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

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S Br, DECEMBER 28, 1847.

[PRICE SD.

The story, such at least as is contained in the intro-
ductory part of the pantomime, is original. Old Father
Time (Mr. Wynn), surrounded by his work girls,
the twelve hours, is engaged looking throw the te-
lescope of futurity. Strange sights he sees, but he
slily hints that though visible, they are far, very far,
distant. One of the most amusing of his vaticinations,
and that which excited the most applause, contained
a sharp hit at the drab-coloured men of Pennsyl-
vania—
" The time will come when wives shall cease to scold,
And Pennsylvanian bonds be paid in solid gold."
The hours prove rather unruly children, and threaten
to strike. Reflecting, however, that they can only
strike themselves they abandon the idea. The Four
Seasons then appear upon the scene, and each being
particularly anxious to save a fair maid from the
clutches of the Baron Vun Mlidenkiller, they quarrel
upon the subject; and Father Time, discovering that
the four seasons cannot exist together, wisely adapts
the separate system, divides the year into quarters, nd
gives one to each of the seasons.
The allegorical scenery, representing the seasons,
was extremely beautiful. That alone, where summer
sinking into the lap of autumn—
"Crowned with the sickle and the wheaten sheaf,"

giance, and to inspire him with the hope of possess-
ing a perfect beauty as a wife. Fright is accordingly
summoned to countermine the plot of the Queen of
Beauty, and departs on his mission. In the next
scene we are transported to the Isle of Beauty by
sunrise on the Lake of Loveliness, when the Queen
of Beauty causes Prince Perfect liss Saunders) to
behold in a vision the Princess Paragon (Miss Mal-
colm). The Prince returns to his castle, and inserts
an advertisement in the Morning Post, headed " Matri-
mony.—A Wife Wanted." Ambassadors accordingly
come from the North American Indians, from China,
and the Ethiopian Court of Congo, with portraits of
the charming originals, who flatter themselves that
they realise the Prince's fair ideal of the sex. But the
Prince is hard to please, and at the suggestion of Fright
he determines to go, like Ceelebs, in search of a
wife himself. He then travels through the "Empire
of Eyes," when he meets but nothing but Amazonian
damsels peering througla optics of the most portentous
description; and flying that country reaches the
"Nation of Noses," inhabited by female divinities
with nasal appendages as long, though not so well-
looking, as pump-handles. Arriving finally at " the
Great Mouth itself, he finds himself in the Abode of
Ugliness, and matters having now reached that crisis
when the interposition of the Deus ex machinti, in the
shape of a benevolent genius, has become necessary,
the "Bower of Beauty" bursts upon the sight, -the
Prince and Princess are transformed into Harlequin
and Columbine, with the usual attendants of Clown
and Pantaloon, and the harlequinade begins. There
was plenty of bustle in this part of the piece, which
never flagged for an instant; and the tricks, though
for the most part not very new, went off surprisingly
well. When it is added that Matthews, as Clown,
sang a laughing ditty, by Belle, and afterwards, at
the special request of the gods, their favourite song
of "Hot Codlings ;" that he subsequently danced the
cachuca, and then a hornpipe ; that Miss Malcolm
made a very engaging Columbine, and that Howell
exerted himself with success as Harlequin, enough
has been surely stated to show that to the triumph of
the "legitimate drama," the management of Maryle-
bone Theatre have added the triumph of " legitimate
pantomime." We would fain, however, say a word
in favour both of the masks and the scenery ; the one
adundantly grotesque, the other well, and in some
instances, exquisitely painted. The house was filled
to suffocation.

and where
"Autumn, nodding o'er the yellow plain, C 3131011 jovia
on,"
is sufficient to ensure the success of the pantomime.
It represents a vineyard on the Rhine, and affords
an opportunity for a pretty characteristic dance
by the vine-dressers. Protected, however, as the
maiden and her lover, Philip, are by the seasons
each in turn, she is still persecuted by the
Baron Von Maidenkiller and the Jolly Miller, her
father. Things, indeed, seem going ill with the
young couple when the change takes place, Jeanette
(Miss Fawcett) becoming a very charming Colum-
bine, Philip (Mr. Bologna) Harlequin, the Baron
(Mr. Paulo) Pantaloon, and the Jolly Miller (Mr.
Flexmore) Clown. A Sprite, also, as seems to be the
custom now--4 custom, though, as we think, " more
honoured in the breach than the observance"—(M.
Sylvain) makes his appearance, and aids in the disas-
trous chances and hair-breadth 'stapes that follow. It
is impossible to follow this merry and eccentric
quintette through all their evolutions. The tricks
were like those of other pantomimes, which we have
often described before. They were neither remark-
able for their ingenuity nor their novelty, but they
worked well ; there was no breaking down of the
machinery, and they seemed to give hearty satisfac-
tion, at all events to the juvenile portion of the
audience. On the whole, though not particularly
striking, the pantomime may be termed successful.
ft has evidently been produced at great expense, and
we trust that crowded houses, such as that of last
night, may secure to the manager a fair return for
his exertions.

