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Literature.

John Sutton and Son's Seed and Plant List for 1854.-Sutton and Sons, Reading Nurseries, Berks. Stamped for post.-There is much to admire in the general arrangement of this catalogue, being a complete list of seeds and choice plants known in the horticultural world, at the same time offering such information as will benefit and otherwise facilitate the connoisseur or practical man in horticultural pursuits. The list of fruit trees deserve especial notice, consisting of all the choice English and foreign sorts with the latest novelties. We strongly recommend the pamphlet to the notice of our readers.

Instructions for brewing Porter, Stout, and Ale. C. Clarkson, 9, Avery-row, Bond-street.-This clever and unpretending little brochure has been considerably enlarged, with extra notes by the author, which tend more clearly to enlighten amateurs on the art of brewing in a cheap form.

West of England Agricultural and Horticultural Establishment, Union Road, Plymouth.-Messrs. William E. Rendle and Co.'s Catalogue and Price Current of Forest Trees, Shrubs, and Fruit Trees for 1854.-Round our great metropolis thousands of gardens are in a neglected and uncultivated state merely for want of knowledge to turn them into paradise for a trifling cost, while much money is weekly wasted and muddled away among a parcel of stinted lilacs, and old currant bushes. To such parties we would say, take a glance at Rendle and Co.'s catalogue, where will be found a rich collection of all the latest and most novel kinds of forest trees, shrubs, and fruit trees. From this catalogue much information may be gleaned, put forth in a concise form and which so well merits the patronage of the public.

Messrs. Standish and Noble's Catalogue of Ornamental plants and Fruit Trees. Nursery, Bagshot, Surrey.-In calling public attention to several new catalogues of horticultural and floricultural plants and seeds for 1854, we have done so with a view to make known to connoisseurs and lovers of floriculture, &c., the very many novelties whose names appear in those books, and which are so easily obtained by post of the above firms. For ourselves we have been literally astonished to witness the progress made in the fine collections in this catalogue, which we strongly recommend to public notice.

PEONIA MOUTAN.

Of the many remarkable plants imported by us from China, these, if judged by the size and beauty of their flowers, are among the most attractive. In the magnitude of their individual blossoms, in the diversity and richness of their colours, as well as in the profusion in which they are produced, nothing remains to be desired. The follow

ing sketch will afford an idea of their general characters. First of colour; of white there are examples unsurpassed in intensity and clearness by any other flower, not excepting even the old double white Camellia. Of rose colours there are many shades, as well as of purples, and one rivalling the richness of the Tuscan rose. Then there is pale blush, light red, deep red, salmon colour, primrose, peach colour, and crimson; with various other tints and combinations of those already mentioned. Some of the light-coloured ones have the bases of their petals deeply stained with red or purple: others are delicately shaded. Most of the flowers are very double; some are, however, only semi-double, the latter generally have the petals stained as described. In shape, many are finely cupped; more resemble the finest rose, and others have anemone flowers. Of the last named, a white and a deep red are fine examples. In size, too, they are remarkable; some of the flowers produced last season, and from small plants, measured eight, ten, and twelve inches across. Plants in the autumn, 21s. each, or a collection of 20 kinds for 15 guineas.

Paris Fashions, for March, 1854.

From our own Correspondent, Rue de Richelieu, à Paris, (Fev. 23.)

MA CHERE AMIE, -Among the beautiful and varied materials the lama d'oree is much in favour. Ball dresses are worn with three and four skirts, each skirt having a gold border; some are spotted with gold, others sprinkled with gold stars. Organdies are a favourite material also, pale pink and blue being, next to white, the colours most in favour; they are made with flounces nearly to the waist. Some ladies are patronising the puffed sleeve similar to those given in a former number. There is little alteration in the form of bonnets this month feathers and feather trimming are still much worn; broad black lace sewn at the edge of front, and forming a fall, is likely to be much in favour.

