The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-04-05 00:00:00

COBURG.

This Theatre celebrateclilleliolidacs last night with a
new melo-drama. called The Prixligal .141 ; or. Me Rigtes
yj Memphis. The story is that of the Prodigal Son in
the Scriptures, and the sacred is very closely

followed. An hiatus is til:ed up by sending the Prodigal
to Memphis, which affords opportunity for introducing
certain superstitious ceremonies of the Egyptians ; and au
addition to the original is introduced, by the arrival of the
King of Egypt and his Priests at the house of the father
of the Prodigal, to demand him as a sacrifice to the in-
dignation of their Gods, in consequence tif his having in-
sulted their rites. The piece was the vehicle for some re-
spectable music, by Hughes, as well as some splendid
scenery. An historical, naval, and military spectacle, en-
titled, Sir Francis Drake and Iran Arm, followed, which'
was well received by a crowded house. The Gods main-
tained their charter at holiday times, 'of being thoroteghly
uproarious; but they were very good-humoured.

GREENWICH FAIR.

This is almost the only one of the popular amusements
that remains : Stepney, Hampstead, Westerd, and •
Peckham Fairs have been crushed by the police, that
" stern ruget d nurse" of rational morality ; and although
Greenwich Fair continues, it is anything but what it used
to he. Greenwich, however, will always have a charm :
the fine Park remains—trees, glades, turf, and the view
from the Observatory, one of the noblest in the world—
before you the towers of those palaces built fur s monarch's
residence, now ennobled into a refuge from life's storms
—an asylum for those gallant defenders of their country,
after their long and toilsome pilgrimage—put tut nawfra-
gia tali; then the noble river; and in the distance, amidst
the din and smoke, appears the " mighty heart" of this
mighty empire; these are views worth purchasing at the
expense of being obliged to visit Greenwich fair in this day
of its decline. " Punch" and his " better half" seemed to
be the presiding deities in the fair, so little of merriment
was there so be found. In the Park, however, the scene
was difilrent; it was nearly filled with persons of all ages:
the young came there for armament, to see and be seen—
the old to pay their customary annual visit.
On the hills was the usual array of telescopes; there
were also many races, and many sovereigns in the course
of the day changed bands on the event of them ; but one
rev. in particular deserves remark, not that there was any
thing in the character, appearance, or speed of the ootb-
petitors, to distinguish them from the herd of others ; the
circumstances in it that afforded amusement was the dis-
honesty of the stakeholder, who, as the parties bad just
reached the goal, scatnperea off .with the stakes, amidst the
shouts of the by-standee, and the ill-concealed chagtin
of the two gentlemen who had foolishly committed their
money to the hands of a stranger. The day, on the whole,
passed off well ;we only heard of one accident—a boy, in
racing down one of the hills, slipped, and was thrown ou
his head; he was borne away lifeless.

ASCENSION OF MESS:IS. C IIA AND GEORGE

GREE.V, THE AERONAUTS.

The ahove gentlemen ascended yesterday from the bowling -green
of the Eagle Tavern, in the (.4y-road, in a magniticeet balloon.
Mr. Charles Crreen, it will be remembered, was the first person
who discovered the very superior adeartages of the carburetted
hydrogen, or coal gas, for the purpose., of wrostation„ which was ant
used by him la his ascent front the Green Park at his Majery's
Comnation.
The price of admivsion to the bowling-green was axed at ote
shilling, but the company who wished to be accommodated with
seats near the machine were admitted by paying a shilling in ad-
dition.

Although Mr. Green's intention was not very generally known,
the gardens began to till with very respectable company, owing to
the inviting state of the day, and by two o'clock in the afternoon
they were nearly filled ; the crowd outside the tavern wore a very
dense appearance.
At eleven o'clock the balloon was brought forth and attached to
the ropes •it was hoisted on to the stage amid loud cheering,. The
process ofittfiation commenced gradually, under the direction of a
gentleman belonging to the independent Gas Company, front
whose works the machine was supplied. At twelve it was found
recissary to check the valve, and the inflation ceased for a time
but to enliven the scene, an excellent band of musicians playid
maiy popular tunes, in addition to which the company were aroused
bytravelling dawn the Russian Mountains, which are erected to
these grounds. The ear was brought out about one o'clock ;it was
of a beautiful description, and surmounted with a splendid canopy.
Many persons were anxious to accompany 11r. Charles Green, in
the event of his brother declining.
The eft at voyagers, on showing themselves on the ground, were
welcomed by the cowpony with loud bursas, and all were pressing
forward to *hake Mums with thew, anti to wish them s safe and
pleasant journey. The ascending power having been ascertained
to be sufficient, allowing for the medication of the gas, the vaire
was taken front the supply pipe, and made secure.
Precisely at half-past five o'clock, a signal gun was fired, to an.
nounce the completion of the process of infiation,and almost imene.
diately after a pilot balloon was launched to notify the mean..
Anxiety was now on the tiptoe, and every eye was turned towards
the object. The car was now attached to the balloon with cords,
rid the necessary apparatus placed inside—such as telescopes,
compass, barometer, grappling-irons, &c. &e. The voyagers then
took their seats, the buoy ropes were loosened, and the balloon
arose slowly to the height of about 20 feet from the ground, where
it stood scone minutes, it being held by a rope fastened to the car.
Mr. listen, at a given signal, detached the rope that detained him,
and the vehicle mounted sith majestic grandeur, amidst the
plaudits of the multitude, the band playing •• God save the King."
The balloon took a southerly direction, and bent its course towards
Croydon. It was visible trom the Metropolis for above half an
hour. We never recollect a finer ascent, and the arrangements for
the accommodation at the company were such as gave the highest
satisfaction.
Miss Stocks, the female oho ascended with the unfortunate
Harris, some time back, from these gardens, was on the ground
during the whole day, and seemed quite recovered nom her ac.
cident.

