The Sun.
London, England, 1839-12-27 00:00:00

COVENT- GARDEN.

Agreeably to ancient custom a new grand comic
pantomime was produced at this theatre last evening.
It is entitled " Harlequin and the Merrie Devil of Ed-
monton, or the Great Bed of Ware," and the introduc-
tory matter is founded on the well-known legend of the
" Merried Devil of Edmonton," .vho is employed as the
agent of Master Peter Fabell, a good magician, to assist
the loves of Edwin and Gertrude, afterwards Harlequin
and Columbine. The opening scene represents the
Monument of Punch, who departed London Life on
the Ist January, 1840, and Mother Goose is lamenting
his demise ; she calls to her aid Mother Shipton, Num-
ber Nip, and all the other genii of pantomime, who la-
ment with her the progress of science and police
to the destruction of pantomime and fun. They
then determine to have one pantomime at least
before the fun is proscribed, and accordingly all adjourn
to Edmonton to the smithy of Master Oliver Smug, who
is afterwards Clown. In this scene it is announced
that King Henry the Eighth's horse has cast his shoe,
and the aid of Smug is required in consequence. This
announcement is made by the King's Master of the
Horse, Master Harrison Saxby, a part performed by
Mr. W. H. Payne, with genuine comic humour, which
we were glad to see was properly appreciated by the
audience. He is a suitor for the hand of Gertrude, and
the King determines that he of all her suitors
shall win her, who will venture al pass one night
in the Great Bed of Ware. Saxby attempts it, and is, of
course tormented. The bed and room at Ware are
transformed into the throne and court of King Henry
Bth, and then the Ilarlequinade begins. It is full of
excellent hits at the follies, legislatorial and otherwise,
of the past year : dustmen, muffin-men, and all the pro-
scribed of the New Police Act are seized and lodged in
the station-house, which, by a touch of Harlequin's
wand, is removed to the other side of the sixteen mile-
stone, and all the prisoners walk out, to the consterna-
tion of the police and the amusement of the audi-
ence. An isolated cottage, which Pantaloon has hired
for the sake of retirement, becomes suddenly a house
in a street, supported on the one side by the premises
of a Paving Company, and on the other by those of a
Steam Washing Company, in consequence of the ground
in its neighbourhood being let for building. The
Emancipation of the Dogs was commemorated by the
dogs being drawn in barrows by their masters, and the
sign of the " Jolly Dog's-meat Man" is in consequence
transformed into the " Jolly Dogs." The Eccaleobion is
beat hollow by the Clown, who, by his improved ma-
chinery, hatches eggs, not into chickens, but into
fine roast fowls smoking hot, wth gravy sauce
and all the necessary ct-cetera. After this
came a grand moving Panorama of the Clyde from
Glasgow to Eglintoun, painted by the Messrs. Grieve.
This is, as a work of art, surpassingly beautiful—the
effects of light and shade are superior to anything of the
sort we have ever witnessed ; and one effect, sunset at
sea, is a perfect triumph of art. All artists, and those who
love the art, should pay a visit to Covent Garden,
to sec this Panorama. It is a treat of no ordinary
description. The Tournament at Eglintoun followed,
and the transformation of a stand of lances into a
stand of umbrellas was a very happy hit at this
expensive plaything for grown children. The
titters run off to their tents, sheltered by their flags,
(umbrellas), and the scene changes to the realms of
sunshine, when all are rendered happy. Mr. C. J.
Mr. T. Ridgway, as Clown, Mr. Morelli, as Pantaloon,
, as Harlequin, Miss Fairbrother, as Colurnbitie,
aSnadtif hmr.
Gibson as the " Merrie Devil," did their
utmost for the amusement of the audience, and
richly earned the applause bestowed upon them.
The scenery and dresses were magnificent, and every-
thing that liberality and good taste, on the part of
the management, could do for the pantomime has been
done.—The getting-up reflects the highest credit on all
concerned. The house was well filled, and the audience
more than usually attentive.

ADELPILL
The pantomime at this theatre was preceded by that
notorious drama " Jack Sheppard," which was listened
to with great attention, and almost, we regret to write
it, with enthusiasm by no small portion of the au-
dience. The Christmas piece, with all its nonsense
and all its caricature of human life, was, however,
to another portion—a great relief from the disgusting
and immoral scenes with which this singular object of
public attraction abounds. It is entitled, " Harlequin
Mother Red Cap, or the Merlin and the Fairy Snow-
drop," and on the whole, what with the scenery, the
excellent pantomimic performances, and the good
arrangement, was eminently successful. The story
of " Mother Red Cap " of course isloowne(llmkr.nsowann.,
it consequently requires no description, and was brought
forward solely for the purpose of introducing the great
actors, Harlequin (Mr. Harvey). Columbine (Miss
Made), Clown, (Mr. King), and Paxita