The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-17 00:00:00

BRIGHTON.

This town has never been more full ; there is not a
house suited to a large and distinguished family to be
had throughout this extended town ; that is, if we ex-
cept Kemp-town ; and even here there are but few of
any style or importance to be had ; perhaps the elegant
abode which is just arrived at completion of Mr. George
Robins (opposite the Duke of Devonshire's), is the only
exception. In respect to the society who now congre-
gate in Brighton, it is out of the question to conceal the
fact that it is not of the same character that belonged to
it when George the Fourth sojourned here. We cannot
now boast of forty or fifty splendid equipages at one
time, and with four horses to each, giving life and spirit
to the Esplanade ; we may rather call the present the
elite of the citizens, and bankers, the clergymen and pro-
fessional men of all descriptions, but a plentiful scarcity
of Dukes and Lords, and such like folks, who used to
spend 'their incomes here : all this may be traced to the
Radical spirit that prevails here. Gaiety, however, has
at length began.,,,.Mr. Eliot; the worthy and talented
M. C. of this town, took his benefit on yhursday, which
was most brilliantly and' fashionably attended ; and
Mons. and Madame Michau gave a grand Polka ball to
their pupils, at the Old Ship Rooms, on Tuesday evening.
There was a very fashionable assembly, and the number of
pupils was as great, and their appearance as charming, as
we ever saw on any former occasion. Several figure dances
were executed with that finished ease and grace which
" Madame" knows so well how to impart to her pupils.
The two eldest Misses Furner danced a Minuet de la
Cour, and the two youngest the Pas de Giselle. There
was also a Shawl Dance by Miss Weston, and a Bolero,
characterised by all the freedom and grace of that de-
lightful movement. But of course the Polka was the
predominant feature of the evening ; and perhaps it was
never seen to greater perfection than as danced by the
twenty interesting couples of youthful belles, dressed in
the same chaste costume, who swept the circle of the
ball-room. Among the company who attended on this oc-
casion, animated by more interesting feelings than those
of-mere lookers-on, like ourselves, were Mr. and Mrs.
George Robins, with their little troupe of cnfans cheris,
and who distinguished themselves highly in all the polkas
and the quadrilles. They were, indeed a little feature in the
evening's entertainment; but a greater treat in petto was
reserved, in the person of Miss Elize Robins, a little dar-
ling not yet six years old, who danced a fancy dance (the
Cracovienne), toute seule, in a most captivating manner.
She looked a little Taglioni—or, perhaps, it may be
better taste to say, it was in,the real Michau style. She
danced with uncommon spirit, and looked a little fairy to
the very life. On making her curtsey (which she did
most elegantly), the applause throughout the crowded
room was unanimous. She was the great (or, to speak
by the book, the little) lion of the evening. Madame
Alichau's style, and her tact in teaching, place her very
high in the school of dancing ; indeed, she need be
under no apprehension of encountering a successful rival
in her art. The beautiful stained glass that is to form
the coup d'ail of the exterior to Mr. Robins's Marine
Villa at Kemp-town, is to inclose the portico entree,
and will have a novel and prepossessing effect ; we be-
lieve it will be perfected to-day. The Earl of Aberga-
venny and the Duke of Somerset are both mentioned as
competitors for this delightful abode. It appears to us
that it was in good taste that Mr. Robins has added two
buildings for the stable department ; such a mansion
stood in need of it , not only eight stalls, but also eight
bedchambers are added for the male portion of the esta-
blishment to repose in. The theatre has not been
patronised to the extent of its deserts. The company
are far above the common order, and if the visitors desire
to be amused they ought to encourage the enterprising
manager, Mr. Hooper, who is most active and obliging.
Kean and his amiable wife are extraordinary favourites
here—they are the only performers who have paid them-
selves well, and put money into the pockets of the
management. There has been great difficulty here, for
some tiros past, in getting the railway papers, even with
a little bribery, and this inconvenience has been greatly
felt—it is now remedied, and in a most effectual
manner. The Board of Directors have appointed
Messrs. Wright, the eminent music-sellers (and vendors
of choice wines also), of the Colonnade, to be the only
depot for these time-tables—they are distributed free
gratis, and with the usual good manners—that is one of
the characteristics possessed by this respectable firm.—
Brighton Heald, Dec. 14.

