The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

St . James ' s . —Mr . Eutland Banington , notwithatanding the adverse criticism he has encountered , is to be congratulated on his second venture , a new and original drama , by Mr . W . S . Gilbert , entitled "Brantinghame Hall , " which was produced last week . A drama may be designated as a literary compound of smiles and tears ,

and , though in the present instance tears predominate , tho tale is highly sympathetic , and appeals strongly to the susceptibilities of the audience . The new play is in four acts , the first of which introduces ns to an Australian cattle station , where we find the Hon . Arthur Eedmayne , heir to Lord Saxmundham , married to Knth , the

danghter of an ex-convict . Eedmayne is recalled suddenly to England on business connected with a largo legacy , and is supposed to be lost with the vessel in which he sails . The next act brings us to Brantinghame Hall , the seat for three centuries of the Eedmayne family , which ia heavily mortgaged to Ealph Crampton , a former friend

of Arthur , and a lover rejected by Euth . Lord Saxmundham , believing his son to be dead , and unconscious of his marriage , has obtained the reversion of £ 300 , 000 , and astonishes Crampton , who thinks him ruined , by offering to pay him off . Enth now arrives with her marriage certificate and husband's will , which are acknowledged by his lordship ,

though their production will result in his rnin ; moreover , his pride prevents him accepting the necessary amount of tho mortgage from his son ' s wife ; and the latter , possessed with an overwhelming desire to save the old family , in sheer desperation declares herself an adventuress and the certificates forgeries . This scene was

splendidly enacted by Miss Julia Neilson , and secured a hearty reception . Exception may be taken to this incident , which is certainly startling ; still it is well to remember the French philosopher ' s axiom that " woman for good or ill is capable of anythins .. " Agnin , it is inexpedient to criticise too closely the

probability of so . interesting a piece . In the last act Arthur , who has been shipwrecked on an out-of-the-way island , is restored to his wife , whose deception is forgiven , and all ends happily . The comedy of the drama is capitally sustained hy a pair of young lovers , represented by Miss Norreys aud Mr . D . Fleet , whose bnmonr is

essentially Gilbertian . There are several very pretty passages , notably the interview between Lord and Lady Saxmundham , when they believe themselves ruined ; these cha-acters are portrayed with much dignity by Mr . Nutcombe Gould and Mrs . Gaston Murray . Mr . Wm . Herbert is a manly representative of Arthur Eedmayne , and Mr .

Lewis Waller makes the most of the unsatisfactory Ealph Crampton . A qaiet little sketch is given by Mr . Norman Forbes as Noel Eoss , the Bush Missionary , where he breaks the news of Arthur ' s safety to

his wife , and Mr . Barrington contents himself with the small part of Mr . Thursby , a county gentleman , friend of the Eedmaynes . The piece was met throughout with applanse , the principal person , ages receiving a call before the curtain after each act .

Grand . — Saturday last may be regarded as a red letter day for " Merrie Islington , " inasmuch as the new and elegant theatre erected under the superintendence of Mr . Charles Wilmot was opened . To inaugurate this event some of the shop-keepers displayed appropriate devices , while round about the theatre the scene was ablaze with

illuminations . A greater surprise , however , awaited those who managed to secure admission to the building , for here was to be seen one of the most comfortable and pretty theatres London can boast of . The theatre has been erected entirely of concrete and iron , by Messrs . G . H . and A . Bywaters , from designs by Mr . Frank Matcham . The

decorations , which are of a most pretty description , have been executed by the Plastic Decorating Company . They are in the style of the Louis XV . period , with a magnificently painted ceiling , and mirrors at the side of the dress circle . A most comfortable and roomy pit has been provided , while the interests of the patrons of the

gallery have not been forgotten . Altogether the appearance gives an idea of cosiness and warmth , and is most pleasing to the eye . The stage has been considerably enlarged , as , iu fact , has the auditorium of the house , while every available precaution for safety has been carefully studied . As of yore , the electric light has been installed

throughout . A house , crowded to excess in every part , welcomed the re-opening of the theatre , and although nothing novel was chosen for the first night , plenty of interest was got out of the " Still Alarm , " with all its accessories , from tbe Princess ' s . Every situation and interesting event was heartilv appreciated , and the audience

seemed to thoroughly enjoy the piece . Mr . Charles Glenny and Mi ? s Grace Hawthorne played the hero and heroine , and received capital support from Messrs . Edward Sass , Eardley Turner-, Edward Cheeseman , and the Misses Fannie Leslie and Ciceley Eichards . At the conclusion Mr . Wilmot was called upon for a speech , and he

introdnced to the audience Mr . Matcham , the architect , and Mr . H . A . Freeman , his manager . Needless to say , both these gentlemen wero heartily welcomed . But for a little incident that occurred in the earlier part of the evening , through tho overcrowding of the pit , everything passed off mast satisfactorily , and wo trust that the

Grand has been again launched on a successful career . Next week Miss Kate Vaughan , with a carefully selected company , will appear in "Love and Honour , " after which the Theatre will remain closed until Boxing Day , when "Cinderella , " written by Geoffrey Thorne , will be produced on an elaborate scale .

