The Sun.
London, England, 1842-12-09 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 9, 1842.

AUGUSTE VESTRIS.

Vestris, par le fini, le brillant de ses pas,
Nous rappelle son maitre, et no I'eclipse pas.

The death of this renowned dancer and posture-
master has been announced by the Paris Journals of
Tuesday.
Who has not heard of Auguste Vestris ?—Vestris,
the prince of dancers—himself the descendant of the
god of dance.* Who remembers not him, who made
glorious evenings for nearly all the theatres of the
Continent—evenings when whole houses have been
thronged with all the brilliancies of the Court and
crowds of the city—when the theatre has resembled a
vast saloon, swimming as it were in golden light,
filled with the youth, opulence, and aristocracy of
France gazing on the " poetry of his motion"—the
raptures of his dance. Who forgets that splendid
spectacle ? Princes, beauties, poets, worship-
ping him as their idol, and lavishing on him
their wit, their plaudits, their ducats, and
bouquets. That day of fascination is, however, gone,
and in common, with the reminiscences which attach
to this celebrated name, the biographer has only to
look back in regret, and while he sighs at the present
treasure lost, should endeavour to discover some
share of comfort in remembering the gratifications
of the past.
Auguste Vestris, better known perhaps by the name
of Vestr' Allard—thus having joined his own name to
the latter dissyllable, that being the name of his
mother, herself a dancer of most eminent merit
—was born in 1759. The name of his family was
originally Vestri, and it is to Florence that they lay
the claim of extraction. Long known as the finest
dancer in Europe—possessed of a form remarkable
for its symmetry—an air replete with elegance—year
upon year, and season upon seaon, Vestris continued
to be the leader, and Coryphxus of the Opera. In
later years, when he retired from the stage, and we
believe up to the present time, he has been a pensioner
of the Royal Academy of Music, at Paris.
But Vestris his father !—Gaetano Apolin Bal-
thazar Vestris—under whose own education, whose
own splendid lessons, Auguste learned whatever he
possessed of grace or excellence of movement. What
an opera was that, in the year 1748, when he made
his first debut on the Parisian boards, and won shortly
after from the monarch of the Bourbons, the full
honours of his science. "Dieu dc la clause" he was
named in triumph, and no sooner had he been so
entitled, than, with the self-love that formed the
finest species of vain glory ever known, he
from that day forth, kept perpetually repeat-
ing to himself the phrse, rendered more remark-
able by his Italian accent. His admirers, not
satisfied with this mark of homage, in the warmth
of their enthusiasm bestowed on him another. "The
handsome Vestris" was in the mouth of every beauty,
every beau, every admirer ; nor did his tall, erect,
and noble figure appear, in this respect, to discounte-
nance the flattery. Nevertheless, the dancer's own
vanity was not backward in giving himself a station.
He considered that there were but three great men
in his century, and of the illustrious triumvirate, he
adjudged himself the foremost—" 1, Voltaire, and
Frederick the Great." This extravagant humour
grew upon him; he indulged in it with incompre-
hensible humour, and one day, when he had been
applauded with transport, he majestically presented
his leg to a young elere, or pupil, who had expressed
a sort of adoration for him.

