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is not for one moment to be disputed , and in " The Golden Ladder , " as in other of his dramas , he has catered to suit all tastes . In the first scene he gives us a study of English domestic life , in which hnmour , love and villiauy are all personated . Then in other scenes we see the husband persecuted , the wife wrongly accused , and

convicted of a crime of which she is innocent , and villainy and vognery , for the time , in tho ascendant . Bnt not for long ; in the last net all these positions are rovo'sed , happily for all concerned . The plot is not difficult of comprehension , though the details are somewhat unusually varied and numerous . The Rev . Frank Thornhill has

just returned from missionary labour abroad ; he has inherited a large fortune , and , in his altered circumstances , woos Lillian Grant , his sweetheart of two years ago . Lillian is fche daughter of a rich banker , whose ruin and disgrace are being rapidly brought about by one Michael Severn , Mr . Grant's chief cashier .

This Severn has persuaded Jim Dixon to steal certain securities , which had been entrusted to the banker . In tho midst of merriment and jollity , it being Lillian ' s birthday , tho owner of these securities appears on the scene , to seek their restitution . Mr . Grant cannot restore them , nor pay the requisite amount ,

£ 20 , 000 . Legal proceedings are threatened , but are stayed by the sacrifice of Thornhill'st fortune , which is placed by him at the disposal of Mr . Grant . The disgrace and ruin that would have ensued

are happily averted , and the hononr of the house is preserved . Frank is accepted by Lillian , and they are married . Six years hence finds Frauk and his devoted wife at work among the blacks in Madagascar . When Thornhill saved Mr . Grant's house from ruin

h i became the owner of certain mortgage deeds relating ; to tho Madagascar gold mine . Severn and M . Peranza , an accomplice , are awaroofthis . Thoy are on tho island in searoh of the mine , aud hearing of Thornhill ' s presence in Madagascar , at once determine to encompass his ruin and death , and thus remove from their path the

one obstacle to their claim . Chance has it that Frank is going to supply some wine to the commander of the French war vessel . The two conspirators hear of this , and suggest to Rao , a Malagasy servant , to poison the wine . This Rao has an intense hatred to the missionary . The wine is poisoned ; Thornhill is threatened with

arrest by the French , bnt in an opportune moment is taken on board an English man of war and conveyed to England . Now , Severn and Peranza have also returned , and are trading under the assumed name of Keith and Co . They have discovered f . hegold , and are trying to sell shares in tho mine . Whilst in their office , they receive visits from James Dixon and Thornhill . Frank see 3 throni'li

their evil designs , and hears of thoir having been mixed up in the m ittcr of the poisoned wine . Ho defies their machinations , and tells tLeui of his intention to investigate this trumped up chnrgo ot poisoning the wine , clear his own name , and ensure them just , retribution . Severn and Dixon now conspire to wayl > y Thornhill on

Hampstead Hrafch , and have him put out of the way . M . Feranz , though acquiescing in the plot will have nothing to do with murder . In conrse , Dixon entices Frank to Hampstead Hrafch on a pretended mission of mercy , having previously , however , possessed himself of

Thornhill ' s revolver . Once on the Htatb , Severn and Dixon do not hesitate . Frank is felled by a blow from Severn , and the revolver is placed in hi 3 hand to support a theory of suicide . The two villains hear some one approaching , and decamp , but not before Thornhill has rallied aid identified Severn as his assailant . Lillian

opportunely arrives on the scene , and prevents Severn ' s escape . In taking the revolver from her husband it goes off accidentally , and Severn gets shot . Despite all her protestations of innocence , Lillian is arrested , tried , and convicted of an attempt to murder . Whilst in prison she receives a visit from her husband , and hear 3 of

the illness of her child . Her brain is in a turmoil , aud she is poshed back to her cell , and the door closed upon her by the p tiless matron . Her sobs and entreaties are lond , passionate and prolonged , but stubborn duty prevents the jailors from assisting her . One Mrs .

