The Theatres.

could not fail to please the authoress , and the history of Eva is told to an end . The characters of these scenes are Aunt Ophelia ( Miss Lewis ) and Topsy ( Miss Lingard ) . The first is an admirable representation of the maidenauntish ways of a Boston lady of a certain age . Topsy displays , by her comic and shrewd language and her ludicrous antics , precisely the character drawn by Mrs .

Beecher Stowe of the girl that " spected she had never been born , but " growed somehow . " In reading the book this always seemed to us the most interesting part , and Ami ' s life brought more tears into our eyes than did the reading of the cruelties on Eliza , and Harris and Uncle-Tom after he was sold to I . egree . Those terse sayings , meaning so much , as in the opening of one chapter , "I

shan ' t want the horses to-day , 'Tom . " " Why not , Miss Eva , " nnd the death of Eva cannot be read by anyone we should think without a tear dropping . In the succeeding acts we have Lawyer Marks performing remarkable and absurd feats , and on the plantation of Legrec ( Mr . Pritchard ) a plantation rejoicing is given by the Magadin

lubilee Band . The Haverley Minstrels at the same place last year gave something of this sort . The persecution of Uncle Tom and the-death of Legree follow , the whole concluding with the death-bed of ' Uncle Tom . There is a want of cohesion , and the acts are a tittle jerky , if we may use the term , but possibly this cannot be avoided .

* * « We understand an important amalgamation has recently taken place respecting several of the London and Provincial theatres . Mr . D'Oyle Carte , of the Savoy , Bro , John Hollingshead , of the Gaiety , Capt . Bainbridge , ofthe Court Theatre , Liverpool , Mr . Michael Gunn , ofthe Gaiety , Dublin , and the Prince ' s and Theatre Royal , Manchester ,

are now under a syndicate of the aforenamed gentlemen . The Savoy will continue to be managed by Mr . D'Oyle Carte , the Gaiety by Bro . Hollingshead , and the Dublin Gaiety by Mr . Michael Gunn . Bro . Hollingshead also making himself responsible for the management of one of the Manchester houses and Capt . Bainbridge for the Liverpool theatre . Probably the companies may be changed

between London and the provinces , though we believe the " Gaietv" will still continue to be the home of the " sacred lamp of " burlesque " and the home of comic opera . New life , however , will be infused into the management by this arrangement . We believe both the London houses

will shortly change their programmes . Monopoly by amalgamation seems part of the spirit of the age in many other lines of business . The public need not expect any diminution of the character of the plays by this removal of competition ; the gentlemen we have mentioned are not the managers to recede in any way .

¦ s * * The Novelty , opposite Freemasons' Hall , is steadily advancing towards completion . We understand great novelties are to be introduced in every way in this new theatre . Opera glasses are to be provided free to all the best parts of the house ; there will be no charge for programmes , or leaving cloaks and hats . The electric

light will be used for illuminating it , gas being laid on—as at the Savoy—in jets , in case the more brilliant light should fail . Plays by amateurs and others , which have never seen the light of day , willfbe represented , for the most part , after being performed at a morning performance for trial . Ambitious authors will now have a chance , as the management promise to read through all plays sent them , and give them

their considerations . A limited company are the proprietors . Mr . Albery , the well-known author of the " Two Roses , " and many other pieces , is one of the board . The whole thing is a big venture , and such a novelty that it will require steady and unceasing support from the public to make it succeed . Perhaps from its very novelty it will do well . We hope so .

The Globe now numbers again amongst the closed houses in London , but we are promised a revival of the " Vicar of Bray " next month . Mr . Grundy in the meanwhile will re-write the second act . We hope the chorus of boys and girls will not be omitted on its re-appearance . Though not too original , thsre are many pretty things in the opera , that we should like it to have a fair chance when the season is in full swing for theatres .

The theatres now closed are the Lyceum , St . James ' s , Haymarket , Strand , Prince of VVales's , Globe , Opera Comique , Royalty , Court , and Criterion . The Grecian has gone into the hands of " General Booth , " he having borrowed half the money for the purchase .

