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PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS OF THE METROPOLIS.

"I belong to the unpopular family of Telltruths, and would not flatter Apollo for his lyre."-Rob Roy.

What a generation of stout heroes the present should be, on the principle of "laugh and grow fat"! Never were there so many laughing philosophers. Even at the opening of the CRYSTAL PALACE the sense of the ludicrous prevailed. The grandeur of the music, the clear, crystal voice of Madame Clara Novello, the deep tones of Signor Lablache towering above all others, the presence of Royalty, even the very pageant itself could not be named with the evident satisfaction of many who greeted the contretemps of the various actors in the "presentation scene with guffaws. On the occasion of the opening of this fairy abode, everything that could possibly contribute to the success of the day was thought of by the directors, and the result was an ensemble of the most perfect kind. Indeed a more imposing spectacle it would be difficult to imagine, and to those engaged in the preparations no little credit is due for the admirable arrangements which conduced to this desirable end.

The evening preceding this event of the month of June was a memorable one at the ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA, being the first time of Madame Grisi appearing in Lucrezia Borgia during the series of her farewell performances. To say that this performance is invested with the same feeling, power, and dignity as ever, is but the simple truth. How it is possible to provide a successor for Madame Grisi, is a problem not to be easily worked out. As yet no one has exhibited the least signs of approaching her; it cannot be wondered at therefore that the crowds that now besiege the doors of Covent Garden should bring to mind the crush in the Haymarket during the popular reign of Lind.

The Huguenots in German must be mentioned as the last contribution to the repertoire of the GRAND OPERA at Drury Lane, and a highly creditable one it is; Herr Formes, Herr Reichardt, Madame Caradori, and Madame Rudersdoff, contriving by their exertions to invest this favourite opera with its generally attendant glories.

Music even permeates the new drama at the HAYMARKET, where Mr. Buckstone, as the representative of Tom Tittler, is continually furnishing proofs of his advance in the art, by favouring, at all times and seasons, the audience with his version of "My lodgings are on the cold ground," on the horn. "The Knights of the Round Table" furnishes the worthy lessee with a good opportunity to turn a character to the best advantage, which, as may be readily supposed, he does not neglect to take advantage of. And it must be certainly confessed that, in departing from the conventional course of making the funny man a coward, the author has acted wisely and well, as indeed does the actor in carrying out the conception; the last scene, particularly, being conspicuous for some acting that adds to the already well-earned fame of Mr. Buckstone. In the other parts, Mr. G. Vandenhoff, although suffering severely from hoarseness, is entitled to honourable mention for the artistic manner in which he fills up the canvass of a chevalier d'industrie; and Mrs. Fitzwilliam, as the

representative of domestic suffering, in the person of Peggy Poplin, thoroughly identifies herself with the part. Little indeed falls to the lot of Mr. Compton, but that little stands out in bold relief: the consummate coolness and sang-froid which distinguish his portrayal of the swindler, who calls for his dinner, and the constable afterwards, to take him instead of payment for his dinner, must rank as a masterpiece of acting. This scene does not in a little contribute to the success of Mr. Planche's production.

The late performance of La Joie fait Peur, at the St. James's, was more remarkable for the marvellously powerful acting of Regnier, than the writing; indeed the piece itself is of a class partaking of mawkish sentimentality, unpleasant to witness. With this conviction, it is impossible to view with any pleasure the translation at the LYCEUM of "Sunshine through the Clouds," although the acting of Madame Vestris and Miss Hughes never for a moment offers the least unfavourable contrast to that of Madame Allan and Madame Luther in the same characters. Indeed the domestic view Madame Vestris gives is preferable to the tragic side of the picture presented by her French cotemporary. Then the exuberance of joy on seeing her brother is perfectly natural as exhibited by Miss Hughes. This performance has certainly borne out the promise given by her in "The Bachelor of Arts," and fully warrants the impression that, with study and practice, she will occupy a good position as an actress. With that discrimination which distinguishes a modern audience, shouts of merriment attend the most pathetic passages of the drama.

