XX.-THEATRES AND PLACES OF AMUSEMENT.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE, or the OPERA HOUSE, in the HAYMARKET. This, the largest theatre in Europe, except that of La Scala at Milan, and the second theatre on the same site, was built (1790) from the design of Michael Novosielski, and altered and enlarged by Nash and Repton in 1816-18. The first theatre on the site was built and established (1705) by Sir John Vanbrugh, and burnt down in 1789. Many of the double boxes on the ground tier have sold for as much as 7000l. and 8000l.; a box on the pit tier has sold for 4000l. The successful rivalry of the other Opera Houses has caused this house to be closed for several seasons past. It was here that Jenny Lind sang. The Crush Room at the Opera, so called from its crowded character, adjoins the avenue leading to the pit.

COVENT GARDEN THEATRE, or THE ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA, on the west side of Bow-street, Covent-garden, is the third theatre on the same spot. The second of these was opened (1809) at "new prices:" hence the O. P. (Old Prices) Row. In 1847, it was converted into an Italian Opera. This noble theatre (the finest in London) was destroyed, 5th March, 1856, by accidental fire. The present building (E. M. Barry, architect) was finished in the space of 6 months, 1858. It is nearly as capacious as the Scala Theatre in Milan, the largest in Europe. It will hold 2000 persons. Italian Operas are performed here in summer, commencing at 8. The statues of Tragedy and Comedy, and the two bas-reliefs on the Bow-street front, are by Flaxman. A new Flower Market, on the plan of the Crystal Palace, was built at the side of this Theatre, 1859, and opened 1861.

DRURY LANE THEATRE (Mr. B. Wyatt, son of James Wyatt, architect), is the oldest existing theatre in London. The present edifice, the fourth on the same site, was erected and opened, 1812, with a prologue by Lord Byron. The portico towards Brydges-street was added during the lesseeship of Elliston (1819-26), and the colonnade in Little Russell-street a few years after. Since the close of Mr. Macready's season, June 14th, 1843, the glories of Old Drury may be said to have departed, several lessees quitting the concern with a loss. marble statue of Edmund Kean is like-but the attraction of Kean in Hamlet was the witchery of his voice.

Within the vestibule is a as Hamlet, by Carew. It

The HAYMARKET THEATRE (over against the Opera House in the HAYMARKET) was built by Nash, and publicly opened July 4th, 1821. It stands on a piece of ground immediately adjoining a former theatre of the same name, and is still distinguished in the play-bills as "the Little Theatre." The lessee is Mr. Buckstone, the well-known actor. Prices of admission:-Orchestra Stalls, 5s.; Dress Circle and Boxes, 5s.; Pit, 3s. Half-price at 9.

The ADELPHI THEATRE, over against ADAM STREET, in the Strand, was re-built (1858). The original edifice was a speculation of one Mr. John Scott, a colour-maker. The entertainments consisted of a mechanical and optical exhibition, with songs, recitations, and imitations; and the talents of Miss Scott, the daughter of the proprietor, gave a profitable turn to the undertaking. The old front towards the Strand was a mere house-front. When "Tom and Jerry," by Pierce Egan, appeared for the first time (Nov. 26th, 1821), Wrench as "Tom," and Reeve as Jerry," the little Adelphi, as it was then called, became a favourite with the public. Its fortunes varied under different managements. Terry and Yates became (1825) the joint lessees and managers. Terry was backed by Sir Walter Scott and his friend Ballantyne, the printer, but Scott, in the sequel, had to pay for both Ballantyne and himself. Charles Mathews, in conjunction with Yates, leased the theatre, and gave here (1828-31) his series of inimitable "At Homes." Here John Reeve drew large houses, and obtained his reputation; and here Mr. Benjamin Webster (the present lessee), maintains the former character of the establishment. Prices of admission :-Boxes, 48.; Pit, 2s.

The ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE, or ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA, is in the STRAND, at the corner of Upper Wellingtonstreet; it was built, 1834, by S. Beazley, architect (d. 1851). The interior decorations were made in Madame Vestris's time (1847), and are very beautiful. The theatre derives its name from an academy or exhibition rooin, built 1765, for the Society of Arts, by Mr. James Payne, architect. was first converted into a theatre in 1790, and into an English Opera House by Mr. Arnold in 1809. The preceding theatre (also the work of Mr. Beazley) was destroyed by fire, Feb. 16th, 1830.

It

The PRINCESS'S THEATRE is in OXFORD STREET, nearly opposite the Pantheon. Built 1830; let to Mr. Maddox on lease at 2,6001, per annum, but underlet (1854) to Charles

Kean at a greater rental, and is one of the best theatres in London for the purposes of a manager and the interests of the public. Prices of admission:-Dress Circle, 58.; Boxes, 48.; Pit, 2s. The property is held under the Duke of Portland for a term of 60 years, from July, 1820, at a very low ground rent.

SADLER'S WELLS THEATRE, long a well-known place of public amusement: first a music-house, and so called from a spring of mineral water, discovered by one Sadler, in 1683, in the garden of a house which he had opened as a public music room, and called "Sadler's Music House." The New River flows past the theatre, and on occasions has been carried under the stage, and the flooring removed, for the exhibition of aquatic performances. Here Grimaldi, the famous clown, achieved his greatest triumphs. This admirable little theatre has for some years maintained a well-deserved celebrity for the performance of the plays of Shakspeare, Beaumont and Fletcher, Massinger, &c., in a way worthy of a larger theatre, and a richer, but not more crowded or enthusiastic audience.

