BRIGHTON.
THE Brighton people are a strange set. When the King made the place his residence, his Majesty was inconvenienced and annoyed in more ways than we care to repeat. Now they are longing for his return to them, and Acithing is talked of but that delightful anticipation. But as soon as he arrives,—if he does arrive, which they say is now certain,—they will find out that the Royal presence does not attract so many persons of rank and fashion as it keeps away. Many of the would-be people of consequenve do not relish the ugly probability of being uninvited to the Palace, and prefer not risk ing the public trial of the strength of their pretensions. This is perfectly understood by the Brightonians, who have had sufficient experience of the matter ; but they omit the drawback in their hopeful calculations at present, and will only discover it when the occasion gives another practical proof. The season has been hitherto dull,—bad weather, thin company ; and the King's coming is therefore the more looked to for an improving change. Whether it will act as heretofore, time will show. An Italian. Opera has been attempted, with no great promise of success, as ilublic amusements languish in a place of much private society. The performers from the Royal Academy are sufficiently qualified to please ; and that is all can be said. BEGREZ is first, second, and third man; and has, of course, conceit enough in his own person for a company of any conceivable number. He sings as if the world hung on his lips. The orchestra on the first night was villanously bad, —sharp, harsh, and constantly out of tune. With mediocrity in all departments, and operas so well chosen as those announced, one would be well satisfied, place and circumstances considered.
It would be desirable to know what IRVING thought of the state of the spirit in Brighton. Certain it is that the people are as remarkable for their godliness as their gaiety. Nowhere are there more chapels, or chapels more thronged.
Previous page
