of the superior intellect of the temperate zones to the use of meat. A little more reflection will convince Mrs. Hale that climate has every thing to do with diet; that the languid bodily powers of the torrid zone render meat out of the question-that as we advance to the pole, animal food becomes more and more desirable and necessary-and that at the poles, nothing but animal food, to speak in general terms, is endurable. The voyages of Captains Parry and Back, give conclusive evidence on this point. At both extremes, the intellect is stunted in growth. The "Good Housekeeper" consults health; therefore all recipes for meat-pies are excluded-but we have full directions for the manufacture of pastry, preserves, stews, etc., than

which nothing can be more deleterious. But notwithstanding the defects that may be discoverable, the book as we have said, is a very valuable one. It may be well to mention that the use of distilled spirits is sedulously excluded from its receipts.

THE LITERARY SOUVENIR: Carey & Hart.-This annual, is edited by Mr. W. E. Burton, the celebrated comedian, who, in conjunction with Mr. C. W. Thomson, of Philadelphia, has furnished the entire matter for its pages-the former contributing the prose, the latter, the poetry. Mr. Burton has succeeded with his task. Some of his sketches are exceedingly well done, whether attempting the pathetic or humorous, while none are below mediocrity. We cannot express so favorable an opinion of Mr. Thomson's poetry. Unless we have omitted some pieces in our examination and perusal of the book, the whole number, with perhaps one exception, is sadly commonplace or prosaic; and of poetry, as has been well remarked, there is no such thing as middling goodness. "One might as well say middling good eggs." The engravings, thirteen in number, are, the most of them, very interesting, and finely executed. The letter press is clear, the paper good, and the binding very beautiful.-Wiley & Putnam.

CANONS OF GOOD BREEDING: Carey & Blanchard. A little book, whose title proclaims its design. We have looked over it, and have found it well written, and some of the inculcations sound and valuable; many especially so. But some, too, are very questionable. There is a kind of apology for swearing. Setting aside the moral point of view, we doubt if swearing will ever be a particular specimen of good breeding. Neither do we fully like the remarks upon duelling.

THE TOKEN: Otis, Broaders & Co.-The limited space to which we were necessitated to confine our notice of this annual in our last number, has hardly done justice to its merits; and since the "Gift" and "Souvenir" receive attention in our pages this month, we again introduce the Token to our readers in their company. Its literary merits considered in relation to its competitors are very superior. Miss Sedgwick has contributed a tale which is a gem in itself; and which the newspapers are eagerly copying. Rev. R. C. Waterston, a gentleman who is ever exerting himself with devoted philanthropy to the good of mankind, and whose writings are pure as they are beautiful, has several pieces in it. There are articles by Mrs. Hofland, Miss Browne, Mrs. Seba Smith, Mr. Mellen, Mrs. Sigourney, Mr. Tuckerman, Mr. Clinch, whose writings our readers are acquainted with from their frequent contributions to our own pages. Of the plates. The vignette on the title-page is exquisite. The Nibble, the Politician, the Haunts of the Sea fowl, and the Fairies, are also beautiful. Some others do not so well please our fancy. The binding is unexceptionable.

SHAKSPEARE AND HIS FRIENDS: Lea & Blanchard.-This work comes to us in three volumes. It is an attempt to portray the social life of the great Shakspeare-a daring and venturesome effort, making failure or success more signal. We have not had time to peruse more than enough pages to get interested in it not enough to express a critical opinion. It is some time since it was published in England, and it was there lauded as an admirable composition. It is dedicated "To the admirers of "honie-tong'd Shakspeare," and of the other illustrious spirits of the golden age of England."

MAN ABOUT Town: Carey & Hart.-A couple of London volumes, made up by Cornelius Webbe, Esq.-of humorous sketches-at least, intended so to be-with frequent attempts at wit. The wit is a dead failure, although there is considerable humor. But there is manifest effort-of all things, most deprecatory in a humorous attempt. Every sentence is twisted, and every page interlarded with quotations, and queer words lugged in, so that, on the whole, the volumes are not very readable. The mind becomes fatigued with the everlasting sameness.

