which we have taken no notice. Miss P. Horton, as Rhoda, a village beauty, betrothed to Franz, was exceedingly arch and lively; and Mr. Mitcheson more than once reminded us of Wieland in his best parts. Dreams oftener adorn tales' 'than point morals,' but this brilliant fairy spectacle points two, which, though not remarkable for their originality, are worth remembering by old and young. The first is, that it is very ridiculous of bachelors on the verge of seventy to fancy that they make conquests of the hearts of pretty girls of nineteen ; and the second, that if pretty girls will only be good, and pay more attention to what their mammas tell them, than to the soft nothings of the good-for-nothing swains, they will be sure to obtain the men of their choice at last. In ordinary cases—

"Dreams are but interludes which Fancy makes,
When Reason sleeps this mimic wakes,
Compounds a medley of disjointed things,
A court of cobblers and a mob of kings."

As for the scenery and dresses, they were really splendid. The house was well filled, and audience appeared to be very highly delighted.

ADELPHI.-The Christmas entertainments at this theatre opened with Barnahy Rudge, being an Adelphi version of the celebrated tale by Boz. After which the popular burlesque of Norma, and lastly came the Pantomime, y'clept The Little Old Woman and her Pig; or, Harlequin Pedlar & the Magic Petticoat. Young faces, which had been sunny at Norma, brightened up miraculously as the first scene discovered the Queen-moon and her attendant satellites engrossing the whole of the stage. Soon, however, the planetary stillness was disturbed by the appearance of the Prince of Darkness in sable panoply. Rising, like himself, out of trap doors, two monstrous myrmidons attend his bidding in the super human regions of night. Rosebud, a beautiful girl upon earth, is the subject of his malevolent desires. But the Powers of Light, who freside in the vermeil realms of Aurora, are equally bent upon gaining the same object. Satan and his demoniacs employ, therefore, as their human agent, the pompous and consequential Mayor of the district in which Rosebud dwells. The Powers of Light, on the other hand, Patch Orlando, a pedlar, in their celestial dominions, at this period of time, and him they choose as their delegate. The love of Rosebud is only to be gained by cutting off the enchanted petticoat of her crabbed gnardian, a little sour Dame Quickly, which has its border set round about with certain cabalistic devices. Both representative heroes of these "powers that be" are forthwith armed with a pair of silver shears, and despatched like knighterrants, upon the achievement. Our dame with the charmed petticoat, while driving her pig to market, drops asleep by the road-side. Orlando arrives on his quest. Siren voices urge him to seize the happy moment. He cuts the petticoat, and is led by it to the cottage of Rosebud. while the pompous Mayor shortly after arrives, only to prove his disappointment. But here the trial of strength does not end; the magic duck that flies about the lake is to be shot; both competitors have this equal chance. Orlando fires, captures the duck, wins his beautiful Rosebud, and while one becomes the Columbine, the other is metamorphosed into Harlequin. Here the merriment begins. Miss Bullen skimmering about in her silver sheen, was a graceful Columbine, and showed much flexibility of limb; Mr. Frampton, the silverwanded magican of the night, possessed great elasticity of toe. Wieland's inimitable powers were in full play, and appeared to excellent advantage in an interminable variety of evolutions and tricks.

Of the latter description, the one between the clocks told excellently, wherein a Dutch clock falls out at midnight with a French clock; the duel is performed by them with a couple of clock pendulums and finally for a breach of the peace, an old watchman locks them up for the offence. Another upon the "Parliament strike" was equally happy; and a third, whereby "goods imported" changed into "the Prince of Wales," who

marched forth in his petit majesty and plumes, amused the juveniles much. As regards the scenery, it is brilliant to a degree. In the seene of the "Aurora" it appeared with perfect enchantment; for in addition to forms arrayed in diaphanous vestures, and the sweet radiances that pour upon the scene from the morning-star, the introduction of real water, in which the shades and images of all the brilliant things above and around are reflected, presented a scene of actual fascination. A great deal of splendour and fancy pervades the whole pantomime, and the display of pyrotechnics at the close created a piece of theatrical magnificence, that was enhanced by all forms and colours of rose, vermilion, and gold. The water-scenes, indeed, were truly admirable.

