The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

H . R . H . the R . W . Grand Master and H . R . H the Princess of Wales visited thc Royal Comedy Theatre on Friday week , to witness the performance of " Rip Van Winkle , " and during the evening sent for M , Planquette , the composer , and Mr . II . B . Farnie , one of the writers of

the story , and under whose charge it is produced . H . R . H . personally congratulated those gentlemen on the success of their work . We shall give a full account of the opera in our issue of Saturday next . There is no truth in the report that M . Planquette has been offered and refused 412 , 000 for the score of his new opera , as stated in some of the

newspapers . Bro . Sam Wilkinson , late stage-manager to Messrs . Tones and Barber , of the Alexandra Palace Theatre , is engaged to play in the pantomime at the Imperial Theatre , at Christmas , and also to combine the duties of stage-manager .

Miss Nellie Bromley has taken the part played by Miss Lottie Venn in " Betsy " on a former occasion . "Betsy" was revived on Monday last , at the Criterion , and Bro . W . J . Hill resumed his old character—indeed he could ill be spared . The Prince of Wales attended the performance on Monday evening .

* S "Romany Rye" is about being taken eff the boards of the Princess's , and a new play , entitled " The Silver King , " a five act play , by Messrs . Herman and Tones will be brought out in its stead . Mr . Wilson Barrett , Miss Eastlake , and the other members of the company now acting here will continue in the new drama . Bro . Herman , the joint author , is also the manager of the theatre .

* * ¦ » The Grand Theatre , that takes thc place of the late Philharmonic , will be opened on Easter Monday next , by Messrs Holt and Wilmot . It will have not less than nine exits . It is to be constructed to hold 3000 persons ; there will be three tiers of stage boxes and balcony , dress circle and gallery . The saloon , refreshment rooms , promenade , and smoking-rooms being on a level with the balcony . # #

* At the invitation o £ Bro . Holland , the manager , about 200 of the Royal Horse Guards ( Blue ) attended the afternoon performance of "The Merry War , ; ' on Saturday last . Several of the officers occupied seats in the private boxes and stalls . At the end of the first act the entire company sang " See the Conquering Hero Comes ; " being encored , " Rule Brittania" was given . At the close the orchestra played the " National Anthem . "

* " * * # The Court re-opens the second week of this month with " The Parvenu , " in which Miss Marion Terry , Miss Lottie Venn , Mr . Clayton , Mr . Anson , and Mr . Kemble will appear . Mr . Forbes Robertson retires , and

his place as Claude Glynde will be filled by Mr . Ueorge Alexander . Messrs . Stephenson and Thomas are writing a new play , "The Comrades , " in which Mr . Coghlan and Mr . Cecil , old favourites here , will play , in conjunction with the present staff of the Court . #

* * We draw our readers attention to the fact that next week will be the last of " Fun on the Bristol " at the Olympic . This " dreadfully comic , terribly funny comedyoditty , " has been played in London four months , and is quite a novelty . It is a production of Yankee-land , and makes one almost split with laughter . Mr . Sheridan's

make up of a lady , a mother of two grown up aaughters , and still a coquette , will bear seeing more than once . To those who like strong Irish it is especially attractive . We should think the " last nights" will prove as remunerative as the opening nights , notwithstanding that now most of the theatres are open . The Prince and Princess of Wales honoured the performance on Tuesday , with their presence .

* * # "More than Ever , " by Mr . Matthison , was brought out on Wednesday , at the . Gaiety , a matinee in which Miss Bella Howard , Mr . Squire and Mr . Wyatt , took part . We saw it stated that Mr . George Conquest and the whole company of the Surrey were to be present

to see their melodrama " For Ever , " burlesqued . Mr . Wyatt represented the Man Kangaroo ( in the Surrey piece Mr . Conquest is Zacky Pastrana , the Man Monkey ) : Mr . Squire Shambles ; Mr . Crutwell , The Avenger ; Lady Aqua Toffana , Miss Howard . It is termed a concentrated tragedy in one horror .

