The Sun.
London, England, 1844-06-17 00:00:00

'HER MA.JESTY'S THEATRE.

- - - - - - -
Donizetti's opera of Lucrezia Borgia was played on Satur-
day for the first time this season. This opera remains a fa-
vourite of the second rank, and occasionally played chiefly
pleases by the excellent opportunities it affords to Grisi and
also to Mario, who, by the way, first appeared before the
London public in the character of Gennaro. The drama
having the advantage of the strong situations created- by
Victor Hugo, there is room for histrionic power given to the
artists which is often denied them in works of a much higher
calibre in a musical point of view. Such situations as the
finale to the first act (called the " prologue"), the goblet
scene, and the death of Gennaro at the end, could not be
otherwise than effective in the grasp of such an impassioned
vocalist as Grisi, and it is said that Lucrezia is one of the
characters she most loves to play. There is, perhaps, no in-
stance of an opera in which so much is done by the construe •
tion of the drama, and therefore, when we read that on the
first production of this Italian work at Paris, Victor Hugo
brought his action as the author of the original French tra-
gedy, we cannot doubt that he felt the value of the part of the
work that proceeded from himself. There are, however, mu-
sical beauties in Lucrezia Borgia in spite of its common-
places. The finale to the " prologue" is well conceived and
dramatic. There is a fine trio by Grisi, Mario, and Lablache
in the goblet scene; and the song by Orsini, " Il segreto per
esser felice," is one of the most " taking" of modern Ita-
lian stage.
Grisi, as Lucrezia, of course sings and acts magnificently.
Mario sang "II mio tesoro" as charmingly as it could be sung,
and was admirable as Gennaro. For Alfonso we have the
unrivalled basso Lablache, who, in former days, when the
,character was sustained by Tamburini, generally took the
little no-character of Petrucci. Orsini was played by Fa-
vanti. This young lady gains much in confidence, and im-
proves greatly as an actress. At the end of the " first"
(really the second) act Grisi and Mario came before the cur-
tain, as well as at the conclusion of the entire opera.

THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA. AND THE POLISH BALL.
—A misstatement on this subject having appeared last week
in the Standard, and been copied by several other papers, we
think proper to contradict it. It has been stated that the
Emperor of Russia offered a donation of 5001. to the Committee
of the Polish Ball, and that this donation was declined. Upon
inquiry we find that the story -is without foundation. The
simple truth is, that the Russian Minister took tickets from
the Ladies Patronesses, as any other private individual might
have,done, considering the Polish Ball as given merely for a
charitable purpose.—Post.
FRANCE AND MORoCCO.—Orders were received at
Woolwich Dockyard from the Admiralty, on the night of
Friday, requiring the Firefly steam-vessel, Captain Beechy,
to be got ready for immediate particular service. The Firefly
had not been reported ready for sea, and in the ordinary
course would not have been ready for a week ; but by dint of
great exertions of the officers, crew, and the dockyard men,
she was stored, provisioned, and actually sailed out of port
on Saturday noon. She is ordered to Spithead, at which
place she will receive on board dispatches omitted to be sent
by the last mail-packet, instructing the British Consul at.
Tangiers what course to pursue in the rupture between France
and Morocco. After conveying them to Tangiers she is to
return home, or be otherwise disposed of, according to cir-
cumstances. Great credit is due to the Commodore Superin-
tendent of Woolwich Dockyard, Sir F. Collier, K.C.8., who
was On board the Firefly at four A.I. on Saturday, and per-
sonally superintended her preparations for sea.
