946 
THE FIELD. 
cameos of Cupids, white on blue ground. Similar panels 
occupy the frouts of proscenium boxes, the centre of which 
on either side display the royal imtia s. . .t 
The curtains of private boxes are of crunson darn^k the 
cushions round dress and upper circle > seats ; and stalls 
being covered with the same materiah The m tenor of boxes 
and lobbies is hung with crimson flock paper, being a nch 
contrast to the more brilliant ornamentation. The act drop 
is charmingly painted, harmonising with the general del a- 
tion, and much less obtrusive iu character than is generally 
th Great praise is due to whoever designed an interior, which, 
for good taste, may fairly compete with any of ita metropoli- 
tan rivals. . 
In the course of the performances on Saturday evening, 
Mr. Leigh Murray, the stage-manager, announced to a house 
crowded to the ceiling the victory obtaiued by the allied 
armies in the East. The intelligence was hailed with accla- 
mations loud and hearty, and it was some time ere the enthu- 
siasm subsided sufficient to permit the amusements of the 
evening to proceed. . . 
Next week we shall have presented us hero two revivals 
—on Monday “The Station House," and on Thursday 
“ Capers and Coronets," iu both of which Mr. Morris Harnett, 
who is now fulfilling a re-eugagoment, will take a prmcipa 
part A new drama, from the experienced and attractive pen 
of Tom Parry, Esq., has been read, and is now in active 
rehearsal. It is a regular Adelpbi piece, in which each 
member of the company has a good part. heelcy, 1 aul 
Bedford, and Rogers have been admirably suited with cha- 
racters, so that the novelty will lack nothing in the way ot 
humour, while among the laches we believe Mrs. Reoloy has 
an effective role to sustain. 
Drury-lane. — The regular dramatic season was resumed 
here on Monday, when Mr. G. V. Brooke appeared in 
“ Virginius,” being the first of a aeries of seven performances 
previous to his departure for Australia. We have before 
recorded our opinion that Virginius is one of the best of 
Mr. Brooke’s impersonations, and his performance last night 
fully confirmed this impression. The principal scenes were 
rendered with great dramatic power and manly pathos, aud 
their effect was such os to draw forth the most vehemeut 
applause from a very crowded house — indeed Mr. Brooke s 
reception throughout the play, and his recall after the hist 
scene, sufficiently testified that his popularity is not yet on 
the wane. The play was fairly acted throughout — Mr. 
George Bennett beiug the Apfius Claudius; Mr. A. \ ounge, 
Dental us ; Mr. Belton, Jcilius ; and Miss Cathcart, 
Virginia. After the play, the farce of the “ Spitalfields 
W r eaver" introduced Mr. Wright to a Drury-laue audience, 
with whom this popular comedian appears likely to become 
as great a favourite as he was with the frequenters of the 
Adelpbi — for assuredly he never raised more frequent ur 
hearty peals of laughter than greeted his performance last 
night. The house was filled iu every part, and the^ display 
in front of the curtain, of the national banners of England, 
France, and Turkey, aud the performance by the orchestra 
of some national airs, in allusion to the stirring news of the 
day, was warmly received by the assembled crowd. 
St. James's Theatre. — Auother attempt to establish the 
drama iu the laud of clubs aud loungers was made on Mon- 
day night by the opening of this theatre with a regular 
dramatic company. It would he invidious to draw com- 
parisons between this and former efforts of a similar nature, 
for every struggle iu so good a cause is worthy at leiist of 
sympathy, if not of praise. Mrs. Seymour, an accomplished 
actress aud charming lady, has unfurled her banner in 
the neighbourhood of St. Jumes’s-sqnare ; aud on 
Monday night commenced her campaign with a new 
five-act drama, entitled “ The King’s Rival,” from the 
joint pens of Messrs. Tom Taylor and Reade; and a new 
farce, by Mr. Selby, called “My Friend the Major." 
