Science, Art, And The Drama.

Science , Hit , anb tbe JDrama .

SUSPENDED VITALITY IN ANIMALS AND PLANTS . A writer on " Humanity , * Past and Future , " in the Pall Mall Magazine , says : " A means will be discovered to suspend animation , and thereby prolong interrupted life , perhaps , for centuries . " This bold prediction is a curious comment upon the controversy , renewed from time to time , as to the possibility . of the growth of " mummy wheat . " Botanists , generally , deny the possibility of the suspended vitality of corn , during many centuries , and

reduce its life history to the short span of seven years . Yet scientific dreamers , already fancy the problem of suspended animation , even in warm-blooded animals , almost solved . But if Nature altogether refuses , even under the most favourable circumstances , to extend her Tease of life to those grains which she has herself matured and hardened , to endure months or years of seeming death , how is she to be induced to do so , in the case of

those creatures to whom breath 15 life , and the exclusion of air death 1 Nevertheless , hybernation—which is a form of suspended animation—is common in many warm-blooded animals , whilst the chrysalis state is almost universal among insects . No one knows how long these two forms of death in-life may endure , under abnormal conditions , or how far the principle may be extended . Indian jugglers have , as we know , long claimed the power of

suspending animation at will , and one instance , at least , is recorded in which this power seems to have been subjected successfully to a very severe test . Doubtless , most people will continue to class this with the stories of toads shut up in rocks , and the growth of mummy wheat , regarding all alike as impossible . The sceptic may be right but it is quite possible to err on the side of scepticism ; and it is certain that the vitality of seeds is much under

estimated . A case in point came under the notice of a scientist some years ago , when , on the death of an aged relative , seeds of melon and geranium which had been stored for nearly 50 years—the locality whence derived , and the date having been carefully noted by the deceased—were sown , with the result that many of them grew and produced fruit and flowers of excellent quality . This which can be vouched for

proves that under ordinary circumstances seeds will retain vitality for at least half a century ; how much longer , who shall say ? Darwin gives many instances of seeds which have germinated after having been floated for long periods on sea water ; and a plant reared from a nut , supposed to have been a relic of the great Krakaton eruption , which had stranded near Port Elizabeth three years afterwards , is still growing in the Botanic

Gardens there . But , perhaps , the most remarkable cases of long-continued suspension of vitality and renewal of life in plants are those which occur occasionally when earth which has remained undisturbed for centuries upon exposure to the air brings forth plants , not , indeed , unknown to botanists , but unknown to the district in which they appear . Dr . Carpenter , in his Vegetable Physiology , brings forward several singular cases of this kind

in one , clay thrown up from beneath 14 feet of peat earth , yielded seeds , which , when sown , produced a species of chrysanthemum . In another , some well diggers in America , 40 miles from the sea , came upon sea sand , which , upon being brought to the surface and scattered , yielded a number of small trees . These proved to be beech-plum trees , which grow only on the sea shore , and were , of course , new to the district . Prof , von Heldrich ,

of Athens , asserts that at the silver mines of Laurium , in Greece , a luxuriant crop of horned poppy of an unknown species has appeared on soil covered to a depth of 10 feet by the scorirc thrown out by the ancient workers , and recently disturbed in order to re-melt the old refuse . An exceedingly interesting instance of this kind occurred in Bath some years ago , when , on uncovering the old Roman baths , wherever the spade of the

explorer let in air and light , a fern—certainly , at present , unknown in the neighbourhood—sprang up in every little nook and corner . Some of these plants lived , and grew for years ; but , although carefully protected , they have now entirely disappeared . The new life and strange environment was in some way distasteful to them , and they died away , as they had appeared , suddenly . A similar story might be told in many other localities . Even

in London , it is said that the hedge-mustard springs up wherever a house is burned down j and after the Great Fire in 166 ( 1 the yellow charlock , or rocket , appeared in profusion in the district swept by the flames . Jn South Africa it has been observed that whenever a grass fire occurs near Graaf-Reinet , the Cape gooseberry and a scarlet ( lowering bulb spring up for miles , instead of the plants burned , and in the same neighbourhood

wherever stones are excavated , the tobacco tree appears on the spot quarried . Now , in all these cases , the plants re-appearing after a long somnolence must have been buried at a season when fructification was perfected and germination in abeyance . For if they had not been in seed they could not have survived , and had germination commenced they would doubtless have

perished . It is just this fact , which seems to have been overlooked in the case ot mummy wheat , which Lord Winchelsea had failed to make grow , but which Mr . Sutton , a practical seed-grower , says his firm has frequently grown successfully when sown immediately after being taken from the mummy cases be / ore the atmosphere has had time to destroy its vitality . ( To be continued . )

