The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

The Alhambra on Bank Holiday , at thc morning performance was literally crammed with people . We have seen it before like this , but never filled with a more appreciative audience . Perhaps the ceasing from work for a day ' s holidaylputs Londoners inagood temper . Certain it is every one seemed inside the theatre to be enjoying the programme of " Babil and Bijou , " and when thty came

outside to feel that , they had their money s _ worth . Bro . Holland , the acting , and we may say active manager , deserves all the praise accorded to h'm for the spectacular display he has brought out , which seems to have lost none of its popularity . Alarian , the Amazon Queen , the giantess of eight feet two inches , requires to be seen to be believed . In Act II Bro . Harry Paulton is very amusing with his various tableaux of love . The Cooper ' s song , from

" Boccaccio , " was one of the best received songs , as abo the chorus , "Spring , Spring , gentle Spring" sung by boys . The wheeling of some of the companies in the closing scene is as accurately performed as one sees it often by troops . The giantess was greeted with deafening applause , and Bro . Holland , by no means a small man . looked a dwarf by her side when he bowed his respects on being called upon .

" Drink " was revived at the Adelphi on Bank Holiday , Bro . Charles Warner again becoming Coupeait , Aliss Amy Roselle , Gervaise , and Aliss Fanny Leslie , Phcebe . It is as likely as not to have another long run before it . For those of our readers who care for sensation we would send them here .

# * * The Vaudeville re-opened on Monday evening with " Aloney . " Aliss Alma Alurray now plays Clara Douglass in the place of Aliss Ada Cavendish , and Aliss Kate Phillips ( Airs . H . B . Conway ) takes Lady Franklin in the place of Airs . John Wood . Aliss Goldney has taken Georgina , lately played b y Aliss Alma Alurray . Old friends of the Vaudeville will be glad to see Aliss Phillips and Miss Alurray once more the leading ladies .

* « . * At the Olympic , on Monday , " Moths" was withdrawn , to emigrate to the provinces until the end of the year , when , as it has lost none of its popularity , it will lie again brought to London . In its place an American play , " Fun on the Bristol , " was produced . The whole of the company are Americans . The Bristol is the name of a

gigantic steamer famous in American waters , and the action takes places in the various divisions of the boat . Our provincial contemporaries have been unanimous in their commendation of the merits of the " eccentric musical oddity , " as it is called . " Fun on the Bristol " was preceded by a comedietta by Bro . Howard Paul , " Following the Ladies , " in which the author appeared .

. . ' * * The Grecian Theatre has not yet come into the hands of General Booth . Air . Hilder has given the people of Hoxton and City-road a melodrama called " Guilty or Not Guilty . " There is a great deal of fun and serious interest involved in the episode which it would take too much of our space to detail . We hope that for long this

well-conducted house may continue to exist for the exhibition of drama and also for the recreation of dancing , which the East-ender loves in his—we may also add with greater emphasis in her—way . We have never been able to see why , if balls are respectable for the " Upper Ten , " in my ladv ' s ball-room , dancing should not be as innocent and

enjoyable amongst the lower classes . Yet there is a certain class of the public who connect the " light fantastic " of the artizan and small tradesman with drunkenness , and would put it down with a firm hand . We would advise some of our West-end friends to visit such places as the Grecian , and see if there is not less immorality there than is the consequence of many balls in high life .

Bros . Henry Irving and Toole made eloquent speeches at the annual dinner of the Royal General Theatrical Fund at Freemasons' Tavern , on the 3 rd ult . The large sum of £ 1000 was announced as the proceeds of the evening , including a hundred guineas from the Oueen . Bros , the Lord Alayor , Sir Reginald Hanson , Bancroft , C . W . Thompson , and Capt . Shaw , were amongst the two hundred guests .

