The Sun.
London, England, 1844-05-28 00:00:00

ADELPHL

" The Wizard of the North " continues to draw
crowds nightly to this theatre, to witness his mar-
vellous feats of sleight of hand, and those really sur-
prising deceptions and transformations which might
well excite the envy of Simon Magus himself. Not
content with the fame he has already won, " The
Wizard" has, with a just appreciation of the popu-
larity his performances have acquired, made renewed
exertions to strengthen his claim to public favour at
this particular season. In addition to the diversified
succession of his own performances, the lovers of
music were highly gratified by a vocal and in-
strumental concert, which formed a distinct part
of last evening's entertainments. The performers
were Mademoiselle Rossini and the Misses Emma
and Victoria Collini, and Mr. Collini. Made-
moiselle Rossini played two grand fantasias on the
violin with admirable execution and effect, and with
a skill and command that drew from the audience re-
peated bursts of applause. The Misses Emma and
Victoria Collini sang a duet, "As it fell upon a day,"
in which they were much applauded, and Miss Emma
Collini sang with great sweetness and expression the
beautiful ballad, " Kate Kearney." Brief as this
notice necessarily is, we must not omit to mention
' the ability with which Mr. Collini played accompani-
ments on the violoncello and the flute. At the con-
clusion of the concert the audience again testified
their approbation in renewed applause, and this
musical interlude promises to become an agreeable
feature in the entertainments at the Adelphi. "The
Arab Brothers," a trio of interesting youths, per-
formed some wonderful feats of agility, and formed
some very beautiful and striking tableaux.

ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.
These gardens opened for the season yesterday, and
were crowded to excess. This is the first season the
gardens have been under the management of Mr.
Tyler, who has displayed great taste in the manner
in which he has laid them out. Adorned as they now
are with beautiful parterres, fine casts from antique
statues, and elegant fountains, they form one of the
most agreeable summer lounges in the neighbourhood
of the metropolis. The doors opened at twelve
o'clock, thus giving ample time for a lounge round
the gardens, and for the inspection of the animals ; and
at two o'clock Messrs. Cameron, Campbell, Mackay,
and M'Donald, the Highland pipers and dancers, who
were selected by the Marquis of Breadalbane to
perform their national melodies and national
dances before her Majesty and Prince Albert
at Taymouth Castle, commenced the perform-
ances with their national dances and melodies.
Their costumes were beautiful, and their dancing wag
distinguished by a gracefulness, an appropriateness, a
fitness, if we may be allowed the expression, which
we have never before seen infused into so-called
Highland dancing. The dancing of these High-
landers was characteristic, was national. Those who
saw it could not but at once perceive that they were
witnessing the real national dance of the country,
performed by native dancers, denizens of the land of
mountain and flood, who entered into the spirit of
what they were performing with all that intensity
which so completely distinguishes reality from the
most elaborate and even graceful imitation. At five
o'clock General Tom Thumb, the greatest little man
in the world, gave a history of himself, and an imita-
tion of Napoleon ; and shortly after six o'clock
the promenade concert commenced under the
direction of Mr. Godfrey. On the lake was exhi-
bited a Grand New-modelled Representation of
London in the Olden Time, painted by Manson and
Telbin. This model is one of the most elaborately
constructed, and one of the most correctly deli-
neated, of any of the many marvellous models of the.
wonders of nature and of art, which have been ex-
hibited at these gardens. In the centre rises Old
St. Paul's, surrounded by the curiously constructed
houses of the olden . time, and fllanked on the one,
side by the old bud-gate and the towers of Castle'-
I3aynard, and on the other, by old London-bridge,
covered with houses, and defended by its gates,
leading to the Southwark side of the river. As the
evening draws in, the houses on the bridge are .
lighted up, and gradually lights are seen twinkling
in the various windows of the different houses in the
City. These are gradually extinguished, and the
city and its inhabitants are at rest. Suddenly a
dense cloud of smoke is seen rising from the neigh,
bourhood of Pudding-lane—flames burst forth—the
fire-bells are heard tolling in all directions.
We are presented with a view of the
Great Fire of London. The houses on the
bridge are consumed and fall in; the flames are
seen ascending the spires of the churches. Street
after street becomes a prey to the flames, until at
length the smoke is seen issuing from the tower of St.
Paul's, and the magnificent cathedral itself is con-
sumed. The efThet produced by the flames:,as they
are seen issuing from the lofty tower and magnificent
windows of the fine old cathedral is exceedingly fine;.
and Mr. &tabby, the artist, to whom the manage-
ment of this pyrotechnic spectacle has been en-
trusted, has completely succeeded in his attempt'
to give an idea of the great fire of London.
The stage management of the performances,' if we
may be allowed the expression, is much better this
year than it has been on any former occasion ; there •
is not that unnecessary lapse of time between the end
of the concert and the commencement of the pyro-
technic display, of which we have had occasion for-,,
inerly to complain, and for this improvement we tender
Mr. Tyler our best thanks. Notwithstanding the
unfavourable state of the weather the gardens were ,
crowded. There could not have been less than 3,000'
persons present, and all seemed highly delighted with
the amusement provided for them.

THE NATIONAL GALLERY. •':
This splendid national collection of pictures, in which
are congregated the works of almost all the celebrates
painters of every country in Europe, since the close of
the fifteenth century, formed, as might be expected, iv
*rreat object of attraction to thousands of the more;
sober-minded of the holiday folks yesterday. The dif-
ferent rooms were :crowded to excess during the day,'
but the greatest decorum and regularity were observed
by the multitudes who thronged them.
✓ THE ROY AL ACADEMY ...•

From its extent, varied character, and the prestige
attaching to its name (being 'justly considered at the
head of all the periodical exhibitions of the metropolis),