The Express.
London, England, 1867-12-24 00:00:00

ALHAMBRA PALACE.

The Christmas entertainment at this great theatre
of varieties commenced last night, and consist chiefly of a
new comic ballet with the eccentric title of X. X. X.; or,
Gorgibuster and the nappy Ashen, and a new grand spec-
tacular ballet called The Golden Plumes. The comic ballet
introduces several novel effects, including a giant twenty
feet high who takes up three men in his teeth and hands,
and three of the best pantomimists and comic dancers is
the theatrical market—Messrs. 'Nathan, Warde, and
F. Evans. The spectacular ballet introduces a scene of
great splendour and mechanical ingenuity, invented,
painted, and constructed by Mr. William Calloott. The
stage is one mass of golden feathers, and a bunch of these
ornaments at the back of the stage holds suspended about
fifty girls. Both ballets are invented and produced by
Mr. J. Milano, the permanent ballet master of the estab-
lishment. In addition to these new productions, the May
Blossom ballet is played with certain seasonable alterations,
and there are some novel pantomimic gyp:meatier; by
Messrs. Almonte and the two Delavantis ; Signor Farini
and Son introduce their remarkable new sensational per
the " Mid-air Summersault," and there is the
usual high-clues instrumental concert by M.
orchestra of sixty, the solo cornet player now being Mr.
Reynolds. The general entertainments and arrangements
of the building are as complete as ever. There will be •
morning performance on Boxing-day, and • few Saturday
morning performances.

AGRICULTURAL HALL.—The usual Christmas en-
tertainments at the Agricultural-hall commenced yester-
day, under the management of the Messrs. Sanger, who
have provided a programme this season which can scarcely
fail to be attractive to holiday visitors. Meters. Sanger
claim, however, the indulgence of the public for a few
nights, owing to the short time they have bad the building
at their disposal, for the completion of their arrangements.
We reserve for the present, therefore, our notice of the
performance.
Tae TURY.—Betting upon the Derby is quite a
dead letter, and is likely to continue so for some time to
come, and it is endeavoured by the metallic fraternity to
substitute the Waterloo Cup for it, and to convert grey-
hounds into racehorses for the time being. Alfred Day,
whose illness I made your readers acquainted with some
months back, is given over by his medical attendants, and
cannot survive many hours; so another great jockey will
have gone to his long account. By the returns which have
been published of the principal winners, it seems the Mar-
quis of Hastinp is at the head of the poll, with • credit
of 30,451 f. The Duke of Beaufort is second, with 21,2781.;
--
and the Duke of Newcastle third, with 16,610/.so each of
theeenoblemen may be said to have ?aid their training bills
and bad something in hand at the finish. We will
now come to the commoners, of whom Mr. Chaplin is
the bead, as his team have brought him in 14,0711., with
" The Whip" at Newmarket. Sir Joseph Hawley has to
receive in Burlington•street, 14,3145/. ; and Colonel Pear-
son's balance, when it was struck, came to 12,055/. ; and
Mr. Pryor was returned 11,2251. These are the top
weights, and, strange to say, the once formidable Lord
Zetland is the feather, se his lordship, who at one time
swept the Northern Circuit of all the great races, has this
year only won a solitary 1001. Of the animals that have
been running, Vauban has won the most money, fit.
13,4251. ,• Achievement comes next with 12,05. V. ; Lady
Elisabeth is third on tb• poll, with 9,165/. •, and Hermit
may be said to be beaten not more than half a head from
her, as his credit is 9,1051. Your readers will now, there•
fore, have at a glanax an idea of what " the cracks of the
day, both human and equine," have done during the ex-
piring season, which has beer more prolific of sport than
any within my recollection.—" Argue of the Peet.
SOUTH KENBINOTON MUSEUM.—Visitors during
the week ending Dec. 21, 1087 :—On Monday, rural,
and Saturday (free), from 10 s.ra. till 10 .m., 5,231 ; ea
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (admission
6d.), from
lo m. till 4 p.m., 1,152 ; total, 6.3A3 ; average of ow,
responding week in former years, 7,048 ; total from the
opening of the museum. 7.107,26.
PATENT-OFFICII MUSEUM, SOUTH KINGINGTON.—
somber of visitors for the week ending Dec. 21, 2,51
Total number dace the opening of the Museum free duly
(12th May, 1868) 1, 212,868.

CRYSTAL PALLOX. 0111. SHILLING DAT.—
MONDAT, Dm. 23.—Admiosiona on payment, 1,144 ; ditto
by mama Vesta; 2,235; total visitors, 3,379.

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