Now the fact is, there is nobody in the establishment capable of playing Arsace, and the opera is consequently a failure. The first night Madame Rubini made a sad mess of the music allotted to that part, which prompted the management to give it to Mademoiselle Beck at the next representation. This young lady was certainly not worse than her predecessor, but it will be a long time before she will be qualified to undertake so leading a part. Her voice, which is a legitimate contralto, wants much cultivation; the upper and falset notes are so ineffective, as to be scarcely audible in so large a salle. The best thing she sang was the beautiful duo with Pasta, "Giorno d' orrore," in which the schooling of the great cantatrice was plainly visible.

Pasta makes a glorious Queen, and it is a pity she is not better supported. Her singing is all that can be desired; although it is true at the beginning of the evening she missed two of her high notes; but she afterwards made ample amends, and soared high above the point she had before failed in attaining. Entertaining, as we do, the highest admiration for the talents of Madame Pasta, it is with extreme regret we are obliged to recur to that sin against all propriety and good taste, which she persists in committing we allude to the long unmeaning shake with alternate piano and forte. It is a perpetration, of which she is the last person we should have suspected of being guilty: it is a vulgarism fit only for Astley's or Sadler's

Wells.

The other parts were filled as usual, Curioni being the Idreno, and Lablache the Assur. Curioni makes a woful mistake in dressing himself like a Cherokee Indian: somebody should instruct him, that there is more than one India, and that he errs in thinking he is king of that which is in the west. Talking of costume, cannot the propertymaster find something more resembling a crown than the bottomless tin-pot which is at present stuck on Arsace's head. The dancers ought to be better dressed, who appear in the scene when Semiramide is supposed to be reclining in a bower: we say supposed, for at this theatre the queen is always kept behind the scenes, and, as a substitute, a piece of canvass is pushed on the

stage, which is wretchedly daubed over, with the intention of representing some thing like a summer-house.

Taglioni has been re-engaged, and has appeared as the Bayadère in the ballet of that name. The story is that of the expulsion of Vishnu from the upper regions until he shall find some woman who loves him for his own sake. Lefevre is the Vishnu, and Taglioni his deliverer. The ballet is a bad one, but Taglioni's dancing was as usual exquisite, particularly in a pas de schal. Kenilworth has been since revived, owing to the unfortunate circumstance of Taglioni's having sprained her ankle. We will answer for it, few ankles have ever excited a tithe of the sympathy which is now felt for that of this de lightful danseuse.

Just at the end of the month a compressed edition of L'Italiana in Algieri, and Gnecco's opera buffa La Prova d'un Opera seria, have been brought forward: the first-mentioned for the purpose of introducing Madame Raimbaux as the heroine. Her qualifications as a singer are of a respectable mediocrity: her voice, which is a mezzo soprano, is not very pleasing, as it wants both richness and fulness. Many obstacles, arising from the inflexibility of her organe, it must have cost this lady no ordinary perseverance to overcome. Madame Raimbaux is rather pretty, but her figure is not graceful: she is too short, and adds to this defect by stooping.

Gnecco's opera is very like the end of one of Weigl's operas, though it does not display the same musical skill in the scoring; the overture is a mere apology for one, but some of the airs are agreeable and original. The plot of the opera consists in a series of annoyances and perplexities, of which a composer and a poet are the victims, caused by the caprices of the prima donna and the primo tenore, who are in love with one another, and on no account will consent to be separated, although the action of the piece about to he rehearsed renders such a separation essential. Lablache, as the composer, kept the house in a continual roar: Pasta entered with spirit into the fun of this burlesque as the prima donna, and Santini made an excellent stage poet. Altogether La Prova went off with great éclat, and we doubt not will have a considerable run.

We cannot close this article without expressing a hope that before the season is at an end, Pasta will be prevailed upon to play the part of Otello. Her performance of this character is equal,

if not superior, to her Medea. Never shall we forget the terrific scene between her and Sontag (as Desdemona) at the end of the opera. Caradori might be engaged to perform the Desdemona.

PLATE 1, FIG. 1. BALL dress of soft white satin. Corsage, à la Suisse, of blue terry velvet, superbly finished with gold tissue binding. The skirt very full, and slightly gored towards the top. A deep and full volant of satin, below a rich garniture, composed of satin fluting, and leaves of terry, completes this beautiful dress. Coiffure of gold wheatears, and light sprigs of the convolvulus minor tially surrounding a richly - finished comb. The hair braided across the forehead, and disposed in graceful tresses at the back part of the head. Neck-chain and antique cross of chased gold, and rubies.

