The Pantomimes.

Mr . ltoss , severally sustain the parts of harlequin , columbine , liarlequina , pantaloon , and policeman , while Mr . Le Vito re-appeared as clown , and AV . IS rewarded by frequent applause for his successful efforts in that capacity . At tho Alexandra Palace , the legend of D ' < Whittington supplies the theme , and this has been treated most i \ iactively by Mr . G . B . O'Halloran . It has been produced under the

careful management of Mr . T . H . Friend ; the scenery , which includes a grand sensational ship scene , and a marvellous transformation scene entitled "A Christmas Card , " is by Mr . Henry Emden , and the music has been furnished by Mr . Archer and Mr . Jannsons . Among tho leading artists are Miss Lilian Cavalier , who impersonates Dick , Miss Susie Vaughan , who plays Alice , and Mdlle . San Martino-Campi bollo ,

who is " Fairy Future , " Avhile Captain Rozinozo is played by Mr . Henry Eosenthal . The premiere dansenso is Mdlle . Luna ; tho clown , the Great Little Eowella ; harlequin , Mr . Lauri ; columbine , Miss Hemmons ; and Pantaloon , Mr . Beckinsham . " Eobin Hood ; or , the Merrio Men of Sherwood Forest" is tho title of the pantomime which the Messrs . Douglass havo provided for their patrons at the

Standard , and , like its predecessors , it has been admirably put on the stage , and is as admirably played by a strong and effective company . At tho Britannia , the title of the piece is , " The Magic Mule ; or , tho Ass's Skin the Princess to Win , " by Mr . F . Marchant . The transformation scene gives ns " A Glance at Elysium , " and with tho name of Mrs . S . Lane , lessee of the theatre , among tho actresses , and

having regard to the success which has invariably distinguished her efforts as artist aud caterer fix the good people of Iloxton , our readers may rest satisfied that tho entertainment is as good this year as ever . At the Grecian , as well as at the Surrey , a commencement was mode on Christmas Eve , the pantomime at tho former being entitled , "Hokey Pokey , " while that at the latter , duly prepared by

Mr . William Holland for his numerous friends aud patrons , is the latest version of " Tho House that Jack Built . " Tho management of tho Alhambra has produced " A Grand Spectacular and Musical Fcerio , " entitled , " La Ponle aux CEufs d'Or , " while " Jack tho Giant Killer " has been produced as an additional attraction at tho Gaiety , by tho enterprising lessee , Mr . J . Hollingshead . All tho places of

public entertainment , with but few exceptions , havo programmes which cannot fail to draw good houses , bo they merely pieces which havo already secured the popular favour , or bo they on a larger scale in order to meet tho moro pressing demands of tho public at Christmas tide . Nor must wo pass without one word , at least , of commendation the excellent entertainment at the Egyptian Hall , where those famous illusionists , the Messrs . Maskeleyne and Cooke , still puzzle

and delight their numerous friends and patrons . Briefly , this part of the fare , Avhich has been devised for our enjoyment this season , is equal to the best provided in recent years , and Ave must leave it to the taste of our readers to single out those which they will honour Avith their support . Of one thing they may be certain—that thoy will experience somo difficulty in deriving other than a source of gratification from what they see .

Pauses In Life

PAUSES IN LIFE

FROM THE FREEMASONS' EXPOSITORY . IT is not well that life shonld flow forth in a dull and unvarying monotony , for much of tho zest and heartiness that ought to characterise present existence are lost when lifo is subject to no changes and interruptions . A man gets into the ruts , follows drearily along one beaten path , and so becomes moody and

disturbed in his feelings as he only hears tho snine sounds , sees the same surroundings , and goes round and round in the performance of those tasks that repeat themselves with an unvarying uniformity . An old man was once asked what was the cause of bis having attempted to take his life , and this was the answer given by the would-bo suicide : — "I am tired with taking off my shoes each

night and putting them on each morning . Tho monotonous demands of life disgust me with it . " In order not to lose the relish for life , and in order to make the most and the best of what it ofl ' eis , frequent pauses are requisite . There must be seasons of rest and refreshment . There must bo au

occasional turning aside from the regular courses of every day toil into the more inviting fields that may be ranged over at will , both to the delight and the renewed health of the soul . It follows , then , that we should hail and give glad welcome to thoso breathing spells that como in from time to time for such enlargement and blessing of tho life .

Just now we have come to the vacation season—the time when most of tho Masonic organisations , at least in cities and large towns , close their doors aud suspend labours for a couple of months . With the mercury rising " among the nineties , " tho Lndgo room loses Borne of its attraction ; and tho rehearsing of the Ilitual or the performance of Masonic work becomes a kind of penance which even

the most zealous brother seeks to aA-oid . It is well , under such circumstances , that formal meetings and work should be intermittedthat the call should sound forth for brethreu to go from labour to refreshment , aud that picnic gatherings , excursions and pilgrimages BbO'iid ba substituted for the usual routine of Masonio engagement and duty .

This is the season , likewise , Avhen , as individuals , pauses may be made and somo change of scene introduced . Every Brother who can properly do so ought sometimes to move out of his accustomed ways and travel abroad , that so a fresh zest and inspiration may como into his life . The Sir Knights of Mary and Allegheny Commanderies , who

with their families aud invited Brethren have crossed tho ocean on a pilgrimage to the old world will gain an enlargement of thought and feeling , together with much enjoyment , by their journey taken ; and will return , we can but believe , Avith new strength and stimulus acquired from the scenes aud experiences of their distant journey .

