The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-27 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 27, 1854.

CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMES.

DIZURY LANE.

At length Old Drury is itself again. Last night
Mr. Smith, the talented and enterprising lessee, com-
menced his managerial career under the most auspicious
circumstances, and so crowded an audience it has seldom
been our fortune to witness within the walls of a theatre.
Long before the doors were opened a crowd was
assembled at each of them, which forcibly reminded us
of the palmy days of the drama, and within ten minutes
after the doors were opened the theatre was crowded to
suffocation in every part. It has seldom fallen to the
lot of managers to continence a season with such bril-
liant auguries of success as those held forth last night to
Mr. Smith. Great praise has for the last two seasons
been awarded the lessee for the manner in which he has
produced his pantomimes ; but the praise that will '
follow his present effort will far outrival all previously
bestowed, and we have not the slightest doubt but that
his Christmas offering this year—Jack and Gill—
will bring a large and ample return to the treasury for
the vast expense, the time and trouble it must have cost
to have placed such a magnificent pantomime on the stage.
After the performance of Lillo's lugubrious tragedy of
George Barnwell, which we, as a compliment to the audi-
ence, who sat it out like heroes, do hope has been
played for the very last time, the prompter's bell rang
for the overture to the pantomime. The first few bars put
an end to the discord, and the boxes, pit, and gallery
rose at once to their feet, and uncovered as the band
gathered into the full swell of the National Anthem.
We have seldom seen a finer burst of national feeling
than on this occasion. Every stanza was received with
cheering and waving of hats and handkerchiefs, and a
hearty encore was called for. This of itself was a favour-
able omen—an encore for the overture! yet such it was, and
the compliment was richly merited. by the arranger,
Mr. Tully ; for within our recollection, and it extends
back vividly to the time of Grimaldi, we cannot call to
mind a better production. The French "Partant pour
la Syrie," seasonably introduced towards the end of the
overture, awakened the energy of the_British Lion, and
produced quite a demonstration.
Tlte name of the pantomime which we have
already half disclosed—is in full, Jack and Gill (or Jill),
_Harlequin, King Mustard and the Four and Twenty
Blackbirds baked in a Pie —. a long name, and
of infinite promise to all those who are not too old
to remember, or not too young to read, the
time-honoured ditty of " Sing a
.Song of Sixpence."
Jack is in love with Jill (or Gill)—that is a matter of
course. Jill, too, is in love with Jack—not so much a
matter of course as the other, as too many pining and
unappreciated lovers of either sex will testify. Jill's
father, who is dead, has left a will, and in this testa-
ment it is decreed by the defunct old gentleman,
doubtless a wizard, that until Jill can make a pie she
shall not take a husband. Jack, in despair at this ill
news, -catches " four and twenty blackbirds" and gathers
" a pocket full of rye," with which ingredients he
fondly hopes they may between them be enabled "to
make and bake" the pie that shall entitle him to
obtain the lunch-enamoured Jill as a future partner
of his fortunes. But mortal calculations go for
nothing, unless blessed and sanctified by "the
skies ;" and Jill's ignorance of the culinary art is
worse than that of a quondam cook at the " Fielding."
What to do ?—thinks Jack, as, in agony, he rubs two
lucky sixpences together, which, incontinent, and to his
great astonishment, become a shilling—aud a magic
shilling to boot, that, to his still greater astonishment,
conjures up the spirit of Mrs. Glasse herself, who com-
forts him in his affliction and assures him of his pie and
partner. What does the friendly Mrs. Glasse but—as
though prophetic of that lore which since has made
a Soyer—animate the fruit, preserves, Lee. ? Under
the tempting shapes of female fairies, young and
pretty, these delicacies, thus metamorphosed into
something still more delicate, undertake the cause
of Jack, and promise that Jill (or Gill) shall be his
own. Jill, returning home, finds a whole army of
friends in the kettle, saucepan, fryingpan, and the
rest of her kitchen utensils, which, personified and en-
dowed with life and motion, become at once her slaves
and counsellors. These teach her the various steps that
lead to consummate cookery, and conduct her, moreover,
to the palace of King Mustard, whose army of sauces,
spices, zests, and condiments is unreservedly placed at
her disposal. Now would Jill be sure to triumph but
for the jealousy of Queen Vinegar, who treacherously
entices her away to the abode of Chutnee, Sultan of All
the Pickles, whose subjects are the natural enemies of
the "sweets." The frni however,
u .uui, un-
mindful, above ground, of Jill's welfare, or inactive
in her cause. They induce Jack to upset his pail
of water ; and this, by some mysterious sympathy,
finds its way into the recesses of the salt mine,
where dwells the pickled Sultan. The salt thus
invaded melts into salt water, and disappears ; the
" Temple of Salad" is discovered, where sweets and
sours are cunningly united, and the pie of the " four-and-
twenty blackbirds" is made evident, with raised crust
and other inviting paraphernalia. Such is the beauty of
this scene that Mr. Smith was called upon the stage to
receive the applause of the delighted audience. Jack and
Jill, being now happy, are transformed into Harlequin
and Columbine, King Mustard into Clown, and Queen
Vinegar into Pantaloon, and a certain salt-rock into
Sprite, another Columbine, or Harlequina, joining the
motley throng, without rhyme or reason. M. Milano
made an excellent Harlequin, and Columbine found a