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At the PRINCESS's Mr. Charles Kean has produced, with all the care for which his management has become so conspicuous, "From Village to Court," and The Courier of Lyons." The latter is likely to rival "The Corsican Brothers" in popularity, partaking of the same school of melodrama. All playgoers with high-seasoned palates will of course revel in this revival of the school of terror, bloodshed, crime, and repentance. In "From Village to Court" Mr. D. Fisher makes some further advance, thus happily realizing the opinion his acting in former characters had created.

New Management at the POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION is doing wonders in all departments of science and amusement. In the latter the views of the East, including the scenes just now invested with so much interest, convey the desire of the directors to cater seasonably for their visitors.

Next door to the Polytechnic is a DIORAMA OF CANADA by Mr. Friend, assisted by several eminent painters. The artist does not overstep the modesty of nature, for the view does not exceed the tinting of a Canadian autumn, and the sun-set picture is exquisite. The representation of the Falls of Niagara is most correct and comprehensive, and the views generally are truthful.

The CREMORNE GARDENS are in excellent order, and during fine weather offer a most agreeable change to the routine of in-door amusements. The taste displayed in the re-arrangement and decorations of the gardens redounds to the policy pursued by Mr. Simpson, who never appears to halt in his course of catering for the public, including aërial flying machines, horsemanship, human flyers on ropes-to say nothing of other countless attractions which enable the spectators to indulge in their joyous propensities.

STATE OF THE ODDS, &c.

SALE OF BLOOD STOCK.

By Messrs. Tattersall, at Hyde Park Corner :

On Monday, May 29, Lord Spencer's yearlings

GS.

A Chesnut Colt (brother to Stilton), by Cotherstone out of The Wryneck.... 200 A Bay Colt, by Cotherstone out of Polydora

....

A Brown Colt, by Gameboy out of The Ladye of Silverkeld Well

A Roan Filly, by Birdcatcher out of The Duchess of Lorraine

A Grey Filly, by Chanticleer out of Treacherous

A Brown Filly, by Cotherstone out of Lady Gay Spauker (Domino's dam)

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On Monday, June 5, Sir J. Villiers Shelley's yearlings

A Bay Colt (brother to Red Hart and Red Hind), by Venison out of Soldier's
Daughter

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A Chesnut Colt, by Collingwood out of half-sister to The Flying Dutchman.. 78

A Bay Colt, by Collingwood out of Liberia................

On the same day, Mr. Waters' yearlings

A Bay Filly, by Robert de Gorham out of Odessa

A Chesnut Colt, by Blarney out of Y. Specimen, by Defence

A Brown Colt, by Blarney out of Mary, by Gladiator........

A Bay Filly, by St. Lawrence out of Louisa, by Teniers

110

On the same day, the property of Lord Londesborough-
A Black Colt, by Mickey Free out of Indiana; heavily engaged...
A Bay Filly, by Flatcatcher out of La Sage Femme; engaged....
On Thursday, June 8, the property of Lord Ribblesdale---
The Friar, by Cowl out of Allumette

250

Pharos, by Touchstone out of Refraction..

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On Monday, June 12, the property of R. E. Cooper, Esq.Nun Appleton (the dame of Jullien), by Bay Middleton out of Miss Milner, by Malek; with a filly foal by Birdcatcher, and covered by Cotherstone. 200 Queen of the May, by Sir Hercules out of Myrrha, by Malek; with a filly foal by Bay Middleton

155

My Dear, by Bay Middleton out of Miss Letty, by Priam; with a colt foal by Don John, and covered by Alarm

105

A Bay Yearling Colt, by Don John out of My Dear, by Bay Middleton
Sorrel, by Slane out of Seakale, by Camel; covered by Alarm
Poetry, three years old, by John o' Gaunt out of Queen of the May
A Chesnut Yearling Colt, by The Fallow Buck (by Venison) out of Sorrel, by
Slane, &c......

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On Monday, June 19, the Hampton-court yearlings-
A Chesnut Colt, by Birdcatcher out of Jamaica (Cariboo's dam) (Mr.
Howard)..

