The Sun.
London, England, 1850-04-25 00:00:00

THE SUN,

PLAYS-ST. JAMES'S
'ill EA ThE.

Th r.

:.Fn of ilaLte Comedie cgqltThr.-3
to fl.:urirh

t,ucit accorr:p',ishtd iisles
S rr,son toc,o;1),;(iy the i,!tplr;lti,,ns
of ;Nioliere m 1.4 his followers. Last night the

c?,

throve, the chef d'wuere Mohere, —and by many
critics considered the most perfect comedy ever pro•
duced, was performed, M. Samson personating Al
mdlle Denain,lircene. The Alceste cf
M. Samson has always been celebrated as a perfect spe-
cimen of high comedy acting of the classical school
and his acting last evening was as polishe6 and p,r-
fect, as ever ; his declamation was beautiful. The
Celimene of Mdlle. Denain was an exquisite
piece of refined ccquettry. No other lady en the
stage can eppro,zch her in this character, or indeed in
the personation of any of the heroines of French
classical comedy. The mantle of Mademoiselle Mars
has fallen on her, and she worthily continues the suc-
cession (f the classical artistes of the French stage.
The theatre was brilliantly attended. Among the
company were the Duke and Duchess of Nemours,
and the Duke and Duchess of Auuiale.

THE AUTOPHON ; or IMPROVED

ORGAN.

We recently visited the factory of Mr. Charles
Dawsor, organ builder in the Strand, for the pur
pose of inspecting a newly invented instrument which
he has patented; he calls it the Autophon, and
from its simplicity, its cheapness, and its supe-
riot ity in every respect, it must ere long supersede
the barrel organ, and every other invention for the
mechanical production of music that has as yet
been presented to the world. The sound-producing
portion of the Autophon is precisely the same as the
sound-producing portion of an organ, consisting of
pipes and bellows, but instead of cumbrous and ex-
pensive barrels being employed to produce the tune,
this instrument is contrived so that sheets of perfo-
rated paper being supplied to it, on merely turning a
handle, music is performed, every different sheet of
paper producing a different tune. The effect is pre-
cisely that which is produced by the best barrel
organs, and the superiority of the Autophon con-
sists in the fact, that instead of barrels, cumbrous,
expensive, and liable to injury, sheets of paper are
employed, which can be furnished as cheaply
as ordinary music, readily replaced, and lightly and
easily packed. The variety of melodies and harmo-
nics that can be performed is thus multiplied with the
same ease and economy which the press has given in
the supply of literature. The power of transposing
is also afforded, so that from the same sheet music
may be executed on any key that may be desired.
Further, as the sheets can be made of any length,
pieces can be performed which from their extent are
unsuited to barrels, unless the barrels were made of
excessive size, or fitted with delicate and expensive
apparatus for shifting. The mechanism is of the
most simple character, and consequently by no means
liable to injury or wear ; it is applicable either cn the
small or the large scale, from a size little exceeding
that of a musical box up to that of the largest organs.
Existing instruments, whether finger or barrel organs,
pianofortes, seraphines, and such like, can be fitted
with the necessary apparatus ; and one gauge being
maintained in all, the same sheets of music are uni•
vernally applicable.
We were much pleased with the ingenuity and
simplicity of this novel instrument, the tones pro
duced were clear and perfect, and there was a crisp-
ness about the notes which contrasted most favourably
with the slovenly dragging of the notes of a hand-
(lgen ; there was, moreover, none of that dis-
sonant "clicking" which is hoard in a band-organ
whenever a change of key takes place. We heard.
moreover, ehet we believe, perfectly unique in the
history of " mechanical music," a duet phi) ed, and
played most accurately by two peformers on two
separate instruments. As a church organ, in a rural
district, where organists are not to be found, the
Autophon will be invaluable, inasmuch as a variety and
change of tunes can be commanded at a small ex-
pense, while the supply of tunes to a barrel organ
must be necessarily of a very limited character ; and
if a new tune be wanted the new barrel will cost at
least five guineas, whereas the same can be procured
f)r the Autophon for about one shilling, while for clear-
ness and beauty of tone, and accuracy of perform.
ance, the Autophon is infinitely superior. As we be-
fore stated, it must, from its superiority in every re-
spect over every other mechanical means of producing
music, necessarily supersede them all.

