backers of the former-the many lovers of fun-triumph over the silent friends of sorrow. Thus it is that those who affect public amusements eschew Marylebone for more negotiable regions; the merry antics of the clown smacking more of seasonable relish than the wailings of "The Scornful Lady,' Jane Shore, or Mrs. Haller's

66

Sentimentalibus, lachrymæ roarem,"
And pathos and bathos delightful to see ;
And chop and change ribs a-la-mode germanorum,
And high diddle, ho diddle, pop tweedle dee.

To Mons. Jullien we are indebted for placing before a British public a national opera in the most complete form yet attempted. Well may the manager designate it the "Grand Opera;" for such it most unquestionably is entitled to be termed. The orchestra is perfect; and such artistes have never before appeared on the boards of DRURY Lane. The attention to costume is something that no previous manager ever evinced; while the scenery deserves to be mentioned for its extreme accuracy and remarkable arrangement. The house, with its tasteful and superb chandelier, its many decorations, and its crowded audiences, presents a striking contrast to its former dark, dreary, dingy, and dirty state; when few indeed were there besides boxkeepers, supernumerarices, their friends, and venders of fruit, porter, and bills of the play, to behold theblaze of triumph" of Mr. Bunn. Jullien has, indeed, effected wonders. "The Bride of Lammermoor," and Balfe's new Opera, are admirably put upon the stage: the most critical eye cannot but be pleased with the vast amount of attention bestowed throughout. How cheering it is to record the advent of such a singer as Mr. Sims Reeves! a tenor not to be equalled on the English stage. How admirably are his powers put forth in the concluding scene of " Lucia!" And then, again, his "Behold the happy home" in the new opera (albeit not so furiously greeted as his "Old arm-chair"), to our thinking is rendered in most melodious manner. Miss Birch has no cause to regret her flight to this country from our neighbour's: her reception must be highly gratifying to her feelings, particularly after the vexatious disappointments she has suffered. This accomplished artist gives the music of the Lady Henriette so well, that we cannot help thinking that her late continental sojourn has had the very reverse effect of impairing her voice. There can be no doubt that she is greatly improved in style since the period of her appearance at metropolitan concerts. Miss Miran and Mrs. Weiss are valuable additions to Mons. Jullien's vocal corps. The former lady has a fine contralto voice, which is judiciously exercised by its fair possessor. In addition to promising much as a singer, Miss Miran bids fair to become, like her sister, an ornament to the stage as an actress: her" Dulcet music! power enchanting!" as Orpheus, in the masque in the third act, is exquisitely given; often and often it is rapturously demanded. Mr. Whitworth has but little to do. Not so with Mr. Weiss, whose rich bass voice is heard to great advantage. Pity 'tis that he is such an awkward actor; one so ungraceful it is difficult to meet. not and will not any of the ladies undertake to give him a proper and efficacious drilling? Malibran made Templeton an actor. We would fain hope that Mr. Weiss is not such a sorry stick but that he would well bear grafting. The composer is undoubtedly entitled to warm and hearty commendations for having produced a work in every way worthy

Can

of the art. Mr. Balfe has nobly acquitted himself in this opera; especial praise must be awarded to his concerted pieces: many of these are remarkably brilliant. The music altogether is such that can be listened to only with delight. Long and continued success will attend the career The Maid of Honour."

of

The attraction of the new opera needs not the adventitious aid of pantomime. Were such not the case, we should regret that this season's harlequinade is not composed of better materiel; for, sooth to say, we must candidly confess there would be very little likelihood of a rush taking place on the part of those anxious to witness" Friar Rush." No doubt Friar Rush, or Harlequin King Gold," is a pantomime greatly improved since the night of our witnessing it—the first night, when machinery and tricks invariably work anything but glibly. The scenery is really most splendid. The manner in which the water is drawn in one of the early scenes is a perfect gem (of the sea). Then, again, the allegorical device of Shakspeare is beautifully finished; so, indeed, is the heavenly abode of the stars. Of those engaged in the representation it may be said that Columbine is gracefully embodied by Miss Waite; that Harlequin finds an agile personator in Mr. Harvey; and that Messrs. Ridgway and Garden are the Clown and Pantaloon. There's another voice-of which not to make mention would indeed be a great act of omission-and that, too, the voice of a little clever creature sustaining the character of a fairy. Well does she deserve the applause showered upon her. Our car still rings with the emphatic notes of that tiny dulcet voice.

Far

The World under Ground" we have not yet explored at the HAYMARKET, the company of which house is good enough to carry any piece, however bad, through. "Speed the Plough" is well done here. ren's Sir Abel Handy is a masterpiece. Mrs. Glover's "What will Mrs. Grundy say?" in Dame Ashfield, is given with all that zest for which that inimitable actress is so renowned. Webster's Farmer Ashfield is a good piece of acting in a line that may be said to belong now exclusively to the present representative. Mrs. Nisbett really appears to improve in her acting every day. Her Lady Teazle is a rich representation, perfect in every particular. Farren's oily and unctuous humour is well displayed in the screen scene. His enjoyment of Joseph Surface's adventure with the little French milliner" is alone compensation for a visit to the Haymarket.

