The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-11 00:00:00

all that I have --------"---------"'"—'
seen at the Canterbury other than on
stage.fr. Besley then tendered a specification of Professor
Pepper's patent as evidence, but
Mr. Prentice objected to its reception.
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Mr. W. Donne--I am the examines of plays in the office
ittbemenentto,,tHheodCgaenpteordbgii3
Hall
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I considered what I saw to be a proper burlesqu e—the
opening of a pantomime. All such pieces that hay e been
performed at the theatres have been sent to the office. If
the Canterbury Hall had been licensed by the Lord
Chamberlain, the entertainment must have been mi
to me. The entertainment at the Canterbury Was a b tted
weans_
at first produced somewhere out of vie
then a representation on the stage which was visibl e.'and
Cross-examined by Mr. Prentice—When I firsts aw the
entertainment I was quite surprised that such ext re ordi-
nary results could be produced. I did not at first know
that it was produced by shadow.
Mr. Prentice—l hope you were pleased with what you
saw.

Mr. Donne—Yes ;it was very cleverly done.
Mr. Besley—That is my case, sir.
Mr. Prentice said he appeared there on the part of the
directors of the Oxford and Canterbury Hall Co mp any,
who, to produce the entertainment which had led t o t hose
proceedings, had expended a sum of money between £ 1,000
and £2,000. If anything more than another could s how
the success of the entertainment, it was the fact that it had
excited the jealousy 'of Messrs. Mappleson, Wigan, and
other theatrical managers, and that it been sufficient for them
to institute these proceedings with a view to prevent such
representation for the future. The proceedings had not
emanated from the Lord Chamberlain's office, but had been
set on foot ,by the jealous and envious feelings of ma-
nagers, who grudged the success Mr. Morton's entertain meat
had elicited. They had not been actuated in the business by
any public motive, but merely by their own private inter ests.
He might, however, mention that in the event of the de-
cision of the magistrates being against them, they into nded
to submit a case to the judges in the superior courts. The
real 'question the magistrate had to decide was whether
Mr. Morton
Vic had infringed the said section of 6th and 7th
~ cap. 68. He contended the entertainment was not a
stage play, and nothing was done on the stage • but, on the
contrary, what created such applause was merely an optical
Mr.
was a stage Norton—Yo ? u don
illusion, and nothing more.
there
't mean, Mr. Prentice, to deny that
Mr.
in one sense all the world's a stage.
)fir. Prentiee--Wll
Norton—Or e'
scenery. If you take any stage and
scenery the effect would not be so good, and not so many
persons would go.
Mr. Prentice—lt's all in the looking-glass.
Mr. Norton—One of the witnesses distinctly said there
were side wings and borders.
Mr. Prentice—The question to be decided to-day is not,
I respectively submit, sir, one of scenery, but whether
certain new and ingenious inventions can be construed
a stage play. I hope when you have heard what Mr. Mom
ton has to say you will be of opinion that it is not a thc4..
trical representation within the meaning of the Act.
Mr. Charles Morton then came forward and explained
at length the difference between Professor Pepper's patent
and the patent he with others had taken out for the illusion
produced at the Canterbury.
In answer to the Mr. Prentice, Mr. Morton said there
was not a single living person on the stage during
the whole of the performance. It is quite possil,le if
people go where the audience are not expected to go--
the top of the house, for instance, they could not
see into the trench in which the performers were.
At first the people did not know from whence the
shadows came, but they now knew pretty well. The stage
was not originally set up for the ghost representation. It
has existed in the hall for a long time anterior to the '
ghost discovery. Nothing is represented on the stage.
Everything is reflected from the mirror.
% Mr. Norton—l have to consider the nature of a new and
important invention especially with respect to Mr. Morton,
as well as the view taken of it by the other side, and be-
fore I give my decision I am anxious to give the matter
my best and most attentive consideration.
Mr. Prentice—Well, sir, perhaps you will go and inspect
it. Mr. Morton will feel the greatest pleasure in showing
you everything by which the music is produced.
Mr. Ndrton—Well, a magistrate cannot see too much.
I shail accept-the invitation to see the entertainment.
X Mr. Prentice—l am only too happy that such is your in..
tention.

Mr. Besley—l hope, sir, you will look at it from the
audience point view. (Laughter.)
Mr. Norton—l shall look at it from every point of view.
Mr. Besley—Might I ask, sir, that notice be given to
both parties a day previous to your giving your decision?
fo rtni
Mr. No
ht. rton—Well, I will give my decision, say this day
g
Further proceedings were then postponed until the 24t11
instant.