NAN DARRELL: Carey & Hart.-This is a novel without talent of any description to recommend it. The plot is com

mon-place, the incidents, though many, hackneyed or preposterous, the style weak and barren in the extremest degree, the characters, with one or two exceptions, either miserably insipid, or ridiculously absurd, and the dialogue "flat, stale and unprofitable." Yet the incidents, worn out as they are, are so numerous, that a considerable degree of interest is excited; enough to induce one to wade through the volumes to the end-angry with himself, at the same time, for doing so.

THE GIFT: Carey & Hart.—The number of the Gift, for the present year, presents attractions equal, if not superior to those of any annual which we have ever seen issued from an American press. The binding is chaste and superb, and the engravings, nine in number, are without a single exception, of the highest finish and beauty, while some are surpassingly fine. We cannot express this unqualified praise of the literary contents, although many of the articles are well written and interesting. Mr. Burton, humorous as he usually is, has scarcely succeeded in a long tale called the "Bird of Paradise," while " Deacon Amos," by Miss Stowe, is very pretty; as, also, "A Venitian Incident," by Mr. Walsh, and "The Lazy Crow," by Simms. There is some very fine poetry by Mrs. Sigourney, Miss Gould, Miss Leslie, Mrs. Embury, Miss Waterman, Park Benjamin, and A. B. Street, and some passable, indifferent-and worse than indifferent by other writers.

BEAUTIES OF WEBSTER: Edward Walker.-This volume embraces a very judicious selection of the more brilliant gems of thought and eloquence, scattered through the writings of the great statesman. A critical essay on his "genius and writings" of great merit, by James Kecse, accompanies the volume; which is worthy of the success it meets with, this being the third edition. The portrait of Webster, however, does his bold features injustice.

THEATRICALS.

PARK. We deem it but justice to pass by in silence the efforts of the vocalists at this establishment, in the operas produced after "Fidelio." Mrs. Martyn and Mr. Manvers were prevented by illness from appearing, on several occasions, when their names had been announced, and on others, from displaying, by any fair criterion, the abilities they possess. "Cinderella " was, therefore, offered with Madame Otto as Cinderella, who sung the music respectably; and "La Sonnambula," with Miss Poole as Amina, in which she obtained great applause, although but few days had been devoted to preparation in the part. This young lady's voice, as we have before remarked, is clear and powerful, and most of her tones very sweet. It is, however, rather destitute of flexibility, and does her most credit when she confines herself to the simple music of what she may be singing.

tion.

Mrs. Fitzwilliams, formerly Miss Copeland, of the Surrey Theatre, London, commenced an engagement after the departure of the vocalists. A very full house assembled to greet her; although her name has been little trumpeted on this side of the Atlantic, and her powers, with the majority, were in supposiShe selected, for her debut, "Peggy," in "The Country Girl," one of the old school of comedies, pruned, by Garrick, of its ad libitums, and rendered fit for modern ears, without losing the spice of humor and wit with which it abounded. The part has always been a favorite one with the English public. Mrs. Jordan frequently appeared in it, and the celebrated Miss Kelly offered

