209 LITERATURE. 66 LONDON AT TABLE. Chapman and Hall, 193, Piccadilly. 151. This spruce little volume may be classed in the series of manuals under the title of The Hand Book to the Stomach. It purports to instruct all who may consult it, in reference to the gastronomy of the great metropolis, where to dine, what to dine upon, and how to "wash down" their good fare. The following is the idea it entertains upon the point of victualling a select few at a bachelor's snuggery :-" Turtle from the Adelphi or Waterloo Hotel at Liverpool; a Severn or Wold salmon, caught in the morning" (not as opposed to the evening, but upon the morning of the day in which it is eaten) a vol au vent; Maintenon cutlets; poularde; duckling; green peas, jelly, and cream form the main part of the dinner; while a leg of cold lamb, paté de Strasbourg, a Spanish ham, dressed crab, or a lobster sallad, are on the sideboard for those who prefer cold to hot dishes. Moselle and claret cup, pale sherry, old Indian Madeira, that has been sent so often to the east that it has almost become tired of the voyage, and champagne for those who prefer a more exhilirating beverage, with magnums of Crockford's or Charles Cunningham's Chateau Lafitte."......While you read your mouth waters, and there is danger of your damaging the tenth commandment. But the author comes to the rescue. He knows the peril, and he sets not only the bane but the antidote before you. Read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the grace after meat, wherewith he points his moral..." A fat kitchen maketh a lean will."..." Who dainties love shall beggars prove." It is no business of yours what sympathy there may be between the writer's plats and his philosophy. Sit down to a lamb chop and a life preserver-as fast men call a half-pint of sherry— and be thankful. THE DOG, AND HOW TO BREAK HIM. THE GUN, AND HOW TO USE IT. THE GAMEKEEPERS' DIRECTORY. Piper Brothers and Co., Paternoster-row. This is proverbially the age of hand-books: business and pleasure are alike provided with them, and a man now gathers knowledge from a page where it once took a chapter to enlighten him. Mr. Johnson's experience of the dog and gun is brought to a focus entirely in accordance with modern usage. There is not a line, scarcely a word, wasted in what he wishes to advise you on; but, having plainly told you all he thinks necessary on any one point, he straightway proceeds as determinedly with the next. New works on the dog or gun may be thought, perhaps, by some as uncalled for, considering the number we have already on these subjects; but we must in justice declare that we never saw any publications more free from the charge of book-making" than those we have at present before us. It is seldom, indeed, the young sportsman has the opportunity of learning so much, with so little trouble to himself, as he may from "The Gun, and How to use it," or from "The Dog, and How to Break Him." Moreover, he can receive what he reads with every confidence in his author; for Mr. Johnson is no skilful collector of other men's matter, but a well-tried practical sportsman, who only recommends what he himself has tested and approved, There is not a breed of shooting dogs, or a part and parcel of the gun, but has due notice and elucidation as to how it should be treated. Both little works, in a word, come fully up to their titles. They are, too, very neatly printed and got up, as well as equally to be recommended for cheapness and portability. Of the style in which they are written we leave the reader to judge for himself, from an extract we have joined on to our season plate" of this month. 66 "The Gamekeepers' Directory" is a new edition of a work already well known. It has been carefully revised by the author of the two volumes we have been speaking of; and to none could the task have been more properly entrusted, as it is a father leaving his work to the charge of his son. Both have in this instance ably done their duty, and the Keepers' Directory must rank high as an authority, so long as we have game to preserve or vermin to destroy. To show the thorough fairness with which the directions are giveu, we need only instance the case of bold reynard the fox, for whose destruction Master Plush is enjoined to provide a pack of hounds and a field of well-mounted sportsmen. It is on these terms of "live and let live" that our sports and pastimes will continue to flourish; and we can so cordially wish Mr. Johnson and his publishers every success with their new ventures. FINE ARTS. FORES'S MARINE SKETCHES. Lammastide is the high season of marine fashionable festivity, when the yachtsman is "once more upon the waters." In what trim he takes his pleasure," when winds breathe soft," is a subject well suited to the pencil of a British artist. The sketches of our amateur navy, published from time to time by the eminent firm in Piccadilly whose name is at the head of this paragraph, set forth our essentially national sport, yachting," veluti in speculum." They are miniature panoramas of the choicest gems of our sea-board, graced with many a gallant galley careering "like a thing of life." Among the most recent additions to this brilliant series are the following specimens: "YACHTING-SCENE OFF COWES.' -This beautiful plate comprises portraits of Lord Wilton's Zariffa-flag-ship of the R.Y.S.