The Sun. — London, England, 1844-12-27 00:00:00

I I *- ~.. THE PANTOMUKTIS, ETC. DA 111."../. A /V 7.2 E.ATRE. ,After the p er f o rma n ce of Balfe's opera of the Da ughter of St. M ar k, which was played here last tight for the twenty-third time, the new Christmas 4llt chmime of Harlequin and Robinson Crusoe was br ought forth. The audience was less noisy than 1131141, and waited with most exemplary patience for t}l rising of the curtain that was to give them a view Gf t heir old friends Robinson Crusoe and his man it r " l a3'. The pantomime opened in a very promising il 'anuer, with a sketch of a distressed author who was ta want of a subject for his usual Christmas enter ent. I n this exigence the fairy Puck comes `Q lus assistance, and giving him his choice of a sub- I T ) he selects the favourite tale of Robinson Crusoe. a first scene represen t s Crusoe wrecked on the des ert 1111 island, an d carrying out his cargo from the IN Which lies high and dry on the shore. Some I ; tli ghter was excited by the acting of Mr. H. ,„, a S rl e (Crusoe) in this scene, who displayed u ch broad pantomimic humour. We next find him 1 1 , d ; „ 11 eirig himself to a party of Caribee Indians, • 11 some of whom he dances the Polka in a very , "ginasical style. His man Friday (Wieland) now :l a kes his app ea r a nce on the stage, and a very laugh -18 scene t a k es place between him and his master in the litt er ' s h ouse, " built with his own hands," when t e teaches his servant how to cook a leg of mutton kab • v ._ ell a pudding. While they are seated at supper :" a party of young Caribs, other Indians rush the scene changes to the old wreck, and Crusoe byto it lediately afterwards is seen taking his departure I‘ l , t he " Waterman " steamer for London - bridge. e" e usual transformations now take place :—The i t itri bee king is changed into the Clown (T. Mat ‘"), his club-bearer into Pantaloon (Howell), e rin eeParamatta into Harlequin( Wieland), while Miss p kil ° l l comes forward as Columbine. The first scene ,('‘ t he pantomimic transformations is the exterior of a ; 1 1 181 c-shop wherein the Clown and Pantaloon, while t7 t,,, Ying on ' the violin . cello and bassoon, are suddenly " q up into the air, and let drop again on their stools—an ingenious trick, which was much PLaUded. The exterior of the Insolvent Debtors' rla ", which changing to the baths and wash - house bUtthe labouring classes, was a very bustling affair, Was sadly deficient in point, except in the solitary , 4ta nee when the warm-water baths were changed t `') boiling-water baths by the mal•adroit pumping i t he Clown, and the bathers come out parboiled. o `;e tri c k o f H ar l equ i n in the bag with his head cut f t Wass also an ingeniously managed device ; but we tt our praise of the pantomime must close with this, N the concluding scenes were exceedingly heavy, Were scarcely redeemed by the humorous manner i iih which the Clown sang the old song of " Hot Cod it;gB." The last scene of her Majesty's christening 4 "loyal Exchange was, comparatively speaking, 1 , 5 ' , and indeed the whole pantomime went off heavily, 4 r . i t is not remarkable for splendid scenery, neither Am, all recommended by humour or ingenuity. COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE. „'"lis theatre opened last night for a brief season the management of Mr. Laurent. Its stage 1, 4 b een devoted to so many purposes foreign to the 4114 , that it was pleasing to find its curtain rising bat 4 taore for an English play, even though it was qstanding dish for it Christmas audience, George q Nvell. It require some time to test the policy re duced prices, but their effect, joined to the holi 44Neaking spirit of the season, was seen last night 14 ° , 4 e of the most numerous audiences ever assem there. The house was literally crammed in e r 3'' part. The great attraction of the night was, of l i a r se, the pantomime, which is the production of Mr. 0 , e . 13 ° 1 1 Lee, entitled Harlequin Crotchet and Quaver, for the Million. The generality of pantomimes ;j ll with a burlesque of some well-known story, the 'll llt e of which are readily seized by the audience. is °ne, however, is an exception to the rule, and, g e L. I ‘ 4 ear, not a happy one, and as the . audience seemed fir st not to listen to the opening dtalogue, the 4: s cenes could hardly be understood. The first 1 4 1 1. ! ii the Hall of Discord, a grotesque scene, that ht t have been imagined by Phiz himself; the body ci of the Demon is a band of brass instruments, the `v d with emotion as w ell as sound to these, E as dru,,, t44 play-hooks say, the De mon rises in a gigantic ti le from which he emerges, and, after lamenting 4 4 ,P 1s c'gress of music, he summons Sharp, Flat, and three of the ordinary masked spirits of Pan - Itne to aid him i n spreading discord, he having al ready gained th em over filom the cause of Apollo and t ,p elody—the l as t the good genius of the plot. ),, 1 ! also en gages them to carry off Young Crotchet, 40 is in lo ve w i t h Mi ss S em i quaver , the daughter bt De misemiquaver. Apollo sends Mercury to chal 41'ge the Demon to a trial of skill, a pantomime, and Tdsucceed s i n w hich Mercury commands the Til of Melody f or hi s mas ter in ,the coming contest. to : r e is some pretty music in this scene, and the "g given by Mi3s Lyons as Melody was encored. h t he cottage o f Demisemiquaver is then shown—a i 3 Use ) which is an entire musical composition, for it fed by music books, with trumpets doing duty t t el airnnies, and the front covered with notes. The I,: ttk °4 offer s o ld Demisemi to change all these notes ,`° god if he will give him his daughter. He con ettltSt and the transformation takes place, in a very O P tive manner, every dot being turned to a sove wii• The Demon's band have previously carried h . the lovers to the "Cottage on the Cleft'," t4 e i 'll is then exhibited, and here Apollo effects t g , ell ange of all the characters into the comic person -1.81 Who have to caper and cuff and frolic through the r est of the pantomime. A novelty in this one is Li 6l4 ct of th e re being two harlequins and two colum - O. The Clown was Mr. C. Marsh, and the Pan - Mr. T. Blanchard ; the duplicate harlequins t o i re Messrs. Smithers and Frampton ; the brace of t tl il nlyines Misses Massall and Ryalls. The comic th: lll i es3 includes hits at most of the topics of the day ; 'nth the of them was a Lord Mayor's procession, 'i t " the , 4 man in brass," and placards hinting at lii` . o 4l4 h settlements," &c., which produced roars of and the washing-houses of the people, with a o i) - ` 114 on balling, the Clown including a dissertation ti lt - 84 aP• The gaming -houses, photography, union die theY') cheap tailors, and miraculous pills, all furnish nota of fun. The last scene, presenting an exteri or, 'N -changes into a clockmaker's shop, with all the kt l 44lll la ms moving, and clock-dials walking about the as capitally managed, and told exceedingly 1 411 P e i; It concludes, of course, with a gorgeous sceme, the curtain falling upon a " blaze of tre which we hope will be converted into one HAYMARKET THEATRE. tr The season of Christmas, amongst its various td :tees of amusement, is especially prolific in the t ti : at rieal, and nowhere is public expectation more Li i e Of being gratified, than at the Haymarket. The ° f fare, on the present occasion, could not have 4 I selected with more judgment, or have afforded eteater treat to the audience. It was no drawback t o u hs til the evening's entertainment that the favourite 1 1 ; le( IY* of Old Heads and Young Hearts, which has t w i, been performed upwards of thirty times, and is t h n ' e r increasing than declining in popularity, was t i ,T 3er l as the introductory piece of the night. The A," 44 of this admirable play was established from the 1 4 , t • It is, in fact, exceedingly well adapted for into action the whole strength of the Hay pr-t.het corps. Where all the acting was beyond 1 41 41 'e, we mus t no t ma ke selections, but it is almost ht :°ssible to avoid saying that Farren and Buck et i tie exceeded themselves, and elicited repeated bursts by 1$ exceeded and applause. The comedy was succeeded new " Grand Moving Diorama, or Pictorial pi °l. in Switzerland." Of the artistical skill dis• tit 4- l ed in the preparation of this diorama it is impos pr,:et° speak too highly. The views successively l a k e ll ted to the spectators included the town and te°t Zurich, the town of \\'ellenburg, the snowy a 14 :f the Alps, Tell's chapel co the Lake of Uri, S u b al e of Hasi and snowy peaks of' the Great e Weck, interior of the dungeon of Chillon—a spot 13 with with an intense interest by the genius of lines` in the beautiful poem commencing with the In Chillon's dungeons, deep and old, Thi:there are seven columns, massive and gray." hi r excell ent ex hibi t i on i s th e p ro duction of Mr. P. 1 1 38 , and cannot but add greatly to his previous f Plitftti ". This, however, was not the grand feature .tt ‘ , tll4 night, any more than the opening comedy. ne w and original grand musical fairy extrava :E—",",by the aut h or o f Th e F a i r O n e with the Golden r *l4 , and many other pieces of a similar . , ... ~ .