The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Strand . —Messrs . George R . Sims and Clement Scott ' s musical variety drama " Jack in the Box , " whioh wa 3 produced at Brighton some eighteen months ago , has at last arrived in London , with Miss Fanny Leslie in her original rtle of Jack Merry weather . This lady has secured this theatre for a season , and with so attractive a play

i 3 almost sure to succeed . The plot may be described as a combination of melodrama and variety business . The fault is Jack Merry weather i 3 too conspicuous . It is well know the play was written for Miss Leslie , and on this account incidents are introduced that at times impede its progress , though at the same time the action is bright

and amusing . It is all very well to have a song here , and a song there , bnt when they are introduced iu every interesting part of the story , such a proceeding must be voted a nuisance rather than a pleasure . Again , the fair scene is only a repetition of the one in " The Noble Vagabond "— 'though wo must acknowledge Messrs .

Sims and Scott's drama was first in the field ; the tumultuous orowd , the noisy showmen are all to be seen and heard , while the clamour they produce is simply dreadful . However , " Jack in the Box " as it stands , notwithstanding its many faults , will furnish an enjoyable evening to many London playgoers . Miss Leslie has seoured the

assistance of several well known artistes , who bring the different points of the piece well out . But the life of the piece is Jack Merryweather-, as represented by Miss Leslie , whose dancing and singing are both graceful and interesting , while her unflagging spirits , general vivacity and talent are sure to please an audience .

Standard . —Withdrawn in the height of its success , "A Dark Secret" was revived here last Monday , and , judging from the reception accorded it , we may say it has entered on another successful run . All the sensational features , exciting incidents , and startling situations are again to tbe fore , while the great Henley Regatta

scene , with its realistic race for the diamond sculls , is worked out with nndinimed effect . Only one fault can be found with last Monday ' s representation—the artistes were either very nervous , or tbey had not ganged the size of the house . Although a revival differs from a " first night" proper , yet it is the same thing to those

actors or actresses who undertake parts for the first time . Consequently this fault may be overlooked , for it is one that can be remedied . The principal alteration in the caste is that of Jonas Norton , formally played by Mr . Julian Cross , but now represented by Mr . Bassett Roe . This gentlemen give 3 a powerful rendering of

the part , his cravings for gold were evidenced with telling force , and the hypocrisy of the old miser was capitally displayed . A change has likewise taken place in the representative of Stephen Norton , now effectively played by Mr . Louis Calvert . Mr . Stanley Pringle essays the part of Martin Brooke , the hero at Henley . Miss Stella

Brereton again gives her careful and graceful representation of Nelly . This lady shows plenty of emotional power , and thoroughly secured the sympathy of her audience . Miss Amy Steinberg i 3 again the May Joyce , while the numerous other characters find good representatives . Praise is due to Mr . John Douglass for the perfect manner in which he has staged the piece .

OiiYjrpiA , KENSINGTON . —Some 300 children of the Foundling Hospital attended the afternoon performance of the Hippodrome on Tuesday last , on the kind invitation of Mrs . Batley , of Elvanstoneplace , South Kensington . The chaplain , secretary , masters and mistresses , and many of the nurses were also present , and with the

ohildren filled one section of the grand circle . It was a sight not soon to be forgotten to see them in their snowy white linen caps , tippets , and aprons , a costume well-known to those who frequent the church attached to the Foundling Hospital . It was a 3 though snow had fallen heavily on just one portion of the vast building . The

children took the liveliest interest in the whole performance , and broke into peals of merry laughter at the comical bull-fight , ancl the funny doll in the stag-hunt , and clapped their little black gloved hands vigorously at the chariot-races . It is almost difficult to say whether , to the bulk of the audience , the performance itself or the sight of these happy children proved most attractive .