Laharpe tells the following :—lt was an amusing
scene. The Duke de Bourbon arrived at the moment
when Vestris was dancing. The house received the
Prince, who was much beloved, with intense plaudits.
Vestris considered this astounding approbation to be
for him, and he redoubled his efforts in a manner so
marked that the public perceived it, and laughed out-
right. Vestris was so far animated, that he continued
to dance even after the violins had ceased.
Rose Dugazon Vestris !—another brilliant name of
the same family—actress and comedian, whose fame
was once as great in the theatre role, as the renown of
her who long in England has borne the same name by
intermarriage with a branch of this noted family, and
who for symmetry of form, personal charms, and ex-
quisite powers, seems to have united by nature within
her all the accomplishments of every member of the
far-famed Florence family. Rose Dugazon married
the brother of the first Vestris, father of the deceased
Auguste, whom it is to-day our melancholy duty to
memoralise. The wit and beauty of the young Du-
gazon took the heart Of Paco, as it did in ano less
astonishing manner those of the great and courtly of
her day. Honours poured in on her from all quarters.
Voltaire, after he had written for her the magnificent
part of Irene, presented it to her, saying, " Lady,
I have worked for you all night, as if I had been
fervid with youth !" The Duke de Choiseul, •
then Minister, upon the sparkling success that
attended her personation of Zaire, made her
a present of a magnificent robe, whose
value was beyond conjecture. Opposed in her
superb career by Mademoiselle Sainvalle, Madame
Vestris succumbed in no point—the rivalry
still left her highest—Amenaide, Ariane—ldame—
the gorgeous conceptions of Corneille, Racine, and
Voltaire, were unfailingly pourtrayed by her powers.
The prodigious effect which she produced in the
agony of Gabriel de Vergy, is said to have been one
of the most remarkable instances in the annals of the
drama. The beauty of her pantomime, also, in
Macbeth, where Fredegonda figures in the phantas-
magoria scene, is alsci dwelt upon by critics with ad-
miration. Her voice was rich, her gait noble, and
the loveliness of her arms and bust created admirers
no less than the beauty of her person. Madame
Dugazon Vestris enjoyed company of the highest
distinction, and her society was courted by all the
men of letters of the day.
During the era of the Revolution, the role of the
actor, no less than the province of the dancer, was of
course at a discount. The peace, however, which en-
sued under the empire and the Restoration, caused
'Palma to assunie the robe of the one, and Vestris the
departinent of the other. During his glowing season
of success, the nature of the son appears to have ex
hibited itself similarly with the father. Imitating the
trope addressed by Alexander to Parmenio, though in
a reversed shape, "If I were not Vestris," said lie,
"I would be the King." He long outlived the day,
however, when the heat of youth dictated such hyper-
boles of feeling or expression, since more than eighty
winters had visited him at his death.

* The epithet bestowed on his father by the Court of
Louis XIV.

COURT CIRCULAR.

WINDSOR, THURSDAY. - His Royal Highness
Prince Albert, accompanied by his Imperial Highness
the Archduke Frederick of Austria, hunted with the
harriers in the Great Park this morning, attended by
Sir Edward Bowater, le Chevalier .Marinovich, Major-
General Wemyss and Mr. G. E. Anson. The Royal
party had excellent sport, killing three hares ; the last
was a splendid race.
Lady Fanny Howard has succeeded Lady Charlotte
Dundas as the Lady in Waiting on her Royal High-
ness the Duchess of Kent.

The unfavourable state of the weather prevented
her Majesty leaving the Castle to-day.
The Queen has a dinner party this evening.
Covers are laid for twenty-nine. The company is
expected to include her Royal highness the. Duchess
of Kent, his Imperial llighness the Archduke, Lady
Cremorne, Lady Suffield, Mr. G. E. and the lion.
Mrs. Anson, Marquis of Exeter, Earl of Liverpool,
Earl of Aberdeen, Earl Delawarr, Earl of Jersey,
Lady Fanny howard, the Lord and Lady in Wait-
ing, the two Maids of Honour, the Groom and the
Equerry in Waiting on her Majesty, the Equerry in
Waiting on his Royal llighness, Baron Lebzeltern,
Count Marinovich, Captain Kochel, Captain Dumont,
and Count Carolyi.
Her Majesty's private hand, and the band of the
Life Guards, will be in attendance at the Castle in
the evening.

The Governor of the Bank of England, and the
Deputy-Governor, had an interview with the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer yesterday at his official re-
side
iNeinrc.rnh
iDt ozr no
fi n
Bg -asrtbr emeito.e
had an interview with
Lord Stanley yesterday at the Colonial-office.
Mr. Wickham, Chairman of the Stamps and Taxes,
had an interview yesterday with the Chancellor of the
Exchequer. The Master-General of the Ordnance also
visited the Right Hon. Gentleman.
Mc. John Montague had an interview yesterday
with Lord Stanley at the Colonial-office.
The Judicial 'Committee of her Majest3r's Most
Honourable Privy Council sat yesterday. The Lords
present were—Lord Campbell, Mr. Justice Erskine,
Sir H. Jenner Fust (Judge of the Prerogative Court),
and Dr. Lushington (Judge of the Admiralty Court).
The Solicitor-General was heard in opposition to
Mr. Simister's petition for an extension of the term of
his patent for stays.
Lord Campbell, on the part of the Lords, then gave
judgment, that no sufficient ground had been shown
for their Lordships to advise her Majesty to extend
the term of the patent. The Court,then rose.
Mr. Dean, Chairman of the Customs, had an inter-
view with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday.

