upon the present dearth of entertainment, the degeneracy of actors, and the decadence of the drama...... No, no, no, Mr. Reviewer, you are too apt to be severe: with you,s somebody said of another somebody, the milk of human kindness has turned sour. I perfectly remember your sweeping condemnation of the new comedy brought forward by What's-his-name, written by his principal, or interesting, if you prefer the term, actress. Why, at the time the press was teeming with praise of the piece, I mean comedy, of which an influential journal spoke in the highest strain of eulogy. So much for your censure......Admitted, my excellent friend, but poor philosopher; but listen to the commentary on the panegyric to which you refer. "I tell you it is entirely barren of all the essentials of comedy," observed one. "How can that be?" replied his friend; "when the speaks of it in such glowing terms?" "Ah," returned the first," Mrs. in the best private box in the house, in the first Fashion.' And this, in other instances, is the keystone, my friend, to the indiscriminate adulation lavished upon tragedy, comedy, melo-drama, burlesque, farce, or indeed in whatever form the nostrum may be prepared, which the manager endeavours to thrust down the throat of the patient public. Again, Mr. Manager accepts such and such adaptation of Mr. Moss Isaacs, because the said gentleman is connected with the Well, the piece called new or original, although taken from the French, is produced, and of course the affair is spoken of as highly successful, &c. And so on the scissors and paste are made use of until the translator is translated himself. - was But here, our friend will not wait any longer; we therefore have no alternative but to accompany him. What's this? a broadside as long as a modern list of burglaries, all about the GRAND NATIONAL CONCERTS. Well, let us enter Her Majesty's Theatre, which is so metamorphosed, that it is fair to suppose that Mr. Lumley on his return from the continent will hardly know his own theatre. All his elegant draperies and decorations are removed for substitutes of pink glazed gingham, for all the world like those curtains which surround the couches of the recumbent figures in wax in the toy-shops-and that's the grandeur. Hark! and listen to "God save the Queen" being sung by foreigners-that's the nationality. So much for the Grand National Concerts; the programme of which cannot be depended on, as it does not furnish the slightest explanation concerning the most remarkable performance, which is unquestionably that contributed by the directors blowing their own trumpets. Now, in quest of the best entertainment our theatres can boast of, no better cast can be made than the LYCEUM, where it is cheering to behold several old favourites. Amongst whom, first and foremost, ranks Madame Vestris, who plays her part in the best novelty of the season, "My Heart's Idol," with all that winning witchery and smooth-like polished manner for which she is so famous: and then the taste that distinguishes her appointments in all particulars is undeniable. Next comes her husband; and where, in any one respect, is to be found a better actor than Charles Mathews? It is true his abilities have not full scope in "Serve Him Right "-a translation from the French-not to be mentioned for liveliness of incident or brilliancy of dialogue; but on the other hand, the excessive tediousness of action, and the common place character of ideas throughout, tend only to promote drowsiness. The very reverse can be fairly said of the piece already spoken of, "My Heart's Idol" being full of sparkling sayings and well-turned periods. The acting of Mr. George Vining gives promise. Although it would be incorrect to class one of whom a word must be expressed amongst "old favourites," it would be an act of omission not to be par doned to leave out all mention of Miss St. George. This improving actress takes the part originally sustained by Madame Vestris in the "Olympic Devils," and the style of her rendering this character is right worthy of the reputation of this rising actress. Talking of the OLYMPIC raises a wish on the part of our friend to visit the theatre of that ilk; but as he has no desire to remain there, it being a matter of impossibility to hear the principal performer, and the operation of straining the auricular organs to catch those inarticulate sounds being extremely painful, we will at once hurry from the neighbourhood of Wych-street. Yes, here you are in Oxford-street!...... The PRINCESS's, I thought, was managed by Mr. Maddox ?...... So it was; but now he is succeeded by Messrs. Kean and Keeley, who, in their thorough determination to emulate their predecessor in his saving ways, have adopted the most efficacious means of pursuing a mode of management which shall be the very reverse of extravagant...... Surely you do not mean to assert that the present conductors intend that their potato-dealer shall take out his account in orders ?...... Certainly not; but this you may rest assured of being a fact, that Messrs. Kean and Keeley in following out their economical plan have hit upon the expediency of engaging, to perform the office of secretary to the establishment, the peripatetic individual who with the wand, brush, and paste adorns the dead walls of the metropolis with the announcements of their theatre...... You are jesting. ......It's a positive fact, and for your satisfaction you shall have ocular demonstration of the caligraphic powers of the industrious gentleman in question...... Well, that's very rich, I don't mean the grammar...... "The Stranger," with Mr. and Mrs. Kean as Mr. and Mrs. Haller, notwithstanding Mrs. Kean's at all times admirable acting this maudlin stuff, will not do. Depend upon it, the best criticism on this dreamy and dreary composition is to be found in the "Rejected Addresses." So, with the advice to the new managers