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"Why, Sir, in course I don't like bein' everlasting a making complaints; but it's no use at all my going on any longer. It's just this, Sir-almost every morning as ever is, Master Arthur and Miss Ellen takes and puts their 'spanels' into my ponds-as they says-to catch the moor-hens; and naterally them two little devils, Dash and Flora, routs out every blessed corner of the water, yelping and screeching away like mad, and Master Arthur and his sister a hollering 'em on all the time, just as if he was a hunting on 'em. I shan't have a mortal duck on the estate, dd if I shall, in a fortnight.'

"Well, but you should speak to Mr. Arthur."

"So I did, Sir; but that's no use, for all the notice he takes is ordering me to hold my tongue, or he shall have to lick me for being impertinent.'

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Whereupon keeper grins horribly, master smiles involuntarily, and there's a dog and duck hunt three days a week to the close of the season, or, in sadder phrase, to the end of this jolly, happy midsummer holiday.

Our print appears in commemoration of the awful fact. The spectator, however, will be pleased to " picture to himself," in addition to Flora and "neighbour Wildrake," "a noble, free-hearted boy," and his lovely laughing little romp of a sister, sharing in all the excitement of this bit of divilment."

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS OF THE METROPOLIS.

"That strain again! It had a dying fall:

Oh, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south,
That breathes upon a bank of violets,
Stealing and giving odour !''

SHAKSPEARE.

Talk as you

The star of Apollo brightly beams in the ascendant. will, you cannot, if you estimate your reputation, gainsay that at this particular period the mellifluous sounds of music are listened to more attentively than dull debates, and that a lyrical entertainment takes precedence of every other amusement. Electioneering excitement, potato panics, railway reduplications, Chinese caperings, banquets to the noble hero of Aliwal, Abd-el-Kader's several retreats, and the defeat of Joseph Ady, all, all have their coup de grace by "something more exquisite still." The problem to be solved is not whether the giving extensive "feeds" be a sufficient qualification for a representative of a large constituency. Very different indeed are the leading questions now agitating society; the most popular interrogatives involving your opinion of Jenny Lind and of the new Opera.

According to the police reports, the manager of HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE appears to entertain the opinion that disposing of the space before the curtain once is not sufficient; he therefore appropriates the same seat to different persons. The consequence is just that which every rational being would naturally conjecture-that queer bedevilments

of all kinds ensue. These strange and noisy scenes lead the unfortunate spectator to infer that opera stalls are mistaken for stable stalls. We would in perfect kindness suggest to Mr. Lumley the necessity for immediately effecting such arrangements that will entirely remove the cause of these disagreeable disturbances. The Norma of Jenny Lind is decidedly her very weakest character; take it altogether, it is a very uneven performance, and not to be compared to the Norma of Grisi. Franchini and Barroni completely fail in their endeavours to render the music of Pollione and Adalgisa. As for the chorus and orchestra, it is positively excruciating to witness the treatment Bellini is exposed to in the Haymarket.

The comparison is vastly in favour of the ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA version of "Norma," which is in every respect given in a superior manner. The efforts of Grisi are beyond all question stupendous. Such vocalization has seldom been listened to within the walls of this or any other establishment. Her powers are exerted to that degree that the whole house is perfectly electrified. Corbari is, without doubt, the best Adalgisa the stage can boast of. The Pollione of Salvi cannot be equalled-it is a truly classic performance. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on the great efficiency and perfect performance of the chorus and orchestra. We are pleased to perceive that the arduous labours of Signor Costa, the conductor, have not been unacknowledged. Since the opening no less than twelve operas (Semiramide, Lucia, Somnambula, Italiana in Algeri, Puritani, Elisir d'Amore, Marian di Rohan, Lucrezia Borgia, Don Giovanni, Il Barbière, Norma, and I Due Foscari) have been produced-a "great fact," which plainly points to the unceasing diligence and great abilities of the conductor, and fails not to convey a pretty accurate idea of the thorough determination of Mr. Beale and his coadjutors to keep strict faith with the subscribers. It cannot be urged against the directors of the new house that "they keep the word of promise to the car, but break it to the hope." In the choregraphic department accessions are being made. Fanny Ellsler is now succeeded by Plunkett, whose graceful steps have won her so many admirers, and from all we can gather there is no reason to believe that this favourite artist's continental sojourn has in the slightest degree impaired her saltatory accomplishments.

