The Express.
London, England, 1861-04-02 00:00:00

STRAND.

There is no richer mine for burlesque than the
" Arabian Nights," and of all the quaint stories in that
most amusing of books there is none which affords materials
more adaptable to that peculiar and, judging by its long
mainta,sed popularity, most attractive branch of the drama,
than Aladdin and his wonderful lamp. It has boon," done"
over and over again, and never better than at the Lyceum,
many years ago, under Vsetria's management ; yet the
version produced last night ►t this favourite little theatre
suffers nothing by the contrast. Mr. Henry Byron, the
author of this new rending of Aladdin, is well known as the
moat incorrigible punster of the day, and in the present
instance be more than sustains his reputation, the whole
dialogue being nothing bat a oentlniesue mangling of words
Into the most far-fetched and absurd double, treble, and
quadruple meanings, by means of ingenious emphasis and
eatravagestly bold but unrecognised—end sometimes almost
sereeeindeshie, baguet the less anntaing—eyllabie
The natter entertainment. were Mr. H. Wigan's new
enamedietta Change for a Sovereign, end the farce of
rand,* Brown.

ADELPIIL

The new piece, Maglu►re, the Prestigintor, pro-
&wed at this theatre bat night, is taken avowedly from the
Preach. There were moments when the chances
of success were rather doubtful, but on the whole the piece
west well, and as Ms close the 'verdict was most decidedly
is its favour, and with reason. Afterwards Miss Julia
Daly node her re-appearance at ibis theatre, in the piece
of Ou► Peewit !swims Cowin.

Calmar. Parrot—The capabilities of the Crys-
tal Palace for holidaymakers were never more fairly tested
than yesterday. Despite the cold wet morning the Lon-
don-bridge and Victoria•etatione wore at an early hour
crowded with persona eager to reach the Palace, and by
1 o'clock sot lan then 15,000 were diapered about the Fine
Arts Courts, Picture Gallery, Machinery Department, and
elsewhere. The varied amusements in the Centre Tnui-
sepe included Mr. Mackney and lir. Steed, the American
Old Folks Concert Company, in their quaint costumes, and
tie Comma Brothers on the tightrope, all of whom were
loudly applauded. The fountains played at 3 o'clock, after
which the Company's Band gave a performance, followed
by the Greet Organ, the whole coocluding with a promenade
while the bedding was lighted up. The amusements will
be oestinued daily during the week.

Tam Cowietzett.--This exhibition had it 3 full
share of holiday visitors. In addition to the standard
attractions, • lecture was given by Mr. James Taylor on
modern magic and spirit.rapping ; and Mr. Nighton gave •
new entertainment it fa Woodin, entitled " odds and End

of Loudon Lite." It wee his first appeaniooe, and he ap-
peared to make a favourable iniprsaskro.

THE POLYTIrAIiNIC.—ThiIi favourite place of
newt of those who are in search of instruction sad amuse.
=set cowabiesd, was well attended ; indeed almost too
scarcely for comfort. Jo addition to the usual attrac-
tion the managers bad provided a lecture by Mr. Fredrick
Chatterton, the accomplished harpist, on "The Bards and
Harps of all Nations." illustrated by his owe performances
on the harp. with vocal accompanirnente by Miss Palmer
Lisle. We hardly need say that Mr. L'hatterton's perform-
ances on the harp were highly esteemed by the &milers*,
most of whom had probably never before had au oppor-
tunity of bearing him. Besides this the managers bad oleo
profiled • new entertainment by Mr. George Dockland,
ennsisting of scenes and incidents from Eoulish history
pictorially illustrated, with vocal and instrumental music.

Tee OXFolltD MUnle HALL. —Th is rcoently
opened building was thinned last night. The attention id
the sodiume was divided between the attractions of the
musical entertainment and the appearance of the hall
itself. The eausical programme of last night was well se-
lected by Yr. ifengkessaik sod gave unlimited satisfaction
both as regards the concerted pieces Lod the lighter medleys
which fell to theme,* exhilarating comic vocalises.

CANTTAIVRT HALL ♦RD FINR ARTA GALLINT.—
As is untiel on such special occasion, the Canterbury Hell
hat night had • hamper andiencc. The Picture Gallery
was largely visited. Martin'. tLree grand picture, a►
sorbing • good dual of attention.

Fats Ptiiuc limns= to Lawori.—On Satur-
day, at a sperial meeting ef the Leeds Town Cooped.
Councillor Wheelhouse proposed, " That it is delimit's
forthwith to emery into effect in lassie the provisions of the
Public Lib/ranee Act, lass',' le the course of a lam
=be stated the principle of the set, and showed bow
Autism of free libraries in at:Meld, Manchester_
Balked, Liverpool. Bristol, Oxford, end Southampton had
anewered with respect to the clam of society they were
wok* tatewled to lienegt Ho also stated that the rate
far ewiataitrog a similar establishment in Leeds could sot
emceed one peony in the pound per annum : and he asked
the easecil to authorise the mayor to call a public meeting
of the ratepayers, with the view of ascertaining the °pinkie
of the *owe upon the subject. —The resolution was seateded
by Cosecillor Carter. t was opposed by Marrs.
Latin, Gone, Botterill, sal other members on the
that them bad sot been suMeient information snbmitted to
the oostacil relative to the expense of the undertaking to
warrant them in coming to n decision ; ae.l an adjournment
of the question until the next council meeting was sub.
"Slatly determined epee.
aTurrotot MAIRIAO2II. —The Roe. J. W.
incombeat of St. Peter's, Great Saffron-hill,
lately annoweend that during Easter week marriages at that
church would be performed free of all ehergaa, sod yester-
day about Mama, couple' &Beaded the church fur the
purpose of balms married on those terms, sad more, whine
berms have bees publishol, will avail GIONIBOIVIII of the
' offer of the res. gentleman within the neat few aye.
Most of the melee appear to be of the poster cheese, read-
ing
diesin thet
densely popuLted and sweaty-eleieben nein-
ben

EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 2, 1861.