The Sun.
London, England, 1844-06-21 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY. EVENING, JUNE 21, 1844.

on the subject, and there were lion. Members present
to whom he had stated, in conversation, that
not being able to make up his mind as to what course it
would be best for him to pursue, he had determined to
be guided by authority.—(Great laughter from
the Ministerial benches.) That authority was
not the authority of a Minister, but it was the
authority of factory operatives themselves, and
the masters of the factories. From them he had received
letters, which he had in his possession.—(Here the Hon.
Member was interrupted by loud and continued cries of
" Read, read," in the midst of which he sat down.)
Colonel SIBTHORP then rose, and was received with
a storm of cheers. He said---J do not for one moment doubt
the statement of the liOn. Gentleman who has just sat
down, but I regret that he did not favour the House by
reading the whole of those letters.—(Laughter.) I should
have been delighted to have heard them.—(Renewed
cheers.) But when the Right Hon. Gentleman says that
Hon. Members on this side of the House are spaniels, I
must take the liberty of saying that I would rather be a
spaniel than an ill-bred cur.—(Roars of laughter.)
The House then resumed, the Chairman reported
progress, and the report was ordered to be received this
day.
Sir R. PEEL said he would take that opportunity of
stating what course he proposed to pursue. He trusted
that the discussion on the Sugar Duties Bill would not
be extended on bringing up the report, as he intended to
take the Dissenters' Chapels Bill to-morrow, and the
Bank Charter Bill on Monday. He would take that op-
portunity of informing the Hon. Member for Carlow
that he had misunderstood his question in a former part
of the evening respecting the Lord-Lieutenancy of
Ireland.

Captain LAYARD said he had merely asked whether
Lord De Grey had resigned.
Sir R. PEEL had understood the Hon. and Gallant
Gentleman to have asked whether the resignation took
place on public grounds. Such was not the cause of the
resignation, as Lord De Grey had resigned solely on ac-
count o •

• Mr. HUME wished the Right Hon. Gentleman would
take that opportunity of saving the country the expense
of a Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland.

Sir R. PEEL said he would act on the decision to
which the House of Commons had come upon this sub-
ject a month ago.
PARISHES (SCOTLAND) BILL.)
On the order of the day for the third reading of this

Mr. SMOLLETT proposed to add the following
clause :—" And whereas churches, chapels, and places of
public worship in connexion with the Church of Scot-
land, have been erected in many districts in which, by
reason of the poverty of the inhabitants, or other causes,
it is impossible that a permanent endowment can be pro-
vided of such amount as to entitle such district to be
erected into a parish quoad sacra, as aforesaid, and it is
desirable and expedient that additional facilities be af-
forded for the due dispensation of the ordinances of reli-
gion therein: be it enacted, that in all such churches,
chapels, and places of worship which have been or
shall be built or acquired, collections may be made and
applied to the same objects, and under the same
restrictions as are provided in the case of churches to
which districts quoad sacra have been or may be as-
signed; and it shall and may be lawful for any heritor,
or for any heir of entail, trustee, tutor, and curator of
minors, and every person lawfully empowered to act for
persons under any legal disability or incapacity, to
grant sites for such churches, chapels, and places of
worship, churchyards, dwelling-houses, and offices for
the minister or incumbent, and for gardens and glebes,
and to burthen the lands and estate of which they may
be in possession as heirs of ental aforesaid, for the same
objects and under the same restrictions as are provided
in the case of churches to which districts quoad sacra
have been or shall be assigned as aforesaid."
Mr. ROEBUCK objected to the clause, as one which
enacted nothing.
After a short conversation,
Mr. HUME moved the adjournment of the debate.
The clause was too crude, imperfect, and ambiguous, to
be sanctioned in its present state by the House.
Mr. ROEBUCK seconded the motion, and agreed
with the Hon. Member in thinking the clause imperfect
and uncertain.

Mr. M'KENZIE opposed the motion, and supported
the clause in its present condition.
Mr. P. M. STEWART hoped the Government would
give time for the people of Scotland to express their
opinions on the provisions of this clause, which were
creating a great sensation in Scotland.
Mr. J. S. WORTLEY supported the clause and op-
posed the motion.
Mr. F. MAULE affirmed that the majority of the
counties of Scotland were opposed to the clause, which
was a useless incumbrance to the Bill.

