The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-09 00:00:00

COURT CIRCULAR.

WINDSOR, SATURDAY.—The Queen and Prince
Albert took their usual early walk this morning in
the vicinity of the Castle.
Their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of Saxe Coburg
and Gotha, and Wurtemberg, attended by Baron de
Alvensleben, left the Castle at ten o'clock this morn-
ing for Buckingham Palace.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales,
Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the Princess
Alice, left the Castle about two o'clock for Claremont.
Her Majesty and Prince Albert, accompanied by
the Duchess of Saxe Coburg and Gotha, and at-
tended by the Marchioness of Douro, Lord Charles
Wellesley, and Sir Edward Bowater, took their de-
parture for Claremont, soon after two o'clock, travel-
ling in a char-a-banc. Her Majesty and his Royal
highness were conducted to their carriage by the
Hon. Misses Stanley and Hamilton, the Earl of
Hardwicke, and the Hon. and Rev. C. L. Courtenay.
The Lord Steward left the Castle for town about
twelve o'clock.

Her Majesty and Prince Alberti the Duchess of
Saxe Coburg, and the royal suite, arrived at Clare-
mont, on Saturday afternoon, from Windsor Castle.
The Earl of Liverpool arrived to dinner from town.
The Dukes of Saxe Coburg and Gotha, and Wur-
temberg, attended by Baron de Alvensleben, arrived
at Claremont Saturdey night, from town.
The Queen and Prince Alert, the illustrious visi-
tors, and the royal suite, attended Divine service
yesterday, at Claremont. Archdeacon Wilbarforce
officiated.

The Duke of Cambridge visited her Royal High-
ness the Duchess of Gloucester, on Saturday, at
Gloucester House.

Mr. John Wood, Chairman of the Excise, had an
interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on
Saturday, at his official residence, in Downing-street.
The Duke of Wellington attended the early service
yesterday in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. The Rev.
Dr. Wesley preached the sermon. The Marquis of
Normanby, Lords Campbell and Cantilupe, attended
the daily service. Prayers were read by the Rey. Mr.
Hall, and the lessons by the Rev. Dr. Knapp. The
sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Sleath. Earl
Delawarr, Lords Hawarden and Norreys attended
the evening service in the Chapel Royal, St. James's.
The Lords Committee of the Privy Council for the
affairs of Guernsey and Jersey sat on Saturday in the
Council Chamber. The Lords present were the Se-
cretary of State for the Home Department, Mr. Baron
Parke, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Cornwall, and
the Judge of the Admiralty Court.
The Solicitor- General was heard on a petition of
the States of the island of Guernsey, praying her
Majesty's confirmation of a project of reform.
Judgment was not given.
Lady Henniker, whose accouchement took place at
Thornham Hall, Suffolk, on the 4th inst., is, with her
infant daughter, going on very favourably.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