1000

A Bay Filly, by Bay Middleton out of Stamp, by Emilius (dam of Impression and Redemption) (Mr. Howard).........

900

A Chesnut Colt (Brother to Eulogist), by Birdcatcher out of Eulogy, by Euclid out of Martha Lynn (dam of Voltigeur) (Mr. R. E. Cooper).... 890 A Bay Colt, by Alarm out of Spangle (Bolingbroke's dam), by Crœsus out of Variella (Sister to Voltaire) (John Day, jun.) 710

A Bay Colt, by Bay Middleton out of Despatch, by Defence (Major Pearson) 520
A Bay Filly, by Orlando out of Distaffina (dam of Spinaway, and sister to
Lady Evelyn) (Mr. Howard) ...

500

A Bay Colt, by Orlando out of Frantic's dam (John Day, jun.)

480

A Chesnut Filly, by Orlando out of Iodine's dam, by Sir Hercules out of
Electress (John Day, jun.) ...

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A Brown Filly (Sister to Exact), by Birdcatcher out of Equation, by Emilius out of Maria, by Whisker (Wm. Day) ...

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350

A Bay Filly, by Orlando out of Flight, by Jereed out of Elopement, by
Velocipede (Mr. Fenning)......

155

A Bay Filly, by The Libel out of Manacle (Sister to Confusionée), by Emilius out of Young Maniac, by Tramp (Wm. Day)

131

.....

A Bay Colt, by Alarm out of Ortez, by Melbourne out of Ohio, by Jerry out of Whizgig (Mr. Smith)

68

A Chesnut Colt, by The Libel, dam (1843) by Elis out of Antler's dam, by
Selim out of Euryone (Mr. Dyson)..

......

50

25

A Bay Colt, by Collingwood out of Alicia, by Melbourne, by Palmerin, her dam Oceana, by Cerberus out of Dr. Syntax's dam (Mr. Little) One of the most unsatisfactory settlings known for a very long time has naturally had its effect on any further speculation. Still the great winners must have got in a tolerably strong per-centage of their harvest, if we take the spirit with which they ran up one another for her Majesty's yearlings as any test of their receipts. Money here was never so plentiful. Certainly a fairish-looking lot of well-made-up young ones never sold at such extraordinary prices. How many will be worth what was here given for them a year hence? In the business subsequently transacted, the St. Leger and next year's Derby are what we have chiefly to speak to. For the former Dervish is once more all the fashion, despite the abuse he met with at Epsom; and we must say we think a further trial will show him to be a better horse than the Derby would warrant one in supposing. The doubtful state of King Tom's understandings is sufficient to stay any great outlay upon him; while The Trapper, Ivan, and Acrobat are to be easily had at the prices quoted.

For the Derby Mr. Bowes is again in the ascendant with the classical Græculus Esuriens; having also a second horse handy in Bonnie Morn. The Flatterer's performances have been good enough to give him a position; and money, merit, or some other virtue, public or private, has to answer for any further investments registered in our table.

We understand arrangements have been made for Mr. Hellier, who last year hunted the Albrighton country, to take the Hereford country, hunted by Lord Giffard; and for Mr. Baker, of the Wheatland, to take the place of Mr. Hellier in the Albrighton country for the next season.

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The Goodwood Stakes (run July 26)-12 to 1 against Tros, 3 yrs., 5st. 4lb.; 15 to 1 against Exact, 4 yrs., 7st.; 16 to 1 against Cock Pheasant, 4 yrs., 6st.; and 25 to 1 against Ethelwolf, 5 yrs., 7st. 5lb.

The Goodwood Cup (run July 27)-5 to 2 against Virago, 3 yrs, 7st. 3lb.

The Liverpool Cup (ron July 13)-6 to 1 against Heapy, 4 yrs., 6st. 21b.; 6 to 1 against Hungerford, 6 yrs., 8st. 3lb.; and 11 to 1 against Indian Warrior, 5 yrs., 7st. 10lb.

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