should he occasionally prove desirous of varying his course of sport, he will find three fresh-water streams in the neighbourhood, which are well stocked with trout, eel, mullet, dace, and other fish. He can commence his sport from any desirable spot in the New Forest, and pursue his course downward towards the termination of the several streams as they communicate with the Solent. The rivulets, in many places, will be found to intersect woods and meadows, where the waters are encompassed by sturdy hedgerows. I have taken some prodigiously fine trout from these secluded spots, exceeding, in some instances, four pounds in weight; but recourse must be had to the practice of dibbing in such cases. A grasshopper, during June and July, will be greedily taken by trout in the neighbourhood I have been treating of, or the common fly (musca putris) will answer the same end. There will be experienced little or no interruption by anglers who may frequent the sylvan waters of the forest, and their health will be improved, whilst this favourite pastime will prove of an unfailing character. May 26, 1856. D. G. THE FORESTER'S FREIGHT. ENGRAVED BY W. BACKSHELL, FROM A PAINTING BY A. COOPER, R.A. : "The smile of joy danced on every countenance, but chiefly on thine, O Lightfoot! The warm current came tingling through your veins. There was a buoyancy of spirit and an air of success about you, that proclaimed you, to yourself at least, a king-a hero-a demigod! Hercules was a pretty fellow; so was Theseus; so was Pirithous but although they subdued various monsters, they probably never killed so fine a stag in all their lives. Happy, thricehappy mortal! Happier far than Candide, when he met Miss Cunegonde amongst the Turks, or (to make a more apt comparison) than our own Phidias-one Chantrey-when he killed two woodcocks at one shot! Thou shouldst have died that moment, my own hero! Alas, why do you survive, to pace over geometrical enclosures, in pursuit of pigmy game! But bear thy faculties meekly, whilst the deer is being gralloched."-Scrope. PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS OF THE METROPOLIS. "I belong to the unpopular family of Telltruths, and would not flatter Apollo for his lyre."-Rob Roy. Places of public amusement are now in active work, offering sufficient attraction to mitigate after an agreeable fashion those "compliments of the season"-November fogs. Foremost is the PRINCESS's, with "A Midsummer Night's Dream," which is peculiarly adapted for the grandeur with which Mr. Charles Kean is wont to invest the productions on his stage. Accordingly the scenic splendour in this instance is particularly apropos; and the evolutions of the best corps de danse to be met with are beyond everything well-timed. Such etherial spirits really almost impress poor mortals with the desire to fly this utilitarian orbit for fairyland. The actors do their utmost to the success of this the crowning work of the whole series of classic embodiments at the Princess's. Not content with this, the manager gives in “Pizarro.” But this is embarras de richesse. At the LYCEUM Mr. Charles Dillon has made a famous start as manager, and as an actor has proved his power to take a conspicuous position: his Belphegor, and his very opposite character in "The King's Musqueteers," sufficiently attest this. Indeed this last shows that in the Don Cæsar de Bazan style of character he is specially strong. Mrs. Dillon, too, gives satisfactory proof of her ability as an actress. The manager has done well in his selection from the country boards, Mr. Calhaem and Miss Wilton being particu larly welcome arrivals; the latter's performance of the mountebank's son in the drama being as remarkable for tenderness and feeling as her Perdita is smart and amusing. By-the-bye, why withdraw "The Winter's Tale"? It is a telling burlesque, and generally well played. Indeed, Mr. Toole's version of "Bobbing Around" is of itself an attraction. If Mr. Dillon would only, instead of giving two pieces of three acts each in one evening, substitute the burlesque, or a farce for one of them, he will be far more likely to realize an established success. A little condensation would be welcome at the HAYMARKET. To this it may be urged that the visitor is at liberty to leave before the last farce comes on. So he may; but the British public is curiously composed, and disposed to find fault. Simpkins will persist in stopping the performances out, and then the next morning grumble to his heart's content at the lateness of the hour. But to turn to the bill, it will be found that the chief fare consists of old comedies revived for the purpose of introducing an American actor-Mr. Murdoch, whose Mirabel in "The Inconstant" and Rover in "Wild Oats" are indicative of ability. These old comedies contain an amount of sentiment which is hardly appreciated in these degenerate days. For instance, when Rover's father and mother discover in him their long-lost son, and affectionately go through the embracing generally observed on the stage on