Miniature Painters In The Reign Of Elizabeth.

MINIATURE PAINTERS IN THE REIGN OF ELIZABETH .

( Continued . ) With regard to Hilliard , in Ilcydoch's Preface to Lnwazso on Painling , translated by him , occurs a curious specimen of the panegyrical style , so much in fashion in the reign of Elizabeth— " I wish I had the skilful pen of Giorgis Vasari , for then , 1 doubt not but that I should , in a short time , fmde matter enough to write paralels of their lives , comparing our English painters

with the Italian , as Plutarch did the Roman captaines with the Grecian . Then would Master Nicholas Milliard's hand , so much admired among strangers , strive for a comparison with the milde spirit of the world ' s late wonder , Raphael d'Urbino ; for to speak truth , his perfection in ingenious illuminating or limning , is so extrsordinary , " *\ rc . Ad nausettni . In the

last clause of the patent granted to Hilliard by King James— " De licentia Nicholas Hilliyard super picturam Regis " —treats of an extraordinary privilege . " In respect of his art and skill in drawing , engraving , and imprinting , of pictures , and representations of ourselves and others , we do give and grant the privilege for 12 years , to grave any manner of picture of our image , or other representation of our person , with power to take a constable

Miniature Painters In The Reign Of Elizabeth.

and search for any pictures , plates , or works printed , sold or set up , contrary to the tone , meaning , and intent of these presents , at the ye arlie rent of 13 s . 4 d . " This monopoly gave Hilliard a control over all the engravers and printsellers of that time , and having died in 1616 , his son enjoyed the patent during the remainder of its term . Hilliard died 7 th January , 1619 , and was buried in St . Martin's Church , in the Fields , Westminster ( as

appears by the register ) , in which parish he had a house . He made his will , leaving 20 s . to the poor of the parish ; to his sister , Anne Avery , twenty pounds , of thirty that were due of his pension , the remaining ten pounds to his other sister , some goods to his servant-maid , and all the rest of his effects , plate , jewels , rings , & c , to his son Lawrence Hilliard , his sole executor . Hitherto , we have been obliged to owe to other countries the best

performances exhibited here in pamung , but in the branch ( miniature ) in which Oliver excelled , we may challenge any nation to show a greater master , if , perhaps , we except a few of the smaller works of Holbein . Don Julio Clovio , the celebrated limner , whose neatness and taste in grotesque were exquisite , cannot be compared with Isaac Oliver , because Clovio never painted portraits , and the latter little else . Don Julio Clovio , a native of

Croatia , was born in 1498 . He was , at first , an ecclesiastic , but received the dispensation of the Pope . He attained an unrivalled distinction for miniature painting in Italy . He commanded the patronage of sovereigns and princes , for whom he chiefly painted . For Cardinal Farnese Clovio illuminated " the office of the Virgin Mary , " in which the figures did not exceed the size of an ant j yet all the parts were perfectly distinct when seen through a magnifying glass . ( To be continued . )

The Continental Gallery—Imperial Room, 157, New Bond-Street, W.

THE CONTINENTAL GALLERY—IMPERIAL ROOM , 157 , NEW BOND-STREET , W .

