The Holborn Restaurant.

THE HOLBORN RESTAURANT .

" TTTuERE to dine ? "is aqnery that is capable of being answered »» in a great variety of ways ; bnt where to obtain a truly excellent meal , at reasonable tariff , and with the surroundings of luxury and refinement , is a discovery whioh experience only can point out . Nobody knows better than the City man the places where not

to dine—the stnffy coffee-house , wherein the discomfort of a badlycooked dinner U served on table-cloths of dingy hue , amidst the evil smelling atmosphere of a shabbily-furnished dining-room . These oldfashioned shanties are rapidly disappearing before the march of improvement and the altered habits and customs of men whose

avocations necessitate their partaking of the mid-day or evening meal at a restaurant . Brighter and more commodious saloons are taking the place of the low-roofed coffee shops , whose high backed seats and cramped table room were formerly used uncomplainly , inasmuch as they were "Hobson ' s" choice . But the greatest of all the

improvementd we have noticed in this respect is at the Holborn Restaurant , at which the proprietors have , at enormous expense , constructed an annexe or grill room , whioh is at once the most splendid and elaborate in the metropolis , and eminently worthy of a visit . A country visitor to town , on opening the doors of this princely

apartment would almost instinctively hesitate to enter , for assuredly in such a palatial dining saloon none but the wealthy could afford to pay for such luxury and refinement as is everywhere apparent . But once having tasted of the comforts and enjoyment which can be here obtained at the same cost , or even les ? , than at many of the

secondrate and ill-conditioned refreshment houses to which we have referred , there will be no second thought as to a repetition of a visit . The proprietors of the Holborn Restaurant , fully alive to fche every . day requirements of the public , have nofc only raised a sumptuous palace for the convenience of their patrons , but have

added a cuisine admittedly the best in London , without in any way increasing their tariff . In the midst of luxury and refinement , never hitherto attempted in this country , friends may meet and enjoy their chop or steak at the nominal price of from ninepence to one shilling ; tho charge for vegetables is the same as you wonld pay at any pokey

and unsavoury cook-shop ; your " Burton" or " bitter" is 2 d , just the same as at any public bar ; and , moreover , you have thrown into the scale what is most essential to the enjoyment of a meal , courtesy and civility on the part of yonr attendants . In case you may be an abstainer , tea or coffee is at hand at a moment's notice , at all hours of

the day and evening , and afc the most moderate and reasonable tariff " . The new grill-room may be entered either by the doorway of the Little Queen-street approach , or by that leading from Holborn . The visitor is at once struck with the exceeding beauty and lustre of the saloon , which is sixty-eight feet long by forty-seven feet wide ,

and npwards of eighteen feet in height . Tho walls are of the rarest and most beautiful marbles and mosaic , very little woodwork being seen . Among tho marbles are the grand antique and campan vert from the Pyrenees , vein and statnary marble from Carrara , rouge incarnat from Languedoc , Levanto marbles from the Apennines , anrl alabaster from our own mines in Staffordshire . The skilful and artistic

manner in which they havo been combined in application is beyond all praise . A marble dado runs round the room to the height of tho window-sills , which are also marble to the depth of the recess . The plinth is black , and the dio and capping black and white—grand antique marble of the Pyrenees—divided by a band nnder the

capping , of a rich brownish red , gained by the uso of Lovanto marble . On a series of pedestals matching the dado are ranged pilasters of red marble , which carry the cornice ; tho spaces between on the west side being occupied to about one-third of their height by mirrors set in a narrow gold framing , richly enhanced by a pale

green marble as wall lining . On the opposie or east side the spaces are entirely taken up by square quarried stained glass windows , reaching from the dado to the cornice . This treatment of tho glass is very judicious , being both pleasing and quiet . Immediately above the mirrors runs a string course of fluted statuary marble , and

above this , bordered with the same pale green marble as before , a series of Venetian enamel mosaic panels of renaissance ornament , comprising figures and animal subjects , and foliated decorations in various rich colours and tints , on a gold ground . From the top of the cornice springs a large and bold cove , festooned with

a series of flower and fruit clusters and drops . The ground of the cove is of dull gold , and granulated ; the " swags , " ribbons and drops are also of gold , and from the most prominent flowers incandescent light springs , by moans of which the room is entirely lighted . The cornice and illuminated cove are carried across the room in two places , and

serve to encase the deep iron girders which were necessary as a part of construction tn support the walls and floors above . These girders are in turn supported by two iron stanchion . " , which are most ingeniously encased in marble , and by this means appear to be solid monolithic fluted and reeded shafts . They stand about fourteen

or fifteen feet high , and are of veined white marble in two perpendicular sections , the joints being skil ' ully concealed in the quicks or fluting . These columns are beautifully proportioned , and terminate in ornate gilded capitals , presenting a chatte and picturesque appearance . The ceiling of this room is remarkable beantiful ; it is divided

into square fricassed panels , inclosed by moulded stiles of polished alabaster , having circular bosses of the same material at the joints . The panels are of gold mosaic , decorated with a foliated pattern in rich colouring . The effect of this ceiling , with its variety of light , shade , ancl colouris . when seen under the brilliancy of the electric light ,

indeed splendid , and is quite unique in London . At the end of the room stands a sumptuous-looking grill , which occupies nearly the whole of the north wall . This is a spioudid production , by Messrs . Doulton , in the ware for which they are so celebrated . The

ornamental details of the grill are particularly deserving of notice , especially the sliding doors to the hot-plate rack , which aro of silver and polished Bessemer steel . On the top of the grill stand two gorgeous Oriental vases , the whole forming an attractive feature , entirely in harmony with the rest cf ihe decorations . The architects

The Holborn Restaurant.

of the building were Messrs . Archer and Green , and t ^ e whole of tho marble and mosaic work waa carried out by Mr . W . H . Bnrko , nfthe firm of Burke and GV , Newman-street , who were charged with the general decoration of the grill-room , nnd the windows were designed and executed by Messrs . Clayton and Bell , of Lambeth .