The Theatres.

forte trio in D minor , Beethoven's variations in C major , nocturne by Henschell , valse byjanotha for pianoforte alone , and and a Hebrew melody , " Kol Nidrei , " arranged by Max Brusch , for violoncello . The vocalist was Miss Marian Mackenzie . Monday next the selection will

include Haydn ' s quartet in l" major , Mendelssohn s trio in C minor ( pianoforte , violin , and violoncello ) , Schumann's " Kreisleriana" for pianoforte , and a ballade by F . Neruda , for violin , with pianoforte accompaniment . The executants will be those already mentioned , with Miss Annie Marriott as the vocalist .

* * * Mr . Walter Bach ' s pianoforte recital , consisting entirely of original compositions by Liszt , will take place on the afternoon of Monday next , at St . James ' s Hall . Liszt's sonata , dedicated to Schumann , will be played on this occasion for the first time in England . Mr . Arthur Oswald is announced as the vocalist .

In spite of the wretched weather of Saturday last , there was a fair attendance at the Crystal Palace concert , the attraction , no doubt , being the prelude to Wagner ' s " Parsifal , " and the ballet airs from Goldmark ' s" Queen of Sheba , " which were then given for the first time in this country . The other principal numbers were the overture to " Leonora , " Schumann ' s symphony in D minor , and Mendelssohn ' s violin concerto . Mdlle . Carlotta Badia was the vocalist , and Mr . Carrodus , as usual , distinguished himself as solo violin .

* # * The programme of the first of the two Richter Concerts , which have been announced to take place at St . James ' s Hall , on Thursday , the 9 th inst ., and Tuesday , the 14 th inst ., respectively , will include the introduction to Wagner ' s " Die Meistersinger , " and to his " Parsifal , '' a new serenade in G major by Mr . Villiers Stanford , Liszt's Hungarian rhapodie in F , and Beethoven's " Eroica " symphony .

* * * The Mohawk Minstrels inaugurated thc tenth year of their existence as a negro troupe on Thursday week , with a programme specially prepared for the occasion , and including , among other novelties and additions to the ordinary performances , Paul Martinetti and his company of pantomimists .

* * * The first concert of the Royal Academy of Music , Tenterden-street , Hanover-square , came off on Wednesday evening , the ist inst ., under the direction of Mr . Henry Holmes . Beethoven ' s quartet in C , Haydn's quartet in F , and Bach's concerto in D minor for piano solo with strings , constituted the programme . The executants were Messrs . Holmes , Parker , Gibson , and Howell , and Madame Haas .

a * * To judge from the arrangements announced in connection with Bro . Kuhe ' s Brighton Musical Festival on Tuesday next and four following days , the worthy people of London-Super-Mare have in store for them a treat of rare excellence . Mr . Arthur Sullivan ' s " Martyr of Antioch , " and Mr . F . H . Cowen ' s " Scandinavian "

symphony , to be conducted by the composers themselves , will be given on Tuesday . On Wednesday morning there will be a classical concert , on Thursday evening " Elijah , " and on Friday evening a miscellaneous concert for the especial benefit of Bro . Kuhe , P . G . O . ; the whole concluding on Saturday morning with a grand performance of " Redemption . " The orchestra will he under the leadership of Mr .

Carrodus , and the choir under that of Mr . A . King . Mr . Crapps will preside at the organ , and the solo pianists will be Miss Kuhe and Bro . Kuhe . Conductors Messrs . A . Manns , Kuhe , and Randegger . Among the principal vocalists will be Mesdames Albani , Trebelli , and Antoinette Sterling , and the Misses Ella Lemmens and Santley , with Messrs . E . Lloyd , F . King , H . Jones , Lucas Williams , Bro . Barton McGuckin , and Bro . Santley . a * *

A prize of ten guineas for the best overture by a British musician has been offered for public competition by the directors of the Philharmonic Society . Sir Julius Benedict and Bro . Sir Michael Costa , P . G . Warden , have kindly consented to act as umpires .

* * * There was a very full attendance in the Dome , Brighton , on Monday evening , on the occasion of Mr . Geo . Watts ' s second Philharmonic Concert . The principal vocalists were Madame Trebelli , Miss Spencer Jones , and Miss Robertson , Mr . Sims Reeves , Mr . Barrington Foote , and Mr . Joseph Maas , with M . Hollman ( violoncello ) and Mr . W . Coenen ( pianoforte ) .

