The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

¦—•- ' - •»^ ha ^ . t . t . jii ! t i i » i •rrri 1 a i ' " * - ^——~~ ^__ { - —i Mr . Thomas Thome ' s . lease of the Vaudeville will expire in about four years , for which he pays now j f 2 ico a year . It is unlikely that the landlord will increase the rent to such an excellent tenant as Bro . Thorne , though to anyone else he intends charging another £ 400 per annum . It is probable that a play of a poetical description will be produced here in due course .

Bro . Edward Terry ' s last week of the Olympic management begins on Monday , when he will act ( by desire ) " In Chancery , " which he played at the Gaiety some three years ago with great success . We sincerely

trust that his first tenancy of a London theatre has been so encouraging , notwithstanding the large outlay , to warrant our popular brother appearing again soon in a similar capacity . We do not like losing talent from the Metropolis . s s »

Bro . Beerbohm Tree , who was initiated into the mysteries of the Craft at the last meeting of the Drury Lane Lodge , is about initiating himself into the mysteries of running a theatre , having leased the Comedy from Miss Melnotte for a term . Mr . Tree has gathered a good

company , including such well-known artistes as Miss Marion Terry , Lady Monckton , Mr . Pateman , Mr . Brookfield , and Mr . Sugden . Mr . Tree will open with a comedy-drama , entitled "The Red Lamp—a Russian Scene . " He has done well to have retained the able services of Mr . Knox Furtado as manager .

# # * To-morrow ( Saturday ) night Miss Kate Vaughan produces "Masks and Faces , " in which the former plays Peg Woffington . Triplet will be represented by Mr . Fernandez . Miss Julia Gwynne will play Mrs . Vane ; Mr . Lionel Brough , Colley Cibber ; Mr . Lewis Waller , Ernest Vane j and Mr . Forbes Robertson , Sir Charles Pomander .

A gavotte will be introduced into Act II ., in which Miss Vaughan will dance . We are anticipating still seeing the more unknown of the old English comedies which Miss Vaughan promised . * * * " Monte Cristo , J r ., " still continues to draw as crowded houses as it did at Christmas at the Gaiety , and seems fair destined to run into the summer , when we

believe it will go on tour as did " Jack Sheppard " last year . Of burlesque melodramas , " Monte Cristo , J r ., " is the best we have witnessed for many years . No one seems satisfied with seeing it once , a third and fourth visit being quite agreeable , and no wonder , when Miss Nellie Farren and Bro . Fred Leslie act and sing with such unexceptional ability . The clever imitation by Bro . Leslie of

the various leading theatrical lights is alone worth going to hear and see . Miss Marion Hood has now joined the company , and her sweet voice is another source of attraction . Mr . Edwards has quite won back the fading glories of the " sacred lamp" of burlesque . Since he took up the reins of management it has burnt brighter than it ever did . It is quite worth while going in good time to see the farce

' Dimity ' s Dilemma , " by Mr . Salaman , it is far more entertaining than first pieces generally are , and is cleverly acted by Miss Billee Barlow , Messrs . Honey and Stone , and Miss Florence Beale , whom we are glad to see again , and playing in her usual careful and spirited manner . Miss Beale , a few years ago at the Criterion and elsewhere , played good parts and won much popularity , which we are sure she will do in " Dimity ' s Dilemma . "

* tf < S & 7 P Mr . Lytton Sothern ' s funeral , in Brompton Cemetery would have been attended by a much larger gathering of friends but for two facts . The weather was so severe , the ground being covered with half-a-foot deep of snow , which was still coming down in appropriate silence and gentleness during the funeral . Mr . Sothern

had also desired that no one should be invited formally . A very promising career has been cut short by the incomprehensible will of the G . A . O . T . U . Four days before his death young Sothern was playing at the Royalty , and afterwards ( Saturday ) went to the Green Room Club , and appeared to be as well and merry as possible . The next day he felt ill , and died the following Thursday from

peritonitis . He was laid to rest in the same grave as his mother , who died in 1882 . The coffin , of polished oak , was literally covered with wreaths and flowers sent by loving friends . Amongst those who paid their last sad tribute of respect to departed merit were Bros . David James , Alfred Bishop , Henry Wright , Walter Joyce , Mr .