On Monday , the 17 th instant , another new theatre will be opened in Shaftesbury Aveuue . This has been erected by Mr . Henry J . Leslie , and will be known as the Lyric . The opening attraction will be "Dorothy , " with the full company now appearing at the Prince of Wales ' s .

Miss Grace Hawthorne baa arranged with Mr . Wilson Barrett to produce a new play at the Princess ' s on tho termination of the run of " Hands across the Sea . " The engagement with Mr . Barrett is limited to twelve weeks . Miss Grace Hawthorne will herself appear in weekly matinees during Mr . Barrett's engagement .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

WILTSHIRE KEYSTONE LODGE , No . 178 .

rpHE installation meeting was held at tlie Masonio Hall , Devizes , I on Wednesday , the 30 th Oct . Tho W . M ., Bro . T . C . Hopkins , duly installed Bro . William H . Bush as W . M . for the ensuing year . The W . M . subsequently appointed and invested tho Officers for the ensuing year , as follows : —Bros . Johnson S . W ., Brereton J . W . Pocook

M . O ., Bambridge S . O ., Rev . W . Humplays J . O . and acting Chaplain , Nott P . M . Treasurer , Hancock P . M . Eegistrar , Ward P . M . Secretary , Foley S . D ., Baldwin J . D ., Howso P . M . D . C , Crees I . G ., Howse and Johnson Stewards , Barnes Tyler . The usual addresses to the W . M ., Officers and Brethren wero delivered by the Installing Master .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

— _ . _ •—ALFRED CHAPTER , No . 340 .

THE annual meeting was hold in the Masonic Hall , Alfred-street , Oxford , on 20 th ult . The officers for the ensuing year were installed and invested , as follows : —Comps . T . Lucas Z ., H . G . W . Driukwater H ., J . A . Acock J ., A . Badcock S . E ., Rowbotham S . N ., A . Eowloy P . S ., J . M . Dormor A . S . The ceremony of installation

was performed by Comp . E . G . Brnton . The Grand Superintendent of tho Province , the Eev . H . Pickard , the outgoing Principal ( Comp . E . Home ) , and several other Past Principals were present . After the closing of the Chapter , the members dined together , and tho usual Loyal and Eoval Arch toasts were duly honoured .

The meetings of the North London Chapter of Improvement , No . 1471 , held at Northampton House , St . Paul ' s Road , Canonbury , have been resumed for the Winter

Session . The Chapter opens a . 8 ( sharp ) , on Thursday evenings . Comp . John Evans Sheffield is Scribe E ., and Comp . T . C . Edmonds is Preceptor .

Obituary.

gMbfttmrg .

—_ rc—BRO . JOHN TOMLINSON .

THE remains of this well-known brother , host of the Plough Inn , Crossens , were interred on the 23 rd ult ., in St . Cuthbert ' s Churchyard , Southport . Deceased , who was fifty-two years of age , was well known in the

agricultural district between Southport and Ormskirk , and to frequenters of the South Lancashire Coursing Meetings . His funeral was very largely attended , among those at the graveside being Mr . Charles Scarisbrick ( lord of the

manor ) , and over fifty Freemasons , deceased being a member of Lodge 613 . The Rev . C . Hesketh Kuowlys ( rector of North Meols ) and the Eev . W . T . Bulpit ( vicar of Crossens ) conducted the service .

The M . W . the Grand Master has been pleased to grant the prayer of the petitioners for a new Lodge , to be held at

the lown Hall , btratforcl , to be called the West Ham Abbey Lodge . Bro . James Boulton , P . M . 1056 , is the W . M . designate . Bro . F . C . D . Fenn , P . M . 171 , will act as Secretary pro tern .

The fourth annual North London Masonic Benevolent Ball is announced to take at Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen Street , W . C , on Wednesday , 2 nd January next , under the superintendence of a most influential Committee ,

and the patronage of Sir A . K . Rollit , M . P ., and Cowley Lambert , Esq ., M . P . The profits accruing from the ball will be given to the Masonic Institutions , and jndgino * from experience in the past we anticipate a goodly addition

to the Charity Funds of the Craft . The price of tickets has been fixed at 21 s , for a lady and gentlemen ; or 10 s 6 d and 12 s 6 cl respectively for single tickets , iu each case supper and light refreshment being included . A

dispensation has been granted , enabling Masons to appear in Masonic clothing , and every possiule arrangement has been made to ensure an enjoyable and successful gathering . Brother Wright's band will supply the music .

A CAED . —AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY is announced in the " Paris Figaro , " of a valuable remedy for nervous debility , physical exhaustion , and kindred complaints . This discovery was made by a missionary in Old Mexico ; it saved him from a miserable existence ,

snd premature decay . The Eev . Joseph Holmes , Bloomsbury Mansions , Bloomsbury Square , London , W . C , will send the prescription , free of charge , on receipt of a self-addressed stamped envelope . Mention this paper .