Science, Art And The Drama.

Science , Art and the Drama .

SOME MODERN USES OF GLASS . According to Pliny , the ancient , quaint naturalist , the discovery of glass , Fke many another article that has proved of immense benefit to mankind , was entirely fortuitous . A merchant ship laden with nitre being driven ashcre on the coast of Galilee in 77 A . D ., the crew went ashore for provisions , which they cooke : d by the water's edge , constructing a rough support for their utensils out of pieces of their cargo , which produced a vitrification of the

sand beneath the fire , and afforded the hint for the manufacture of glass . Moralising upon this tradition , the ancient French naturalist , Baron Cuvier , wrote— "It cculd not be expected that these Phrenician sailors , who saw the sand of the shores of Beetica transformed by fire into a transparent glass , should have at once foreseen that this new substance would prolong the pleasures of sight to the old ; that it would one day assist the astronomer in

penetrating the depths of the heavens , and in numbering the stars of the Milky Way ; that it would lay open to the naturalist a miniature world , as populous , as rich in wonders as that which alone seemed to bave _ been granted to his senses and his contemplation ; in fine , that the most simple and direct use of it would enable the inhabitants of the coast of the Baltic Sea to build pak-ces more magnificent than those of Tyre and Memphis , and

to cultivate , almost under the polar circle , the mo * t delicious fruits of the torrid zone ! " Since his death , in 1832 , how the field of its usefulness has expanded ! Visitors to the Chicago Exhibition years ago could not fail to have noticed several cffices , workshops , and stores constructed entirely of hollow glass bricks , to which a highly decorative effect was given by using bricks of variegated co ' ours , joined with a colourless cement , and which ,

when lit from within by the electric tight , presented a fairy-like aspect , unapprosched by structures of glass and iron , such as our Crystal Palace . They need not , however , have travelled so far to see an erection , of this nature , for a glass factory at Liverpool has glass journal bones for all its machinery , a glass lloor , glass shingles on the roof , and a chimney 105 feet high , built wholly of glass bricks , each a foot square . Several patents for

roofing glass have been taken out during the last few years , the best , perhaps , being that in which during manufacture the glass is moulded upon steel wire netting , which greatly increases its strength without appreciably lessening its transparency , and allows of its being used in much larger sheets . A Paris firm of glassmakers . MM . Apert Fares now produce some porous glass , to

be used for window panes . The pores are too fine to admit of draught , but cause a pleasant and healthy ventilation in a rcom . By means of the toughening process glass railway-sleepers , tram rails , floor-plates , grindstones , Src , have been produced . Some six years ago remarkable experiments were carried out by the Berlin fire brigade upon a patent fireresisting class , suitable for skylights , windows , and partitions , exhibited by

Messrs . Siemens , of Dresden . It was proved to be capable of resisting a temperature of 13011 " C . for over half an hour . Articles of dress are now being extensively made of this material . A Venetian manufacturer is turning out bonnets by the thousand , the glass cloth of which they are composed having the same shimmer and brilliancy of colour as silk ; and , what is a great advantage , being impervious to water . In Russia there has

for a long time existed a tissue manufactured from the fibre of a peculiar filamentous stone from the Siberian mines , which , by some secret process , is shredded and spun into a fabric , which , although soft to the touch and flexible in the extreme , is of so durable a nature that it never wears out . This is probably what has given an enterprising firm the idea of producing

spun-glass dress lengths . The Muscovite stuff is thrown into the fire when dirty like asbestos , by which it is made absolutely clean again ; but the spun-glass silk is simply brushed with a hard brush and soap and water , and is none the worse for being either stained or soiled . The spinning of filaments of asbestos into cloth was well known to the ancient Greeks and

Romans , and its properly of being able , with impunity , to resist the action of fire is expressed in its name . It was an ordinary practice to clean asbestos clothes when soiled by submitting them to a fierce fire . The material made of spun dress in our modern times is to be had in white , green , lilac , pink , and yellow , and bids fair to become fashionable for evening dresses .

