The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

At the Novelty a burlesque is being prepared on the Princess's romantic drama , to be entitled " Oliver Grumble , " by Mr . Dance . Mr . Wilson Barrett will no doubt feel the compliment about to be paid him . 'The Novelty is now in the hands of Mr . Willie Edouin , Mr . Wm . Greet continuing as acting manager .

Commencing' March 24 th , Bro . Lionel Brougti and Miss Kate Vaughan will give on several consecutive Wednesdays at thc Gaiety 'Theatre matinees of old English comedies . Both these talented professionals are suited to such plays , and we hope the afternoons will be well patronised . * * »

Bro . Thomas Thorne has revived for a time Mr . Derrick ' s funny farce " Confusion , " which had such an eventful career here some two years since , when it ran foi about a year . Bro . Thorne has not cast himself this time in the plav , his part being filled by Mr . Charles Glenney . Miss

Larkin and Mr . Charles Groves , on whom the burden of the piece falls , have resumed their old characters , and nightly the Vaudeville rings with laughter as of yore , 'lhc next new piece will , we believe , be a French play , of which Bro . Thome has bought the English rights .

* * * The Haymarket managers have revived Mr . VV . S . Gilbert ' s comedy "Engaged , " which was originally produced there in 1877 under the Bancroft lesseeship . Since then "Engaged" has been played at the Court . On Wednesday of last week it was well received b y an overflowing house , comprising many celebrities in various ranks

of life . And we think it was more on account of the splendid acting than on the merits of the piece that the applause was so great . We should say for a time it may draw , but we scarcely think its interest is sufficient to make a long run . Air . and Airs . Beerbohm 'Tree play the chief parts , and leave nothing to be desired in their brilliant acting . Miss Norreys made a distinct hit in her character of the seemingly

innocent but shrewd Scotch lassie . By her accentuation one might think Miss Norreys is a native of the land o' cakes . Aliss Augusta Wilton was well and deservedly applauded in her rendering of the part of Aliss Simperson . She has made a decided progress since we last saw her some two or three years siHce . We heard a very distinguished actress pass a warm eulogy on Miss Wilton ' s playing . Air . Mackintosh ,

Afr . Barry more , Air . Brooklield , Aliss Brooke , and the other members of the company have all caught thc author ' s meaning so well that the ' comedy goes along splendidly , Airs . Beerbohm 'Tree fairly bringing the house down in her speech when , as Belinda , she cries out , "I am rent wilh conflicting doubts . Perhaps he is already married ; in that case 1 ani a bigamist . Alavbe he is dead ; in that case 1 am

a widow . . Maybe he is alive ; in that case I am a wife . Am I single ? Ani 1 married ? Alay 1 marry ? Who am I ? Where am I ? What am I ? What is my name ? What is my condition in life ? If I am married-to whom am I married ? If I am a widow—whose widow am I ? Why am 1 his widow ? What did he die of ? Did he leave me anything ? If anything—how much ? Can I marry again

without ' forfeiting it ? Have I a mother-in-law ? Have I a family oi" stepchildren ? If so , what are tlieir ages , names , sexes , sizes , and dispositions ? " 'Then comes tlie qualifying consolation , " 'Thank heaven , I can still eat . " We have seen " Engaged " every time it has been played , and we confidently assert that no company has ever played it better than the present one .