Mr. AGLIONBY was opposed to the Bill altogether,
and considered it most mischievous.—(Loud cries of
" Divide.") He proposed that the clause should be
omitted, or that it should be postponed for further con-
sideration.

The clause was ultimately withdrawn, and the Bit'
was read a third time and passed.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Costa, the prince of conductors, took his benefit last
evening, and produced on the occasion, for the first time,
his own opera of Don Carlos. The story of the ill-fated
Don Carlos of Spain has been treated both by Alfieri and
Schiller. Alfieri has made it the subject of one of his
magnificent tragedies, and has drawn the character of
that gloomy bigot Philip the Second with the hand of a
master ; and Schiller, too, has made Don Carlos the
subject of one of his noblest efforts. The present libret-
tist, Signor Leopoldo Taranti, has not followed the plot
of either of his predecessors. " The necessities of the
Lyric stage," as he justly observes in his preface, "required
a different treatment." The opening scene represents the
exterior of a Carthusian monastery at daybreak ; lights
are seen dimly burning through the windows, and as the
curtain rises, the voices of the monks are heard within
chaunting a solemn chorus, accompanied by the organ.
This opening is very striking, the chorus itself is a beau.
tiful composition, and the effect produced was exceed-
ingly fine. The audience was at once hushed into
breathless attention, and at its conclusion the chorus
was loudly applauded. Don Carlos (Mario) then enters,
and soon afterwards is joined by his friend Count Posa
(Fornasari), who has just arrived from France. To him,
Don Carlos communicates a dreadful secret. He loves

the Queen Isabella of France, to whom he had once
been betrothed, but who had been snatched from him by
his father. Posa impresses on him the necessity of
endeavouring to conquer his guilty passion, and endea-
vours to persuade him to devote himself to the glorious
enterprise of saving Flanders from the tyranny of the
Inquisition. -In this scene Fornasari gave the air, " E
Fiummingo desolato," describing the misery of Flanders
under the ecclesiastical yoke in a most magnificently
effective style, and was much applauded. Carlos, roused
by the representations of Posa, swears to save Flanders,
and promises to set off for that country, after having had
one last interview with the Queen—an interview which
Posa promises to bring about. The scene ends with a
beautiful duet, " Questa cocente lacrima," beautifully
sung by Mario and Fornasari. The second scene re-
presents the Royal Gardens at Madrid, and opens with a
very pretty chorus of female voices in praise of the Queen.
The Queen immediately afterwards enters in the person
of Grisi, who looked and acted the Queen to perfection.
She is melancholy ; she thinks of her own dear country,
France, with regret, and gives expression to her feeling
in the aria " Quando o bel suol di Francia," which was
admirably given by Grisi. Count Posa enters ; he has
just returned from France ; she asks him a thousand
questions. He finds her sad, suspects the cause, and in
the aria " Come leggiardo fior di primavera," by re-
lating to her a love story similar to her own,
discovers that her affections are fixed on Carlos,
whom he immediately introduces to her. She commands
him to think of her no more, but at once to fly, and
Count Posa entering, drags away. the Prince 3 while the
Queen totters to the steps of the Palace. This situation
is made the subject of a beautiful duet, "Ah I perdona
un disperato," which was deliciously given by Grisi and
Mario, and rapturously encored. This duet forms a
very appropriate finale to the first act. The second act,
the scene of which is laid in a grand regal saloon, opens
with a chorus of Spanish grandees. Gomez (Signor
Giubelei), the Grand Inquisitor, enters and gives
vent to his feelings of bitter hatred to Carlos,
against whom and the Queen he is determined
if possible to excite the fury of the King. The King
(Lablache) soon after enters with Pose, and having dis-
missed the grandees and Gomez, expresses to Posa his
suspicions of Carlos, who immediately after enters, and
begs his father will permit him to go to Flanders. The
King refuses, and in this situation is introduced a mag-
nificent trio " Ei ti niega," which was splendidly sung
by Fornasari, Lablache, and Mario, and the repetition
of which was loudly called for. The King expresses his
suspicions of Carlos, upbraids him with his designs, and
after he has left them, Carlos, fearful of arrest,
confides his papers to the care of Posa, reserv-
ing only one—a letter from the Queen. This,
after an effort, he also gives up to Posa, observing that
so as her honour and fame be saved, he has no other wish.
Posa immediately destroys the letter, and both leave the
saloon. Gomez now enters, bearing in his hand a minia-
ture,- and with which he enters the King's apartment.
The Queen immediately afterwards enters—her cham-
ber has been broken open, her jewellery stolen, and she,
too, seeks the King to demand justice. He enters, ac-
companied by Gomez—the working of his pale features
betray the intensity of his passion. He listens calmly
to her complaint, and then producing the miniature, ac-
cuses her at once of infidelity—in vain she exculpates
herself, in vain she kneels to him, he casts her from him
—she shrieke, and falls senseless at his feet. The
acting of Grisi and Lablache throughout the trying
scene was truly sublime; and the horror depicted by
Lablache's look, on finding that she evinced no signs of
life as she lay at his feet, her face suffused with blood,
was perfectly harrowing. Her ladies enter and raise
her, and at the same moment Carlos rushes in, followed.
by Posa, who in vain attempts to drag him
away. At the sound of Carlos's voice, the Queen
raises herself—the King angrily advances to-
wards Carlos, and Posa, to save the Queen, announces
that he had dragged Carlos thither, who was endeavour-
ing to escape to Flanders. Guards enter, and Carlos is
conveyed to a dungeon, notwithstanding the entreaties
of the courtiers. This concludes the second act. The
third act opens with a chorus of Inquisitors. The King
enters, and consults them as to the punishment to be
awarded to his son. Suddenly the ladies of the palace
enter in confusion. They have seen a terrible sight—
the spirit of Charles the Great, father to the King—has
been seen walking near the walls of the palace dungeon,
and the guards have deserted their posts, appalled. The
King rises, and, commanding the Inquisitors to follow
him, goes to meet this prodigy, thinking that his father
has returned from the grave to advise him as to the
puishment of his rebel son. The scene changes to the
garden—the Queen enters—she is joined by Carlos,
who, disguised in the monkish garb of Charles the
Great, furnished to him by the faithful Posa, who awaits

