The Sun.
London, England, 1827-06-05 00:00:00

VAUXHALL.

While idly sauntering last night through these
brilliantly illuminated gardens (opened for the first
time for the season) we chanced to light upon our
facetious friend the Editor of John Ball, who, strange
to say, was walking arm-in-arm with no less a per-
sonage than his correspondent Miss Lavinia Ramsbot-
tom, of Montague-place, Russell-square. Bull him-
self seemed confused at the rencontre, but instantly
recovering, introduced us to his fair companion, to
whom, from his exceeding suavity, we suspect he is
about to get married. Be this as it may, we lost not a mo-
ment in offering the lady our arm ; and thus accompa-
nied, strolled on to the concert-room, where we met
' Mrs. Ramsbottom and her eldest son John, junior
partner of the firm in Lad-lane. John, we should
premise, is a small poet and a critic, having pen-
ned several leading articles and indifferent stanzas
ha the Morning Post, in consequence of which
lie felt himself entitled to assure us that the new
Vaudeville, by Moncrieff, was exceeding pretty,
but not equal to Tom and Jerry. The singers, he
added, were but so-so; an opinion which his mother
indorsed; informing us, at the same time, that there
was a gentleman (who sung at the Eagle Tea-gar-
dens for two shillings a night) far superior to theta
all. Having never heard this gentleman, we cannot
decide on his merits ; Horn, however, we thought
agreeable, and Fitzwilliam richly comic, both in voice
and manner. When the concert was over we took
the arm of Mrs. Ramsbottom and her son, and con-
signing over Lavinia to Bull, followed a large crowd
to a stage fitted up for a Ballet, the dancing of
which was both graceful and animated. John Rams-
bottom, however, thought otherwise; so we sup-
pose a very severe critique will appear on the sub-
ject in the Morning Post. The ballet lasted, say
about half an hour, at the end of which time the
crowd began to disperse, and amused themselves
with walking up and down (the majority in black
silk stockings and clocks) the two principal walks,
when Mrs. Rambottom, whose appetite was some-
what sharpened by the night air, observed, that
she " felt rather peckish," and commissioned John
to go and get " summat nice" for supper. This was
accordingly done; but scarcely had we taken our seats
(the gentility even of John Bull being compromised
by the necessities of his appetite), when a bell
rung for the fire-works. Instantly Mrs. Rams-
bottom jumped up from table, and rushing with her
mouth full towards the dark walks, her fat little
figure bobbing from side to side, like a Dutch lugger
in a swell, soon distanced even the fair Lavinia and
her brother. On reaching the spot where the com-
pany had stationed themselves, we found the fire-
works already in full play; and certainly, if any
thing short of a wild bull (as Bull said) could justify
the vulgarity of a gallop, the present splendid dis-
play would do so. Immediately it was over, a
highly entertaining Concert commenced, to which,
however, we were unable to render adequate justice,
inasmuch as we were perpetually annoyed, during
supper, by Mrs. Ramsbottom's vociferations for
porter, and intermittent criticisms on the dresses of
what she called the " quality folks." Lavinia, too,
was not altogether guiltless in this respect : her ap-
petite seemed strengthened by her attachment ; and
it was beautiful to observe the ardour with which she
alternately surveyed the Bull by her side and that
upon the table. But, notwithstanding these slight
encroachments on good taste, the evening passed
off pleasantly enough. The company was cheerful
and smirking, the lamps exemplary in their duties,
and the whole scene one of very unusual animation.
It was late, therefore, before we retired ; but bad
we not been detained nearly an hour at Mrs. Rams-
bottom's request, bargaining with a hacknercoach•
man to take her to Russell-square for half-a-crown,
we should most certainly have reached our lodgings
at a quarter before four in the morning—a very
sober and appropriate hour for married men and
fathers. We should not omit to add, that we are
invited to dine, next Sunday, at Mrs. Ramsbottom's
country villa, Paradise-row, Brentford Butts. A
boiled leg of mutton, she says, will be waiting for
us at two o'clock, which, she can take her oath,
will be good; for she always markets on Saturday
night herself. Nous verroiw.
Soso by Jon): Itaitisaorrou, jun.
Tune—" Daddy Neptune, one day."
Quick, Gents, let us all post off to Vauxhall,
The shop is shut up, 'tis Whit-Monday,
And the folks of St. Bride, Guildhall, and Cheapside,
Are Brest in their best—like a Sunday :
Then hey for a peep at Vauxhall, now,
For the lights and the sights of Vauxhall, now,
Through all the wide city (the more is the pity)
There's no such a place as Vauxhall, now.
Our friend Mr. Dobbs, with the two Misses Hobbs,
Will be there in a Jarvey before us ;
And Richard Alacnally, the Beau of Bell-alley,
Will join us, to hear the new chorus.
I see, by the bills, there's a fight, Sir,
A genuine Waterloo tight, Sir,
Which fat Mr. Morse, of the City Light Horse,
Will explain—for lie's up to a fight, Sir.
There's a concert, besides, and a gemman as rides
On a rope, and duetts by the dozens;
A Vaudeville, by Moncrieff, with—by way of relief—
A song on " my new country cousins !"
There's a fellow as stands on his head, too
---
A foreigner, tame and well-bred, too :
With lots of bright rockets—like gold in the pockets
Of Rothschild ; and squibs over-head, too !
Well, now we've arriv'd, and are pleasantly hir'd
In the concert-room: Ileav'ns ! what a crowd, now
See poor Mrs. Brown has torn her new gown,—
I'll wager she's swearing aloud, now !
But, hark ! Mr. Horn is a singing,
While the trumpet. and cymbals are ringing ;
And the rockets—my eye ! arc roaring sky-high
Like poets,--a famous beginning.

They may talk of the Hoparar—this is a properer
Place of amusement, as I know :
No Signor Velluti—no Frenchiffed beauty
To witch the folks out of their rhino !
You enter for los than a crown, Sir ;
For ditto, to supper sit down, Sir,
On beef (a cold batch). with pickles to match ;
Then home, like a squire of renown, Sir.

THEATRES.

COBOUIIG.

Mr. Croly's Cataline, with alterations, was
brought out last night at this Theatre, and consider-
ing the general distate for tragedies, was more suc-
cessful than we could have ventured to anticipate.
Mr. Davidge caters well for the public; and in proof
of which we refer them to his new Pantomime of
Harlequin Handy ; a very splendid and versatile
entertainment.