The Sun.
London, England, 1856-06-05 00:00:00

ADEL 111 THEATRE.

Madame Celesta took her benefit last evening at this
theatre, on which occasion three favourite pieces were
revived, and in each of them that highly-talented actress
sustained the principal part. The entertainments com-
menced with the " Flying Dutchman." Mr. C. Selby
was effective as Captain Peppercoal. Peter von -Rummel
lost none of its former whimsicality in the hands of Mr.
Wright. Smutta, the black, was played with much spirit
by Mr. Moreland, and Mr. Shore made a good lover as
Lieutenant Mowdrey. The ladies were Lestelle
helm, Miss Mary Keeley ; aul Lucy. her maid, Miss
Kate Kelly. As Vanderdecken, the Flying Dutchman,
Madame Celeste displayed all that grace and energy for
which her performance of it has been so much praised.
The scenes of the phantom ship, and the inundation of
the devil's cave, were excellently managed, and loudly
applauded.
The second act of "Green Bushes" followed, and Mr-
dame Celeste resumed her original part of Miami, and
went through it with the ease and dignity of manner so
natural to a child of the wilderness. Messrs. Paul Bed-
ford and Wrigh'c, were even more free, and considerably
less welcome on that account. Madame Celeste was
called for at the end of each piece, and received several
bouquets from her friends, who also paid her a much
more substantial tribute of their admiration by filling the
house in every corner.

THE A.SEITURNHAM AMgRICAN
FLOWER SHOW.

We were favoured yesterday with a private view of
the very beautiful and extensive collection of American
plants arranged in the Ashburnham Pavilion, adjoining

Orem orne;

It is now, we believe, seven years ago since any very
important exhibition of the kind took place, but how-
ever important the last may have been the present ex-
ceeds it in extent, variety, and beauty. The selection
has been made entirely front the nursery of the celebrated
firm of Waterer and Godfrey, of Knap-hill, Woking, and
consists of specimens of every growth, colour, and quality
-of Rhododendron' Azalia, and Kainaia. We understand
the late Mr. Michael Waterer was the first nurseryman
who brought this splendid tribe of plants into notice ;
and his descendants are worthy of high praise for the
spirited way in which they have carried out the earlier
efforts of their ancestor. Did our limits allow us, we
should be very happy to give a minute description of
this very beautiful show, which as a whole is the most
magnificent thing of the kind we ever saw ;but we must
confine ourselves to a general, outline. The plants are
admirably arranged under a pavilion of extraordinary
dimensions, being 375 feet long by 100 wide, which
is decorated throughout with painted windows
representing various tribes of American plants,
flowers, and birds. It is covered by 9,000 feet of Ameri-
can canvas, and is capable of aff,,rding accommodation
to several thousand visitors. Opposite the entrance is
an emblematic painting, in holland, with figures of Peace,
Industry, Plenty, and C.annierce, with medallion por-
traits of the Queen and Prince Albert ; and on the op-
posite side is a corresponding painting, representing
Fame; History, the Fine Arts, and Science, with medal.
lion portraits of the Emperor and Eaipress of the French.
Along the sides of the tent run transparencies, also in
holland, having painted representations of tropical birds
and plants, which harinouise in a most agreeable and
natural manner with the plants and flowers on
the ground. These paintings, and the decorations
generally, have been executed by Mr. j. Collins,
of Bennet-street, and aro highly creditable in an
artistic point of view. The beds are formed with
considerable taste, and are in many parts raisal, which
may materially increase the effect of the whole ; and
much judgment is shown in the arrangement of the
colours, which embrace every shade, from white and
yellow to the most glowing scarlet. Two very effective
avenues run the whole length of the ground, which, being
tilled up with contrasting colours of the rhododendron
and aril* have a most beautiful effect ; and the newly-
gravelled paths, edged with green turf, gives it that per-
fection of finish which entitles it to the highest praise.
Much has been said in anticipation of this great me-
tropolitan feature, but we feel we are correct in stating
that none of the visitors were prepared for the treat they
enjoyed.
Tile exhibition is opened to the public this day, and
will continue for a month, and we feel assured it will re-
ceive that support from a fashionable public, which it
really deserves, and have no doubt it will tend materially
to increase the prestige of the Royal Crernorne Gardens,
through which the exhibition is reached, and add an-
other laurel to the brow of its spirited proprietor who
has entered upon so great a speculation.
Amongst the visitors were the Duchess of Cambridge
and the Princess Mary, the Duke of Mecklenburg and
Duchess of Mecklenburg, the Duchess of Wellington,
the Duchess of Sutherland, the Countess of Derby, the
Earl of March, Lady Mary Clive, Lord and Lady Her-
dinge, the Sardinian Abassacior, the Earl of Belmore,
the Earl of Ashburnham, the Earl of Bective, Lady
Willoughby, Lady Overstone, Marquis of Winchester,
Lady Anstruther, Lady Beauclerc, Lord C. Wellesley,
Sir G. Grey, Sir It. Peel, Lady G. Bathurst, Sir J.
Atkinson, the Hon. Percy Ashburnhani,
In the evening the fireworks were suspended, in order
to secure the floral pavilion from damage, and this ar-
rangement will be continued during the exhibition. An
immense crowd, however, assembled in the gardens, and
enjoyed the other numerous entertainments which Mr.
Simpson has provided for the public.

HOSPITAL FOR CONSUMPTION AND DISEASES OF THE
CHEST, BROSlPToN.—YeSterday, the second day of the
grand bazaar in aid of the turds of this hospital took
place in the really beautiful grounds of the Toxophi-
lite Society, Regent'spark, and, as on the previous
occasion, attracted a very large number of ladies and
gentlemen, amongst whom were many of the principal
members of the aristocracy..
STRYCHNINE.--This is a most astringent vegetable
poison. At Jellasore, in the Zilla of Midnapore, East
Indies, it grows (as to its berries) in great wild abun•
dance. It is fond of moist localities, and the nux vo-
mica tree is remarkable for its encouraging the most
deadly snakes amid the amolezus of its branches. Here
the cobra capello takes up its daily abode. There is
known in India one bird alone that has the credit of
eating the berry of the nux vomica with impunity.
This bird is named Chulkai, or pepper bird. It is
fashioned and feathered in plumage as in the cormorant,
bat its length of beak is far out of proportion to the
size of its body. This creature, like the secretary bird,
is ophivorous, preying upon serpents, lizards, and other
congenerous reptiles.
STRYCHNINE—ITS EFFECTS ON
ANIMAL
correspondent, writing to a contemporary, says :—As
some of the most eminent toxicologists seem to disagree
relative to the effects of strychnine when taken into the
animal economy, perhaps the following facts may be in-
teresting to your readers. Being in Mexico in 1849, T
had an opportunity offered me of witnessing the whole-
sale poisoning of wolves by nux vomica. The plan
adopted is to give an old worn-out mule the poison.
In a short time death ensues'; the wolve's, which infest
that part of Mexico—Parrios--dvour the carcase ; they
after a few hours die ,hetir bodges in turn are eaten by
the turkey buzz,rds, who also die. These facts demon-
strate that the active principle—i. e., strychnine, is not
destrnycd by absorption, but remains undecomposed,
though disseminated throughout the system in the most
infinitesimal atom 4.