The Sun.
London, England, 1847-12-27 00:00:00

and emphatically protest against, and that is the de-
dication. It runs thus :—" To Douglas Jerrold, the
first wit of the present age, these proverbs of Shaks-
pere, the first wit of any age, are inscribed by Mary
Cowden Clarke, of a certain age, and no wit at all."
With a full appreciation of the abilities of Douglas
Jerrold, we think the commendation might be given
with equal accuracy to Gilbert Abbott A'Beckett, or
to William Makepiece Thackeray. While Charles
Dickens is amongst us, however, there can be no hesi-
tation us to who is really the greatest wit of the age.
Mrs. Cowden Clarke has gone pretty far to prove
herself, as she expresses it, " of no wit at all," by
penning this egregiously transparent compliment.

HARMONIC HALL, SOUTHWARK

BRIDGE-ROAD.

Among the many novelties of the seaF on to be
brought forward this evening, not the least active, or
the least liberal, in catering for the amusement
and recreation of the public, has been the
enterprising management of the Grand Har-
monic Hall, a unique theatre, devoted to
the production of operatic and other music, the
billet, &c. After announcing the engagement of
various popular singers, the proprietor thus publishes
his intention of providing the entertainment necessary
at this festive period of the year :
" The proprietor, fully impressed that novelty is
the order of the day,' has made extensive prepara-
tions for Christmas. The recent alterations and
embellishments in the upper and lower halls have been
pronounced chaste, complete, and unique. Nothing
can surpass the admiration expressed at the grandeur
and beauty of Dr. Felix Thibert's extraordinary
pictures, or at the truth and fidelity of Mr. P.
Phillips's views on the Rhine. Notwithstanding these
various improvements, it is conceived a pleasing
variety may be given to the evening's amusement
by the introduction of pictorial representations, illus-
trating the songs, dancing, &c., to effect which the
proprietor has secured the services of that eminent
artiste, Mr. Telbin—the modern Stanfield—to paint
a new set of scenery, to be introduced in a new grand
entertainment at Christmas, written by Mr.W. Warde,
to be performed by children. Dr. Felix Thibert's
pictures, above alluded to, consist of a variety of
representations of fish, wild fowl, foreign birds, &c.,
of a most extraordinary nature, the colours and posi•
tions of the several subjects being admirably rendered
by projecting composition. "

CHRISTMAS-DAY AT WINDSOR

CASTLE.

WINDSOR, SUNDAY.—Her Majesty gave a grand
Christmas banquet yesterday evening, covers being
laid for 27, in the large dining-room. The royal
party included the following personages :—Her Royal
Highness the Duchess of Kent, the Baroness de
Speth, Lady Augusta Bruce, Lady Fanny Howard,
Viscount and Viscountess Canning, Sir George and
Lady Couper, Hon. Miss Kerr, Dowager Lady
Lyttelton, Hon. Lavinia Lyttelton, Lord Waterpark,
Major-General Wemyss, the Hon. Colonel and Mrs.
Phipps, Dr. Meyer, Major-General Bowles, Mr.
Glover, the Hon. Captain Hood, the Hon. Colonel
Grey, Colonel Bouverie, the Hon. and Rev. C. L.
Courtenay, and Mr. G. E. and the Hon. Mrs.
Anson.

The principal dish at the royal banquet, which
was a splendid baron of beef weighing 3761b5., was
tastefully ornamented with holly, and rosettes com-
posed of rich purple ribbon in bows and festoons.
There were also on the table some extraordinary-
sized turkeys and Cochin China fowls, and a couple
of wild American turkeys, only 14 weeks old,
weighing each upwards of 161b5., the whole of which
were bred at the Queen's aviary, in the Home Park.
The band of the Royal Horse Guards were in at-
tendance during the dinner.

At the conclusion of the banquet, her Majesty and
her royal and distinguished guests retired to the
Green Drawing-room, where tea and coffee were
served. In this apartment were five trees, between
seven and eight feet in height, placed in ornamental
stands, the trees being in imitation of fir, and the
leaves frosted to resemble snow. Suspended from the
branches were hundreds of elaborately-ornamented
baskets, boxes, &c., for presentation, as Christmas
gifts, by her Majesty, Prince Albert, the Duchess of
Kent, and the Royal Family. Each of these mimic
trees was brilliantly illuminated with upwards of
eighty wax-lights.
Mr. MiKay, her Majesty's piper, was in attendance,
and performed at the commencement of the banquet,
marching round the room as soon as the company
hai taken their seats at table, playing favourite
Scotch airs.

The Queen's private band, under the leadership of
Mr. Anderson, performed a concert in the evening,
in the Red Drawing•room.
Divine service was performed in the morning, before
her M2jesty and the Prince, the visitors at the Castle,
&c., in the Queen's private chapel, by the Hon. and
Rev. C. L. Courtenay.