The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-28 00:00:00

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.

Mr. Laurent seems determined to manage this
theatre with spirit during his short season. His
patrons cannot, at all events, complain of lack of
novelty. On the opening night he produced a new
pantomime, last evening we had two first appear-
ances at this theatre, and to-night young Henry
Betty makes his debut in Hamlet. The play last
evening was the Hunchback, with Mr. Rae as Master
Walter, and Mr. Hield as Sir Thomas Clifford. Both
these gentlemen are from the Liverpool Theatre.
Mr. Rae possesses a good voice, and is in person not
unlike Vandenhoff. He is evidently an experienced
actor, and in second-rate parts will be an acquisition
to the theatre. There was nothing very striking
about his delineation of Master Walter, but on the
whole it was a creditable, even performance. Mr.
Iliad seemed somewhat nervous. His conception of
the character of . Sir Thomas Clifford was good, but
he hardly gave himself fair play. His acting would
have been all the better had it been more energetic.
The scene with Julia in the fourth act, for instance,
was sadly wanting in intensity. There is, however,
great promise about Mr. Hield, and he may, if he
pleases, become an accomplished actor. Our old
favourite, Mrs. Brougham, appeared as Julia. This
was her first appearance since her return from Ame-
rica, and we are happy to say she appeared in excel-
lent health and spirits, and all the better for her
transatlantic trip. The pantomime concluded the
evening's entertainment, and went off gloriously.
There was a very good attendance in the boxes, while
the pit and galleries were crowden to excess.

ROYAL POPYTECHNIC INSTI-
TUTION.

