214 INTERCEPTED CORRESPONDENCE FROM NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. 66 making his way at a pretty good pace to East Haddon, he skirted the village, the hounds checking for a second or two in the small field next to the road; down went their heads again, and across the park at the back of Mr. Sawbridge's, where they turned through a very small spinney at the top of the hill. By this time the field was getting more select, though the pace had not been so good as to shake off the secondclass men. In the large grass field below this spinney there was an obstacle, it was pretty clear, which would make a difference in point of numbers; for the brook runs along the hedge row, and a very nasty one it is; in the corner of the field, underneath the branches of a large tree, was the only place for those who were riding to the hounds; Mr. Payne, Lord Vivian, Mr. Villiers, and Lord Henley, were assembled there when I got down to it, and by way of easing my mind I saw Mr. Payne shake his head at it, seeming to say, You're a nasty one, anyhow-but here goes!" for he took his horse back 30 or 40 yards, and went at it with a will. He got over, so did Charles Payne, Lord Vivian, Mr. Villiers, Lord Henley, and one or two more, and away we went up the meadows over two more fences. The field was now really thin enough for the most fastidious, when the hounds turned, raced back, ran a few yards along the side of the brook, and eventually settling on their old line ran straight up to Ravensthorpe; leaving that on the left, reynard was headed, and got back to Buckby Folly in double quick time, where we were obliged to give him up. 1 was quite wrong in saying that we had no run to describe this month, for the pace and hunting throughout were very good, and had he not been headed, and continued his course on to Cottisbrooke, there would have been very few to have given the description. son ? This was about the last day before the frost came, and I think we have had no more to do in January. Excuse, therefore, this short letter, and "meliora spera. We have opened February well, with two good runs and a clipper-but I will not anticipate, as we may have another three weeks' frost, and then I shall be very glad of our last week's sport to help me out. Why do you not come down here, just to finish the seaYou need not bring a very large stud, unless you have got to an unaccountable weight. Six good ones will do. Six will enable you very respectably to catch an occasional glimpse of Mr. Payne, as he goes over a fence; to get stuck in a double, as you attempt to handle your horse over a creeper after Mr. Villiers or Lord Vivian; to bury yourself in a deep ditch, or break your back over a stiff gate, if you prefer the line Mr. Bevan takes; to swim in a brook, or stick in a bullfinch, in emulating Mr. Knightley, or Mr. Sturt, or Lord Henley, or any of our good men and true. Six will enable you to do this; while a rather fewer number (if you ride carefully, keep an eye to the weak places and gates, watch the turns of the hounds, and avoid galloping in heavy plough) will give you a chance of once or twice in the day getting alongside of your very affectionate friend, S. Feb. 7th, 1848. 215 FINE Ꭺ Ꭱ Ꭲ Ꮪ. "In Time for the Coach," and "Late for the Mail." These are the latest additions to the Messrs. Fores' spirited series of subjects, entitled "Coaching Incidents." They are engraved by J. Harris, after paintings by C. C. Henderson, and are full of character. If only as reminiscences of good old times, when the road was parcel of the sporting life of England, such pictures are entitled to a hearty welcome. But these have their intrinsic merits to recommend them. They are works of art; designed by a master in his line, and brought out with a finish that leaves little to choose between them and oil paintings. They are in every way worthy the sporting gallery, at 41, Piccadilly, which does so much credit to the spirited publishers who now conduct it. PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS OF THE METROPOLIS. "There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood'-you know the rest; At least we think so, though but few have guessed The moment, till too late to come again. But no doubt everything is for the best, Of which the surest sign is in the end: When things are at the worst they sometimes mend." Don Juan. Just now, things theatric form the very antitheses to matters political. While the former appear to be improving, the latter present a dark and threatening aspect-thus, as it were, drawing a broad line of distinction between the stage of real life, and that of mimic representation. Paris may be convulsed, and the King of the French may be in an unenviable state of agitation; yet people go to the theatre. The Whigs may every day fall out, and bishoprics may every day fall in; yet people go to the theatre. Lola Montez may turn the head of Bavaria's king, and may turn her back upon his kingdom; yet people go to the theatre. The Premier may