_
Balfe's Daughter of St. Mark, was performed at
Drury-lane Theatre on Saturday night. The most
effective among the performers was certainly Borrani,
who not only gains on his audience at every represen-
tation of this opera, but who absolutely approves him-
self one of the first bass singers of the day. Miss Rain-
forth also gave evidence of untiring zeal and thorough
knowledge of art all through her arduous and oppres-
sive part of the performance.
At the close of the opera, acording to previous ar-
rangement, Mr. Balfe was presented with a magnifi-
cent breakfast service of plate, in commemoration of
the one hundredth representation of his Bohemian
Girl, which took place some short time since. The
audience, who were on the alert for the -ceremonial,
cheered the composer on the fall of the curtain, and
they cheered him also again when he vacated the
conductor's seat and retired to the cavernous pas-
sages beneath the stage, previously to re-appearing
on the scene as the recipient of the public bounty.
At this point of time the house presented a very
animated and inspiring picture ; the whole company
before the curtain, in the boxes, in the pit, and in the
galleries, were standing, and pleasurable expectation
lighted each eye and kindled each conntenance in the
crowd. After the performers had responded to the
call of the audience, and received the usual and cus-
tomary ovation in the shape of a given amount of
applause, Mr. Balfe, led on by Mr. Bunn, the lessee
of the theatre, emerged from the side of the stage
and advanced to the foot lights—both making the
necessary obeisance to the cheering public. In a few
moments, when silence had been sufficiently restored
to enable him to be heard,
Mr. Burns stood forward, and. said :—" Ladies and
Gentlemen,--I was apprehensive, when the subject
which is to form so interesting a feature in this
night's entertainments first came under consideration,
that it would not be altogether proper to bring it
before the public in the manner proposed on that
occasion. I therefore hesitated a moment as to the
part that I should take in the matter ; but, recollect-
ing that it was I who first introduced my talented
friend to the stage, I thought it was only just that I
should participate in the present ovation. That favour
which was freely conceded to him on his first intro-
duction to the public, I am happy to say still continues
to be manifested for him ; and it is with pleasure I
add that the spells of his enchantment yet hold their
accustomed sway over the hearts of every audience. A
body of his admirers—including a large portion of
the general public—having determined upon present-
ing him with a testimonial in honour and remem-
brance of the hundredth representation of his opera
of the Bohemian Girl, this, the night on which he
takes his benefit at your hands, is deemed the most
fitting time to offer it to him.—(Cheers.) And while
I most gratefully and most cordially, thank you all
for the kindness with which you have viewed my own
humble share in that opera—(Hear)-1 assure you
that no one can feel more heartfelt gratification than
I do in being the medium of introducing to you in
person my exeellent friend.—(Hear.) He is now
before you—the receiver is in the presence of the
giver, and I shall—
" Leave him alone with his glory,"
to answer for himself. A task I have no doubt he
will perform not alone in a much better manner, but
far more to, your own satisfaction than any other
person."
The curtain then rose, displaying on a table the
various articles of which the " testimonial" was com-
posed. They were tastefully arranged, and looked
rich and expensive —doubtless they. were the one and
the other. IVI.r. Bunn retired, bowing to the audience
in his own peculiar manner. He was much cheered
by the house.
Mr. Balfe then spoke, but he certainly is not as
much of an orator as he is a musician. The enthu-
siastic applause of the audience seemed to embarrass
him, and he evidently was in want of words to ex-
press himself:—
" Ladies and Gentlemen—I thank you. lam '
placed by Mr. Bunn in a most awkward, though a
most enviable, position.—(Cheers.) I have had the
honour of appearing before you several times as a
composer. I hope I shall still have that honour se-
veral times more.—(Cheers.) I thank you from my
heart, and allow me to say that I feel deeply the ex-
cessive honour you have conferred upon me on this
and on every other occasion when I have presented
myself before y ou.— (Cheers.) lam sensible of the
high favour you have accorded to me; and I trust
that my future professional life shall be devoted to an
untiring effort to deserve your great bounty.—
(Cheers.) Ladies and gentlemen, I now take leave
of you for the present. thanking you heartily, and
entertaining but one hope on earth—that of soon
meeting you again under equally auspicious circum-
stances.—(Cheers.)
The composer then left the stage amidst a perfect
tumult of approbation ; the curtain fell, and the scene
was over.
It is but justice to state that the Testimonial was
originally proposed by H. J. St. Leger, Esq., through
whom, as Honorary Secretary, all the subscriptions
were received, at Chappell s, 50, New Bond-street.
The subscription amounts to - 2501., of which "sum
Mrs. Chappell gave 1001.
The Distin family executed Meyerbeer's famous
piece Robert toi que faime on their saxhorns ; and an
encore gave the audience that exquisite scene from
Lucia di Lammermoor, Bel Alma inamorata, which
loses that fine opera. The house appeared to be
mightily pleased with the performance.
The ballet of The Peri followed, and concluded the
entertainments of the evening.
There was a numerous audience all through, from
the commencement to the close of the performances.