~ kind, naturally formed the grand attraction of s ' '`. • a w ell-known tale of the nursery by the Countess D'Anois, entitled Graciosa and Percinet. In a case of this sort it would be fruitless, and it: certainly is not necessary, to give any detail of plot, since all the world, or at least that part of it who are addicted to such amusements, must be aware that the whole charm is in the dialogue, which, in the present in stance, was most skilfully constructed, with a view to exciting the risible powers of the audience. It may be as well, however, just to state that the piece turns upon the love of King Uxorious, a widower, unexpectedly bewitched (Mr. J. Bland), for the Duchess Grogon, a maiden lady of a very uncertain age, the owner of a capital cellar (Mrs. Stanley), and the jealousy of the latter against her step-daughter, for whom she conceives an invete rate dislike at first sight, which she evinces by invent ing every Method of torturing her. We should mention, by the way, that Lord Nimroddy, who acted as grand huntsman to the King, exhibited the character in the most amusing light. In the working out of Duchess Grogon's plots against Gra ciosa ample opportunity was afforded for introducing a very sprightly and most unexpected collocation of words, which, as they fell upon the ear in quick succession, called forth shouts of spontaneous laughter. Miss Julia Bennett, as the Princess Graciosa, a model for daughters, and Miss P. Horton, as a Fairy Prince, and the perfection of lovers, were each truly admirable, and sustained the characters throughout in the most effective manner. Several duets were executed by them during the progress of the piece. The ballet evinced that great care had been taken in the prepa ration of this most necessary department. We must particularly notice the introduction of a number of tiny dancers, who were introduced incidentally. Judging from appearance, they could not have been, on the average, more than five or six years old, yet the greatest order was preserved ; and Masters Dot, Trot, Tiny, Tip, Alite, Atom, and Grain, together with Misses Midge, Mok, Speck, Spangle, Drop, Pinshead, &c., exhibited a perfect miniature of the elder ballet. On the whole, it is impossible to speak too highly of the evening's entertainment. Not a single incident occurred to interrupt the harmony of the scene. PRI.VCESS'S THEATRE. The twenty-fourth presentation of Balfe's Castle of Aymon was as well received at this favourite theatre last evening as if it were produced for the first time, and as the new piece after Christmas. But, however, the " immense attraction for the holidays" was de scribed in the bills as a " New Grand Romantic, and rather Operatic Burlesque Extravaganza, in two acts, taken from the old melodrama, and called Joe Miller and his Men." The piece is further said to be written in measure to fit the company, by Gilbert A. a'Beckett, Esq., and the scenery, which no poet could paint in words, has been done in colours by Messrs. Beverley, Nichols, A glio, &c. When we add, that the artistes have tried to cut each other out in cutting out the dresses, and that the machinery has been cleverly contrived to raise expectation very high, we have given a pretty fair account of this commodity, which has been produced upon a scale that must have its due weight. The dances, which employed extra hands, and additional feet, exercised the former rather more than the latter, and created as much laughter as the burlesques on " Joe Miller" with which the dialogue abounded. The de sign of the extravaganza, as it is very aptly termed, is to hold up to ridicule and reproach the neglect of the modern English drama; and, whilst the witty author spares not the devotees of foreign art, he is even more severe upon those who have been making some wha questionable attempts to adapt, as it has been presumptuously pretended, the old English drama to modern times, by the destruction of its character. In the introductory scene, which represents the Celestial Court of Bankruptcy, at its evening sitting in the clouds, Mercury (Miss Somers), as messenger of the Court, announces to Apollo (Mr. A. Harris), the Chief Commissioner of the Court, that Thalia and Melpomene are bankrupt. The Commissioner ex presses his distress at the intelligence, and having learned from the messenger all the shifts to which the unlucky muses have been put of late to support their tottering credit, he suggests that as a last effort they should try what could be done by adopting to modern taste and manners "the ancient melodrama." The famous Miller and his Men is chosen for the first ex periment, and a merry and successful one it has proved. The audience was kept in a roar of laughter from the commencement, and much of the acting, burlesque though it was, merited and received very great applause. Oxberry, as a melo-dramatic hero, and Mr. Fitzjames as the "impersonation of Young Bohemia," were first-rate. Pantaloon (Mr. Sanders), endeavoured to realise these to the utmost. The scenes were well painted. The allusions, political and anti-political, were well timed, and many of them told well with the audience. The management deserves great credit for the care with which the pantomime was produced ; and the over flowing house will, we trust, be a preliminary evi dence of success for many weeks to come. THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY ET - ENTNG, DECEMBER 27, 1844. LYCEUM THEATRE. Two new pieces were produced at this theatre last evening, the first a version of Charles Dickens's Chimes, the second an admirable burlesque on Valen tine and Orson. The Chimes is well dramatised, well acted, and admirably put upon the stage. Keeley was the Toby Veck, and did full justice to the bonhommth of the honest ticket-porter ; and Mrs. Keeley acted Meggy as she acts everything—admi rably. The great feature of the piece, however, was the Will Fern of Mr. Emery, which was a mag nificent piece of acting. Never has the impassioned countryman been more powerfully depicted. Mr. Emery, in this character, reminded us strongly of his father. It is seldom that talent, more particularly histrionic talent, is hereditary, but in this instance such is the case—the mantle of the father has fallen on the son. The Chimes was succeeded by Valentine and Orson, the best burlesque that has been produced for this many a long day. Equal in wit to the Forty Thieves, it surpasses even Aladdin in splendour, and will draw crowded houses until Easter. The play bill is itself a perfect galaxy of jokes—so excellent is it, that we were almost afraid the piece would turn cut to be " nothing but the bill." Such, however, was not the case. The bill is only a foretaste of the good things with which the piece is replete. Every couplet is a pun, a joke, or a piece of clever satire, and every hit tells, so that the concluding line, " In one blase of triumph we will wind up," is no fiction. Mrs. Keeley and her husband were the Valentine and Orson. She the very beau ideal of a preux chevalier, glittering in splendid armour; he " unbeknown to himself," a public nuisance to the neighbourhood of Orleans. They are of course under