The Sun.
London, England, 1831-08-23 00:00:00

ROYAL GARDENS, VAUXHALL.

The gardens were perhaps more crowded last night
than on any previous occasion during the present season,
the entertainments having been got up in honour of his
Majesty's birthday. The gardens were illuminated with
more than their usual splendour, and the fire% orks were
perfect triumphs in the pyrotechnic art. Mr. Green re-
peated his night ascent in Isis balloon, and its effect on first
rising, illuminated as it was by a discharge of blue fire-
works, was most grand and imposing. Considerable crowds
assembled outside the gardens and in various parts of the
town to witness the ascent, and the star-like lights falling
as it were from the clouds. The concert, including the
performances of Michael Boni, an.l numberless other at-
tractions, conduced to resider last night one of peculiar at-
traction, and the favourable state of the weather contributed
no mean share to the general enjoyment.

COBURG THEATRE.

A piece, transplanted from the Parisian stage, entitled
The Victim of St. Vincent; or the Horrors of an
Assault, was produced at this place of entertainment last
night. The original piece, now performing at the
Theatre de la Gaiete at Paris, is stated to be very popular.
It had its origin in the scenes witnessed in Paris and its
environs in 1814 and ISIS, when the Allied arms
triumphed over the Napoleon Government. In that eventful
period the Count de Clairville (1110anatEit) removed his
daughter Amelia (Miss WATSON) for safety from Paris to a
neighbouring village, which was afterwards ransacked and she
herself made the victim of abrutal assault—the result of which
was the birth of a child named Felix (Mrs. HARRISON.)
The author of this outrage was then unknown, and Ame-
lia, concealing her dishonour, had the child brought up in
her father's dwelling as an orphan whom she protected.
The piece opens with the year 1830, a memorable period
for France, just before the expulsion of Charles the Tenth,
when the Ministers of that Monarch are supposed to have
employed spies to destroy property in the agricultural
districts, with a view of having those crimes attributed to
the measures of those opposed to the Government, and
who formed a majority of 221 against the Ministers.—
The piece is replete with incidents of a very amusing and
affecting character, and the interest is kept up throughout
until the denouement. The Baron St. Val (admirably
performed by Mr. SEttLE) becomes the destined husband of
Amelia, who consents to the union solely on account of her
father, by which he becomes reinstated in certain property
which had been lost to him since 1814. She, for the first
time, discloses to Felix (who is then 16 years of age) that
she is his mother, but states also that their future happi-
ness depends upon a separation, which be reluctantly con.
seats to, and solemnly promises never to divulge the secret
of his bit th. Hs is confided to the care of an honest old
servant, Jerome, (DAvIOGE) to be conveyed to Paris,
receiving at the same time a present of money and a case of
jewels. The separation between the mother and son was
a most affecting performance and deservedly applauded.
On the way to the capital Jerome falls from a woodet
bridge into a deep ravine (the bridge having been previ
onsly cut to destroy the !leas d'armes while pursuing the
incendiaries then in its neighbourhood) and is killed ; Felix
faints away, and while in that state is robbed of his money
arid jewels by an incendiary, Loupy (GRAY), disguised at
a beggar. The incendiary carries Felix to the farm 01
Genets, where the worthy farmer (T. BLANCIIARD)
is celebrating his harvest-home, a❑d, upon hear-
ing Felix's distress, shelters him for the night. Loopy
in the confusion examines the fastenings of the farm-yard,
and, having secured the key, decamps. In the night
Loopy returns, sets fire to the farm, and escapes. The
general suspicion that Felix fired the farm is strengthened
by his refusal to state who or what he is, or where he
came from ; and, upon Loopy being pursued and over-
taken, the money and jewels were found upon him,
and recognised by Felix, but he refused to state
from whom he had them,—the recollection of his
promise to his mother overcoming every other feel-
ing. All he could do was to protest his innocence—
when one of the farm labourers recollected seeing him
about the mansion of the Count de Clairville. Thither
he was conveyed by the officers of justice, just after the
marriage ceremony between his mother and Baron St.
Val had been concluded. Upon arriving there his mo-
ther, to the consternation of her husband and her father,
admitted that he was her son, and that she had given him
the jewels and the money. Consternation and dis-
may now prevail where joy and harmony but just
before had existed. Amelia beseeches an interview
with her husband in order to develops the " horrors
of the assault," and to state her determination to retire
to a convent. Suffice it to ray that her husband ac-
knowledged himself to have been the author of the crime,
and the father of her child ; mutual forgiveness took
place, and the peace terminated amicably to all parties.
We must not omit mentioning a very pretty " tinder
plot," in which the Biron's German servant, an old sol-
dier named Christopher, (Connaat,) and Amelia's maid,
Josephine, (Mrs. DAVIDGE,) fell in love ; their love
prospects varied in accordance with those of their
superiors, and teminated as amicably. The scenery,
machinery, and dresses reflected great credit ili
the management. Tile performances of Miss WATSON
and Mrs. HARRISON, as Amelia and Felix, dis-
played great study and talent; in the more affecting
scenes they drew immense applause. Coatraas, although
out of his usual line as a German soldier, was admirable ;
he and Mrs. DAVIDOE elicited frequent bursts of laughter.
Mr. SERLE, as the Baron St. Val, exhibited a thorough
knowledge of the more accomplished line of acting. 01
the other performers it is but due to them to state that
they supported their characters with great effect, and so
general was the satisfaction evinced by the house that we
have no doubt the spirited Manager will, as he undoubtedly
deserves, reap a handsome harvest by it. The piece was
announced for repetition every evening this week, amidst
great applause.