the Egyptian Hall, by some imbecile adventurer endeavouring to foist upon the public as a lusus naturæ a wretched specimen of our common anatomy, that for years had gained a miserable existence by attending suburban carnivals and fairs. This "What is it?" specimen clearly indicates the little and mean opinion entertained by public exhibitors, of the capacity and taste of their patrons; doubtless, the crafty concocter of this sordid scheme thought with Virgil "Immania monstra Perferimus." In this instance there was no endurance, as this poltroon projector was made quickly to understand, by the coup de grace so readily administered. That infinitesimal abortion, General Tom Thumb, continues to be run after by residents of provincial towns. It was but the other day that the individual who speculates upon the " prodigy " contrived to clear by the " show," at the town of Newbury, the sum of seventy-nine pounds five shillings. If any talented artistes be rash enough to give a concert, a rich intellectual repast, at the same town, their reward amounts to about as many shillings as the proprietor of the dwarf reaped in pounds! And this is taste in the nineteenth century! "Can such things be, And overcome us like a summer's cloud, "The one down, t'other come on "tenet pervades all matters mundane, not excepting the orb theatric, in which no sooner is the " summer season terminated, than the "winter" campaign is commenced. The beginning of the past month was selected for the opening of the HAYMARKET, under the able superintendence of Mr. Webster, who has had the house completely renovated and decorated. The company includes all the old favourites, together with a liberal infusion of fresh talent. The same determination to provide the best of entertainment actuates the indefatigable manager, as in seasons flitted by: may the result prove as satisfactory. Colman's comedy of the "Poor Gentleman," selected for the opening piece, is rather out of date now-a-days; the allusions are too much in the toast and sentimental line. The most remarkable feature of the comedy was the Humphrey Dobbins of Mr. Rogers, a noviciate, who created a very favourable impression in this character. From the ability he displayed on this occasion, we are most assuredly inclined to augur favourably of his dramatic career. The after piece on the first night, yclept "The Fortune Hunter," is not destined to realize the fortune of the manager; neither is it by any means worthy of the fame of Mr. Bernard, the author, a gentleman who has done, and can do, better things. The richest morceau in the production is uttered by the hero, Captain Mountgarret, performed by Mr. Hudson, who has the letters A.H.M.S. attached to his name; the signification given to them by the owner being, "At Her Majesty's Service." The cachninatory powers of the audiences of this favourite place of resort have lately been severely tested by the administering of a powerful provocative to laughter, called "Spring Gardens," in which Buckstone and Miss Julia Bennett succeed to the uttermost in convulsing the spectators of their various drolleries with hilarity of no common order. Not only will the farce of "Spring Gardens" continue to keep its place on the boards of the Haymarket during the winter, but all the spring it will, we opine, continue to be performed. 66 The lessee of the ADELPHI Continues to offer his patrons the same "hot work" on the stage in like ratio to the procedure of the frizzling of their fervescent fibres in this heated hemisphere. The appellation of the latest new and original drama" is "Eugenia Clairville; or, The New-Found Home." In this production we have the young orphan enacted by Madame Celeste; the designing gentleman; the scoundrelly lawyer; the villain, O'Smith of course figures here; the good and virtuous lady who protects innocence, and who, by our Lady, appears to be an enemy to protection of duties-to that imposed upon brandy in particular. Then there's the funny portion of the piece, in which are conspicuous a lawyer's scrub, a hard-bake vender, and a medical student, Of the acting we think that Madame Celeste does not appear to great advantage: such characters as the Arab Boy are more in her forte; and she would act wisely by leaving the representations of "injured innocence" to others more at home in delineating the same. O'Smith is every inch himself; the same visual roll, the same peculiar movement of the manipulators, the same throw of the castor, and the same gentle mellifluent strains; yes, O'Smith boasts of these characteristics as he was wont. Bedford and Munyard impart a little drollery to the characters of Mr. Toffey, a sweet-stuff maker, and Pegg, a lawyer's clerk, which serves as a refresher" after the "long-drawn out" sentimentality of several of the "heavy" scenes, which we strenuously exhort the manager to shorten not a little. 