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entorcd hoartily into the fan of the piece , indeed the only fault ri'ully to bo found is that the burlesque is too short for mod' -rn audiences . It is deoio ' cdly well worthy of n visit , if only to show the pro ent generation what pleased and delighted their fathers . Toole ' s . —Tho welcome extended to Mr . J . L . Toolo last Tuesday , whon ho made his reappearance for a short season of seven week- - ,

wai doubtless all tho more hearty on account of tho favouiito comedian ' s avowed intention of leaving England next February for a tour in Australia . He certainly could not be more warmly receivt d , though owing perhaps to its boiug Christmas Eve tho audience was not so large as might otherwise bo expected . Tho pieco was appropriate to tho ocoasion , being Dion Uoucicault's version of

Dickens ' s charming Christmas story , " The Cricket on the Hearth ! " and onco again did the veteran actor move us to smiles and tears with his pathetio rendering of old Caleb Plummer . Once more did Mr . Johu Billington present that cheery character John Peerybinglo , and again did Eliza Johnstouo delight as Tilly Slowboy , though she is becoming rather too developed to look the part . Mr . G . Shelton played the old curmudgeon Tackleton with due regard to the

author s text ; . d Miss Mary Brough prettily represented Dot , after whom the phij is called . Miss Ireno Vanbrugh was thoroughly commendable as the blind girl Bertha ; Miss F . Henry was well placed as May Fielding ; and Mr . C . M . Lowue made the most of the disguised Edward . The pieco , though not calling for elaborate scenery , is admirably mounted . Tho rattling farce of " Tho Steeple Chase , " with Mr . Toolo as Tittnms , brought the entertainment to a merry conclusion .

Alhambra . — The average Londoner who frequents tho Alhambra , if asked to define the plot of a ballet would probably reply , iu the words of Canning's organ grinder— " Story ? God bless you , I have none to tell , Sir . " If further questioned as to the cause of tho amnsoment he derived from it , he would give muoh the same reason as the ohild does for his liking of the kaleidoscope , that

wonderful toy in which pieces of painted glass assume fantastic shapes and varying combinations of oolours . Pretty faces , lissome bodies , dancing feet , gorgeous dresses , to the accompaniment of the always tuneful music of M . Jacob ! , constitute a spectacle which satisfies the senses , if it make no appeal to the mind . But Siguor Casati has successfully demonstrated that , without

derogating from tho satisfaction of the senses , it is possible to produce a ballet telling a consistent , and oven an interesting story , in dumb show . To do this he has gone to Le Sage's famcus "Diable Boiteux " for inspiration . Ifc would be interesting , by the way , to kuow how many plays and dramas , not to mention burlesques and pantomimes , would have remained unwritten if Le Sage had not

created that lame imp of misohief—Asmodeus . But wo digress . The story as told runs as follows . In radiant halls Don Pedro ( Madame Roffey ) receives the suitors for tho hmid of his daughter , Donna Serafina ( Signorina E . Bessone ) . Among these is the wealthy Count Lusana ( Madle Saracco ) , who presents many precious gifts . The most splendid is a gift of eight slaves , who afterwards

dance in most admirable fashion one of the most effective aud beautiful dances in the ballet . But Donna Serafina prefors the attentions of her student admirer , Don Cleofas ( Madle Mario ) . Complications ensue , owing to the wiles of Asmodeus ( Signor Vincenti ) , who cnuses Don Cleofas to be accused of the theft o Donna Serafina ' s jewels . Don Cleofas , by drawing his sword , manages to keap his

enemies at bay , and tho first tableau ends . The second tableau discloses tho study of the astrologer and magician Arfcndez ( M . Marra ) . Asmodeus , always up to mischief , assnmes to be a fly , and annoys Artudez , till he is caught and plooed in a largo bottle on the shelf . Don Cleofas enters at this point , having escaped his pursuers . Seeing tho cloak of Asmodens , he proceeds to don it as a disguise .

llenring strange cries and groans , bo accidentally frees Asmodeus from the bottle , and the grateful imp promises Don Cleofas his restoration to the Court of Don Pedro and the hand of Donna Serafina . Asmodeus and Don Cleofas fly away together , and the second tableau onds . The third tableau shows a fete givou Uy Don Pedro , which Count Lusana attends iu order to sign tho marriage contract with

