The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-30 00:00:00

ICISCIS3LZAISEOVaii.

A circular has been issued from the Stamp-office, to
the district distributors and sub-distributors directing a
reduction in the charges for all blank forms for docu-
ments to which stamps are attached, to take place from
and after the sth of January, 1845. These reductions
will be a source of great saving to professional and com-
mercial men. For parchment, such skins as are now
charged at Bd., will henceforth be 6d. ; those at Is. Bd.,
Is. ; those at 25., Is. 6d.; those at 45., Ss. 2d. ; and the
others in proportion. For paper, folio cost is reduced
from 2s. to Is. 6d., and Is. according to quality, demy
paper from 2d. to -id. per sheet ; and bonds, bills of
marriagelading, licenses, transfers, and protests, from
lid. to -id. and Id. per sheet.
Among the costly presents sent by the Emperor of
Russia to Sir Robert and Lady Peel was a superb chim-
ney-piece of Siberian jasper.
No less than sixteen couples were united " for weal
or wo" in Colchester, on Wednesday last, the 25th inst.
The Society for relieving Destitution has placed the
sum of 1001. with each of the resident incumbents of
Bethnal-green parish during this inclement season.
Relief of a very extensive nature in coals, bread, and
potatoes, and a seasonable donation of blankets, was
distributed for Christmas, throughout the whole of
the district.

The Rectory of Greystead, Northumberland, vacant
by the death of the Nev. George Relinell, is one of the
five rectories which were created by Act of Parliament,
in the year 1811, when the extensive parish of Simon-
burn, on the coidiscated .-states of the unfortunate Earl
of Derwentwater was divided. Previous to the division
this spiritual cure was forty miles in length. Clergymen
who have been chaplains in the Royal Navy are only
eligible to be presented to these rectories, and the whole
of them are in the gift of the Commissioners of Green-

I, TT

. , ,
4,14' -- t.J,therly
in the patronage of the last Earl of Derwentwater, are
in the gift of the Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital,
and navy chaplains are eligible to hold them.
Lord Petre has distributed a quantity of beef among
the poor of Ingatestone and Ingrave, Essex.
The Lord Bishop of the Isle of Man held a confirma-
tion in St. Mary's Chapel, Casth,town, on Sunday week,
and preached in the evening. His Lordship also/lsite"
the national schools morning and afternoon, adirressed
the teachers of the Sunday-school, and visited the gaol
of Castle Rushen, from two to three o'clock.
_

The building well krywn as Bonner's-hall, an ir,te-
resting object of architectural antiquity at the east end
of the metropoli4, the materials of which were sold on
Monday last, is nearly levelled with the ground. A
road 60 feet broad has bean marked out from opposite
the Greyhovnd Tavern, Old Ford-lane, to the Regent's
Canal, across the fields known as Bonner's Fields, which
will form the chief entrance, to be surrounded by villas
of an improved and uniform order of architecture.
From hence the commencement of the park will be by a
handsome iron suspension bridge across the canal.
The sixth and last of the first series of musical soirees
given by the Society of British Musicians during the
present season occurred last night. The attendance Was
more crowded than on any previous occasion.
The subscription for Tollirgton Park new Church,
Ifornsey, rapidly increases. The Metropolis Church
Fund have given 1,000/., and, amongst a long list of con-
tributions, are the Rev. Mr. Venn 200/., Captain rani,
301., Thomas Dickinson, Esq., 211., Messrs. Bedgood and
Johnson 10/. 10s. each, H. F. Richardson, Esq. IN. 10s.,
Lord Northampton (per Mr. H. F. Richardson, 501, &C.

