Mark Masonry.

presented ancl advanced to this degree by the acting R . AV . M . in a very impressive manner , assisted by the D . B . AV . M ., Bro . John Barker . Two brethren were proposed for advancement to this degree by Bro . C . J . Banister and Bro . J . S . Loacles , and the nomination of the R . W . M ., Treasurer , and Tyler , for election took place . Business over , the lodge was closed in form .

Notes On Music And The Drama.

NOTES ON MUSIC AND THE DRAMA .

St . James's Theatre re-opens under the management of Mr . AVigan on Monday next . We regret to hear that Mr . Robson , the favourite connnedian , is again prevented by severe illness from appearing on the stage . The new farce by Mr . Oxenford , called " A Legal Impediment , " which was to have been produced on Monday last was compelled to be postponed in consequence . The anomalous position in which the metropolitan theatres were

placed during Lent , says the Fra , has annually been pointed out in these columns as productive of the greatest inconsistencies , without in any way being advantageous to the interests of religion and morality . AA ith great pleasure we can now officially announce the constant attention drawn to the subject has had the result of removing one of the most absurd restrictions that remained to embarrass theatrical managers , ancl henceforth the Lord Chamberlain's licence will permit dramatic establishments to remain

open during the whole of Lent , Passion week included , with the exception , of course , of Ash-AVednesduy and Good Friday . The liberal spirit in which this concession has been made , and the proof it . affords of the readiness of the authorities to acknowledge the importance of the drama as an intellectual amusement of the age , and to free the profession from all the fetters of tradition , will be j acknowledged by the theatrical world with a general expression of satisfaction .

AVith October our regular English winter of six months sets in , this year with unusual spirit and merriment . Madame Goldschmidt is about to sing in London and elsewhere in a series of grand concerts , with Herr Goldschmidt as her conductor . Miss Pyne and Mr . Harrison are setting to work again with gay promise of novelties . We shall be hearing presently of Monday Popular Concerts and

Friday Exeter Hall Oratorios—the more the better . Opera matters look ill iu Italy . At Naples the manager of San Carlo has " thrown up his book . " At La Seala , Milan , Madame Colson , a third-rate French prima douna , has been singing in "Don Pasquale" without much success . At Florence , we read , Madame Vera-Lorini , in the " Giuditta" of Signor Peri , has been received enthusiastically . Some may recollect that the Athenceum has

always had some expectations from this composer . The above " Giuditta , " and Signor Peri ' s " A'ittore Pisani , " too , figure in the programme for the winter of the Italian Opera House at Madrid . The Italian Opera of the French capital , which has just commenceel its season , will perhaps he rather retrospective than experimental for 1861-2—since " its start" was made with " II Matrimonio , " sung by Mesdames Penco , Alboni , ancl Battu , MM . Belart , Badiali , and Zucchini ; and stress is laid on a coming revival there of Mozart ' s " Cosi . "

Mdlle . Patti and the sisters Marclusio are to sing in Italian opera at Berlin during the winter . The opening of the Italian opera at St . Petersburg has been retarded , by the death . of M . Cavos , the manager . The new grand organ , announced as in preparation for the Hall of the Conservatory in Brussels , was opened the other clay at the National Festivals . Our neighbours ( given in their musical doings

to no small amount of self-admiration ) are instructed that this Is to be "the model organ . " M . Lemmens was the principal player . It is proposed that when the additions and alterations to the Theatre Franeais are completed , two statues shall be erected under the peristyle ; it is agreed on all sides that those of Talma ancl Rachael would be the most appropriate . Herr Tschiesche , whom the oldest German opera-hunters must remember as a full-grown basso , has only just retired from the stage at Berlin .