PUBLIC PETITIONS.—The 29th Report of the Com-
mittee on Public Petitions has just made its appearance. We
find the gross total number of petitions to the House of
Commons on various important public measures to be as
follow, viz. :—Against the Dissenters' Chapels Bill, 2,403
petitions, signed by no less than 290,496 persons; in favour
of the same Bill, 601 petitions, signed by 136,644 persons ;
for an alteration of the measure, 864 petitioners; legalizing
marriages in Ireland by Presbyterian ministers, 412 peti-
tions, signed by 159,245 persons; against the union of the
episcopal dioceses of Bangor and St. Asaph, 274 peti-
tions, signed by 15,613 persons; against a repeal of the
corn-laws, 1,878 petitions, signed by 128,093 persons; for
a repeal of the differential duties on sugar, four petitions,
signed by 66,434 persons; for the encouragement of art-
unions, 13 petitions, signed by 704 persons ' in favour of the
County Courts Bills, 13 petitions, signed by 1,049 persons;
for an alteration of the Poor-law Amendment Act, 70 peti-
tions, signed by 3,218 persons; for an alteration of the
Poor-law Amendment Bill, 30 petitions, signed by 10,392
persons.
SIR ROBERT AND LADY PEEL'S ENTERTAINMENT
TO TEE KING OF SAxoxv.—Sir Robert and Lady Peel gave
a grand entertainment on Saturday evening to his Majesty
the King of Saxony. We believe the following is an accu-
rate list of those persons eminent in science or literature who,
together with the members of the corps diplomatique, had the
honour of meeting his Majesty :—The Marquis of North-
ampton, President of the Royal Society; Mr. Murchison,
President of the Geographical Society ; Mr. Warburton, Pre-
sident of the Geological Society ; Lord Prudhoe, President of
the Royal Institution ; the Bishop of Norwich ; Rev. Dr.
Buckland, Professor of Mineralogy and Geology, Oxford ;
Rev. Dr. Whewell, Master of Trinity College, Cam-
, bridge ; Professor Henslow, Professor of Botany, Cam-
bridge; Dr. Daubeny, Professor of Chemistry,oDxford ;
Mr. Airey, the Astronomer Royal; Sir John Hers-
chell; Professor Owen, College of Surgeons; Professor Lind-
ley, Professors Brande and Faraday; Dr. Paris, President of
the College of Physicians ; Sir B. Brodie ; Ed ward Forbes, Esq.,
Professor of Botany, King's College ; Dr. Royle, King's Col-
lege; Sir Wm. Hooker; Sir M. A. Shee, President of the
Royal Academy; Mr. Coplev Fielding, Mr. Edwin Landseer,
Mr. Eastlake, Mr. Walker, President of Civil Engineers; Sir
John Rennie, Sir Richard Westmaeott, Sir Henry de la
Beche, G. B. Greenough, Esq., F.R.S. ; Sir Philip Pgerton,
W. R. Hainilton Esq, H. Hallam, Esq., F.R.S., Robert
Browne, Esq., F.R.S. ; Sir Henry Ellis, Librarian of the
British Museum; Rev. T. Forshall, Secretary of the BritiSh
Museum ; Edward Hawkins, Esq., Keeperof Antiquitie% itt the
British Museum; W. Yarrel, Esq., C. Lyell, Est), P.R.S., Mr.
Mantel!, C. Barry, Esq., R.A., W. Wyon,, Esq., C. R. Cocke-
rell, Esq. R.A., Dr. D. B. Reid, Jatttn Smith, Esq. of Dean-
ston, Samuel Rogers, Esq., Rev, Sydney Smith, Lord Mahon,
Sir 1. Brunel, I. K. Brunel, Esq., Sir W. Symonds, J. R.
M'Cullocb, Esq., J. M‘Grego_ ,r Esq., Sir R. H. Inglis.
FIRE AT RlCHMOND.—Yesterday morning, between
the hours of two and three, the neighbourhood of Richmond,
Surrey, was thrown into a state of considerable excitement
and confusion, in consequence of a fire of a very destructive
character breaking out in the premises belonging to Mr. Ed-
wards, a pawnbroker, carrying on an extensive business in
George-street, Richmond. The police constable in going his
rounds, perceived a great body of smoke break through one
of the upper windows in the eastern portion of the bading.
