The Sun.
London, England, 1868-07-17 00:00:00

THE SOT, WNW*, FRIDAY EVENING, JULY 17, 1868.

SITAFE LIST.

HAYMARKEI TnEATRE.

The performances at this theatre last evening
were for the benefit of Mr. Backstone, the veteran
comedian and the lessee; and if any proof were
wanting of this gentleman's popularity in his joint
character of actor and proprietor of the establish-
ment, it would be found in the fact that, notwith-
standing that the heat was at least 90 in the
shade, the house was crowded in every part by an
enthusiastic audience.

The amusing farce of "A Co-operative Movement"
was the opening piece, which was well acted by
Messrs. Kendal, Compton, and Mrs. Chippendale
and Miss Dalton. This was followed by the pro-
duction of Colley Cibber's comedy of " She Would
and She Would Not," which was first brought
out about one hundred and sixty years ago, at, we
believe, Drury-Mne Theatre. Although a good
acting play, it is not often presented to the public,
and it has not been acted at this theatre since 1835.
The character of Hypulita, which is the prominent
part in the comedy, was felicitously sustained list
evening by Miss Robertson, who, in her masculine
assumption, deported herself with such gallant
bearing that it was not surprising she should de-
oeive Don Manuel, who believed he had found in
the disguised female .one who would make him a
son-in-law who would be worthy of his daughter
and of the fortuce which he would give her. Mr.
flowe's Don Philip and Mr. Kendal's Don
Octavio were good representatives of the
characters; and Mr. Buckstone as Trap-
panti was quaint and amusing. The characters
of Flora, Rosard, and Viletta were also effectively
represented by Miss lone Burke, Miss Dalton, and
Mrs. 'E. Fitzwilliam ; and Mr. Chippendale never
appeared to greater advantage than he did in Don
Manuel, which he played with artistic excellence.
Upon the whole we are disposed to think that the
revival of the comedy under consideration is likely
to lead to its more frequent production than here-
tofore.

A little farce, entitled " Pay to the Bearer—a
Kiss," from the pen of Mr. Walter Gordon, and
which was played for the first time last evening,
afforded Mr. Frederick Buckstone, the son of the
lessee, an opportunity of snaking his first appearance
before a London audience in the character of Titmouse,
a sort of gawkish countryman. There is nothing
very remarkable in the piece, and the title of it turns
upon the promise made by Wildash (Mr. Kendal)
to "Titmouse," whose wife he had kissed on the
first day of her marriage, that he should have a
similar compliment conferred upon him (" Tit-
mouse ") by " Wildash's " wife on the first day
of their marriage; a note to that effect-is given by
" Wildash ". to " Titmouse," in which is written
" Pay to the Bearer—a Kiss." Some fun is created
iu consequence, and especially so when " Titm )uie"
has to salute " Lady Primmer," an elderly person,
instead of " Wildash's " spouse. Mr. Buckstoue,
jun., made a somewhat good impression in the cha-
racter of " Titmouse," and there is no doubt but
that when he gets more used to the stage he will
not, as an actor, be unworthy of the name he bears.

At the termination of the farce, Mr. Buckstoue,
the less2.e of the theatre, presented himielf to the
audience and spoke the following address, which
caused much laughter, and was also much ap-
plauded :

Ladies and Gentlemen,—On the breaking up for
the holidays at public schools there is always a
speech day, to which the boys appointed to deliver
an oration look forward with considerable anxiety,
and with many hopes and fears. I confess that the
same feelings possess me when my speech day
arrives, and we break up for the vacation. Then I
am not only anxious to get pleasantly through my.
task, but to give a good account of the past, and
inform you what we intend to do in the future ; bat
before I proceed to that part of my address, you
will, I am sure, pardon the few remarks I may have
to make respecting this theatre and its performers.
lam now, ladies and gentlemen, in the sixteenth
year of my management. When I commenced on
the Easter Monday of 1853, the company, as re-
gards the gentlemen, is almost the same now as it
was at that time. I then ;had Mr. Chippendale,
Mr. Compton, Mr. Howe, Mr. Clark, Mr. Rogers,
Mr. Braid, and many others who are still here, while,
as you perceive, Mr. Buckstone also remains. I
cannot say as much for the ladies of 1853, becaise
16 years is the life of a female makes a little (Lifer-
ence, and will bring about remarkable chaages
one of which is matrimony, and where this has hap-
pened, and the ladies have departed with their
lords, of course I have been obliged to fill up the
vacancies; but as these conjugal proclivities are
still going on, if I do not keep a sharp watch, I
may find myself at last without a real Miss in the

