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1350 THE LEADE ~ R. [No. 455, December l...
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Florence. A Tale. By M. E.' Hammond. (J....
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M. jpm Lamaiitine.—'A Paris letter uaya:...
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^ atrnn j, (feterfnitmrettts. ^ ,
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THE PAI.ACE OF THE PEOPLE, MUSWEU HILL. ...
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Transcript
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Poetry. Coiirils, King Of Athens, D Tray...
should say the work would make a suitable Christinas William Limon , and other Poems . ( W . Tweodie . )—Five cantos of a poem in the Bvrom ' c vein , and Tour smaller pieces , comprise the contents of this small volume . The author , who has a very fair command of rhyme , has apparently studied u Don Juan with great affection . "We have read worse verse—and better .
1350 The Leade ~ R. [No. 455, December L...
1350 THE LEADE ~ R . [ No . 455 , December li T irrq , — : ¦ ' ¦'¦ - '• ¦ - h , ' ¦ - ' - ' -.- ¦ ¦ ¦ . __
Florence. A Tale. By M. E.' Hammond. (J....
Florence . A Tale . By M . E . ' Hammond . ( J . Black-• wood . —This Tale must be read with the-help ' of the last "> Dictionary of Quotations" and the " Gems of Poesy . " No , the readers may dispense with the latter , for they will _ find a perfect deluge of poetical quotations from Byron , Moore , Longfellow , Coleridge , Tennyson , Pope , Goethe , Crabbe , Hcmans , and many more of tlie dii majo res el minores of the realms of Parnassus . W e hardly know what to say ' to such patchwork literature . Quotation is laudable when used with judgment ; but -when half a work is made up of poetical extracts , then we cannot help fancying the author must have had some lower purpose than to preseut apt illustrations of his or
her opinions and meanings ; and , acting on our fancy , ¦ we axe bound to enter our protest against it as unfair to readers , and tiresome exceedingly to critics . " Florence " is a slight story , with not overmuch probability either in plot T moral , or characters . We do not find such super-refined honour or honesty in real life as is eshibited by Mr . Dudley , who beggars himself to pay a relative ' s speculative liabilities , nor young ladies of such double-distilled notions of delicacy as his daughter Florence , who , when a beggar , rejects the hand of a young , handsome , and rich nobleman because of a bygone liaison with a peasant-girl . Readers of the romantic school will , however , revel in the ornate pages of " Florence . "
The Autocrat of the Breahfast Table . By Oliver Tv " endall Holmes . ( Edinburgh : R . Strahan and Co . London : Hamilton , Adams , and Co . )—This is a contribution from the American field of literature . We cannot venture to describe it , but we recommend the reader who loves smart writing , quiet humour , sometimes rising to wit , with here and there a bit that will set him a thinking-, to buy the book , and read it—hut not in a hurry . Shahmah in Pursuit ofFreedo-m ; or , the Branded Hand . Translated from the original Showiah , and Edited by an American Citizen . ( Nevr York : Thatcher and Hutchinson ; London : Sampson Low and Co . ) : —The " Persian Letters , " " Tnrkish Spy , " and similar productions , have furnished the hint for the form of this tale .
Sliahman is the . " counterfeit presentiment of a handsome Kabylo who has received educational training at the Kabyle College , who becomes a proficient in arts and sciences , who falls enthusiastically in love with descriptions on paper and verbal of . the Government , the laws , the social institutions , and especially the practical freedom of the United States , and makes a voyage there for the purpose of verifying by actual observation all the pleasant pictures with which his imagination is filled . The humour of the work is to be found in Shahmah ' 3 disappointment and mistakes when he comes bodily into contact with the realities of American social
life . The " domestic institution "—slavery , of coursestartles and staggers him as the thing inconceivable among a people who had published to the world " their declaration of independence , " and asserted the ' ? perfect equality and brotherhood of mankind . " The author has brought out some strong points in American life , and has with much ability illustrated several phases of the " domestic institution , " and placed them in a light that will be not very highly regarded by Southerners . There is a love-story mixed up with the work , very agreeably breaking the monptony which would othervrioo attach to a work of thiti peculiar character .
Nobte Deeds of Women . By Elizabeth Starling . Fifth Edition . ( H . G . Bonn . )—Five editions are a sufficient recommendation of the work . If we accept all as truth that we find recorded in these well-told pnges , farewell to the vaunted ouperiority claimed by the lords of creation . The Boy's Own Toy-maker . — By E . Landells . " With Numerous Engravings . ( Griffith and Fnrren . )— -A- nice little book , full of pleasant amusement for head and fingers * I > aya of Old , Three Stories of old English History for the Young . ( Cambridge : Macmillnn and Co . )—Old history is here put in a new and , a taking drosa . Tho youth of the present generation have advantages not dreamt of in our own days of jaoket and corduroys . The stories in this pretty book arc wall selected and well told .