SADLER'S WELL.S.-The amusements of the evening at this theatre commenced with Home's tragedy of Douglas, which was followed by the farce of Lovers' Quarrels. These two plays, however, were totally drowned in the hum of the impatient audience, which seemed to consider the pantomine as the only business of the evening. This Christmas piece, which was entitled Cinderella and Harlequin, or, the Little Fairy and the Larg Glass Slipper, appeared to give general pleasure to the goodnatured spectators.

The scenery of the piece, as is usual at this theatre, was tastefully painted, the views displaying, among other subjects the "Retreat of Friar Bacon," the "Hall of Chivalry." the "Tower of London," the "New Houses of Parliament," and the “Temple of Fame." Many of the tricks were dexterous, and Mr. Jefferini acted as a very clever Clown. It would be vain to attempt to analyse the wonders of such a piece; but a very crowded audience manifested the delight which they communicated by the most natural of indications, their mirth and their laughter.

SURREY. Our veteran dramatic friend, Davidge, cannot be accused of having done nothing, at this joyous season of the year, for the amusement of the Christmas folks on this side of the water. Of the pantomime we cannot speak too favourably; it will, however, suffice to say it was produced under the entire direction of Mr. R. Honner, supported by Mr. Ellett and assistants; that the music is by Jolly, the scenery by Turner and Gordon, and that it bears the appropriate title, at this season of the year, of Harlequin and the Ice Queen, or Jack Frost and King Thaw. The scenery is splendid, especially the Ice Queen's Palace, King Thaw's Dominions and Palace, the Realms of Frigidna, the Clown's Political Gallery, and though last not least, Brunning's Panorama, commencing at the New London Bridge, and ending at Bolougne. Many of the tricks are entirely new, and excellent of their kind, and were made the most of by M. Huline, as Harlequin, M. Rochez, as Patch, Harlequin's lacquey, M. Lehman, as Pantaloon, and by Signor Felix Carlo as Flip, the Contortionist. The evolutions of these gentlemen are really astonishing, and we trust that Davidge will find he has played a profitable card in securing their services. Miss Sharpe was an admirable Columbine, and Buckingham an active Clown.

VICTORIA. This house was so crowded last night with gay Christmas play-goers, that it was with much difficulty standing room could be obtained to view the performances. The Victoria pantomime, with all its music, mystery, tricks, tumbles and devices, resembled an ordinary drama more than harlequinade, and, under the the title of Peter Wilkins, or Harlequin and the King of the Aerial Islands, represented the romantic adventures of that renowned hero of melodramatic celebrity. The talent of Miss Vincent, and the enterprise of Mr. Osbaldiston, have produced ample amusement for the gratification of their Christmas audiences. Heathorn's moving panorama was a brilliant piece of seenic display; and some dissolving views, by Childe, furnished a skilful phantasmagoric spectacle. If variety and amusement are to be sought, the Victoria will supply them.

LONDON AND PARISIAN FASHIONS.

DRESSES.-The modes as well as the materials in which they are made up, in those circles which give the tone to the rest of society, are no way behind our former quotations this season. Great variety and elegance prevail in every department, and costliness is by no means, a qualification that can be dispensed with.

Double jupes are prevalent, particularly in those very rich and beautiful fabrics of the satin or woollen kind, or mixed, which have recently been so highly patronized; such as Chinés, Pekins, &c.

The open style at the side of the skirt, is also a favorite mode of wearing the modern toilette.

Corsages still assume the stomacher style, and are frequently seen considerably pointed.

The close-fitting and demi-large sleeves are the prevailing forms, and the short sleeves are also in considerable vogue; the addition of tulle or blond volans or sabots display them to great advantage.

