The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Mr . Thorne is certainly scoring' a big success in his adventure of alone being " the lessee of the Vaudeville . He seems to have decided to bring out afresh some of the fair old English comedies . " School for Scandal" was put on in a way it has never been before on the stage , and consequently filled the house for a considerable time . Without letting theaudiences dwindle down , Mr . Thornea short lime

since changed the programme , and after a series of morning performances of " London Assurance " put it on the boards for the evening entertainment . This comedy of Dion Boucicault's , though forty years old , is ever new . Those who sawjit when it first came out are still willing to see it again , whilst to those who had not come into existence in those days it is quite fresh . The true spirit of comedy rings throughout the play .

" London Assurance" belongs to the age of Queen Victoria , and life in the last forty years has not altered so very much . "School for Scandal" took us back to another century , and we are shocked and astonished at the frivolity and manner of talking of that lime . Mr . Thorne , as in "School for Scandal , " ' has contented himself with a secondary part , but makes his audience laugh very considerably as Mark Ttocddle . 'There is with him no attempt at

exaggeration , but he makes a great deal of his character , Mr . William Farren is still the old dandy . As Sir liar , court Conrtlev he displays much skill . Mr . Henry Neville , as Dazzle , has a somewhat difficult part to _ play , and well he keeps the interest in the piece together with his buoyant and free and easy style . Mr . J . G . Grahame makes a good Charles Conrtlev , his genteel manner of

speaking is very phasant . Bro . Edward Righton , whatever he puts his hand to , is sure to be amusing , and in Dolly Spanker the hen-pecked husband is quite at home , though we hardly have enough of his drollery . Miss Alma Murray plays Grace Ilaikawny with a new zeal , and shows her talents to perfection . We are glad she once _ more has a part where she has a chance of shining . - It is evident

Miss Murray has studied her character thoroughly . She gives to Grace Harkaii'ay a special significance . Perl , p layed by Miss Kate Phillips , another Vaudeville favourite , is well done , but old friends of the house must regret that in " London Assurance" she cannot have more scope . Miss Ada Cavendish , as Lady Gay Spanker , is the chief female character . In her hunting speech she is at her

best . Unless well given , with plenty of spirit and a perfect mastery of oratory , this had better be left out . It is onl y by a sparkling delivery , and a thorough entering into it , it can be properly given . This Miss Ada Cavendish does . But she does not stop here . This lady keeps up the character of Lady Gav Spanker throughout the play . Mr .

Thorne has gathered round him a company to represent these sound English comedies that cannot be surpassed . " Money " has been lately played at a morning performance , so that we may expect when a change is wanted , this will be brought out . The comforts of the company in the "front" of the house are still well looked after by Mr . Sydney Alport .

When " La Mascotte" was announced to be withdrawn at the Comedy theatre a few weeks ago , where it was first played in England on the opening of that house last October , many regretted this , for it was still in the height of its fame . But arrangements had been made for the production cf " Boccaccio " at the Comedy , and they could not be put aside . However , an opportunity presented

itself for Mr . Henderson to again put " The Mascotte " on the stage , b y the withdrawal of " Manola " at the Strand , and though its original characters , except M . Gaillard and T . P . Haynes , are no longer in it , it comands the same appreciative audiences . M . Gaillard plays his Pippoand sings his songs with the same fervour as before , but with more passion than an Englishman would do . Mr . T . P . Haynes ,

as Rocco , is more amusing than ever , now he is more familiar with the opera . Miss Clara Merrivale has fully justified Mr . Henderson ' s choice of taking Miss Violet Cameron ' s character of the " Mascotte . " It must have been a difficult and a responsible thing to get a successor to Miss Cameron , and though we cannot go the length of saying it has gained in another ' s hands , yet it has not depreciated

in Miss Merivale ' s . She has a particularly unaffected manner , much to the appreciation of her audience . The " Glou Glou " duet between Miss Merivale and M . Gaillard is encored a . n-ain and again . Bro . Ashley has also j , u ; ceedcd to a difficult part—that of King Laurentoriginally taken hy Bro . Lionel Brough . Bra . A- > h ! ey has thrown a great deal of originality into his part , without

changing the king , he adds fresh life to it . He has not attempted to imitate Bro . Brough , and rightly , too . He prefers striking out a line for himself . He has introduced a quantity of new jokes ; many of them political , which were taken in good part by those who could not agree with them , and loudly applauded by those who sympathise with them . His allusion to the recent prize fight in a chapel , the

