The Sun.
London, England, 1842-12-27 00:00:00

No. 15,708.

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„ .

CL:ERICAL ASSOCIATION, or CLUB.
This Association, instituted in July last, as a point of
re-union exclusively for the Clergy, affords its Members accom-
modations similar to the Clubs, but more appropriate, more
ample, and less expensive, and altogether obviates the neces-
sity for Clergymen, living in the country seeking any other re-
sidence during their occasional visits to London. As a centre of
accommodation and mutual information, and a registry of the
requirements of the Clergy, it fills a void which has not been
unfrequently complained of. The next period for entering is
the Ist of January, 1843, the Subscription Three Guineas
Annually, without any other fee or liability.
Application forthwith is respectfully requested.
R. HAYES, Secretary,
13, Henrietta.street, Covent.garden.

TN the Matter of the PETITION of THOMAS
IN
PRESTON, of No. 1, Lower Geerge-street, Sloane-
square, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. Notice is
hereby given, that JOSHUA EVANS, Esq., the Commissioner act-
ing in the matter of this Petit,on, will proceed to make a final
order therean at the Court of Bankruptcy, Baginghall-street,
London, on the Ist day of February next, at Two o'Clock in
the afternoon precisely, unless cause be then and there shown
to the contrary.

THE . PANTOMIMES,' &c.
DRURY-LANE.
At this theatre, last' night, Jane Shore Preceded the
Pantomime. It would appear, froin these two pieces,
as if the caterers for Christmas had intentionally set
the face of Melpoinene opposite that of Momus to
create the stronger contrast, so that tears and laugh-
ter might both be educed, and that the latter should
be the heartier from copious effusion of the first. If
the reason seems far-fetched, the effect,, nevertheless,
was apparent; Macready, Phelps, Miss Faucit, and
Mrs. Warner realised, by their combined talents, as
much as Rowe could ever expect. The passion of
Hastings was perfect; the "maddening brain" of
Alicia wrought itself in the fury of fire, almost pal.-
pably, and the frail attenuated beauty of the suffering
penant sank into the compOsures of death, true to ac-
tuality and nature. Impatience for the pantomime
was, as usual, vehement. Harlequin William Tell
was its titular name, being the first time, doubtless,
that the hero of the antons was ever made to caper
in a suit of spangles; or use pantoufles for
dance. It opened mystically—say allegorically.
In the " regions •of slavery" a patent fetter
factory has discovered itself to view. In' this
Cyclopic cave a number of fire-forgers hammer out
the links which are to chain the people of Negroland.
Buoyant on the sea, however, a slave vessel appears in
conflict with a British cruiser—the former is cap-
tared, and the victorious vessel.. draws to shore.
Tinsixi;-"the figure- lif
advances, and a conflict ensues between her crew and
the chain-makers. But- the'crew are the most petite and
Liliputian imaginable. Fancy Sir Hugh Gough or
Commodore Napier in petto, reduced to almost Tom Thumb dimensions, and multiplied by lots, and you
would have the sailor's exactly; while the little troop
of soldiers that marched from under hatches, would
have pleased a Pieton or Wellesley. Of course the
soldiers and seamen win the day, emancipation of the
slaves ensues, and a dazzling steno Issues on the eye,
representing a palm-crowned region that basks in
