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    IUytian Liteuati Tho Chroniquo Panatenne contains the following facetious story : — Tlio Emperor Fuustin I ., who imltntos Franco in all tliiiifffl , and has , like hur , princes , marshals , dukes , counts , oolJogos , ana universities , recently resolved to oetabllsh on academy of forty mombora , Ukd the world- ' ronownoil French Academy . But it win not mny to soloot the forty , every inhabitant of the empire wl . o could write his own uamfl thinking hlinaolf quoWlud . So his Mojeaty decreed tUftt

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    its attractions have been increasing month by montl under the recent excellent management , and havt produced a steady increase of revenue that , if not yet adequate to the pay merit of good dividends upon an overgrown capital , still shows signs of being ultimately able to pay something respectable , if not handsome . Our new candidates for popular support remind us again that had the expenditure of the original projectors at Sydenham been less lavish , and had fewer gigantic crotchets been forced upon the company by maniacal or ambitious schemers , the present revenue would have secured a fair remune « ration upon the adventure . Some long-headed and , we presume , long-pursed individuals , then , who have

    pondered over these considerations from an outer stand-point , have determined to feel the public pulse on the question of a second Crystal Palace . They are , undoubtedly , at present to be regarded as mere candidates for popular favour and applicants for pecuniary support . It is natural , therefore , that their allegations in favour of their project should be received with doubt and scrutinised with suspicion . But the superiority of the new site is , after all , the only one of them that is of present importance , for its admission or refutation will virtually settle the whole question . We have ourselves long held—grievous though it be—that Sydenham is comparatively inaccessible to the million , and that a

    journey there is a lengthy pilgrimage to the industrious mass of the middle classes . It is as clear that a railway station at Muswell-hill might be placed in easy connexion with the now existing railway girdle of London , and with all the main and branch cispontine lines . We are of opinion that a palace and park , even far less attractive in beauty of scenery or value of contents than the existing one , will , on such a site as that in contemplation , attract three visitors for one who now finds his way across the troubled ocean of the City and through the desperate straits of London-bridge : ; and the statement of the promoters , therefore , that this tripled revenue will remunerate shareholders in

    an enterprise saddled with less than half the capita and expenses of the Cyrstal Palace Company , passes into the category of truisms . Any attempt to set up the beauties of Mils well-hill in rivalry with those of Sydenham is an obvious absurdity . We are content to admit that there are natural beauties ; but the views over Essex , Kenr , and Surrey , which we find alluded to in the prospectus before us . are , to say the least , somewhat mythical , and look like trying to prove too much .. Superior accessibility by an enormous population is guarantee enough that -visitors will be forthcoming . Visitors will bring shillings and pounds to the treasury if the place is pretty , the music good , and the eating and drinking first-rate ,

    withrevulsion is in store for them , when shaking his new acquisition somewhat rudely , Meremont discovers the secreted papers . Molinet adopts instantaneously tbe position and airs of a successful emissary , and the Baron is so happy at his own narrow escape from -disgrace that he introduces him to the notice of the Minister ^ who , of course , undertakes the care of his future happiness and ' that of Paquita , who appears to claim him at the fall of the curtain . The Tale of a Coat is skilfully contrive J so as to give the evergreen artist the opportunity he so dtlights in , of being unceasingly before the public in the most embarrassing Circumstances . He is thoroughly himself as Mere morit , and on Saturday no less than ever held the admiring crowd under his perfect control . We were glad to observe that he was no less than ever enthusiastically welcomed by a full house .

    LYCEUM . —M . Jullien ' s last novelties are an operatic selection from the grand and popular " JDer Treischutz , " and " The Kiss Polka . " In the first , the principal melodies of Weber ' s glorious work are well arranged for the ophicleide , cornet , flute , and oboe ; and are , we need hardly say , most admirably played by Messrs . Hughes , Duhenie , Pratten , and Lavigne . The audience were highly delighted with " The Kiss Polka , " in which a certain sound which we have reason to think is well known , and not unpopular , is produced by the orchestra in time and tune . M . Wienawski continues progressing in public favour . His arrangement of some beautiful and plaintive Russian themes is very musical , and not being spoilt by over embroidery , can be enjoyed by persons of taste as well as by the votaries of mere mechanism . ROYAL GRECIAN THEATRE . —The spirited

