The Press.
London, England, 1854-12-30 00:00:00

THE CRYSTAL PALACE.

Duals°, the last three days upwards of 30,000 people
have visited this. Palm/ of Sydenham, awl cousidar-
ing the rivalry of the thousand and une places of
aniusement in town, the inclemency of the weather,
and the unfinished character of the works anji
grounds, we may certainly congratulate the proprie-
tors upon this great proof of the estimation in which
this attractive place of amusement is held by the
people.
The Christmas Tree still flourishes, and with a
never•failing supply of bonbons and delicious fruits;
but it is not to remain on view beyond the oth of
January.
. .

The live military bands have also daily attended,
and are to attend during the following week.

The progress of the-works yet required to com-
plete the palace and grounds is satisfactory. The
whole of the water displays will be completed and
ready for exhibition for the first time on the 10th of
June next, the anniversary of the opening of the
palace. The smaller fountains on the terraces are
finished, although not at present worked, and how-
ever great may be the expectations which are in-
dulged in with respect to these promised water dis•
plays, we have no hesitation in saying that they will
fall very considerably short of the spectacle which
will be presented on the 10th of next June. In the
geological depriAtment, also, great progress is made;
the water has now nearly filled the lake, and many of
the largest of the antediluvian monsters, painted au
naturel, now enjoy their amphibious existence. There
is every reason to believe that by the lOth of June
next all the representations of extinct species will be
completed, and that there will not be an extinct
animal nor monstrous brute known to geologists but
will find a representative of his kind re•constructed
and occupying his appropriate place in this unique
assembly of the great pre-Adamites.
It has been proposed to carry a line of railway,
solely devoted to the Crystal Palace, across the
Thames, by Hungerford Suspension-bridge, into
Hungeribrd-market; and if this plan were carried
out, there is no doubt that it would insure a vast ac-
cession to the number of daily visitors to the palace.
The situation for a station would be so central, that
no one would feel the inconvenience they do now 6e-
fore they can reach the station of the line that carries
them to Sydenhana.

M. JULLIEN'S CONCERTS.—COVENT-GAIWEN OPERA-
HOUSE.—On Friday evening M. Jullieu gave his
opening concert at the Italian Opera-house. The
house was crowded upon the occasion, and the
enthusiasm very general, especially at the concittsion
of the " Allied Armies Quadrille." An 'addition has
been made here with a view to scenic effect, the
success of which is questionable. We allude to the
sailor-boys who, lining the sides of the croliestra,
wave the tri-colour and Union Jacks during " Par
taut pour is Syrie," and " God Save the Queen."
The effect would, we think, be more picturesque if
the flags were kept in repose, and only waved with
the concluding cheers. The house is handsomely
fitted up upon the same principle as Drury Lane;
' but the dark crimson fittings pf the private boxes do
not harmonise with the white and gold hangings.
The effect is decidedly heavy. With the orchestra
and the house as a concert-room, we can only ex-
press our regret that M. Jullien has not always bad
the same opportunity as be has at present. The
house is infinitely preferable to Drury Lane ; not a
note of the music is lost, and the credit to the per-
formers materially enhanced. We wish 111. Jullieu
every success ; and, if we might judge from the

SATURDAT,

crowded house of last night, there is little doubt
that neither pantomimes, panoramas, Panopticons,
nor Polytechnics, will have much effect upon his
popularity.