The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

OLYMPIC .

THE sure grip which a thoroughly dramatic story takes on the public is exemplified at the Olympic , where " In His Power " has reached its sixtieth representation , with even increasing favour . We hnvenot seen it since the first nisrht , on which occasion it startled its audience into an enthusiasm which has long been a stranger to these walls . On our second visit tbe smoothness and crispness of

touch gained by time was very evident . Especially is the mprovement of method noticeable in Mr . Cartwriijht , who now paints his villain Scara with no less force , bnt with a freedom from the coarseness and violence of colour which made this personage and his earlier connection with the heroine an

incredibility . We rejoice so clever an artist has thought fit to accept onr suggestions in this matter . Mr . Bellew plays with manly earnestness . He has the gift of implying depth of emotion apparently with an nnconscions intonation . We may hope to see him in parts more worthy his sreat powers , bnt in none will

he act with more sympathetic sincerity . Unhappily Miss Ada Cavendish , who created the part of the sorely tried heroine , is still unwell , bnt Mrs . Beerbohm Tree is a very graceful and efficient substitute . We could still wish the comic business more toned down ; however , it secures laughter , and this is perhaps a justification for any improbability .

Empire.

EMPIRE .

IT was pleasant to find , on revisiting the Empire last Monday , to find that certain superfluities had disappeared from the text of * The Lady of the Locket , " and though the book even now cannot boast much brilliancy , yet it moves briskly , and leads smartly np to the songs and dances . Mr . Hayden Coffin ' s drinking song is still as

heartily applauded as ever , and the grace of his impersonation tends greatly to the success of the opera . Miss St . John is once more in good voice . At the present time , when the arts of decoration are much more valued than natural gifts , the Venetian costumes , in their

lavish richness , might alone secnre the run of this piece . The effort to appreciate the fashion and colour of a slashed doublet is pleasant to all persons of taste , and not exhausting to the most attenuated intellect . The two ballets introduced are remarkable , even in these days , for their fantastic beauty .

Royal Aquarium, Westminster.

ROYAL AQUARIUM , WESTMINSTER .

AMONGST the varied attractions which are included in the programme of pleasure by visitors to the metropolis , few places of amusement offer so excellent a diversity as does the Aquarium at Westminster . From " early morn till dewy eve" there is a constant round of gaiety and animation , and the arrangements are such as to suit tbe various tastes of all who are in search of instruction

and wholesome recreation . Throughout the day there is a ripple of soothing and enlivening music , and men of studious minds will find a feast of edification at the meetings of the Balloon Society . Then the feats of natation by the Beckvvith family are a standing dish in the bill of fare provided , whilst men of sporting tastes will find means of

relaxation in the billiard matches generally provided . If wo mention Marchetti's royal marionettes , which are extraordinarily good ; the acrobatic feats of the Jackley troupe ; the clever dancing and singing of the Michigan coons ( Huda and Berlo ) ; Natt Emmett's performing goats j and the goat "Blondin , " from Spain ; the ariel flights of the

Hanlon Voltas ; the Matthew ' s Minstrels ; the omnibns sketches by Walter Wardrober ; and the high wire evolutions by Miss Emily and Master Walter Delavanti , enough will have been said to indicate what a diversified and admirable menu is presented . Messrs . Pike and Woodward's performing seals are a marvel to all who have

witnessed their strange and novel performances . That creatures of so apparently obtuse a nature could have been trained to such perfection may well remain a puzzle . The audience on the occasion of our visit were evidently impressed with the extraordinary evidences of training so well exemplified .

Ad01104

ROYAL ffingmtk pSettetoleitt | ttstittttimt , VOTES AND INTEREST ARE SOLICITED FOR MRS . JANE TRIBE , aged 64 , WIDOW of Brother George Henry Tribe , who was initiated 1858 in No . 601 , Lvttelton , New Zealand ; joined No . 609 , Chvistchnrch , New ^ ealatul ; was first Worshipful Master of No . 1211 , Boss , New Zealand ; subsequently District Grand Chaplain Westland ; and District Grand Treasurer A orth Island , New Zealand . "Votes thankfully received by Mr . C . BECKINGHAM , 415 Strand j or by Bro . 0 . J . PERCEVAL ( V . P . ) , 8 Thurloe Place , S . W . The "Widow , being almost a stranger , earnestly hopes the "Brotherhood" will help her at the next Election .

Ad01105

HPO Managers of Provincial Masonic Election Associations and ~? .. others . —Any Association , without a case o their own to support , who * V > A ' . ^ 0 undersigned in securing the election of Mrs . JANE TKIBE , at the ^ rtbcomiiig election , will be guaranteed a certain repayment of 125 mixed MM annually , and as many more as can be obtained , by C . J . PERCEVAL , V . p . ° ' all Institutions , 2 Thurloe Vhno , S . W .

Ad01106

£ 20 . --ToBACco 2 riais COMMENCING . —A Pamphlet , 110 pages . How to Open ifoffiP a ¥ . from £ 2 ° £ 5 Q 0 - 3 Stamps . H . MTBBB & Co ., Cigar and Tobacco "slants , 109 Eustoa fload , London . Wholesale only . Telephone No . ' oil .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

— : o : — PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OP HERTFORD . SHIRE .

