The hits at the money-seeking fraternity are well directed and severely administered. The many allusions to the railway bubbles of the day are couched in a vein of bitter irony. Of the acting, much can be said. Buckstone as the Mac Dunnum, of Dunnum, is irresistibly amusing. His attire is remarkable for its exceeding quaintness. Selby personates Lord Fipley-a character rather overdrawn by the author-in a manner that gives rise to no little mirth. The Honourable Claude Plantagenet, and Helen his daughter, find able representatives in Farren and Miss Fortescue. The growing inarticulation of the former incomparable artist is sadly to be deplored. Mrs. Glover and Mrs. Humby accomplish all that can possibly be effected with the parts apportioned them. "The Invisible Prince" continues to receive nightly assurances of the most unbounded satisfaction from all description of parties. In our previous impressions we omitted to particularize the scene in which "four very bad characters," Ruffino, Desperado, Sanguino, and Stilletto, enact their atrocities, as one conceived in the veriest true spirit of burlesque. "Look upon this picture, and on this." The extravaganza of" The Enchanted Forest," at the LYCEUM, is after "The Invisible Prince," there is no mistaking, and very considerably too; as "one trial" of patience in sitting out the representation of "The Enchanted Forest" will prove the fact." The dialogue abounds in puns too distantly related; in other words, they are very far-fetched. Take the bear, for example. He must be an animal possessing an extraordinary amount of patience, to suffer himself to be played upon so frequently. There is no denying that he is bandied about beyond all bearing. Yet it must be remarked that Mr. Wigan supports the character in a remarkably upright manner, which probably accounts for the audience's powers of endurance. The management has not spared expense in the "getting up;" still even this profuse liberality will not cause the piece to rise very high in public estimation. laudable anxiety to benefit the lessee, we would fain hint that the mode of giving orders to a paper-loving audience to make a piece go down, is not the safest way of occasioning it to go up in popular to go up esteem. " In a The FRENCH PLAYS continue to be fwell rendered and well received. Mr. Mitchell's Theatre on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays is devoted to these performances. On every representation the attendance of the beau monde is numerous. On many occasions the Queen and Prince Albert grace the house with their presence, and appear to be highly pleased with the entertainments. Lemaitre is now succeeded by Lafont. The former artist afforded infinite delight to crowded audiences, by his able representations of " Don Cæsar de Bazan," Robert Macaire in L'Auberge des Adrets," and Perez in "Le Barbier du Roi d'Aragon." The St. James's, on the off-nights, is thronged by the admirers of the mellifluous strains of the genuine original and real Simon-pure ETHIOPIANS. All sides afford most undeniable and positive proofs of the efficacy of the treatment for the "blues," so popularly and praiseworthily pursued by these ingenious "blacks." These dark professors have incited many imitators to "strut and fret their hour upon the stage." Amongst others, a quintette of shoe-blacks ignorantly supposed that the chief qualification for render ing the nigger melodies consisted in imparting a dark hue to the countenance. Accordingly, these would-be vocalists daubed their faces, and attired themselves in Holywell-street toggery, that had "done the stage some service." This being effected, they appeared on the boards of one of the minors as "Minstrels," of some state or other— a wretched one, for a certainty. The result was, just as any sane person would naturally conjecture, these ignorant darkies lost their time, and their landlord lost his rent and good temper. "The Royal Fox-Hunt; or, Life's Course of Man and Steed" is now running its course at ASTLEY'S. The wild enthusiasm of the "noble sportsmen" here knows no bounds. Every night they appear to be as fresh as ever (would that we could declare as much for their cut-aways) in their pursuit of the varmint. Altogether their peculiar style and gait cannot be very easily got over. On every occasion of the meets, the fox makes away for the same covert; and, singular to relate, gives a precisely similar double. On the completion of this accomplishment, Master Reynard effects a turn, and looks his impetuous pursuers full in their