E . Maurice , and Mr . Bellringer ( representing Bro . Chas . Wyndham ) , Miss Eva Sothern ( his sister ) , and Miss Agnes Hewitt . Several mis-statements have appeared in the press respecting the deceased , which we will set right . Mr . Sothern was 31 years of age , not 35 . He was not married . He leaves , besides Miss Eva Sothern , two brothers . We are sure his loss will be felt for a long while . #

# # The popular W . M . of the Drury Lane Lodge announces the last nights of his splendid pantomime j but we believe he intends to run it until 23 rd of April , which Bro . Harris tells us will be longer than any pantomime yet has continued . Since its production it has been worked up in many ways , and certainly is much more funny than on

the first night . Bros . Harry Nicholls , the esteemed l . G . of the lodge , and Herbert Campbell can be heard time after time without getting in the least tired of them . They may be said to bear the greater portion of the burden , though it does not appear to them to partake at all of a burden , unless in the way of salary , which must be heavy . These two brethren have played for so many seasons , that the

pantomime of dear old Drury Lane would not be so acceptable without them . Miss Constance Gilchrist has quite won the hearts of the audiences by her pretty face , her tasteful dresses , and graceful dances and her acting , even the ladies are smitten with her good looks . We hope that now she

has re-appeared on the stage there will be no more retirements , but that she will pursue her profession and maintain her popularity as Miss Gilchrist . The Captain of the "Forty Thieves" has a splendid representative in Miss Edith Blande Brereton —( in future to be known as Mrs . Austin Brereton ) , — whose massive presence

The Theatres.

is a great attraction to the already attractive pantomime . As Miss Blande she will be remembered at the Alhambra some years ago , since which we do not recollect seeing her . She then gave great promise in comic opera , and doubtless she , too , will often delight London audiences in the future . Miss Edith Bruce , as Ganem , is as vivacious as when she made such a big bit at the Strand in the clever burlesque

" Silver Guilt . " We shall not be surprised , but agreeably pleased , if this bright and smart young lady is re-engaged next year . Mr . Charles Lauri , jun ., and Mr . Martinetti as the monkey and the donkey , are so very clever in their sphere of true pantomime , that the gravest must laugh at their antics . Mr . Victor Stephens , as Ally Sloper , is a grand feature . He never loses an opportunity of making

old Sloper popular . The children of Madame Katti Lanner make another big draw by their pretty and effective dances . The scene in the cave of the " Forty Thieves , " and the Jubilee procession are the grandest of the many grand sets which Bro . Augustus Harris has produced . We suppose that nowhere is such a pleasing sight of its kind to be witnessed as in this Jubilee scene . The Harlequinade now precedes the other

portion of the pantomime . Our first impression of the " Forty Thieves " was that it was not quite up , taking it all round , to its predecessors . A second visit has altered this idea , and another which we hope to make will , we are sure , impress upon us that Bro . Harris ' s last production surpasses those gone before . We understand that Druriolanus has got a good programme for the summer and autumn seasons , and we hope he will be handsomely supported . The theatre closes during the ensuing week until Saturday .

# # # It is not often that in London West-end theatres in these days the programme consists of three pieces—yet such is the case now at the Globe , two of which are well worth going to laugh over . "After Many Days" is an inoffensive curtain-raiser , and calls for no comment , except for the clever acting of Bro . Lestocq . " The Snowball , "

which saw the light some eight years ago at the Strand , is most amusing , if not of great credit to its adapter , Mr . Sydney Grundy , from a French play . Mr . Penley being still unwell , Mr . Hawtrey decided to play the part himself , which he does in his brisk style , though we are of opinion that Mr . Penley would have made even more of it . The plot is another case of woman outwitting man . Mr .

Featherstone tells his wife he is going out to dinner , but instead , he takes himself off to see " Pink Dominoes . " The wife , suspicious , plays a similar trick on her husband , and , of course , they see each other at the play . The wife determines to teach her spouse a lesson , and with the aid of disguising her handwriting , and the help of a servant maid—Penelope—who is prepared to say or do anything

she is paid for , the man has an unhappy time of it , he being convinced that he is suspected of carrying on an intrigue with the domestic . Featherstone ' s uncle John , who is staying in the house believes that his nephew has compromised himself , hence some ingenious complications arise , and confusion becomes more confounded , when , Felix Featherstone , thinking his wife after all knows

nothing , tries to teach her a lesson . The humour is not too extravagent , and the acting so excellent that the farcical comedy produces a continual roar of laughter . Bro . W . J . Hill is the Uncle John and acts with his usual funny style . Mr . Hawtrey never overdoes the part of the husband which keeps it from becoming too absurd . Miss Fanny Brough , as Penelope , scores tremendously , and acts with the care , and makes all the points of the piece , for which

she is so well known . The musical farce— " Crazed "—follows , in which Bros . Hill and Lestocq , and a Miss Gray each distinguish themselves . This has often been played before , but on its revival it loses none of its " go , " and is as amusing as ever . Altogether , for a short while , Mr . Hawtrey ' s programme should draw the public who like the light form of amusement . We believe a new play is in rehearsal , in which the clever little Mr . Penley will have a good part .

Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

Bro . the Hon . Tatton Egerton , M . P ., was installed as W . M . of the Stamford Lodge , No . 1045 , Altrincham , at the Town Hall on Monday , the 7 th instant , in the presence of a strong muster of provincial officers and brethren , the ceremony being very ably performed by Bro . C . G . Boraston , the retiring W . M .

The Military Jubilee Lodge , No . 2195 , Dover , will be consecrated at the Masonic Hall , Snargate-street , this ( Friday ) afternoon , at 2 . 30 p . m . The ceremony will be performed by Bro . Earl Amherst , P . G . M . Kent , assisted by Bro . J . S . Eastes , his Deputy , and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , and afterwards Bro . Surgeon G . F . S . Smyth , of the Medical Staff , will be installed as the first W . M . of the new lodge .

Their Excellencies the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and the Marchioness of Londonderry , paid a visit of inspection to the Masonic Orphan Schools , Bull's Bridge , Dublin , on Monday , the 14 th inst . They were received by the members of the Board of Management , and having visited the dormitories and class rooms , and seen the girls go through their drill , the Vice-Regal party retired , after

expressing their great delight with all they had seen . Warrants have been granted for the constitution of two new conclaves of the Order of Rome and Red Cross of Constantine , of which Sir Francis Burdett is Grand Sovereign . They will both be located in Jamaica , one to called the Jubilee Conclave , at Port Royal , and the

otherthe Ninnis Conclave—at Kingston . The petitionersin each case are seven in number , Sir Knight George Bate being the M . P . S . designate , and Sir Knight George Patton Myers , Viceroy designate , of the Jubilee Conclave ; and Sir Knight John Charles Macglashan , M . P . S . designate , and Sir Knight James Ogilive , Viceroy designate , of the Ninnis Conclave . We wish both bodies a long and prosperous career .

FURNISH ON NORMAN AND STACEY ' SYSTEM—This simple , economical system commends itself . Admitted to be the most satisfactoy method . No deposit ; 1 , 2 , or 3 years' credit . —Particulars on application , 79 , Queen Victoria-street . Branches—121 , Pall Mall ; 9 , Liverpool-street , E . C .

Masonic And General Tidings

We understand that H . R . H . the Duke of Con . naught , P . G . M . Sussex , will be installed District Grand Master of Bombay at the Masonic Hall , Bombay , 0 n . Saturday , the 9 th April prox . Bro . Sydney Hodges has been commissioned to paint the portrait of R . W . Bro . Le Gendre N . Starkie Prov . Grand Master of East Lancashire , which the bre ' . thren of that province have resolved on presenting to their distinguished and respected chief .

Bro . Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign of the Masonic and Military Order of Knights of Rome and of the Red Cross of Constantine , has appointed Eminent Sir Knight Lieut . T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . S ., Grand Examiner , _ & c , as Deput y Intendent General of the important Province of Middlesex vice Eminent Sir Knight Hyde Pullen , deceased .

Bro . Thomas Fenn , President of the Board of General Purposes , gave the tracing board of the Second Degree in French at the meeting of the La France Lod ge on Monday , the 21 st inst ., and was congratulated by Bro , Jules Bue , P . P . G . VV . Oxfordshire , and Taylorian Teacher of French at the University of Oxford , for the admirable manner in which he acquitted himself of the task .