THEATRE ROYAL' ADELPHl.—Extraordinary at-
traction is announced at this favourite place of enter-
tainment for this evening. It is many years since Mr.
Buckstone played at the Adelphi ; he appears in his
own popular piece of Snapping Turtles, in which Mrs.
Fitzwilliam sustains three different haracters. Mr.
Webster and Madame Celeste will perform in The
Trumpeter's Daughter, and dance the celebrated Polka ;
and Mr. John Parry sings his historical romance of
" Fayre Rosamond."
SMITHFIELD CLUB CATTLE SHONV.—FFOIII an early
hour on Friday until a late hour in the evening the neigh-
bourhood of the Horse Bazaar, King-street, Portman-
square, was the scene of the greatest bustle, consequent
on the assemblage of hundreds of persons to witness the
arrival of the splendid animals destined for exhibition at
the ensuing anniversary of the Smithfield Cattle Club, as
also the novel implements of agriculture, forwarded for
competition on the occasion. A large number of horned
cattle arrived during Thursday night and Friday, via the
London and Birmingham and Great Western Railways,
and presented an exceedingly fresh appearance. Mr.
Gibbs, the secretary of the club, and Mr. Ayling, a gen-
tleman connected with the bazaar, were actively engaged
throughout the day in numbering the various animals,
and allotting them partitions in accordance with the
grade to which they belonged. All arrangements, under
the direction of Mr. Gibbs, are now finally completed.
It is expected that the exhibition will this year be in
noureci by II viiit from toyelti Unit

THE LATE °TWAY CAVE, M.P.
The funeral of the Hon. Robert Otway Cave, M.P.,
took place on Saturday, from Stamford Hall, attended by
a numerous assemblage of the friends and tenantry of
the family.
Mr. Otway Cave was only son of the late Henry Otway
and the Baroness Braye, heir to this peerage, the
patent of which had been lately revived, after some cen-
turies of abeyance, on the late Duke of Bedford resign-
ing his equal claim to it. He was in the 49th year of his
age. He married in 1838 the eldest daughter of Sir
Francis Burdett. Between Sir Francis and his son•in-
law there existed through life an affectionate friendship.
Mr. Cave was highly distinguished for classical pro-
ficiency both at Eton and Oxford, Some of his Latin
compositions (which, as an amusement, he occasionally
indulged in even till recently) were much admired by
one of the best judges—the late Marquis Wellesley.
He was eighteen years in Parliament, represented
Leicester, Hastings, and Tipperary ; and as his talents,
discernment, and information were of a superior order,
he would probably have been an influential speaker,
had not the extreme delicacy of his health prevented
the possibility of regular Parliamentary attendance and
practice in debate. The last time he addressed the
Reuse was in support of the motion condemnatory of
the prosecutions of the union repeal leaders. In his
political principles he was staunch, undeviating—
pure and fearless in their advocacy. Of Catholic eman-
cipation, West Indian emancipation, tithe modification,
Parliamentary reform, and every other measure offering
the hope of benefit to his fellow-beings, he was an
ardent supporter ; and though a man of great benevo-
lence, and though his pecuniary sacrifices in support of
party politics (which he considered it his duty to incur)
were great, so modest, self-denying, and unostentatious
were his habits, that he has left his property without a
shilling of incumbrance. The humbler the condition of
those who sought his assistance, the more fervently and
with the more sympathy was it rendered. Of the ulti-
mate distribution of the extensive estates in England and
Ireland which were in his testamentary disposal (amount-
ing to at least 20,0001. a year) we have not heard. By
his death there will probably be no vote lost to his
party, but the void left in the Liberal ranks will be
sensibly felt.
But it was in private life, and by those most allied to
him, that the loss of Otway Cave will be most tenderly
and poignantly deplored. Nor do we think that we
exceed in quoting the words of one who knew him fur
thirty years—that " a disposition and amenity more en-
dearing, or a heart more devoted to those whom he
deemed deserving of his affection, more disinterested,
kinder, or more amiable was never inclosed in any
human frame." To omit on this melancholy occasion
some brief tribute to the memory of one so consistent
and honourable in public, so good and benevolent in
private life, were to be wanting to justice and proper
feeling, and to one of the most grateful duties of public
journalists.