Sir William Follett, and Lady Follett and family
have, according to the last letters, arrived at Rome from
their tour in Sardinia and Tuscany. The Learned Gen-
tleman is, we are happy to learn, in improved health.
Viscount Clifden is also among the recent arrivals in that
city.
The Countess of Flahault (Baroness Keith and
Nairne), lady of the French Ambassador at the Court
of Austria, and the Hon. Misses Elphinstone, are pro;
longing their sojourn at Hastings, and are not expected
to return to Vienna until after the accouchement of her
Ladyship's daughter, the Countess Shelburne.
'Viscount Barrington, Lord Camoys' Sir Robert
Throgmorton, Mr. W. C. Blackstone, M.P • Mr. Walter
Long, M.P.; Mr. C. Russell, M.P.; and Mr. J. sel•
Sotheron, M.P., have accepted the stewardship of a ball,
which is to take place at the Swindon station-rooms of
the great Western Railway, and which is intended to be
given on the 15th of the ensuing month.
The Earl of Eldon has made a donation of la to
the funds of the Durham Infirmary.
A few days ago a youth aged 21, named Alex-
andre Richard, who is connected with some of the first
families in the Morbihan, but whose conduct has bees
for some time exceedingly irregular, was tried by the,
Court of Assizes of that department, for the murder of -
a female named Pouty, who kept a shop at Vannes, and
with whom he had entertained intimate relations. 'The
victim was found in her bed, stabbed in twenty-one places!.
and Richard was seen, according to the evidence of oneot
the witnesses, leaving her house in the dead of the
night of the murder. It was shown that he was the
father of a child borne by the female, and there was rea-
son to believe that he was desirous of putting an end 9
the connexion between them. It was also shown thsw
the murder could not have been committed by robbers,
as nothing was taken from the house. The evidence
was altogether circumstantial, but the jury found the
prisoner guilty, declaring, however, that the murder was
without premeditation. The sentence, therefore, was
only ten years' imprisonment with hard labour.
,NIALICIOUS AND MYSTERIOUS OCCURRENCE.-"On
Tuesday last some evil disposed person broke severalf
squares of glass in the house of Mr. Hullah, chemist, 0,
John-street, London-Gelds; and although the most
rigid inquiry took place, nothing satisfactory could 11'
learned. The attack being shortly afterwards re-
peated, information was forwarded to the police-stations
and Inspector Cooper dispatched several officers, wl)
were stationed in and about the house, and notwit.l
standing their presence, large stones were hurled withr
effect at the back windows, which command a view of
the brick-field adjacent to the canal. Every stratagem
which ingenuity and experience could devise was re-
sorted to by Sergeant Hawkes, and Francis, 221, 6
detective officer, but without success. On Christmas;
day the disgraceful annoyance recommenced, and about
two o'clock a joyous looking plum-pudding, which It
placed in the back kitchen to cool, was deeply indent
by stony missiles, s-fely lodged in its sides. .Attentinod
was then especially directed to the rear of the house,
instantly the attack upon the front was renewed Wl'
vigour. The officers then made for the front, where they
found their lookers-out at their post, but heard no tiding
of the mysterious agent of destruction, when suiddebnea
a large earthenware pan, full of water, was ""tho
into atoms at the back. Every effort to discover
ia
malicious gang continued to prove unavailing, ahl, to
consequence, Mr. Hullah is obliged to close his gty-rise-
preserve his large variegated colour-bottles, the
their cau-
tion of which, from the inflammable nature of thees.
tents, might be attended with serious CoDSegnetiC
opinion prevails that the stones are thrown from a ken
or fired from a gun. The door-lamp, which was br?, and
is removed. The aff ,ir is altogether " mysterious,
admits of a variety of conjectures and interpretations, but
of the facts, verified by the police, there is no doubt.
FIRM AT A 'UNION WORE.HOUSZ.—At a late beta

on Thursday night information was received at th•

principal insurance-offices in the City of a very serious
fire having occurred on Tuesday morning at the Ban-
bury Union Workhouse, which was not subdued until
considerable damage was done to the building. The re-
port states, that at about a quarter to six o'clock on the
above-mentioned morn*, one of the paupers was pass"
ing through the oakum•room with a lighted candle to
the master's bed-room, when, through some unfortunate
circumstance, she stumbled and fell to the ground, the
candle falling amongst some oakum which lay on the
floor, and which almost instantaneously became ignited 7
The alarm was instantly given throughout the.
establishment, and, as may be supposed, the most
prompt measures were adopted in order to check
the flames. The building is of great height, end
eh:
apartments in which the fire originated was in the v
centre on the uppermost floor, immediatelY beneath be.
cupola tower. The engines of the town, and tlaose
en
longing to Neithrop, at the onset of the fire were a ,
for, and quickly arrived ; but in the meanwhile the Cle,f,
structive element had made its way through the t,wur;°,.h,
and fired the cupola, where the bells were kept, —to
being in the middle of the building, and contiguousfor
the three wings, the utmost apprehensions were felt
the safety of the house—in fact, its destruction at ~,as
juncture appeared almost inevitable. In about balf
.lltb
hour after the discovery the tower and bells fell in
ia
a loud crash ; and the flames were still raging with rati-,3
violence. The roof of the north-east wing caught
The persons in charge of the engines, however, acted with
considerable skill, and the fire being prevented from es'
tending to the two other wings, all their exertions werd
directed to the preservation of the north-east one ; gla
the fire was at last got under, the wing having bel
saved with the exception of the top part of the roof st
upper floor. There being upwards of 300 paupers in tPv
house at the time, the scene that arose among them
of a most distressing character. Nearly the whole of
them being in bed and locked in their rooms, their
screams were piercing in the extreme, and many- libet:
rated thetaselves by breaking open the doors. The firs
object of the authorities on the alarm being given w
to remove the aged and infirm inutaLerz to the more ',ill;
tant parts of the establishment, out of danger,
was effected by carrying them in blankets. A speC
court of guardians has been held respecting the fire'
and they are clearly of opinion that it arose,frorn sec/
dent. The workhouse is insured in the Guardian Fire~
office for 4,5001.

