and humbugs. We have some heartiness and hospitality left yet, and there has always been a kind of freemasonry amongst sportsmen, that we trust may never quite die out! Sharpers and swindlers and makebelieves are common enough perhaps, but we don't think their peculiar province is the hunting field. The rising generation who has learnt his caution from Mr. Sponge's Tour should search out the Tours of Nimrod as a corrective. From the one he will become suspicious and captious; from the others more and more inclined to appreciate and glory in that sport his heart is already warming to. Nimrod drew the sporting life of England, scene for scene, from the life, with the taste of a gentleman and the feeling of a sportsman. Mr. Surtees, with almost as great experience and opportunity, prefers to trace out and over-colour a panorama that can give but little idea of a real sportsman's pleasures, or even of his vicissitudes. STABLE PRACTICE. Longmans and Co.-As companion to his "Stud Farm," already so favourably known, Cecil now offers us his "Stable Practice; or, Hints on Training for the Turf, the Chase, and the Road." It is recommended by the same long experience of the subjects treated on, and the same careful consideration of the advice given to the younger sportsman. "Stable Practice," indeed, is not confined to getting the horse only into condition: some of the most useful hints in connection with wasting and race-riding are at the service of the superior animal, man. He can but profit by remembering them. The theme of the "Stable Practice" is scarcely so fresh as that of the former volume; but any of our friends who took that on our recommendation have our authority again for this. The price of Mr. Tongue's volume will soon be saved in many a way, and the oldest hand may never be above consulting it. Having, in our notice of another work, had occasion to instance one of Nimrod's productions, we may add here that Cecil's "Stable Practice" comes as a very good sequel or continuation to "The Condition of Hunters." It is pleasant, too, to see how the present writer can refer to the past without any of those little petty sneers some of our great people have introduced their own excellences with. Cecil is again well backed by the influence of Messrs. Longman, who have turned him out in the best form, with a good plate-" Preparing for the Field "-and everything in becoming character with a useful and handy work. LONDON AT TABLE; OR How, WHEN, AND WHERE TO ORDER A DINNER, AND WHERE TO AVOID DINING. Chapman and Hall, 193, Piccadilly. We strongly recommend this unpretending half-crown volume to our Christmas readers. The etching by Phiz is worth the money, independent of the gastronomic hints. The receipts are firstrate, and we opine that "Oyster toast," "Kedgeree," Cumberland hot pot," as here described, with the "Mulled claret," "Mississippi punch," Sherry cobbler," "Bottled velvet," Champagne, Hock, Moselle, Cider, and "Claret Cup," and "Mint julep," &c., from the original recipes, will be a great addition to the luxuries of Christmas cheer. 69 FINE ARTS. JACK ON GUARD, PREPARING FOR THE INVASION.-Here's an example for us all! Jack's alive, and with his bit of tarpaulin well cocked, his 'bacca in full bloom, and his quarter-staff in close keeping--why, let 'em come! As Acres says, "We wont run." This appropriate plate, so handsomely brought out by Mr. Mitchell, of Bond-street, is sure to have a long run. The humour of the idea is excellent, and the execution quite in keeping. The rough-and-ready gentleman who stands for the model is no doubt a portrait, but there are few less familiar with his expressive features but who will welcome him as heartily as we do. PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS OF THE METROPOLIS. I belong to the unpopular family of Tell-truths, and would not flatter Apollo for his lyre."-ROB ROY. The Christmas budget, like other budgets, has been pretty freely canvassed, and, with the fate of many that have gone before, it may be pronounced a failure. Many of a higher aim, and not of antiquity, have been productive of much more fun than is possible to be derived from this Christmas budget. It lacks invention, and is altogether destitute of tricks, which is more than can be said of some where they are not looked for. Come forth, you several masters of pantomime and burlesque, and answer for your several contributions to this heterogeneous production! First appears DRURY LANE with "Harlequin Hudibras, or Dame Durden !" Where's the epigrammatic flavour of Butler's fat knight? And where-- But to pass on to the bill, which makes mention of "the tricks by Mr. Finlayson," who certainly must enjoy a sinecure under the new management: the scenery by Mr. Nicholls, and the dances arranged by Madame Louise. It is but fair to speak of them, for on their contributions