sharp angles, had played as an amateur the part of Romeo at Covent Garden till he had been laughed off the stage, and now enacted another ludicrous part in his curricle in Hyde Park. In those days there was but one tailor in London (Stultz), but one boot-maker (Hoby); but our author believes there were two hatmakers, and is certain there was but one haircutter-just opposite the upper end of the Burlington Arcade-who received half-a-guinea for turning out a gentleman with a fashionable crop-we believe the Brutus was just then the mode. Our author introduces us to the only four clubs (all in St. James's-street) which then existed; and at that period there were but two coffee-rooms, in which sanded floors had subsided into carpets. The inns where travellers stopped at that time, were the Saracen's Head on Snow-hill, the Whitehorse in Fetter-lane, and the Golden Cross Charing Cross-very unpleasant places for a night's lodging in a winter's night, as your bed-room opened upon an open-railed wooden outside gallery, overhanging the court-yard where coaches were loaded and un loaded. The whole of the twenty-second chapter is filled with amusing matter, and the opinions and arguments introduced in the course of the sketch, in spite of the crude style, renders the volume in many parts amusing. The contrasts presented in manners, and ways of thinking, from those prevailing in the present day, exhibit an advance almost as remarkable as the progress of science and sociology. We can conscientiously recommend the "Squire" as an agreeable companion for a wet afternoon. THE OYSTER: Where, How, and WHEN TO FIND, BREED, COOK, AND EAT IT. (London: Trübner and Co., Paternoster Row.) The author of this little volume exhibits that intimate knowledge of his subject which is a chief virtue in a biographer, whether men or mollusks are in question. He dilates with real gusto on the gastronomical excellence Kent), are chiefly supported by these popular shell-fish, whose long-established superiority gives them a pre-eminence in the market. The Milton oysters are considered the best; and next to them rank the Colchester oyster (for Essex is also famed for oyster-beds). But we remark, en passant, that Colchester oysters are so called from being bred on the river Coln, which passes through the town where Helena, the mother of Constantine, was born (the ancient Colonia of the Romans); and whence she doubtless carried to imperial Rome the fame of the Colonia oysters. Oysters have been legislated for, and are protected by law at certain seasons. In the Channel Islands the fleet of dredging-boats are convoyed by a steamtender, bearing Her Majesty's pennant, which rigidly oversees that the fishers do not poach upon the French oyster-beds on the coast of Brittany. The Jersey oyster-fishery employs about 3,000 persons in the season (men, women, and children), and 250 boats. Housewives who desire to serve the oyster in the best taste at their tables, will find a chapter devoted to the cooking of this delicate shell-fish; and many hints are given of its restorative qualities. According to our author, persons, when suffering from almost incurable indigestion, by eating oysters daily, very soon find the most agreeable effects in the human kitchen and laboratory its functions become regular without the use of strong medicines-always dangerous. Depression of spirits, and other disagreeable feelings consequent on impaired digestion, soon cease to affect them; they beccome cheerful and happy, and are enabled again to see clearly through the misty atmosphere which has hitherto enclosed them in a kind of living shroud. Again: Physicians of old recommended the oyster as a general remedy, and employed it on all occasions with success. It has been proved beyond dispute that it possesses a remarkable vivifying influence in all cases where the nervous organs are affected, more than any other food. In pulmonary complaints, indigestion, and nervous diseases, oysters taken before mid-day, with a glass of wine, are asserted to produce mended to persons suffering from gout; and most salutary effects. They are also recomthe author cites a case under his own knowledge of an aged person suffering from influenza, who was entirely cured by eating oysters. In brief, it is impossible in the scope of our brief notice, to point out half the value of the oyster as set forth in these pages. We recommend our readers forthwith to procure the work, and consult the information for themselves. In describing the "treasure of the oyster," the pearl, and the nacre, our author quotes old Dampier, "the sailor with a poet's mind," who tells us the inside of the shell is more glorious even than the pearl itself. of the self-contained and self-sufficing bi-valve; and opens up its natural, classical, and commercial history with a fluent chattiness the result of considerable observation and reading; We are reminded that the oyster-the "real native”—had a reputation long prior to the Conquest. The Romans, who were an oystereating race, were not slow in discovering the superior quality of the Richborough and Reculver oysters to those of Baia and the Lucrine Sea. From those localities they imported the famed Rutupians eulogized by Juvenal, and which, Macrobius tells us, were never absent from the Pontifical table (a not altogether miraculous exercise of piscivorous judgment on the part of the successors of St. Peter.) The chapter which deals with the statistics of the oyster-fisheries contains much interesting information. Whitstable, Milton, It is glorious [continues our author]; it has Queenborough, Rochester, and Feversham (in the look of the morning, and the tint of the evening sky; the colours of the prism, chastened, softened, retained, and made perpetual in it, this is motherof-pearl. In this chapter the author has crowded considerable information from Sir Emerson Tennent and other reliable authorities on the pearl fishing at Ceylon, which is a monopoly of the British Government, and, like many other Government monopolies, costs more than it produces. PERIODICALS, ENGLISH WOMAN'S JOURNAL. (London: 19, Langham Place, Regent Street; Kent and Co., Paternoster Row.)