Kilmainham treaty , and other topics of the day kept every one in roars of laughter , such as the "Strand " is used to respond with . Miss Maud Taylor , as the princess , sings and acts prettily . Mons . Desmond ' s prince is not so well rendered as it was by Bro . Bracey . His strong French accent is too marked . The song " Love is blind " we have heard Bro . Bracey called upon to repeat thrice , but M . Desmont was not asked at all . Miss Ada Wilson , of

course , dances gracefully . The dresses are so beautiful , and no is the scenery , that these might almost make a piece go down , but " The Mascotte " does not require to rely on these , it has merits entirely of its own . Under the skilful management of Bro . Marry Hitchins it is likely to prove a real Mascotte to the Bros . Swanborough . VVe should add to be possessed of a Mascotte means to be the holder of fortune .

As we anticipated in our last week ' s issue , the " Wreck of the Pinafore " was withdrawn on Saturday from the Opera Comique . We hope those songs—and there are several which are good—will be saved from the " wreck . " The authors will do better not to imitate another ' s work , though it be only by name . Mr . Fdwm Booth is announced to appear at the Adelphi as Richelieu on the 26 th inst .

Music

MUSIC

Of the five performances last week at the Royal Italian Opera only one had been given previously during the season , namely , that of " Lohengrin , " on Friday , when Madame Albani re-enacted the part of Elsa , and that , too , with as brilliant a success ; while , as regards the rest of the cast , our remarks of last week must be taken as equally applicable . As to the other performances , Mozart ' s

" 11 Seraglio" was given on Monday at the instance of Madame Sembrich , who played the part of the heroine Costanza . The cast was the same as when it was played last year , with the one exception that Signor Frapolli took the place of M . Verrrnetas Bchnonte , the lover of Costansa . This , however , made no difference , as he thoroughly well fulfilled his task , and sang the music of the part with great

purity and simplicity . Madame Sembrich was equally at home in the passages that tax an artist ' s powers as in those which need sympathy and sensibility to be well interpreted . Madame Valleria as Costanea ' s attendant Biondina , and M . Soulacroix asPedrillo , who follows the fortunes of Belmoiite , admirably enacted the characters respectively assigned to them . On Tuesday was produced for the first

time this year " L Afncaine , ' with Madame Pauline Lucca in the part of Selikn , her performance being a brilliant success , both vocally and dramatically . Madame Valleria , whose range of characters seems well nigh unlimited , and who achieves equal success in all of them , was hies , Signor Pandolfini making an impressive Nelusho , and M . Sylva a spirited Vasco di Gaina .

On Thursday last the audience enjoyed a rare treat , Mozart's " Don Giovanni" being revived with Madame Adelina Patti as Zerlina , which she sang and acted to perfection . Madame Fursch-Madi as Donna

Anna , Madame Valleria as Donna Elvira , Signor Marini as Don Ottario , M . Gailhard as Leporcllo , and Signor Cotogni as Dot Giovanni , all of whom , and especially Madame Valleria and the last two artistes , acquitted themselves successfully .

* * ss On Saturday last the house was crowded everywhere , partially because Gounod's ever popular opera " of " Faust e Margherita" was to be performed , but principally because Madame Lucca was to take the part of Margherita , and though since her last appearance in the

character there have been several notableMargheritas , the recollection of her fine impersonation ot the hapless maiden was vivid among the habitues of the theatre . Suffice it to say that on this occasion she repeated her triumph of ten years since , her representation meeting with the most enthusiastic approval .