STRAND.
Merry, happy Christmas ! Well it is that one short
week in weary fifty-two which is devoted to happiness,
or the o'ertasked workman's life would be indeed one
continued misery. Ere these practical days had
cast their shadow over our country, poets had feigned
that years of love, hours of unvaried sunshine bright-
ened our horizon, and that all the multitudinous
figures so copiously interspersed in the works of our
own earlier writers had each a " local habitation and
a name." Is it so now ? We fear not, excepting at
merry, laughing Christmas time. The Man in the
Moon; or, Harlequin anal the World of Waggery,
is the title of the pantomime at this theatre. The
opening plot turns upon the adventures :of Young
England, who pays a visit to Lunado, the King of the
Moon, in the kingdom of Moonshine, and thus be-
comes literally the "Man in the Moon." The King
is in great grief for the loss of his only daughter, who
has been stolen from his brilliant dominions by Dog-
star the First, king of a neighbouring country. Young
England ascertains the fact through the medium of
an electric telegraph to the moon, and consults Nox,
the goddess of night, as to the best means of ascending
to the moon and setting all things in a proper light
there. Nox, ;who is i•noc-ulated with the worldly
sin of punning, advises him to advertise for a genteel
house in the kingdom of Moonshine, saying that as
the moon is made of green cheese he should take a
villa on the Rhine. Young England suggests the
" Times," but Nox replies the Times is high, and
bids Venus take it to the " Star." Young England
objecting to make an errand•boy of the Queen of.
Beauty, recommends its " Dispatch" by the " Mail."
Nox, though generally supposed to be in darkness
respecting the " News of the World," proves herself
a shrewd " Observer" of " Life in London" by
suggesting that Phaeton, his journey being done,
shall h')rse his chariot and take it to "The Sun," or
if Young England disapproves of this " Atlas" on
his shoulders shall hear it to the " Globe," or Momus
may " Herald" it to his old friend "Punch." Ulti-
mately it is decided that Bacchus, having an
interest in the Tap-tub, shall take it to the
" Advertiser" and "1'04" the duty. Young I
England duly proceeds on his mission to the land of
Moonshine. Here a terrific conflict ensues between
Lunado and King Dogstar, but through the inter-
vention of Young England, always a pacificator, the
lost princess is restored to her fond father's arms, and
the peace and happiness of the liege subjects of Moon-
shine firmly established. Nox then changes the
monarchal personages into the democratic personages
of the parti-coloured heroes and heroine, Dogstar be-
comes CI ,wn, his majesty Pantaloop, the Princess
Luna Columbine, and Young England Harlequin. The
World of IVaggery then opens to the laughter loving
friends of Christmas. Miss Jane Coleman, as Nox,
looked, acted, and dressed the character magnifi-
cently. Miss Kent sustained the character of
Venus very prettily. Of the Clown, Mr. 11.
Cooper, we must say, for a first attempt
it was excellent, and reminded us very much of
young Grimaldi in his best days. Madlle. Blanche,
as Columbine, deserves great praise ; she exerted
herself 'to the utmost, a better Columbine we have
not seen for many a day. Smither's Harlequin was
good. Yarnold was the Pantaloon. The success of
the pantomime was decided, and with the judicious
aid of the pruning knife, and when the contre temps
of a first night's representation are corrected, it will
have a long and prosperous run. The scenery was
beautiful, especially London by Night, and the
Palace of Dogstar. The house was crowded to the
ceiling