chiefly must this pantomime rest its claims. Sans scenery and the choregraphic portion," Hudibras" would unquestionably fall; as it is, some of the scenes and dances deserve especial commendation. In this praise must also be included Harlequin and Columbine-the former for his dancing, and the latter for her evident desire to please. With many of the other houses the same superiority of the labours of the scene-painter over all other "heads," is strikingly apparent. In addition to the artist at the PRINCESS's, Mr. Hurline, the new clown, is an important accessory; and "Harlequin Cherry Fair Star" owes its hearty reception to this cause. From these boards Mr. Flexmore has passed to the ADELPHI; where Harlequin Nell Gwynne" cannot be said to render more facetious any of the passages in the life of the Merry Monarch than commentators already had made the world acquainted with; the most amusing portion being that in which the programme treats of Mr. and Mrs. Pepys and children being at the play. At the OLYMPIC "Romeo and Juliet" is sacrificed to Momus; accordingly, after the poet is mercilessly treated, the harlequinade begins, Mr. Edwards and his dogs taking the most conspicuous parts. Of the transpontine theatres, the SURREY appears to have created the most sensation, although "The World of Flowers," it is said, by the side of last season's offering at the same house, fades; but what flowers, in ordinary seasons, can be expected to bloom in January? Very different, indeed, is the success attending that of another remotely situated theatre-" Whittington and his Cat" proving that it is not in distance alone SADLERS' WELLS is beyond its cotemporaries. For genuine fun, smart allusions to the topics of the day, and wellmanaged tricks, this pantomime is declared by "competent authorities" to surpass any of the season. Now having dismissed the pantomimic contributions, there remains but little to examine, as burlesque finds but two representatives on this occasion: the first being "The Old Woman of the Wood" at the LYCEUM; and the other" Leo the Terrible," at the HAYMARKET. Mr. Planché has turned out "The Old Woman" (however harsh it may appear), and well she does turn out in the hands of Madame Vestris, who, in its production, has, in her customary Christmas fashion, lavished resources which appear to equal fields of gold. Added to this, the same exquisite taste finds especial display. In carrying out these unequalled designs a coadjutor is found in Mr. W. Beverley, whose powerful aid in the scenic art is as conspicuously apparent as in "The Island of Jewels." With regard to the Haymarket extravaganza, it will suffice to say that the actors might find, without difficulty, less cumbersome vehicles to draw. Not content with this species of entertainment congenial to the season, a mania is raging amongst lessees on "The Uncle Tom" question. Theatres, high and low, far and near, in one and all this particularly disagreable relative appears to find a lodging. Go where you will, it is two to one you find your uncle bowing forth his powerful appeals after the fashion," Am I not a brother?" The latest edition is at DRURY LANE, where, from a philosophic determination on the part of the audience to laugh on all possible occasions, it is agreeable to find that the deep-drawn sentimentalities, instead of awakening the lachrymal, serve only to move mirthful propensities. The exponents in most instances must not be judged by their parts in this black affair; Mr. H. Wallack and Mr. Selby deserve better treatment. As for Mr. H. Betty, the representative of George Harris, the playgoing world would not repine if, for the remainder of his natural life, he might become as invisible as the celebrated "Mrs. Harris.' Such banishment would prove a source of sincere congratulation to all those whose amiability of disposition causes them to hold in respect her most Gracious Majesty's English. Such desecration cannot be committed by the MARIONETTES, whose propriety on all occasions cannot be too highly extolled. On their new stage at the courtly ST. JAMES's the same straightforward course appears to actuate them, and too much praise cannot be extended to their sense of decorum, so strikingly exhibited in Don Giovanni. As the Ebony Marionettes they give themselves, or rather they treat the audience to airs which are productive of infinite amusement. Although banished from their old quarters, the MARIONETTE THEATRE still finds a WOODIN representative, whose Carpet Bag is nightly ransacked for the amusement of the public. Yet with this constant application to the contents the portfolio of Mr. Woodin is never blank. The variety of the pictures so successfully brought forth, while it pleases and astonishes all beholders, shadows forth the consummate skill and high powers of the artist. ance. For "fresh fields" the