The Sun.
London, England, 1861-12-27 00:00:00

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N WS PAPE
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much, action fully to ea: wc.ptit:l4_ll
h
which the compositions •roZt aid
we omit to mention nother a I ira, Mr.
Greville, who is conspicuous in he _ec, and
sings ballads with unexceptionable taste. Last
night the task of "amusing" the audience fell prin-
cipally on Miss H. Coveney, Mr. Sam Collins, Mr.
W. Randall, Mr. Marshall, and Mr. M. P. Foster,
all artists revelling in their own peculiar style, and
each acting upon the risible muscles by some al-
chemic process known only to himself. These
vivacious gentlemen did not forget to make a little
harmless capital out of the Slidell and Mason
affair. The audience were liberal in responding
to these pardonable appeals to their feelings. The
evening at the Oxford thus sped right merrily,
and nothing seemed to be wanting to
rivet the attention. We perceive—and we notice
the fact as a growing proof of the high artistic
point
to which the Oxford has attained—that in addition
to such artists as Madame Enderssohn and the two
baritones we have named (who have won their
laurels on our operatic boards), Mr. Viotti Collins,
the accomplished violinist, is announced to make
his first appearance at this hall on Monday next as
solo player.

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CANTERBURY HALL.

This favourite hall was crowded in every part,
and several novelties were in store for the Christ-
mas visitors, more especially in the comic depart-
ment. Foremost among these we may mention Mr.
E. Marshall's grand Christmas dish, " The Enchan-
ted Hash," second edition, written expressly for
him by Mr. IV. F. Vandervell. This is a little
pantomimic sketch, this year played solely by Mr.
Marshall. It may be remembered that its portrayal
last year by two persons was prohibited by the
theatrical managers as coming within the scope of
a stage play. The sketch is altered in form from
the previous one, and during its progress Mr. Mar-
shall revels in a multitude of hits upon passing
events, America coming in for the lion's share of
satirical comment. The whole business of the pan-
tomime (destitute of plot, it should be stated, for
fear of the managers' summons) is got through by
Mr. Marshall with immense spirit and talent, his
rapid changes of attire causing great astonishment.
An effigy of a policeman came in for some rough,
handling during the progress of the harlequinade,
and its mute sufferings were witnessed without a
murmur of reproach. This little skit on things in
general, and pantomimes in particular, went off
with great eclat. Mr. J. G. Fordo, an old
favourite, it appears, at this hall, also made his
re-appearance, and with Mr. Hollingsworth, an-
other pet, as a sort of singing low comedian,
succeeded in further convulsing the audience:
Mr. Fred. French made his bow in a Shake-
sperian burlesque—a ludicrous compound, dashed,
as in the case of theatrical extravaganza,
with a little of the tragic, to give it a rough
flavour. Some pointed singing and clever dancing
were vouchsafed by Miss Harriet Coveney, some of
her lyrics being those of Mrs. German Reed ;
while Miss Greene sang the half-pathetie song of
" The Captain with his Whiskers," which has for-
med the groundwork of Mr. W. Randall's capital
song of " The Sly Glance," which that able little
singer gives to perfection. With Mr. Wood and
his son (two admirable representatives of nigger
idiosyncracies) the list of comic people is complete.
The style in which the famous " Operatic Selec-
tions" are given has been too often praised to need
present comment. Miss Russell, Mr. Herbert, Sig-
nor Tivoli, Mr. Greene, and others, take the prin-
cipal parts in the " Trovatore," " Traviatz," and
other operas, and the performance of these selections
afford fresh evidence of the persevering care and
skill of the musical director, Mr. Jonghmans. The
new German basso, Herr Sesselberg, sings with
Signor Tivoli the " Suono la tromba" from the
" Puritani," and both artists share the wall-earned
honour of an encore. To balance the comic singing
there was a due proportion of the sentimental. The
beautiful picture gallery attached to the Canter-
bury Hall, of course, came in for well-deserved ob-
servation. The pictures remain intact, and look as
brilliant and inviting as when they were first hung.
Of the great attractions of this Fine Arts Gallery
we have before spoken, and it is sufficient to state
that they were fully recognised last night. For the
information of the musical connoisseur, we may add
that on Christmas-eve a selection was given from
Sebastian Bach's " Christmas Oratorio," a work
hitherto unknown in this country. Those who are
acquainted with the well-trained powers of prin-
cipals and chorus under Mr. Jonghmans' baton
will not be surprised to hear that the music was
given most satisfactorily, and that the cfftet on the
audience was commensurately agreeable,