Buckstone,

Ha ha ha! "That boy will be the death of us!" in "The Jacobite," is the boy for bewitching them. To any poor devil in the dumps we prescribe one visit to the HAYMARKET THEATRE; and if Buckstone, as the personifier of one John Duck, does not succeed in giving a hearty impetus to his cachinnatory muscles, why then we'll make no bones in undertaking to liquidate the fees for a whole twelvemonth's application of doctor's stuff. The ludicrous appearance and comical gestures of Buckstone, immediately following his descent of the chimney, must be witnessed by all anti-lamentationites. Miss Reynolds patters away amusingly enough as Patty Pottle. Take this production of Mr. Planché altogether, it may safely be pronounced one of the most successful hits of the season. Mrs. Nisbett's engagement is fast drawing to a close, her appearance in the revived comedy of "All in the Wrong" being her last. Mr. Webster's house, we are happy to mention, is nightly filled-a proper return for the exceeding enterprise and spirited exertions displayed by this able manager.

The season at the ST. JAMES's will soon terminate, the engagement

of Rachel bringing the performances to a close. Bouffé's representations of French character appear to be highly successful, for on the nights of his performance “not an order is admitted"- -so run the bills, and who would dispute such authorities?

The ETHIOPIAN SERENADERS are now giving the final touches to the banjos, the penultimate peroration of the tambourine, the concluding squeeze of the accordion, and the very last rattle of the bones. Sic transit gloria mundi! On the night of our publication "Bones" takes his farewell benefit, when those spirits that are not com-pelled to be absent will be safe to have their cares dis-pelled by witnessing the extraordinary amount of fun pro-pelled by Pell. The long-agitated question of "Can you wash the Ethiop white?" appears at length to be set at rest. On Saturday next the original delineators of Nigger life will give their last performance, with white faces. To those at all curious how this metamorphosis has been effected, it is merely necessary to observe what perseverance and hard labour will accomplish. This salubrious change having been brought about by the talismanic auxiliaries of cold water, hard brushes, rough towels, and a few cakes of refreshing mottle.

The engagement of Mr. W. West has proved to be a piece of excellent policy on the part of the lessee of ASTLEY'S AMPHITHEATRE. The spectacle selected for this favourite actor's re-appearance is founded on Sheridan's "Pizarro," and is entitled, "The Storming of Quito; or, the Warrior of the Sun"-the whole arranged and produced by Mr. W. D. Broadfoot. The Rolla of Mr. West is highly relished by the audience, who, indeed, appear to view the general appointments with a satisfactory eye. The concluding tableau of "Victory and Death of the Hero of Peru," gives rise to exclamations of frantic delight from the admirers of the startlingly dreadful and fearfully grand. The "Scenes in the Circle" introduce Le Petit Davison, a most astonishing child, that perforins such antics that create surprise in young and old. Mr. Bell affords an infinity of amusement by the prompt and agile manner in which he changes his disguise while his steed "goes the pace."

Her Majesty having expressed her admiration of the extraordinary feats of the Bedouin Arabs, has caused our aristocratic friends to assemble pretty strongly at VAUXHALL GARDENS, where these caouchoutwistables continue to perpetrate the most unaccountable things. Positively, we should not affect any surprise to behold, some fine night, these bronzees amusing themselves by jumping over the trees in succession, as a novel game of leap-frog. Caroline, "the first equestrian of the world," according to the affiche, manages her courser with a dexterity rarely to be witnessed. The fireworks appear even better than in days of yore; and that's no mean praise. As for Mister Joel Devilskin, or whatever patronymic his sponsors will have, his flight is something that surpasses everything to behold. Our especial wonderment is how he can continue these aërial excursions after so often going to blazes! Another masquerade is shortly to succeed that already given. The first of the season was remarkable for the excellent arrangements of Mr. Wardell, and the very full attendance. It was delightful to witness the great amenity and utter absence of hauteur exhibited by the great men of the night towards the smaller fry. Charles the Second thought nothing of condescending to perpetrate a polka with a

Bavarian vender of brooms; a Spanish lady of title did not hesitate to accept the arm and the glass of a charity-boy; to say nothing of a valorous knight from Holy Land, who was never tired of shaking hands and his battle-axe. If the hostelry on Snow-hill require a new sign, we can recommend the extensive caput of this amusing character as a remarkably expressive exhibition of the Saracen's head.

The POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION is at this moment being visited by those anxious to view the working of the electric telegraph. The principles of its working on the leading lines of railway are well illustrated.

Burford's PANORAMA, just opened, presents a very delightful view of the range of scenery abutting the Himalaya Mountains.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

Aquatics.

ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON.-A protest signed by seventeen members has been published, objecting to the election of the Marquis of Donegal as Commodore, on the pleas of canvassing having been practised, and promises given thereupon, under some misconception as to who were and who were not candidates. We refrain from adding to the circulation of this protest, and also from giving the Commodore's reply, as we consider the proceeding scarcely called for under any circumstances, and as one, unless speedily passed over, that must lead to a partizan spirit anything but beneficial to the interest of the squadron.

Sir Charles Ibbetson has been elected a member of the Royal Harwich Yacht Club, by acclamation, and subsequently chosen as Commodore for the season 1847-8.

The Marquis of Blandford has sold his schooner yacht, the Fair Rosamond, to W. Lyon, Esq., R.Y.S. With the exception of the Sapphire she is the only "triaticstay" schooner in England.

The colours of the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club have been determined on as under :-Vessels to carry at the peak, the red ensign of her Majesty's fleet (under the authority of an admiralty warrant); and at the top-mast head, a red burgee, bearing a yellow crown above the white rose of York. The Commodore (Lord Mulgrave) wears two crowns above a rose in his broad pendant, and the Vice-Commodore (Mr. Gee)

one.

The annual eight-oar match, between Westminster and Eton, is fixed for Thursday, July 29th, and the two crews have been thus selected :

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The Chase.

Mr. Horlock's hounds are advertised for sale with "immediate possession." We presume as much can scarcely be warranted for his country. The pack coming from what Jorrocks would call "Old John Ward's sort," ought to command attention; that is, if hounds are thought anything at all of in these chopping and changing days.

SALE OF HUNTERS.-Mr. Payne's horses were put up on the last Monday in May, at Tattersall's, and the following lots disposed of :The Merry Shepherd, 300gs.; Field Marshal, 250gs.; Jane, 100gs ; Magpie, 100gs; Tallyho, 70gs.; Shamrock, 68gs. We don't like to see a good stud scattered like this. What does friend "Scribble" say to it?

CLOSE OF THE SEASON IN OXFORDSHIRE.-A dinner was given at Banbury, on Tuesday, June 8th, by the gentlemen and farmers of the neighbourhood to the following huntsmen, as representatives of the different packs usually within reach :-Jem Hills, for the Heythrop ; Tom Winkfield, for Mr. Drake's; and Stevens, for the Warwickshire. The thing, we hear, went off in very good style, and we mention it as an example well worthy of more general adoption. Masters of hounds. should consider how such meetings tend to stifle any little jealousies, encourage servants, and conciliate countries.

The Grand National Archery Meeting will be held this year at Derby, on Wednesday and Thursday, the 28th and 29th of July. The committee have issued a very good bill of fare, and intend to rival their last season's success at York.

TEE GROUSE SEASON.-As the grouse shooting season approaches, sportsmen are naturally anxious to learn something of the young broods. From many persons it appears that the present, though not an early, has been an excellent breeding season. The cold spring hindered the birds from nesting until the length of the summer days saved their first eggs from being destroyed by frost or snow. On low sheltered grounds young grouse have been observed for the last eight or ten days, running about active and lively. Rumours are current that the old birds are again affected by the disease which prevailed to some extent last year. What amount of truth there may be in these reports we are unable to ascertain. We have taken pains to inquire, and, if possible, to get some of the birds which are said to die of the disease, in order to see if dissection would throw any light on the mystery. As yet, however, we have seen none, and hope that there is little truth or reality in the reports. The demand for moors is fully equal to former seasons. There will not be the average number of sportsmen from Ireland, so many of them being compelled to devote their time and means in alleviation of the prevalent distress. From England and the south of Scotland inquiries are plentiful. A number of the shootings that were to let have been taken.-Inverness Courier.

Cricket.

The M. C. C. and Sussex met at Lord's on Monday the 7th, and on Wednesday afternoon brought the play to a close, with 108 majority for

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