lustre, and where the blaek.danceS in liberty. The
chain-makers, defeated here, cast wistful eyes on
Switzerland, and Gesler is their tool. This piece of
Switzer history, known to every juvenile of the day,
Was aketplied,' but thrown into the oddest atti-
tudes 67`Trotesqueness. Each character was pur-
posely a. monstrosity, and the head on every Swiss
pair Of shoulders was as bulbous as American beet-
root. But the scene in which the travesties were
enacted gleamed as fairly as a chrysolite; ,it was the
Canton of Uri ; a mild sun illumined its air, anti its
lake shone with diaphane clearness. Forthwith the
transformations ensue. William Tell becomes liar-
lequin (Mr. C. J. Smith), Miss Fairbrother, Columr
bine ; the one cased in a suit of brilliance, muscular of
limb hut supple as hie wand; the other graceffil in
silver gauze, and airy as a gossamer. Then began
the merry din, the whirl—up and down, to and fro;
they flitted about as if their world had been a ball-
room, and every minute a festival. Twirlabout
(Mr. Stilt), as indicated by his name, rejoiced
in infinite somersets, tournures, and capsisings. His
limbs were, elastic with vigour—the subtilties of the
gymnase were at his command—he glided into attitude
and motion as if muscle and tendun had been no part
of him—it was a doubt which was lightest, he or
Columbine. In the series of tricks the pockets of Jr.A
as capacious as
hTis. Mews, as
GCrl iomwanl'd isr amn dAfltil-1.1 110 we 11!s Panta-
loon was no less unctuous. We cannot enumerate a
tithe of the changes produced by the flourish of the
doorwand.
and window into a l
Tleofficeofßelli Life in London, converted
likeness of every bell in and
out of the metropolis—of whick,the Giant Tom of
Lincoln tolled supreme—while a host of little bell-men
i
created at the same time a tintinnabulary clatter,
lheeaodfs of
that made the house resound with chimings.
ba
ucsobuy p
A new hair-cutting machine appeared, with
voluntary-movinghair were
applied,diately turned out "real Dover crops."' This trick
would amuse all Kent. A model of the Old Bailey
was metamorphosed into a "Bailie of Edinburgh,"
rubbing sleep from his eyes, when the Queen had
htngry scissors—two
which were imme-
diately
sped miles on her progress, The "Fleet Prison" was
humorously changed into the "departure of her
Majesty's fleet," and one of the slyest hits was at the
music system of llullah, whose institution, dedicated
to singing for the million, changed into a laundry,
with about eighty kettles, all synchronously vocal, on
the fire, and warbling- harmoniously to that tune
which is ordinarily addressed to "Polly." Preissnitz,
the IncOme4ax, and other floating topics of the
day,' came in equally for some shrewd touches.
Some few of the sceneries were common-place, but
the generality were elaborately rich in rural-looking
icebergs, snow-peaks white with light, and valleys
trellised with vines. The Ribstone pippin Bower
was a, splendid spectacle ; at its centre wheel within
wheel continued to revolve in sparkle and fine glory,
while numerous cressets burned, tipt as with lustrous
naphtha. The final garden of the Hesperides was simi-
larly rich, ideal and imposing. Colonnade and co-
lumns glittered in the rose-light -of perpetual
dawn ; ethereal fires fumed sulphidly around,
as if powders of amethyst had been scat-
tered in the air, and golden beams irradiated the
whole. Repetition will no doubt make this Christ

