The Sun.
London, England, 1844-08-22 00:00:00

SADLER'S WELLS THEATRE.

he legitimate drama, like persons in a decline,
seems to have been quite renovated by a. return Ire
the locality in which it was nurtured during "
the days of its youthful vigour; and Sadler's
Wells, under the management of Phelps and Afie...
Warner, in the days of Queen Victoria, bids fair teq
riral what the Fortune Theatre (situated in the sam
district) was in the days of Queen Elizabeth, uncle_
the management of Philip Henslowe and Edward Al-
leyne. Night after night is Sadler's Wells crowded
by a most respectable and highly-attentive autisence,
to witness the masterpieces of Shakspeare and
our glorious dramas s, performed as fig
can now be performed at .no other theatre in Londesse
Since the dommencement of the season the company
has numbered amongst its members Phelps, Mrs..
Warner, Miss Cooper, Marston, and John Webster ;
more recently George Bennett has jointed them, and
Sadler's Wells can now boast of the most complete
ragedy company that could, by passibility, at the pre-
sent moment be assembled within the walls of saer
metropolitan theatre. The audience-part of the thea
tre has been newly fitted up, and the arrangements;
for the accom:nodation of the visitors to the boxes,
which are under the superintendence of our of 1
friend Natter, are admirable. The tragedy-a The
Bridal, which was performed some few years, since
at Covent-garden, was produced here last ev.ming
with the most brilliant and the most deserved sum 'MS.
It is an adaptation by Sheridan Knowles of Bea,l-
mont and Fletcher's Maid's Tragedy. This play, one-
of the most powerful and poetical compositions tbdt
ever was penned, and which is inferior only to tibe
creations of Shakspeare, was laid aside
at the Restoration, because it was considert,l
to smack somewhat too strongly of disloyalty,
and Waller, who adapted it to the stage, attemptt-el
to render it fit for representation by altering the de-
nouement, and making the king repent, instead of fall-
ing by the hand of Evadne ; but the graceful, brit
feeble Waller, was no match for the masculine vigour
of Beaumont, who is generally considered to have the
principal hand in writing this tragedy ; they were as
ill-assorted as Amintor and Evadne. IValler's altera-
tions were soon forgotten, and the tragedy agaita
ceased to be an acting play. About four years since it
was revived- by Macready, who entrusted Sheridan'
Knowles with the task of adapting it for representa-
tion. The task maid not have been confided to fitter
hands. Possessing the same heartiness of fesiiiarg,
the same vigour of thought, the same vein of poetry
as Beaumont himself, Knowles set about his labatrr
of love—for to him it must have been a labour sr
love—in the true spirit ; he has cut out a great del,
which would not be tolerated on the stage icy three
days, and has added three scenes, but so thoroughly
has he been imbued with Beaumont's spirit, and 1%9
artistically has he introduced his new matter, that a
spectator who had never read the original would be
puzzled to discover where the alterations had been;
made. The east last night was very strong. We
had Phelps as Melantius, Marston as Amintor,
G. Bennett as the King, Mrs. Warner as Evadne,
anl Miss Cooper as Aspasia. Phelps, as Melantires,
looked and acted the honourable, high-minde4
courageous, but injured soldier, to the life..
There was an intensity in his actng in the,
scene with Amintor, in which the latter discloses
to him the cause of his sorrow, that told most
effectively; and in the scene with Evadne, in which
he taies her with her guilt, and makes her sayear to
be revenged, he WM quite appalling. We know of
no lady on the stage who could have personated the
haughty Evadne so to the life as Mrs. Warner did.
In the scenes with Melantius she was magnificent.
We never saw Marston to greater advantage than in
' the character of Amintor. He seems to have made
this line of ehPracter completely his own. George
Bennett, in the liitygi did that which he has so often
done before —made a sect'nd-rate character of first-
rate importance by his excellent acting. Miss Cooper
had but little to do as Aspasia, but that little wasßer-
formed beautifully. Take it altogether, we know not
when we have seen a tragedy acted so admirably as a
;0101e—there was not a weak part in it. The cos-
tumes wore magnificent and appropriate, and the play
altogether was
;,
app::,ut upon the stage with the greatest
attention. The
use was enthusiastic at the fall
received ins and Mrs. Warner were
customary honours.
The house was crowded to suffociti:
of the curtain and Phe:
on in every part.
called for and wilt

DESCENT OF THE MWSSTER

BALLOO."
TO THE EDITOR OF TEL' SUN.