PANORAMA of FREMONT'S OVERLAND
ROUTE to OREGON and CALIFORNIA.
Yesterday evening we were favoured with a private
view of a grand moving painting designed to illustrate
the overland route across the Rocky Mountains to
Oregon, Texas, and California, as tracked out by the
celebrated John Charles Fremont, Colonel of the
Topographical Engineers in the army of the United
States. There are few men of our times whose lives
have been more richly fraught with romantic adven-
tures, moving accidents, and hair-breadth eseapes,
than Colonel Fremont; and no work, whether of the
pen or the pencil, which correctly portrays the wild
vicissitudes of his variegated career can be without
interest. His adventurous spirit carried him across
the Rocky Mountains, and made him familiar
with the mighty wilderness which spread be-
tween the Mississippi River and the waters of the
Pacific. The painting at the Egyptian Hall, which
will be opened to the public on Monday, given a
more faithful representation of the various thrilling
scenes that occurred to Colonel Fremont and his
party while engaged in their adventurous expeditions
than could be conveyed by any written description,
however skilfully composed. The sketches from
which the painting has been executed are front the
pencils of Colonel Fremont, Captain Wilkes, and
Mr. James Drayton, all of the United States To-
pographical Engineers; and the painting itself
has been produced expressly for the United
States Government, by Messrs. J. Kyle, W. Dallas,
and J. Lee, of Washington. We shall probably
pay the exhibition another visit on an early day,
when we will take occasion to speak of its merits in
detail ; for the present it will suffice to pronounce a
general opinion on the work. It appears to have been
painted with much greater care, and with more
precise attention to the rules of art, than many scenic
paintings that we remember to have examined ; and
we have no hesitation in asserting that the general
eff,et is exceedingly fascinating to the eye. Tne
grouping of the figures is, for the most part, cleverly
managed, and though the effects of light and shade
are not always as delicately discriminated as they
might be, the perspective is well managed, and the
more picturesque objects in each view are thrown out
with artistic skill. The views in California are, per-
haps, the best in the collection, and on the whole the
parn.rama is exceedingly effective, and will well repay
a visit.

MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE.—The marriage of the
Hon. Philip Sidney, only son of Lord De L'lsle and Dud-
ley, to Mary, only child of the late Sir Wm. Foulis, of In-
goklsby Manor, in the county of York, Baronet, was solem-
nized on Tuesday at St. George's Church, Hanover-square,
in the presence of a very numerous circle of the connexions
of both families. The bride was led to the altar by her
cousin, the Marquis of Kildare, attended by a train of six
bridesmaids—the Hon. Adele Sidney, the Hon. Ernestina
Sidney, the Hon. Philippa Sidney, Miss Geraldine Ross, Miss
Augusta Somerset, and Miss Olivia Henry. The bride was
attired in a rich white satin dress, trimmed with Brussels
point lace flounces. The head dress consisted of a wreath
of orange blossoms and a magnificent point lace veil. The
bridesmaids wore white embroidered muslin dresses, with
pink glace silk mantillas, and white crape bony ets trimmed
with white and pink roses. The ceremony was performed
in a very impressive manner by the Rev. Philip Dodd, rector
of Pensnurst, who had the honour of officiating some 25
years since at the marriage of the noble father of the bride.
groom to a daughter of the late King William IV. The
bride and bridegroom left the church in a travelling carriage
and four, for '1 heobalds, in Hertfordshire, whence they pro-
ceed to the Continent.
DEATH OF THE EMPRESS DOWAGER OF CHINA.
—By a remarkable coincidence—sufficiently so at least to be
worth recording—the news ( f the decease of the Queen
Dowager of Great Britain arrived at Canton on the same day
with an express from the Board of War at Peking, announc-
ing that the Empress Dowager of China, also eminent for
her virtues, departed this lite (lit. went to roam with spirits)
upon the 16th day of the 12th moon of the 29th year of Tau-
kwang (18th January). Officers, civil and military, are
thereupon enjoined to array themselves in white, and per-
form ceremonies proper for such occasions. They are also
to affix a blue stamp to all public documents, and are not to
permit drums to beat or fifes to play in front of their Ya.
nines. The Peking Gazettes bear witness to the devout re-
spect with which the Empress Dowager was uniformly
treated by his Imperial Majesty; which, however, was no
more than proper gratitude on his part; for it was her pre-
ference of him over her own offspring that induced Ilia-king
to nominate Tau-kwang as his successor.—China Mail.
RAILWAY BlLLs.—Yesterday the preamble of the
Caledonian and Wishaw and Coltness Railways was declared
not proved. The preambles of the North Staffordshire Rail-
way Company's Bill for extension of time to purchase lands,
and that of the Dundee and Perth and Aberdeen Junction,
were declared proved. The Bill of the North Staffordshire
Railway for their Ashbourne branch and power to lease is
withdrawn. The standing orders have been declared to be
dispensed with in the case of the Eastern Union Railway
Company's Bill, and in that of the York, Newcastle, and
Berwick and Great North of England Purchase Bills, in which
they sought additional provision.
On Saturday Catherine Gibbons, an aged female,
who came a passenger in the Britannia steamer, was killed
under the following circumstances :—The deceased was OR
the deck while the vessel was being brought into the Cla-
rence-dock, and very imprudently sat down on the coil of a
hawser. When the vessel began to move the hawser tight-
ened, and the deceased was unable to extricate herself from
it. One of her legs became entangled, and though imme-
, late assistance was rer dered she was not extricated until
her foot e.aos torn off. She died the same day at the North-
ern Hospital.—Verdict, Accidental death.7-Liverpoo/
Mercury.
IMPORTATION OF IRON FROM CHINA.—Two
ire-
portations of iron have just token place from China. Tire
vessel Robert Small, arrived in the docks from Canton, has
brought 5,1;0 parcels of lig iron, a, a i,or titn of hrr cargo,
consigned to order; and the vessel Charlotte T(,one, from
Canton, has brought 5 tons weight of the article, consigned
Ito order. These importations of iron from China are some-
what remarkable, and of considerable interest.

LONDON'.

COURT CIRCULAR.

The Qucen Pcince A I:ert t,ok a diiva in an
open ca -riage and i'..!ur.y(.sterl;y. The Egaerri,-::In
-Waiting, Lord Chi:.;vs Fi'zroy and Litut.-Colonel
the non. Alexlzid;:!rGord,.,n, att:,•nile.d on borit-lh.ck.
Tile i)uke and Ducbtsti do Niqnours vi,ictd her
D.,laj•-sty yesterday ut 13uckiughain Palace.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert rode out on
horseback yesterday, attended by Lieut.-Colonel the
Hon. A. Gordon.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, attended
by Mr. Birch, took a drive yesterday in an open
earria,4e.
Tneir Royal Higlme,sses the Princess Royal, the
Princess Alice, and the Princess Louisa, took an
airing in an open carriage and four yesterday.
Her Majesty's private hand was in attendance in
I3uckinghtun Palace on Tuesday evening, and played

the follokting pieces :
Overture, SeLotion, " Czalir and Zhu-
ruerrn3nri"

Lori zing.

Selection, "Figark)"

Mozirt.

Jal!acic Alar Na.

Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. Alexander Gordon has re-
lieved Lout.-Colonel F. 11. Seymour in his duties as
Eqoerry in Waizitig to his Royal Highness Prince
Albert.
Tbv. Duke and Duchess de Nemours visited her
Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent yesterday at
Clarence Hout.:e, St. James's.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent took
a carriage airing yesterday.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer gave a Cabinet
dinner yesterday evening, at his official residence
in Downing-street. The Ministers present were
Lord John Russell, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the
Earl of Miuto, Sir G. Grey, Viscount Palmerston,
Earl Grey, Sir Francis Baring, the Earl of Car-
lisle, the Right Hon. Henry Labouchere, and the

Right Hon. Fox Maule. -
A deputation from the Oxford, Worcester, and
Wolverhampton Railway Company, consisting of
Mr. Francis Rufford, M.P. (chairman), Messrs. N.
Grazebrook, W. Lewis, B. Oliveira, Henry G.
Bushby, Joseph Tucker, James Walker, and G. B.
Thorneycroft (directors) ; Mr. Charles Bedford and
Mr. F. T. Elgie (solicitors) ; and Mr. Noel T. Smith
(secretary), had an interview with the Commissioners
of Railways yesterday, at their office in the Board cf
Trade. _ _ _

A deputation of inspectors of land, for the cattle
show of 1851, had an interview with Lord Seymour
yesterday, at the office of the Woods and Forests.
The deputation consisted of Mr. Humphrey Brand-
reth, Mr. B. Brandreth Gibbs, Mr. Thomas Raymond
Barker, Mr. Shaw, Colonel Challoner, Mr. Fisher
Hobbs, and Mr. Pusey.
The Marquis of Clanricarde is suffering from an
attack of illness.

Dr. Lyon Playfair had an interview with Earl
Granville yesterday at the Board of Trade,
Tile Finance Committee of the Royal C )mmission
for the Exhibition of 1851, consiAing of Earl Gran-
ville, Lord Overstone, and Mr. T. F. Gibson, met
yesterday at the Board of Trade. Colonel Reid,
Chairman of the Executive Committee, was also
present.
A deputation, consi,ting of the High Bailiff of
Westminster, Mr. Graham, and Mr. Lewis, had an
interview yesterday with Earl Granville.
Dispatches were sent off yesterday evening from
the Colonial-office for the Governors of Ceylon and
Hong Kong.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
I3ATd AND SOMERSET RACES—WEDNESDAY.
The Dyrhaw Park Stakes, of 15 sovs. *ltch, 10 ft, end
100 added, fir three years old. One mile and a half.

(11 Subs.)
Mr. Gannon's Deicoon, Bst 10lb (J. Sharp) 1
Mr. Jenkins's Miss Llrkaway, Bst 101 b (A. Day) 2
Mr. Fov.ler's The Moi,k, Bst 5 b (W hi tehouse) 3
Mr. L. V. Fox's Taunton Dean, Bit 101 b (S. Rogers) 4
5t02 on Deicoon, who won by four lengths. Run in
2 min. 49 E eCS. _ _ _

--•-- ---
he Weston Stakes of 10 sous. each, ard 50 added, for

two pars old. T.Y.C. Straight half-mile. (15

Subs.)
Mr. Howard's Prestige, Bst 41b (A. Day) 1
Mr. Waring's Gloom, Bst 41b (T. Carlisle) 2
Capt. Archdall's Quadroon, Bst 41b (Wakefield 3
4 to 1 on Prestige, who won in a canter by a length
and a half. Run in 55 sees.

. -
'he City Cup of 100 sous. in specie, added to a Sweep -
stak(s of 20 sous. each, h ft. To Itttirt at the Re,l
Yost and go once round, about two miles and a habt

(12 Subs.)
Sir J. Hawley's Fernhill, 5 yrs (A. Day) 1
Mr. Fowler's John Dory, 4 yr 5......... (Whitehouse) 2
Captain Lowtber's Tarn Wadlin, 4 yrs...(S. Rogers) 1
Betting—Even on Tarn Wadlin, and 5 to 2 agst the
other two. Won by a length. Run in 5 min. 34 sec.
A Sweepstakes of 5 sous. each, with 20 added, was
won in four heats by Ilasta (H. Goater), beating Car-
buncle (won first heat), Lethargy Kwon second hest)..,
Sepulchre, Terpsichore (fell), Waterfall, and severs 4,
others.
THE DERBY.-12 to 1 offered on the course agst GU.
lie Callum (rt ported to be amiss), and 40 to 1 agst Dei-
coon. No other change.
Ch EsTEn CliP.-1,000 to 15 agst Osterley. Thus
others a 3 Wore.

