3 SEPTEMBER 1842, Page 14

ALLEGORY.

M. WALTER'S supporters in Nottingham have been celebrating his return by a great fête-champetre or fancy-fair. In the allegorical adornments of the tents, they ransacked all regions of the earth to express his genius and pay homage to his greatness. A maypole, "its extreme summit terminated by an open crown formed of long blue ribands," was erected in the midst of a group of pavilions, "some resembling Chinese pagodas, others after more classical and picturesque designs. Among other devices with which "the centres of the gables" were ornamented, was "an emblematical representa- tion of the Holy Bible, bearing a crown and mitre, and in front an open book displaying the words Common Prayer.'" On the apex of the principal pavilion, was a colossal Britannia, "clothed in crimson drapery " ; and "at her feet a very spirited stone figure of a lion, with his paw upon the Globe." "When the shades of evening had gathered around," this "picturesque and romantic scene" was lit up by "a beautiful display of Bengal fireworks." Amid this ag- glomeration of Chinese, Bengal, and old English, Pagan and Chris- tian emblems, Mr. WALTER received an address from "the Order of Ancient Druids" ; and, like a, preux chevalier, addresseli the assembled fair, "You ladies may always command my services. It is the general opinion in Nottingham, that no festival more poetically classical—no adornments more truly characteristic of the hero of a day—have ever been witnessed: and it is thought that the artists who may be selected to ornament the new Houses- of Parliament might do worse than take a hint from them.