The drama was, perhaps, not so happy a selection on 
the part of the management ns could be wished for an 
iuauguratory attempt, nor was it so effective in its construc- 
tion as the previous emanations from the same authors. The 
period of the play is the time of Charles the Second, the mere 
mention of whose name dramatically is sufficient to throw 
a damper on the interest of any piece. One goes to the 
theatre prepared, on the mention of the Second Charles, 
to see some loose intrigue coloured up to give it an air 
of romance, and it is not much a matter of difficulty to 
predicate wliut will be the denouement. To this class be- 
longs the “King’s Rival," for although it is nervous and 
bold iu its dialogue, the old incidents aro spun out to a 
much greater length than is necessary. The heroine of the 
piece is Frances Stewart, Maid of Honour to the Queen, 
in love with the Duke of Richmond, who, influenced by 
the Court scandal ooucerning Frances and the king, repudiates 
her. In his rage he joins n treasonable party headed by a 
Major Wildman, and so falls into tho power of the king, 
who has become violently jealous of him as the successful 
lover of S 'ten-art. Merry Nett (rwynnr, however, arrives iu 
the nick of time, and not only causes the lovers to ho married, 
but also obtains the pardon of the king for Richmond, and a 
promise to ubandou any future attempts upon his wife's maid 
of honour. This is but an outline of the leading feature iu 
the piece, but it is sufficient to convey an idea of the class 
of dramas to which “The King’s Rival” appertains. The 
five long acts threaded upon this slight incident, lasted until 
nearly midnight. One part of the drama received cer- 
tainly merited censure — namely, a scene representing Spring 
Gardens, in which the rebel Wildman is struck with the 
plague — a loathsome incident, which was not tolerated by 
the audience. The characlei-s were well pourtrayed by 
Mr. George Vandeuhoff (The King), Mr. Mead (Richmond). 
Mr. Stuart ( Wildman), Miss Glyu (Frances Stewart), aud 
Mrs. Seymour (Nell Gwynne). Although the farce came late 
in the evening, it put the house in a good humour, by keep- 
ing up a constant roar of laughter. 
Birmingham. — The engage-incut here of Mndame Celeste 
and Mr. Webster has proved the most beneficial to the theatre 
for many years past. The houses have been crowded nightly, 
and the performances received with the most rapturous ap- 
plause. Madame Celeste and Mr. Webster have just left the 
city, much to the regret of the play-going public ; but their 
departure was imperative, owing to their having to appear in 
Edinburgh on Monday, under an engagement for that aud 
eleven more nights. 
Royal Polytechnic Institution.— The Widows and 
Orphans of Soldiers. — Mr. Pepper, the managing director 
of this institution, is about to set a laudable example to the 
charitably disposed by devoting the receipts on the evening 
of Thursday, the 12th iustaut, to the assistance of the widows 
and orphan* of the brave men who have lost their lives 
in the present campaign in tho East. This benevolent pro- 
ject is certainly well deserving of support, and there can he 
little doubt that it will meet with a cordial response from 
the public, when they are informed that the subject of the 
war derives additional interest at this establishment, from 
the fact that several objects are now daily exhibited which 
have especial reference to it. Amongst these is a model of 
Sebastopol, ingeniously and skilfully executed by Sergeant 
Falkland and Corporal Thomas, and a picture of the same 
place in the Dissolving Views; together with representations 
of some of the most interesting localities which have become 
associated with the achievements of the allied forces. Iu ad- 
dition to these attractions, it may be stated, .that Mr. Pepper 
is now lecturing on the “ Munitions of War. 
Royal Panopticon of Science and Art. — This institu- 
tion was re-opened on Monday, having during the recess, 
undergone considerable revision and re-arrangement under 
new management. A carefully-prepared and comprehensive 
programme guides the visitor to the various objects of 
interest, and instructs him as to the hours fixed for the 
lectures and musical performances. The most interesting 
addition to the attractions of the Panopticon is a series of 
panoramic and dioramic views of Verona, painted on glass, 
aud displayed by means of a large lens on a gigantic canvua. 