most graceful representative in Mdlle. Boleno ; Harry

Boleno made his bow to a London audience again as
Clown, after an absence of several years ; and it must
have been gratifying to his old friends to observe
that there was no abatement of his vigour and
agility, no falling off in his exuberant animal spirits.
The finest piece of all is the last scene, rightly entitled
"an illuminated page in the history of England." We
need not say that it refers to the glorious achievements
of our countrymen in the Crimea. The scene repre-
sents the British, French, and Turkish standards
gronped together, flanked by two medallion pictures—
one of the battle of Alma and the other of that of
Inkerman ; the marching in of the juvenile bands
of the French and English, playing in succession
" Gcd save the Queen," " Partant pour la Syrie,"
and " Rule Britannia ;" the performance of the
first of these airs again called forth the loyal feelings
of the audience ; and the gorgeous scene that fol-
lowed the reconciliation of all parties in the grand
scenic climax was alone worth going to see ; so
gorgeous was it, so resplendent with all the brilliancy
that we are accustomed to associate with magic illusions.
All up the sides of the stage are revolving and illu-
minated columns, and in the centre is a Temple of Fame,
which also revolves, in the niches of which are splendidly
attired allegorical females ; to all this is added various
coloured lights, producing an effect that defies de-
' scription.

( Prom the London Yew Price Current of yesterday.)
~SUGAR.—Since Friday shippers and home dealers have
taken several parcels of East India, foreign and Mauritius
by private treaty, whilst the rates obtained exceed these
of this day week by is per cwt.
REFINED.—Home made goods are wanted ; su
a t 42p ply is
less plentiful, and rates rule firm ; brown lumps s6d
to 435, and low to fine grocery, 43s to 48s 6d.
Moaesesce are much in request, and still on the advance ;
prices for low to fine West India rule from 17s 6d to 18s
6d, Cuba and Porto Rico 18s to ISs 6d.
COFFEE.—There is more for Native Ceylon, and good
ord cannot be obtained under 45s 6d per Plantation
is wanted, and the rates obtained are rather above those LYCEUM.
of Friday for better sorts. Fine Mocha wanted, and stiffer A. "New and Original Fairy Extravaganza" at the
prices are obtained. The market fur foreign coffee pre-
Lyceum. The announcement is sufficient to create in-
sents a firm aspect.
rates tend up- tease excitement among the play-going population of the
Cocoa.—There are several buyers, and
sorts of West India. metropolis, and, we will add, of the district contained
wards for fine
Tisa.—Public sales are declared, and there is a reluc- within a circle of at least a fifty mile radius. Who is
tance to operate, whilst at the terms of last week holders
there with money in his pocket and leisure time at his
are desirous to realise. Stock keeps getting larger, and. at
all the ports is 1-3,0013,M pounds over the former year. disposal that will trust to any information he may re-
RlClL—Rates rule for low to fine white Bengal at 14s 6d ceive as to the splendour of the scenery, the brilliancy
to 16s 9d, Madras good pinky 14s to 14s 6d per cwt. of the dialogue, the appropriate costumes, or the perfec-
FRUIT--The demand continues animated for Black .
Smyrna Raisins, and there is an advance, in any an
22s to 28s being tion of the machinery ? The public know that d
obtained. Iu other sorts little is doing and sellers are wil- every of these matters there " will be," for the enter-
ling to accept 3ss to 42s for new, and 303 to 35, for old. •• a lessee has determined that there "shall be," ne
' Fine currants are held for full terms, supply not exceeding Pristna
