The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-21 00:00:00

CRYSTAL PALACE CONCERTS.

The seventh concert of the season, which was exceed-
ingly wed attended, took place on Saturday last. The
selection, both vocal and instrumental, was excellent.
Signora Finoli, of whom we have already had occa-
sion to speak in high and well merited terms, made her
second appearance, and acquitted herself in a manner
to prove that we were justified in the very favourable
opinion we had formed of her great powers. Her
execution of, una voce poco fee was a chef cectutre com-
bining great brilliancy with a truly marvellous precision
and facility, and elicited the warmest demonstrations of
applause. Her duet with Mr. C.Brahatn;si la stanchezza
frem " Ii Trovatore" was wonderfully executed, and
was encored in a manner to show that opposition on
on the part of the fa,r cantatrice was not to be thought
of for a moment. Mr. Charles Brahmin also acquitted
himself well on the ecca,ion. Signora Finoli sang also
a rondo, "Al piacer," by Fiori (not by Ricci, as stated
in the programme), with infinite taste and sweetness,
and was rapturously encored, but the lateness of the
hour and absolute darkness of the room precluded the
possibility of its being repeated, evidently much to the
disappointment of the visitors. This young lady is win-
ning golden opinions, and will certainly prove a very
valuable acquisition to the musical world.

Performances will take place at the Surrey Theatre
this evening and to-morrow.
Astley'e will be closed only on Thursday and Friday.
The National Standard keeps open every evening
except Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.
The Marylebone will be open only this evening for a
complimentary benefit to Mr. Clarence Holt, the lessee,
when " Flowers of the Forest" is to be represented.
The City of London will be closed after Monday even-
ing until Boxing Night.
Mr. H. BUTLER.—We perceive that this clever
comedian takes a benefit this evening, at the Strand
Theatre, when " A. Cure for the Heartache," " Founded
on Facts,' and the "Beggar's Opera" will be performed
by a very efficient company.
The Soho Theatre will have but one night's perform-
ance previous to Christmas—this evening—when the
entertainments will be for the benefit of Mr. Mowbray.
All the theatres will re-open on Saturday (Boxing
❑ight), with their respective Christmas offerings.
FAIR AND FOUL ILLUSIONS.—For once in the way,
we are enabled t,.) praise an advertising doctor, and we
seize the opportunity of doing eo with delighted avidiby.
Professor Wiljalba Frikell, describing himself as " Phy-
sician to their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of
Russia," announces that " hie new and original Enter-
tainment, performed without the aid of any apparatus,
entitled "Two Hours of Illusions," will commence at 8,
and terminate at 10 o'clock." Here we have a physician
candidly avowing that his professional practice consi,ts
in the production of illusions. How much more honest
and respectable is such a physician tha❑ an M.D., who
professes to cure diseases by means Of homoeopathic
globules 1 Those illusions are merely harmless, but the
Illusions of Dr. Frikell are not only harmless, but
amusing, and hence probably in some degree medicinal.
Enterteiling illusions are better cures far low spirits
than quack medicines. These pretended specifics are
illusions of the nature of the Jack-o'-lentern, and lead
those who are deceived by them through long and dreary
mazes into final grief. The patent medicine is the
lantern ; the advertiser of it is the Jack, or knave, that
goes about with Lis imposture wider Lie pwrtmaort of
the Government, whose stamp is a warrant to the
British public that the rascal's good-for-nothing or per-
nicious compounds are genuine.—Punch.