The Sun.
London, England, 1861-08-20 00:00:00

THE'rfSUN,' LONDON, TUESDAY EVE M, AUGUST 20, 1861.

the assault. No tale of horrors, ho waver, hangs
thereby—only a tale of a PEBAMBULATOR—and
of a very little one. The assault was a genteel
touch on the shoulder of Mrs. MAIS, such
as the Sergeant -at Arms gives a member
of the House of Commons, by way of indicat-
ing that ho used force ; and Mrs. MATS was
thus admonished that Mr. MATHIAS expelled her,
perambulator, child, and all from a pathway on
which the lady was wheeling the child. Mrs. MAIS
was, however, it seems, too brisk for the old gentle-
man : she took up the perambulator, it was a basket
one, the babe in it, and marched in triumph over the
disputed ground. Now, as the facts were not denied,
and the magistrates thought it really involved a ques-
tion of right, they would not proceed as they do with
poachers, whose cases they could settle with a tithe
of the evidence now brought forward, but directed
a trial before a superior court, and the QUEEN was
to take the place of Mrs. MATS.

Our readers must really turn to the trial itself.
It resolved itself into the great question which
thousands of mothers and nursemaids have resolved
long before it was taken in hand by learned counsel
before Mr. Justice BYLES—whether perambulators
were a nuisance or not in a pathway. It ap-
peared that the public had a right to a path-
way four feet wide across this property
much to the annoyance of Mr. MATHIAS.
Still, annoyed or not, that much seemed clear. But
then there was no right of way for horses and for
carriages ; proof was furnished that means had
been used to prevent their going along the path—
but what of a perambulator ?—was it a carriage
or not ?—was it a nuisance or not ? It was pleaded
that it was nothing of an obstruction compared with
crinoline ; and this special little perambulator
being produced in court, and like a witness in Ire-
land placed on the table to give its evidence, con-
vinced all that it was nothing against crinoline—it
was only about one-sixth of the diameter of a lady's
present dress. The two QUEEN'S Counsel, Mr.
KARSLAKE and Mr. M. SMITH, discussed the matter
along with the Judge ; and the point came to be
apparently whether, as the size could not be a nui-
sance, the wheels were not so. The defend-
ing Q.C. contended that it was a serious
obstruction to meet, but the Judge thought
a lady in crinoline would be a much
greater—the more gallant Queen's Counsel would
rather meet the lady; but he forgot, surely, that
there was always a lady of some grade in the world
with the perambulator, and that her crinoline,
whether maid or mistress, always far outflanks the
poor little perambulator.

Well, the Judge charged very learnedly, but do
the best he could, he could not make the question
of fact clear to the twelve men who had been sworn
to deliver a faithful verdict. Nor is this to be
wondered at when after enumerating many things
which could hardly be excluded from a footpath,
he added, " the line to be drawn was so fine that he
believed no man in England was wise enough to
determine it,"—small consolation this to the poor
men who were all expected to be wise
enough to make up their minds on the matter. As
might be expected, they return into court non-
plussed. Then said the Judge, further, " I can't
help it ; you must be locked up." "What ! and no
beds ? " No, nothing but what is in
the room. " There they must sit, lie, or
stand as long as they like to settle the
question of course by folly, since the Judge had told
them no man was wise enough to settle it. The
jury did not like, however, to incur the reputation
of fools—so at length by consent they were let out,
retaining their credit for average wisdom.
And so ends the Great Perambulator case, tried
at the Bristol assizes, before Mr. Justice BYLES.
One piece of advice the Judge gave Mr. MATHIAS,
which, we should think, the only law applicable to
perambulators. Since no wisdom can decide whe-
ther they be a nuisance or not—" in passing
through the world—observed his lordship—
to avoid the angles and corners of the passages, no
policy was wiser than for a man not to stand too
strictly on his rights—if he did he would be in hot
water all his life"—now that is about the wisdom,
what ever may be the law of the whole affair ;
so we hope Mr. MATHIAS left the Court
at least a wiser man. What indeed
could the old gentleman be thinking of to set him-
self against an ordinance of the ladies. If they and
their nursemaids mean to driveperambulators along
our pavements and paths how could he think of at-
tempting to coerce them? Why, if he had got the day
fifty perambulators would have ran along his path
and over his toes next day. He would have been
perhaps knocked down by their wheels and brushed
away by the crinoline. It is a mercy for him he
did not beat, and our parting advice to Mr.
MATHIAS is, not to fight again with perambulators,
he will fare worse than his predecessor did with
the windmill.