The Theatres.

educational institutes in the country , and the arrangements for the examination of the officials of the Science and Art Department , South Kensington . Col . Donnelly , Bro . Sir P . Cunliffe Owen , director of the South Kensington Museum , and Professor Huxley have given their evidence . * ft *

It is understood that on the occasion of the Earl of Rosebery ' s delivery of his sectional address this day ( Saturday ) , the Senatus Academicus of the University of Edinburgh will confer on his lordship the Degree of LL . D .

* * . * A series of admirable portraits by the electric light have been recently produced by Mr . J . E . Mayall , of Bond-street and Brighton , among them being the heads of Mr . Justice Chitty , ' Mrs . Bernard Beere , Miss Pateman , and others . The utmost skill and judgment have been shown in the diffusion , distribution , and arrangement of the lights , there being , in spite of the intensity of the illuminating Dower , no harsh gradations of light and shade .

* * # On Saturday last , Lord George Hamilton , M . P ., opened a new Board school at Page Green , and in the course of his remarks spoke strongly against a reckless expenditure of money , which , in his opinion , seriousl y damaged the cause of education , by arousing hostile feelings in the minds of the ratepayers against the educatipnal authorities .

* * Her Majesty ' s First Commissioners of Works , after consultation with Sir Joseph Hooker , has written to say that the Temperate-house gates at Kew-gardens will not be removed , as the prospect of their removal does not appear to have given satisfaction to the public , who would prefer their remaining where they are . * # *

At a meeting held at Kew on Saturday last , general satisfaction was expressed at the above intimation . At the same time it was unanimously resolved that every effort should be made to have the gardens opened to the public at 10 a . m . instead of 1 p . m ., subject only to such restrictions as might be necessary in connection with the scientific objects of the gardens . * » !&

Dr . Wm . Macintosh , President of the Natural History Chamber , in St . Andrew ' s University , was formally installed in office last week . Principal Shairp was in the chair , and several of the professors were present . * * « Several winter exhibitions of pictures have recently been opened , so that in art as in music the public

will for some time to come find no lack of instructive entertainment . Thus the eighteenth annual show of water-colour drawings , at Mr . McLean ' s gallery in the Haymarket , was opened on Saturday , the number of works contributed by British and foreign artists being almost two hundred . One of the most prominent among the exhibitors , both as regards the number and quality of

her contributions , is Miss Clara Montalba , to whose most important specimen " The Grand Canal , " Venice , ( No . S 8 ) , is assigned the place of honour . Among other exhibits must be mentioned " A Highland Raid , " ( No . S 9 ) , by Mr . Andrew Gow , A . R . A . ; a pair of drawings by M . G . Jacquet , entitled respectively " The Brunette " ( No . S 6 ) , and "A Fancy Dress" ( " No . 90 ) , and flanking Miss Montalba ' s work ; the late Cecil Lawson's " The Moon in

russet mantle clad" ( No . 87 ); and the last of his works "The Haunted Mill" ( No . 93 ); M . Harpignies ' s "Evening " ( No . 100 ) ; " A Lonely Shore , Fornby Sands" ( No . 158 ) , b y Mr . T . B . Hardy ; " Spring Time" ( No . 45 ) , by Mr . Birket Foster ; and Mr . James Ovrock ' s " In Broadgate Park , Leicestershire . " Other contributors are Mr . Hubert Herkomer , A . R . A . ; Mr . Boughton , A . R . A . ; Sir John Gilbert , R . A . ; and Rosa Bonheur .

Several pictures of a hi gh order of merit are to be seen on the walls of Messrs . A . Tooth and Son ' s Gallery in the Haymarket , the principal attraction being , unquestionably , M . Bastien Lepage ' s contribution , " Le Pere Jacques" ( 60 ) , in which an aged , poverty-stricken woodman is wending his way along a path of flowers , which his

little grandchild has turned aside to pluck . Mr . S . E . Walker ' s " Flown " ( 76 ) , representing an official , standing , writ in hand , before the iron gateway of a deserted mansion , with two horse soldiers waiting within call , will be generally admired . Mr . Holl , A . R . A ., is represented by "Pets" ( 32 ) , a little girl nursing a tame rabbit ; in strong contrast with the brighness of which is the sorrowful home so pathetically