MALTON RACES.

The Claret Stakes of 10 sow. each, for three yrs oldl.

One mile and a half.
Mr. Hesseltine's Timothy, Bst 71b
Mr. G. Barton's Sir Philip, Bst 71b
Mr. J. Shepherd's Kill or Cure, Bst 71b
The Convivial Handicap, of 10 Boys each, 5 ft, and onl
3is declared, with 50 added. One mile. (10 Subs., •3.
of whom declared.)
Sir C. Mouck's Gulliver, 4 yrs, 7st 41b lt
Colonel Anson's f by Touchstone, 3 yrs, Est 51b
Three others started.
The Farewell Stakes were won by Bastinado beatin,
Galileo. and the Tallyho Handicap by Leonidas beatin i ;
Little Queen and Billy Brown.
CURRAGH APRIL MEETING.—TUESDAY.
The opining meeting for the season commenced thi6i
day. The weather was most propitious and the attendl-
mice large. A special train, which left the Kill's). •
bridge terminus a few minutes atter twelve o'clocl t,
brought down between three and four hundred passe) ti-
gers. The racing was of an average character. Amon ig
the fashiunables present were—the Marquis of W ate r-
ford, Marquis of Drogheda, Earl of Miltown, Earl of
Clonmel, Lord Rusborough, Sir Thomas Burke, Bar b.,
M.P., &c.
Tile only race of the day worthy of notice was ti
to
lust on the list a sweepstakes of 15 sovs.. 25 added, whit
do
war won after a gallant struggle by King Fisher, by a
short length.
Scurry Stakes, 5 sovs. cacti. with 25 SOW. adde t'.
Anglesey'Post.
Mr. Watt's Earl Warwick, 3 yrs, 6st 21b (J. Wynne) 1
Col. Westenra's b h Trouncer, 6 yrs, 9st 101 b (Wynne) :2
Capt. Lane's br c St. John, 3yrs, 6st 41b (Monahan)
Mr. Mangan's b f Portia, 4 yrs, Bst (L. Keegan, jun.) 0
Mr. Farrar's bl c Viscount, 4 yrs, 7st 81b ...(Owens) 0
La. Waterford's b e Whiteboy,3 yrs,6st 21b(Doyle.jun.) ‘0
r. Irwin's eh c Independence, 3 yrs, Gst 21b (Lynch)
Mr. Murphy's ch f by Tearaway—Zulima, 3 yrs, Gat 8113
Mr. Williamson's eh aby Retriever, 3 yrs, sst 81b 0
Betting-2 to 1 agst Trouncer, sto 2 agst Portia, 4ti
1 rtgst St. John, 5 to 1 agst Warwick.
Her Majesty's Plate of 100 gs.; weight for age. Ts, r o
miles.
Mr. Kelly's ch h Blucher, 5 yrs (Dawson) 1
Mr. Watt's b h Little Harry, 5 yrs (Lilly) 2
Mr. Murphy's ch c Dough, 5 yrs. (Magee) 3
Lord Waterford's b h Duc-an-Durras, 5 yrs (Doyle) 0
Captain Haworth's ch m Baroness, 4 yrs...(Chifney) 0
Mr. Disney's b c Conveyor, 3 yrs...(L. Keegan, jun.) 0
Mr. St. George's gr cby Verulam— Whim (Wynne) 0
Betting —2 to 1 agst Dough, 3 to 1 agstLittle Harry.,
3 to 1 agst The Baroness, 5 to 1 agst Whim colt.
The Madrid Stakes, 25 soya. each, for three yrs old.
Mr. Disney's b c Captain Grant, Bst 31b... (Wynne) 1
Mr. Knox's br c Sc. John, Rat 41b (Foley) 2
Mr. Murphy's Brother to Dough, Bst 4lb ... (Magee)
Mr. Watt's b f Marchioness d'En, sst 81b (Lilly) 0
Mr. Irwin's ch c Pio Nono, Bst 61b (Doyle) 0
Mr. Courtenay's gr f Caprice, Bst 21b ... (L. Keegan) 0
Lord Watertord's Brother to Johnny. 7st 41b(Doyle) 0
Sweepstakes of 15 soya., 5 ft. with 25 soya. added froz
the Club, and 25 Boys. from the Trainers' Funt t.
Waterford Post.
Mr. Kennedy's br h King Fisher, 9st 51b ... (Wynne) 1
Capt. Holden's br c Woodlands,4 yrs, Bst (Magee) 2
Capt. Lane's b m The Darter, 5 yrs, Bst 101 b (Keegan) 0
Mr. Watts's br c Jester, 3 yrs, 7st 121 b (Lilly) 0
INTELLIGENCE EXTRA.
ASCOT HEATH-1850.
Nominations for the Fernhill Stakes.
Lord Clifien's Beaufort, 2 yrs; Mr. Howard's Pres-
tige, 2 yrs; Mr. E. Batson's King of Cymry, 3 yrs;
Duke of Richmond's Officious, 3 yrs; Duke of Ric 1:1••
mond's b f by the Ugly Buck out of Margelina, 2 yr s;
Mr. Gratwicke's Countess, 3 yrs; Major Martyn's Fe r-
nande, 3 yrs; Lord Exeter's Ghio, 3 yrs; Mr. Merry's
Louis Napoleon; Mr. Stevens na Britannia, 2 yrs; Kr.
C. Liley's Thea, 3 yrs; Mr. Ford's Slane out of Re -
ceipt, 2 yrs; Baron Rothschild's br f by Kremlin out of
the Evening Star, 2 yrs.
Nominations for the Emperor's Plate.