He raised an alarm, and succeeded in arousing the inmates,
consisting of Mr. Edwards and his shopbay. On the former
getting up, he found that the dem, of his bed-room was in
flames, and had but a few more minutes elapsed Mr. Ed-
wards would probably have perished. Engines of the neigh-
bouring parishes were early at the scene of conflagration,
and afterwards from London. The flames were eventually
so far subdued as to allay i.ll apprehension of further extee,
sion. The damage done is considerable. Nothing roil-tains
of Mr. Edwards' premises save the bare outer walls, and
they are in a very dangerous state. The premises of Mr.
Tolley, harness-maker to her Majesty, were partially injured.
MEETING OF THE TWOPENNY PoSTMEN.—Yoster.
day (Sunday) afternoon a meeting of the twoDenn.y pos'-
men took place in the Assembly-rooms.„ Turnagain-lane,
Snow-hill, for the purpose of takine• into consideration the
propriety of petitioning the PostnAaler-General with respect
to the losses sustained sime.o the alteration of the " extra"
duty, as also an hict6ase in the amount of super:limitation
money. Where were nearly 400 persons preseat. Mr. Rich-
Mond was called to the chair. Several cu the body addressed
the meeting at great length. Atli a petition, it was agreed,
should be presented to the 'Earl of Lonsdale, to whiceii will
be attached an abstract, showing the actual amount of pay
received by each person, before and since the extra deliveries.
REMOVAL OF DALMAS, THE CONVICTED
DERER.—On Saturday, Mr. Cops, the Governor of Nomate.
accompanied by one of the principal turnkey,,o,-41;43td
Dalmas, the convic.ted murderer, in a cab Newgate to
Horseminliter-}ane goal, in pursuance of the directions re-
ceived by the Governor from Mr. Baron Gurney. He was
{delivered over to the custody of Mr. Keene. His exNtltl,4ll
on the flat roof of Horsemonger- lane gaol will ta6 place, it
is understood, on Monday fortnipt;
THE Gows or PoaSOXEN WARD.—The name Qf
Thomas Johnson: . Alderman of Portsoken Ward, haviti • ap-
:
8
peared in ti4il Gazette, in the list of bankrupts, the
citizens of
LiNitbai expect that the gown will be immediately resigned
pf ehcnt
ma ta
si o n
obhyn a tote
pfraocint
ste
dh a,t
inattht
eh ee v lea sn
tt
oefl eac tf
Into the hands of the constituency. They are led to this ex-
lnu rAe
rbmu sain-
ness, or ether incapacity, to retire from the duties of Alder-
twin.. The worthy old' gentleman labours now, we regret to
under a double incapacity, for his bank at Roinford will
Ala only be unable to pay two shillings in the poriT..4 of the
liabilities of the concern, but he is unable b:mseir, in conse-
quence of hardness of hearing, to perform the duties of Alder-
man with anything like efficiency. Already the following
gentlemen have declared their intention to offer themseiv;;,
for the ofake, In the event of the resignation Qt man
Thomas Johnson :—Mr. David Salomou, Sheriff Moon,
Mr. Pilcher (one of the late Sheriffs), Mr. Bishop, of America •
square, and. Mr. Daniel Whittle Harvey, the Commissio;
of the City police.

SYMPATHY FOR IRELAND.—ItIA fho course of three
days thirty-three AldermPr. 4.1.1x1 COuncillors of the borough,
of Birmingham a requisition to the play or, along
acout 71, 5 i.,nrge'EC's and other inhabitant 2 a town
akieeting;to address the Crown in .;‘,,.fc-cesooe to the sentence (If
Aif. O'Connell and hj. ieilaW martyrs in Ireland. This
spirited e.mttnplii will, we trust, be speedil tbllowettthroos.b,,
det England. The meeting is to be heiti tha day limier the
presidency of the Mayor.

110 W TRADiI
• FEUDALISM.