COTTON MANUFACTURES.—The astounding de-
velopment of the British cotton manufactures of late years
probably surpasses the conceptions generally formed on the
subject. Thus, the value of the cotton goods exported in
1843 was £16,254,000, and of the cotton yarn £7,193,971.
Three years later, in 1846, the totals had risen to £17,717,778
and £7,882,048 respectively; in 1849, to £20,071,046 and
£6,704,089 ; in 1852, to £23,223,432 and £6,654,655 ; in
1855, to £27,578,746 and £7,200,395 ; in 1858, to £33,421,843
and £9,579,479 ; and last year to £42,141,505 and£9,870,875.
In the first half of the 18 years the value of the exports of
cotton goods was in round numbers £230,000,000, and in
the second half £340,000,000, showing an increase of nearly
48 per cent. in the latter period over the former. In the
next 20 years, at this rate of increase, Lancashire will re-
ceive as much for her products as would pay off the national
debt. It is worthy of remark that, while the value of the
goods exported appears to have increased during the last
nine years 48 per cent., the quantity of the raw material
imported has increased 58 per cent., the difference being
probably accounted for by increased domestic consumption.
THE " FEMALE BLONDIN."—The deficiency in
the arrangment of the rope across the Thames at Cremorne
having been remedied, the "Female Blon‘lin" made her
second attempt yesterday, and with a success which fully
demonstrated the fact stated by us last week, namely, that
the only failure was in the appliances. There had been, as
our readers will remember, a want of specific gravity in the
rope to compensate the specific levity of the rope-walker.
One or more of the guys had been found missing ; so that
the public mind was re-assured last evening when all was
announced to be right, and the anxious gaze of thousands
at once perceived in its proper place under the rope " an
other guy." The daring equilibrist began her exhibition
of skill an hour earlier than on the first occasion. She
stood forth in the light of the declining sun, her gold- em-
broidered dress and white pole gleaming refulgently. Her
progress was firm, and at times rapid, the whole distance
being traversed in seven minutes, which would• not have
been slow walking under ordinary condition of crossing the
Thames by way of bridge. So steadily indeed was the feat
performed that there is nothing to be said of it but that it
was well done. The river was at low tide, so that a great
part of the journey was over beds of mud. If any danger
of a fall existed—which we are strongly inclined to doubt,
seeing the great firmness and courage of the performer—the
results arising from such an accident would have been much
more serious by this circumstance.

An actor of the name of Vernet, formerly of the
Th(!atre des Vari6t6s, who had been two years in the Luna-
tic Asylum at Charenton, committed suicide yesterday by
hanging himself by his braces to a nail in his chamber, Ile
was no relation to the celebrated comedian of the same

name.
We regret to announce the death of M. Aguado,
Marquis de las Marismas del Guadalquivir, which took
place on Friday last at his residence in the Rue de la
Ville-1' E veque.
M. Juillerat, President of the Consistory of the
Reformed Church of Paris, has ben promoted to the rank
of Officer in the Legion of Honour ; and M. Vermeil, one of
the pastors, nominated to that of Knight.
The French Prefect of Police has fixed on the Ist
September for the opening of the shooting season in the
department of the Seine. It will also commence on the
same day in the departments of the Seine-et-Oise, Seine-
et•Marne, Seine-Inferieure, and Eure.

LYCEUM TIIEATRE.

