The Sun.
London, England, 1861-10-12 00:00:00

STRA_ND TIMITRE.

A comic drama, from the pen of Mr. A. C. Troughton,
was produced at this theatre last night, under the title Of
" Short and Sweet." The piece caa scarcely be said to be
new, the story being manifestly taken from a farce called
" How do you Manage It ?" which wts brought out at the
Adelphi some years ago. The working out of the plot gives
rise to many comic situations to which the actors do full
justice. Mr. J. Clarke's " make-up" as the corpulent,
consequential little City man, who, in de plenitude of his
selfishness, exacts perpetual homage from his wife, is ex-
cellent, and he plays the part particul►rly well. Mr. J.
Rogers, as the kind, vacillating husbam, who is unconsci-
ously ruled, yet likes to have it though that he rules, is
at times .rather too clamorous and denonstrative, but he
often acts with vigour and originality, and, as usual, rarely
fails to win the favour of his audience. Miss Bufton, as
Mrs. Sweet, acts with an ease, spirit, cnd vivacity, which
render her performance exceedingly attractive. The piece
was quite successful.
Byron's burlesque of "Esmerelda" nightly attracts an
overflowing audience.

AUBERS "LA CIRCASSIENNE" AT
TEE OXFORD METAyIC HALL.

In the fulness of years, when the last leaves of his spark-
ling genius might be expected to have fallen, and the well-
spring of his imagination to be dried up, the fascinating
French composer, Auber, at 80 years of age, produced one
of those glittering operas of which his own, Fra Diavalo,
is the best known, and will be, perhaps, the most enduring
type. "La Circassienne," a new comic opera by Auber,
has, as yet (owing, we suppose, to the habitual lethargy in
English operatic circles), no place, or announced place, on
our lyric boards ; and, but for the restless enterprise which
marks the management of the Oxford Music Hall, to the
English public this sparkling work might long remain a dead
letter. It does not argue much for the systematic cultivation
of music in this country, that our great lyric establishments
' should be so constantly forestalled in the production of what
is new in music. A flagrant instance of this neglect on the
part of our accepted teachers occurred in the production at
this, and the Canterbury Hall, of Verdi's " Un ballo en
Maschera," and till late, of the same composer, " Simon
Boccanegra," both works of great merit, in which the
brilliant vocalisation of Miss Russell, the prima donna,
receives nightly ovations. In these two cases the music
hall was and is in advance of the opera houses. The most
recent instance of superior activity in Mr. Morton's musical
director, M. Jonghmans, is apparent in the production
of "La Circassienne." The rich and sparkling vein of
work from the selection, show that the fruitful mine is not
melody running through the opera, if we may judge of the
yet worked out, while the choral and instrumental writing
exhibits much of that quaint contrast and felicity of setting
which is found in Aulser's operas. As we heard the
operatic selection the principal parts were distributed be-
tween Miss Ernst, Mr. Henry Herbert, and Mr. Greene.
sEhxocuelldlenbte, however,awarded to
the ensemble, in which we as were the solos, the first praise
in-
clude the accompanying. band, and Mr. E. L. Hime's
masterly aid at the pianoforte. The most strik-
ing feature in these representations is the com-
pleteness attained by the artists, as a body, acting in
combination to supply the necessary framework of choral
and concerted music. Effects which have hitherto only
been expected from the trained voices of our best operatic
choruses are produced with the most gratifying finish and
aplomb. The principal airs in the selection received ample
justice from the singers. The leading air, which falls to
Miss Ernst—a difficult composition in the bravura style—
was rendered by that artiste with admirable precision. Miss
Ernst possesses a beautiful soprano voice, clear as a bell,
and very flexible. Mr. H. Herbert, the tenor, in two
airs, commencing "0, Lady mine," and " Fearless
I'd brave, dear maid, for thee," sang with
force and energy ; and Mr. Greene, the bass, powerfully, if
somewhat ruggedly, sang the music assigned to the Sultan.
One word of commendation also to Miss Emmerson and
Miss Tyrrell, for the spirited manner in which they sang
the snatches of music given to Neila and Zoloe, the con-
tending houris for Sultanic honours. The selection
reflects credit on the indefatigable Mr. Jonghmans,
who might have rested on the laurels gained by the
production of " Simon Boccanegra," but who was
quickly in the field with this brilliant work of
Auber's. Madame Enderssohn is rapidly engratiating
herself with the audiences at this magnificent hall. Mr.
W. M. Balfe has just composed two ballads expressly for
" The Oxford," the plaintive words of which are by Mr.
R. M'Murray. The melody of " The Maid and her Moorish
Knight" is in Mr. Balfe's best style, and will prove a
"hit." Now and then Mr. Belle does full justice to him-
self, and he has put out his strength on this ballad. Madame
Enderssolan sings it with the utmost grace and expression.

