The Sun.
London, England, 1850-11-12 00:00:00

SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING,

LYCEUM THEATRE.

An adaptation of the comic opera Le Chaperon
Blanc was produced here last evening, under the
title of the White hoods, and, although it is from the
pen of Mr. P a Ich6, wa•i magnificently pat on the
stage, and had the advantage of the inimitable acting
uf 2.1 r. Charles Mathews, in a character analogous to
the Simon Knippinclipper of Liston in Thirteen to the
Dozen, yet it achieved only a partial success, al-
thoneh, if judiciously curtailed, we think it
might yet become a favourite. Tne scene is
lain in isruges in the troublous days of the Van Arte-
veldes. and the White Hood, from which it takes its
name, is the emblem of those " White-hoods" who,
accoroing to Froissart, completely revolutionized
Flanders. Thus runs the plot :—Louis de Maele,
Count of Flanders (Mr. George J. Vining), who, at
the moment the piece opens, is threatened with an
insurrection of the citizens of Ghent, conceives a
passion for Marguerite (Miss Fanny Baker), the
daughter of Jan Vanbloos (deacon of the druggists
of Ghent), and lays a plot for decoying her to
h;s palace, where he expects to attain the
fruition of his wishes. In the mean-
time, Gilbert de Grossenhayne (Mr. H. Horn-
castle) his pretended friend, who also has a design
upon Marguerite, is in league with the White-hoods,
or insurrectionist party, and at the same moment me-
ditates the destruction of the Count in his palace, and
the capture of the fair one. This last scheme is frus-
trated by Peter Pestlework (Mr. Charles Mathews),
an apprentice to the druggist, who has assumed the
badge of the white-hood without knowing its signi-
ficance, and who, at the moment the Count's life is
threatened by the insurrectionists, is instrumental in
saving him. In acknowledgement of this good service,
the Countrenounces his own suit, and bestows the hand
of Marguerite upon PeterPestlework,her accepted !over.
The piece was admirably acted. Mr. Basil Baker,
who made his first appearance here last night, is an
excellent representative of testy ;old men ; and :his
daughter, Miss Fanny Baker, is full of animation and
vivacity, and makes an admirable soubrette. A novel
scenic effect, and beautiful as it is novel, was intro-
duced in the first scene. The scene is the interior
of the druggist's shop in the early morning ; the shut
ters are shut, and the shop is in darkness ; but as
they are removed the light streams . in, and
the whole shop becomes illuminated. This beautiful
effect was loudly applauded. A grand fairy spectacle
called the Romance of the Rose, was also produced
last evening, and was most triumphantly successful ;
the plot is very slight. A misanthropic Count (Mr.
Clifford) is encouraged in his peculiarity by a malig-
nant spirit, named the King of the Thorns (Miss Julia
St. George), who attends him as the Chevalier Le
Sombre. The evil influence is counteracted by the
Queen of the Roses (Miss Kenworthy), who corrects
the Count whenever be vents his ill humour on his
servant Hans (Mr. Suter), and by showing him a
series of tableaux convinces him that the world is
beautiful after all. These tableaux, for the sake of
which the piece is evidently produced, consist of ele-
gant groups, arranged with great regard to pictu-
resque effect, and heightened by the beauty of the
young ladies composing them. Each of them is an
allegorical representation of one of the four Rosicru-
cian elements, and the principle of a revolving hori-
zontal circle, familiar to the studio of the sculptor and
the audience of poses plastiques, is applied, so that the
group may be visible on every side. The groupings,
which are designed by Mr. Beverly, are the most
beautiful and graceful that can be imagined, and were
applauded enthusiastically. Miss Julia St. 'George
was deservedly encored in every pretty song, compost d
expressly for her by Mr. Tully ; and a like
compliment was paid to Herr Pigall, a German bass
singer, who made his first appearance here, and in
the character of a goatherd sang a song, in which he
sustains a shake on a high falsetto note in a most re-
markable manner. Miss Rosins Wright and the
ladies of the corps de ballet appeared in an exquisitely
graceful pas, entitled the Revel of the Flowers. The
dancing of Miss Rosina Wright was the very perfec-
tion of elegance and grace. The piece was applauded
throughout, and at the conclusion the cheers were
enthusiastic. The house was very well attended.