it as a portion of the entertainment at her farewell benefit on quitting the stage. Mrs. Fitzwilliams displayed in it the possession of genuine comic power. Without a very good figure or personal charms, her sprightliness, archness and vivacity excited much mirth, and repeated and warm applause. We should assign her a station above Mrs. Keeley, and below Madame Vestris. She is, in all things, superior to the one, while she lacks some of the qualifications of the other. In the afterpiece, called "Widow Wiggins," in which she sustained six characters, her extraordinary versatility was eminently conspicuous. She surprised the audience by the celerity of her changes of attire and of identity. The transformations were complete. First, she was the motherly Widow Wiggins, in the prime of life; next, and in a moment, "Miss Totterly Rosebud," an ancient maiden, of sixty-two, with a cracked voice, piping a childish treble; and her song in this character; "To-day I'm sixty-two," was irresistible. Her third metamorphosis was into a Savoyard minstrel, with his hand-organ, playing to obtain money to support "his poor moder." Into this she infused rich pathos, and almost made the listener forget that it was but acting, with her broken English and mournful tones. Fourthly, a lively French girl, she dissipated the impressions communicated by the Savoyard, and made all laugh again. Her imitation of the ballad-singing in the streets of Paris, was inimitable, and called forth a unanimous encore. Mr. Jackey Wiggins next showed himself, an overgrown boy of thirteen or fourteenscreaming through his nose for "Mamma," and beating his shilling drum. The lisping Miss Hobbs was the sixth and last; in which a version of "Jim Crow" was given. It was a striking compliment to the taste of our audiences, that the song should have been prepared for two encores, and a justification of that compliment, that the preparation should not have been disappointed!

Mrs. Fitzwilliams has since played in various comedies and farces, calculated to display her talents, and has maintained the good impression conveyed by her first appearance. The stock company have supported her with great success. She has been succeeded by Mons. Alexandre, a celebrated ventriloquist, upon whom we shall comment hereafter.

NATIONAL. The conflagration of the National Theatre has resulted, as we expressed a conviction in our last issue it would

do, in a general rally of the friends of Mr. Wallack in his behalf; and notwithstanding the unprecedented oppression in the money market, a theatre is to be erected and placed under his management, that will do honor to the city. The ground selected for its site, is that upon Broadway, between Reade and Chamber Streets, now covered by the Washington Hotel and other buildings. Their demolition is to be immediately undertaken; and by August next, the theatre will be completed, unrivalled in this country in its situation and commodiousness, as we presume it will be in its architectural beauty.

In the mean time, Mr. Wallack has leased Niblo's theatre, and comfortably prepared it for the accomodation of a large audience; which, from the peculiar construction of the building, consists of but two divisions; the dress circle occupying the whole of the lower part, divided into boxes and parquet, and those who frequent the upper boxes, at half price. We must express the extreme and peculiar gratification we have enjoyed in the performances under this new arrangement; arising from the adventitious circumstance we have explained. There being none present save those who go expressly to enjoy the enter tainments, there is a delightful stillness and propriety on every side, rendering it more like the invited attendance of a circle of friends, than a promiscuous gathering; and we have been led to make the query, are those excrescences which are here dispensed with, and which form the only tangible theme of attack to some classes of the community, indispensable to the success of a regularly appointed theatre ?

The season, at Niblo's, opened with Mr. Vandenhoff, in Hamlet. The unsurpassed performances of this gentleman were discussed at length in our pages, during his former visit to this country; and the high estimate we placed upon his talents has been enhanced by his personations in the engagement he has lately

concluded. He played Hamlet on the occasion referred to, under very peculiar and interesting circumstances. Mr. Forrest and Mr. Kean had immediately preceded him, each personating Hamlet during their several engagements, and thus the powers of the three tragedians of the greatest pretension upon our boards, might be estimated and compared by one and the same standard. Suffice it to say in reference to the comparative enactment of the character, that the palm has been indisputably and triumphantly awarded to Mr. Vandenhoff. It would be a pleasant labor to analyze his Hamlet, and dwell at length upon those masterly touches which evince his possession of the grasp of intellect to appreciate every where, and cope with and display in glowing lights, the philosophy of the great conception of the || drama's sovereign; but justice to another who has since been presented to the public under his auspices, forbids.

