The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-30 00:00:00

ASTLEY'S AMPHITHEATRE.

The performances at the above theatre have undergone
an entire change, and some attractive novelties have
been added to the already varied bill of fare. Last even-
ing the performance commenced with a new equestrian
burlesque, by Hugo Vamp. It bears the classical title
of the Siege of Troy, or the Miss-Judgment of Paris. It is
full of fun and frolic, and contains much clever repartee
and frequent satirical allusions to current events. The
characters were well sustained. Great pains have
been taken to render this piece attractive, both in the
costumes and scenery. Of the latter there is ample
diversity. The most attractive part to last night's
audience was the Fall of Troy and Rising of Rome,
a mythological tableau, with which the piece con-
cludes. Several of the performers were called for
at the close, and, upon the whole, the Siege of Troy was
well received. The performances of Herr Christoff on
the tight-rope, which followed, are of the most daring
description. He performs several summersaults, alight-
ing on the single rope, firm and erect. The usual va-
riety of scenes in the arena, for which this theatre is re-
nowned, followed. Not the least attractive was a mag-
nificent entree, commemorative of the union of England
and France, which concludes with a grand allegorical
tableau, representing the triumph of truth and justice—
the united sovereigns of England, France, and Turkey,
over despotic Russia. The Brothers Francisco exhibited
their miraculous feats on La Perche. The introduction
by Mr. W. Cooke of a pony, not more than 15 inches in
height, created much merriment. The performance
concluded with The Knight and the Water Lily.

ROYAL VISIT TO THE CRYSTAL PALACE. Her
Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester, attended by
Lady Georgiana Bathurst, Lord and Lady Bangor, arid
Col. arid the Hon. Mrs Liddell, visited the Crystal
Palace yesterday. Her Royal Highness was received
and conducted through the building by Sir Joseph
Paxton, Mr. Grove. the Secretary to the Company, and
Mr. Cooper, the General Superintendent. The numbers
yesterday were—Admission at the doors, 10,253 ; ad-
mission by season tickets, 608 ; total, 10,861.
THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE.—We are glad to state
that the health of this nobleman has so far improved as
to permit his grace to leave bis villa at Chiswick and
proceed to his ducal mansion, Chatsworth House.
Arrangements have been made at Chatsworth with a
view to the reception of the noble duke this day.
Lord Stanley, M.P., will shortly join the party
assembled at Gordon Castle on visits to the Duke and
Duchess of Richmond.
GENERAL STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY.—The 59th
half-yearly general meeting of the shareholders in this
company was held yesterday, at their offices, 71, Lom-
bard-street; John Wilkins, Esq.. in the chair. The re-
port of the directors, and a statement of the accounts as
certified by the auditors for the half-year ending the
30th June last, were read to the meeting, and were
highly approved by the proprietors. The customary
dividend was then declared, and the cordial thanks of
the proprietors voted to the chairman and directors for
their zealous services in the management of the com-
pany's affairs, after which the meeting separated.
On Sunday last, the Directors of the Eastern Counties
Railway Company provided a special excursion train for
the purpose of giving the clerks and porters, together
with their wives and families, a trip to Harwich and
back, when about 1,600 persons availed themselves of
the opportunity. The train was accompanied by W. B.
Brown, Esq., the respected Superintendent of the Goods
Depot at Brick-lane, who, as on similar ocoazions in two
former years, did all he could to provide for the comfort
of the passengers. Two steam-ships were also provided
by the company, for the purpose of taking those who
were inclined for a trip on the sea.
GREAT FIRE.—(THIS DAY.)—This morning, between
four and five o'clock, a fire of a very destructive character
broke out on the extensive preinises of Messrs. Bass
Brothers and Co., No. 124 and 125, Lower Thames-
street, wholesale druggists, whereby property to the ex-
tent of upwards of 30,0001. was destroyed. The fire
was not subdued until it had partially destroyed or da-
maged several houses in Fish street-hill.
THE STEAM ENGINE IN THE HARVEST FIELD.—A
correspondent of the Sussex A dvertir er, speaking of the
spirit of enterprise and activity which is diffusing itself
among the farmers, says : "On visiting the farm of
Messrs. Hampton, at A pplesham, a few days ago, I found a
portablestearn threshing machine traversing from stack to
:task and from field to field, attended by 15 men. On in-
quiry I learned that it worked admirably, knocking out
some 100 saiks daily. Some 50 or 60 loads appeared 'to
have already found their way into the market, obtair.ing
a very remunerative price, and weighing on an average
631 b. to the bushel." Toe same journal, in another part
of its columns, says :—" We observe amongst our agri-
culturists a general, nay, an universal feeling of satisfac-
tion and thankfulness for the abundance with which a
bountiful Providence, has clothed their land. On every
side are hope, effort,
and activity. Some of the more
energetic and go-ahead farmers have wisely determined,
to " make hay while the sun shines," and the " whirr'
of the steam threshing machine shows that they are
availing themselves of the powers which improved ma-
chinery confers to take the advantage of the present
satisfactory range of prices,"