Soyer and Carbonnel, they cannot do so well. He is just the person to have under one's lee, ashore or afloat. Thus he writes: "The salmon and lobsters of Gottenborg are magnificent creations." To be sure they are-boiled or broiled, as to the salmon; and turned to sauce, as to the lobsters. "Fresh and flaky were the slices of salmon, full and fleshy was the lobster, crimsoned with its luscious coral, as it burst upon our enraptured sight." We can't continue the quotation for the water that fills our mouth. Mr. Tolfrey tells you where the best wine and liqueurs and cigars-the choicest Havannahs-where, in fact, the cream of every luxury of life is to be met with in London; so that his volume is equally valuable to the man that stays at home as to him who goes over to extreme Tana, or eke beyond it, if there be any such place. We take a passage from his work, which illustrates the work performed by the amateur angler in the waters of Norway: 66 At Fiskum is the celebrated Foss or Fall, and a very magnificent one it is. This truly beautiful sheet of water, falling from a perpendicular height of 150 feet, adds in no slight degree to the sublimity of the surrounding scenery. It is justly accounted one of the finest fosses in Norway and we can bear testimony to its grandeur and its beauty. We know of nothing equal to it in the country; and whether viewed from the rocky precipice above or the boat beneath the fall, it will be contemplated with mingled feelings of astonishment and delight. If the salmon-fisher do not think it infra dig. to use his trout-rod occasionally, he, being at the Minimum House, can amuse himself very profitably by strolling up the river from the larger to the lesser foss, a distance of about two English miles. This water is full of trout, varying from one to three and four pounds. No doubt the visitor to the Namsen would say, 'Why think of trout where there are so many salmon in this queen of rivers? True; but if the visitor, on arriving there, should happen to find every portion of the river rented, he may, lacking better amusement, take to his trout-rod, and kill time and fish by way of a pis aller. But let him not leave Fiskum without exploring every inch of the river from the foss down to Vie. We envy him his feelings on beholding for the first time the Fiskum Pool and turbulent waters, the Boat Pool, the pool opposite Rossæter, the Jartland Pool, the Lokke Gar, the Fossland Reach, the Gorge, the Ferry Pool, the Grong Reach, opposite Grong, and the Spækkan Pool, near Moe. 66 Should any one of our countrymen have the good fortune to secure a mile or two of water, we advise him or them to win the affections of the Namsen boatmen. They will be found, if liberally treated, civil and obliging; and as the boat must be resorted to for the Namsen fishing, it will be found good policy to stand well in their good graces. A judicious distribution of the fish, and a dollar given whenever a salmon is taken above a certain weight, and a few drams out of the black bottle after any extra exertion, or when the weather is stormy, will ensure their good will and hearty co-operation. There are plenty of boats on the Namsen, and the men who own and work them are superior to the boatmen who ply at the different Fjords. They row well and with good will, and are extremely dexterous in the management of their frail barks down the tortuous rapids of this impetuous stream. No stranger should think of renting more than two miles of water; for the boatmen entertain an idea that this is the maximum of space for a salmon-fisher. Two friends renting a greater distance would of necessity require a second boat, so that it will be seen that the Namsenians are feelingly alive to their own interest. These hardy boatmen, therefore, would rather see their river tenanted by half-adozen anglers than one or two who wished to hire the whole to themselves. "We will, to show the nature and extent of the sport to be had on this splendid river, give an extract from the diary of a friend of ours, who was on the Namsen in the year 18-. We eschew dates and names; but we may remark that the season here recorded was the very worst upon record-the weather was intensely hot, and the water unusually low. We will not even trust ourselves to say in which portion of the river, or the identical spot whence the fish were abstracted. Suffice it to remark that the salmon so taken were from the Namsen, and the fortunate captor one of the most experienced and accomplished anglers that ever threw a fly." "It will thus be seen that one hundred and forty-four fish, weighing on the aggregate two thousand four hundred and twenty-five pounds, were taken, under most disadvantageous circumstances. This sum total, large as it may seem, has been nearly doubled in more favourable seasons; and the same intrepid angler has outdone himself on the Alten, a river in Findmarken." The volume contains a gallery of "salmon-flies," which, if they really are portraits, at once accounts for the slaughter of fish in the district they embellish. Such a company of "painted populace" surely dwells in no air save that of Norway. FINE ARTS. THE WILTSHIRE COURSING PRIZE PICTURE. The Olympiace præmia palmæ have altered much of late years from what they were wont to be, and, we have all confirmation for saying, as proportionately improved. On