quiz upon Mainzer's " singing for the million "
system, displayed much merry malice. But, de-
cidedly, the best incident in the whole pantomime,
was the representation of the mode of getting up a
new Swindling Joint-stock Company, where a bundle
of straw, with a head borrowed from a barber's block,
was made to represent the President; the Directors
were a set of scamps picked-up hap hazard; and two
of them, who had made their fortunes by the Com-
pany, were shown in the act of entering their car-
riage, when, by a sudden whisk of Harlequin's magic
wand, the carriage was transformed, most ap-
propriately, into a police van, which was to
convey them as prisoners to Newgate. This was
real, hearty, well-applied satire, and deserved the
loud applause that it received. The last scene, re-
presenting Punch's Water-frolic, with the Lake of
Como in the. distance, was of a most gorgeous and
splendid character; but . indeed the pantomine
throughout was remarkable for the variety and
splendour of its. scenery and decorations; and it is
decidedly one of. the most amusing we have seen for
sorne,years. . When a few trifling curtailments have
been effected, we think it will be very likely to have
a, ran. The house was full, but not crowded.

superbly got up, and went off exceedingly well.
The house was crammed.

OLYMPIC.
The entertainments at this pretty and favourite
little theatre commenced last night with Leman
Rede's highly successful .burletta, Life's a Lottery,
or Jolly. Dick the Lamplighter, which, notwithstanding
all the exertions of the hero, the great George Wild
himself, and his excellent company, passed off nearly
in dumb show, in consequence of the uproarious im-
patience of the holiday folks, who thronged the galle-
ries, and until the commencement of the harlequinade
allowed no voices but their own to be heard, to the
very great annoyance of the equally crowded boxes
and pit. From the latter, loud and indignant cries
for " order and silence" were occasionally lifted above
the storm of the gods, to whom those rational ap-
peals were made in vain An extravaganza,
wider the title of The Coat, followed, and was
to the spectators as unintelligible as its precursor,
and from the same cause. At length, after an over-
ture of considerable merit (for its purpose), composed
by Mr. Blewitt, the opening scene of the pantomime
was greeted with rapturous applause. _Phis truly
original production is named Harlequin Old Cocker;
or, Arithmetic Rail and the. Buie qf Three. It is de-
scribed in the bills as calculated to " make up with
interest the full sum of laughter," and the public are
invited to " come in numbers and ,ee it" (the sum)
"proved." We are first introduced to the Hall of
Slates in the Snbterranean Palace of Multiplica-
tion, who is attended by a body-guard of animated
Slate Pencils, with well sharpened points, and
a group of living sponges, serving to de-
termine the question amongst naturalists as to
whether or not these useful marine productions are
to come within the province of zoology. Practice, a
youth having a good business connexion, comes to
apply for pecuniary assistance to enable him to prose-
cute his suite for the hand of Miss Addition ; but the
old usurer has calculated her in his own total, and
drives the applicant away in despair. The 'next scene
is a splendid representation of the palace of Dame In-
terest, the mother of Addition, and here Multiplication
receives the promise of the fair one's hand. Practice,
in the act of courting his mistress, is put
into a quotient by the Sheriffs' officers, Long
and Short Division, when the Lady Addi-
tion, now the remainder, is carried off by
Subtraction, a gentleman who had seen better times,
and at present resides in the hovel of Reduction. Prac-
tice escapes from his captors, and the several parties
proceed to the enchanted palace of Queen Figurante,
a splendid scene, where the usual changes take place.
Practice (young Bologna) becomes Harlequin, Addi-
tion (Miss Wright) Columbine. Multiplication (Mr.
Jefferini) Clown, Interest (Mr. Hartland) Pantaloon,
and Proof (Miss Lebatt) Harlequina. The chase
commences, and is pursued in the old style, with
infinite bustle and drollery. The occasional delay
and dulness incidental to the first night of such
exhibitions, being relieved by the graceful
dancing of Misses. Wright and Lebatt and young
Bologna. The action is diversified by an average
number of tricks and transformations, and they were
rewarded Iv ith the' usual amount of laughter and
applause. Jefferini, whose abilities as a Clown are
well known, introduced " Hot Codlings," and some
original comic songs, in which he was encored. In
the conclusion, all parties arrive at the " Temple of
Merit," where the prize is awarded to Practice, for
having solved an arithmetical problem in the Golden
Rule, which was beyond the powers of his rival,
Multiplication. At the fall of the curtain there were
some expressions of disapprobation, which, however,
were completely drowned in the tumult of applause.

NA'T'IONAL LOAN FUND LIFE ASSUR-
ANCE SOCIETY,

FOR GRANTING
LIFE ASSURANCES, DEFERRED ANNUITIES, &c.
No. 26, CORNHILL.
Capital £500,000.
Empowered by Special Act of Parliament.
DIRECTORS.
T. LAMIE MURRAY, Esq. Chairman.
Elliotson, M. D., F. R. S. John Esq.,
Esq.
John Griffith Frith, Esq. John Riddle Stodart, Esq.
Hunter Gordon, Esq. Clement Tabor, Esq.
George Lungley, Esq. Joseph Thompson, Esq.