SIR,—I-laTing been Mr. Hampton's companion ore
Monday evening in the car of his " Monster Balloon,"
allow me to particulatine the journey and descent.
I\re left White Conduit. gardens with ease and a
moderate ascending power, and although the car con-
tained three cwt. of ballast, Me. Hampton did not
discharge an ounce of it, for the followinx reasons :
In the first place the intrepid aeronaut studied to
afford me a good view of the metropolis ; altitude
the balloon attained, and the course she to lic• being
calculated to produce the desired gratification,
was enabled to gaz . on th:s gnat city under very
favourable circumstances. Beholding around me so
much that was grand end interesting-, my trip,.
although short, was sweet, indeed. The novelties,
entertainments, and beauties of London have fre-
quently afforded me amusement and instruction, but
the enthusiasm and real delight I experienced in,
viewing its characteristic features, with their grandeur
and various peculiarities, was a pleasure so great and
impressive, that London has ascended in my estima-
tion through my having ascended from London.
Mr. Hampton's second reason for not exceeding
half a mile was this :—His balloon has very properly
been designated a " Monster," and it being the firer:
time she has ascended from London, he was desirour.
of convincing the thousands who were beneath that:
she really merited that appropriate title. As the calr
contained three cwt. of ballast, the balloon had suffi-
cient power to take up four persons, and an ample
supply of sand. Mr. Hampton, however, determined
to take no stranger with him until after a second trial
had been made of the improvements in his balloon,
which have already been mentioned in the papers.
The reason that I was favoured was owing to in-
timate acquaintance with' Mr. Hampton,
_to the satis-
faction I telt as to the strength and safety of the
machine, having observed its construction, and, more-
over, from a little ambition to be the first to ascend
with the teronaut in his " Monster Balloon."

The descent of this new and splendid balloon was
effected with perfect safety in a meadow belonging to
Mr. Thomas Rust, of East Ham Hall, East Ham.
about twenty minutes after our departure from the
gardens. The valve car, and other improvements,
acted with satisfaction to Mr. Hampton.
I am, Sir, your obliged servant,
lIENRY WELLS.