# * Mrs . Langtry will probably appear at the Imperial for a lew weeks in several comedies prior to her departure for America , where , no doubt , she will p ick up the mighty dollar in the same way she has been filling her treasury in England since she took to the stage .

Music

MUSIC

At the second classical night on Wednesday week , during the present season of promenade concerts , the programme included the overture to " Leonora , " "Beethoven , " Schubert's Entr ' acte " Rosamunde , " Mendelssohn's " Italian Symphony , "a selection from Verdi ' s " Ai'da , " and Dilibes's Pizzicatti ballet "Sylvia . " Mr .

Carrodus gave a violin solo , " Fandango Molique , " which he played splendidly , to the delight of the audience , and Miss Josephine Lawrence contributed , among other morceaux , Schumann ' s pianoforte concerto in A . Miss Elly Warnots , Madame Enriquez , and Mr . Frank Doyle were the vocalists .

-..- -J * -r Thursday ' s programme included the overture to Weber ' s " Der Freischutz , " the ballet music from Auber ' s " Masaniello , " and " Larghetto Symphony in G . " Haydn , with Mr . F . Godfrey ' s " English Melodies , " the last being very heartily received . Miss Elly Warnots , Miss Jeannie Rosse , and Mr . H . Kearton were the vocalists , and Miss Lawrence , as solo pianiste , contributed several pieces to the evening's entertainment , while Mr . Howard Reynolds

Music

well sustained his reputation as a cornet soloist by his rendering of Schubert ' s " Ave Maria . " On Friday Miss Elly Warnots was seconded by Madame Osborne Williams , and Mr . Redfern Hollins , while Miss Josephine Lawrence ' s place at the pianoforte was taken by Miss

Maggie Okey , who delighted her audience by her skilful playing of the Andante and Scherzo from Litolff ' s Concerto No . 4 , and Chopin ' s "Polonaise in A flat . " Mdme . Williams sang " The snow-white Rose , " by Blumenthal , in addition lo "Kathleen Mavourneen ; " and one of Mr . Hollins ' s somrswas Adams ' s "Whispers . "

- K * . : W The Popular Night , on Saturday , was again a most pronounced success , the audience being more than usually numerous , and to the full as appreciative as ever . The pro-jramme on these occasions is as varied as it is universally attractive , and on Saturday last included , among other numbers , the overture to " Masaniello , " Haydn ' s ' * Surprise " symphony , selections from Rossini ' s

"Italianain Algieri , " and Mr Arthur Sullivan ' s "Patience , " and the grand March from Gounod ' s " La Reine deSaba , " A wall / , by Mr . Gwyllym Crowe , entitled " Ladye mine , " m-t with a very favourable reception , and is likely to enjoy universal popularity . One of the chief features of the entertainment was Mr . F . H . Cowen ' s ] song ) " The Better Land , " which was sung with admirable effect by Madame Marie Cummings .

This week thc vocal strength of the concerts , already sufficiently conspicuous , has been made still more so by ihe appearance of Mr . Vernon Rigby and Mesdames Rose Herses and Patey , who have been added to the list of vocalists . On Monday the orchestral part of the programme included the overture to SchubcrtVRosamunde , " Mr . Crowe ' s new waltz , mentioned in the preceding

paragraph , selections from " Tannhiiuser , " a gavotte , "Yellow Jasmine , " by Cowen , and M . Jullien ' s " Pas des Patineurs " with piccolo obligate by Mr . Barret ; and on Tuesday were played among other pieces , grand march "Cornelius , " Mendelssohn , and selections from " Lucia de Lammermoor . " Mr . i ernon Rigby was one of the vocalists on each occasion .

* •* # The Royal English Opera Company commenced last week a series of performances at the Crystal Palace , "Maritana" having been performed on Tuesday , and Gounod's "Faust" on Thursday . Mr . Arthur Howell is

the conductor , and the company includes Mesdames Kose Hersee and Blanche Cole , Miss Helen Armstrong , Messrs . Packard , Chas . Lyall , Temple , Parkinson , and Aynsley Cook . The " Marriage of Figaro " was fixed for Thursday of the present week . * * *

A revised edition of the "Vicar of Bray will be produced at the Globe Theatre on Saturday next , and September . The Grosvenor Choral Society on Friday last , gave a miscellaneous concert at the Grosvenor Hall . The audience was a numerous one .