« * * " The Harbour Lights , " which has been playing at the Adelphi since Christmas , seems destined to have a successful run as long as Messrs . Gatti like to keep it on the boards . 'This new drama by Bros . Sims and Pettitt is a regular Adelphi piece , and though its story is not connected with the last great success— " In the Ranks "—it may be

said to be a sequel to Bro . Sims' late drama . " In the Ranks" dealt with the life of a soldier , "The Harbour Lights" represents the fortunes and misfortunes of a sailor , ably portrayed by Air . Terriss ; Aliss Millward being the heroine . The plot is of the usual order . 'The hero , a ieutenant in the navy , is in love with a retired captain ' s daughter : his cousin , " who manages the officer's property

whilst he is at sea , is a rival and a villain withal . I 00 cowardly to slay his cousin , be lays traps and employs others to rid himself of his enemy , and does all he can to separate tlie lovers and himself win thc hand of the young lady . Of course in the end the villain , excellently played by Bro . Beveridge , P . AI . 1319 , is made to stew in his own juice . Air . Garden relieves the tragedy with his comical part of

the lieutenant's servant and friend , who watches over his interests during the officer ' s absence . He is the character who is always turning up in the right place and at the right moment , 'lhe scenery is beautifully painted by Bro . Bruce Smith and Air . Emden . " The Harbour Lights " is a drama which is interesting to the frequenters of the stalls as much as the n-allery . VVe know of one person who already has

seen it three times . VVe see no reason why it should not be playing this lime twelvemonths if the same cast is in it . 'The joint authors and lessees are to be congratulated on an undoubted success . VVe have earlier omitted to mention that clever Aliss Clara Jecks , daughter of the genial acting manager , scores a gre . it success in a small part , which she has created into a very interesting one .

* * * VVe think it is generally allowed lhat , without exception , the most amusing play in London is the farce at Ihe Criterion , adapted from the French by Mr . C . Al . Rae , and called " The Alan with 'Three Wives . " There is one , aid only one , drawback to it , and that is the popular lessee , Bin Charles Wyndham , has not placed himself in the cast .

On the first night , in reply ' o hearty calls , Bro . Wyndham said he hoped it would uot be long before he appeared . If he meant in another piece , then it will be : i long lime , for "The Alan with 'Three Wives will probably run the whole season . Possibly he intended taking the part , which certainly is his , now being well played by Air . I . ytton Sntiiern . We hope , although the latter gentleman is very bright and lively , that llro . Charles Wyndham will show himsell 111 this merry l > lay- The plot is a little difficult to describe , though

The Theatres.

not to follow when one is looking at tho company . We shall not , therefore , spoil the anticipation by atteniptingany explanation . From the rise to the fall of the curtain there is not a dull moment , and so quickly does one complication follow another that the audience have not time to think deeply . We cannot recommend a place to spend a pleasanter two hours than at the Criterion for those who like light plays . How Air . Giddens is married to three wives at the same time and yet never married at all , we leave our

readers to go and lind out for themselves . Mr . Hlakeley , always droll . Air . Alaltby , Aliss Rose Saker , Aliss Hughes , and . Mr . TI . St . Maur contribute a large share to the hilarity of this screaming farce . Air . Bellringer has succeeded Mr . Smale in the front of the hous . e . and in his hands Bro . Wyndham ' s patrons are wellflookecl after and made comfortable . Although entirely underground , the Criterion is one of the coolest and best ventilated theatres . * * = »

Mr . Wilson Barrett has fulfilled his promise , and before producing Air . Sydney Grundy ' s classical drama , has brought out at the Princess ' s the romantic play by himself and . Mr . Henry A . Jones , which is called "The Lord Harry . " It is a piece of a thoroughly national character . We hope Air . Wilson Barrett will receive such support to encourage him in a continuance of English plays . The new drama deals with the times of the Puritans and

Roundheads . 'The hero is Lord Harry Bcndisb , who goes through a number of vicissitudes in the cause of the martyr king . 'Those days of history have furnished ore this groundwork for" poems , novels , and plays . We think everyone must agree that the joint authors have produced from the store a drama of intense interest , which furnishes an efficient coinpan } ' with parts thoroughly suited to its members , and which keeps the audience ' s excitement at boiling point . Wc must