Ball dresses of tulle, with triple skirts, are very elegant, trimmed with bands of marabout, often having flowers interspersed. The rage for feather trimmings continues undiminished, and endless are the variety of means devised to introduce them; even berthes are seen of them but bands, cordons, touffes, resilles for the head, the corsage, the skirt, the bonnet, the cloak on all are admitted.

Tulle dresses are still much infavour for ball dress, sometimes in triple skirts or covered with flounces to the waist, each flounce edged with guipure bouillons or ruches, sometimes suited to the triple skirts. The taffetas dresses are sometimes with a deep flounce covered by another of blond, which may be prettily finished by a small wreath or cordon of flowers, forming heading; a second flounce of blond from the

waist renders this a very elegant toilette. Berthes are much used, and if not of blond or resilles, are ornamented to correspond with the trimming of the skirt; marabout is often seen on them; the short sleeves are rather bouffante. White tulle dresses with double and triple skirts are very elegant embroidered in gold and silver, and though more simple, perhaps prettier embroidered in coloured silks; sometimes the two upper skirts are raised in drapery at each side by bunches of flowers or bows of ribbon with ends.

Visiting Dress.-Many dresses are composed of rich black silk; the skirt trimmed with two deep bands of blue plush. The corsage made high, fastened in front with little bows of plush. The basques are lined with plush. The sleeves are composed of volants, placed one above another, ornamented with bands of plush. For dinner, or for the evening, open en cœur. Plush is generally adopted for trimming flounces, &c. Sleeves are sometimes full at the top; sometimes with creves François I. below; sometimes opened from the top to the bottom, above and underneath, Turkish fashion; some squared and some rounded below; others turned back and trimmed with ruches of ribbon-fringe, or lace. The skirts are worn very long: all those for dinner and evening dress form a little train behind. (See our plates for February.) In thick materials the skirts are made always with large flat plaits in light materials; they are gathered full. For balldresses, gauzes with gold or silver spots are in great favour, Coiffures in white marabout, with gold stars and a frosting of gold, are worn with them.

Chapeaux et Capotes.-No alteration has taken place in the shapes of chapeaux and capotes. It was expected that the severe weather we have had would have caused the brims of both to be deeper and closer: such, certainly, is not generally the case, but that style has been adopted by a few elegant women. Veils have also increased in favour. Beaver chapeaux, though still partially adopted in plain morning promenade dress, are not considered fashionable. Capotes of satin, velvet, and, in some instances, of exquisitely fine cloth, are most in favour the two former are either drawn or bouillonnee; the latter is lightly bouillonnee, with plain spaces between, embroidered in narrow silk braiding of the colour of the cloth.

Redingotes.-This elegant part of our toilette has been composed of droguet or popeline, fastening down the front with bows and ends of ribbon; the body is made in folds, and crosses a little at the waist. Taffetas dresses are being ornamented with biais of velvet, &c., on the skirt, instead of flounces, and revers on the body and cuffs on the sleeves of velvet in rich dark colours; black velvet forms a pretty contrast. A complete contrast to these are dresses of black taffetas with trimmings of coloured velvets, but black on black is always pretty. Many of the redingotes are also ornamented with bands of velvet up the skirt in the tablier or apron style.

Some velvet chapeaux of different shades of green, blue, and rosecolour, are trimmed on the exterior with a wreath of marabout tips,

in different shades of the colour of the chapeau; the interior of the brim is covered with blonde lace, intermingled with small flowers of various hues, and little ornaments of ribbon.

New Materials.-The materials for evening and ball robes, for grand parties, are of the most splendid kind, see our plates for February. For evening robes, there are several new silks of a slighter texture, beautifully broche either in gold, silver, or velvet, or in patterns so admirably executed in the loom, that they might pass for embroidery. The corsages of these robes are always low, and for the most part, round at the bottom. A few points and demi points are Lace is a seen, but though still fashionable, they are not numerous. great deal employed for flounces, which are almost the only garniture adopted for evening robes. Black lace is more in vogue than it has been for several years, though not so much so as white.