company. However, I contrive to supply deserted
places as well as I can, and I hope to your satisfac-
tion. With this evening, ladies and gentlemen, I
terminate a season of 554 nights, and when you
consider the great competition everywhere, the nu-
merous places of amusement always open, to say
nothing of the many tropical weeks we have lately
experienced, you will allow that such a long season
brought successfully to a close is no small achieve-
ment. It is not possible, ladies and gen-
tlemen, that I can continue many more seasons
before you, but as I have not yet found any decay
in any of my faculties, and am still in good health
and strength,
it may be that my time for bidding you
a final adieu will not be very soon. In fact, I have
only just begun to think of it, and that chiefly
through finding myself sometimes called " a
veteran," which designation I have earned by hav-
ing been more than forty years before the public.—
a few at the transpontine theatres and Drury Lane,
about ten at the Adelphi in the days of Frederick
Yates and John Reeves, and the remaining thirty
here at the Haymarket; still I hope to have suffi-
cient stamina remaining to do what has to be done
here, and which I assure you is not a little, as dur-
ing the vacation the house will undergo a thorough
repair and renovation. A new proscenium has been
designed and painted by Mr. Barnes, a new act
drop will be supplied by Mr. Telbin, whilst the de-
corations will be carried out by the talented artists
of this establishment. On Monday, Oct. 19, the
house will re-open with Miss Bateman in her world-
renowned character of Leab, and during her en-
gagement that lady will produce a new play, writ-
ten expressly for her by Dr. Mosenthal, the
author of " Leah," who I am proud to announce has
intimated his determination to be present at the
first representation. Mr. Buckstone will from time
to time appear in new or revived comedies and

- -
'arces, while his son will occasionally drop in, and

from what you have seen to-night, I hope will soon
be able to wear some of his father's old shoes. At
Christmas Mr. Sotheru will return, repeating the
successful play of " A Hero of Romance," but only
until a new production by Dr. Westland Marston
can be ready for representation. I an/ also happy
to tell you that Mr. Robertson, the author of
"David Garrick" at this house, and of many talented
_, '.5 engaged upon one for
comediesperformanceat here.other theatres

I am now about to take the entire Haymarket
company on a tour to Liverpool, Alanchester, New-
castle-upon-Tyne,
Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Brad-
f although we shall not have so many
difficultiesto lt
encounter as the gallant Sir Robert
Napier had in Abyssinia, yet we hope to overcome
whatever obstacles we may meet with in the same
:spirit of British pluck.

As a certain great house that governs the land,
as well as tbis less important one, will soon break
up for the recess, let us hope that the country with
its new Parliament will continue to prosper, that
the Haymarket Theatre with its new plays may also
continue to prosper; ani with these hearty wishe,,
ladies and gentlemen, I thank you, for myself and
in the name of every member of my company, for
your long-continued kindness and patronage, and
until October next respectfully bid you farewell.
At the close of the address several bouquets were
thrown upon the stage, which Mr. Buckstone
picked up, and bowed his acknowledgments. The
amusing farce of "Friend Waggles" brought the
performances to a close.

We are requested by General Prim to state that
be has for the last seven months perm:mei:illy resided i❑
London, that he has never stirred from his home here, and
that the reports about his being at Vichy, about his let-
ters being intercepted by the French Government, &c.,
lately circulating in some newspapers, aro pure fabrica-
tions.--;-Tinies. •

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-YESfERDAY.
PUBLIC BUSINESS.

Mr. M. GIBSON, with reference to the Metropolitan
Foreign Cattle Market Bill, askad what the intention of
the Government was a ith respect t..) the bill. The leader
of the house said the Corrupt Practices Bill and all matters
connected with reform having been wound up, he would
state the course to b 3 pursued with respect to the Cattle
Bill. Now the Irish Registration Act was decidedly one
of the necessary reform measures it p:aced after the Cattle
Bill. Then, again, there was the Corrupt Practices Bill,
that also was a necessary measure to pass. Under these
circumstances he should like to know the intention of
the Government.

Mr. DISRAELI said Parliament would moat certainly
not 133 prorogued until the Corrupt Practices Bill had been
passed. (Hear, hear.) With respect to the Irish Regis-
tration Bill it would be taken immediately the Foreign
Cattle Market Bill, which precadel it on th 3 piper, was
disposed of. He propo3od a mmu'ns sitting on Saturcl ty
as well as to-morrow, which he hopA would enable them
to make great progress in business.
Mr. M. GIBSON w:shed to know at what time th 3 de-
bate on the Foreign Cattle Market Bill was to cease that
evening, in order that the Irish Registration Bill might be
considered.

Mr. DISRAELI could give no idea when the debate on
a measure which was not in committee would terminate.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said he was unable to
give any definite answer to the question.
SUPPLY—ARMY ESTIMATES.

The house then went into committee of supply.
General DUNNE called the attention of the house to the
report of the committee on the Military Reserve Funds.
He should like to know what steps the Government pro-
posed tot eke with respect to facilitating promotion and
retirement in the army. He contended that the Reserve
Fund had been improperly used for purposes of retire-
ment.

Sir J. PAKINGTON said the subject was a very im-
portant one, and on considering the report of the commit-
tee he proposed to go on until the voting of the estimates.
Next session, it was to be hoped, the Government
would be in a position to submit a measure to the house
on the subject. He had hoped to have been able during
the present session to have adopted some plan, but that
had been found to be impossible. Ha wished it to be
clearly understood that no premature action should be
taken during the recess.

Captain JERVIS thought attar what had been said by
the Commander-in. Chief about the present unsatisfactory
system of promotion some alteration would be speedily
proposed. Unler the present regulation 3 it would take
a subaltern 69} years to arrive at his promotion to the
rank of General.

The vote of £389,000, in addition to £51,000 already
voted for half-pay and retiring allowances, was then
agreed to.
This being the last vote of supply the house resumed.
CORRUPT PRACTICES AT ELECTIONS BILL.
The order of the day for going into committee on this
bill was postponed until to-morrow at two o'clock.