The Sun.
London, England, 1867-09-02 00:00:00

AGRICULTURAL HALL.

The fairy palace constructed for Aladdin by the
Genii of the wonderfu. la m p could not have exceedc',
in splendour that produced by the Messrs. Dcfries
at the Agricultural Hall, and therefore it is not 3
matter of surprise that the attractions it presented
on the opening night should continue up to the Pre'
sent time undiminished. Ever since the doors were
first thrown open thousands have flocked t°
Islington to view its glittering wonders, and
although all have been delighted beyond Ine3:
sure, very few have given a moment's though"
cto the difficulties that had to be encountered an"
surmounted to produce a change so marvellous.
building originally constructed for the exhibition °`
fat stock, and afterwards used as an amphitheatre
for the display of horsemanship, is not, it must be
admitted, the most inviting for conversion int°
gorgeous ball-room, yet indomitable energy 31:1„
skill in the and. triumphed, and tan, sawdust, an
orange peel had to give place to flowers, music'
fountains, and crystal illuminations on a scale of
magnificence never before attempted. A .s°,e;
cessful result was naturally anticipated by the
enterprising gentlemen who accomplished the Me'
tamorphosis, but a success equal to that which had
actually taken place was never for one mom°
contemplated. The most remarkable feature cos'
netted with the Agricultural Hall is that every wee
some new feature is added to its many attractionsi
For instance, since the occasion of the Belgian 133 i
" the irregular arches" of coloured lamps which 3fo
thrown into such especial prominence by the sombre
background of the exotics on the dais have bee°e
extraordinary features of the display. The next ad;
dition promised is to be " crystal festoons and flowers
in natural colours," added to the elaborate devices
which already make up the gorgeous scene, an effect
will be produced that will almost defy descriptioll.
The musical department is by no means wanting is
talent. On the contrary, the programme invariably
contains selections from the greatest composers fe
both vocal and instrumental performers, and the
performers comprise those whose names alone Ivould
be quite sufficient to attract the music-loving public.
We have already called attention to the manner 10
which Jullien's " British Army Quadrille" is Pe;
formed under Mr. Kingsbury's direction, and to the
iit
effect produced by the successive entry—not mere
the entry as suggested by music, but the acyt
tl3
personal entry of the English, Irish, and Scotch
regimental bands. The dramatic character of the
work is much heightened by this arrangement, wilie
renders the design of the composer more than eVer
unmistakable.

A grand selection from " Il Trovatore" is
flounced, in which Madlle. Liebhart, Miss Jul''-
Derby, Mr. George Perren, and Mr. Lewis 1:1101113s
will take part.. This, with the " British -Ar11,,1
Quadrille," and the cornet playing of Mr. Levi;
will doubtless attract thousands during the preseile
week. For the ensuing weeks quite as attract
works are in active preparation.

STRAND THEATRE.—Mr. and Mrs. Howard F33'
will givo their copular entertainment at the Strand T1163t10

for a short season, commencing this evening.
Miss Bateman will arrive in England very
shortly, intending to perform many of her favourite cipti
rectors in the provinces during the months of October'
November, and December.
EGYPTIAN HALL.—MT. Frederic Maccabe intellds
to give his well-known musical and dramatic enterfa'n;
ment, entitled " Begone, Dull Care," at this hall for a 611°r
season, which will begin to-night.
GREAT FIRE AT DE3IERARA.—Advices receivedt
yesterday, dated 4th August, furnish the details of a great
fire at George Town, Demerara, on the previous 13i01:„
destroying property to the extent of £lOO,OOO. The fi
originated in a building belonging to Mr. M. Teixeria, use
as a general store, at the lower end of Water-street, and so
rapidly did it extend that before a general alarm could be
made from the Watch Tower the building and adjoining
premises were in flames. The fire then attacked the estab-
lishment belonging to Messrs. Da Silva Brothers, Luckie
Chapman, and Allan, merchants, all of which were con-
sumed. Many other houses wore destroyed. Two peoPl°
were burned to death. The offices in England that hav°
suffered by the disaster are the Liverpool, London, and
Glebe £l,OOO ; Imperial, £3,000 ; London and South-
wark, £1,750; Royal, £3,000; and County, £750. Tha°
were the only insurances known up to the departure of the
mail. Among the houses partly destroyed were those of
Messrs. Barber, Lloyd's agents. The fire was believed t°
be the act of an incendiary.

SINGAPORE AND PENANG.—The following is a°
extract from a letter dated Penang, July 7 :—"
have just heard from Singapore that the departure front
England of troops for that place had been indefinitely post-
poned--all works on barracks stopped. Madras troops rnlif
remain in the Straits longer than was anticipated'
It will take time to raise two regiments of 3181:15,,
and I am certain they will never answer;
will fraternise too much with the inhabitants, WP -t
are always ready for a row. If the authorities a
home could only see what has been going on here for tit°
last three or four days, they would think English 1.111:
ridiculous. Hundreds of Malays and Chinamen of etic
class, of which there are two sects, walk about in open 'l3l
with great bludgeons, and fight with impunity. A solitary,
policeman makes his appearance, who is sure to get alici,
ing. An inspector with a party comes to his assistances
The rioters stop quiet for a time, to begin again as 603 B
the police party move off."
It iS
IMPORTANT INVENTION BY MR. CASELY.„i
stated thst Mr. Walker, the watchmaker, of Corilb,,";
whose premises were recently ransacked by the CoSeci
gang, has received a letter from the convict Casely, dar
front his locus
_penitential, in Fremantle, Western Atistrtni'
in which that worthy announces that he has coroPl°"e,,,,
the draft of a model of a safe which' he considers to wr
thoroughly thief-proof, and which, with touching 01°1%110'
he begs to place at the disposal of Mr. Walker, as 6°_,--4,%
compensation for the injury he had formerly suffered
his hands.
,-013
" THE FlRST."—Partridge shooting, which "`
"due" yesterday, and will be in full force today'
promises to be at least of an average quality. In Sur
the birds are numerous and strong on the wing. In Sus"-(;.'
limits, and Burks, the manors and farms are abundanw 1,1
stocked; and coveys vary from 14 to 18 in number;
in Kent partrilges aro numerous and in very forward c.°ldg
dition. In Essex there is a good prospect of sport ;
are plentiful, and there are more than an average "111b,,,L0
of red legs or French partridges ; but as the latter 11'`
such propensities fur running, and will not lie to the doe
few sportsmen try to bag them. In Herts and Due. 5
birds are said to be of fair average, but in most count"
much corn will be outstanding next week, and Will 11,,,9r_
1
bour partridges. In some isolated instances
arrangements aro made to defer partridge shooting f°rui
fortnight. Ilares are very plentiful, and rabbits S.W3r°
the warrens and coverts. There is a good stock
pheasants in most counties.
THE SALMON FISHERIES.—The fence tithe Ire f°i,
salmon commenced on Saturday last at noon, and it t
not be lawful to take those fish until Feb. 1, 1868, ex4,—cr
with the rod, anglers being permitted to fish for anc',,,s
month. The take on the Severn and Wye this season 't',
varied very much, and at times there has been great scarcro'..
of fish ; salmon soli in the height of the season at ife,d.
ford and Gloucester at 10d to Is per lb.; it finished at Ise'ry.
The ,rilso or botcher season was a poor
large salmon have been taken this year, rural:ollg 'let"
231 b. to 501 b. The Severn Fishery Board is just c0q_'.,1,13
ing the first year of its existence. The revenue2teivg
licences amounted in this, the first, year to ..C650:
pretty close upon the estimate.