The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-11 00:00:00

THE Sr ABBY GAEDENS.

The Surrey Zoological Gardens are about to lose their
zoological speciality, and to appeal to public patronaee
on grounds more accordasit with the present taste of the
pleasure-seeking public. The enterprising proprietor, Mr.
Teter, has ping been a successful caterer for popular
amusement in his individual capacity, but now having use
termined to expend and alter his annual programme to an
extent entirely beyond individual messes, has, nitiated
joint-stock company, with a capital of 40,000/., under
whose auspices the attractions of the gardens are to he
carried on on a scale of magnitude such as has never (ex-
cept in the case of the Crystal Palace) been attempted in
this country. The project is, according to the prospec-
tus, which has appeared in our advertising columns, to
erect on the site of the well-known rotuedo, within which
lions and tigers have so long been discoursing moist elo-
quent, if not sweet, music, a gigantic music hall, to be
constructed principally of the now popular materials,
glass and iron, and to be capable of accommodating an
average audience of 10,000 persons. The elevation of
the proposed building is exceedingly handsome, and to e
ground plan comprehends a monster orchestra, over
which M. Jullien will reign supreme, and have an oppor.
tunity of carrying out to its fullest extent his excellent
notion of making the best music familiar to the great
body of the people. In addition to this, every exertion
will be made to diversify the oat-door amusements of the
gardens, to which visitors will be attracted by the cer-
tainty that, in case of any sudden shower, ample shelter
will be found fur their whole number within the caps
cious area of the music hall. In order to bring all these
facts prominently before the inhabitants of Newington
and IValworth, and the public generally, Mr. Tyler
convened a meeting of his friends and neighbours, at
the Lecture-hall of the IValworth Institution, yester-
day evening, being also anxious to obtain their testimony
as to the wiode in which the gardens had been conducted
for the last quarter of a century under his management.
The hall was exceedingly well filled with some of the
oldest and most respectable inhabitants of the two pa-
riches, and the most lively interest was exhibited by all
present as to the probabilities of Mr. Tyler's success in
his new undertaking.
In the course of a brief address, Mr. TYLER reminded
his auditory, that the gardens, in their first commence-
ment, were the residuary legateee of the Tower and
Exeter 'Change, with respect to the " Lions of London."
A very short experience, however, proved that the won-
ders of zoology were not sufficient as a permanent attrac-
tion, as even the second live giraffe ever seen in this
country, although brought over at an enormous expense,
failed to draw before the end of the first season. Besides,
the gardens in the Regent's-park eprang up, and they
being more the hobby of a learnel society than a coal-
merciai speculation, and, moreover, being the constant
recipients of presents of animals from crowned heads,
ambassadors, and other notabilities, had advantages
against which it was in vain for any individual speculation
to contend. It should also be recollected that animals
when losing their attraction did not lose their appetites,
but ate with the same gusto whether they had full houses,
or growled to empty benches. The first experiment in
the way of variety was the introduction of the immense
picture and the fireworks, both of which had been emi-
nently successful, and both of which attractions it was
intended to retain. But, in addition, and as a substitute
for the zoological collection, it was intended to consult
the prevailing taste for first-class music, by the erection
of a vast music hall, capable of accommodating 10,000
persons, and in which, under the popular baton of M.
Jullien, the very highest and most classical works
would be performed by the best vocalists that money
could secure, and a band worthy of the task, at
a price, too, throwing open this elevating and
civilising. pleasure to all classes of the commu-
nity. To do full justice to such a project capital would
be necessary to an extent beyond iudivioual means,
and in order to provide it a company had been formed
under the Limited Liabilities Act, he (Mr. Tyler) con-
tinuing his services as managing director. With respect
to the financial part of the question, it was proposed to
raise a capital of 40,0001. in shares of 101. etch, with
limited liability, but of this 24,0001. had been already
allotted, amongst the present proprietors and the ma-
naging committee, so that all that would be required
from the general public would be the absorption of shares
to the amount of the remaining 16,0001. In conclusion,
Mr. Tyler observed that his name did not appear in the
prospectus as managing director, because the managing
committee thought it only fair that the selection of
officers should be left to the shareholders when the
company was fully formed.
At the conclusion of Mr. Tyler's observations, which
appeared to give general satisfaction,
Mr. AMBRoSE BOYsON, a magistrate of the county,
rose to move a resolution approving of the establish-
ment of all public gardens and places of innocent re-
creation for the people, but in the first place wished to
be satisfied on three points. First, whether the proposed
company were to be on the limited liability principle ;
second, whether dancing was to be included in the pro-
grunt me ; and thirdly, whether masked balls and amuse-
ments of that character were even occasionally to be
tolerated. His support, he added, would be contingent
on his receiving an answer in the negative to the two
fatter questions.
With respect to the first, be was referred to the pro-
spectus, in which " limited liability" was distinctly set
out, and on the other two points was assured that neither
dancing nor occasional masked balls formed any portion
of the proposed entertainments.
Mr. Bovsov being thus satisfied, proposed his resolu-
tion, at the same time bearing the strongest testimony
to the admirable manner in which Mr. Tyler had con-