There are two exhibitions , now , at the above gallery , both of which will repay a visit . The first we shall notice is the annual collection of Silver Point , Gold Point , and Water Colour Drawings by the well-known artist , Charles Sainton . In our notice last year , vve entered into full details of the technique of this artist's work , stating what were our impressions of his

designs , their poetical conception , and the delicate graceful manner in which they were rendered . VVe can only here mention a few of Mr . Sainton ' s works , which more particularly pleased us . It is difficult , however , in such an cmbari-as de richesses to make a selection—all are so delightful—there is such a versatility , that the artist is excellent in whatever he undertakes . We think , perhaps , we would award the palm to No . 17 , " O'er Hill , o ' er Dale , " water colour—there is a beautiful finish and exquisite harmony of colour ,

which cannot fail to arrest attention . Nos . 2 , " Daughter of Eve , " 5 , "A call to Arms , " 7 , " Who is this trespassing on Fairy ground , " 13 , " Water witch , " 14 , "Sea Maidens' Home , " 19 , "Summer ' s Flight , " 22 , "Study for Spring , " 23 , "The Nymph ' s Haunt "— -all of these are full of merit , as are many more which we leave the visitor to discover . Wo have been informed that every picture is sold . We are glad to hear it , and congratulate Mr . Sainton on his well-merited success .

OUR BOVS IN KHAKI . This is a series of new war pictures by John Hassall , H . Teppings Wright , and Louis Edwards , They are only seven in number , yet each of them appeals directly to the sympathy of English people , who see here depicted the gallant deeds and modest bravery of their countrymen , aye , and even of their countrywomen , who have loving and lion hearts ,

forsaking relations and friends , and devoting themselves to the sacred cause of Charity . Heroines , indeed , are they , who prove that they have sprung from worthy sires , elevating the dignity of their sex by the laurels they have so nobly gained . These pictures are " First in the Trenches , " " Fix Bayonets , " "A Member of the Red Cross Army , " and " From Earth to

Heaven , " by John Hassall ; " A Warm Corner for the Guns " and " An Affair of Outposts , " by Louis Edwards ; and " Joe Chamberlain Speaks , " by H . Teppings Wright . These pictures are painted in a rough , but very effective , manner , and have a convincing air of truth . Every one should see them .

Criterion Theatre.

CRITERION THEATRE .

" The Noble Lord , " an original farcical comedy , by Robert Marshall , is an attractive piece . There are three contrasts of character—Lord Archibald Melrose , Prime Minister , Mr . Arthur Bourchier ; the Right Hon . Oliver Watson , M . P ., Leader of the Opposition , by Mr . Weedon Grossmith , * and Mr . Terence O'Hagan , M . P ., Leader of the Irish Party , by Mr . George Giddens . All three are candidates for the hand of the wealthy Baroness

Macray of Chantyre , impersonated by Miss Ellis Jeffreys . The manner in which the lovers woo the fair lady is most amusing . Miss Ellis Jeffreys shows , in a charming way , the difficulties she encounters , and how she overcomes them . The interest of the piece is well sustained throughout , even to the third act , which flags in so many instances . The Ladv Palmyra

Fenton , a love-sick ingenue , silly though she may be , is made attractive by Miss Annie Hughes . Miss Emily Vinning effectively took the part of the Marchioness of Middlesex , in lieu of Mrs . Calvert , who could not appear through indisposition . The pivot on which the piece works is the upholding of the rights of woman by the Baroness Macray ; much trouble arises from this to the lady and her lovers ,

General Notes.

GENERAL NOTES .

Very few people pause to think of the commercial value embodied in songs and pianoforte pieces which they perform . But that it is very high was amply illustrated at a musical sale last week , when the copyrights of several songs were sold at high prices . Gounod ' s " O Divine Redeemer was purchased at £ Ci \ G ; his " Holy Temple , " - £ 16 7 ; and " Glory to Thee ,

my God , " an old lavourite , by the same composer , . £ 157 . Mr . Lawrence Kellie's pretty and popular " Love ' s Nocturne" fetched . £ 316 , and a p ianoforte piece by Tavakowski realised £ ' 143 . Only last year , too , the business of a large firm of music publishers on being put up to auction found purchasers to the amount of £ 11 i , ooo .

The band ol the Royal Artillery seems more attractive than ever this winter . Every Sunday afternoon the Albert Hall is thronged with people , who listen tothe delightful music performed by the splendid instrumentalists directed by Cavaliere Zavertal