CHEAP PORK.—When pigs is scarce, there's
plenty o' ways of filling the pork barrel for them
Britishers You know there's young porpesses, seals
an slick dogs,' as well as bears an possums, an 'there's
plenty of bones o' them pigs as died in murrain time
to put along with urn. Them ere pigs wa'rnt a no
use then—but now, we know better—we sha'nt throw
away nothing. But man it a'nt laWful to put no
young children in pickle.—Ameriam pafier.•
Rossini is reported to have finished a Grand Opera,
which he has deposited in the hands of a notary, to be
sealed up, and not opened until after his death. Out
of the proceeds that may arise from its representation,
and sale, the gran maestro
.has dictated, that masses
shall be performed, for the good of his soul.—Musical
.Examiner.

In pocket Vols., neatly bound, price Half-a-Crown.
BENTLEY'S HAND-BOOKS OF SCIENCE,
LITERATURE, AND ART.
The First Volume, to be published withlthe Magazines at the
end of December, will comprise :
SILK, COTTON, AND WOOLLEN MANUFACTURES.
By Dr. W. Cooke Taylor, Trinity College, Dublin.
Which will be followed by
CHEMISTRY. By Dr. Raleigh Baxter.
ENGLISH LAW AND GOVERNMENT. By Percival
Weldon Banks, Esq., M.A., Barrister-at-Law, Member of
H. S. Gray's Inn.
GEOLOGY, as connected with Agriculture. By James
M'Adam, Esq.
MUSIC. By J. Augustine Wade, Esq.
POPULAR PHYSIOLOGY AND SCIENCE OF
HEALTH. By James Carson, Esq., M. 8., Trinity College,
Dublin.

THE STEAM ENGINE. By John Ryan, M.D., LL.D.
SCIENCE OF ARITHMETIC. By John Walker, Esq.,
late •f Trin. Coll. Dublin.
VOLUMES ON PRACTICAL MECHANlCS.—Archi-
tecture . —Time and Time -pieces.—Locomotive Engines and
Railroads.—Toys.—Felting Processes.—Leather and its Ap-
plications,—Carpentry and Cabinet-making.—Needlework.
—Working in Metals.—Glass, Porcelain and Ware.—
Botany and Modern Gardening.—Astronomy.—Geography.
—English History.—Religion, and Moral Philosophy.—
Domestic Economy.—Ancient History.—History of the
*Middle Ages.—Modern History, &c., are preparing among
others, and will appear in this series.
Richard Bentley, New Burlington-street; Whittaker and
Co., Ave Maria-lane.

*„* Agents : John Cumming, Dublin ; Bell and Bradfute,
Edinburgh ; and W. Grapol, Liverpool.

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But the Repealers, with that whimsical inconsisti
ency which characterizes all their actions, while
hating Englishmen, profess to idolize their
Queen; and, after the true Irish fashion, propose
to show their affection for her, by doing as
much mischief as they possibly can to her sub-
jects, whose interests are so inseparably bound
up with hers that it is impossible to strike a
blow at the one, without seriously injuring the
other. Verily, Irish Repeal is a queer crotchet,
and Irish Repealers still more eccentric.