Pauses In Life

Other pilgrimages of a less pretentious character havo been arranged which will bo useful in tho samo direction , while the informal and unheralded excursions and social gatherings will also bo a moans to tho same ends , helping many to escape for a little time at least from life ' s monotonous demands , and to enjoy tho sweetness of earth .

We believe it is well that opportunity should be made for theso pauses in life , and for tho now movements whereby wo may come to some broader outlook upon the things of lifo and tho world . A poet has told ns , in his rugged verse , of tho man " who never had a dozen thoughts iu all his life ; " who thought the moon " no broader than his father ' s shield , " and

" What at evening played along tho swamp , Fantastic , clad in robo of fiery hne , Ho thought the devil in disguise . " Of such an one it is said : — " Beyond his native vale he never looked , And so the poor man lived and died . "

It is well sometimes to obey the call that bids us go from L-ibonr to Refreshment ; well that wo should sometimes intermit tho drudgery of toil that binds us a'l ; well to mako pansos , got away from tho ordinary surroundings of lifo , that by chnnaro of thought and scene wo may bo invigorate 1 , and be better prepared for tho resumption of

thoso labours that are demanded . Especially is ifc well , at this season , to go forth aud look at God ' s works in woods and fiVld , on mountain or bv tho seaside , that bv such communion with nature Wo

may bo revived and cheered in our inmost souls , tho entire forces of tho moral nature being quickened by such contact . Tho iireat poet , who has recently passed on to tho higher life , knew of this power of nature to educate and bless . Thus ho sings of her gracious ministries in theso familiar linns : —

" To him who in tho love of nature holds Communion with her visible forms , she speaks A various language ; for his gayer hours Sho has a voice of gladness , and a smilo

And eloquence of beauty , and she glides Into his darker musings , with a mild And healing sympathy , that steals away Their sharpness , ero he is aware . "

May our readers make the most of tho vacation timo that is now at hand . May thoy find refreshment and rest , a renewal of hops and strength by any change of scenery and surroundings which they may be privileged to make ; and in this way may there come to them influoncos that shall broaden and brighten life in all its departments .

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THE THEATRES , & c . THEATRE ROYAL . COVENT GARDEN .-At 7 . 0 , SARAH'S YOUNG MAN . At 7 . 30 , . ( AUK AND TEE BEANSTALK . THEATBE ROYAL , DRURY LANE . —At 7 . 0 , HIS NOVICE . At 7 . 30 , CINDERELLA . GLOBE—At 7 . 15 , DELICATE GROUND . At S . 5 , LES CLOCHES DE COR . NKVILLK . HAYMARKET .-At 8 , THE HGNWITCHKRS . At 8 .: i 0 , THE CRISIS . STRAND . —At 7 , ON AND OFF . At 7 . 30 , HIS LAST LEGS . At 9 . 15 , THE BABY . GAIETY .-At 0 . 15 , JACK THE GIANT KILLER . At 9 . 30 , YOUNG FRA D 1 AVOLO . VAUDEVILLE . —At 7 . 30 , A WHIRLIGIG . At 8 . 0 , OUR BOYS , and A FEARFUL FOG . PRINCE OF WALES'S .-At 8 . 0 , DIPLOMACY . ADELPHL—At 7 . 0 , TURN HIM OUT . At 7 . 15 , PROOF , & c . OLYMPIC .-Afc 7 , JOLLIBOY'S WOKS . At 7 . 30 , THE TWO ORPHANS . PRINCESS'S .-At , 7 . 1 ) , FAMILY JARS . At 7 . 15 , IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND . ROYALTY . —At 7 . 30 , KERRY . At 8 . 15 , LA MARJOLAINE . STANDARD .-At 7 , ROIMN HOOD . CRITERION—At 7 . 30 , MADAME ANGOT , aud THE FISHERMAN'S DREAM . ALHAMBRA .-At 7 . 30 , LA POULE AUX ( EUF 3 D'OR . CRYSTAL PAL A . CE . —This day , PANTOMIME , & c . Open daily , Aquarium , Circus , & c . ALEXANDRA PALACE .-Thid Day , PANTOMIME , & c . Open daily . Doll Show , & c . ROYAL AQUARIUM . —PANTOMIME , & c . EGYPTIAN ( LARGE HALL ) . —MASKELYNE AND COOKE . Daily at 3 and 8 o ' clock . HENGLER'S CIRQUE .-Duily at 2 . 30 and 7 . 30 . SANGER'S AMPHITHEATRE .-D . iilyntl . o and 7 . 0 .

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THEFREEIASON'SOHROISiCLE, A "Weekly Record of Masonic Intelligence . Sanctioned by the Grand Lodge of England . THE FREEMASON'S CHEONICLE will be supplied direct from the Office , on receipt of Post Office Order for 13 s Cd , this will include postage for 12 months . Intending Subscribers should forward their full Addresses to prevent mistakes . Post Office Orders to bo made payable to W . W . MORGAN . ,, t Barbican Office . Cheques crossed " London and County . " Advertisers will find THE FKEEMASON ' CHRONICLE an exceptionally good medium for Advertisements of every class ,