The New sporting magazine

more importance than heretofore have been cutting off degrees. The continents of Europe and Asia, away to the one hundred and fortieth degree of longitude east of Greenwich (nearly half the globe), travellers must take their land tacks on board, and the map, and the high road, and not the chart and salt sea in requisition; but in the North Pacific and North Atlantic, aye, and south of the Hope Cape, miles may be saved, and distances shortened.

Be it known, after this dissertation, though a gentleman and a soldier, I am no way connected with Great Circle Read, and that the difference between us is wide, although connected in a way-his science being his own, and sound about winds; mine borrowed, and only about Courses.

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS OF THE METROPOLIS.

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

The season of 'fifty-two is close upon us. Heeding not cabinet changes, dissolution of Parliament, or such matters indicative of the time, there is for us the more attractive note of preparation which heralds the advent of the opera. Mr. Gye commences at the ROYAL ITALIAN, about the middle of the month, with a company including, in addition to the many celebrities of bygone anniversaries, auxiliaries of much promise. With the managerial skill he has hitherto displayed, it is but reasonable to predicate that the director's efforts will be properly appreciated, and that Covent Garden will again present a scene of harmonious renown.

The ST. JAMES's hemisphere is all radiant with the lustre caught from those two "bright particular stars," Lafont and Dejazet, whose brilliancy ever dazzles and casts a halo of delight around, though never more so than at this particular period. The former, in "La Pension Alimentaire,” has a part in which he displays that playful ease and quiet humour for which he has long been so conspicuous; whilst the latter, in Le Marquis de Lauzun," under various guises, exhibits that happy knowledge of character which of itself make the personation truthful; couple with this, extreme but most ladylike vivacity, and you may have some faint notion of Dejazet's attractions. Since her last appearance in this country years have passed away, yet there is no alteration in her:

"Age could not wither her, nor custom stale

Her infinite variety."

Miss Vandenhoff's new play of "Woman's Heart" is a composition which gives the double fame of player and poet to the fair authoress, who has wooed the sister muses with much success: some decided curtailment in the two last acts would make it play to far more advantage. As far as the manager is concerned, little can be said; the scenic arrangements being rarely becoming, whilst the actors are thrust into parts for which they are not in any way fitted. All this is injurious and unfair to Miss Vandenhoff, whose acting, together with that of her father and Mr. Barry Sullivan, must be mentioned as the only redeeming points in the cast. Mr. Sullivan is new to the London boards, but to them he is a decided acquisition; indeed he may be pronounced the leading performer of the day. Because he has the boldness to depart from the conventional reading of "Hamlet," he has been found fault with and laughed at. But good sense and discretion as yet well support the ability of Mr. Sullivan, and his manner never verges on the offensiveness of selfconceit. We can very honestly welcome him.

To judge a man by the company he keeps, what a sorry fellow must poor Mr. Bunn be! for a more indifferent playing company never was seen at DRURY LANE. It is impossible, however, to dwell upon the performances,

as there have been so many failures that to record them would require the amplifications of a gazette.

Between this manager and the Puppets there is not a long distance, albeit a wide difference, for Mr. Albany Brown, the manager of the MARIONETTE'S, never disappoints his audience. Accordingly he does not fill his bills, but his house, and wooden heads wag on to a most profitable result.

The great subject of the day, that of our national defences, is aptly illustrated at the POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION, where ingenuity, research, and acumen are appropriately brought to bear in elucidating the complexities of the rifle and the revolver.

NOTES OF THE MONTH PAST.

Want of space compels us to keep over to our next number notices of the following works received:" The Coquet-Dale Fishing Songs," "Country Quarters," Lameness in the Horse," and the engraving after Barraud's picture of the "Meet at Crick."

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Notwithstanding a highish wind at times, and just the least taste of frost, the season has continued quite open enough to satisfy masters of hounds, who have been creeping up to Tattersall's to bid for another servant's horse or so, to wear on with. We should fancy, too, from the rumours on rumours of runs echoed from every quarter, that the veriest gluttons had nothing to complain of in the matter of sport. Amongst those who confess themselves grateful we may mention Lord Fitzhardinge's field, who are about to follow the Essex example, and present his lordship with a testimonial of their esteem of him as an M.F.H. Mr. Cotterill again finds the plan of it, which will embody a family incident from the battle of Hastings. In some parts there would seem to have been a little too much hunting lately, if we are to take the testimony of the Harrow farmers, that is to say-evidence, however, which did not tell much even in Westminster. We are almost afraid the Willesden grass grounds are "worried" at times; but still, Mr. Gurney might have left Mr. Weston alone, or, at any rate, have set his damages a little more in moderation. To see a County Court Judge reduce a twenty-pound claim to a single crown, reads rather like the untaxed bill "the Missis" sends in as Mr. Reynard's account for poultry. Farmers and sportsmen have no business at law.

