66 lative degree; indeed, we are inclined to affirm that we never saw two hounds, however excellent, that bore the slightest similarity to each other in their mode of work. A good marking hound is seldom a good trail hound; and vice versâ, the hound that will hunt a trail well will rarely distinguish himself when the otter is found. At this moment we recur to a couple of hounds, than which, in their several departments, two better never traversed a stream. Midnight's" tender nose touched upon a trail that was not perceptible to another hound, and her tongue, by its earnest or repressed tone, sufficiently marked the date of the scent, which it was her delight to carry; but as soon as the otter was found she became not only useless but mischievous, calling off the hounds to the night-trail, and cleaving to it, to the abandonment of the living scent which was moving and rising before her. Even when the otter was lying dead upon the bank, and the rest of the hounds were rejoicing in the successful termination of their labours, and pouring forth their pæans of triumph with all the energy of conquerors, old Midnight might be seen stealing off to her trail, and chiming, with the greatest industry, upon the washed and worn-out scent. But, as there are exceptions to every rule, more than once did this rare old bitch find a fresh otter that had been overlooked by the rest of the pack, and again supply us with sport, which, but for her, must have escaped the notice of all. "Waterloo" was a deep-water hound, and perhaps as sagacious and bold an animal as ever threw a tongue; his merits were most conspicuous when those of other hounds were put to the test and found wanting. On raw, chilly days, in the early part of the season, when the waters were unusually big and broad-when the hovers were strong, and the otter old and crafty-then would Waterloo come out of the crowd and distinguish himself at once as a brilliant and unerring marker. He seemed to be aware of his powers, and to reserve himself for difficulties "Nec Deus intersit, nisi dignus vindice nodus." Indeed, until the animal was fairly a-foot, Waterloo appeared quite in. different to the scent, lopping along upon the bank, and not troubling himself to draw a single hover. But when every other hound was beaten and exhausted by the length of the sport, Waterloo's great power and perseverance enabled him to keep the animal going, and thus to conquer in the end. His sagacity, however, in recovering the lost scent was most remarkable; if he could not come to a mark in either of the banks, his plan was to land quietly, gallop about a hundred yards down stream, drop quietly into the water, and then swimming in a zigzag fashion from one side of the river to the other against stream, he seldoni failed to point out the exact hiding-place of the otter, which he did in so earnest and solemn a tone that there never was a doubt as to his accuracy. In those moments of despondency, which every real and anxious hunter knows, the tongue of that hound imparted a thrill of joy which it were difficult to describe on paper, and which none but a hunter could adequately comprehend. Both Waterloo and Midnight were thorough-bred fox-hounds; the latter bred by Mr. John Russell, and the former by the late Mr. Bulteel, predecessor to Mr. Trelawny, in the Lyneham country. (To be continued). PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS OF THE METROPOLIS. Rural sports hold dominion over metropolitan amusements at these presents the field is the theatre wherein each actor exerts his best endeavours, not to keep the game alive, as the resuscitated joke runs, but to make a dead certainty of bringing it down. In town your lounger experiences a difficulty in killing time; in the country more so in killing the birds. Yet the return of each season sees him at the different pastimes, with the same result. The autumn is the signal for his departure; the spring for his return. Sic transit gloria mundi! A brilliant termination, in point of attraction, to an eventful season has been made at HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE, where everything has been comme il faut, with but two exceptions. After alluding to such errors in judgment as the engagement of the sable songstress, and the appearance of one whose former triumphs will ever be remembered in the annals of art, but of the Pasta of to-day it may be justly urged all is couleur de rose. With the powerful company, and the wonderful combination of talent brought to bear, the director is not only deserving of the liberal expression of deep satisfaction on the part of the subscribers, but he is also unquestionably entitled to the hearty thanks of the musical public. Exceeding enterprise and unflagging spirit must be conceded to Mr. Lumley for the production of an entirely original opera. If "La Tempesta" failed to create any remarkable sensation as a work of art, it cannot be withheld that it will long be remembered for the artistic representation of