we trust, we have now heard the last, so far as spiritual agency is concerned, although the Brothers have found a zealous supporter in William Howitt, and an advocate to a limited extent in Captain Burton, the well-known African explorer, who, by the way, we perceive has been appointed British Consul at Santos, Brazil, vice the brother of Dr. Livingstone, who goes in the same capacity to Fernando Po. The other evening we paid a visit to Astley's, and witnessed the performance of Signor Redmond, who was bound by two evident" supers," summoned from the audience; and he threw the tambourine out of the aperture; sounds were heard emanating from the "structure," which, for all we knew to the contrary, might have afforded either a convenient shelter to an accomplice or other means of deception, and this was all the time he allowed to elapse was considerably longer than the period stated to be occupied by Professor Anderson, whose per formance of similar tricks we have not witnessed, but the exhibition at Astley's described as may be a "sell," and a worthy prelude to the "beautiful' Menken. All we need say of her performance, after protesting against the representation of the character by a female at all, is that we expected it to be more revolting than it really was, after all we had heard and read; that it was indelicate enough, but not more so than many ballets. We are told, however, that her costume has been somewhat modified since her first appearance. Blackfriars Bridge is being rapidly demolished. Business taking us to the Times office the other day, we found the aspect of the neighbourhood much changed since our last visit, owing to the formation of the new line of railway which has already transmogrified the space between Printing-house Square and New Bridge-street. Amongst other City alterations and improvements, we perceive that the Auction-mart in Bartholomew-lane is being pulled down, on the site of which we are informed that offices are to be erected. Mr. and Mrs. Tom Thumb, en route for the continent, have visited the Prince and Princess of Wales, and have attracted a large audienee to their hotel indeed, their levées were unpleasantly crowded, although nominally attended by such favoured individuals as received the compliment of a special invitation, and Commodore Nutt and Miss Warren have been showing themselves off to admiring crowds in a more public manner at St. James's Hall. Mr. George Augustus Sala is back; and since his return he has given us, in the Telegraph, as special commissioner, an interesting and entertaining account of his visit to Niagara this time last year, from which we take the liberty of extracting the concluding paragraph. He does not appear to have been much impressed by the first view he had of the Falls; but after rambling, as is his wont, on the subject of Guy Fawkes, Gog and Magog, paper-staining, felt hats, &c., &c., he says that, at three in the afternoon, "I stood on the brink of Table Rock, and gazed once more on the great dreary, colourless expanse of water, foam, and spray. And this was Niagaraand there was nothing more. Nothing! With a burst like the sound of a trumpet the sudden sun came out. God bless him! there he was; and there, in the midst of the foaming waters, was seen the Everlasting Bow. The rainbow shone out upon the cataract; the sky turned blue; the bright trumpet had served to call all nature to arms; the very birds (that had been flapping dully over the spray throughout the morning) began to sing; and, looking around me, I saw that the whole scene had become glorified. There was light and colour everywhere. The river ran a stream of liquid gold; the dark hills glowed; the boulders of ice sparkled like gems. The snow was all bathed in iris-tints-crimson, and yellow, and blue, and green, and orange, and violet. The white houses and belvedere started up against the and, soaring high behind the bow, was the great blue, like the mosques and minarets of Stamboul, obelisk of diamonds-and it was then I began, as pillar of spray, glancing and flashing like an many men have begun perchance, to wonder at and to love Niagara." It is rumoured that Sala, having neglected to supply regular instalments of his story of "Quite Alone" to "All the Year Round," Mr. Halliday was requested to finish it, and that a law-suit will be the result. The Rapier, a Conservative paper published at Brighton, is edited by Mortimer Collins. The article on John Leech, in the "Cornhill," is by Mr. Dallas, of the Times, who was furnished by the "Punch" people with the illustrations that add so greatly to its interest. The artist to whom reference is made therein, and whose portrait appears ornamented with an enormous pair of mustachios, is understood to be Mr. Millais, who was recently Mr. Leech's travelling companion. The "In Memoriam" lines, in the December No. of "London Society," are by Mr. William Reade, who is not unknown to the readers of this magazine, They are a much worthier tribute to the memory of the artist than the effort which appeared in "Punch," and which was remarkable as much for its weakness as for rits questionble grammar, although written by one whose