The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Haymarket . —The commencement of the theatrical season was ¦ well started by Mr . Beerbohm Tree Inst Saturday , when , before a most distinguished audience , he produced Mr . C . Haddon Chambers's well written and cleverly constructed play " Captain Swift . " It will be in the memory of most of our readers that this play was

successful at a matinee some few months ago , and undoubtedly Mr . Tree has done well in starting his season with it . Tho play was exceptionally strong in all parts , but since the matinee the alterations made have greatly improved it . For instance , tho last act has been re-written , aud by that means strengthened . The exposure of Mrs .

Seabrook , however , is still continued . This is to bo regretted ; her grief afc wrongdoing was so genuine that one feels kindly towards her . Her denunciations of her son were so heartfelt and sincere that Captain Swift , strong-willed man as he is , canuot withstand them . The situations in the play are most striking , aud go home to

every one in the house , while the motive is so romantic that it carries an audience with it . The great secret of having the several characters well represented has been looked after , and a most painstaking company haa been secured , led by that rising actor Mr . Beerbohm Tree . As Captain Swift Mr . Tree has one of those parts

that he is seen to advantage in . Each of the situations is grasped in such a way that every point tells , and with fullest effect . The introduction to Gardiner in the first act is skilfully conceived and carried ont , while the lighter scenes are grasped in such a style that makes the audience thoroughly enjoy them . Mr .

Tree gains for Captain Swift the sympathy of the honso , notwithstanding his past career as a bushranger . Lady Monckton has improved her Mrs . Seabrook , and now throws such nervous force into the part that it becomes very effective . This lady rose to the occasion when speaking to her son , more especially in the third and fourth

acts . Mrs . Tree , as Stella Darbisher , was charming ; while Miss Eose Leclerq was a most cynical Lady Staunton . Mr . Macklin gave us an excellent presentation as Mr . Gardiner ; his hints to Swift are thrown off with much point , while his love scenes are happily conceived . Mr . Kemble was a capital Mr . Seabrook , while Mr . Fuller

Mellish showed a marked improvement on his matinee presentation . Mr . Brookfield was unsuited as Marshall , such behaviour as he displayed would scarcely be tolerated in private life . Miss Angela

Cudmore was a most painstaking and interesting Mabel Seabrook , and Mr . Charles Allan a capital detective . The play was enthusiastically received , the loud calls for the author being answered by that gentleman .

' Savoy . —We are much surprised to learn thafc there are some playgoers who have not yet seen the " Mikado , " and are greatly at a loss to account for such remissness . The opera has had a splendid run , and we earnestly advise our readers to embrace tho opportunity before it is too late . It is by far the best of the Gilbert-Sullivan series , fche

musio is delightful and full of what musicians term 'local colour ;" the plot is intensely fnnny without tho slightest trace of impropriety , and it is performed in a manner that is simply perfect . What more can any one desire for a pleasant evening's amusement ? The opera

will shortly be withdrawn , to make room for the winter novelty , the subject of which is a state secret , but we doubt the ability of these clever writers to beat the record of " The Mikado , or the Town of Titipu . "

Toole ' s . —After a successful tour in the provinces Lecocq s comic opera" Pepita" haa been produced in London , under the management of Messrs . Auguste Vau Biene and Horace Lingard . It is , doubtless , generally known that " Pepita" is an English version ol " La Princesse des Canaries , " which was produced in Paris some few

years ago . Although the plot is slight , it is interesting aud exceedingly amusing . The music , if not of the highest class , is pretty , catchy , and in fact all that can be desired . Judging from the enthusiastic reception the production met with , and tho numerous encores demanded , the opera has taken a strong hold ou

Londoners , who , wo fear , will be loth to part with it . Misa Wadman's Pepita is decidedly a success ; her vocal and histrionic powers command attention . Miss Kate Cutler was pretty and graceful as Inez . Although Miss Alma Stanley was allotted but a small part , she realised ifc majestically . Miss Gordon as Gomez

Captain of the Cadets , acted with spirit . Mr . Horace Lingard and Mr . Louis Kelleher , Inigo and Pedrillo respectively , caused roars of laughter by their excellent comedy business . They were especially funny in the third act , where they appear , tho one as a vender of lemonade , the other as a purveyor of roasted chestnuts .

Their comic song on the various topics of the day was deservedly applauded . Mr . Walker Maruock makes a colossal General Bombardos , whilo Mr . Frank Seymour represents tho Jilliputian General Pataques . Their funny duet , " My excellent friend , " " caught on "

at once . Mr . Lytton Grey acted well as the efFominato Prince Guzman . In the course of the piece a divertissement ia introduced ; this has been arranged by Madame Katti Lanner , and in this Mademoiselle Hoby disports herself as premiere danseuse .

Professor Baldwin takes his first benefit at the Alexandra Palace on the 13 th instant , ancl we shall be surprised if tho British public do not testify their admiration for hia scientific discovery by congregating iu thousands within tho precincts of tho Palace grounds ! . Tho professor intends on this occasion to outstrip his previous

performances , aud ascend two miles ( nearly 11 , 000 foot ) , aud he wiil descend in such a direction as tho members of the Aeronautical Society of Great Britain present desire him to take , in order to prove the steering qualities of his parachute . Tho gold medal which this society has voted Professor Baldwin for his invention will be presented on this occasion .

