The Sun.
London, England, 1846-08-25 00:00:00

SURREY THEATRE.

The Misses Cushman commenced a short engagement
here last evening in Romeo and Juliet. Their admirable
personation of these characters must, ere this, be fa-
miliur to every playgoer, and never did they act with
greater intensity, power, and pathos, than last night.
They were very efficiently supported by Mr. Saville, as
Mercutio ; Mr. Neville, as Friar Lawrence ; and Mrs
W. Daly, as the Nurse. As might have been expected,
the house was crowded to the ceiling, and the applause
at the conclusion was deafening. The Transthamesians
are under great obligations to the Surrey management
for giving them an opportunity of seeing the greatest
actress of the day in her principal characters—an oppor-
tunity of 'which they will, no doubt, be but too happy
to avail themselves.

ASTLEY'S AMPHITHEATRE.
A new grand spectacle, entitled, The Steed of Syra-
cuse; or, the Flight of Damon, was brought out here
last night. It is founded on the well-known story of
Damon and Pythias, and is got up in very magnificent
style. The opening scene—a view of the city, bay, and
market-place of Syracuse—is a beautiful picture; and
the earthquake and eruption of lEtna, with which the
drama concludes, is a splendid piece of scenic effect.
Mrs. M. Brookes made her first appearance at this
theatre in the character of Calanthe ; she sustained it
most effectively, and will prove an acquisition to the
corps 'dramatique of Astley's. The artiste, however,
the great actor of the piece, is the merchant's steed.
The performances of this high-spirited, highly-trained
animal are most wonderful. The piece was throughout
received with the most enthusiastic applause, and
Damon will take his flight on the steed of Syracuse
every evening for at least the next hundred nights.

VAUXIIALL.—Last night the scenes in the circle were
entirely changed. Louise Tourniaire and Ferdinand Tour-
niaire danced the polka in the most graceful and elegant
style; and Mon. Benedict was particularly happy in his act
of horsemanship. The Miniature St. Leger caused great
laughter, the jockeys (monkeys, we mean) were well
mounted, and one or two dismounted, but Pyrrhus the First
was first, and won the cup. The illuminations were excel-
lent, and the fireworks exceedingly brilliant. We perceive
that a grand ft.te will be given in honour of the birthday of
his Royal Highness Prince Albert; it is denominated " The
Fête of all Nations," and the arrangements for carrying out
the gala are, we understand, of the most recherche descrip-
tion. The concert will consist of Italian, German, French,
English, Irish, Scotch, and Welsh compositions. The tire-
works will be increased and the gardens most brilliantly
illuminated.

SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.—FLOWER
THE LATE HAIL-STORM. _Yesterday a grand floricultural
exhibition took place at the Royal Surrey Zoological Gar-
dens in aid of the funds for assisting those nurserymen and
florists who suffered by the late hail-storm. The fete, which
is under the patronage of His Royal Highness the Duke of
Cambridge, the Lord Mayor, &c., is to continue two days,
and his Royal Highness, who was unavoidably absent yes-
terday, will, it is understood, be present this day. The num-
ber of visitors present was about 8,000; and as the pro-
prietors have liberally given the use of the gardens, and the
tenth by Messrs. Staff and Son, and other necessaries, have
been also supplied gratuitously, a liberal sum will doubtless
be realised. The show of fruits and flowers was quite equal
to any' of this season. One tent was exclusively devoted to
the sale of bouquets, cut flowers, and fruits, at which presided
several young ladies connected with the members of the
South London Floricultural Society. There were also stalls
for the sale of plants, and from both a ready sale and liberal
prices were obtained. The bands of the Royal Horse Guards,
the 2nd Life Guards, &c., played during the day, and the
eruption, fireworks, and usual entertainments followed with,
undiminished effect.

THE BALLOON RACE. Last night two balloons
ascended from Cremorne Gardens—the object, as stated by
the announcement, being, by a race, to show their aero.
nautic powers. The extraordinary excursion attracted a very
numerous company, larger than on any other former occa-
sion—above 10,Q00 persons being present, a great portion of
whom were composed of foreigners. The machines were
the " Coronation,' in which were Mr. C. Green, the veteran
aeronaut, who made the 340th aerial voyage, and Captain
Davies ; and the " Albion," which carried Mr. H. Green,
the power of each not being able to take up any one else,
and before starting Mr. C. Green was compelled to part
with several pounds of ballast. Upon being sufficiently in.
masted (the gas, as on a former occasion, being supplied
through the new gasometer) the balloons went in a direc-
tion west by south. The ascending power of Mr. Green'',
being soon apparent, as it speedily rose above that of his
brother, and as it rose, veered more towards the west.
Upon the other balloon rising it got into a similar current
of air, but did not obtain a much higher altitude, and they
kept in that position, Mr. C. Green being in advance as
long as they were visible. They remained in sight above
twenty minutes.
PRINCE ALBERT'S BlRTHDAY.—Wednesday being
the birthday of her Most Gracious Majesty's Consort, the
usual inspection of the household cavalry and infanta), will
take place on :the parade fronting the Horse Guards, St.
James's Park. A (troop of the 2d Life Guards, and three
battalions of the Grenadiers, Coldstream, and Scots Fusileet
Guards, will be those present. His Royal Highness the Duke
of Cambridge, the Duke of Wellington, and a considerable
number of general officers, it is expected will be on the
ground. The men will form shortly before ten o'clock. Four
bands will also be in attendance.

PUBLIC-INCOME AND EXPENDITURE.—Returns have
been laid before Parliament relative to the public income,
expenditure, &c., for some years past. It thence appears
that the public income of the United Kingdom was as fol•
lows :—ln 1843 it was 56,935,022/. ; in 1844, 58,590,2171.;
and in 1845, 57,602,268/. The expenditure was in 1843,
55,501,740/. (leaving a surplus of 1,433,283/.); in 1844 it was
55,103,6471., leaving a surplus of 3,486,570/.; and in 1845 it
was 53,873,063/. (leaving a surplus of 3,729,2051.) In 1843
the expenses attending the national efforts for the abolition
of slavery (such as bounty on slaves, commissioners to pre-
vent the traffic in slaves, bills drawn on account of captured
slaves, &c.), amounted to 1,760,463/. ; in 1844 to 1,733,3281.;
and in 1845, to 1,568,4511. _ _ _

EXTENSION OF MORNING MAlLS.—Yesterday a list
of towns, 200 in number, to which morning mails are now
transmit ed, was posted at the General Post-office, St. Mar-
tin's-le-Grand. The following are the additional towns on
which this favour has been conferred :—Congleton, Down-
ham, Feueham, Hereford, Higham Ferrero, Lynn, Maccies-
mid, Market Deeping, Manchurch, Oundle, Peterborough.
Ross, Sandbach, Sheerness, Spalding, Stamford, Tbrarit°l4
Tiverton, Waufords and Wellingborough-