own that sometimes it is a little dillicult to take in why certain events occur and why others do not . For instance , in one scene Lord Harry is in gaol . At great risk his lover , Esther Breane , a Puritan , gains admission to his cell , bringing with her the means of his escape . Whilst there the keys are heard to be in the lock . She hides behind the door , which opens inwards , and , when thrown open , entirely hides her . The Puritan , Captain Promise , leaves the door

open , and we expected that Esther would have taken the opportunity whilst Promise is engaged with the Loyalist , ot make her escape . But not so . Again , we think the drama might very well end with the fifth act , which , by the way , has one of the most beautiful and novel scenes we ever saw painted and staged . In thc opening scene Zoyland Castle is besieged by the Cavaliers . Commanded by the king to retire , Lord Harry Bendish lays a wager to enter the

( own in twenty-four hours . He disguises himself as a Puritan and obtains entrance , and is in the presence of Colonel Breane , whose daughter Esther he had saved from death . 'The young lady , of course , has kind remembrances of her benefactor , but an officer of her own party also loves her , one Captain Promise , played by Air . Willard in Iiis usual fine style . 'This man , like many Puritans , is a canting humbug and most unscrupulous . He recognises

Lord Harry , and gels him arrested . Esther , by bribing a retainer of her father's household , gets the guard removed , gains access to his cell , and supplies her lover with rope to lower himself from the window . Lord Harry gives Esther his signet ring , which she is to send him should she ever require his aid . Promise gets possession of thc token , and by means of an untruthful message sends for Lord Harry at the dead of night , who comes to Esther , thinking it is she

who has sent for him . He is in her room when Captain Promise brings in her father , the colonel , and accuses the girl before her parent of having Lord Harry concealed . The colonel is indignant , and threatens Esther , but Lord Harry comes forward and explains that Esther did not send for him , and that it is to the treachery of Promise that he is in the young lady ' s apartment . The old Puritan is won over by the candid explanation and noble manner of Bendish .

Promise makes another attempt to capture Lord Harry , but the king's troops arrive , and he escapes , taking with him Colonel Breane and Esther . The scene is a very grand one of the fight n . the two armies in tbe . street . 'The three take refuge in a house on the marshes ; lhe waters are out , and rising to such' a height they have to take refuge on the house-top . Promise arrives in a boat with some men to capture them , a scrimmage takes place on the roof of the

house , and the three escape in the boat , leaving Promise and his men on the house-top . Here we think the play might end . But in the last act we see Bendish and his charge on the shore of Cleeve Bay . His rival arrives and fires at him , but hits Esther . Just then the king ' s troops come up , having defeated Cromwell ' s army . Promise is led away a prisoner to execution . Colonel Breane gives his consent to iiis daughter ' s alliance with the Loyalist . We ought to say

that it is found Esther has not been materially hurt by the rifle , but was only in a swoon . Wc do not think Mr . Wilson Barrett ever has surpassed his splendid rendering of the part of the Lord Harry . Aliss Eastlake , who is Esther , has also been seldom seen to greater advantage . Air . George Barrett , Aliss Lottie Venne , and Air . Charles Coote make the

fun in the drama , the other characters being all well played b y Mr . J . H . Clynds , Air . Elliott , Air . Hudson , and Mr . Carson . VVe think the run of " The Lord I Iarry " will be a good , though not lengthy , one . It is one of the * plays which Mr . Wilson Barrett will doubtless take with him to America in the autumn .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

CHINA . Freemasonry in China is making rapid progress both in adding to its numbers and Charities . The month of December last was a busy one , there having been several meetings and installations .

NORTHERN LODGE , NO . 570 . ( E . C . ) On the 21 st December last this lodge held its installation meeting at the Masonic Hall , Shanghai . 'The ceremony was performed by the R . W . Bro . C . Thorne , P . D . G . M . of North China , and amongst those present were U . W . Bro . C . H . Dallas D . G . M . Japan ; R . W . Bro . C . M . Donaldson ; VV . Bros . G . Martin , VV . IL Anderson , A . M . A .