Bro . Henry Irving is spending his well-earned holiday at Filey , near Scarborough . He will re-open the Lyceum next month with Romeo and Juliet , and an alteration of cast . # . . \ , --, f

Bro . Bancroft and Mrs . Bancroft are spending their vacation on the Continent . During the interval the Haymarket will be re-decorated , and several alterations made for the public good . The theatre will re-open next month with the "Overland Route , " in which Mr . David James will appear .

Another theatre is spoken of in thc Strand district , at the back of Fountain-court and the Divan . The plans have been prepared and approved of by thc Metropolitan Board of Works . " Rip Van Winkle" is spoken of as thc new opera at the Comedy Theatre , but it will first be played at Brighton and elsewhere .

The Philharmonic Theatre at Islington is about to be rebuilt and enlarged , under the direction of Air . Alatcham . This house was long the home of " Genevieve de Brabant , " one of our popular comic operas , _ ST . *

Owing , not lo a typical error , but to a difficulty in reading the manuscript , we stated in our issue of the 29 th ult ., that the new theatre for Air . Charles Wyndham , in Northumberland-avenue will have a " marble stage , " it should have been a " moveable stage . " This will be divided into two parts , that whilst the play is proceeding on one half , the stage carpenters and scene lifters will be

The Theatres.

getting the other half ready . The curtain between the acts will only be dropped for a moment to mark the change of the scene , and to enable the stage to be turned round on its pivot . This will be the first theatre in England—we believe , in Europe—to have a moveable stage . B y this arrangement the audience will not be kept so long inside the building . The writer apologises for the error he caused us to make in our issue of the 29 th July .

We shall notice the novelties at Drury Lane , "Pluck , " and "Uncle Tom ' s Cabin , " at Hcr Majesty's Theatre , next week . The Strand Theatre will be re-opened , after almost re-building , in October . Air . John S . Clarke will again delight London in Shakespeare's " Comedy of Errors . " Bro . Swanborough promises us also new comic operas and comedies .

Music

MUSIC

Saturday evening witnessed the inauguration at the Theatre Royal , Covent Garden , of Air . A . Gwyllym Crowe ' s secpnd season of Promenade Concerts . Though only the brief period of a fortnight had been at his disposal for making the necessary arrangements , the result was a complete success . In that short time , however , under the auspices of Alessrs . Jones and Barber , of Alexandra Palace fame , a most wonderful transformation had taken place .

The whole space behind the proscenmm has been turned into a market place in a southern Spanish town , with its characteristic old shops and houses , old Aloorish gateways , a steep rocky hill surmounted by a dismantled fortress of the ancient kings , & _ ., while the refreshment buffets , with female attendants in becoming Spanish costume , kept up the character of an Andalusian Market , and helped capitally to preserve the illusion . To Mr . Bruce Smith belongs the

credit of having prepared this highly picturesque scene . In front of the orchestra a considerable space is occupied with fixed chairs , for which no extra charge is made , while the Floral Hall has been most comfortably fitted up as a smoking lounge , and the building is illuminated most brilliantly 03 ' means of the electric light . As to the musical provision which Air . Crowe has succeeded in making for the entertainment of the public , it should be noted in the first

place that he has gathered together a numerous orchestra of skilled musicians , all of whom with a single exception are English , and among whom are such well-known artistes as Air . Carrodus ( leader ) , Air . Doyle , Air . Howard Reynolds , ( cornet ) Air . Barrett , Air . S . Hughes , Air . E . Howell , Mr . Radcliffe , Air . Julyan Egerton . In the next place , the principal vocalists include Aliss hlly Warnots , Aladame Enrique ; ., Air . Vernon Rigby , and Air . Thurley Beale ; and

lastly , the programme contained a selection of choice music , varied enough to meet every description of taste . On his appearance in the orchestra , Air . Crowe met with a most enthusiastic reception from a house that _ was full to overflowing , and never once missed an opportunity of expressing its satisfaction with what it saw and what it heard . The first part of the concert on Saturday opened with Rossini ' s overture to