demand ; the market is, however, dull for lower kinds, mistake. Time, trouble, expense, are alike disregarded.
with sellers at some decline. A short supply of Muscatels,
and fine kinds are greatly wanted. The demand for Turkey No exertion is thought too great, no outlay4oo costly,
figs keeps active. Almonds are held for. an advance. in order to maintain, and, if possible, exceed, the well-
lerraeo.—The better sorts of East India are dealt in with established reputation of " Shadoukiam," the true metro-
more freedom, and last rates are well supported.
COCHINEAL is wanted, and the rates paid are rather polio of Jinnistan, the Fairy kingdom, known to mere
mortals as "The Lyceum.
above last week.
sod demand, low to fine Cal- It is but justice to the various performers to state that
SALTPETRE.—There is a g
cotta selling at 2le to 30s, and British Refined 30s to 3i s
topercwt. A free sale exists for Nitrate of Soda at 18s the! felt the magnitude of the trust reposed in them,
t 18s 6d, and the market presents a firm aspect. d that each and all in their respective parts proved
SPIRITS.—Rum is wanted, and rates rule firm ; proof themselves worthy of the occasion—as firmly determined
Leewards at 3s 4d to 3s 6d, East India 3s 3da strong De- to do their duty as the heroes of Ahna and Inkerman.
merara 4s lld to 5s 2d, and low to fine Jamaica 5s 3d to The
6s 6d. In Brandy there are larger sales, and some holders great success of the piece may be attributed to the
will not accept former price
s. zeal and efficiency of the subordinates ; for no exertions
Woose—British is offering rather under former rates, I of the leaders can compensate for negligence on the part
there being a plentiful supply, with few buyers. In cobs- of their humble associates. This completeness and dove •
nial or foreign little is doing, and late prices cannot be ob- ~. .
tamed. tailing in all the parts is one of the leadinci features of
METALS.—in pig iron there are larger operations, and "The Lyceum," and never was it more strikingly dis-
plaAy esdustuhaaln,
the
et
subject
jhetc.
65s 6d paid for Scotch mixed numbers. A more active
t was selected from the repertoire
demand for manufactured iron, at last week's rates.
Hoes.—There are few buyers, and rather lower rates
are accepted for ord sorts, but better qualities are held of the inexhaustible Countess D. A„is•
history of Prince Prettypet and the it
firmly.
,wgeobregleieovues, sbpyecthtaeclwe
TURPENTINE.—Tbere is an increased demand for spirits,
foundation of the
lessee,f o r m e d
at
nh
de
and the rates obtained are rather above last Friday. Rough
Brough, assisted
is wanted, and cannot be obtained at former terms.
TALLOW.—There is a firm market, with a good demand, Mr. W. Beverley, undertook the task of adaptation.
Never has the laureate of the "Enchanted Island" more
and rates rule for new P.Y.C. at 645 to 64s 6il on the spot
and for delivery. utne;er:Thayynhde veracious
history
OILS.—An active demand exists for Linseed Oil, and ably discharged his duty. Every line was redolent of
rates tend upwards, ruling at 38s to 3-'s 3d for present de- tun in all its varieties. The happiest hits were made in
livery. In rape little passing, pale is offered at 545, ar d the most felicitous terms. The shade
brown 521. There is a firm market for fish oils, with
might have had its repose disturbed by a shad e o e
many buyers; pale seal realised 11/. to 471. lOs ; other
at the paranomasiac triumphs of his gifted eucceeso
sorts 431. to 40/. ; and Southern 451. to 471.

The success of the pantomime was never for a moment
in doubt—it is one of the best we have seen for many
years, and will, we are convinced, enjoy a long run, and
well repay the expenditure, lavish as it evidently has
been. The house was filled in every part, and the ap-
plause and laughter were incessant.