-The March number of our contemporary has our hearty praise: it is an excellent one. The opening paper, on 'Emigration for Educated Women," deservesnay, demands-the serious attention of many hundreds of our countrywomen, who, in the plan now organizing by the Society for Promoting the Employment of Women, have a new field opened for the remunerative exercise of their educational and housewifly skill; which promises, if taken up in a proper spirit, to afford that relief to the self-dependent class of Englishwomen above the rank of domestic service, who are so much required in New South Wales, and such a dead weight at home. It is mere folly to say that women whose talents are inadequate to their self-support in the old country would prove useless in the Colonies. Here the market for remunerative woman's work is overstocked: there the demand for it, as families and colonists increase, is always growing. Here, too, that dreadful chain of caste is always encumbering and fettering an educated woman's efforts. Such, and such things only, may she do to save herself from starvation, and at the same time conserve the social status in which she has been bred ; but in a new country these obstructions to the real bent of one's talents and capabilities (for many an educated woman, with domestic tastes and an active disposition, would make a far better housekeeper or family help than a governess), fall away, and she finds herself free to enter upon duties for which she is best adapted and which will repay the best. Two adopted papers follow-a nemoir of "Bianca Milesi Mojon," from an American magazine; and an account of " Gheel, a Lunatic Village in Belgium," of which M. Jules Duval has given so interesting an account, and from whose work the editor has condensed this very curious account. "Fruits in their Season" reads pleasantly as ever, and so does a paper entitled "A Visit to Handa." The remainder of the contents are on matters specially connected with the purpose of the journal. THE TOWN OF TOYS. By Sarah Wood. (London: Groombridge and Sons, Paternoster Row.)-This pretty story, which appeals to the natural and best aspirations of young hearts, forms the second part of the second volume of Magnet Stories," a series of juvenile tales, which do infinite credit to both authors and publisher. Home-affections, the love of occupation, invention, and the final crown of success which awaits the little German boy, Franz, are the pleasant materials wherewith Miss Wood has woven her interesting narratve, which we know will find ready appreciation on the part of thousands of little readers; and, we may add, on that of children of a larger growth also, judging from the pleasure with which we have from time to time perused the series, AMUSEMENTS OF THE MONTH. pleased with the acting of the company altogether therein. Miss Fanny Stirling, who played Miss Hardcastle, pourtrayed the character with natural ease and pretty vivacity, that fully merited the applause they evoked. A new comedy, called "A Duke in Difficulties," has also been produced, and appears to have been chiefly marked by the acting of Mrs. and Miss daughter. The plot seems in the opinion of all Stirling, who played the parts of mother and to be cumbrous, and the dialogue flat. The gist of the story is the assumption by a company of actors of the posts and dignities of a German Ducal Court, the ministers of which have all resigned office, leaving their sovereign in the dilemma, until provided with mimic dignitaries Polonius, with Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern, in the shape of the players. At and his soliloquy : DRURY LANE, Mr. and Mrs. Kean have been replaced by Mr. and Mrs. C. Mathews. Mr. Kean took his benefit on the 28th of February, on which occasion he played Richard III. with a fire and energy which evoked thunders of applause from a thickly-crowded house. He made a short speech at the conclusion, mentioning that he had accepted an engagement for a limited number of nights next winter at Drury Lane, and on his retiring was greeted with a perfect ovation, the whole pit rising and waving their hats. The Drama of "The Savannah" has been produced here, Mr. and Mrs. C. Mathews supporting the principal parts. It is a melodrama full of striking situations and scenic effects. The plot turns on the adventures of a young Englishman, Will Wandel (Mr. C. Mathews) in recovering the inheritance of a Spanish girl, Rita Fuelde (Mrs. C. Mathews), whom he ultimately marries. If, however, the first act has not been revised since we witnessed the performance, we would strenuously advise judicious "cutting." We next must glance at THE PRINCESS's, where Mr. Fechter appeared for the first time as Hamlet, on the 20th of February. His performance was a fine one, and evinced a careful study of the play. His pronunciation of English is, with the exception of a few words, wonderfully good. His best scenes were those with 66 Why, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!" &c. His worst scene, in our