such happy occasions, the audience, with the full remembrance of "Box and Cox," expresses approbation in loud laughter. The entertainments are diversified, Miss Blanche Fane sometimes appearing, and Mr. Buckstone always playing in some favourite farce. Then there are the Spanish Dancers, whose attraction appears never to diminish. They go on dancing in the same happy style and gleesome manner that distinguished them on their first appearance in this country; and Perea Nena has succeeded in establishing a fame which may well be the envy of ambitious figurantes. It is rather difficult to treat of the doings at DRURY LANE, for there the changes partake of a chameleon character; for one time it is the flattest of flat-nosed Chinese jugglers; presently a tiger that has taken one spring from Bengal; at another period a lion, not to be out-roared even by Mr. Barry Sullivan; then some Yankees ; followed by what was graphically termed in the bills "The English National Opera." After which an Australian importation, in the shape of Mrs. Waller, who in herself would have done very well, but failed only from the manager "piling up the agony" rather too strong, as the gentlemen have it in the land of bowie knives, revolvers, and gin sling. But of all the most commendable is the week's engagement of Madame Grisi, and Signor Mario, and it is satisfactory to learn the speculation has succeeded. The serious burlesque of "Pizarro," to the regret of whom it would be impossible to say, has disappeared. For utter barrenness perhaps nothing could surpass the pieces in which Mr. and Mrs. Barney Williams have appeared at the ADELPHI; yet for all this the Americans have gone ahead. At first their engagement was a failure; then it improved, and went on to success; and now, just as they are leaving, everybody is anxious to be "bobbing around" them. If there be anyone who has not witnessed Shakspeare at ASTLEY's, let him at once hie there, and see "Richard the Third." Richard is himself again; and Mr. Holloway, albeit at times he does holloa away, gives a very stirring representation of the historical tyrant. But of all the actors in the tragedy let "White Surrey" take the lead. His death is the very perfection of equine sagacity. Under the genial influence of a London winter, the EXHIBITIONS are beginning to brighten; and those travellers who have not availed themselves of the autumnal recess to explore foreign regions, can make up for the disappointment by learning from MR. GORDON CUMMING a vast amount of marvellous particulars touching zoology. And to those who wish to be acquainted with the Czar's capital without undergoing the martyrdom of passports, what can be more to the purpose than to take a peep at St. Petersburg as depicted on canvas by MR. BURFORD? Whilst to those minds of a more domesticated kind a visit to the POLYTECHNIC must be very acceptable, for there the invention of Mr. Bessemer is scientifically explained and fully commented upon by Mr. Pepper. Other exhibitions are on the eve of commencement. To Mr. Smith's Mont Blanc, and Mr. Woodin's Olio, is to be added an entertainment by VALENTINE VOUSDEN, called "The Unity of Nations." So with all these there is every promise of wrestling with " the compliments of the season. STATE OF THE ODDS, &c. SALE OF BLOOD STOCK. By Messrs. Tattersall, at Newmarket, October 2 : Soapy Sam, ch. yearling c., by Surplice out of Muffatee ........ .... Heureuse, br. f., by Backbiter out of La Malheureuse .......... GS. 110 95 71 50 50 45 31 Bay yearling filly, by Collingwood out of Termagant Black filly, by Sir Hercules out of Heresy Maid of the Mill, 3 yrs., by The Libel out of Manacle Brown yearling filly, by the Confessor, dam by Don John .... ....... At Hyde Park Corner, Monday, October 13:- Mantle, by Emilius out of Pelerine Chestnut mare, 5 yrs., by Cotherstone out of Bonny Bonnet Poetess (foaled in 1849), by Touchstone out of Eclogue; served Sir Tatton Colt foal, by Sir Tatton Sykes out of Fortuna Chestnut colt, 2 yrs., by Connaught Ranger out of Pass-card Flycatcher, by Birdcatcher out of L'Hirondelle; covered by Andover (Mr. Brown mare, by Faugh a Ballagh, dam by Cadland; covered by Teddington (Sir G. Strickland).... Bay yearling filly, by Vatican out of The Nun..... THE LATE MR. H. STEBBINGS'S BROOD MARES, &c. At York, by Mr. Robert Johnson: Brown yearling colt, by Poynton out of Prince of Orange's dam (Mr. Hayes) 130 Hope, by Sleight of Hand out of Madame Pelerine (Canezou's dam); covered by Hermit (Mr. C. Peck)...... Brown yearling filly, by Pompey, dam own Sister to Ilex (Mr. Reynard) Queen Bee, by Liverpool, her dam by Ardrossa (Beeswing's dam); covered by Connaught Ranger (Mr. Hewett)....... 13 11 Merry Lass, b. or br. m., by Mulatto, her dam Belinda; covered by Connaught Ranger (Mr. Cook) Gretchin, by Rochester, dam by Humphrey Clinker Junior; covered by John o'Gaunt (Mr. Fletcher)....... 10 Wood Nymph, by Auckland out of Dryad; covered by John o'Gaunt (Mr. 10 Pergama, by Priam out of Eliza Leeds; covered by Cruiser (Mr Freeman).. 7 |