The Sun.
London, England, 1858-10-16 00:00:00

THE COMET.

Thou wondrous visitant I—from what far-distant sphere
Dost thou press tow'rds us on thy wings of light ?
'W hat comest thou to tell ? Why hast thou journey'd here ?
Oh I stay and answer. Cease thy rapid flight 1
'What has thou seen in those bright worlds so far away ?
Have sin and sorrow other homes than this ?
Does, elsewhere, Vice—like Judas—shun the light of day,
And sell his master, Virtue, with a kiss ?
Those brilliant orbs around, that look so good and pure,
Have they preserved their birthright, holiness ?
Or came there also there, some Jacob to allure,
And rob them with a show of happiness ?
But more I dare not ask. An awe sublime and grand
Enfloods my soul, and bends my supple knee :
Thou art a pen of light in th' invisible hand
Of Him whose pathway lies in the deep sea!
And thus upon the firmament He writes his name,
And graves his title on the azure sky :
" All-wise, all-merciful I am," his deeds proclaim ;
His liritnesses, Time and Eternity!
—The Builder.

ROYAL CREMO.RNE GARDENS.

To a very large portion of the public who appre-
ciate the freedom of action which is secured at al-
fresco places of amusement it must, no doubt, be
matter of regret that these gardens cannot be
always open ; but . they must console themselves
with the knowledge that when they are re-opened
they will be adorned with all the freshness and
luxuriance of spring.
In a general review of a highly successful (per-
haps the most successful) season the lessee ever had
it would be impossible to point to all the attractions
which have induced such a continuous public sup-
port ; but a glance at a few of the leading ones, and
at one or two of the principal events, may not be
considered more than a just tribute to spirit and
enterprise.
Passing over the artistic novelties with which the
season was inaugurated, by merely glancing at the
panoramic view of the " Temples and palaces of
India," in which Mr. Jones's peculiar talent is so
conspicuous, and by remarking that it has been
universally admired, we come to the great exhibi-
tion of American plants, by Waterer and Godfrey,
which took place in the Ashburnham Pavilion, and
which extraordinary collection secured for its
proprietors and for Mr. Milner, of Sydenham (who
formed the ground plan of this Transantlantic
garden) a patronage which included Royalty, the
aristocracy, the amateur, and the general public.
One marked feature of the year's success has
been the frequency of meetings, fetes, and ban-
quets connected with charitable associations, and
for the furtherance of charitable intentions. The
patrons of the partially-condemned aristocratic
fete, which was a great success in everything but
the weather, took the lead in the matter, and had
the satisfaction of distributing the extraordinary
sum of £lOOO among several valuable institutions.
The Licensed Victuallers' School fete followed,
and dined 2,000 persons in the Ashburnham ban-
queting hall, thereby adding to the school fund
a larger sum than they had ever before the op-
portunity of doing • and the butchers, bakers,
poulterers, and fishmongers availed themselves of
the Cremorne domain, and secured advantages in
proportion to the size of their institutions.
Of the general amusements the circus has taken
a prominent lead, and the ballets have ensured suc-
cesses which have induced several proprietors of the
London theatres to imitate them, and it is no small
compliment to these gardens to point to a ballet
produced here and afterwards advertised at three
of the leading metropolitan houses in one night.
The Marionettes have also given much and
very general satisfaction to the public, and show
a decided tendency 'towards the elevation of the
popular taste. The witticisms and general
moral in the burlesques played by them are
equally appreciable, for their author, Hugo Vamp,
has studied less to please the eye than to afford
matter for subsequent reflection. One of his songs,
the " Cable of Atlas," very efficiently sung by Miss
Cunynghame, a new contralto, is quite in the spirit
of the times, and likely to be very popular.
We understand that during the recess it is the
intention of the spirited lessee to make some ex-
tensive alterations, which are rendered necessary
by an increase of business, so that me may expect
the gardens of 1859 will present greater facilities
for public enjoyment, though that would appear
almost impossible. ,