FlRE.—Sunday afternoon a fire broke out in the
house of an oil and colourman, Brick-lane, Spitalfields,
opposite the brewery of Messrs. Truman, Banbury, and
Co. As several men were at the latter establishment,
they lost no time in dragging the engine to work, and
very quickly afterwards several of the brigade reached
the spot, but the fire obtained a mastery over the fire-
men's exertions, and notwithstanding water was plentiful
in the extreme, in about half an hour the principal por-
tion of the premises and property. were destroyed.
DARING RORBERY.—On Friday night the follow-
ing robbery took place at the Printers' Arms, New
Church-court, strand. A castomer in the parlour rang
the bell and ga go an order, and Mrs. Meader, the land-
lady, forthwith at tended. to :t. During her absence from
the bar, about two minutes, on her return she saw a man
who required serving. Having served the customer, to
her surprise she noticed the man dart out of the door
with a silver watch in his hand, which the fellow had
taken from the bar off a nail. An alarm was raised and
pursuit was giver. but the thief got clear off with the
property in his possession.

FURTHER PARTICULARS.
'When first the dress of Miss Webster was dis-
covered to be on fire the whole corps de ballet, who
were on the stage with her, closed round her almost
simultaneously, and as if by instinct, to crush and ex-
tinguish the flames, but, terrified at the terrific ap-
pearance which almost instantaneously presented
itself, they retreated, and she rushed forward alone
towards the front of the stage. Mdlle. Plunkett alone
endeavoured to extinguish the flames, and in so doing
was herself nearly falling a victim to her intrepidity
and good feelings. At this moment a man sprang
from the wing of the stage, and throwing himself
upon the young lady, threw her down and extin-
guished the fire by rolling upon her. In so doing,
however, , he'
severely cut her upper lip, and received
come slightinjury himself from the burning clothes.
He is not, however, much hurt, and was on Sunday at
the theatre. Miss Webster Was immediately taken
into the green-room, and placed upon a sofa. Her
clothes were nearly all consumed, at least all her ex-
ternal garments. Fortunately, Dr. Marsden,
of Lincoln's Inn, was in the theatre, and
his assistance was rendered without delay.
The usual applications of spirits of wine and
water, flour, &c., were had recourse to, and every-
thing done that, under the immediate circum-
stances, could be done. Miss Webster's face was
much blistered, and in some parts scorched, the eye-
lashes and eye- brows burnt off; but the hair of the
head is untouched. The lower extremities are much
scorched, and the flesh of the hips is also much burnt.
The hands also have suffered dreadfully, they are
said to be burnt almost to the bone. Miss Webster
never lost her recollection, but exhibited, notwith-
standing the dreadful agony under which she la-
boured, great physical power and extraordinary moral
fortitude. She was conveyed to her h.me in Upper
Norton-street in a carriage, attended by Dr. Mars-.
den, who administered fresh applications, and who
has since been unceasing in his attendance. During
the whole of Sunday the inquiries were incessant
after her health. Mr. Liston, the eminent surgeon,
and other medical gentlemen, were called in, but
they concurred in all that Dr. Marsden had done,
and his mode of treatment has been adhered to. At
one o'clock on Sunday the answer to inquiries was
that she had had a few hours' sleep, and was doing
as well as could be expected. At eleven at night,
the account was, that she was still in great danger,
but that the symptoms were favourable, and hopes
were entertained of her ultimate recovery. She was
not delirious, but there was some appearance of in-
coherence in her questions to those in attendance on
her. Altogether her case bears a more favourable as-
pect than was at first expected.