PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS OF THE METROPOLIS. "I belong to the unpopular family of Telltruths, and would not flatter Apollo for his lyre."-Rob Roy. With a heat playfully varying from three to four degrees higher than on the hottest of hot days in Calcutta, it is no wonder that theatres should pale their ineffectual fires, and that places of out-door amusement should, just now, be in the ascendant. The raging of this fiery heat has proved that the new house in COVENT GARDEN, in addition to its excellent acoustic arrangements, may with perfect propriety lay claim to an exceedingly well-planned system of ventilation. This fact of itself is a strong inducement on these sultry evenings to visit the ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA; but, independently of this, the entertainment provided by the indefatigable director has been of so excellent and varied a character, that all the heat in the world could not deter her Majesty and a goodly number of her liege subjects from being present. Rossini, Donizetti, and Auber have, it is gratifying to state, been in request more than that modernworshipped deity-Verdi. A more satisfactory performance, both by singers headed by Signor Mario, and orchestra led by M. Costa, than the ever-pleasing "Barbiere" has seldom been given. A more charming Rosina cannot be found than in Madlle. Bosio, who really makes such wonderful progress in her art as to excite both enthusiasm and astonishment. Her Zerlina in "Fra Diavolo " is even more acceptable than during last season. Altogether, Auber's delightful composition is heard to more advantage within the walls of the new house than in the Lyceum. "Lucrezia Borgia" has afforded Madame Grisi and Madlle. Didiée an opportunity to shine forth in all the glory for which they are so celebrated. At the old house, too, the female poisoner has been in request, "Lucrezia Borgia" having been one of the most successful operas produced during the present season at HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. However acceptable Madlle. Titiens may be in the character of the heroine, there is no doubt that the greatest impression has been made by Madame Alboni, resuming her old part of "Orsini," in which she has succeeded in reviving the interest created by her in the time of the old Covent Garden. How much more satisfactory is this, than the latest opera of Verdi, which the manager of the Haymarket house has thought fit toput before his subscribers. Louisa Miller, it should be observed, has not met with a reception to warrant her name being retained in the bills. Verdi is triumphant at DRURY LANE. This is not so much to be wondered at, where the audience, it is natural to suppose, must have something sounding for their shillings or sixpences. To speak of the appearances that have put in by those singers that were once wont to please the town, would be uncharitable, while their former renown is yet remembered. Thus this cheap Italian opera, as it is rather inaptly termed, for low prices do not constitute cheapness, has well earned the designation of "The Refuge for the Destitute." To turn, as it were, from the knacker's yard to the London stage, in Oxford-street Shakspeare is in the ascendant, "The Merchant of Venice" being the latest of Mr. Charles Kean's revivals. Albeit, the weather is an inveterate enemy for Shakspeare to contend with; there is no doubt that when the temperature is subdued, there will be many anxious to witness the amount of taste and accuracy of details so apparent at the PRINCESS'S. "What's in a name?" might be well applied to the new comedy by Mr. Taylor at the OLYMPIC, "Going to the Bad" being about as unhappy in title as it is in incident. If written "Going to be Bad," it would have been sufficiently truthful, and would probably have saved the infliction of sitting it out. In the acting it has its redeeming points. The scene where Mr. Robson especially excels is where he is especially drunk. The character of the fire-eating colonel, whose notion of the Whole Duty of Man is that every man should either play the part of principal or second in a duel, is well played by Mr. Addison. Notices of closing begin to be observable, ASTLEY'S being already shut, and the HAYMARKET will follow suit in a day or two. Before his theatre was shut up, however, Mr. Cooke was summoned to Buckingham Palace to display his horsemanship in the riding school, before her Majesty. Both the Haymarket and Astley's are to be entirely redecorated in the recess. The former is to be reopened by Mr. Buckstone in September. With farewells of the season there are other announcements, none of which claim more attention than that of Mr. Pepper, who retires from the management of the POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION. During his reign, it must be admitted, every desire has been shown both to instruct and amuse the public, and his secession is looked upon with general regret. So far for in-door amusements; and now what says the thermometer to a little relaxation out-a-doors? Tempting beyond everything is a visit to the CRYSTAL PALACE, where even inside, what with the awning considerately placed by the directors, the visitor may meet with that—not at all times to be coveted, a cool reception. After roaming through the courts, the coolest of course, and partaken of the coolest of drinks, you saunter through