AMUSEMENTS.

We have no room left in our present number, for dramatic criticism; and, in fact, there has been nothing produced during the month, affording food of that nature. We shall therefore barely notice what is passing.

BROADWAY THEATRE:-The managers of this establishment never flag in their efforts to preserve the dignity and interest of a metropolitan theatre. Mr. Marshall has shown a disposition to foster American talent, which, we regret to say, is not always appreciated and rewarded as it deserves. TheBetrothal," a production from the pen of G. H. Boker, Esq., recently produced at this house, and played to thin houses, is probably the most classic dramatic production of this country. As a literary work, it certainly takes rank with the best of modern plays, while the plot and incidents afford an absorbing interest. Our public are too much governed by the wholesale prejudice of foreign critics, who systematically traduce everything of "Yankee" origin, however meritorious.

"Extremes," another domestic piece, has had better success, though of less literary merit than the "Betrothal." With the talents of young

Wheatley, Old Richings, and Mrs. Abbott, it wears a spirited and pleasing aspect. The piece is a satirical comedy, and makes numerous excellent hits at some of the popular "reform" fallacies of the day. A splendid pageant entitled "Faustus," is now being performed at the Broadway.

THE BOWERY, BURTON'S, AND BROUGHAM'S LYCEUM, are dividing the public interest, with each a several version of Dickens' "David Copperfield." They have all maintained the essence of the story admirably, and each affords a most interesting entertainment. The Bowery and Burton's have each been crowded, and Brougham's new and beautiful temple is becoming daily better known, and accordingly, better supported..

The

BARNUM'S MUSEUM is a great centre of attraction, and certainly affords the cheapest place of amusement in the metropolis, to say nothing of the advantage to be gained by a study of its store of natural and scientific wonders. saloon performances, under the management of Mr. Clarke, are very far above mediocrity, and always of a most unexceptionable moral character. Some of the best stock performers of the city are now engaged there, and some of the best pieces produced. It is an excellent place for families to spend an afternoon or evening.

CHRISTY'S MINSTRELS are still at the Mechanics' Hall, Broadway, as musical and funny as ever. They have become a fixture that it

would be difficult to dispense with.

FELLOWS' MINSTRELS, a rival troupe, are at the Old Tattersall Building, giving their amusing concerts. The building has been tastily decorated, and is well adapted to their purposes.

Since the Holidays our publishers have done little more than recover from the plethora of gift-books, into which they were plunged at the decline of the first half of the 19th century, and hence but little has been done in the way of new issues.

The Appletons have at length got into their new palace, that has been erected on the site of their former store, No. 200 Broadway, whence they have sent us

THE MOTHER'S RECOMPENSE, A Sequel to "Home Influence," by Grace Aguilar; 500 pages, handsomely bound in cloth embossed. This is doubtless the best work by this author, and is said to be the most popular and interesting work of fiction recently published.

The Harpers have issued the MOTHER'S RECOMPENSE in their popular pamphlet form. We have also received from the Harpers

HE ISLAND WORLD OF THE PACIFIC, by Rev. Henry T. Cheever; 406 pp., cloth, with maps, views, and a portrait of King Kamehameha III., of the Hawaiian Islands. Whoever read Cook's voyages, as we did, in boyhood, will sit down to the perusal of this volume with a hoarded interest; and here he will find the whole of the Polynesian and

Australasian world, completely disrobed of its primitive romance,and a cotton shirt substituted therefor by the hand of civilization. The volume purports to give a true and life-like picture of Polynesia as it appeared in 1850, and it bears every appearance of being faithful.

FIELD-BOOK OF THE REVOLUTION-The Harpers have also sent us Nos. 9 and 10 of Lossing's beautiful pictorial serial bearing this title. We have already expressed our hearty approval and admiration of these numbers, both in point of matter and manner, and it remains for us to say, that the two last issued are quite equal in beauty and interest to those that preceded them. They will form, when completed, a most admirable American book.