HAY MARKE7.
A revival of the old Olympic Christmas fairy
spectacle of Piquet with the Taft, was the amusement
provided for the holiday visitors at this establishment.
Madame-Vestris and Charles Mathews-sttstained their
original characters, and the piece was produced with
all its pristine splendour. The young folks, who at
this season of the year are the public; hail their old
friends "Riquet," " Jack the Giant Killer," " Cinde-
rella," " Valentine and Orson," " Puss in Boots," &c.
&c., with raptures of delight, and "Riquet" was as
successful on his revival at the Haymarket as he was
on his first appearance at the Olympic. The house
was very well filled.

ADELPHI.
The performances last evening at this popular place
, of public amusement, commenced with the burletta of
• the Merchant and his Clerks, which has already had
a successful run of some nights. Mr. Rice, the ori-
ginal " Jim Crow," then made his bow in a new
farce, from the pen of Mr. Sterling, entitled Yankee
Notes for English Circulation. The piece was, of
course, written especially for Mr. Rice, and the ex-
hibition of his peculiar powers. The character he
assumes is that of a nigger help at a boarding• house
at Saratoga Springs, and his name Julius Cesar
'Washington Hickory Dick. He is enamoured of one
Miss Zip Coon (Mrs. Grattan), a mulatto help in the
same establishment, and the humour of the piece
chiefly consists in the droll results of the jealousy
with which his black bosom is excited by the atten-
tions which the copper-coloured object of devotions
receives at the hands of several inmates of the boarding •
house, and in the manner in which he insinuates him-
self into the secrets of the ladies and gentlemen in ques-
tion. These principally consist of Mr. Bilberry Wad
(Wilkinson), a "liberty" boy, and loco-foco ; Timothy
Pippin, alias Silas Solomon Sprowl, Sen. (Wright),
a down easter, and a hyperbolically vulgar Yankee,
Major Dowbiggin, ofthe United States army, Sprawl,
jun., Miss Emma Wad (Miss Chaplin), &c. Some-
thing in the shape of an intended plot is worked out
by these respective personages, under various phases
of transatlantic character; a runaway husband meets
a runaway wife at the Springs, who bribes his poverty
to aid her in a scheme by which the American Major
is to elope with Miss Wad, and so forth; but
all this was entirely subservient to the sole and
simple purpose of affording " the nigger" every
possible vantage-ground for the display of his cer-
tainly most amusing and inimitable representations
of the peculiar attributes, manners, chuckles,
and giggles of a "no common" gentleman
of the African species of our , varied genus.
The farce was followed by a new pantomime, called
The Children in the Wood, 'or Harlequin Nobody.
The opening was good, the incidents were well ar-
ranged, and the scenic effects were more than usually
effective. "Nobody" was played by Mr. Wieland,
who gave ample proof that lie was somebody. Mr.
11. Beverley was the Clown. This gentleman has a
vast deal of humour, the result of imagination and
long experience, and was quite at home in his part.
The Harlequin was Mr. Frampton, the Pantaloon Mr.
Sanders, and the Columbine, Miss Bullen, all of
whom played well. The piece is good in its kind,
but, like most others of the present day, wants cur-
tailment and compression. There are some good
jokes and some tolerably good political hits, and these
will appear more brilliant from being shortened. The
house was a perfect crowd—every seat and every
place for standing being fully occupied.

rriflE PROTESTANT DISSENTERS' and GE-
NERAL LIFE and FIRE ASSURANCE COMPANY.
(Empowered by Special Act of Parliament, 3 Vic., c. 20.)
62, KING WILLIAM-STREET, LONDON-BRIDGE,
LONDON;
15, GEORGE-STREET, EDINBURGH;
And 6, KING-STREET, QUEEN-SQUARE, BRISTOL.
Capital, One Million.
TRUSTEES (WITH A SEAT AT THE BOARD).
Thomas Challis, Esq. I Thomas Piper, Esc
Thomas Wilson, Esq.
DIRECTORS.