Yes, William Brough, who had previously achieved a
high rank in the realms of grotesque rhyme, has by his
recent exertion attained an eminence equalled by few,
surpassed by none. The difficulty of the exploit may be
estimated from the fact that he followed the veteran
PlanclA in a field which he bad nearly monopolised.
Of Beverley, too, we must say that he surpassed
Beverley—the highest praise that can be awarded.
Never have we witnessed more striking scenes than the
"Crystalline Haunt of the Butterflies," and "Butter-
fly-ball," and " The Throne of the Butterfly Queen."
The last was indeed dazzlingly, almost painfully,
beautiful. The eye could scarcely bear the radiant
brilliancy of the accumulated lights. It must be wit-
nessed before the slightest conception can be formed of
the, general effect.
It may appear a work of supererogation even to hint
at the plot; for, of course, every person who has the
means of so doing will resolve upon " judging for him-
self." The very children would rise in rebellion against
the hard-hearted parents who refused them the oppor-
tunity of beholding the exploits of the brave Prince
Prettypet, or the manner in which he, the spoiled child,
vanquished the "Scaly Scarabceus," and gained the
band and heart of the incomparable Papillonetta,
the captive princess of fairyland. In pity, how-
ever, to the rising generation, we shall lift a
corner of the curtain, that a slight glimpse may be
afforded of the rich treat in store. Prince Prettypet,
the spoiled child of the renowned King Coccalorum, is
tired of his nursery chains, and, to get fully rid of them,
is disposed to marry anybody. So indifferent is he to
his fate that he casts a paper into a vase with a handful
of blanks, leaving, it to any of the representatives of the
neighbouring princesses' suitors for his hand to select the
right one. But Alilleflora, the queen mother of a
buttes fly, who has got into the clutches of that terrible
beetle, King Scarabceus, sends a winged messenger, who
seizes the paper, and so piques the curiosity of Pretty-
pet that he fellows the insect wheresoever it may lead
him. He presently finds himself in the presence of the
Queen, who has but little difficulty in persuading the
youth, already dying for some agreeable excitement, to
attempt the rescue of her daughter, This he accom-
plishes by cutting off the horns of his majesty the black
beetle ; and straightway he marries the gentle Papillo-
netta, whom he has won, and so well deserves to wear.
He retires to a "cottage near a wood" with his bride,
where he enjoys perfect felicity until the arrival of Sea-
rabceus, who, denuded of his power—of everything, in
short, save his malignity—compasses, in the disguise of
a weary wayfarer, the destruction of his unsuspectieg
entertainers. The mysterious guest soon alienates the
husband from his wife by specious innuendoes touching
her volatile propensities. The latter is heartbroken ac-
cordingly, and consents to resign her wings, as Undine
consented to resign her immortality, for the sake of her
beloved. Such heroism as this has its reward. The
mask is taken from the eyes of Prettypet by the Butter-
fly Queen. He sees that his tempter has been his old
entomological enemy, and bis love returns with tenfold
vehemence.

We cannot conclude without noticing the exertions
of some of those who so ably embodied the conceptions
of the author. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Matthews enacted
the worthy " Cocealorum" and his strong-minded spouse
Peccapeppa, while James Bland strutted his horse as
the dark-eyed and gloomy Sovereign of the Beetles, and
Mis■ M. Oliver made the most fascinating of fairy
queens. Need we add a single word to show that royalty
was suitably represented. Miss Harriett Gordon, the
hero of the piece, admirably performed the part of
the spoiled but valiant and sound-hearted Pretty-
pet, who never loved woman. In Miss Fanny
Ternan the Lyceum has received a decided acqui-
sition. We went prepared to admire. The recollections
of her gifted mother flowed rapidly en our minds when
we asked ourselves would Miss Ternan be anything
• _

like the Miss Jarman of our juvenile days, who could
take any part in tragedy, comedy, opera, or farce, and
who excelled in all. A few minutes convinced us that
the fair, aye, very fair, and handsome debutante required
no borrowed light—that she possessed intrinsic excellence
sufficient to insure unequivocal- success. She has a
clear, melodious, and thoroughly cultivated voice, which
enables her to execute with facility the most difficult
passages. She was three times rapturously encored in
duets with Miss IlarriettGordon, who obtained a similar
tribute of approbation in a solo.
It is needless to add that the piece was completely—
we may add, pre-eminently—successful ; the shouts for
the different performers, who greatly distinguished them-
selves, for the author, scenist, and others enraved in
getting up we piece, were protracted to a late hour; and
Miss Ternan—the great triumph of the evening—Miss
Gordon, Miss Oliver, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Matthews,

Mr. N. Brough, and Mr.W. Beverley received the most
cheering and enthusiastic reception. We need only Add
that the audience were worthy of the dainty dish pre-
pared for its delectation, for the house was crowded in
all parts.