His Excellency the Italian Minister leaves town
to-day on a visit to Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston,
at Broadlands.

The Duke of St. Albans has taken his departure
from the St, George's Hotel.
The Earl of Harrowby arrived at his residence
in Grosvenor-square last evening for a few days.

The Countess of Glengall has taken a mansion in
Grosvenor-square, late the residence of Lord Poltimore.
Viscount Palmerston has arrived at his seat,
Broadlands, Hants, from Weymouth, where the noble Pre-
mier and her ladyship intend to receive a succession of
visitors during the autumn.

Viscount and Viscountess Stratford de Radcliffe
are on a tour of visits in the north of England.
Viscount Lismore has taken the Countess of
Glengall's residence in Grosvenor-street for a term of years.

Viscount Falkland has left the St. ',George's
llotel.

Count Henry Zichy has left Fenton's Hotel for
Peeth. •

Sir George and Lady Jervis have left the St.
George's Hotel.

The Right Hon. W. F. Cowper, M.P., and Mrs.
Cowper leave town to-day on a visit to Viscount and Vis-
countess Palmerston at Broadlands.
_ _

Mr. Lefroy, Q.C., son of the Chief Justice of the
Queen's Bench, Ireland, has received the appointment of
Treasurer to the Board of Irish Ecclesiastical Commis-
sioners, the salary of Which is £5OO a year.

EATH OF THE MARCHIONESS DOWAGER
CONYNGITAIII.—The Marchioness Dowager Conyngham
died yesterday, at Bifrons, the family seat near Canterbury,
at the venerable age of 92. Lady Conyngham was the
daughter of Mr. Joseph Denison, of Denbies, in the county
of Surrey. Up to the age of 27 Miss Denison resided with
her father, then a wealthy merchant and banker, carrying
on business in St. Mary-axe. Here the rich and beautiful
heiress was won and wedded, in 1794, by the Hon. Henry
Burton, then a captain 28 years old, and eldest son of the
,fortunate Francis Pierpoint Burton, of Buncraggy, who
succeeded, through his mother, after the death of her two
brothers, to the barony and estates of the old Conynghams,
won at the battle of the Boyne by Sir Albert Conyngham,
Lieut.-General of the Ordnance of Ireland ; and aggrandised
by many forfeitures and marriages subsequently. Captain
Burton carried off his wife to Ireland, and only revisited
England in his 42d year, to kiss hands, in 1508, on his pro-
motion to major-generalship. On succeeding to his father's
title and estates, his lordship so industriously endeavoured
to improve the condition of the latter that he was justly
regarded as one of the benefactors of his country, and a
visit to his estate at Slane, on the Banks of the Boyne, is
recorded by Mr. Parkinson, in his "Experiences of Agri-
culture," in the same terms as a visit to Holkham would
have been chronicled in the days of Mr. Coke. The Barony
of Conyngham was increased to an earldom, as a reward for
the spirited conduct of his lordship's father, which led to a
reciprocity of trade between Ireland and England. Upon
the conclusion of the war with France, George IV., as id
well known, made a visit to Ireland, and was hospitably
received and entertained at Slane Castle. Here probably
commenced that more intimate acquaintance between his
Majesty and theMarquisConygnham and his family which
induced the King, upon his return to England, to invite
the whole family to court, and, after they had accepted the
invitation, to retain them ix his household. In 1816 his
lordship was created Viscount Slane (the restoration of an
ancient title forfeited in the Rebellion), Earl of Mount-
charles, and Marquis Conyngham ; and in 1821 he was en-
rolled in the British peerage as Baron Minster, of Minster
Abbey, in the county of Kent. The Marchioness was left
a widow in 1832, and has survived to see both her sons
peers of the realm—the one in succession to his father ; the
second, Alfred Denison, as the heir to her father's great
fortune and estates, with the title of Baron Londesborough,
whose two daughters, with their cousin, Lady Cecilia
Conyngham, all gLauddriuBlLLoro of tho Moa-claion.coo, w
it will be remembered, married on the same day a few
months since.