Ill?RE Y.
No theatre makes more active exertions to cater
for the amusement of its numerous patrons than the
Surrey, and the result of good management appears
in the most practical shape—in full houses and a ple-
thoric exchequer. The Christmas novelty at this
favourite theatre was a new pantomime, admirably
got up, and bringing into requisition all the various
mechanical and artistic aids which so :potentially
assist in producing those surprising " effects " that a
Christmas spectacle is especially required to exhibit.
The piece at the Surrey, which is made to present
an amazing variety of changes and transformations, is
called Princess Battledore; or, Harlequin Trap, Bat,
and Ball. It is the production of Mr. Nelson Lee,
and was put upon the stage in a manner that reflects
the highest credit upon the management. It is a
matter of some difficulty to describe the plot of a
piece of this kind, as the essential advantage of a
pantomime is that it should be shifting, irregular,
desultory, and extravagant. The first scene opens
with a gorgeous representation of the Temple of
Extravagance and Pavilion of Prodigality ;
the Demon of Ruin is present, and engaged
in signing a promissory note. The approach of an
intruder disconcerts Extravagance, who orders the
table on which the writing took place to disappear,
and a very amusing effect is produced by the table
suddenly appearing to become animated, and to run
off the stage. A " fast " young man, Racket, then
appears, and enters into a compact, selling his bcdy
to Extravagance, with the agreement that the afore-
said power shall assist him in procuring the hand of
the Princess Battledore. The agreement is duly made
out, and the compact signed by young Racket, accor-
ding to the most approved form of diabolical arrange-
ments, with his blood, after which the adventurous
suitor departs to try the chance of obtaining the hand
of the Princess. Various alternations of fortune, and
numerous contrivances on the part of Extravagance
then occur, and a consultation of fairies takes place,
with a view to gain a new suitor for the Princess,
:fight Prince Shuttlecock. The castle of Princess
Battledore is exhibited with great scenic effect, various
transformations occur, and the grand result, " the
great fact," is the denouement, where young Racket
becomes Clown, the Prince Shuttlecock Harlequin,
and the Princess Battledore Columbine. This slight
description is the " tennis sine viribus umbra" of the
whole affair, which has great merit, and was most
deservedly successful. The house was crowded and
highly pleased.

ASTLEY'S.
Doctor Syntax and his Dapper Grey iifare, is the
title of the new pantomime at Astley's, and a crowded
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, 1% ith
the exception, perhaps, of the dapper grey mare,
which is an amateur performer, and which, albeit not
a charger of high metal, still, 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 ths,
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 Atitley's

le wtole time
gallery kEpt
gratifying as

e cquettrian
.spectacle of the Camp of Silesia, whichh , we percalve,
has been represented upwards of forty nights this
season.

CITY OF LONDON.
Were this little theatre double its present size, it
would have been insufficient to accommodate one-half
the applicants for admission on boxing night, so suc-
cessful has been the management of the lessee, Mr.
Honner. The audience, too, closely as they were
crammed, preserved the most admirable good humour,
and even condescended so far to mitigate the imme-
morially customary uproar as to listen to at least one-
third of the first piece, the thrillingly-interesting
drama of The Skeleton Witness. They further had
the patience to wait, or rather to amuse themselves,
fur nearly an hour before the curtain rose upon the
pantomime of The Old Woman Tossed up in a Blan-
ket; or, Harequin Arthur O'Bradley O! and then
their gratification was complete. The performances
of Professor Dewhurst, who personated Clown, and
his two sons, elicited frequent and well-deserved
applause. The scenery was very beautiful, and the
pantomime altogether capital, allowance being of
course made for the stiffness of machinery on a first
night.

EXHIBITIONS, &c.
BRITISH MUSEUM.—This institution was yesterday
visited by upwards of 40,000 persons 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.
TH. 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-SQUIRE.—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 beiug 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 Baillie, 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 vocali=ts.
They appeared in their national costume, and sang
with sweetness several 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 Aliss Sara
Flower, Miss Pearce, and Mr. edgwi:l, the con-
certina player.

HARMONIC HALL, SOUTHWARK BRIDGE-ROAD.
Yesterday evening this elegant theatre of h. r nony
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 Sailo-, 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 be(n encored in every song, and in two in-
stances a third encore was demanded. In short, the
enterprising proprietor, Mr. Richard Preece, appears
to hare spared neither expense or exertion for the
gratification and improvement of the public taste.
Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, the Tower, the
Monument, Tunnel, &e., 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
congc
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 may be, and the church service will then
proceed with the Te Dewn.
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,
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.
••••••••

BIRMINGHAM,
morning last, at ss
of
A fire, which at one
time threatened
It appears Considerableofthat
halto
FIRE IN
property, occurred
on Friday
Newhall-street,yw
lGonragziinegr,tionhitlsie the Worcester Wharf, in
a man named Richard
be-
s Mr. Clarkson, timber mer-
chant,seven o'clock in the morna:nign,
vtahetnim, shedabserisstosureppos
ed
employer,eilo' at the wharf, about half-put
, he
incautiously snuffed a candle on the floor, which after-
wards ignited. About half past nine o'clock the shed
was discovered to be on fire, and the alarm being given,
the engines from the various offices were promptly on
the spot, but notwithstanding all their efforts the flames
extended with such rapidity as to cause the greatest ap-
prehension for the adjoining house, which is occupied
by Mr. Allen, and in which, unfortunately, the remains
of Mrs. Allen, who expired the day previcusly, were
waiting interment. The friends of the deceased bad
the e,-,iTse removed to the warehouse of Mr..t;mullwood,
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 OF.—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 •tasinths. Why not hold them in
September and March ? If the law " terms" aro in the
way at present, why not alter them ?