PLATE 1, FIG. 2.

par

Full dress of pale rose crape, over a white satin slip. The body is made plain in front, with a double revers of crape and blonde, so cut as to shade a part of the sleeve, which is short and full. A plaiting of crape and blonde reaches from the top nearly to the bottom of the sleeve. The skirt is trimmed with a magnificent fall of queen's blonde, surmounted by folded acanthusleaves, drooping over the flounce. The hair is arranged in three coques at the summit of the head, which are encircled by a wreath of small French roses. A braid descends from thence, and passes under the curls on the right side to the back of the head. The front curls are soft and full, and placed rather low on the brow. Parure of emeralds and gold. Gloves, and shoes of white satin.

PLATE 2, FIG. 1.

CARRIAGE DRESS.

A robe-pelisse of satin, colour, bright green, lined and faced with rose-coloured gros de Naples. The corsage is cut rather lower than usual, and displays, to great advantage, a chemisette of cambric. which is made very full in front, and finely plaited lengthwise. Two plaited frills of cambric surround the collar, one

of which is continued to the waist. The skirt has no other trimming than the facing, which is continued from the waist across the bust, to the back. Sleeve very large at the upper part, but small below the elbow. The upper sleeve is ornamented with three large leaves, set on full, and meeting a point, a little above the bend of the arm, where they are terminated by a nœud of satin. A beautiful capote is worn with this dress: it is composed of white crape and satin: the front is of the cottage shape, and is edged with blonde. The crown is low, and surrounded by a guirlande of roses, with their foliage. Above the roses are placed feuilles of crape and blonde, intermingled with dents of fringed ribbon. The hair is arranged in plain braids in front, and ornamented with a jewel and small chain of gold on the forehead. Brodequins of green silk, gloves of white kid.

PLATE 2, FIG. 2.

Evening dress, composed of a goldcoloured gauze, worn over a slip of the and square across the bust, is finished same coloured satin. The body cut low with a vandyked garniture, forming a revers. The sleeve is very full, but the whole of the fulness is not taken in at the top, those parts which are left, are so disposed as to add greatly to the novelty of the sleeve. The bottom of the sleeve is composed of flutings which support the fulness of the upper part. The skirt is trimmed with a rich scrollwork of double shells of crape, bound with satin and placed rather lower than trimmings have lately been worn. The bindings, and ceinture of this dress, are of deep rich violet satin. Hair dressed en corbeille at the top, with small bunches of the ranunculus placed in the shade of the comb, which is of tortoiseshell, with a high gallery. The front hair is dressed so as to display great part of the forehead, which is relieved by a double chain of gold, passing acr

elegant trimming surrounds the skirt of the dress; it is formed of pointed clochettes, and is headed by a succession of graceful scrolls. Head-dress, a bonnet of watered gros de Naples, of a pale, but beautiful shade of green. The crown is flat at the top, and rather low on the right side. A superb plume of ostrich feathers, and a tasteful mixture of foliage, complete the toute ensemble of one of the most becoming bonnets the season has produced. The hair is simply arranged in curls on either temple. Green shoes and gloves.

WINDSOR.

On Saturday, the 30th April, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Prince George of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess Brownlow, Lord Hill, the Rev. Mr. Wood, Miss Eden, and Miss Wilson, arrived at the Castle. In the afternoon his Majesty took an airing in his pony phaeton, accompanied by Lady Brownlow and Miss Eden.

On Sunday, May 1, the King inspected the Life and Foot Guards in the quadrangle of the Castle; after which, their Majesties, visiters, and suite, attended divine service at St. George's Chapel. The Hon. and Rev. R. B. Stopford officiated.

On Monday, the 2d, at three o'clock, the King and Queen, attended by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Prince George of Cambridge, and the Countess of Brownlow, took an airing in the neighbourhood of Virginia Water, for nearly two hours.

On Tuesday, the 3d, at half-past two o'clock, their Majesties, accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Prince George of Cambridge, Mr. Wood, and others of the Royal suite, took an airing in the Great Park for nearly two hours. Colonel Frederick Fitzclarence left the Castle this morning for town. Baron Ompteda, accompanied by Baron Minto, left the Castle to-day.

LONDON.

The Duke and Duchess of Cumberland left town this morning for Kew. The Marquis of Lansdowne entertained a distinguished party at dinner.

THE KING'S LEVEE.

On Wednesday, the 4th, the King held a Levee at St. James's Palace, His Majesty arrived from Windsor about one o'clock, escorted by a party of Light Horse. His Majesty. shortly after received visits from the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland and the Princess Sophia. At two o'clock the King entered the State-rooms, and gave audiences to the Field Officer in Waiting and the Colonel of the Guard.

The Earl of Denbigh and General Finch were the Lord and Groom in Waiting.