FIRES ON FRIDAY.—An alarming fire broke °-
at a late hourin the evening, upon the extensive were-
houses belonging to Mr. Lewis Woolf, china dealer, 21J;
Wapping High-street. The premises, which have_..a
spacious river frontage of about one hundred feet,
situate a few ,ids below King Edward stairs, sud,s
the time of the outbreak, were well stocked with goods;
the proprietor having shortly before housed a conside,.r;
able quantity, which had been brought up from
potteries. The discovery of the fire was made by aTe
who was passing along the shore. lie immediately 00
information, and, upon entering the warehouse, II a
discovered that three crates were burning rapidly, silibe
that the flames had reached the joists and girders °f the
first floor, which was nearly burned through. ter
engines from Wellclose-square, Jeffery-square, andet',ll-0
stations of the brigade, quickly arrived, as did als° wog
West of England from the Waterloo-road, and the fire 1:
extinguished, but not before several feet of the fle°r'nd
in the central part of the building were cut away? 7,,
considerable damage done to the stock. Contents 1-0
sured in the Sun; building supposed to be covered biad
policy in the Globe fire-office. Just as the engines bed
returned from the above flre, information was receiy
by Mr. Brookland, of Jeffery-square, that another hs
a.
broken out in the cooperage and workshops in the ecc
pation of Mr. W. Beal, 1, Loner Chapman-street, Colo:
niercial-road. The fire was not extinguished before
considerable quantity of staves of hard wood werede-
stroyed, and the roof of the shed burned off. Coopertre
not insured ; building, unknown. The origin of the
not accounted for.

TROTTING MATCH FOR FIFTY POUNDS ASIDS.:.;
The trotting match between Mr. Vanderstein's 1)°,;;;)
(The Wonder) and Mr. Griffin's pony (Merry
came Off at the Rosemary Branch ground. The
testing distance was two miles in harness. Much bettin.
took place among the " sporting nobs," The IV°q.
-to
being the favourite at sto 4. The horses, harnessed
match carts were driven up to the starting mark, 673,e
immediately commenced the race, Wonder taking tua
lead. One mile was completed in three minutes ger
fourteen seconds. The horses kept nearly. together
during the whole of the distance, at.d trotted in verY
irabl e style. On the approach to the winning g°':
they struggled for victory, when finally tl:e race ter
minated by Merry Legs coming in the winner by two
lengths, after one of the finest trotting races ever
flossed. From the great celebrity of the ponies as first—
rate trotters, and the sporting notoriety of their owner 4
much interest was manifested, and large sums of alon4
changed hands.

THE SUCCESSOR TO SIR CHARLES ADAISI.-.--ViCe'
Admiral Sir Francis William Austen, is ar
pointed to succeed Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Adalnt,
K.C.8., as commander in chief of the North American'
and West Indian station. Sir F. Austen's date of enter
ing the navy is 1786, and he became a post captain 2rA
1800, to %hiets rank he attained while in command. of
the Peterel sloop of war, for performing manT F:',a111011
exploits in the Mediterranean in the year preeee.ing,sa
particularly for the capture of La Ligurienne from under
a battery near ~larseilles. He subsequently commanded
the Canopus at St. poiniugo. The gallant commander
in chief hoists his flag in the ViLdictiyk., 50, frigate, Sti
Portsmouth,

