The Sun.
London, England, 1849-06-05 00:00:00

VAUXHALL GARDENS.

It is a matter of no small gratification, at this de-
lightful reason of the year, to know that Vauxhall
still survives with all its wonted splendour and at-
tractions, and bids fair, from the auspicious opening
last night, to have a prosperous season, worthy the
palmiest days of the royal property. This, perhaps,
may be owing to the gardens being placed in the
hands of entirely new proprietors, who have gone to
great outlay in renovating and improving them, and
have shown a degree of zeal and enterprise which can
only be adequately met by entire success. One con-
.iderable improvementis the opening of the Italian
\Val, which for several years has been almost en-
tirely closed, and its continuation round the back of
the \Vaterloo Ground, thus giving to the gar-
dens a more extended appearance, and allowing
visitors to have the full scope of the grounds
for promenade. The covered avenues have been en-
tirely re-decorated, presenting, when lighted up, a
most brilliant appearance, and the walks which are
covered with a soft and agreeable kind of sand, beau-
tifully laid out with flea ers, statues, lamps, and
fountains. The entertainments commenced with a
vocal and instrumental concert—consisting of tif[y
performers, under the very able direction of Mr. A.
Lee, the ceinposer—which gave the most unbounded
satisfaction. The National Anthem which first
greeted the ears of the company, was given with
great force and ability, and produced a most furious '
applause. Mr. Ross, of comic-tragic celebrity, who
gave several most exciting and humourous songs and
recitations, will, no doubt, be a great acquisition to
the G irdens. The entert iiraments in the Rotunda
Theatre, with Antlers troupe of French
equestrians, were of a mo,t superior description.
The drolleries and tricks of Auriol the clown,
achieved as they were with so much precision and
agility, created roars of laughter and applause, and
the wonderful and almost supernatural feats of young
Hernandez on horseback were applauded to the echo.
A magnificent representation of the palace and
,
gardens of Versailles, with the basin of Neptune and
fountains of real water, was given after the scenes in
the circle, by means of a new and brilliant species of
illumination. The fireworks followed, and then came
the dancing
upon the platform in front of the or-
chestra and in the ball room which, it would appear,
was by no means considered the least part of the
entertainment. There was a novelty in the introduc-
tion of several French vivianderes into the gardens,
prettily dressed, who,
to the astonishment of the
company, offered, with a winning smile, bouquets and
bonbons, arld shunned the idea of payment. One we
were told, was present at the death of the Archbish( p
of Paris. The gardens were very much crowded.

HERR ERNST'S CONCERT.—This distinguished 00.
linist gave a concert last evening at the Hanover
square Rooms, which was very fully and fashionably
attended. The programme comprised performances by
Ernst—a host in himself—Halle, Pischek, Jetty Treffz,
Miss Dolby, and Herr Damcke ; and the selection was
well calculated to display their powers, vocal and instru-
mental. Halle exhibited his great executive powers in
Mendlessohn's Concerto in G minor, and was enthusias
tally applauded. Pisehek sang Meyerbeer's " Monk"
in magnificent style, besides taking part in a duo
from Belisario, with Herr Dameke. Treffz was en-
cored in one of her charming German songs, and fairly
captivated the audience by her exquisite delivery of the
English ballad " Home, sweet home," and she. also sang
in a duet with Miss Dolby. The last-mentioned lady
sang Holmes's ballad, " Scenes of childhood, and the
aria " Ciel pietoso." Ernst was received enthusiastically.
Besides the allegro pathctique and the airs Hongrois,
which ho has already played here, be gave for the first
time in England a composition of his own, entitled a
rondo Popageno, not founded, as the name might imply,
upon any air in the Zauberjlote, but introducing an
effect with the piccolo, similar in character to that which
accompanies Papageno's song. This composition, which
Pasirawtaas.
is calculated to display the most startling characteristics
toht uh seira
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of Ernst's style, with many of his most bizarre effects,
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alsowas enthusiastically
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The concert went off with great éclat, as indeed was in-
evitable from the quality of the talent engap d.
LONDON SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY. Last
evening a performance was given by this Society, the
proceeds of which were to be given to Mr. Surman, the
conductor, as an acknowledgment of his gratuitous ser-
vices in that capacity. The programme presented no
feature of novelty. The first portion of the performance
consisted of the first and second parts of Haydn's
oratorio The Creation; and it concluded with the second
part of The Seasons, by the same composer. The
soprano part was sustained by Miss Catherine Hayes,
who sang " With verdure clad" and " On mighty wings"
in a sty le to command the most enthusiastic applause.
Miss Hayes was equally successful in her portion of the
music of The Seasons. The other vocalists were Mr.
Phillips, Mr.
Benson, Miss A. E. Byers, Mr. Lawler,
and Mr. Lockey.
CEEMORNE GARDENS.—This place, which is now
in the best possible order, was last evening crowded with
people desirous of witnessing the balloon ascent of Lieu-
tenant Gale, and of partaking of the other amusements
furnished by the proprietor. The ascent took place
shortly after seven o clock, the balloon taking a direction
towards the north-west, !.nd continuing in sight for a
considerable length of time. When at a great height
above the earth Lieutenant Gale performed his really
terrific feat of di.seeding from the upper car to the
lower one by means of a rope ladd( r, discharging fire
works and ascending to tho upper car. The groat
attraction of the evening was,, liowever, the representa-
tion of the siege
of mouit:m. the fortress is erected in
the grounds on a la-go scale—s{ildiers are seen storming
the breaches, and cannon andall the attributes of a
siege are depicted with a fidelity which renders the illu-
sion compkte. Firevvorks and all the proper appliances
of such a representation are of course introduced. For
those who de not delisht in war and martial turmoil
there are other ( xhibitions t of endless variety ---
d wails, the large:4 horse in the world, acrobat per-
&steers, theatrical representations, illuminated walks,
statues, and tableaux of statues by Mr. 'l'. Thompson,
the original depictor of living classic groups. The band
is a very good one. This is one of the best conducted
places of public amusement in London. Mr. Lewis, who
is well known to the public as a master of the ceremo-
nies, is engaged, and performs his somewhat onerous
duties in a very satisfactory manner.
Sir Herbert Maddock had an interview with Earl Grey
yesterday at the Colonial-vice.