him at the city gates with swift horses, has effected his
escape from the dungeon. The parting of the lovers
is most affecting ; and the exquisite duet, "Oh !
Signo di tante pene," with which the scene concludes, is
decidedly the gem of the opera. The music of this duet
is beautifully expressive, and it was given by Grisi and
Mario with a thrilling tenderness and pathos that drew
tears from many of the auditors. It was rapturously
encored, and repeated by the accomplished artistes more
affectingly if possible than before. He turns to part from
her and meets the King, who throws to him the scarf of
Posa, who has been already seized and executed. Carlos,
rushing to the King, snatches the poignard from his girdle
and stabs himself, while the unhappy Queen is handed
over to the tender mercies of the Inquisition, to expiate her
crime by fire. She resumes all her dignity, and bursts
forth into a magnificent air, " Colla palma del martirio,"
which constitues the finale, and the curtain falls. Costa,
who was cheered loudly, acknowledged the compliment
by repeatedly bowing from his place as conductor. He
subsequently appeared on the stage, leading in Grisi,
who was greeted with shouts of applause and showers of
bouquets. This opera has no overture, Costa, in
this particular, adopting the modern Italian custom,
a custom more honoured h the breach than in the ob-
servance. Albeit, the authority of Bellini and Doniz-
zetti can be pleaded in support of it. The music is, in
general, effective, appropriate, and characteristic; and,
as might have been expected from a musician so ac-
complished as Costa, the instrumentation is full
and elaborate. Altogether Den Carlos is a work
calculated to add to Costa's already well-earned
reputation. The greatest care has been taken in
getting up the opera. The choruses, all of which were
very effective, were given with the greatest care ; and
the scenery, by the Grieves, was very beautiful. As a
proof of the great care bestowed in putting this opera on
the stage, we may mention that a new organ has been
erected for the purpose of giving proper effect to the first
scene. The ballet of Alma,•tri which both Fanny Elssler
and Cerito appeared, concluded the evening's amusement.
The house was crowded.