English is usually unimpeachable. There is also, in "London Society," an amusing account of the Brothers "Diddleport," which fully describes certain wardrobe manifestations at a séance held at the chambers of Jack Easel, Esq., who is a nephew of Sir Charles Eastlake. It will repay perusal, being more amusing and instructive than the various notices of the real performance. Mr. Yates' "Broken to Harness" has reached a second edition. The first portion of Mr. Wills's "David Chantrey" has now the place of honour in "Temple Bar," vacated by "The Doctor's Wife," and the new tale promises well. We perceive, from a slip which is appended to "Mrs. Lirriper's Legacy," that although "Our Mutual Friend" is to be in twenty numbers, similar to other works by the same author, it is not to be in one volume, since volume the first (comprising the first ten numbers) is to appear on the 20th of January. Although half the tale is so nearly completed, the plot is at present decidedly hazy, and the number of character-sketches still come on the scene to little purpose; but time will show to what end they are introduced. There is a marked improvement in the illustrations of the November part-not before it is time. In Mrs. Lirriper (who was such a success last year that it has been deemed advisable to play upon the same string) we are constantly reminded of those worthies, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Willoughby, who, on the other hand, may have had Mrs. Gamp in their minds' eye, though they are all distinctly-marked creations. "Punch's Pocket Book" has made its appearance, illustrated by John Tenniel and Charles Keene, the latter supplying the coloured frontispiece, which at a first glance reminds us somewhat of Leech. Tenniel's designs are clever, and, all things considered, this annual brochure may be pronounced a success. The Almanack has the assistance of fresh blood, since (in addition to John Tenniel) the illustrations are supplied by Messrs. Millais, Keene, Walker, and Du Maurier. "Tenants at Will" is the seasonable contribution of Chambers' Journal, wherein the lovers of ghost stories have been catered for to their hearts' content. "Vere Vereker's Vengeance," by Thomas Hood, the worthy son of a worthy sire, is an amusing Christmas conceit which has been reprinted from the "Comic News:" it is especially adapted to the season. We cannot say the same of "Mr. Jones's Evening Party," by Mr. Routledge, which is very dull, and exhibits to perfection the art of book-making. Under Mr. Hood's able editorship, "A Bunch of Keys" has been strung together, and it is an acceptable addition to the many Christmas books which have been produced this year. "What Men have said about Woman," compiled and arranged by Henry Southgate (the compiler of "Many Thoughts on Many Things") is an elegant volume, illustrated by J. D. Watson, and one which appears suitable as a gift-book to either sex. We may also refer, in admiring terms, to Mrs. Linton's charming volume descriptive of "The Lake Country," published by Smith and Elder, who have issued "The Cornhill Gallery," which contains 100 illustrations from the magazine of that name. We have to record the death of the Earl of Carlisle, late Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, which took place on 5th ultimo in the 62nd year of his age. The death of M. Mocquard should also be noted. That of David Roberts is a loss to art, and creates a vacancy amongst the forty fullfledged R. A.s. Among others recently deceased we may mention Jules Gerard (whose death, while fording a river in Africa, is now con firmed); John Macrae, "The Inverness Poet;" and Mr. R. Spooner, Member for North Warwickshire. The opening of the Junior Athenæum Club is an event that should be recorded in our "Mems." For some time we have been accustomed to see appended to the advertisements of marriages the words "No cards:" our attention has been lately called to the announcement of some of the births in the Standard with the addition of the mysterious words "No doctors." Shall we see "No coffins" in the obituary notices ? Mr. Spurgeon has deliberately renounced the title of "Rev.," says the Patriot, and it is added, that "we believe that he no longer desires to be so addressed;" but it is certain that Your Bohemian, when on his rambles, saw a recent placard which informed him that the Rev. Mr. Spurgeon was to preach somewhere in Southwark. He (Your Bohemian) has also observed that the stock of Messrs. Hayward and Leggatt (it may be remembered that Mr. Leggatt's death was caused, some months ago, through swallowing a nail in a basin of soup at a railway-station) has been sold at their premises in Cornhill by Messrs. Christie and Manson. The opening of the Clifton Suspension-bridge, which connects Somersetshire with Gloucestershire, was celebrated with much rejoicing on the 8th ultimo. And on the 12th the last remaining portions of the Exhibition Building at South Kensington were demolished-(" Sic transit!") The Smithfield, or rather the Islington, show has proved as attractive as any of its predecessors, and is thought to be the most extensive that has been given in the Agricultural