MEXICO.—A letter from Paris says:—" It seems
now beyond doubt that O'Donnell has been overruled, or
has changed his mind, and that there will be a common
action between France and Spain, and I suppose with
England, in the affairs of Mexico. A rumour which cir-
culates to-day seems to indicate at the same time that the
interference is not to be confined to a mere protection of
nationals. The said rumour speaks of the idea put for-
ward by the Emperor Napoleon of finishing the Italian
question, by getting Francis 11. made King of Mexico.
So nan J veto a ben trovato, one might say. The question
is only whether the Mexicans would be very thankful for
the gift, which would be almost worse than the evil from
which they suffer at present. In the meantime orders have
been given to arm the squadron destined for Mexico with
rifled guns.

gi THE IRON TRADE.—The quarterly meeting of
ironmasters of Birmingham was held on Thursday. The
amount of business done was not large, but it was an im-
provement on last quarter-day ; prices were reported
firmer for all descriptions of finished iron, and there was
evidently a disposition to take a cheerful tview as to the
future, on what grounds were not stated, but such is almost
invariably the case in the iron trade when there is not a
feeling of utter despondency. For pig-iron there is a better
demand ; such of the pigmasters as undersold mine pig last
quarter-day obtained the top prices on Thursday ; beyond
that there was no advance.—Birmingham Daily Post.

CHARGE OF LIBEL AGAINST A PRIEST.—A case
involving a serious charge against a Roman Catholic priest
was heard at the Armagh Petty Sessions yesterday, before
a full bench of magistrates. The complainant was Mr.
William Jones Armstrong, J.P., and the defendant the
Rev. John Quin, R.C. curate of Middletown. The sum-
mans, which was very voluminous, and set out all the
matters complained of, alleged that the defendant published
in the Dundalk Democrat a false, scandalous, malicious,
and defamatory libel, reflecting on the complainant in his
character of a resident landlord as well as of a justice of
the peace. Informations were taken against the accused,
and the case has been returned for trial at the assizes.

THE NAVIGATION OF THE TYNE.—SHIELDS, Oct.
11.—The River Tyne Improvement Commissioners, who
possess the largest river-dredging machine in the world, have
determined to purchase another machine of a similar size
to be ready for work in 12 months. At a meeting held yes-
terday at Newcastle, it was also resolved that Bill and
Friar's Goose Points below that town should be removed,
and that the coal trade, the Duke of Northumberland, and
the Blyth and Tyne Railway Company be communicated
with, and a conference be held, if possible, with a view to
ascertain what quantity of coal would be guaranteed for
shipment and the amount of capital the coalowners were
prepared to advance towards the construction of a deck at
the Lew Lights at the mouth of the Tyne. Mr. Walker,
the engineer of the piers, had laid down three sets of lines
for the completion of those immense marine works, ono
terminating the piers in twenty-one feet of water, at a cost
of £550,000; a second finishing the piers in thirty feet at
low water, at an expense of £660,000 ; and a third, extend-
ing the piers into thirty-six feet of water, virtually making
the Tyne a harbour of refuge, at a cost of £BOO,OOO. The
pier extension scheme has been deferred for further exa-
mination,

