Goiern-
ment. Hitherto the former distinguished body, as
we all know, has found shelter for itself under the
roof-tree of one or other of the great public
buildings. It first of all had a home in Somerset
House. It has latterly for many years past occu-
pied an entire moiety of the so-called National
Gallery, in Trafalgar-square. Custom, in this
way, might perhaps, not unreasonably, be pre-
sumed to have given it a certain claim upon the

national consideration. But the habit in re-
gard to the past gave it, unquestionably,
no right in regard to the future. The
Royal Academy found welcome year after
year within walls not belonging to itself, but to the
country at large—but it remained there all the
while, so to speak, simply on sufferance. The
national collections of pictures all the while were
becoming year afterycar more and more numerous.
The National Gallery, even if entirely devoted to
its original design, that of affording the paintings
'belonging to this country a collective conserva-
tion Would have been found altogether inadequate
for that
purpose. Within the compas2 of the last
ten
Sears
theincrease in the number of national
art treasures has been progressing by wholesale.
Munificent Patrons of art have bequeathed entire
collections to the nation in perpetuity. Mr. VER-
NON was the tii,st to
set the example of this
princely munificence. Mr,
productiuoilti:Eß, on dying,
left the unrivalled.
rare genius to the country of his own
that
tended thus directly to enrich genius hadas well as in- 1
directly to adorn. Air. STIEEPSITA K, waited not
N s
for death, but enjoyed the noble satisfaction during
his own lifetime of witnessing the transfer o
fhi;
superb gallery to the nation, of whose art it will
afford henceforth so very admirable and compre-
hensive an illustration. Scarcely was the national

property in pictures of rare value thus enhanced,
when the kindred enterprise recently inaugurated
in a private house down at Westminster, was set
on foot under the congenial presidency of the
accomplished Earl STANHOPE—the project of the,
National Portrait Gallery—a' Gallery of the Por-
traits of Great British Worthies, Poets, Warriors,
Orators, Actors, Artists, Statesmen, Philosophers,
Philanthropists. The unsightly structure look-
ing down upon " the finest site in Europe," upon
the fountains and the NELSON statue, and the
equestrian figures of Kings GEORGE and CHARLES,
and the vast colossal form of the slightly-built, but
terrible conqueror of Scinde, and the squat sic sede-
bat statue of JENNER beside him—that wretched
structure ,surmounted with vinegar-cruits and
pepper_cast,,,,,,,,„_,,, freed from occupancy by the
Royal Academy, had become incapable of contain-
ing conveniently anything like the whole of the
national collection. The time had obviously arrived
for the removal of the Royal Academy from its
precincts, preparatory to the enlarging of the site
of the present edifice and the rebuilding of it from
its very foundations. Hence the general feeling
alluded to by Mr. DISRAELI last night, " that the
Government should attempt to cut the Gordian
knot and bring the question [at last] to a settle-
ment." We will let the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer now speak for himself. "I undertook,"
said the Right Hon. Gentleman, " on the part of
the GoN:Oment, in deference to the feeling of the
house to obtain that result, and I have the pleasure
of informing the house that I have succeeded in
accomplishing that which appeared to be the gene-
ral wish of the 4ountry. The whole of the building
in Trafalgar-square will speedily be entirely de-
voted to the National Gallery. (Cheers.)" No
wonder the statement was received with cheering.:
It is precisely the one we have so long waited to
hear from the lips of one speaking authoritatively
on the part of her MAJESTY'S Government. But
the sequel is especially deserving of note, relat-
ing, as it does, the manner in which this long-
looked-for conclusion was thus happily arrived
at. " I was so anxious," said Mr. DISRAELI,
" on the part of the Government to bring
this long-vexed question to a satisfactory settle-
ment, that I was prepared to offer to the Royal
Academy terms which were conceived in a liberal
spL"it. We are prepared to recommend her MAJESTY
to grant them a site,. and I may say we are pre-
pared oven now to recommend this House
to vote a sum of money to raise that build-
ing. But the Royal Academy, animated by
a spirit which the House will appreciate, and
which is worthy of that distinguished body, eon-
sidered that if the academy were built by public
funds, their independence would be compromised;
and, being in possession of sufficient property them-
selves, they announced their determination to raise
the building for themselves. Having had a resi-
dence furnished, if not granted, by the Crown
' originally, and enjoyed so long, the Royal Academy
did not consider that in accepting the offer of a site
their independence would be at all compromised."
That site, it appears, is to be part of the ground
around Burlington House—the interior of the
future building there to be left to the disposition of
the Academy, and the exterior, if necessary,
to be subordinated to the design of the
Government. As to the mysterious gallery
in course of erection down at South Kensington,
that, happily, proves to be merely a temporary
home for the safe keeping of the VERNON and
TURNER Galleries, together with the SHEEP-
SHANKS' Collection, already there in its propin-
quity. MarlborOugh House being required imme-
diately for, the futUre residence of his Itoyalj
Highness the Prince of WALEs—and the present
National Gallery, even when vacated by the Royal
Academy, not being available for the concentration
of the national collection within its walls un

