The Sun.
London, England, 1842-05-17 00:00:00

MR. WILSON'S ENTERTAINMENT.

Mr. Wilson gave his first entertainment, illustrative of
English minstrelsy, last evening, is the Music-hall, Store-
street, to a crowded and fashionable audience. We know
not when we have been so much pleased as we were with
this entertainment. It opened with -a short dissertatiun
on our old national songs, and Mr. Wilson instanced
many in refutation of the assertion that England has no
national songs. One of these songs, '"Twits merry in
the hall," Mr. Wilson sang with admirable effect ; in-
deed, we never before thought the air contained so much
exquisite melody. The execution of this old song by Mr.
Wilson was one of the richest treats we have experienced
for a considerable time. In the course of his entertain-
ment Mr. Wilson traced the origin of the well-known old
English chorus of "Derry Down," which, though 'appa-
rently an unmeaning sound, is, in truth, derived from an
old uhaurt used by the Ancient Druids in their religious
processions. Mr. Wilson then recited (as it was too long
for him to sing) the well-known ballad of " King John
and the Abbot of Canterbury," the conclusion of which
elicited a round of hearty laughter. The next song
Mr. Wilson sang was honoured with a unanimous
encore. It was the fine old song of " Sally in our
alley." He afterwards gave a short Ilistory of this
song ; how it was at first ridiculed, but afterwards ob-
tained to the height of celebrity and the praise of Addi-
son. It is not, perhaps, generally known that the author
of this song, Henry Carey, after having founded a bene-
volent institution for the relief of decayed musicians, put
an end to his own existence at the advanced age of
eighty years. After his death, it was discovered that the
whole of his earthly possessions were compromised in
one single half-penny. Mr. Wilson then gave a picture
of olden times, as illustrated- in Collins's songs, several
of which he sang. He also graphically described the old
May-day sporting, with the customs of England, Ireland,
Scotland, and Amerce. The gem of the evening was the
song of the" Old English Gentleman," which met with a
burst of applause and a unanimous call for a repetition. Mr.
Wilson read a letter from James Dewar, the, composer
of the song, in which he stated that he composed the
song on the back of a letter, having drawn lines -with a
pencil, and, further, that he did not now, nor did he
ever, consider the production a work of merit, notwith-
standing its popularity. Mr. Wilson then sang " Black-
eyed Susan' beautifully, and concluded the evening's
entertainment with a song by the same author—the
" Roast beef of Old England." Mr. Wilson intends re-
Pentitlg his entertainment on Monday next, and we
should recommend all lovers of genuine music to avail
themselves of an opportunity of listening to Mr.• Wilson's
performance, which, we can assure them, will be a treat
of the highest order.
SUI?REY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.

This delightful summer lounge opened for the season
last evening with a grand Whitsun festival. During the
winter a newgallery has been constructed in the grounds,
with a roof impervious to rain. This gallery, which.
commands an excellent view of the model of Rome and
of the Pyrotechnic exhibition, is capable of accommo-
dating a thousand persons. Underneath the gallery is a
grand Gothic vestibule, fitted up as a refreshment-
room, with tables, &c., where, among other things,
tea end coffee are provided of excellent quality, and
at a moderate charge. The erection of these places of
shelter is a great improvement on the state of affairs of
last year, when visitors were exposed to the pittiless pelt-
ing of every chance shower. The refreshment room,
especially, will be found a great accommodation to pic-
nic parties coming to spend the day at the gardens.
The colossal model of Rome has been repainted, and in
many parts remodelled ; and the lighting up is effected
upon a new principle, with much greater rapidity and
brilliancy than heretofore. The girandola and pyrotech-
nic exhibition, s as even on a more magnificent scale than
last season. The cascade of fire at the conclusion was a
perfect triumph of the pyrotechnic art. The band has
been augmented and strengthened, and, during the
course of the evening, performed several favourite airs,
overtures, and quadrilles. Among them we must not
hpiiee
ns .
omit to mention the beautiful " Casta Diva," from
Norma, with a clarionet obligato by Mr. Dean, and a
flute obligato by Mr. Saynor. This exquisite scene. was
given with great taste and judgment, and was loudly
applauded. We would just hint to Mr. Cross, en passant,
that it would bean improvement, if he could so manage
the performances, as not to let quite such a long interval
e
a between the conclusion of the promenades musi-
and the commencement of the fireworks. The
Gardens
elapse
were crowded to excess, and every one seemed
delighted with the amusements.

BUTT R.--A friend writes me from Penrith, that
on la
market day butter was 6d. per lb., and not good
tP sell. at that price.. This reduction is not cawing to any
Ttf
additional supplies, but simply to the want of consump-
tion during the winter. Salted butter is now like to be
sold off, or shortly it would not be fit to use.