--in the foreground, with the Musquito passing astern of her, and the Pearl at her moorings off Cowes Castle. In the distance are the Victoria and Albert and the Fairy Royal steam yachts, and the Mirage and the Bianca schooners. "THE SCHOONER YACHT, NANCY DAWSON."-She shall speak for herself... 66 She was built for the late Robert Shedden, Esq., who died on board at Mazatlan, Nov. 16th, 1849, whilst cruising in search of Sir John Franklin's expedition-the only yacht that ever rounded Point Barrow and circumnavigated the globe.' "THE ROYAL NAVY: saluting Her Majesty." PORTSMOUTH HARBOUR. The Victory "SCENE OFF THE NORE LIGHT.-The iron steam yacht, Peterhoff, built for the Emperor of Russia." For accuracy of professional detail and artistic excellence these sketches equal, if they do not surpass, any of the gallery to which they belong. They rate A 1 of their class. 211 PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS OF THE METROPOLIS. Crowded scenes and lovely grove, Places of public amusement present an appearance which is unusual at this season. Generally speaking there is a desire for "early closing' amongst those whose interests are most materially affected; but just now it is very evident that there is not any wish of the kind; whilst visitors flock to be entertained, managers will keep " open house." The audiences that nightly fill the theatres are entirely different to those that generally are seen now foreigners and "friends from the country," fill the places vacated by the playgoers of the metropolis, who have made their retreat for "the lovely grove;" whilst the "crowded scenes" are resorted to by those whose rural experience makes them desirous of change for the nonce "Friend of life, Variety." The exceptions to the extension of the season are the Operas, which are now closed. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE seldom, if ever, could boast of the array of talent which has distinguished the past season; not only was the commencement celebrated for the éclat attending the performances, but the same spirit of determination to meet the taste of the subscribers has been apparent to the close of the theatre. Besides being observable in the appearance of Madame Barbieri Nini in "Lucrezia Borgia," and "Anna Bolena, it was also manifest in the operas which brought forward Sontag, and Alboni. Indeed the enthusiasm which greeted the re-appearance of Madame Sontag in the "Barbière," after some little rest, could not be surpassed; and never was this gifted songstress heard to greater perfection than on this interesting occasion. The tones of her flute-like voice carried a charm that of itself was electric. Her subsequent impersonation of the dashing, vivacious vivandière in "La Figlia Reggimento" was all that could be desired, possessing as it always does points of especial interest. After these notable events memory reverts to the sweet singing of Mademoiselle Alboni as Orsini in "Lucrezia Borgia," which although often undertaken by her, never was the music more forcibly expressed as on the first night of this opera this season. The Lucrezia and the Anna Bolena of Madame Barbieri Nini are performances of great merit, remarkable more for the skilful management of the voice, than grace of action, or a subdued manner. A season remarkable for the best management since the opening of THE ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA for its present purposes has just been brought to a close; and, as a necessary consequence, the most successful campaign, it has proved. In fact, all previous seasons have been attended with loss; whilst now it is a matter of congratulation that Mr. Gye should not have undergone the thousand-and-one troubles and annoyances of management without being requited for his toil and labour. A degree of energy was evinced, and the tactics were thoroughly general-like, as was clearly proved by efficiency being secured in every range, at the same time care being taken not to engage any talent that could not be made available. The consequence has evidenced, there not being any drones, the hive has been productive to the director of the garden. The French and American Equestrians have improved upon their performances at DRURY LANE. Not the least in their recommendation to favour may be mentioned