the protection of tho fairies, and in the opening scene we find Oberon holding an after-dinner council, which is interrupted by the arrival of Pacolet, who comes flying through the air on a locomotive—an im provement upon the atmospheric railway. Pacolet reports that Agra►nant, the evil genius, is still pur suing his machinations against the brothers ; and Oberon, appointing Pacolet his Secretary for Foreign Affairs, gives him orders to circumvent Agrarnant's designs. The day begins to break, and the fairies mysteriously disappear in a mist, to the tune of "We won't go home till morning." We are then intro duced to Belisanta, the mother of the two lost children—Valentine and Orson—a decayed empress, and the mistress of an academy for young ladies in the neighbourhood of Orleans, who laments most pathetically the decay of her profession in consequence of the supply of cheap governesses, and of books for teaching all sorts of things without masters. Then comes the scene of scenes, the royal visit to Orleans to open the Exchange, with " a splendid procession by the method of double entry, on a scale of magni tude hitherto out of the power of any theatre to attain." The spectacle itself in this scene is gorgeous, and the costumes are magnificent, but the wit sparkles even more brilliantly than the gems with which the costumes are profusely adorned. Loud was the laughter which greeted the reading of the proclamation signed " Mereweather," ordering the streets to be kept clear; but the laughter and applause were redoubled when, on one of the nobility angrily calling the authorities to account for shoving him to the wall, a policemasttontemptuously replies— " The Lord Mayor never gives accounts at all." Then comes the triumphant entry of Valentine's pikemen with the gates (turnpike-gates), avenging the insult of 800 years, for which he is rewarded with the order of Rebecca, and the promise of the hand of the Princess Eglantine (Miss Fairbrother), which latter promise raises the jealousy of Henry (Mr. A. Wigan), the King's nephew, who, from that moment, vows ven geance against Valentine. We are next introduced to Orson, and his bear mother in the forest. He enters bearing a leg of mutton on a pitchfork for the bear's dinner, and Orson and the bear dancetLa Bruindaise ( original of the Truandaise) ala Carlotta Grisi .and Perrot; - The dance over, - arid the siitton demolished, Orson has a hunt after some pea ,ants who have. been poaching on his preserves, hav ing previously vowed vengeance against the editor of an Orleans newspaper, who has been denouncing him as a public nuisance. Then comes the combat with Valentine, interrupted lir aPfrientlly glass of sherry drank by the combatants and thebear, while they stop to take breath, and the captivity K : Orson, who humbly expresses hope that the bondslifix which LL:i he is bound •arc not of Pennsylvanian lands, ~ ~, _.. --,:.... For then I ne'er shall get them off my hands." Orson is then conveyed to the Court of King Pippin, where he creates great confusion. He wishes to know the designation and use of a certain article of male attire, the name of which King Pippin informs him is never heard. Ile skewers a cook for wishing to dress his meat, and he winds up by getting very drunk and kicking up a row. In the meanwhile Eglantine has donned male attire, has transformed all her maids of honour into warlike knights, and has sallied forth to free Florimonda from the power of Agramant. The scene of the evolutions of the female warriors told admirably. They were excellently drilled, and Miss Fairbrother made an admirable Commander-in chief. Before her absence is discovered, Valentine has undertaken the adventure of the liberation of Florimonda, and Henry and his brother meet Agra ment at the station of the Orleans railway, for the purpose of plotting the destruction of Valentine. In this scene Wigan introduced an admirable bur lesque of Macready's style, which was much and deservedly applauded. The imitation was perfect. Voice, action, manner, positions, or, to speak more correctly, poses—all the Macreadyisms were ad mirably hit off. Their schemes, however, fail ; they attempt to shoot Valentine in the back, but he catches the bullets in his hands, a la Satan, or Don CtEsar de Bann. Agramant is overthrown. A magic brazen head explains everything to the satisfaction of everybody, and Orson is endowed with reason and marries Florionda, while Valentine is rewarded with the hand of Eglantine. Keeley's Orson is a very rich and racy piece of unctions acting. From the first scene to the last he kept the audience in a roar the whole time he was on the stage. Mrs. Keeley's Valentine was ex ceedingly spirited and clever, and Frank Matthews went through the part of the King with becoming dignity. There are several witty parodies on popular songs, all of which were well given, and one of them, very prettily sung by Miss Arden, was honoured with an encore. The house was crowded, and the success of the piece was complete and triumphant. SADLER'S WELLS THEATRE. This establishment last night produced a new pan tomime, entitled Harlequin Robin Hood and Little John, or Merrie England in the Olden Time. The rerformances commenced with The Stranger, and, as far as we could form a judgment amid the impatient 1 uproar which prevailed, the characters were extremely well:; supported, Mr. Phelps, Mrs. Warner, and Mr. H. Marston being the principal performers. But no performance, however able, could satisfy the impa tience of the auditors, who gave repeated and mani fest signs of dissatisfation, and the last act of this fine play was mere dumb show, the cries of " Pantomime" being so loud and incessant, that even those in the boxes next the stage could not catch a syllable. And after all, who could blame ? It is Christmas time, and they wished to be merry. No man could be grave at a Chrismas pantomime. Gravity is as much out of place on this occasion as a Merry Andrew at a funeral. " Dull Care" has no business there—no knitted brows or long faces—the Spirit of Christmas chases them all away. Sadler's Wells was so full last night, that we don't think it could have held a dozen more—in fact, many were, from want of room, obliged to go as they came. It would have been hard to see a careworn countenance ; and the hundreds of human faces, of every colour and complexion, from brick-dust to black-lead, that thronged every avail able corner, all was laughter and good-humour. The pantomime opens with Old England (Mr. Coreno), surrounded by his old English subjects, Old King Cole, Alfred, Tom Thumb, &c., carousing. In the second scene Young England (Master G. Newman) comes forward, and the following dialogue occurs : Old England—Peace 1 Happiness! Content I a pretty joke, Ending, like other Theories in Smoke; And how accomplish this by one so knowing? Youug England- . .I'm small as yet, but still I'm daily growing. Old England—Ang puppy, may I ask, what you have (lone, To claim such notice? Young England—l hare just begun. Old England—Begun, to make ',things worso, all trades are crying, Silence is sulky, and the Drama dying; Shakspere's turned out of doors by,dancing belles, And finds a refuge at" Old Sadler's Wells." To aid his cause, a dish I now prepare, And though a trifle, still old English fare. The allusion to Sadlers's Wells was received with loud applause. The third scene is the exterior of Squire Gamewell's mansion, in which the old English sports and hospitality were pourtrayed. But we need not mention the history of the piece ; it will be suffi cient to name its principal features. The bubbles of the day were all introduced, and with excellent effect. Captain Warner's long-range and the new baths and washhouses. Then there was the Cattle-show, and an exhibition of prize pigs and prize paupers. The latter, and many other excellent ideas, were borrowed from our friend Punch. There was a royal aviary and a union workhouse, and the stage paupers almost equalled the realities, which is saying a great deal. Harlequin (Mr. C. Fenton) did all a Harlequin could do, and Columbine (Miss Louisa Waite) danced to admiration. The Clown was well personated by Mr. C. Montgomery, who kept the