The Sun.
London, England, 1835-12-07 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY, DECEMBER: 7, 1835.

THE ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.

What cannot the well-directed energies of man achieve ?
Edifices that would have cost our ancestors years of labour
to accomplish, now rise, as if by magic, in as many months
or weeks. The majority of our existing theatres, a few in-
stances of which we will adduce, are evidences of the truth
of this remark. Covent Garden, plicenix-like, arose from
its ashes in ten months ; Drury Lane was completed within
twelve ; the English Opera in 4 ; and the St. James's Thea-
tre, which we are about to describe, has arisen, under the
skilful superintendence of Mr. Beazley—the architect, who
directed the latter, and the same eminent builders, Messrs.
Grissell and Peto, who erected it—in the incredibly short
space of 13 weeks, six days of which were so wet as entirely
to suspend the works.
Mr. Braham, to whose spirit of enterprise the public are
indebted for this new theatrical speculation, having through
the gracious favour of the King, obtained a license, pur-
chased at an expense of 8,0001. the freehold in Kino•-street,
St. James's-square, on which formerly stood the old Nerot's
Hotel, resolving on its site to erect the present elegant
and costly pile, by which not only has an eye-sore from this
place of fashionable resort been removed, but in its stead
another architectural ornament has been added to the Bri-
tish metropolis.
The facade, which immediately faces Duke-street, is of
the pure Roman architecture of the middle ages ; and,
though not very extensive, will present, when completed, an
extremely chaste and elegant appearance. The portico is
composed of six lonic columns, with angular volutes fully
enriched, supporting a stone balustrade ; behind which,
and sustaining the main cornice of the front, is a range of
Corinthian columns, with richly-embellished entablature of
the same order. The centre of the building is appropriated
to the box-entrance, whilst at the extremities, right and
left, are commodious approaches to the pit and gallery. The
box visitors are admitted through the portico into a small
entrance hall, leading by a handsome flight of stone steps
into a compact vestibule adjoining the dress circle, from
whence two circular stone staircases ascend to the upper
boxes and saloon, which is in front of the building, looking
into King-street. Owing to the lateness of the season, the
front will not be stuccoed, nor will the various entrances be
finished off, until the approaching spring—till when, they
will be temporarily fitted up with draperies. When com-
pleted, it is intended that the entrance-hall, the ceiling of
which is coved, shall be supported on either side by four
imitative marble columns, between which, in niches, are to
be placed six figures from the antique.
The interior, which is something less in size than the
English Opera-house, comprises two tiers of boxes under
the gallery, with what are known as " slips" on each side of
it. The dress-circle, consisting of sixteen boxes, is kept
consideiably lower than in any other theatre, so as to place
the spectator as near with the level of the stage as possible.
To effect this, the back part of the pit has been sacrificed,
the space under the boxes affording only standing instead
of sitting room. On each side of the pit nearest the stage,
are two compact private boxes, which command a perfect
view of the performances, and behind it is a saloon for re-
freshments. The gallery is so constructed as to admit of
the stage being seen from every part—a desideratum not ob-
tained in other theatres.

The lobbies, running entirely round the theatre, are
formed of stone landings and brick walls, so as to prevent
the possibility of danger from fire, and the staircases every
where in the public department, are' of stone. The walls
and timber would " laugh a siege to scorn," being of un-
usual strength and thickness, further secured by iron chain
ties, which have been worked in the centre of all the walls,
at intervals, from the bottom upwards, so as to strengthen
them during the hardening of the mortar ; and we are gra-