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bIINDA ~,teCt4t. .11 i.t` eitOati, et
P)4tY minutes past two o'clock, har Majesty and
retie Albert, and the royal suite, arrived at the
rigtle from Slough, escorted by a party of the
CYal Horse Guards, under the command of Lieut.
Hon. Lewis A. Grant.
The Prince of Wales was taken an airing :jesters
Y to Proginore-gardens.
e:k block of ice, imported front Lake Wenham,
rth America, was yesterday evening exhibited to
1,
,xr Majesty and Prince Albert, who were pleased to
T:leiss their admiration of its purity and clearness.
, i 8 morning the Queen and Prince Albert walked
theti pleasure-grounds.
a(ier Majesty and Prince Albert, the Court, and the
111estio household, attended Divine service this fon-
, in the private chapel of the Castle. The Hon.
llteY. C. Leslie Courtenay officiated.
hethe Weather proving unfavourable, has prevented
der Family leaving the Castle to-day.
Majesty has been graciously pleased to give her
4Probation and sanction to the pablicution of a series
,?4,levis of the interior and exterior of Windsor
e7e, from drawings made expressly for her Ma-
-Iby Mr. Joseph Nash, in 'which will be repro-
-I:'ed the banquets, entertainments, and various
ti:es of interest that occurred during the visits of
k'r Majesties the Emperor of Russia, the King of
litly;l"3', and the King of the French, Mr. Nash
ate, been in constant attendance during the royal
tilt by her Majesty's command.

th.,4.12 Royal Highness Prince Albert, attended by
Edward Bowater and Lord Charles Wellesley,
',red Captain Siborne, on Saturday, with an in-
pP,ntion of his new model, representing an earlier
ee, of the battle of Waterloo, and which is now
llotulted at the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly. His
44.1 Highness remained a considerable time ex-
gelnlog the details of this ingenious work, and was
fitititsh,el to express to Captain Siborne, in the most
thrlog terms, the great gratification which the visit
i,afforded him.
Pa._ne Queen and Prince Albert left Buckingham
'dace at a quarter-past one o'clock on Saturday
L °"
in a carriage and four, escorted by a party
&beers, for Windsor Castle. Lord Charles Wel-
iirY and Sir Edward Bowater, the Equerries in
lilting, followed in a carriage and four ; and the
enters
of Charlemont, Lady in Waiting; Lady
I,ltoline Cocks, Maid of Honour in Waiting ; and
41leount Hawarden, Lord in Waiting, followed in a
The royal
and four.
4'.oe royal party proceeded to the Paddington ter-
els, and left town by a special train on the Great
:tern Railway, for Slough.
VlII! Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburgh
Il'ehtz arrived in town on Saturday. His Royal
if,l2ness returned to Kew in the evening.
4"e French Ambassador transacted business at the
elgo-office on Saturday.
NVharncliffe, Lord President of the Council,
town on Saturday, for Wilton-house, near
Dbury.
rispatches from the Governor of New South
fettles, and also from the Governor of the Mauritius,
re received on Saturday at the Colonial-office.

