The Sun.
London, England, 1847-12-28 00:00:00

ASTLEY'S.

Doctor Syntax and his Dapper Grey, Mare, is the
title of the new pantomime at Astley s, and 4 trowded
auditory assembled last night to witness its first re-
presentation. Of course the quadruped 'performers at
this establishment are liberally introduced into the
Christmas piece, and they do their duty well, with
the exception, perhaps, of the dapper grey mare,
which is an amateur performer, and which, albeit not
a charger of high metal, stall, owing to the novelty of
the scene of action in which it is placed, exhibits oc-
casionally more evolutions than were originally
stipulated for when the engagement of the animal was
entered into. This, however, far from being dis•
agreeable, is a very effective auxiliary to the fun that
is going on, the more especially as it is generally dis-
played at the moment when the other performers least
expect it.
If uproarious mirth be any test of the success of
,a
pantomime, then; indeed, Doctor Syntax at Astleys

EXHIBITIONS, &c.
BRITISH Musnum.—This institution was yesterday
visited by upwards of 40,000 persona of both sexes,
being nearly double the number of the visitors of the
the boxing-day of last Christmas. The grand hall
and staircase, being now open for the use of the public,
as also the excellent arrangements made in the spacious
rooms, where the most rare and interesting specimens
of the natural, mineral, and geological kingdoms are
arranged, but little inconvenience arose from the vast
number of visitors.
THE NATIONAL GALLERY.—Next to the British
Museum, the National Gallery was by far the most
numerously-attended exhibition, the number of visitors
exceeding 15,000. At an early hour in the morning,
in fact as soon as the doors were thrown open, the
whole of the rooms were crowded by well-dressed
persons, and continued so throughout the day. The
Carraccis, Teniers, and particularly the Corregios in
the large room, which were some time ago purchased by
the trustees of the Marquis of Londonderry for 11,000
guineas, attracted considerable attention. The most
complete order and decorum prevailed throughout the
day, although none but the ordinary attendants were
on duty.
THE UNITED SERVICE MUSEUM, SCOTLAND-YARD.
.—This instructive museum was visited during yes-
terday by many hundred persons, who were all ad-
mitted gratuitously. Notwithstanding the large
number of visitors, not the least disorder or confusion
was caused, owing to the admirable measures resorted
to of admitting the public at one side of the building,
and letting them depart from the other.
THE POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.—The entertain..
ments at this institution drew together a vast number
of persons during the day. The lectures were listened
to with attention by a crowded audience. Several
new dissolving views have been added, and Dr. Bach-
hoffner's lecture on the laws of nature, in reference
to the engrossing subject of sanitary improvements and
the different modes of ventilation, requires only to be
heard to be appreciated.

THE PANORAMA, LEICESTER-SQUARE.—AS is ge-
nerally the case on all holiday occasions, this place of
amusement was well attended during the day. The
subject prepared for the entertainment of the public
was the " View of Cairo," from drawings taken by D.
Roberts, Esq., R.A., in which were depicted the
splendid mosques, domes, the river Nile, the everlast-
ing Pyramids, and a numerous assemblage of people
preparatory to a pilgrimage to Mecca.
MADAME TUSSAUD'S.—This lady's exhibition came
in for a fair share of public patronage. From the
hour the doors were thrown open, until late in the
afternoon, the large room was what might in truth be
termed inconveniently crowded. Several new figures
have been recently added, amongst the number is one
of Jenny Lind in the character of the Figlia del
Reggimento. There is also a striking likeness of
Grisi in the character of Norma, and a portrait of
Pope Pius IX. The latter figures were greatly ad-
mired by the visitors.