* . . ?_ * The Chester Musical Festival , which enjoyed tlie patronage of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh , commenced on Wednesday last in the Cathedral , the work selected being Mendelssohn ' s " Elijah . " A band and chorus , of some 250 performers , had been brought together

for the occasion ; the former consisting chiefly of members of Mr . Charles Halle's Manchester orchestra , with Herr Strauss , leader and first violin ; Herr Jacoby , second violin ; Herr Otto Bernardt , Viola , & c ; and the latter of members of the Cathedral choirs of Chester , York , Durham , Ripon , Manchester , Hereford , and Bangor ; Mr . Joseph C Bridge , Organist of Chester Cathedral , being conductor , and Dr . R . Rogers , of Bangor Cathedral , Organist . 'The Cathedral was

crowded , and the service commenced with the "Hundredth Psalm , " arranged as a motett for eight voices by-Mr . Pole , Mus . Doc . The principal vocalists were Mr . King , who took the part of Elijah , and was excellent in the recitatives ; Miss Marriott , Mr . Maas , Madame Mudie Bolingbroke , and Madame Patey , as Jezebel . The performance was a great success , as likewise was that of "Acis and Galatea" in the evening at the Music Hall .

* * The second day of thc festival was even a greater success than the first , while the programme included morning , afternoon , and evening performances . "The Prodigal Son , " of Mr . Arthur Sullivan , who , but for a domestic affliction , would have been present and conducted his oratorio in person , inaugurated the proceedings , the

principal vocalists being , with the exception of Madame Mudie Bolingbroke , the same as '' Elijah . " Mr . Maas had recovered from his hoarseness of the previous day , and Mr . King was not only in better voice , but had become better accustomed to the acoustic properties of the building . Band and chorus were both effective . Beethoven's Symphony in C minor brought the morning to a close . Spohr's

" Last Judgment " was given in the afternoon , the vocalists being Miss Mary Davies , soprano ; Madame Mudie Bolingbroke , contralto ; Mr . Henry Guy , tenor ; and Mr . Hilton , bass ; all of whom acquitted themselves in a manner which secured the appreciation of the audience , on whom the performance produced a deep impression . In the evening , Dr . Bridge's " Boadicea , " in which Madame Marie Roze appeared , was given in the Music Hall .

* s * * On Friday last , the third and closing day of the festival , there were again three separate performances , Haydn ' s " Creation" being given in the forenoon and Bennett's cantata , "The Woman of Samaria , " in the afternoon , the cathedral being thronged on both occasions . Mesdames Marie Roze and Patey , with Messrs . Maas and Hilton , were the principal vocalists in the "Creation , " and Madame Patey , with Miss Mary Davies and Messrs . Guy

and King , in the cantata . All were in splendid voice , and both performances were given with admirable effect . A grand ballad concert in the music hall , in which all the principal artistes but Madame Marie Roze took part , brought the day and the festival to an end . The Rev . C . Hylton Stewart , precentor of Chester Cathedral , who organised the festival , had the satisfaction of carrying it to a successful issue .

On Saturday last the season of classical concerts for 18 S 1-2 was brought to a close most satisfactorily . The ereat feature of the programme was the second appear-

Music

ance in public of Signor Sgambati , who personally conducted a symphony in D of his own composition , and was the principal exponent of Beethoven ' s pianoforte concerto in E flat . The symphony , which is in five movements , was received most favourably by the audience , and at the close

Signor Sgambati was twice called back to the platform , the members of the orchestra being almost as demonstrative in their applause as the audience . 'The vocalists were Mddle . Carlotta Badia and Bro . Barton McGuckin , while Mr . Manns conducted throughout , with the exception of the symphony .

By the way , it is as well to let our readers know that Mr . Manns' benefit is fixed for to-day ( Saturday ) , when the Choral Symphony will be performed . Occasion will also be taken to present Mr . Manns with a testimonial which has been subscribed for in all directions by his numerous admirers . Professor G . A . Macfarren will take the chair .

A grand operatic concert is announced to take place at the Crystal Palace , on Saturday next , the 24 th inst ., on which occasion Madame Pauline Lucca—for the first time for many years—Madame Fursch-Madi , Mddle , Garcia , and Signori Marini , Massart , Gresse , De Reszke , and other artistes from the Royal Italian Opera will appear ,

Science And Art.