ASTLEY'S THEATRE, WESTMINSTER BRIDGE ROAD, originally an equestrian circus, the fourth building of the same nature on the same site. The first amphitheatre on this spot was a mere temporary erection of deal boards, built (1774) by Philip Astley, a light-horseman in the 15th or General Elliot's regiment. It stood on what was then St. George's Fields, through which the New Cut ran. Astley himself, said to have been the handsomest man in England, was the chief performer, assisted by a drum, two fifes, and a clown of the name of Porter. At first it was an open area. In 1780, it was converted into a covered amphitheatre, and divided into pit, boxes, and gallery. Astley's amphitheatre has been thrice destroyed by fire-in 1794, in 1803, and in 1841.

"Base Buonapartè, fill'd with deadly ire,

Sets, one by one, our playhouses on fire.

Some years ago he pounced with deadly glee on

The Opera House, then burnt down the Pantheon;

Thy hatch, O Halfpenny! pass'd in a trice,

Boil'd some black pitch, and burnt down Astley's twice."

Rejected Addresses.

Mr. Ducrow, who had been one of Astley's riders and became manager, died insane soon after the fire in 1841. Old Astley died in Paris, 1814.

The VICTORIA THEATRE is in WATERLOO BRIDGE ROAD, LAMBETH. It was originally The Coburg, and called The Victoria for the first time soon after the accession of William IV., when her present Majesty was only heir presumptive to the crown. The gallery at the Vic" (for such is its brief cognomen about Lambeth) is one of the largest in London. It will hold from 1500 to 2000 people, and runs back to so great a distance that the end of it is lost in shadow, excepting where the little gas-jets, against the wall, light up the two or three faces around them. When the gallery is well packed, it is usual to see piles of boys on each other's shoulders at the back, while on the partition-boards, dividing off the slips, lads will perch themselves despite the spikes.

The SURREY THEATRE, in BLACKFRIARS ROAD, was built (1806 and 1866) on the site of former edifices destroyed by fire. Elliston leased it for a time. John Palmer, the actor (d. 1798), played here while a prisoner within the Rules of the King's Bench. The large sums he received, and the way in which he squandered his money, is said to have suggested the clause in the then Debtors' Act, which made all public-houses and places of amusement out of the Rules. This house is chiefly supported by the inhabitants of Southwark and Lambeth.

The ST. JAMES'S THEATRE is a small neat edifice, on the south side of KING STREET, St. JAMES's, built by Beazley for Braham, the singer. During the summer it is often appropriated to the performances of a French company of actors, and in the height of the London season is well frequented. The prices of admission vary every season.

To the above list of theatres may be added the Olympic and Garrick.

It

EXETER HALL, STRAND. A large proprietary building on the N. side of the Strand, built (1831-50) from the designs of J. P. Deering. The Hall is 131 feet long, 76 feet wide (i. e. 8 feet wider than Westminster Hall), and 45 feet high; and will contain more than 3000 persons. is let for the annual " May Meetings" of the several religious societies, and for the concerts of the Sacred Harmonic Society, in which the unrivalled music of Handel is at times performed, with a chorus of 700 voices accompanying it. Tickets at the music-sellers, and at the Hall. The staircase and means of egress in this and St. Martin's Hall are

quite inadequate to the size of the buildings, and in the event of alarin of fire fatal consequences might ensue.

ST. JAMES'S HALL, PICCADILLY and REGENT'S QUADRANT, contains a sumptuous Hall for public meetings, religious services, concerts, or dinners, 139 feet long and 60 feet high, designed and decorated by Owen Jones. The lighting, by means of pendant gas drops from the roof, is very elegant. A restaurant occupies the lower story of the building.

ST. MARTIN'S HALL, LONG ACRE. A place for monthly concerts, &c. Erected in 1850 for Mr. John Hullah; was burned down 1860, but since rebuilt.

WILLIS'S ROOMS, is a suite of Assembly and Diningrooms in KING STREET, ST. JAMES'S, built (1765) by Robert Mylne, architect, and called Almack's after the original, and "Willis's Rooms," after the present proprietor. The balls called "Almack's," for which these rooms are famous, were managed by a Committee of Ladies of high rank; and, set apart most exclusively for the aristocracy, were carried on down to 1863, when the barrier began to be broken through by plebeian invasions, the prestige was lost, and they were given up. Almack kept the Thatched House Tavern, St. James's street, on the site of which stands the Conservative Club. The rooms are let for concerts, general meetings, public balls, and public and private dinner parties. The house is well managed, and the cuisine is very good.

The ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS, in REGENT'S PARK, belong to the Zoological Society of London, instituted in 1826, for the advancement of Zoology, and the introduction and exhibition of the Animal Kingdom alive or properly_preserved. The principal founders were Sir Humphry Davy and Sir Stamford Raffles. Visitors are admitted to the Gardens of the Society without orders on Monday in every week, at 6d. each; ou the following days at 1s. each; children at 6d. The Gardens are open from 9 in the morning till sunset. On Sundays they are open to Members only, and two friends introduced personally, or by special order. The rooms of the Society are at No. 11, Hanover-square. A member's fee on admission is 5l., and his annual subscription 3. These Gardens are among the best of our London sights, and should be seen by every stranger in London. They contain the largest and most complete series of living animals in the world: amounting commonly to more than 500 quadrupeds, and 1000 birds, and 100 reptiles. Many