The Sun.
London, England, 1856-10-01 00:00:00

ROYAL SURREY GARDENS.

The season at this establishment has been brought to a
close by two special musical performances on Monday
and last night, when most of the important features of
the previous concerts were included in the programmes.
Monday night was appropriated to the benefit of the
conductor, M. Julien, and last night formed the termite
nation of a series of entertainments which are in every
respect unparalleled in the history of popular music. But
a few years since music was in this country one of the
most costly and rarest of luxuries, and while almost
every capital on the Continent had its cheap concerts, in
London no music of any value was to be beard by any
who could not afford to disburse the half guinea which
for years was the prescriptive passport to a " classical
concert." Nous avons chango tout cola. and
,London,
trading, money-making London, now offers more good
musical performances at a low price than can be found
in any other city in the world. For several years past
shilling concerts, thanks to M. Jullien, have been in
vogue, but it has been reserved for the spirited proprie-
tors of the Surrey-gardens to carry out the system to
an extent which could hitherto scarcely have been
dreamed of. By the erection of their colossal music
hall, with its capacity for accommodating its audiences
of eight or ten thousand, they have done more to
spread and improve the popular taste than has been
effected by any single effort of past times. What if the
performances be of a very mixed character, alternating
between the gravest of oratorios aid the lightest of quad-
rilles ? They must be so to appeal to a mixed audience ;
but every classical piece that is played has its influence
in raising the public taste. Thus, last night, there must
have been a very general appreciation of the beautiful
among the assembled thousands, to judge by the almost
unanimous way in which Mendelssohn's "Wedding
March" was demanded. We hope for much from the
concerts at the Surrey Gardens, and have no doubt that
their next season will be a most successful one. This
year's performances have extended over a period of less
than three months only, the hall not having been coin-
plated until the summer was well advanced ; but with
the whole of next season before them, and the prestige
which the establishment has now acquired, the proprie-
tors will probably find their expectations more than
realised.

The performances last night comprised selections from
"Elijah," "Midsummer Night's Dream," the music to
" Macbeth," various songs and ballads, and instrumental
solos. The list of vocalists included Misses Stabba,c.la
and Poole, Messrs. Millard, Perret,, and Leffler, and*
Hamilton Braham ; and the audience was nearly as
on the first Alboni night, when there was scarcely stand-
ing room left in any part of the hall.

FRENCH THEAT D.:IAN-STREET

SOHO.

The performances at this theatre last night were a.
agreeable melee of little comedies, exteractes, and singing
Much praise is due to Mr. Fernand Strauss for his ad
mirable acting in all the pieces he took part in, and his
endeavour to establish a French theatre here. We were
highly amused with a very lovely piece called " Le Brag
Mysterieux," which will be repeated on Tuesday next,
and in which the talented cxlerpreaeur, M. Strauss,
Lucien, and Madame Fernande will appear. Our Crif
mean friends will be glad to hear again M. Leclerc, who
sings several comic and sentimental songs, which aro
given with much taste and true expression. "Lee Deus
Normands," and "Les DeuxAveugles," are stock pieces,
and afford the highest amusement and gratification to
the audience, which we were glad to perceive last night
was unusually crowded and fashionable. We understand
several novelties are in preparation ; and in conclusioti
must not omit to mention that the piani,t, Monsieur
Bedouin, performed several pieces in first-rate style, and,
was most warmly applauded.

PANMIIRE DINNER.—We _learn that this dinner 100
now been fixed to take place in a handsome pavilion
erected within the grounds at Edzell Castle, on Tharp'
day next, the 2d October, at four o'clock. There will
be a very large muster of his lordship's tenantry presents
and, from what we hear of the arrangements for the oe'
casion, nothing will be wanting which can add in avl
Way to the mark of respect intended to be shown to the
noble lord.—Arbroath. Guide.

MISS NIGHTINGALE.—The Salisbury and Winchester
Journal gives Miss Nightingale's answer to the address
of congratulation to her on her return home, which wee
voted by the inhabitants of Christchurch at a public
meeting :—" A berdeen, Sept. 17,
1856.—5ir,---I wish it
was in the power of words of mine to express the grateful
pleasure with which I have received the mark of your
sympathy with the recent labours of my companions
and myself. Little as I am able to say what I feel,
I yet greatly regret that my absence from the
home where your kind communication was addressed
has caused so long an interval to elapse before I could
return the acknowledgment which I - now beg you to
accept, and to convey to the gentlemen whom you rie
present. To know, while engaged in a distant Soul
that there wag for us an intelligent sympathy at home,
was our most cheering support under many difficulties,
T
this feeling expression of it on our return
greatly enhance to all of us the happiness
o
• receive
beg, sir, to subscribe myself your grate'
fu and
obedient servant, FLORENCE NIGHTINGALS.--'
cannot f
or er
ncee
To William Ferrey,
RAILWAY ACCIDENT-.8
:--q.A.' ni‘ I aaccident, ro
Christchurch."fortunatel
y ti
attended with fatal consequences, occurred yesterday
morning on the Woolwich line to the 11.30 down trail].
from London bridge, which, after passing the Blackheath
tunnel, came in collision with a number of coal-waggons
from the Angerstein junction, which were in the nos of
being shunted off the line. The train was travelling et
the rate of about 20 or 25 miles per hour. The engine
was thrown off the rail, and several of the carriages were
shattered in splinters. A telegraphic message was ae"
spatched to Woolwich, requesting immediate medical
assistance to be forwarded to the spot, when Pre;
Thchardson, 13ossi and Allinson hastened thither, sou
found nine personsmore or less severely, but not seriously
injured. Colonel Tulloh, superintendent of Woolwich
arsenal, who was the only passenger in one of the first-
class carriages, received a very severe bruise, which bas
disabled the use of his right leg. Traffic was for hovel
at a standstill, until the broken carriages could be cleared
off the line; consequently the arrival of each successive
train was considerably delayed throughout the entire dal,
A MARINE LOCOMOTIVE.—Mr. William Lonsdell,
machinist, of Memphis, Tennessee, has invented what be
terms a marine locomotive, and which is designed to be
substituted for the present steam water craft, by making
fee base of the boat the propelling agent instead of
paddle-wheels, as now used. The invention consists le
using two huge parallel hollow screws in the place of
the present keel, and revolving them by means of stead'
power, so that they will cut their way through the water ,
as a common screw cuts into wood. The screws are
constructed of iron, and, as before stated, are hollovro
but are divided into compartments as a precaution.
against sinking, in case of an accident. The cabin of
the locomotive will be constructed on framework, ele-
vated above these screws, and will be more pleasantly
situated than the cabins of our river steamers, admitting
the passage of fresh air beneath its whole length and
breadth. It is believed that when fairly put upon the
eater, and under advantageous circumstances, the loco-
motive can make about 30 miles an hour, and thus coal'
pete with our railroad trains in speed as well as safety.
The model been put upon trial, and has performed to
the satisfaction of the inventor and numerous witnesses.
—1i4741114104 Star.