The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

—to : — Strand . —On Wednesday evening a farcical comedy , entitled " The Balloon , " was produced at this theatre . It is not a new piece . Somo three months ago it was produced at a morning performance , and we are not surprised that a play which contains so many amusing situaatiotis and much clever dialogue has found its way into tho evening

bill . It is , perhaps , hardly fair to analyse very thoroughly the plot of a farcical comedy . Dr . Glynn , a medical practitioner nt Dovor , on the eve of hia wedding day , by those curious coincidence . * which occur moro frequently on than off the stage , ia confronted on the one hand by Mrs . Rippendale , a scheming widow , with whom he had ,

four years before , carri d on a flirtation at Eome , and to whom he had written letters of a decidedly compromising charact r , an 1 on the other by Mr . Aubrey Fitzjohn , the scoundrel uncle , whose niece he is about to marry , who knows of the said flirtation and makes use of his knowledge to fill pockets which rapidly empty . A further

complication is introduced in the shape of a Captain Cameron , cousin of the yonng lady to whom Dr . Glynn has lost his heart . Captain Cameron proposes to pilot his balloon from Dover to Calais , and calls on the Doctor with a letter , whioh is to be given to a Miss Vere , address unknown , with whom he has fallen

in love on Dover beach . This young lady suddenly turns up in a state of wild excitement , owing to the illness of her pet dog Fifine . Captain Cameron , mistaken for the Doctor , promptly poisons the dog with strychnia , and earns the undying hate of Miss Vere . Dr . Glynn discovers the bottle of strychnia on his table , and comes

to the conclusion that ho has poisoned the aunt of hia lady love , second wife of tho aforesaid uncle , for whom he had jusfc dispensed some medicine . Here we have the materials for all kinds of complications , and the authors , Messrs . J . H . Darnley and G . Manville Fenn , make such good use of their opportunities that the audience

continually npples with laughter . How Dr . Glynn escapes in the Captain ' s balloon , and how in the end all turns ont in the usual happy way , we must leave those who see the play to discover . Suffice it to say , the play is genuinely funny , and , what is infinitely better in these days , amuses the andience withont recourse to a single

doubtful or suggestive line or situafon . But there ia nothing which dopends more than farc ' al comedy on the manner of treatment for its success , and at present " The Balloon " receives only partial justice afc the hands of its exponents . Mr . George Giddens , who took the parfc of Dr . Glvnn , was evidently nervous , and

in consequence failed to impress the audience with the reality of his despair . Mr . Alfred Maltby underacted the character of Mr . Aubrey Fitzjohn , bnt will remuly tbe fanltwhen ho can dispense with the assistance of the prompter . Mr . Forboa Dawson was a thoroughly satisfactory exponent in the part of Captain

Cameron . Miss Ellaline Terriss , as Graco Wentworth , gave further evidence of tho doctrine of histrionic heredity , and acted in a bright , natural , and unaffected manner . Miss Rose Saker waa fche scheming widow , Mrs . Rippendale , and the andience , nnder the circumstances , must have almost forgiven Dr . Glynn his Romas

flirtation . Miss Gabrielie Goldney , ns Miss Vere , the excitable young lady with an abnormal fondness for her dog , thoroughly entered into tho spirit of the piece , and was the only member of the company who must be excepted from the general criticism that tho play was at times almost dull when , if the actors

had done their whole duty , it would have been bustling and exciting , Miss Emily Miller as Mrs . Theresa Fitzjohn , Mr . George Raiemond as Dr . Boyton , Mr . S . Whitaker as David , the doctor ' s boy—a very old boy by the way—and Mr . Wilton Heriofc as Todd , did their work satisfactorily . If Mr . Charles Wyndham , under whose personal

superintendence the play is being produced , can infuse more of his mercurial lightness of touch into the acting , the play , instead of dragging in the first act , and only taking hold of the audience late in the second act , will interest from start to finish , aud " The Balloon " will go up nightly for a long time to como before full and amused audiences .

