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    THEATRES AND PUBLIC ENTERTAIN-: ¦ . ¦ MENTS . ¦ English Opera . —Drttry Lane Theatre . — Encouraged by the support bestowed upon them last year at the Lyceum , Miss Louisa Pyne and Mr . W . Harrison announce that on the 13 th inst . they will open a season of English Opera on the larger and nipre convenient stage of Drury Lane . The thorough loyalty of their previous attempts to popularise English Opera is so well known in musical and

    dramatic circles that to connoisseurs our remarks may be superfluous ; but it may not be so well known to general readers that under the Pyne-Harrison management the performance of native compositions by native artists attained a point of excellence hig hly satisfactory to those who long had questioned the possibility of the treble event . We learn from the programme before us that the season is to open with Balfe ' s opera , the Rose of Castille , in which Misses Louisa and Susan Pyne , Mr . W . Harrison , and Mr . George Honey will sustain the original parts in which they were wont to delight their Lyceum audiences .

    Carleton gives his Photographs of London Actors , and Tlie Irish tutor will wind up the entertainment . Royal Gallery of Illustration . —At Mr . and Mrs . German Reed ' s farewell soiree the following address was delivered by that gentleman : — ¦ " Don't run away , ladies and gentlemen , I have to make a speech . Now , I detest long , speeches as much as anybody can , and am somewhat astonished at my audacity in thus detaining you , for you must he tired of hearing and seeing me . Why , would you believe it , I can scarcely credit it myself , that for upwards of 1040 nights I ' ve been trying to compose an opera for your amusement , and as often failed because you laug hed so immoderately when Mrs . Reed persecuted and interrupted me . By the way , I should have brought my wife before 3 * 011 now ; but when once a lady begins to

    talk there ' s no stopping her . Now , I don ' t mean to detain you a moment , hut every public office has its auditors of accounts , and I want you to pass ours . There is a heavy debtor and creditor account betweentis . Do let me just thank you , heartily and unaffectedly thank you , in the name of my wife and myself , for the capital yon have sunk for our advantage . We ' ve been drawing on you now for four years , and during the whole of that" time you ' ve never once dishonoured our bills or notes , musical and otherwise . We have very large bill transactions in this establishment ; our six months' issue ( in the London season ) is considerably in excess of a million ( sheets of paper !) ; and such , is the confidence which you ( our liberal patrons ) have in those bills ( yellow and blue ) , that I cannot allow this , our last night , to pass over without saying ladies and— — - "

    the dissipated and extravagant night-birds , . whom it is of course desirable to encourage in keeping themselves select , have arrived . With this slight reservation we passed hem . con . ail approving vote upon the afternoon amusements at Cremorne . On leaving the greatest of Fantoccini shows in the world , we found the elaborate pagoda illuminated , and the crystal fringe round' the dancing .. platform tinkling . an harmonious dbllgato to the elastic feet of the Wilis ; so we soon after drew off our small force in good order .

    The Crystal Palace . —The day is not yet announced on which the company propose to reciprocate congratulations without * American friends upon the recently accomplished triumph of telegraph engineering— a triumph the more remarkable that it was in dead opposition to the clearly enunciated predictions of the admitted heads , not the mere outsiders , of the civil engineering profession here . It is intended that'a . ' fete oh a large scale shall take place at Sydenham on the same day as that in course of arrangement at New York , and that a properly illustrated lecture upon the exploit , its means , appliances , and future bearing upon the interests of the two countries shall be given before such of the

    meeting as take interest enough in the event which gives rise to the gathering , to combine the acquisition of a little scientific information with the other pleasures of a visit to-the Palace . Such a festival should not be complete without the presence of at least those directors and officers of the Telegraph Company who have prominently assisted in this closer approximation of the two countries , nor without that of such worthy American ; citizens—and many of them there are—who may be now among us . An international rejoicing , close upon the borders of fraternisation , without a dinner and a toast , were un-Johh-Bulllike indeed . The Crystal Palace , owing as it floes no favour to any but the people who built and the

    people who support it , is for tliis reason , as on account of its vast resources , the only fitting place in this country for such a festival . We hope to hear of a numerous troop of visitors , an applauded lecture , a . glorious demonstration , unfavoured , unfettered , and unspoilt by aristocratic exclusiveness . We hope , in fact , that John Bull will for this occasion only take his soul . out of its natural ice-safe , thaw it genially and publicly , not in the corner of a " Public , " a : ul send by telegraph a "joyful heallh , with all the warmth of his own jolly heart , to his worthy Cousin Jonathan , who , like a man , has hailed the electric communication , as a national blessing , and has had the courage to express at once ideas that the British public are only just beginning to arrive at .