the grounds, where flowers, fountains, and fashion abound. The rhododendrons are just in full force; the fountains certainly add a pleasant coolness to the scene, and the array of beauty generally to be met with heightens the enchantment of the hour. Beyond these attractions there are equally good arrangements for those whose taste may affect archery, cricket, and other pleasant pastimes. If, eschewing the attractions of the silvery Thames, and travelling by land, CREMORNE is found to be the goal, what could add more to a redress of the grievances of a "thirsty soul" than a moderate application of sherry cobblers and the variety of cooling draughts so gratefully provided by Mr. Simpson? With these, dancing, scenes in the circle, marionettes, and balloons serve to make up a very good "tottle." STATE OF THE ODDS, &c. SALE OF BLOOD STOCK. By Messrs. Tattersall, at Middle Park, Wednesday, May 26: THE MIDDLE PARK YEARLINGS. A Bay Colt, by Orlando out of Palmyra (dam of Tadmor), by Sultan; engaged in the Great Yorkshire Stakes, 1860.... GS. ...(not sold) 300 A Bay Colt, by Kingston, dam by Heron; engaged in the Great Yorkshire 300 A Bay Colt, by Kingston out of Butterfly, by Knight of the Whistle. 170 160 A Bay Filly, by Mountain Deer or Longbow out of Calcavella, by Irish Bird ...... catcher A Bay Filly, by Kingston out of Empress (dam of Autocrat), by Emilius; A Brown Filly, by the Flying Dutchman out of England's Beauty (sister to A Bay Filly, by Kingston out of Kate, by Auckland A Black Colt, by Neasham out of Glance, by Venison A Bay Filly, by Kingston out of Little Jenny, by Heron A Bay Colt, by Storm out of Moodkee, by Venison A Brown Filly, by Kingston out of Buttress, by Defence 67 65 61 A Bay Colt (own brother to Tricolor), by Touchstone out of Triangle .... A Brown Filly, by Loup-Garou out of Vaultress, by Irish Birdcatcher A Bay Filly, by Kingston out of Venus, by Amadis .... 64 50 48 45 44 43 A Bay Filly, by Kingston out of Palmeria, by Faugh-a-Ballagh...................... 40 37 BROOD MARES. Lucy Banks (dam of Polly Peachum), by Elis out of Walfruna-served by Neasham and Kingston (Mr. Evans) 16 Bay Mare (sister to Bold Buccleugh), by Annandale out of Her Highness— served by Kingston (Lord Stamford)....... 20 On Saturday, May 29, at Hampton Court : THE ROYAL YEARLINGS. Bay Filly, by Loup Garou out of Vanity 780 Brown Colt, by Melbourne out of Tarella 610 Bay Colt (Brother to Impérieuse), by Orlando out of Eulogy. Nicholas, by Orlando ont of Muscovite's dam Refugee (brother to Telegram), by Alarm out of Elspeth. 440 410 Braemar, by Greatheart out of Highland Fling 51 26 Bessy, by Bessus out of Durindana Bessus (foaled 1857), by Bay Middleton out of Brown Bess by Camel Hornpipe (the dam of Tambourine, Kilbride, &c.) (foaled 1845), by Venison out of Reel, with a filly foal by Barnton, and served by him again.............. On Monday, May 31st, at Hyde Park Corner :Violet (foaled in 1851), by Melbourne, dam by Dr. Syntax, &c....... Freemason (late Little Sam), 3 yrs., by Bay Middleton out of Freetrader's dam 30 THE PROPERTY OF SIR L. NEWMAN. 170 460 330 Peter Flat, b. c., 5 years, by Flatcatcher..... .... 250 Peter Flat was purchased by the Duke of Beaufort, Botany and Forget-Me-Not by Captain Cornish; and the Executrix colt, returns to Joseph Dawson's stable. Chesnut Yearling Colt, by Pyrrhus the First out of Aveline On Monday, June 7th, at Hyde Park Corner: Loiterer, ch. c., by Stockwell out of Ennui, by Bay Middleton (Mr. R. Ten 500 The Rap, b. c., by West Australian out of Kathleen, by Lanercost (Mr. J. 310 Shoulder Knot (own sister to Penalty), ch. f., by West Australian out of Golden Dream, ch. f., by Stockwell out of El Dorado, by Harkaway (Lord 80 Viscountess, b. f., by West Australian or Stockwell out of Countess of Albemarle (Mr. H. Morris) 72 Sweep, b. c., by Stockwell out of The Broom, by Van Tromp (Mr. C. Peck). 60 50 Vandermeyer, br. c., by Vanderdecken out of Miranda, by Lanercost (Mr. 25 MR. ANDERTON'S YEARLINGS. The Chirper, br. yearling c., by West Australian out of Blackbird, by Birdcatcher (Mr. Anderson) Aristocrat, ch. yearling f., by Stockwell out of Lady Margaret, by Ithuriel (Mr. Anderson) GS. 71 62 Industrius, b. yearling c., by West Australian out of Maid of All Work, by 54 Ivor, br. yearling c., by Arthur Wellesley out of Augusta, by Birdcatcher (Mr. 35 Pas Seul, b. yearling c., by Teddington out of Carlotta, by John o'Gaunt (Mr. 15 Carlotta, b. m., by John o'Gaunt out of Esmeralda (Mr. Bamburger, of 52 On Monday, June 14th, at Hyde Park Corner: Merlin, 5 years, by Birdcatcher out of Poll Maggot Aspire, yearling f., by Pyrrhus the First out of Belfry On Thursday, June 17th, at Stockbridge: LORD PORTSMOUTH'S. Calamity, b. f., 2 years, by Safeguard out of Woodlark, by Venison, &c. (Mr. MR. POPHAM'S. 25 110 Carlo Dolci, b. yearling c., by Sweetmeat out of Wild Dayrell's dam (Mr. S. Bridegroom, 2 years, by Joe Lovell out of Wedding Day (Mr. Woolcot)...... 30 MR. WALLER'S. ........ King Cob, b. g., 5 years, by Newcourt out of Diadem (Duke of Beaufort) On Saturday, June 19th, at Alvediston :- THE ALVEDISTON YEARLINGS. .... 27 21 71 51 35 St. James, b. c., by Andover out of l'almistry (St. Giles's dam) (Mr. J. H. C. 500 Brown Filly, by Tadmor out of Miss Sellon (Mr. Woolcot) Lord Portsmouth has purchased the yearling Brother to Mincepie, and the colt by Wild Dayrell out of Cruiser's dam: the former is |