SCIENCE AND ART .

The Exhibition at Christchurch , New Zealand , was opened on Easter Monday , by His Excellency Sir Arthur Gordon , Governor . In spite of the unfavourable state of the weather there was the usual decorative display and procession , with music , salutes , & c , & c , while the attendance was large , the number of visitors being 24 , 000 . A ball was given in the evening in honour of the event , Lady and Miss Gordon being present , together with some 750 guests .

# * « On Thursday last , at Ventnor , Isle of Wight , one of the ablest , if not one of the most successful , engineers of the present century passed away . Mr . Scott Russell , who was born in 1 S 07 , and had not yet completed his seventy-fifth year , had achieved great things in his day , though for some years past he had not taken a very active ,

or rather a very public , part in his profession . His father was a Scottish clergyman , and he himself was originally intended for the church . But he was allowed to enter an engineer ' s workshop , and to such use did he turn hisintervals of leisure that after having studied at three of the Scottish Universities , he graduated at that of Glasgow when only sixteen years of age . In time he became manager of a

ship-building establishment at Greenock , having in 1 S 32 temporarily filled the chair of Natural Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh , until the election of a permanent professor in the person of Principal Forbes . At Greenock he constructed a number of vessels on what was known as the " Wave " princi p le , and this very speedily brought him considerable reputation . Having removed to London , we

find him in 1 S 51 appointed , in conjunction with Sir Stafford Northcote , to act as Secretary of the Great Exhibition . His great work was the construction of the Great Eastern steamship , which though commercially a failure , still remains , the largest , as well as the strongest and lightest vessel , in proportion to her tonnage , ever built . He also designed the armour-plated frigate , the Warrior , and the steamer on

Lake Constance which conveys the trains to and from the termini on the German and Swiss sides of the lake . His last work of any consequence was the great dome of the Vienna Exhibition building with a clear span of 360 feet , which was completed in 187 S . He was an able writer on all matters connected with his profession , and his opinions will be consulted by members of his craft long after the works by which he is best known have passed away .

ff vf Iff The prizes gained by the successful exhibitors at the recent exhibition of ship models , at Fishmongers' Hall , were distributed by Lady J ohn Manners on Wednesday last , among those present being Lord John Manners , M . P ., Master of the Shipwrights' Company , the Marquis of Ailsa ,

Lord Norton , Lord Lamington , the Netherlands Minister , Mr . W . H . Smith , M . P ., Bro . Alderman and Sheriff Sir R . Hanson , Sheriff Sir W . A . Opg , & c . An oak casket is in course of preparation as a suitable present to the Duke of Edinburgh , for the part he had taken in the exhibition , and a gold medal was presented to Lady Manners , in recognition of her kind interest in the proceedings .

There was a numerous attendance of members at the meeting , on Wednesday last , of the Royal Agricultural Society , Mr . J . Dent Dent , President , in the chair . It was decided to set apart a further sum of £ 50 to continue the experiments commenced some time since in connection with anthra or splenic fever . It was also determined to offer a prize of £ 20 for the best and simplest form of keeping farm accounts , the copyright to belong to the winner of the prize for fourteen years .

* * * Mr . J . Bryce , M . P ., presided at the annual meeting of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings , which was held in the rooms of the Society of Arts on Friday last . The report showed that many old buildings were becoming dilapidated , and that the

architectural beauties of many others were threatened by modern and nondescript improvements . The Chairman thoug ht they should endeavour to enlist the sympathy and assistance of local architects and churchwardens , and expressed his opinion that ancient monuments and buildings belonged to the nation , and that no local or private authority oug ht to have the right to destroy them . Resolutions in support of the objects of the meeting were passed .

¦ * ¦ ¦ * * A rule nisi was granted in the Queen's Bench , on Tuesday last , on the application oflvlr . Firth , M-P-i calling upon thc Master , Wardens , and Assistants of the Masons' Company , to show cause why they should not be compelled to proceed to the election of eleven assistants from the commonalty , in order to complete the number required by law