Evans , I ' . J . Marshall , E . P . Lalcaca , T . W . Kingsmill , J . M . Cory , J . Findlay , T . S . Southey , and G . B . Fentum . The following were the oflicers installed : VV . Bro . A . P . Macgregor , W . M . ; VV . Bro . J . Findlay , I . P . M . ; Bros . G . R . Wingrove , S . W . ; F . M . Grafton , J . W . ; VV . Bro . G . Martin , Treas . ; Bros . Rev . F . R . Smith , Sec . ; F . L . Marshall , S . D . ; C . VV . Ure , J . D . ; J . MacMorran , l . G . ; and C . Merritt , Tyler .

The Craft Abroad.

On the iSth of the same month , Bro . Osborne Middleton was , for the second time , installed as VV . M . of the Iuscan Lodge , at the Alasonic Hall , Shanghai , when R . W . Bro . I home , P . D . G . M ., attended with the oflicers of the District Grand Lodge and conducted lhe ceremony . About 50 brethren were present , including R . W . Bro . C . H . Dallas , District Grand Master of Japan , and W . Bros . C AI . Donaldson , L . Moore , J . Morris , E . P . Lalcaca , J .

Findlay , I . VV Kingsmill . G . B . Fentum , A . Johnsford , G . L . Skinner , I . Pemberton , T . S . Southey , Evans , and C . J , Holland . The following w = re the officers installed : — Bro . O . Middleton . W . M . ; Bro . T . F . Hough , S . VV . ; Bro . J- Baird , J . VV .: W . Bro . VV . II . Short , Treas . ; Bro . S . Moutrie , Sec : Bro . G . Lanning , Organist ; Bro . D . O'Rourke , S . D . ; Bro . James H . Osborne , J . D . : Bro . A . Gillanders , D . C . ; Bro . T . C . Ramsey , Steward ; Bro . Sang , I . G . ; Bro . C . Merritt , ' Tyler .

At a regular meeting of the United Service Freemason ' s Lodge held on the Sth January , there was another election for Worshipful Master for the year , in consequence of the resignation of Bro . J . Parker , who was elected at the previous meeting . 'The choice fell upon Worshipful Bro . Capt . Croisdale , who is well known in Alasonic circles , especially at Aldershot , England .

Obituary.

Obituary .

HERBERT JOHN OSBORN , S . l ) . is . We regret to announce the decease of Bro . Herbert John Osborn , S . D . Citadel Lodge , No . 1 S 97 , who died on the gth inst ., after a long illness , leaving a widow and three young children to mourn his loss . Bro . II . ) . Osborn was initiated into Freemasonry on thc 21 st Alay , 18 S 1 , by his father , Bro . John Osborn , P . AL ifioj and 1 . S 07 , Prov . G . Standard

Bearer Aliddx ., a much respected member of the Craft . 'The deceased was a Life Governor of the Royal Alasonic Benevolent Institution . 'The funeral took place on the iSth inst ., at Ilford , when there were present several members of the Craft , including Bros , John Osborn , P . AL ; VV . IL Lee

Prov . Asst . G . Sec . Aliddx ., VV . AI . 1 S 97 ; H . VV . Carter VV . Wright , J . H . Gaskin , | . E . . Sheffield , VV . VV . Lee , 1 Jones , Tl . Ball , R . P . Forge , P . AL , and others . A nunibei of gentlemen from the . offices of the Gaslight and Coki Company , with which the deceased had been ' connected foi many years , also attended as a mark of respect to their late colleague .

A testimonial will shortl y bc presented to Bro . Captain George Lambert—past master—by the Pattenmakers' Company , in recognition of the efficient manner in which he ha-, during the past two years , perlormed all the duties apenaining to the office of master . In our notice of the ladies' night at the

Eccleston Lodge , held at the Criterion on the 17 th , we should have credited Bro . C . Taylor , P . M ., with the musical arrangements . Our worthy Iiro . Taylor does so much good , and works so hard for the lodge , and for Freemasonry generally , that we do him no more than justice in correcting the error .

