The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-29 00:00:00

Professor Anderson at at, James's Hall.

The Christmas entertainment of Professor Ander.
son, as we antiaipated, has resulted in an extraor-
dinary success. Unfortunately, however, the pre-
sent is the last week but one that he can remain a
tenant of the great hall, in consequence of its prior
engagement for the annual series of popular con-
certs, so those intending to witness the attractive
entertainment must not delay their visit. The
Wizard has for 17 -weeks enjoyed a golden success
that falls to the lot .of but few public entertainers.
In fact, no conjuror' in the world ever succeeded in
securing such a glorious run of good fortune. The
attendance at each of his entertainments has never
been below 2,000 persons, so that taking, the num-
ber of performances au d multiplying them by seven-
teen, no less than 240,000 persons have to thank
the " Great Wiz ird *of the North" and his accom-
plished daughter, for the pleasure they have
afforded them. In speaking, however, of numbers
we have omitted out! very large item, viz., the
public schools which] have bean admitted gratui-
tously. We believe there are many hundreds of
these educational institutions in the metropolis and
its suburbs, to each of which the Professor kindly
gave an invitation to his Saturday morning tin..
tertainment, and thus his enormous audiences on
each of these occasions has invariably been
increased by the presence of over 700
children. None, however humble, were for-
gotten. On Saturday evening last the Shoe
Black Brigade were present, and it is needless to say
the little fellows enjoyed themselves amazingly,
The great secret of his success (the Wizard must
excuse us for the disclosure) we believe to be libe-
rality. Unlike many public entertainers, he has
not kicked down the ladder that enabled him to
reach the highest pinnacle of fame. On the con-
trary, amongst those who have ever been heartily
welcomed were those who, many many years ago,
first made known to the public the excellence of the
performances of the Great Wizard of the North.
Then, as now, he appreciated the efforts of his
friends, and, although in the most distant parts of
the world, he never forgot a kindly greeting to them
at holiday time in England. We have seen con•
juror after conjuror make his appearance ;in the
metropolis, all previously announced by wholesale
puffing, as the most extraordinary performer that
over appeared, yet after a brief and not very snob
easeful season they have all disappeared, leaving
the field of enchantment solely to Professor Ander-
son. Long may he continue to rule the World of
Magic. He has fulfilled engagements to the letter,
and although he is compelled to close his Physcho.
mantheam on the 7th of January, we trust we shall
not have to regret the absence of his entertainment
in the metropolis for any length of time.

MR. PUNCH AND LORD DERBY,

A Dialogue.

%." The following is one of the wittiest things
Punch has favoured the public with for a long
while past

Mr Punch is in his Librar3, smoking. Mre Punch in
an armchair, knitting a Counterpane. The faithful
Toby announces "The Earl of Derby."
Mr Punch—Admit him to the Presence. Don't go.
Judina. The Earl is a very delightful person.
Mrs P—No, dear, I am not dressed,—and look at my
hair.

Mr P—Since I was first tangled in its meshes, I never
saw it looking prettier.
Mrs P—Nonsense, you great goose.
Enter Lord Derby with two books.

[Exit.

Lord D.—(whose quick eye catches sight of a crinoline
and graceful head vanishing through the bookcase door.)
Good morning, Mr Punch. But—l fear I have disturbed a
pleasanter interview.
Mr P.—l was merely checking the washing-bill for the
week, my dear lord. Take the chair vacated by my Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer.
Lord D. (seats himself)—Some people say that there is
a Chancellor of the Exchequer ready to take another chair
when vacated.
Mr P.—Do they ? I know nothing about politics.
(Hands cigar-case.)
Lord D.—That's a little too strong.
Mr P.—l assure you no. It is quite mild.

Lord D—l did'nt mean the cigar, but the assertion. You,
who know every move on the board, and could play the
game—or six games—blindfolded.
Mr P—Only one—Blindman's Buff. I like that at
Christmas, because it compels one to feel for one's fellow-
creatures.

Lord D—Very good, very good.
fur P—rraiee from Sir Hubert—that is, from Edward—
Stanley, is—and so forth. And what have you got there P
I am glad to see that you are not too great a man to carry

things for yourself.
Lord D (winks)—l can't always carry everything I
should like to carry. Eut as for books, a great Oxford Don
told me, in my youth, that that there were three things any
gentleman might have under his arm—a book, a gold-
headed cane, and a handsome woman. Apropos of the

latter, I again apologise for having sent Mrs. Punch ou
of the room. 4.