We understand that the installation of the Earl of Zetland , as Grand Superintendent of North and East Yorkshire , will take place in the Masonic Hall , Duncombestreet , York , on the 6 th May . On the same day the annual meeting of the Prov . Grand Chapter will be held under the auspices of the Zetland Chapter , No . 236 . The ceremony of installation will be rehearsed

at the Wanderers Lodge of Instruction , No . 1604 , Victoria Mansions Restaurant , Victoria-street , S . W ., on Wednesday , the 30 th inst ., at 7 o'clock p . m ., by Bro . Henry Folson , the W . M . of the mother lodge . Brethren are respectfully invited to attend . Bro . George Musson , Hon . Sec , 1 , Lower Grosvenor-place , S . W . The Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of

Nottinghamshire is to be held at Newark , on Monday , the 2 Sth instant . The R . W . Bro . John Watson , J . P ., is the P . G . Master , the V . W . Bro . Lieut .-Col , William Newton , Dep . Prov . G . M ., and W . Bro . E . E . Patchitt , Prov . G . Sec . The meeting is to take place in the Savings Bank Premises , and the banquet is to be served at the Clinton Arms Hotel . The Glass Decoration Company ( Limited ) , of

82 , Hatton-garden , London , E . C , have on view some beautiful specimens of their crystalline glass , plate and sheet , of all kinds , coloured and tinted , silvered and gilded , suitable for' the decoration of mansions , clubs , hotels , restaurants , saloons of ships , theatres , and , in fact , for any purpose where glass decoration is required . Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon has very kindly

undertaken to preside at a festival dinner to be held at the Hotel MeTropole , on Wednesday , the 4 th May next , in aid of the funds of the Work Girls' Protection Society , New Kent-road . Bro . Lord Egerton of Tatton ^ P . G . M . designate of Cheshire , is President of the Dinner Committee , and as the Society is one that effects a large amount of good , we trust the support it will receive on the occasion will be generously bestowed .

The fund for presenting a testimonial to Bro . V . P . Freeman , Provincial Grand Secretary for Sussex , has reached nearly £ 700 . It is intended to have the subscribers' names illuminated in an album and to present him with a cheque for the balance . Intending subscribers should send in their names at once to Bro . Daniel , Pavilion Hotel , Brighton , as the list will be closed in a few days .

The Stuart Lodge , No . 1632 , having received the Grand Master's sanction to remove its quarters to the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell , the ceremony of installing Bro . Alfred Bannister , S . W ., W . M . elect , will take place at that Hall on Monday next , the 28 th instant , instead of , as originally announced , at the Bridge House Hotel , Southwark . The ceremony will be performed by

the outgoing W . M ., Bro . H . Baldwin , P . P . G . S . B . Middx ., who will be assisted in his task by Bro . T . Poore , P . M . The following dinners , etc ., take p lace at the Freemasons' Tavern for the week ending Saturday , the 26 th inst .: —Monday—Grand Masters' Lodge ; British Lodge ; Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction .

Tuesday-Royal Savoy Lodge ; Tuscan Lodge ; Pilgrim Lodge Festival . Wednesday—Lodge of Antiquity ; Jordan Lodge ; St . Olive's Cinderella . Thursday—Mount Moriah Lodge ; Grenadiers Lodge j St . George ' s Chapterj Vane Chapter . Friday—Peace and Harmony Lodge ; Jerusalem Lodge ; London Inverness Ball . Saturday—St . James's Soiree .

It has been arranged that the installation of Bro . Lord Egerton of Tatton as Provincial Grand Master of Cheshire shall take place in the Town Hall , Chester , on Friday , the 15 th April next . The ceremony will be performed by Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master of England , and it is expected that Bro . the Earl of Lathom , Deputy Grand Master of England and Provincia

Grand Master West Lancashire j Earl Amherst , Provincial Grand Master of Kentj and other distinguished members of the Society will be present . In connection with the ceremony there will be a celebration of Divine service in Chester Cathedral , the use of which has been granted for the occasion by the Dean , while we doubt not that in all other respects the brethren of the province will exert themselves to the utmost to do honour to their new Prov '

Grand Master . Mr . Frederick Humpherson , trading _ aS Humpherson and Co ., 297 , Fulham-road , South Kensington , and formerly of 331 , King's-road , Chelsea , patentees and manufacturers of sanitary apparatus , has succeeded in obtaining an injunction against Mr . Milton Syer , 3 6 , Kyelane , Peckham , for an infringement of one of his numerous

patents for promoting sanitation in houses . Ihederenaan ^ pleas were overruled , and Mr . Justice Kekewich , who trie the case , decided that Mr . Humpherson was entitled to tn injunction he prayed for , with an account of profits ar . costs on the higher scale . His lordship further refused a application for a stav of execution pending appeal .

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