George Bousfield, Esq. Charles Hindley, Esq., M.P.
Sir John Easthope, Bart.,M.P. Thomas B. Simpson, Esq.
Peter Ellis, Esq. Hon. C. P. Villiers, M.P.
Joseph Fletcher, Esq. John Wilks, Esq.
Richard Hollier, Esq. Edward Wilson, Esq.
On the return of the Christmas Quarter the'Directors beg
leave to remind their Friends and the Public, that in the Fire
Department they receive Risks of all descriptions, including
Chapels, 80pol-rooms, Mills, Goods, and Shipping in Docks,
Farming Stock, &c., at the same reduced rates as other re.
spectable Companies. And in the Life Department th.y con-
tame to transact all business relating to Life Assurances, An-
nuities, and Family Endowments, upon the most. liberal terms,
consistent with sound principles and public security.
No charge matte for Fire Policies transferred frets other
Offices.
The usual allowanch made to Solicitors, Surveyors, and others.
By order of the Directors
:THOMAS PRICE, Secretary.

COUGHS, COLDS, INFLUENZA, HOARSENESS;
ASTHMA, AND INCIPIENT CONSUMPTION.
IMCO'S ESSENCE OF LINSEED is an in-
L. 7 valuable remedy. Price Is. lid. and 2s. 9d. per

Bottle.

From time immemorial Linseed has been proverbial for its
virtues in the cure of Coughs and Colds ; but previous to the
discovery of the present Chemical Essence, it was merely used
in the form of tea, and its benefit comparatively limited. This
Essence contains all the medicinal properties of Linseed in a
highly concentrated form, combined with other medicinals and
herbs, producing the most certain and efficacious remedy for
Coughs which has yet been discovered.
Children's Coughs, as recent ones in Adults, will be re-
moved by a few doses of Simco's Essence of Linseed (frequently
by the first) ; old standing Chronic Coughs may require per-
severance, but they ultimately yield to its curative powers.
Asthmatic persons, who previously had not been able to lie
down in bed, haze received the utmost benefit, and others suf-
fering from Influenza have been speedily cured by this valuable
medicine.

Sold by all respectable Medicine Vendors.

LORD ABINGER AND AN UNPAID JURY.--At the
conclusion of the recent sittings of the Court of Ex-
chequer at the Guildhall, City, the following incident
occurred :—At the conclusion of each trial the Jury
is allowed Bs., which Garland, one of the overseers of
the Court, pays. On Saturday last the cause was
rather late, and when the Jury made the usual de-
mand the solicitor of the fortunate party had de-
parted, and the Jury were compelled to go without
their fees. On Monday they again attended, but his
Lordship having got through every cause which had
been entered for trial during the sittings, their at-
tendance was not required; but they were " not to
be done out of their Bs. ;" accordingly they renewed
their application to Garland, who declared his inability
to settle the demand. As Lord Abinger was in the
act of passing through the hall; five persons ran to-
wards his Lordship, whom they instantly surrounded,
and before they gave the Learned Judge time to re-
cover from his surprise, demanded the Bs. Lord
Abinger remarked that he was not aware of being
indebted in the sum of Bs. to the gentlemen, hinting
at the same time in all probability they had mistaken
him for some other person. "We are perfectly satis-
fied as to whom we are asking—it is Lord Abinger,"
was the reply ; "and upon Saturday night your
Lordship left the Court without paying us our fee of
Bs." His Lordship replied that he had nothing to do
with the payment of the fee; but the pertinacious
jurymen again declared that they would "not be
done out of their Bs. each : the Special Jury ware
paid, and why not they ?" His Lordship again
pointed out that he was not the party to whom they
were to apply; but the eloquence of the Chief Baron
was never so ineffective, and he found his free egress
from the hall, where he had just before been " most
potent," impeded. His Lordship sent for Garland
to know why he had not paid the Jury. The plea
that the money had not been received was put in ;
but his Lordship held it to be bad, and directed
Garland to pay the Jury, who then permitted his
Lordship to leave the hall.
_

