Public Amusements.

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS .

ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA , COVENT GARDEN . On Wednesday evening the performances afc the above theatre were agreeably varied by a revival of the ever popular " Sonnambula , " which , with tho addition of the first and second acts of " Masaniello , " formed an unusually attractive programme . The " Sonnambula" served

to introduce to the London public a new candidate for operatic fame in the person of Mdlle . Linas Marfcorelle , ^ young lady already favourably known in the metropolitan concert-room . Mdlle . Martorelle ' s success , judged "b y the immense applause bestowed upon all her efforts , may be set down as something quite extraordinary . The

applause thafc greeted her first appearance upon the stage could scarcely have been exceeded by the warmest welcome due to the longest established favourites , and this exceptionally enthusiastic kind of encouragement , whether expressed by manual , vocal , or floral demonstrations , was continued throughout the evening without intermission . We have given perhaps some idea of the

debutante ' s reception last evening by a house crowded to the ceiling . This is a mere matter of history . More gratifying is it to be enabled to state thafc much of the applause so lavishly given was merited , and thafc Mdlle . Linas Martorelle ' s Amino , was on tho whole a remai'kably pleasant and highly satisfactory impersonation . Her

acting might certainly be reproached with coldness ,, in the great bed-room scene more especially ; bufc it was everywhere intelligent and graceful , while her singing was generally characterised by good taste and mechanical skill . Mdlle . Martorelle ' s voice , though apparently limited iu compass , is mellow , flexible , and sympathetic

in quality , and her personal appearance is admirably suited to the representation of such characters as she is most likely to be called upon to perform . With such good qualities , then , the debutante may reasonably count upon permanent success , if the legitimate progress she has every chance of making be not impeded by the overzealous support of injudicious friends .

" Elvino" was performed for the first time on the London stage by Mr . Charles Adams , who was also the victim of endless ovations . Nevertheless , the new tenor displayed a great deal of ability , both histrionic and musical . Many portions of the famous "All is lost now" were exceedingly well rendered ; bufc in some

places the singer rose above the pitch , or , in other words , sang " sharp" to a painful degree . Mr . Adams should look to this dangerous imperfection , which occasionally interferes with his best efforts , lesfc ifc presently become habitual .

The other noticeable feature in the representation of "La Sonnambula" was the Count Bodolplw of Mr . Weiss , an admirable performance in every respect . The selection from " Masaniello" showed us another new candidate for lyric honours—Mr . Coates , who essayed the parb of the Neapolitan fisherman . This

debutant was likewise received with acclamation ; bufc although , with a small voice , he sang some of the music tolerably , Mr . Coates did not certainly succeed in making any very deep impression .

Strand Theatre.

STRAND THEATRE .

A comedietta by Mr . Woolner , entitled " The Wilful Ward , " was produced for the first time afc this theatre on Monday evening , and claims notice less on its own account than as affording the new actress , Miss Milly Palmer , an opportunity for the display of her pleasant talents in the character of a wild , wayward girl , who has a will of

her own , and is resolved to gratify ifc come what ; may . She turns the house out of windows on the smallest provocation ; lords ifc over the servants ; bamboozles an irascible old guardian ; and finally gets rid of a languid , foppish lover , whom she despises , by making her acceptance of his suit contingent upon the impossible condition of his consenting to shave off his moustache , the twirling and twisting whereof are his chief business in life . The

sacrifice proving too great for him , he retires from the unequal confcesfc , and so leaves a clear field for his more favoured rival , a small secretary , of singularly unprejiossessing appearance , who carries off the lady , temper , fortune , and all . There is not much to commend in this piece , which is not only of the frailest possible structure ,

bufc tame in dialogue and sadly deficient in character and incident . It reminds one of the favourite comediettas of "The Little Treasure" and "The Little Savage , " only to demonstrate how inferior it is to each of them . Whatever interest ifc excites in the representation is due to the clever acting of Miss Palmer , who plays the principal

part with much piquancy of expression and a certain gaiety of manner which has an exhilarating effect upon the audience .

The Week.

THE WEEK .

THE COIIET . —Her Majesty and family continue afc AVindsor . On Monday the Queen , attended by ; the Prince and Princess of Wales and other members of the Royal family , proceeded by special train from AVindsor Castle to Teddington , and thence by road to Ciareinoiifc , on a visit fro the venerable Amelia , ex-Queen of France . They afterwards drove back to AVindsor by

the road . AA e regret to learn that in consequence of the attack of gout which lias for the time disabled the Earl of Derby , the Prince of AVales has postponed his visit to Liverpool . The preparations made to receive the Prince and Princess were on a magnificent scale . The Prince and Princess will shortly proceed to their seat in Abergeldie .

GENEKAI , HOME NEWS . —The mortality of the metropolis is rapidly on the increase . In the previous week it had reached the high rate of 1 , 454 ; last week ifc rose farther to 1 , 586 , or an increase in seven days of 132 . The excess over the estimated average is 307 . The most fatal diseases are bronchitis or pneumonia , and the very young and the very old are the

principal sufferers . The births for the week amounted to 1 , 994 , or 77 above the average . It appears , from Mr . Purdy's return of the pauperism in the cotton unions during the first week of the present month , that the number of adult able-bodied poor now on the Guardians' relief lists is 30 , 418 , —nearly 2 , 000 were added to the previous amount since the close of October . The

total number of all classes on the poor rates has risen to 110 , 520 . The heaviest increase is ascribed to the following unions viz .: — Burnley , 570 ; Bury , 560 ; Haslingden , 710 ; Manchester , 580 ; Bochdale , 280 ; and Todmorden , 320 . Asbton-under-Lyne decreased by 140 . The net increase of the week was 3 , 630 . The disbursements for outdoor relief were increased by £ 340