*" = * Bro . Mapleson will commence his opera season in New York on the ioth of October next .

* * # A grand concert is announced to take place under the auspices of Signor Vergara , at St . James ' s Hall , on Saturday , the 14 th October , in aid of the fund for the Education of Cuban Slave Children . It will have the immediate patronage of the Spanish Minister in London , and among the artistes whose services have been secured is Madame Carlotta Patti , sister of " La Diva . "

* * * Under the Act , recently passed , for the amendment of the law of copyright in respect of musical works , proprietors of such works who may desire to retain in their own hands the right of public performance , must print on the title page of every published copy an announcement that the right of public performance is reserved . Vexatious prosecutions will thus be prevented .

Science And Art.

SCIENCE AND ART .

Certain courses of " Science Lectures for the People" have been arranged by the Gilchrist Educational Trust to take place during the ensuing winter in five central Lancashire towns , and as many towns in Scotland , and likewise in Banbury , Chesterfield , Doncaster , Leicester ,

Lincoln , Readinjj , and York . The list of those who will take part in them includes Dr . Carpenter , F . R . S ., who is Secretary to the Trust ; Professor Balfour Stewart , F . R . S . ; Professor VV . C . Williamson , F . R . S . ; Dr . Martin Duncan , F . R . S . ; Rev . VV . H . Dallinger , F . R . S . ; Mr . W . Lant Carpenter , B . Sc , F . C . S . ; Dr . Andrew Wilson , F . R . S . E . ; and Mr . R . A . Proctor .

* * « The fifty-second annual meeting of the British Association was opened at the Victoria Skating Rink , Southampton , pn Wednesday ,- Sir John Lubbock , Bart ., M . P ., the retiring President , resigning the chair to Dr . C . VV . Siemens , the President elect , who thereupon delivered his inaugural address , of which we shall give some

particulars next week . The programme is a very ample one , and includes a soiree given by the Local Executive Committee , at the Hartland Institution on Thursday , and a " Discourse on the Tides , " by Sir William Thompson , M . A ., in the Skating Rink , yesterday ( Friday ) evening . On Monday evening Mr . H . VV . Manley , M . A ., will read a paper "On

Pelagic Life . On Tuesday next a second soiree will be given by the Mayor and Corporation at the same institution ; and on Wednesday the concluding general meeting will be held in the aforesaid Skating Rink . In the meantime the several sections will meet in various public buildings , at eleven o ' clock a . m ., from Thursday to Tuesday , both inclusive . */ . 1 , « .

, In addition to thc above arrangements there will be a meeting of the General Committee on Monday , the

Science And Art.

28 th inst ., for the purpose of appointing officers for 1 SS 3 and fixing the place of meeting for 1 SS 4 ; and on Wednesday another will be held , at which the report of the Committee of Recommendations will be submitted .

* * * So much for the business part of the programme . But even savants who meet together for the enunciation and discussion of matters scientific must have their interludes of pleasure , and whatever place in England may be chosen for this annual gathering , the liicil magnates are sure to be at hand to contribute their part to the general

enjoyment . Thus of five half-day excursions which have been set down for to-day ( Saturday ) , one will be made to Broadlands and Romsey , where they will be received b y Lord Mount-Temple ; while another will take place to Netley Abbey and Hospital , when they will experience , in the shape of a garden party , the hospitality of the Suigeon-General and staff of the Army Medical Department . On

Monday afternoon Canon and Mrs . Wilberforce will give a garden party in the grounds of the deanery , ; and in the evening of the same day the Masons of the province , under the presidency of their respected and popular chief , R . W . Bro . W . VV . li . Beach , M . P ., and his Prov . Grand Officers will offer a fraternal welcome to those members of the

association who are Craftsmen . This ( Saturday ) evening , but outside the more immediate programme , will be given in the Skating Rink , for tho benefit of the operative classes , a lecture by Mr . John Evans , D . C . L ., on " Unwritten History , and how to read it . " Last , but not least , Her Majesty has graciously given permission to members to visit Osborne after her departure from Scotland .