tified to add, that during the successful execution of this
rapid task, not an accident of any kind has occurred.
The decorations, executed under the direction of Messrs.
Crace and Son, of Wigmore-street, after the beautiful style
of Louis Quatorze, are of the most splendid and costly de-
scription, and are; as regards theatres, unique.
The ceiling, encircled by a carved cornice, on which rest
six groups of children in bass relief, is composed of rich
spreading foliage, branching out from the centre into six en-
riched panels, from which are suspended richly carved swags
and drops of fruit and flowers. The ceiling terminates in a
cove formed into twelve arches, in the spandrils of which
are paintings of Sylph-like figures, emblematical of music,
and is supported by Caryatides on gilded plinths. • •
The gallery front is arranged in a series of panels in a
form peculiar to the style . adopted, intersected by circular
ones formed of twining palm, in which are paintings of chil-
dren, playing on various instruments, symbolical of the pur-
pose to which the theatre is principally devoted.
Tile first circle is also arranged in a sefics of panels, but
varying much in their form from the above, being much
richer and flowing in their outline. These contain highly-
finished paintings, after the manner of Watteau, relating
to the origin of the Italian drama and pantomime, and be-
tween them are smaller panels of gilt trellis work. Over this
circle is a carved canopy, supported by eight highly-orna-
mented pilasters.
The front of the dress circle, which is formed with a bold
swell, is embellished with a carved foliage in high relief, and
of most tasteful design, on which the light, awing to its pe-
culiar form, will strike with great splendour. This circle
has also its canopy and pilasters, but more splendid ; from
the latter spring handsome girandoles, each bearing three
wax-lights, in addition to a magnificent central chandelier.
The proscenium is quite novel in its decoration, having
no drapery at top, but a richly carved undulating line in-
stead. In the three arches above the stage, which form
part of the 12 we have described as belonging to the ceiling,
are introduced three beautifully executed paintings. That
in the centre represents a medallion of the Royal arms, from
which children surrounding it are raising a crimson drapery,
whilst those on its left and right are symbolical of Comedy
and Music, also personated by children ; these are enclosed
in rich frame work, which well harmonise with the general
design. The lower part of the proscenium consists of a rich
entablature, ornamented with trusses and swags of flowers,
supported by fluted columns, with intersecting enrichments
and splendid gilt capitals resting on richly carved pedestals.
A foliage of palm, terminating against the entablature, is
the decoration of the upper box—the lower one is formed
by a richly carved canopy. The box front is a trellis panel,
containing a mask surrounded by rich foliage, with frill and
shell-work in burnished gold. The whole of these splendid
ornaments on a white ground, which is the prevailing colour
of the interior, must strike every spectator as having a most
chase and pleasing effect. The interior of the boxes is a rich
crimson.

Complete as is the audience part of the St. James's
Theatre, no less so are the arrangements for the stage and
scenic departments. Besides a very extensive stage, which
possesses every modern improvement for producing the
many effects which it is now thought essential to introduce
into the performances, arc excellent painting-rooms, with
an adjoining building, six stories in height, containing dres-
sing and green rooms, at the top of which is a tank of water
for fire services.

An extensive collection of beautiful scenery has been
prepared by Messrs. Tomkius, Hillyard, Marinari, &c. A
very costly and excellent wardrobe has also been provided,
so that in every respect but the approaches the opening
might have been effected, as promised, this evening. But
we think Mr. Braham has acted very wisely in deferring it
for another week, by which time it will be, in every respect,
prepared for the reception of the public. The announced
performances are all new, consisting of a grand Opera, the
music by Mrs. G. :t Beckett, in which Mr. Braham, and
Miss P. Horton, will appear ; an Interlude and a Farce,
in which, besides restoring seine old favourites, many
dAuts• are to be' made. Mr. Mitchell, who is appointed
stage manager, is indefatigable in his attention to the drill,
as also to all other matters connected with so arduous an
undertaking.

. LITERARY AND SCIEN FIFIC MEETINGS.
To-Moaaow. Medical and Chirurgical .. i p. 8, r.M.
Medico-Botanical... 8 r.M.
Zoological Society 1 p. 8, r. 31.
Society of Arts 8 r. M.
WEDNEsDAY. Society of Arts 1, p. 7, T.M.
Literary Fund Committee .. 3 r.M.
Society of Antiquaries B, F.M.
Royal Society of Literature 4, F.M.
Royal Society ll, r. M.
Royal Astronomical Society B, F.M.
Royal Academy B, r.M.

THURSDAY.

FRIDAY.

BRISTOL AND EXETER RAILWAY.—We are
authorized to state that the plan, section, and book of re-
ference for the whole line of this important undertaking
(74 miles) were deposited on Monday last, the 30th of No-
vember, with the different Clerks of the Peace in Bristol
and Exeter, and the cc-antics of Devon and Somerset, as
required by the standing orders of the House of Commons,
and that the Company are therefore now prepared to apply
for the Act in the ensuing_ Session of Parliament.
THE EAST INDIA COMPANY'S DECEMBER TEA
SALE.—The Company's sale of 4,000,0001b5. of tea termi-
nated on Friday afternoon, and we now furnish our readers
with its result. Of the 800,0001bs. of Bohea offered, 620
chests were refused, and the quantity sold went about 2d.
per lb. below the last sale by the Company. Of the
2,500,0001b5. of Congou, Souchong, and Pekoe, 9,782
chests were refused, and the remainder sold at from 2d. to
3d. advance on the last Company's sale. Of the 600,0001b5.
of Twankay and Hyson skin, 35 chests were refused, and
the rest sold at advanced prices on last sale. The
100,0001bs. of Hyson Tea were all sold at 2d. to 3d. _ad-
vance on the last September sale. The total quantity of
Teas refused, chiefly of the lower descriptions, and such as
had been before put up and rejected, was about 900,0001b5.,
or nearly one-fourth of the sale.
LONGEVITY.—In the Rev. Mr. Anderson's chapel,
Buchan-street, Gorbals, last Sunday, the names of two
women were read aloud, to be remembered in
the prayers
of the congregation, the ono aged eigh.)-nine, and the
other ninety-004040k Times.