Lord Clifdeu's Surplice, 5 yrs (Mr. Pedley's Cossac•'k,
6 yrs; Mr. W. Edwards's Bolingbroke, 3 yrs; Sir .R.
Pigot's Esedarius, 4 yrs; Lord Exeter's Little Jack, 3
yrs; Lord Eglintou's The Flying Dutchman, 4 yrs; Kr.
Ford's Lady Evelyn, 4 yrs; Lord Howth's Peep-o'-Day-
Boy, 6 yrs ; Lord Stanley's Csnezou, 5 yrs ;
Barncs.'s Sotterley, 5 yrs; Lord Exeter's Glenalvon, 4
yrs; Lord H. Lennox's William the Conqueror, 3 yrs;
Mr. Merry's Chanticleer, aged ; Lord Lonsdale's Je-
richo, aged.

DONCASTER, 1850.
LAST DAY.—Match-500 sous., 100 ft ; last mile and
half of St. Leger Course. Mr. Gannon's Deicoon, 3
yrs, Bst 71b, against Mr. Syer's Augean, 3 yrs, ist.
GOODWOOD, 1850.
The Cup has closed with 23 subscribers.
NEWMARKET SECOND MEETING, 1850.
TUESDAY.—Match-100, h ft; Yearling Course. Duke
cf BAtoro's blshratta, Bst 71b, against Mr. Ramabot-
tow's lule, 7st 121 b.

WARD OF CREAr.-A vacancy has occurred in the
representaticti of this ward in the Court of Common Council,
by the death of Mr. Deputy Brook, of Cheapside, who has
been f. r nearly forty years in the corporation. A requisition
having been presented to Mr. J. Bennett. F.R.A.S., gold-
smith, of Cheapside, requesting him to serve the ward in
council, he has consented to be put in nomination as a can-
didate on the liberal interest.