The Sun.
London, England, 1839-04-02 00:00:00

ASTLEY'S.

The holiday novelties at this popular and "fashionable"
place of amusement, were witnessed by an excessively
crowded and noisy audience=we say witnessed, for
nearly the whole of the dialogue was unintelligible, even
to those nearest the stage. The entertainments of the
evening: commenced with " One of the most splendid
Hippodramatic Productions of British History," as
announced in the bills, entitled The Victories of
Edward the Black Prince, or the Battle Field ;
and certainly no " pains or expense have been
spared to make it deserving of that appella-
tion, for the scenery, gorgeous costumes, &c.,
have rarely, if ever, been excelled ; and, taken as a
whole, the piece is one of the most effective for display
that even Mr. Ducrow has presented to the public,
than which a higher encomium, we imagine, cannot be
passed. The curtain fell amidst univers.il applause, and
there can be no doubt that the spectacle will have a
brilliant run. Mr. Van Amburgh then went through
his extraordinary performances. The equestrian exer-
cises followed, and amongst the individdals who parti-
cularly deserved and obtained the approbation of the
audience, we may mention Madame and Signor Cin-
celli, and Mous. Adolphe Berg and Leonard Houck.
The amusements terminated with the legendary specta-
cle of St. George and the Dragon, which was produced
with all its original effect and splendour.
Since the conclusion of the last season the house has
underenne a very extensive change, the stage and the
arena having been thrown several feet hack, thus consi-
derably extending the length of the pit, and affording a
much better view from the boxes than formerly. oome
private boxes have been erected, and also a second gal-
lery. The decorations, &c., are most splendid, and the
arrangements for the public convenience are not to be
surpassed at any theatre in the metropolis.

VICTORIA.
The lessee of this tlAe3tre, :Cilh a deslre to present
his patrons witii a no%el and amusing treat during tue
Easter holidays, has entered into an engagement with

Messrs. Prospere, Martine, Raula-nd, and Company, by
which he has secured the talented services of their
" unrivalled" Monkeys, Goats, and Dogs. and accord-
ingly after the first piece, which in the bills was
termed " a new legendary spectacle," entitled
the Black King, and which was " triumphantly suc-
cessful," the little ladies and the little gentlemen
made their appearance, and were very warmly received
by the audience. The African Supper caused
a great deal of merriment. A monkey dressed
in the garb of a planter, with his broad brimmed
straw hat and his nankeen dress, ate and
drank with the dignity and ease of an alderman, while
his guests, a venerable old admiral and a youthful oili- '
cer, marked their sense of the generous and hospitable
mode in which he had discharged.the duties of a good
host, by drinking his health in several bumpers. Nor
must we forget the waiter, Monsieur Sapeg, who dis-
charged his duty with an alacrity that would do honour to
the greatest aspirant in that profession. Mademoiselle
Sutcz performed several evolutions on the slack rope
with con,iderable grace and ease, which met with the
applause of the audience, and the performances of. M.
Jacopo on the tight rope were equally successful. M.
Henrico went through his military exercise with a sword
and gun, and treated the company with a specimen of
hii instrumental abilities, by performing on the
violin. The " trial of the Deserter" then took
place, and the Deserter, the dog Ashur, not-
withstanding the " mute eloquence" of his Ad-
vocate, the dog Caro, had judgment passed upon
him, and was sentenced to military execution, but
met his fate with a fortitude worthy of a soldier.
The performance of these " sagacious creatures" con-
cluded with an act of horsemanship by Monsieur Pie-
petto (a monkey), riding at full speed, a la Ducrow, on
a goat. With a little tuition they might be made a
very efficient corps dramalique, and we have no doubt
but that in a very short time the " tame animals of
Messrs. Martine and Rouland" will become very for-
midable rivals of " the wild beasts of Mr. Van Am-
burgh." The house was well filled, and the whole of
the performances went off with great eclat.

THE SUN, LOND')N, TUES D Y, APRIL 2, 1539.