in the present specimen is less entitled to commendation than the other department of the work; and we trust that in future the Editor will strive to include subjects less familiar to the general subscriber. Of the overture of "La Caravanne du Caire," by Gretry, we discover a considerable portion omitted, and the ballad of "I have loved thee, Mary Jamieson," composed for the Harmonicon by John Daniel, is nothing more than another version (a pretty one, we admit), of Love's Young Dream." The Rondo, and the set of Quadrilles, are somewhat common-place; and the rest, though tolerable, of a less striking character than the well known resources at the Editor's command would lead us to expect. However, this is but the first number under the new regime, and the production of first numbers, notwithstanding the proverb that "new brooms sweep clean," as we can testify, is attended invariably with a difficulty which is scarcely likely to admit of a bright specimen. We altogether cordially recommend this work to the attention of our fair friends, as being (saving always our own), perhaps the most sensible and the cheapest that issues monthly from the press.

HE'S WHAT THEY CA' A BONNY LAD. Sung by Miss Pearson; written by John Mayne, Esq.; composed by Chas. H. Purday. London: Zenas T. Purday, Holborn. Mr. Purday, in the composition of Scottish Ballads, is very successful. His present production is equally meritorious with that of "On wi' the Tartan," of which we made such favourable mention in our last. It is now singing at Drury-lane with effect in Rob Roy, and appears likely to become extremely popular.

till our next, when we certainly shall more fully canvass them. We will now only premise that many of the melodies are vastly to our taste; and with regard to the poetry, if the name of the admired writer be not, with the most fastidious, sufficient guarantee for taste and feeling, we will refer them to the extract we gave in our last, and to "There is not one Familiar Face," in the present number. We have placed them in the early division of our work, since, as the book will not be presented to the public for some days to come, they bear with them all the value of originality.

We have lately made a portion of an audience during the performances of Messrs. Fischer, Schweitzer, Laufer, and Daburger, the Singers of the Alps, at the Athæneum Rooms, in St. James's street, and we are ready to testify our belief that they are as they profess themselves, really Styrian Peasants; and not, as in the case of the Bohemian Brothers, mere impostors They are attired in the dress of their country, and entertain their hearers with a variety of their favourite airs, which are all in the three-fourth time, and possess great sameness and little merit. The falsettos of Messrs. Fischer and Schweitzer are striking, being remarkably clear and of great compass; but a laboured effort at effect, (and doubtless, by the singers, considered an exhibition of great taste,) produced a result which to English ears is hardly agreeable. They accompany themselves on two guitars, and what is termed a zitter, a tinkling instrument, that reminded us much of a species of musical cart, which our taste in the nursery, many years back, led us to consider as the perfection of melody. The quartets are poor and thin," exhibiting a great deficiency of harmony. One of these musicians whistles an air with variations, but there is nothing striking in his performance, and his tones are of so-so quality. The most attractive portion of the entertainment is a performance by Mr. Daburger on several Jews' harps, which is really very clever. We never remember to have heard these instruments to so great an advantage, and were surprised to find they were apparently of the ordinary construction. The room was fully attended, and the performers warmly received.

We have been much delighted lately by the exhibition of the Eolophon, the new musical instrument constructed by Mr. Chappell, of Bond-street. It is formed on the principle of the mouth Eolina, but in shape and size similar to a cabinet piano of

six octaves. The sound arises from the vibration occasioned by the propulsion of air, by bellows, through metallic springs of various sizes; and as, from the beautiful construction of these springs, they cannot be impaired through friction, this instrument has the striking property of never becoming out of tune. The tones are extremely beautiful, posssesing a compass equal to a chamber organ of much larger dimensions, and a striking similarity to the flute, clarionet, oboe, bassoon, or the violoncello,

at the performer's pleasure. We were informed, indeed, that it has repeatedly been adopted in small orchestras as a substitute for several of these instruments. As an accompaniment to the pianoforte, it is very effective. We would recommend our London readers to accept of Mr. Chappell's invitation to hear it any day from two to five o'clock, and we are convinced the time bestowed on such a purpose will scarcely fail to be productive of satisfaction.