The American ship Peruvian, arriving at Havre
from New Orleans, was driven ashore, in the course
Of 'Wednesday night, between Bleville and Octeville,
to the north of La Heve. The night was dark and
rainy, so that it was impossible to discern the lights on
the land. The steam tug-boat Neptune was imme-
diately sent out to tow her off, if possible.
THE Moons.—The season for grouse-shooting
terminated on the 10th instant, and a more pleasant
one we do not remember. During the whole period
of five months, the sportsman was scarcely inter-
rupted by a single shower of rain, or rather, the
whole was one continued round of bright sunshine.
At the commencement of the season, however, it was
observed that the hoodies had been most active in
the destruction of the eggs, and that, too, in many
cases when they were nearly fledged; this, together
with the poaching which has been carried on to a
great extent .this season, has limited the amount of
game. Indeed, we have noticed a continued decrease
of grouse since the year 1838, which has been caused
by the severity of the weather, and the now too pre-
valent practice of burning the heather. As the
present winter promises to form an exception, we
hope there will be an increase in the number and
health of the birth next season. We have seldom
seen the broods of partridges more numerous ; but
owing to the earliness of the season, they were more
than usually shy.—Glasgow citizen.
REDUCTION OF WAGES ON TUE NORTH MIDLAND
RAILWAY.—We understand that considerable reduc-
tions of wages are now being made among the en-
ginemen, firemen, and other operatives employed on
this line. At the same time, more work is also re-
quired of them. The reduction of the engineers'
wages, we are informed, is in some cases about 20 per
cent. Cleaners are reduced from 15s. to 13s. a week.
Great complaints are made among the workmen, who
threaten a general strike. . The reduction commences
to-morrow (Sunday), and many of the best men, it
is stated, will give up their situations to night.—
Leeds Times. •

It must be a source of gratification to those inte-
rested in the welfare of the many families who have
emigrated from this town and the surrounding vil-
lages to New Zealand, to know that letters have been
received from several of the emigrants, who all speak
very highly of their comforts and prospects, and give
a highly flattering account of the country.—Hamp-
shire Advertiser.

.....
mas-piece More perfect and despatehable : a quick eye
and quicker perception is necessary at present to
comprehend some of the tricks as they are carried
out ; and a few of the slaps and posturings may be
omitted. The house was full and brilliant : hearty
laughter awaited on many of the plasainteries, and
young faces frequently gladdened with delight. The
gods of the gallery were somewhat captious, but with-
out appearance of knowing what they wanted.

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.
This theatre opened last night for the season, with
the Merry Wives of Windsor, and the new pantornine.
In the comedy, Mr. Bartley undertook . the part of
Sir John Falstaff, and played it 'with intelligence,_
though with none of that smooth, Oily humour which
we naturally look for in the character. There was
something dry and hard in his manner, more espe-
cially in that scene wherein he relates to " Master
Brooke" his adventures in the buck-basket. Mr.
Cooper made a heavy, common-place Ford, and the
part of his sprightly wife was played with vivacity--
a little too excessive, perhaps, at times—by Mrs.
Walter Lacy. Meadows 's
Sir Hugh Evans was ex-
cellent, spirited, yet free from
exaggeration ; and
Miss Poole, who sang one or two simple airs with
considerable sweetness and feeling, made an in-
teresting Anne Page. On the whole, however,
notwithstanding it was well 'cast the comedy went
off heavily, and towards the close the impatience of
the gallery was very manifest. The new pan-
tomine, which, as the bills assure us, is the production
of the writers of Puucli, is entitled Harlequin King
John and Magna Charta; it contains some clever
tricks, . and some ingenious transformations, and
moves off lightly and rapidly. The first scene repre-
sents the ruins of the Forum in the Campo Vaccino
at. Rome, wherein we find our old friends',
merry
Puck,
Oberon, Titania, &c., busily engaged plotting
mischief. Suddenly, Punch and his partner Judy
Make their appearance among the fairy group, when
a very graceful dance is got up,
in which all the
assembled charaCters take part, and which was loudly
and deservedly applauded, by the audience. The next
scene is called the " Vault of the Black Diamond—
alias the Cole Hole—in the Castle of baron of Fitz-
et together
in solemn convocation, full of patriotic
waiter," where the Peers of England are m
intentions, and
determined to make king John sign the charter of
their rights. This scene occasioned
much laughter, I'
Barons,were de-
tailed
and the
throughgrievances of
mediumth e insurgent upri gt
pithy
t
placards
, with in-
fiwnasit e
the d rnoel lxet scene ; an d
.he we saw Ring John, drollery
cl The Greater Hall .at
Windsor Castle
John, who
was most whimsically performed by Mr. W. H. Payne,
presiding at a grand Court banquet, with his Lord 1
Chancellor and his two,Q4eens. in active attendance
upon him. Mr. Payne gave some
imitations of
Macready's walk and bearing in this scene, which
were instantly recognised by the audience, and were,
indeed, as clever and characteristic as it was possible
to be. Ultimately, after a variety of amusing shifts
and subterfuges, the Monarch is compelled to sign
the Magna Charts, which, true to, his Royal despotic
instinct, ho signs, not with ink, but with blood drawn
from the nose of one of his courtiers, whose
conk he has expressly tapped for the occasion.
After this we find . the fairy train arriving
in the Royal presence by one of the rail-road
steam-engines, when Punch, who is among them, ex-
hibits himself in his full glory, and the usual panto-
mimic transformations commence. Mr. Ridgway is
Harlequin, Mrs. Ridgway,. Columbine, Mr. Garden,
Pantaloon, and Mr. T. RidgWay, Clown. The piece
flagged occasionally till now, but when once the
proper business of the pantomime had been entered
upon, there was no flagging till the close of the per-
formance. There was a world of bustle, and the
changes were as rapid as they should be. Among
them, is the sudden transformation of a school, after
the old formal fashion; into the Polytechnic Institu-
tion, which' was 'admirably contrived. The scenes in
Bartholomew Fair, too, were very happy, and the