depicted in his "No Tidings" ( 100 ) . "Gossips" ( 25 ) , representing sundry groups of people , scattered at different tables on a shady terrace , and discussing the latest news or scandal over their coffee , is the work of Mr . Ridgway Knight . It is full of animation , and shows him to be an artist of marked ability . Mr . Andrew Gow , A . R . A ., exhibits "The Wedding Morn " ( 19 ) , in which a number of post boys are decorating their jackets with white favours in

honour of the occasion . " The Half-way House " ( 67 ) , by Mr . Heywood Hardy , vividly impresses us with the comfort and ; picturesqueness of old-fashioned English days , when travellers halted by the way to refresh themselves and bait their horses at the comfortable inn , now rapidl y being superseded by railway and similar hotels . Mr . VV . C . T . Dobson , R . A ., Mr . E . Crofts , A . R . A ., Mr . Thos . Weber , Mr- B . W . Leader , and a host of others have freely contributed to this exhibition .

* * The thirtieth annual Winter Exhibition at thc French Gallery , 120 , Pall Mall , is also open , and the contributions of British and foreign artists , which form the collection , make a goodly show , several among them , indeed , being works of conspicuous excellence . Among these must be mentioned Professor Midler ' s " The Guardian of

the Sacred Well" ( 60 ); a pair of small , but extremely delicate , works by Mr . C . Sleir , namely , " A Freischiitz Bargain " ( 5 6 ) , depicting an episode of every-day life in Bavarian Tyrol , and "Arguing out the Question" ( 62 ) . " Alsace , 1 S 70 , " by Madame Henrietta BTowne , is worthy of the artist who painted the touching picture " Sisters of

Mercy , " now so generally known through the engraving . Of landscapes must be noticed Mr , Heffner ' s " Summer Sheen" ( 6 S ) , "The Wilds of Dartmoor" ( 9 S ) , and "On the Llugwy , North Wales " ( 83 ) , by Mr . B . W . Leader ; and "In the Fields , Brittany—Labour" { 15 ) , by Mr . Julian Duprev .

Music

MUSIC

The programme of ' last Saturday ' s " Pop was an excellent one , and was most successfully rendered by the artists engaged . It included Schubert ' s quartet in A minor tor strings , Rubcnstein ' s sonata in D major for pianoforte and violoncello , Corelli ' sjsonata in D major for violin , and Beethoven ' s variations in C minor for pianoforte alone . Madame Norman - Neruda ( violin ) , and Mddle . lanotha ( pianoforte ) won great applause by their

respective performances . Miss Cravino was the vocalist . To-day ( Saturday ) will be given Mozart ' s divertimento in D major for strings and horns , Haydn ' s trio in C major for pianoforte , violin and violoncello , sonata by Porposa for violoncello and Schumann ' s carnaval for pianoforte alone . The executants , in addition to the two already named , will include M . M . L . Ries , Hollander , Mann , Standen , and Piatti , and Bro . Santley will be the vocalist .

« * s Monday ' s " Pop " included Mendelssohn ' s quintet in B flat by Madame Norman-Neruda and MM . Ries , Hollander , Zerbini , and Piatti ; Schumann's piano-

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The opening of the International Electric and Gas Exhibition at the Crystal Palace has been postponed till the end of the month , in consequence of the additional arrangements that have been found necessary in order to keep pace with the increased importance of the display .

SCIENCE AND ART .

* It appears that the great comet , prior to its discovery by M . Cruls , had already been seen at the Cape of Good Hope , and it is believed to have been seen even at an earlier date still at Melbourne , whence , at all events , we

have news of a p lanet of exceptional brilliancy having been seen there and in other parts of Australia . Owing to the state of the sky there have been difficulties in the way of sighting it , but from occasional glimpses obtained during the last few mornings , it is evidently much diminished in the grandeur of its appearance .

* * * The fourteenth meetingof the Royal Commission on Technical Education was held at South Kensington Museum , on Wednesday and Thursday , the 25 th and 26 th ult ., under the presidency of Bro . B . Samuelson , M . P ., F . R . S ., among those present being Messrs . Slagg , M . P ., Woodall , M . P ., Dr . Roscoe , Messrs . Magnus , Swire , Smith , and G . N . Redgrave , Secretary . The subjects under discussion related to the future visits of the Commissioners to