NEW STRAND THEATRE.
Last night the favourite interlude of the Rival
Pages was revived at this house for the purpose of
introducing to the London public a young lady in the
character of Victor. This part was one of those in
which the late Mrs. Honey was celebrated. The
debutante, a Miss Caroline Pearse, who we understand
is a great favourite in the page line in the provinces,
and especially in the islands of Guernsey and Jersey,
where she has lately been performing with much suc-
cess, possesses the recommendation of a handsome
countenance and good figure, with a pair of legs that
may almost rival the celebrity of Madame Vestris
herself. She played the part with much spirit and
naivete, and bullied and blustered her rival as com-
pletely as any impudent boy of sixteen need do. She
was well received and loudly applauded by the
audience, and will no doubt become a favourite in
town as well as the country.

LITERATURE.

NEV NOVELS.

SINGLE7'ON FONTENOY, R.N. By James
Hannay 3 Vols.
THE L UTTR ELS. By Folkestone Williams. 3 Vols.
CLAUDE. By Mary Molesworth. 2 Vois.
THE DOUBLE OATH. By the Baroness de
Calabrella 3 Vols.
LIGHT AND DARKNESS. By Mrs. Crowe.

3 Vo
THE ABDUCTION. By the Baroness Pro(h tzka,

3 Vols.
LETTIOE ARNOLD. By the Authoress of
" Emilia Wyndham." 2 Vols.
HEARTS 1N MORTMAIN, and CORNELIA.
1 Vol.

There is a season for all thiegs, but for novels
there is apparently always a season. Every mouth
and every week of the vacatiln presents the reading
public with some new fiction, complete in three
volumes, or with some additional chapters of those
published in a serial form. Rarely have the lovers of
light literature been more bouutifully provided than
at the present moment, now when Dickens has given
us the concluding chap' ers of one of the most de-
lightful of even his delightful works, and now, when
Bulwer is unfolding the opening passages of that
" novel" which promises to be the worthy companion
of the " Caxtons. ' Thackeray's graphic pencil is still
busied with the foibles and follies of our modern
"Vanity Fair," and " Currer Bell," we doubt not, is
keeping a shrewd watch on the deeds and misdeeds of
her contemporaries, and preparing some new matter
of astonishment and delight for her admirers. It is
hardly necessary to enumerate all the names con-
spicuous in the varied and attractive list of novel
writers who are now enriching us with the fruits of
their genius and their industry—a list from which we
still miss with regret the brilliant author of " Co-
ningsby," than whom we could better spare many
others. The indefatigable James still plies his much-
used pen. Mrs. Trollope and Mrs. Gore are unex-
hausted ; and Mrs. Marsh, the charming authoress of
" Emilia Wyndham," is even now adding another to
her truthful records of woman's life and her exquisite
delineations of womanly character. Miss Jewry, the
able writer of the Forest and the Fortress ;" the
earnest and deep-thinking author of " Silwood ;"
Lady Ponsonby, the admirable expositor of the'
" Discipline of Life ;" the talented biographer of
" Anne Dysart;" the eloquent writer of " Mary
Barton"--a work une quailed of its class—and many
other of our young authors and authoresses,
hold out fair promise for the future to the novel-read-
ing world. Bearing in mind these and, other novels,
and novel-writers, not here mentioned, we are disposed
to examine with especial scrutiny, and perhaps with
excessive severity, the new fictions which are from
time to time presented to us. Differing, as the various
productions of different writers necessarily must in
style, and sentiment, and subject, there is one mea-
sure, nevertheless, by which we are disposed to test
the merits of every fictitious tale, namely, in the truth-
fulness of its representation of life. While we must con-
fess we have little sympathy fora novel which is writ-
ten with some avowed and apparent object, we regard
with especial predilection those fictions which simply,
but faithfully hold the mirror up to nature, and without
parade "or ostentation, without exhibiting the grave
countenance of the monitor, or wielding the ferule
of the schoolmaster, gently and lovingly show us
what we are aed what we should be—doing good by
stealth, charming instead of chastising the wayward
and undisciplined heart. Such novels there are.
Such gentle lessons we have learned by the death-
bed of Dora, or in the humble boat-house on the Yar-
mouth sands. Such gentle lessons we have learned,
when we followed the despairing Roland Dc Caxton
in his melencboly pursuit of his profligate son, or when
we listened to the words of simple wisdom falling from
his brother's lips. Such novels there are. Why
are there not more of them ? History is filled with a
pompous chronicle of events, the causes of which she
can seldom unravel, for those causes are often too in-
tricate or too minute to be perceptible to the most
searching scrutiny. A spark produces a conflagra-
tion, and a word may sometimes occasion conse-
quences as important.
A something light as air—alook—
A word unkind or wrongly taken"—