talk of imposing an intolerable increase of the income-tax, and everybody may protest against such a vile imposition; yet people go to the theatre. There can be no doubt but that the late visits of Royalty to several of the theatres have had a beneficial effect upon the treasuries. The Haymarket, Lyceum, and Drury-lane have cause at least the two former (for poor Drury appears destined to suffer from a laxity of support)-to hail Queen Victoria's patronage as an auspicious omen. The period of her Majesty's visits was undoubtedly well-timed. The season may be said to commence when the Operas open. Already has HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE commenced operations, and on the seventh instant the ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA will begin its second season. Of the twain, the company and orchestra at the new house unquestionably far surpass the Haymarket establishment. In addition to Grisi, Persiani, Ronconi, Steffanoni, and Corbari, this year we are promised Castellan, Zoja, and Pauline Viardot Garcia (Malibran's sister). The other house may boast of Jenny Lind; but here will be heard, in all her pristine, glorious, and not-to-be-equalled style of vocalization, the ALBONI, who, like the antique oak referred to in lyrical composition, "Stands in her pride alone." Then we shall have Mario, Salvi, Tamburini, Marini, Ronconi, and Rovere; with Luigi Mei, from the Scala at Milan, and Roger, the primo tenore of the Opera Comique in Paris. In addition to the 66 66 favourite operas produced last season, we are promised the "Favorita" for Grisi, Guillaume Tell" for Castellan, "La Figlia del Reggimento" for Zoja, the "Huguenots" and "Fidelio" for Viardot Garcia, and Haydée, ou le Secret" for Roger. For the ballet, Lucille Grahn, Flora Fabbri, Mdlle. Leopoldine Brussi, and Mdlle. Wauthier will be the leading stars; surrounded with a whole host of satellites. Grieve and Telbin are appointed the scene painters. The orchestra and chorus will be augmented, the same admirable artists of last year remaining; and Costa, the general favourite, whose arrangements are the theme of universal satisfaction, will occupy the position he so cleverly and so successfully sustained during the first season of the Opera at Covent Garden. Mr. Lumley has begun his season with an opera that can by no means be mentioned for the high degree of popularity it has attained in this country. "Ernani" introduces a new soprano, Signora Cruvelhi, as Elvira; a new tenor, Signor Cuzzani, as Ernani; and & new bassocantanto, Signor Billetti, as Silva. The lady is unquestionably a most favourable advent. Her voice, one possessing uncommon flexibility and power, is of indisputable freshness; indeed, such a pure soprano has seldom been welcomed. Her intonation is marvellously perfect. What is more, this débutant is an excellent actress. She possesses a classic head, a good forehead, an intelligent eye, and an exquisitely moulded arm; such an arm, indeed, that the sculptor's studio has rarely seen. The début of Billetti is decidedly a successful one. He possesses a good voice, and evinces a good style; out of pure good feeling for his personal appearance, we beg most amiably to suggest the clipping of his beard. At present, when he opens his mouth, the wagging of this hirsute appendage has a most ludicrous effect. The new ballet is passable after " Alma,' "Ondine," and "Esmeralda ;" and passable only. Rosati and Marie Taglioni have not retrograded, certainly, since last season; and not to go back is somewhat to advance. DRURY LANE will be opened on the 6th inst. by the troupe of Franconi. Extensive arrangements are being made to give proper effect to the zealous endeavours of M. Dejean, the director, to exhibit to an English audience the best equestrian performances of our revolutionary neighbours. A word upon the past management. The circumstances of this theatre at the commencement of the season were of the most favourable nature, but the success of the commencement has lately suffered heavy drawbacks; indeed Monsieur Jullien has been grievously disappointed, and his speculation in this once flourishing and extensive establishment has proved a total failure. The whole face of affairs in old Drury is varnished with a splendid poverty. It is but just, however, to observe that some share of the ill fortune which has dropped upon this house is to be fairly ascribed, not to any want of judgment on the part of Monsieur Jullien-who we sincerely believe is fully competent to conduct a theatre like Drury with first-rate ability-but to the enormous salaries that the principal singers demand for their services. Operatic talent of the first order is rare, and when found must be secured at any price. It is entertainment and delight to the public, but death and destruction to the A salary of £100 a night to one performer must exhaust the longest purse. To have kept up the credit of the theatre with expenses of such magnitude, together with its innumerable, and, in many