Madrid papers of the 30th have been received.
The Gazette publishes an address of the National
Guard of Madrid to the QUEEN, in which they
assure her MAJESTY of their determination " to
maintain the Constitution, the public liberties,
and the inviolability of the throne and person of
the QUEEN." The following is her MAJESTY'S
reply :

" I am delighted to receive the patriotic homage
of the National Guards of Madrid. I have never
doubted their loyalty and good sentiments, and I am
both penetrated at and convinced of their attachment
for my Royal person and that of my august Sister,
as well as their loyalty and patriotism."
The National Guard had also seat an address
to the REGENT, offering their loyal co-operation
for the defence of the fundamental law of the
kingdom, public order, and the Regency in-
trusted to him by the delegates of the people
during the minority of the QUEEN.
The Three per Cents. were done at 221, at 60
days, with preminin ; the Five per Cents. at
26k, at 60 days; and the Floating Debt at 41
1-IG, on the 14th of January.

The Paris Moniteur publishes another dis-
patch, giving an account of the latest operations
against the renowned ABD-EL-KADER. It is
dated Algiers, Nov. 25, and is addressed to the
Minister of War by General DE BAR, who re-
places the Governor-General during his ab-
sence in the interior of the country. General
LAMORICIERE, who had been sent in quest of the
Arab Chief, states that the tribe of the Krallefas
had submitted; thus completing the submission
of the whole country between the territory of
Morocco and the left bank of the Mina. This
tribe had accompanied ABD-EL-KADER during
part of his flight, and in the course of it endured
great hardships, besides losing all their beasts of
burthen, a great portion of their flocks, and many
horses. The Chiefs assured General DE LAMO-
RICIERE that nearly 30,000 of the population of
that part of the country had followed ABD-EI,
KADER, and, being almost destitute of provisions,
2,000 of them had died on their way. '
The Commerce, evidently alarmed at the state
of affairs in Spain, and the growing influence
of, England in that country,- calls upon the
French Government to quit its state of
majestic repose, and send forthwith a repre-
sentative to Madrid, to defend the interest
and support the rights of France. " Whether a
treaty of commerce with England has been
signed with England or not," says that journal,
" it is certain, in our opinion, that ESPARTERO
either had come, or was on the point of coming,
to an understanding with the English Minister.
This is a question which our Government ought
to look closely after; it involves interests which
should awaken all its solicitude. It is ano less
important work than to know if Spain, to the in-
jury of France and to her own great detriment,
shall deviate from the paths which for more than
a century her family alliances have caused her to
tread. This important question is well worth the
sacrifice of a paltry piece of etiquette." France,
according to another journal, is ewally unfortu•
nate in the East, and is losing ground in every
quarter. But what else can she expect? She
refuses to form a cordial alliance with any
country, and she Ins not a friend in Europe,
says the National, and it is not a matter of won-
der, therefore, that her Ministers abroad are iso-
lated, as well as the country. France wished to
take the Christians in the East under her especial
protection, but the jealousy of the other Powert,
defeated her object. The Univers says:—
Our Constantinople correspondence of Nov. 17 in-
forms us of a very sad piece of news, which confirms
the official abandOnment by France of the protectorate
of the Christians of the East. For two years all the
European Powers have been exceedingly busy at Con-
stmtinople with a foundation of art hospital for the
Christians. Count de Pontois, when ambassador in tbat
city, maintained with the most.praise-worthy energy
the right of France to be the exclusive protectress of that
establishment. The claim was strongly contested by the
other great Powers,which have determined to destroy the
influence ofFrance in the East, by putting an end to her
protectorate. The question was discussed with warmth
at Constantinople between the French and Anti
French parties. At last, M. de Pontois took posses-
sion of the hospital in the name of France. Shortly
after, the Count was recalled to Paris, and replaced
by the ex-editor of the Debats, M. de Bourqueney.
This diplomatist was ordered to stifle or elude all di-
fficulties, and he has marvellously succeeded,' by sacri-
ficing the interests of France. As to the special af-
fair of the hospital, this policy of incessant concession
and humiliations has ended in proving that our Ca-
tholic protectorate is definitively abandoned to the de-
mands of the Great Powers. The instructions sent to
M. de Bourqueney ordered him to give up the claim
of France to be recognised as the sole protectress of
the Christian hospital. M de Bourqueney has al-
lowed the principle of collective protection, which is
nothing else than a triumph to the enemies of France ;
for it is the abandonment of her ancient and glorious
protection in the East.
BOURSE—PARIs, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7.
First Highest Lowest Last
Price. Price. Price. Price.
French Five per Cents. 119 70... 119 70... 119 65... 119 70
41/2 per Cents 106 60... 106 60... 106 60... 106 60
Four per Cents. 101 30... 101 30 .. 101 30... 101 30
3 per Cents 79 39... 79 30... 79 25... 79 25
Bank of France 3340 ...3340 ...3340 .. 3340
Lactitte Bank 5,000 f 5080 —.5080 ...5080 ..5080
Belgian Bank BlO ... 810 ... 810 810
Belgian Fives 103,E ... 103 i ... 103 k ... 1034
1840 1044 ... 104 g ... 104 i ... 104 i
Spanish Active. . '23i ... ... 23 23
Passive
Portuguese Fives 32i ... 321 ... 32i ... 321
Neapolitan lO7 25... 107 35... 107 25... 107 35
Roman, ... 104 k ... 104 i ... 104 k ... 1041
RAILWAY SHARES.
St. Germain .. 832 50... 832 50... 832 50... 832 50
Versailles, R. B 265 ... 270 ... 265 ... 270
L.B B7 50... 87 50... 87 50... 87 50
Rouen
Orleans. 6lO ... 610 ... 610 ... 610
Strasburg to Bale 203 75... 203 75... 203 75... 203 75

