Public Amusements.

the audience in roars of laugnter by her assumption of Young England , most foppishly attired , drawn to the life ; the Brothers Shapcott , ancl the smallest drummer in the kingdom ; the four marvels of Peru , whose feats are second to none of the same character ; and A'ictor Julien , on the flying trapeze , equal in every sense to the renowned Leotard . Respecting the musical department of this establishment too much cannot be said in its praise ; tbe selections are executed in a manner kaving nothing to be desired , and Mr . Bartloman must feel himself amnly rewarded for his exertions by the universal approbation he meets with for his excellent ancl judicious management .

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION . " ' If varied amusements constitute a claim to public support , certainly Professor J . H . Pepper , the manager , has well merited It . He is now giving " AVhat I saw at the International Exhibition ; or Half-an-Hour ' s Advice to Intending A'isitors , " which is highly interesting ancl instructive , and was listened to with the most profound attention . In order to relieve any monotony which might be felt ( though that is scarcelpossible

y when this popular lecturer discourses ) the audience are kept ivell amused by means of a highly-finished series of dissolving views , which pourtray the various countries represented in the courts of the Interntioanal Exhibition . In the evening the panorama of Japan is not shown , but its place is supplied by an interesting series of beautiful dissolving views of London and Paris . Then there is the concert of the Brousil Family ;

Hen-Susman's remarkable imitations of birds and animals ; Philosophical lectures by Professor Pepper ; George JBuekland ' s seriocomic history of Blue Beard ; the splendid illuminated and ¦ chromatic fountain ; lecture on Curiosities of Science by Mr . J . L . King , & c , & c . This certainly is the cheapest shillmg'sivorth of rational entertainment in London , calculated as it is to amuse and instruct children of the larger growth . Professor Pepper has also just brought out another lecture on the chief scientific specialities of the International Exhibition .

DRURY LANE THEATRE . Mr . Dion Boucicaulfc , into whose hands this establishment has now passed , inaugurated bis new enterprise , on the 23 rd ult ., with " the great Irish sensation drama , "—as it is curiously designated in the bills , —of " The Colleen Baivn ; or tho Brides of Garryowen , " which was produced with unusual splendour . The external charms of the piece were set off to the best advantage

in new scenery , dresses , ancl appointments , ancl the AVafcer Cave in particular , ivhieh has been newly painted in Mr . AV . Beverley's best manner , elicited the usual demonstrations of delight . But the true attraction of this piece dwells less in its pictorial effects than in its poetic sentiment ancl its dramatic development of character ancl incident ; and these merits are brought out very conspicuouslin the representationtho acting being for

y , the most part excellent . Mr . Boucicaulfc , in his original character of Myles-na-Coppalleen , acts with his customary skill , sings his Irish ballards with as much drollery of tone ancl manner as ever , ancl takes his old " header" into ' new waters in gallant style . Madame Celeste appeared as Mrs . Cregan , and performed with all the fervour and impassiomnent characteristic of her style . EilO'Connor found a gentle ancl interesting

y representative in JUiss Sara Stevens , an actress who as yet is new to the London boards , but who promises well . Miss Jessie JM'Lean , from the Royal English Opera , sustained the part of Ann Chute with grace ancl vivacity . The house was crowded to excess in every part .

BITOT-STOCKIXG is a name given to __ female who gives herself up to learning ancl literature , to tho neglect of her womanly duties , ancl makes a show of her acquirements in a pedantic manner . The name originated in London about 1780 . Ifc was much the fashion at that time for ladies to have evening assem-Hies , where they might mingle in conversation with literary ancl other distinguished men . An eminent member of these societies -was a Mr . Stillingfleetwho always wore blue stockings and

, ; such was tho excellence of his eonveersation that , when absent , the ladies ivere wont to say , " We can do nothing without the bluestockings . " Hence these societies came to bo called Bluestocking Clubs . —Sef . "Boswell ' s Life of Johnson . " —Beeton's Dictionary of Universal Information in Science , Art and Literature .

The Weeks

THE WEEKS

THE CoiniT . —The Crown Prince of Prussia ancl the Duke of Saxe-Coburg arrived at Osborne on Monday , in order to be present at the marriage of the Princess Alice . Several members of the family of the Prince of Hesse-Darmsdaclfc having previously arrived . On Tuesday tbe marriage of the Princess Alice and Prince Louis of Hesse was solemnised at Osborne . The

Archbishop of York , assisted by the Dean of AA'indsor , officiated ; the Queen , the young princes and princesses being present . In consequence of the shadow that has fallen upon our Court , the ceremony was performed with the utmost privacy ; no guests were invited except the members of the respective families of the bride and bridegroom and some of the high officers of state .

After the breakfast , which followed the ceremony , the Royal party broke up , and the newly-married couple proceeded to St . Clair—a charming retreat near Ryde . IIIEEEIAX , PAKLIAHEXT . —On Thursday , the 26 th ult ., in the House of Lords , a discussion took place on the question of fche national defences—Lords Airlie and Grey impugning the

judgment of the Defence Commissioners , and urging an entire suspension of the works proposed or actually in progress . Lord Airlie approved the principle of fortifying our dockyards , but he thought we ought to pause in order that wo might derive the full advantage of the numerous experiments being made . Lord Grey seemed to consider fortifications wholly useless , and he

complained of the amount of our naval and military expenditure . The policy of the Government ; was defended by Lord De Grey , the Duke of Somerset , ancl the Duke of Cambridge . On Friday , in reply to Lord Chelmsford , the Lord Chancellor stated that he would give immediate orders for the cancelling of Mr . Edwin James ' s patent as Q . C . He added that this step had been delayed only because Mr . James had intimated his intention

of appealing to the Judges against tho sentence of disbarment passed upon him by the Benchers of the Inner Temple . Several measures ivere advanced a stage . Oil Monday , a number of hills received the Royal Assent by Commission . Lord Brougham offered a few remarks on the American war . He felt it was impossible for Her Majesty ' s Government to interfere , but expressed an earnest hope that the Americans themselves would recognize

the suicidal character of the conflict , ancl come to some arrangement before they entirely alienated from themselves the respect ancl affection of civilised Europe . Lord Berners moved the second reading of the bill he introduced the other night , for the purpose of empowering the police to search persons suspected of poaching . The avowed object of the measure was to protect

gamekeepers , and not to preserve game , but Lord GrairviUe said he could not assent to fche bill on account of the " extremely objectionable" character of many of its clauses . Lord Derby said these could be amended in Committee , ancl gave his support to the motion for fche second reading . After some further discussion , the bill ivas withdrawn , but it was understood that it would

be re-introduced in an amended form . Several measures were then advanced a stage .- On Tuesday , the House got through a considerable amount of work , pushing forward a number of bills of more or less importance . Lord Brougham uttered another protest against the civil war in America , but his remarks clid not lead to any discussion on the subject . ——

Is TUB HOUSE ou C OMMOXS , on Thursday , the 2 Gth nit ., Mr . Layard stated , in reply to Colonel Sykes , that it was intended to supply the Chinese Government with warlike stores at cost price . Two of the bills relating to the transfer of land passed through committee , and tho House was soon afterwards counted oufc . On Friday tho House had a morning sitting , which was entirely occupied with the discussion of the clauses of an Irish