Mr. Liston has commenced an engagemont for twelve
nights at the Edinburgh theatre.
On the 14th ult. in the evening, the new Theatre at St.
Petersburg'', which was opened only on the Ist of January,
was burned to the ground. It was entirely of wood, but
very decant, and had been built in an uncommonly short
time. How the fire originated is unknown, and it is the
more extraordinary, as, on account of Lent, there had
been no performance for some weeks. The new measures
adeptett fur extinguishing flames, which the Emperor
himself directed, prevented them from extending to the
gas works, and the great timber-yards adjoining—otherwise
the danger would have been immense.
THE EretNG Hear.—At Epping, the glory of Easter
Monday was the famous stag hunt—more famous than John
Gilpin's race—for many Gilpins mounted their hubby
homes yesterday who never rode before. There was an
unusual concourse of people enjoying the jollity of the
scene, which was as motley as horse and foot could make
it. The sled 'aligns of 11'hitechapel were predoininant
in the throng, and nearly first in the chacc, all eager to be
in at the death, in order to have the first eat. Before night
the followers of bound and horn had steange tales to tell,
Of hair-breadth 'acapot, and noble few; of arms--
The stag's long hunt, am! wine's carousing charms.

POLITE FORBEARANCE.—A Nobleman being seated with
a party ofladies in a stage-box, a sprig of fasnion came in
booted and spurred. At the end of the act, the Peer rose,
and making the young man a low bow, said, " I beg leave,
Sir, in the name of these Ladies, and for myself. moiler
you our thanks for your forbearance." " I don't under-
stand you ; what do you mean ?" said the stranger. " I
mean, b repeated the other, " as you have come with your
boots and spurs, to thank you that you have not brought
your horse."
The Birmingham Chrtrticle say;:—" We have receivid
an account from Coventry of the marrilye of a buxom
widow of that city, whose formar helpmate, it seems, took
leave of the werld before the per coltra was written in all
hjs creditors' books; but so strongly was the lady pos-
sessed by the hymeneal furor, that not finding her inn-
morato disposed to answer for the pecuniary sins of the
deceased, she chose to be married without any other co-
vering than a chemise, and, to render assurance doul
sure, even that was a borrowed one. Whether this deli-
cate device will answer her purpose we know not, but our
infonrant writes that even this airy equipment would base
been dispensed with, if the law had required it."
On the 15th of March last there was discovered at
Chissey (Jura), 15 feet under ground, on the tight batik
of the Lone, a canoe, formed of a single tree, hollowed
out, and of extraordinary dimensions. It is an oak al,out
30 feet long, 3 feet broad within the sides, and 2d inches
deep. The thickness of the bottom varies from seven to
eight inches : and the side* are about four inches thick.
The two ends are raised regularly to the height of the
sides, and are pierced with several holes, which appear to
have been intended for oars, aad bear the marks of the
rubbing. The preservation of the boat was perfect ; but
since it has been exposed to the air, some part; hire Linen
into dust, but the heart of the wood Las not even !oat its
natural colour.—Efelle.

1

I

deep. The thickness of the bottom varies from s,.ven to
eight inches : and the side* are about four Indies thick.
ri4
The two ends are raised regularly to the height of the
sides, and are pierced with several holes, which appear to
have been intended for oars, and hear the marks of the
rubbing. The preservation of the boat was pl.rfect ; but
since it has been exposed to the air, some part; have Linen
into dust, but the heart of the warxt Las trot cv,,n I.ost its
natural colour.—Etelle. i,l
•