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

ROYAL GARDENS, VAUXHALL.

A season of unprecedented length and success has
just terminated at the " Royal Property." The
circumstance is one of great gratification, on account
of its being the first that has taken place under the
direction of Mr. Duffell, who has to the letter
carried out the promises he made at its commence-
ment. On entering on his speculation Mr. Duffel!
promised to restore to Vauxhall all its pristine
splendour, and to give the public the best entertain-
ment procurable, at a moderate price, and to abo-
lish the exorbitant prices 'usually exacted for re-
freshment. Each of these he has fulfilled. We
have had the gardens decorated with a splendour
that only a " Genii of the Lamp" could accom-
plish. The great illuminated orchestra has again
given forth the choicest melody, and the giant
platform has been nightly crowded with the de-
votees of Terpsichore. The concerts, conducted by
Mr. Russell Grover, have been Supported by the
most popular favourites of the day ; the circus,
under the direction, originally, of Mr. Emidy, and
afterwards of Mr. Croueste, the clown, has con-
tained a combination of equestrian talent rarely
equalled, certainly not surpassed ; the bands of
Messrs. Phillips and Dean have been composed of
the best musicians to be obtained in the metro-
polis ; and the fireworks have rivalled the splen-
dour of those of years gone by. The last
night of the season (Wednesday) was most appro.
priately fixed for the benefit of the talented direc-
tor, and the attendance of his patrons was immense.
During the evening Mr. Chas. Sloman, the impro-
visatore, made a farewell address on behalf of Mr.
Duffell, expressing his thanks for past favours, and
promising strenuous efforts to please during the
ensuing season. The vociferous cheering with
which this was received proved the estimation in
which Mr. Duffell is held. We cordially join in the
wish that triumphant success may attend all his
future seasons.

The Lord Mayor elect (Mr. Alderman Wire) will
be presented to the Lord Chancellor, at his private resi-
dence in Eaton-square on Tuesday, Nov. 2, being the first
day of Michaelmas Term. He will be introduced by Mr.
Russell Gurney, the Recorder of London, Alderman Hale,
and Mr. Conder, the Sheriffs, and a deputation from the
Court of Aldermen.

The Glasgow papers record the death of the Rev.
Dr. John Brown, senior pastor of the Broughton-place U.P.
Church, Edinburgh, and professor of Exegetical Theology
to the United Presbyterian Church. Dr. Brown was in his
74th year.

Mr. G. V. Brooke was playing before crowded
audiences at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Sydney, in the
second week of August last.
PROTECTION OF THE SURREY THEATRE FROM
FIRE.-It is well known that frequently accidents of a tri-
vial character take place behind the curtains of many of
our metropolitan theatres, in the shape of gauze and muslin
curtains coming in contact with the side gas burners of the
proscenium. This, in many instances, notwithstanding the
great care that is used, can hardly bo avoided, more espe-
cially when great transformations and opening scenes are
introduced, such as the one now preparing for the Christ-
mas pantomime, which 'will not only take up the entire
length of the stage, but also the space behind, extending
into the Obelisk-yard. To avoid any danger from panic
taking place in the event of a " flat sky piece" or " border"
taking fire, Mr. Smith, the head machinist of the house,
has constructed on the stage instead of the old fly pullies a
number of new battens for the flats, to fly through, otsuffi-
cient strength to bear as many men as the same could
stand upon. He also had erected a row of iron hoops lead-
ing to the top of the curtain, so that in the event of an ac-
cident the men can run up and get away the drapery on fire,
and with the water always kept near, immediately extin-
guish a fire, without the least fear of further danger.

THE BALLOT.—A public meeting on the subject
of vote by ballot was held on Thursday evening, at the
Athenaeum, Exeter—Mr. H. Norrington in the chair. The
meeting was addressed by Mr. E. C. Whitehurst, the Vice-
President of the Ballot Society, who dwelt on the expense
attending the return of a member of Parliament under the
existing system of election, and which would be greatly
diminished if vote by ballot was adopted. The success of
the ballot and its mode of working in Australia was then
adverted to at some length, and a resolution was adopted,
to the effect that, as it was understood that a reform in the
representative system will engage the attention of the legis-
lature next session, the meeting desired to record its con-
viction that no extension of the suffrage will be satisfactory
unless protected by vote by ballot. A meeting on the same
subject was also held a few evenings back at the Devonport
Mechanics' Institute, at which Colonel Lach Szyrma pre-
sided. He said it was somewhat difficult for a foreigner to
preside at such an assembly. He was a Pole, and in Poland
the ballot formed part of the constitution, until that was
destroyed by the tyrant Nicholas. Before that time the
members of the Chamber of Deputies were also elected by
the ballot. Thus, when he came to this country, he was a
friend to the ballot ; and ho should be very happy if the
feeling in favour of that beneficent, and only true impartial
elective system, were extended. After a lengthened dis-
course on the subject by Mr. Whitehurst, a resolution to
the same effect was unanimously adopted.
THE RIDER OF THE WINNER OF THE C..ESARE-
WITCH.—LittIe Custance, the rider of Rocket on Tuesday
last, is a native of Peterborough, and son of the late George
Custance, one of the Great Northern omnibus drivers in
that city. This light weight is indebted in a great measure
for his skilful style of riding to the excellent training he re-
ceived from Samuel Batten, horse-breaker, of Peterborough.
After the race the lad did not forget his widowed mother,
but sent her a £lO note through a friend whom he recog-
nised on the course.