We put the world before you by means of the Bioscope and Urban films (Nov 1903)

81 Daily Mail," October 20th, 1903. Spiders on the Bioscope. Two novelties were introduced last evening in the London music lialls. At the Alhambra the audience studied the habits of Hshes and the home life of the spider, the frog, the chameleon, a new Bioscope series — excellent. "The Standard," October 20th, 1903. The Alhambra. Duringhis management, Mr. Douglas Cox has produced a number of good things at the Alhambra. but nothing that can quite compare with the UrbanDuncan Micro-Bioscope. By means of this invention the insects, reptiles and fishes are shown with the greatest clearness, and the pictures are such as to interest not only lovers of natural history but the public generally, this week a new series of pictures is presented, dealing with various kinds of fish, from the bream and pollack to the dog-fish, conger eel, and the octopus, which arc depicted feeding, lighting, and resting; and the views are thrown on the screen in such a size that every detail can be seen from any part of the great house. In addition, a number of pictures enlarged from the microscope were shown last night, and were thoroughly appreciated by the large audience. The Zermatt spider, the spider and the fly, and mounting specimens of the volvox globator were specially fine. •'The Court Circular," October 24th, 1903. New Alhambra Wonders. The very latest selection of natural history wonders, which appear to be what music-hall audiences are most interested in at the moment, are to be seen at the Alhambra, where, on Monday last, Mr. Douglas Cox, presentci] a new set of views of " The Denizens of the Deep." The old series, including the habitues of the cheese, the righting spiders, the worm-eating toads, and the other insect and reptive marvels which give Alhambra audiences the most delightful creeps are still retained on t he programme, and disclose no symptoms of diminishing popularity. The latest instalment, which reveal tire peculiar ami more often than not, pugnacious habits of various fishes and Crustacea, are every bit as interesting as the original pictures. The views are wonderfully sharp and clear, and the orator, who discourses on the pictures as they are thrown upon the screen, is brief in his remarks and to the point. But the popularity of these " turns," though well-deserved, is, when one comes to reflect upon it, one of the most remarkable developments of the variety entertainment that the age has seen. If it continues, the trade of the Polytechnics and the Exeter Hall lecturers will soon be gone, and the ladies and the gentlemen who now earn a living by exhibiting their skill as high-kickers and quick-change artistes will speedily find themselves chargeable on the funds of the Music Hall Benevolent Association. At the present time, I believe audiences would sooner miss the beautiful " Carmen " ballet than lose the sight of a score of crab-like mites Spion-Kopping on a mountain of ripe stilton. The Sunday Timks," October 25th, 1903. For some little time past the bioscope pictures at the Alhambra have been particularly strong features in the evening's attractions. To those already popularised are added some illustrating extraordinar) phases of deep sea life, giving a wonderful idea of the natural habits of the fish and crustaceans which " Little Mary " would treat with scant consideration. The spider crab, the conger eel, the dog-fish the lobster, and the octopus are among the monsters of the deep with which we prefer an indifferently intimate acquaintance. Yet the fascination of watching these strange creatures in their own particular element is undeniable. Some clever microscopic pictures illustrate the babits of the minor beasts of prey, and altogether the management may be heartily congratulated on their additions to their programme. Lack of space forbids reproducing scores of further Press notices and articles dealing with the wonderful Urban Natural History Series. F