opinion, was that with Heath. The scenery, dresses, and stage busiOphelia, who was touchingly rendered by Miss ness were good. Taking a look at the little, but fascinating STRAND, we see the comedy of "Court Favour" has been playing, the principal part being taken by Miss Marie Wilton, with a lady-like ease and grace that much adorn the character. The farce, entitled "Hit Him, he has no Friends," which on some nights preceded it, was valuable in one sense-namely, as a foil to set-off the comedy, for a more clumsily written and stupid production in the shape of farce it was never our lot to see. At THE OLYMPIC, Here the staple piece de resistance has been a play called "The Chimney Corner," by Mr. Craven, affording scope to Mr. Robson's peculiar style of acting. It has met with merited approbation, and is well written and put on the stage. we must bring our present article to a conclusion, though we shall have even too great a profusion of new entertainments to record in our next. We trust that all our readers are play-goers; and, acting upon the hope, we shall invariably endeavour to present them with as large a choice of amusement as we can, albeit venturing to point out what is most worthy of attention. But it is time, for the present, to conclude our remarks, bearing in mind "Quicquid præcipies esto brevis." W. R. VOCAL ASSOCIATION, ST. JAMES'S HALL. This society has established a well-earned popularity, and may now fairly be considered one of the best-drilled and most efficient of our many metropolitan choirs. Its fifth season has just opened, and the first subscription concert of the series took place under the most favourable circumstances-judging from the appearance of the beautiful hall, which was filled with a fashionable and discriminating audience. The programme was excellent, and included two chorales by Luther, harmonized by J. Sebastian Bach, which were carefully executed by the choir. The appearance of the Quintet Union was a marked feature of the entertainment; and, although the performance of these artists was admirable, and Onslow a composer whose works are too little regarded, and whom one is delighted to listen to at a chamber concert, the quintet was not on the whole appreciated, and indeed was scarcely suited to the taste of a large and mixed audience. The solo singers were Miss Banks, and Madame Laura Baxter, both of whom won deserved applause. Nothing could be more delightful than the characteristic and sparkling song, with chorus for female voices (from Benedict's "Undine"), "Mark the waves that rippling play," and Miss Banks's clear warbling of it produced a spontaneous encore. Madame Laura Baxter afterwards merited the same compliment in the talented conductor's popular song from the " Bride of Venice" ("By the sad Sea Waves"), which was perfected by the com poser's personal accompaniment. Of Miss Goddard's performance it is unnecessary to speak: her skilful manipulation and wonderful mastery of the resources of her instrument always command the admiration of her audience. Of the part songs-of which, by the way, there were fewer than usual-the gems of the evening 66 were Benedict's charming cradle-song, "Sweet repose is reigning now," Francisco Berger's Lovely Night," and Bishop's "Where art thou, beam of light?" The next of these delightful concerts will take place on the evening of April the 3rd. HORTICULTURAL GARDEN 8, SOUTH KENSINGTON. South Kensington, already popular as the site of the valuable and interesting collections known as the South Kensington Museum, will shortly offer to the public another attractive feature, in the new gardens of the Horticultural Society, which it is intended to open early in June. The ground they occupy is a space of some twenty acres in extent, quadrilateral in figure, and, with a natural incline of thirty feet, which allows of an ample fall for the water, of which considerable use will be made, a lakelet, fountains, and canals being in course of preparation. This incline in the formation of the ground, also permits of a succession of slopes and easy flights of steps, and terraces, already so far advanced, that, having availed ourselves of the courteous invitation of the Council to the fellows of the Society and their friends, we are in a position to give our readers a few of the details of the general design. The entrance, not more than one hundred yards' distant from the South Kensington Museum (when finished) will be through an oblong hall or vestibule, lighted from above, and ornamented with pilasters and mirrors; from this a corridor leads to the garden by a flight of steps, which meets the centre walk of the garden, to be hereafter ornamented with statues. On either side of the enclosure-east, west, north, and south-extends a continuous arcade, the monotony of which is wisely broken at intervals by various designs at different elevations, from the several schools of Italian architecture. But the most striking feature will be the Grand Conservatory (two-hundred-andfifty feet long), and to which the beautiful colonnade of Ionic pillars on either hand, will look like additional wings. As it is intended to give visitors the advantages of a winter garden, this colonnade will at all seasons afford a sheltered promenade, while on thero of a balustraded balcony, at an elevation of some fifty feet above the lowest level of the grounds, will admit of a delightful view of the whole. It is intended, we hear, to continue this ele vated promenade at some future time, when the funds of the society will admit of it, on two sides of the garden; leaving the south