THE PRINCESS'S.

This truly superb little theatre was opened last
evening for the first time for theatrical amusements.
It is fitted up in the most gorgeous yet tasteful style
. of magnificence. The decorations are in the richest
style of the Renaissance. The ceiling is adorned
with paintings in arabesque of the most brilliant
colour, cornices and corbels, richly carved and gilded,
and the panels of the boxes are adorned in the same
profusely gorgeous and costly, yet tasteful, style of
magnificence. We have visited many theatres in this
country, and most of the celebrated theatres on the Con-
tinent, but we never saw one which in magnificence
of decoration could for one moment be compared
to the Princess's. The Royal theatre of the
Palace of Versailles approaches the nearest to
it, but even that must rank as second to this
tastefully magnificent theatre. But it is not on
account of its superb fittings up alone that this theatre
is worthy of the public patronage. The convenience
of the visitors .has been studied in every possible way.
The boxes are most luxuriously fitted up with
cushioned chairs, are numbered, and the pit is marked
out into numbered places, in the same manner as
Drury-lane. The lobbies are spacious and lofty, and
so admirable is the ventilation, that although last
evening the theatre was crammed to excess, the heat
was by no means oppressive. It would appear that
Opera is to be the grand feature at this establish-
ment, and the operatic company engaged is first-rate.
The piece chosen for the opening was La Sonnanzbula,
with Madame Eugenia Garcia as Amina, Templeton
ns Elvino, and Mr. Weiss (an excellent primo basso)
as the Count. This opera has not been so well cast for
many years on the English stage. We have had ex-
cellent Aminas, good Rodolphs, but our Elvinos
have of late yearS, all been feeble. Some we have had
with taste to appreciate, but without power to execute
the music of the part, whilst others, with a sufficiency of
power, have been so deficient in taste, or so deficient
in science, as to be totally incapable of managing their
Powers. Such, however, was not the case last evening.
Templeton has taste, power, and science combined,
and his Elvino last evening was all that the most fas-
tidious could desire. He has always been, far and
away, the best Elvino on the English boards ; and now
that Rubini has retired, we doubt whether the Italian
stage can produce his equal. 'Without waiting to in-
quire whose fault it is that we have seen so little of
him of late, we cordially . hail his re-appearance, and
trust that he will not again leave us. Madame Eu-
genia Garcia is. worthy of the name she bears. She
is a Garcia, which is saying, in other words, she is a
thorough' musician. Her voice is clear, powerful, sweet,
and of immense compass; her articulation most distinct ;
her pronounciati on, for a foreigner, wonderfully correct ;
her countenance is expressive, and her action energetic,
yet graceful. In her delineation of the part of Amina,
she not unfrequently reminded us of poor Malibran.
Her execution of the finale—" Oh, do not mingle
one human feeling," was brilliant in the extreme, and
was honoured with a double encore. She was called
for, at the conclusion of the opera, and a profusion of
wreaths and bouquets showered on her. Mr. Weiss,
who made his first appearance before a London au-
dience, as Rodolpho, is. a decided acquisition. His
personal appearance is good, and his voice is a rich,
powerful, well cultivated barytone, approaching to a
bass. He sang the music allotted to him
with great taste and judgment, and was
much and deservedly applauded in the celebrated air
" Vi raviso." • Mr. Loder is the leader of the band,
and Mr. W. L. Phillips, the chorus master. The
conductor is Signor Schira, from La Scala, at
Milan.. Mr. Maddox, the lessee, is evidently endea-
vouring to make this the Opera Comique of London,
and sincerely do we wish him success in his praise-
worthy endeavours. A grand burlesque burletta,
entitled, The Yellow Dwarf, concluded the evening's
performance, and introduced to us Middle. Melanie ,
Duval, and Mons. Denize, principal dancers from the
Academie Royal, Paris, in a new pas de deux.
Never have we seen anything on the English stage
which could at all be compared to the taste, ease,
and gracefulness of Mademoiselle Duval. The most
difficult tours were accomplished with a graceful
agility, which delighted while it astonished. In an
ordinary danseuse we should have spoken of them as
tours de force; such an expression would, however,
be most inappropriate in speaking of Mademoiselle
Duval ; in her they were tours de grace. She was
the muse of the many-twinkling feet, giving expres-
sion to the poetry of motion. The burletta was