FRENCH AND GERMAN WOMEN.—The Figaro
has the following " parallel" between German and French
ladies :—" The French woman dresses ; the German covers
herself. The German walks; the Parisienne undulates.
German women are either ugly or pretty ; Parisiennes
charming ; none of them are ugly, neither are any of them
beautiful. Whether excited or indifferent, the aspect of
the German is always frank and honest. What delicious
abysses are the !eyes of a Parisienne I As said Count de
Gramont—' Her eyes have always the air of doing some-
thing more than merely looking at you.' The German says
yes or no. With the Parisienne it is never either quite yes
or altogether no. The German will wait for you under the
tree 10 years; the Parisienne 10 minutes. The Parisienne
is, above all, knowing; the German, good. The German
is content with the admiration of one ; the French woman
likes to be admired by all, and would rather renounce the
admiration of her lover than of the public. The Parisienne
is an artist, the German a woman. Moral—lt is best to
love in France, but to marry in Germany."

The following extraordinary fact is mentioned in
a letter from Marseilles, dated the 7th inst., and addressed
to the Jfessager du Midi, published at Montpellier :
' " Much has been said at Genoa of an event which occurred
at the island of Elba. A large ship, carrying the Italian
colours, was forced by bad weather to seek shelter in the
roads of Porto Langone. The ship was immediately visited
by a custom-house officer. The captain, having been asked
the usual questions regarding his cargo, replied that it con-
sisted of provisions. The officer, observing something sus-
picious both in the captain's manner and in the appearance
of the ship, commenced a strict search, which led to the dis-
covery that the cargo consisted of warlike stores. The
officer declared the ship to be under seizure. The captain
finding that his cargo was lost and his ship compromised,
endeavoured to bribe the Custom• house officer by slipping
a number of gold coins into his hand, which the functionary
rejected with indignation. The officer then quitted the
ship, and was proceeding towards the shore in the boat
which brought him, when he was fired at from the ship,
but fortunately without effect. At the noise of the firing
the Coastguard came to the assistance of the officer and took
possession of the ship, of which the captain was endeavour-
ing to get out to sea. Tho crew were handcuffed and lodged
ix the prisons of Leghorn. Among the versions which are
circulated with respect to the destination of the captured
vessel, the most probable is that which asserts that the
arms and ammunition were intended for the insurgents in
Calabria."

NEW ROAD BETWEEN FRANCE AND ITALY.-
The Ami de l'Ordre of Dig,ne says :—" Averse as we are
to excite premature hopes, we cannot resist the desire of
making our countrymen acquainted with a vast and im-
portant project, the realisation of which would open an un-
expected future to the Basses-Alpes. It is proposed to place
our department, which at present leads nowhere, in com-
munication with the new kingdom of Italy, by prolonging
the imperial road, No. 100, as far as Coni. The tunnel
through Mount Cenis will connect Upper Italy with the
north of Franco and north-western Europe ; the prolonging
of the abovementioned road would form a line of communi-
cation between all Italy, the centre and South of France,
and Spain. The remark has been often made that
our department wants nothing but convenient issues in
order to derive great advantages from its natural wealth."