A most elegant costume of Pekin white with puce stripes, was formed with one of the antique stomacher corsages, with a ruche of satin ribbon extending round it, and forming an inverted arch of the pointed style; the sleeves were short with a moderately sized bouillon composing the upper part, and partly encircled with ribbons of the same and small nœuds; the skirt was open at the side, and wide ribbons of the color and material as the above crossed from one part to the other, each end terminating by two nœuds.

A blue satin dress had a plain corsage en pointe with only a piped satin border, the sleeves were close-fitting, the wristband receding upwards in two points; the skirt had the addition of two volans, the lower one wider and somewhat more ample than the other, both ascending in several places in peaks, with a large piped beading.

A chiné dress had a pelerine in a lozenge form, disposed both in the front and back, a double jupe, as well as a double volan of the same to each, completed the toilette.

An Orleans satin dress was made pointed at the ceinture, and nearly fitting close at the arms; the skirt was ornamented with sable fur trimmings, in the form of a tablier, which was rounded at the lower part without entirely going round the entire dress. An additional flounce of the same was attached to the bottom of the dress, which quite surrounded the skirt.

Among the elegant costumes composing some of the court toilettes may be especially mentioned one of purple velvet with satin tablier and buttons, volans to correspond on the short sleeves and skirt. A splendid row of diamonds traversed the fore part of the head, and descended some distance down the side of the face.

A very elegant dress of lace with three embroidered volans on the skirt of extreme richness and sabots of similar beauty attached to the sleeves, was also conspicuous for taste. A lace barbe was retained in the hair by diamonds.

A Tulle dress also in the tunic style, the borders thrown back, embroidered and edged with gimp; the inner sleeves short, the outer open at the lower extremity, terminating in a corresponding manner, had a pretty effect. A garland of moss roses encircled the hair, which was laid in a braid at the front, and in a nœud with pendant curls behind.

In some of the most elegant of the costumes of the dames de cour, the double and even treble jupons, with the elegantly embroidered volans, have a most superb effect, particularly when in lace, tulle or blond. One of these very stylish costumes was of lace with a double jupon, upon the upper part was a third, formed of one entire volan of blond. The sleeve which was also double, was embellished in a corresponding manner.

Pelerines if not ordinarily fabricated in so great a variety of textures and with so many styles of costumes, are in themselves more varied than ever, and in some instances most elaborately and tastefully embroidered, particularly when in lace of the ancient pattern.

MATERIALS AND COLORS.-Splendor and elegance reign paramount in all that belong to the fashionable fabrics of the day. Velvets take the first rank,-the Cachmeres and Satins follow; of the latter, a strikingly beautiful material is seen in the very elegant and novel designs which have been lately introduced, in velvet on a satin ground.

Those called Milliflore satins, are exceedingly beautiful, particularly in some of the rich shades of brown, orange, and blue, now so much in

vogue.

The Pekins, Brocades, Pompadours, &c., are also in equal demand, the latter especially, for costumes in which the stomacher the robe, or tunic styles, &c., are introduced.

The Tissus de laine are still varied, with no less spirit than hitherto, as well as the mixture of silken and woollen fabrics, so well calculated, by their warmth, elasticity, and brilliancy of color, for outside clothing, in the shape of cloaks, pelises, Bournous, &c.

BONNETS, CAPS, &c.-The modes belonging to this department of the toilette, at least to that especially appertaining to Bonnets and Hats, have experienced but little which can lay claim to the title of novelty, in any striking degree.

Dress Hats have employed the inventive powers of our artistes more than those belonging to Promenade Costume, and these have been some pretty introductions in caps and petit bords.

The ornaments for capotes, particularly those in velvet and satin, are very frequently feathers variously arranged, to accord with the style, shape, &c. Egrets are also seen. A very elegant bonnet of deep-blue velvet was embellished with two white egrets and dessous, in small flowers.

Another in black velvet had a rich lace voillette and three feathers, one on the crown, another drooping down the side, and the smallest forming a grafe between both. Sweet-pea flowers were introduced underneath the brim.