JUDICIAL COMMITTEE OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL.---.
Judo-tnent was given this morning on an appeal from
the Arches Court of Canterbury—the Rev. H. Ers-
kine Head v. Ralph Saunders promoting the office of
the Judge. The appellant had been cited in the
Arches Court for writing letters in the Western Times,
headed " A View of the Duplicity of the present Sys-
tem of Episcopal Ministration, in a Letter addressed
to the Parishioners of Feniton, Devon, occa-
sioned by the Bishop of Exeter's Circular on con-
firmation ; by Henry Erskine Head, Rector of Feni-
ton, Devon." The appellant had interposed a protest
in the Court below. Lord Campbell, on the part of
the Judicial Committee, affirmed the decree of the
Court below.

Summonses were issued this morning to the Minis .
ters to attend a Privy Council, appointed for to-mor-
row afternoon, at two o'clock, at Windsor Castle.
The time for the meeting of Parliament will be fixed
at this Council.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY.--A very
crowded public meeting was held last night, of the
friends and supporters of this Institution, at the large
school-room, George-street, Prince's-road, Lambeth.
Benjamin Hawes, Esq., in the chair. The Chairman, in
the course of his address, said that he was happy to say
that Lambeth was one of the purest boroughs in the
kingdom. Lambeth had furnished members to serve
on, the late Committee appointed by the House of
Commons to investigate certain election transactions.
He attributed this purity not to the wealth of the in-
habitants, but to their intelligence. He impressed on
the meeting the necessity of extending education, as
it was calculated to reduce the amount of crime, and
thereby sove the country from heavy taxes for the
support of an extraordinary number of criminal
Courts, &c. Several eloquent speeches were delivered
by the Rev. Messrs. Clayton, Dubard, and others.
A collection was made, and the Chairinan put his
name down for 51. The meeting, which was prin-
cipally composed of ladies, then separated.
WESTERN LITERARY INSTITUTION, LEICESTER-
SQUARE.—A lecture was delivered at this institution
yesterday evening, by T. Fowndes, Esq., on the
history of chemistry, tracing the science, e cunabulis,
up to its present state as a science. B. Hin4.-on,sEsq.,
in the chair. A conversazione ensued, when the as-
semblage, among whom were many ladies, proceeded
to view the specimens of antique bronze, calotype por-
traits, microscopes, &c., displayed. A musical IsWieur
attracted much notice, as also some fine carvings in-
tended for the Earl of Orford's mansion.

A very consiliable—;;;;;---of foreign Bank of
England notes are again in eirculation. They appear
to have been worked from one plate, as they are num-
bered 1827, and are all dated June 4, 1842.