The Sun.
London, England, 1853-05-17 00:00:00

_HOLIDAY AMUSEMENTS.

OREMORNE GARDENS.
A more auspicious opening of the fete champetre sea-
son than that which was last evening witnessed at this
popular place of amusement could not well be desired even
• by those most interested in its permanent success. If
there be veracity in the adage which assures us that a
"good start is half the race," then indeed has Mr.
T. B. Simpson cause to feel assured that his "book " is
a safe one, and that, in the present season, he rides the
winning horse. It would be strange were it otherwise ;
at least, we venture to think the great majority of those
who visited the gardens last evening participated in an
entertainment which, in point of magnificence, coupled
with the low scale of admission charges, was never on
any previous occasion afforded our very exacting 'sight-
seeing friends. The visitor of last season could not fail
to observe the several improvements which the judicious
taste of Mr. Simpson has introduced in every depart.
ment. The grounds have been re-trimmed and laid out
to the best advantage ; the casts are more numerous
than formerly; the theatre, bowling-saloons, and various
refectories have all been retouched in approved artistic
style, whilst the several orchestras have also been en-
larged and beautified. Nor is it merely in outward' ap-
pearance that Cremorne Gardens have been improved, for
the performances are equally entitled to commendation.
In the musical department the "Hungarian Brothers"
continue to delight their auditors, as of old, though at
present they are brought into serious rivalry with the
numerous and admirably-trained band of Signor Bosisio
—the lesser orchestras performing, at intervals, waltzes
and polkas of such a spirit-stirring nature as to induce a
conviction that " perpetual motion" had been at length
illustrated in the persons of the thousands of Terpsi-
chorean votaries. The balloon ascent of Mr. Chambers
was quite perfect in all its complicated details, and the
veteran aeronaut was loudly cheered as, with a steady
and majestic flight, he soared in his fragile machine high
in air, and, in a few minutes, losing himself to the up-
turned gaze of his thousand spectators. The theatricals
were admirably selected with a view to merriment and
laughter, which, in the present season of hilarity, consti-
tute their best recommendation to classes whose deter-
mination is to laugh and be merry, and with whom, con-
sequently, the sentimental or melodramatic would be
sadly out of place. Then there was rope-dancing with
feats of daring which made one hold hard the breath ; and
anon, such a display of grace and agility as elicited the
loudest acclamation. The vocalism was also very credit-
ably sustained. But much as had been done to improve
the general aspect of things, it was not until dark that the
gardens displayed their full beauty, or revealed the extent
of the artistic skill which had been employed to give effect
and brilliancy to the scene. An entirely new process of
illumination was introduced on the occasion, and with
the greatest possible success. In roving over the
grounds, the eye wandered down vistas, in 'which the
verdant foliage was brightly relieved by thousands of
lamps, whose rich and variegated hues were in return
chastened down to a tone so subdued as to realise that
fairy land which the sceptical believe only to exist within
the pages of Oriental romances. There might Puck and
his attendant train hold their midnight revels, or repose
within the shelter of some mossy grot, lulled by falling
waters and the " distant hum_of cities." Of the grand
pyrotechnic display which wound up the entertainments
of the evening it will be merely necessary to say that it
partook of the same excellence as the other branches of
the performance--which, taken as a whole, was not
alone comPlete, but, what is still more to the purpose,
altogether successful and satisfactory, A spirited and
judicious proprietor undoubtedly is Mr. Simpson, who
seems to possess, not alone the will, but also the taste
to render as perfect as possible entertainments of this
description. Assisted by the politeness and attention
of the secretary, and skill of the manager Mr.
Adams the public has every assurance of a
series of brilliant entertainments, such as they were
*ever previously invited to ; and if last night be
any indication of the future, Mr. Simpson may safely
calc:ulate on the support and approbation of " troops of
friends" during his auspiciously renewed regime of Old
Cremorne Gardens.

SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.
The opening day of this delightful scene of recreation
was signalised by an attendance crowded beyond the
powers of computation. Besides the zoological collec-
tion, which remains pretty much as it has been during
the last three or four years, and the musical arrange-
ments, including the military band under the able di-
rection of Mr. Godfrey, and a vocal concert embracing
the talents of Miss Cicely Nott, Mr. Wuille, and Mr.
Phillips, there was a modelled dioramic picture repre-
senting the Bay and Forts of Chusan, designed and
painted by the Messrs. Danson, from drawings made
on the spot by Lieut. White, of the Royal Marines. As
usual with the scenic representations at these gardens,
the lake is made to form a principal feature, and in the
present instance does effectual duty as the harbour
and bay of Chusan, the admirably-managed per-
spective of the fortifications, junks, and ships in
front, and the rugged mountains fading in the dis-
tance, and mingling with the clouds behind, convert-
ing the pigmy sheet of water into a sea of formidable
dimensions. The diorama is made the vehicle for the
introduction of, the ordinary pyrotechnic display which
is consequent upon the attack on the British fleet an-
chored in the bay by the Chinese rafts and batteries.
The spectacle was admirably managed, and the illusion
of the bombardment by which the batteries were silenced
and the fire-ships destroyed was (bating a pleasing
variety of colour and form in the rockets and other
missiles interchanged) complete ; and, judging by the
applause with which it was rewarded, the war with
China promises to be as successful at the Surrey
Gardens as it was in the Chinese waters. The May-
pole dances and rustic sports went off with signal
effect, and proved a most brilliant and attractive feature.
Too much praise 'cannot be given to the celebrated
Flesmore for the admirable manner in which he pro-
duced and superintended this portion of the entertain-
ment. His corps de ballet is drilled to perfection, and
the delight of the assembled thousands was enthusiastic.
The spirited and successful plunges of Master Joseph
Collins after some current coins of the realm secreted
in the recesses of a vessel of treacle called down thun-
ders of applause on the head of that active and interest-
ing youth.

POLYTECHNIC.
This institution, as usual, attracted yesterday a great
number of visitors, and the whole of the scientific and
mechanical resources of the establishment have been put
into requisition for the week, affording a very diversified
and interesting programme for the instruction and
amusement of holiday sight-seers. We noticed espe-
cially yesterday amongst the visitors, who were com-
posed of all grades of society, a great number of the
better class of artisans, who appeared to examine with
great interest the different specimens of machinery,
models, and works of art. The lectures were more than
usually well attended, especially one by Mr. Pepper on
the chemistry of gunpowder and rocket composition ;
and another by Dr. Bachhoffner on voltaic electricity,
with a series of brilliant illustrations. Some very
curious and interesting experiments were made on the
power of heat, illustrated by two gigantic reflectors, by
Which cooking was effected at an enormous distance
from the fire. The above were all illustrated by a num-
ber of amusing experiments, greatly to the delight and
edification of the more juvenile portion of the audience.
We must not forget to notice the dissolving views, which
are always excellent at this institution, especially a
splendid series painted by Mr. Charles Smith, repre-
senting a variety of scenes in the Holy Land. The won;
derful ruins of Palmyra, and the ancient Christian
chapels and shrines at Jerusalem, Bethlehem, &c., for
which those little known but interesting regions are re-
markable, were most beautifully exhibited.

BURFORD'S PANORAMA:
Amongst the numerous pictorial exhibitions which
appeal daily to the popular taste, Burford's Panorama
retains the high position it has ever held, and the large
amount of patronage bestowed upon it yesterday suffi-
ciently proved that the last addition to the entertainment
—the City of Granada, with the Alhambra—is one of
the most effective which has yet been introduced to the
notice of the public. As a work of art, it has already
received a high meed of praise, and has been justly pro-
nounced an improvement upon that style of painting
which is generally employed in panoramic representa-
tions. All the most interesting features of the old
Moorish city, with the celebrated fortress and palace
of the Alhambra, and the surrounding plain, are beauti-
fully and effectively rendered, and the skill of a practised
artist is everywhere apparent, both in the mechanical
and pictorial arrangements. To all who admire exhibi-
tions of this nature, and who would readily gain a know-
ledge of one of the most interesting cities of olden time,
this panorama is especially worthy of a visit.