The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-03 00:00:00

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.

A bold, and to a certain extent, a successful expe-
riment was made last night at this theatre, in the
production of the Antigone of Sophocles—the last of
three tragedies connected with the history of Edipua
which the august genius of the Greek dramatist has
familiarised to every classical scholar. When we
first read the announcement of this play we were not
without serious apprehensions that it would prove an
arrant failure, for we did not deem it at all probable
that an English audience habituated to the rapid,
irregular action, and continual stir of Shakspeare's
tragedies, with the fierce and tumultuous passions de-
veloped in their progress, would sympathise with the
shire and stately march of a Greek play, wherein
the feelings of the human heart are roused
but not probed to the quick ; and where
more is said than done, the character of
the piece being narrative rather than dramatic. But
we have been agreeably disappointed. The AntigoNe,
on the whole, has been successful, but its success has
not been so much owing to the interest taken by
the audience in the conduct of the plot, whose severe
simplicity and somewhat languid progress are ill-
adapted to the melodramatic taste of the day, as
to the music of Bartholdy, which is full of expres-
sion, varying in happy accordance with the sentiments
enunciated by the dramatist. It is a striking proof of
the undying character of true genius, to see a play
which, upwards of two thousand years ago, delighted
an Athenian audience received with applause by an
English one, the majority of whom can know nothing
of the incomparable grace and majesty of its styli-,
and can be effeeted only by the truth and earnestness
of the feelings it depicts. The Antigone of Sophocles
is remarkable for the strict unity of its action, for the
absence of all irrelevant characters and incidents, and
more especially for the pure and lofty moral it incul-
cates, and which is never for an instant lost sight of.
The aim of the dramatist is obvious throughout. It
is to show the remorse that waits on inji:Aiee :—in a
word, to illustrate the wholesome truth which Shak-
speare has so well expressed, that
" The great gods are just ; and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to scourge us."
The plot may be summed up in a few words. On the
death of Eteocles and Polynices, sons of CFalipus, who
fell in battle by each other's hand, Creon, their nearest
male relative, ascends the throne of Thebes, and forbids
the rites of sepulture to the body of Polynices.
Antigone, animated by piety and sisterly
affection, nobly braves the despot's command,
but being detected in the attempt to inter her
brother, she is condemned to be buried alive in
the cavern of a rock. Fully to appreciate the strong
impelling motives un_ which Antigone acts, our
readers should bear in mind that the rites of sepulture
were deemed absolutely necessary to ensure the tran-
quillity of the spirit after death—a circumstance to
which Virgil has alluded in his sixth book of the
./Eneid, where he represents Palinurus supplicating
-Eneas to give his body, which lies naked " in ignotal
arena," the sacred rites of burial, so that his rea-lets,
wandering spirit may at length know repose. But to
resume. Soon after Antigone has been conveyed to
her rocky tomb, Tiresias, the soothsayer—so well
known in Greek fable—enters into Creon's presence,
and by solemnly predicting the evils that Nvill flow
from the tyrant's unjust decree, induces him to bury
Polynices, and issue an order for the release of
Antigone. But the order is issued too late.
Antigone has already strangled herself, and her
lover, Heamon, Creon's son, commits suicide in the
agony of his• grief fur her fate. His mother, also,
distracted by this double loss, destroys herself, and
the tragedy concludes with the unavailing self-re-
proaches of the Kin, and the exhibition of his intense
remorse. The chorus, who, as in all Greek
dramas, takes conspicuous share in the piece, is
composed of the nobles and councillors of Thebes,
who are supposed to be assembled before the palace
in order to hear the decree which has so promptly
proved fatal to Creon. Nothing can well be simpler
than this plot, or less complex than the emotions
sought to be conveyed by the dramatist. The in-
terest of the piece is confined exclusively to Anti-
gone, and rises and falls as she appears and disappears
from the scene. Her character is conceived in a
noble spirit, in which there is loftiness without
exaggeration ; and the execution is not less mas-
terly. The glowing, majestic, heartfelt sentiments
put into her mouth, are just such as might be ex-
pected from a nature of her heroic stamp ; but which,
however essentially elevated it may be in its
prevailing tone of thought and feeling, is yet
imbued with a keen sense of the more
homely, familiar, and domestic affections. Like the
Alcestis of Euripides—one of the me-,t delightful
female portraits ever drawn by the magic pen of
genius—Antigone merits the highest praise for the
completeness and harmony of the conception. The
touches are carefully laid on one by one, and the
course of emotion proceeds in exact accordance with
—what philosopher Square would call—" the fitness
of things." In artful contrast to this fine portrait
stands out the character of Ismene—a true woman
such as may be met with in the every-day walk of
life—gentle—affectionate—timid—but when fully
roused; capable for the time of sacrificing every
thought of Self, and rising to the loftiest height of
moral dignity. In rev.rting once again to the plot, we
cannot forbear from .-anmenting on the exqui•ite
skill with w hich Sophocles has introduced the spirited
hymn to Bacchus. This has evidently been done with a
view to relieve the more tragic portions
of the play, and so give variety to its other-
wise somewhat monotonous character. The chorus
sings the hymn—and a noble piece of music it is—
under.the impression that Antigone will be released
and all end happily ; but the catastrophe has already
beenwrought,and the tragic tone of the subsequentscenes
acquires tenfold force from the brief, sunny gleam of
cheerfulness by which they have been preceded. Ot
the performers, all played their parts creditably, and
one or two with superior feeling and judgment. Mr,
Vandenla4 as Creon, declaimed with emphasis and
propriety though occasionally his manner was
somewhat too cold and formal and Miss