Hall. Your Bohemian has little time to attend the performance of opera, as he gives the drama the preference, but he attended a mild representation of "Don Giovanni" (in English), at Her Majesty's, which was chiefly remarkable for the introduction of a new baritone, Mr. F. Penna, as the Don. The attempt was, to say the least, a bold one; but although his voice has scarcely sufficient power to fill so large an arena, he sings with decided taste. Madame Kenneth exhibited much dramatic power. We thought Signor Marchesi too fidgetty in the character of Leporello. The opera was preceded by a ridiculous production called a farce, which was quite out of place on such a stage, and would have been more suitable to the boards of the little Strand, if, indeed, it was worthy of being produced anywhere. Mr. Hatton's new opera at the other house proved far more successful than Mr. Macfarren's more ambitious work. It is a version of the "Valley of Andorre," which was produced at the Princess's in 1850, when that theatre was under the management of the late Mr. Maddox. Mr. Weiss was then, as now, the representative of Jacques, when Mr. Harrison was the Recruiting Captain, and Mdlle. Nau, Mrs. Weiss, and Miss Louisa Pyne took the characters of Georgette, Theresa, and Rose. It had been previously represented as a drama at the Strand Theatre, during Mr. Farren's seen before, is very droll; his humour is quite his own, and he amused us more than many a professed comic actor. The first piece is exceedingly slight, but it is a vehicle for the gentlemanly acting of Mr. E. F. Edgar as a young captain. At the Lyceum the "King's Butterfly" has been withdrawn, and "Ruy Blas" substituted. It is expected that the next revival here will be "Robert Macaire," under the title of "The Roadside Inn," in which we anticipate great things of Widdicomb's Jacques Strop, that actor having toned down much of his exuberance of late. Mr. Fechter has certainly the happy knack of getting hold of names we never heard of before. We have not the remotest idea who Mr. Fitzpatrick is (who plays Don Cæsar, and who is the latest acquisition), except that he comes from the Surrey and Victoria. We welcome Mrs. Winstanley as a valuable addition to the company. This actress is one of the best representatives of the duenna class, and might fill the characters sustained by the late Mrs. Glover, who appears to have left no successor, if we except Mrs. H. Marston. management, in 1849. "Il Trovatore" (which | Evans, whom we do not remember to have ever is not a correct title for an English version of this opera, any more than is "La Sonnambula") has drawn much better houses than the new productions. In "Sunny Vale Farm," we regret that Malle. Beatrice should have a character which gave her so little opportunity for displaying the ability she undoubtedly possesses; she had only one situation in the first act, next to nothing to do in the second, and in the third was as successful as the requirements of the part would admit, but one cannot make bricks without straw; and Victoria melodrama is out of place on the Haymarket stage. Poor Miss Snowdon did her best to bring ridicule on herself and her companions by her exaggerated performance. We are surprised that Miss Angel, being a member of the company, did not play that part. Mrs. E. Fitzwilliam's part was the best in the piece, but she did not in the least look the character intended-that of an old woman. Mdlle. Beatrice has been singularly unfortunate in her selection of parts. The first piece in which she appeared was immoral, the second was old-fashioned, with, at all events a doubtful kind of morality; and nothing could redeem the insipidity of the third, which might be termed "Leah-and Water." It yet remains for us to see her to the best advantage; and we hope that, should such a chance not be given to her at the Haymarket, she will seek some other theatre, where she will have a better field for the display of that grace and elegance which are her chief characteristics. The old musical farce of "No Song no Supper" has been revived here, and in which Misses Louise Keeley and Nelly Moore have appeared to very great advantage. We have visited the Olympic, where the principal attraction is Miss Kate Terry, who acts finely, and is ably seconded by Miss Lydia Foote, who, at the close of the third and all through the last act, is particularly natural and effective. We were struck by the way in which she exclaimed, "Do you take me for the accomplice of the criminal?" The drama, which we are informed was offered to Webster, is a great success, in spite of a tedious explanatory first act. We would take exception to a most objectionable situation in the third act: it is where Lady Penarvon prays before a representation of a crucifix, which is on a sort of escritoire, and should be dispensed with. The introduction of a prayer on the stage is at all times offensive, and its omission would be an improvement to the piece, which is possibly the same that was underlined for so long a time in the bills during the old management as "Doubts and Fears," and which would have been a much more elegant title than that of "The Hidden Hand." Mr. G. Vincent's make-up and acting are admirable. Mr. H. Neville gives importance to a rather unthankful part; and Miss Farren, who is the granddaughter of "Grandfather Whitehead," makes the liveliest soubrette imaginable. In the afterpiece she also displays great talent, A Mr, D. At the Adelphi the "Workmen of Paris," although a success, will doubtless have to be withdrawn for Miss Bateman, who is to reappear on the 2nd of January. We paid a visit to the Strand, that we might give a report on the "Wilful Ward," which, as has been stated, is very slight and stagey (Miss Milly Palmer is a decided acquisition, and we hope to see her before long to greater advantage): it should be remembered, however, that the Strand management does not profess to give its patrons substantial food, and we scarcely look for anything at that theatre beyond the slightest of repasts. "Milky White" is an exception honourable to Mr. Craven as author and actor. In reference to this drama, we would venture to suggest that the curtain should fall at the end of the first act, before Daniel White drags his daughter off the stage, which is a hazardous situation, and detrimental to the general effect. The pretty little ballad of " Early Love" was charmingly sung by Miss Ada Swanborough, and she accompanied herself on the pianoforte, which was a much more rational mode of proceeding in a room, than advancing to the footlights, and singing to the accompaniment of the orchestra-a feat performed by many young ladies on similar occasions. We regret that Miss Marie Wilton should have taken her farewell benefit. Mr. Byron's "Grin Bushes," for which we were for a long time prepared, have at last made their appearance, on a scale of splendour never before attempted." We cannot help thinking that "Grim Bushes "would have been a more sensible title. The following advertisement was issued during the run of the burlesque of "Mazeppa." It is of course only intended as a puff: "Mrs. Swanborough begs to announce that there is no foundation for the report that one of the at tendants was severely bitten by the wild horse in 'Mazeppa.' Considering that it was a rocking-horse the joke was rather a wooden one. We do not remember that the pantomime announcements have ever before appeared so early as was the case this season. The Royal Alexandra Theatre, at Bradford (under the management of Messrs. Buckstone and Wilde), was opened on Boxing-night. Mr. Sothern's success in Liverpool has been very great, the whole of the pit being converted into stalls. He has been playing Mathews' part of Sir Charles Coldstream. As a rumour, in which we hope there may be some foundation, we have heard it stated that Mr. Hudson, the favourite Irish comedian, is about to return to the stage. We read that "Enoch Arden" has been dramatized, and played at Nashville, U. S. Mrs. Howard Paul has, we perceive, found a stage more fitting her representation of General Garibaldi and of Mr. Sims Reeves, since she has been giving these imitation songs at the Britannia. A one-legged clown at Her Majesty's may be regarded in the light of an entire novelty; and Covent Garden has given us a similar curiosity in the shape of Donato, also a one-legged dancer, or, to speak more correctly, "hopper." What, in the name of all that is wonderful in music, is a "Paganini Cornet," by which title we perceive that the namesake of "Paganini's Ghost" has been advertised at the Argyll Rooms? This must have puzzled wiser heads than that on the shoulders of When afternoon came, being very tired With the teaching and music, and talk, I put on my hat, and went out alone, To indulge in a quiet walk. I entered the wood, climbing up, up, up,* 'Till I came to this lonely spot, Where the rocks, and ivy, and tall trees form The prettiest woodland grot. As I stood there, thinking-the drip, drip, drip There I thought, and thought, for a long, long time Of the dear ones I could not see, And of one bright, loving, wee, laughing face(Can you guess, Pop, whose that could be?) "I wish, ob, how much I wish," I said, "That my darling pet could see, "When she opens her eyes on Christmas morn, "Some token of love from me!" As I spoke those words, I stared amazed; A tall old man, with a flowing robe, He had kind, dark eyes, and a grave, sad smile; "Your wish shall be granted!" this old man said: "When next Christmas morning breaks "Your little pet Pop a present shall see "The first thing when she awakes!" "Who are you? Oh, do please tell me," I said. He replied, "I'm The Children's Friend: "Pop shall know your gift; for, called by my name "Is the present that I shall send." "You are Santa Claus! you are Santa Claus !" But I spoke to the empty air. I rubbed my eyes, and I gazed around- I searched through the grot, I searched through the rocks; Every nook of that Fairy Glen I searched; but in vain, for that dear old man Now, if this be true, don't you think, dear Pop, To believe our beautiful Fairy Glen SARA. The woods are planted on the sides of the mountains. E OUR PARIS MY DEAR C---, CORRESPONDENT. Paris is now quite Paris again, and the pleasure-seeking multitude have only the Embarras du