A Hat of velvet Scabieus, with the sides rather elevated away from the face, had three striped feathers, drooping, and of unequal lengths.

The Bonnet religieuse, or Convent Cap, is no less a favorite, and the coiffure, Marie Stuart, retains its vogue.

Some very pretty turbans, embroidered in silver, attracted attention from among a crowd of elegant coiffures, at a fashionable private concert; there were several varieties of shape, but those with pendant pans, embroidered and fringed, were most rich and elegant.

VARIETIES.-The Châles carrés are still worn in every variety of material, and consequently are made suitable to dress as well as to demi-toilettes.

White shawls in cachmere, satin, &c., are also greatly admired, and embroidered, occasionally, to such an extent, as to render the white ground almost invisible; much judgment is necessary in deciding on the mode of applying this elaborate style, which should be in itself a good deal varied in the comparative richness or lightness of the foliage, stripe, or other forms it assumes.

The application of diamond buttons to gloves and mittens, particularly to those which are used in mourning, is vastly admired.

Black velvet mittens, trimmed with lace, and with diamond buttons, are quite recherché.

In Stockings, no less elegance and luxe is also discernable; those of point lace, embroidered, are highly admired, and become most suitable presents, in a season of reciprocal exchange of friendly tokens; in the Parisian circles they are indespensable in the corbeilles de mariage, so prevalent among the higher orders.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES.

PLATE 1.

The cor

FIGURE 1.-Walking dress.Velouté redingote. sage has a square collar, the shoulders plain, and draped thence to the ceinture. The sleeves bouffanted in the middle, ornamented above and plain, and close fitting thence to the wrist. The skirt is embellished with three rows of lace, placed down the front. The bonnet of satin, with feathers, &c.

FIGURE 2Ball dress.- Pekin dress. Low corsage, en pointe, ornamented with flowers, as well as at the ceinture, and short sleeves. The skirt is elevated on one side, displaying with excellent effect a satin slip; the borders are trimmed with flowers which ascend nearly to the ceinture. The coiffure is ornamented with flowers.

FIGURE 3.- Evening dress.-Satin dress. The upper part of the corsage has a lace fall; the sleeve, which is short, is similarly ornamented. The skirt is ample, and has the addition of a The hair is emflounce, spirally winding round the lower part. bellished with flowers.

This is

FIGURE 4.-Walking dress.-Cachmere pelisse. made quite tight fitting to the throat, has a small square pelerine and collar, the latter of fur; the cuffs of the same. and sleeves tight to the arm, the front from the ceinture downwards has a wide ornament of fur also, on which rosettes are placed. The bonnet of satin, with feathers and ribbon nœuds.

The first half figure is a gros d'Afrique, and has a wide lace fall embellishing the upper part of the corsage. The bonnet has both ribbon and feather ornaments.

The second half figure is in Levantine, a double pelerine is added to corsage, the sleeves are trimmed with the same material; rosettes complete the embellishments.

Satin and velvet capotes, ornamented with feathers and flowers. Caps of Tulle and lace, ribbon ornaments predominate, and in the nœud style.

PLATE 2.

FIGURE 1.-Ball dress.-Tulle dress. The upper part of the corsage of this costume, is ornamented with a lace berthe in a fine bold pattern, pointed at the ceinture; sleeves short to correspond, embellished both in the above and on the skirt, with rosettes. An elegant tablier ornament is also formed on the skirt, of lace, which in addition to this form, crosses obliquely from side to side. Velvet turban with feather.

FIGURE 2.-Evening dress.-Crape dress. The corsage is made low and sloping in the front; the sleeves bouffanted and short with sabots of lace. A wide flounce of embroidered lace is appended to the skirt. The satin mantle bordered with ermine, adds great elegance to this costume. Tulle cap with flowers and brides.