VALENTINE'S MANUAL FOR 1850.-This vade mecum of all that is quaint, curious and useful, in Knickerbocker history, though not "fresh from the press," is well worthy a notice any day in the year. The book is at once a his tory, a chronology, a "blue book," a law library, a calender and a text-book, to say nothing of the humor that is found between its covers. This valuable compilation is by David T. Valentine, Esq., Clerk of the Common Coun cil, and is published by McSpedon & Baker, 25 Pine street.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

PERRY" inquires, "If the G. S. gives a decision contrary to law, what course must a Chapter pursue?" We answer, The decision of the G. S. must be respected and obeyed until it is reversed on an appeal to Chan

cery.

'Q. U. E."-The subject that you speak of is too insignificant for serious consideration, and should never be allowed to become a matter of litigation. Chapters should have more respect for their own dignity, than to entertain frivolous charges growing out of individual or personal fretfulness. If such things are invested with gravity, the valuable time of a hundred men may be squandered, and a Chapter placed in jeopardy for the value of a flea. One of our Chapters was deprived of its charter, about three years ago, on an issue between two members, which commenced in a pecuniary difference of eighteen and three-quarter cents. Parties who bring such paltry differences before their Chapters should be punished for their littleness, if for nothing else. "PIONEER."-The A. C. is not yet organized, but its powers are vested in the Chancery of the State of New-York, which has temporary jurisdiction in all matters pertaining to the A. C.

THE ORDER.-Six years ago the Order of United Americans was established in this city, with the avowed object of guarding our institutions against the machinations of their enemies, or the corrupting influence of demagogues, and for the adoption of such measures as may at any time be deemed necessary for their preservation and efficacy.

Thirteen gentlemen of this city at that time adopted a constitution and creed embracing these objects, and from them has sprung one of the most potent and popular associations that

has ever existed in the United States. From thirteen, the number in this city and Brooklyn alone has grown to nearly seven thousand in that short space of time, and the Order has been successfully established in the interior of this State in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, and California; and the time is not distant when it will be planted with good seed in every State in the Union, and operate as a check upon the mischievous doings of the corrupt and designing.

Nor has the Order been idle in its young years. On several different occasions of National importance, its power has been felt, though its voice was not heard, nor its form made visible; and standing, as it does, above and independent of the platform of mere party, upon great and vital issues, its operations are untrammeled, and its influence is pervading. Its principles are so pure as to elicit the sympathies and command the approval of every true patriot, and none fear it save the reckless and uncaring demagogue, or the baffled and greedy foe of National Freedom.

QUARTERLY RETURNS.-There is, perhaps, no duty devolving on the corresponding officers of orders like our own, which is of more importance than the preparation of the statistical information which is required by their laws and usages; and there is, perhaps, no duty which is more frequently neglected or its performance delayed than this. We are aware that much time must necessarily be consumed, and much labor performed, in order that it may be attended to in a proper manner. But is this any excuse for inattention? We think not, for the greater the importance of any undertaking, the more necessary is a prompt and faithful discharge of those duties which tend to produce the desired result. We consider it a wise regulation that no chapter should receive the "work" of a succeeding quarter until its returns are transmitted to the proper authority.

Thus the business of the old term would be brought to a close, its officers having properly performed the duties which they assumed, and the chapter be better prepared to enter upon another term than if embarrassed with the "finishing up" of neglected concerns.

We have noticed that the very best Chapters in our Order, are those which, at the commencement of every quarter, are prepared to give a detailed and accurate account of their proceed

ings, while those which are never prepared to report their progress" punctually, are among the weakest; and this is not strange, for, while one set of men perform their duties with punctuality and regularity, the others, by being continually engaged in fulfilling their neglected duties, are sometimes so far behind as to be almost forgotten in the praises bestowed on their victorious competitors. This is a subject which is one of the very best tests of the state of prosperity of either a Chancery or Chapter. It is, in fact, the great artery where, by the number and strength of the pulsations, we may easily discover whether a hearty and active influence is kept in circulation, or whether the body is in a torpid and indifferent condition.

