The Sun.
London, England, 1865-04-18 00:00:00

CRYSTAL PALACE.

At holiday times the directors of this institution provide
what they not unfairly call a " continual round of amuse-
ment" from morning to evening, and if all the performance;
are not of the most refined description, they appear to meet
the taste of the visitors for whom they are provided. Yes-
terday was somewhat dull, but still the day was sufficiently
fine to attract large crowds of pleasure-seekers to the Palac®
to enjoy themselves in various ways. The entertaimentS
included Professor Anderson with his world of magic, and
his clever daughter, the "second-sighted sybil ;" the Mau°
Brothers as "the Spirits of Fun;" the Brothers Martinette,
with the Little Grimaldi, in their acrobatic entertainments
the Alabama Minstrels, with their darky ditties and plan-
tation dances ; a pantomimic ballet, entitled " The Ren-
dezvous ; or, Love in, a Tub," in which the Lauri, family
elicited roars of laughter and applause ; the Chinese col-
lection from the Summer Palace at Pekin; the Shakspere
house and museum, the skating hall, the boating, the Palace
band, the great festival organ, and we know not what be-
sides. There was certainly enough to please everybody'
that could bear the atmosphere, which was intensely hot
within the Palace, and everybody appeared pleased accord-
ingly, but we must protest against the growing system of
charging one price for admission, and then having half a
dozen or more specialities all to be charged for extra, as it
is neither just to the public nor the exhibitors who pay for
space to sell their Wares. An entertainment advertised for
is should not be raised by such adventitious means to 2s 9d
or 35., as was the case yesterday. If those inside the Pa-
lace were amused, there appeared to be thousands of others
in the grounds who found equal pleasure in the enjoyment
of the scenery, kiss in the ring, the mulberry tree, and
other kindred sports. In the evening the Palace was illu-
minated; and it was somewhat late before the last visitors
departed on their return to town.

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.
The managers of this popular institution are not behind
any of their contemporaries in providing amusement for
their patrons, judiciously combining solid instruction with
their lighter fare. To say nothing of the well known cos-
moramic views, diving-bell, glass spinning, machinery ill
motion, and other attraction; we would specially direct
attention to the instructive lecture of Mr. King on the
models and drawings of inventions calculated to promote
the saving of human life in railway travelling. The
hall was yesterday crowded both
-morning and evening.

EGYPTIAN HALL.
Mr. Arthur Sketchley resumed his entertainments last
evening of "Paris Portrayed" and the inimitable "Mrs-
Brown at the Play." Need we say that they continue to
be as much appreciated as ever, and that there is at present
no evidence that Mr. Sketchley will ever be called upon to
change his programme.
In another apartment in the same establishment, that
formerly occupied by the late Albert Smith, a new pro-
fessor of magic and ventriloquism, Colonel Stodare, made
his appearance. The performances of the colonel are neat
and spirited, and he will no doubt become a favourite with
the admirers of this style of entertainment.

GALLERY OF ILLUSTRATION.
Mr. and Mrs. German Reed, with Mr. John Parry, last
evening resumed their entertainment of " A Peculiar
Family," which is nightly growing into popularity, as
everything these talented artists undertake is sure to do•
"Mrs.
Roseleaf at the Seaside" continues to bring the
evening to a " right merrie" conclusion.

ST. JAMES'S HALL.
Tom Thumb with his family party attracted numcroug
visitors yesterday, as indeed they have done for some time i
past, and are likely to continue to do so long as they find t
convenient and profitable to defer their continental tour.
The performances of the General, the Commodore, and
their ladies have lost none of their prestige, whilst baby it/
growing alike in favour and inches.