tricks, the former are now-a-days only to be remembered for their excessive dreariness, whilst the latter can only be mentioned for their entire poverty of invention. Mr. Anderson has hoisted the standard of the Legitimate Drama at DRURY LANE, and thus far success has crowned his efforts to restore the disbanded troop to its old quarters. Every credit is due to the present manager for the thorough determination he has exhibited of collecting together under his banner as many of those celebrated in their art as it was possible for him to effect engagements with. Indeed, in explaining his object on the opening night, he very becomingly observed that there were many performers of repute that he could have wished to have enrolled amongst his company, but whose engagements elsewhere his sense of honour would not allow him to disturb. As it is, the names of Vandenhoff, Bennett, Cooper, Vining, Emery, and Anderson can be mentioned, together with those of Mesdames Glover, Nisbett, Vandenhoff, Laura Addison, Phillips. The prices of admission are on a scale of economy commensurate with an age abounding in cheap everything, from a guinea-and-a-half book reduced to a shilling, down to the threepenny omnibuses and halfpenny boats; in fact, an age when all is cheap but meat, funerals, and railway travelling. It is certainly marvellous to consider that a man may take his family to Drury Lane and occupy a private box, for which he is only expected in return to disburse a guinea. What would the ghost of Spring say to this? "Harlequin and Good Queen Bess," by the author of the most successful pantomime of last season, appears to suit the taste of the lovers of mirth and merriment, judging from the anxious crowds that have poured in from the commencement of the season. The pantomimists, consisting of the Deulin family, Stilt, and Madame Theodore, exert themselves to the utmost; and it must be confessed that on witnessing their feats it becomes a matter of speculation whether their elasticity proceeds from their being spirits of air, or from the fact of their composition consisting chiefly of caoutchouc. Omission must not be made of the eminent characters that figure in the opening the representatives of Lords Bacon, Burleigh, and Leicester, Amy Robsart, "her lovely babby," and the "Good Queen Bess," will one and all please to consider this passing tribute to their gigantic exertions as a special vote of thanks. Mr. Webster has achieved another success at the HAYMARKET in the production of a piece of bijouterie, entitled "The Ninth Statue; or The Jewels and The Gem," from the ever-pointed pens of the Brothers Brough. This seasonable offering is crammed full of jokes, sarcastic hits, and humorous allusions to the follies of the day, the enunciation of which is attended with nightly shouts that loudly attest the keen relish entertained by the auditory. When it is added that the exponents are Miss P. Horton, Miss Fitzwilliam, James Bland, Selby, and Munyard, it can easily be conceived that the sparkling dialogue of the authors loses none of its brilliancy. Alasman, a young dissipated monarch, is acted to the life by Miss Horton, whose style of rendering the parodies that fall to her share is unexceptionable. Miss Fitzwilliam, as Zuleika, makes her first appearance on these boards in " Perfection," according to the play-bills, to which authorities who can take exception? Munyard gives his songs with great glee, and James Bland and Selby sustain their well-earned reputation for burlesque capabilities. The Countess D'Anois, Madame Vestris, and Mr. Planchè are three proper names which are very properly looked for as adorning the affichè of the LYCEUM every Easter and Christmas. To the combined efforts of the above enumerated, together with those of Mr. Beverley, the public owes-and Madame Vestris declares shall pay with its gold too for the Jewels-a considerable debt of gratitude for the gratification derived from witnessing many, many witty, clever, humourous, and amusing productions. Not least among the category is the novelty entitled "The Island of Jewels," which is indeed a gem in its way, and in no one else's. It abounds with pointed parodies, and well aimed shafts of humour, such as no one but Planchè can fire. The scenery is of that dazzling description, the gorgeousness of which, if possible, really surpasses the many striking illustrations of pictorial art which have emanated from the brush of Mr. Beverley. The singing and acting of Madame Vestris and of Miss Julia St. George contribute in a main degree to the unequivocal success which has attended the representation of this amusing extravaganza. "King Jamie, or Harlequin and the Magic Fiddle," has met with success at the PRINCESS's, not a little of which is attributable to the clever clown of Flexmore. There may be those who exclaim-"He is not a Grimaldi!”-certainly not; but what may be deemed a great deal better than a mere copy, he has struck out quite a new path, and a very grotesque and artistic one it is: for the originality developed he richly merits the favourable fiat which has stamped his efforts in pantomime. While giving attention to the music of " Mina," ludicrously styled in the bills" a new opera," we are forcibly reminded of the man of memory, when listening to a sermon during which he continually cried aloud the names of the divines from whom the right reverend lover of the "appropriation clause," had filched his discourse. Mr. Maddox undoubtedly has furnished a cheap musical entertainment, no one can deny, after attending the representation of an opera made up of the most finished pieces of the greatest composers. An elegant and well proportioned building has sprung up on the site of the old OLYMPIC. A capacious and well arranged staircase leads from the entrance in Wych-street to the boxes, the pit entrance being in the same street, while the entrance to the gallery is in Newcastle-street, an alteration certainly for the better. The general tone of the house is harmonious and pleasing, not a little contributed by a splendid chandelier, shedding a lustre of uncommon brilliancy The stage is exceedingly well contrived, and the