PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS.
One would think that the town had nothing else to do but seek amuse- ments, and were never tired of those that have so often delighted them; judging, at least from the quantity and quality of the dramatic find musical entertainments that have been given this week. The ubiquity of reporters is taxed to the utmost, and their ingenuity also is taxed to say something new of performances that have exhausted criticism and eulogy.
The "pursuit of pleasure under difficulties," at the Italian Opera, goes on with unabated ardour: Grisi in Norma is greater than ever; and La- blache in D071 Pasquale improvised fresh drolleries: this opera, with Lablache, Grisi, and Mario, is an exhilarating conjunction of vocal ex- cellence with natural gayety and humour. Next week the ballet will offer additional attractions, for Cerito is announced to appear.
The musical madness is now in full season. Besides the Ancient Con- cert, this week, under the direction of Prince Albert—remarkable for a recherché selection—there has been the Royal Academy Concert, the first of a series of four Vocal Concerts, the Beethoven Quartet Society's meet- ing, Dando's Quartet Concert, and the queer Ethiopian Serenaders. Mr. Wilson, too, has returned from the provinces, with his voice, and a richly- stored budget of "things new and old."
Nor has the indisposition of Madame Thillon silenced the music of Drury : Mr. Wallace's Marigatia has been substituted for the Crown Jewels; and Mr. Bunn, in addition to it, treated the immense crowd that flocked to his benefit with a concert betides, and a speech : the pith of the speech was that he had engaged Carlotta Grisi and the Viennese Dancers.
Music, however, is not the all-absorbing passion : the drama yet has its votaries, and enthusiastic ones too. Mr. Macready draws crowds to the Princess's, and holds sway over the sympathies of the audiences by his power alone. His performances of Macbeth and Virginias this week, though he was inadequately supported in both, appear to have been deeply impressive, and productive of intense excitement.
No novelty has been produced at the Haymarket or the Adelphi; and A Friend in Need, at the Lyceum, has not proved "a friend indeed" by filling the house at first price. But a new burlesque of Robin Hood, an- nounced for Monday, will probably be more potential.
At the French Plays, M. Lafont is performing his favourite parts with the support of Mademoiselle St. Marc, who has been reengaged. Made- moiselle Raoul, a promising pupil of Jenny Vertpre, is winning favour by her accomplishments, pretty person, and piquante manner; and the two new actors, Tourtois and Leon Baisse, add to the strength of the company. But the appearance of Mademoiselle Rose Cheri on Monday next, in a piece of a hundred-nights' Parisian popularity, will be the grand attraction, until DOjazet come.
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