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

AGRICULTURAL HALL.

The fairy palace constructed for Aladdin by the
Genii of the wonderful land could not have exceeded
in splendour that produced by the Messrs. Defries
at the Agricultural Hall, and therefore it is not a
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 to
Islington to view its glittering wonders, and
although all have been delighted beyond mea-
sure, very 2ew have given a moment's thought
to the difficulties that had to be encountered and
surmounted to produce a change so marvellous. A
building originally constructed for the exhibition of
fat stock, and afterwards used as an amphitheatre
for the display of horsemanship, is not, it must be
admitted, the most inviting for conversion into a
gorgeous ball-room, yet indomitable energy and
skill in the end triumphed, and tan, sawdust, and
orange peel had to give place to flowers, music'
_fountains, and crystal illuminations on a scale of
magnificence never before attempted. A suc-
cessful result was naturally anticipated by the
enterprising gentleman who accomplished the me'
tamorphosis, but a success equal to that which has
actually taken place was never for one moment
contemplated. The most remarkable feature con-
nected with the Agricultural Hall is that every week
some new feature is added to its many attractions.
For instance, since the occasion of the Belgian Ball
" the irregular arches" of coloured lamps which are
thrown into such especial prominence by the sombre
background of the exotics on the dais have become
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 description.
The musical department is by no means wanting 13
talent. On the contrary, the programme invariably
contains selections from the greatest composers for
both vocal and instrumental performers, and the
performers comprise those whose names alone would
be quite sufficient to attract the music-loving publl3.
We have already called attention to the manner 13
which Jullien's " British Army Quadrille" is per-
formed under Mr. Kingsbury's direction, and to the
effect produced by the successive entry—not merely
the entry as suggested by music, but the actual
personal entry of the English, Irish, and Scotch
regimental bands. The dramatic character of the
work is much heightened by this arrangement, whiell
renders the design of the composer more than ever
unmistakable.

A grand selection from " Il Trovatore" is an-
nounced, in which Madlle. Liebhart, Miss Julia
Derby, Mr. George Perren, and Mr. Lewis 'rhoinall
will take part. This, with the " British Army
Quadrille," and the cornet playing of Mr. Levi,
will doubtless attract thousands during the present
week. For the ensuing weeks quite as attractive
works are in active preparation.

STRAND THEATRE.—Mr. and Mrs. Howard PO
will give their popular entertainment at the Strand Theatre
for a short season, commencing this evening.
Miss Bateman will arrive in England very
shortly, intending to perform many of her favourite cha-
racters in the provinces during the months of Octobell
November, and December.
EGYPTIAN HALL.—Mr. Frederic Maccabe intend°
to give his well-known musical and dramatic entertain-
went, entitled " Begone, Dull Care," at this hall for a Olio
season, which will begin to-night.
GREAT FIRE AT DEMERARA.—Advices received
yesterday, dated 4th August, furnish the details of a greati
fire at George Town, Demerara, on the previous eight'
destroying property to the extent of £lOO,OOO. The I'°
originated in a building belonging to Mr. M. Teixeria, us"„ci
as a general store, at the lower end of Water-street, and 6-
n
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 cell:
sumed. Many other houses were destroyed. Two pa°P,w
were burned to death. Tho offices in England that line,
suffered by the disaster are the Liverpool, London, and
Globe £12,000 ; Imperial, £3,000 ; London and South-
wark, .£1,750 ; Royal, .£3,000 ; and County, £750. TVs°
were the only insurances known up to the departure of the
mail. Among the houses partly destroyed were those °f
Messrs. Barber, Lloyd's agents. Tho fire was believed t°
be the act of an incendiary.

Vv
SINGAPORE AND PENANG.—The following is as
extract from a letter dated Penang, July 7 :—"
e
bavo just heard from Singapore that the departure fro
England of troops for that place had been indefinitely post-
pond--all works on barracks stopped. Madras troops 1118,1
remain in the Straits longer than was anticipatee•
It will take time to raise two regiments of
and I am certain they will never answer;
will fraternise too much with the inhabitants, Ir"-t
aro always ready for a row. If the authorities 9
home could only see what has been going on here for died
last three or four days, they would think English 11,11 i
ridiculous. Hundreds of Malays and Chinamen of 9
class, of which there are two sects, walk about in 0011 1-13/
with great bludgeons, and fight with impunity. A solitlf
policeman makes his appearance, who is sure to get a lic .
ing. An inspector with a party conies to his assistsee's
The rioters stop quiet for a time, to begin again as 500)1 3
the police party move off."
IMPORTANT INVENTION BY MR. CASELY.—"ItS
stated that Mr. Walker, the watchmaker, of Cor°_,lji 1
ii
whose premises were recently ransacked by the C 970
gang, has received a letter from the convict Casely, 433;;$
d'
from his locus penitentice, in Fremantle, Western Austra,'
in which that worthy announces that he has coniPlete be
the draft of a model of a safe which he considers to
thoroughly thief-proof, and which, with touching cand°,3%
ho begs to place at the disposal of Mr. Walker, as 9°, 5t
compensation for the injury he had formerly Suffered
his hands.
" THE FlRST."—Partridge shooting, which v(39
t
" due" yesterday, and will be in full force to-d 3;
suir;,promises to be at least of an average quality. In
the birds are numerous and strong on the wing. Sessetly
Hants, and Berks, the manors and farms aro abundauod
stocked; and coveys vary from 14 to 18 in nutrib°r_,;con-
in Kent partridges aro numerous and in very for War"
dition. In Essex there is a good prospect of sport ; b'bor
are plentiful, and there are more than an average 1-in,l. ye
of red legs or French partridges ; but as the latter 1.103,,
such propensities for running, and will not lie to the
to`o
few sportsmen try to bag them. In Rees nod 13' fieS
birds are said to be of fair average, but in most count
much corn will b 3 outstanding next week, and will lr,,a
hour partridges. In some isolated instances hi rO,
arrangements are made to defer partridge shooting I°,ol
fortnight. Hares aro very plentiful, and rabbits sw: of
the warrens and coverts. There is a good stoci%
pheasants in most counties. for
'rue SALMON FISHERIES.—The fence tit
.ill
salmon commenced on Saturday last at noon, and i,zt cat
not be lawful to take those fish until Feb. 1, 1868' !ther
with the rod, anglers being permitted to fish for au_ bagmonth. The take on the Severn and Wye this seaso. nrcity
varied very much,
i, and at times there has been great silicre-
of fish ; salmon soli in Il height of the season " is 6d•
ford and Gloucester at 10d to Iscper lb.; it finishesdcaltie very
The grilse or botcher season was a poor one. . iron'
large salmon have been taken this year, runnillion °lot-
-251b. to 50Ib. The Severn Fishery Board is just c° 'fro;
ing the first year of its existence. The reveiT
licences amounted in this, the first, year to xeo
pretty close upon the estimate.