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    mittance into the Royal Gardens . He was soon , however , forced to admit that a shilling was well laid out in obtaining the entree to this charming paradise . Before him stretched a beautiful and spacious lawn , bordered on one side by numerous leafy bowers , and adorned with graceful statues . Strolling leisurely to the further end he entered the flower-garden , tastefully laid out , and bearing promise of much beauty and fragrance at a later period of the season . Ever and anon he paused to inhale the sweet perfume of the lilacs and other odorous shrubs , or to admire the stately trees whose trunks two men could scarcely embrace in their extended arms . The soft murmur of splashing waters led him to elegant fountains , echoing the whisperings of their nymphs . Pleased with nature , M . de Mabille next turned to the attractions of art . He smiled goodhumouredly at the ' much admired , truthful , and picturesque view of Berne , a canton of Switzerland , ' confessed that it did form ' a striking tableau among the

    antique paintings , which consist of Ruins of Ancient Rome . ' With the Cosmoramic Views he was especially delighted , and regretted that the Marionette Pavilion was not yet completed . The Hermit ' s Cave and the Gipsy ' s Grotto he passed with a jaunty air , for he felt that among the blond beauties of Albion a Frenchman had only to fear a plethora of bonnes fortunes . A loud ringing report for an instant startled his nerves , as a Cockney , dreaded by sparrows , was exhibiting his skill in missing a target to the attendant at the Rifle Gallery . In another part of the gardens he witnessed the provident training by which the youth of England are f aught to face the savage denizens of the trackless orest and howling wilderness . A lion and a tiger , in

    l ife-like attitude , were preparing to spring upon the sportsman , whose trusty air-gun laid them low—whenever he hit them . It may have been here that Mr . Gordon Cumming acquired his passion for the chase , and here it certainly was that the future sovereign of Great Britain brought down a rabbit and a fox . The Chinese Games were more in accordance with the speculative tendencies of the imperial courtier , who carried off a pincushion and a porcelain sheep , each valued at twopence , the proud trophies of a ' sport' that cost him less than half-a-crown . Into the American-Bowling Saloon he was contented with peeping—manly pastimes being little to his taste—and he scowled disdainfully at the industrial beehive that reminded him of Sir Robert Peel ,

    the vaurien mat e'leve who had called the brother of his Emperor a ' spick-and-span sort of man . ' His countenance , however , again relaxed as he admired the ' colossal portico and classical facade' of the Amphitheatre ; and he was particularly struck with the highly-coloured painting of Phoebus Apollo , encircled by the Hours , taking his morning drive , while its pendant represents four gallant steeds tearing along , beneath the outstretched legs of the Postilion de Longjumeau . Nor was he less pleased with the strange animals on the River Esplanade , and in all probability would have rushed heedlessly into the beechen maze had not a loudvoiced bell announced the commencement of the evening ' s entertainments : it was then past four o ' clock .

    M . de Mabille was naturally gratified to perceive that the post of honour was assigned to one of hia own countrymen . Crowned heads flock to Paris to incline themselves' before the Third Napoleon , while in foreign lands the peoples of the earth delight to bestow pence and applause on the humblest of his subjects . Tljo performances accordingly commenced with a quadrille danced by M . Guillon ' a very gentlemanly and ladylike dogs . Such delicate compliments as these are the firmest links in international alliances . The dance had hardly terminated when a tallowy-fac ' ed youth inquired in excellent twelve-Jessons-for-one-guinea French , and with an unexceptionable Cheapside accent : " Voo n ' alley pas joucr ankore ? Soulmong oon law shack swore V" The

    profesaor bowed most politely , and with an apologetic sinilo replied , shrugging his shoulders up to his ears , and spreading out his lingers like a fan , "Ah , saro ! mo not comprend Anglees . " " Oh ! tray bong . Bong zhore . " * ' Bon jour , monsieur . " By this time about one hundred persons had gathered together , mostly membora of the provincial bourgeoisie . Now the band of the Ilorso Marines—judging from their uniform—begun to play some inspiriting airs , an an Italian lady in short petticoats danced upon a tight-rope . At one time she would spring ap into tho air , at another she would stand on one leg and . lift up the other considerably higher than is customary at private parties , and then she would kneel down and kiss her hand to tho applauding / spectators . dMabille had