Ariel by Carlotta Grisi, the sweet tones imparted to Miranda by Sontag, and the wonderfully powerful embodiment of Caliban by Lablache. With regard to other operas it is only necessary to refer to the general excellence that distinguished the "Barbière," the "Nozze di Figaro,' "Don Pasquale," "Don Giovanni,' "Linda di Chamouni,' the "" Somnambula, "Due Foscari, "Lucrezia Borgia," "L'Elisir d'Amore,' Matrimonio Segreto," and lastly, the gem of the season, "La Figlia del Reggimento. With the exception of four of the foregoing operas, Sontag's enchanting voice was heard in each, with an amount of gratification seldom enjoyed by the habitué. On all occasions her appearance was hailed with enthusiasm; and the wreaths awarded on the closing night forcibly demonstrated the high degree of esteem in which this incomparable singer is held. In enumerating the operas brought forward, omission has been made of "Norma," which served for the debût of Madame Fiorentini during the past month. A more satisfactory and successful appearance it would be difficult to mention. Besides the tragic powers so essential to portray the character of Norma, this young, handsome, and particularly pleasing singer has given ample evidence of 66 possessing versatile abilities. Her manner of rendering a Spanish ballad betokened considerable humour; whilst her scena from "Der Freischutz" strikingly exhibited her exceeding capability, which was also further illustrated in her delivery of the second verse of the National Anthem. It is a source of infinite gratification to be assured that the services of this promising singer have been secured for three seasons. But not to anticipate, but rather take a glance at the many and various successes achieved in ballet: without enumerating the several titles of the productions, it is but an act of common justice to notice the debut of one who gave promise of being one amongst the first of dancers-Amalia Ferraris. And well has she sustained-aye, indeed, improved upon the impression then made: indeed, it would be difficult for anyone to dispute her eligibility to sustain the most prominent position in the choregraphic circle. Yes! even with Carlotta Grisi, whose intelligence, beaming in her looks, dazzles all beholders, and whose twinkling steps, invested with poetry itself, charm all those who gaze on such gossamer movements-yes! even with Carlotta the lightsome, lithe, aërial, and elastic on the boards, who will venture to place as second to any danseuse Ferraris, whose thorough knowledge of the saltatory art could not be surpassed, and whose gazelle-like action wins upon every beholder? Besides the activity the lessee has evinced in bringing forward new talent in opera and ballet, there has been every disposition to effect improvement in the general arrangements. For instance, the orchestra and chorus exhibited the increased pains which had been taken to effect salutary changes, whilst the mise en scene must be regarded as surpassing any previous effort of this or any other management. With all these attractions, if the season have not been as satisfactory in a pecuniary consideration as the exertions of the director warranted, it is to be hoped that the expected overflowing of London next season will not only have the effect of reimbursing Mr. Lumley, but that the smiles of fortune may then be so liberally reflected, that his coffers may resemble the exhaustless stores of a Monte Christo. The proceedings at the other house call for brief notice only, as the chief of the repertoire at COVENT GARDEN has consisted in one or two operas which have enjoyed during the season exceeding popularity. The success of "Le Prophète," which had been produced at the fag end of last year's season, induced the management, on the arrival of Viardot, to reproduce it; to this the most prosperous portion of the season must be attributed, together with the attraction of "The Huguenots," and "Robert le Diable." It will be thus seen that here the long serious operas of Meyerbeer have completely placed the lively, sparkling, and entertaining works of well-known composers hors de combat, the opera buffa being a species of entertainment seldom given, but not from the requirement of the necessary talent, as the late performance of "L'Elisir d'Amore" will amply testify. Nothing, indeed, could equal the Nemorino of Mario in this opera; neither could there be a more charming representation than the Adina of Castellan-a far preferable performance to Viardot's-or a more mirth provoking Dulcamara than Ronconi, who, by the way, with all his fun, fails in identifying himself as the low, wily, cunning, impudent, peripatetic quack-such, indeed, as the faithful impression created by Lablache. The ADELPHI Company is at the HAYMARKET, performing the old worn-out pieces that in their day formed some attraction; but now with sorry substitutes for performers of merit long since passed away, such productions as "Paul Pry" utterly fail in creating the sensation which attended