who are afterwards to be harlequins. The last scene,
so affecting in the original, is somewhat condensed.
Sister Anne only once reports on the state of the land-
sclpe and on the probability of succour arriving. The
tower of the castle then suddenly falls down, and dis-
plays agorgeous fairy throne, whereon is seated the good
genius of Fatima, surrounded by a guard of super-celes-
tialised Pallases. This is really a beautiful scene, and
was much and deservedly •applauded. The good Fairy
departs from the established usage in such cases made
and provided ; for like Jove she effects the transfor-
mations with a rod, instead of the time-honoured acco-
lade which has hitherto beea employed for that purpose.
Of the harlequinade little need be said. It was on the
whole, perhaps, less hackneyed than usual, but there was
little in it to call for special mention. The subjects
arising out of the war were of course alluded to, but not
to any extravagant extent. A burlesque of the Spanish
Dancers, executed by the clown and pantaloon, and re-
warded by two huge cabbages, thrown to them by way
of bouquets, excited much laughter. The theatre was
well attended.

HAYMARKET.
Mr. Buckstone having succeeded last year in produc
ing a pantomime peculiarly suited to the refined audi-
ences of this theatre, has judiciously followed up his
resolution by another pantomime, we may say of equal
grace, and smartness, and interest. Miss Lydia Thomp-
son, one of the most charming of dancers, because so
simple and elegant, is again the representer of the open-
ing heroine, and most charmingly she enacts it. The
foundation of the story is the brief nursery legend of
" Little 80-Peep who lest her Sheep." A presiding
fairy, of course, watches over Little 80-Peep, who is in-
clined to be lazy, and let her sheep stray, and evil genius,
Wolf, taking advantage of the little shepherdess's list-
lessness, steals the sheep, and, cutting off their tails,
hangs them on trees. A beautiful vision of careful shep-
herds and happy flocks is shown to 80-Peep in her dreams
and she ultimately recovers her sheep, who do not bring
their tails behind them, but she contrives to get them all
tacked on by her fellow shepherdesses ; and invincible in
her love of dozing and idling she gets her lover, Colin,
to watch whilst she goes to sleep. Wolf, enamoured of
her, attacks her in spite of her quadruped guardians, the
watch-dog and an old black ram, and is near succeeding
when the good genius appears, and saves her protegee
by a grand transformation into Harlequin and Columbine,
and Clown andPantaleon. The opening portion is painted
by Mr. Callcott, and shows all that imagination and
truthfulness which characterised the scenery last year.
A. scene of the Wolf's cave is fanciful, and that of the
Mountains in Arcadia by Sunrise truly picturesque ; the
vision of little 80-Peep is very tastefully managed ; and
the transformation scene, a Fairy Conservatory, though
crowded with theatrical guads, is so tastefully managed,
that it subdues the glare, and it is novel and pleasing, as
well as gorgeous. It is one of the prettiest things of
the kind we have seen.
The Harlequinade is conducted by M. Chapino, as
Harlequin ; Clown, Mr. Appleby ; Pantaloon, Mr. A.
Barnes ; Columbine, Miss Mary Brown. M. Chapino
is a good Harlequin. Mr. Appleby is a new importa-
tion from Liverpool. He is facetious and larcenious,
but in no way remarkable. Miss Mary Brown is a
handsome Columbine, and Mr. A. Barnes is an old
favourite, and certainly one of the best representatives
of the traditionary old simpleton. The scenery, espe-
cially of the opening, as we have said, is beautiful ;
and that of the Harlequinade is clever and striking, by
Messrs. O'Connor and Morris, particularly the scenes
at the Sydenham Palace—a grand saloon, and the
closing one of the Patriotic Temple. The chief allu-
sions to the war are compliments to our Allies, asd a
band of Lilliputian Guides, but, very wisely, this sub-
ject is but slightly touched upon. The tricks and trans-
formations are numerous and good, especially the rapid
change of the sofas of a saloon into a coach and pair,
and a plum pudding into Harlequin. The baby show
is the subject of great mirth, and gives ample room for
the barbarities of the Clown and Pantaloon. The pan-
tomime was well received by the audience, and will,
doubtless, have the usual run of Mr. Buckstone's well-
concocted pieces.