ER
MAJESTY AND PRINCE
ALBERT'S VISIT TO STOWE.
it,lt had been announced that her Majesty would
%Ye Windsor Castle, to honour his Grace with a
at Stowe, on Tuesday, the 7th of January. An
h'eliration, however, has since taken place in the ar-
kidgelnents which had been partly determined upon ;
qlkt we have now the highest authority for stating
t Majesty will arrive at the snat of the Duke
x.lickingham on Wednesday, the 15th proximo,
.re the Court will remain until the following
454,4 Y or Saturday.
pla
IttwoßKs.—A grand disy of fireworks will
Place at Buckingham on the evening of the 15th,
ellour of the Queen's arrival.
T
ode
ARCllES.—Arrangements are being
e for the erection of no less than from six to
thgh t triumphal arches in the immediate vicinity of
tpe town. Splendid triumphal arches will also be
ktieted in the line of route betwn the county town
bail the residence of the Nobleee Duke. Batteries,
o,Bisting of field-pieces, will likewise be erected to
tt,,e_ her Majesty a right loyal reception upon her
'?.oce into Buckingham and along the road to Stoke.
11,74.ussixivrioiss AT STOWE HOUSE.—The whole of
!lamb front of his Grace's splendid residence will
ti brilliantly illuminated with a profusion of va-
14Inted lamps, under the superintendence of Messrs.
illEe and Co. of London.—Observer.
visit of her Majesty and Prince Albert to
tk /Ze, the mansion of the Duke of Buckingham, is
toelk for the 15th of January. The following week the
41Party will honour the Duke of Wellington with
itA4 Presence. It is not yet known whether the royal
will journey by railroad as far as Wolverton,
netherOw: they will travel the entire route in their
equipages along the high-road to Buckingham.
the're will be a general illumination in Aylesbury on
Joyous occasion. The Bucks Hussars, which his
C'raee the Duke of Buckingham commands, a corps
op h 400 " yeomen bold," will act as guard of honour.
I?`_is Graces tenantry will assemble at Stowe to meet
1.7 Majesty. There' will also be 600 picked men
eto the Duke's estates assisting on the occasion ;
White
will be clad in a white frock, and will have a
kete wand in his hand. Should her Majesty arrive
I'V' daylight, each man will bear a lighted flambeau.
,_1? welcome, in fine, will be on the most splendid
-le.--Buelts Herald.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
BETTING AT MANCHESTER.—FRIDAY.
CHESTER CUP.
30 to 1 on The Field—offered
5 toDERBY.
agst Alarm—offered to 1 agst Old England
lg ~, 1 agst Idas 0 to 1 agst Young Eclipse
to 1 agst Kedger-t=taken 1000 to 15 agst Connaught
to 1 agst Pam—taken to Ranger
254 Pod sum 1
, 000 to 15 agst Clear-the-
-30 14) 1 agst Cobweb colt way—taken freely
bo 1 agst Newsmonger 00 to 10
and
Ironmast.er,
43 to 1 agst Rebecca colt " all in," and even betting
zisltleaugst Pantasa-40 to on his being qualified
3 to 1 agst Dawson's lot—t
agst c out of Calypso',
al---taken

COURSING.
BRUNTON MEETING—THURSDAY.
Eight-dog Sweepstakes were won by Mr. W. ,T.
-11ison's Redgauntlet ; Mr. Berrick's Hotspur ran up.
HUNTING APPOINTMENTS.
1., 0, ughbridge harrs., Tues., York Gate; Fri., Roecliff,
and Ainsty hds., Mon., North Duffield ; Tues.
4.ll(hani Bogs ; Thurs., Walshford Bridge ; Sat..
Itudsby Bar-101.
nutngtun hds., Tuea., Scacloton ; Fri., Sinningten-10
kCleveland hds., Mon., Ginsbro Park; Thurs., Upleatham,
te• NVatson's hds., Mon., Acton House ; Wed., Butter-
-11476c1-10.
-°ll Bothscs stag-hds., Mon., Blackgrove; Thurs.
ing-1
Archer's lids., Mon., Redgate ; Thurs., Lifton Park
akley hds.. lon., Kennel ; Tues., Roxton Spinneys ;
erl-nurs., Woburn Abbey ; Sat., Knotting Fox-104.
Thurs.,
and Horsham hds., Mon., Charlwood Village ;
alell'hurs-. Hayes ; Sat., Ilandcross Gate.
hds.,rkshire Mon., Goosey ; Wed., Bradley Farm ;
sFri., Buscot Park.
ou harrs., Mon., Howrigg ; Wed., Aikton-8.
Pr,M• W. Ridley's hd:., Mon., Waggon and Horses ;
T-ues Fisher Lane End ; Thurs., Netherwitton; Sat.,
roppie—ius.
• Drake's hds., Mon., Marsh Guide Post; Tues., Soul-
dern Gate ; Thurs., Weston-on-the-Green ; Sat.,
virW. arkworth Village-104.
Igton harrs., Mon., Bolton Low Houses ; Wed.,
adoeburch Hill ; Fri., Rosley--8.
rd Southampton's lids., Mon., Salcey Lawn ; Wed.,
t,"t'ke Plain ; Fri., Bradden; Sat., Tile House-11.
Ireberland stag -lids., Mon., Calk Foot ; Fri., Ele-
phant Inn-11.
tl.bridgeshire lids., Mon., Two Pot House ; Wed.,
-tek well Bury ; Fri., Morden Village-10i.
tlescombe harrs., Mon., Murridge Gate ; Thurs., the
litennel ; Sat., Dockhill Gate-10.
t'rfolk stag-hds., Tues., Witchingham Hall ; Fri., Fret-
-111.
harrs., Men., Kirbythone ; Wed., Pack Horse,
PI
k ,tunivton ; Sat., Lazonby-10i.
-i• IL, Mon., the Half-moon, in Sithians ; Wed.,
I.(:_lulteyener Wood.
I,7°rt lids., Mon., Poling ; Tues., Applesham ; Thurs.,
tham P';trk ; Sat., Thunders Barrow.
Cheltenham_ Stag hds., Wed., Wittington Village ; Sat.,
eeeh Gate.
util Berkshire hds., Tues., Basseldon Park; Wed.,
Aid
3
kr "MlAs:ton ; Fri., Stanford-104.
ties Cope's hds., Wed., Ryde Common ; Fri. Sil-
toer Dials.
Gifford's hds., Tues., Ready Token ; Thurs.,
'eKament's Bottom ; Sat., Sinnington-11.
tnbleden hds Wed., Rumsden Bottom ; Fri., Cor-
kbarepton Downs.
11., Tues., Four Lanes, Beanworth ; Thurs., Can-
krver Church ; Sat., Lash= Village—l 01.
to.p., Tues., Eyeworth ; Thurs., Beaulieu ; Sat., Paul-
I Oi.
hds., Thurs., Troedyrawr Lodge Gate-10.
oL
13 G. Wynham's hds., Wed., Burton Park ; Fri.,
kourY
his., Tues., Airdrie Castle ; Thurs., Laddedie
; Sat., Lindores-10i.
Tbithgo w and Stirlingshire hds., Tues., Hangingside ;
-sure., Hunter's Folly ; Sat., Wallhouse-10i.