    proprietor of the Grecian seems , since his admission upon the roll of licensed theatres , to be making a vigorous push to take something like a standing among them . The Fugitives , a . stirring tale of an escape from the mutinies , at which we have been present during the week , would , for general effect and high-class decorations in point of scenery and -costume , have been admitted to a distinguished position , before the advancing taste of the million had demanded a quality of entertainment in subiirban theatres that our fathers would have considered first-rate in the patent ones . The fugitives are an English indigo planter , David Lay all , his wife ( Miss J . Coveney ) , and their daughter , Jlelen ( Miss Amilie Conquest ) , who , on the point of the latter ' s marriage with William Hood , a military officer ( Mr . Gillett ) ,

    blue . The proscenium is flanked by huge twisted pillars , and frames , between the acts , a handsome classic drop-scene by Beverley . The ventilation is well secured , for a passage round the pit , and in close connexion -with the street , supplies the air ; and the ceiling not being covered , as in many other theatres , by workshops or store-rooms , affords issue for an ample upward current . A sense of comfort is therefore experienced at the Britannia which playgoers have often enough sighed after , but generally despaired of in first-class theatres . The lighting is effected by sixteen chandeliers instead of a central one , and from these a high amount of illuminating duty is obtained by the adoptions-such , at least , is our impression—of a dioptric arrangement of crystal prisms , between and among which every ray from the jets disposed above them has to find its way ,

    and by which , of course ,, it is increased and multiplied ad infinilum . The drama of the evening was The Brigand's Secret , admirably mounted in every respect , the principal characters of Jacqueline , Maithioli , and Pippo being sustained by Mrs . S . Lane , Mr . George Clair , and a promising comedian , Mr . S . Sidney . We are glad to record the opening of another large , handsome , cheap , and well-conducted place of amusement , and to remark for the hundredth time the sense of propriety and mutual interest which makes assemblages , that no stretch of courtesy could call genteel , to second the efforts of respectable managers for their entertainment and instruction without the necessity of police interference . From this point of view the Britannia Theatre , like the Canterbury Hall , of which we spoke last week , is well worth the notice of the cosmopolite and the

    sociologist . - THEATRE ROYAL BRIGHTON . —Mr . and Mrs . Alfred Wigan , who have been two years absent from the stage , have reappeared as above , before a numerous and very fashionable throng . The piece selected was Mr . Tom Taylor ' s Still Waters Run Deep , in which the pair took their usual characters of John Mildmay and Mrs . Hector Sternhold . They were very flatteringly received after the comedy , and were no less admired in their well-known excellent performance ofThe Bengal Tiger , in which Mrs . Wigan ' a Miss Yellowleaf is one of her most successful impersonations . EGYPTIAN HALL . —Mr . and Mrs . Howabd

    are driven from their home and narrowly escape assassination by their native servants . They are traced through dramatised perils of flood and field , founded on facts familiar to all who have read or heard much of recent Indian affairs , and , after the murder of Lai / all , are ultimately saved by the Royal Naval Brigade . We have already spoken of the scenery and costume as effective , but we may add in conclusion that , taken in conjunction with the innocent libretto , which is , in this case , free from all Vulgar pandering to the lower tastes , they may be regarded as , and do , in fact , compose , an instructive and valuable whole . We were as pleased to observe such correctly illustrated sketches of Indian life laid before a " Royal Grecian" audience , as to note the intelligent appreciation with which they were received .

    Paul ' s " Patchwork . "—This pleasant pair announce at last a migration , and the sign of the pagoda pattern plate announces the imminent return of Smith from Canton . We are glad to note the growing appreciation of this little entertainment , and of Mrs . Howard Paul ' s great talent , which we much regret to see cramped in the . trifling arena of the Egyptian Hall . Her imitation of Sims Keeves is just now the most attractive of her pieces , and is worth the applause it wins . In tone , dress , manner , and lineaments , she has contrived so to " double " the renowned tenor , that visitors imperfectly acquainted with her style and personnel , or unaware of the nature of the imitation to be presented to them , might , we are sure , withdraw in the full faith that they had listened to his performance of Mr . Ualfe'a

    beautiful ballad . As the " unprotected female" Miss Selina Singleheart , the burden of whose song is " the sorrows and hardships poor females must endure , " Mrs . Paul is also excellent , and the long and vapid story of her lovelorn life is quite as amusing as the celebrated engineer ' s tale of Albert Smith . But the charming vwrceau of all is " Molly Doolnn , " the gentle Irish maid of all work , whose brogue is ' vory pretty , nnd whoso delicate nursing and prattling to the bnby entrusted to her , are simply pathetic and so natural ns to be beyond praise as artistic . We must not forget Mr . Howard Paul while speaking of his better-half so warmly . He is successful in the pretty Yankee sleighing song " Peggy , dear , " and remarkably good as the " Modern Ladies' Man , " and pretended Captain , Mr . Puppington Loll , A . H . M . S ., which means not ou or of , nor after , nor about , but