" La Gazza Ladra , " which was played with great delicacy . Then followed in succession the ballet music from Gounod's " Faust , " the andante con moto from Beethoven's " Fifth Symphony , " and the slow movement from the _ same master ' s violin concerto , Mr . Carrodus's rendering of which excited the enthusiasm of the audience . The andante and rondo from Alendelssohn's " Concerto in G Alinor , " in which the pianoforte was assigned to Aliss Florence Waud ,

and a grand selection from " Iannhauser , to which the band of the Coldstream Guards , under Bro . F * . Godfrey , lent weight and power , were also included ; while the vocal portion comprised Herold ' s " Jours de mon Enfance , " from the " Pre aux Clercs , " with violin obligato by Air . Carrodus , which was sung in substitution for " Rode's Air " with variations , by Aliss Ell y Warnots , with such exquisite taste and perfect vocalisation that it was re-demanded ;

Pinsuti's " Bugler , " by Air . Thurley Beale ; the same composer's " Heaven and Earth , " by Aladame Enriquez , and Brinley Richards's "Anita , " by Air . Vernon Rigby ; the last two being also re-demanded . The second part included , besides other songs by the same artists , Bro . V . Godfrey ' s popular selection of English melodies by the combined bands , the gavotte from " Alignon , " and the

grand march from Gounod ' s " La Reine de Saba . " On Alonday , of course , the house was again crowded , and the audience again testified their satisfaction with the programme and the manner in which it was carried out , while , on Tuesday , Air . Redfern Hollins figured among the vocalists ; the songs assigned to him being Richards ' s " Love ' s Regret " and Braham's "Old Sea Song . "

At Abergavenny , on Monday , Mr . Brinley Richards , after remarking on the great improvement which had been made of late years in choral singing in Wales , adjudged the £ 100 prize to the choir of Dowlais Harmonic Society , and a gold medal to the conductor , Mr . Dan Davies .

.. * . * . As we anticipated last week , thc very attractive programme offered by Bros . Bertram and Roberts , at the Crystal Palace on Bank Holiday , drew a large concourse of people from all parts of the metropolis , the number of those present being not far short of 45 , 000 . In respect of music , the provision left nothing to be desired , there being an Orchestral Concert , conducted by Air . A . Alanns , at

12 . 30 p . m . ; performances by the Bands ot the Royal Engineers , at 1 . 30 p . m ., and Scots Guards , at 5 . 30 ; Organ Recitals , by Air . A . J . Eyre , at G . 30 and 9 . 30 p . m . ; a grand combined Military Concert ( Royal Engineers and Scots Guards ) , at S p . m ., together with performances at intervals by the Bands of Her Alajcsty ' s Customs' Volunteers , of the Kensington and Chelsea Schools , and the Company ' s Military Band .

* Equally attractive was the programme arranged on the same occasion by Alessrs . Jones and Barber at the Alexandra Palace , both the palace and the park surrounding it being thronged all the day through with visitors .

Music

Here , too , music played a prominent part in the day ' s entertainment , there being no less than three separate Ballad Concerts—English , Scotch , and Irish—two performances of Jullien's British Army Quadrilles , which were received with enthusiasm , and twcTvariety concerts , with Fred Coyne , Geo . Leybourne , and H . Rickards among the artistes , to say nothing of the AI Fresco Concerts in the grove and by the triple lakes . In fact , music was to be heard all day long , and amazingly delighted the public who were present .

Science And Art.

SCIENCE AND ART .

In the year 1830 the existence of gold in the basins of the Upper Yenesei , and its tributaries , the Upper and Aliddle Tanguska , in Siberia , was discovered , and AI . Alacsvikoff , who holds the concession of the Pasky deposit , is said to have spent /" so , ooo before he realised an

ounce of the precious metal . Since then , however , he has reaped an immense profit on the venture , and the value of the yield in the whole of the district is now set down as £ 1 , 200 , 000 per annum . 3 . _ . *

It is greatly to be regretted lhat owing to the impoverished state of the Orphan Fund of the Printers ' Pension Corporation , the Committee find themselves compelled to forego this year the usual election of children , the fund being indebted to the bankers to the extent of

over £ 400 . On the other hand , the claims upon the resources of the institution go on increasing " , while pensions to the extent of £ iSoo and free residence are provided for twenty-four aged printers and widows . It is to be hoped that benevolent people will come forward and support so deserving an institution .