Just ready, in 3 vols., post Svc,, with num.:. use Illustrations by
The FORTUNES of
THE SCATTERGOOD FAMILY.
By ALBERT SMITH, Esq.,
Author ,of " The Adventures of Mr. Ledbury," " 1 hit Wassail
Bowl," &c.
Richard Bentley, New Burlington-street.

THE AGE and ARGUS (the orly real Tory
Journal) will contain in its New Year's Number a quantity of
Exclusive Intelligence, in addition to its usual large number of Ori-
ginal Contributions, and other interesting and amusing matter.
Office, 13, Wellington-street, Strand.

COMBINATION OF CHEAP NEWS AND CHEAP
LITERATURE.
THE GREAT WESTERN ADVERTISER,
henceforth to be called THE GREAT WESTERN ADVER-
TISER AND CHRONICLE, will be issued To-morrow (Saturday),
the 4th of January, in an enlarged and novel form.' The pages de-
voted to News and Advertisements will consist now of seven instead
of six columns each ; and a portion of the paper will be set apart for
literary matter, arranged in forty pages of a foolscap octavo size,
which may be divided from the rest, and folded in parts, and which,
in the course of the year, will form five volumes of an average thick-
ness of 416 pages. With the First Number will be given 40 pages of
" KOHL'i TRAVELS IN ENGLAND," a new translation, executed
expressly for this purpose by Thomas Roscoe, Esq. ; and this work
will extend to about thirteen numbers, and be completed about the
end of April next. One week in each month will be devoted to a
" Western Miscellany," consisting of Tales, Essays, Sketches, Re-
views, and Poetry, Edited by T. H. Scaly, Author of "The Porcelain
Tower," &c. The Newspaper, with 2,800 pages of literary matter,
consisting chiefly of valuable Standard Works, will be supplied for a
subscription of only fifteen shillings per annum, paid in advance. Of
the " Great Western Advertiser" FIVE THOUSAND copies are
printed Weekly ; and, the greater number of them being circulated
gratuitously, 4,000 are re-eollected, after their distribution in Bristol,
Bath, and Plymouth, and circulated a second time throughout four-
teen counties of the south-west of England and South Wales, thus
raising the entire circulation to NINE THOUSAND ; whilst the
average circulation of 54 papers published in the districts through
which the "Great Western Advertiser" is distributed, is only 1,051,
and one.only among them rises to a circulation of more than 3,000.
The columns of the " Great Western Advertiser" are devoted to
General and Loral News, Commercial Intelligence, Literary Notices,
and Advertisements. Party politics are scrupulously avoided.
The principal Office of the Paper is at
8, BRIDGE-STREET, BRISTOL.