As long as war lasts, the Nobles, who must be
soldiers, rule very well. But when -peace comes, the
Nobles prove very whimsiml and uncomfortable mas-
ters ; their frolics turn out to be very insulting and
degrading. to .the commoner:' -Feuslad-snrgrew to he
toa. bandit and-brigand. 'Meantime trial (or the mer-
e chant and manutlicturer) ha I be:ran.to .pear : trade,
a plant which always grows wherever there is peace,
as soon as there is peace, and as long 'as there is
peace. The luxury and necessity of the Noble
fostered it. And as -quickly es- men go to. foreign
parts in ships or caravans, a new order of
things springs up; new, ddeaa awake in their
minds. New command takes place, new servants
and new masters. Their information, their wealth,
their corresponc.;ence, have made them quite other
men than when left their native shore. They are nobles
now, and by another patent than the king's. Feu-
dalism had.been good, had broken the•power of the
kings, and had some very good traits of his own ; but
it had grown mischievous, it was time for it to die,
and, as they say of dying people, all their- faults
came out. Trade was the strong man that broke
it down, and raised a new and unknown -power
in its place. It is a new agent in .the world,
and one of great function; it is a very intellectual
force. This displaces physical strength, and instals
computation, combination, information, science, in its
room.
.It calls out all force of a certain kind that
slumbered in the former dynasties. It is now in the
midst of its career. Feudalism is not• ended yet.
Our Government still partake largely of that
element. Trade goes to make the Governments insig-
nificant, and to bring every kind of faculty of every
individual that can in any manner serve any person,
on sale. Instead of a huge army and navy, and exe-
cutive departments, it tends to convert Government
into a bureau of intelligence, an intelligence office,
where every man may find what he wishes to buy,
and expose what he-has to sell, not only produce and
manufactures, but art, skill, and intellectual and
moral values.—The Young American, by B. W.
Emerson.

CROMARTY. —THE DAN ES.—On Saturday last the
Danish corvette that has for the last fortnight enlivened
Cromarty, sailed out of the bay to continue her cruise
in the North Sea. Short as is the time she has been
amongst us, her departure creates a strung and uni-
versal feeling of regret in the neighbourhood, for a
finer set of youths never reflected honour on any coun-
try. Cromarty has been the scene of much gaiety
since the
.coming of _ the Danes, and «e think
they will-carry away with them a favourab!e im-
pression of the lio-Titaliry of its inhabitants.
Major and Mrs. Ord, at Crornarty House, we understand,
have made many of the. strangers happy by their kind-
ness and attention, and on Thursday a farewell fete was
given to them at Braelangwell, the residence of Sir Hugh
Fraser. The commodores and captains, with some of
the senior officers, were at dinner, and were joined in
the evening by a large party of younger officers and mid-
shipmen from the Ftora4 together with as many of the
neighbouring gentry as on so short a notice could be,
assembled. A more agreeable eveningwas neverpassed,
and it was the source of general remark how thoroughly
each one seemed imbued with the spirit of enjoyment.
Some Danish songs and dances contributed to aid the
zest of novelty and were much admired. The facility
with which all these Danes speak English is remarkable,
and their invariably courteous and gentlemanly de -
meanour will secure a hearty Highland welcome to any
of their countrymen who may henceforth visit our shores..
Thelollowing morning, at the request of Commodore
Garde, a large party went from Braelangwell to visit thq
frigate Gefion, of 48 guns, where they were met by 40'3
captains, and some officers of the Flora, in addition to
those of the Gefion ; and Sir Hugh Fraser rectArel the
salute due to his rank as a general officer. Aher in-
specting the vessel, and partaking of the Ims?pitality of
her officers, the party dispersed with inter,fir:.ege of many
good wishes.—lnverness Cowie".

- The opening of the Great North.ern line from Lon-
don to Newcastle deserves to be regarded as an event of no
ordinary magnitude in the history brrailway communica-
tion. A distance of near three hundred Miles performed in
twelve hours and a half the. te:ngest continuous line in the
country will be opened thloughout -A passenger may take
his seat in London, after 'orenkfasting comfortably at Euston-
square, at nine o'clock, and in the same carriage, without
change of baggage, 'or any other disturbance, will find him-
self transferred to, Newcastle-on-Tyne by half-past nine on
the same eVeni:J„.-, in time fora late dinner or an early supper!