An Austrian is the inventor of this novel fabric , which , at present , is rather costly . Table-cloths , napkins , and window-curtains are also made of it . It has also been discovered that glass is capable of being turned into a fine cloth , which can be worn next the skin without the slightest discomfort . ( To be continued . )

Miniature Painters In The Reign Of Elizabeth.

MINIATURE PAINTERS IN THE REIGN OF ELIZABETH .

( Continued . ) We have given details of the principal artists in oil in this reign , let us now tre & t of the painters in miniature . The name of Petruccio Ubaldini , often occurs . He appears to have been an illuminator on vellum ; some of his works in that kind are , we believe , still extant ; as the Psalm : of David , in folio , at the brginning , the coat of arms and supporters of a nobleman ,

and facing it , Ivng David on his knees . At the end of the book this inscription : " Petruccius Ubaldinus Florentinus Henrico comiti Arundelix , M ; ecenati suo , scribebat Londini MDLXV . " Another book on vellum , written and illuminated by the same person , containing the sentences of Scripture painted in the Lord Keeper's gallery , is at Gorhambury . This gallery and the inscriptions are still extant at the house , now the Earl of

Verulam ' s , near St . Albans , where are several curious portraits , a large statue of Henry VIII . in armour , busts of Sir Nicholas Bacon and his lad y , and of Lord Bacon when a boy . This mansion was built by the Keeper , and much improved by Sir Francis Bacon , who added Italian porticos and loggias , but artfully preserved them from being too dissonant from the older parts of the building . It is a sweet retirement , without ostentation , . ind adapted to his motto , " Mediocria firma . " It was purchased by Sir

Harbottle Grimslon , and much of the old furniture , the purchaser and the present possessors have had the good taste to preserve . This book , of which we have ' -poken , was made by order of Sir Nicholas Bacon , and by him preferred t < i the i .-id y Lumley . Another , containing various kinds of writing , chiefly in the Italian language , is very neatly executed . This was in tie ( , ' uiiou f . ibi . iry . There were besides in the King ' s library ( most of them , now , in the Jkitish Museum ) many beautifully illuminated books .

Miniature Painters In The Reign Of Elizabeth.

Another Italian book , presented by Petruccio to the Queen , is now in the Bodleian Library at Oxford . Petruccio seems to have been in favour at court ; he is frequently mentioned in the rolls of new year ' s gifts , which used to be reposited in the jewel office , and in which the names of Milliard , Oliver , and Marc Garrard do not appear . In the 21 st year of Elizabeth , To Petruccio . £ 5 . He returns a book of Italian , with pictures , to the life

and metamorphoses of Ovid . Another , in 1585 , by Petruccio Ubaldini , a pedigree to him , gilt plate , five ounces . In 15 S 8 : To Petruccio , in gilt plate , five ounces ; he returned a book covered with vellum of Italian . I one of these rolls Mr . Sidney ( the famous Sir Phillip ) presents the Queen , at New Year ' s tide , with a whip set with jewels , and another time , with a castle enriched with diamonds . ( To be continued . )

The Oxford Music Hall.

THE OXFORD MUSIC HALL .

It is now many years since we have been to this popular place of resort . During its existence it has passed through many varied phases , but under the wise progressive management of Mr . Albert Gilmer there is nothing now to be seen but what is in strict accordance with the dictates of good taste . On the occasion of our visit the entertainment commenced with the well-known overture to " Tancredi , " by Guiseppe Rossini . Old

and passe as this work may now be considered , it possesses a full flowing vein of melody , which will ever ensure its vitality . It was admirably played by a well-trained band , which took up the various points in the morceaux with precision . Then we had , amongst other turns , Miss Louie Lynton , the comedienne , who sang some of her well-known society songs , followed by the funny eccentrics Drew and Alder , Mr . Leonard Barry , comedian ;