Mr. Mitchell has spared no exertions in commencing his season of FRENCH PLAYS. The representations have as yet consisted of "Le Reveil Du Lion," "Le Premier Malade," and "Le Chef-d'œuvre Inconnu." The attendance has been distinguished by an array of fashion and nobility. Great preparations are being made for bringing forward in a complete form "Antigone," for which Bocage has been especially engaged.

The holiday folks are thronging to ASTLEY'S AMPHITHEATRE, to witness the drolleries and whimsicalities of " Harlequin Doctor Syntax.' Where could there be found a better theme for entertainment at Christmas? Mr. Batty makes the most of the recorded adventures of the celebrated pedagogue. The pantomime is just such a one that juveniles delight especially in-kicks, thumps, bumps, Clown and Pantaloon endure, with that perfect spirit of martyrdom which has for ages dis

tinguished those prolific agents of fun, frolic, and mirth. The tricks, transformations, and passing allusions are ingenious and well directed. Everybody has been lugubriously holding forth on the prevailing epidemic. Not so with Mr. Maddox, who has found a sure friend in the influenza. To this raging complaint he has been enabled to attribute his want of success, and thus for a time to close his doors. Now don't for half a moment suppose that inclination prompts us to remonstrate with the manager of THE PRINCESS's for adopting such a wise and salutary course. Our love for the public is far too great to allow us at any time to offer any opposition to the shutting of the portals of the Oxford-street Theatre. But this we will declare, that the manager in question would not have trespassed so much on the grounds of probability had he, with a candour to which alas! be it said he is a scrupulous stranger, declared that failures of most undeniable and unmistakeable character had determined him to pursue the wisest policy that had ever characterized his management-that of closing the doors. Had he fairly stated this, the task-unpleasant one albeit-would not be ours of mentioning the real and positive cause of an unpleasant result. In the first place the "eminent tragedian" proved a failure; in the second place the Misses Cushman's engagement was a failure. In the third place the re-appearance of that "gifted vocalist," Madame Anna Thillon, was hailed by "enthusiastic and crowded audiences"in the bills merely-so that was a failure. The consequence was the "early closing." So much for the past. A word for the future. Give thine ear, Mr. Maddox-we will give advice. Instead of attempting— and vilely attempting, too-" tragedy, comedy, history, pastoral, pastoral-comical, historical-pastoral, tragical-historical, tragical-comical, scene indivisible, or poem unlimited," learn to engage a proper company for opera, or a proper company for comedy; in either case provide a good and efficient corps, but do not thrust the same performer into tragedy, comedy, opera, and farce-it is not comme il faut. Take our

good counsel, or for ever keep your mouth and your doors shut! Planché, it appears, well sustains his reputation as king of burlesque The Golden Branch" wielded by Madame Vestris at THE LYCEUM, and of which we will," please the pigs," treat in our next.

in

Madam Warton's "Lady Godiva," at the WALHALLA, can be witnessed without involving the disagreeable compulsion of being "sent to Coventry."

The CASINOS at this season find no difficulty in meeting with copious streams of those addicted to polkas and sherry-cobblers.

The POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION Opens the new year with wonders of science that are beheld with a degree of delight, greatly enhanced by the refreshing crumbs of useful information picked up at this valuable granary.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

Disease

THE MOORS. CLOSE OF THE SEASON. With the 10th of December ended the legal time for shooting grouse, black-game, and ptarmigan. We usually are enabled at the end of each shooting season to give the returns of many sporting parties. This year neither in quantity nor quality has the grouse been equal to last season. thinned the coveys, and their food appears to have suffered injury from the blighting frosts of last spring; in consequence, the birds resorted in great flocks to corn-fields, as a substitute for their natural food-the tender green shoots and flowers of the heather. Roe-deer appear to be increasing in numbers; we never remember to have seen so many beautiful large heads. Red-deer, on the contrary, although es numerous as usual, did not generally carry such size of antlers as we have noticed in former years; nor did the velvet strip from their antlers till late, the finest head we saw having its horns covered so late as the first week in September. John Hay Mackenzie, Esq.; T. M. Goodlake, Esq.; Mr. Oliver; Mr. Bateson; T. Garde, Esq.; S. M. Boulderson, Esq.; Mr. Hadwin; W. Boyd, Esq.; and C. M. Campbell, Esq., are of the number who have had the luck to secure the finest antlered heads. Of general shooting we have heard the following:At Balnagown, Sir Hyde Parder, Mr. Wigram, and friends, shot 800 brace of grouse, and 2 red-deer. The Messrs. Buxton, Lochalsh, 600 brace, and 4 red-deer. At Langwell, in Ross-shire, J. Robertson, Esq., and R. Christie, Esq., bagged 1,110 of the usual varieties, besides a good take of salmon. On the Dallas Moors, the Messrs. Gubbins, Mr. Wilmot, and Mr. Ellis, shot 420 brace of grouse, 150 brace partridges, 35 hares, 30 brace wild fowl, 2 roe-deer, and 25 head of black game. From the Phoiness Moors, C. Martin, Esq., and friends, had 750 brace