faces, with all the mauvais pleasantrie of that most renowned of the species-the fox of Ballybotherem. At the same time the audience justly appreciate this Fox's Creamof the joke. As faithful chroniclers, we must not omit to observe that in order to throw a halo around the "Life of a Racer," as depicted at this establishment, Mr. Batty has succeeded in procuring Sir Gilbert Heathcote's Miss Love. The varied evolutions of this thorough-bred appear to be highly relished by a discriminating and sporting "sweep"-speculating public. The new vocalists, Miss Bassano and Miss Anne Romer, are important acquisitions to the PRINCESS's. Their voices are unquestionably good, and by avoiding manifold faults of style, both ladies will undoubtedly, at no very distant period, prove to be bright ornaments to the musical sphere. Miss A. Romer possesses a countenance of a very pleasing kind. There is a truthfulness in her expression that favourably impresses you, even at a glance. We hope her career will be as brilliant as the commencement appears to augur. Miss Bassano would materially add to the favourable opinion she has created, if she would wisely abate her many imperfections in acting. Her grimaces are most atrociously appalling, and hideously frightful to behold. The poor leader at one time appeared in perfect agonies as his approaching fate, and, like the affrighted dentist, when a lady patient opened her mouth so extensively that the distracted operator cried out, "No thank you, madam! I'd rather remain outside!" this flourisher of the bâton entertained the propriety of not being quite so contiguous to a cavern of such dimensions as that from whence issued such mellifluent sounds. Knowing perfectly well that the representative of Norma will take our advice in the spirit that it is thrown out, we proceed to call her attention to the utter absurdity of adjusting her arms like direction-posts. This we point out in a friendly manner, because by relinquishing her present habit of attitudinising, this lady will most assuredly gain a step on the thorny road to fame. It is hard to determine whether it be to the extreme parsimony of the manager of this establishment, or to the neglect of the salubrious duties which devolve upon the laundress of the company, that must be attributed the dingy and seedy state of the mouldy dirty bed-sheet-looking-like togas that envelop the attenuated forms of the commingled Hebrew and Christian supernumeraries which undoubtedly should "flourish;" but, alas! now only "fade" in Bellini's "Norma." By the persuasion of a friend, and the fleetness of a steed of rightgood mettle, we have positively gained the New River Head, and we have not lost by a visit to SADLER'S WELLS, where our gratification in witnessing the latest novelty, "Feudal Times," repaid us for undertaking so lengthened a tour. Miss Laura Addison is an actress of great merit, and it is greatly to be regretted that she should be lost in such a locality as Islington, when there are theatres in the most habitable part of the metropolis to which she would prove a inost valuable adjunct. Evidently there is some error in the affiche in attributing the representation of the Earl of Mar to Mr. Phelps, when there is no mistaking that the character personated by Mr. G. Bennett is marr'd from first to last. The indomitable perseverance of this gentleman, in persisting in tearing and twisting the portion of the dialogue allotted him, so that it is quite unintelligible to his anditory, must not be entirely lost sight of. To the admirers of the watch-dog kind of growl, and of the old Cobourg fifth-raters' snarl, Mr. Bennett's bite-your-nose-off-nish style must be deliciously refreshing. Chance and a heavy shower of rain occasioned us to seek shelter in the OLYMPIC; and grateful to the gods we felt for conducting our steps to a spot so prodigal of mirth. The bill set forth that the amusements would commence with the "admired" drama of "The Blind Boy." It is an indisputable axiom that there exists amongst a great social community a vast difference of opinion on the same matters. In former audiences, doubtless the source of admiration originated from a very different kind of feeling to that inspired by the performance we witnessed of the melodrama in question. The characters that peradventure in days gone by drew tears from the agitated beholders, in this instance drew down long and hearty guffaws. "Time works wonders" indeed. In the present particular case the wonder is not how many of "The Blind Boy" cast got on the stage, but