generally attributed to the veritable Nicholas, and
suffers all the disappointments and losses which
we are led to believe will result to that potentate
from the frustration of his ambitious designs. In
this case, however, his object is not exactly to seize upon
kingdoms, but merely to carve a " Turkey " for his
luncheon, and to obtain a handsome wife in the person
of Little Two Eyes, a subject of a neighbouring sove-
reign, who hears the somewhat questionable and certainly
difficult name of Unioneeyerumifustibustiboo, but whose
white uniform and the appearance of whose court would
lead one to guess what was intended to represent no less
a personage than the emperor of Austria. Of course
the two emperors agree, in the first instance, to aid each
other, and, equally, of course, the emperor of the beasts
being thwarted in all his designs by the fairy island
queen, is left in the lurch by his quondam ally. Little
Two Eyes becomes the legitimate possessor of a less
distinguished but a more agreeable lover, in the person
of a miller's son, who, with the Man-in-the-Moon, a host
of fairies, our old friend and contemporary the veritable
Punch, and a certain other and somewhat older Nicho-
las than even the great Czar himself, whose jealousy
seems to have been roused by the superior atrocity of
his namesake, contribute to the discomfiture of the Au-
tocrat. In the harlequinade the Bing of the Queerib-
leanfunileeris (Austria) becomes clown, the Emperor of
the Beasts, sprite, the miller's son, harlequin, and Two
Little Eyes, columbine, which characters were very
effectively filled in the introduction by Mr. Butler, Mr.
G. Yarnold, Mr. M. Sanders, and Miss Douglas ; and in
the pantomimic part by Mr. Buck, Mr. Longo, Mr. H.
Sanders, and Miss E. Guinness. Pantaloon was well repre-
sented by Mr. Bradbury, a second sprite, by Signor C.
Longo, and Harlequina by Miss Guinness. The tricks
were of the usual order, but were worked with less of the
difficulty than is generally experienced. The scenery is
painted by Mr. Dalby, and does him great credit. "The
Satin Boudoir of the Island Queen," and "The Palace
of Beauty," are beautiful specimens of scenic effect, and
were so highly appreciated by the audience that they in-
sisted upon the manager's appearance and re-appearance
on the stage to receive their congratulations. In the
course of the production a ballet divertissement was in-
troduced, in which the Misses Guinness executed some
pleasing pas with much grace.

CITY OF LONDON.

"Boxing night" still continues to be a night of in-
tense excitement with the East-enders. From an early
hour in the evening the doors of the theatres are be-
sieged, and the " City," under the able management of
Messrs. Johnson and Nelson Lee, having long main-
tained its celebrity for pantomime, comes in for a large
share of patronage. The pantomime of this season is
entitled Natural History; or, Harlequin. Birds, Beasts,
and Fishes, of which it is needless to say Mr. Nelson
Lee is the author. The first scene is placed amongst
the Signs of the Zodiac, where a number of birds,
beasts, and fishes are assembled. Dame Nature ar-
rives, and afterwards the Fairy Truth, who informs
them that Surly Bear is working under water to
obtain the hand of the daughter of Old Cock Sal-
mon. Goldfish explains the treachery of the Bear,
and begs the aid of Nature and Truth to defeat his de-
sign. The Fairy tells him that Goldfinch, the Prince of
Fairyland, has resolved to assist their cause, and has
despatched King Lion and his friend, the French Eagle,
to punish the Bear. The assembly breaks up, and the
scene changes to Feather Island, the Paradise of Fairy-
land where we have a fairy dance, a feast of flowers, and
other festive amusements. The prince here announces
his intention of aiding Truth and Nature against the
Bear. The scene then changes to the Grand Marine
Palace of King Lion. Jackal], the Lion's provider,
arrives with a tray of shins of beef, and the Young
Tiger is sent for Jackass, the village barber, to shave
his Majesty. The young prince arrives, attended by
his troop of lion guards, and his Majesty King Lion and
his staff of English and French officers enter. The
guards receive him with a loyal roar ; intelligence is
now brought from Fairyland informing the King of the
hostile intentions of the Bear. His Majesty orders the
city to be besieged, and departs to slaughter a fat bear.
This brings us to the Crystallised Grot of Old Cock Sal-
mon, beneath the waters. Troutina, daughter of Old
Cock Salmon, enters terribly distressed, owing to the
persecution of the Bear, who follows her about, wanting
to hug her. Her father resolves to send her off to a dis-
tant trout stream that night. She departs with her
papa to make preparations for her journey, when the
Bear pops in and discloses his intention of seizing Trou-
tina and clapping his paw upon her father's land. On
Troutina's return the Bear springs on her, and is about
to carry her off, when the British Lion, accompanied
by the French Eagle, suddenly stopshim. A bombardment
by the fleet at the back causes an explosion and a break,
which brings to view the Boweref Sparkling Gems in the
Palace of Prince Goldfinch, who changes the characters.
The young Prince (Mr. A. F. Forest) becomes Harle-
quin, Troutina (Miss Emma Sanger) Columbine, Old
Cock Salmon (Mr. R. Lees) Pantaloon, and the Clowns
are Mr. R. Stilt and our old friend Paul Herring. The
Pantomime of this season may fairly be said to be one
of Mr. Nelson Lee's best productions, and nothing has
been omitted—scenery and machinery—to give effect to
the performance. The house was crowded, and the
morning performance was equally well attended.

