The Sun.
London, England, 1835-07-10 00:00:00

ROYAL COLOSSEUM FETE.

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Last night a grand fete was given at this magnificent esta-
blishment to celebrate its opening for evening entertainments
which have been got up under the direction of the new
.pro-
prietors, Messrs. Braham and Yates. The visitor is admitted
to the " Eleusinian Caverns," a dark and gloomy vaulted pas-
sage, upon the walls of which the light is dimly reflected from
the lamps concealed from the view. Having passed through
this cavern he proceeds to the Cave of Elora, a continuation
of the same passage, in which the feeble moonlight is ad-
mitted through the crevices of the rocks, and is so admirably
contrived, that the visitor, suddenly ushered into the cave, is
most inclined to doubt whether it be nature, or only " mimic
art." Escaping from these dark caverns, at the end of which
a military band was stationed, and having passed through a
small ante-room fitted up as a tent, he proceeds into the grand
Reception or Banquet Room of Mirrors. This is a most ele-
gant apartment. The ceiling is supported on either side by four
prismatic columns, the sides of which are of looking-glass;
the walls of the apartment are adorned with splendid mirrors,
reaching from the floor to the ceiling, which latter, as well
as the spaces between the mirrors, is most exquisi-
sitely painted, after the fashion of some of the modern
public exhibition rooms in Paris. The cornices are richly
and beautifully adorned with gold mouldings, and the room is
illuminated by three magnificent chandeliers. Ottomans are
placed at the sides, and in the centre are three of a circular
form, in the midst of which rise parterres, containing the
most fragrant flowers and exotics. The room next in succes-
sion is called the " Salon de Danse." It leads by three ter-
races, each rising above the other, to the 'llligdis,of the Water
Queen." Her abode is in a stalactitic submarine hall, and
the murmuring without of the water, as it' tishes down the
artificial precipice (which forms one of the many curiosities,
and is seen from the Swiss cottage), heightens the illusion,
and almost completely embodies the idea of the residence of
the mythological naiads beneath the waters of the deep. A
massive gilt lustre, supplied with gas. throws a brilliant light
into the room, the walls of which, however, require some fur-
ther embellishment. Returning to the ante-room, the visitor
proceeds to that which has hitherto been known as the sculp-
ture gallery, but in the modern phraseology of the Colosseum
is called the Salon des Nations. The why or the wherefore
of this change is not evident. In this saloon several panels
of the wainscoting are removed, and in the corresponding re-
cesses a variety of tableaux are presented, giving views of se-
veral of the picturesque situations of London and the envi-
rons. Revisiting the ante-room, and crossing it, the next
object of attraction is the " Indian Supper Room," built over
the well-known Swiss cottage. This commands an excellent
view of the mimic waterfall, upon which a strong body of
light, concealed from view, Is cast with fine effect. Having
inspected the interior of the building we next advance
to the outside. Here we meet with illuminated walks,
sloping paths, dark passages, gloomy terraces, intersect-
ing one another, in addition to optical delusions, cosmo-
ramic views, and mysterious little corners, without number.
An illuminated Chinese bridge and pagoda are striking fea-
tures, and at every point there is some object of attraction.
Above all these, on the highest terrace, is the painted figure
of the Colossus of Rhodes, with a shield in his hand sinister,
round which revolves a large globe of gas ; this, in conse-
quence of its elevation, may be seen at some distance in the
park. Having inspected the conservatories, and the jet d'eau,
which a festoon of variegated lamps encircles, the stranger
may be said to have completed his labyrinthine journey through
the mazes and intricacies of this queen of enchantment, every
part of which is opened, with the exception of the Panorama
of London and the grottos. These are only reserved for the
inspection of the morning visitors. The fete of last night,
which was for the benefit of the Charing-cross, Westminster,
and North London Hospital, was a very magnificent affair. It
was calculated that there could not be less than fifteen hundred
)ersons present. Many of the visitors appeared in splendid
'ancy dresses.

INSTALLATION OF THE MARQUIS

CAMDEN.

(Abridged from a Morning Contemporary.)
CAMBRIDGE, WEDNESDAY, JULY 8.
The actual business of the Cambridge " Commencement"
was over yesterday, and nothing now remains but College
fcasting, conducted upon a most splendid and extensive scale.
There is to be this day a grand banquet at St. John's. It will
be given in the pavilion or marquee,' which I noticed in a
former letter, and about 500 persons are to sit down to the dif-

ferent tables.
There was last night a second Concert in the Senate
House, but the singers and instrumental performers sang and
played almost entirely to their own ears, and the place was
nearly deserted, in consequence of its being known that the
Duke of Wellington was not to be present, while in the mean-
time the principal musical attraction had vanished, by the re- ,
reuturn of Mademoiselle Grisi and Lablache to London. The
music consisted of selections from Beethoven, Rossini, Bellini,
Chevalier Neukomm, Hummell, and Professor Whitfield. The
concert went off very languidly, the principal singers having
no incitement to exertion, as their notes were poured forth to
empty walls and benches. In addition to the numerous
circle of Noble and distinguished visitors already assembled
here, there arrived in the course of yesterday and this morn-
ing, Lord Teignmouth, Lord Ramsay, the Earl of Jersey,
and the Earl of Harrowby. At an early hour this morninc, up-
wards of 200 of the yeomanry, inhabitants of the surrounding
di,triets, paid their respects to the Duke of Wellington at
Trinity Lodge, where his Grace is staying. On their
return they appeared to be highly gratified with the recep-
tion they had met with, and were heard to speak of it in warm
terms. _ _

At 12 o'clock this morning, the Chancellor, 'accompanied
by thci Duke of Cumberland, Prince George of Cambridge,
the Vice-Chancellor, the Duke of Northumberland, the Duke
of Wellington, the Duke of Grafton, and many other distin-
guished visiters, with a long academic train of Masters, Doc-
tors, and Fellows, attended a Grand Concert at Great St.

Mary's Church. The Chancellor, and the Royal and Noble
personages accompanying him, took their seats on the throne;
on his right sat the Duke of Cumberland, 'Prince George of
Cambridge, and the Vice-Chanceller ; on his left were the
Duke of Northumberland and the Duke of Wellington.
Ihe space behind was occupied almost entirely by ladies ;
and indeed by far the greater proportion of the audience (if
such a term may be used in reference to a place so sacred)
was composed of the fair sex. The performers were all the
same parties who were engaged in the oratorio of the Messiah,
on Saturday last, but on this occasion they were heard to in-
finitely more advantage.
It may be readily supposed that the Duke of Wellington in-
herits from his Noble father, who was a most successful votary
of St. Cecilia, if not a talent, at least a refined taste for mu-
sic ; and in this instance his Grace plainly showed, both in
the expression of his countenance and his manner, that not a
single point of excellence was lost upon him. He frequently
expressed his approbation in accents which, though subdued,
were still audible enough to be heard by all who were present,
and while he did so every body could not help feeling that it
was justly deserved. The Noble Duke seemed to experience
a peculiar degree of pleasing emotion at the splendid bril-
liancy of varied effect •I‘hich Madame Caradori Allan pro-

duce.d.
The concert was not over till past two o'clock, and about
three the Chancellor drove to the building called the Pitt
Pi ess, where a collation was prepared for a numerous party, in-
cluding the Royal and distinguished personages already men-
tioned, as also the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Earl of
Hardwicke, Lord Henniker, Lord Clive, and the Bishops of
London, Lincoln, Bath, and Wells, Exeter and Carlisle, with
a vast assemblage of the members of the University. Several
ladies were also present. The Duke of Wellington app
in his robes as a D.C. L. upon the occasion. After remaining
about an hour in social conversation together, the whole party
broke up, many of them to attend the dinner at St. John's,
and others to feast at less crowded tables. Seared
Six o'clock, p.
I have just heard that the visit this morning to the Duke of
Wellington by the Cambridgeshire yeomanry, though one of
congratulation or compliment, still had for its object a matter
of positive and important business. They presented to his
Grace an address complaining r,f the distressed state of the
agricultural interest, and requesting his aid and interposition.
The Noble Doke, in answer, is said to have admitted that
agriculture constituted the main strength and support of the
country, and regretting his inability to do any thing which
could, under existing circumstances, afford the parties practical
relief, promised to take the subject into his consideration, and
attend to whatever suggestions they might offer to him. The
public breakfast, is to take place toTtnorrew 'at Trinity,
T; Rioit4Ttiitivard to 'as' 'tlie grandest inciitental con-
tented, with the Installation, -and is to conciode whole
round of Collegiate revels.