how they get on off the stage. We must not altogether pass by the representation of Rodolph; such an omission would be quite unjustifiable. The name of the histrionic who figured in this part is Mr. Robertson, an actor, some perhaps not very distant day, destined to reach the summit of a coal-shed, or the top step of an omnibus. For the first post he possesses the regular coalheavery qualification of imbibing half-and-half-a process we espied him pursuing when at the side wing. For the other stage his voice is peculiarly adapted to hail the promiscuous passenger. The WALHALLA, the ST. JAMES'S ASSEMBLY ROOMS, the ADELAIDE GALLERY CASINO, and the CASINO DE VENISE continue to receive their numerous votaries. The POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION is well attended, both on mornings and evenings. The lectures delivered at this institution by competent professors are the fruitful sources of great gratification, and of infinite instruction to numerous and attentive auditories. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. HUNT CLUB.-A metropolitan club of this character, under the title of "The Union Hunt Club," has just now some promise of becoming established. Circulars have been sent to the heads of all the hunts in the kingdom, and arrangements made for opening house on the premises lately occupied by the Navy Club, in Bondstreet. We have now, consequently, two more candidates for the countenance of the London lounger, of purely sporting attractions— the Turf and the Union Hunt; and we are inclined to believe there is room for both to rise and flourish without a particle of opposition or hostility in their growth. STEEPLE CHASING.-The following acceptance out of sixty handicapped for the Grand National, at Liverpool, on the 3rd, augurs well in quantity and quality for an average, or in others an excellent .... Mr. Preston's b. h. Frederick, by Turcoman Mr. R. J. Moore's g. St. Ruth... Capt. Gambier's Avoca (late Miss Tisdall). Mr. J. W. Hammond ns. Forest Boy (h. b.) Mr. J. P. Williams's br. g. Nimble Harry Mr. W. Hall's Tramp... Col. Taylor ns. Quicksilver Mr. Smith ns, Cumberland Lassie (h. b.) ...... For "The Grand Military," to come off at Leamington on the 18th and 19th, the different stakes have closed thus: FIRST RACE.-A SWEEPSTAKES of 10 sovs. each, h. ft., with added, for horses bona fide the property of officers on full pay; 12st. each; winners extra; to be ridden by officers on full pay in the army; three miles. H.R.H. Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar ns. Salute Hon. R. N. Lawley's (2nd L. G.) b. g. The Roarer Capt. Gambier's (R.A.) b. g. Gog Cor. M. Fenwick's (K.D.G.) ch. g. Pullaway Lieut. J. Coles's (4th D.G.) b. g. Edmond Lieut. H. L. Carter's (Carabiniers) b. g. Tilly Slowboy (late Homiharriho) Captain Grant's (R.S.G.) gr. h. The Marquis Hon. G. Noel's (11th Hussars) b. h. Lopez Cornet D. C. Buchanan's (R.S.G.) b. m. Matchless Lieut. S. Barry's (12th R.L.) ch. g. Tommy Tinkle Captain Crawford's (89th regiment) Dazzle jet Eighteen other officers did not name. SECOND RACE.-A SWEEPSTAKES of 5 Sovs. each, p.p., with L added; riders, horses, and course as in the first race; 11st. each; the winner to be sold for 100 sovs. if demanded, &c. Viscount Neville's (2nd L.G.) b. g. The Peart " Lieut. A. Hawksley's (2nd L.G.) b. m. Pauline Lieut. H. Johnstone (2nd L.G.) ns. Seven Stars (late Warwick) Captain Gambier's (R.A.) ch. g. The Parson (late Forester) Captain Travers (K.D.G.) ns. Pickwick Lieut. Lockhart Little (K.D.G.) ns. Carlow Captain Forrest (4th D.G.) ns. Rowland Lieut. J. Coles's (4th D.G.) b. g. Edmond Captain Conolly's (5th D.G.) Liberty, by Emancipation Cornet H. Lee Carter's (Carabiniers) Tilly Slowboy Cornet G. Littledale's (R. D.) ch. g. The Slave Captain Dawson's (11th H.) b. g. Peeping Tom, by Sir Grey Lieut. Smith Barry's (12th R.L.) ch. g. Tommy Tinkle Hon. H. Forester (G.G.) ns. b. h. Mortgage Hon. E. R. Boyle (C.G.) ns. Water Lily Lieut. Gordon's (R.R.) br. m. The Queen of Hearts Lieut. H. Duberly's (68th L.I.) Lucy Long, by Welcome Lieut. D'Arcy's (89th regiment) Chasm Lieut. Kennedy's (89th regiment) Hot Joint Five others did not name. The WELTER STAKES, a Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, l. ft., with Lieut. J. Leslie's (1st L.Gd.) Charon Lieut. H. Johnstone (2nd L.Gd.) ns. Seven Stars, late Warwick Captain W. Allen's (K.D.Gd.) Ploughboy Cornet M. Fenwick's (K.D.Gd.) Pullaway Cornet H. Lee Carter's (Carabiniers) b. m. Flora Cor. Montgomery's (4th L.D.) Socdologer added; 13st. |