Yesterk,y the usual notices were posted on the dif-
ferent church doors for persons qualified to vote at elections to
send in. their claim.
FIRE IN FlNSRURY.—Saturday night a fire, at-
tended with considerable destruction of property, broke out.
in the extensive range of workshops belonging to Mr. Rey-
nolds, bookbinder, Eldon-street, Finsbury-square, within, a
short distance of the Roman Catholic Chapel. The premises
were composed chiefly of timber, and the flames had gained
possession of the roof before many minutes had elapsed. Se-
veral engines were very soon on the spot, and a plentiful sup-
ply of water was readily obtained, and the fire was subdued
by twelve o'clock.

FATAL TERMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT AT THE
ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS, WAKEFIELD.—OR Sunday morning
last, Mrs. Haselgrave, the sister-in-law of the proprietor of
the gardens, whose injuries from the attack of a bear were de-
scribed in last week's 21Iercury, terminated her miseries in
death. The unfortunate female's recovery was thought all but.
impossible from the first. Verdict—Accidental death. Mn*.
Haselgrave, the wife of the proprietor, is recovering.—Lc
Mercury.

THE MAILS.— SOUTHAMPTON, JUNE l6.—Tte
Oriental Company's steam-ship, the Pacha, Captain WP.son,
arrived in the docks, from Gibraltar, yesterday, at note,,, and.
landed the Peninsula and Mediterranean mails, 10-'.e.h were
transmitted to the General Post-office by train, so as to
enable those for the north of England to be foxy, arded by the
last night's mail from London. Her dates are—Gibraltar
7th ; Cadiz, Bth ; Lisbon, 10th ; Oporto, 11th ; and Vigo,
12th. The Pacha has thirty-eight pass'engers, among whom
were the Duchess of Manchester kap. family, who proceeded.
last evening to London by the its o'clock train. The Royal
West India mail-packet, the Tweed, Captain Sharp, will
on her outward voyage wif:u the mails for the West Indies,
to-morrow, at three o%lock. She has about twenty-three
passengers, and an a'Arage number of parcels. The Avon,
Captain Sturtt, it due on the 20th, with the West India,
mails; she is expected to have a full cargo of passengers.
INAUGURATION OF THE WELLINGTON STATUE.—
In consequence of the arrival of the splendid granite blocks,
some weighing upwards of two tons, and the marble base-
ment, for the e4uestrian statue of Field-Marshal his Grace
the Duke of Wellington, the chef d'euvre of our late cele-
brated sculptor Chantrey, a great number of men were hard
at work yesterday in preparing the pedestal to receive the
bronze cast of the Hero of Waterloo.
.It was very doubtful'
whether it would be possible to have it erected by Tuesday
next, the 29th anniversary of that glorious battle, which vms
the downfal of the ambitious and immortal Napoleon, and
restored peace and commerce to Europe; but by the gmatest
exertions the statue will be placed up to-morrow, on the site
opposite the portico of the New Royal Exchange, where once
stood old Bank-buildings, and will be inaugurated with due
ceremony, on Tuesday, the 18th instant, by the Lord Mayor
and Corporation of the City of London, in honour of the great
warrior of the age, who is the only one of the Holy Alliance
who now survives the scythe that ;las sent monarchs and
hordes to the tomb since June, 181 J_,Sunday Tines.
SUDDEN DEATH.--On 'Saturday last, betweeiii
eleven and twelve o'clock, :Kr. Webb, an independent gen—
tleman, residing at Langley, Bucks, entered the Uxbridge
Bank. He appeared in good health and spirits, and was con-
versing cheerfully with the cashier, when he suddenly fell to
the ground without an exclamation or groan. Mr. Collins,
the cashier, was, unfortunately alone in the Bank at the time.
He immediately went round and endeavoured to raise andt
re-animate the unfortunate gentleman, calling loudly for
assistance, but before he could get round the pay-table the
breath had departed. An inquest was held in the evening.