    M . o an idea that tho signorinu looked rather peculiarly at himself—several of tho bystanders differed from him entirely , but nobody said anything . After a bnof interlude , Master Bond , ' direct from tho Cirque Imperial , ' camo forward and exhibited his ' extraordinary and most a stounding contortioniams . ' Ho waa an extremely meagre , but very healthy , powerful , and intelligent lad of about thirteen , with an indiarubber backbone . Among other feats ho laid down on his face , fastened a fork to his heel , placed a plato a few inches in front of his face , doubled hia log back over his head , stuck tho fork into a gingerbread-nut in tho plato , and fed himself . This exploit romindod M . do Mubillo that ho had had nothing to eat since brcakfust , and thon he bad hardly recovered from tho penalty that attaches

    to a violation of the dissociability of the ocean . He therefore retired for a while to the coffee-room , and sustained his inner man with an Homeric repast . Scarcely had good digestion begun to wait on appetite , when a burst of harmony , vocal and instrumental , caused him to hurry into the open air . A very considerable crowd had now assembled on the ' Monstre Chinese Platform , ' around and below the Great Orchestra . Some very fair minstrelsy ensued , of the Italian , French , Scotch , and English schools , but the comic songs were decidedly the most popular . All this time the arbours were being filled with successive relays of merry family groups . The decent tradesman and respectable merchant's clerk regaled their blooming and beaming spouse and delighted children with tea and new bread , shrimps , cold ham , and water-cresses . And the waiters were "continually running to and fro , anticipating the wants or whims of their numerous and capricious customers . It was altogether an animated , an innocent , and almost a

    pastoral scene . At seven o ' clock there was a rush into the theatre , and in a few minutes that commodious building was crowded in every part with laughing , expectant faces . The performances began with some very clever dogs , who did everything but speak , and no doubt would have done that also , had anyone asked them . Then followed the Southern Troupe of real Sable Harmonists , ' exhibited much emphasis both in music and in dancing . When these Philistines had retired , amid thunders of applause , the curtain drew up for ' an entirely new comic ballet pantomime , entitled " The Gipsy Girl , or the Doctor in Love . " ' This was a piece full of business and bustle . There was knocking down and jumping up , and tumbling over everything . There was likewise some vigorous dancing , and some showy costumes . And last , though by no means least , there was pretty Miss Louise Leclercq , who achieved a great success .

    At ten o'clock some brilliant fireworks took place , and in the midst of blue lights and rushing rockets an adventurous damsel attitudinised on a tight rope at a giddy elevation , and made one feel sick with terror as she danced in the jaws of death . Loud brayed the music , and tens of hundreds of spectators made the welkin ring with their applause . Tims far there had been nothing to shock the most fastidious ; but now the family folks began to desert the gardens and return to their homes , all the more cheerful and kindly disposed towards one another for these hours of harmless enjoyment . Foreigners of all hues , guardsmen , and Indian officers—lawyers' clerks , briefless barristers , and gentlemen connected with the press—senile debauchees ,

    precocious fast-men , and men who ought to be held fast — these began to supersede the patristic element ; while the tidy housewife and sweet little children were replaced by the ' painted galleys' and blackamoor fashions of St . John ' s-wood , B romp ton , and Soho . Then the great orchestra once more struck up the most enlivening airs . Presently ecstatic couples darted out of the dense masses of promenaders , and gyrated round and round , more or less in time with the music . Garlands of artificial flowers hung in gracoful festoons over their heads , crystal pendants reflected the prismatic colours , and thousands of bright lamps shone on that gay festival . There could not have been fewer than from three to four thousand people at one

    time gathered on or around the vast platform . The surging masses swayed to and fro in perfect good humour , and many an outburst of laughter pealed through the tobacco-scented air . Every seat and bench was occupied , every table covered , with refreshing beverages . There was a continual hubbub of voices , a constant shouting of " Waiter ! " in all tones and degrees of impatience . Hero it was a bottle of stout , or of pale ale , that was wanted ; there , brandy and Avatqr , brandy and soda-water , brandy and lemonade , was all the cry ; in another corner nothing would do but gin sling or sherry cobblers ; whilo occasionally n cigar was the one thing required to perfect the enjoyment of tho moment . The bar was filled to suffocation , nor was there a vacant

    seat visible in the coffee-room—everybody was eating and drinking , dancing , laughing , and making merry . For tho most part , the solid demeanour of the gentlemen contrasted comically with tho gay colours und easy manners of thoir partners ; and M . de Mubille acknowledged to himself , that if this wns the ordinary bearing of English ladies , it was very unfair to accuse thorn of stiffness or reserve , Though fascinated by tho magnetic impulses that throbbed and thrilled through the excited throng , M . do Mubillo nevertheless bethought him of tho expediency of getting some substantial refreshment after all tho fatigue of such varied pleasure . Ho was

    accordingly agreeably surprised to find a handsome und appetising supper laid out with much regularity and tuste , and nt an exceedingly moderate charge . It wan a pleasant picture that supper-room , and how happy wore those fair Syrens as they brandished in their dainty fingers tho drumstick of a tut capon or dashed at tho popo ' a « oso ; No doubt it was with this distinguished class that tho accomplished M . Jules Lecomto had tho happiness to associate during his otherwise dreary sojourn in London , and it wua thoir healthy appetites that extorted from him tho hearty exclamation , ' Par Fal-Btaff ! ' And , cortos , it must have been on one of these ' blondoa ladiea' that ho expended tho ' six schellinga' lie