13zA,
Sal OF AN INFANT FROM OVER. CARE.—On
1141c-r".B.Y afternoon an inquest was taken before Mr.
th `lr, at the White Lion, Hackney Wick, on view of
e b ,(1
114 -Y of Amelia Lucy Irons, five weeks old, who is
n4)Pot ed to have died from suffocation while in its
aotePa arms. It appeared that on Thursday after-
ia h u
,tst utte mother and the father of the deceased, who
the' k &rden,.r living at Hackney Wick, went to spend
thei:‘' e with some friends, taking the deceased with
the—; Thiv w ere out late, and on their return home
414
morning, the deceased was wrapped close
Ivlaen: Protect it from the inclemency of the weather ;
Ivith ' on the mother reaching home, she found her child
but
‘O,l .ut any •-igns of life. It was put in a warm bath,
4ia had no effoot,--Verdict, "Found dead."

CAPTIP:NT TITEATRE.

.elr. iit-ory Betty, the soil of the gentleman who,
as the "Young Roscius," some thirty years ago took
the town by storm, made his debid at this theatre on
Saturday evening in the character of Hamlet. Al-
though this was Mr. Henry Betty's first appearance in
London, he is by no means unused to the stage. For
the last three years he has been a provincial star of
the first magnitude. Nature has done much for
him ; his person is remarkably fine, his features are
good, and his voice is strong and flexible. He was
evidently suffiring from cold on Saturday night, and
was, consequently, somewhat hoarse, but it was evi-
dent that his voice is naturally clear and good, and
capable of extensive modulation. His action is in
general appropriate, and he is highly accomplished.
His opening scene was very carefully given, and in
the soliloquy which follows he was much applauded.
The next scene, with Horatio, was also well performed,
and his manner of giving the line
" In my mind's eye, Horatio,"
was very beautiful. The closing scene of this act is
Vie scene with the Ghost, and Mr. Betty's look of
horror, as, in subdued tones and with choked utter-
ance, he exclaims,
" Angels and ministers of grace defz-nd us,"
was perfectly thrilling. He worked this scene beau-
tifully up to a climax, and the drop-scene fell amidst
loud applause. The succeeding scenes are the most
difficult, perhaps, in the whole range of the drama for
a performer accurately to depict, and this difficulty
becomes almost insuperable in the case of a young
actor making his first appearance before a metro-
politan audience, and therefore necessarily suf-
fering from a degree of nervousness which
to a certain degree physically incapacitates him from
giving those delicate touches—from working in those
lights and shadows—which are necessary to the perfect
development of the character of Hamlet. It appeared
to us that Mr. Betty felt this, and that he endea-
voured to avoid the difficulty by hurrying into action.
Whenever he had anything to do he was admirable.
His scene with Gertrude was excellently given. No-
thing could be finer than the manner in which, after
having stabbed Polonius behind the arras, he rushes
hack to his mother hurriedly, exclaiming, "Is it the
King ?" Nothing could be more spirited than the
closing scene of the tragedy. But in those scenes in
which his energies are not roused by circumstances—
in those scenes, more especially, where communing
with himself, he endeavours to excuse to himself his
own want of decision, Mr. Betty seemed scarcely to
bring sufficiently into relief the besetting sin of Hamlet's
character—infirmity of purpose. Hamlet is a man of re -
flection, not of action. It is evident that from the begin-
ning he suspects his uncle and his mother. Before
his interview with the Ghost, he speaks daggers to
them ; but even after that interview, when his worst
suspicions are fully confirmed, he will use none.
Instead of proceeding to act, he laments the necessity
for action which is imposed upon him, exclaiming,
" The time is out of joint. Oh, cursed spight,
That ever I was born to set it right."
It is true, that he is the courtier and the soldier, but
he is the scholar also—the deep-read, much-thinking,
scholar. Happy for him had his lot been cast in the
cloisters of Wittenberg instead of in the Court of
Denmark. The Hamlet of Mr. Betty was the courtier
and the soldier, but scarcely enough of the scholar.
That Mr. Betty will, if he chooses, eventually be at
the very head of his profession, there is no reason to
doubt ; but before he can attain that eminence he has
something to learn, and something, too, to unlearn;
