Early in April a circular from the Home Secretary was forwarded to the
magistrates at the various gaols, telling them that, in consequence of
the suspension of transportation of male convicts to Van Diemen's Land,
it would be requisite for them to make immediate provision for the
confinement and employment, in this country, of a great number of such
offenders.

On the 14th of April the Queen paid a visit of inspection to the New
House of Lords, and, on the next day, the Peers took possession of it,
and transacted business there for the first time.

Talk of Gossip, was there ever such food for it as the arrival of Jenny
Lind--it was a furore, a madness. She arrived in London late on the
afternoon of Ap. 17, and was present in the evening at the performance at
Her Majesty's Theatre. On May 4 she made her first appearance on the
Stage in England--in this Theatre--where she played in "Robert le
Diable," and, from that moment, until the end of the season, nothing else
was thought of--nothing else talked of--but Jenny Lind, and it was no
short-lived fit of enthusiasm, for she was _the_ favourite of the public
until her retirement; her beautiful voice and simplicity of manner
charming everyone, from Royalty downwards. Unfortunately her debut was
somewhat marred by a pecuniary squabble between her and Bunn, the
operatic poet, a rival _impresario_, Lumley, having secured her services.
Here is Punch's version of the squabble:

"JENNY-LINDEN.

A DREADFUL ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE SWEDISH NIGHTINGALE AND THE POET
BUNN.

On LIND, when Drury's sun was low,
And bootless was the wild-beast show,
The lessee counted for a flow
Of rhino to the treasury.

But JENNY LIND, whose waken'd sight
Saw Drury in a proper light,
Refused, for any sum per night,
To sing at the Menagerie.

With rage and ire in vain display'd,
Each super drew his wooden blade,
In fury half, and half afraid
For his prospective salary.

BUNN in a flaming frenzy flew,
And speedily the goose quill drew,
With which he was accustomed to
Pen such a deal of poetry.

He wrote the maiden to remind
Her of a compact she had signed,
To Drury Lane's condition blind,
And threatened law accordingly.

Fair as in face, in nature, she
Implored the man to set her free,
Assuring him that he should be