The subjects comprise a general view of the town and en- 
virons, the Porch of tho Cathedral, the Piazza delle Erbe, 
the Tomb of the Scaligcrs, and the exterior aud interior of 
the Church of San Zenone. The paintings, which are ad- 
mirably executed, and by Mr. Thomas Clare, and Messrs. 
Carpenter aud Westley. Iu the first view, a little stronger 
light is desirable, in order to bring out the details more 
clearly. After these views a series of chromatropic effects 
was exhibited, iu which an almost endless variety of 
singularly-beautiful figures was produced. As a termina- 
tion to this exhibition, during which the hall is darkened, 
the fountain in the centre was set in action, and the stream 
of water rendered luminous by means of optical apparatus. 
Some extraordinary and beautiful effects were thus produced, 
the fluid appearing now like a liquid stream of fire, and again 
resembling a sparkling shower of silver. Loud and pro- 
longed applause greeted this, as well as tho whole series of 
optical di-plays. Musio forms an important feature in tho 
programme, the gigantic organ (one of the finest in the 
country) being exhibited at frequent intervals during the clay 
by Mr. Best, the organist to the institution. This gentleman 
— an accomplished master of his instrument — performs 
selections of classical and popular music, varied aud con- 
trasted so as to suit all tastes, yet never descending so low 
as to degrade the “ kiug of instruments." Other musical 
attractions are offered iu the performances of the Messrs. 
Distius on the fliigel horns, and some glees and madrigals 
by a vocal quartette. Amusement and instruction are so 
blended in this exhibition that no visitor can fail to find 
some source of gratification and improvement ; and we hail 
tho re-opening of the Panopticon as an addition to the 
sources of rational enjoyment and mental improvement for 
the people. 
Mr. Cotton’s Entertainment. — One end of the room in 
Newiuan-street Oxford-street, once known as Mr. Benjamin 
West's gallery, and now called the Philharmonic, has been 
converted into a resemblance of the quarter-deck of Nelson’s 
flag-ship, the Victory. The capstan, which appears in the 
foreground, serves as a rostrum for Mr. Charles Cotton, who, 
being ushered in by the popular ail* of “ The girl I left behind 
me,” ascends this post of honour, gives utterance to a brief ac- 
count of Nelson's glorious career, and sings no less than 
thirteen spirit-stirring songs, — including some of the most 
popular compositions of Dibdin, as well as certain novelties, 
written with a view to the present day. While all this is 
going on behind the capstan, the back scene occasionally 
opens and discovers a series of pictures representing various 
incidents of Nelson’s life. At last, when the discourse has 
reached its termination, the quarter-deck flies to pieces, and 
discovers a huge pair of vessels, English aud French, largely 
symbolising the Western alliance. The pictures are of the 
most various degrees of merit, some of the views, for instance, 
the towing of the Victory into Gibraltar, aud the Battle of 
the Nile, with a dioramic effect, being very goud specimens 
of scene-painting. But the great features of the entertain- 
ment are the singing of Mr. Charles Cotton and the general 
fitting up of the room, with its imposing quarter-deck and 
its complement of flags on each side. The vigour aud pathos 
of old Dibdin are alike appreciated by Mr. Cotton, and that 
lyrical compound of sentiment and reckless valour which is 
known as the British “sea song” could hardly have a more 
effective interpreter. To use a vulgar but very intelligible 
expression, there is something “ plucky " about the enter- 
tainment, which telk admirably at the present time. — The 
first performance took place on Monday. 
Turkish Museum. — Her Royal Highness tho Duchess of 
Cambridge, with her Royal Highness Princess Mary, 
honoured the Turkish Exhibition, Hyde-park-corner, with 
their august presence, attended by Baron lvnesebeck and 
Major Parvis, on Saturday, the 30th Sept. Their royal 
highnesses were highly pleased. 