but he is free from mannerism, and he is no servile
follower of any particular school of acting. It is
evident that his conception of his characters is his
own, and that he develops that conception in his own
way ; therefore, what he has to unlearn, he will un-
learn easily t was a bold thing to venture a first
appearance in such a character as Hamlet, and the
very attempt betokens that he who makes it has that
confidence in his own powers which is usually the
accompaniment of genius. Not to have failed under
such circumstances is something, but to have achieved
the success which Mr. Betty has achieved, is much—
more particularly, considering how wretchedly he was
supported, for the Polonius of Mr. Bass, and the
player King of Mr. Rogers, were, with the exception
of Mr. Betty's Hamlet, the only two tolerable por-
tions of the performance. We think, however, he
scarcely exercised a judicious discretion in choosing
Hamlet for his debut. His forte is evidently in the
delineation of characters of impassioned energy and un-
swerving firmness of purpose. He is the hero of the
romantic rather than of the classical drama. He is
the Pierre, the Hotspur, or the Rolla—the bold sol-
dier, rather than the moping recluse ; and in such
characters as these his triumph would be complete.
He carried his audience with him throughout. There
were one or two attempts at disapprobation, but they
were instantly drowned in the plaudits of the majority
of the audience, and he was called for at the con-
clusion, and greeted with the utmost enthusiasm.

ROYAL POPYTECHNIC INSTI-

TUTION.

Never, since the establishment of this superlative
amongst the magnificent institutions of instruction
and entertainment which enrich the greatest metro-
polis in the world, have its ample hall, its galleries
full of the treasures of art and nature gathered from
all parts of the earth, from pole to pole, and from the
surface to the deepest bowels—its commodious thea-
tres and rich saloons—been so thronged with curious
and admiring visitors, as they have been from hour
to hour since the commencement of the present holi-
days. If there be any of our readers who have not
yet passed a day of the most profitable and elevating
amusement in this at once grand and beautiful temple
of science and art, we will assure them, that if London
contained no other attraction, it would repay a journey
from the remotest part of the island, to enjoy the
riches of the Royal Polytechnic Institution. We have
on former occasions mentioned the valuable and most
interesting collections of objects in natural history
and of artificial productions—the vast variety of
working models, machines, steam-engines, cotton-
mills, railway carriages, steam-boats, and the most
elaborate specimens of ingenious manufacture and
scientific engineering. The exhibition of the diving
bell, and the exploits of the very, very patient diver
(who, by the bye, is not quite neglected by his ad-
mirers young and old) seem t.) be nearly the most
attractive of the varied and really wonderful subjects
of contemplation which are here presented in close
succession from hour to hour, or rather from minute
to minute. Amongst the most remarkable of the
novelties recently added are the eloquent and learned
lectures of Mr. Horne on the Music of England,
ustrated by choice and delightful performance of
the most appropriate specimens ; and a very ingenious
and interesting invention of Mr. Childs, called the
" Chromatrope," from the extraordinary and beau-
tiful changes and combinations of colours which it
presents. The Dissolving Views are new, and very
beautiful. Mr. Longbottom's Proteoscope and Physio-
scope, with the hydro-electric machine, and the
microscope, afford fresh varieties of entertainment and
information alike to the merest idle and the most
seriously inquisitive. The lectures of Dr. Ryan and
Professor Bachboffner could not be praised too highly,
not merely for their profound learning, but also, and
if possible more, for the clear, concise, and elegant
style in which the difficulties of science are made
attractive and intelligible to the young and the unin-
structed. The experiments by which those lectures
are illustratted cannot be observed without delight
and admiration. On the whole, it is most gratifying
to witness that so many thousands can appreciate,
and are eager to avail themselves of, the great good
which is here afforded them.