Donra Seiafina . Asmodeus , true to his word , appears with Don Cleofas , uses his magic power to magnetise everybody , demonstrates the innocence of Don Cleofas and the £ , ailt of Count Lusana , who is , however , pardoned , and tho betrothal of Donna Serafina and Dim Cleofas takes place amid general rejoicings . With such a story , it is necessary to criticise the performers , not only as danccrp , bub also

as actors . And they all come out of the ordeal well . Place aux dame ? . Signorina Bessone , deservedly a great favoawte with Alhambra audiences , excelled herself , and ifc says a great deal for her dancing that ib did not suffer oven by comparison with that of Signor Vincenti , to whom we shall shortly refer . A magnetic danco with which alio closes the second tableaux is the very poetry of motion , and must be

seen to bo appreciated . Iu tho final scene , poised upon the tees or ono foot , the ia slowly pulled across the stage . Thi 3 is a remarkable and clever , but can never be a graceful feat . Her pantomime is adequate . Bnfc the best acting was that of Mdlle . Marie , who shows a groot advance in this part of her business , and whoso danciug I as not lost its old grnce . Signorina Spotti baa but few opportunities ,

unfortunately , but she makes thc most of them . Her Moorish slave dance solo is capitally done , and her costume ia chaivnin ;; . Madame Roffey and Signorina S > iracco wero adequ ^ c loptosontativos of their roles . Mis ^ Minnie Thurgato ' s dance iu tho last sceno hit the public taste , and is bound to bo popular . Signor Vincenti is a wonder—au acrobjt as well as a dunecr—and his acting was perfect of its kiud . We confess wo huvc ;

iie -icr bien enchanted with men dunecrs , but Signor Vincenti thoroughly deserved tbo tumult of applause he recsived . We have new exhausted tho list of principals . Hut it would be uufair not to refer to the eight coryphees whose Moorish alavo dunce deservedly won tho lirbt encore of tho ovouiug . Appearing as Hies iu the second so : in-, und again in the last , their daueiug throughout was admirable . It would be u graceful recognition of their cfl ' ortd if their uainoa were

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given in the same way as at the Empire . When we pa ^ s from the acting and dancing to tho dresses and scenery wo confess that our powers of description fail u ? . To say that the action takos place iu sunny Spain is to indicate the scope allowed to the co 3 tnmior . AU the colours of the rainbow aro blended , by means of rich materials , into a harmonious whole . If we wished to bo critical wo should

suggest that tho whole is ju ? t a little too garish and that tho blazo of colour is too much fur the quiet oyc . But no doubt the management understands to a nicety tho public taste . Wo respectfully ask ono ([ uestiou . Wo should like to know what thing that flies , whether largo or small , has wiugs so situated as tho wings in tho otherwise pretty dresses worn by tho eight coryphees in tho last scone ? Their

effect is grotesque and ugly . They ought to be taken off * . And now , whilst in critical mood , we venture tho opinion that tho Christmas pantomime basiness iu the second scene is out of place , and would bo better omitted . But , after all , these are only flirs in amber . And now , what shall be said of M . Jacobi ' s tuneful setting of the story ? All tho musio is de ghtfnl . M . Jacobi has never dono bettor . Tho overtnro is a sufficient foretaste of what follows it . The Moorish

slave dance , and the entry cf the guitars and mandolines in tho first tableau , tho magnetic dance in tho second , and the grand march in tbo third , show M . Jacobi at b s best . Tho music is distinctly Spanish throughout , aud the clink of onstauots in many places adds to its oft ' ect . At the conclusion of tho ballet , tho wbolo of tho principals , as also Signor Casati , M . Jacobi , aud Mr . Morton , woro eallod and recalled ; and rightly . The capitals of Europe may be searched in vain for u better bullet than Asmodens .

