The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-21 00:00:00

Crystal PaLice.—Christmas.

Unusually extensive preparations are being made for
the due celebration of Christmas at the Crystal Palace.
Varied and brilliant as former displays have been, the in-
terior of the Palace will present this year a blaze of deco-
rative art without parallel. Flags and streamers, garlands
of holly and laurel, shields laid bannerets, mottoes and
quotations, extend from end to end of the Palace—hanging
dependent from every rib and girder of the building, they
are artistically arranged amid the statuary and shrubs and
hanging baskets. No display of such magnificence has
ever hitherto been attempted in this the truly called
Palace of the People's Pleasures." It must be seen to
be believed. Once seen, all London will flock to see 1
thus beautified.

Capacious wings have been added to the great stage,
which has now been rendered available for the most corn"
plete theatrical or operatic representations. During the
holidays ample amusements of the most varied character
will extend over the entire day. In addition to these, at
half-past 4 each afternoon, a complete pantomime will be
given. It has for title—

"Little Miss Muffit,
She sat on a tuffit ;"
or, Harlequin King Spider. Besides the usual introduc-
tory scenery, a truly gorgeous Transformation Scene With
living figures, expressly adapted to this groat stage, 10
been preparing during the past few months by 315.
Danson and Sons. This will test the capabilities of these
eminent scenic artistes to the utmost. The vast stage
offers scope for the most brilliant effects, which have been
duly taken advantage of ; as the Centre Transept, with the
Festival Orchestra, affords convenient opportunity for tone
of thousands of visitors witnessing these effects with ease
and comfort, there is little doubt that the numbers will
be
very large.
The great Christmas Tree, nearly 100 feet high, 11°
been set up in the North Nave ; the bazaar and fancy fair
—replete with juvenile and other Christmas presents-1
in full vigour, the entire Palace exhibiting a show'
activity unusual at this season of the year.
The final rehearsal for the Pantomime took place last
evening with great success ; Messrs.Danson's Transforma-
tion scenery surpassing all anticipations. It has been de-
cided to exhibit this scene on Saturday next, after the
usual concert, that the season ticket holders and other
visitors then present may have a special opportunity fa
witnessing the effects produced. As Monday is likely t°
be regarded very generally as a holiday, the amusemen°
will begin on that day.
The Palace will also be open until dusk on Christmas
day, it being thought many persons will like to stroll quietls
through it in its highly decorated state. On Boxing P3l
extra trains will run from all stations, and as the various
l
railways leading to the Palace now communicate w" f
almost every portion of the metropolis, a large concourse
visitors may be anticipated. The High Level line being
now (by the opening of the new bridge) freed ifsli
the delays formerly occurring, will, it is expected, convey
large numbers. From the same cause the trains of 1u
Brighton Company will also be enabled to run withlo.
creased facility and despatch, returning visitors to theft
honies with greater rapidity.

A TREAT FOR THE HOLIDAYS.— DIE 1?",
CRAFT."—This extraordinary little ship, with its craw, Sti.-
P
remains on exhibition at Sydenham, and d continuo t°
one of the principal attractions at the Crystal Palace.
ANOTHER RAILWAY SEIZED FOR DEBT.--1° ten
list of railways already reported as having bee©
:,
seized by the sheriff's officer must now be added the
Bishop's Castle, a lino running from Craven Arms, 493
Shrewsbury and Hereford Railway, to Bishop's castla;
This line, though the section already completed lied
wholly in Shropshire, forms part of the Welsh system, 30
by a projected continuation to Montgomery is intendod taf
form a junction with the Cambrian. The first portion
the line was opened for traffic about six months g°'
the event being celebrated by a banquet and public
.re;
joicings. The seizure does not at present interfere wilif
the working of the line, it being arranged that one bail
shall be stationed at each terminus, and a third aceoi:a23,--1;0
the trains throughout the day. With respect to 'bio
position of the Cambrian, the largest and most Yalu ° it
of the Welsh lines, there is unfortunately no longer 0.10311
doubt of the sheriff having entered upon possession.
Tuesday afternoon bailiffs arrived at the princiP4,°stity,
tious, and on producing their authority were (JPts,
permitted to take charge of the building andtheir cent°
The suit under which the writ has been issued is uuderst°t°o
to be one for professional services rendered, atilt has
amount of the claim does not quite reach £l,OOO- the
been decided that the adjourned general meeting °'`,„
shareholders in this company arranged to be held "'toe,
don this week shall be merely held pro forma, and ju'ticeo
diately adjourned to anearly date in the new year. S°
to this effect have been forwarded to the shareholch3r9s......
FLOGGING GAROTTERS IN STAFFORD Fills ot
The five men who were sentenced by Mr. Justice J3Pe eat
the late Stafford Assizes to undergo corporal Purlilfori-
in addition to different periods of penal servitude or '':o'''itl-
sonment, for having committed various robberies sc'd3 of
panied by violence, were brought out in one of the 33r 0,1
the county prison in Stafford yesterday 100 burr th°
flogged. The miserable wretches appeared te agei'
utmost agony, yelling and howling piteously. The ,eraor
lation was conducted in the presence of th° g,°..bout
(Major Fulford) and the surgeon of the prison, an" -0305 t
1,500 of the prisoners. The "cat" employed svas.3
formidable weapon, being much larger than those 13
nary use, and was sent down by the Home-offfes sPd
for the occasion. oder
SERIOUS CHARGE.—A serious matter was 1 011
11:
investigation at Shernbourne, near Docking, Norfo 3io'
Wednesday and yesterday, a girl named Grief._ chit.
charged with causing the deaths of two illegitimate,,sad
drew. The bodies of the children have been exhunled of
a chemical investigation has detected the Pro
that
arsenic in them, so that there is little or no doubt .olly
died from that poison. The evidence as to the aciol'
tion of the poison is not so 00L1C111611,0.