THE STEP-MOTHER.
By G. P. E. JAMES, Esq.
The EDITOR of the SUNDAY TIMES has the pleasure of an-
nouncing that on the sth of January, 1845, will be published, in the
columns of that Journal, the First ,Nrumber of a new Romance, of
Times within our Memory, entitled THE STEP-MOTHER ; or,
Evil Doings. Written exclusively for the Sunday Times.
By G. P. R. JAMES, Esq.
In till Sunday Times of the sth of January will also appear, THE
CO3IICI AUTOBIOGRAPHY of the Year Eighteen Hundred and
Forty-four. Edited by •• YOUNG FORTY-FIVE."
l'riuted and published by John Kemble Chapman, 103, Fleet-
street, tp whom ail communications (post-paid) are to be addressed.

Vandenhoff exhibited more feeling in Antigone,
than in any character in which she has yet appeared
on the stage. The numerous choruses were admi-
rably managed, and every possible effect was given
to the delightful music of Bartholdy. The hazardous
experiment of the performance of a Greek play having
now been made, and with comparative success, m e
are not without hopes that it will, ere long, he re-
peated. There is more of iacident, variety, and
briskness of action in the CEdipzu Tyrannu.l than in
the Antigone of Sophocles; and, judging froth list
night's performance, we cannot but think that ti e
closing scenes of the Coloneus, where the awful
voice of the unseen Nemesis is heard summoning CEdipus
to judgment in the gloomy depths of the grove con-
secrated to the Furies, would—if aided by im-
pressive and appropriate mu.ic such as Bartholdy
has shown himself capable of composing
produce a very striking effect. It is highly
creditable to the taste of an English audience that
they paid the most marked attention throughout the
entire performance of Antigone. One or two of its
more impassioned sentiments_the' genuine utterance,
of humanity as it ex;sted two thousand years age,
and will exist through all time—were received wits,
applause ; and at the fall of the curtain 101 r.
Vandenhoff and his daughter were calie
oeive the congratulations of the audience.i on
to

ASTLEY'S AMPHITHEATRE.
The success of the day exhibitions at this elegant place
of amusement must have surpassed the most sanguine
expectations of the enterprising proprietor. The
has been crowded on each occasion. It is really quite
exhilirating to see the delight of the children at these
day .iitertainmentx. Parents are certainly under grunt
ohli;a:ions to Mr. Batty for thus enabling them to afford
the little people the treat of a visit to the theatre withei.t
interfOing with their proper hours of rest.

THE FAZE CIIURCII COLLEGE.—Lord Jeffrey ha;
itddressed the following letter to the editor of the Scots.
own :—"Sir,—My att, ,::on having been called (for the
first time this morning,; a statement in your.paper
last Wednesday, with reference to a report of my havin,;,
been one of the munificent contributors to the projeckri
college of the Free Church, I am bound 'to disclaim the
credit of any such splendid liberality, and to state that I
have not subscribed anything to that undertaking. It
will be obliging in you, therefore, to mention the fact in
your next publication. I am, Sir, ice., 1'; JEFFREY.-
24, Motray-place, Dec. 17.
'VV have great pleasure in announcing that her
Moje.ty acid Prince Aibert, with their accu.tom,,d
Lbws:icy, have lately subscribed to the fund raising for
the I ruction of the Marylebone and Paddington ifobpitni
r Maj. sty having made a donation of 100 guirhas,
and the Prince 50 guineas.
Emit. GREY.—We are glad to announce that the
.health of this venerable nobleman continues to improve.

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY 3 ~1345.°!

of these black ditenus were fellow-citizens of such a
man as Mr. Secretary WEBSTER, and are, therefore,
reclaimed by their native State of Massachusetts.
The Legislature of that State, having nominated a
Commissioner to proceed on its behalf to South
Carolina, i order to ascertain the precise state of the
facts, the gentleman nominated, immediately on his
arrival, notified to the Governor of the slave-holding
State the character of his mission, and apprised his
Excellency that its object was to "try the constitu-
tionality of the Carolina law in the Supreme Courts
of the United States."