AGED OPERATIVE COTTON-SPINNERS.—Mr. Stuart,
factory inspector for Scotland, states that in the New
Lunarlc factory are two women, whose names are Marion
Train and Margaret Mackenzie, still employed as spin-
ners, and who have been at work there as such since
1793. Of male spinners there are three, at the factory
of Cu!crouch, in Stirlingshire, who have been employed
for above forty years as spinners, viz., -John Hunter,
John Gourlay, and John Maitland. The two last-men-
tioned persons are still a!, work as spinners. Hunter has
been in the factory for fifty years, and is now the overseer.
CUSTOM-HOUSE AND BONDING WAREHOUSES.
Messrs. Dowding and Kerr, the gentlemen sent down to
Manchester by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to con-
fer with the mayor and corporation, respecting the sites
and other requsite arrangements for a custom-house and
bonding warehouses, are still here, and we believe they
meet his Worship the Mayor and the General Purposes
Committee on the subject this day. They will shortly
leave Mancester ; but to return on the 10th September,
by which day applications for approval of premises for
bonding warehouses are to be sent in. The Act will be
in operation about a month after that time, or about
th' 10th October.—Manchester Guardian.
DECREASE Or CRIME... IN LIVERPOOL.—From
official documents it appears that a considerable decrease
has lately taken place in the number of prisoners con-
fined in the borough prison of Liverpool. The average
number is now only 540, whilst twelve or eighteen
months ago the number was 680. This decrease is
mainly to be attributed to the great revival of trade
whichl o phas I
ct aKkleNnGp.
_la ee
Thisin Lbiri,a'
enrcirlo.f labour will com-
mence in a few days, the supernumerary officers of ex-
cise appointed for these occasions having commenced
their duties
_yesterday, by starting to their different des-
tinations. For the few weeks which it lasts, it affords
employment for some thousands of the humbler inhabi-
tants of the different towns in Kent, as well as from the
metropolis.
DEAFNESS,
&c.—Messrs. S. and B. Solomons,
Opticians and Aurists, 39, Albemarle-street, directly op-
posite the York Hotel, state that, after thirty years' ex-
tensive practice, they have invented an Invisible Voice
Conductor, Sound Magnifier, of a metal to collect sound,
peculiar to themselves. It is the size of a small grad
seven-shilling piece, and, when fixed in the cavity of the
ears, it is not the least perceptible, nor more uncomfort-
able than having a small piece of fine wool in its place.
It enables individuals at an advanced age, and of forty
and fifty years' standing of extreme deafness, as well as
those who are only slightly dull of hearing, instantly to
join in general conversation, and to catch the sound of a
distant, low speaker, at church, theatre, Rte. An indi-
vidual, in company, can place it in the ear, and remove
it unobserved. It pours the conversation into the ears
to such an extent, that in most severe cases deafness
cannot be observed. The Newly Invented Spectacles,
immediately they are placed before imperfect vision,
either by day or candlelight, that mist and dullness
which appears before the eyes is at once removed, every
object becoming clear and distinct, so that the most aged
and defective eye-sight becomes bright and brilliant,
and is brought to its youthful, natural, and original
state. Achromatic Telescopes, Opera-glasses, Micro-
scopes,of the same kind of lenses, to surpass
any ever ll'e
ver3-e &c., of
: Messrs. S. and B.
Solomons, Opticians and Aurists, are not in any way con-
nected with a person of the same name in their unme-
diate neighbourhood, nor in any part of the country. To
prevent mistakes, be cautious, and observe—only to be
had at 39, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly, opposite the
York Rotel.

THE NEW NAVAL NOVEL.
Now ready, at all the Libraries, in 3 vols.,
T H V I C T OR Y;
OR, THE WARD-ROOM MESS.

By M. IL BARKER, Esq.,
" THE OLD SAILOR."
Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street.

THE NEW NOVEL.
Now ready, at all the Libraries, in 3 Vols.,
PARSONS and WIDOWS.
BY

THE AUTHOR of " PETER PRIGGINS," &c.

" Parsons and Widows' well sustains the reputation of the author
of 'Peter Prlggins.' It certainly is the most sparkling and life-like
bookof the season."—Weekly Chronicle.
Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street.

THEATRE ROYAL LYCEUM, I ATE ENGLISH OPERA-
HOUSE.
Under the Management of Mts. KEELEY.
Another great Achievement Successfully Triumphant !! I
To attempt to eulogise the gorgeous splendour of the New Extra va
ganza of .‘ Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, or New Lamps for
Old Ones," would be a work of supererogation ; the Manage-
silent, therefore, contents itself by simply stating that it wilt be
repeated every Evening !
THIS EVENING, AUG. 22,
Will be repeated a New Drama, entitled MARTIN CHUZZLE-
WIT. Principal characters by Messrs. R. Younge, F. Vining,
Emery, F. Mathews, A. Wigan, Meadows, Kinloch, Turner,
Stanton, .1. W. Collier, Yarnold, Sanders, and Keeley ; Miss For.
tescue. Miss Woolgar, Mrs. A. Wigan, Mrs. Woollidge, Miss
'‘ Groves, Mrs. Usher, Miss lurner, and Mrs. Keeley.
To conclude with an entirely Original, and much better than
New, Grand Oreratic, Romantic, Melo-Dramatic, Burlesque Extra-
vaganza, founded on the celebrated Eastern rale, in the Arabi an
Nights' Entertainment, entitled ALADDIN AND THE WON-
DERFUL LAMP; or, New Lamps for Old Ones. With very
extensive Nev, Scenery, Machinery, Dresses, &c. Principal cha •
teeters by Mrs. Keeley, Messrs. F. Matthews, Turner, A. Wigan,
J. W. Collier, and Keeley; Mist Woolgar, Mrs. Woolli age, Miss
E. Chaplin, Mrs A. Wigan, Miss Turner, Mt s James, Miss Carson,
Mips Hunt, Miss Reede, &c., &c.
PRICES OF A Dal ISSIO N.—Balcony Poxes. 4 ;.; Upper
Boxes, 35.; Pit, 23.'; Gallery, 6d. Second Price—Balcony Boxes, 2s. ;
Upper Boxes, Is 6d. ; Pit. Is. Private Boxes on the it ate ,my Tier
(holding eight persons), Tx o Guineas. Private Boxes on the Second
Tier (holding eight persons), One Guinea and a-Half. Private
Boxes on the Pit Tier (holding six persons), One Guirea.
The Box. dtice is open from Ten to Four o'Clock, under the di ree-
Sion of Mr. Grogan, late of Covent-garden Theatre.

