The Sun.
London, England, 1858-04-06 00:00:00

ASTLEY'S.

" Tne War in China, and Bombardment and Capture
of Canton," is the title of the Easter novelty produced
last night at this most attractive Equestrian establish-
ment, and if not the most brilliant and striking event
in the achievements of British arms for the p-jn of the
historian, it is at least one of the most remarkable,
opening up as it does a wide field for sp ;ci:lAtion, as to
what it may lead to, how it will end, and what may be
its effects on the trade and commerce of the world. The
stage and ring of Astley's war department were thrown
into one vast arena for fight, and five hundred auxiliaries
were added to Mr. Cooke's main body. The siege was
conducted in strict accordance with all the rules of war,
and the gates of the Celestial empire fell, not because
they were not well and valorously defended, but because
even the obstinacy and determination of Yeh could
not hold out aaainst British courage, and the point aod
force of British bayonets. As a spectacle, " the Cap-
ture of Canton" possesses much attraction, and is a vciy
excellent "Easter offering," worthy of Astley's, and of

the patronage of those who are proud of British chivalry,
and admirers of British adventure.

The attractions of the evening were not confined to the
capture of Yeh. Herr Christoff, "the most woadroug
rope dancer in the world," made his first appearance, and
won rapturous and oft-repeated plaudits by his extr
ordinary feats on the tight rope. A symmetrically.
formed man, possessing great agility, and a thorough
master of his art, Herr Christoff danced in an elegant
manner, and threw somersaults backwards and forwards
with as much ease on the rope as he subsequently threw

them in the arena►, where he took a very active part in
the business, and may be said to have led the whole

•oupe of voltigeurs. Signor Russilli, aided by two i e

workably agile boys, one of them a mere cnitd, went
through astounding performances, throwing his little

a►ti•tes about, and tos&i.a), them through summereaultb
in a manner as surprising as elegant.

The Scenes in the Circle followed, and were distin

guished for the usual attraction, sustaining the character
of the house, and imparting that degree of satinfactio,,
which they never fail to give.

SURREY.

The managers of this popular house provided a suf&•
ciently ample list of novelties for the holidays. First
came Reynoldson's romantic drama, entitled "The Con-
fession," which gave Mr. Creswick the opportunity of
appearing in a new character—that of Julio Valdorni,
the priest, who considers himself bound by his oath to
preserve the sacredness of the confessional, even when
his silence appears certain to lead to the execution of an
innocent brother and the death of an aged fsther, white
all the time he knows the real assassin. Mr. Creswick
in this part developed that careful analysis of human
motive and action, and the fine artistic finish which so
peculiarly characterise his impersonations, and the result
was eminently satisfactory to the crowded audience.
Henceforth Julio Valdorni will take a prominent place
in the repertoire of one of the best actors of the age.
An original dramatic opera, called the " Farmer of
Lyons," introduced Mr. Henry Phillips and Mrs_ E. F.
Grosvenor, for an operatic season of 12 nights. A capi-
tal concluding Extravaganza, with the striking title of
" Woolooloo and Toolooloo, or the Great Bear and
the Two Kings," brought the entertainments to a suc-
cessful conclusion.