The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-30 00:00:00

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Thanks to the restless spirit of Mr. Lumley, an Italian
opera three nights after Boxing-day, far from being a
mere ens rationis, or a combination effected by the
purely imaginative faculties, is as much a reality as any
lyrical entertainment in ie middle of May. The
favourite vocalists of the summer season, having fasci-
nated the ears of Dutchmen and Germans in the course
of a recent continental tour, have all come trooping back
to their Lendon home bent upon adding a series o
operas to the Christmas amusements of our metropolis'
Last night the experiment commenced and promises to
be a successful one, if we may judge from the appearance
of the house, every part of it being crowded by a seem-
ingly much gratified audience. Of the " Trovatore,”
which was the entertainment, there is nothing
to be said now-a-days, nor is there much
to be said of last night's performance. Giuglini,
in the part of Manrico, was as fine as ever. We never
heard him sing 'more beautifully, or act with greater
energy and feeling. His great air, " Ab, si, ben mio,"
the gem of the opera, was exquisite in voicedelicacy of
execution, and truth of expression. Spezia, too, gave
great effect to the character of Leonora. The part of
the Count de Luna was sustained by a performer new
to the London public—Signor Aldigbieri—who has a
very good baritone voice, and sang the favourite air,

"Albaleno del suo sorrieo" to the entire satisfaction of
the audience. The chorus and orchestra are of good
quality.
The " Traviata" is announced for to•morrow, and
" Lucia di Lammermoor" for Saturday. In both these
pieces Piccolomini and Giuglini will appear.

A SUITOVOR THE PRINCESS ALlCE.—Although no
official intimation of the views of the Dutch Court has
as yet been conveyed to this country, we believe there
is no doubt as to the intention of the King of Holland
to demand the band of the Princess Alice for the young
Prince of Orange. Neither of their Royal Highnesses
is arrived at a marriageable age, it is true; but that cir-
cumstance is no bar to such a proposal as ithat to which
we allude ; and if the idea should hereafter become a
reality the match is one which must be considered as in
every respect suitable. That the idea of an English
matrimonial alliance is seriously entertained at the
Hague we are assured upon the authority cf those who
are in a position to be well informed as to what is pass-
ing in the Dutch Court ; and we have been told that if
the contemplated proposal, when made, shall be acceded
to by her Majesty it is intended to send the Prince of
Orange to this country to complete his studies, as his
grandeire did, at one of the English Universities—Cam-
bridge most probably—and to mature his intimacy with
the Royal Family.—Court Circular.
CHATHAM, Dec. 29.—This morning orders were re-
ceived from the Horde Guards by the officers command-
ing the let, 2d, and 3d battalions at this garrison-
directing them to hold in readiness 500 non-commis,
sioned officers and men of the various Indian depots
belonging to their respective battalions, together with
the usual complement of officers, the whole of whom are
to be equipped with the Minie rifle and held ready for
embarkation for India on the 4th January next, for the
purpose of joining the service companies of their respec-
tive regiments in the Bengal, Madras, and Bombay
presidencies, it being the intention of the Government
to make a considerable augmentation in the number of
troops now serving in India.
THE ROYAL Holum GUARDS.—At the annual examina-
tion of the pupils in the regimental schools of the Royal
Horse Guards (Blues) at Windsor on Wednesday last,
their proficiency in English reading was tested by selec-
tions from the late Indian despatches, %hen Colonel the
Lion. Cecil Forester, the commanding officer, took the
opportunity of pointing out to the boys for their future
example, the circumstance of one of the despatches they
had just read, being signed by an officer who had re-
Calved his education in the very school in which they
were:then assembled. The author of that despatch was
born in the Blues, his father being a private soldier in
the regiment, and he, Col. Forester, was proud to say
the writer's present position was the jest reward of his
own merit and good conduct; he was promoted from the
ranks of the regiment, into which when quite a youth
he had enlisted, and at the storming of Delhi was com•
manding officer of one of the assaulting columns.