COURT CIRCULAR.

His Majesty the King of Saxony took his departure
from Buckingham Palace yesterday, on a tour.
The Marchioness of Douro, Lady in Waiting, Lady
Caroline Cocks, and Hon. Miss Lister, Maids of Honour
in Waiting; the Lord Chamberlain, the Master of the
Horse, the Earls of Warwick and Morton, Lords in Wait-
ing; the Master of the Household, Captain Maynell,
Groom in Waiting; Lord Charles Wellesley and Colonel
Arbuthnot, Equerries in Waiting, and Major-General
Sir Edward Bowater, Equery in Waiting to the Prince,
were in attendance at the Palace.

The Queen and Prince Albert conducted their august
guest to the grand hall, and then took leave of their
illustrious visitor. His Majesty also took leave of the
ladies and gentlemen of the royal suite, and was handed
to his carriage by the Ari,ster of the Horse and the
Equerries in Waiting.
The King quitted the Palace at twenty minutes past
nine o'clock, in an open carriage and four, attended by
his Exellency Baron de Gersdorff, his Majesty's repre-
sentative at the British Court.

Baron de Reichardt, aide-de-camp to the King, and
Dr. Carus, physician in ordinary, followed in another
open carriage and four.
Mr. Colquhoun had an interview on Wednesday with
the King of Saxony.
After the departure of the King of Saxony, yester-
day, Mons. de Minckwitz, Grand Maitre de la Garde-
robe, and Count Albert Vitzthum, Chambellan to his
Majesty, went from Buckingham Palace to the residence
of the Legation, in Chester-square. Both gentlemen
are expected to take their departure from town this day,
on their retnrn to the Continent.

His Royal Highness Prince Albert left Buckingham
Palace at twenty minutes past ten o'clock, yesterday
morning, in a carriage and four, attended by Mr. George
Edward Anson, Lord George Lennox, and Major-
General Sir Edward Bowater. The Prince went to the
terminus of the Great Western Railway at Padding-
ton, and travelled by a special train to Slough, proceed-
ing from that station in a royal carriage to Windsor
Castle, where his Royal Highness arrived at a quarter
past eleven o'clock.
His Royal Highness walked from the Castle to the
farm, and afterwards proceeded in a carriage to Eton
College.
After laying the foundation stone of the new range of
buildings, and partaking of a dejeune at the College, the
Prince took his departure, with his suite, for Slough,' ar-
riving at that station at three o'clock. • His Royal High-
ness travelled to town by a special train, and returned
to Buckingham Palace shortly before four o'clock.
The Royal Family were taken airings yesterday in
the royal gardens of Buckingham Palace.
The Queen and Prince Albert, attended by the Mar •
chioness of Douro, Hon. Miss Lister, Hon. Miss Deve•
reux, Earl of Warwick, Captain Meynell, Colonel Ar-
buthnot, and Major-General Sir Edward Bowater,
honoured the Italian Opera with their presence yesterday

evening.
The Hon. Miss Devereux has succeeded Lady Caroline
Cocks as one of the Maids of Honour in Waiting on her
Majesty.
Baron de Moncorvo, Portuguese Minister, transacted
business yesterday at the Foreign-office.
The Governor of the Bank of England and the
Deputy-Governor had an interview with the Chanc6llor
of the Exchequer yesterday, at his official residence in
Downing-street.
The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council sat yes-
terday. The Lords present were the Lord President,
Lord Brougham, the Vice-Chancellor Knight Bruce,
and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Cornwall.
Mr. Burge, Queen's Counsel, was heard on a petition
for leave to appeal, " Jacobs v. British Guiana Bank."
Mr. Fitzroy Kelly, Queen's Counsel, was heard on an
appeal from the Prerogative Court of Canterbury,
" Penton v. Williams," in the goods of Jones Panton,
Esq., deceased. The case was adjourned.
The Duke and Duchess of Bedford had a juvenile
party, !yesterday afternoon, at their residence in Bel-
grave-square. The American dwarf, " General Tom
Thumb," had the honour of attending.
Viscount and Viscountess Villiers have left Farrance's
Hotel, Belgrave-street, for Rotterdam.