here it is that we hold the services of the novel-
may make or mar the lisppiness-Of a lifetime. And
writer to be invaluable. By his faithful portraiture
of human life and human character, by showing us
not " faultless monsters," but men and women like
those actually around us, he may, if gifted with
sufficient powers of penetration, reveal to us the secret
but effectual agency of trifles, and make us know by.
example how momentous are the consequences of
those words and actions which we are too apt to dis-
regard as insignificant. The influences of indivi-
dual character upon society are incalculable, and
equally incalculable and important are the influences
which mould that character for good andevil—itifluences
as imparceptibleas the air we breathe, but more potent
than the lessons conned in cbildhocd, or the homi-
lies pondered over in riper years. . Many persons ob-
ject to "novel-reading," because it unfits those who
indulge in it for the realities of life, bat when novel-
writing is what it should be novel-reading produces
an opposite effect. So far from making life appear
tame and insipid, it points out to us its real grandeur
and importance. So far from inclining us to fold our
hands in inaction, it impels us" so to act that each to-
morrow find us further than to-day." As the teachers
of such practical truths, we hold the position of novel-
writers to be most honourable, and knowing them to
possess such a capacity for good, we are apt to regard
their compositions with a curious scrutiny. Sot that
we desire to see novels filled with sermons, on the
contrary, some of the very best hardly contain
one word of advice or admonition. It is
by their faithful pictures of the human heart, as it
is, good, bad, and indifferent, that they at the same
time charm and instruct their readers. How many
mean, un worthy actions that do not absolutely in-
fringe the moral code the best of us are prone to
coin rnit,until, in considering some imaginary character
in the selfishness of a Chuzzlewit, or the irresolution
of a Waverlev, a voice seems to whisper, Mutato
nornine de to Akio narratur. Therefore, we say
again, the
one most essential characteristic of the
fiction-writer is Truth. No matter whether his
heroes be virtuous or villainous provided they be life-
like—the moral of their histories will then be obvious
and require no explanatory key. Such considera-
tions are naturally tuggested by the variety of
of
Vendean loyalty, now Fenimore Cooper
" novels" which have recently claimed our attention.
Now Mr. Trollope directs our thoughts to the heroic
struggles
excites our interest by a tale of American jurispru-
dence, now A hen Locke revives anew the difficulties
and the delusions of Chartism; then Mrs. Cro4se mys-
tifies and appals us with another revelation of horrors.
Novels as various in character as the colours of their
binding (for the old-fashioned uniform is disappear-
ing) are before us. Among the most attractive of
these miscellaneous fictions is the first novel (we have
seen) of a promising writer.

