Notes On Literature, Science, Music, Drama, And The Fine Arts.

To conclude Avith a Display of tho TEMPLE OF IlAinroici ' . AA'ith a Personification of ' Patience on a Monument smiling at Grief . ' ¦ Boxes , 4 s . ; Pit , 2 s . ; Gallery , Is . No Money to he returned . The Doors to be opened at Half-past Five o ' clock , ancl begin at Half-past Six . Servants to keep places till Half-past Seven . '

"After King retired , "WYougbton , Siddons , husband ofthe famous actress , Hughes , and Coates purchased shares ofthe property , and in their hands , with varying success , it continued for some years , during many of which the average profits were five thousand pounds a yearand one year above seven . In 1808 all the

, old partners except Hughes sold out , and the firm was then Hughes , Thomas and Charles Dibden , Reeve , Andrews , Bin-ford , and Gr . Arnold . Thomas and Charles Dibden had half of the property , the rest was proportionately divided . In 1809 the yearl y expenditure of the proprietors was estimated at sei'en

thousand pounds , and their annual income was calculated at twelve thousand . The nightly charges of the house to a performer who took a benefit was fifty-seven pounds . The theatre opened on Easter Monday , continued open six nights iu the week during the summer season , and the prices of admission

were : —Boxes , four shillings ; pit , tivo shillings ; and gallery , one shilling . No half-price ivas taken . The performance began at half-past six . The Pantomime was usually played first , to enable Grimaldi to appear as clown the same nig ht at Covent-garden . A very attractive feature , for a summer theatre ,

was introduced in 1805 , and for many years after continned to give the place a special peculiarity . Pieces with elaborate aquatic effects were produced , for which a reservoir , or tank , Avas contrived under the stage . This tank was of an irregular shape , about ninety feet long , and in some places twenty-four feet

wide , the depth being something under five feet , but sufficient for men te swim in . The stage was drawn up hy machinery , and there Avere pipes and engines at the side for the hydraulic supply . At the top of the theatre Avas another tank fifteen feet square and five feet deep , for the purpose of producing waterfalls .

For many years these entertainments preserved their popularity . A play-bill , of the date of Easter Monday , April 12 tb , 1 S 19 , Avhen the season began , announces Grimaldi as clown in the Pantomime of-1 The Talking Bird , ' with a neiv song called ' Hot Codlins' composed by Mr . Whittaker . In the

, following year , on Easter Monday , April 3 rd , 1820 , the theatre was opened under the management of Mr . Howard Payne , with a strong company , but ivith unprofitable results .

" From 1822 to 1824 the theatre was rented by Mr . Egerton , of Covent-garden Theatre , and under his management it flourished considerably . He did not , however , perform here , but Mrs . Egerton by her line impersonations of heroic characters—notably in Pitzball ' s ' Joan of Arc ' - —secured the success of tho speculation . Mr . Williams , son of the proprietor of the famous 'Boiled

Beef House , ' in the Old Bailey , next took tho theatre , having the Surrey at the same time , and ho worked both theatres with one company , having carriages specially built for the purpose of conveying the performers backwards and forwards . This economical notion turned ont a complete failure . ¦ "In 1825 the theatre passed into tho hands of the London Wine Company , who appointed Tom Dibden as stage manager ancl stock author . They revived the old custom , Avhich had been discontinued since 1807 , of

selling wine on the premises , and thus the wine superseded the water effects . The charge for ivine was 3 s . " 6 d . per bottle from the Avood , and the saloon , or wine room , Avas an important part of the building . It Avas at Whitsuntide , 1825 , that half-price ivas for the first time taken , and the season was IIOAV to run the twelve months

through , instead of being limited to six . Let us briefly record that the first season ended ivith a loss of £ 1 , 400 . Tho next year pony races Avero tried in tho area attached to tho theatre , ancl tho management , Avhich now intiluded Grimaldi , cleared a sum between Easter and "Whitsuntide alone equal to their losses of tho preceding year . Grimaldi ' s benefit and last appearance here ivas Monday ,

March 17 th , 1828 . Through a rapid succession of managers the theatre next passed . In the summer of 1832 it was opened under Mrs . Pitzwilliam ' s direction , andtho 'Pet of ths Petticoats' provedfchehil . of fcheseasou . In 1833 , 1834 , and 1835 the late George Almar was manager . In 1836 Almar failed , and ivas succeeded by Osbaldiston , Avho had then Goveufc-garden , and who had here Mr . Nelson Lee for his manager . In March , 1837 , Messrs . Rogers and Taylor became lessees , then iu

F 3 bruary , 1838 , Osbaldiston returned , but he speedily surrendered the property , and Mr . Robert Homier and Mr . Greemvood became managers , with infinitely better results . The last great event iii the history of the theatre must , hoAvever , be dated from Monday , May 27 th , 1844 , Avhentho season commenced ivith ' Macbeth , ' and Mrs- "Warner , Mr . Phelps , and Mr . Greemvood

commenced that famous legitimate campaign which was gallantly fought out through eighteen years . On the retirement of Mr . Greeivood , Mr . Phelps became sole lessee , opening the theatre Saturday , September Sth , 1860 , with ' As You Like It . ' Mr . Phelps Avas succeeded by Mr . Robert Edgar , the theatre thus opening under the direction of Miss Marriott , in September , 1863 , and

from that time Mr . Edgar has remained the responsible lessee . " As a refresher for the memory of those who remember more readily dates which are associated with rhymes , we may appropriately end our ' Gossip' with a song Avritten some years ago by Mr . Greemvood , and which supplies us , as far as it goes , Avith a convenient summary : —

THE HISTORY OF SADLER'S WELLS . OE , A ClIAPIEE OE MANAGERS . Tune— " Collins ' s Chapter of Kings . " You ask for a song , and 1113- Muse now tolls A short but true hist ' ry of Sadler ' s Wells ; AA hat kings bore tho sceptre , what monarchs held sway , Since the days when old Sadler himself led the way . Then barring all potherboth ono and the other

, Shall learn now Avho governed in turn . Certain monks we are told for their vile misdeeds Came from Clerkenwell thither to count their beads ; But in process of time Haunting beaux and belles Came to tahe their hot rolls and souchong at the AVells . And barring all pother , both one ancl the other Come to the tea-gardens in turn .

Next Rosoman rose , and extended its fame , Rope-dancers from Franco and from Italy came ; Burletta succeeded , and Avett I opine Pleased tho cits in the pit as they tossed off their wine . And barring all pother , the one and the other A bumper tossed off iu his turn . Tom King next appeared , and mildly all own , tre Avith wisdom and

Swayed the scep graced long the throne ; P , y all parties beloved , by his foes e ' en admired , The veteran midst plaudits and honours retired . And barring all pother , l . ot one or the other Has managed so Avell in his turn . Dick AVroughtoii came next , and without saying grace , Ol ' actors imported a four-footed race ; AA'ho brought their own Avardrohe , their music , ancl togs , An active young troop of gay French dancing dogs .