There may be even among Englishman, though
we doubt the fact, about as many individuals as there
are Southern States in the Federal Union, who will
attempt to justify the conduct of members of the
" model Republic"—the palladium, as it has been
called,,of human freedom—the stronghold of consti-
tutional liberty—the refuge, from tyranny and law-
lessness, of the oppressed of all the world—in fostering,
within their own bosom, openly and unblushingly,
that foulest opprobrium of human institutions—negro
slavery. These very individuals will be the first to
echo the confident, unhesitating boast of every white
citizen, of those Southern States, that, whatever be
the merits of this slavery question, their political con•
dition is faultless. They will tell you that, above all
things, unlimited freedom of discussion is permitted
by their Legislature. This sounds well in theory.
Its practical truth is thus damaged by the New York
letters :—" The Legislature of South Carolina
being in session, the Governor transmitted
to that body the communication of Mr. HOAR
Upon , its receipt a Bill was introduced and
passed, in a few hours, through all the forms
of a law, authorising the instantaneous expul-
sion of Mr. HOAR from the State ; and he was,
without delay, expelled as an incendiary." To say
that we were absolutely unprepared, at the hands of
a State upholding the enormous crime of slavery, in
the midst of its own free national institutions, for
such an outrage as this, upon all international law,
upon the honour and dignity of an independent Con-
federate State, upon the inviolable character of its
diplomatic service—would be to allow the zeal of our
indignation to exceed the limits. of truth. For, it
seems to us, but the natural sequence of so ill-otnened
an anamaly as a free society's tolerating the perpetual
slavery of a certain class of their fellow-creatures,
that they should be guilty of any excess of
unprincipled resentment, or insolent violence,
to which the first impulses of their pas-
sions pr their prejudices may prompt them. The
samesdicentious arrogance which assumes, and in de-
fiance.of the remonstrances and example of all free
civilisation, retains its chattel property in a slave po-
pulatibn, will ,prompt it, whenever the opportunity
seems! favourable, to domineer over and insult even
the representatives of States equally free and inde-
pendent as itself. But we shall be surprised, indeed,
if, inithis instance, the slave-trading infatuation has
not sealed its own fate. The whole federation of
the Union is bound to resent this flagrant outrage
on their authority and honour. The slave question
can Ito longer be blinked on secondary grounds,
such has those of temporary expediency, because
the outrage itself—the authority by which it
was sanctioned—and the circumstances under
which it was perpetrated—have all arisen
out of, and exclusively resulted from, the legal iolera-
lion of slavery in South Carolina. In reference to
the contemplated appeal to Massachusetts to the
Supreme Court of the United States, a New York
correspondent thus writes :—" Suppose the decision
to bei against South Carolina, what then ? Why—
nothing." Not so I We cannot, and will not believe
it. l'here are men enough in the Supreme Tribunal
in question to dare to be just to the rightful demands
of a 4Jonfederate State for justice. There is a citizen
of Massachusetts—a patriot and a statesman—who
will not be slow to vindicate, in those capacities, tU
suggestions of his religious convictions as a Christian;
—of his social duties as a freeman. That man is Mr.
WEB,STER. He cannot evade his responsibility for his
past icareer and his avowed opinions, if he would ;
and clu" r unfeigned regard for him firmly assures us
that lae would not do so, if he could.