Singleton Fontenoy,
By James Hannay. 3 Vols. From the initials appended to his name it will be
observed that " Singleton Fontenov" forms part of
the royal navy, and the novel which bears his name
is, to a certain extent, a sea-story, but to a certain
extent only. Land and water, politics and naval
matters, the rpost serious and the lightest topics, are
touched upon with an equally skilful hand, and ren •
dered equally attractive. " singleton Fontenoy "
is, in truth, a most fascinating work—
without possessing any very deep interest,
it lures the reader on from page to page, from subject
never wearying,
to subject,
and continually affording
amusement or suggesting thought. In the first
volume we find the young Singleton at home in 'a
country house, with an unsociable father. In his
neighbourhood resides the family of the Lepels. The
eldest son, Frederick Lzpait Just returned from
college, wears spectacles to increase his apparent age,
frequents Chartist meetings, and aspires to fill a pro-
reinent political position. The character of this clever
but insincere schem‘r is happily drawn, and is pro-
bably not without its counterpart. From politics
we turn to school, after a stormy expulsion
from which young singleton is sent to sea.
Mr. Hannay's naval experience is visible in
his sketches of the various commanders and
companions with whom Singleton's sea- life makes him
acquainted. In this part of the narrative occurs a most
affecting episode, which better than a hundred argu-
ments exposes the horrors of the unmanly punish-
ment still retained for the sake of " discipline." One
of the sailors of Singleton's ship is flogged, and the
revolting scene is shortly afterwards followed by a sea
funeral—that of the very man who had been punished
(his death being the consequence of an accident quite
irrespective of the punishment). Officers and sailors
stand bareheaded rouhd the corpse ; the utmost solem-
nity prevails; every possible respect is testified to-
wards the corpse or him who, when alive, was treated
as some soulless brute—" Death had vindicated the
sanctify of man." This beautiful 'sentence sums up
the impressive lesson so forcibly set forth by these
contrasting scenes. Now in England, now
in the sunny south, now serious end thoughtful, now
rash and reckless, Singleton pursues his varied career
throughout three delightful volumes, and at last we
part from him with regret. Many beautiful thoughts
. we might transcrthe from the pages of this work —one
or two will, however, serve as an ensample of the rest.
Speaking of the ii)fidel reasoning of the so-called phi-
losopher, how truthful is the sentence--" Philoso-
phical dreams are very well in the study, carry them
to your loved one's grave and see how they will console
you there." Again, with equal felicity, it is said of
those good impulses which occasionally influence us,
' they In3y be "vibrations of the heart under the
touch of the finger of God." Among some sensible
remarks on oratory, we read "Ike orator 4 the
poet of the practical; be has to bring a great imagi-
, nation and a deep heart to deal with the business
of his day, and by making what is neemary glorious,

and elevating duty into something divine, he should
be able to touch the heart of the multitude abroad as
religion or poetry touches it at home." For Carlyle
and Emerson, and eotne others, Mr. Ilanmly evinces
a great enthusiasm. After quoting:a sentence from the
latter, he observes, in a foot-note, that he has com-
mitted an anachronism, but adds, " I would risk a
wore.e fault to introduce a line of Emerson's." Agaio
of " Pendennis," he observes that it unites " the
geol sense of a homily with the easy charm of a
novel." These generous remaila are the more de-
lightful, bi,cause, as Singleton observes, " the error of
our time is not that of admiring too much." Cordially
do we commend " Singleton Fontenoy," because,
with some artistic faults, apparently the reEults of
hasty composition, it will delight those who peruse it,
and some of its suggestions will linger lovingly in
their remembrance.

The Lidtrels; or, the Two Marriages. By Folkes-

stone 3 Yo/s.

The author of " Shakspere and Ins Friends" and
"Maids of Honour," two very dissimilar but most
delightful works, has not added to his celebrity by his
recent production. Clever sketches and abundant
evidences of talent are to be met with in " The
Luttrels," but the main incidents of the tale are so re-
volting that we can pronounce no commendation upon
the work. The unnatural incidents which so often
shock our tastes in foreign romances have rarely ex-
ceeded in unnaturalness the mystery of " The Lut-
trels." The " Two Marriages," which give the
second title to the book, are the real and pretended
unions of one heroine to two individuals bearing the
close relation of father and son. Until nearly the
close of the tale the reader is ignorant as to which is
the real husband of Lucy ; and the hero of the tale
(young Luttrel) encounters in his wanderings a
namesake, the son of Lucy, whom he believes to be
his brother, but who ultimately proves to be
his son. With such incidents for his theme,
Mr. Williams must forgive us if, in spite of a
pleasant recollection of his former works, and, not-
withstanding the talents visible in this one, we dismiss
" The Luttrels" front our consideration NI ith senti-
ments.of exceeding dissatisfaction.
Claude; or, the Double Sacrifice. By Mary Moles-