    Egyptian Hall . —Mr . and Mrs . Howard Paul continue to be well received in the theatre usually tenanted by Mr . Albert Smith . The very agreeable singing and dramatic talent of Mrs . Paul attracts a host of admirers . Mr . Howard Glover ' s song , n Vespagnole , " The Gay Bolero , " sung in Andalusian costume , and " The Unprotected Female , " a quaint and amusing lay , are the last and most taking novelties incorporated with the " Patchwork" entertainment .

    Here he was interrupted , after several attempts , by his better half , who insisted upon her privilege of the last word . After an amicable dispute , in the course of which the public were , of course , invited to " dwop in again on the TFeeds , " the lady gained her point by 6 aying " Good-by , " through a hole in the curtain , to an enthusiastic auditory . Cremorne- Gardens . ^ -It seldom occurs to the reporter-errant to reach these far-off borers in the

    canonical hours of daylight , though many a one may have declined to leave them before the morning herald has appeared , or even then . Such , however , though no special ffite attracted us , was our fortune on Wednesday last . With our young barbarians we were out on an oxygen-hunting expedition . We " did" the New Battersea Paddocks , gave a short lecture on the Chain Bridge , Sir Hans Sipane , and Cheyne-walk , and passing the fine old mansion where once lived Martin the Painter * we reached the now

    orthodox Liist-garten while the afternoon was yet young . The amusements were already in full swing . The flattering tales of dinner that hope and Paterfamilias had told were first gratified , and we can highly commend the Cremorne cuisine . We next burrowed into the bowling-saloon , the rifle-gallery , then viewed poses plastiques ( all white to resemble statuary ); arid then partook of the wild sports of the south-west . To the extent of a shilling or two we taught the young idea to shoot the bounding tigers and fluttering paroquets of painted tin , and illustrated the untruth of the old saw , that " every bullet has its billet . " The unruffled complacency wherewith these ferce naturce revolved , all unscathed

    under a dropping fire from average marksmen , convinced us that the more wire cartridges were substituted for spreading charges in the field ( not of battle ) , the hearer would the game-market be to a beggarly account of emptiness . Skittles , bowls , and ground billiards may pale their ineffectual fire before the game of American bowls . We even , who have almost survived curiosity and wonder , profess both' ( it the skill which may be applied to aggravated ninepins . The player at bowls , who hears that an adept can by knack alono " put on twist" and take accurate aim at high speed with an unbiased teninch ball , will join in our surprise , and some day , perhaps ,. covertly strip , as we did , in hopeless

    emulartion . The Gardens have shaken thejr feathers since the hurricane , which ruffled them about the time of the fete , and look charming as ever . The large picture of Lucknow— -alono worth the pilgrimagewas uninjured , and is a pleasing daylight feature . As the day waned , the promenade concert and other amusements were succeeded by a ballet of average interest in the theatre , capital " horserlding" in the circus , and the marionettes in their own theatre . Wo have seen far duller pieces on the regular boards than the humorous version of Aladdiu ' a story representing genteel life in China , in which we detected the hand of Hugo Vamp ; nnd wo have seen , alas ! a

    . faR » le 8 awhomogeneo , U 8 * : and « -more-wooden' -. company » of performers than the puppets of Cremorne . The latter are always in their right places , never drop words or cues , and , with the slight exception of general grogginess on their feet , comported themselves with quietude nnd taste . The songs , were pleasing and well ' executed , And the dresses and . decorations really quite as rioh and appropriate as the announcements indicate . The numerous rows of empty stalls monopolise too large a portion of the little mile . The charge for them excludes oidinary visitors of respectability , and the performance takes place before

    On Thursday , the 16 th , Flo tow ' s Martha will be presented for the first time in English . Mr . Balfe is at work upon a new opera for the management , and that of Rip Van Winkle , by the American composer , Mr . G eorge Bristow , will be performed in the course of the season . The orchestra comprises the flower of the renowned Covent Garden band , under the able leadership of Mr . Alfred Mellon . Forty choristers from the same troupe ate also engaged , under the direction of Mr * Smythson . A short Ballet Dive rtisse ^ ment will be provided , for which the services of two leading artistes from Her Majesty ' s Theatre are secured . We hear , on the best authority , that the

    dresses , appointments , and decorations are really , not nominally only , to be new and complete , and that it is the full intention of the management to adhere to the promises of the prospectus . For this and the general sound management of all arrangements ^ within their scop e , the known talents of Messrs . William ' Brough and Edward Murray , acting managers , are sufficient guarantee . With the exception of the clever Mademoiselle Vaneri , whose satisfactory deb&t we recently noticed , the Opera comr pany are . all our country folks . Of their ability to perform opera , we are no less satisfied than we are of Mr . Balfe ' s to produce one ; and for a successful campaign they have our best wishes .