spectator has but to hasten to the DIORAMA OF AUSTRALIA in Regent-street, where he will behold gold-fields in abundBut it is not the diggings on which Mr. Prout has excelled; rather it should be observed that the greatest amount of artistic excellence is shown in depicting the voyage. As a marine painting, this diorama ranks deservedly high. Another picture has been placed upon the canvas by Mr. Burford ; and for accuracy of detail, strength of colouring, and general tone, the BERNESE ALPS may be considered in every light a worthy companion to those still on view at the panoramas in Leicester Square. To enjoy a hearty laugh, the seeker after amusement should not lose the opportunity of seeing at the LYCEUM "A Phenomenon in a Smock Frock" and "Little Toddlekins," in both of which farces Mr. Charles Mathews is pre-eminent. After all, this is the true budget of fun for the NEW YEAR. NOTES OF THE MONTH PAST. In our memoranda of the month we have to notice the death of a remarkable man-Leadbitter "the detective"-an officer who, in the course of his man-catching career, must have witnessed as many curious scenes as Vidocq himself. Latterly, however, the turf was the ruling passion, and faithfully did he play the part of Cerberus to many a Derby and Leger crack. In addition to which, for the last 20 years Mr. Leadbitter received a 25 guinea retainer from the Doncaster Corporation, to attend at the Autumn Meeting and preserve order in the Grand Stand enclosure. His familiarity with the faces of known "defaulters," and other suspicious characters, rendered him especially valuable in this capacity, as one glance from his eye was sufficient to assure them that the sooner they evaporated into less hallowed precincts the better. It will be long before the habitués of those races will forget his fine burly form struggling to clear a space for the winners, as they returned to scale; or darting into a seemingly impenetrable phalanx of "ring-wolves," and bringing out a "welsher" in nearly the last state of exhaustion and primitive nakedness; or riding home from the course behind the police van, crammed with the rich living "Cabinet of Curiosities," which he and his confreres had collected during the after noon. His name, too, will always live in the Exchequer Reports, as the nominal defendant in the great "Wood . Leadbitter" action, which ensued in consequence of his expulsion of one Wood, a defaulter, from the Grand Stand enclosure, at the instance of the Stewards for the time being. His plea on defence was "leave and licence," and it was on the motion for a new rule, after a verdict had been found for the defendant, that Baron Alderson (who also tried the Running Rein case) delivered his celebrated judgment which settled the law as regards "Leave and Licence" on its present footing. Many an old friend went uninvited to Brompton Cemetery to take a last look at his coffin before the grave closed over him. He lies there near Vincent Dowling and John Jackson, and we may truly say that three finer specimens of the stalwart, lion-hearted, and generous Englishman of the old school never slept their last long sleep together. Peace to their memories! Mr. Leadbitter, who was in the 65th year of his age, died from injuries received on being upset in a cab. Lord Stradbroke's kennel of greyhounds came to the hammer at Aldridge's, on the 18th Dec., when the stallion dog, Miles, by King Cob, out of Minerva, fetched 25 sovs. ; and amongst the dogs in work, Mozart, by Miles, out of Meg, 9 gs.; Midnight, winner of the Newmarket November Cup, 31 gs.; and Myrtle, 5 gs. In the first season entry, Mist brought £14 3s. 6d., Moral 7 gs., Mopsus £6 16s. 6d., and Maidstone 5 guineas. These were the picked lots, the others going at very inferior prices. Mr. Neilson, of Liverpool, who declines. coursing, made a better average of his sale at Salford, which we accordingly give in full : ALL-AGED DOGS. LOT 1. Nightshade, black ticked dog, by Anderson's Tinker out of 2. Neophyte, blue ticked dog, by Anderson's Champion out of 1 10 3. Jester, red dog, by King Cob out of Eley's Edith 18 0 13 10 5. Charity, black and white bitch, by Noyes's Foremost out of Ran- 7 10 PUPPIES, 6. Napier, red ticked dog, by Long's Lord of the Manor out of Ed- 14 10 7. Noble, white and fawn dog, brother to Napier. 6 0 8. Nonsuch, blue and white dog, by Edleston's Sefton out of Crusoe's 4.10 10. Nonpareil, black and white dog, by Webb's Wrestler out of Gar- 9. Nestor, black and white dog, by Lord Sefton's Senate out of Ed- 4 0 6 10 11. Napoleon. fawn and white dog, by Long's Lord of the Manor out 19 10 12. Nightingale, black ticked bitch, own sister to Mocking Bird, by 6 5 6 0 SAPLINGS. 14. Blue Ticked Dog by Sharpes' Liddesdale (now dead) 2 5 4 5 6 10 17. Black Ticked Bitch, sister to lot 14 18. Fawn and White Dog, brother to lot 14. 1 15 8 15 |