Never, since the establishment of this superlative
amongst the magnificent institutions of instruction
and entertainment which enrich the greatest metro-
polis in the world, have its ample hall, its galleries
full of the treasures of art and nature gathered from
all parts of the earth, from pole to pole, and from the
surface to the deepest bowels—its commodious thea-
tres and rich saloons—been so thronged with curious
and admiring visitors, as they have been from hour
to hour since the commencement of the present holi-
days. If there be any of our readers who have not
yet passed a day of the most profitable and elevating
amusement in this at once grand and beautiful temple
of science and art, we will assure them, that if London
contained no other attraction, it would repay a journey
from the remotest part of the island, to enjoy the
riches of the Royal Polytechnic Institution. We have
o n former occasions mentioned the valuable and most
interesting collections of objects in natural history
and of artificial productions—the vast variety of
working models, machines, steam-engines, cotton-
mills, railway carriages, steam-boats, and the most
elaborate specimens of ingenious manufacture and
scientific engineering. The exhibition of the diving
bell, and the exploits of the very, very patient diver
(who, by the bye, is not quite neglected by his ad-
mirers young and old) seem t,,) be nearly the most
attractive of the varied and really wonderful subjects
of contemplation which are here presented in close
succession from hour to hour, or rather from minute
to minute. Amongst the most remarkable of the
novelties recently added are the eloquent and learned
lectures of Mr. Horne on the Music of England,
illustrated by choice and delightful performance of
the most appropriate specimens ; and a very ingenious
and inter/sting invention of Mr. Childs, called the
" Chromatrope," from the extraordinary and beau-
tiful changes and combinations of colours which it
presents. The Dissolving Views are new, and very
beautiful. Mr. Longbottom's Proteoscope and Physio-
scope, with the hydro-electric machine, and the
microscope, afford fresh varieties of entertainment and
information alike to the merest idle and the most
seriously inquisitive. The lectures of Dr. Ryan and
Professor tiachhoffner could not be praised too highly,
not merely for their profound learning, but also, and
if possible more, for the clear, concise, and elegant
style in which the difficulties of science are made
attractive and intelligible to the young and the unin-
structed. The experiments by which those lectures
are illustratted cannot be observed without delight
and admiration. On the whole, it is most gratifying
to witness that so many thousands can appreciate,
and are eager to avail themselves of, the great good
which is here afforded them.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.—The Queen and Prince
Albert, attended by a numerous suite, honoured
this theatre with their presence last evening, to
witness the performance of Harlequin and Robinson
Ct-toot,, which is the molt successful harlequinade
that has been produced for years.
GENERAL COURT-MARTIAL—CHAirIiAat, DEC. 27.
—Yesterday the following sentence Cf it general dotirt-
martial Watt promhtgated in this garrison by order of the
commattdaht, Sir Thomas Wiltshire K.C.B. The Com-
mander-in-Chief having had the honour to lay before
the Queen the proceedings of a general eoutt-inartial
held at Chatham-barracks eh the ed of Novehtber last,
for the trial of Jatnefi Bents, No. 1,243 of the 68th
Regiment, who was arraigned upon six distinct charges
of Insubordination and outrageous conduct, in offering
violence to Assistant-Surgeon C. Irving; of the 68th
Light Infantry, and alto to the Hospital Sergeant,
James Ireton, of the same cores and tier rotting the
sentry over_ thY hospital door at Walmer-barraelts, and ab-
senting himself from the regimental hospital whilst
under medical treatment, and not returning until
brought back by an escort the settle day in
a state of intoxication, being the fottrth
time of his being dettnk Within twelve months,
thereby notittituting an act of habitual drunkenness ;
upon which charges the Court came to the following de-
cision :—The Court having duly weighed tied Considered
the evidence in support of the prosecution; together with
the prisoner's plea of guilty to the seeond charge, as
well as what he has 114(11101d anti stated in his defence,
that the prisoner, private James Barnes, is guilty of the
whole of the charges against him, and which being in
breach of the articles oewar, does itt %drake thtretif sen-
tence him, the said prisoner; private James Barnes, to
be transported as a retort for the term of se%'en years.
Her Majesty Wee pleased to appeoire died confirm the
finding and eentente of the Court, and to command that
the prisoner be transported accordingly beyond the seas
to such placcas her Majesty, by the advice of her Privy
Council, shall think fit to appoint and direct.—.l. Mac-
donald, Adjutant-ileneral," The prisoner was handed
over to an escort of one sergeant, and two privates of
the 11th Regiment, ana marched for tiravesenci en route
for the Pepitentiary at Miltbank. The prisoner's regi-
ment it, lying at Dover.
A Belgian paper mention that Wilschozk, of
Archangel, who is admitted to be the most eltpert skater
ii Russia, had, arrived in rii.ttglS, and was to exhibit his
talent on Sunday (the 15th), on the basin of St. Josse-
ien-Noode. Wilschozk enjoys a vast reputation in St.
Petersburgh, where, in the art of skating, so highly cul-
tivated in that capital, he is acknowledged to be without
a rival, In 1838 he Woh a match in skating against a
reindeer, on the sledge-drive on the Neva. This race
was won in the presence of the Czar, who on that occa-
sion presented to Wilschozk a magnificent pair of skates,
set with precious stones Since that time he has, by
dint of the meat laborious practice, attained such perfec-
tion that he can perform ail sorts of feats and gambols
on the ice.' He can skate on all fours—that is to say,
having skates on his hands as well as his feet, at the same
time imitating perfectly the movements of the polar
white bear, whose habits he has had the opportunity of
observing in the frigid regions of hit native country.
Court Journal.

A SC/EXTIVrc Is a remarkable fact that
the tolegalla (an Australian bird, somewhat resembling
our domestic fowl) does not hatch its eigg's by incuba-
tion. in order to effect this object it assimilates in
some degree to the practice of the ostrich, yet upon a
totally different principle. The toletalla collects toge-
ther an immense quantity of tlicaying vegetable matter
as a depoSitory for the eggs, and then trusts to the heat
engendered by the piocess of decomposition for the
hatehir,g them. The heap employed for this purpose is
(.-:ollected by The birds during several weeks previously
to the period of laying ; it varies in size from two to
four cart loads, and is of a perfectly pyramidal form.
The construction of the Mound is not the work of one
pair of birds, tut is effected by the united labours of
several ; the lame site Appears, from the great size and
the entire deco--
to fo' the birds adding a fresh
s in succession,
*everal years
h evasion previously to laying
is on eitg g- '
/supply of materials the lower part, to be resorted
1. - • ...over, ~,..,110Sitioh of