THE FROST.
The frost still continues, but with rather diminished
severity, although, from the keen and cutting wind from
the north-east which prevailed throughout yesterday, the
cold was most intense. The thermometer at seven o'clock
in the morning, at the receiving-house, Hyde-park, was
not lower than 29 degrees (3 degrees of frost), and
during the day it varied only from 29 to 30 degrees, and
at six o'clock the mercury was still standing at 29 de-
grees, with a dense and cloudy sky, and every probabi-
lity of a fall of snow before the morning.
The parks and Kensington-gardens were throughout
the day thronged by respectably-dressed persons, appa-
rently from all parts of the metropolis, in anticipation of
witnessing or participating in the healthy exercise of
seating, in which they were not disappointed.
The Serpentine was entirely frozen over. It was,
however, extremely thin, not being in any part more
than an inch and a half thick, and was therefore most
dangerous. During the day full 5,000 persons ventured
at the risk of their lives upon the ice, notwithstanding
the repeated cautions they received from the icemen of
the Royal Humane Society, whose exertions to prevent
accidents were most praiseworthy., The number of ice-
men was twelve, with a deputy- superintendent, the whole
being under the direction of Mr. Williams' the active
superintendent. Shortly after four o'clock an accident
occurred which had nigh proved fatal to no less than ten
persons. The first that became immersed, a young man
named Charles Fane, residing at No. 3 (Harris's), Ox-
ford-street, broke in about the centre, between the re-
ceiving-house and the bridge, into six feet water. Sparks
and Highmore, two of the icemen, instantly hastened to
his assistance, but, on approaching the edge of the
breakage, the ice gave way under their feet, and
they also become immersed, the sinking man cling-
ing to them, and dragging them under the ice. At
that juncture, others of the icemen, with other persons,
came to their aid, when a third breakage tookplace,
through which seven other persons were im-
mersed. At that instant a sailor, who happened to be
present, most courageously jumped into the hole, andgot
out three men, while the others were got out by the ice-
men, and then, jumping out himself, walked off, wetted
to the skin, without his name being ascertained. One
of the men gut out by him, named Martin Connell, living
at 3, Barrett's-court, Oxford-street, was in a very faint
state, and both he and Fane were instantly conveyed to
the receiving-house, where they received every attention
that their state demanded from Dr. Woolley, one of the
honorary surgeons of the institution; and after a hot
bath, &c., were able to proceed home.
On the Round Pond in Kensington-gardens the ice
round the edges was very thin and insecure, although in
the centre it is very firm. About 1,500 persons were on
it during the day without any accident of a serious cha-
racter occurring. Two of the Humane Society's icemen
were in attendance with the necessary implements fur
saving live. On the Long-water, that portion of the ice
between the islands and the Bayswater end is most
secure, while the portion towards the bridge, owing to
the strong action of the north-east wind blowing through
the arches, was slight and dangerous. About 2,500 per-
sons were during the day on the upper part, amongst
whom were several members of the Skating Club, whose
practised and elegant evolutions excited great admiration
from the numerous and fashionable assemblage which
crowded both the banks. Two icemen were in attend-
ance but fortunately no accidents occurred.
The Ornamental Water in the Regent's Park yester-
day, from as early as 8 o'clock in the morning till dusk,
was literally thronged with skaters and sliders. Se-
veral members of the Skating Club were present. The
ice was in excellent condition, in thickness about two
inches, and far less dangerous than in the other parks,
which will account for no accident whatever having oc-
curred, although no less than 10,000 persons had ven-
tured upon the ice throughout the day.
In the event of any accident the Royal Humane So-
ciety have had marquees erected, with the usual appa-
ratus, baths, beds, &e., and also medical attendance,
besides nine men, a boy, and the Deputy Superintendent
Berwood, whose services were fortunately not required,
the latter having succeeded in keeping persons from