    Lyceum Theatre . — Mr , Falconer s comedy Extremes bids fair to realise our predictions , and to draw good houses . On Wednesday evening was produced a new farce called Kicks and Halfpence . This Coraican fraternity of acquirements are divided by the authors in a spirit of . most even-handed justice between , the principal characters , Peter Pioklepod , Mr . Rogers , and Felix Honeydew , Mr . Emery . We say so Hibernicd , for to the former of these worthies are apportioned all the kicks , while the latter enjoys the few * halfpence that cram the air of a tavern and its billiard-room , in - which the scene is laid . The introduction of a

    genuine billiard-table upon the boards is one of the most daring . flights P v .. \ Prpp 6 rfcy man it ... jfeap . ever been our fortune to witness . It would have delighted and astounded the celebrated Mr . Crummies to a certainty ; and eminently satisfied the votaries of the game around us , who took the greatest interest in the hazards and cannons of the best player . The billiards were more successful , if anything , than th ' e farce , which was too long , and too smooth in its flow to be strictly farcical . It was constructed , we heard some amateur remark , upon philosophical principles , and , to use a more astonishingly' profound word , wo

    may s ^ y , perhaps , it was of an ( esthetic character . It occasionally develops comicalities of its own , but ^ beije ^ o ^ ipniej ^ jpoint % r which the author had given him an opportunity , and brought in aid a considerable amount of natural humour . The audience , too , was favourably disposed , but the general impression of those qualified to judge seemed to be that concentration , or , as eome would nay , crystallisation , would make Kioto owl Halfpence decidedly more attractive . Strand Thbaxuis . ~~ The Princess ' s company , including Messrs , Ryder , Graham , Mellon , ana Bake ? , and Mrs . and Miss Daly , appear hero tlxio evening , jfo The Zwwera , for a benefit . Mr . Seymour

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    • 'A MURILLO . " We continue to receive letters on the subject of tiio painting now on view at Messrs . Williams and Norgate ' s , to which we have already more than once directed attention . Such of them as rofcr to our criticism we have handed to our professional reviewer for consideration , but we ourselves deal with the exceptions taken by Messrs . Williams and Norgatc to the style of our first remarks . While admitting our right to the freest oxpro ? aion of opinion in relation to the quality and originality of the work , those gentlemen , it appears , consider that we , have directly coupled their names with tho possibility , of an apocryphal pedigree , and of pircct

    justi ficative either forged or fraudulently applied to the picture in question . We have very broiuUy stated the charge against ourselves , that wo might ; have the pleasure of acknowledging that it never occurred to us to allege—far loss to establish—any such connexion . Messrs . W . and N . eagerly accept all responsibilities of their position , mid wo no more doubt their own good faith in the matter than we desire to impugn the genuineness of the opinions furnished , by Dr . Waagen and others . But we arc still none the more obliged to extend the confidence we express in the present exhibitors of the picture to

    » eaoh » olWit 8-nmany ^ - 'holders'"sincewthe'timo"oiwMtit' « Hoir Nor , while offering this explanation to Messrs . Williams and Co ., con we refrain from again censuring Dr . Waagen ' s Quixotic warning to critics , published on the second page of the circular . ' If , ns Dr . Wnagen says , " Whoever expresses a doubt upon the genuineness of this picture can only intend to Injure tho possessor , " thopossessor must , as n mnttor of course , have enemies enough ; for when did on alleged antique find all critics in its flavour ? Wo few that oven this dragonmde will not promote sucn a desirable harmony .

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    IPIIISIP ^ ' ¦ ' ¦ ¦• . - ' - . ¦ I : ¦¦'¦ - ^ : : ^» :: v V mft THE LEADEE . [ N " o . 441 , September . 4 , 1858 .

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 4, 1858, page 910, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2258/page/22/