The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-27 00:00:00

ASTLEY'S.

THE ALII AMBRA.
The entertainments at this great equestrian circus are of
a kind which can hardly fail to provo attractive at this fes-
tive season, and in truth the gathering of last night wee
enough to content the moat insatiable proprietor. There
was indeed an afternoon performance, but that of the even-
ing was the 'most remarkable for numbers. In addition to
the usual performance there was a novel equestrian WI.-
quinagle, entitled "The Golden Bull ; or Harlequin and ht
Ene7nanted Horn," in which the trained bull, Don Juan'
arAi his tutor DanCastello, played conspicuous parts, clown,
harlequin, pantaloon, and columbine appearing vividly on
the scene. Both the bull and the spectators were in the
best possible humour throughout, and there can
doubt that the crowd of last night was the precurs" e
several others of similar vastness. be littlef

CANTERBURY HALL.
Christ-
So
novelties are needed to attract the public, who have long
ent that no
So popular is this place of entertainment
since discovered that Mr. Morton knows well how to cater for
their amusement, and the admirable selection of music, to-
gether with the efficient conductor and the equally
efficient
artists engaged, have secured fortho Canterbury Hall afront
place in the ranks of the places of amusement
of the
metropolis. Tho selections from Verdi's "Macbeth" and
Meyerbeer's Dinorah" nightly delight the habitues of
the hall, while to strengthen the attractions nearly the
whole of Professor Sterndale Bennett's charming cantata,
" The May Queen," is now being given. The Canterbury
Hall is also strong in comic vocalists. First and foremost
there is Mr. Mackney, the best nigger melodist in Londe!'
then comes Mr. Hodson, the Irish comedian and mimic;
and lastly there is Mr. Critchfield. Nor must the picture
gallery be forgotten. It contains some admirable works of
art, and forms an agreeable lounge, in which, while the
aye is gratified, the taste is elevated by the contemplation
of paintings which have been most judiciously selected.

ROYAL POLYTECHNIC.
Contrary to the belief of many persons this institution
still continues its accustomed round of pleasing recreation•
This Christmas Mr. G. Buckland introduces a new enter
tainment entitled " Motley, or the Ways of the World."
The pictorial illustrations are after our old friend George
Cruikshank, and are admirably adapted to the subject. The
ways of the world at the present moment are rife with sin-
gular events, and this entertainment is intended to expound
them, and cannot fail to instruct, exhilarate, and arause•
The lectures on "Philosophy of Magic," by Mr. Gardner,
aro such as should be listened to by our young friends. Mr.
King follows with a lecture on recreative science, in which
ho illustrates scientifically the different toys which occuPY se
much of the time of a boy ; and here Mr. King 'will teach
them that while they aro amusing themselves idly, they
might be laying the foundation of great inventions. The
phantasmagoria is certainly the best that has been exhi-
bited, and is to the holiday visitors to this institution what
the pantomime is to the theatres ; it is by the celebrated Mr.
Child. The diving bell, dissolving views of China and
India, and all the other well-known attractions, continue
in their full force. We only hope that the new institution
about to start on these premises may be aft well conducted
and afford as much gratification as our old friend the Royal
Polytechnic.

THE GREAT GLOBE.
This has now become so established an exhibition that it
is almost needless to say it had a large influx of vioitoro
yesterday. From early morning up to a late hour of te
h
evening streams of holiday folks continued to pour intotbef
building, and to gaze with interest on the vast Yari:tY. °
objects now collected there. To the geographical an
eth-
nological curiosities of the place were added, and NvOl con-
tinue to be for some time to come, dioramas of the War in
China and in Italy. The campaign in Italy may thus be
realised, if not fought over again, in Leicester-square, and
the hostilities of the ensuing spring in China pondered with
the aid of moving scenes, picturing out the Celestial Em-
pire to the ken of the spectator.