    so ungallantly regrets on ' les gateaux massifs les plumpuddings , et tous les plombs coupe ' s par tranches et batis en pyramides , ' which enabled the ' defaillante iasulaire' to survive till dinner-time . As the night crept into morning , the revellers gradually diminished in number ,- but the din of voices grew louder and more discordant . At last , M . de Mabille , warned by a grey streak in the sky that dawn was approaching , made his way to the door , in the sure expectation of finding a conveyance to transport him to Leicester-square . He had many a time and oft read in the Times that the English surpass all nations in aptitude for business , and that wherever there exists a demand there is certain to spring up a supply . Now , there happened to be a

    demand for transport for about five hundred persons and there stood at the gateway exactly two private Broughams and three hired cabs . M . de Mabille shrugged his shoulders , but there was no help for it ; so he resolutely set out on foot for his distant destination regaling himself on the way with hot potatoes and periwinkles , and a cup of Fabian coffee ; and , for the first time in his life , he agreed with old Mainwaring in thinking that it was ' nothing toothsome nor hath any good smell . ' Next morning , in writing an account of the previous evening ' s proceedings for the columns of the Culvers , he concluded with these remarkable words : — " The English are no longer a mediaeval people ; their feudal institutions are on the wane : the Queen has

    abandoned the Tower . The key of London is now Ckemoknk . Whoever holds Creinorne is master of tbe situation—master of la vieille AitglcCerre . '

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    CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT . Two trials which were to have come on tins session have been postponed to the next . These ca es are those of Robert Robinson Tripp , for the murder at Islington ; and Clark and Bush for the abduction of a young Jewess . The trial of Captain Eslam , for a similar offence , has been removed by certiorari to the Court of Queen ' s Bench . A case of mistaken identity occupied the Old Court for several hours last Saturday , though the facts lay in a small compass . William Day and James Devo were charged with stealing a cruet-stand , some silver spoons ,

    and other articles , the property of Mr . Henry Green , the shipbuilder . On the afternoon of tlie 2-itIi of April , a man carrying a carpenter ' s basket , was seen to go out of the hall door of Mr . Green ' s house at Waltliamstow . He took his hat off very respectfully , and seemed to be speaking to some one inside the house , which prevented suspicion . Getting into a cart outside , in which there was another man , he drove off at a fast pace . It was afterwards discovered that the house had been robbed , and it was now sought to be shown that the accused were the perpetrators . A successful alibi , however , was set up , and both the men were Acquitted .

    Flora Banting and Elizabeth \ N lllson , young women , were tried for endeavouring to obtain from Messrs . S . hoolbrcd and Co ., the driipera , certain goods upon false pretences . A note had been received by the prosecutors , requesting that some valuable goods should be sent to the station of the Great Northern Railway , to be forwarded to the Marchioness if Salisbury , at llatlield House , Hertfordshire . Suspicion being fclt , a sham parcel was despatched , and the police were directed to keep watch at the station . The result was that Hunting «"" Willson were arrested , after some resistance . The former now pleaded Guilty , and , tho other having bceii convicted , thev wore sentenced to six months'

    imprisonment . Thomas Williams , alias Richard Burns , and lhoraas Burns , were indicted for forging a receipt with intent to defraud . Tho men are brothers , and their right name ia Burns . Thomas Burns , up to last December , was u detective police officer . Tho prosecutor is u young man living in Milton-street , Finsbury . On the Ui 01 February , he saw in the Morning Advertiser the lolloping advertisement : — " Wanted a respectable young man to collect for an office . No previous knowledge of duties required . Salary 1 / . a week ; hours from nine to me . This being a place of trust , no on e need apply \ v no tuu nut give n cash security of 10 / . ( returnable on J » "jjf Apply by letter , with real numo mid address , > iJ , »" yard , Temple-bur . " The prosecutor , whose nam and who described himself a rout-coii" - "" .

    Edmund ** , us wrote , and was referred to No . 20 , Judd-atrect . A KM , signed l J . Williams , ' wua sent to nrnku the ap |) o » ntmeiu . After ono or two visits , Edmunds deposited »}»» " required security with tho accused , and tuoB ; r Richard Burns a receipt signed ' Williams . ' Oi courae , ho novel-got any situation , nor could he get hi * j »< " » J returned . Both prisoners were found Guilty . ««• ' «« Burns , alias Williams , had been before coiivio « ' similar offonco , and there were numerous other coses which the two brothers had got different sums " , j from poor persons seeking for situations , who had pa a portion of tho deposit-money . Kwhnrd « u «« v > sentenced to eighteen , and Thomas Burns to twelve , months' imprisonment . This terminated . tho seauion .

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    MIDDLESEX SESSIONS . Ernest Augustus Lloyd , a young man of twoiity- ™ , described as a military oflicor , was indicted lust rmiu

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    4 ^ 8 THE LEADER . [ Nc ^ JW ^ atokdat ,

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), May 23, 1857, page 488, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2194/page/8/