going on to the broad and dangerous ice, and confining
them to the narrow and stronger.
On the lake in St. James's-park there were also from
an early hour in the morning crowds of persons con-
tinually thronging to the ice till nearly dark in the af-
ternoon. The numbers who were on the ice throughout
the day were upwards of 10,000, but, unfortunately, the
day did not close without several serious and, it is
feared, some fatal accidents. The first which took place
was at about half-past 12 o'clock, when Mr. S. Pendell,
of No. 5, Parliament-street, broke in up to his middle, but
he fortunately got out without help, and after receiving
some assistance from Mr. M'Cann, the surgeon attending
the Humane Society's marquee, proceeded to his resi-
dence. The most serious casualties took place between
three and four o'clock. The ice generally was in a very
dangerous state, and about the time in question there
was upwards of 6,000 persons engaged in skating and
sliding. A portion of the ice gave way on the north
side of the island at the east end. and seven or eight
persons immediately became immersed in 14 feet of
water. Iceman Jost ph Clapstone immediately repaired
to their assistance, with breaker, ladders, &c., but these
from the rottenness of the ice, giving way, he fearlessly
sprang into the water, and with the aid of Ferrer, one
of the park-keepers, • and some of the bystanders, suc-
ceeded in extricating five persons ; but the other two or
three it is feared have met with a watery grave. Drags
were used for their recovery up to a late hour. Poor
Clapstone, the iceman, nearly lost his life, three of the
persons struggling in the water having clung to him and
carried him several times beneath the surface, so that he
became completely exhousted ; he was then assisted by
iceman James Wood, and on reaching the surface the
last time brought up a gentleman, who was thus saved
and was able to proceed home immediately. The four
others rescued were immediately conveyed to the Royal
Humane Society's marquee, and were promptly at-
tended by Mr. M'Cann, and Mr. Laslett, his assistant.
They were each put into warm baths, placed in warm
blankets, and stimulants were administered. Scarcely
had this been effected when a similar accident
took place at the west end of the lake, near
Buckingham Palace, where the ice broke completely
across from the northern to the southern shore, and about
fifteen persons were suddenly thrown into ten feet
of water. Icemen James and Richard Wood, 'and „Jo-
seph Knight, instantly repaired to the spot with ropes,
sledge, breaker, ladders, &c., but the sledge got under
the ice and was stove in. While extricating it the
ladders broke in, and became useless, and the ropes
which were thrown across broke several times before,
with the aid of poles, the immersed persons could be got
out. This having been fortunately effected in each in-
stance, about half of them were able to depart homewards
instantly, but seven or eight were taken to the marquee,
where a scene ensued which baffles all description, there
being only two beds with two persons in each, and but
one warm bath, with the tent literally crowded and the
mob outside pressing in, mostly attracted by curiosity,
but many inquiring for friends and relatives. In this
state of things, however, every exertion was used by the
medical gentlemen, as well as by Mr. Deputy Superin-
tendent Petrie, and the Society's men generally. It
was, however, necessary to put three or four of these
-shivering patients at-one time into the warm bath and
also in each bed. The whole of these persons were able
to proceed homeward in the course of the evening. The
whole of the ladders and other implements were ren-
dered comparatively useless, and it will be necessary for
Mr. Superintendent Williams to send another supply
this day.
The following is the list of persons who were brought
to the marquee :—Thomas Wattin, 49, High-street,
Bloomsbury; William Valens, 45, North-street, Sloane-
street; Richard Taylor, 6, Baldwin's-place, Baldwin's-
gardens; Henry Bragg, 2, Rinaston-street, Lambeth;
John Jones, 83, Chancery-lane; William Elish, 6, Ame-
lia-street, St. Olave's; John Burden, 55, King- street,
Soho; Alfred Clark, 4, Leigh-street, Red Lion-square;
Samuel Harvey, 31, *Brewer-street, Pimlico; James
Conquest, ditto; William Hutchins, Paris-street, North
Pimlico.

THE LATE EARL OP LOXSDI,LE:—The Subscription
for the memorial to this nobleman amounts to 8624.35.6 d.