The Sun.
London, England, 1868-05-25 00:00:00

PRINCESS'S THEATRE.

On Saturday evening this favourite theatre re-
opened after a very brief recess, and on the occasion
no less than three performers, new to the London
stage, made their appearance, viz, Miss Reignolds
and Mr. Frank Drew, from America, and La Petite
Camille, from the Vaudeville, Paris. The first-
named lady selected the character of Donna Vio-
lanti in Mrs. Centlivro's comedy, " The Wonder,"
for her debut, which was a rather perilous under-
taking, considering the impression Mrs. Charles
Kean made in the part. Miss Reignolds pos-
sesses an attractive personal appearance, bright
sparkling eye, and a merry laugh, almost Nesbittian;
but her reading and pronounciation at times are
very faulty. That she rallied through the part
must be at once admitted ; but then she did so in
true American style, which is not exactly that
which suits a metropolitan audience. There was
too much vivacity, which at times entirely destroyed
the great charm of the part, although Miss Reignolds
did not diverge into vulgarity, yet at times there
were certain evidences that showed clearly enough
that the debutante had rather over calculated her
own power. Same of the scenes given were ex-
ceedingly well, but it would have been much better
had another part been selected not requiring
such great delicacy in its treatment. Miss
Reignolds has much to learn before she
can lay an indisputable claim to the part,
but the reception she met with was hearty and en-
couraging, and we hope to see her in a part more
suited to the power she undonbtedly possesses. Mr.
Drew, as Lissardo, was exceedingly successful, and
elicited general approbation. He appeared also in
the part of Peter Grice in " Nobody's Child," which
he also played to the entire satisfaction of the
audience. La Petite Camille is quite a pro-
digy, and quite took the audience by surprise
by her acting in the farce entitled " Flo's First
Frolic." At the conclusion of the farce the ap-
plause was as enthusiastic as it was well deserved,
and for the clever little Camille we anticipate as
great a success in London as she secured in Paris.
The house was well attended. We have to con-
gratulate Mr. Vining generally upon the new addi-
tions he has made to his company, and also to wish
him a continuance of that success he has achieved
since he has been the lessee of the Princess's
Theatre.

It has been recently rumoured in Chester that
Mr. W. H. Gladstone, one of the present members for that
city, will not offer himself for re-election at the approach-
ing dissolution of Parliament.—lmperial Review.
METROPOLITAN RAILWAY.—The directors have
made an inspection of the works in progress on the ex-
tension of the Metropolitan Railway between Padding-ton
and Gloucester-road, Kensington. They wore accom-
panied by Lord Gort and other directors of the Metro-
politan District Railway ; the contractors, Messrs. Kelk,
Waring Brothers, and Lucas; the engineers, Messrs.
Fowler and Johnson, and by other officers of the company-
The works were found to be in an advanced state, and it
is expected that in the course of the summer this im-
portant link of the inner circle of the Metropolitan Rail-
ways will be opened for public traffic.
A CATHOLIC GRIEVANCE.—" A Lover of Jus-
tice," in a letter to a contemporary, says :—" A
Catholic lady presented herself before the Visiting
Justices at Tothill-fields Prison last month to ask
permission to play the harmonium for the Catholic
prisoners confined there. Emboldened by the know-
ledge that an organ, at considerable expense, bad
just been purchased for the Protestant inmates of
the prison, she presented her demand. She was met
with a complete refusal, all the justices in uni-
son triumphantly saying, " Contrary to Act
of Parliament." She reminded the chairman
that his own daughter and two other pro-
testant ladies had the power of visiting any of
the prisoners at any time for religious instruction, a
boon refused to Catholic ladies, though repeatedly
applied for. his answer was that seven years ago
they passed a resolution to the effect that only
ladies who had hitherto visited the prison should for
the future be allowed to continue doing so, which,
put into plain English, means that having secured
the presence of three Protestant ladies in the prl"
son, by this resolution they would prevent the In-
troduction of any catholic ones. At present all the
Catholic prisoners are dependent entirely on the un-
aided efforts of one Catholic priest, without sale,'
or remuneration of any kind ; but the numbers are
so great that it is impossible his instruction or
reach them all. The consequence is they return agate,
,
and again to prison, unreformed, an additional
expense to the country. Why not allow us Catho-
lics to do what we can for the reformation of our
Catholic criminals? It was only very lately that
these poor Irish criminals had every Sunday to
choose between attendance at the Protestant ser"
vice or being shut up for the day in their cells. 131
pressure from without the Visiting Justices haye
gradually had their eyes opened, and discover that
the different things they have been forced to go'
way in are not contrary to act of Parliament. So we
.
need not perhaps despair of their yet finding out
that to allow a little music with their service to
t
Catholics as well as to Protestants is not against
the law of the land.

llorniman's Pure Teas are Bd. per pound cheaper. Tho:
2,500 agents—confectioners in London, and eheznisto
the country—are constantly receiving- fresh supphes of
these long-approved teas. Sold only in packets.