The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Strand . —A timid little man , borne along by the crowd an unwilling actor in fche Trafalgar Square riots , who on tho strength of being in possession of a stick with a red handkerchief afc fche end of ifc , which somebody has thrust into his hand , gets hauled np aud punished afc Bow Street . A gigantic lady , of Spanish extraction

afflicted with the monomania thafc fche police are fche natural enemies of mankind , and who believes thafc no man is a hero unless he is perpetually fighting with somebody . A dyspeptic hypochondriac , the intimate friend of the said little man . These are the materials out of which Mr . Hurst has constructed a farcical comedy whioh bristles

with improbabilities from beginning to end . How Mr . Penley , as Horace Ruddorkin , the little man in question , falls in love with Miss Alma Stanley , as the gigantic but nofc unlovely Paquifca , how the size and spirit of his sweetheart ; frighten him into running away , how Mr . Giddens as iEsop Brooks , to oblige his

friend , gives out that Ruddeskin has died fighting against pa vages in Africa , how he then falls in love and marries Paqnita , only to find thafc she has accepted him in order thafc she may continually expatiate on the valonr of the said Horace , how afc Nice all three unexpectedly meet , and the complications that ensue ; how , to adopt

the language of children ' s story books , everything ends up so thafc every body lives happy ever afterwards—all these things those who go to the theatre will see . But ifc is not fair to criticise from a literary standpoint a play written with the evident purpose of providing Mr . Penley with a part similar to those by which he has worked

himself into popular favour . And , despite the unfavourable reception accorded to the play on the first night , if Mr . Penley will work up his business and get to know his part thoroughly there is no reason why "iBsop ' s Fables" should nofc be a success . The divinely tall Miss Alma Murray makes love to the diminutive Mr . Penley , who has to

stand on a chair in order thafc her head may reach his shoulder is hugely amusing , bnt gets monotonous . Miss Alma Murray played very cleverly , but could at times hardly control her own amusement , and one was afraid she was going to burst out laughing when she simulated the opposite emotion . Mr . Giddens acted remarkably

well , and extracted every morsel of comedy out of an unthankful part . A few words with regard to the incidental characters . Mr . Forbes Dawson aa Major Haviside is in love with a widow , Mrs Harrington Cunliffe , who is represented by Miss Rose Saker . Mrs Cunliffe chaperoning her sister , Lucy Maynard , who is a very unemo

tional young lady , represented by Miss Ellaline Ternss . To Mr . Walter Everard is arranged the part of Baron Achille de Volnay , and Miss Gabrielle Goldney is his wife . Mr . Walter Herat has the small part of Captain Hector Sabretache , while Mr . Dagnall makes a good German waiter , bat cannot be congratulated in his disguise as a

German Baron . Mr . Forbes Dawson will not give up the habit of jerking , shouting out his words , and it is entirely unnecessary for him to repeat in this part the slouching walk which characterise him as Captain Wilton in "Ruth ' s Romance , " which precedes "iEsop ' s Fables . " Miss Saker has a very attractive face when she smiles , and

her naturalness strongly contrasts with Mr . Forbes Dawson's style . Miss Ellaline Tcrriss suits herself to her part , or rather her part suits her , for it is dangerously calculated to develope the chief fault of her acting—a want of nerve and a lack of animation . This is a pity .

Miss Gabrielle Goldnoy ' s light blue gown is a dream of delight , and her husband may almost be forgiven for being so jealous about so charming a wife . In conclusion , it rests with Messrs . Penley and Giddens to make the piece " catch on , " and we shall bo surprised if these capital actors fail in their endeavours .

Gaiety . —The average English player who has seen Mr . Wyndham in " The Candidate" will naturally compare his rendering of his part with that of M . Coquelin in Le Depute de Bombignnc . It is hardly necessary to say that M . Coquelin ' s and Mr . Wyndham ' s style are very nuliko . In M . Coquelin's rendering there is more

thought , in Mr . Wyndham's there is more , if we may use the phrase , human nature . M . Coquelin appeals through the head to the heart , Mr . Wydbam appeals directly to the heart . But after all it is a good old truth that comparisons are odious . M . Coquelin ' s rendering of De Chautelaus afforded an intellectual treat , it is a part in which he

is inimitable , and the incessant laughter which he provoked proved that the audience keenly relished the comic side of De Chantelaus ' s difficulties . M . Jean Coquelin , as the Radical Pinteau , and Madle .

Kerwicb , as Renue , deserve special mention . The other parts wero adequatel y rendered . M . Coquelin and Ids company afford opportunitios for study , not only to English playgoers , but also to English actors and managers .