formation of the theatre is such that the audience can see from all parts of the boxes, pit, or gallery. The entertainments have consisted of "The Two Gentlemen of Verona," and "Laugh and Grow Fat, or Harlequin Nutcracker." In the comedy, which has been excellently put on the stage, the decorations and dresses being in good taste, many old favourites have appeared, and have met with a hearty welcome. Compton's Launce is a Shaksperian performance, redolent of oily humour; Conway makes a very good Proteus; and Miss Fanny Vining and Mrs. Seymour as Julia and Sylvia acquit themselves in a highly creditable manner. Albeit the pantomime is enriched with the aid of Tom Matthews as Clown, and Mr. Cormack and Miss Malcolm are unquestionably very agile representations of Harlequin and Columbine: it would be erroneous to lead any candidate for obese honours to indulge in the supposition that his object would be attained by witnessing this Christmas absurdity. The company includes Messrs. Brooke, Compton, Wigan, John Reeve, and Mrs. Mowatt, and a host of auxiliaries to carry out the enterprising plan of the spirited lessee and manager, Mr. Watts. The ST. JAMES's is to be opened on the 7th instant, when Mr. Mitchell will commence his season of French opera with Halevy's Le Val D'Andorre, in which that universal favourite Charton will appear. From the numerous applications from members of the haut ton to be enrolled as season subscribers, it is fair to augur a season of unwonted brilliancy for the indefatigable manager. 66 The directors of the POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION have well studied the requirements of their Christmas visitors, and have accordingly provided novelties that have proved to be a store of delight and instruction. The new set of dissolving views of London as it was in the sixteenth century, and the views of Rome, must not be lost sight of by the wanderer after the curious and picturesque. The panorama of the NILE has been lately enriched with some fresh tableaux, which tend considerably to heighten and give effect to one of the most correct pictures ever drawn. Every one should visit this interesting exhibition, on viewing which, for the nonce, you appear completely lost to metropolitan life, as you travel back to the early history of the world, and behold pyramids and temples abutting the mighty river of the Nile. STATE OF THE ODDS, &c. An off-and-on rumour that the late Lord Albemarle's horses would, after all, come to the hammer, at length seems to have ended just whereabout it began. Its effect on Bolingbroke has been altogether transient and unimportant, as we may safely say he was never a better favourite than he is at the present moment. Beyond this, with a fair amount of business, the month has been free from any especial sensation, though two or three horses have been creeping steadily on: of these The Nigger and Voltigeur would seem to have the best of it. The former is certainly in very high esteem with the stable, while the public are nothing loath to back the opinion. The other, named, Voltigeur, has lately changed hands at 1,200 the consideration-working now in the livery of Lord Zetland, and still promising to improve on the market returns. Despite this attraction in other quarters, neither of the three immediately above-Ghillie Callum, The Knight of Avenel, and The Italiancan be said to have suffered materially; for though not much has been done on them, we could not justly report a retrograde movement. Of Cyprus and John o'Groat we might speak more decidedly; and Mildew, who came with some force early in the month, now looks like going back again. The best, indeed, of the next division are Mavors-much fancied -and William the Conqueror. Beyond these, as will be observed, the demand is but occasional. We have struck the averages again on the Chester Cup, for which Lismahago and Lady Evelyn are just at present the pick of the basket. The arrival of the former from Ireland, at Treen's, Beckhampton, is announced. THE GREAT METROPOLITAN HANDICAP.-The Licensed Victuallers and their friends are hard at work once more to get up a good bonus, and from the subscriptions already reported there seems little doubt of their reaching as strong a figure as ever. A longish string of horses, the joint property of Lord Strathmore and Mr. Carew, will be sold at Tattersall's on our publishing day. They include Miss Burns, Philosopher, Eva, Edipus, Red Lancer, and others. The following names have been given :— Lord Eglinton's c. foal by Irish Birdcatcher out of Rockalda.. The Sheltie Lord Eglinton's filly foal sister to Paphos .... Lord Eglinton's filly foal by Lanercost out of Rectitude.. .... Mr. Greville's yearling filly by Plenipotentiary out of Velveteen. Urania Attack Captious Brunnow THE CHESTER CUP.-50 to 1 each against Lismahago, Essedarius, Dough, Lady Evelyn, Chanticleer, Peep-o'-day-Boy, the Whim colt, and Melody; 66 to 1 each against Malton, Velox, Damask, Emma, Sir Richard, Vesta, The Baroness, Idle Boy, Ribaldry, Cossack, Testator, Cockermouth, and John Cosser; 100 to 1 each against Hotspur, Raby, Gizelle, Thringarth, Chatterer, Cadger, Snowstorm, Fugleman, Kennington, Iron Rail, Horn of Chase, Kissaway, Shilmalier West, Halo, and Mulgrave. THE 2,000 GUINEAS STAKES.-2 to 1 against Bee-Hunter; 6 to 1 against Hardinge; 8 to 1 againt Brother to Epirote; and 20 to 1 against Ghio. THE DERBY, 1851.-66 to 1 each against Anchorite, Hippolytus (late Childwall), and Hatherston. EMBELLISHMENTS. THE WHADDON CHASE HOUNDS. THE PROPERTY OF W. SELBY LOWNDES, ESQ. ENGRAVED BY J. SCOTT, FROM A PAINTING BY G. MORLEY. AND THE BARBEL. ENGRAVED BY J. WESTLEY, FROM A PAINTING BY WILLIAMS. ANECDOTE OF THE LATE MR. MUSTERS.—BY ACTEON SUCCESSFUL MAN.-BY FOXGLOVE THE WHADDON CHASE HOUNDS COUNTRY PRACTICE. BY GELERT 68 75 89 94 . 103 . 107 . 116 . 118 NOTES OF THE CHASE. BY CECIL SPORTING INCIDENTS AT HOME AND ABROAD (FROM THE MS. A TROLLING ADVENTURE.-BY TOM TROLL PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS OF THE METROPOLIS STATE OF THE ODDS THE TURF REGISTER, 1849: MACCLESFIELD-MONMOUTH-WREXHAM 126 DONIAN HUNT AND STIRLING-RUGELY-SECOND OCTO- |