Powerful Attraction at
ASTLEY'S ROY AL AMPHITHEATRE OF ARTS.
Proprietor and Manager, Mr. BATTY
First Week of the Engagement of the celebrated Mr. Carter, the
Lion King, with his splendid Collection of Lions, Tigers, Leopards,
&c.—Chleese War—Corps of French Equestrian Artistes—Mr.
Batty's b autiful Stud of Trained Horses—New Scenes in the
Circle, forming a Combination of novelties unequ lied in one
Evening.

THIS EVENING, AUG. 22,
Will be repeated the Eastern Spectacle of MUNGO PARK; or,
The Lion Tamer of the Niger. Karla, the Arab, Mr. Carter,
wh .re.n he will introduce his beautiful performance with his trained
animal., lions, tige's, &c., in the cage, and on the open stage drive a
Sot in harness. Combats with the monarch of the forest, and other
new extraordin ry feats.
N w Scenes in the Circle by the British and Foreign Equestrians,
M Ile. Reline, the French rider. trained steeds, &c.
To conclude with an entire new E iuestrian, Military and Naval
Spectacle, entitled THE CHINESE WAR; or, The Conquests of
Amoy by British Arms. New Scenery, Dimes, Appointments, lsc.,
to realise the recent triumphs of England's Army and Navy. Feast
et 2LO Lanterns.

Acting and staire.m tnager, Mr. N. D Broadfoot.
Box-office open from Eleven till rave. Lessons in the Art of Riding
by Mr. R. Smith.

DAVIDGE'S ROYAL SURREY THEATRE.
Positvely the last Nine Nights of the Opera Season.
THIS EVENING. AUG. '22'
Will be performed the Opera of GUY M A NNERING ; or, The
avpsey's Prophecy. Henry Ber:ram, Mr. D. W. King ; Gabriel,
Mr. R. Honner ; Julia Mannering, Miss Romer; Lucy Bertram, Miss
Betts; Flora, Miss E. Terrcy ; Meg Terrifies, Mrs. H. Vining.
After which, a New Operetta, written by J. B. Buckstone, Esq.,
a'd compo ed by E. ritzw.lliam, Esq., entitled a SUMMER.
N I S LOVE, supported by all the Vocalists.
To conclude with THE WA itLOCK OF fHE GLEN.
Places and Private Boxes to be had of Mr. Kerschner, at the Box.
office, from Eleven to Four.

STRAND THEATRE.
PHIS EVENING, AUG. is 2,
Will be perfortwd MARTIN CHUZZLEWI I'. Young Martin
Chuzzlewit, Mr. R moe; Old Martin Chuzzlewit, Mr. Ayliffe;
Jonas Chuzzlewit. Mr A ttwood , Montague Tigg, Mr. Roberts;
Tom Pinch, Ms. Biddies; Mr. Pecksniff, and Mrs. Sairey Gamp,
Mr. H. Hall; Mary Gra%am, Mrs. Coleman Pope.
After which, a New and Original Burlesque, entitled THE WON-
DERFUL LAMP, in a New Light, being an Illustrated Version
of Aladdin. Abanazar, Mr. Paul Bedford; Aladdin. Mr. Wright;
Princess Badroulbadour, Miss E. Stanley.
To conclude with Selby's Farce of THE NEW FOOTMAN.
Bobby Breakwindiw, Mr. Attwood ; Polly Picnic, Miss Carter.