after the period of its final and comprehensive re-
construction. Nothing, indeed—we must perforce
here repeat—could have been in every way
more satisfactory than the explanation as to the
rival interests of the National Gallery and the
Royal Academy, given to the House of Commons
last evening, with admirable lucidity, by the right
hon. gentleman (who must henceforth be grate-
fully regarded as the re-organiser of the National
Gallery) her Majesty's Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer.

Are we to have peace or war P That is the great,
'the momentous question which disturbs Europe, and
occasions a downward movement in the public
funds of every nation. A satisfactory assurance
would, even at this moment, lead to general pro-
sperity ; but notwithstanding the affectation of can-
dour, there is still a reserve perceptible in the Im-
perial Speech, which induced the Parisians—who
should be the best judges—to accept it " cum gruno
salis," and which has unquestionably preventeVt
from having the desired effect of bringing up stocks
and funds to the peace level, when the index of the
political barometer could point to " set fair."
We want deeds, not words. And if the EMPE-
ROR would relinquish the preparations for war
that have excited other nations, it would have
much greater efficacy than any language, however
conciliatory, that could be adopted. The alliance
with England may be spoken of in high terms, but
it would have been much better if England had been

spared the necessity of strengthening her navy,

and maintaining at a heavy outlay the position
which it is not only an imperative duty but. a
decided resolution to maintain. Britannia will
still rule the waves, and whenever she shall abdi-
cate her maritime sovereignty, it will require no
extraordinary powers of vaticination to predict her
speedy decline and fall.
The EMPEROR is particularly sweet on all the
ewers with ,whom he is in communicatiop
save Austria. FRANCIS JOSEPH 18 the. black
sheep who is to. be expelled the flock, and who
may be " hit hard in the absence of any friends."
The reorganisation of 'the Danubian Principalities.
is the pretext adopted, but it is manifest that is
not the real difficulty. There would in such case
be no necessity for " drawing closer to Piedmont,
v'tbiethhellaFnarbeeeenh
policy
s devotedo
during peace." Surely
Sardinia cares but little about the Danubian
It is the Lombardo-Venetian
kingdom, with perhaps some slight aspirations
after the States of the Church, that VICTOR EM-
MANUEL is looking. Ile would have no objection
to become a " lay Pope," and to become the Mon-
arch of United Italy. But that object cannot be
quite so easily obtained as it might have been ten
years since but for the interference of French and
Austrian bayonets.

He now reproaches Austria, speaks of the
great spirit of conciliation " required to succeed in
solving questions of principle; the “dra,,ing,
closer " to Piedmont, in the notorious state
of its relations with Austria, proves beyond the

possibility of doubt or difficulty that France is pre-
pared to enter the field at any moment, and to take
the initiative against Austria. It will not be very
difficult to find a point whereon to dispute. There
are open questions that will furnish any bellicose
nation with abundant excuses. Indeed, there are
always standing topics that might be made pre-
texts for hostilities, that require what the EMPEROR
terms a great spirit of conciliation" to keep in re-

erve, but which may at auy moment be resorted
to by the party anxious to commence hostilities.