MR. AND MRS. CHARLES MATHEWS AT HOME.--
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews gave two perform-
ances yesterday, one at three and the other at eight
o'clock, and will perform every evening this week
as well as on Saturday morning. The varied ex-
periences of Mr. Mathews told in strains by turns
pathetic and gay find eager listeners,
GALLERY OF ILLUSTRATION.—The entertain-
ment of Mr. and Mrs. German Reed and Mr. John
Parry was given morning and evening yesterday.
Mr. John Parry's musical story of the Colleen
Baton, and Mr. German Reed's song, "Mamma
won't bring her out," were enjoyed by large
audiences.

MADAME TUSSAUD'S. This exhibition was
crowded yesterday from morning till evening, to an
extent almost unprecedented in Baker-street re-
cords, the great room, adorned with gilding,
armourial trophies, costly hangings of scarlet cloth,
and studded with the figures of monarchs, warrior s,
and heroes of all countries and of many ages of his-
tory, being the chief attraction. The figure which
drew most attention was that of President Lincoln.
POLYTECHNIC.—This institution Was crowded
throughout the day.

COLOSSEUM.—The enterttinments provided by
Dr. Bachoffner at this old established place of
amusement drew a large number of visitors yester-
day.

THE POLYGRAPHIC HALL. -- This place of
amusement in King William•street, Strand, was
opened yesterday for the season, with a new and
original entertainment, entitled "Our Budget of
Eccentricities," by Mr. Whilhelm Costello, Miss
Gertrude Melvin (from Laura Keane's, New York),
and Miss Nelly Nesbitt. We can do no more than
record the fact to-day, but shall take an oppor-
tunity to speak of the merits of the entertainment.
ROBIN THE WIZARD.—The performance of this
very potent enchanter were well patronised yester-
day. M. Robin promises to appear twice a-day
until New Year's day. His latest device is an en-
chanted Christmas tree, which sheds its fruit upon
the audience at each sceance.

OW TO GET A CHEAP DINNNew York
Loafer, the other day, beingand afraid of
venturing into any bar-room, or 11 o'clock " restorater,,,
for fear of being " booted,"
at last. ventured into an eating-
booftrhoshnevairetsheanma roastedarket,raagilvesatt,e7,raa.l sy l drawn by the savour
of
Java
10l lodwl ye d a
indihshe
owfenthe
ordered a fowl of " Old
best Shrewsbury oysters, gulped down six sandwiches,
topped off with the biggest half-plate of pumpkin pie, then
callee, for two of the best "Golden Lion" cigars, and pro-
nounced everything darned capital—excellent. The pro-
prietor, not accustomed to such patrons, gloated over the
impending 4s. 6d. Suddenly the loafer's face staring out
of the window became convulsed, and roaring out, " Thun-
der ! there goes my horse I" he ran down the street, whip
in hand, fleet as an Indian scout. By the latest accounts
our epicurean and cxciteable friend has not yet recovered
his horse I
BENSON'S WATCHES AND CLOCKS.—" Perfection of
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their use. Watches sent free and safe by post on receipt of
a remittance. —J. W. Benson, 33 and 34, Ludgate-hill, 46 and
47, Cornhill, London E.C. Established 1749.

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