M. Jpm Lamaiitine.—'A Paris Letter Uaya:...
M . jpm Lamaiitine . — 'A Paris letter uaya : —¦ " I notice with great regret that the Lamartino Fund Committee have put forth , within the last few days , whnt they call a final appeal to Franco . It is written in very earnest terms , arid requests immediate aid , as tho only means of saying a man who has merited well of hie country as n poet and patriot . I fear this means the worst . I liuve heard , indeed , lately , that the subscription , Ie making do pTQgrea * , and that not more than a third . of the total sum required has yet been received . "
^ Atrnn J, (Feterfnitmrettts. ^ ,
MijtBtm nirb . ( Kirttrfamnanfe . ~ ¦ »—
The Pai.Ace Of The People, Musweu Hill. ...
THE PAI . ACE OF THE PEOPLE , MUSWEU HILL . Tins project is , we understand , neither dead nor sleeping . Its promoters will have hard work , of course , to counteract the various influences which may possibly be set in motion to establish the Exhibition of 1861 at South Kensington . They hrny possibly , also , find little favour with the council of the Society of Arts , from whom , as from all venerable bodies , we may apprehend mistrust of schemes not emanating from themselves . But we look upon it , that if they will but nail the educational colour to
their mast-head , their way is clear , irrespective of court or corporation favour . A deputation of persons taking . an interest in the plan has been warmly received by Lord Brougham , who , we are pleased to hear , gives his hearty assistance . Among those who waited upon his Lordship were Dr . Booth , Mr . Owen Jones , Mr . II . Masterman , Mr . Chamerovzow , and Sir Charles Fox , who , it will be remembered , acquired so much renown as constructor of the building in Hyde Park . His Lordship , fully coinciding
with the views of the deputation as to the value of a central educational institute and museum , expressed himself warmly in favour of a scheme which would comprise these advantages , and of any society which would bind itself , not merely to incorporate them with its prospectus , but to carry them out loyally and honourably . His Lordship terminated a long and cordial interview with a promise to place himself in immediate . communication ' with various eminent persons , whose countenance and co-operation would , he conceived , be of value to the
prompters . We hope within a few days to be favoured with a sight of the designs , which we understand Air . Owen Jones to be hard at work upon , and to the perfecting of which a great deal of ' valuable experience paid for in Hyde Park and at Sy den ham will , of course , be brought to bear . Little doubt is expressed in financial circles but that capital will be forthcoming in abundance for the construction if the
subscription list be well headed ; if the undertaking have the appearance of being conducted by persons of character ; and if the shares be of only one pound each . It is so obviously the interest of the railway companies to encourage an enterprise of such a traffic-bringing nature , that the investment must almost force itself upon their shareholders , supposing the capital not to be subscribed by the general public .
ST . JAMES S HALL . A series of " Popular Concerts" has been given during the last week at this handsome and commodious place of amusement , and have been numerously attended . Appealing , as they do , entirely to the taste of the million , the programmes demand no critical noficc ; but we may record that they afforded unlimited satisfaction to the audience on each occasion . At the first concert , on Tuesday , Mr . Sims Keeves ' s indisposition created a good deal of disappointment ; but visitors on Wednesday had the pleasure of hearing that gentleman to advantage in Balfe ' s elegant ballad , " Come into the garden , Maud . " Miss Dolby sang on both occasions , and was much admired in
Mendelssohn ' s very popular duo , * ' O vert th ' ou in the cold , cold blast , " which she sang with Miss de Villara . Miss Arabella Goddard , Misa Stabbach , Miss Poole-r-who sang " Where the bee sucks" delightfully—and Mr . Weiss , were severally as attractive ns ever . That admirable corps of part singers , the Swedish Minstrels , who have returned from the provinces , sang several of their native melodies on Tuesday , and highly pleased the country visitors , of whom there were a . number present , with their quaint costume . When wo add that Mr . Benedict was conductor it will be taken for granted that sound taste in selection , and high-class execution characterised the series , which , wo believe , it is the intention of the directors to repeat at intervals .
