The Sun.
London, England, 1844-09-24 00:00:00

VAUXHALL GARDENS.

These once celebrated gardens were opened last
night, " on subscription," as the handbill states, for a
series of six splendid gala nights, in the style in
which the " Royal Property" was conducted in the
olden time. Every efibrt, we are told, would be
made to render the fete attractive in every depart-
ment. If this be so, it is to be regretted that it was
not made at an earlier period when the weather was
not so chilly as it has become for the last few days.
A great many, to whom the summer evening would
be an additional attraction to visit these gardens, will
rather " lie by" under the influence of equinoxial
winds. The fall of the leaf is too late for an open air
entertainment. There was, notwithstanding, a very
considerable number of visitors last night. The en-
tertainment commenced with a concert. It was
opened with the National Anthem, which was very
creditably sung by Mr. Robinson, Mr. Rens-
ford, Mr. W. H. Taylor, and Miss Agnes Taylor.
Several songs were sung by the same artists, of which
the " Monks of Old," sung by Mr. Ransford, and
"Cupid's Auction Mart," a comic song, by Mr. Wil-
liams, were encored. After the concert, an attempt
was made at a ballet—La Vivandiere. It had, how-
ever, this single merit, that it was performed under a
roof. Other entertainments followed, the best of
which was the singing of several comic songs by Mr.
T. Mathews. The theatre, where these amusements
were carried OA, was, as might be expected,
the scene of a great deal of noise and con-
fusion. " One shilling only " was the price at
which "the distinguished patrons of these galas ! "
decided that the public should he admitted.
If duration be considered a principal ingredient in an
entertainment, the public ought to be well pleased
with the value they received; but we would suggest
to those who have got up this fete, whether an open
air entertainment, more than five hours long, is not
too much at this season of the year ? There were
two bands in attendance, whose performance was
creditable enough. We should not forget to observe
that the gardens were very brilliantly lighted, but,
notwithstanding the exertions made, there was not
that " light of other days" which it was announced
we should have in every department, " illuminative,
musical, pyrotechnic, and refreshment !"

SALARIES OP ACTORS.—The following is a list of
the principal actors at Drury-lane in the season of 1802-
3, with the amounts of their various weekly salaries,
which we have copied from the most authentic record,
and which we subjoin for the sake of comparison. It is
to be observed, that it was in this season that John

Philip Kemble and Mrs. Siddons retired from Drury-
lane; in the next season they went over to Covent-
garden, in which theatre J. P. Kemble had purchased
shares. Bannister had been appointed manager of
Drury-lane, but, as some of our older readers may re-
member, he was not fortunate in his undertaking :—J.
Bannister, 251; C. Kemble, 111 ; Dowton, 12h; Pope,
101; Suett, 10/.; Wroughton, 10/.; R. Palmer, 101.;
Wewitzer, 51; Cherry, 61.; Collins, 51; Russell, 51.;
Dwyer, 91.; Barrymore, 61; Raymond, 41; Mrs. Glover,
81; Mrs. Mountain, 101; Miss de Camp, 71.; Mrs.
Sparks, 81; Miss Mellon, 101; Mrs. Powell, 8/. ; Miss
Pope, 121.; Mrs. Pope, 8/ It is to be observed that
Mrs. Jordan and Stephen Kemble were both engaged at
nightly salaries, the amounts of which do not appear in
the treasurer's books with the weekly payments to the
other performers engaged for the whole season. Another
considerable item is to be added, not properly

coming under the head of " salaries of actors," ;is., 52t
per week, thus divided between R. B. Sheridan, who was
nominally at the head of the establishment, Richard
Wilson, who filled the office of treasurer, and Tom
Sheridan, who was supposed to act as secretary to his
father ; all the offices were nearly sinecures:—R. B.
Sheridan, 301. per week ; R. Wilson, ls/. ; Thomas
Sheridan, 71. In the next season John P. Kemble and
Mrs. Siddons, as already stated, transferred their in-
terests and services to Covent-garden, and drew with
them from Drury-lane C. Kemble, Stephen Kemble (who
continued to be paid nightly for his performances), and
Mrs. Glover. The following are the weekly sums paid
to each performer at Covent-garden in 1803-4, also de-
rived from an indisputable source :—John P. Kemble,
30/. per week; C. Kemble, 121.; Cooke, 25/.; Mundell,
14/.; H. Siddons, 8L; Emery, 9L; Lewis, 12L; J. John-
stone, 10/4 Murray, 71. ; Simmons, 6/. ; Mrs. Siddons,
251.; Mrs. H. Siddons, 12Z; Mrs. Mattocks, 8/.; Mrs.
Glover, 91.; Mrs. Davenport, 71.; Mrs. Litchfield, 15L;
Mrs. Gibbs, 8/. At that date, therefore, when the drama,
at least at Covent garden, was prosperous, Kemble,
Cooke, Mrs. Siddons, Lewis, &c., were content to act at
comparatively moderate weekly salaries, and we heard
nothing of such sums as 1001., 701., or 60/. per week,
which had been paid of late, when managers could hardly
keep their doors spen.—Observer.
A SINGULAR V OYAGE ON THE RIVER.—A strange
feat was yesterday successfully performed on the river,
between Vauxhall and Westminster bridges. Mr.
Barry, one of the clowns of Astley's Theatre, had an-
nounced his intention of sailing from Vauxhall to West-
minster in a washing-tub drawn by two geese. The
crowd assembled to witness this strange undertaking was
very large, and would have been greater had not the
affair " come off" before the appointed time. The road
from the new Houses of Parliament to Thames-bank
was almost impassable, and an immense number of per-
sons stationed themselves upon the wharfs and barges.
The opposite shore, particularly Bishop's-walk, was also
thronged, and for long previous to the time fixed upon, a
number of boats filled with spectators, rowed up to
Vauxhall-bridge, and took up favourable positions. At
about half-past three o'clock Mr. Barry, in his clown's
dress, and with several of his friends, arrived at Vaux-
ball-bridge, and all things having been prepared, he at
once stepped into his tub, and with all imaginable con-
fidence started upon his " voyage." The tide being in
his favour, he went along smoothly enough, and he had
little difficulty in making the geese keep a proper course.
An immense number of boats accompanied this strange
water party, so that the voyageur was in no fear of
drowning. Mr. Barry disembarked at Westminster-
bridge, and amidst loud cheers proceeded to the theatre.
The same thing was done years ago by Mr. Usher, the
clown, recently deceased.
THE O'CONNELL ILLUMINATIONS.—An inquiry
has been ordered, by the Commander of the Forces, into
the conduct of Sergeant Maher, of the 62d Regiment,
belonging to the recruiting party stationed in this town,
for, as alleged, illuminating his lodging to comemorate
the liberation of Mr. O'Connell, on the evening of Mon-
day, the 9th inst. He was also charged with having
placed his sword and scabbard across the windows on
that occasion.—Carlow Sentinel.