Adieu, ma chère amie,

Toujours a toi,

M. de W.

The Drama.

The ITALIAN OPERA will open about the middle of March, with all'. the favourites of last season. Verdi is writing a new opera for RanThe same composer's coni, founded on Shakespeare's "King Lear."

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opera, "Il Trovatore," is likely to be produced at the same house. There is a report that Her Majesty's Theatre also will re-open, under the direction of Mr. Lumley, who is actively employed in making engagements upon the continent. So that there is a prospect of a good

musical season before us.

Drury Lane.—On Monday evening Mr. Brocke appeared in " Macbeth," and more than sustained his reputation in the arduous character of the Thane. It was (what so few Macbeths are) an even, yet a powerful delineation; the energy of the actor never flagging, but the contrary, up to the grand climax of his fate.

THE PRINCESS's has witnessed Mr. Charles Kean's performance of Hamlet-the best on the English stage. The intense intellectuality of the character is finely developed in union with famine and suffering. The refinement and grace, too, of the princely Dane, was never lost sight of. The theatre has been densely crowned.

At the HAYMARKET, a new trifle, entitled "Ranelagh." very lively, and after the Congreve model, has been produced with most complete success. Mr. Buckstone, Mrs. Fitzwilliam, Mr. G. Vandenhoff, Mr. W. Farren, Mr. Clarke, and Miss Reynolds, are the clever

executants.

THE OLYMPIC.-We much regret that we cannot record the success of a new piece, apparently of German origin. All that the talented manager could do was done; but poorness of dialogue, and faulty con-struction, foiled his efforts.

Sadler's Wells.-We had hoped that more spirit would have prevailed at this once well-conducted theatre, and something in the shape of novelty would have been produced.

Exhibitions.

HIBERNIAN HALL, REGENT-STREET.-Talking of representations, reminds us that the talented originator of the entertainment at the Hibernian Hall, Mrs. Gibbs (late Miss Graddon), has published a very pleasing and life-like portrait of herself, which such of our readers as have listened to her rich, sweet voice, in bygone days-or more recently in the Irish ballads, with which she illustrates that "land of song," the Emerald Isle-will be happy to avail themselves of.

ANATOMICAL MUSEUM.-Dr. Kahn has removed his incomparable collection of wax anatomical models to the Salle Robin, where we would recommend all people who desire to acquire a knowledge of their own structure, to visit them. The lectures daily delivered by a well-informed physician, are of inestimable value, and are, moreover, divested of all technical phrases likely to complicate the subject.

J. R. SMITH'S MONT BLANC, LEICESTER-SQUARE.-It is now universally admitted that this exhibition far surpasses any other of the kind, a proof of which is that the saloon is crowded with fashionables both afternoon and evening.

THE EARTHMEN, 71, QUADRANT, Regent-STREET.-These interesting little creatures still command a large share of public patronage. They are the only specimen of the above race ever introduced to the European, and from their symmetrical beauty and pleasing manner, form an exhibition as attractive as it is novel.

WOODIN'S CARPET BAG AND SKETCH BOOK. Regent Gallery, 69, Quadrant. No expense has been spared in fitting up this exhibition for the better accommodation of the public, whose patronage to Mr. Woodin's performances has been on an extensive scale, and deservedly so. Several new characters and other novelties have been introduced, rendering the exhibition one of the first in the metropolis. Visitors to the sights of London must not omit a peep into the carpet-bag.

Various Things from Various Sources.

THE RESPIRATOR VEIL.-Among the useful accessories to the toilette, the Respirator Veil has become an important, and we might say an indispensable, appendage. They are manufactured from the real Shetland wool, and specially adapted for invalids during damp or hazy atmosphere, or, as they are beautifully got up, may be worn by ladies at any time. Manufactured by J. Locke, 119, Regent

street.