Mohawk Minstrels . —The ever-incroasing popularity of this troupe of minstrels is hardly to be wondered at whon one looks at the kiud of entertainment that is supplied . As Christmas , Easter , or VVhitsnntide comes rouud , new nnd appropriate songs are introduced , while nt other times of tho year complete changes in the " bill" aro made . Tho prograramo arrangod for this present Christmas

is certainly a good one , and with all tho old favourites well to tho fore au enjoyable eveuin ^ is assure 1 . Messrs . Frank Elsworth , J . Rnsson , Thos . Campbell , R . Oliver , Warren Lawson and Master F . Bentloy all lend good aid , while the comio songs and frolios of Messrs , Sambo Sutton , G . D'Alb ^ rt , J . Drew , Walter Howard , Johnny Danvers , Johnny Sohofield , T . Aldors and Little Thomas canso

endless fnn , 'The Mohawks' Christmas Treo" is a capital little comicality , that brings the firsfc part to a close . In the second half of the programme we have a lively skit on the strong mau business , by Johnny Danvers and Johnny Sohofield ; a double dance by Sambo Sutton and George D'Albert ; some clever drolleries by Drew and

Alders ; a cornet solo by Celian Kottaun j a new parody on " Tbe song that reached my heart , " by Little Thomas ; and a screaming Christmas sketch , by Mr . G . D . Fox , entitled "Mister Robinson Crusoe , " which is performed by tho wholo company . By this maim tho Mohawtahavo moaogoa toe » iuusecrowaoa aucfieneds during tho Christmas , and we feel suro will do so for somo time to come .

Miss Annie Irish will produce her new -play at Terry ' s , at a matiroe , on Tuesday , 21 st Jauuary , in which the following ladies nnd gentlemen will appear : —Mesdnmea E . II . Brook ? , Le Thioro , Josephine St . Angd , Roma and Annie Irish , Messrs . Fred Terry nnd Henry Pagdeo . The play will bo stage-managed by Mr . W . U . Vernon , and the business arrangements will be looked after by Mr . LI . T . Brickwell .

On Saturday evening , 1 st February , "Sweat Lavender" will bo played at Terry ' s for the 690 th and last time . After that dato , the hoaso will bo temporarily occupied , for eight monfclis , by another management . In the meanwhile Mr . Edward Terry will tako a pleasure trip to India , returning in the autumn to produco a new play .

Wo are glad to notice that the anditorinm of tho Ciystal Palace pantomime , "Aladdin , " has been completely transformed . Hitherto , tho seats havo been on the same level , thereby causing groat dissatisfaction . A now sloping floor has , however , now been laid , which enablts every scut-holder to have a perfeot view of thc performance . Tho pantomime ia performed every afternoon at 3 0 , aud also ou Thursday aud Saturday evenings at 7 ' 30 .

Sussex Freemasons will learn with interest that U . R . U . the Dako of Connaught , as Provincial Giand Master of Sussex , is about to nppoiut tho Right Hon . Siv William Thackeray Marriott , Q . C ., M . P ., to bo Deputy Provincial Grand Master in tho place of tho late 'iro . Gerfd Ford . S r William , who i 3 n Patfc Grand Steward of tho Grand L- lgc of England , liret'bccamo connected with the

Provinceof Si « cx ns one of tho founders of tbo Earl of Sussex Lod ^ o ( so nam- ! from the minor title of IX . ll . lf . thc Duke of Coounughfc , who , on lain Ji no 18 S 6 , was installed by the Prince of Wales as Provincial Grund M . later of Sua ; jex ) , which was c msecuitf I by 'bo Duko of Cuuuauglit , at Brighton Pnviii-. m , on 15 th July 1887 . Tho first Worslrpful Master of the Lodge was the late Bro . Gerard Ford . Sir

W . T . Marriott was S . W . In the following year ho was duly installed in the chair , aud , having completed his year of oflioo , was iu October last , appointed Prov . G . Ser'or Warden , i- id in that capacity became iH-npjrary head of tho Province , f id ac > rJiii ; - ; Iy presided at tho banquet which followc 1 tho Prciiicial Grund Lodgo inootins :.

Sir Willliam ' s appointment is 1 kcly prove \ ipulnr . Amongst those •¦ . ho have previously ftlli 1 the office are liroy . Thon ¦ ¦> llr , I Kemp , M . P ., ( founder of Kemp'wn ) , from 1830 to IS it ; Colonel MeQncoii , 1851 to 1858 ; the late Colonel Duibi , - , IScS to J 8 ( 35 ; Bro . K . J . i'V . tor , 18 G 5 to 1877 ; Bro . Jehn Henderson Scott , . id Uro . Gerard F .. id . —Su . < . < ' jy Dit ' . hi Ncivn .

Ad00602

Y *} UtHALS properly carried out and personally attended in ( joridon and Country , by Bro . G . A . XIUTTUN , 17 XiTowcastle atract , ytraud , W . C Honumouts erected . Valuations made .