The Express.
London, England, 1861-12-27 00:00:00

CRYSTAL PALACE.

The Christmaa fair, which ham now become an
annual institution at the Crystal Palace, woe yesterday
inaugurated in the presence of upwards of 39,000 visitors,
who, attracted within the bounds of the central transept,
proved rather too numerous for that large area. The
attractions were of that widely popular kind which, at all
events during Christmastide, may be considered allowable
here ea elsewhere, for the powerful reason that the peo-
ple want them, will have them, and refuse to go
anywhere without them. It seems difficult, while look-
ing at the surging, seething flood of humanity which
rolls and roan below the great Handel orchestra,
to believe that, in the public ta'te, this kind of enjoyment
is preferable to quiet sauntering' among statues, fountains,
beautiful plants, monuments of art sod history, fairy-like
parterres, and objects which delight the eye at every turn.
But if everybody, or if any important majority of the public
at large, were to take a hieing for such calm diversions, it is
plain that all their calamine would disappear. We should
then have crowding and struggliag, and pushing and elbow-
ing to explore the revived antiquities of the Pompeian
Court, or the reproduction of the West Frost of
Guieborough Cathedral, or the carved door of Prince
Arthur's chapel, or the Cellimi gates, or the sculptures from
Fontaloebleau.

Taking the Crystal Palace as we find it—which is to take
it in a merry mood just at present—we will merely tell what
was going ea then) yesterday, and will go ea in
the same manner during the Christmas holidays.
First came Id. Blondin, on the high rope, in the central
transept. His performance was of the usual character, and
was only remarkable for one novel variation. This was the
feat of getting is front of his pole, tieing with it behind
him, •ad curing it in that position. The Blondin exhi-
b4iou was followed by • mirage of nigger aingiug, dancing,
and amalag baffeeaary, tie chief actor in which were the
" iniadishle Ilsakare and the Perfect Core, lastly,
are a plod ballet pantomime on a stage erected oppaaita
the Budd arabostrs. This ballet introduces H. Morin as
an ape, sad Mims Adele Biondi& • pretty little child, as a boy,
whoytb•rgaeioua and benevolent brute eaves from drowning
sad ajoyde wt parental tenderness. There is a tragic sad
to this ballet ; for the ape is shot just before the discovery
of his good deeds is made. N. Birdie astonished the
spectators, not only by • marvellously close imitation of
monkey manners, but in • much greater degree by feats of
strength and daring. Having run op a rope from the pro-
aceeium to • side pllery of the transept, be
seized another rope, which was suspended from
the centre, sod, holding it as a bellringer would do,
took a flying lap across the immense width of the
transept; in the same way ►e afterwards regained the
stage. The effect of the. astounding feats on the spar
tater was @retrial A breathless pause followed them,
aa if the pair could scarcely believe the reality of what
they rw ; and it was not till after some oximeats that the
applause broke forth. Apart from the extraordinary per-
formers of H. Blondln, the ballet was very well salad,
sad was set off by some admirable scenery.
The Palace is decked with holly—on which, alas! there
are no bright red berries this yesr —sad is also ornamented
with devices which bid the visitor, cherish all the kindly
remembrances of the season. There is • Christmas tree of
unprecedented sine, and covered with a bountiful crop of
toys. In short there is everything to make the Crystal
Palace • favourite resort of holiday-makers, young, old, ad
middle-aged, for weeks to come.

MC AND 3110. CH A RUCS MAnnws AT H 01113.-
Mr. aad Mrs. Charles Mathew' gave two proforma:its
yeatertlay, one at three mid the other at eight o'clock, aad
will perform every evening this week as well as me Eatturday
morning. The varied experiences of Mr. Mathews told is
straims by turns pathetic and py find eager listeners.

GALLERY el luvaritarioN.—The entertainment
of Mr. and Mn. Germain Reed and Mr. John Parry was
given morning and evening yesterday. Mr. John Parry's
musical story of the Caren Bairn, and Mr. German Reed's
song, " Mamma won't bring her out," were enjoyed by large
audiences.

CANTERBURY 11•1. L.—Thia Hall and Fine Arts
Gallery were brimful last night, an additional isdueement
to visit this particular place being found in some striking
novelties, the principal of which was a pantomimic sketch
called the Enchanted Hark in which the sole performer
was Mr. Marshall, who last year, with Mr. Bell, essayed
Dearly the same performance, which was stopped because it
wee held to be a portion of a "siege play." As represented
bye single individual, this little piece of merriment is sot
opss to the same objection. It was completely stmeseetul,
the actor playing sonic grotesque characters in a panto.
mimic "introduction," and afterwards essaying a
clown, pantaloon, he. Some capital hits at the
American imbroglio told immensely with the audience, who
were very patriotic, of course. A round of comic minstrelsy
otherwise agreeably diversified the more "classical" por-
tions of the entertainment, which, of course, consisted of
operatic selections, in which Miss Russell, Mr. H. Herbert,
Signor Tivoli, and others, took the principal parts, aided by
the invariably efficient chorus, the whole being under lir.
Jonglimans's direction. During the intervals of the music
or as a separate treat, crowds visited the picture gallery,,
and renewed acquaintance with the famous collection of
pictures there.

MADAMIC TURNAUD'S. This exhibition was
crowded yesterday from morning till evening, to an extent
almost unprecedented in Raker•street records, the peat mem,
adorned with gilding, armourial trophies, costly hangings of
scarlet cloth, and studded with the Gores of monarchs, war-
riors, sad heroes of all countries and of many ages of
history, being the chief attraction. The figure which drew
most attention was that of President Lincoln.

POLYTICHNIC. —We lieftliibed yesterday the=
re erestiee provided at this inetitutioo. which was
throoghost the day.

Coweezum.—The entertainments provided by
Dr. Bachhoffner at this old-established place of amusement,
and which we described on Monday, drew a large number
of visitors yesterday.

THZ POLYGRAPHIC au..—This place of amuse-
ment hi King William•strcet, Strand. was opeoed yesterday
for the season, with a new and original entertainment,
entitled, "Our Budget of Eccentricities," by Mr. Whilhelin
Costello, Hiss Gertrude Melvin (from Laura Keeps's, New
York), and Mias Nell? Nesbitt.
ROBIN THE WIZAZD.—The performances of this
very potent enchanter were well patronised yesterday. M.
RAM promisee to appear twice a day until New Year'. day.
His latest deuce is as escheated Christmee tree, which sheds
its fruit upon the indigoes at Ma 110114111014