Last aiming Mr. E. Falconer commenced an autumnal
season a this theatre, and inaugurated the occasion by
produc ng a new four act comely, the palm being his own
creation. To cheer the manager on his somewhat perilous
undertaking a very brilliant and crowded audience as-
semblel, and, after a very excellent overture, the curtain
rose or the attraction of the evening, which was entitled
" Wonan, or Love against the World." The title, it will
at oncebe conceded, is a good one ; but the great danger we
apprehended was that which was likely to arise from the
circumstance that the chief incident in the play resembled
somewhat too closely the celebrated Yelverton marriage
case. However, Mr. Falconer, while availing himself of
the ides of what is termed a mixed marriage, has very
judiciously avoided the further reference to the subject.
The following brief description of the play will give a
clear notice of the manner in which the author has
worked up his subject. In the first and second acts the
action is supposed to take place at the house of Mr. D'Arcy,
near Tralee, on the south-west coast of Ireland, in the sum-
mer of 1858. Geraldine D'Arcy, niece of the owner of the
estate, saves the Hon.Mr.Arden,who is wrecked, from death,
by dragging him to tae shore, and then sending her uncle's
servants to convey him to their master's home. Here, after
this romantic introdmtion, a feeling of love soon springs up
between the pair, although the fair one has hitherto had an
affection for her cousin, Mr. Valentine Blake, who has in
return been equally smitten. A certain Lady Wilmington
becomes possessed of a knowledge of the proceedings,
whereupon she not ally prevails upon the Hon. Mr. Lum-
ley Jones to undertake a journey for the purpose of
thwarting the lovers intention; but she herself hastens to
the spot just as the marriage ceremony has been performed.
But from the part payed by the false friend in the affair
the marriage is proaounced to be illegal. At this junc-
ture the uncle prevails upon his niece to accompany him
to the Continent, ani the husband on discovering their de-
parture becomes almost frantic. The opening of the third
act finds the scene in the summer of the present day at
Cloverton Park, Warwickshire, the seat of Lady Cloverton,
who, amongst a house full of guests, has staying with her
the principal personages of the drama. Many changes
have occurred in the interval of three years ; the Hon. Mr.
Arden, who has in the meantime been to India, has become
Lord Lindengrove, and Geraldine is now Lady Letitia
Mountjoy, Lady Cloverton being her aunt. Before the re-
appearance of the heroine on the scene Lady Wilmington
has almost succeeded in her endeavours to ensnare the
wavering hero ; but after an interview, during which curi-
ously enough, the husband did not recognise his wife, owing
to her having exchanged a wig of dark hair for flaxen ring-
lets, everything is arranged in a satisfactory manner, and
the affectionate twain agree to be happy together, utterly
repudiating such courts as those over which Sir Cresswell
Cresswell presides. Of course the Hon. Lumley Jones
then agrees to wed Lady Wilmington, who, finding that
she cannot have the hand of one complacently consents to
accept the hand of another.
With the parts of Geraldine and Arden the author
seems to have taken much pains, and as far as the
first is concerned he has completely succeeded, but
with respect to the latter he seems to have somewhat fallen
off in his endeavours in the third act. In the first, second,
and fourth, the interest is well sustained, but in the inter-
val above mentioned the author has not given Mr. Arden,
or, rather we should say, Lord Lindengrove, that full play
which we think would have added much to the interest of

