The Sportsman

will but do its duty towards his lordship, and meet his exertions by preserving foxes, and thus be the means of inducing many gentlemen to remain on their property, spending their incomes amongst their poorer neighbours and workmen, rather than for want of country sports, of which hunting ranks the first, driving them to seek amusements elsewhere. In conclusion, we cannot but observe that to every nobleman and gentleman who keeps fox hounds, and to every contributor thereto, and to every preserver of foxes, as an inducement for doing so, a deep debt of gratitude is due from all those who live in the neighbourhood where fox-hounds are kept. We hear that Will Staples, so long the valued huntsman of the Shropshire hounds, and brought up under Sir Bellingham Graham, has been applied to once more to enter the field and hunt these hounds. The honourable testimonial of a piece of plate, presented to him when the Shropshire hounds were last year given up, and the high character he bears as a huntsman, may well warrant the anticipation we have expressed as to these hounds.

"DEAR—,—I have much pleasure in informing you the Albrighton Hounds will continue to hunt the same country they now do, and that, for the next two seasons, my Lord Stamford has kindly made arrangements that it shall be hunted without any subscription.

"The Committee take this opportunity of returning their thanks for your past patronage and support, and are requested by my Lord Stamford to solicit your continued exertions to preserve the foxes, and to do all in your power to promote the sport of the country. "I am, yours truly, "Summer Hill, Kingswinford, near Dudley, "W. GRAZEBROOK, March 16th, 1848." Hon. Sec.

A change has come o'er the spirit of the times. A little while, and managers were in full enjoyment of public patronage-now, the support afforded by those who affect public amusements is small in comparison. No one for a moment can wonder at such transition when viewing the unsettled aspect of affairs. It is notorious that in all times of political excitement theatres have been less attended than when there is nought to disturb the citizen of the world from pursuing "the even tenour of his way." This being admitted, directors of places of public entertainment must not marvel at the present unsatisfactory state of

their treasuries. Let them bear in mind that the words of the poet of another century are no less pregnant with meaning in the present

"No hap so hard but may in fine amend."

The OPERAS, both old and new, are not sigualized by an auspicious commencement of the season. At the old house nothing but Verdi appears to be the order of the day-a composer whose works find more favour in the eyes of Mr. Lumley than in his subscribers'. The new opera of" Attila" possesses to a greater degree than any of his previous works the manifold faults of Verdi, without one solitary redeeming piece of merit; the most powerful instruments are pressed into service, the effect being to distress the ear with most inharmonious sounds-noise, noise, and nothing but most furious noise, "signifying nothing." The artistes exert themselves to their utmost, but all in vain. To make themselves heard Cruvelli, Gardoni, and Belletti, are compelled literally to shout. Altogether, this composition cannot fail to be regarded in any other light than a most miserable failure.

At COVENT GARDEN, Alboni, in "Tancredi," has cruelly disappointed the expectations indulged in, and the rich promise held out by her many successes of last year. Castellan and Roger have made favourable impressions in Lucia di Lammermoor," although the Edgardo of the new tenor, it must be confessed, suffers greatly in comparison with Rubini, Moriani, and Salvi. Choregraphy appears not to be in favoured form at this house. The débutantes in the Divertissement cannot be mentioned for any one peculiar attribute; Mademoiselle Marmet may be lithe and elastic to a degree, but an absence of originality of style is painfully manifest in all her saltatory efforts.

The taste of the

Webster, to make up for the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Kean, has produced a translation from the French, which he styles "Lavater," and, in addition, he has revived Colley Cibber's Double Gallant.' The policy of this revival is very questionable. theatrical-going public is very different to that of the frequenters of theatres at the period of its first production. All that can be effected in the way of acting and appointments it must be admitted is done at the HAYMARKET. The company, already strong, will shortly receive an important addition in Mr. Brooke; the accession of this gentleman cannot fail to be hailed with no uncommon delight by his many admirers, who have witnessed with evident pain and regret the slovenly and miserable manner in which a performer of his unquestionable merits should have been hitherto supported (?) "Sweethearts and Wives," in which poor Liston was wont to make every one forget such things as the "blues," serves as a vehicle for Keeley to exhibit his humour as Billy Lackaday, a character that he fills so well that the audience are, from first to last, kept on the broad grin.

"The Happy Family" will not, we should imagine, dwell long together at the LYCEUM. The materials might have sufficed for one act, but for two they are certainly meagre in the extreme. The whole strength of the company is marshalled, and the scenic arrangements are complete. Mr. Beverley having painted "Harmony Hall" in the most natural and attractive manner. "Not a Bad Judge' is pronounced by universal verdict to be a performance of undeniable merit. Charles Mathews, as Lavater, both in his costume and acting is ad

mirable. "Box and Cox" still run their rollicking career- rather a lengthened one, too: more than 100 nights. Harley and Buckstone, as the jovial representatives of Box and Cox, extract as much laughter as ever from those who heartily rejoice in the vagaries of the twain comedians.

The representations of the FRENCH PLAYS are graced by the presence of the élite of the land. The most courtly and aristocratic audiences highly approve of the untiring exertions of Mr. Mitchell to provide the best class of novelty in rapid order. Nathalie has charmed all beholders by her lively, piquant, and brilliant style of acting. In "Le Gant et l'Eventail" this irresistible artiste elicits the most favourable opinions from all around. Lafont is now to be the particular star of St James's. ASTLEY'S AMPHITHEATRE will be in the course of a week closed, preparatory to the commencement of the summer season, for which Mr. Batty is making exertions of the most extraordinary description. Improvement in every department is contemplated. The system of abolishing the afterpiece, and devoting more attention to the scenes in the circle, is a change of a very satisfactory kind. People never visited Astley's for the purpose of witnessing farces of antiquity performed by those who could not lay claim to powers of a very high order. Give your audience well-executed acts of horsemanship, Mr. Batty, and you will better please them, and do more to increase your receipts, than by playing musty, fusty interludes. Easter Monday will be the occasion of the re-opening, when Mr. Batty intends to treat his many patrons with fare of no ordinary kind.

What a sorry state histrionic talent must be reduced to, if we are to accept for positive truth the announcement in the affiche of the OLYMPIC, of therein being assembled "the most powerful company of the day!" Mr. Brooke having seceded, there remains not one that would add dignity to a barn, or lend attraction to a booth.

Mr. Aldridge, "The African Roscius," has appeared at the SURREY in "The Revenge," and as Mungo, in "The Padlock." He decidedly possesses greater qualifications for tragedy than for farce. His conception of the part of Zanga is undoubtedly good. His performance evidences great study, and entitles to be ranked as a man of taste and judgment. By all means let him eschew the comic business, for that unquestionably is not his forte. What a relief it was to the audience when the personator of Alonzo ceased to inflict tortures of no ordinary nature upon his hearers by a series of the most hideous and melancholy mouthings ever howled by man or beast.

The late members of the Surrey company have taken refuge in the STRAND, and have formed themselves into a-we were about to add— common-wealth; but from what we can gather, the state of the treasury anything but warrants the use of such a term.

The CASINOS and the WALHALLA receive their share of patronage from those addicted to the dance, and to tableaux vivans. Lady Godiva is just as attractive as ever: not so the horse which Madame Wharton exhibits. It would puzzle that under any circumstances to draw.

The PANORAMA of Vienna just opened is painted with that care and truth for which Mr. Burford is so celebrated.