In the columns of Knowledge for last week will be found a most interesting article from the Scientific American , by Mr . C . F . Holder , entitled "A Luminous Shark , " in which that gentleman enumerates various luminous fishes , whicii the researches of scientific men have lately discovered . 'The most remarkable of these is the " Luminous Shark " ( Squalus fulgens ) , a species of

Scvmnus , found in Australian waters by Dr . Bennett , who thus describes it : " When the larger specimen , taken at night , was removed into a dark apartment , it afforded a very extraordinary spectacle . The entire inferior surface of the body and head emitted a vivid and greenish phosphorescent gleam , imparting to the creature , by its own light , a truly ghastly and terrific appearance . 'The luminous effect was

constant , and not perceptibly increased by agitation or friction . I thought at one time it shone brighter when the fish struggled , but I was not satisfied that such was tlie fact . When the shark expired ( which was not until it had been out of the water more than three hoilrs ) the luminous appearances faded entirely from the abdomen , and more gradually from other parts , lingering the longest around the jaws and on the fins . The only part of the under

surface or the animal which was free from luminosity was the black collar round the throat , and while the inferior surface of the pectoral , anal , and caudal fins shone with splendour , the superior surface ( including the upper lobe of the tail fin ) was in darkness , as also were the dorsal ( ins , back , and summit of the head . " Dr . Bennett conjectures that as it is a predaceous animal , this shark uses its phosphorescent power for the purpose of attracting its prey .

* * * A new and permanently enlarged series of the Pictorial World will commence with the approaching month . It is to be produced in the best possible style , and with all the resources of art , skill and experience whicii the Messrs . Dalziel have at their command . Among the promised artistic and literary contributors are Mr . H .

Herkomer , A . R . A . ; Mr . Edwin Hayes , R . H . A . ; Mr . J . D . Linton , Mr . Seymour Lucas , Mr . Robert Macbeth , Mr . E . J . Gregory , Mr . J . D . Watson , Mr . Charles Keene , Mr . W . Small , Mr . Fred Barnard , Mr . Edward Whymper , Lady Constance Howard , Mr . Ashby Sterry , Mr . Godfrey Turner , Mr . George R . Sims , Mr . Robert Williams , Mr . C . J . Dunphie , Mr . Evelyn Jerrold , Mr . Paul Meritt , and Mr . Arthur Pask .

* £ m * Mr . J . W yld , of Charing-cross , has just published two additions to the several new maps of Egypt he has issued since the despatch of the British Expedition . One of the new maps , fully coloured , shows the

inundations of the Nile , the cultivated districts , and the barren tracts . The second map , coloured in blue and black , shows the inland navigation and irrigation canals , with the railroads , & c This latter is a very interesting and elaborate map . Both afford valuable facilities for understanding the field of our military and naval operations in Egypt .

* - * * The fifth autumnal congress and Sanitary Exhibition in connection with the Sanitary Institute of Great Britain will be held at Newcastle on 2 ( 3 th-3 oth September , under the presidency of Captain Douglas Gallon , R . E .

* * * At the meeting at Leeds last week of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers several interesting papers were read , among them being one on Tuesday , b y Mr . Charles Cochrane , of Stowbridge , on "The Working of Blast Furnaces of Large Size at High Temperatures , " the discussion of which was taken the next day and followed by one on " Mining Machinery , " by Mr . Henrv Darcy , and

another by Mr . J . Hartley Wicksteed , describing' an invention of his own , which won him great praise , for testing the strength of iron and steel under statical loads . At tbe conversazione , held the same evening in the Philosop hical Hall , Mr . Crampton delivered an address on his " Automatic Hydraulic System for Excavating the Channel Tunnel , " and Mr . Thomas Fletcher read a composition on " Flameless Combustion . "

» * * The weather seriousl y interfered with the meeting held at Chard , from Tuesday to Thursday of last week , of the Somersetshire Arch .-eological Society . On Wednesday , however , the Roman villa , at Walford , and other places were visited and inspected .

* * * According to some of our most eminent electricians , the whole of London will , in the course of eig hteen months , be illuminated by means of the electric light . # * # The Bi-Metallist Congress will resume its sitting- at Cologne , on the 12 th October next .