The Theatees, &C.

THE THEATEES , & c .

Shaftesbury . —By hia latest production ib wonld appear that Mr . Robert Buchanan is writing too quickly to do himself justice , aud in his haste to tarn out fresh plays ho forgets the rudimentary conditions of dramatic success . This fault was to bo perceived oven in hia collaboration in "The Struggle for Life , " but in his " new romantic play " —which is a simple drama—the spectator is astonished

that a playwright so experienced could present such a crude work to the public . The lesson evidently intended in "Tho Sixth Commandment " ia to show the awful remorse that follows the commission of a crime ; bnt in the case under notice the murder ia almost justifiable , and hence from the start the author loses his grip upon the interest of the audience . The numerous incongruities throughout the piece

show considerable lack of skill on the part of tho author , and we feel disappointed that so powerful a subject has been so tamely treated . Fedor Ivanovitcb , a poor student of noble birth , loves one Liza Petroska , whose mother and sister are starving , and she therefore listens to Father Abramoff , a pander to Prince Zosimoff , in order to obtain bread . Abramoff boasts to Fedor what he has doneTand the

young man , carried away by passion , seizes the Jew by the throat , aud inadvertently strangles him . At the moment the crime ia discovered , a telegram is handed to him , announcing that ho haa succeeded to a wealthy title ; but his subsequent remorse appears unreal , while the manner in which hia guilt is discovered by Zosimoff is quite incredible . The Princo works upon the fears of Fodor ' s sister

Anna , m order to force her to marry him , but the murderer confesses , and frees her from this hateful union . After undergoing much persecution in the Siberian mines , a free pardon is granted to Fedor , and Zosimoff is detained thero in his stead , though for what offence ia not stated , so that dramatic justice is rendered . It is rather remarkable that the principal interest of the story is

centred in the cruel and cynical villain , and tho forcible acting of Mr . Herbert Wasing as the Prince deprives the hero of much sympathy . Still Mr . Lewis Waller has a powerful part , and ib is nob hia fault that the character misses the mark . Mrs . Lanoaater-Wallis played with considerable merit , as Anna , and materially assisted the action of the piece in the fourth act . Miss B . Robins ably sustained

the character of Liza , bnt Mona . Marina appeared undecided aa to whether he was supposed to be a great or a small personage ; though rated aa " Head of Police , " the author makea him behave more like a spy . An amusing pair of lovers were well represented by Miss Marion Lea and Mr . William Herbert , and Messrs . Reginald

Stockton , George Seldon , De Lange and Misa J . St . Ange most be noticed for the care with which they performed their respective parts . In spite of many familiar passages , it is the kind of play to please a large portion of the public , but it requires considerable modification and the number of acts should certainly be reduced .

Haymarket . —After a highly successful provincial tour , in which Mr . Beerbohm Tree has greatly extended hia popularity and the renown of the present Haymarket company , the actor . manager has returned to his comfortable theatre , which , as announced last week , opened its doors on Monday evening last . The piece selected was " A Village Priest , " Mr . Sydney Grundy ' s adaptation of " Le

Secret de la Terreuse , " and the powerful but somewhat gloomy story was received with all the old enthusiasm . Mr . Tree's embodiment of the gentle simple minded old Abbe ia very pathetic , and takes a strong hold of the audience ; the details aro carefully studied , all its various phases are so ably marked that the character becomes more than a picture—it is a photograph . Mr . Fernandez , again depicts the

unfortunate Torqpenie , and Mr . Fred Terry onco moro delights ns with his clever impersonation of Armaud D'Arcay . Mrs . Gaston Murray and Miss Rose Leclerq resume their original characters of Madame D'Arcay and the Countess Tremeillan , bnt Miss Jnlia Neilson now appears as Marguerite whioh was formerly so prettily played by

Mrs . Tree . The programme was further strengthened by Mr . Gilbert's " Comedy and Tragedy , " in which Miss Julia Neilson represents Clarice in a highly forcible aud pathetic manner , her delivery of the " actor ' s speech" being loudly applauded . Mr . Tree promises several novelties daring this season , but we imagine it will be somo time before a fresh programme becomes compulsory .

A kindly invitation from Mr . Augustus Harris called me to the Mansion House on Friday , 26 th ult ., when I had the pleasure of being present at a very interesting and instructive ceremony . This was the presentation to Mr . Harris , who , as you know , is now a Sheriff of tho City of Loudon , of a badge and chain , subscribed for by many of his professional , Masonic , and private friends . Tho chain ,

a beautiful work of art , is of solid gold . I found , upon examination , that each alternate link consists of arms enamelled in heraldic colours , including thoso of the City of London , tho Grand Treasurer of the Masonio Craft , the Lorinors' and Faumakors' Companies , tho Order of Ernestine , and the Loudon County Council , together with symbols of Tragedy and Comedy . From the centre link , which beara

the monogram of Mr . Harris and a representation of Music , is suspended tho badge , on tho reverse of which ia the inscription , " Presented to Augustus Henry Glossop Harris , on hia election to the office of Sheriff of tho City of London , by his Masonic , dramatic , and other friends , A . D . 1890 . " The presentation was made by fche Lord Mayor , in tho saloon of the Mansion House , and in au admirable speech he

stated that the wholo affair had originated in the Drnry Lauo Lodge , which held a very distinguished place in the Order to which so many present belonged . He wished Mr . Harris health and strength to carry ont his various duties , wbich he knew would be well and conscientiously fulfilled . The Drury Lane manager modestly accepted the tokens of friendship , and in becoming words expressed hia gratification at having so many friends . He aaid he mado it a