Theatrical circles have for some months been ac
quainted with the circumstance that Miss Rainforth has
become Mrs. Harley. The unequivocal demonstration
that she ought to be so has occasioned her temporary
secession from the boards of Drury-lane. Actresses and
singers generally have a dislike to the fact of their mar-
riage being made public as long as it can be kept secret;
they think it interferes with their popularity to a certain
extent, and we believe they are right. A number
of persons then begin to look at them with more in-
difference, and in singers especially it often materially,
if not impairs, prevents the successful exertion of their
powers. On this account nothing has been said of the
union of Miss Rainforth and Harley in the newspapers
until it became absolutely necessary to explain why Miss
Poole had been put into the part of Katherine in Balfe's
Daughter of St. Mark. We hope that Mrs. Harley's
retirement will not be of long duration, and that she will
then be restored to her place on the stage, and to her
popularity with the town.—Observer.
ROYAL ACADEMY OF Music.—The following have
been elected King's Scholars at the Academy of Music :
Miss G. Poulter, pupil of the institution ; Master Pal-
mer, of Canterbury; and Master A. Simmons. There
were ten female and seventeen male candidates, most of
whom displayed very promising talent, young Palmer
being already a very superior pianist.
SEASONABLE BENEVOLENCE.—The Earl of Fitz-
william, according to ancient custom, on Christmas-day,
gave all the labourers on his Yorkshire estates, amount-
ing to above one thousand, a supply of beef and money.
Lord Faversham has had distributed to 160 necessitous
poor families in the villages of Hemsley, Sproxton, and
Beadlany, an abundant supply of beef and mutton. Lady
Louisa Ramsay provided the poor in the vicinity of her
residence (Whitehill) with warm clothing, money, and
blankets.
STRIKE.—At a meeting of the journeymen to-
bacco-pipe makers, held at the Harewood Arms, Leeds,
.
on the 7th of December, was resolved that they wou4l
give their masters a fortnight's notice for an advance of
wages, and the masters not having complied with their
request, they struck work on the 2 3d December.—Leeds
Titnes.
LEAGUE IZEGISTRATION.—The applications for 40s.
freeholds among the free traders of the Wakefield polling
districts have been very numerous. The committee sit
daily, and render every assistance and information to
persons in want of qualifications. The more effectually
to carry on operations, the committee have engaged
premises lately occupied by the Yorkshire District Bank-
ing Company, and intend having clerks in attendance
until the 31st January.—Leeds Mercury.

THE INDIAN MAILS, &c.

The following notice was issued on Saturday at the
General Post-office, St. Martin's-le-Grand :
" The next mails for Malta, Greece, the lonian
Islands, Egypt, and India via Southampton, will be
dispatched from hence on the morning of Friday, the
3d of January. By the overland closed mail to India,
&c., via Marseilles, on the evening of the 7th of
January.

THE PENINSULAR MAILS.—The mails for Vigo,
Oporto, Lisbon, Cadiz, and Gibraltar, will he made
up on Thursday morning next, the 2d of January,
via Southampton.
THE WEST INDIES.—The mails for Madeira, the
West Indies, Mexico, Honduras, Havannah, Vene-
zuela, &c., will be made up on the morning of the
2d of January, to be forwarded by the Clyde steamer,
via Southampton.
AMERICA, &c.—The next mails for British North
America, Bermuda, and the United States, will be
made up on the evening of the 3d of January, to be
forwarded by the Cambria steamer, via Liverpool,
llalifax, and Boston.
SYDNEY, &c.—The next mails for Sydney, New
South Wales, and Port Philip, will be made up on
the evening of Tu-sday, the 31st inst., to be for-
warded by the Amelia, via Gravesend.
NoTicE.—During the continuance of the present
severe weather, the mails for Hamburgh will be sent
by a special messenger via Holland, the approach to
Cuxhaven being impracticable.