enles Paris papers are chiefly occupied with corn
mon the Budget of M. LACAYE LAPLAGNE, the
Mini ter of Finance, and the state of the Ministry.
The atter, however, is the subject of real interest.
The nancial statement adds little to previous know-
ledge respecting the resources, trade, and credit of
the cbuntry. The loan all knew had been contracted
nucler much more favourable circumstances than
were anticipated ; the imports, en the whole, had
improved ; the expenses of the war in Africa had been
a little increased by the expedition to Morocco; and
taking these points, with a few others known to the
public, into account, the main features of the Minis-
ter'slspeech could present nothing new. Looking at
the tut outlay of money for erecting the Paris forti-
fications, maintaining an army of 400,000 men, a large
fleet, and carrying on expensive operations in Algeria,
and aking into account at the same time the small
amolunt of commercial transactions, it cannot be de
niedi that the present state of the finances shows, be-
yond all doubt, the vast internal resources of France.
Thel Journal des Debats gives the following summary
of this document :--" The financial situation of France
is tliis year presented under a more favourable aspect
than last. The
tbuedrgeeeteipotfs
of the
e 5
samedemanded
year
i forng
the ! ordinary service credits to the amount
of 1;276,106,797f., h
1,276,925,231 f., which gave a surplus of nearly a
million. The ordinary Budget of 1846 sets down the
receipts at 1,306,027,832 f., and the expenditure at
1,362,508,836 f. There is, therefore, a surplus of
3,512,446 f. These figures prove in an incontestable
manner the increasing prosperity of the country, and
the 'benefits arising from the policy of order which
the;Cabinet has carried out in the midst of such diffi-
cult circumstances. Twenty days back we announced
with satisfaction the result of the loan just effected
isy the Minister of Finance with a success beyond
alt I anticpation. The explanations of M. T
.4A.CAVE
LA-iPLAGNE prove that he conducted this delicate busis
nest with as much prudence is tact.. The' extraddi-
narysßudget is not-less satisfactory, and it ,is
that every day we are drawing close to budgets in equili-
bria No obstacle is to be brought to the execution of
the'railrOads and other extraordinary works voted by
theiChambers. Die credits opened by the Bill of
. .
June, 1841, and which amounted to 450,000,000 f.,
area nearly expended. The Minister demands only
the sum of 36,000,000 f. from these credit's. We per-,
ceive that the Minister, in conformity with the deci-
sion of the Chamber last year, has joined to the
general Budget the 'special one of Algeria. The re-
ceipts of this colony- for the year 1846 amount to
6,500,000 f. , One of the principal savings set down in
the Budget of Algeria will be Obtained. by a new
organisation of the corps of Spahis ; it amounts to
2,000,000 f. The Minister's statement gives most
satisfactory intelligence respecting the increase of our
receipts, which loudly bear testimony to the intelli-
gent adMinistration of public affairs. ' The evaluation
dull the produce of the public revenues is calculated
with precision and moderation, and there is room to
hope, that the deficiencies which, since 1840, have so
much disturbed our Budgets,, will be speedily and
completely effaced."
The. Constitutionnel, of course takes a very dif-
ferent view of . the affair. " The Budget," it says,
" has -been presented, with an excess of receipts to
the amount of more than 3,000,000 f, which inti-
mates, in the language of finance, which has been
lately created, that the accounts will be closed with
an uncovered balance of 30,000,000 f. or 40,000,000 f.
The Chamber is perfectly well acquainted with the
phantasmagoria in which the provisions of the Budget
are annually enveloped. The reports on the Finance
Bill as well as those on the Account Bill prove this.
Yet the Chamber tolerates these irregularities, and
continues to vete credits, which are always-exceeded.
As long as the country remains tranquil, as long as
commerce and manufactures find regular aliment, so
long will the perils of this mode of proceeding re-
main unveiled.. But should any crisis, and conflict
of any nature arise, then will all the
vices of this itn-
provident management be disclosed, and, then it will
be too late to prevent the consequences. The National,
however, is less gloomy, it admits that the resources
of 'France are immense, but are terribly mismanaged
by her rulers. F. . .
The Opposition journals still reckon
with certainty
on:the. speedy downfal of. M. Guszor, but from all
accounts, should their prophecies turn out true, he
will die hard, and display in a light neither comfort •
able 'td Morx nor TRIERS the conduct of parties who,
'forgetting their own political antipathies and differ-
ences, have combined to oust the most able Fren

4 ,
Ci‘ 1

CORN-EXCHANGE-FRIDAY.

Most of the vessels so long detained by the thick wea-
ther and contrary winds are now making their passage,
but, as their samples had been previously forwarded and
sold, very little fresh F.iglish Wheat was offering ; still,
however, the demand fur that article was in a very de-
pressed state, and Monday's quotations were with diffi-
culty supported. In Foreign Wheat only a limited busi-
ness was doing and the rates were stationary. Although
the supply of Barley was small the demand for that
article was very dull, and previous figui'us were not sup-
ported. The demand for superfine Malt was steady, but
the middling and inferior parcels were a mere drug.
The increase in the supply of Oats produced a very
heavy inquiry for that grain, in which scarcely any busi-
ness was doing. Other grain as on Monday.
ARRIVAL&
Wheat. Earley. Oats. Flout
1 English......» 3,480 qrs. 3,920 qrs• 4,510 qrs. 4,010
Irish.. - 200 17,100 -
Foreign 'NO 1,210 - -
Malt, 5,240 ark
SbiCITELTIZLD. -