The Theatees, &C.

point always to make friends , and having made them to keep them . A remark that showed he had studied hia Shakeapeare well and profitably . Mr . Harria afterwards told me he considered the presentation in the light of a high compliment to the profession—and so say all of ua . He is a wonderful man , Harria , and who knows but that some day he may be ruling at tho Manaion Honse , and beatowing his marks of favour on someone equally deserving of success as himself ?

While I was admiring the chain of office , a gentleman near me said to Mr . Harry Nicholls , who was present , " Well , when are yon going to do thia sort of thing ? " The low comedian of Drury Lane was equal to the occasion , for he turned quickly round and said , " In a minute , in a minute . " Over and above the money subscribed for the chain and badge is a sum of something like £ 50 . This will be presented to a charity . — Stage .

Dawlish new Masonic Hall will be opened on Monday , 20 th October , when the dedication ceremony will be performed under the direction of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master . The oration will be delivered by Brother W . J . Hughan P . G . S . D . England . A large number of brethren have already signified their intention of being present .

The Provincial Prior of Devon ( V . E . Sir Knight and Rev . Dr . Lemon ) purposes holding thia year ' s meeting of Provincial Priory of Knights Templar on Friday , the 24 th instant , at Exeter , under the banner of the Rongemont Preceptory , F .

The article by Bro . H . J . Whymper , C . I . E ., that we reproduced in our last week ' s issue , originally appeared in the Madras Masonio Review . This acknowledgment by ua is especially due to our Indian contemporary , whose efforts to place a readable Masonic journal before its supporters deserve every encouragement .

Some years back we spoke in favour of some ] of the work done at the East End of London , by Mr . Walter Austin : later on , however we had occasion to be

dissatisfied with his mode of operations , and the disclosures recently made by our contemporary Truth , fully confirm the conclusions we were then reluctantly compelled to arrive at .

It has been decided to hold the annual meeting of . the Provincial Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Northumberland on tho 29 th inst ., in the New Grand Assembly Rooms , Barras Bridge , Newcastle . The meeting -will be opened by

the R . W . Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Sir M . W . Ridley , Bart ., M . P ., and there is no doubt that there will be a very large attendance of the brethren of the Province . This meeting is held under the banner of the Blagdon Lodge , No . G 59 , Blyth .

On Friday evening , the 3 rd inst ., the Past Masters and Wardens o * the Norwich Masonio Lodges gave a congratulatory banquet to the Sheriff of the city of Norwich , Bro . Edward Orams P . M . 943 P . P . G . J . W ., Chairman of the Masonio Association , at the Masonic Hall , Norwich . Bro . Colonel Bignold P . M . 52 P . P . G . S . W . presided . After tho loyal toasts the Chairman proposed , in eulogistic terms , the

health of the Sheriff , and subsequently that of the Provincial Grand Lodge Officers , connecting therewith the name of Bro . Hamon L'Estrange P . G . Treasurer . The toasts were warmly received , and happily responded to . The health of the Chairman waa proposed by Bro . C . R . Gilroan P . M . 52 , and after a few other toasts the assembly

dispersed . The company numbered about fifty , and a larger number of Past Masters seldom have mot npon any previous occasion in this city , thus showing the high esteem in which the Sherilt ia held in the Craft . The banquet was excellently served by the steward and stewardess of tho Masonic Club , aud gave the greatest satisfaction .

FORMATION OF A NEW LODGE . —Bro . A . Thompson , Chairman of tho Oldbnry Local Board , having sent out circulars to most of tho leading gentlemen of Oldbnry and district , convening a meeting at the Talbot Hotol , to consider tho question of tho formation of a new Masonio Lodge , ib was ananimoufily decided , at tho meeting to form a Lodge , and Bro . G . F . Old was elected Secretary pro tem . It was decided

to hold the new Lodgo ab the Talbot Hotel , and tho Secretary waa requested to write to Bro . A . F . Godson , M . P . for Kidderminster , who takes a great interest in Masonic work in Worcestershire , asking him to allow the Oldbnry peoplo to name their Lodge the " Godson Lodge . " Bro . Godson has written a letter in reply , in which ho atatea

that he will havo much pleasure in allowing his name to be coupled with the Lodge at Oldbnry , and . asks to be permitted to present the regalia and jewels for the Lorlge . Tho large room at the Talbot Hotel ia to be specially fitted up for the purpose , aud the Lodge will be commenced as soon as the t '< -rmalitioa of gaining the charter cau be gone through .