the remarkably low prices of admission, and the proper regard which is paid to the duration of the performances, which are brought to a conclusion at a reasonable hour. In this respect their example might be worthily followed at other houses, where that which should be viewed as an entertainment becomes the very reverse, from being elaborated to a degree to produce weariness and fatigue. In addition to the graceful and finished horsemanship of Madame Caroline, and the extraordinary evolutions of Mr. Mac Collum, there are the wonderful feats of Young Baptiste, whose joints appear, from their extreme suppleness, to be composed of caoutchouc. It is difficult to imagine anything approaching the twistings, turnings, and surprisingly agile movements of this wonderful little representative of humanity. Americans again at the ST. JAMES'S! Surely what with their sailing craft, as evidenced at Cowes, and their appearance at our theatres, the United States men are determined to give the Britishers a touch of their quality. In this instance Mr. Barnum, of Tom Thumb notoriety, is endeavouring to enlist the suffrages of the public in favour of two precocious girls, of the ages of eight and nine, whose representations of Richard the Third and Richmond are to be witnessed on these boards, so lately trodden by Mr. Mitchell's French Company, and in the same arena where Mrs. Kemble so ably gave her " Readings of Shakspeare. To all those who are interested in "prodigies," the present exhibition cannot be devoid of interest, particularly as the official announcement is emphatic in declaring that neither of these infinitesimal delineators of Shakspeare can read or write. The name of these youthful aspirants is Bateman-nowise related to the Lord of that ilk, whose forte certainly was not tragedy. Of all resorts where out-door amusements are cultivated, there is no locale where such an amount of improvement has taken place as at CREMORNE GARDENS, which, under the able superintendence of Mr. Simpson, have undergone various and multifarious changes, and what is more than can be declared in every instance of alteration, considerably for the better. In the new pavilion Franconi and his troupe daily and nightly witch all beholders with daring deeds of horsemanship, by performing acts on bare-backed steeds, that would have proved crumbs of comfort to poor Ducrow, and no mean gratification to even Phoebus himself. From scenes like this, on turning to VAUXHALL, the spectator involuntarily exclaims What a “falling off” is here ! particularly after having had ocular demonstration of the repeated mishaps in the circle, by the riders foolishly mistaking their vocation and becoming tumblers. By the way, Hernandez seems to be fast losing the nerve which he formerly possessed, and there is no denying that the intrepid and daring acts of horsemanship once practised by this expert rider have lost their interest from this cause. The frequenters of these badly managed gardens complain loudly of the gross impositions to which they are exposed, by submitting to a species of black mail, levied upon them under pretence of their being allowed to witness the different portions of entertainment (qy.) set forth in the programme. Now there can be no question that after paying for admission the visitor is entitled to every privilege; yet the present system of extortion, by demanding a shilling to this part, another to that part, &c., indulged in, gives a flat denial to so reasonable hypothesis. Lectures are being given at THE POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION on the most interesting deposits at the Crystal Palace; amongst the course not the least entertaining is the one delivered by Mr. Pepper, on minerals and base metals, and their connexion with the possibility of transmutation. Amongst the most instructive and entertaining panoramas of the day, and "their name is legion," are those on the subject of the HOLY LAND; one being at the Egyptian Hall, and the other at The St. George's Gallery the former is further illustrated by a Syro-Lebanon company in native costume. STATE OF THE ODDS, &c. On Monday, Aug. 18, the first part of Colonel Peel's stud were put up, according to advertisement, at Tattersall's. The whole, however, had been previously sold by private contract to Lord Ribblesdale, and the first seven lots in the subjoined list were bought in by this young nobleman, who promises at once to take a prominent place on the turf: A Bay Filly, by Slane, dam Palmyra, 3 years... 160 A Bay Filly, by Bay Middleton, or Alarm, dam Queen Anne A Bay Filly, by Ion, dain Palina 50 A Bay Filly, by Slane, dam Jenny Lind 40 A Bay Filly, by Aların, out of Se kale. 28 A Bay Filly, by Cotherstone, dam by Sir Hercules, out of Electress No bidders for the filly by Alarm, out of Hester and Nabob. 20 |