SADLER'S WELLS.
This theatre has long been celebrated for the spirit,
life, and humour, of its Christmas entertainments; and
under its present manager, Mr. Greenwood, it has lost
nothing of its olden reputation. The performances
last night commenced with a drama entitled The
Lear of Private Life, and the farce of The Secret.
These pieces have been already repeatedly produced,
and now obtained little of the attention of the audi-
ence. It truth, the uproar was throughout as inces-
sant as usual on such occasions. The Pantomime,
however, was the great entertainment of the
evening. This piece was entitled Harlequin and
Good Synge Arthur • or, the Enchanter Merlin
and the Queen of Faery Land. The plot was
an adaptation of' the nursery tale of King Arthur.
The first scene opened with a view of " the
Dwarf's forge," in Merlin's cave, exhibiting the
elfs of the enchanter forging a brazen shield for the
King, who soon appears, accompanied by his knights.
The Monarch, after various adventures, is induced by
Gloriana to traverse his empire under the disguise of
Harlequin, with the "fair Ysonde," who assumes the
figure of Columbine. Under these forms they visit
various scenes, which are represented with great
humour and effect. We have " the exterior of the
Chinese Exhibition, at Hyde Park-corner," " the
Police Station-house," and other views, enlivened by
the grotesque exhibitions of Clown, dancers, specta-
tors, and a variety of characters suited to the diffe-
rent shiftings of the piece. The great merit of the
pantomime consisted in its scenery, which was, in
many instances, striking and gorgeous. Palaces and
oven—illumined hills, and fairy landscapes, were re-
presented with an almost magical beauty. The act-
ing, however, was of an inferior description ; and we
cannot but think that the piece would admit of cur-
tailment ; or, at all events, that a less use might be
made of the cheap pleasantry of placing on the heads
of the performers enormous and grotesque masks,
under which they moved and tumbled upon the
stage. We must not omit to mention that the con-
cluding scene, which was an image of " the Palace of
Allegory," with au illustration of Great Britain, sup-
ported by Wisdom and Valour, receiving homage
from China and Hindostan, was the finest in the
piece, and drew down repeated marks of applause.
The house was crowded in every part.