His Majesty then received the following distinguished persons having the privilege of the entrée, namely, the Duke of Sussex, the Russian, Austrian, French, and Netherlands Ambassadors; the Russian, Danish, Neapolitan, Hanoverian, and Mexican MiSwedish, American, Bavarian, Wirtemberg, nisters; the Archbishop of York, the Lord Chancellor, the Lord President, the Lord Privy Seal, the First Lord of the Treasury, the Secretaries of State for the Home and Colonial Departments, the Lord Chamberlain, the Master of the Horse, the Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen Pensioners, the Commander of the Forces, the Master-General of the Ordnance, the Treasurer of the Household, the Clerk Marshal, and the Master of the Ceremonies,

Mr. Wheaton, Chargé d'Affaires from the United States of America to the Court of Copenhagen, was presented to the King, by Mr. M Lane, the American Minister.

His Majesty gave audiences to the Duke of Devonshire, Earl Grey, the Earl of Albemarle, Viscount Melbourne, and Lord Hill.

The company presented no novelty worth recording.

At five o'clock His Majesty left town for Windsor, escorted by a party of Light Horse.

THE KING'S LEVEE.

On Wednesday, the 11th, the King held a Levee at St. James's Palace. The Guard of Honour was selected from the Royal Horse Guards, with their full band and silver drums. His Majesty gave audiences to the Field Officer in Waiting, the Colonel and Captain of the Guard, Earl Grey, the Earl of Albemarle, Lord Melbourne, the Marquis of Lansdowne, Viscount Goderich, Lord Hill, Sir W. Freemantle, and Colonel Fox. Sir Matthew Tierney, Bart., and Colonel Joseph Whatley, were introduced to the King by the Lord in Waiting and Lord Combermere, Gold Stick in Waiting, upon their being appointed Knights Commanders of the Royal Guelphic Order.

His Majesty then received the following distinguished persons having the privilege of the entrée-namely, the Dukes of Sussex and Gloucester, the Russian, Austrian, French, and Netherlands Ambassadors; the Spanish, Prussian, Danish, Mexican, Neapolitan, Wirtemberg, and Hanoverian Ministers; the Brazilian Chargé d'Affaires, the Archbishops of Canterbury and Armagh, the Bishop of London, the Lord President, the Lord Privy Seal, the First Lord of the Treasury, the Secretaries of State for the Home, Foreign, and Colonial departments, Lord Chamberlain, the Master of the Horse, the Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen Pensioners, the Commander of the Forces, the Master of the Buckhounds, the Treasurer of the Household, the Master of the Ceremonies, and the Clerk Marshal.

There were but few presentations, and none of importance.

After the Levee His Majesty held a Privy Council, at which the Earl of Curtown was introduced and re-sworn a Privy Councillor. Their Majesties received visits from the Duchess of Kent and Princess Victoria.

The Queen left town at half-past two o'clock, in her travelling carriage, for Bushy Park.

In the evening His Majesty gave a dinnerparty, at St. James's Palace, to the Archbishops of Canterbury, York, Armagh, Dublin, Cashel, and Tuam, the Bishops of London, Llandaff, Chichester, Chester, Lichfield and Coventry, Bristol, Sodor and Man, Bangor, and Gloucester; Judges Tindal, Bayley, Garrow, and Park; the Dean of Hereford, the Rev. Dr. Kuper, the Rev. Mr. Fitzroy, Dr. Hodgson, Dr. Harvey, Sir Henry Halford, Sir William Freemantle, and Sir Frederick Watson.

The Duchess of Kent entertained a large party at dinner.

THE QUEEN'S DRAWING-ROOM.

On Wednesday, the 11th, the Queen held her sixth Drawing-room. Some of the Company began to arrive so early as half-past twelve, but the whole of the visiters had not arrived before half-past three o'clock. The ladies in general were most superbly dressed, and displayed a profusion of jewels. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester came in state, attended by Lady J. Thynne and Colonel Higgins, and were received by the band of the King's Guard with “God save the King."

Their Majesties entered the State-rooms at about a quarter-past two o'clock. The King was attended by the Officers of State, Lord Waldegrave, the Lord in Waiting, the Groom in Waiting, Messrs. Dobell and Halse, the State Pages. The Queen was attended by Earl Howe, her Majesty's Chamberlain, the Ladies in Waiting, the Maids of Honour in Waiting, and Mr. Shoemack, the Queen's first Page.

Those ladies who had not been presented, were presented to his Majesty previously to their being presented to the Queen, Earl Howe standing on the right of her Majesty to receive the presentation cards.

In addition to the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the other members of the Royal Family present were, the Princess Augusta, the Landgravine of Hesse Homburg, the Duke of Sussex, and Prince Leopold.

It being Ascension-day, the members of the different orders wore their collars. Their Majesties received the distinguished company as follows:

Mr. Fletcher Wilson the Danish ConsulGen., who was presented by Count Moltke the Danish Minister; the Russian Ambas