In the midst of these snmpfcuons snrronndings a number of small tables are arranged in Ute-a-Ute fashion , so thafc pirfcies , either large or small , can be cosily and comfortably accommodated afc their respective meals . The appointments of the saloon are of the most ve " chercM description—the table-cloths snowy white , the glass and

cutlery without a speck or blemish , while the necessary con . comitants of the cuisine are of the most varied and complete kind . We have rarely , if ever , seen such a combination of perfect management and supervision , suoh excellence of wines and viands , such perfection of cooking , service , and attendance . Thousands of

persons are daily becoming aware of what a boon has been placed within their reach by the proprietors of the Holborn Restaurant , where the public may be served afc any hour with a substantial and splendidly-cooked meal , afc from Is 6 d upwards , in the midst ; of artistic splendour , warmth and luxury , amidst the sweet cadences of

soft , soothing music . In closingour descriptionof thisnew grill-room we advise our readers , one and all , when inquiring as to where to dine in London , to seek out and enjoy the advantages set within their reach at the Holborn Restaurant . Our country and colonial friends , especially , will

be glad to learn of a centre at which they are able to procure a comfortable and excellent meal , at an exceedingly cheap rate , amidst surroundings of the most lavish and sumptuous character . Here they can make sure of a good dinner before going to the theatre or concert-room , or a late snnper on their return . Contrary

to the custom of some restaurants , where the prices are increased as the evening advances , here there is a uniform and normal charge from noon to midnight , which is unaltered during the whole timo the grill-room is open . We aro nnable , with the space afc our command , to enter more fally into details of this leviathan

establishment of luxury and refinement ; but , like good wine , ifc " needs no bush . " We recommend all our friends to pay the Holborn Restaurant a visit , and see for themselves what sort of placo

tho new grll-room is . We are convinced their verdict will endorse the opinion we express , that ifc is , par excellence , fche mosfc elaborate and best appointed establishment either in London or elsewhere .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Empire . — " Round the World "is a piece that all playgoers shonld see . As a dramatic work it cannot be called strong , bnfc as a spectacular production it is everything that can be desired . The work is founded upon the well-known novel , by Jules Verne ,

"Round the World in Eighty Days , " and contains a compressed version of the story , and nearly all the striking incidents of tho voyage of the adventurous Englishman of the origina ' . The scenery is superb ; tho Giant's Staircase , in the Rocky Mountains , is a lovely piece of scenic art ; and the explosion on board the

steamship Henrietta is very striking and realistic . As incidentals to the piece are introduced some snake charming , by Mons . Karoly ; a trained elephant , and three well-arranged and well-danced ballets , the costumes of the first and second of these latter being both pretty and effective . In the second of these Mdlle . Ferfcoldi

appears , and dances with her usual grace and elegance . It may perhaps be said the characters are almost overlooked in the magnificence thafc surrounds them , but on the whole the artistes engaged play their parts well . Mr . Charles Cartwright portrays Sir Clifford Cool , the baronet who undertakes

to go round the world in eighty days , for a wager of £ 10 , 000 . M . Marias , as Passepartout , Sir Clifford ' s valet , attends him , and ia exceedingly amusing throngbout . Mr . Charles Collette , in thechiracter of a detective , and Mr . Myron Calice , as Hannibal Smi'h

Pearce , of Boston , are both excellent . Mdlle . Miska and Miss Kate Vaughan take the parts of the sisters , —Stella and Gladys Herbert . Miss Vaughan does her best , but her part is a weak one , and it is undoubtedly a disappointment to find that her well-known Terpaichorean powers are not brought into exercise .

Grand . —The version of " Jane Shore " which was presented at this theatre , to a crowded and fashionable audi ° nce , on Monday first saw the light in August last , at the Court Theatre , Live pool , where it was produced under the title of " The King ' s Favourite , " Miss Varie De Grey aa Jane Shore . This lady has now bro ighfc

the play to London , and , judging by the reception it haa met wir . h during the week , we may predict a successful run for it in the Provinces where the talented lady who sustains the tifcK' role 1 as already made arrangements for its production . The work is by Messrs . J . VV . Boulding and R . Palgrave , nnd treats of Jane Sir ro ' s

association with Edward the Fourth . Edward meets Jane at a let--, given at the house of Mistress Neville . Here he m-ike . q o ^ ertnres to her , bnfc is repulsed with an energy that would disarm nnv lover less persevering than the royal wooer . Later on , Edward formulates with Lord Hastings a scheme for the ahdncti' < n of

Jane . This plot , however , is overheard by Brian ( Mr . F . C arles ) , Matthew Shore ' s servant . Brian gives information to his mister , who , for convenience sake , has been lured away . Sho' -e , U- wever , returns , confronts the King , and draws his sw « rd . For this he is instantly arrested , and immersed in prison for n long period .

Meanwhile , it is reported to Jane her husband is dead , and she becomes the Court favourite . In that capacity sin pleads for tho l . fe of Clarence , when the King is stirred to nnge * by the iusinnations of Gloster , who ponrs insidious speeches : nto his brother ' s ear . After Edward ' s death , by Gloster ' s order Jane