When men can ride hunting they can ride steeple-chases, and no anxious adjournments have latterly interfered with the practice of this interesting amusement. Amongst the most remarkable of those run off within the month we have one at Lincoln-disputed of course; as everything at Lincoln is. Number two home objects to number one, and number two is himself objected to by number three. Number one finally resolves to affirm his horse is not thorough bred (the point at issue); and, further, that he is not himself-in other words, that is, he is not a gentleman-in other words, that he has been paid for riding. Number two, however, makes no objection to a man being no gentleman, and the stewards having a sufficient sense of justice not to allow a man to criminate himself, proceed hopelessly into number three, and then send the case up, with four or five more from the same creditably-managed meeting, for the best consideration of the Jockey Club. Surely Lincoln might go with St. Albans.

Other papers in the magazine will show, in a variety of ways, how the month has fared; but we must not omit to mention here that our old friend the Bishop of Bond Street continues unceasing in his crusade against the dog-stealers. Early in February a meeting was held at his place, with the purpose of forming an association for the prosecution of the numerous gangs that yet infest the metropolis. Having obtained a measure against them, it now becomes a duty to see it carried out, and gentlemen are expected, with some confidence, to give their assistance. They must take a lesson from the enemy, and, to be effective, work in gangs too.

STATE OF THE ODDS, &c.

Our Derby table does not lengthen out, and what there is of it is chiefly in favour of the crack. It is now difficult to obtain even the short odds quoted about him, and we may conscientiously report him as looking better than ever. Such demonstration as there has been amongst the others is more definite against than for. Augur, although said to be in famous" twig," has been going gradually back. It is settled Job Marson will not ride him, but give his aid to Orelio, on whom we have had nothing like last month's rush. Claverhouse, again, has had another serious relapse, and some curious coquetting about the two results, so far, in Kingston being preferred to Lapidist. The cocktail Elcot looks like a hopeless investment, but Home-brewed and Baron Nicholson have rather an auspicious appearance. Were the latter transplanted to a fashionable stable, there is little doubt but he would become a strong favourite. Balancing the month, we give it as favourable to Hobby Noble, Alfred the Great, Orelio, Home-brewed, and Baron Nicholson; and against Augur, Claverhouse, and Lord Ribblesdale's two.

With an unprecedently good acceptance, the Chester Cup is naturally enough full of" fancies" for the backers of horses; but with the exception of two or three picked, the business has not been heavy. Nancy, who headed the acceptances, began the month as first favourite, but gives way a little now to her companion The High Sheriff, though both have been backed for a great deal of money. It is questionable, however, whether they will not be eclipsed by The Confessor, a horse the public appear much inclined to take to, let alone the spirit with which he is supported by a very spirited party. The Ring are manifestly in some alarm about him, despite a strange bit of reaction, under the force of which he was refused for a few hours at forty to one. Rather oddly, the three great races we have to report on have each had a sensation of the kind during the last few weeks or days-Augur unintelligibly out of force for the Derby, Confessor equally so for the Cup, and last, but not least, Hesse Homburgh for the Metropolitan. The two last have more than recovered their positions, and the mare, always "the weak place" in it, looks more than ever like running away with the Epsom Handicap.

We add the latest betting on the Liverpool events of next week, with some stray shots at a longer range.

LIVERPOOL STEEPLE CHASE.-10 to 1 agst. Chieftain, 10st. 121b.; 12 to 1 each agst. Miss Mowbray (10st. 4lb.), and La Gazza Ladra (9st. 121b.); 20 to 1 each agst. Hardwick (10st. 2lb.), and Sir John (11st. 10lb.); 25 to 1 agst. Bedford (6 yrs.), 10st. 101b.; and 30 to 1 agst. Bedford (5 yrs.), 9st. 12lb.

SUTTON STEEPLE CHASE.-50 to 1 agst. Young Lottery.

LIVERPOOL SPRING CUP.-2 to 1 agst. Surprise (3 yrs.), 4st. 8lb.; 10 to 1 agst. Abbess of Jerveaux (5 yrs.), 6st. 8lb.

FLYING DUTCHMAN'S HANDICAP.-1,500 to 50 agst. Bardolph (3 yrs.), 5st. 12lb.

NEWMARKET HANDICAP.-14 to 1 agst Bardolph, 3 yrs., 5st. 6lb.