the comedy. The comic under-plot is very eleverly
arranged, and invariably affords most seasonable relief,
when the tide of true love, which, as poets say, never does
run smooth, becomes more than ordinarily affecting.
Mrs. Charles Young, as Geraldine D'Arcy, afterwards
Lady Letitia Mountjoy, acted with all that grace, pathos,
and true womanly feeling for which she is so remarkable.
Miss Murray gave a very effective embodiment to a very
disagreeable part—via., Lady Harriett Wilmington ; and
Miss Lydia Thompson, as Norah, was quite bewitching.
Mr. H. Vezin's conception of the character of the
Hon. Mr. Arden, the hero of the play, was a
true and spirited one, and the development of it was
marked by good taste, true feeling, and gentlemanly bearing.
Mr. Walter Lacy adapted himself very cleverly to the part
of the Hon. Lumley Jones, and fully sustained his well
won reputation. Mr, John Robins, as Stubbs, is really an
acquisition to the London stage. His manner is rich, broad,
and humorous, and by avoiding the besetting sin of most
of our low comedians, he will obtain a position in his pro-
fession to which he will be justly entitled. Mr. Addison's
Mr. D'Arcy was an excellent performance, and Mr. Spencer,
as Valentine Blake, acquitted himself with much ability.
The success of the comedy was undoubted and indisputa-
ble. At the close of each act the ritincipal performers
were called for, and at the termination of the play Mr.
Falconer, the author and manager, received an ovation.
The only fault of the piece is its length, and, fortunately,
much can be omitted which will not interfere with the
development of the plot, but, on the contrary, add addi-
tional interest to it by a closer union of its most telling
parts.

The scenery is of the greatest beauty, and the appoint,
ments evince great taste and refinement.
We cordially wish Mr. Falconer success in his under
taking.

L E t." 'll NA/ •

KALISCH, AUG. 18.
Serious disturbances broke out here yesterday in
consequence of the arrest of an apothecary.
Crowds of people assembled and insulted the
patrols.

A great number of women wearing the national
colours surrounded the Colonel and demanded the
release of the prisoner, which was thereupon

granted.

The number of people, however, gradually in,
creased, and their attitude became more threaten-.
ing, until the whole garrison assembled under arms
and threatened to fire on the people.
Numerous arrests have been made.

RAGUSA, AUG. 19.

The chief of the insurgents in the Herzegovina
has requested the intercession of Russia, in order
to bring about peace with the Turks.
Omar Pasha has approved this proposal, and
the Russian and Austrian Embassies at Constanti-
nople have deputed Commissioners to proceed to
Mostar, in order to open negotiations.
FRANCE.

A letter in the Constitutionnel, dated Grand
Mourmelon, 18th inst., says :

" The Piedmontese General Fanti has arrived at
the camp, as also Nalim-Pasha, brother of the
Viceroy of Egypt. The Emperor attended to-day
the experiments with the rifled canon. The results
were most satisfactory. The firing commenced at
2,000 metres against pontoons representing a
battalion in line of battle. The butt was hit
every time with remarkable precision. The balls,
after traversing the butts, spun along from 400 to
500 metres before their force 'was expended. On
Sunday there will be a grand high mass and dis-
tribution of crosses.

General Fanti is accompanied by two officers of
the Italian army, and intends following the
mancvavres. He is lodged at the Imperial head-
quarters. Prince and Princess Joachim Murat,
Princess Anna Murat, and Prince Achille are
staying at the camp.
There is a grand dinner this evening, to which

the Duke and Duchess of Magenta aro invited.
BOURSE, August 19.—Business still continues
very limited in amount, but the little done has been
at a slight improvement on the closing rates of
Saturday. Threes, for the Account, are now at
68f 50c. Railways quiet, but pretty firm.
The following are the last quotations :-
4t per per Cents ... 97 80 , Credit Fonder l3OO
Do end month.... 97 90 , Belgian 4f —
3 per Cents
Do. end month 6B 521 ' Roman —
Bank Shares 2890 Austrian
Credit Mobilier.... 737 50 Spanish Threes 4B
Do. Account 742 50 Home Debt

AUSTRALIA.

PORTSMOUTH, AUG. 19.

Passengers have landed here to-day from the ship
Sussex, from Port Phillip for London. She brings
37,000 ounces of gold, and wool and copper valued
at £12,500.

She has 40 cabin and 110 steerage passengers.
Siie sailed from Port Phillip on the 12th of May.

In the Southern Ocean she met with enormous
masses of ice, 900 feet in height, unparalleled in

those regions.