On Wednesday the meeting of the Board of Benevolence was held at Freemasons' Hall , under the presidency of Bro . R . Grey P . G . D . ; Bros . J . Brett P . G . P . and C . A . Cottebrune P . G . P . occupying the Vice-chairs . There was a full

attendance of the Board . The agenda for the next Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge having been read , the recommendations for the last meeting of the Board of Benevolence were confirmed . The new list

contained thirty-four cases , viz ., from London , Southampton , Ulverston , Carnarvon , Dudley , Hong Kong , Ireland , Brighton , Uxbridge , Manchester , Sevenoaks , Plymouth , Harwich , Portsmouth , Teignmouth , Deal , Constantinople ,

Stretford , Cape Town , Holbeach , and Madras . The total amount awarded during a four hours' sitting was £ 810 , which -was composed of one recommendation of £ 75 , ono

of £ 60 , three of £ 50 each , two of £ 40 each , five of £ 30 each , nine grants of £ 20 each , two of £ 15 each , eight of £ 10 each , and one of £ 5 .

The Theatres, &C.

I We note an intimation in the columns of our contemporary that Secretaries of Lodges desiring to distribute the Circular of tho Pro Grand Master , in connection with the Queen ' s Jubilee celebration , amongst the members of their Lodges ,

may obtain copies on application to the Publisher of the Freemason , who will supply them at the rate of five shillings per hundred . This is an idea which if propsrly carried out cannot fail to be of advantage , and Bro . Kenning , having

no doubt received authority from headquarters to proffer this means of information to members of the Craft , should receive copious orders . We have all along contended that no restriction whatever should have been placed upon a

circular of this description , and we are very pleased that the suggestion—first made in onr columns—that the document should have the widest circulation amongst the members of the Craft , is in a fair way now of being carried ont . Of course the " confidential " communication has

been read in almost all our Lodges by this time ; but it is well known that such verbally conveyed messages usually fall on inattentive ears , and produce but little effect . Now ,

however , that every member will have the opportunity of reading the circular for himself , the subject can be fully discussed , and the opinions of Lodges sent , as requested , to the proper quarter .

The ornamental accessories have of late years undergone such a change that brethren of "ye olden times" would be astounded could they rise up and behold the artistic style in which the menus and programmes of the present

day are got up . If , as is sometimes pointed ont , gigantic strides have been made in the manipulation of Christmas cards , valentines , and the finer branches of lithography and decorative printing , equally as much may be said of

the improvements introduced into our Masonic programmes , which now embody , in colour , gold , and emblematic design , a wonderful amount of artistic skill . We have before us one of the most elaborate specimens of

this kind of work , in the programme issued for the installation banquet of the Forest Lodge , No . 1852 , held on the 9 th inst ., at Mansfield , and executed by Brother John Linney , of the Mansfield and North Notts Advertiser . The

menu and the list of toasts following are interspersed with lines of music , and the opening stanzas of songs appropriate to each subject , printed in gold , the whole being enclosed

in a pretty cover of blue and gold , splendidly embellished with the emblems of the Craft . This production deserves notice , as one of the most elaborate and unique of its kind we have yet seen .

Ad01102

FUNERALS properly carried out and personally attended in London or Covmtry by Bro . G . A . HUTTOJST , 17 Newcastle Street , Strand , W . C Monuments erected . Valuations made .

Ad01103

INSTALLATION OF H . R . H . THE FRINGE OF WALES As the M . W . G-. M . of England , AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL 28 th . APRIL 1875 . COPIES of this BEAUTIFUL ENGRAVING by Brother HARTY P . M ., consisting of Artist ' s Proofs , Proofs before Letters , and Lettered Proofs , India Prints , and Plain Prints may be had at Cost Price by applying to Bro . W . R . NORRIS , 29 Southampton Buildings , C , London . W .

Ad01104

BRO.G,S.GRAHAM, The Popular Tenor and Buffo Vocalist , from £ > t . James ' s Hall , Crystal Palace , & c . ( Provincial Grand Organist Middlesex ) IS OPEN TO ACCEPT ENGAGEMENTS FOR € amwb , ( gittcthiummtts # gUsowt banquets . Bro O S . Gfraham ' s Party of Eminent ; Artists can be engaged for Masonic Bammet ,. ' , Consecrations and Installations , & c . For Opinions of the Press and Terms , address—G . S . GRAHAM , Hazeldean , Cornford Grove , Balaam , Surrey .

Ar01105

The Revised Book of Constitutions ; Critically Considered and Compared with the Old Edition . London : Simpkin , Marshall & Co . 4 Stationers' Hall Court , E . C . Sent on receipt of stamps , One Shilling , by W W . Morgan Freemason ' s Chronicle Office , Belvidere Works , Hermes Hill , Pentonville .