The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-22 00:00:00

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA,

L'ELISIR D'AMORE.

This delightful comic opera, which so strikingly
illustrates the variety of Donizetti, was produced
at this theatre last evening, in order to enable
Madlle. Patti to add another success to the list of
her unrivalled comic achievements, in the character
of Adena. This rustic coquette, who carries out
into greater exuberance and force the charac-
teristics of Zerlina, ►ill be thought by many to
rank next to it in the hands of our young
favourite. All that piquant and playful humour by
which she is so peculiarly distinguished, was
exhibited last evening, in union with the personal
fascination wt.ich makes everything she does so
pleasing. Nor was her treatment of the music un-
worthy that of the character. In the popular duet
with Dulcaulara, in the cavatina, "Della crudel
isotta," and more especially in the scene where she
expects the proposed philtre, she fulfilled every
expectation that had been formed of her perform-
ance, and was rewarded with the most genuine
applause and admiration.
Mdlle. Patti was admirably supported by the
Duicamara of S gnor Ronconi, which has ever been
the richest embodiment the character has had—not
even with the exception of that of the great
blache—and which was so hearty on this occasion
and so replete with sterling humour, that it fairly
atoned for the vocal deficiency which was at times,
we must own, apparent. The only drawback to the
night's impression was the non-appearance of
Signor Mario, as announced, in Nemorino,
who thus added to the disappointment of his
absence from "Don Pasquale." Mons, Naudin,
who replaced him, was even less at ease in this than
in the former substitution, though he sang the
music very well, and especially the duet with
Belcore. With every abatement, however, the
entire performance wes very gratifying; and we
have no doubt will figure frequently in the pro-
gramme of the ensuing year. The house was tole-
rably full.

THE FALL OF VICKSBURG.—The Missouri Demo-
crat publishes a despatch from Vicksburg, dated June 25,
which states that the Federal pickets captured a messenger
that morning bearing letters from the town, and the fol-
lowing message to Johnston :—" Can hold out ten days.
If not sooner relieved will be obliged to surrender."
RAILWAY AND PUBLIC COMPANIES IN PARMA -
MENT.—Yeaterday, in committee of the Lords, the bill for
the Scottish Central, North Eastern, and Dundee and
Arbroath Amalgamation was passed with some amendments
in connection with the clauses. The bills passed in the
Commons were those for the Northumberland Central Rail-
way, St. Ives and West Cornwall Junction, Dundalk and
Greenore and Irish North Western Railways.
THE MOORS AND FORESTS OF PERTHSHIRE.—
The weather has recently been very favourable for
the young birds, and they have improved greatly since the
beginning of July. A number of the hills have now been
tested to some extent, but keepers are somewhat disinclined
as yet to disturb the broods. Where they have been exa-
mined, the prospects for the 12th are more promising than
usual. Broods eight and ten strong have been risen by the
gamekeepers, and the general strength of the coveys seems
to be from six to eight. The birds are well grown and
much more advanced than at this season last year. On one
or two of the ranges there is a slight appearance of disease
among the later broods. This is, however, local, and not
to such an extent as to cause any anxiety. On the extensive
ranges of Blair Atholl and Breathilbane there is a superior
crop. On the hills of Upper Strathearn the birds are nume-
rous and well grown. On the moors of Callender, Bal-
quhidder, and the eastern parts of Argyleshire, good shoot-
ing may be anticipated. The low covers look well. The
partridge covers of Strathtay and Earn are well stocked,
and will afford excellent sport during the season. The
pheasant broods were somewhat thinned by the heavy
thunder plouts after incubation, but the preserves are much
better stocked than last year, when there was but an indif-
ferent crop and indifferent sport. Other kinds of game are
generally abundant. All accounts agree that the forests
have not held out better promises for stalkers for some
years. The weather has been warm and favourable during
fawning, and the lawns have been abundant. The deer are
in splendid condition, and are expected to be free from the
vascular skin much earlier than usual. Pasture has this
year been early and plentiful, which, with the open winter,
early spring, and genial summer, has been much in favour
of the deer and all other kinds of game. A number of the
sportsmen have arrived at their sporting lodges.—Edin-
burgh Courant.

IPICKFORD'S HORSES.—At Camden Town—in-
variably abbreviated in Pickfordian language into
Camden—Pickford, who is the recognised agent of the
London and North-Western Railway Company, has enor-
mous premises adjoining the goods station, and is to be
seen in full swing. Employing more than nine hundred
horses in London, he keeps three hundred of them at
Camden. Going into these stables, we are at once struck
with an air of substantiality in connection with Pickford,
which is different to anything we have yet seen during
this tour of inspection of the ways and means of " Aiding
London." There is special potentiality in his stables, with
their asphalte pavements and their large swinging oaken
bars, in his big horses, in his strong men, in his enor-
mous vans. Most of the herses are splendid animals,
many of them standing over sixteen hands high, and
all in excellent condition. They are all bought
by one man, the recognised buyer for the establishment,
who attends principal fairs throughout the country ; the
average cost price of each is £45. They are fed on a
mixture of bruised oats, crushed Indian coin, and peas,
which is found to be capital forage. Each horse, when
bought, is branded with a number on the front of his fore-
feet hoofs, and is named ; name and number are entered in
the horse-book; and by them the horse's career, where he
may be working, and anything special relating to him, is
checked off until he dies or is sold. Pickford's horses last
on au average seven or eight years, and then they are killed. ;
but in many instances, when no locger fit for roughing it
over the stones—for what the dealer poetically describes as
the " 'ammer, 'amraer, 'ammer on the 'ard 'igh road"---
they will be bought by some farmer for plough-work, and
i
after a hard London life will peacefully end their days n;
some secluded village."—Dickens's " 411 the Year Round.'
About 30 pickpockets have entered Southamp-
ton to attend the races in that town this week.