Miss Lily English , variety artiste ; Mr . Chas . E . Edwards , as "The Happy Tramp , " who possesses a fund of rich humour ; Sisters Levy ( two ) burlesque artistes ; Franco Piper , banjo soloist , the b ; st performer on this instrument we have ever heard—he does every kind of apparently impossible trick with the banjoes , at the same time preserving the original flowing melody . Then the comedian , Mr . R . G . Kiowles , appeared in what he called his

farewell engagement ; he was applauded to the echo ; he is certainly very clever . A most amusing sketch of conjugal tribulation , entitled " Mothers ' Meeting . " The author artist furnishes a laughter-provoking turn ; he is well supported by his wife and other artistes . Afterwards appeared Mr . George Robey , an artist highly appreciated by the audience , with whom he is a great favourite . After some other turns Mr . Dan Leno , who had been

eagerly expected , appeared . The audience well knew the songs which are given by this versatile artist , joining heartily in the chorus . There was a curious aquatic performance in a large aquarium in the centre of the stage , filled with water . Bros . Passmore exhibited some of their facetious eccentricities , and Messrs . Binns and Binns , the Musical Tramps , gave some of theirs . Two or three hours of healthy entertainment may be obtained at "The Oxford . "

General Notes.

GENERAL NOTES .

Arrangements have lately been concluded by Mr . Chas . Frohman and Messrs . A . and S . Gatti for a revival , at the Vaudeville , about the middle of December , of the late Mr . Saville Clarke ' s adaptation of " Alice in Wonderland , " with music by Mr . Walter Slaughter . The piece will be given at a series of matinees , and , fortunately , the management have not had to go far

afield in search of a representative of Alice , for none more delightful than Miss Ellaline Terriss , who will sustain the part , could easily be imagined . Mr . Seymour Hicks will be the Mad Hatter , and it is probable that Miss

Emily Miller may be seen as the Duchess . "Self and Lady " will , of course , continue to be played in the evening , and so successful is the piece that , in addition to the usual Wednesday matinees , Saturday matinees will be given until further notice .

" Patience , " the . esthetic opera by Mr . VV . S . Gilbert and Sir A . Sullivan , which was first produced by Mr . D'Oyly Carte nearly 20 years ago , and has never since been reproduced in London , will be revived at the Savoy Theatre on Wednesday evening , 7 h November . Mr . Gilbert will himself superintend the rehearsals . " The Pirates of Penzance " will be played up to Saturday evening , 3 rd November .

Mrs . Beerbohm Tree is retained by Mr . Robert Newman to recite " The Flag of England " and " Bobs" at the Queen ' s Hall Promenade Concerts . * * * * Mr . F . R . Benson ' s company will produce eight plays of Shakespeare ' s during his season of 16 weeks at the Comedy Theatre , beginning on 19 th December next .

The Playgoers' Club.

THE PLAYGOERS' CLUB .

After playing a perilous sea-saw game last Friday week , the Playgoers , at the adjourned annual meeting , just failed to recover their balance , failing sufficiently , it is to be feared , to cause mortal results . Up till a quarter to 10 hope of complete recovery ran very high indeed , but before the hour just two removed from midnight all honest well wishers of the Playgoers' Club mufiled their drums to beat the retreat . The evening began really well , with a large orderly attendance .

The minutes of last Friday week were read , but on a vote of confirmation they were condemned by a large majority . This glad sign of return to sense was greeted with a prolonged round of applause . And how hearty that applause was , and what gratification it must have been to Mr . Carl Hentschel , this assurance that his magnificent work of 16 years was not to be passed by for a flash in the pan , a few swollen heads ! And the majority meant something besides that . It meant the club had come back to its

original frame of mind , a state that recognised its welfare was at pen '/ its good name near to the mud . Mr . Hentschel knew this all along ' He and the old committee fought desperately hard to make the members see what was best for them . But rhetoric and visions of " swagger , premises proved too strong . On the Friday they first voted heavily f ° y }[ best interests , only an hour or so later to contradict themselves . Last nignt they tried to undo the mischief they had done , and but for the stern law