The Sun.
London, England, 1861-01-23 00:00:00

PRINCESS'S THEATRE.

Last evening Mr. Fechter repeated the character of Ruy
Blas, the novelty of the evening, however, being the first
appearance of Mr. Basil Potter in the part of Don Sallust.
The character, it will be remembered, was originally sus-
tained by Mr. Walter Lacy with much success ; and, as it
was supposed he had made the part his own, much curio-
sity was excited as to the manner in which Mr. Potter
would acquit himself of his by no means easy task. On his
first appearance he betrayed a slight nervousness, hut as he
warmed in the part lie improved in every sentence he uttered.
The whole part was performed with such an artistic finish
as to literally take the audience by surprise, and to leave no
room to regret the absence of Mr. Lacy. Mr. Potter we
only knew, until last night, as the bad genius of transpon-
tine melodrama, but immediately he became possessed of a
fair opportunity of displaying his real talent, he has done 8*
in such a manner as to advance him instantly to the front
rank of his profession. He, with Mr. Fechter and Miss
Heath, had to bow their acknowledgments at the fall of the
curtain. The house was crowded to excess.

A crowded and enthusiastic meeting was held on
the 4th at Hamilton, Upper Canada, to protest against the
extradition of the fugitive slave, Anderson.
MR. BRIGHT AND CO-OPERATIVE S OCIETIES.—
The Manchester and Salford Co-operative Society held
their annual meeting on Saturday. Mr. Alderman Hey-
wood was in the chair, and delivered an interesting ad-
dress. The Rev. Canon Richson was also present. Apo-
logetic letters for non-attendance were read from Mr. Bright,
Mr. Bazley, and other gentlemen. Mr. Bright's letter was
as follows :—" Rochdale, Dec. 24, 1860.—Dear sir,—l have
to thank you for the kind invitation you have forwarded
me on behalf of your Co-operative Society. lam not able
to accept it and to be present at your approaching annual
meeting, owing to many engagements, and to the fact that
I do not wish to appear to undertake any responsibility
with regard to co-operative societies. I wish them all suc-
cess, and I am anxious they should be managed in all cases
by prudent and honest men; and I strengthen my argu-
ments in favour of giving the suffrage to working men by
showing what they are doing in co- operative societies, and
in other directions, to justify their demand for a share of
political power; but, as I can take no part in the manage-
ment of those societies, so I am unwilling to appear upon
their platforms to induce others to join them. I think you
will understand my position, as I have thus described it ;
and I am, very respectfully yours,—JOHN BRIGHT."
From the report it appears that the profits of this society
have advanced from £67 in December, 1859, to £648 in
December, 1860. The sales receipts were in the same
periods £1,560 and £11,883, and the number of members
respectively 300 and 1,600.
TAKING CHILDREN TO CHURCIL—A minister's
wife says :—" The first time I took my eldest boy to church,
when ho was two years and a half old, I managed, with
caresses and frowns and candy, to keep him very still till
the sermon was half done. By this time his patience was
exhausted, and he climbed to his feet and stood on the seat,
looking at the preacher (his father) quite intently. Then,
as if he had hit upon a certain relief for his troubles he
pulled me by the chin to attract my attention, and ex-
claimed, in a distinct voice, " Mamma, make papa say
annul "—Americaft Pape•.