THE Provincial Grand Chapter of Hertfordshire assembled at th Town Hall , Hertford , on Wednesday , 26 th nit . M . E . Comp-T . P . Halsey , M . P .. Prov . G . Snpt ., E . Comps . J . E . Dawson H ., JTerry J ., G . E . Lake S . E ., J . Parrott P . S ., E . Swain 1 st A . S ., F . Sumner Knvvett Treasurer , E . Bowyer Swd . B ., E . It . P . Francis Org ., T . S . Carter P . H ., J . B . Scriven P . H , J . R . Cocks P . J ., W . P .

Willson P .. L , J . Shilcock P . N ., P . Taylor P . P . Soj ., W . Warrener P . 1 st A . S ., W . J . Crutch P . 2 nd A . S ., R . Fisher Young P . Swd . Br ., Comps . Mnrras and G . T . Carter . After the minntes of the last

Provincial Grand Chapter had been confirmed the roll of Officers and Chapters was called . Comp . Sumner Knyvett was re-elected Treasurer . The following wero appointed and invested Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year , viz .: — Comp . J . E . Dawson P . Z . 404 ( re-appointed ) P . G . H . E . Swain P . Z . 403 P . G . J . ft TO T „ i T > T 7 Ar \ . \ I „ :.. i „; i \ x > n o v uiiivw i

vr . a . . / J . ** > H ^ ru-apjjuiuuou ; X . IJ . O . UI . E . Taylor P . Z . 409 P . G . S-N . E . C . Rogers Z . 403 P . G . S . A . W . Nash J . 409 P . G . 1 st A . S . F . Venables J . 1383 P . G . 2 nd A . S . F . Sumner Knvvett P . Z . 404 ... P . G . Treas .

R . B . Croft H . 403 P . G . Registrar . J . Cutbush J . 1385 P . G . Sword Bearer . J . E . Morris H . 409 P . G Standard Bearer

J . Terry P . Z . 1385 P . G . D . C . Mihill Slaughter 404 P . G . Organist . T . Wright and C . Thomas ( re-appointed ) P . G . Janitors . The Report of the Board of Finance was adopted .

Confidence Lodge of Instruction , No . 193 . —On Wednesday , the 1 st instant , at the Hercules Tavern , Leadpnhall Street , Bros . Saint W . M ., Cubitt SW , Clare J . W ., Pitt Secretary , Hollands P . M . J . D ., John Egan D . C , John Little I . G ., Brown , Webb P . M ., & c . After preliminaries , the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Brown candidate . Bro . Clare offered himself

as candidate for passing to the second degree , and was entrusted . Lodge was opened in the second , and Bro . Clare was passed to the degree of F . C . Bro . Brown was elected Worshipful Master for the ensuing week . Lodge was closed in due form and adjourned to Wednesday next , at 7 o ' clock .

Star Lodge of Instruction , Mo . 1275 . —There was a goodly attendance at this popular Lodge of Instruction on Saturday evening , when the Preceptor , Bro . George Andrews P . M ., was heartily welcomed back to his accustomed post after his long and serious illness . Tbe chair was occupied by Bro . Walter Martin , who

has ably and kindly performed the duties of Preceptor during Bro . Andrews's indisposition , and he was supported by Bros . Waterman S . W ., Beavis W . M . 879 J . W ., Wimble S . D ., Needham J . D ., Belcham . ber I . G ., 0 . L . Tokfly Sec , and others . After preliminaries Bro . McChristie answered tho questions leading to second degree , and the

ceremony of passing was rehearsed , after which one or two brethren were elected members . The acting W . M . then rose and referred to the circumstance that for some months past Bro . Andrews had been kept away from his duties as Preceptor by illness . They were all sincerely pleased to see him once more amongst them , aud to witness

that he was being rapidly restored to health and vigour . For himself , it was a source of the utmost satisfaction that Bro . Andrews was about to resume his valuable services as Preceptor-, for they had worked side by side together for some years . He now asked Bro . Andrews ' s acceptance of a beautifully-mounted address on vellum ,

enclosed in a massive gilt frame , and glazed , and which it was admitted waa executed in the highest artistic style . The text of the address ran as follows : — " This Testimonial was presented to Bro . George Andrews P . M . and D . C . 871 , on March 28 th , 1885 , by the members of the Star Lodge of Instruction , No . 1275 , of Ancient Free

and Accepted Masons of England , on his recovery from a severe illness , as a token of the esteem in which he is held , aud in recognition of the valuable services rendered by him as Preceptor to tho above Lodge for many years . " The gift was suitably acknowledged by Bro . Andrews , who expressed the pleasure it afforded him that he was

once more with his old friends of the Star Lodge of Instruction . He thanked the brethren for their kind expressions of sympathy and esteem , which wero as gratifying to him as their gift had been unexpected . He hoped to be among them on many future occasions to enioy their mutual harmony and advantage . The Secretary said he

had mnch pleasure in reporting that Bro . Lampeu , who had been laid aside for some weeks , was a trifle better , although he was afraid it would be some time before he had sufficiently recovered to come

amongst them again . A vote of sympathy with Bro . Lampen was passed . It waa reported that a reply had been received from Bro . Church , acknowledging the letter of condolence voted to him on the death of his wife . After the transaction of some other business Lodge was closed .

The appeal made by Bro . E . Bradnam , Mayor of Hastings , to the inhabitants of that port in aid of funds for relieving the distress prevalent among the poorer classes , has resulted in a sum of £ 1260 being contributed for the purpose .