    THE NEW BRITANNIA THEATRE . —We have long been aware that a " well-accustomed " tavern in the vicinity of Shoreditch had for some years past included among its attractions a saloon for dramatic performances , and that theatrical stars of no less repute than Messrs . Leigh Murray , and Anderson had been engaged there at very high rates of salary . But largo and frequented as we knew the Britannia Saloon to be , we were not prepared for tho imposing theatro which tho proprietor , Mr . Lane , has been enabled—we presume by the patronage ot the lower orders—to erect , under a recent license from the Lord Chamberlain * We are , nevertheless , able to state that East London now boasts of a

    dramatic temple second to none in the metropolis , and far superior to most , in point of handsome solidity « nd fitnes 3 for its purpose , Imving a large and wellarranged audienco room , a . stage of the largest dimensions , and scenic arrangements of tho most perfect order ; and , what is most important , ready means of exit . Tho Britannia has been built in tho short period of four months , from the designs of Messrs . Hill and Pnraire , of St . Swithin ' s-lane . Its ample vault is supported upon iron columns , and those again rust upon massive arches and piers of

    at her Majesty s service PROPOSED NEW CRYSTAL PALACE AT MUSWELL-HILL—Ho who first conceived that u second Crystal Palace could under any eiroumstancoa prove a successful speculation must have been an original and penetrating person . ; but by far the bolder enterprise is his who dares announce such a view to the public . Wo have most of us been accustomed to regard tho doings of tho lirst and present Crystal Palace Company with tho oye of alternate censure nnd compassion . Wo have contracted a habit of

    masonry , calculated , it would seem , to last till doomsday . Tho numerous staircases are of stone , nnd little of any material but iron , stone , and brick is visible outside tho audk'neo part of tho house . This latter portion has nn imposing air of solidity , those concerned having borne in mind that their visitors would mainly bo of tho rough-and-ready sort , upon whom knickknacks of upholstery and linendrnpory would perhaps ho thrown away . The solid composition mouldings in front of tho boxes are simple , but rich in design , and are coloured white on a very palo pink ground , relieved by a faint

    regarding ita position ns normally one of doubt and dUIlculty , and seoin to Jiavo forgotten , of late years , that by dint of almost Herculean exertions on tho part of a few directors , the , gravity of that pofiition lias been very materially alleviated , fciuch , howover , has been tho ease . The projectors of a now Crystal Palace at MuBwcll-hill , tho suggestion of vhich 1 ms cnusod considerable sensation in line-art circles , remind us that the Sydenham enterprise hns , in truth , soon its worst of days . They remind the public in their prospectus of a fact that wq have often taken occasion to notico in these columns that

    out need of many lectures on astronomy and geology . Shillings and pounds carefully husbanded by a prudent directorate—who , in turn , should be carefully looked after in time ( as Lord Leonards recommends ) by a wide-awake proprietary—will make dividends . The chronological illustrations of English History , by pictures , statues , armour , &o ., and the course of Ethnological Geography , proposed to form part of a course of instruction , are good suggestions . It is not improbable that a great northern cricket-ground , riding-school , and -gymnasium may bring grist to the mill . The reserved land would not be an ineligible site for agricultural meetings , like those at Chester , Derby , and York , and this

    would , of course , be remunerative . There are , m fact , many chances that such an undertaking would prosper , it " got up" in the tirst place witli common lionesty , and afterwards worked with sagacity . But we are by no means desirous , while we admit its interest und feasibility , to undervalue or depreciate our old love . We we convinced , on the contrary , that by the spur of competition now speed will be got out of tho Sydenham team , new beauties developed , new facilities ( including a direct line to Southwark-bridue ) bo oflered to the million , and far

    greater profits realised for the proprietary , whose best chance lays in some spur of this kind . Instead , therefore , of deploring their loss of an hitherto unprofitable monopoly , we rather congratulate the old Crystal Palace shareholders upon the foreseen shadow of coming events , which wo cannot believe will in any way obscure their glories ; nud as for ourselves and other citizens intrarmnully interred nud opon occasionally to suburban joyn , wo can but rejoice at this , and overy prospect opened to us , of a now , cheap , and beautiful place of resort and entertainment .

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    Ho . 451 , November 13 , 1858 /] T _ g jj _ g , A 3 > E R . 1223

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 13, 1858, page 1223, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2268/page/15/