THE COLOSSEUM.—This establishment is now be-
coming the fashionable resort of the beau monde for a
winter 'afternoon's promenade. It was numerously
attended yesterday. The Sculpture Saloon, bril-
liantly illuminated from one till five o'clock, the
Panorama of London by Night being exhibited at
the same time, and a capital selection of music,
combine to render its attractions most unique. A
beautiful representation of the aurora borealis, as seen
in London on Sunday, the 24th of October last, now
forms a striking feature in the night picture. A con-
siderable addition has lately been made to the sculp-
ture from the studios of I3aillie, Lucas, Papworth, &c.
SINGERS OF THE PYRENEES.—A morning concert
was given yesterday at the Royal Adelaide Gallery,
Strand, for the purpose of introducing these vocalists.
They appeared in their national costume, and sang
of their mountain melodies.
They were rapturously encored, and their concluding
chorus, " The Hymn of Pope Pius 1X.," is a fine
performance, and was received with the greatest en-
thusiasm. They were well supported by Miss Sara
Flower, Miss Pearce, and Mr. Sedgwick, the con-
certina player.
HARMONIC HALL, SOUTHWARK BRIDGE-ROAD.—
Yesterday evening this elegant theatre of haimony
was crowded to the ceiling, and many hundreds were
unable to obtain admission. The principal novelty-
brought forward was a comic ballet, called The Ship-
wrecked Sailor, which was received with the highest
marks of approbation. The entertainments which fol-
lowed consisted of the singing of American Barlow
and several others, in addition to Mr. W. Warde, Mr.
Pearce, and other favourites of the establishment.
The former gentleman was particularly honoured,
having been encored in every song, and in two in-
stances a third encore was demanded. In short, the
enterprising proprietor, Mr. Richard Preece, appears
to have spared neither expense or exertion for the
gratification and improvement of the public taste.
Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, the Tower, the
Monument, Tunnel, &c., were visited by crowds of
the holiday folks.

THE ELECTION OF BISHOP OF
HEREFORD.
HEREFORD, MONDAY,—The election of a bishop
to the see of Hereford takes place to-morrow, the
dean and chapter (as already stated in the address of
the dean to her Majesty) having deferred the election
to the latest possible period after the reception of the
conge d'elire.
In obedience to the citatory letter issued to the
several members of the chapter of Hereford requiring
their attendance at this election, they will assemble in
the 'morning to "proceed to the election of a new
bishop and pastor" of Hereford, and " the whole bu-
siness of the said election, with all its incidents,
emergencies, and dependencies whatsoever, until the
final dispatch of the said election."

The chapter having assembled in the Ladye Chapel
of the cathedral, the usual place of meeting, the
Chapter-house having been ruined at the siege of
Hereford, the conge d'eiire will be read, directing the
election of a bishop of Hereford in the room of the
late bishop. This done, the usual daily service of the
church will be performed in the choir up to the second
lesson ; after which the dean and chapter will return
to the Ladye Chapel, and then the usual proceedings
of election will take place. The chapter will then
return with the dean to the choir, when the dean will
make a declaration of the result of the election, what-
ever it maybe, and the church service will then
proceed with the 7'e Deum.
It is required that this declaration be made " openly
and solemnly in the body of the church before all the
people there.
It need scarcely be added that the greatest excite-
ment pervades this city, and, indeed, the whole diocese,
I as to the proceedings to-morrow, and this has by no
means been diminished by the letter of the dean to the
Prime Minister (published in The Sun of to-day), in
which he declares that "no earthly power" shall
induce him to vote at the election to-morrow for the
elevation of Dr. Hampden to the see of Hereford.

ch at one
—lost
Worcester
occurred
I considerableam rNGii Aa t . 0 fire, r
property,e, whi
timFeltilhErealtNeneßd
on Friday morning last, at the Wharf, in
Wharf-street. It appears that
Grazier, in the employ of Mr. aClarkson, man named Richard
mer-
chant, Newhall-street, was in . timber
be-
longing to his employer, at the a timber store shed
seven o'clock in the morn" wharf, about half-past
incautiously snuffed a morning, when, as is supposed, he
wards ignited. .. candle on the floor, which after-
wardst half-past nine
was discovered to he 2n fire, and the alarm being given,
the engines from the
notwithstanding various offices were promptly on
standing all their efforts the flames
extended, with such rapidity as to cause the greatest ap-
preheasion for the adjoininghouse, which "
is occupied
by Mr. Allen, and in which, unfortunately, the remains
of Mrs. Allen, who expired the day previously, were
waiting interment. The friends of the deceased had
the corpse removed to the warehouse of Mr. Smallwood,
on the wharf, until the threatened danger was averted,
and the progress of the fire arrested by the activity of
the firemen. The loss of property is estimated at about
1501.—Birmingham Gazette.
ASSIZES, HOLDING or.—The grand jury, on being
discharged at the York assizes, last week, represented to
the judges that if the present periods of holding the
assizes (July and March) were altered, there would not
be a necessity of holding a special commission in De-
cember. The court promised to represent the suggestion
of the grand jury in the proper quarter. The present
periods of holding assizes ought to be changed ; as it is,
they are—the one little more than four months, the
other nearly eight months. Why not hold them in
September and March ? If the law " terms" are in the
way at present, why not alter; them ?