The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-12-28 00:00:00

MR. ALBERT SMITH.

On Wednesday evening the announcement that Mr.
Albert Smith, would reopen his own large room in the
Egyptian.liall, and give souse account of that rush to
China and back which occupied a great part of Ws last
vacation, considerably incremed the floating population
of Piccadilly. Here was an old friend with an entirely
new story to tell, and long before the performance had
begun an illuminated board declared that the body of
the hull was completely full, while courteons policemen
warned every one who approached the door that all
attempts at an entrance, save by those who were
entitled to reserve seats, would prove utterly fruitless.
Those fortunate persons who had arrived early found
sufficient amusement in admiring the alterations that
hest been made in the hall. The structure of the old
Swim Chalets is retained, and the tank filled with
water and acquatic plants still refreshes the eye, but
the whole character of the place is now Chinese.
Where once an invisible Helvetian was supposed to
sell his toys, a tailor of the Celestial Empire now car-
ries on a flourishing business ; where rocky fragments
once projected, tall pagados now lift up their heads ;
and for the wooden knick-knackeries which once
dangled against the walls, the more gaudy jimeracks
of John Chinaman are now suspended in profusion.
The whole scene is as novel as it is brilliant, and the
industry of Mr. Albert Smith in collectinz his mate-
rials is equalled by the taste with which he has
arranged them.
-•••-• • • • •

As some long-established firm retains the name of an
old respected partner for scores of years after his
decease, so does Mr. Albert Smith contrive that the
name of Mont Blanc, so intimately connected with his
own celebrity, shall still remain in his placards. The
trip he describes is professedly from Mont Blanc to
China, and that the profession may not be altogether
without a pretext, the moving picture of the never-to-
bc-forgotten "ascent" is shown by way of introduction
to the entertainment itself.

When the eternal snows and precipices had all been
rolled up, and a curtain of a tea-cup like pattern had
prepared the minds of the audience to move in an
Eastern direction, the well-known little door opened,
and Mr. Albert Smith came forward, to be welcomed
with one of those bursts of enthusiasm which only •
chosen few among public favourites can hope to attain.
Although as much unused so Othello to the "inciting
mond,' he was obviously affected by this extremely
cordial reception, which lie said amply compensated
him for the toils lie had recently undergone. This
little tribute paid to sentiment, he dashed on to the
business of the eveniiirivith all his sparkling vivacity
and indomitable good humour.
The lint part of the entertainment is chiefly oacupied
with the Egyptian portion of the route, and will remind
those who are old enough to recollect it of that ones)
famous "Overland Mail," which find brought Mr. Albert
Smith before the public as a buinourous lenturer, but the
memory of which has almost been obliterated by the
Ascent of Mont Blanc. In his OWII pleasant chatty way
he describes the humours and troubles of the journey
across the Isthmus, allows • glanceat the Pyramids, and
renews aoquaiutanoe with several old friends, familiar to
the patrons of the Egyptian-hall, auch as the inveterate
Englishman Mr. Beown, lisping " Baby Siminonds," and
soon. This part is illustrated by views of Shepherd's
hotel at Cairo, a street in the same city, the Sphynx
and Pyramids, the desert and the railway, all painted
by or under the direction of Mr. W. Beverly, and is
brought to a claw by one of those rattling songs which
are the exelusive property of Mr. Albert Smith and Mr.
Charles Matthews, the subject being • description of the
passengers of all nations who accompanied our traveller
froni Sues to Hongkong in the Beuthick and the
Norna.

It in, however, from the second part—divided from
the first by a view of Singapore, painted by Mr. P.
Phillips—that the preeent enter :eminent derive. it.
peculiar character. In this part Mr. Albert Smith gives
a very lively account of life at Canton—that is to say,
of the Chinese life, for the object of his visit was tro
study anew phase of humanity, and so resolutely did lie
avoid every object connected with English civilisation
that he not only refused to see Shanghai, in spite of the
remonstrancea of friend and foe, but lie now glorifies his
refusal in an exoelient ramie gong. Chinese shops,
Chinese 000kery, Chime theatrioals, Chinese feet are
described with infinite gusto, though, as lie is now in •
region new to most of his hearers, lie properly usurues
the tune of an instructor more openly than when in the
old days he prattled about lands generally familiar.
Those who appreciate his miinotic talent will, however,
be glad to learn that at Canton lie renews his acquaint-
ance with the old grumbling engineer Edwards, who
still smokes his narghil6 pipe in lila wonted mylOrions
fashion, and sings a now song with the comic gravity
that distingiiished his predecessors. The views with
which Mr. Beverly has adorned this part beautifully
represents the city and harbour of Victoria, Honkong ;
a waterside b , in Hongkong; the Bogus Forts, on
the Canton river • the old European factories (now des.
troyed) ; and HOwqua's gardens; while, by way of
variety, a moving panorama, executed in fine anti-per-
speative style by a native artist, and representing the
cultivation of rice, is introduced. What Oalignani's
Messenger is to continental travellers the Home News
tote tie explorer' of the East, and consequently Mr.
Albert Smith, when lie concludes his entertaininent
after the former fashion, with • lyrical review, variable
at 'demure, of the English topics, associates his pleasan-
tries with the latter journal instead of the former, while
behind him stanch' the last picture of all, a gigantic
willow-plate, with this novel feature, that moveable
figures, pass over the bridge.
His song last night wound up with an allusion to the
aristooratio game of " Aunt Sally," and he took leave
of his audience amid shouts of laughter and applause 40
continuous that lie was compelled to reappear and bow
his acknowledgements.