66 "To Parents and Guardians" is the title of one of the latest novelties at the LYCEUM; and, as a satire upon the mode at present adopted in several of the suburban establishments for "teaching the young idea," is perfectly successful. As a dramatic production, it is greatly inferior to “A Trip to Kissengen" by the same author, Mr. Taylor. As at present performed it is too long: this is a fault that can be easily remedied. The acting is decidedly good; that of Wigan, the French refugee, who undertakes the duties of teacher in Jubilee House Select Academy, deserves especial commendation. Mrs. Keeley, as Bob Nettles, is the mischievous boy of the school; and well does she embody the character; albeit, we must admit, it appears that a greater amount of exertion is displayed than in days of yore. The characters assigned to Keeley and Meadows are not by any means worthy of them. The admirers of spectacle, with all its magnificent accessories, hie them to the Amphitheatre of ASTLEY'S, to be, peradventure, wonder-stricken at the goods, not the gods, but which Mr. Batty, provides with his accustomed spirit of enterprise and liberality. Damon is not yet, we believe, immortal, although he has been winging his "flight" every night, to the extreme satisfaction of not over-fastidious audiences. Apropos, on a late visit we overheard one, who learned not classically if he learned too well, inquire of his fidus Achates who was dam-in? The last occasion we visited THE PRINCESS'S THEATRE there was a tremendous rush-at the compartment set apart for the "free list." We earnestly call upon the manager to appoint some extra hands at this particular entrance. The labours of Hercules were as nought to the superhuman exertions requisite for the recipient of the immense quantity of paper nightly presented at this salle de spectacle. It is a positive act of cruelty to impose the onerous duties we have described upon a single individual-courteous and civil though he be-in fact, the one officer alluded to affords an illustration of natural urbanity being only exceeded by extreme suffering from overwork. We have no remarks to add on the performances; for, on our entering the house, ever and anon the rueful and woebegone visages of the officials presented themselves to our notice. With half a glance we could detect the mind addicted to the auri sacra fames, instead of being occupied in conning over what should be the receipts, employed in ruminating over the orderly appearance of the audience. Under such melancholy circumstances, who could blame us for effecting a precipitate retreat? The patent houses have commenced their performances. DRURY LANE, with Mr. Alfred Bunn once more for its lessee, who, as usual, holds forth much promise. Keeping faith with the public is another part of the story, in which we should certainly be inclined to lay odds against the manager. Mrs. Bishop, we should say, "Madame Anna Bishop," has made her appearance as the bright particular star of the season: whether she shines with the lustre that was brightly anticipated, we will not be ungallant enough to mention. At COVENT GARDEN, the prince of Promenade Concerts is now energeti. cally flourishing the oft-used baton-need we say we allude to the arbiter whatever arum you will?-no other than Jullien, who, like the old oak, spoken of so feelingly by the poet, "stands in his pride alone." The houses continue to be good nightly and such is likely to be the gratifying report until the 28th inst., when the season must positively terminate. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. Aquatics. MONUMENT TO THE MEMORY OF THE LATE COMMODORE OF THE R.Y.S. We learn that the Committee of the R.Y.S., in order to mark the high esteem and respect in which their late lamented Commodore, the Earl of Yarborough, was held, have proposed (to be erected by the members, honorary members, and others) a nautical monument, or sea mark, on some appropriate spot, to be selected in the Isle of Wight; and that every member be solicited to suscribe such sum as he shall think fit, members not to exceed £10, nor less than £5 each. The subscriptions not being alone confined to the members, there is no doubt the Admiralty and Trinity Boards will also be contributors, the heads of which are ex officio members of the squadron. The Committee, moreover, intend bringing forward a proposition at the next general meeting in May, that a sum of £200 be voted for the same purpose out of the funds of the Royal Yacht Squadron, and a committee will then be appointed to carry the same into effect. Loss of THE EARL OF MOUNTCASHEL'S YACHT, WANDERING SPIRIT, R.Y.S.-This elegant yacht, the property of the Earl of Mountcashel, of Kilworth, was, we regret to say, totally wrecked on the 17th of last month, off Hangham's Point, Kinsale, eastward of the entrance to the harbour, and was nearly attended with the sacrifice of all on board, among whom were the countess and her daughter. The party had been out on a short cruise, and were returning, when it came on blowing from the north-east. In rounding the above point it is supposed she "hugged "the shore too closely, for at about five o'clock she struck with great violence, and within ten minutes after she heeled over into deep water, and shortly disappeared. The Countess of Mountcashel and her daughter were in the cabin at the time when the yacht turned over, and it was with the utmost difficulty that the crew could extricate and get them into the boat, with which they succeeded in gaining the beach. They saved no property whatever, excepting the clothes they wore. The estimated loss of the yacht and her contents is stated to be upwards of £12,000. Coursing. SALE OF MR. POTTERTON'S GREYHOUNDS.