Miss Kate Rorke has the honour to announce a special matinee , to take place at the Gaiety , on Tuesday next , when will be presented an original play , in three acts , entitled " A Fool ' s Paradise , " by Sydney Grundy . By kind permission of Mr . Henry Irving , Mr . John Hare ,

and Mrs . Oscar Beriuger , the following will constitute the caste : — Messrs . T . N . Wenman , E . W . Gardiner , R . Saunders , and H . B . Conway ; the Misses Gertrude Kingston , Mary Collefcte , and Kate Rorke .

The General Committee of the Royal Masouic Institution for Boys held its regular meeting at Freemasons ' Hall , on Saturday last , under the presidency of Bro . Wm . Roebuck P . G . S . B ., Trustee and Vice-Patron . There were

also present Bros . S . Richardson , Jos . Harling , E . M . Money , T . Griffiths , W . W . Morgan , J . S . Cumberland , W . Maple , A . E . Gladwell , H . Venn , James Moon , C . F . Hogard P . G . Standard Bearer , Rev . R . Morris , M . A ., LL . D ., G . P . Gillard , G . R . Langley , H . Hooper , and Fred . Binckes P . G . S . B . ( Secretary . ) The minutes having

been read and verified , and thoso of the House Committee read for information , the report of the Audit Committee was read and ordered to be entered on the minutes . Three petitions were considered ; one was accepted and the namo

ordered to be entered on the list of candidates for election in October next , while one was deferred , and tho third rejected . An application towards outfit was entertained , with a ^ grant of six guineas . The proceedings terminated wifch the usual vote to tbe Chairman .

The Theatres, &C.

SAVAGE CLUB LODGE , No . 2190 . NOT amid the backwoods of America , nor among fche tents of fcho Mahdi in Equatorial Africa , but in their native habitat , in Freemasons' HaU , the " Savages" who have come under the civilising influences of the Ancient Order of Freemasonry assembled , on the Sth inst ., to instal Bro . Thomas Catling into the chair of their Lodge for the ensuing year . The Savage Club Masonio Lodge has only

beeu in existence about two years , aud already numbers nearly seventy brethren . Firsfc among its honorary members the Prince of Wales was enrolled , presenting , as a souvenir of his interest in its welfare , tho gavel used by tho Qaon in laying fche foundation stono of the Imperial Institute . Ifc was annomced that Prince Albert

Victor was also desirous of becoming an honorary member , and expressed the hopo that he wonld bo able to dine with the Lolao during the spring or summer . His Royal Highness ' s election was duly enrolled in the records , Bro . Edward Terry acted as Instilling Master , and performed the ceromony in a finished and impressive

manner . The W . M . then invested the following brethren ns his Officers : —Bros . Sir John Somers Vine I . P . M ., W . E . Chnpimn S . W ., T . Bnrnside J . W ., W . J . Ebbett" * S . D ., W . J . Fisher J . D ., J . Northeotfc I . G ., Edward Terry Treasurer , John Paige Secretary , J . D . Boverid ^ o D . C , VV . S . Penl « y Organist , P . Soman , E . R .-ser . fc'ia' Dr . M .

Coffin , and H . Nicholls Stewards , and G . F . Swan TyUr . Bro . Sir John Somers Vine and Bro . T . Burnsido woro unavoidably absent abroad , and a telegram , dated Singapore , wa * r . 'ad from the fir-itnatned , congratulating tho Lodge and thanking it for tho Past Master's jewel it had been kind enough fco award him for hia Ma '' er .