It is of the highest moment that each G. C. of the C. should, at the commencement of each term, receive the returns of the previous one, from every Chapter in the State, so that he, in turn, may prepare his account for Arch Chancery. Without this systematic regularity in every department, the number of members in the Order, amount of initiations, &c., &c., can never be ascertained; thus leaving us in ignorance of our own strength and resources, so that we can never act unitedly and efficiently in any subject. We trust that all officers, in every branch of the Order, will perceive the necessity of prompt action in this department, and of thus endeavoring to contribute their part to the glorious triumph which awaits the cause in which we are engaged.

WASHINGTON'S BIRTH-DAY.-At a recent session of the Chancery of New-York, a committee of nine was appointed to confer with the several Chapters on the subject of commemorating in an appropriate manner the approaching anniversary of the birth-day of the Father of our Country, the ever-glorious "Twenty-second;" and we believe every Chapter in the State has resolved to unite with Chancery on that occasion.

A convention of delegates has been held, conjointly with the Committee of Chancery, and some of the preliminary arrangements for the demonstration have already been made. The Convention first resolved that the ceremonies sbould consist of

times as large as we have heretofore paid, and the Committee, rather than submit to a seeming extortion, engaged the

TRIPLER HALL,

a building that will hold at least one thousand more than the Tabernacle, and on that account better adapted to our purpose. Last year, at least one thousand persons were compelled to leave the doors of the Tabernacle, and retire, because there was not room for them in the building. This year, even Tripler Hall will not be large enough, but it is the largest in the city adapted to oratorical uses, and therefore the best.

As Grand Marshal of the day, the Convention made a most excellent selection in Brigadier General, Brother HENRY STORMS, of Washington chapter. General Storms has been known for more than a quarter of a century, as a most efficient officer, and the arrangement of such a parade will come directly within the scope of his experience. The General has accepted the appointment, and we trust that his arrangements will be strictly complied with.

We learn that the several companies of "Continentals," viz. :

The Washington Continentals, Captain Helme.
The Continental Guard of Brooklyn, Captain
Morgan.

The Continental Guard of New-York, Captain
Darrow.

The City Continentals, Captain Knapp

The City Continentals, Captain Vandyke, And the new Battalion of American Riflemen, will form an escort on that occasion, in full uniform.

The orator of the day has not yet been chosen. Several chapters of New-Jersey have already resolved to unite with New-York on this occation, and we may reasonably expect one of the noblest parades of the Order that we have yet had. The Programme, complete, will appear in our next number.

THE ANNUAL GRAND BALL of the Washington Association comes off, as usual, on Washington's Birth-night. This year, it will be held at the Apollo Saloon, and will be conducted on a most liberal and magnificent scale. Active preparation is already in progress, with a view to

2d. An oration, with other appropriate ceremonies, in some suitable building. The Broadway Tabernacle having been employed on this anniversary for two years past, it was the intention of the Convention to hold the ceremonies there this year; but the conscientious agent, or proprietor of that building, saw fit to place a supposed value upon it, nearly three

by this Association, at Niblo's, was a brilliant festival, admirably managed in all its details, and its results, as we are informed, gave a handsome addition to the Widow and Orphan's Fund of Washington Chapter.

AMERICAN CHAPTER talks of going to NewHaven on the 22d, in compliance with the invitation of Roger Sherman Chapter.

MOVEMENTS AND PROGRESS. NEW CHAPTERS.-Since our first number was issued, two new Chapters have been organized in this State, and one in New-Jersey, viz:

IRONSIDES CHAPTER, No. 47, of New-York, was instituted December 16th, at American Hall, and fully organized; Chancellor Boyce presiding at the installation. Ironsides commenced her career with about thirty members, mostly from Independence, a few from American, and two novitiates, initiated on the night of installation. With a spirited and intelligent body of members, she takes her place in line under most favorable auspices. May she be as invulnerable to foreign influence as the old frigate, whose name she bears, and, like her, live to a green old age.