arcade, which is exceedingly beautiful in its design, free from all excrescences on its light and graceful architecture. Byzantine in style, with arches subdivided by slender shafts of terra cotta, with spiral mouldings, and flower-wreaths, and other ornaments of the richest and most elegant designs— even in its present unfinished state, this portion of the arcade delights the spectator by the exquisite lightness of its proportions and the beauty of its ornamentation. The covered way is broken at intervals by alcoves and recesses, in which fountains, statuary, and flowers will be placed, while others will serve as orchestras on Féte days, and the whole will afford pleasant shade from the sun, and shelter from the rain; nothing like it is at present to be found in any of our public gardens. On the raised terrace, opposite the great Conservatory, a group in bronze commemorative of the Exhibition of 1851, (in process of execution by Mr. Denham), will be placed; and below this, will extend the sheet of water, or lakelet, we before mentioned, to be supplied by an artesian well at the rate of forty gallons of water per minute; besides this, there will be basins for Nymphæa and other aquatic plants. Already groups of exquisite Deodars and other trees, grouped here and there, give beauty and diversity to the ground, which (as we have said) is broken by banks of turf, and terraces of flowers, and shallow flights of steps and statuary-all intersected by canals, through which a continuous stream is kept up by means of a double-action pump. One curious feature of the garden is the introduction of beds of coloured clay, gravel, slate, and Derbyshire spar, dilineated in quaint patterns, with edgings of box, and intended to supply colour when the brighter flowers shall have passed away. There is to be a vacant space left for Floral Exhibitions; an enclosure devoted to American | we hear that the refreshment department promises plants; an aviary is projected; and a maze of ample provision-an essential addition to an hornbeam and holly, after the fashion of Hamp- attractive place of information and amusementton Court, about a quarter of an acre in extent. such as the South Kensington Horticultural Added to these attractions for general visitors, Gardens promise to become. FIRST FIGURE.-Walking dress of light | style is generally reserved for grand toilets, or green silk, ornamented with plaitings about four evening-dress. Sleeves vary much in form and inches deep, between rows of black lace. Body fashion, and yet there is nothing absolutely new : high and round. Sleeves open, half large, what were worn last month are worn this. The trimmed like the skirt. Lace epaulets, and principal fabrics are French moires (plain or Duchess bow of lace at the waist. Long Indian striped), moire antique, taffetas gros grain, or cashmere shawl. Mauve crape bonnet, trimmed sprinkled with bouquets, with plain and fancy with feathers and black lace. silks. These latter offer an extreme variety. SECOND FIGURE.-Silk robe of a checked pattern, claret and black. Body square in front, à la Raphaël. Sleeve half-wide, slit up underneath. The whole bordered with black velvet. Long jacket of pearl-gray woollen poplin, trimmed with a plaiting of claret ribbon; and finished with pockets, and lappels on the body. Muslin chemisette and under-sleeves. Bonnet of white spotted blonde tulle, and claret silk. On the right, a tuft of flowers of the same colour. Inside the front, a tuft of similar White flowers with loops of black velvet. blond down the cheeks. Parasol of claret velvet. Spring-time and autumn are the seasons most favourable for the shawl. It is therefore imfor possible to overlook it in my present letter; of all vestments the shawl is the most aristocratic. Only there is an art in wearing it which all women do not possess. N'importe, so that it is attached at the throat and falls lightly over the shoulders. It comports at this season with every kind of dress. For simple walking dress, black silk and alpaca robes are much in vogue. The skirts are frequently trimmed with narrow flounces, graduated and varying in number from a dozen to fourteen. Others are only trimmed with little flounces placed en tablier in front. Corsages remain high and buttoned, and are worn either round or pointed, though this latter Bonnets remain a mixture of shades and materials, and in general are very varied in their ornaments. For instance: one model is of white tulle-blond spotted with black, the bavolet and the front of plain mauve velvet. On the side of the bonnet, a bouquet of mauve feathers, fringed with white; in the interior a bandeau of mauve velvet flowers, with brides of mauve velvet. Another is of mingled white velvet épinglé, and plain velvet rose Trianon, ornamented at the side with a bouquet of roses de Trianon. Bonnets for the theatre or concertroom are generally of crape or lace; sometimes of crape and silk, ornamented with flowers or plumes. Flat ornaments of passementerie were never so beautiful and varied. Buttons-oval and round and lozenge-shaped-are all in favour. Lace is greatly worn, and fancy buttons in silk and velvet are frequently surrounded with it. Quilted bonnets, I should have told you, are still in favour. In some of the gored dresses, where each separate breadth of a plain skirt is gored, one edge of each breadth is trimmed and made to lay over the next: it is a pretty style in some materials, but few persons like to waste the material and prevent all future alterations by turnings upside down-at least, few whom economy is a consideration. persons with |