The Sun.
London, England, 1867-05-21 00:00:00

T.HE NETV AMPHITHEATRE IN HOLBORN.

On Saturday next the new Royal Amphitheatre
erected in Holborn, on the site of the Metropolitan
Horse Bazaar, opposite the Inns of Court Hotel,
will be thrown open to the public. London has
long been without an Equestrian Establishment,
properly so-called, of any kind whatever. The
successors of Ducrow and Batty have deserted the
scene of their triumphs ; and Astley's, as a Na-
tional Amphitheatre, has, for some considerable pe-
riod, ceased to exist. That no attempt has been
made to supply its place is a peculiarity to a city
whose enterprise is world-renoWned. And this is,
the more remarkable when the• inclinations el
the people for equine amusements are considered,
for in no country are they held in higher esteem-
The interior of the new amphitheatre excee?
anything of the kind hitherto seen in the metropolis'
and while it will vie with any building in London
for the beauty and elegance of its decoration, itB
arrangements for the comfort and safety a the
public exceeds that of almost every other place c)f
amusement open. The entire span of theatre is 769.
in the clear ; the whole length is 130 ft. The width
from box to box is 60ft., length from proscenium t°
box is 68ft. The Royal box is situated in the centre
of the house, facing the stage, and the retiring
room for same is immediately behind. There are
no stage boxes whatever, and the dress circle is
arranged at the side where the private boxes are
usually placed, putting the private boxes in front 01
the house. There is, in addition, one row of stalls
in front of the private boxes entirely round tile
house ; these stalls hold 200 people, the seats for
which are so managed that as persons rise t°,
allow others to pass, the seats fold against the bac'
self -acting, so giving an additional space of if t.
6110;
for passing room. 'There are 26 private boxes. Th,
pit is divided off into 550 numbered seats, with
ample standing room for over 200 persons ; the am'
phitheatre stalls amount to 700, and 500 ordinal
sittings ; altogether, when full, the house will coin'
fortably accommodate about 2,000 persons. Th°
auditorium is lighted by a magnificent crystal sea
light, containing 960 burners, furnished by the cele:
brated firm of Defries and Sons, the effect of whick
.
is brilliant in the extreme. The ventilation a thG
entire building is completely provided for by larh!
air-shafts in different parts of the theatre ; t""
staircases are of iron and stone, and hydrants are
fixed on every floor as a protection against
fire. The arena is 120 feet in circumference;
and although the depth of the stage is n°
very large, yet it will be found amply sufficient fe..
'
the style of entertainments proposed to be give t
prior to the horsemanship. Every arrangemee
has been carried out in the most liberal raaneer'o•
and the enterprising proprietors have our best wishes
for the success of their large venture. With
artists engaged and other matters of detail we Pa
deal with on another opportunity.

PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION.

--......- -..-

HOUSE OF COMMONS—MAT 20.
REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE BILL'
In the Committee—Clause 4: Amendment proposed, 1';
page 2, line 16, to leave out the word " man," in circled
to insert the word " person :"—(Mr. Mill)-10tel4a
thereof :—Question put, " That the word ' man' Ott,:
part of the clause." The committee divided—Ayes, 19w7
noes, 73.