Public Amusements.

ivith Miss Rosine as a pretty anil effective Columbine . Tho " comic business" is exceedingly amusing and well arranged . ADELPHI THEATRE . —The effective drama founded upon Dickens ' s " Christinas Carol" has since Christmas replaced the "Dead Heart" of Air . AVatts Phillips , aud is very carefully ancl effectively acted . Mr . J . L . Toole ' s impersonation of Bob Cratchit , as a bit of genuine eccentric comedy , is nearly perfect , exhibiting tho humourous phases of tho character

, yet nei-er forgetting the pathos which marks tbe experience of the poor underpaid clerk . As Mrs . Cratchit , Airs . A . Alellon most ably seconds the efforts of Air . Toole , while Air . Selby , as Ebenezer Scrooge , gives a very impressive reading of the character . A " grand new spectacular extravaganza" follows , called " Tho Nymph of the Lurleiburg ; or , the Knight and the Naiads , " founded on the legend of Lurliue , which has been pretty closely followed by the author , Mr . H . J . Byron . Sir Rupert the Reckless ( Mrs . A . Alellon ) is a hard knihtwho is not

very up g , rich enough to marry the Lady Una ( Aliss Kate Kelly ) whom he loves , and who therefore dives down to the bottom of the Rhine in company ivith his seneschal ( Air . J . L . Toole ) , Avhere he obtains from Lurline ( Miss Eliza AVebb ) , under the promise of marriage , avariety of valuable jewels . Returning to terra firma , he is about to carry out his matrimonial views , but his seueschal , who has silently hated him for years , defies hiin to mortal combat , and threatens to take possession of his entire property . Lurline heads a liht company of Amazons who gallantldeliver tho

g y lover from the bands of tho bloodthirsty attendant . Airs . Alellon is , of course , irreproachable as Sir Rupert ,. dressing , acting , fighting , making love , and singing , with the taste and volubility ivhich havo long distinguished her as tbe most efficient representative on ihe stage of this particular species of hero . Air . J . L . Toole ivas very good as the Seneschal , whom he made up into a most hideously picturesque figure , and whose peculiar disposition ho indicated with extraordinary force and originality . There is also a pompous Baron Wits most efficientlrepresented by Mr .

y Paul Bedford , after his usual well known style . AVith such an efficient body of actors almost any piece would be sure to go well , ancl though perhaps the burlesque at , tho Adelphi is not equal in comic power to some previous works of the same dramatist , it would be unfair to deny that the puns , songs , and dialogue , answer tho end of producing shouts of laughter ; and that author and artists together keep the audience in

good humour throughout . The burlesque bas been admirably produced under tbe care of Mr . AY . C Smith , the able acting manager . The scenery and costumes arc ou the ' inost liberal scale , and the effects aro surprising , ancl some of tbem very beautiful . There is a ballet in tbe course of tho piece , which gives room for some dancing of a high order . ST . JAMES ' THEATRE . —After the " screaming' ' farce of "Garibaldi ' s Englishman" in whicli Air . Charles Young nightly succeeds in convulsing the audience of this theatre , has been presented , tbe " Alagic

Toys" whicli Aliss Lydia Thompson has made one of tho celebrities of London . A very delightful petite comedy follows , called " A Household Fairy , " which gives scope for some excellent acting on the part of Miss AVynclham , who bas become a member of this company since Christmas . The plot turns upon the influence exercised by a young girl over a man who has spent all his money , and because he is too proud to work , determines to put an end to his existence . Contact with tbe fresh , simple minded girl puts new life into him , aud tbe

sketch concludes most happily . The special Christmas entertainment provided for his patrons by tbe energetic lessee , Air . Chattcrtoii , is a pantomime , the first ever produced at this theatre and certainly not the least successful one of the season . It is entitled " Punch and Judy ; or , Harlequin and the Fairy of the Crystal Caves , " and is written ancl played throughout with groat spirit and humour . The scenery is admirable , especially " The Home of Queen Mirth , " aud the transformation scene , whicli are noticeable for their artistic excellence . The national drama of " Punch" is not strictly followed in the opening of the pantomime ; that terrible reprobate , however , indulges in bis usual

wifebeating propensities . But be is tho special favourite o £ the Spirit of Burlesque , AVIIO takes him under her patronage in order that ho may be pitted against King . Humbug , ivhose patroness is the Spirit of Mischief . The opening exhibits the fight between Punch and Humbug , and it abounds with allusions to the topics of the clay , conspicuous amongst ivhich are Big Ben , the Great Eastern , and the Four . Liverpool Alerchants . Air . Robins , Air . James Francis , Miss Ranee , Miss Evans , and Aliss Nelly Moore , all acted with great spirit , in the opening . The

harlequinade is siqiported by two clowns , Mr . Paul Herring and Air . Arthur Glanville ; Mr . Parker , as Pantaloon ; Mr . Ash , as Harlequin ; aud Aliss Fowler , as Columbine ; who all are efficient pantomimists . Air . Cbattevton , following the example of bis brother managers , gives a morning performance every AVednesday ; and this iveek those notorious playgoers , tbe Duke of York ' s boys , indulged in the dissipation of a visit to the St . James ' s Theatre preceded by their excellent band . STRAND THEATRE . —This little theatre , which has acquired a