the representations of years gone by. When to this it is added that the prices of admission are nearly double the Adelphi charges, no wonder can be felt that the similarity between the audience and a garment of the " cheap" tailors is strikingly apparent→→ both being remarkably scanty. At the same time, it should be observed that the former is far more disposed to a nap than the latter. Mrs. Fanny Kemble having brought her course of Shaksperian Readings at the ST. JAMES'S THEATRE to a conclusion, it is a matter of congratulation that Mr. Mitchell should have found the engagement to be highly successful. It would, indeed, have been a sad reflection on the taste of the day if the result had been otherwise, for seldom had the works of the great dramatist such an exponent-one so thoroughly capable in every respect in illustrating the beauties of the plays selected by the fair lecturer. Setting aside a few affectations annoying to the ear, such as now and then adopting a nasality of tone peculiar to Americans, and an original pronunciation by imparting to the letter O in all instances a sound like that given to it in the word bottle-setting these eccentricities aside, there is every credit due to Mrs. Kemble for the exquisite pathos, the marvellous powers of identification, the verve, spirit, and excellent emphasis that distinguished one and all of these delightful readings. The regular season having terminated at VAUXHALL, the manager has determined to afford those who would hesitate to disburse half-acrown for an evening's amusement, an opportunity of gratifying their curiosity, by reducing the price of admission to a shilling. So far, there is no cause on the part of the management to repent of the lowering of the entrance fee, the receipts amply exhibiting the increased desire on the part of the public to take advantage of the change. It is a source of no small gratification to the majority of sightseers, to be assured that "ballooning" is still to form a high and distinguished feature in the programme of entertainments, Mr. Green being ready to grapple with any aërostatic difficulty of whatever gigantic nature, and to mount any of the equine species, however small. CREMORNE GARDENS have been attended by the many wanderers after amusement in all its varieties; and it is cheering to know that if there be a spot where such harmless taste for recreation may be indulged in, "The heart that is humble might hope for it here." The words of the poet cannot apply to a more desirable locale to gratify the wish for pure enjoyment, to be had in these gardens, by all those who are in any way addicted to polkas, American bowls, sherry. coblers, or swings. Moreover, there is the far-famed poet of Cremorne, as famous in his way-and in everybody else's-as the impassioned inditer of the imperishable and ecstatic effusions emanating from the firm of Noses & Co. STATE OF THE ODDS, &c. THE GOODWOOD STUD.-The strength of this stable has been considerably diminished during the past month, by a number of sales both public and private. On Monday, the 12th, Messrs. Tattersall offered Lord Henry Lennox's string at the Corner, obtaining the following prices for them : William the Conqueror, 3 yrs. old; engaged in the St. Leger, &c. Hernandez, 2 yrs. old; heavily engaged. To Lord Enfield The Bee-hunter, 3 yrs. old; engaged in the St. Leger, &c. To Lord Turtle, yrs. old; deeply engaged. To Lord Exeter. Borneo, 4 yrs. old. To Lord Clifden.... The Wren, 3 yrs. old. To Mr. Smith Brawn, a yearling; deeply engaged.... GS. 1,320 1,150 610 430 310 59 52 On the following Monday, by the same firm, a draft from the Duke of Richmond's, as under : BROOD MARES. Estelle, by Brutandorf, d. by Juniper, &c.; covered by Robert de Gorham 155 Soldier's Daughter, by The Colonel, dam by Oscar, &c.; covered by Van Tromp.. Prism, by Camel, dam Elizabeth; covered by Van Tromp Mirror, by Sir Hercules, out of Prism; covered by Chatham Hornpipe, by Venison, out of Reel; covered by Robert de Gorham HORSE IN TRAINING. Halo, 6 yrs, old, by Mns, out of Prism STALLIONS. Quiver, 4 yrs. old, by Velocipede, out of Aspen.... Helter-skelter, 5 yrs. old, by Venison, dam Confusionée Lothario, by Giovanni, out of Moggy 40 31 15 Harum-scarum, 3 yrs. old, by Pantaloon, dam Confusionée; covered Mus, by Bizarre, dam Young Mouse by Lothario... 14 Vampyre, Woodlark, Cora, and the Potentia filly have been also sold out of the same stable by private contract; Vampyre to Major Pitt, and the Potentia filly to Mr. Shelley. Lord Enfield, who takes the pick of the basket, was better known on the turf a few years back as the Honourable George Byng, the owner of Garry Owen, the match horse. THE NEWMARKET SPRING MEETINGS, 1851. In consequence of the late period at which Easter will fall next year, the stewards will recommend to the Jockey Club at their next meeting, that the Craven 1851 shall commence a fortnight before Easter. By this arrangement the Newmarket Spring Meetings, Epsom, and Ascot, will fall as under: |