Freyne , however , is touched by her appeals for mercy and repeated declarations of innocence ; and , in a moment of courageous selfdevotion , changes clothes with tho poor convict , who then and there passes out of the prison as Mrs . Freyne . Lillian at once flies to her husband and child . Sho finds Frank in conversation with the

rascally Severn and Peranza . They are trying to induce him to enter into an arrangement by which all three can share in the Madagascar gold mine . Their amicable entreaties and otherwise pretended friendliness are of no avail . Frank treats them with scorn , and bids them go . These villains then try to make Lillian ' s

escape serve their purpose . Whilst threatening to make her whereabouts known to the authorities , the prison chaplain enters with a free pardon for Lillian , and as a suitable conclusion to their villainy , Severn and Peranza are brought face to face with Dixon , who has informed against thorn . Their arrest follows Lillian is

proved innocent , and the curtain falls . As Lillian Grant , and afterwards as the young missionary ' s wife , Miss East lake ' s abilities ate displayed in a manner quite equal to any of her previous efforts . In personating the chaiaeter of a wronged and persecuted woman alio has again shown us how , when under tho most depressing influences

and surrounded with enemies on all aides- ' , she can ri-e equal to the occasion , and defeat the most diabolically concocted villainy . In tho prison scene her acting was so realistic as visibly to affect several of her audience . As the hero of the piece Mr . Wilson Barrett magnificently acquitted himself . His acting was at times as near

povft-ction as perhaps it is possible Io bring it . Iu tho put of Lillian ' s lover he was passionate and sincere ; as the persecuted husband lie never despn ' red of final ' y bringing hi * persecutors to justice ; and as an accused murderer his indignation was rnost realisticall y displayed . In the Hampstfud Heath scene , Mr . Barrett's iceovery from the blow

that felled him was Fomcwhut rapid ; making due allowance for what id doe . o on the stage , we aio necessarily i ' .. rced to presume tho blow miscarried . Of conr .-e , the lion ' s fihnr . i of tho applause viaaccorded to the hero and heroine of tho piece . Still , we are bound to admit that Mr . Georgo Barrett and Mrs . Henry Leigh , in the respective characters of Mr . and Mra . Peckaby , were fully entitled to a

The Theatres, &C.

considerable amount of the oheers , applause and bravos that fell , on the final descent of tho curtain . What humour there is in the drama was occasioned by the matrimonial disputes and squabbles between this worchy couple . As Mr . Peckaby , Mr . George Barrett showed to groat advantage ; his humour all through was perfectly genuine , and

served as a splendid antidote to the otherwise sombre nature of the piece . His concern for tho education of his daughter , Victoria Alexandra , and his revision of tho Rev . Frank Thornhill ' s bill for board and lodging caused infinite amusement , and was thoroughly appreciated . The two villians , Michael Severn aud M . Peranza , wore

very creditably rendered by Mr . Austin Melford and Mr . Cooper Chffe , A like remark is also applicablo to Mr . Elliott , in the character of a rough and ready Yorkshireman . In the scenery for the piece ; Messrs . Tellbin , Smith and Hann have rendered very good service , the Hampstead Heath set being especially good . Altogether , we believe this drama has a long aud successful run in store for it .

Gaiety . —The reception accorded Mr . G . Edwardes' Christmas burlesque was both surprising and unaccountable . Long before the curtain went up tho pittites showed signs of displeasure , and for some time after the commotion did not cease . During the second and third acts tho noise was simply deafening , so mnoh so that the

" tag had to be curtailed . Why this should have been we cannot say , for nothing so magnificent as " Frankenstein " has ever before been seen on the Gaiety * fcage . Richard Henry has written the sto'y with his nsnal humour , while the music , comp > sed and selected bv Meyer Lutz , is both tnncful and effective . AU praise ia due to

Mr . Charles Harris for the « ay in which he has placed the piece on the stage . Every available opportunity has been seized to make the scenes picturesqii' ' , while the dresses are lovely . The p lot at times ] is entirely lost sight of , but this is compensated for by some prett y choruses and dances , capitally arranged and perfectly execute . ! .