audience in a continued roar. It will be sufficient to add, that the scenery was admirable, and the dresses appropriate—that all manner of gymnastic feats were performed—walking on two stilts and walking on one, and walking on one another. There was a full house, and the actors seemed to feel it, for they threw all the energy and humour they possessed into the performance. In the discharge of some stage fireworks, in the tenth scene, the head-dress of one of the female actors caught fire. It was, however, instantly extinguished, but the inci dent seemed to throw a momentary gloom on the audience, by reminding them of the late lamentable occurrence. But this was only momentary, and scarcely noticed. All was fun and merriment, which continued, unabated, till the curtain fell, amidst rounds of applause. STRAND THEATRE. Happy Christmas ! Well is it that one short week in the weary fifty-two is devoted to happiness, or the o'ertasked workman's life would be indeed one con tinued misery. Ere these practical days had cast their shadow over our country, poets had feigned that years of love, hours of unvaried sunshine, brightened our horizon, and that all the multitudinous figures so copiously interspersed in the works of our own earlier writers, had " each a local habitation and a name." Is it so now ? We fear not, excepting at Christmas time ! The above theatre has produced the Feast of Lanthorns, solely, we suppose, for the pur pose of introducing the scenes by Philips--scenes which at once evince living nature, the artist, and the scholar. We cannot too much praise them, for they are emphatically real, and an evening spent for the mere purpose of analysing them, s ould be wasted to no good purpose. The Knight and the Sprite furnished an interesting close, and, if we might judge from the self. satisfied countenances of the audience, they highly I approved of Mr. Roberts's catering for Christmas. ADELPHI THEATRE. The talented lessee of this favourite theatre has de. termined to follow the taste of the public (instead of leading it), and, therefore, finding the Chimes the latest, though not the best, production of Charles Dickens (take the " taste" at the present hour), he, with a praiseworthy prudence, introduces it on the stage, certain that its intrins is merits will insure it a triumphant reception, even if the stage's appreciation should fall short of the origi nal conception. The Fox and the Goose, a comic operatta, followed, and was most enthusiastically re ceived. The grand feature of the night—the panto mime itself—y'clept Cat's Castle, or Harlequin and the King of the Rats, passed oft; as all pantomimes do, with universal applause. The tricks for. albeit they were far-fetched, certes, smart tricks they were intended to be, exhibited a thorough knowledge of stage mechanism , The Clown (Mr. C. J. Smith), assisted by his brother OLYMPIC THEATRE. Yesterday evening the season again commenced at this theatre, by presenting to the holiday folks a revival of the old drama of George Barnwell, upon ;which it is needless to enter more into detail than to state our conviction—(as well as it could be formed from what we caught amidst the din and confusion incidental to " boxing night")—that the part of George Barnwell was admirably pourtrayed by Mr. Roxby, and that the merits of Mr. Waldron as Thoro good, was well appreciated. The character of Mill wood was supported by Mrs. W. West, with all that talent by which she gained her present high standing as an actress. The grand feature of the night, how ever, was the pantomime, which was styled Old Bogie, or Harlequin Lazy Dick of Leadenhall, and Mother Luddleham, the Witch of Epping. It was what might be termed a lively—perhaps, moretruly, a volatile—production ; there was all the dancing, knockings-down, " prigging," incidental stuffing of pockets, and testing of the insentience of the nether end, which induces even in after and searer years a schoolboy laugh. We were, however, sorry (for the sake of the management) to see, that so far as some of the mechanical arrange ments of some of the " tricks" were concerned, there was what might by an " old stager" be termed care lessness on the part of the subordinates. however, those who know the many contretemps which may occur behind the scenes on the first night of a new pantomime, can well pass over such mishaps. The point in the pantomime which seemed to tell most with the audience was a very happy hit at the ready-made clothes establishments, the effects of which were well ~hown by a harlequin transition from a crammed puffing shop to one full of " dummies," and eventually ending with closed shutters, the latter finale eliciting roars of laughter and loud cheers from the gods. We are glad to be able to say in favour of the manage ment of Miss Davenport, that her efforts to please the public have been, by that most eccentric monster, fully appreciated, as the house was crowded from the seat behind the orchestra to the hindermost benches of the gallery. ASTLEY'S THEATRE. The Royal Fox Hunt, or Life's Course of Man and Steed, which has been so successful at this popu lar house, opened the entertainment last evening, and went off with the utmost eclat, the real fox hunt, in particular, being loudly and deservedly applauded. On conclusion of the first piece we had some very , pirited scenes in the circle, supported by Maddle. Helene and Mr. Bridges. We were truly delighted with the performances of the horse " Beda," which were most astonishing. This beautiful horse is worth 411 the steeds in Arabia. Mr. Newsome and Miss Isabelle, " the sylph of the circle," were much ap plauded in the Polka dance, which they elegantly performed on horseback. After this came the great Attraction of the night—the pantomime—which was called Harlequin and Johnny Gilpin's Ride, or the Black Witch of Edmonton. This pantomime is one _ _ of the best we have ever seen ; indeed, no theatre has such resources for pantomimic representation as Astley's. The opening scenes of the panto mime last night were indeed splendid, and reflect the highest credit on all the per formers engaged in it. The ever-memorable ride of Johnny Gilpin to Edmonton is admirably repre sented, and drew down the most rapturous applause, while laughter shook the theatre. The represen tation was perfect, and it will easily be imagined upon what an extensive scale the piece has been got up, when it is considered that in the pursuit of Johnny Gilpin no less than a dozen horses are en gaged, all of which gallop at full speed along the se veral avenues on the stage. The pantomime com mences with the Witches' Dell, where is held the meeting of Mothers Shipton, Bunch, Red and Black' Cap, Hubbard and Goose, who summon the Black Witch of Edmonton from the magic cauldron. Pre parations are then made to annoy Johnny Gilpin on his journey, and the spirits of horseflesh are called from " the vasty deep," and depart on their mission ; after which there is a beautiful change to the realms of Sunshine, in which appears Rose Court, who gladly promises to assist the Black Witch in preserving the lovers, Giles and Rose, from Gil pin's revenge. London in the Olden Times is then represented very excellently, with its shops and Gil pin's abode. We have then the departure of Mrs. Gilpin and children in the chaise, and the realisation of Gilpin's famous ride followed, by the mischievous tricks of the sprites. The lovers escape, and are ordered to join in the pursuit. The renowned Bell at Edmonton is shown, with Mrs. Gilpin and her sisters in the balcony, who witness the flight of Gilpin. " The dinner waits, and so do I." A very good magical change takes place of a milestone into a fairy banquet. The sprites enjoy themselves, and the Rose Court enters with her fruit, chariot, and six fairy steeds—most beautiful creatures. Gilpin, unable to hold in his horse, loses his hat and wig, and at length is carried into the tailor's shop at Ware, where he is thrown to the ground. The pan tomimic transformations then take place, and the comic business begins. It will be seen, from this loose sketch, that this pantomime is a most effective one, and we are sure that it will prove highly attrac tive