66 listens; he hears them not; the night air sings past him, rustling amongst the leaves of the trees, which flutter with the quivering rays of the silvery orb aloft, like gentle ripples upon a moonlit stream, yet bears upon its breath no tidings of the favourite hound. Twenty minutes have elapsed; "I hear 'em now," he cries exultingly; "they are coming down Oak Riding as hard as they can rattle; that's old Patriot first, with all the rest behind him." And sure enough they are coming, for cubs are crossing the ride in every direction."Jem, they are running the cubs," says Mr. W. "No, no, Sir; wait, and you'll see." Hark to those agonizing, anxious shrieks of anguish and alarm! What noise is that, Jem?" says Mr. W. "That's the old vixen, squalling after her cubs," says he. "No gammon, Jem," says Mr. W. In a few moments more, over comes the badger across the ride. "What's that, Sir!" asks Jem, triumphantly. The badger, sure enough," says Mr. W. And within 100 yards came the hounds. Following after, in full cry, and about the same distance behind them, was the old vixen, hastening up to reconoitre, crying fearfully and piteously for her cubs. The badger shyed at the sack in Oak Riding, going straight across the park, with the hounds in close pursuit, running to ground in the pleasure garden, near the mansion, and was then dug out and sent to Heythrop. "I shall now go home and die happy," said Mr. W., meaning that he had seen realized what he did not before believe possible-the novel performance of fox hounds-hunting the badger, and not following the scent of the fox at night. 66 PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS OF THE METROPOLIS. "To predict the Future, to manage the Present, would not be so impossible had not the Past been so sacrilegiously mishandled, effaced, and-what is worse- defaced. The Past cannot be seen; the Past, looked at through the medium of philosophical history in these times, cannot even be not seen it is mis-seen-affirmed to have existed, and to have been a godless impossibility."-PAST AND PREsent. If the dictum of Carlyle can be applied to managers, no surprise can be entertained that success does not invariably attend the speculations of those interested in theatrical undertakings. There can be no second opinion that the past has been notorious for mismanagement. Admitting this, it would appear strange that experience should not have acted in pointing out the surest method of improving upon the past, and freeing the present from former faults. With all due deference to the author of big letters and words, we must unhesitatingly confess the course for the present and the future appears not to be beset with greater difficulties and hardships merely because the past has been shamefully misused. On the contrary, it behoves all alike to atone for time lost by making the present a period for redeeming most efficiently the errors of the past. At this time, when all London is away in woods and fields, our principal duty is to take a synopsis of the past; and in making our retrospect we will "Nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice.” In looking back at the proceedings of the two opera-houses, it must be confessed that few features of extraordinary interest present themselves—that is, considering the naturally-expected competition which the institution of a second temple of lyric art would involve. The season of HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE just brought to a close would be memorable, were it only for the opportunity afforded the subscribers of hearing the singing of Lind, Alboni, and Sontag. This fact in itself speaks whole libraries for the indefatigability of the lessee; but the whole arrangements entitle Mr. Lumley to general commendation for the praiseworthy exertions he manifested throughout the season. The engagements of Parodi, Giuliani, Gardoni, Beletti, Calzolari, Mariani, and last, though not least, Lablache, incontestably prove the determination on the part of the lessee to provide the most available talent of the day. With regard to the other house a brief notice only is necessary; for, with the exception of two operas, no novelty has been brought forward. The production of those operas-" Massaniello" and "Le Prophète❞— was distinguished by those many points of excellence for which the ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA is so remarkable. After mentioning the substitution of Grisi for Viardot in the part of Valentine, in "The Huguenots"-a performance attended with much and deserved success-there remains but a word to be expressed, and that must be to record the high state of efficiency of the orchestra under the able conductorship of Costa. Whilst enumerating the glories of the past, omission must not be made of the closing of the FRENCH OPERA after a season of unexampled brilliancy. In commemoration of the high zeal and commendable worth of the director, he was, on the termination of the season, presented with a testimonial by numerous members of the aristocracy and others; for