Testimonial to the Director of the Crystal Palace 
Band. — On Thursday week an equally elegant and appro- 
priate testimonial was presented to the director of the 
Crystal Palace band, by the gentlemen who have, under his 
guidance, contributed so much to the gratification of the 
visitors to the wonderful establishment at Sydenham. This 
testimonial, consisting of a baton of silver richly chased and 
gilt, was designed and manufactured at Messrs. Lambert aud 
Rawlings, of Coveutry-street ; and it reposes in a case lined 
aud covered with rich Genoa velvet, bearing on a plate of gilt 
silver the following inscription : — “ This baton was presented 
by the members of the Crystal Palace Baud to Henry 
Schallehn, Esq., their director, as a testimonial of regard and 
esteem, September, 1854." Mr. Schallehn was for many years 
musical director of the band to some of the most distin- 
guished regiments iu our army ; aud he last served in that 
capacity with tho 17th Lancers, from which gallant regiment 
he passed into the service of tho Crystal Palace Company. 
In this new sphere of action Mr. Sohallehn's well-known 
high professional qualities speedily gathered around him an 
assemblage of men eminently calculated to form, under his 
guidance, a band in all respects worthy of the establishment 
with which it would bo associated. Already the Crystal 
Palace baud, in number amounting to sixty performers, has 
attiiincd to a deservedly distinguished celebrity. Iu the 
testimonial, the presentation of which we now record, the 
members of the baud have gracefully expressed their con- 
sciousness of tho value of Mr. Schallehn’s scientific and 
Bkilful guidance and judicious combinations, and also their 
deep sense of his unwearied attention and ever-ready courtesy. 
It will not be out of place for us here to add that, in addi- 
tion to the usual programme of the day’B musical perform- 
ance, the Crystal Palace band now give our own national 
anthem, with the French national air, “ Partant pour la 
Syrie,” concludiug with “ Rule Britannia," in a style well 
suited to the spirit of the time, and which alone would well 
repay a trip to the Sydenham Palace. 
Australia. — Mr. Coppiu, the Australian manager aud 
comedian, in addition to the engagement of Mr. G. V. Brooke, 
Miss Cathcart, Mr. R. Younge, and Mr. Hair, for his new iron 
theatre in Melbourne, has entered into an arrangenieut with 
Mr. Jacobs, the original wizard, ventriloquist, aud improvisa- 
toro, for twelve mouths. This talented company take their 
doparturo by the new steam-ship Pacific, Captain W. C. 
Thompson, in November next. A building is in course of 
erectiou at Melbourne for the reception aud preparatory ex- 
hibition of the articles to he transmitted to the Paris 
Exhibition. 
PROVINCIAL. 
Second Escape of the Burglar Ralph from Lincoln- 
Castlb. — Joseph Ralph, who was convicted at the last Lin- 
coln Assizes of breaking into the Grimsby Bank, aud sen- 
tenced to be transported for twenty years, has a second time 
made his escape from the county prison. He is the man who 
effected an egress from the same prison in an ingenious 
manner on the night of the 27th of July last. He was taken 
on board the Hes3lo aud Barton steamer, after a most deter- 
mined resistance, having seriously stabbed his captor. When 
brought to Lincoln he was put iu irons, and the utmost 
vigilance was used. However, early on the rooming of 
Tuesday it was discovered that Ralph had again outwitted 
his gaolers by the most ingenious methods. It appears that 
there are two keys to the cell iu which he was confined, 
oue kept by the turnkey and the other by the chaplain of 
tho prison. The chaplain when visiting the prisoners fre- 
quently placed his key on the bench. Ralph observed tliis 
and made a drawing of it. A small gas light burnt in the 
cell, which was also furnished with a pewter mug, out of 
which the prisoner drauk. From masticated bread he made 
a model, and melted the pewter mug into it. This formed 
the key. The door of the cell had a wicket about the centre 
within reach of the lock outside. This small wicket closed 
with a spring. The night before Ralph intercepted the 
spring, so that it was left ready for him to introduce the key 
ho had made into the lock, to which there was only a key- 
hole on the outer side. This he did successfully, proceeded 
to the kitchen, stole some clotliiug belonging to the cook, 
passed some iron gates, drew the bolt aud shot the lock of 
the principal entrance, and reached the Castle-yard. This is 
enclosed by a mound aud high wall, but although he was 
ironed he managed to get into a small building and obtained 
a ladder, by which he got on the Castle-wall. On his escape 
becoming known, the greatest excitement prevailed through- 
out the city. Since his former feat the magistrates have re- 
marked on the strict surveillance under which he was kept, and 
Mr. L. P. Fytch, reminded the prisoner only a day or two 
since that “ they had him safe to which Ralph rejoined 
that he didn’t know that. Capt. Nicholson, the governor of 
the Castle, is away from Lincoln. The police were imme- 
diately sent to all parts of the county in pursuit, but up to 
the present time Ralph has eluded the utmost efforts to 
discover his whereabouts. 