a visi

Walbourn and Mr. Tanneri, Clowns ; and Miss Maria scene, suggestive of a world of thought—a scene for a
Charles, Colum`)ine. From this point the pantomime poet to dwell upon. The Colosseum appears to be well
was of the average class, the tricks being tolerably nu- attended now ; the improvement we suggest will, we
merou', and going very well for a first night, the general venture to say, increase its popularity.
bustle on the stage being well maintained. BURFORD'S PANORAMAS.--THE BATTLE Or ALMA..—
This very attractive picture, of which we gave lately
some account, is making way in public favour. Its ful-
ness of representation is not seized at once, but succes-
sive visits are rewarded by the discovery of now points
of interest. Among the various incidents of a moving
nature here represented in connection with this Bangui-
nary battle is one affording an illustration of the never-
failing fidelity of the dog. A Russian lies extended upon
his back, his musket by his side ; his faithful four-footed
companion, crouching through fear, its forepaws gently
pressing the dead man's chest, is prying into the lifeless
countenance of his departed friend. 'We were not sir-
prised to find the public crowding to this well-executed
panorama, the interest pertaining to which will no doubt
suggest to many persons the desire of inspecting it. sabre
than once. The panoramas of " Berlin" and the
" Bernese Alps," though for the moment yielding in in-
erest to the above-mentioned work, are well worthy of

ORIENTAL AND TURKISH MITSEIJIL—When this Ex-
hibition fir„t opened it did so under the disadvantage of
appealing te the London public in the month of August,
its locality being Hyde-park-corner. Its obvious fitness
to the present time, and its real merit, have caused it to
make its way during the winter, and it stood high among
the well-visited exhibitions yesterday. The stayers at
home can see more of the Turkey of history
at St.
George's Gallery than Lord Stratford himself. English-
men
Turkish now at Constantinople may see baths,
bazaars, hamals, arabas, kabobs, &c. ; but will any of
them see a Janissary in his habit as he lived ? Will
they have seen Sultan Mahmoud in his ancient inaperia
robes, seated in full divan Will they have seen a baker
with his ear nailed to his door-post ? Above all, will
they have penetrated into the interior of a harem—into
the very boudoir and bedroom of a sultana I All these
things and more may be seen at the Turkish Museum
any day for a shilling. As a whole nothing can exce
the getting-up of this museum. This has been said be-
fore, no doubt, but just now, when sight-seers are obliged
for having good things pointed out to them, it is as well
to repeat that there is nothing better, and scarcely any
so good, among exhibitions as the Turkish Museum.
WYLD'S GLOM—The operations of the last campaign,
spreading, as they have done, over so wide an extent,
render this exhibition particularly interesting at the
present moment. The proprietor has added to the ordi-
nary attractions a model of Sebastopol and the sur-
rounding country. At intervals during the day a lec-
turer pointed out the various spots that have lately be-
come famous. The scene of the wondrous gallantry of
the light brigade, the sandbag redoubt so gloriously de-
fended by the Guards on the sth of November, and the
Ovens, the scene of the late gallant exploit of a party of
the Rifle Brigade. The great globe itself appeared to
have lost none of its attractions, and during the day se-
veral interesting lectures were delivered.
ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.—The exertions of
the new management of this institution to provide for
the amusement and instruction of the holiday folks ap-
pear to have been fully appreciated, for during the entire
day every portion of the building was crowded, and the
spacious theatre could scarcely accommodate the num-
bers that flocked to the lecttires and exhibitions of the
dissolving views.
MADAME TUSSAUD'S EXHIBITION maintains its popu-
larity among the holiday sight-seers, and was yesterday
visited by very many. Among the groups which seemed
to attract the greater share of public attention was the
one in which the Sultan, Omer Pacha, and the Emperor
of Russia were the prominent personages represented.