D U 'it AND GERMAN PAPERS.

Tuc HAour, Dr.c. 2.—ln the sitting of the Second
Chamber to day, a Royal Mesvge was deliverei, with a
project of law relative to the levy of the National Militia
for 1836. A report was made by the central section on the
project of laW for reducing the land tax on manufactories
and mills. The debate was fixed for Saturday. The
Order of the Day was the dchatc on the project. of law for
providing for the full payment of the interest of the national
debt, due at the end of December, 1835.
M. Rornma thought that the Dutch Government would
be considered as bound to pay the Belgian share of the in-
terest of the national debt ; this payment is extremely bur-
densome and injurious to Holland, and he declared his
intention of voting against the law. Messrs. Sar, Busman,
de Bordes, and Quintus thought that Holland was bound to
Pay the whole interest till an actual separation of the two
parts of the kingdom of the Netherlands had been effected,
and that the refusal to pay would seriously injure public
credit.

M. Luyben complained of the heavy burdens which the
Dutch people have to bear, and thought it quite indefen-
sible under the present circumstances to impose on the
people the payment of interest which it does not owe.
He earnestly insisted on the termination of the differences
with Belgium. •
M. Van Dam Van Isselt did not conceive Holland bound
to pay the Belgian share of the interest. By following its
present course, the kingdom he thought was approaching
to inevitable bankruptcy. He concluded with the decla-
ration that he should vote against this and all other laws
relative to the present extraordinary state of things, till he
should be convinced that the Dutch Government does
every thing possible to put an end to the differences with
BelgiuM.
Messrs. Luzac and Donker Carturs acknowledged the
payment as a great burden, thought it ought. to be made,
and that to refuse it would he more disastrous, by injuring
the public credit ; and that it would lead rather to retard
than to accelerate a final arrangement.
M. Van Nes spoke against the payment ; Messrs. Bee-
Lifts de Jonge, Van Alphen and Treli in favour of the law,
which was then defended by the Ministers of Finance, and
being put to the vote, was adopted by a majority of 39
to 12.

TIIE HAGUE, DEC. I.—The two battalions of grena-
diers arrived here to-day, coming last from Rotterdam.
Their Royal Highnesses Princes Frederick, William, and
Alexander, went to meet them, and the two last of the
young Princes put themselves at the held of the battalion
to which they belong. The inhabitants were overjoyed at
witnessing the return of these brave men, who left us five
years ago.
AMSTERDAM,- DEC. 3.—His Majesty has been pleased
to grant a patent of nobility to Lieutenant-General Dibbits,
Governor of the Fortress of Maestricht, with the title
of Baron, to himself and legitimate descendants.
The bad state of the coinage in our kingdom, having
been noticed in the section of.the Second Chamber, the
Government has answered, that it was fully sensible of the
importance of these observations, and that, but for the un-
fortunate troubles in the southern provinces, measures would
already have been taken to remedy the evil, but the Go-
vernment would pursue the subject as soon as possible.
BERLIN, Nov. 25.—With regard to a report lately men-
tioned in some journals, that the Poles still remaining in
Prussia had received orders to quit the province, all that
is true is, that several of them have received permission to
return to their own country, and have profited by the per-
mission.

VIENNA, Nov. 23.—(From a letter in the Swabian
Mercury.)—Accounts received here by way of Trieste say
that the Commanders of the English and French squa-
drons, in the Greek seas, had received an application from
the Government at Athens to be prepared, in case the
Government should be in need of their assistance.

COBLENTZ, Nov. 30.--Since 1815, when the wolves
appeared in droves in this neighbourhood, we have not seen
so many and so near the city as this year. Noting, how-
ever, seems to be done to get rid of them, though the mis-
chief done by them has been often made known. They
perambulate the fields unmolested in broad day-light, and
it is very lucky we have walls to our city, otherwise they
would certainly visit us in Coblentz.
FRANKFORT, DEC. 2.—Exchange on London, 151,i ; two
months, 1514.--Frankfort Papers, Dec. 3.
BRUSSELS, DEC. s.—The Count de Baillet, appointed
Envoy Extraordinary, and Minister Plenipotentiary to the
Court of Berlin, will leave Brussels this evening to repair
to his post. The day before yesterday the Court of
Assizes passed sentence of death on Maryanne Herman,
aged twenty-three years, for infanticide.
In the Chamber of Representatives yesterday a petition
was presented by some distillers of Genappe and Brussels
against some part of the budget of ways and means, pre-
sented by the Minister of Finance.
The Chamber has proceeded as far as article 9 in the
discussion of the project of law on the import duty on
cattle. When the whole law is passed, we shall give it
entire.

