The Sun.
London, England, 1851-04-22 00:00:00

M. ROBIN'S SOIREES.

M. Robin commenced a new series of his " Sires
Parisiennes et Fantastiques" last evening, at his sa-
loon, Piccadilly, performing with great success before
a numerous and fashionable circle of spectators. M.
Robin unites ingenuity in mechanical contrivance
vvith dexterity and neatness of manipulation, to an
extent unsurpassed by any of his wizard competitors.
Many of his tricks appear to be entirely his own, and
thosewbich are not altogether novel he renders more
puzzling and difficult of detection by his manner of
performing them. His entertainment last evening
comprised several novelties, amongst the most inge-
nious,, ot which were "Frederick the Great's Wind-
mill,in which a miniature miller appears to ascend
and descend to and from the various storeys, to turn the
sails of his windmill to the right or left, and grinds
corn (separating the wheat from the bran) at the
command of the magician. A box which, when
breathed upon by a lady, is self-replenished to a
seemingly indefinite extent with bon-bons and toys,
and doves which pick out from the pack any cards
that might be demanded. Then birds and all kinds
of small articles were passed to and from, into and out
of different vessels in the most extraordinary and un-
accountable manner. The inexhaustible bottle dis-
pensed an unlimited supply of spirits and liqueurs ;
and though last not least, Madame Robin exhibited
her marvellous powers of " double vue" (or clair-
voyance), and of becoming invisible, or at any rate of
disappearing from the observation of the spectators.
Altogether the " holiday folk," who visited M.
Robin's saloon, " supped full" of marvels, if not of
" horrors," and their frequent and warm applause
showed that they were not dissatisfied with the quan-
tity or quality of the repast.

THE OVERLAND ROUTE TO INDIA.
This interesting and admirably-executed series of
panoramic views, which during the last nine months
has been one of the most attractive exhibitions of the
kind in the metropolis, was yesterday visited by a
large number of persons, who seemed much interested
in the representation of the principal points of interest
on the route from Southampton to Calcutta. Besides
the panorama, three entirely new and very beantifnl
views, of the Mausoleum of Taj Mehal, at Agra,
were exhibited for the first time. This celebrated
structure was built during the seventeenth century
by one of the Mogul Sovereigns of India, for the
tomb of his favourite wife. Attached to the mauso-
leum are two mosques, the whole structure being of
white Candahar marble, most elaborately wrought
and enriched with mosaics. The mausoleum is sur-
rounded by gardens ; the whole being of such extent
and magnificence that it is said to have occupied
20,000 men twenty-two years in its completion, and
to have cost 3,174,8001. The views, which have
been painted from sketches made upon the spot by
a gentleman who has resided at Agra eight years
(and who has himself superintended the painting) re-
presents the exterior of the mausoleum and mosques,
as seen by moonlight from the opposite bank of the
river Jumna, the gateway from the garden, and the
interior of the mausoleum, with the cenotaph of the
deceased favourite encircled by a finely-wrought
screen of marble, inlaid with mosaics in precious
stones. With respect to the fidelity of the views we
can, of course, ofkr no opinion, but their artistic
merit is considerable, and they certainly form no
slight addition to the attractions of the panorama of
the Overland Route, to which they are most appro-
priate companions.