The deceased has left a widow and four or live children to
lament their sudden bereavement. The widow has been in
a most awfully frantic state ever since she beard of the
lamentable occurrence. She had walked a mile on her way
to meet Mr. Webb, who had promised to return, in an hour.
when they were, in company, to proceed to '4% indsor to fetch
their sons from school. Every preparation had been made
for a flintily festival on the occasion; and after the
in unfortu-
nate lady had waited until her fears were becoming over-
whelming, the messengers of woe at last fell with her.
TOM Tfiumu.—lt appears that the exhibition of the
General positively closes on Thursday next, the 20th instant.
Ha is exhibited on Friday and Saturday at Greenwich. lie
is then to take various tours, proceeding to Ireland, Scotland
and Paris; aud will then return the Czar's visit to this
country,
STRIKE OF THE LANARKSHIRE COLLIERS.-1 strike
as sudden as it is extensive, has just taken place in this
county, Regarding the immediate cause of this sudderu
mQ\rement we have not been able to ascertain the particulars.
The Alio has not extended to the iron stone miners.—
thatplo
Glasgow Chronicle.
employed,
advance
anv so
cegorr w t
a has
es
STATE OF TRADE.—The hand-loom weavers in
btleuesnctiitre adreemaatn pd rfe:re ntth
e, allr bl fully
rein
la,
hi aken place upon several fabrics manufactured in this
place.—Carlisle Journal.
It is now decided that Louis Philippe is to pay
her Majesty a visit in the month of September. The 15th is
the dayni,entionedSer his arrival in London.—Court Journal.
THE L. NGLISH PEERAGE.—When Henry VII. called
his Parliament, ther Q were only twenty-nine temporal
Peers to be found, and even some of them took their
seats illegally, for they had tnun attainted. Of those
twenty-nine not five remain, and they, as the Howard.;
for instance, are not Norman nobility. We owe the
English peerage to three sources—the spoliation of the
Church, the open and flagrant sale of its honours by the
elder Stuarts, and the boroughwongering of our own
tittles. Those are the three main sources of the existing
peerage of England, and, in my opinion, disgraceful ones.
Con in 44.
fanny Elssler has arrived in town, and appears
to-morrow night in the beautiful ballet of Le Peintre.

A JOKE CONTRARY TO EXPECTATION.—POOtP., the
dramatist, having in one of his entertainments caries
wed an
actor' named O'Brien, that gentleman waited u: ,on Foote,
and complained very indignantly of the injury ills character
:
had sustained through his being taken oft' (Ton the stage.
The comedian, having vainly endeavours' to laugh his visi-
tor into {,-pod humour, at length otyserved—" Well ! as you
;•,e&n displeased at thy taking -yon off, you shall immediately-
see me take myself off!" The enraged actor was pacified, and
Foote,taakftingel
riating
tation of his return,
an hour in ex
up !nil hat, walked out of the room ; and
O'Brien,
w as empaled to console himself tbr his
previous affront brpec
contrary to expectation.
OLE BULL AGAIN IN TROUBLE.—ANOTHER FLPARZ.
up.—Ole Bull, the great violinist, arrived here on We,lnesday
night; cal his way to Boston, and put up at the AsCor House,
-4,liere there are alwavnearlv 300 travellers—a, great many-
of them beautiful lyokt4a, yesterday, as he 'was preparing
to go to be was arrested at the snit of his former se-
c. etitw,fr. Jr4,l*Lis Schubert, and has tp remain penned up in
Nam ork like a canary in a C%!'s., because he cannot give
bail for 10,000 dollars to ilia Court of Chancery. In this
dilemma wliatis dime ?. We advisa the' great artist to'
'give a mapineent concert in the Tabernacle, and endeavour.
bx the power of his glorious vio,Un, to soften the heart of the
Vice-Chancellor, and to wits away the time as pleasantly as
possible. High genius Is always in hot water..—Nete York
Herald.