Miss Charlotte Vandenhoff opened in Julia in the Hunchback, to a crowded and eager audience. The ordeal she was about to pass, was a severe and unpitying one. The broad and diversified scope which the part affords, had been but recently testified to by the talents of a Kemble and a Tree, the remembrance of whose various excellences is yet fresh, and exerts a constant influence. This was arrayed against her, and by this, she was to stand or fall. The first eager gaze of curiosity when she entered, was gratified by the appearance of a young lady yet in the very spring time of youth, with a fine form-graceful carriage and an expressive and beautiful countenance. As she proceeded, in a clear and pleasant voice, with the most distinct

enunciation and the discreetest emphasis, it was manifest that the impression she was making, was by no means an unfortunate one. The first act, whose quiet tone does not admit of the display of any novel excellences of acting, passed by without any peculiar effect, although, as we have said, the sympathies of the audience were strongly excited in her favor during its continuance. But from her entrance in the second to the very close of the piece, her acting was characterised by a power and a truthfulness, a correctness and an abandonment, that carried every heart to the extreme of enthusiasm; and at the fall of the curtain the loud, long, and reiterated bursts of applause testified that she had passed the ordeal unscathed, herself the brighter for the trial she had endured. A repetition increased the favorable decision attendant upon the first: and it is the most ster

ling proof that her talents had taken the town by storm, that the attendance upon her representation of Julia authorised the repetition of that part six times out of but nine appearances. One of the greatest charms of Miss Vandenhoff's Julia was its freshness. Those who have seen the character often repeated, have witnessed with admiration the great points of the leading actresses of the day, and have been wearied with the imitations of them by lesser lights, until they have thought that every emphasis, gesture, inflection, that could possibly be given to word letter and line, were stereotyped on their memories, have been astonished at the absolute novelty of her conception and performance of many portions. In her dialogue with Helen, in the second act, beginning

"So Monday week will say, good morn to thee
A maid, and bid good night a sober wife."

her engrossment by the peculiarities of Helen's dress to the exclusion of Sir Thomas-"I'd rather talk with thee about the lace," "Thy feather's just the height I like a feather," &c.— did not exhibit, as in almost, if not every previous instance, a heartless levity and contempt for him, but a mere thoughtlessness, the result of circumstances, not a perversion of the heart. Indeed, the whole scene-her dialogue just commented uponher proud dignity when reproached by Clifford her revulsion of feeling when he leaves her,-was most admirable. The scene with Clifford in the fourth act was performed with an intensity of feeling, that robbed illusion of its deceit, and made the spectator seem indeed in the presence of a heart-broken and despairing girl. The "Do it!" scene, so termed, developed the pos session of unsurpassed physical power, and an ability to por tray the wildest phrenzy of passion. Herein she achieved her greatest triumph. Instead of slurring the most of the speech,

and concentrating all her force upon "Do it" she made every line a "Do it!" and every sentence glowed upon her lips. So carried away were the audience, that she was interrupted by bursts of applause in that one speech, on her first night, no less

than five several times.

Such was her Julia-and it set the seal upon her fame. She played besides it, during her engagement, only two characters, Mrs. Haller and Mariana; upon which we have only space to remark, that they severally served to establish her claims to reign the bright queen of the ascendant.

We must not omit to particularize the acting of Mr. Vandenhoff, in supporting his daughter, as Master Walter, The Stranger, and St. Pierre. Of a different cast from the line in which he had won his exalted fame in this country, he was yet a masterhand even here; and as in his loftier tragic efforts, will admit no competitor to stand beside him.

The operatic corps of the National succeeded; and Miss Shirreff, Wilson, and Seguin, were welcomed by a crowd of friends in the charming Amilie. La Sonnambula followed; and that gave place to "Gustavus," one of the most glorious operas ever presented to the public; and got up with a perfection of every necessary qualification, that left no drawback to intense delight. Its music is sparkling with gems. There is expression in every note; and two of its delicious chorusses have never been suffered to pass without an encore. The eminent vocalists

who have appeared in it—a combination of talent in opera never before offered to an American audience-gave each unbounded satisfaction. Miss Sherriff's naivete and gracefulness as the Page, and Mr. Seguin's acting as Ankerstrom deserve peculiar mention. The scenery was very splendid, and the costumes and properties rich and appropriate.