for some time to come. The house was thronged, as this theatre usually is, a reward which Mr. Batty, the indefatigable manager, has amply earned. _ Tale of Sorrow, the principal characters in which were ably personated by Mr. Henry Howard, Mr. J. T. Johnson, from the Surrey Theatre, his first ap pearance here, Mr. Searle, Mr. John Herbert, Miss Vincent, and Miss E. Terry, also from the Surrey Theatre, her first appearance on these boards. This was followed by the laughable burletta of The Road side Inn, in which Miss Terrey, who is a very clever actress, and a great favourite with the playgoers on the Surrey side of the water, introduced the "Widow Mahony," and was rapturously encored. The most discordant noises, however, prevented the words which came from the mouths of the actors being heard in the majority of the scenes, and the utmost impatience was manifested by the audience for the commencement of the pantomime. At length the curtain drew up for the commencement of the new Christmas entertainment, which bears the title of Harlequin Hot Codlins, or the Little Old Woman and the Demon of the Metal Mine. It is founded on the old nursery rhyme— There was an old woman, her living she got, By selling codlins—hot—hot—hot !" Like the generality of pantomimes the plot is somewhat; vague, therefore we shall not endeavour to explain it. The first scene introduces us to the pavilion of Po mona in the province of Pippins, and the opening of the Pippin Parliament by the Queen of Apples (Miss Terry), and was much applauded. The next scene pre sents a rural village at sunrise. Here we find Tol-i de-rol, a miller (afterwards Harlequin), Mr. Chapino, in love with Fal-lal-la (afterwards Columbine) Mdlle. Levite; Rifum Tifum, a dusty miller, father of Tol-de-rol (afterwards Pantaloon), and Dame Tid dyiddy, the little old woman, mother of Fal-lal-la, are averse to the match, and at length a transforma- tion of the characters ensues, and the fun and frolic commences. In the scene which follows there was an excellent hit at the wretched rate which semptresses are remunerated for their labour., One of those unfortunate females, who obtain a! wretched subsistence by their needle, brings two! shirts to her employer, over which is suspended placard, bearing these words, " Two shirts for a half penny." He gives her an I. 0. U. for two farthings,. and the Clown and Pantaloon immediately lay hold of him, and put him into a bag, which, on being re-I moved, presents a " man of marble." The audience! caught up this allusion, and gave it one loud cheer-1 a cheer expressive of the hatred of the British public for a species of slavery which is inflicted on the young ! and weak by their employers, whilst they are amassing wealth by the wearying, wretchedly remunerated toil which they impose upon them.!! Amongst the political events of the passing year!' which were turned into ridicule were Lord' Brougham's Bill for the Abolishment of Imprison ment for Debt ; Prince Joinville and the bombard ment of Tangier ; and the espionage in the Post-; office. Several postmen were drawn up on the stage! with letters in their hands, and were drilled in the opening of letters by the Clown (after Punch) . This created a good deal of laughter at the expense ! of the Home Secretary. Prince Albert's hat and the) present Lord Mayor came in for their share of notice. A box is brought on the stage, directed to the church -t warden of Walbrook, from which a placard is taken,l expressive of his Lordship's unaccountable propensity.!! ! The baths for the million also were made subject ofl laughter, as also were Captain Warner's long-rangel and mesmerism, but, unfortunately, many things, intended as witticisms fell still-born upon the! audience. The scenery was very beautiful —many of the scenes exceedingly gorgeous, more particularly; the " Kingdom of Knives," a " View of the Bay of Trafalgar and the Victory," and the " Palace of Fol-de-rol in the world of Song." Maddle. Levite is' a very charming Columbine, and danced with much grace. Mr. Chapino is an agile Harlequin, and Messrs. Cony and Blanchard (the latter of whom was vociferously called upon by the audience to sing "Hot Codlins" and " Tippitywitchit") sustained their respective parts with considerable credit. With a little judicious pruning the pantomime will no doubt . have a long run. The house was crowded, and the audience, as is usually the case on boxing-day, was, a good-natured one. There were about the average number of rows in the pit and gallery, both of which were so crowded, that it would have been a difficult matter to have obtained access for another individual. SURREY THEATRE. On " boxing night" one usually visits the theatre for the purpose of witnessing the scenery, the gro tesque figures, the allusions to the events of the times, and the antics which have remained to us from a simple antiquity in the displays of Harlequin and Columbine and Clown —one usually expeets to see such things on this long-looked for night—but at the Surrey, besides an excellent pantomime, which has been got up with great skill and effect, there was an original performance, called The Seven Ages of Man, or the End of Crime. This piece has one con siderable merit, that it has a moral object, which, if the piece does not exhibit very well, it at least illustrates it very clearly. It shows how a person badly brought up becomes a prey to his own uncurbed passions, how he readily falls into the vices or crimes of society, till he at last terminates his career by the gallows, transpor tation, or his own hand. Such a character is John Heartless, who has been, successively, seducer, gambler, deserter from the army, and robber ; he has, in fact, run round the whole circle of crimes, from youthful drunkenness to murder in old age, when the scene drops upon him, and we would hazard no dangerous conjecture in saying that an Old Bailey jury found him guilty, and that there was no chance for a reprieve. We have allowed this piece its best merit in saying it has the moral object of deterring people from the commission of crime. The drama is stated to be founded on Shakspere's Seven Ages. Poor Shakspere ! We can more readily ap plaud the comic pantomime called Pounds, Shillings, and Pence, or X. S. D, It has been got up and written by Mr. Nelson Lee, and the er h y ad creditable. h scenery and dresses were really good object of teaching the audience the value of pence, and the certainty of those who take care of the very ve r Like the first piece, the pantomime y them getting into the palace of sovereigns. The copper scenery was done by Mr. Brown, and was very well executed. harlequin (Mr. W. H. Harvey), Clown (Mr. T. Ridgway), Columbine (Mi ss Sl a ter), and Pantaloon (Mr. 11. Corri), were acted in a manner reflecting great credit on the performers of those parts. Throughout the piece there were some very happy allusions, principally of a local character, which were duly appreciated by the audience, and caused great delight. In a scene repre senting the Surrey Zoological Gardens, Herr Von Joel appeared, and gave some of his sur prising imitations of birds and beasts, which were received with great gusto and applause. On the whole, the pantomime was very good and successful, and we shall be surprised if X. S. D. does not turn out very prolific, and reproduce its own name abun dantly. The house, on the present occasion, was crowded to overflowing. VICTORIA THEATRE. The performances commenced at this theatre last night with a domestic drama, entitled, Poverty, or a CITY OF LONDON THEATRE. A crowded audience assembled here last evening, to assist, as the French would say, at the production of the new Christmas pantomime, which is entitled The Fairy Gnomes of the Golden Caves, or Harlequin and the Imp of the Giant Mountain, and in the intro ductory scenes which we were glad to regognise our old friend Number Nip, who is to the full as " spry and active," as Jonathan would say, as he was some fifteen years ago, at Govent-garden. This is a pantomime of the old school, full of prac tical fun, such as can be understood by children, and the youngsters seemed thoroughly to enjoy it. Har lequin, Columbine, Pantaloon, and