WE scarcely remember a month in which less of novelty has been produced in the dramatic way, nor one during the whole of which all of the theatres have been more fully attended. At DRURY LANE no new piece has been brought forward, the grand source of attraction there having been Werner, (in which the performers have become matured in their respective parts, and now play with increased spirit,) The School for Scandal, Rob Roy, The Brigand, and one or two other favourite dramas, together nightly with the Pantomime, which appears to continue highly attractive. Stanfield's Diorama, which was got up in a very short space of time, has, since our last notice, been touched up by the artist, and considerably improved; but unfortunately, through the awkward manoeuvering of the scene-shifter, the effect of many beautiful portions of it is entirely destroyed. We have, night after night, observed the most striking feature of the exhibition, namely, the moonlight scene, entirely hid from the audience by a portion of moving rock in the foreground, evidently out of place. This should be corrected. Kean is advertised once more to appear, and will make his first bow, on the day of our publication, in his old and favourite part of Richard III. This accession to the tragic force at this house will render it very effective. We may now hope to be gratified with the united efforts of Keau, Macready, Wallack, and Cooper in the same play. Various novelties are in active preparation.

At COVENT GARDEN, Miss Inverarity seems to be the great magnet of attraction, and the representation of Cinderella is invariably attended by crowded audiences. She is evidently improved since her first appearance, and, with good sense, appears to bear in mind that she may possibly yet be enabled to accomplish more. Each repetition of the part appears to bring with it an accession of confidence, and a propor

tionate increased attention to the correction of the many little points yet to be surmounted. Her acting is wonderfully improved, and we doubt not ere long to find her all that could, as an operatic pe: former, in this respect, be looked for. Mr. Wilson has, unfortunately, been suffering from severe indisposition, and on Friday his place was supplied by Mr. Hunt, who, in comparison, is but a sad brawler. We often detected him out of tune, and his delivery and gait were to us altogether far from agreeable. Mr. Wilson's absence has also delayed the production of a new musical piece by Bishop, advertised for the 27th ult. and of which report speaks highly. Miss Kemble has, since our last, enacted repeatedly, with great success, Bianca, in Milman's tragedy of Fazio, and considerably added to her already established fanie, by the passion and judgment she has displayed. Amidst the dearth which there exists at present of female excellence in the tragic walk of the drama, it is truly gratifying to find that Miss Kemble, young as she is, has been able to make so good a stand in the assumption of characters of the loftiest rank, and still more

is sustaining; and judging from the manner in which she has performed many of her characters, we should say she has yet much to accomplish in the way of study. Her best parts are those in which the strongest passions are evinced; but the less declamatory qualities, such as tenderness and gentle pathos, find in her hands, at present, an indifferent representative. Where strong excitement and desperate and powerful energies are called forth, she is all that we could wish; but it is difficult to reconcile many of her delineations of endearing tenderness. They appear, for the most part, too palpably artificial and unnatural. There is one difficulty Miss Kemble has had to encounter, which ought not, for the honour of the drama, to have fallen to her lot. We allude to the wretched manner in which she has been supported on the stage. It is somewhat too much to expect that a young lady shall come forth to make her debut in a theatre, one of the first in the world, and on the instant to be found of the highest rank in it-and yet this is the case, or nearly so, with Miss Kemble; for with the exception of her own father, who, from feelings of delicacy, has repeatedly given up the first parts to others, she has been surrounded by those who, far from exciting an inspiration (which the more as a delusion in the scene is created, the more surely will be imparted to all concerned), have constantly marred not only the intentions of their author, but destroyed the effect Miss Kemble's performances would otherwise have produced. Performers, good in their way, have been thrust into parts for which they are entirely unfit. Abbot as Romeo--drivelling and footboy-like Ward as Jaffier-the gentle, affectionate, mild-spoken husband-rough, boisterous, and possessing lungs of the most Stentorian quality we ever remember to have listened to. These are not the qualities which could assist her in her arduous trial-but on the contrary, these, as must be admitted, are the blemishes and difficulties, which, amidst others, Miss Kemble has had additionally to encounter, and which luckily her ta

lents have enabled her greatly to overcome. As in private life, we are apt to acquire the manners, style, and peculiarities of those with whom we associate, so is it on the stage. We remember once to have remarked the striking features, Miss Phillips, towards the conclusion of a season, had borrowed from Young; and we found Cooper also very tolerably imitating Kean. Miss Kemble has no such excellence to borrow from, but is called upon to exercise a more than severe caution to avoid picking up the defects of others. In the days of Mrs. Siddons and Miss O'Neil, all was as it could be wished-talent was supported by talent, and a species of inspiration was imparted from one performer to another in the most effective manner; and the result was a faultless representation. M:. Warde, as Fuzio, was, as usual, coarse and noisy, and oftentimes very ludicrous where he ought to have been serious. Mr. Kemble should have played the part.

