The Sun.
London, England, 1853-11-28 00:00:00

ASTLEY'S AMPHITHEATRE.

Our memory can scarcely recal the time when Astley's
Amphithestre better deserved a visit than just now.
The entertainments are of a very superior description,
are both novel and varied, and show that Mr. Cooke is
a most worthy successor of those who, for more than
half a century, have added to the reputation of this
famed establishment. The invasion of Russia and the
Burning of Moscow brings out with full force all the
equestrian and scenic resources of the house, and is one
of the most interesting and exciting pieces we have wit-
nessed here. Present events lend to it a peculiar attrac-
tion, inasmuch as everything connected with Russia is
eagerly seized upon ; but in one respect it may be said
not to be quite apropos, for we trust that what is now
passing on the Danube will not result in the disasters of
the French expedition to Russia in 1812. Among the
spectacles which deserve particular notice is the advance
of the French army, the conflagration of the Kremlin,
with desperate fighting in the streets amidst the flames,
and the retreat of Napoleon across the desolate and
snow-covered plains, strewed with artillery, the bodies
of his soldiers and dead horses, when he tries to animate
the drooping spirits of the half-famished and almost
frozen survivors. All this is made to tally as nearly as
possible with the records of history. These military
displays are relieved by an insight into Russian peasant
life, and the audience is astonished to find that the much-
maligned boors are not insensible to the finer feelings
and sentiments of humanity. Some of the scenes in the
arena are of the most astounding character. For in-
stance, Miss Emily Cooke, a small and slim child, while
on the back of a horse going at full speed round the
circle, springs consecutively through no less than 16
hoops, covered in kite-like fashion with paper, each
time landing on her feet on the animal ; and, not satisfied
with accomplishing this extraordinary feat, actually
repeats it by springing through the hoops backward.
These unprecedented and hazardous evolutions are per-
formed with an ease, a grace, and a lightness which ma-
terially augments their success. She seems, in fact,
almost to fly through the air ; and from the absence of
all fear and trepidation, one might suppose her element
to be that of the feathered tribe. Almost equally
miraculous are the equestrian acts of Mr. Alfred
Cooke, who has lately made his re-appearance after a
lengthy absence. Though a gentleman of large stature,
he poises himself on the very point of his toe on the hip
of a horse running at a railroad pace, and while in this
position assumes the most graceful attitude. He sub-
sequently deports himself in an equally daring manner
on the backs of four unsaddled horses, over whom the
slightest of reins gives him entire control. While pro-
ceeding through the air with the rapidity of a whirlwind,
he moves about in this perilous position as if he were
dancing on a boarded floor. We are inclined to think
the play-bill has not over-estimated his merits when it
describes him as the premier horseman of Lis day. It
woul I be unjust not to mention Master, Godolphin
Cooke, the most diminutive of equestrians, who very
cleverly pourtrays all the situations of a sailor's life while
whirling round the circle. The performances conclude
with the first act of Jupiter's Decree, to which we alluded
some time ago, and which still holds it ground at
Astley's.

THE DANISH CROWN.—The Weser Gazette states
that Prince Vasa has protested against the arrangement
made at London with respect to the succession to the
throne of Denmark. The Emperor of Russia, as chief of
the house of Gottorp, is stated to have replied that the
matter was at an end.

DEPARTURE OF THE AMERICAN MAILS. - On Satur-
day afternoon, about four o'clock, the British and North
American Royal Mail steam ship Niagara, Captain
John Leitch, sailed for Boston and Halifax, with the
usual mails for the United States and British possessions
in North America, 107 passengers, and a large cargo of
valuable merchandise on freight.
"THE EARL OF lIAREWOOD AND HIS TENANTRY."—
We have the authority of the steward of the Earl of
Harewood, and two highly respectable tenants upon his
Lordship's estates, to give the fullest contradiction to a
paragraph which app( ii our last, respecting the
alleged recall of the return made to the tenantry some
time back.—Leeds Times.

OPENING OF TIIE METROPOLITAN WELSH CHURCH.—
Yesterday the Bishop of London opened the Metropolitan
Welsh Church, situate in Eiy-place, Holborn. Divine
service was performed in the morning, in Welsh, by the
Rev. J. Evans, M.A., the incumbent ; after which an
appropriate sermon was preached, in English, by the
bishop. In the evening the service, including a sermon
by Mr. Evans, was wholly in Welsh.
ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.—The following gentle-
men, having undergone the necessary examinations for
the diploma, were admitted members of the College, at
the meeting of the Court of Examiners on the 25thin-
stant :—Messrs. Philip Vincent, Camborne, Cornwall ;
Samuel Delpratt, Hon. East India Company's Service,
Bengal ; William Mason, Ashby-de-la-Zouch ; William
Roberts, Manchester ; Henry William Friar Lomas,
Derby ; Henry Morris Simmonds, Lindfield, Sussex ;
John Sharnson, Belfast ; Alfred Stevens, Hammersmith ;
John Joseph Coghlan, Old Cavendish-street ; and Ed-
ward Dawson, Whitby, Yorkshire.