Clown, are hard at work from the rising to the falling of the curtain, and knock-down blows and astonishing leaps are the order of the day. The piece, however, is not deficient in witty . allusions to passing events, almost every " notability," from Peel and O'Connell down to Gibbs and the Polka, comes in for a hit. The scenery is very pretty, and the pantomime was completely successful. It was preceded by the play of Pizarro, during the representation of which an unfortunate incident occurred, which at first, it was anticipated, might prove serious. Rolla (Mr. F. Phillips), with the child, were passing the bridge in the last act, when the structure gave way, and they were both violently precipitated to the ground. Rolla, however, appeared before the curtain with the child, and assured the audience that not the slightest injury had been received by either. QUEEN'S THEATRE. TVat Tyler, or Harlequin and the Lord Mayor of London, is the title of the pantomime at this theatre, the scenery of which is very magnificent. The great novelty of this pantomime is the introduction of two harlequins, two columbines, two pantaloons, and two clowns. It is, in fact, a double pantomime, but whe ther on that account it will meet with a double por tion of success, time alone can decide. MARYLEBONE THEATRE. After the play of The Stranger, which was per formed in a manner certainly deserving a more atten tive audience than was assembled in this theatre last night, the appropriate and eagerly expected Christmas fare was served up in the shape of a new grand pan tomime, under the title of General Tom Thumb, or Harlequin Punch and the Spirits of the Elements. The author of this production, disdaining the narrow limits of any one ancient story of nursery reputation, con ceived the happy idea of blending into one the elements of all; and accordingly his audience were favoured with the company not only of gods and goddesses, of spirits of fire and spirits of water, but of the genius of Christmas himself, of " the mighty Thomas Thumb," with all the family of the Thumbs and the still mightier Punch. Here was a rare medley of fun, and rarely was it enjoyed. The harlequinade was rich in dancing, jumps, tricks, and tumbles ; and Mr. Leman as Harlequin, Miss Maile as Columbine, Mr. Buck as Clown, and Mr. Johnstone as Pantaloon, ex erted themselves most zealously and efficiently in sup port of their respective characters. Neither was there 1 wanting hits, palpable hits, at passing events, in which it will be supposed the parish affairs of St. Stephen's, Walbrook, were not altogether unnoticed, and a rapid transformation of scene from the Mansion-house to the Margate Sea Bathing Infirmary seemed to afford very great delight. The Polka mania was also made the subject of much merriment, and was excellently burlesqued in a grotesque dance by Mr. Buck and Mr. Johnstone. The mysterious rob bery at Rogers' bank did not escape the jest of this licensed satirist, who deals his blows with vigour and impartiality on the vices and follies of all. Altoge ther the entertainment went off with great spirit, and is likely to have a highly successful career. To this result the excellence of the scenery, dresses, and de corations, will not a little contribute ; one scene, in particular, representing the new Houses of Parlia ment, as seen from the opposite :side of the river, de serves to be singled out for especial commendation. A grand panorama of the scenes rendered famous by the late fatal war in Affghanistan was exhibited in the course of the evening, and was loudly and most justly applauded. A VETERAN SPORTSMAN.—Mr. Partridge, of Bow, last week shot seven and a half brace of snipes, a brace of widgeons, a brace of pheasants, and a wild duck. Not bad sport for 78 years old.— W estern Luminary. DARTMOUTH ELECTION. TIIE NOMINATION. DARTMOUTH, THURSDAY AFTERNOON.—The nomina- tion has just taken place, amidst a scene of considerable confusion and excitement. The show of hands has been declared by the Mayor to be in favour of Mr. Somes by a slight majority. Mr. Moffatt was proposed by Sir Henry Seale, and seconded by Mr. Teach. Mr. Somes's proposer and seconder were Messrs. Cordner and Cutler. Mr. MOFFATT, in the course of his address, said that bribery had beers resorted to by his opponents, and at that time there was a warrant out against one of the party for attempting to bribe an elector, and in all probability he was then in prison. Mr. SOMBS denied that there was any bribery or inti midation resorted to by his friends. The MAYOR read a notice, signed by two electors, which had been placed in his hands, to the effect that Mr. Somes was a Government contractor, and therefore ineligible to sit in the House of Commons. Mr. SossEs gave this statement a flat denial, and raid that he was not a Government contractor in any sense of the word. MORTALITY in the METROPOLIS The following are the results of " A Table of Mortality in the Metropolis, showing the Number of Deaths from all Causes registered in 1.10 Week ending Saturday, the 21st of December, 1844." The Table is issued from the •Bice of the Registrar-General:— _ Weekly CAUSES OF DEATH. Total. Average of Five Years Epidemic, Endemic, and Contagious Diseases 258 178 Diseases of variable or uncertain seat lO7 111 Diseases of the Brain, Nerves, and Senses 2OO 157 Diseases of the Lungs, and other Organs of Raspiration Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels 46 21 Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs of Digestion Diseases of the Kidneys, &c 4 5 Childbirth, Diseases of the Uterus, &c. Diseases of the Joints, Bones, and Muscles 7 6 Diseases of the Skin, &c . Old Age, or Natural Decay 125 71 By Violence, Privation, or Intemperance Causes specified 1390 942 Deaths from all Causes ...... 1393 946 DEATHS FROM THE PRINCIPAL DISEASES INCLUDED UNDER THE ABOVE HEADS. Total. Weekly Average of Five Years. Consumption 146 147 Scarlatina 42 34 Pneumonia .......... Dropsy .. ... .. .. ............ Hooping Cough .... ....... .. Typhus 35 31 Small Pox Disease of the Heart Measles 52 28 Apoplexy Diseases of the Brain ll 9 Diarrhem.. Sudden Deaths ... 17 15 DISTRICTS. West North _ __ Central East 303 207 South 382 242 Total ..... ....1393 946 SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERSALL'S—YESTERDAY. There were just enough subscribers present to "make a house," and just enough business to admit of a short quotation. The principal bets were 1,300 to 200 agst Scot's lot ; 16 to 1 to 100/. agst ldas ; 1,000 to 30 three times, and 1,750 to 50 once, agst Old England ; 1,000 to 25 agst Pantasa; 2,000 to 30 agst Lycurgus ; 1,250 to 25 agst Cabin Boy; and 2,000 to 20 agst Fuzbos. CHESTER CUP. 1000 to 30 agst Winesour—taken 30 to 1 agst The Era—taken. DERBY. 13 to 2 agst Scott's lot—taken to 2001. 11 to 1 agst Mr. Grevills's Alarm—take 12 to 1 16 to 1 agst Lord Stradbroke's Idas—taken to 100/. 18 to 1 agst Colonel Anson's Kedger—take 20 to 1 18 to 1 agst Lord Chesterfield's Pam—take 20 to 1 30 to 1 agst Mr. A. Johnstone's Rebecca colt 33 to 1 agst Mr. Gully's Old England 35 to 1 agst Duke of Richmond's Laird o'Cockpen —take 40 to 1 40 to 1 agst Mr. Mostyn's Pantasa—taken 2000 to 30 agst Lord Eglintou's Lycurgus—taken 1000 to 10 agst Mr. Coleman's Fuzbos—taken 1000 to 20 agst Cobweb colt winning Tuesday's Rid dlesworth, 2,000 Guinea Stakes, and Derby—taken. HUNTING APPOINTMENTS. Brighton harrs., Mon., Patcham ; Wed., Race-course ; Fri., Dyke. Brookside harrs., Mon., Newmarket-hill ; Thurs., Tels combe Tye. Mr. Roe's hds., Wed., Babland Gate ; Sat., Croycombe Village. Glynebourne harrs., Mon., Berwick Common ; Fri., Broyle. South Wold hds., Mon., Haltham Wood ; Thurs., Hain ton; Sat., Kennel. Whitecross harrs., Tues., Marsworth; Sat., Little Kim ble-10. Devon hds., Mon.,Lindridge House; Thurs., Park House, near Bovey; Sat., Culver House-11. Athestone hds., Mon., Glascote ; Wed., Seale Wood ; Thurs., ; Cadeby Toll-gate Sat., Lutterworth-104. Warwickshire hds., Mon., Wellesbourne; Tues., Mittord Bridge ; Thurs., Shuckburgh Park ; Fri., Harwood's House-10f. Shropshire hds., Mon., Mountford Bridge; Wed., Acton Reynold; Fri., Sundorne-104. Albrighton hds., Mon., Winston Cross ; Thurs., Seigh ford ; Fri., Atcharn Bridge. UnitQd Pack, Tues., Longville Sat., Chatwall-9. Sir W. W. Wynn's hds., Mon., Bryn-y-pys; Wed., Plas Teg; Fri., Churton; Sat., Whittington—lof. Cheshire hds., Mon., Tabley; Wed., Tarporley; Thurs., Stamford Bridge; Sat., Darawall-10f. Mr. Candler's lids., Mon., Shrawley Wood; Wed., Boar's Head ; Fri., Broad Heath-10f. Mr. Meynell Ingram's lids., Mon., Catton; Thurs., Rad bourn; Sat., Rangenclor-10f. Donnington hds., Mon., Coleortonllall ; Wed., Bunney Park ; Sat., Hathern Turn—lot. Sherwood harrs., Tues., White Post ; Fri., Sherwood Hall-11. Monmouthshire lids., Mon., Tregear Church ; Fri., Ilendre-10f. Herefordshire hds., Tues., Venn Wood ; Fri., Hare wood's End-10f. Ross harrs., Mon., Lea-10f. Tiverton lids., Mon., Sampford Feverell ; Thurs., Dul verton-1 0 f. Holderness lids.. Mon., Bessingby ; Tues., Everingham Park; Thurs., Bainton New Inn; Fri., Meaux Abbey; Sat., Kennels-104. Lord Yarborough's lids., Mon., Swinhop House ; Wed., Croxton Village; Fri., Moorton House-11. Eddlethorpehds., Mon., Settrington Beacon; Wed.,Stam ford Bridge; Fri., Mr. Hudson's Lodge, Octon-10f. A TRAP FOR BURGLARS.