A new opera , by Herr Hiller , is to be performed during the winter , entitled "The Catacombs . " Herr Berwald , the Swedish composer , some of whose music , it may be remembered , was performed iu London , during the season , has just died at Stockholm at an advanced age . A letter from A enice says that a professional musician of that

Notes On Music And The Drama.

place has discovered a prodigy for which there is probably no precedent—a singer , that is to say , who is at once a bass , a baritone , ancl a tenor . The professor was on his way to Rovigo , when he paused to rest in a country inn . Suddenly , in an adjacent room , he heard a splendid bass voice sing Silva's aria out of " Ernani . " That at an end , a . sonorous baritone struck up the well-known "Le vodrem o vegtio audace . " The listener was still lost in admiration of the beauty of these two voiceswhen a hih ringing tenor made

, g itself heard , and sang with great range of voice , Edgar's closing air in "Lucia . " The delighted professor could not restrain his enthusiasm , ancl hurried into the adjoining room to thank the gifted trio , when , to his astonishment , he found the apartment occupied only by one young man , who declared that be himself had sung all three airs . Put to the test , it proved that he spoke the truth , and that the singer possessed the extraordinary range from the low D to the high Call full ancl beautiful chest notes . It is

, thought possible that the professor may persuade this Crcesus of voices , who is the son of a well-to-do burgess , to devote himself to the stage . Among the arrivals of distinguished artistes we ( Galignani ) have noted that of' Madame Oury , the celebrated pianist , of whose talents , both as a composer and player , it is unnecessary at this time of day to write one word . A fantasie on Rossini ' s reall

y exhaustless source of melody , " II Barbiere , " is among this lady ' s productions ,- a theme which , in spite of its age—now near half a century—is still fresh and sparkling as a morning in spring . Mme . Oury was among the company at M . Rossini ' s weekly reunion on Saturday evening , and completely carried off the laurels of the soiree .

Madame Ugdale has been displaying one of those little caprices to which fair and popular singers are subject . The Opera Comique was closed on the night of the 28 th ult ., on account of the lady ' s indisposition . The director of the theatre now sends a certificate to the reapers , signed by four doctors , showing that Madame Ugalde was on the night in question perfectly able to perforin . The death of Mr . Vanclenhoff , the celebrated actor , took place

on Friday evening , at his residence , 34 , North-bank , Regent's-park . Mr . Vaudenhoff had for some time been suffering from gout , but not so badly as to confine him to his house . On the morning of his death he walked to his physician ' s and back for the purpose of consulting him . After dinner he was seized , as the event showed , with premonitory symtoms of paralysis , but was still able to return to his bed room and lie down without assistance .. A medical gentleman in the neighbourhood was at once sent for , but on his

arrival Mr . Vawdenhoff was speechless , and shortly afterwards expired . He carries to his grave the unblemished reputation of a long and honourable life . For some time he had given up the practice of his profession ; but though iu his 72 tid year , he was erect and active , ancl bore every promise of enjoying for many years to come the warm attachment of a select circle of friends , who valued him for the unsophisticated kindliness of his nature and his many sterling virtues .

Public Amusements.

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS .

MR . ALFRED MELLON'S CONCERTS . Mr . Alfred Mellon has now closed his admirable series of concerts , and there can be no doubt whatever that his efforts throughout the season have entitled him to the support of the musical public . Mr . Alfren Mellon has spared no expense , and given wotks of every kind ancl degree of merit , desiring , as it was quite natural he should desire , to conciliate all tastes , although his own artistic

leaning towards the great ancl classical , always influentially conspicuous , gave a high character to the entertainments which no exceptional ad captandv . m proceedings could destroy . Mr . Alfred Mellon , wandering " from grave to gay , from lively to severe , " has given the symphonies , concertos , or oratorios of the classic masters alternately with brilliant dramatic overtures , and fantasias and sparkling dance tunes . He has provided us with the finest baud in London , ancl engaged from time to time vocalists of

renown , such as Madlle . Parepa , Madame Laura Baxter , Madame Lancia , Miss Poole , Mr . Thomas , and Mr . AA eiss ; and all this array of executive talent has been offered at an admission fee not exceeding that demanded ^ at a first-class music hall ! PRINCESS'S THEATRE . An English translation , minus the songs , of the French operetta , called "Les Noces de Jeannette , " which , it may be remembered , was produced last season at Covent Garden , with Mr . Corri and Miss Pyne in the leading parts , was brought out at this theatre