-Twelve of this gentleman's hounds were sold by auction at Bretherton's Repository, Birmingham, in the early part of last month, and fetched the following prices :-F. and w. b. Primrose, three years old, £3 5s.; bk. b. Planet, three years old, £2 10s.; be. b. Fly, two years old, £2 5s.; bk. and w. d. Pilot, two years old, £3 15s.; bk. and w. b. Pet, £9 9s. (bought by Mr. Whitehead); bd. d. Khan (used as a stallion for the last three years), £2 (bought by Mr. Tibbitts); bd. b. by Khan, out of Planet (born Jan. 8), £2 12s. 6d. (bought by Mr. Chapman); bd. b. Khan, out of Primrose (born Jan. 6), £2; sister to the latter, £2 10s.; bd. d. by Tibbitts's Try-it-again, out of Pet (born May 15), £2; sister to the latter, £1 10s. (bought by Mr. J. Wiggan); and a bd. b. by Sweet William, out of Prudence (born Feb. 28), £2 7s. 6d. All the dogs are well-bred, and known to public coursers. THE ANNAN CLUB.-In consequence of Lord Queensberry having refused the usual permission to the Annan Coursing Club to hold their meeting over his Lordship's estate of Torthorwald, the meeting will not take place this season. STATE OF THE ODDS, &c. SALE OF BLOOD STOCK. MR. FORD'S STUD, according to promise, was brought to the hammer during the Second October Meeting, and sold " out-and-out" at the following prices : Duvernay (dam of Robert de Gorham), by Emilius out of Varennes; covered by Touchstone 310 .... 210 205 155 120 Sequidilla, by Sheet Anchor out of Catherine (the dam of Taurus), &c.; Exclamation, by Emilius out of Surprise; covered by Touchstone A Chesnut Mare, by Emilius out of Fidelity; covered by Slane A Brown Mare, by Priam, dam by Whisker out of Urganda, by Milo.... Charles the Twelfth Miss Betsy, by Plenipo-Shilelagh's dam, by Castrel, &c.; covered by Slane Ten-Pound Note, by Taurus or Augustus, dam by Centaur out of Problem; ..... Spiteful, by Recovery out of a Young Whisker mare, by Blacklock out of 100 95 95 91 62 62 60 60 57 46 Piccolina, by Toss-up out of Minima, by Rowton; covered by Cæsar 45 42 Deception, by Mountebank out of Advance, by Pioneer; covered by Cæsar 29 FOALS, WITH THEIR ENGAGEMENTS. Gs. A Brown Colt, by Sir Hercules out of Duvernay; engaged in the Ham, 230 A Bay Colt, by Sleight-of-hand out of Lady 230 A Chesnut Colt, by Harkaway out of an Emilius mare, dam Fidelity by 160 A Bay Colt, by Don John out of Meal; engaged in the Ham, Gratwicke, and Triennial Stakes..... 150 A Bay Colt, by Touchstone out of Deception; engaged in the Ham, Gratwicke, and Triennial Stakes 125 A Bay Colt, by Charles the Twelfth out of Calumny 100 A Bay Filly Foal, by Sir Hercules out of Sequidilla; engaged in the Trien- 83 80 A Chesnut Colt, by Sir Hercules out of Spiteful; engaged in the Ham, Gratwicke, and Triennial Stakes....... 61 A Chesnut Colt, by Sir Hercules out of Ten-Pound Note; engaged in the YEARLINGS, WITH THEIR ENGAGEMENTS. ...... Fandango, a bay filly, by Touchstone out of Sequidilla; engaged in the Oaks TWO-YEAR-OLDS, WITH THeir engagements. A Brown Filly, by Theon, dam Beatrice by Blacklock ...... THREE-YEAR-OLDS. Guarracha, by Sheet Anchor out of Catherine (sister to Sequidilla) FOUR-YEar-olds. Gs. 300 105 40 Gs. 250 205 37 Gs. 125 ... 50 Gs. 26 Gs. The Lady Abbess, by St. Nicholas out of Neva, by Cervantes, &c.; covered by Cæsar...... STALLIONS. ........ Cæsar (foaled 1836), by Sultan out of Cobweb (the dam of Bay Middleton), by Phantom, &c., &c. 290 THE BENTINCK STUD.-Only three lots further have been disposed of since our last report on this gradually decreasing collection, viz., Let-us-stopawhile-says-slow, covered by Melbourne, for 160 gs.; Joyous, brother to Joy, engaged in the Great Yorkshire, for 46 gs.; and a Yearling Colt, by Plenipotentiary, out of Luxury, for 26 gs. Mr. Parr has sold Dulcet to Lord William Russell, Mr. O'Brien Jonathan Wild to Mr. Greville, and Colonel Anson, his stallion, Gladiator, for £2,500, to go to France. Earl Granville, the new Master of the Buck Hounds, and Earl Strathmore have been elected members of the Jockey Club. The Jockey Club have received another memorial from the friends of John Day, jun., strenuously pleading for a free pardon, and restoration to former rights. The business of the month has been so entirely taken up with the Handicaps and other events for immediate decision, that, notwithstanding we have contrived to run up a few names into a table for the Derby, we have nothing to add beyond the meager account the formula affords. Van Tromp and Epirote would seem established as first and second on the list, and then comes a winter's scramble for third place amongst the Bentinck "picks" and one or two others. If, as seems probable, the Criterion is to be a criterion on this point, we must leave Coningsby in with some claim. |