ASYLUM for AGED and DECAYED
IFREEMASONS.

The ninth anniversary festival, in aid of the funds of
this Institution, took place on Wednesday night, at the
Freemasons' Hall, Great Queen-street. At six o'clock
a hundred and thirty gentlemen, the majority being
members of " the craft," sat down to an excellent dinner,
under the able presidency of the Hon. Colonel Anson,
M.P. The gallery was graced by the presence of a num-
ber of lidies, who were also entertained at a collation in
a room contiguous thereto. After the usual loyal toasts
had been disposed of,
The CHAIRMAN rose to propose what both he and
the company must consider the toast of the evening—
namely, " Prosperity to the Asylum for Aged and
Decayed Freemasons."—(Loud cheers.) In proposing
this toast, he wished to be allowed to make a few re-
marks. He should not have presumed to fill the chair
on the present occasion but for the kindness of
those gentlemen who had urged him to do so. He had
thought that he was not the most proper person to
explain the merits of this Institution—with which fact
he had himself so recently become acquainted. It was
to the kindness of those gentlemen who had invited him
to fill the chair, that the fact of his being in that posi-
tion must be attributed, and not to any merits of his own.
—(Cheers,) He felt, however, much indebted to them
for having introduced him to the knowledge of an Insti-
tution which had for its object the provision of comforts
for the declining years of those who had neither the
power nor the means of obtaining it for themselves,—
(Cheers.) The originators of the Institution had had to
contend with difficulties of no ordinary character ; and
to less ardent and less generous supporters those difficul-
ties might have appeared insurmountable—(Cheers)—
but he trusted now that the day would soon arrive when
difficulties would no longer exist. The other charities
had received and deserved high praise, but charity did
not always stop at one particular point ; indeed, it had
no limits in the breasts of the truly benevolent.—
(Cheers.) The charitable institutions of this country
excited the admiration of every foreigner who visited
us, and was it not natural that so ancient a body as the
Freemasons were, and so distinguished for their exer-
tions in the cause of benevolence, should be anxious for
the foundation of an asylum for the decayed members of
a brotherhood which united the inhabitants of every
clime and every country ?—(Loud cheers.) After some
further pertinent observations on the character of the
Institution, the Hon. Chairman concluded by promising
it all the support in his power for the future, and gave
the toast, which was drunk with three times three and
much enthusiasm. _ _ _

The healths of the Hon. Chairman, of Dr. Crucefix,
the Treasurer, and of the Stewards, were subsequently
given, and duly honoured.
From the report, which was read by Dr. Crucefix, it
appeared that the funds of the Institution had now
advanced to the sum of 3,6004 which, with the sum of
4001. collected during the evening, raised their total
amount to 4,oool.—the amount which, in the original
project of the Asylum, it was agreed must be obtained
before the building of the Asylum should be com-
menced ; and this desirable goal having been- reached,
it is expected the erection of the edifice will shortly be
commenced.

Among the company, we noticed the Rev. Dr. Knapp,
the Rev. Dr. Slade, the Rev. S. Ramsey, Brothers W.
Shaw, J Lane, G. Philipe, Robert Bell, W. Eccles, J. L.
Stevens, J. C. Fourdrinier, T. Pryer, Z. Watkins, and
M. Sangster.
The announcement of Brother Benjamin Bond Cabbell,
as the Chairman for the ensuing year, was warmly
welcomed.

The musical arrangements were of a character of
unusual excitement. Among the professional ladies
and gentlemen present were Mrs. Chatfield, the Misses
Turner, Mrs. Seguin, Signor Fornasari, Signor Emiliani,
Signor Brizzi, Signor Negri, Mr. Horn, Mr. Collyer,
Mr. Jolly, Mr. Crouch, and Mr. Kingsbury.
The evening was passed in the enjoyment of harmony
and good fellowship, and it was not until a late hour that
the company dispersed.