Bro . J , Harrop White was installed W . M . of the Forest Lodge , No . 1832 , Mansfield , at the annual meeting , in the lown Hall , on Monday , the Sth inst ., the ceremony being very ably carried out b y his predecessor in office , Bro . J . A . Howitt , LP . M . An excellent banquet followed at the Swan Ilotel , at whicli about 50 guests sat down , under the presidency of their new chief .

At the regular meeting of the Clyde Lodge , No . 40 S , Glasgow . on Friday , the Sth inst ., a visit was paid by the Prov . G . Lodge . Brn , W . Pearce , M . P ., P . G . M ., being at the head of the visiting body , and occupying the chair of the lodge for a time , at the invitation of Bro . James Leitch , R . W . M . Deputations from several of the sister lodges were also present at the meeting , a very pleasant gatheung being the result .

Comps . l < . T . lit worth y , Rev . R . W . Raban , and W . Bidgood were installed / .., H ., and J ., respectively , of the Sincerity Chapter , No . 261 , Taunton , on the loth inst ., Comp . Col . Adair , Prov . G . Superintendent Somersetshire , assisted by Comps . VV . Adams , P . / .., and ] . G . Vite , P . / ., being the Installing Principal . The meeting , which took place in the Masonic Hall , was followed by the usual banquet .

Ihere was an interesting gathering of thc friends of Bro . Sheriff Clarke on Friday , the 19 th inst ., in one of the large arbitration rooms in New Stone Buildings , Chancery-lane , the occasion being the presentation to him of a lite-size portrait of himself in his ollicial robes , painted

by Mr . Lance Calkin . The cost of the picture was 300 guineas , which sum was subscribed by numerous gentlemen with whom Bro . Clarke has had business relations , by private friends , and by tenants of the magnificent block of buildings which he has erected at the northern end of Chancery-I ' ane .

1 he usual weekly meeting of the West Smithfield Lodge of Instruction , No . 1023 , was held at the Red Lion , Red Lion-court , Fleet-street , and the Fifteen Sections were worked by lhe members of the Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction , No . 105 G . Bros . J . R . Stacey , P . M . 1541 , was the VV . AI . ; Larchin , P . M . ' 1541 , S . W . ; and Gush .

P . M . 1541 , J . W . The sections were given by Bros , Duncan Skelton , J . D . 103 G ; Spon , 19 S 7 ; Snelling , S . D , 1541 ; Squirrel ) , P . M . 20 G ; Larchirr , P . M . 15 JI ; Gush , P . AL 1541 ; Shipwright , VV . M . 11 S 5 ; Dury , 1562 ; ! , . r ) 7 J- VV ' 54 M Jenkins , S 60 ; Stubbins , 1531 ; Beck , W . M . 1 S 53 ; Fox , P . M . 201 ; andShaw , 19 S 7 . The work was admirably dune .

J he Wandsworth Lodge of Instruction , No . 1044 , has just held its annual dinner at the East Hill Hotel , Iiro . J . G . Carter , P . M . 1044 , Preceptor , taking the chair . After the usual toasts , Professor Schmidt ( ventriloquist ) was introduced , and gaveavery laughable and amusing sketch , called "Charley and his wile . " I'he musical arrangements were carried out by Bros . Cowley , Cleaver , Ellis , Frost , and Highcity , who enlivened the

evening with some very plea-ant songs . The meeting broke up at 11 o ' clock , p . m ., after ail had spent a very pliasant and enjoyable evening . We arc informed by the newly-appointed Secretary , Bro . Cleaver , that Bro . Kni pler and Higherty propose working a portion of the sections on Tuesday evening , the 9 th prox ., those members who appreciate Masonry should not lose lhe opportunity of visiting thc lodge on this evening .