wellearned reputation for its cleverly written and admirably acted burlesques of what may be termed the drawing-room class , has produced for the holidays a piece which sustains the fame of the management , ivith its patrons of high and low degree . It is styled " Tell , and the Strike of the Cantons ; or the Pair , tho Meddler , and the Apple , " and , supported as it is by the abilities of such artists as Misses Charlotte Saunders , AVilton , ancl Oliver , ancl Messrs . Clark and Rogers , ive need scarcely add that it is a perfect success . The author bas transferred William Tell into fairy regions , and the dramatis perso » w are divided into three . /• lasses—inlmmnii beings , human bnjugs , and superhmnau . beings . Ol

course among the first is Gcslcr : of the second , Tell forms the principal ; and tho only most attractive of the " supers" aro Freedom and Helvetia . AVe bave a graud pas d ' -intoxication , by Gcslcr , not resulting in the stationhouse . Tell's chalet in the morning is very refreshing . Then of course the market-place ; and Gcsler ' s cap , whether on his head or on the pole receives clue homage , ancl the ivhole . is wound up with a grand ballet , in which Aliss Rosina AVright introduces a Savoyard dance with great effect . A set of clioramic pictures , as if seen through an inverted

operaglass , are presented of the embarkation , the passage across the lake , tho storm , the wreck ancl the escape of Tell , who arrives just iu time to have a terrific combat with the tyrant Gcslcr ; and tho piece concludes with a gorgeous display of golden pippins .

SADLER ' S AVELLS THEATRE . —The romantic play of the "Fool ' s Revenge" still holds its place on the boards of . this theatre , the critics notwithstanding ; the magnificent acting of Mr . Phelps is admirably supported by the subordinate artists , who sustain the other characters in the play ; and the completeness of tbo whole performance would seem to leave nothing to be desired in order to attract crowded and discriminating audiences . Air . Phelps , however , is ivell aivare that at this season of the year the claims of fun must be satisfied as Avell as

those of pathos , ancl accordingly ho provides the usual pantomime fare in the style of excellence for ivhich Sadler ' s AVells under bis management has become renowned . His pantomime combines the pristine comicality for ivhich this theatre has earned a name ever since the days of Grimaldi , with the refinements and decorative excellence which the improved taste of this particular audience now demand . The title is "Harlequin Hans and the Golden Goose ; orMother Earththe Little Red Man

, , , and the Princess ivhom Nobody could make Laugh . " Poor ' Mother Earth is in sad tribulation , being annoyed by six griffin beaded demons , representing the horrors of war , a Chinaman , a Negro , a Yankee , and European , rush on armed and ready for attack , and then John Bull . To furnish amusement to dispel tho gloom of Mother Earth , a pantomime must be provided , and the Little Red Man ( Aliss Eliza Collier ) is ready to answer tho summons . This is the quaintest rubicund morsel of humanity imaginable , looking as if the elfin mannikin bad come red hot from

somewhere , and had never given himself time to cool . How tho Little Rett . Dwarf becomes a great moral ' teacher , and bow tbe good hearted Hans is rewarded for his better disposition , the public must learn from the representation itself . The characters aro eventually transported to the "Arcadian Home of Peace in the Palace , " of all sorts of silver palms . The pantomime was admirably sustained throughout , the tricks ivere new , ingenious , and ivell contrived , and not a single "hitch" took place . Air . Charles Feuton is a Harlequin ivho carefully preserves the

traditions of a good school , aud is ably seconded by the Columbine ( Aliss Caroline Parkcs ); Air . C . Laurie is a Clown well known as an active and facetious pantoiniiuist ; Air . IT . Lauri is a most commendable Pantaloon , and takes his thumps and bumps with an equanimity worthy all praise for tbe physical endurance manifested . The scenery , by Mr . Charles Stanfield James , is of great merit ; indeed none but a real artist could bave produced the beautiful , views whicli top up the excellences of Alessrs . Phelps and Greenwood's Christmas entertainment .

To Correspondents.

TO CORRESPONDENTS .

' ¦ ' THE BUTI . DEU . "—A brother made in a foreign Lodgo can be affiliated ivith a Lodge holding under tbe English Constitution . The expense will be according to the Lodge the brother ivishes to join—the fee is usually from one to five guineas , and iu some instances higher . As the Lodgo will have to register the brother iu the Grand Lodge books , an additional fee of £ 1 7 s . 6 c / . ( tbe cost o £ registering ) will most probably be charged .

" 11 . T . I . " or " ' R . T . T . "—Our correspondent using these , or similar , initials , is requested to write again more legibly . AVe cannot undertake to decipher hieroglyphics . "It . H . AV . "—It is not customary iu English Lodges for Alaster Alasons to wear such jewels . All Scotch Alaster Alasons , however , wear them as described . AA e havo also seen them in English Lodges ,-and do

not know of any real objection to them . Strictly speaking , tbe Alasonic Bible does not include the Now Testament ; no part of our ceremonies being , according to our tradition , founded upon it . DR . HINXMAN . —The brother who ivas elected AV . AI . last year , and has never been installed , ivill not take rank as a P . AL Bro . Sir Thos . Hesketh , having been invested as J . G . D . by proxy , will not lose his

rank in consequence of never having attended to his duties ; the only penalty being the forfeiture of as many guineas as there have been Grand Lodges ; the default in payment of ivhich will forfeit the rank . NORTH SHIELDS . —The report of St . George ' s Lodge ivill appear in our next . LODGE OE JOPPA . —Acknowledged with thanks . Bi-Rjni . iMrsTEAD . —Om- correspondent ' s favour arrived too ! ate for this impression .