LAUNCH OF THE STEAMSHIP CHlNA.—Yesterday
afternoon Messrs. Napier and Sons launched from their
building-yard at Govan the finest screw steamer which the
Clyde has yet produced. This vessel, which is named the
China, is intended as a complement to those fine vessels
which are already on the Cunard line. The launch was
most successfully completed, notwithstanding the disagree-
able character of the weather. The China is a ship of 2,600
tons burden. Sho is to be fitted with oscillating engines
of 550 nominal horse-power and patont surface condensers,
in addition to the ordinary condensers. The Cunard Com-
pany have always exhibited the greatest caution, combined
with the highest enterprise, in constructing the vessels
intended for their line ; and in the present case we have an
instance of a vessel fitted up with all the most recent im-
provements, and yet to provide for the smallest chance of
an accident—having on board not only the condensers on
the new system, which has generally been adopted to the
discarding of the old plan, but those also founded on the
former system. This is only an additional proof to the
many which have already been given of the great carp and
attention which the Cunard Company have always paid
to the building of their famous lino of steamers. The fol-
lowing are the dimensions of the China :—Length of keel
and fore-rake, 3221 t, ; breadth (moulded), 40ft, ; depth
(moulded), 29ft. ; and extreme length, 316ft.—Glasg ow
Herald, Oct.

NT-11W4,
-

FLORENCE, OCT. 11, EVENING.

The Nazione of to-day publishes a letter from
Rome, dated the Bth inst., which states that the
enrolments for the brigandage in the Neapolitan
provinces have recommenced in that city.
It was rumoured that the brigands would execute
a plan of attack at several points in the Southern
provinces.

The Bourbon Committees at Marseilles and
Trieste are said to be displaying great activity.

BERLIN, OCT. 12.

The Crown Prince and Princess of Prussia paid
a visit yesterday to Lord Clarendon at the Royal
Hotel, where his lordship, Lady Clarendon, and two
daughters are now staying.

NAPLES, OCT. 11.

General Cialdini has definitively resigned the
lieutenancy of Naples. He will leave Naples in the
latter part of this month. The command of the
forces in the Neapolitan provinces has been offered
to General Della Marmora.

ST. PETERSBURG, OCT. 11.

According to the latest news received here, the
state of things in China remains unchanged.
Pekin continues tranquil. Prince Kong governs
the empire with the title of regent.

PESTH, 00T. 11.
The official Gazette of to-day says :
" A favourable solution of the question of the
stamp duty may be expected.
" The report that the committees of the Comitats
would be re-established is unfounded."

CONSTANTINOPLE, OCT. 10.

The conferences on the union of the Danubian
Principalities have been suspended, and the repre-
sentatives of the European Powers have asked for
instructions from their Governments. The Servian
Envoy has left Constantinople. He has failed in
his negotiations with the Porte.
Fresh reinforcements have been sent to Omar
Pasha.

There is a rumour that Mehemet Ali will defini-
tively become Seraskier, and his son Ethem, Capitan
Pasha.

Riza Pasha is still in Constantinople, and is said
to be suffering from quinsy.
Mehemet Kiprisli Pasha has set out: for his
Pashalic.

SOUTHAMPTON, OCT. 12.

The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer
Euxine, sailing to-day, takes out, for Bombay—bar
silver, £106,430 ; sovereigns, £13,100; pearls, beads'
jewellery, &c., £300; and for Alexandria—sove-
reigns, £15,500 ; watches, &c., £165.

FRANCE.
PARIS, OCT. 11.

A Paris letter in the Journal de Rouen says:—
" The Emperor yesterday signed at Compeigne
the decree allowing 200,000 f. to Marshal de Mac
Mahon for the expenses of his mission to Koenigs-
berg. To give an idea of the grand display the
Marshal will make on this occasion, it will suffice
to see at Binder's the four carriages he will take
with him. The finest, which was used at the coro-
nation of the Emperor of Russia, has had 20,000 f.
expended on it in repairs."

The Imperial yacht Jerome Napoleon arrived at
Havre on Thursday, with Prince Napoleon and the
Princess Clotilde on board. In the afternoon the
Prince received the Military Commandant of Havre
and other official personages.
BANK OF FRANCE.—The following is the account
for the month ending Thursday, Oct, 10 :

C.
.. 80,089,354 12
.. 224,671,874
792,193 28