ship during the past year . Tho brethren afterwards dined t 'tjethor in Freemasons' Tavern , under the presidency of the m-w Ma-ito-Among the guests were Bros . Sir Henry Isaacs , Sir John 31 Hickfc'm , Colonel Hare , John L . Toole , M . jpr Harvey Stuart , Tito Mute ' , Ganz , and many others connected with scienc ? , art , liter itui * , mask-,

and the drama . Success to the Savage Club Lr ) d-xo was proposed by Bro . Philbriek , Q . C , G . R ., and the worshipful Maa ' . er rt- | ilk-d , his health being afterwards proposed in gonial terms by Sir Francia Truseott . During the evening an excellent programme of music and recitation , under the direction of Bro . Charles Town ley , "'as grno

through , amongst the contributors being Bros . Toole , ILirry Nich 11 ? , Herbert Camobell , Ganz , Bon Davie ? , James Fernandez , John R » . doliff , Edward Terry , Herbert G . Thorn-like , Odell , Brandon Thouns , Theodore Drew , and other- ! . The band of the Grenadier Guards , under the direction of Bro . Dan Godfrey , played a selection of music . Bro . Herbert Johnson specially designed an artiatio menu for tho

occasion . Stuart Lodge of Instruction , Kb . 1632 . —A preliminary meeting was held at fche Red Lion Hotel , Poppins-conrt , Fleot-sreet , E . G ., on the 31 st ulfc . Bro . Spiegel P . M . was in the chair , an 1 ho was

supported by a numerous attendance . Arrangomenls wero ma lo for the Consecration ceremony to be rehearsed , and for tho formal constitution of the Lodge of Instruction . Tho next moating was fixed for Thursday , 7 th instant . The bye-laws and other business waa to bo considered . Bro . Spiegel P . M . was elected Preceptor .

Langton Lodge of Instruction , No . 1673 . —A meeting was held on Thursday , the 31 st ulfc ., at fche White Hart Tavern , Abchnrch-lane , E . C . Bros . J . Jupes W . M ., A . Toulraein S . W ., E . Ansted J . W ., 0 . W . Mapleton Secretary , H . M . Hobbs Preceptor , C . W . C . Webb S . D ., E . A . De Paiva J . D ., J . S . Fraser I . G . ; Bros . Kibble , Brewer . Gardner , Axford , Marshall , Burne , aud Causton

Visitors—Bros . Graves and Morgan 69 . After formalities had been complied witb , the ceremony of initiation waa rehearsed , Bro . Axford candidate . Bro . Marahall now took the W . M . 's chair , Bro . Kibble the S . W . ' s , and Bro . Cauaton that of J . W ., wh n the

ceremony of installation was rehearsed , Bro . Anstod acting as candidate . Bro . Toulmein waa elected W . M . for the nexfc meeting . A cordial vote of thanka was unanimously passed to Bro . Jape , that being the first time he had occupied the W . M . ' s chair iu the Lodge . Bro . Graves waa elected a member . The Lodge was then closed .

We are grieved to have , this week , to record the decease of Bro . William Biggs P . M ., Pasfc Prov . S . G . W . Wilts , and Past Prov . G . Sec . Berks and Bucks . Bro . Biggs died afc Soutball , where he had for some few years past

resided , on the lsfc instant , afc the ripe age of 74 . In his day Bro . Biggs was one of the most genial and popular members of our Order ; his record , however , has been already fully set forth in our columns , and those who wish

for details of his Masonic work should procure a copy of our " Masonic Portraits , " second series ; there full particulars are given , —under the heading " An Installing Master . " Bro . Biggs was buried on Wednesday , at Sb . John ' s Church , Southall .

The third annual ball of the Joppa Lodge , No . 188 , will take place on Tuesday , the 19 th inst ., afc Willis ' s Rooms , King-street , St . James ' . The Committee and Stewards , in making the announcement , bope to receive the hearty

co-operation of members of tbe Craffc and their friends . Early application for tickets should bo made , either to Bro . H . Lazarus , Hon . Sec , Manchester Avenue , B . C ., or

Bro . Jacques Wynman , 74 Newman-street , W . Tickets ( to admit lady or gentleman ) 12 s 6 d each , include light refreshments and supper . Bro . Wynman has undertaken the functions of M . O . for the occasion , so in this particular the arrangements will be all that could be desired .