The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-18 00:00:00

KITE'S OMNIBUS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR, —ln your impression of Saturday a para-
graph appears headed `‘ Omnibus Riots," which, if
it remains uncontradicted, might do me a serious in-
jury. If lam not trespassing too much on your
valuable space, I will state the facts as they have
occurred. A brother of mine thought there would
be a good opportunity of starting a few omnibusses
from Whitechapel to Notting-hill-gate; he has done
so, and they have been running since February
last, which the General Omnibus company have s•
opposed, as to run two before and two behind each
one of Kite's omnibusses. And now comes my own
case. I have started an omnibus from Kingsland-
gate to the Elephant and Castle, and during the time
my omnibus was building,a person, by name Kincaid,
had an omnibus built by the same-builder, painted
an exact copy, the only d'fference substituting the
name of Kincaid for Kite, which omnibus does
not leave mine, stops when I stop, and causes the
greatest confusion possible. So strict is this carried
out that Kincaid's omnibus meets my omnibus
coming from the yard in the morning, remains with
it all day, and follows it to the yard at night. I
am sorry that you should think that I employ a mob
to bring passengers to my omnibus ; is it not
created by the other five or six of the company's
that are there to oppose me ? With regard to my
driver and conductor being so conspicuous, I beg
leave to say they are most respectable men, the
sons of honourable tradesmen residing in the vici-
nity. Apologising for intruding so far, I beg to
subscribe myself, your obedient servant,

GEORGE KITE.
11, Gloucester-street, Curtain-road,
Shoreditch.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

On Saturday evening a new ballet, entitled
" Acalista," was produced at the above theatre with
complete success. The following is a sketch of the
plot : . _

" The first tableau is laid in a classical region.
Terpsichore is discovered in her bower, surrounded
by a group of nymphs and graces, and at her feet is
the object of her love, the shepherd Amyntas.
Notwithstanding this outward sign of adoration,
the muse does not seem satisfied as to the fidelity
of Amyntas, and to test the truth of her suspicions,
she orders several dances to be performed in her
presence. Her fears prove to have been but too
well founded. The dance of Spain bas an especial
charm for the shepherd, and this is executed by her
favourite Acalista. Dissimulating her displeasure,
and at the same time intending to wound her rival
by the most refined sarcasm, Terpsichore offers to
instruct Acalista in the first principles of her art.
Here we see thechoregraphy of art opposed to that
of nature. Acalista cannot move according to
rule, acd the superiority of themuse must of course
be conceded, but while the muse excites admira-
tion, the favourite touches the hearts of all beholders
and the victory of Terpsichore is almost equiva-
lent to a defeat. To get rid of a rival so dangerous
she proposes that Acalista shall visit Spain,
'and refine the taste for dancing that prevails in that
cJuntry, providing her with a pair of castanets and
a party of agile companions, that she may be pro-
perly equipped for the expedition. Acalista is filled
with delight at the proposition, and the trial of the
castanets affords her a fresh opportunity for the
display of her vivacity and grace. But Amyntas
is all despair when he sees the object of his secret
love float far from him on a cloud as unsubstantial
as his own visions of happiness. Real as the above
picture appears, it is, in fact, the dream of the
young Spaniard, Manolo, who, in the second
tableau (representing the interior of an inn-court
yard, on the road to Seville), wakes from his slum-
bers, and tells his friends what he has witnessed.
Nay, so deep an impression bas the dream made
upon him, that be rushes to seek for the ideal being,
who appeared the fairest type of his country's art.
All attempts to banish the mad project from his
mind prove ineffectual, when, at last, a veiled form
approaches, and, casting the veil aside, proves to
Ibe the object of his adoration. His rapture is in-
.

expressible ; but it is a rapture mingle'd with awe,
as he is impressed with the conviction that such
hveliness must be of heavenly origin. Soon, how-
ever, his•delight is without alloy, for he is informed
that the gods have granted him this model of
womanly beauty for a bride."
The fascinating Perea Nena, who sustained the

principal part, N'Tas most warmly welcomed. She
was most admirably supported by Madlles. Rolla,
Michelet, Karliski, Brunetti, Pasquali, and Mor-
lacchi. The composition and " getting up" of the
ballet reflect great credit upon the talent of M.Masset,
and the new scenery, costumes, decoration, &c.,
by Mr. Marshall, Mr. Masterman, and Mr. Laureys
also deserve high praise. With a compliment to
Mr. Nadaud for his appropriate and perfectly dam-
sante music, we must terminate this notice. The
house was crowded to excess.
The Queen's box was occupied by Viscount and Vis-
countess Torrington, Mr. and Mrs. Fetre, Hon. Mr. and
Miss Byng, Lady Molesworth, and Colonel Airey.
Among the distinguished company present were the
Duke and Duchess of Wellington and Lady Julia Hay,
the Marchioness of Clanricarde,the Marquis of Clanricarde,
the Marquis of Donegall, the Countess of Shelburne, the
Countess Dowager of Harrington, the Earl of Cardigan,
the Earl of Euston, the Earl of Lucan, the Earl of Wil-
ton, the Earl and Countess of Stamford and Warring-
ton, the Earl of Hardwicke, the Earl df Malmesbury,
Lord Ward, Lord Burghersh, his Excellency the Peru-
vian Minister, Viscount Powerscourt, Viscount Clifden,
Lord R. Clinton, M.P., Lord and Lady Eloho, &c.