—On Sunday morning, while the family of M. Girardot, living on the route de Romainville, at Belleville, were gono to Paris, a thief broke into their house, and having packed up all the valuables, was about to walk off with them, when he was tempted by a large pot of comfituro and a bottle of brandy, which he found in a closet. Having eaten all the sweetmeat and drunk half the brandy, he found him self so overcome that he staggered under his burden, and resolved to recover his powers by a nap. Having placed a loaded gun which he found in a corner, beside him, he laid himself down on the servant's bed, and fell into so sound a sleep, that Mademoiselle Girardot, who returned earlier than the rest, discovered her new lodger still close locked in the arms of Morpheus. The packages at once told her his character. With soft steps she went out again, and brought back with her some gendarmes, who found great difficulty in rousing the sleeper, but, having at last succeeded, conducted him to prison.—Galignani's Messenger SEASONABLE BENEVOLENCB.—Lady Emily Foley caused a quantity of excellent beef and money to be dis tributed on Saturday last for the poor of Stoke Edith parish, to provide them with a substantial Christmas dinner. her Ladyship has also ordered warm clothing to be given to the indigent inhabitants of the neighbour ing parishes.—Lord William Paulett has forwarded 25/. for the necessitous poor in Bathwick, Somersetshire.— Hon. Mr. Warneford, of High worth-house, Sussex, has given a liberal supply of blankets and coals for the dis tressed inhabitants of Highworth.—Theßev. Mr.!Morren, Forfarshire, has received from Lord Panmuro the sum of 70/. to be laid out on coals for the poor. His Lordship has likewise given a subscription of 251. to the soup kitchen. CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES AT ELTHAM, KEN T. — Preparatory to Christmas-day a collection was made in the village of Eltham, in Kent, of which H. Baines, R. Mills, J. Willemotte, A. G. Milne, R. J. Sarueders, Esq., Dr. King, the Rev. fir. Fryer, and some charitable ladies, were the principal contributors, for the poor of the vicinity, and amounted to upwards of 301. Th e dis tribution of this seasonable benevolence was intrusted to Dr. King, who with his characteristic kindness of heart, exerted his best energies to give individual satisfaction, and upwards of 150 families were recipients of the gift, and made happy on the great festival. FATAL QUARRELLING.—Mr. Higgs held an inquest yesterday at the Prince's Head, Princes-street, West minster, on the body of George Dawson, aged 35, a butcher, in the service of Mr. Munday, of No. 21, Hun gerford-market. From the evidence of two butchers employed at the same place, it appeared that a num b er of mischievous boys were in the habit of assembli ng i n front of the shops, and teazing and provoking any one who interfered with their amusements. On Friday week one of the boys, named John Wilkins, stood opposite the deceased's shop, and refused to go away when de sired by the beadle. The deceased finding words of no avail, gave him a box on the ear, and drove him away ; but he shortly returned, armed with a piece of tile, to repay the blow he had received. Deceased rushed upon him, and in taking the tile away cut himself with the sharp side of it on the thumb. The next day in scalding a pig the hot water caused the whole arm to swell, and become exceedingly painful, and the day after the sur geon called to attend him, and found that mortification had already commenced. From that time he gradually grew worse, and on Monday last he died. Verdict— " Accidental death." TUE FOG LAST NIGHT.—So dense was the fog on the south side of the river last night, that it wasimpos sible, upon the London and Greenwich Railway, to see the station lights beyond half the distance (150 yards) at which the engine-driver is instructed to slacken speed. In consequence of this, signal-men on foot were stationed at mid-distance, near the Spa-road station, to afford the necessary intimation to the driver, who used his whistle to indicate to the switchman that the train was approach ing. The engines did not trayel at much more than half speed. THE MANCHESTER ATHENEUM. (From the Manchester Guardian.) After the very great interest manifested on behalf of this institution amongst all classes of our fellow townsmen, we believe that a brief sketch of its actual condition and future prospects at the close of an eventful year in its annals, will not be unacceptable to our readers. Without at all wishing to forestall the gratifying budget, which it will doubtless be the privilege of the directory to submit to the members at their forthcoming annual meeting, we may men tion, that of a debt of 3,4001. under which the insti tution was rapidly sinking towards the middle of last year, not one shilling now remains unpaid ; that the number of members which at one time had dwindled down to 372, at this moment has reached to 2,210! exclusive of life members. These are "great facts," honourable alike to the individuals who have been instrumental, by their exertions, in bringing about this happy result, and to those who have smiled upon their labours with a generous and substantial approval. A glance at the splendid bill of fare for the next quarter, which will be found in our advertising columns, affords very gratifying proofs that the Di rectors appear to be fully impressed with the neces sity to pursue " the even tenor of their way," in that judicious course of management under which the in stitution has attained to such an unparalleled state of prosperity. Well might Mr. Dickens remark, at last year's soiree, " At all times, now in its most thriving, and in its least flourishing condition—here, with its cheerful rooms, its pleasant an , l instructive lectures; its im proving library of 6,000 volumes ' • its classes for the study of the foreign languages, elocution, music; its opportunities of di , cussiun and debate, of healthful bodily exercise, and though last not least—for by this I set great store—as a very novel and excellent pro vision—its opportunities of blameless, rational en joyment; here it is open to every youth and man in this great town ; accessible to every bee in this vast. hive, who, for all these benefits, and the inestimable ends to which they lead,' can set aside one sixpence weekly." A large sum of money has been expended during the present year upon the library ; and more books, we understand, have been added than during any three preceding years atter the establishment of the institution. Whilst all the best current literature of the day is being regularly purchased, works of esta blished repute, and those likely to prove permanently interesting, form a preponderance of the large addi tions lately made to this important branch of the in stitution. A library of standard French, German„ and Italian literature is also gradually forming. With a continuance of the present flourishing state of affairs, we may hope to see the books, ere long, again re moved