Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-07-17

which England is famed; the superb horses her manly
noble looking men, and fair equestrians; and Drawer
more characteristic sight cannot be found than these En-
gsh gentlemen from the youth TO the old man OF eighty
years. on his spirited animal, followed by the perfectly
appointed groom and accompanying the charming young
amazons An Englishwoman, should think, never ap-
pears to greater advantage than here; with her stout
we'll formed person, easy erect carriage, clear glowing
complexion and rich curls waving to the breeze but
am not to rotng rise with the jockey in the
saddle and prefer the graceful canter universal for ladies
with u.s. should say that general rule the English
man of to-day is scarcely inferior in robust size to the
stalwart knights of old and if may judge from the
noble features and high proud expression which greet
one at every turn the days Of chvary have not entirely
passed away have sauntered in Kensngton Gardens,
and listened the band of the second eguards playing
watzes and polkas and aiding apparently in the hrta
tons of the nursery maids with the fascinating red
jackets while their infant charges left to tumble on the
grass neither have been unmindfu of what going
on among the upper ten" who on horseback cluster
around; the mammas generally in their carriages at
safe distance, while me many soft nothing is
whispered into apparently willing ears with music to
play in the pauses and nobody overnear Often come
sudden and pelng showers, every rushing to find
tree and the equestrans grouped under the boughs till
the cloud goes over and they do not in the least to
mind these douchs though in my American boots thin
of course have been uncomortaby drenched As seven
o'clock approaches gradually the crowds disappear, the
Lady Georganas and Senas, the captivating
Lord Charles and Sir Harry wend their homeward way
for dinner in another place only the charming
which they have been playing during the after
noon for my benefit Yes! it is complete novel to me-
and have recalled many chapter in just this spot this
scene this hour in which these unconscious equestrians
-. ~ no.,st xu..h 1tnxv
how these elegant beings generally attred? Well
to fashions and adherence each Partisan change these
English somewhat sandered for the latest edcts
appear strictly obeyed but must confess that have
not yet seen one lady who was not decidedly dowdy.
Though it is cold and percingy damp, they fancy it sum
mer and wear long dragged lawns, founced to the waist
EVERY thing is ounced, to the calicoes in Cheap
side,) lace velvet bonnets, gossamer mantias all
badly put on no air. no grace and always whether in
satin organdie have s, boa generally around the
throat and this CUSTOM perhaps necessary from the eli
mate may account for the exquisite Wilderness of the
English throat These have in coronet
ted coaches and shopping in Regent street have bought
you souvenir from Howell James's, that delight of
women and of husbands-and would you not like
ice at Gunt and to be sure 1t is In inhnitesimal
quantity, and is Waterloo not icecream which be-
ieve is not known in England BY the way the shops in
Regent street not so large those in the city, many
Fleet and Cheapsde magnificent in plate glass and
show filed with beautiful things in latest fashion,
passing ours except Of Serdrs marble palace
)ne IN this region of the city very richly
lessed suppose families OF respectable merchants or
wealthy citizens of that class for ladies las the nobility
ire exclusively called) never walk in the streets.
You will readily imagine with what impatient eager
less waited for the first opera after arrival and
night the dream of my life made true bewilder
ng reality; heard in Covent Garden Grs Mario, Tam
5,riai in Don GoUaani! To describe what felt would
useless but say only that this pleasure amply
worth all the discomfort of ten voyages As was
iicted am disappointed in Gris To be sure the part
favorable for displaying her great powers, she
having little to sing, and no grand aria The voice of
has lost its freshness and treason though it be-
confess that occasionally Gris the superb but the
confident ease the pob the force Of every note and
wonderful volume Of her voice. which in the concerted
parts peaed out above all the like trumpet, make
magnificent ensemble Her acting is very impassioned,
sometimes great and she sweeps the stage with
regal air She is not too large, and is not think very
handsome very small eyes, bad expression and gets very
red but she is still grand this prinG donna Of quarter
Of century Mario is perfect; surely such liquid sounds
never uttered before perfect stick in acting but
his lips OPEN and his delicious voice comes gently steal
ing away ones heart He makes few de force, and
appears modest in sefappreciaon perhaps was only
out of humor wishing repeat his great song which
they obliged him to do much to my delight Ian6urini
entirely charming in every respect capital actor, his
voice 6aryone softer than Be>s, though think not
much superior in quality Tomorrow night shall hear
Sontag and then il they approach Lind no1 think
il impossible The opera is far beautiful than
thought and as familiar with every air in it twill
be satisfactory and instructive well delicious SOU
venr The house is and gloomy lighted by an enor
nous chandelier which does not however illuminate the
looking boxes only the front occupants Of which
can be seen and il that the elaborate toilets
entirely thrown away least felt it SO in my own
case and quite regretted having expended 80 much time
upon my adornment for where Ia box in the second
tier) might q coal nod for couture and one
be any the wiser Hereafter shall always 60 in the par
puet instead Of being perched up high, where one
cannot see or hear well, and the parquet is much
agreeable for strangers in every respect besides
being able always TO the Queen. The audience was
very enthusiastic at least the parquet the boxes giving
only languid taps with the fans. We paid rather
than dollars each, and this only ordinary night
Years in this city would not exhaust its interest for me
50 fancy my difficulty in selecting what see, particu-
arly as we stay only from day day, and may be off
morrow am not going TO inaict upon you any statis-
tics, or valuable information TO height Of building
styles Of architecture you don't for it. neither do
but only aim TO give you faint impression Of hop much
enoy every thing We thus far have gone pretty regu.
arly through the routine Of lions beginning Of
with the Tower where was captvated at the by
- L. a ~nIo, H.