of grouse. The Kinrara party, 700 brace. At Invereshie, the sport

at grouse and red-deer excellent; of the latter, a score of good stags fell to the stalkers' rifles. From Ledgowan, J. Cridland, Esq., and Mr. Gardiner, bagged 1,300 head of game; including 1,000 head of grouse. On the Ord Moors, the Messrs. Pryor and Mr. Freeman shot 1,640 head, principally grouse and black game, with 2 roe. From Carr Bridge, the list of game killed is as follows:-1,639 head of grouse, 130 black game, 86 snipe, 47 wild-duck, 6 woodcock, 117 partridges, 135 hares, 8 rabbits, 6 roe and 4 red deer. From Guisachan Hills, S. Steers, Esq., and Mr. Peel shot 500 brace of grouse, 5 stags, and 1 hind. Mr. St. John and friends, at Ardgour, had 500 brace of grouse and 7 stags. The Loch Eilt shootings yielded 900 brace. At Duchallie, Mr. Wainman and Mr. Bill counted 350 brace of grouse and black game, 15 roe, and 6 red deer. Mr. Jackson and Mr. Garde had good sport at Glendee; having bagged 500 brace of grouse, 2 roe-deer, and 6 red-deer. On Glenfintaig, A. Smith, Esq., and Captain Shawe, shot 250 brace of grouse, 27 brace of black game, 6 brace ptarmigan, 6 brace partridges, 45 hares, 45 couple of snipe, and 7 brace woodcock. At Upper Killin and Foyers, D. C. Majoribanks, Esq., Lord Pomfret, Mr. Broadhurst, and Mr. Clowes had excellent shooting; their returns

being-1,565 brace of grouse, 575 head of other game, and 6 red-deer. -Inverness Courier.

As a sequitur to the above synopsis, we may add that an Anti-Game Law Association is about to be formed at Edinburgh.

MORPETH COURSING CLUB.-The members of this club have come to the unanimous resolution of compressing their numerous meetings, and only to hold two during the season, in order to give to each a more important character; by which, with the facility of railway communication direct to Morpeth, numerous and highly-respectable meetings are confidently anticipated. The arrangement of the field will be under the direction of that true sportsman, John Angus, Esq., Whitefield. Mr. Braithwaite will officiate as secretary; and the decisions will be left to the unerring judgment of Mr. Nightingale.

ROYAL DEE YACHT CLUB.-The following letter has been received by the secretary of this rising club :

"Admiralty, 19th November, 1847. "SIR,-Having laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your letter of the 17th inst., I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you herewith warrants for the vessels belonging to the Royal Dee Yacht Club named in the margin, authorizing them to wear the blue ensign of Her Majesty's Fleet, with the distinguishing marks of the club thereon.

"William Ayrton, Esq., Chester."

"I am, sir, your most obedient servant,
(Signed) "H. G. WARD.

STATE OF THE ODDS, &c.

Mr. Meiklam retires from the turf. His stud, including Trueboy, Aristotle, Lightning, Godfrey, Poynton, Fancy Boy, and other wellknown names, came under Tattersall's hammer, at York, on the first. Mr. Pedley has sold Pink Bonnet to Mr. Carr, of Heslington, and Mr. Copeland Arthur and the Prime Warden to the French government.

By the "book" Calendar just out, four hundred and forty-two thorough-bred colt-foals and four hundred and thirty-five fillies were dropped during the past year in Great Britain. This list is a most important addition to Messrs Weatherby's work, and one to which there can be no "opposition."

THE FRENCH TURF.-"The whole of M. Aumont's racing stud was, some weeks since, brought to the hammer in Paris. Just as the sale was about to commence, the auctioneer received a notice from the President of the Jockey Club, pointing out certain animals he was about to submit for sale, as unqualified. This denunciation of disqualification by such an authority, announced by the auctioneer, had its effect upon the sale of the animals: no one looked at them."-Bell's Life. This charge of disqualification implied that the horses were not bred in France, and consequently seldom capable of running in that country, it being a leading condition in nearly all the great stakes that horses must be home-bred and reared. M. Aumont, one of the most fortunate of Parisian turfites, has long been a "marked man, though it has been impossible hitherto to bring any proof against him; and certainly this last act of the Jockey Club reads as yet more like might than right.