to bring forward novelty, we will, with your permission, adjourn to The POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION, where Mr. Barker is delivering an excellent lecture on English Ballads, at the same time affording illustrations of his subject. Bravo! Mr. Barker, your touch of the pianoforte is that of a musician, while your voice is heard to infinitely greater advantage than in a theatre. Listen to the "Wreck of the Irish Emigrant Family"-a composition of much merit, affording another instance of the genius of the Sheridan family, the author being no other than Lady Dufferin...... You have had your round, aye, and subscribe to the opinion we offered on setting out; but "fly not yet!" for on the 7th instant DRURY LANE is to be opened for the Annual Concerts of Jullien the Incomparable, when you may rely upon having the best of entertainment, and let those who decry the class of music provided by this popular conductor study these words of The Spectator, "I shall add no more to what I have offered, than that music, architecture, and painting, as well as poetry and oratory, are to deduce their laws and rules from the general sense and taste of mankind, and not from the principles of those arts themselves; or, in other words, the taste is not to conform to the art, but the art to the taste. Music is not designed to please only chromatic ears, but all that are capable of distinguishing harsh from disagreeable notes. A man of ordinary ear is a judge whether a passion is expressed in proper sounds, and whether the melody of those sounds be more or less pleasing." STATE OF THE ODDS, &c. SALE OF BLOOD STOCK AT NEWMARKET BY MESSRS. The property of the late Earl of Albemarle. G8. The Emperor (foaled 1841), by Defence, dam by Reveller (sold to go to 600 Yearling Filly, by The Emperor, out of Spangle (Bolingbroke's dam); 210 The property of Lord Orford. 35 Arsenic, brood mare, by The Colonel, out of Arsena; covered by Slane 120 Yearling Colt, by Arundel, out of Bay Dorothy; in a Sweepstakes, 50 each (allowed 31b.), A.F., First Spring, and the Epsom Derby, 1852 50 Zegri (brother to Ziska); in the Clearwell, Prendergast, and Criterion Stakes, 1850, 2 yrs. Pimento, yearling colt, by Arundel, d. Arsenic ; in the Chesterfield Stakes 1851 40 40 .... 31 30 Yearling Filly, by Arundel, out of Mandane; in the Bretby Stakes, Bay Filly, by Arundel, out of Mangosteen; in the 1,000 Guineas Stakes, The property of Mr. Bulkeley. Hope, by Sleight-of-hand, out of Canezou's dam, 4 yrs.... . . Chesnut Filly, by Pantaloon, d. by Master Henry-Eliza, by Soothsayer, 23 3 yrs..... The Roman, by Pompey, out of Guile, by Touchstone, 2 yrs. Labyrinth, by Minotaur, out of Malaga, by Glencoe, out of Falernia, by The property of Sir J. Hawley. Slang, b. h. by Slane, dam Lupin, by Bay Middleton-Orville, 3 yrs... 47 Mr. Rolt has sold Collingwood to Mr. Shelley for a long price, as a stud horse, and Mr. Pedley Old Dan Tucker to Mr. E. R. Clark. At a meeting of the Jockey Club, held at Newmarket on Wednesday in the Second October Meeting, it was resolved "That any horse running for a selling stake or plate shall be liable to be claimed by the owner of any other horse in the race for the price for which he is entered to be sold, and the amount of the stake, the owner of the second horse to be first entitled to claim. "That in future a feather weight shall be considered 48t., and the usual declaration made when a jockey intends to carry more than that weight." A proposition was brought forward that the weighing stand at the end of the Beacon Course should be pulled down, and another built beyond the rails; an estimate was ordered to be made of the expense of rebuilding the stand. A suggestion was also made as to the propriety of moving the winning-post a little further back, so as to allow more room for pulling up; and it was resolved that the 100 sovs. plate on Tuesday in the Houghton Meeting should finish at the proposed ending, in order to ascertain what would be the effect on the view of the race from the Portland Stand, which is opposite the present winning-post. The attention of the ring has been so engaged on the many courses served up in succession for them during the October Meetings, as to leave our Derby record-the only race we have now to write on-of no great length or importance. One prominent feature, however, is still included in it-the advent of Prime Minister, who either by looks or deeds ought by this to have taken the place his sponsors promised for him. As it is, he is fast reaching Grecian, and the winter struggle between them promises to be long and interesting, though our own notion is that the Danebury nag will give way. Next in rank and fame we have The Squire, just at this moment very strong with his Mountain Sylph colt, on "the proof" of having beaten a highly-talked-of field for the Criterion. He won his race in very clever form, and will no doubt continue in great force during the off season. Beyond this trio come as in-and-out a lot as we ever remember to have made up a show with; but with plenty of excuse and do-better-hereafter recommendations for those who incline to them. The above meagre table is made up from the four Mondays we usually base our amount of business on. The following, however, from the Wednesday and Thursday of the Second October Meeting are more interesting and comprehensive; though of course the prices of many included have materially altered ere this : 6 to 1 agst. Grecian 7 to 1 18 to 1 22 to 1 Prime Minister (tk.) Ariosto EMBELLISHMENTS. MR. JOHN PURSER, OF THE CARDINGTON CLUB; WITH HIS DOGS ENGRAVED BY E. HACKER, FROM A PAINTING BY G. F. DAY. THE SHOOTING SEASON; WITH A FEW PRACTICAL REMARKS UPON GUNS, GAME, AND DOGS.-BY SARON THE COURSE OF THE COURSE.-BY HARRY HIEOVER MR. JOHN PURSER, OF THE CARDINGTON CLUB ; DOGS PANSY AND PILOT.-BY CASTOR A VISIT ON BOARD THE UNITED STATES FRIGATE ST. LAW- |