Public Amusements.

and his place was supplied by Herr Formes , who met with a very favourable reception in more than one important part . AVith compliments to Signori Tagliafico , Ciampi , Neri-Baraldi , Polonini , and Luechesi , for the general efficiency exhibited by them in the various important , though subordinate , parts entrusted to thorn , we pass to the magnificent band of the Royal

Italian Opera , which , under Mr . Costa's masterly direction , has earned a world-wide reputation . The hand , we need scarcely say , has been , as in former years , one of the great attractions ofthe season . The chorus , on the other hand , is susceptible of improvement . Some young , fresh voices added to it would make a wonderfnl difference . Upon the scenic beauties

exhibited in SJasaniello , Roberto il Diavolo , Le Prophete , Les Huguenots , Faust , & c , we need not dilate . Decorated by such artists as Messrs . W . Beverley , Grieve , and Telbin—aided by the co-operation of so able an regisseur as Mr . Augustus Harris —how could the stage of Covent-garden fail to present a mass of pictorial loveliness and tdbleux vivans full of character and

poetical expression ? The tnise en scone of all the spectacular operas has been again , indeed , as in former years , quite unapproachable , and never equalled in this country . On Monday Mr . Alfred Mellon , whose name is identified with the greatest skill in musical direction that an Englishman has

ever displayed , commenced his third series of grand vocal and instrumental Promenade Concerts , at the Royal Italian Opera , Covent-gnrden . The spacious pit of this magnificent building has been boarded over , and raised to a level with the stage , so that the whole interior now forms one magnificent saloon , tastefully decorated and brilliantly illuminated . As the principal

vocalist , Mr . Alfred Mellon has secured , for a limited number of nights , the valuable services of Mdlle . Carlotta Patti , who will alone be a great attraction . The baud , comprising 100 performers , has been , it is hardly necessary to say , selected with great care , and the orchestral solo performers comprise the most eminent names in each respective branch of the Profession .

Referring to the full programme for the details of the arrangements , which promise to secure the enjoyment of the public when the fewest means for gratifying their musical taste exist , we must yet specially mention that every Thursday evening will be devoted to the works of the great masters , commencing on Thursday last , with a Mozart night . That the comfort of the

public will be studied in every possible way , the name of Mr . Edward Murray , as Acting-Manager , will be a sufficient guarantee . The enormous expenditure attending such an undertaking at this season can only be met by such liberal support as an appreciative public ought to bestow .

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE . There will be a grancl extra final performance at Her Majesty's Theatre on Monday next for the benefit of the energetic lessee and director , MY . Mapleson , who has throughout the season displayed a liberality and activity almost unexampled in the midst of the most powerful competition . To testify their

appreciation of tho kindly manner in which they have been treated during their engagement , the principal artistes of the establishment have delayed their departure for the continent , anel thus the popular II Trovatore will be enabled to have the powerful cast , including Mdlle . Titiens as Leonora , Mdlle . Trebelli as Azucena , Signor Giuglini as Manrico , and Mr .

Santley as II Conie di Luna . The programme will be enriched with a variety of other attractions ( including the 2 nd act of Faust ) , and in grateful remembrance of the spirited manner in which Mr . Mapleson came forward to rescue the oldest of our Italian Opera Houses from oblivion the staunch supporters of Her Majesty ' s Theatre will no doubt muster in lull force on this special occasion .

OLYMPIC THEATRE . Mr . AV . S . Emclen's benefit took place on Saturday , the Sth inst ., when a variety of attractive entertainments were produced . The patrons of the Olympic Theatre have had abundant opportunities of observing how zealously Mr . Emden caters for their amusement , and how effectively he promotes every

arrangement that is calculated to contribute to their comfort' and convenience . To the skill , judgment , and good taste which Mr . Emden has displayed for many years past in the management of the Olympic , the high reputation which that establishment has acquired , and the favour it has long enjoyed with the public , are in a great degree to be attributed .

SADLER'S WELLS . During the past week some of Shakspere ' s most popular tragedies have been placed upon the stage of this old-established house , under the management of Mr . R . Dolman , himself sustaining the leading characters , and among others that of Richard III ., played on Wednesday , when he was labouring

under so severe an attack of hoarseness that wo feel it impossible to enter into anything like a criticism of his performance , inasmuch as many of his exclamatory passages , arising no doubt from this cause , gave him essentially the air of a " ranter ; " at the same time there were many points in his more placid and Subtle soliloquising that were original and most effectively

delivered . The cast for this tragedy was one , considering the present available resources , that spoke well of Mr . Dolman's tact in selection . For instance , King Henry was played by Mr . Barrett with a feeling and discretion that earned him some well-deserved acknowledgment ; and again , the Duke of Buckingham of Mr . Fitzpatriek , Mr . Robins's Stanley , and Mr .

Butler's Catesby were decidedly well sustained . The bill announced Mr . Basil Potter as Richmond , but an apology was made for his unavoidable absence , aud Mr . Charles Seyton creditably supported the character in his stead . Miss Atkinson , not alone looked , but played the Queen with the most ladylike bearing , and in the part where she is separated from her

children her appeal to Heaven to protect them was a most pathetic piece of reading , which moved the audience to sympathy and tears . The Lady Anne of Miss Marian Jones , was creditable it every respect . Mrs . Barrett also as the Duchess of York ably acquitted herself , especially in her chastisement of Richard . A word of praise is due to Miss Russelle ,

who played the young Prince of Wales , and especially so to Master Boulton , a child certainly not more than three years old , as the Duke of York , who not alone delivered his part with correctness , but " suited the action to the word , " which drew forth rounds of applause . The dresses were very superior , and the mise-en-scene all that could be desired .

Mr . Dolman , thongh styled in the bills a Provincial actor , is not unknown to the Metropolitan stage , though hitherto he has not taken so prominent a position . His conception is , as a rule , better than his execution of the arduous parts he has assumed ; but he has hr . d the disadvantage of playing in a theatre where the audiences have been accustomed for years to see the

Shaksperian drama rendered with unusual completeness , and his performances have been consequently judged by a high standard . Mr . Dolman has also appeared as Othello , Macbeth , and Leontes in The Winter's Tale . The performances concluded with A Nabob for an Hour , the characters of which were played by Mr . Pugh , Mr . Barrett , Mr .

Courtley , and the Misses Marian Jones and Lavine . CREMORNE . BENEFIT TO ME . E . T . SMITH . —Cremorne , which has been this season so abundant in its attractions , did on Thursday , the