Public Amusements.

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS .

THE ALHAMBRA . This handsome building is at all times a favourite place of amusement , and it may therefore be imagined that the holiday seekers have not been slow to patronise it . Additional accommodation has been afforded thema dress-circle having been formedand the

, , gallery enlarged , and now there is sitting accommodation for more than four thousand people . Mr . Strange has not been slow to avail himself of the taste for Christmas entertainments , and two ballets have been produced on a scale of almost unexampled splendour . The first of these is called " TJn Ballo in

Maschera in the Illuminated Groves of Cleophas , " and it has introduced a A'ery tiny lady , " La Petite Taglioni , " who is advertised as the " smallest dancer in the world . " For a child , her Terpsichorean evolutions are performed Avith extraordinary skill , and a clever dance , a la Matelote , is vociferously applauded

nightly . Another new candidate is Mdlle . Bioletti , from the Italian Opera , of Paris , Avho dances with much grace and ability . A troupe of Pantomisists are also introduced , as well as the regular Alhambra ballet , which noAV comprises more than a hundred ladies . The dresses for them have been supplied by

Mr . S . May , and they are exceedingly handsome , as are those provided for the other characters . The second ballet takes place somewhat late in the evening , but those that stay to Avitness it are amply repaid , as it exceeds the first in scenery , dresses " , and decorations , and must be pronounced the most finished and gorgeous ever produced at this estahlishment . It is entitled " The Descent of

Kino-Dragon Fly and his Cortege of Golden Moths into the Clematis Bowers of Arcadia , " and the scenery for this has been painted and arranged by Mr . William Callcott in his very best style . The ballet is a kind of diorama , and some of the effects , Avhich have teen painted by the inventor , are exceedingly novel and beautiful . A giant chesnut treewith a jungle

, of wild underwood and daisies , forms the groundwork of a "ballet of butterflies , " among Avhom Mdlle . Bioletti again appears , and dances apas . A Yiew of the Forest of Transparent Foliage is the first picture , and the next effect presented is the Descent of the Dragon Fly , Avhich is a most marvellous piece of

beauty , the Management being right in stating that it is produced on a scale of magnificence never before equalled , even at any London theatre . Za Petite Taglioni springs from a " magic mushroom , " and the stage is turned into a glittering hive of butterfliesAvhich ascenddescendand flutter

, , , about , the Avhole terminating Avith the Glittering Bowers of Clematis . To say that these effects are applauded by the audience Avould be giving but a faint idea of the manner ill Avhich they are received .

Meetings Of The Scientific And Learned Societies For The Week Ending January 13th, 1866.

MEETINGS OF THE SCIENTIFIC AND LEARNED SOCIETIES FOR THE WEEK ENDING JANUARY 13 TH , 1866 .

Monday , January S . BOYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY , at 8 . Tuesday , January 9 . INSTITUTION or Crra ENGINEERS , at 8 . Wednesday , January 10 . GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY or LONDON , at 8 .

The Week.

THE WEEK .

THE Cotriir . —His Highness the Hereditary Prince , and her Royal Highness the Hereditary Princess of Hohenzollern , Infanta of Portugal , arrived on a visit to her Majesty , attended by Countess Renaud and Baron de Branchitsch . Their Royal Highnesses Princess Helena , and Prince Arthur , attended by Lady Churchill , the Hon . Major General Hood , and Major Elphinstone , drove down to East Cowes to meet tho Prince and

Princess , who crossed over in the Royal yacht Alberta from Southampton , and accompanied them to Osborne , where they were received by the Queen . Her Majesty , and their Royal Highnesses Princess Helena , Princess Louise , and Prince Arthur , attended Divine service at Whippingham Church this morning * where the Rev . G . Protbero officiated . On Tuesday afternoon

her Majesty gave presents to all the servants of the household at Osborne , for whom Christmas-trees had been prepared by her Majesty ' s command , in the steward ' s room and servants ' hall . Her Majesty , accompanied by all the Royal Family , proceeded at six o ' clock to the rooms where the servants were assembled , and personally distributed the gifts , assisted by their

Royal Hig hnesses the Princesses and Prince Arthur . The Hereditary Prince and Princess of Hohenzollern took leave of her Majesty on Tuesday , and left Osborne for London . Their Royal Highnesses Princess Helena and Prince Arthur crossed over to Southampton with the Prince and Princess . GEXEHAL HOME NEWS . —On the morning of the 28 th ult .

the eight hundredth anniversary of the dedication of Westminster Abbey was celebrated by a special service , a sermon appropriate to the day being preached by Dean Stanley . We cannot help thinking that the best celebration of an anniversary which must awaken feelings of pride in the breast of every Englishman would be a movement to restore the Abbey . It is

falling into a lamentable state of dilapidation , and will soon become the shame instead of the glory of this metropolis . An inquest was held on the 2 Sth ult . on tho body of Michael Wall , an old man , whose death was alleged to have been caused by his son . The old man , who lived in Lower Shadwell , came home one evening drunk . His son was there , and he too was slightly intoxicrted . A quarrel took place and a struggle , in

which it seems some of the old man's ribs were broken . He was removed to the hospital , and died the other day . The jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against the son . At the Glasgow Circuit Court , on Wednesday week , a man named John Jamieson was tried for the murder of a widow named Mrs . Gallagher , in a spirit shop iu that town . The prisoner and the

deceased , with other parties , had all been drinking together , and the prisoner , who appeared to be paying his addresses to her , became irritated at her partiality for another man , and cut her throat before the rest of the company could interfere . He was apprehended on the spot . The jnry found him guilty , but recommended him to mercy . He was sentenced to death .

The Midland Railway Company was convicted at the Newark Sessions on Wednesday week , before Mr . Denison , M . P . ( Speaker of the late House of Commons ) , and other justices , of conveying a cow along its line , in contravention of the cattle plague regulations . The company insisted that the regulations did not apply to them , but the justices took a

different view , and fined them £ 5 and costs .- A new species of swindling was exposed at the Marlhorougli-strect Policeoffice last week . A lady in Lancashire having seen some tempting offers of "silks at reduced prices" advertised , had some communication with the parties , and finally ordered goods to the value of between £ 1 G and £ 17 . As the vendors were rather particular about the cash being sent along with