A word of the orchestra. We reluctantly feel compelled to remark that this department of the theatre is not under that degree of control, which is requisite to unity of action and the satisfaction of the audiences. Every gentleman seems to be in the enjoyment of absolute independence, and setting aside the deficiencies in time and tune which sometimes occur, there is a degree of loud intercourse-laughing, talking, nut-eating, etc. particularly annoying and improper. It must be looked to. Mr. Charles Kean has followed the opera: alternating with Madame Lecompte and her newly imported Corps de Ballet. Criticism upon him and them must be deferred to the ensuing month.

EDITORS' TABLE.

OUR TWELFTH VOLUME!-The progress of the "Ladies' Companion," during the later years of its publication, has,

probably no counterpart in the history of magazine literature. One year since, our issue was six thousand, five hundred copies; in May last, at the commencement of the eleventh volume, it was found necessary te extend the edition to thirteen thousand copies; and the steady yet undiminished increase of patronage which it has been greeted with during the past summer, require a further addition of upwards of four thousand copies. Of this present number, there will be issued seventeen thousand, two hundred and fifty copies!

It is not in a spirit of vain glory or braggadocio that we enter into the above statistics; it is rather from a feeling of elated determination, and honest pride. As we remarked in closing our last volume, we are proudly conscious, that however strong the promises we have made, we have fulfilled every one of them; and that we have satisfactorily done so, our present prosperity evinces; and that this prosperity is not assumed or illusory, the great expenditure which we evidently bestow upon the magazine, is ample testimony; for nothing but ample success would justify such a course.

Did we now simply assert that we would maintain the work in its present state, we are sure that no more would be expected of us. Its typography has been unexceptionable, its embellishments of the highest degree of art and beauty, the paper we have used, of the finest quality, and the talent which has adorned our pages, in every department, of the most superior order attainable. But our course is onward. So long as new qualifications may be added, we shall eagerly grasp them. Acting under this resolve, we have the pleasure to announce, that we have entered into arrangements with Mrs. Frances S. Osgood, to lend her aid to the already superior talent engaged on the editorial department. Her contributions to our pages will be constant. We have not to regret the loss of a single contributor, who has heretofore assisted to render the "Companion" interesting and valuable. Madames Sigourney, Embury, Ellet, Smith, Hofland; Misses Browne, H. F. Gould, Orne; Messrs. Herbert, Neal, Ingraham, Benjamin, Seba Smith, Thatcher, Hamilton, Pray, with others who have assisted us, as also, the Editors, Mrs. Ann S. Stephens, and Mr. Harrington, will still contribute regularly to the work. In addition, we have the extreme pleasure of announcing, that Mr. Fitz- Greene Halleck has autho

of his pen, so soon as his engagements will permit. Mr. H. T. Tuckerman, author of the " Italian Sketch-Book," and " Isabel," and C. F. Hoffman, Esq. author of "Scenes in the West," Sam uel Woodworth, Esq., author of the "Iron bound Bucket," with other prominent writers, with whom we are negotiating, will also contribute to our pages.

The Lady of the Lake, is now on the tapis, with Hamblin as Roderick Dhu, and Barry as Fitz-James-a very strong cast, and most splendid scenery.

The space devoted to editorial remarks, will hereafter be extended to four pages; and the independence of opinion in reviews and theatrical notices, which has given, we believe, unqualified satisfaction, will still be preserved; and it may be well to remark more particularly, that no decision is made upon the merits of a book in the "Companion," unless the book has been carefully perused. Mr. Dick, the talented and skilful artist, will still prepare the embellishments expressly for the work, and to gratify all tastes, we shall give alternately, a sketch from American Scenery, and a Poetical subject. One of the latter class, of the most exquisite beauty, is in the engraver's hands for December. Our Fashion plates will be continued in the same finished style of engraving as heretofore, since they have been received with universal favor, and no competition with their superiority has thus far been attempted in the country.

and taste of its quarterly fashions!"