instances, unfair free admissions, Monsieur Jullien must indeed have been blest with undiminished and almost inexhaustible funds. The musical public certainly is indebted to Jullien for the exertions he displayed in placing before them opera in its most perfect and complete state. The band was excellent in all its arrangements. How charmingly the "Marriage of Figaro" was given! Then again the manager deserves the thanks of the public for having introduced such singers as Mr. Sims Reeves and Miss Miran, both débutants. Mr. Reeves is a singer of great energy, and has much of what may be termed the genius of his art; that is, he has the faculty of producing an electrical sensation in the breasts of his audience. He strikes strongly upon the judicious as well as upon the multitude, because he feels strongly and expresses powerfully. Miss Miran, in addition to the advantageous aid of a good organ, is an excellent musician. With such a combination, no wonder that this young and pleasing artiste should have been such a general favourite. J. Morton has done a capital piece of fun for the LYCEUM, called "Done on both Sides." A long time it will be ere they have done performing this moving piece of mirth. Charles Mathews, F. Mathews, Mrs. C. Jones, and Buckstone continue to keep the audience on the broad-grin, from the commencement to the end. "The Wife's Secret"-in which Mr. and Mrs. Kean continue to perform, at the HAYMARKET, with "Dearest Elizabeth"-should be mentioned merely to record the fact of the entertainment provided by Mr. Webster proving to be of that character which ensures the most satisfactory result that can crown good management-crowded houses. The charming Nathalie is seen to perfection in Rose et Marguerite at the FRENCH PLAYS; and well, too, is she supported by the company serving under the popular banner of Mr. Mitchell. 66 a "The Battle of the Amazons" takes the ASTLEY-an audience quite by a coup-de-main. In these fighting times, anything partaking of powder and ball-masque not even objected to is sure to prove tower of strength." Especially does a strong muster take place when as at Mr. Batty's the evolutions of a female body of guards are gone through with a precision that is remarkable. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. We have great pleasure in recording a gift of ten pounds from his Royal Highness Prince Albert towards the subscription for poor Jem Morgan, late huntsman to J. Conyers, Esq. Like the Duke's halfsovereign for Charley Holmes's testimonial, such presents from such quarters become doubly dear. We have, again, a second satisfaction in announcing a subscription has been opened by the members of Mr. Drake's Hunt, for the purpose of presenting Tom Winkfield with a silver tankard, as a mark of approbation of his conduct during the many years he has hunted the squire's hounds. It has been our good fortune to have often witnessed Winkfield at work, and we can say honestly he well merits his reward. In brief, he is worthy of his master, and more than that it would be difficult to imply. The French "bagmen" continue to be shipped and landed in whole cargoes. If they would only run for home like the hares, what clippers the importers would furnish! WHITE WOODCOCK.-Mr. Morgan Davies, of Cwm Ivor, shot, early in the month, a very beautiful scolopax rusticola alba. It was about the size of the common woodcock, and the feathers were perfectly white, with the exception of a brown rim round the base of the bill. The day previous a party of gentlemen had fired ineffectually more than a dozen shots at this rara avis, but fortunc reserved him for Mr. Davies. SHOOTING AT STRATHFIELDSAYE.-His Grace the Duke of Wellington, Lord Charles Wellesley, the Marquis of Douro, the Hon. C. S. Lefevre, F. Pigott, Esq., M.P., and Captain Brown, have had two days' good sport on his Grace's preserves. One hundred and fifty-nine head of game were brought down, consisting of pheasants, hares, and rabbits. The noble Duke brought down four pheasants, sportsman-like, one of which at a long distance. The game, on this visit, was found to be very numerous, no exertion having been spared by the keeper this season. A greater quantity would have been killed had the weather been more favourable. DEALING IN GAME.-"The Marquis of Exeter has been sending large quantities of game by the North Western Railway to the London markets for sale. On the 1st he sent to the Sibson railway station, in a cart, as many hares and pheasants as took two horses to draw them, and the carriage of them by railway to London was charged £3 10s.; there were to pay, besides, the fare and expenses of the gamekeeper who accompanied them; and such was the bad return of the sale, that when the man got back the noble marquis was actually 20s. out of pocket by the dealing, the London market being exceedingly overstocked."-Stamford Mercury. [We are not very much grieved to hear this from our Stamford friend. When game-preserving doesn't pay as a business, perhaps gentlemen will |