the Turf, the old-fashioned, fashionless gold cups, that "glittered in a row," with no more design or variety about them than a string of tea-cups, have given way to the most classic and attractive triumphs of art, from either ancient or English history. In pursuance of much the same plan, the lover of the leash rests no longer content with taking home ditto ditto of "the goblet" or "the spoons" over and over again, but essays against his brother of the cap and jacket to show some as elegant a memento of his day's sport. In place of the sculptor or modeller, the artist-perhaps in the more legitimate sense of the word, and certainly in the truest English reading of it-finds employment here, and with an effect that must tell equally well for both the patron and the workman. The prize now, freed from the bond of custom that made it weigh just the "pound of flesh," and nothing more, becomes as much an encouragement for the fine arts as for field sports, and brings one into an association with the other that must afford the animal painter the best opportunity for the study of his subject, and so the sportsman the surest way of having his pastime properly honoured and understood. The Great Wiltshire Coursing Picture is, if we recollect right, the third great stake that has been so determined on as the præmia palme, the idea being first carried out in Scotland, followed soon after by a companion picture at Liverpool. Without for a moment attempting any comparison of one with the other, we have the greatest pleasure and confidence in saying that the Wiltshire subject is in every way worthy of the object for which it was taken, and that it will, we are sure, stimulate other clubs to offer their subscribers such generally interesting works on the same terms. This one was undertaken by the Messieurs Barraud; and the manner in which they have carried out the design of the club is of course the first and best proof of the justice of the selection. Large, comprehensive pictures of the kind are beset with many difficulties. It requires, imprimis, a good deal of study and headwork to group forty or fifty portraits on one piece of canvas, in connexion with some object that might fairly bring them so together, and thus do away with an impression that is very apt to arise from contemplating class subjects of this character-viz., that they came there for their portraits, and for nothing else. The scene in the action of the drama seized on by the Brothers Barraud has admirably mastered this point; indeed, of all the grand things of the sort we have seen, from Meets of Hounds to Waterloo Banquets, we know none in which the company could be drawn into a better focus, or where any man could complain less of the position he occupied. The deciding course is just over. With one of those provoking "all-buts," Wiltshire has run up, but is run out at last; and Mr. Nicholson, in all the prominence of official scarlet, has certified the fact to the flag-steward, the King of Coursers himself. Here one admits in an instant the legitimacy of the grouping. Everybody naturally rushes up to hear his hopes or fears confirmed; and, just allowing a little proper room for the brace of dogs, what a capital half-circle the crowd forms! Foremost amongst them stands Mr. Bagge, who has gathered Twilight up with his own hands, and looks as proud of her as any "fortunate owner" well could do; while close at his side, and very efficiently facing Mr. Graham, is old Squire Goodlake, the great authority of these parts, ready to congratulate their visitor on his success, but still feeling a little "out," perhaps, for friend Etwall, who he knows is behind him, and will hear every word of his compliment. Approaching, we have that old sportsman and stedfast supporter of the turf and leash, Mr. Harry Biggs; and near him as equally good a judge and hand at either, Lord Stradbroke a capital likeness-in his usually composed, or, as Lord Maidstone writes it, "his cautious vein." Handy on this side are Sir Hesketh Fleetwood, Dr. Scott, Mr. Parkinson, Mr. Bowes, Mr. Wyndham, and others. At the opposite extremity of the picture, the lounging attitude of Captain Daintree at once strikes you, for the fidelity of whose "stand-at-ease" position any one might answer, even if there was not the proper feature of face to confirm it. In conversation with the Captain, and calling attention to some good point in the winner, stands that successful and veteran courser, Mr. Inskipp, over whose shoulder Mr. Bowyer Smith is taking a critical look at the Norfolk Nonpareil, and seemingly not quite satisfied but that he has something in his kennel that may try her a turn or two yet. The portraits altogether number forty-six, comprising, as may be seen from what we have said, some of the great coursers from all districts, though naturally the majority are better known on the home, Ashdown, Streatley, and Metropolitan circuits. To warrant the faithfulness of every likeness, would be more than our experience permits for many, however, we willingly can; while, from the remarks we hear from friends who speak as readily to some faces unknown to us, there must have been great pains taken, and--the not always invariable accompaniment-as complete success, in this grand item in the composition of the painting. Sportsman or critic, every one will acknowledge the