Although our niailTtw;iTiiTineans heavily sup-
plied with Beasts, we have to report a very inactive de.,
mand for that description of stuck, and Monday's reduced
figures were with difficulty supported. There were on
sale eight beasts and fourteen sheep from Holland, and
200 horned and polled Scots from Scotland. The num-
bers of sheep were small, yet the mutton trade ruled
dull, at about stationary prices, at which a clearance was
effected. Prime small Calves sold steadily, but other
qualities met w ith a dull inquiry. In Pigs, rather more
business was passing, but no improvement took place in
value. Mulch Cows sold slowly at from 161. to 191. each,
including their small calf.
SUPPLY AT MARKET.
8ea5t..895 I Sheep. Calves. I rigs.
2,450 ; 154 297
Per 81ba. to sink the offal.
s. d. to s. s. d. to s.d.
Interior Beasts 9 8 2 1 Second qualityditto... 3 2 S 6
Second quality ditto." 3 0 3 6 Coarse.woolled ditto.. 8 4 0
Prime large Oxen 3 8 310 Southdown Wether ;42 4 4
Prime Scots, &c. 4 0 4 Ditto out 01 the wool
Large coarse Calves 3 4 4 Large Hogs 8 0 3 6
Prime small ditto. 4 2 4 4 Small Porkers. 9 8 4 0
Suckling. Calves, each 0 30 0 Quarter old Plgs,eachl6 0 20 11
Inferior Sheep 210 3 0 Lambs.... ....... 0 9 0 0

EIIFIGULTIELAND &MAUD MO/1311.)4
Prime Beef and Action were in fair request, at full
prices.: In other kinds of Meat, the supply of which
was good, exceedingly little was doing.
At per stone, by me Carcase.
a. d. tos.d
, inferior 2 6 2 8 Mutton
middling..„ SlO $ 0 ----
- prime large 3 U 9 2
prime small
Veal

I. A. to N. d.
I, inferior ...... 2 It 210
- middling..... S 0 3 4
- prime .... ..... 3 1 3 8
uge.............. 2 1 3 4
mall. 3 0 4 0

3303101708 HOP IiKAILICET.

As we have long since anticipated, our market has
become somewhat active for bags of last year's growth,
at rather more money, and this, too, notwithstanding
the liberal supply brought forward. Old Sussex and
Kent bags are likewise selling at extreme rates. For
pockets we have only a moderate demand ; prices
are supp,rtvd in every instance.

SUGAR.—The market for British Plantation has been
steady, butqui.t, the sales having i. en about 1,000 Janis
.to last night luslustve. Fine qualitt.s were ill most re- I
quest; 100 hhds Btrbadoes went at 54s for low, 58s to
63s 6d for mid, and 67s fur fine.
REFINED has been ,steady and a fair i.,i,„;,e„
clone.
EAST INDIA.-5,800 bags Mauritius sold at auction
rather lower, brown 42s to 50s, grey 524 to 58s 6d, and
yellow 55s 6d to 63s 6d per cwt; 4.200 bags B-egat Sold
at full rates, mid 54s to' 56s 6d and Klittur 41s 6d to
43s 6d per cwt.
FOREIGN.--Holders generally are firm, but closing
by ice of the Continental ports limits hosthess.
COFFEE —The tran-aettons i.o!,
Britisn eiantution is ; 512 hats Veylort at auction
sold at 525 for low good ord, atid 58;, bides Mocha were
niostlj taken in at 66s for :4001 ord.
Runt.—The market 'ut-e,i
TALLOW,-1? Y.C. is 40s 3tl t ► 40. 6d per c'. t, on the
spot, and dull, supplies beat I re(.ly offered.
lEA.—The transactions are moderate. Congou, ord
is 10d to 1 id per lb.
INDIdo has been quiet. Ihe quarterly sales comets acs:
on the 24th inst., and 6,^64 eliet.ts are announced.
Cochineal has been in moderate rt quest, and also Gums
at full prices. Lac Dye is at previous rates.
TOBACCO,—The trade have been ratht.r sparing buy-
ers lately, but there has been some speculation, and the
total sales last month were 1,100 ishds. Prices generally
have been tolerably firm.