MATEUR THEATRICALS. 3. -The distinguished literati whose admirable performance of Johnson's Every Man in his Humour, is recorded in our Chronicle for 1845, p. 145, this night represented Fletcher's comedy, The Elder Brother, at the St. James's Theatre, for the benefit of the much esteemed actress, Miss Kelly. The comedy went off exceedingly well. Mr. Forster as Charles, the Elder Brother, Mr. Charles Dickens as Eustace, the younger, Mr. Mark Lemon as the uncle, and Mr. Douglas Jerrold as the servant Andrew, deserved and obtained much applause. The amateurs played, as an afterpiece, the farce of Comfortable Lodgings, in which Mr. C. Dickens, as Sir Hippington Miff, proved himself a first rate farçeur. The other characters were capitally sustained by Messrs. Mark Lemon, Forster, Stone, Leech, George Cruikshank, and Wells. In emulation of the Authors, the Artists got up a representation on behalf of the Artists' Benevolent Fund, which, unlike most imitations, met with great success. The play chosen was Morton's comedy, The School of Reform. As might be anticipated, VOL. LXXXVIII.

the characters were admirably costumed. The principal and most difficult part, Tyke, was played with a degree of power and pathos that would have established the reputation of an actor by profession, and with an air of naturalness that only spontaneous feeling and histrionic skill combined can produce. taken quite by surprise; and, but that the person of Mr. Topham, the water-colour painter, was well known, it might have been supposed that an actor of celebrity had been engaged to fill this important part. The Yorkshire dialect, and the half-clownish, halfswaggering manner of the cunning country knave, were admirably well assumed; and the alternations of roguish cunning and remorse were expressed with homely truth. Mr. Topham has not sufficient physical power to give full effect to his conception; but what his personation wanted in force was supplied by feeling: his expression of the agonizing tortures of mind that choke the utterance of Tyke, and make him writhe with anguish, was intense without rant. The wild, frantic burst of joy, dashed with shame, with which

The audience were

B

he recognises his father, was finely given this scene between the father and son being made impressive by the admirable acting of Mr. Dodgson as the old man. General Tarragon was the best supported of the other characters: Mr. Hall played the part capitally, and looked as red and as hot as a capsicum. Mr. Hammerton also made the ridiculous character of Ferment amusing. The little farce of A Day Well Spent followed; and the evening's performances were concluded by the Extravaganza Bombastes Furioso, in which George Cruikshank, as Bombastes, gave great amusement.

-FLOODS IN WALES.-In consequence of the heavy rain the aspect of the country adjacent to the rivers Wye and Lugg during this week was such as has not been witnessed for 14 years; indeed the extraordinary flood is only comparable to one that occurred half a century ago, in the year 1795, when the bridges at the Hay were carried down the torrent. The destruction of property was immense. Over the wide extent of the Lugg meadows was spread a vast sheet of water, presenting the appearance of a great sea, and the river itself being, as it were, lost in the expanse of ocean. Nothing could be more dreary than the aspect; whilst not a head of the stock usually depasturing in such numbers in that well irrigated locality was anywhere to be seen. On the banks of the Wye the destruction of property was very serious. At Horn Church 24 sheep were swept away, at Lower Bullingham 34; at Pen 40 fine ewes, at Glasbury 20 sheep, at Pistil 15, at Builth 35, at the Maine 17, at Lanemynech nearly 100. Near Bewdley 2,500

oak, elm, and fruit trees were destroyed by the high winds.

FATAL FIRE. A fire, which was attended with disastrous consequences to both life and property, took place early this morning upon the premises occupied by Mrs. Pryor, a laundress, situate at 23, Cambridge Place, Junction Road. A police constable, on going his rounds, observed an unusual light in the first floor of the building, which induced him to raise the alarm of fire; but unfortunately it was some time before the inmates could be roused from their slumbers, and not until the flames were bursting through the front windows, as well as up the staircase, with the greatest impetuosity. The engines having speedily arrived, the fire was got under.

For some time it was imagined that all the parties had made a safe retreat from the premises; but a discovery of a most melancholy character was made upon the ground of the back parlour. On examination it was found that two human beings, man and wife, named Wane or Ward, who rented a room, had perished in the flames, their remains being so mutilated that no likeness was discernible.

ber, where they were entertained with a sumptuous collation.

The presentation took place in the Throne Room. Her Majesty and Prince Albert were conducted in state by the Lord Steward and the Vice-Chamberlain. The Queen took her seat on the throne; Prince Albert stood on her right hand, with the Lord Steward, Sir Robert Peel, Sir James Graham, and the Earl of Dalhousie; on the left stood the Vice-Chamberlain and the Duke of Wellington; other Cabinet Ministers and officers of the household were ranged on either side. The Lord Mayor of London and the deputation were introduced by the Gentlemen Ushers; and the Recorder read this Address

"Most Gracious Sovereign,We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common Couneil assembled, humbly approach your Royal person respectfully to represent to your Majesty,

"That great, powerful, and wealthy as this nation is, by far the largest portion of your Majesty's subjects in Ireland, and a great portion of your Majesty's subjects in England, Scotland, and Wales, have long been reduced, for their principal food, to pota

tion of food, and restricting commerce, shuts out from the nation the bounty of Providence. We therefore humbly pray that your Majesty will be graciously pleased to use the means in your Majesty's power to open the ports of this kingdom for the free importation of food."

Having received the Address, Her Majesty returned the following gracious Answer:

"The motives which have induced you to present this Address are duly appreciated by me. The wants and sufferings of my people at all times command my warmest sympathy; and I deeply regret the failure in the present year of a full supply of an article of food on which so many of my subjects are accustomed to subsist.

"I have directed Parliament to assemble on an early day; and I shall gladly sanction any measure which the wisdom of the legislature may suggest as conducive to the alleviation of this temporary distress, and to the permanent welfare of all classes of my people."

The Lord Mayor and the senior Alderman, with the mover and seconder of the address, were permitted to kiss the Queen's hand; and the deputation retired.

The reception of the Dublin deputation, which reached the Castle a quarter of an hour later, was precisely similar. The deputation comprised the Lord Mayor, Mr. Thomas Reynolds, the Marshal of Dublin, Mr. C. P. Shannon, TownCouncillor, and six officers of the Corporation. The Lord Mayor then read a very long and eloquent address respecting the state of destitution to be expected in Ireland, and the necessity for assistance from national resources. Her Majesty having received the