The Sporting review, ed. by 'Craven'.

Another light seemed here to open on Hopman, who bluntly said, "Are the papers signed between you and Wombwell?"

"Not signed, certainly," said Parkes; "but he has agreed to take them."

"Then," said Hopman, "I buy them, at the price for which you offered them to me."

"Why, you see, my dear sir," said the grasping and wily attorney, "I did offer them to you, as a friend, at less than I hold them to be worth; but we stand on different ground now. I have let them, at a very handsome rent, for three years; but, to avoid what you say will be a nuisance to you, you shall only pay me £300 more than the old price, and they shall be yours."

Hopman here gave a most energetic "Humph! I tell you what, Mr. Parkes-I own you have me in a noose; and you see it, Have the documents ready to-morrow. And now I may, I suppose, consider the premises mine, though, as with Wombwell, the papers are not signed?"

you in

"Oh, my dear sir, pray do me the justice to believe I hold quite different estimation," smiling a ghastly smile, said the attorney: "the premises shall be yours by noon to-morrow, on my honour." "Then good evening, sir," said Hopman, stiffly, and rising to go. Humph-honour!" said he, as he left the house.

To-morrow came; and Hopman was owner of the premises.

Mr. Parkes, having been made fully aware that his having intended letting the premises to the owner of a menagerie had got him into bad odour with his townsfolk, particularly with the Reunion ladies, and most particularly with Miss Johns, took especial care to let it be known that, finding his having let his house was unpleasant to his valued friends, ho had sold it to Mr. Hopman; by which he got reinstated in their favour.

An evening or two after Hopman had become the avowed possessor of Parkes's late premises, was one of the réunions, at which, as on former occasions, was our attorney, when in walked Hopman, accompanied by a stranger. A general rising up and looks of surprise took place, on this flagrant infringement of réunion rules. Greater, however, were the dismay and astonishment of the ladies, on Hopman's begging to be allowed to introduce Mr. Wombwell, to whom, he added, he had let the house lately become his.

A look of disgust followed this confession, enlivened by a scream from Miss Johns, from which one might have conceived she had seen one of Wombwell's dreaded baboons enter the room; but the climax of consternation came to its height when Hopman, walking up to Parkes, said sternly

"I have brought this gentleman in my hand, sir, to prove you a sneaking scoundrel, unworthy the notice of these ladies, or any honourable society. You availed yourself of an impression I was under, as well as your neighbours, that we were about to have the annoyance of a menagerie of wild beasts among us. By doing this, you have robbed me of £300 in the price of the purchase of your premises, well knowing this gentleman was no more the Wombwell we took him for than I am, nor has he more to do with a menagerie.

"Did I say he had?" said the imperturbable attorney. "Take care what you say, sir: words are actionable."

"and

"I shall open the door for you, sir," said the athletic brewer, recommend your walking out of it. Is not his conduct such as to deserve this, General ?"

'Yes-contrary to regulation," said the old soldier: "turn him

out!"

The wary attorney saved that trouble, by sneaking off.

"And now, ladies," said Mr. Wombwell, "allow me to express my regret that a somewhat singular epithet and remark of mine should have occasioned you alarm. The fact is very simple. I married very young; and, having a family of no less than nine, I jokingly, to my wife, call them my menagerie.' I do remember stating that the premises were well calculated for the menagerie. The person who showed the house heard me say this. I saw she looked surprised, but took no further notice of the circumstance. She reported, it seems, my words; and from them, it seems, all but Mr. Parkes believed me the veritable Wombwell but I trust, ladies, when you permit me the pleasure of presenting my entire menagerie to you, you will not think them likely to cause any serious alarm, or, I hope, dislike."

Neither Mr. Wombwell nor his family were disliked, but for several years were the delight of the whole neighbourhood.

LITERATURE.

DIAMONDS AND DUST. 3 vols. Newby, Welbeck-street. This novel has been ascribed to Lytton Bulwer, and unquestionably is a work that would do credit to that popular writer. It commands the emotions and sympathies of the reader, and bears evidence not alone of a highly cultivated and refined mind, a fertile imagination, and a quick perception of character, but proves that the author has mixed in the best society at home and abroad. The story is powerfully told, the style is vigorous, the language elegant, the dramatis personæ true to nature, and the interest admirably kept up throughout. The name has furnished material for a jocose remark in a journal famed for the severity of its criticisms-the tomahawk and scalping-knife of literary journalsand who, as a matter course, declares the precious gems to be wanting; but there is an old saying of "throwing pearls before swine," so without following the critic throughout his slashing remarks, we will venture to say, that a more vivid picture of the various phases of society, or a more brilliant novel, has not appeared since Paul Clifford dazzled the world. We strongly recommend it to all classes of readers as one that will class with Bulwer, Dickens, Thackeray, or James.

CATHERINE IRVING. By the Author of "Ada Gresham." Newby, Welbeck-street.

