The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-18 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OP THE SUN.

SIR,—I wish to correct a report, which is daily
becoming more widely circulated, to wit, that the
entertainment I am giving nightly at the Poly-
graphic Hall, entitled "Federals and Confederates,"
originated with the Confederate Government, and
that I am in the pay of its agents in this country.
Such is not the fact ; and, in justice to that Govern-
ment, lam free to say it has never had, and I am
sure never will, have occasion to resort to any such
means to further its legitimate political aim.
The idea of both the title and subject of my en-
tertainment is my own ; and in applying to it such
abilities as the Press of London have been so kind
to award me, I have done so for the amusement of
he public and my own personal benefit. If you
will kindly give this explanation a place in the
columns of your valuable journal, you will, I think,
do an act of justice towards the Government of the
Southern States and confer an additional favour on,
Your already greatly obliged,
HENRI DRAYTON.
King William-street, Strand.

THE SUNDAY BANDS IN THE PARKS.

On Thursday a numerous depatation from the
Sunday Band Association waited upon the Hon. Mr.
Cowper, President of the Board of Works, at his
office in Whitehall-place, upon th 3 subject of the
recent threat of legal proceedings on the part of the
opponents of the Sunday bands in the parks against
the Government, in order to put a stop to the same-
Mr. R. Moore said it was the intention of the com-
mittee to convene the Sunday bands in the Regent's-
park and Victoria-park on the first Sunday in May,
and they had viewed with great satisfaction the
steps which the Chief Commissioner had taken to
remove the old and erect a new platform and
orchestra upon the most improved principles, so as
to aid in the production instead of the absorption of
sound. It had, however, come to their knowledge
that some legal proceedings were about being taken
to prevent the continuance of the bands, and
although the new platform was not being pulled
down, still the old one was again being put up, and
they were therefore most apprehensive that
the Honourable Chief Commissioner was about
to yield to the opponents of the Sunday bands. The
Hon. Mr. Cowper said he had ordered the erection
of the new platform and orchestra,,not only for the
convenience of the bands playing there on the Sun-
day and week days, but for the public also, as afford-
ing shelter in case of rain. Upon this being done
certain inhabitants of the terraces had been to him,
l t
and had declared that the erection of buildings was
an infringement of the covenants of their leases, and
fomrn.
they called upon him (Mr- Cowper) to remove the
w platform. He
creefnussiedderoed a
on thehugirioduinrigd
then
if the
the lodges, fount • ams, and all other erections in the
park must come within the category, and be pulled
down. They threatened him • with legal proceedings,
and he did not think that any court would put the
same construction on the clause in th • eir leases which
they did. They had, however, commenced proceed-
ings in Chancery to compel the removal of the new
platform, and he had therefore directed that the old
one should be brought back and in readiness to be
put up, should the Court of Chancery, which he did
not anticipate, order the new one to be pulled down.
This was how the matter stood. It was his inten-
tion also to have a new orchestra placed in Victoria
Park.