... OUR CAPTIOUS CRITIC. amongst the torpedoes. WE caught that 7.40 train, although it did seem as if we had to get up in the middle of the night to do so. Our friend the Composer was discomposed at first by scenting the morning air (to him an unusual experience), and for the first twenty miles he wore an expression of dazed dullness. He tried a cigar, began to beam, and suddenly burst forth into ...

... MUSIC. CARL ROSA OPERA COMPANY. THE Carl Rosa Opera Company's performances at Her Majesty's Theatre have been continuously successful. The only addition made to the repertory of the season during the past week was Vincent Wallace's Maritana, produced on Monday last. Mr. Maas on this occasion appeared for the first time (in London) in the character of Don Cæsar de Bazan, and, as usual, made a ...

... . Facts about Champagne and other Sparkling Wines. By Henry Vizetelly, London Ward, Lock Co., 1879. IF we had been there, says Lord Beacons field, in The Young Duke, speaking of a dinner at Charles Annesley's, we should have devoted ourselves to one of the sparkling sisters, for one wine, like one woman, is sufficient to interest one's feelings for four and twenty hours. Fickleness we ...

... J 1 . DUFF & STEWART, 147, Oxford-street, W.-- Exercises and Solfeggios for Contralto or Bass, by A. Gilardoni, price 6s. Here we have a work which ought to find a place in the libraries of all contralto and bass singers. Signor Gilardoni has honourably acquired a distinguished place among modern maestri di canto, and the valuable quality of his teaching has been attested by the successes ...

... . History of the British Turf, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day. By JAMES Rice. In two volumes. London: Samp son Low, Marston, Searle, and Rivington, Crown-buildings, 188, Fleet-street. 1879. The title of Mr. Rice's interesting and amusing book is some what too comprehensive. Had he called his work Incidents in the History of the British Turf, he would have disarmed much criticism ...

... THE DRAMA. OLYMPIC THEATRE. THE new version of Dickens's Oliver Twist, produced at this theatre under the title of Nancy Sikes, gives another proof of the unfitness of the great caricature novelist's works for dramatic treatment. What in the novel are amusing if farcical sketches become on the stage crude and exaggerated types. Graphic or pathetic descriptions are transformed into pantomimic ...

... . WITHOUT showing the gushing enthusiasm of a daily contem porary noted for sentimental criticism, we have no hesitation in saying that Mr. Henry Irving's performance of Matthias in The Bells is always worth seeing over again to those who have seen it once, and to those who have never seen it, a representation not to be neglected. That the popular Lyceum actor should have chosen it for the ...

... . MISS ELLIN TERRY took a benefit at the Lyceum on Wednes day evening, playing Ophelia more exquisitely than ever. Miss Neilson will appear at the Haymarket for twelve nights, prior to her departure for America, in Romeo and Juliet and As You Like It. Messrs. Howe, Harcourt, and Terriss will also take part in the performances. The New Babylon is to go to the Surrey, but will still be played ...

... MUSIC. ROYAL ITALLVN OPERA. SINCE the production of M. Massenet's opera, Re de Lahore, no further additions have been made to the repertory of the season at the Royal Italian Opera. The new opera has drawn large houses, and improves on further acquaintance, although the criticisms offered in reference to the first performance of it appear to be justified. The music is well written, but is ...

... . On another page we give a series of sketches by Mr. R. H. Moore, of the recent highly successful coursing meeting at New market. The meet on the 9th of November speaks for itself. The same may be said of the other bits which have been delineated by the pencil of the artist. We may add, with re ference to Palm Flower, Purfret, and Polly Ann, the winner and runners up of the principal event of ...

... . ENGLAND, justly famous for the solemnity of its national demon strations, perpetuates no ceremony more imposing than the Lord Mayor of London's Show. Viewed from the various stand points of social, moral and religious importance, it is calculated to excite in the bosom of every intelligent foreigner who has the privilege of witnessing it, feelings of respectful awe not unmingled with holy ...

... . The Diet Cure, an Essay on The Relations of Food and Drink to Health, Disease, and Cure. By T. L. Nichols, M.D. London, Nichols and Co. The author of this little work is apparently earnest and sincere; gives his advice in simple language, bases it in the main upon clearly demonstrated facts, and while frankly admitting that he wishes both to do good, and get good, has produced for us a ...