According to Mr . V . W . North ' s report , as just issued by the Department of Mines , of the Natal Government , the Natal coal field contains 2 , 073 million tons of coal . # # # Acting on medical advice , Professor Blackie , who has held the Greek chair in the University of Edinburgh for thirty years , has resigned the appointment .

The premises of the Finsbury Technical College are expected to be ready for occupation some time in the course of October , = * . _ .. A monument has recently been placed in St . Paul ' s Cathedral in memory of the late Sir Edwin Landseer , whose body has * quietly reposed in the fine basilica

erected by Sir Christopher Wren since 31 st October , 1 S 73 . It stands close by the tomb of Sir John Rennie , the great engineer , and next to that of Wren , and consists of a mural marble tablet , sculptured by Mr . Thomas Woolner , R . A . On the upper part is a medallion portrait of Sir Edwin , resting on corbels , on which are carved the heads of the four lions modelled by the late artist for Nelson's

Monument in Trafalgar-square . Above are a painter's palette and brushes , while below is a bas-relief , representing one of the painter's most pathetic and popular works , " The Shepherd ' s Chief Alourner . " A more appropriate design could not have been selected , and it is needless to say that Mr . Woolner has done his work with his accustomed taste and skill .

* .. At the distrib ution of prizes to the pupils of thc Lycees of Paris a nd Versailles , held on Wednesday last at the Sorbonne , AI . Zevort , Director of Secondary Education , President , M . Talbot , Professor of Rhetoric in the Lycee Fontanes , delivered a very eloquent address on " L'Idee dans l'Education Aloderne , " in which he pointed out that modern education did not sacrifice the mind to the body , but assigned to each its proper share of attention . #

* * . The British Museum has lately become the fortunate possessor of a very fine collection of Chaldean antiquities , from the same site as those in the Louvre , which had previously been obtained by M . de Sarzac , as thc

result of his explorations in Alesopotamia . Some interesting remarks on them by " A Alember of the Society of Biblical Archiuology " will be ' . found in the last number of Knmsilcdge . t'A - ! - « r

, On Friday last , the members of the International ; Meterological Congress assembled in Copenhagen had the honour of dining with His Majesty the King of Denmark .

The Wiltshire Archa-ological Society , a three days' meeting of which was held last week at Alalmesbu . y under the presidency of Lord Edward Fitzmaurice , M . P ., has been very fortunate in its explorations . At Avebury have been discovered some large "sarsen " stones buried :

beneath the turf of a meadow , sixteen belonging to thc outer circle and two to the northern temple . At Winterborne nine stones have been routed out from beneath thc surface of the ground , in addition to five previously discovered , while in February , at Overton Hill , there was exhumed a fine skeleton and a rude urn , now in the Society ' s museum .

On Friday last , Dr . John Boyd Baxter died at Dundee , at the advanced age of eighty-seven years . Hc took a great interest in educational matters ; and last year , in conjunction with Aliss Baxter , of lillangowan , gave £ 130 , 000 for founding a College in Dundee . - < t ; i . _

In the spring of next year , an expedition to explore the snowy mountains , in East Central Africa , will be undertaken under the auspices of the Royal Geographical Society , and will be conducted by Mr . James Thompson . It is now proposed that that gentleman , who is primarily a geologist , should be accompanied by a botanist and a

zoologist , with a view to making adequate investigation in the branches of natural history , with which they are respectively connected . It is further understood that a memorial to raise funds for the purpose , will be submitted at the approaching meeting at Southampton , of the British Association .