The story commences at the village of Villaaubnrba , in tho pass of Pizzicato . Here Frankenstein has been workiug wonders , the principal one being the making of the monster ( Mr . Fred Leslie ) . When rhi' - " gt-ntlcman comes to life he gives ns , with tbe help of the model ( Mr . George Stone ) , an amusing burlesque of the present

aspect , of the prize ring . This is most laughable , tho two or three rounds causing much merriment . There ia very little plot iu the second or third act J , bnt as we have already said , this is well made up by scenic eff-cts . A charmiug "sot" is the second act , and here dances and songs are given in abundance . The last scene is laid out

ai a cavern at the North Pole , and here a most effective review of tho planets takes place . The groupings in this scene are perfect , the different colours mixing most harmoniously . Most of tho Gaiety favourites are back , and Miss Nellie Farren and Mr . Fred . Leslie work hard to be amusing . Wha little there

was for them t do they did well ; Miss Farren n vivacious md inimitable ways are as prominei . t as ever . TtU ' -e two favourites were backed by Mr . E . J . Lonnen as a vamp re viscount . This gentleman has a good song , ent'Med " Tho Dispensing D ctor , " ind ho renders it in capital style . Mr . George Stone , as fche model

was amusing , while Bliss Marion Hood s s nging thoroughly charmed the house . Miss Sylvia Grey has one or two daucep , which she executes in graceful fashion . Mr . Charlie Ross also has a capital dance , which he makes the most of . Miises Camilla D'Arville , Emily

Cross , Jenny Roger- , Jenny M'Nultr , and Messrs . Cyril Maude and Frank Thornton a'l do well in their sever . 1 pait J . Notwithstanding the unfavourable verdict of a part of its first night audience we feel sure , with a littlo workiug up , " Frankenstein " will prove a groat success .

Terry ' s . —Those who are fond of seeing children enjoy thrm . selves , play blindmaw ' s buff , sing nursery rhyme- - , and such like , cannot do better than visit tin ' s theatre , where Mr . Charles Arnold is giving matinees of " Hans the Boatman . " Not very loug since this charming little piec ; was present-id at the now defunct Grand , at

Islington , and during its short stay there delighted each one that went to see it . Mr . Arnold ' s loveable way wuh children is very amusing , while his style is motfc takiug . Haas is one of those fellows who will do anything for a romp with the " kiddies , " with what result we have before shown . The happy ending of the piece

banishes the tears , and makea every one go home happy . Mr . Arnold has some delightful sot gs to sing , his " catchy" style being most pleasing . Two of the mite 3 that lend such a pretty aspect to the story are very amusing . These are Master Frank Reed and Little May Hammiu ( both are exceedingly clever ) . Miss Helen Ley ton is

Jeffie Thuraby , while Mi 3 s May Gurney embodies the part of Gladys Farwell . Messrs . Walter Russell , Robert Medlicott and Joseph Pearce are good in other parts . A more charming piece than "Hans the Boatman" cannot be found ; the children ' s scenes are especially effective .

The New Years . ' Entertainment to the " Old Folks , " at Croydon , will be given on Wednesday nest .

At the regular monthly meeting- of the Henry Lodge of Mark Masters , 1 ST- ) . 21 'j , on Wednesday , the 21-st ; instant , Bro . Dr . Janice I . Laco P . G . J . D . was elected W . M ., and Bro . James Hsirpcr P . M . P . G . J . W . Treasurer , for the ensuing year .

FORTITUDE LODGE , Ko . 66 . AT ti meeting of this Lodge , held at the Huyshe Masonic Ti-mple , on Tn' -sdny , the iOth inst ., Bm . E . Coppin iu the chair , B-o . George Dirnier S . W . was elected W . M . for ihe yea-ensuing , Br-. S , Jew P . M . P . P . G . M . O . as Treasurer , and Bro . James Gidley P . M , P . G . T . Ty ler ,