ST . JAMES ' S TIIKATRE . —FRENCH COMIC OPERAS . Mr . Mitchell has issued the prospectus of a French Comic Opera season , which is to open at this house on the 29 th of December , under the direction of Monsieur Kcmusnt . The repertoire is an extensive one , comprising no less than ono-and-twenty operas by Aubqr , Herold , Aduni , Ambrose Thomas , Halevy , BoYoldieu , and Gre * try . Among the artists named are Madame ITauro , from the Theatre Lyrique Mdlle . Oline Mathiou , M . limon , from the Opera-Comique , and M . Fougores , from the Court Theatre , Amsterdam . It is proposed to carry on the season to the end of March , and the nights of performance are to be Mondays , Wednesdays , Fridays , and Saturday b . POOR MARIO t
; ltisBaid that M . Oalzado , of the Paris Opera , lias been compelled to sue this interesting tenor , whoso salary is etatod to be no less than 14 , 000 francs a month
for damages occasioned by his refusal to . si ^ T regular part of the Dtike of Mantua in i > We « o g J agreement between the parties was interacted t ° the artist to the effect that he might , atW Kr 7 reject or throw up any and all parts unlesTaT ' derstandmg was previously come to between tlv ^ m " He objected to the role of the Duke , firstly becauS had been promised to Graziani , whom he would not depnvcof it ; secondly , because , to sing with Madam ! Frezzohni , it would be necessary for him to raise Bf voice a halt tone , which would be inconyeni ^ f The court , however , held that the power of ref , * , i " however applicable to new business , could not p * tend to characters which formed part of the nn « fX standing repertory , and accordingly decided that hi should appear as the Duke , when called upon by th * management , under penalty of 6000 francs for each refusal . u ^ ^
THEATRICAL GOSSir . The player world being intent upon . preparations for Christmas blazes of triumph-, we have no dramatic novelties of moment to report or criticise ; but as some of our readers may like a glimpse of the Christmas bill of fare of the London houses , we venture with all modesty and subject to correction , to furni sh the best we have been able , through the kindness of a frieud or two , to compile . AtDrury Lane Theatrethe pantomime is , as necessary and usual , bv Mr . E . L- Blanchard , and is entitled AW « " jiood Stitchers , baskets-frame builders , artificial furmakers , tailors , spanglers , mask-moulders , artists , and artisans are , as may be imagined , in their
wonted frenzy over the preparation of svlvan properties of all sorts . Messrs . Sutherland , " Edwards , and John Bridgman have long ago handed over their masque or pantomime of lied Riding Jhod to tlie tender mercies of the employes of the Pyne-Harrison management at -the Co vent-garden Theatre . The fiunous W . IJ . Payne , by some termed the King of Pantomime , who has been absent for some years , is to be the Harlequin of this troupe . Mr . Buckstone has made a Christmas piece for himself , not out of his own head , but out of a German legend . Messrs . Robson and Emdcri , at the Olympic , who are nightly driving away crowds from their doors , have a burlesque on Mazenim , by Mr . IF . I . Bvron ,
the author of the admirable Maid and Maggie , which , we are glad to notice , is now drawing as it should some of the best company in town to the Strand Theatre . The fair and amiable lessee of this establishment is preparing a comicKm ' rfwnrih , by Messrs . Halliday and Lawrence , and will produce in a few days a new comedietta by Mr . Francis Talfourd . The works at the Adelphi are making rapid progress under Mr . J . 11 . Wyatt , the stage being already laid . Gossip says that Mrs . Alfred Mellon will be once more at home on the boards she has so often graced , and that Mr . Wright , who is restored to health , will also appear . It is , however , to be regretted that Mr . comedians
J . L . Toole , one of the most really talented of the day , whose debut at this theatre we looked for with pleasure , will thus probably , for a time , be shelved . The performances on the 27 th will open with adramatic Revue of Adelphi fo rtunes past , present , and possible , by Messrs . Vates and Harrington , and will comprise a " Mother Goose" pantomime . Mr . llobert Brough has written in his best manner a classic burlesque upon the siege of Troy for Mr . fcdmond Falconer , who opens the Lyceum on boxing , mgnt ; and Mr . Greenwood , co-lessee of Sadler ' s Wells , lias adopted for the title of his piintotuimc , OM /« ' «« Walton and Tom Moore of Fleet-street ; or , llnrkqmtt and the Seven Sisters of Tottenham . CRYSTAL , TALACE . The half-yearly report of the directors noa » straightforward appearance , and affords matter oi congratulation to shareholders . Its most ugrceaWe feature is the carrying over , of 12 , 025 / . "" ™ profit to next year ' s account after the distribution of 2 s . 6 d , per share pn the ordinary cupital . a hnlf-a-crown dividend on shares purchased nttiro market price of the lust year or two 13 by no > niennj a despicable one , and its repetition , as far at least n wo can see , may be looked for if the preaent not v ° and enlightened system of management is PC 1 " 11 "" 1 to continue . A morning contemporary has ueu favoured , somewhat prematurely , «' e {« " '! „" the particulars of an Art Union , which it « P ™ nosed to establish in connexion with the i i <• • " All Prizes and no Blanks , " the Circoan boij J the Marino Bazaar Girls , is , on < lit , the Wnjwi «» this now institution , which must surely thcrcioro " looked for with interest and anxiety by ''«''"' "speculators and tho general public . a ' *» Is to comprise l 0 , () 00 subscribers J guinea each , among whom 7000 / . worth ot won in every branch of ( lira mid « ' * ! ft fu £ will be distributed as prizes , un 4 the rest " solatlons , " consisting of l ) h"t 0 ? r'Vi ' mE itoJ plastics , ceramic works , & o . It is thus i "J ^ that , hi addition to Mi superior chance va » w scrlbor lias the minor certainty of an J ) 0 guinea ' s worth of Bonwthlng . r Ast '' is ^ " edb / tlio said of the subscription engravings distributed ^
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 11, 1858, page 14, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_11121858/page/14/
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