Wigan Election. — Both parties have worked hard for 
victory, but, after a very close contest, the election has 
terminated iu favour of Mr. Acton. The numbers at the 
close of the poll were : — Acton, 339; Powell, 334 : majority 
for Acton, 5. 
The Cholera at Oxford. — Tho returns of the last few 
days to the Board of Health of this prevailing epidemic 
proves, we regret to say, that the disease has not decreased 
since our last report. Duriug the week ending Wednesday, 
the 4 th inst., 17 fatal cases of cholera have been reported, and 
1 of diarrhoea, and, although the disorder has been chiefly 
confined to low districts, where filth and poverty prevails to 
a great extent, yet there has been several cases of persons in 
good circumstances, living in some of the principal streets of 
this city, who have fallen victims to this mysterious disease. 
Amongst the latter may be mentioned the name of a gentle- 
man, well known to the sporting world, residing in one of 
the healthiest parts of this city, viz., Mr. Jones, farrier, who 
was up to Monday in his usual state of health ; on the even- 
ing of that day he was unwell with premonitory symptoms 
of cholera. The best medical aid that Oxford could produce 
was unavailing, for on the evening of Tuesday he was a corpse, 
and on the following morning his remains were consigned to 
the grave. We understand that unless this dreadful malady 
subsides in a few days, it will be a matter of grave conside- 
ration with the authorities of the university, as to the expe- 
diency of postponing the meeting of the members of the 
various colleges a fortnight longer than was intended. Tho 
returns for Tuesday, October 3rd, were as follows : — New 
Cases : Diarrhoea, 1 1 1 ; choleraic-diarrhoea, 5 ; cholera, 4. — 
Old Cases : Diarrhcca, 97 ; choleraic-diarrhcea, 8 ; cholera, 8. 
— Deaths, cholera, 3 ; diarrhoea, 1. 
SCOTLAND. 
Cutting the Glasgow Telegram!.—' The wires of the 
magnetic telegraph communicating with Ireland, Liverpool, 
and Glasgow were maliciously cut ou Tuesday last, about 
twenty miles from Carlisle, on the road to Penrith. Iho 
Company are using the utmost endeavours to trace the guilty 
parties who have committed such an atrocious outrage, and 
greathopes are entertained thatthey will meet with success. 
Glasgow Chronicle. 
Herring Trade. — The total quantity tukou here last week 
would be from 800to 1,000 crans, and might add about a 
cran to the general average. The total average of the 920 
boats employed in this district during the season may now, 
therefore, be stated at 105 craus per boat. The fish caught 
ou Saturday were rather inferior in quality to those of the 
previous days, and the juice of fresh herrings rauged during 
the week from 18s. to 15s. per cran, which latter figure was 
the price obtaiued for Saturday’s fish. The quantity of cod- 
fish taken was also very considerable, and would make a 
valuable addition to the fisherman’s gaius for the week. 
Our local lierriug-market, which for some time past has been 
in a very dormant state, exhibits some signs of revival. At 
Fiuserburg the prices continued up to Saturday last at 22n. t*d. ; 
for full crown brands, aud 17s. Cd. for speuts. — John o' Groat 
Journal. 
IRELAND. 
Dublin. — Bali.inasloe October Fair. — The great sheep 
fiiir opened on Wednesday, and closed on Thursday evening. 
From the accounts published, it would appeal* that the 