This novel will give additional lustre to the literary fame of Mary Anne Lupton, and will take its place by the side of the best works of fiction of the day. It would be difficult to find a more interesting story, or to meet with one in which the characters are more powerfully delineated; certain fascination, too, is evoked, which ensures the attention

of the reader to the end, and for pathos, imagination, passion, and invention, "Catherine Irving" stands forth pre-eminently great. Her trials and love will be perused with pleasure by thousands who appreciate freshness of writing, combined with faithful pictures of life.

THE COLDSTREAMS. By T. Litchfield, Esq.

Mr. Newby does not allow the grass to grow under his feet; he is ever employed in producing novels of real worth, and few will reflect greater credit upon his judgment than the work under notice. At no period of our history could the exploits of the Coldstream Guards be read with greater interest than at the present. The gallant deeds of that heroic band who sustained their well-earned Waterloo reputation on the blood-stained field of Inkermann will live for ever in the hearts of their countrymen, proving that their motto, "Nulli secundus," is no empty boast. Independent, too, of the interest attached to the noble regiment, the story is most exciting, combining brilliancy of style, powerful description, varied interest, skilful narrative, with the highest literary merit. The publication of works of this kind produce the same effect upon the army that Dibdin's songs were wont to do on the sister service; they tend to raise the soldier in the eyes of his fellowmen, they produce a salutary effect on the morale of the military profession, they show the bravery and devotedness of the troops when sustaining the honour of their country. And now that regimental libraries are open to the non-commissioned officers and men of every corps, no establishment of the above nature should be without a copy of Mr. Litchfield's work. Out of respect to the memory of those brave guardsmen who now lie buried on Cathcart's Hill, let every one who estimates (and who does not ?) their services provide himself, or herself, with a copy of "The Coldstreams."

ELSIE SEYMOUR. By A. Wygorn. Newby, Welbeck-street.

The batch of novels which have cheered and beguiled many a weary hour on board a yacht weather-bound in the Thames has, with the exception of "Elsie Seymour," been duly noticed; and we have but brief space to comment upon the latter. Suffice it to say, the tale is exceedingly interesting; full of beauty, tenderness, delicacy, and feeling. The style throughout is forcible; and the principal scenes are sketched with considerable graphic ability. We can safely recommend "Elsie Seymour" to all our readers for its vigour, simplicity, and truth.

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS OF THE METROPOLIS.

"I belong to the unpopular family of Telltruths, and would not flatter Apollo for his lyre."-Rob Roy.

One of the great questions of the day is, "Have you seen Ristori?" to which, in general, the affirmative reply includes "What a great creature!" Indeed, there do not appear to be two opinions on the subject; for one and all declare her to be the greatest star that has shone for many a long time. An actress of the stamp of Madame Ristori was

pretty well sure to enlist the attention of a public like that of London: it cannot be wondered at, therefore, that the taste of the town should incline so strongly towards the LYCEUM THEATRE. All those play-goers whose remembrance carries them back to what they term "the palmy days of the drama," make no bones in asserting that the present actress of Italy even surpasses in tragic greatness the former actress of England -the Siddons. These performances of Italian tragedy alternate with ITALIAN OPERA, which, with the powerful company at the Lyceum, is well represented. One of the latest operas given, the ever sparkling and welcome" Barber," never was more gloriously represented. Signor Mario as the Count is at all times heartily welcome: now he appears really to outrival all his former successes. Then Ronconi, overflowing with good humour, never was more at home as the ever-sprightly Figaro. As for the Rosina of Madame Bosio, it would be difficult to select a more thoroughly pleasing representative of the character. Besides, there is the powerful addition of Herr Formes, whose performance completes the very strong cast; and, take it altogether, it would be impossible to match the present representation of Rossini's work at the Lyceum.

The variations of the play-bills of other theatres are not of a nature to demand more than a passing notice. At the HAYMARKET Miss Oliver has made her first appearance, and Miss Blanche Fane her reappearance after a long illness. The former as yet has not had a part of sufficient note allotted her to call forth her abilities; the latter has resumed her enjoyable representations of "The Little Treasure," much to the delight of everybody.

"The Horse of the Cavern" is not yet come to a dead stop at ASTLEY'S, although he must by this time feel a little jaded after the ground he has gone over so many times. Some most wonderful dogs and monkeys have been lately added to the attractions of the Circle, and contrive by their feats to raise the spirits of humanity just as the warmth of the atmosphere was causing them to droop.

But after all, the heat causes people to adopt outdoor amusements to a greater degree, perhaps, than those of indoor. The consequence is, CREMORNE GARDENS come in for their full share of patronage ; and what with flowers, the polkas, the Varsoviana, brandy-and-water, and numerous other attractions, the visitors find no lack of employment for their curiosity and taste.

STATE OF THE ODDS, &c.

SALE OF BLOOD STOCK, &c., AT TATTERSALL'S.

MONDAY, MAY 26.-LORD SPENCER'S YEARLINGS.

Bay colt (brother to Pumicestone) by Cotherstone out of Duchess of Lor

Gs.

raine (Lord Wilton)

350

Brown colt by do.-Treacherous (Lord Falmouth)

115

Bay colt by do.-Lady Betty (Colonel Gambier)...

Bay colt by do.-Kernel (Mr. Merry)

Bay colt by do.-Cloak (Mr. Fisher)..