MR. AND MRS. HOWARD PAUL'S
ENTERTAINMENT.
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Paul were honoured last night by
a large audience at the St. James's-hall, when their very
amusing entertainment once more excited the unqualified
applause of 'all present. There can be no doubt that its
very varied interest is thoroughly appreciated by the
public.

CAMPBELL'S MINSTRELS.
These accomplished musicians attracted an overflowing
audience last night to the St. James's-hall, where their
varied and delightful performances attracted, as they al-
ways do, the unqualified applause of a very large auditory.
Their "
Melodies,""Excelsior"
the dance, and
the admirable one entitled " The Spirit of Ole Vir-
ginnY,” were all of them most admirably executed, and
rewarded the " Minstrels" with several rounds of hearty
cheering. It is worthy of note that this body of per-
formers is by far the most numerous that has yet appeared,
and among them is included every possible variety of musi-
cal and vocal talent that can enlist the popular appreciation.
There can be no doubt that the " Campbell's Minstrels"
have before them a triumphantly successful career.

The Duke and Duchess of Itellington arrived at
Apsley House, a few daysback, from Clermont Lodge, their
seat in Norfolk.
The Countess of Portarlington has been suffering
from indisposition, but we are happy to learn is now reco-
vering from her illness.

Tho Christmas piece at the Royal Amphitheatre is a yeti
attractive entertainment, and well sustains the reputation
which Mr. Cook has acquired by his intelligent and sPirite4l
management of one of the most popular
Places of publio
amusement in London. It is written by Mr. Nelson Lees
with parodies by Mr. R. Phillips, and it bears the ominoustitle of "Harlequin Old Towler and the Goddess Diana ;
or, This Day a Stag shall Die." It is ingeniously con-
structed and abundant in picturesque incident and romantic
adventures. The action commences in Bacchanalia, where
Pan (Mr. Raymond) arrives luring a revel, mounted on
real buffalo, direct from India. Tho Fairy Progression
(Miss Kate Carson) next makes her appearance, and Ull.
them to provide the Christmas pantomime, exhibiting in e
tableau the subject of " Old Towler," which is accordinglY
adopted. Tom Moody is the lover of the charming patty,
the daughter of Old Towler, whom the Fairy Progression
takes under her protection. She summons the fairy police
to protect the lovers, and thwart the designs of Old Squire
Gameagola, who seeks to wed Patty ; they depart to inform
the Goddess Diana of their plans, and we are transported
to "Diana's Retreat, in the Land of Fairy Sports," where
they await the arrival of the Queen, who comes in her ear
drawn by fairy palfreys, and commands Pomona and her
subjects to aid the lovers. Tho next scone takes place in
a Old Towler's House," on the morning of the chase. The
old Squire claims the maiden's hand ; but young Tom enters
and the lovers escape on two fleet hunters. The alarm being
given, the father and squire summon all their friends to
pursue them. A spirited love chase takes place, and is pro"
tractedj until Bacchus instructs Will-o'-the-Wisp to
mts-
lead the Squire and Old Towler. Seine comical ralsbers
follow, but the chase proceeds until they reach the village
linendraper's, where the usual shopping is taking Plane"
when the Squire, misled by Will-o'-the-Wisp, leaps through
the window, to the astonishment of the inmates. We next
arrive at Whirlypool Mill, where the lovers enter exhausted.
Diana appears, and the squire, attempting to enter the mill,
is unhorsed by the sails. Old Towler comes in at the
death, and claims the stag's antlers, which brings us
grand transformation scene of " The Palace of Program°
and Land of Charmed Palfreys," where Mr. Nelson's Lede
comic budget follows. Tho harlequinade is supported by
Mr. Hildebrandt, Clown; Mr. Abbot, Pantaloon;
Richards, Harlequin ; Madlle. Mazzoni, Columbine; and a
whole family of India-rubber sprites.
The house was crowded in every pall, and the aPPlau"
of the audience was most enthusiastic. to the