Miss Agnes Hewitt reopens the Olympic to-night ( Saturday ) , wit ! " The Ticket of Leave Man , " Mr . Henry Neville has been engaged ibi his original part of Bob Briefly , while Miss Hewitt will sustain tha of May Edwards .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

CONSECRATION OP THE LEWES LODGE ,

No . 391 . A SPECIAL meeting of tho Provincial Grand Lodgo of Mark il Master Masons of Sussex was held at the Masonio Hall , Lewes , on the 5 th inst ., when the Lewes Lodge , No . 391 , was consecrated . The Lodge , in the absence of Bro . Lord Arthur Hill , M . P ., P . G . W . Prov . Grand Mark Master , was opened by Bro . C . J . Smith Deputy

Prov . Grand Mark Master , assisted by his Officers . The following brethren wore elected to the honourable degree of Mark Master Masons , viz ., Bros . J . Adatnes , J . H . Every , W . VV . Turner , G . Holman , VV . Wright , and Ifc . Weston . The Consecrating Officer , the V . W . Bro . C . J . Smith Deputy Prov . Grand Master , having addressed

tho founders of the new Lodge on tho nature of the meeting , called upon the Prov . Grand Secretary , who stated the wishes of the founders , and the proceedings they had taken with respect to the Lodge . The Petition and Warrant having been read aud approved , the Depnty Prov . Grand Master addressed tho brethren . Three

months , he said , had scarcely passed by since they were called together to Henfield at consecrate the Adnr Lodge , and ho trusted tho foundation of the two Lodges would prove a happy augury for Mark Masonry in Sussex . Although many previous years had been passed in comparative idleness , the seeds of Mark Masonry had been

sown broadcast , and they wero now reaping the harvest . During that long period many good brethren had been gathered to their rest —notably Sir Cordy Burrows , Dr . Cunningham , T . J . Sabino , and George Smith . The gaps had happily been filled by yonng Masons of great ability , of whom they were all proud . He was personally

grateful to Bros . H . W . G . Abell and A . F . Lamette for the interest ; they had taken in the now Lodge . The ceremony of consecration was ably carried out by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , while the duty of installing the W . M . elect devolved npon Bro . H . W . G . Abell . The musical arrangements wero under the direction of

Bro . F . H . Hallett , who presided at the organ . The following Officers were elected for the ensuing year , viz ., R . Pidcock S . W ., S . B . Legg J . W ., S . Peters M . O ., J . Adamos S . O ., J . H . Every J . O ., Rev . W . A . Tooth Chaplain , H . W . G . Abell Treasurer , W . Webb Turner Reg . of Marks , G . Holman Secretary , W . Wright S . D ., A . F .

Lamette J . D ., J . J . Abell Dir . of Cers ., R . Weston I . G ., and H . H . Hughes Tyler . The Lodge having been duly closed , the brethren adjourned to the Bear Hotel , where they sat down to an excellent banquet . The nsual Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and were pleasingly interspersed by songs rendered in charming style by Miss Minnie Freeman .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

ALL SAINTS' CHAPTER , No . 422 . r PHE Companions held their annual conference at tho MasonicHall , - * - Gainsborough , on Monday , 20 th ult ., thero being a goodly attendance . The election of Officers for the year took place , as follows : —Comps . Kirk P . Z . Z . ( for the fifth time ) , George Housham

H ., Frederick Baines J ., C . F . Liversidge P . Z . P . S . Treasurer , F . J . Sowby S . E ., J . Stauiforth S . N ., G . Scott Janitor . Two brethren cf the Isle of Axholme and Yarborough Lodges having been exalted ,

and other business of the Chapter transacted , tho annnal banquet was afterwards held , and the usual Il . A . toasts proposed . Companion Kirk presided .

ST . AUBYN CHAPTER .

THE annual meeting of the members was held on the 29 th ult . afc fche Ebrington Hall , Devonport . The M . W . S . elect , Frater Dr . F . A . Davyson , J . P ., was installed . The M . W . S . of the past year , Frater W . Trevena , officiated as the installing officer , assisted by Fraters C . Watson , T . Goodall , J . Allen , Rev . T . W . Lemon , M . A ., F " . B . Westlake , J . H . Keats , and E . Aifcken-Davies . The Fraters

invested as the Officers wero Captain Quin , R / N ., Pre ., F . Crouch 1 st G ., G . L . Woodland 2 nd G ., C . Watson Treas ., T . Goodall Recorder , W . H . Gillman Raphael , W . G . Watson G . M ., J . Austin C . G ., C . Newton O ., E . Aitken-Davies Herald , S . Harvey Equerry . The Rev . T . W . Lemon oreaoutcd to tho Chapter a group of handsome

photographs of tho Supreme Council , 33 degree , appropriately framed . On a panel was inscribed , " Presented to tho St . Aubyn Chapter S . P . H . C ., of H . R . D . M ., No . 20 , Devonport , by the LB . Rev . T . W .

Lnmon , M . A ., 31 degroo , P . M . W . S ., and High Prelate , August 29 th , 1888 . " In tho evening tho Fraters dined together at William ' s Restaurant , Chapel-sfcreet . Tho M . W . S ., Frater Dr . F . A . Davyson , p resided .

Ad01103

INS TA LLA TION OFO.H,THEPB!*8G£OFWALES As the M . W . aJYL of England , AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL , 2 8 th APE IL 1875 . / COPIES of thin BEAUTIFUL ENGRAVING by Brother HARTY Kj P . 1 L , consi ..-tin , cr of Artist ' s Proofs , Proofs before ' Letters , and Lettered id-oofs , India Prints , and Plain Prints may bo had sib Cost Price by ¦ . ipplyinjr lo Bro . W . R . NOB BIS , w Southampton Buildings , W , C , London .