The EMPEROR himself has been astonished at the
uneasy feeling, " vague anxiety, and hollow agita-
tion" that has disturbed France. He is grieved
rather than surprised, in consequence of society
having been shattered by so many revolutions, but
he wishes to reassure these timid parties, and to
show that the peace and tranquillity of Europe
will be preserved, notwithstanding his bellicose
demonstrations. Some may invoke war with
all their hearts, without legitimate reasons—
others may amuse themselves by showing _to
France the dangers of a " new coalition," he will re-
mainfirm, and peace, he hopes, will not be disturbed.
This great, this all-important question, depends
on his mysterious will. He can " cry havoc, and
let slip the dogs of war," if he thinks proper
so to do. He can preserve the peace
and tranquillity of Europe, and promote
the prosperity of trade and commerce. A gretit
:•esponsibility rests upon him, but, as we have
already stated, " acta non verba" should be his
motto. He should, by relinquishing warlike pre-
parations, prove that he was resolved to preserve
peace, and then his professions would be univer-
versally credited, and other nations would
be enabled to spare expenses, now very onerous
to their respective exchequers.

An announcement which will be found in ano-
ther part of our impression of this evening explains
the nature of a very interesting enterprise of a
philanthropic character, which has within the last
few days been inaugurated under the happiest
auspices. We allude to the Public Readings now
taking place night after night in various parts of
the metropolis, in our different school-rooms, public
halls, and mechanics' institutions.' The project,
originally set on foot by EDWARD W. Cox and
CHARLES J. PLUMPTRE, Esquires, both of
the Temple, has been brought into effective
operation by the cordial sympathy and energetic co-
operation of other gentlemen following the track
marked out by their own generous zeal and intelli-
gent perseverance. The first of these public read-
ings took place on Monday evening in Crosby Hall,
Bishopsgate-street Within, when the two able origi-
nators of the enterprise were signally aided by the
Revs. J. M. BELLEW and W. H. BROOKFIELD. Last
evening, at the second reading in the school-room
of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, Charing Cross, those
assembled there proved themselves(bytheir alternate
silence and laughter) to be attentive and delighted
listeners to_ Mr. PLUMPTRE'S admirable reading of
BULWER'S humorous apologue of the Wooing of
the Fox. Subsequently to which they listened
with no less _eager attention to Mr. Cox's charm-
ingly pathetic declamation in the delivery of
CAMPBELL'S Exile of Erin—and (to close the whole
performance effectively) were convulsed with
laughter by the nasal unction with which the Rev.
ALEXANDER WATSON read a few of Sam Slick's
notions upon soft sawder and human natur'.
The admission charge to these public readings
—(viz., what MONTAGUE TIGG would call " the
ridiculously small amount" of One Penny)—will,

we do sincerely believe, render them efficient and
eventually, we hope, triumphant rivals to those
dens of abomination—the penny gaffs—still fester-
ing, like plague spots, in various parts of our
metropolis.

ELECTORAL MAP OF ENGLAND.
BY JAMES WYLD.

Another admirable map of the electoral districts
of England and Wales, by her Majesty's Geo-
grapher. It reveals with perfect lucidity at onoe
—the state of the representation before the Reform
Bill of 1832—as amended by the Reform Bill of
1832—and as proposed by the correspondent of the
Times newspaper, whoever that mysterious per-
sOnage may be. The boroughs wholly disfran-
chised, disfranchised of one member—the places
marked down to return additional members—those
to return members not now represented in Parlia-
ment—the counties and divisions of counties—the
boroughs in which no change whatever is proposed
—all these are distinguished one from the other
with equal exactitude. Besides which there is an
immense map of the Metropolitan Boroughs—
including among them the future boroughs of
Chelsea and Kensington. The publication is emi-
nently acceptable, and will, we doubt not, be
received as such by hundreds both within and
without the walls of Parliament.