of his friends it may be truly said: "their name is legion.” This is certainly a very gratifying and well-merited tribute of respect to a man of deserving worth, and one who in the capacity of manager has never been outrivalled for energy, activity, liberality, good taste, and good faith. In all respects, then, there could not be selected a man more deserving of a testimonial than John Mitchell. The lessee of CREMORNE GARDENS is following up success after success prolific in novelty, rich in subjects, and generous in catering, Mr. Ellis is really deserving of public patronage. The aquatic tournaments are now succeeded by the Eglinton tournament, represented by chivalrous knights and Mr. Batty's stud. By the way, these grounds are a much more fitting place for the quadrupedal portion of the company than Astley's, where you are afraid to breathe from the risk you run of inhaling some vile brimstone, or some equally abominably nasty odour that fumigates the atmosphere of the house in Lambeth. Now, at Cremorne, it is very different; you can view the evolutions of the steed or the bald bearing of the rider without subjecting your nasal promontory to the aforesaid grievances. Being strongly imbued with this healthy conviction, we strongly urge our equestrian friends to hie them in all fitting time to Cremorne. THE PANORAMA OF THE NILE at Egyptian Hall must not be lost sight of by the intelligent traveller, who will be sure to be impressed with the correct views exhibited of the cities of Cairo, Memphis, Denderah, and Thebes. Then there are the cataracts of the Nile and the burning Lybian desert, wonderfully depicted. Not to see this panorama is to argue oneself unknown. The directors of the POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION spare no exertions in providing for the entertainment of the public. The programme includes Lectures on Chemistry, by Mr. Ashley; on Masters's Patent Process of Freezing Dessert Ices, Making Aërated Waters, &c., by Dr. Bachoffner; and Dissolving Views of Rome. Has the French General Oudinot any hand in the last? SADLER'S WELLS, the STRAND, and the SURREY are open at these presents; but from the many impediments thrown in our way in every instance, we are not in a condition to speak of the performances. In the first, distance prevents our attendance at Islington; the second, there is no treat in being cooped up in a band-box of a theatre, in a crowded thoroughfare, during this sultry weather, especially as the entertainments include neither novelty nor interest; in the third case, the transpontine theatre offers as an attraction the "Huguenots," which, having heard at Covent-Garden, we have not the courage to rehear in St. George's-in-theFields. STATE OF THE ODDS, &c. Every event run off goes to confirm the "certainty" of the St. Leger of 'forty-nine. A little feeling against the crack was evinced about the middle of the month; but this has been entirely removed by the York returns, and with it the Lady Superiors, Nunnykirks, Honeycombs, and Co., that were to come out stronger than ever, and shade the Dutchman's laurels for the Leger. A more uninteresting race, as it now reads, we hardly ever remember: a more open one, were the Derby horse out of it, would be equally difficult to refer to. At present it seems to be reduced to a match between Lord Eglinton and Lord Stanley, Uriel being unquestionably the only horse that has really been worth backing since Epsom. The Chatterer promise consequent on a change of hands has less weight as its fulfilment approaches, while the head-and-neck style in which Elthiron and Old Dan Tucker achieved their triumphs makes but negative victories of them, and affords but little hope to the fanciers of second horses." If the Dutchman is to be beaten for the St. Leger, it must be by some lucky accident or some hitherto-unknown celebrity for by public running there is nothing to make a finish with him-barring always the black jacket of my Lord Stanley and the long experience of John Scott. 66 The Derby of next year, in addition to two or three more favourable re-appearances, such as the Italian and William the Conqueror, brings a nomination of Mr. Jaques's-Mildew, to wit-well to the fore. It is long now since this gentleman has had a race-horse, though we trust the York running has opened the oyster for him once more. On the palmam-qui meruit principle, Mr. Jaques ought to win a stake occasionally at York-and anywhere else, in "his turn. We add the latest betting on the Newmarket autumn handicaps, and with it a string or two of the fancy bets, so much now in fashion, of telling the winners of both before nomination, weight, or acceptance is CESAREWITCH.-1000 to 20 agst. Peep-o'-day Boy, 1000 to 20 agst. The Cur, 1000 to 20 agst. Iron Rail, 1000 to 20 agst. Bon-mot, and 1000 to 20 agst. St. Rosalie. CAMBRIDGESHIRE.-1000 to 20 agst. Glendower, 1000 to 20 agst. Tadmor, 1000 to 20 agst. Shylock, 1000 to 20 agst. Repletion, 1000 to 20 agst. Vasa, and 1000 to 20 agst. Blucher. EMBELLISHMENTS. SARAH BATE AND SEDLITZ. |