At the SURREY a new piece has been produced, entitled, Zamor the Mexican, in which Mr. H. Kemble made his first appearance for several seasons. It was highly applauded. A new piece has also been produced at the COBOURG, from the well-known pen of Mr. T. Dibdin, of which favourable mention may be made.

At the OLYMPIC, with the joint attraction of Miss Foote, Mrs. Glover and herself, Madame Vestris has been lucky enough to bost, every night since her opening, of "overflowing houses." Several light pieces have been got up here, which are no more than old acquaintances with new names. This is a specious deception, against which we make bold to complain. There have been two exceptions, however, to this system, which we are bound to notice; the first an extremely amusing burlesque, entitled Olympic Revels, in which the fair manager delights us by her singing some amusing parodies on various popular airs; and the second, an interlude of a superior character, entitled The Grenadier, which has been very successful.

the 10th and 24th of March, on the 14th and 28th of April, and on the 12th, 26th, and 28th of May, at which all ladies are to appear in dresses of British manufacture. The frequent recurrence of these splendid fêtes will, it is hoped, obviate the inconve nience of that crowding and jostling which we have often witnessed with so much pain, and of which our fair friends complain so loudly. His Majesty will hold levees on the 23d of February, and on

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every succeeding Wednesday till further notice.

Their Royal Highnesses the Princess Victoria and the Duchess of Kent, visited Covent Garden Theatre on Saturday week, and appeared highly delighted with the performances. The opera of Cinderella, and the Pantomime, composed the amusements of the evening.

Since their Majesties' arrival at Brighton that town has been one continued scene of bustle and gaiety. All ranks appear to vie with each other in proofs of loyalty and attachment to our beloved monarch and his illustrious partner.

Parliament will resume its duties on the 4th inst. It is said that Earl Grey will state his views and intentions on the subject of reform, and then dissolve the House, in order to give the public an opportunity, in the return of their representatives, either of rejecting or of supporting the measures proposed.

Mr. Mackenzie, the author of "The Man of Feeling," and other works, died in Edinburgh last month.

The Duchess de Berri and her children are at present at Holyrood House on a visit to the ex-King of France. Her Royal Highness intends to return to London in March, where she will remain in the utmost privacy. During her provincial tour she was splendidly entertained, by the Duke of Devonshire, at Chatsworth.

The intentions expressed in the dedication of a contemporary, to "raise" the female mind to its proper level, are absolutely impertinent. WB of the " Museum" regard it with more liberality-we look upon it as already placed in a scale of intellect co-equal with that of man." But even if it were not so, with all due submission, we doubt the power of our contemporary to effect his purpose. A little shivering, blue-nosed, cross legged tailor's apprentice, whose elbows and knees were

on the look-out for fresh situations, was recently charged at Bow Street Police Office with attempting to bring about a revolution! The application we leave to the readers of the work in question.

The young lady (formerly Miss Turner) whose abduction by Edward Gibbon Wakefield created so great a sensation some years ago, and who was subsequently united to T. Legh, Esq. M.P. died last month.

ADELAIDE. There is sometimes much "in a name." The name of our present Queen, Adelaide, is of Saxon origin, and signifies "a noble wife ;-one of a generous spirit."

Amelia Opie is at Paris, and a constant visitor at the soirées of General Lafayette, where this celebrated female always appears in the simple garb of a rigid Quakeress, forming a striking contrast to the gay attire of the Parisian ladies.

There will be four eclipses this year, viz. two of the sun and two of the moon. Those of the former occur on February 12 and August 7, and will be invisible at Greenwich; and of the latter on February 26, (partly visible,) and on August 23, which will be invisible.

We learn that Mrs. Booth, author of the "Analytical Dictionary," has a work in the press on "The Principles of English Composition."

We cannot too strongly recommend to our fair readers, at a season of inclemency like the present, the support of the West London Institution, founded, as the advertisement in the present number sets forth, for the relief of the unemployed and industrious poor." Surely we need not go further than point to the illustrious patronesses of the society for the sincerity of its principles, and remind them that Charity, like her sister, Mercy, "blesseth him that gives, as well as him that receives."

muff and boa tippet are of the fur of the grey squirrel.

MORNING DRESS.

A dress composed of rose-coloured gros des Indes; corsage of a three-quarter height, and to fasten behind. The upper part of the sleeve is excessively full, the lower part sets close to the arm, and is ornamented at the wrist with a rich, but very light, black silk trimming, disposed à la Chevaliere. Apron of dark-green gros de Naples, made with braces, which cross in drapery folds, and are ornamented with epaulettes. The apron is trimmed with satin points to cor. respond in colour; they are headed by a