ROUTLEDGE'S NEW ILLUSTRATED
NATURAL HISTORY.
EDITED BY THE REV. J. G. WOOD, F.L.S.

The want of a comprehensive and, at the same
time, accurate work on the natural history of the
animal kingdom has long been felt. The taste for
natural history becomes developed in an increasing
ratio by the extension of our colonies and our com-
merce. There is scarcely a cottage in the British
dominions where the desire to know something
about God's creatures in strange lands is not fos-
tered by some present from the emigrant, the
soldier, or the sailor of the family. We are,
therefore, glad to see an announcement of a new
Natural History, which will embrace the most
remarkable varieties of the animal kingdom, from
the gigantic elephant to the minute manufacturer
of the coral reef, and which is intended to instruct
both the eye and the imagination of the reader.
The graphic pen of the Rev. J. G. Wood, already
so popular for his lifelike descriptions of animal
life, and his " Common Objects of the Country and
Sea Shore," is a guarantee that his " Illustrated
Natural History," while securingscientific accuracy,
will possess that charm, of a vivid delineation of
the habits of the creatures described, which will
render his undertaking as amusing as it will be
instructive. In order to bring this work within
the reach of every one, it is intended to issue it in
Sliillinq Monthly Parts, each containing forty-eight
pages of letterpress and thirty illustrations from
designs by Wolf, Harrison Weir, Harvey, Coleman,
&. ; and we have no doubt that whoever sees the
specimen number, which may be seen at any
bookseller's, will thank us foridrawing attention to
this book.

letter from Berlin of the stli states fliai the
Princess Frederick William is going on so favourably that
no, further bulletins will be published.

The Prince Wladimir Bariatinsky and M. Rosch.
kouski have left the Clarendon for Paris. •

- His Excellency the United States Minister enter-
tained at dinner, on Monday last, Lord Lyons (the newly-
appointed Envoy to Washington), the Brazilian Minister,
the Svedish Minister, the Danish Minister, Mr. Seymour
Fitzgerald, M.P., Mr. Thomas Baring, M.P., Mr. Thomson
Hankey, M.P., Lieut.-Col. Scarlett, &c.

The Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and
family are expected at their new mansion in St. lames's-
square, from Blenheim, early in the ensuing month.

The Duke and Duchess of Wellington have re-
turned to Apsley House, from Strathfieldsaye.
The Marquis of Bristol has arrived at his resi-
dence in St. James's-square, from lelovorth Park, Suffolk.
The Earl and Countess of Craven and family
have arrived at their mansion in Charles-street, from Ash-
down Park.

Viscount and Viscountess Grey de Wilton arrived
in town on Monday, from visiting the Earl and Countess
of Craven at Ashdown Park, Berks.

Viscount Clifden has left town to pass a few
weeks in Paris.

Lady Dover and the Hon. Mrs. Coke come to
town to-morrow from staying with the Right Hon. Henry
and Lady Mary Labouehere at Stoke Park, near Windsor.
The Hon. Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Pierrepont will
arrive at Claridge's Hotel to-day from Evenley Hall,
Brackley.

Sir Robert Gerard has arrived at the Clarendon,
front Garswoocl, near Warrington.
We have to announce the death of Sir Chaloner
Ogle, Bart., son of the late Sir Charles Ogle, Admiral of
the Fleet, which took place at Brussels on the 3d inst. He
is succeeded in his title by his eldest son Magendie, who is
in his 16th year.

The Earl of Ripon is likely to take his seat in
the House of Lords on Thursday or Friday of this week;
and the
same writ for the West Ruling will probably be issued
ohe evening.

_ ....
i'r'
r - 0,%1.C.11..‘,.
.....--, It ~,, _
..,-- -
bi-
iIC If 4. . ''-iinotr
' r- -
......

THE SUN.
WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 9, 1859.