The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-07 00:00:00

CANTERBURY HALL.

The energetic proprietor, Mr. Holland, seems
determined to present to the Easter holiday-makers
a programme of an extraordinary nature, and one
altogether outrivalling any hitherto issued by the
management of any establishment of a like descrip-
tion. The new engagements embrace a great num-
ber of artiste; among whom we find Ethardo, the
great spiral ascensionist, who will give a new perfor-
mance, differing entirely from that which has rendered
him so celebrated. Two new ballets also will be
produced, the first a grand 'Watteau entertainment,
aided with splended scenery and dresses, in which
Miss Esther Austin, Mdtn. Cade, Lilly Carle, and
Herr Cane, from Paris, will appear ; and the
second, a German legendary demon ballet, pro-
duced by Mr. F. Evans, and supported entirely by
his staff of pantomimists. Then we are to have ‘, The
Revels of the Athletes," supported by no less than 40
gymnasts, English and foreign, who will appear at
one time on the stage, and go through their perfor-
mance under the direction of Mr. J. Ellis. Amongst
the latest additions to the corps of vocalists the
names of Louise Sherrington and Mr. H. Liston
will be found, whilst the services of Mr. Vance
and Mr. Hamilton have been retained. The brothers
Gerrard, the aerial gymnasts, still continue under
engagement, and so does Mr. Daniels, the negro
instrumentalist. The band of the
establishment
has been greatly strengthened, so that Mr. A. Lee
will have under his direction an orchestra quite com-
petent to give due effect to the compositions of the
greatest masters. Such spirited exertions on the
part of Mr. Holland, the proprietor, is a strong
proof of his desire to give his patrons a first-rate
entertainment ; and as only very large audiences
can remunerate him for his great outlay, it is to be
wished that his endeavours may be rightly estimated,
and that he may receive that substantial reward
to which his untiring energy has given him a posi-
tive claim.

DAVID ROBERTS.—In 1824 Roberts exhibited, for
the first time in London, at the British Institution, and
also at the opening exhibition at the Suffolk-street Gal-
lery. The picture at the British Institution was a
view of Dryburgh Abbey, and afterwards engraved ;
and those at Suffolk-street were—one, the East
Front, and the other the South Transept, of Melrose
Abbey. They were
bought by Sir Felix Booth for the
sum of twenty-five guineas each—a large lump of money
to the rising scene-painter at that time. Another pic-
ture—the "West Front of Notre-Dame, Rouen"—also pur-
chased by Sir Felix Booth for eighty guineas, brought
Roberts one of his best and most valuable friends in
Lord Northwick, who wrote to him under cover to
Stanfield, proposing that he should paint him one of the
same size and subject, a little varied, and that Stanfield
should paint a companion picture of the same size,
both to be exhibited together next season. It
was a highly characteristic letter, generous, thought-
ful, and delicate; and when pay time came,
that crucial test of a man's real nature, the generous
words translated themselves into corresponding deeds, and
instead of the £l4O asked, Lord Northwick gave the
painter a cheque for £2OO, and won his heart for life.—
Dickens's " All the Year Round."

DEATII OF MR. H, WlDDlcomß.—Playgoers NI ill
hoar with regret of the death of this popular comedian,
who expired yesterday, after an illness of some duration,
which had allowed but little hope to be entertained of his
recovery. At the Surrey Theatre Mr. Harry Widdicomb
was for a censiderable period an established favourite, and
at the Princess's and Lyceum Theatres he more recently
exhibited powers which fully entitled him to be spoken of
as a comedian of distinguished ability. Mr. H. Widdicomb
was the son of the famous Widdicomb so long associated
with Astley's in the days of Ducrow. He had been pro-
minently connected with the London stage for the last 26
years, and was about 54 at the time of his decease.