choix; wherever they turn their eyes, bills announce the great attractions of the day, and the care that is taken to banish ennui, Müller and Dr. Demme are forgotten, in spite of their vogue a month ago, and Tom Pouce (Tom Thumb), second edition considerably augmented in width, with the addition of a wife and baby, is now the hobby of the day; he receives his visitors in his apartment, Hotel du Louvre, as a gentleman of independent fortune, and admits no children. Why this last clause I cannot tell; perhaps because children are too apt to consider him on an equality, and the little man seems to have a vast idea of his dignity, particularly now he has a baby. But this living wonder does not prevent us casting an envious eye on you in London, where we read, in our papers, an account of the marvellous achievements of your one-legged dancer, Donato, and of your heroine Dolores Adah Isaacs Menken; rumour says that the latter will soon visit us, so we have hope. En attendant, our masked balls have commenced, and at the first bal de l'opera the crowd was immense, and the exhalations garlickish, particularly in the foyer, where bears chatted with shepherdesses and grand lords with babies. A real lady made her appearance there, which is a rare thing. She was soon so distinguished by the throng that she was obliged to take refuge in the first box she could get in. Concerts, too, are very fashionable; and as for lectures, they spread with the rapidity of wild-fire, so much so that we shall soon have more lecturers than auditors: for now almost every man who can put two words together, considers himself born to lecture his fellowcitizens. At the Italian Opera Mille. Patti con. tinues to reap fresh laurels in "L'Elisire d'Amore" of Donizetti, an opera that has long been neglected here, and in which Patti and Naudin now excite frenetic enthusiasm. You know that a little while ago the Director of the Italian Opera raised a great murmur in the Parisian press for having prohibited the entrance of the demi-monde, otherwise frail beauties, in his theatre he has lately made another reform behind the scenes, in the same praiseworthy spirit, and which meets with general approbation from those who frequent the opera to hear good music in good company. "Roland à Roncevaux" abates nothing yet, in its success at the French Opera, and the " Africaine" remains still for the future. Madame Arnold Plessy nightly exhibits in Maître Guérin her four magnificent dresses that cost six thousand francs: the theatre pays her dressmakers. And L'Ouvrière de Londres-The London Workwoman,-dramatised from a novel of "Miss Braddon" by Mr. Hostein, fills the Ambigu with weeping eyes and exclamations of horror not yet surpassed, in spite of the dark deeds, the tragic theatres have lately fed us with. Two retired actors of renown have re-appeared,"Passé Arnal at the Bouffés Parisiens in minuit" a piece which he played before Queen Victoria, when she visited Louis Philippe at the Château d'Eu, and which he again played before Her Gracious Majesty, Prince Albert, and the King and Queen of the Belgians in July 1845, in London, by the Queen's command, when Her Majesty laughed "comme une simple bourgeoise," and the public laughed as much because the Queen laughed, as they did at the piece. The other is Bouffé, who had a benefit which gave him 25,000 francs, all expenses paid, the Emperor having granted him the Opera-house for the occasion, in remembrance of a promise made in London, just after Prince Louis Bonaparte's escape from Ham. Bouffé, at that period was performing in the English capital two pieces with equal success-one in which he was a boy, and in the other an old man. One evening, after performing the boy, he had retired to prepare for the old man, when the Count D'Orsay and a stranger entered his room. "Bouffé," said the Count, "my friend is very much puzzled to know how you managed to metamorphose yourself into an old man. Dress before us, and let him see." Bouffé, who was in great haste, needed no persuading, but went through the operation, to the infinite amusement of his two spectators, who thanked him for his kindness; and," said the Count's friend, "if Prince Louis Bonaparte ever has it in his power Bouffé wrote to the to oblige you, he will." Emperor, reminding him of the promise, and the Opera-house was immediately lent him for his benefit. 66 Alphonse Karr, in spite of his retirement in his lovely garden at Nice, has sent a new comedy, Les roses jaunes-Yellow Roses-to Paris, we expect to have a treat. It is a very long time since the world has heard anything of our witty writer, except as the cultivator of the finest flowers in the country of flowers. His roses in particular are celebrated: they deck the tables of all the sovereigns and princes that visit Nice, and all the rich visitors pride themselves in having flowers from Alphonse Karr's hot-beds, though some find them rather dear, and think that 25 francs for a bunch of roses is too much. "You will let me have this bouquet for half the price," said a rich, but sparing Count, who had lately made friends with Karr. "If you only pay half the price, you will only have half the |