The Sun.
London, England, 1844-11-11 00:00:00

PRINCESS'S THEATRE.

A new, grand, oriental ballet, entitled The
Enchanted Bell, was produced here on Saturday,
with the most decided success. This ballet is the
compositiom of Monsieur J. Roussett, and is highly
creditable to his inventive powers. He himself was
the hero, Azolin, a Hindoo peasant, who, seeing Pal-.
mira (Madlle. Caroline Roussett) in a vision, falls in
love with her, and ultimately wins her, notwithstand-
ing he has the Prince of China for his rival. Of
course he meets with a variety of dangerous adven-
tures, but he is rescued from his difficulties by
means of an enchanted bell, which a friendly sage
has given him as a talisman. The scenery, by
W. Beverley, Nicholls, and Aglio, is magnificent,
and the costumes are superb. In the opening
scene we have the interior of a Hindoo hut, with
Azolin discovered sleeping. In this scene the vision
of Palmira is introduced. The effect of this scene
was very good, and it was much applauded. The
next scene is the Sultan's garden, in which is intro-
duced a pas d'ensemble, by Madlle. Caroline Roussett
and the whole corps de ballet. The groupings in
this pas are exceedingly graceful and picturesque.
In this scene there is a grand pas de trois, which was
most effectively danced by Mr. Gilbert, Madlle.
Adelaide, and Miss Burbidge. The first act con-
cludes with a grand march and procession of female
warriors, who at the close group into a most effective
tableau. The second act opens with a magnificent
scene, a splendid saloon in the Sultan's palace, in
which is introduced a pas de sables, which was much
applauded, and a pas d'amour, which was very grace-
fully danced by Miss Marshall and Mademoiselle
Teresine. This was followed by the grand pas of the
ballet—a pas de deux by Monsieur J. Roussett and
Mademoiselle Caroline Roussett. This pas was indeed
a perfect triumph; all the difficulties of choregraphic
art were fairly encountered and fairly overcome. It
was of course rapturously applauded and unanimously
encored. The last scene is laid in the Sultan's
gardens, and the ballet ends with the union of Azolin
and Palmira. At the fall of the curtain Monsieur
and Mademoiselle Roussett were called on, and re-
ceived with most rapturous applause. The ballet alto-
gether is most superb, and will no doubt have a run.
The ballet was preceded by the opera of the Syren,
with Mademoiselle Nau as the heroine. The popu-
larity of this accomplished artiste is nightly increas-
ing, but we are sorry to see it announced that this
sweet syren leaves us so soon. Her last appearance
in this country is announced for Tuesday. We hope,
however, this will not be the case ; for even should
the inexorable Leon Pilet refuse to grant her an addi-
tional conga on the present occasion, we trust that
next season this gifted "child of song" may be in-
duced to revisit the scene of her triumphs. The
house was crammed to the ceiling.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.—It having become ge-
nerally known that her Majesty will pay a visit to this
theatre to-night, the boa-office has been besieged, and
the house will present a brilliant assemblage—even be-
yond its ordinary appearance. The performances espe-
cially ordered are The Syren and The Beauty of Ghent.
To-morrow will take place an interesting and unprece-
dented ceremony—the one hundredth performance of an
opera, both in its music and libretto entirely native and
to increase such interest, Mr. Balfe, the composer, who
has arrived in this country, from Paris to superintend his
new work, will conduct The Bohemian Girl in person.
THE CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMES.—The veteran
Nelson Lee is actively engaged in preparing for the
Surrey, the Victoria, Astley's, the Lyceum, the Queen's,
Sadler 's Wells, and others of the metropolitan theatres,
as well as a great proportion of the larger houses in the
provinces, a series of Christmas entertainments, which
will, no doubt, tend materially to enhance his already
extended reputation.
A meeting of the Provisional Committee of the
Wilts and Somerset Railway was on Tuesday held at
Warminster, which was very numerously attended,
Walter Long, Esq., M.P., in the chair. Mr. Brunel was
present, and pointed out the country through which the
line of railway is intended to pass. The line from
Melksham to Devizes will cross the canal just below the
furthest lock, and across the turnpike road near the
Poulshot bar. It will then keep the highest ground, run
as close as possible to the southern side of the prison,
proceed near Mr. Anstie's house, thence through a pad-
dock at the back of. the brewery of Messrs. Tylee,
across a field belonging to Dr. Brabant, and thence
through a part of the property of Mr. James Waylen.
It was stated at the above meeting that Harry Biggs,
Eq., and H. G. Biggs, Esq., who had been induced to
sign the Warminster memorial, presented at the meeting
held at Frome, had since withdrawn their names, and
cordially supported the line proposed by the Great
Western Railway Company. Those two gentlemen
were afterwards unanimously chosen on the Provisional
Committee.—Devizes Gazette. _ _

Dispatches were received on Saturday at the Colo-
nial-office from the Governors of the West India
colonies,