FIGURE 3.- Morning dress.-Mousseline de laine peignoir. The sleeve nearly close to the arm, with a ruche ornament up the exterior of the sleeves. The small pelerine is similarly ornamented; the border of the skirt, a slight distance from the corner, has a ruche disposed in an ornamental manner on one side and plain on the other.

FIGURE 4.-Morning reception dress.- Crape dress. The corsage pointed, with a cannezou of the same material and lace, alternating in a number of capes. The skirt is moderately full and has biais in the tunic form; the sleeves fit closely and have a wristband of lace turned back over the end of the sleeve. The cap of muslin is embellished with silk cords, which traverse it in parallel lines.

The First Half Figure is in satin, with a lace fall on the corsage, and an ornament of the same on the upper part. Velvet capote with ornaments of the same.

The Second Half Figure in French merino, has a pelerine with a goiffered border. The chiné bonnet has bows of the same. Velvet and satin compose the materials of the other two bonnets, a feather ornameuts the first, and a lace ornament is attached to the other.

The cap of tulle, has ribbon ornaments.

PLATE 3.

FIGURE 1.-A walking dress.-A satin cloak over a velvet dress. The corsage of the dress merely piped en cœur and the sleeves which are not quite tight are correspondingly ornamented, large rosettes are placed on the skirt. The cloak has a very effective ornament of velvet and satin in alternate rows, the latter laid in puffs. The sleeve is made wider at the end than at the upper part. Velvet bonnet with lace ornament and nœud.

FIGURE 2.-Opera dress.-Satin Mantelet with silk fringe over a crape dress. The corsage en pointe has a lace berthe attached with a broach to the upper part; short and close sleeve with lace ornament laid flat. The coiffure ornamented with flowers.

FIGURE 3.-Evening dress.-Tulle dress. The corsage made demi montant with an oblique draping and corsage en pointe A series of flounces in embroidery extend up the dress. Dress hat in velvet and drooping,

FIGURE 4.-Promenade dress.--Satin cloak, &c. A satin cloak with capuchon, quilted and wadded, is placed over a dress of chiné, the corsage of which is quite plain; the sleeves closefitting, and several flounces added to the skirt. The Bonnet is in velvet with lace and flowers.

The First Half Figure of Brocart has a lace fall, and volans of the same to the sleeves.

The Second Half Figure is similarly made, with the addition of sahots to the sleeves, which are short.

The Bonnets are in velvet, crape and satin. Feathers, flowers and lace ornaments prevail; the upper one has a bouillon round the border.

PLATE 4.

FIGURE 1.-Evening dress.-Pekin dress. The corsage is made to fit closely to the shape, with a slight slope at the ceinture; the corsage is also embellished at the upper part with a berthe of point lace. The sleeves are laid in close gathers at the upper part, rather full thence to a little below the elbow, whence it terminates in a frill. The skirt is ornamented in the tablier form with a lace volan, and a spirally twisted ornament of the same material as the dress, terminating in a nœud with ends. The coiffeur is ornamented with bijouterie.

FIGURE 2.- Walking dress.-Pelisse of velours épinglés. The upper part made to fit tightly to the shape; the sleeves also tight, a series of ornaments of the same material as the dress, is added to the corsage as well as the front of the skirt, encreasing gradually from the centre to each end; the ornaments have the addition of a lace border: similar decorations on a smaller scale, commensurate with the size of the sleeve, are also added to the latter. The bonnet is of satin ornamented with feathers which droop over one side.

FIGURE 3.-Evening dress.-Mousseline de laine dress. The corsage is ornamented with a volan of old lace embroidered, it is divided in the middle and fixed by a broach; the corsage is terminated by a long peak. The sleeves are made tight fitting, and terminate between the elbow and wrist in a full frilling. The skirt is ample but without the addition of any flounce or other ornament, a small lace cap is decorated with a few delicate flowers.

The bonnets are in velvet, in satin, and in pekin; feathers prevail as ornaments, ribbon nœuds are also added, and decorations of the same material as the bonnets, particularly those in velvet.