VIENNA, DEC. 24.—His Majesty, the King of Bavaria,
travelling incog, under the title of the Count of Augsburg,
arrived here yesterday evening, and set out again this
morning on the journey to Ancona, by way of Terrara.
VIENNA, Nov. 27.—Five per cents, 1011 ; Four per
cents 998 ; Bank Shares, I,379.—Allgoneine Zeitung,
Dec. 2.

BELGIAN FUNDS.—Bausms, Dee. 5.
Actual Debt, 214 per Cent,
Rothschild's Loan, Five per Cent l3l
Loan of City, 1532, Four par Cent W
Society of C6mmerce. Four and a Half per Cent 135
Bank of Belgium, Five per Cent II3IA
—Brussels Papers, Dec. 6.
DUICII FUNDS—AusTgansm, Dec. 4.
Money. Bills.
Actuzl Debt, 214 per Cent. 5414 (54
Loan (1630) 5 per cent.
A mort,. Syndic, 414 per cent 94,4 1)5'4
Ditto„ ditto, 3,4 per cent. 7-% -, 94i
Commercial Company, 4 b per c, nt. 1•23!4 12114
Ditto (le-3.2 and 1833) 5 per cent.
Exchange on London, One month • 12 2514.
Two months
—Dutch Papers, Dec. 6.

--
The following almost miraculous escape occurred
lately in one of the coal districts in France. A young man
was standing at the mouth of a pit, when his foot slipped,
and he fell down a shaft upwards of 50 yards deep, and
those who were around were stupified with affright ; but
even greater was their astonishment when in a few moments
they heard him crying out that he was not hurt, but had
been whirled about and borne up by the current of air that
ascended from below. Another curious and opportune
cause of his salvation was his alighting upon a basket full
of coals which was being drawn up, and to which he clung
when at
,about twenty yards down, and was thus brought
back safe to the surface in about two minutes.

PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE.-011 Friday morning,
between six and seven o'clock, the roof and a portion of the
front wall of the premises occupied by Oswald Allen, Esq.,
in St. Saviour-gate, fell with a tremendous crash into the
street, owing to their state of decay. The noise caused
great alarm in the neighbourhood, and bad there been
any person passing at the time, it is probable some serious
accident would have occurred. It is somewhat remarkable
that one of the servants who was sleeping in the room which
was unroofed, was not disturbed by the noise, and continued
fast asleep till awoke by some of his fellow servants.—York
Courant.

SHOREIIAM.—On Saturday morning, a seizure of
76 kegs of foreign spirits was effected by the officers of the
Coast Guard at Hove station. From the information ob-
tained from the seizing officer, it appears that, about half-
past five A.M., he imagined he heard a boat run ashore, and
he thereupon hastened to the spot whence the sound pro-
ceeded, and saw, rather indistinctly, several persons on the
beach, and heard a confused sound of voices. He then ran
on the bank, and fired fur assistance ; but he was imme-
diately surrounded by about 30 men armed with bats, who,
knocking him down, jumped upon him, and amused them-
selves by filling his mouth with shingle. The officer made
several efforts to disengage himself, but was overpowered by
numbers. At length be succeeded in firing his second pis-
tol (his first report having been drowned by the very tem-
pestuous weather) ; his second call for assistance was an-
swered from east and west, upon which the smugglers cut
the tubs adrift and made off. In a few minutes, however,
many of the guard were on the spot, and they twice endea-
voured, but unsuccessfully, to launch their boat. On the
third attempt they succeeded, and secured seventy-six tubs,
which were landed at the Chain Pier. When the kegs were
safely deposited, the Coast Guard went in pursuit of the
smugglers, and about a mile inland they picked up about
half-a-dozen of their bats (measuring six feet in length, and
nine inches in circumference), which they had thrown away
in their flight. The officers feeling assured that the gang
had got clear off, gave up the pursuit, and deposited the
tubs in the Customs here. The boisterous weather with
which we have lately been visited would have almost pre-
cluded the possibility of such an attempt, ',,at doubtless the
approaching festivities of Christmas, and the prospect of a
goo.l harvest, made the smugglers rather venturesorre.
The inti epidity of the seizing officer is worthy of praise:—
Brighton Guardian.

The tendency to insubordination manifested among
the paupers of the Hoxne Union, has received a timely
check, by the prompt measures taken by some of the most
active Magistrates of the district, and by the Board of
Guardians assembled at Stradbrokc. A small party of the
Metropolitan Police were, a few days ago, sworn in special
constables, by Sir Edward E..errisOn and the Rev. Henry
Owen, of Wilby ; and they will continue in the Hundred to
protect the relieving officers in the perforMance of their
duties, for some time to. come. The First Annual Report
of the Poor Law CoMmiSsioners characterises Stradhroke
as one of the most pauperized parishes in England ; and
the peor4ates of the Whole Union of -16idie are higher
than in any other part of Suffolk.—Sifolk:ChrOnick,: