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

Crystal Palace.—Christmas.

Unusually extensive preparations are being made for
the duo c3lcbration 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 taid 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
lie believed. Once seen, all London will flock to see it
thus beautified.

Capacious wings have been added to the great stage,
which has now been rendered available for the most coca-
iilete 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 great stage, has
been preparing during the past few months by Messrs.
Danson and Sons. This will test the capabilities of these
eminent scenic artistes to the utmost. The vast stags
offers scope for the most brilliant effects, which have been
duly taken advantage of ; the Centre Transept, with the
Festival Orchestra, affords convenient opportunity for tens
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, has
been set up in the North Nave ;. the bazaar and fancy fair
—replete with juvenile and other Christmas presents—is
in full vigour, the entire Palace exhibiting a show of
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 for
witnessing the effects produced. As Monday is likely to
be regarded very generally as a holiday, the amusements
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 quietly
through it in its highly decorated state. On Boxing Day
extra trains will ruu from all stations, and as the various
railways leading to the Palace now communicate with
almost every portion of the metropolis, a large concourse of
visitors may be anticipated. The High Level line being
now (by the opening of the new bridge) freed from
the delays formerly occurring, will, it is expected, convey
large numbers. From the same cause the trains of the
Brighton Company will also be enabled to run with in-
creased facility and despatch, returning visitors to their
homes with.greater rapidity.

A TREAT FOR THE HOLIDAYS.---" THE WEE
GRAFT."—This extraordinary little ship,with its crew, Ail'
remains on exhibition at Sydenham, and continues to be
one of the principal attractions at the Crystal Palace.
ANOTHER RAILWAY SEIZED FOR DEBT.—TO the

list of railways already reported as having been
_seized by the sheriff's officer must now be added the
Bishop's Castle, a line running from Craven Arms, on the
Shrewsbury and Hereford Railway, to Bishop's castle'
This line, though the section already completed lies
wholly in Shropshire, forms part of the Welsh system, 8114
by a projected continuation to Montgomery is intended to
form a junction with the Cambrian. The first portion of
the line was opened for traffic about six months ag°7
the event being celebrated by a banquet and public re-
joicings. The seizure does not at present interfere with
the working of the line, it being arranged that one bailiff
shall be stationed at each terminus, and a third accompany
the trains throughout the day. With respect to the
position of the Cambrian, the largest and most valuable
of tho Welsh lines, there is -unfortunately no longer any
doubt of the sheriff having entered upon possession. on
Tuesday afternoon bailiffs arrived at the principal eta'
Lions, and on producing their authority were quiet',"
permitted to take charge of the building andtheir couteata'
The suit under which the writ has been issued is understood
to be ono for professional services rendered, and th°
amount of the claim does not quite reach £l,OOO. It bas
been decided that the adjourned general meeting of the
shareholders in this company arranged to be held in L°ll-
- this week shall be merely held pro forma, and imme-
diately adjourned to anearly date in the new year. Notices
to this effect have been forwarded to the shareholders.
FLOGGING GAIZOTTERS IN STAFFORD ritisoS.--:
The five mon who were sentenced by Mr. Justice Byles in
the late Stafford Assizes to undergo corporal puniskrnent
in addition to different periods of penal servitude or iraPrial:
sonment, for having committedcommittedvarious robberies acc,o
panied by violence were brought out iu one of the yards of
the county prison in Stafford yesterday Morning _
flogged. The miserable wretches appeared to suffer tie_
utmost agony, yelling and howling piteously. The ii3gneor
lation was conducted in the presence of the gowr- t
(Major Fulford) and the surgeon of the prison, and abc'lit
1,500 of the prisoners. The " cat" employed was adi-
formidable weapon, being much larger than those iu
nary use, and was sent down by the Home-office sp2co'll
for the occasion.
SERIOUS CIIARGE.,---A serious matter was undeur
investigation at Shernbourne, near Docking, Norfolk,
.°°g
Wednesday and yesterday, a girl named Grief beie..g..
charged with causing the deaths of two illegitimate chil-
dren. dren. The bodies of the children have been exhumed, Oa,
a chemical investigation has detected the presence et
arsenic in them, so that there is little or no doubt thathey.
died from that poison. The evidence as to the administra
Lion of the poison is not so conclusive.