to their former elegant quarters. A large in crease has been made in the number of newspapers, of which the selection appears judicious, and without the slightest regard to political or party bias. The leading French, German, and American journals are also taken in, as also the principal commercial and shipping lists. There are various tables loaded with periodical literature of every description, including almost every quarterly, monthly, and weekly publication issued. Brilliant as has been the succession of lectures delivered this year at the Athenaeum, the list of lecturers already engaged for the next quarter leads us to expect even greater at tractions in this department for the ensuing year. It will be seen that the campaign is to be opened with a course of musical lectures by Mr. Frederick Horncastle, of her Majesty's Chapel Royal, to be il lustrated by himself and three young ladies from London, as may easily be imagined, at a very consi derable expense. We have heard Mr. Horricastle, very highly spoken of, and have no doubt his lectures will afford a rich musical treat to the members : the programme is very striking, and full of promise. These ar© succeeded by Dr. Lyon t'layfair's anxiously expected course on Liebig's discoveries in agricultural and horticultural che mistry ; after which the inimitable Mr. Charles Kemble is to delight the members again with a third series of readings of Shakspeare. Mr. Kemble is suc ceeded by Mr. Hodgson, the talented principal of thre Liverpool Mechanics' Institution, with a course of four lectures on Germany and its literature ; and, though last, by no means least, to complete this galaxy, comes Mr. Marston, the accomplished author of " '_ihe Patrician's daughter," with a course of font lectures "On the nature and value of imaginative literature." We understand, that to all these lec tures, with the exception of Mr. Kemble's readin gs , the members will have free admission. It is impos sible to conceive a more rational mode of spending an evening than in a theatres, where, as Mr. D'lsraeli observed, " Lectures were given; where the experi ments of philosophy, the investigations of literature, and the profusions of art, were rendered agreeable to the audience by the charms of the human voice." The concerts, we understand, are to be continued on the same scale which has ensured to them their present popularity; and we hear that occasionally talent from a distance is to be en gaged. The directors would consult the tastes or the members by confining themselves to mixed vocal and instrumental concerts, rather than to glee and choral ones, of which there are already enough in this town. The various classes established are, we a,re glad to learn, generally flourishing ; and the welL known talent of the gentlemen by whom they • a r e s, conducted is a sufficient guarantee of their efficie The essay and discussion society, ever sinc e the establishment of the Athenaeum, one of its most important branches, continues its interesting meet ings and debates with undiminished success. The wholesome rule of abstaining from party political or controversial subjects remains in force, and the best harmony continues to prevail amongst its members. Ladies are admissible to all the meetings of the society. The gymnasium has been considerably enlarged and improved of late, and is a favourite resort of " Young Manchester." We verily believe it would delight the heart of Lord John Man ners to see them indulge in their healthful exercises. The gymnastic and fencing club, who have the ex-, elusive use of the gymnasium on two evenings in the week, are, thanks to an active secretary, in a very flourishing state. The coffee-rooms, though uncon nected with the institution, are a source of great convenience to the members; they appear to be well patronised. The letting of the lecture theatre for various concerts and entertainments affords the directors opportunities to make arrange ment to have the members admitted at reduced prices. This is no little privilege to those in the habit of attending there. It will be seen that another of those delightful reunions—the annual soiree of the Essay and Discussion Society—is announced to take place on the 15th January, when Mr. Atherton, the highly-esteemed president of the institution, will take . the chair. The meeting will, doubtless, pass off with the same eclat that has invariably attended these de--ie lightful assemblies. As the number of tickets is to: be strictly limited, all wishing to he present will do well at once to provide themselves with tickets, as understand the Committee have very judiciously re solved not to have the rooms over-crowded. Having thus brought our imperfect ne,'tice of the numerous attractions which this nol' l ie institution offers to a close, we cannot take our leave of it with out warmly recommending it to the support of our readers. Chat it has been productive of immense benefit to youth is universally admitted ; though its capabilities for doing good are, as yet, scarcely deve loped. Its importance is only beginning to be appre ciated ; and, with a continuance of the same hearty support which has been rendered to it of late, and a judicious management, we feel assured that the Man chester Athenaeum is destined to achieve great things. A correspondence between Mr. H. L. Morgan, the importer of a cask of cherry-juice, and the Government. has been printed and circulated at the request of several merchants. The article about which the question has arisen is of small value, but the principle is held to be of great importance. It appears that Mr. Morgan in Sep tember last entered a cask, containing 46 gallons of cherry-juice, paying thereon 20 per cent. on its value, considering it to come under the head of " manufactured. goods not otherwise rated." It was stopped at the Cus— tom-house on the plea that it must pay wine duty, which,. would be 12/. Os. 6d., instead of 8/. ss. Mr. Morgan;, accordingly addressed himself to the Board of Trade,. stating that in August, 1842, a cask of cherry-juice hail been delivered on payment of 20 per cent., and meetiu the objection that the article contained spirit by offering to pay the duty as on spirits, the strength being. ascer tained. The Board of 'Trade answer, that they have directed the Commissioners of Customs not to admit the article in question, unless upon payment of wine duty„ but to allow the article to be warehoused for export 4•• tion, provided Mr. Morgan declines to pay the witc'er duty, and to return the duty which he paid by special . certificate. Upon this Mr. Morgan applies to the Trea- • sury, and quoting the communication " ii of the board of" Trade, observes that it makes the tariff ead letter'A as it implies that any duty may be levic..4 tontrary to of Parliament, and also thqt there is. r.O security for the importation of goods which are net, specifically rated. The Treasury, however, decli:ao complying will Mr. I\forgan's request, and in the alf an time the cherry-juice has been deteriorated by ..h.c delay occasioned by the correspondence. FACTS nESPECTING AR. POLY.--During a journey . in the Western and S,outirern States, last summer, we tra velled several dir,s vv . ,th a very candid and intelligent gentleman from. Colrmbia, Tennessee, the residence of the lion. J, h. P , ,,11,, President elect of the United States. Ile inform ed us, that in the walks of private life Mr. Polk is highly respected ; that he is a slave holder indeed, but not, as has been often stated in the papers, one of the richest and most extensive slave owners in the State ; that he may be worth 25,000 cents, a part only of which property is invested in slaves. Mr. Polk has no children. His accomplished lady is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. The gentleman also stated, that though different opinions are honestly entertained as to his fitness for the Presidency on account of his political creed, yet so far as his private life is concerned, he will do honour to the exalted sta tion to which he has since been called.—New Esglsn? Puritan. "~ -- 7 -s of the s l3 i ers ble le Flo c rice 'onsol i t, an a ?r are 10 3 4 , ads sl , 11 0 Jot be dos.: st 6t 1