LIBERTY CHAPTER, No. 11, of New-Jersey, was instituted at Jersey City early in December, but her place of meeting will be at Bergen, as soon as a suitable hall is provided. Her Charter members comprise a small colony from American, of Jersey City, and a few novitiates. The Terseymen are doing their duty nobly. Any political party that wishes to carry New-Jersey, hereafter, are advised not to send a foreigner to stump the State, and teach Americans how to vote, as was done just prior to the last election. The sons and grand-sons of those who did their own fighting, and scoured the enemies of their country from Trenton, Bordentown, Burlington, Black Horse, and Mount Holly, in 1776, are able to do their own voting in 1851.

AMERICAN FLAG Chapter, No. 48, of NewYork, was organized at Mamaroneck, on Wednesday evening, 8th of January. This is an appropriate anniversary. On the 8th of January, 1814, the American Flag waved triumphant over the British at New-Orleans, since which they have never met in hostility. The Americans of Mamaroneck will take good care of that flag.

A VISIT.-A most interesting occasion occurred on the evening of the 17th of December last, at the rooms of American Chapter, of New-York. The Chapter having extended an invitation to American Chapter of New-Jersey, to visit them, and the invitation having been accepted, the visit took place as above stated. About forty of our Jersey brothers were present, in full regalia, headed by their officers, and accompanied by their Chancellors; they were received with appropriate ceremonies, and after an interesting meeting, the whole party adjourned to partake of a fine supper, prepared by Brother Benson. We hope this visit will be but the precursor of a frequent interchange of civilities, not only between the several States, but also between the Chapters of our own State.

CALIFORNIA.-Notwithstanding the unpropitious circumstances attending the establishment of the Order in California, Chancellor Hart has accomplished that most desirable object, and our brothers who may visit that remote region of our country, will hereafter be sure of a cordial and fraternal welcome. The great difficulties encountered in the incipient organization of the Order at San Francisco were, 1st, the enormous expense of a room for a place of meeting, the rent being at the rate of about thirty-five dollars for each meeting; and 2d, the migratory habits of the early visitors to the new State. Rents have since been considerably reduced, and San Francisco has a comparatively large permanent population. EUREKA CHAPTER, No. 1, is now fairly under way, with encouraging prospects. On the 29th of October, the Chapter turned out in the grand procession in honor of the admission of the new State, with thirty-two members in full regalia, and a splendid silken banner, got. up at an expense of $100. Go ahead, California! We will shake hands with you in the valley of the Mississippi, shortly.

PENNSYLVANIA.-Hancock Chapter, of NewYork, is making arrangements for a visit to Keystone Chapter, of Philadelphia, in June next. We learn that the AMERICAN MECHANICS of that city have united in an invitation to that effect, and we know they will make the trip agreeable. We expect our brothers of Pennsylvania will give a good account of themselves

during the present year. A little good management and industry is all that is necessary to Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, and they will do it. spread the O. U. A. throughout the State from

FUNERAL SERVICE.-At a session of Chancery, held on Monday, January 13, the report of a Committee, containing a complete Funeral Service and Regulations for the use of the Order, was adopted. Too late to be inserted in the present number of the Republic. The document was ordered to be printed and transmitted to the several Chapters of the Order.

VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI.-Arrangements are in progress for establishing the O. U. A. in the States of Missouri, Illinois and Iowa. A renewed American spirit is desirable in that direction, and we expect in the course of three or four months to hear good news from there. Brothers Bonfils, Westbrook and Piggot, will be honored as the pioneers of the valley.

LIBERTY TREE CHAPTER, at Albany, is gaining members and thriving. On the 13th of January, the Association gave a grand ball at Bleecker Hall, which was numerously attended