appropriateness of the expression to the business of the scene-a fact that tends much to the value of the picture as a work of art, independently of its interest as a faithful record of a certain passage in sporting life. To render to every one his proper due, the human figures and faces are, we believe, in the province of Mr. Henry Barraud; his brother, already so well and justly known as an animal painter, taking the horses, greyhounds, and general disposition of the picture, in which, by the bye, he has availed himself of Stonehenge for a back-ground. The work so enjoys several advantages; and we can only repeat, the most has been made of them, for it is altogether as perfect a one in effect, and as attractive a one in subject, as we have seen for some time. Moreover, to give it that popularity the picture so greatly merits for we believe, so far, we have been writing of it as the prize picture an engraving, got up under the superintendence of, and published by, the artists, has just been brought out. As with this said engraving before us we have been writing so far, it may, we trust, be seen how admirably it follows the original. Barring only the honour of victory and the brightness of colour, the beaten subscriber shall hold a copy as good a guide to the glory of that day as that the prowess of Swaffham has taken home. At this season metropolitan pleasures give place to country sports. The world's gay throng, tired, fatigued, and utterly worn out by pursuing fashion's thousand-and-one busy contrivances incidental to London life, seek with gusto an exhilarating change in rural recreations. Contradictory as it may appear, yet true it is, that the summer is devoted to town, and winter to the country, by those who have the "means and appliances" to regulate their movements as inclination di rects. In this respect, the mandates of fashion are more sedulously studied than the laws of nature. Any one disposed to attack the absurdity of the custom of thus reversing the order of things, in reasoning with the leaders of the beau monde, peradventure would receive for a reply, albeit expressed in more courtly phraseology, yet partaking of the spirit couched in the touching remonstrance of the boy in poor Tom Hood's story: What do you strike me for ?—you've no right to abuse me-you aint my mother." a The termination of the opera season forms a fitting opportunity to institute a comparison between the performances of the rival houses. It is so perfectly obvious that the retrospect militates in favour of the new house, that we would fain believe that even the most thick-and-thin partizan of the Haymarket establishment would not for a moment attempt to deny the unquestionable superiority of the ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA Over HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Without the great attraction of Jenny Lind Mr. Lumley could not have kept his doors open; but such was the surpassing sweetness of the organ of the Swedish songstress that “ house" could be "made" at any time with her name, which has indeed proved" a tower of strength.' On the other hand, it may be reasonably advanced that the Covent Garden director relied not alone on one name, but upon the general efficiency of his company. Look at the perfeet manner in which "The Huguenots" was brought forward! How admirable the array of artistes-Viardot, Castellan, Mario, Tamburini, and Marini; with Costa leading such an orchestra that could not be excelled. Then, again, the great abilities of an excellently disciplined chorus proved beyond all doubt the vast difference between the two houses. In ballet the palm must be awarded to the manager of the Haymarket house. In every other respect, public opinion-and, say what you will, this must be regarded as a true test-unanimously decides in favour of the management of Covent Garden. Mr. Kerschener is most liberally catering for his friends-the muchtalked-of "million"-at the SURREY, where novelty succeeds novelty so rapidly that the swiftest pen ever wielded even by a "fast man," we will venture to remark, could not keep pace with the extraordinary efforts of so active a manager. Buckstone, Mrs. Fitzwilliam, T. P. Cooke, Mr. and Mrs. A. Wigan, are now succeeded by Mr. G. Bennett, whose lungs, we are rejoiced to think, are in as rude healthy state as ever; a pleasing state of heartiness, that is incontestably conveyed to strong perceptive faculties by auricular demonstration in the "Tower of Nesle," a drama in which Mr. Bennett's sonorous and base (base in a fiddle sense) organ may be heard in the remotest part of the house. We will go further, by declaring our positive conviction that the traveller who journeys overland to the Elephant and Castle may, if his sense of sound be acute, detect the civilized articulation of the Surrey's favourite biped over the savage "roar" of the most hungry quadruped at the contiguous Zoological Gardens. 66 Mazeppa" is again running, not a mad, but a successful career at ASTLEY'S an amphitheatre that can boast of horses and managers alike spirited. "Lady Godiva" attracts the citizens of Lambeth in goodly numbers. It must be confessed that pageantry, blue fire, red fire, startling announcements, comical "situations," and a terrific dénoument, one and all find attentive admirers. Mr. Batty is certainly zealous in |