Mr . R . D Albortson , the acting manager of the A venae , gives his annual matinee on Monday , when , besides a host of incidental- , the new comic opera " Girouetto " will be given , with a strong cast . " Our Flat , " a farcical comedy recently tried al a matinee , will he

putinto the evening bill at the Opora Co irqio on Tin . « dav . Trio ca . it will include Messrp . Willie Edonin , C . S . Fawsett , L . Rignold , U . Eversfield , R . Nainby , R . W . Brame ; Misses Fanny Broagh , Annie Guward , May WI i tv , ai d b'nid Leslie .

On Tuesday next , tbe 25 th itintanfc , a special Matinoo performance , nnder distinguished patronage , will be given by Miss Grace Hawthorne at the Princess's , for the benefit of the Middlesex

Hospital . Miss Hawthorne on this occasion will revive "Heartsease , " adapted from Alexandre Dumaa's famous play of " La Dame anx Cumel . ' as , " by James Mortimer , in which drama Miss Hawthorne will impersonale Marguerite Gaulier .

Once more the Agricultural Hall , at Islington , is beiri £ occupied hy our military forces , for their annual Military Tournament . Proceedings commenced on Thursday , and will be continued every afternoon and evening next week .

An Appeal On Behalf Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

AN APPEAL ON BEHALF OF THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

91 ST ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL , 1889 . To those in manhood ' s Summer strength , To those in sober Autumn prime , To those in Winter ' s full-blown years , Appeal now earnestly is made ; That wo , afc Spring-time ' s hopeful shrine ,

May , though in sadness looking back , Still gladly there , our off ' riugs bring , Thns solacing our by-gone years . And nurturing Masonic Youth , Enjoining in the world ' s hard fight ,

To shnn the wrong , maintain the right , And , all in all , our God to trust . To Him , Great Architect , on high , Of the vast universe , with song , To render worship , thanks , and praise ,

Exalting the chaste torch of truth ; While gaining knowledge , wisdom , lore , Gauge dark imposture with sure ken , And ne ' er admit within the door , Save those of good report , and free !

Be , to our Boys , bright beacons these , Illumine ever , this my pray ' r : " May ye , once vors'd in antient rite , Rely on Compass , Centre , Square !" J . H . DE RICCI .

West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution.

WEST LANCASHIRE MASONIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION .

A NUMEROHSLY-ATTENDED meeting of the General Com . mittee of this Institution was held on Friday , the 7 th instant , afc fche Masonio Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool , the chair being occupied by Bro . J . Duncan jun ., ono of the Vice-Presidents of the Charity . Applications were made on behalf of 20 candidates for election at

the next Court of Governors , and the whole of these were received , special monetary grants being made iu two cases . It was resolved to call the attentiou of tho Lodges in the Province to the present financial state of fche Institution , and to ask for increased liberality in connection with the yearly contributions .

The members of the Kingsland Lodge , No . 1 G 93 , had a very pleasant meeting , with their Lady friends , at the Alexandra Palace , on Wednesday , the 12 th instant , The banquet was served under the superintendence of Bro Palmer , who successfully strove to emulate the prestige of old days at this popular resort . As the season progresses , we hope many similar bodies of our Masonic brethren will avail themselves of the facilities the

Alexandra Palace offers . The space at command is unequalled at any similar place of entertainment round London . Parties of 100 to 1000 can easily bo accommodated , and Bro . Lee Bapty , who has undertaken the

management at the Alexandra Palace , brings to bear on his labours an experience that proclaim him to be the right man in the right place . On the occasion we more

especially refer to the Band of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys attended ( by permission ) . The votaries of Terpsichore availed themselves of these opportunities to their hearts' content .

Obitary.

Obitary .

BRO . S . STEELE . THE death is announced of Bro . S . Steele , a member of the firm of Messrs . Steele and Fraser , outfitters , of Victoria Street , Derby . Bro . Steele , tbe sou of a Baptist Minister , lived in Derby for upwards of 30 years , aud for 20 years

had been in business . He pissed the chair in the Lodge of Repose , nine years ago , but he had been initiated in tho Hartington a long time previously . In 1881 he was

appointed Treasurer to the former Lodge , and was also appointed an Officer of Provincial Graud Lodge . Brother Steele has left a wife and family to mourn hid loss .

Ad01104

MASONICLITERATURE. WANTED . —To Purchase , for Cash , Ono BOOKS ON FREEMASONRY , State full Title , Date , awl stylo of Binding ; with prices required . Address , F . W „ U Thornbill Square , Barnabury , Loudon , N . Pour days' silence a negative .

Ad01105

Wanted to Purchase . FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE and MASONIC MIRROR . The Volume for July to December 13 S 3 . Address , stating price naked , W ., Office of the B ' KKKMASOS ' OIIBOKICLE , Belvidere Works , Hermes Hill , Pentonville , London , N .