Mr P,—l scorn to repay your courtesy, my dear Derby,
by remarking that Conservatives have not always been so
scrupulous about turning out women.
Lord D—Ha I ha! I despise a man who would atop a
good thing because it might annoy a friend.
Mr P—You are right. It is easier to make new friends
than new jokes. And what is that handsome book, b3und,
I can see at thisdistance, by Hayday ? Don't make a joke
about hey-day, please.

Lord D —Wasn't going to. This is a copy of my 114,2i2er,
and I beg you to accept it.

Mr P—" Kings begged of a beggar." Beggar as I am
in thanks, I thank you. I have also to thank you for the
pleasure I have already received from a careful perusal of
the volumes.
Lord D.—Have you really found time ? Row do you
manage ?

Mr P.—By the simple process of neglecting a duty when
I am offered a pleasure.

Lord D—l would not hear your enemy—if you have one
say so.

Dlr am sure that you will never have the opportu•
nity, as you do not keep company with my only enemies
—knaves and fools. Let me just say that I consider your
Homer a masterly performance, honourable to you, and
valuable to your countrymen, and I hope you like the
cigar?
Lord D—So well that I shall ask you to fill my case—a
very fine brand indeed, Talking of Brand reminds me.
Shall we go in for a division ?
Mr P—What says the tailor ?
Lord D—Well, if be counted for nine, we could do the
thing comfortably.
Mr P—Till he does, stick as you be.
Lord D—Ah I But you talk Pam.

Mr P.—By Jove, or shall I say by Zeus (you are quite
right, by the way, not to Greekify the names—l can't read
Lane's "Arabian Nights," because he hadn't your good
sense). I don't talk Pam half as much as every Conserve•
tive who offers himself. The first thing your men do at
the hustings is to declare Palmerston the national favourite.
In the face of that fact divide—and conquer.
Lord D.—Of course Isee that, but then I wear spectacles.
Mr P.—Order a gross for your friends—green ones, if you
. _ _

like. But bother politics, I tell you I don't care about
them. lam very glad that you have been turning to fresh
fields and pastures new. Isn't Achilles pleasanter company
than tl4 Angel ? _

Lord b.-111r Disraeli is extremely pleasant company, Mr
Punch. And he is more like Achilles than you remember,
for he records that in earlier life he " stood OD the plains of
Troy, and cursed his destiny,"

Dir P—Well he might, considering that it was to lead
politicians whose talk is of bullocks, and to win the odd
trick with politicians who talk is bulls. There, don't be
angry I

Lord D—l was never angry in my life—but we're a big
party.

Mr P—Granted ; but the nation's a bigger. Going ?
Well, one thing more. That is a beautiful bit in your
translation where Glaucus and Diomed change armour.
Lord D, Glad you like it. I havo at least given back
the sense, which Pope perverted, and have made Jupiter
deprive Glaucus of his judgment before he made the bad
bargain.

Mr P. In exchange fcr Diomcd's brass armour, price
nine oxen, Glaucus gives him a golden suit, price a hun-
dred. I will be Glaucus, pro hoc vice. I have not lost
my judgment, but as you have given me your Homer, I
give you (smiles sweetly) my forty-seventh volume.

THE MURDER ON SAFFRON.IIILL.—The young
man Roebuck, who was dangerously wounded on
Monday evening at the same time Michael Harlington was
murdered, is still lying in a most dangerous state at tLe
Royal Free Hospital. His injury is such that inflammation
of the lungs may set in at any moment, but he is in a better
and a more hopeful condition than he was the previous
evening. The injured man was potman at the house where
he was wounded. The inhabitants of the neighbourhood
where this terrible crime was committed complain loudly of
the want of police in the locality. They say that the Hill,
which is notorious as the resort of the dangerous classes and
as the dwelling place of the lowest foreigners, is left without
protection. It is but just to the police to state that they
were on the spot, so to speak, when the crime was perpe•
trated, and that the prisoner was very quickly in cuetody.