Notices Of Meetings.

enrtlial approbation of tho brethren , and their subsequent vote of fhanks for his services for the first time as W . M . in this ( or any other ) Lodge Instead of section . working a period of the evening was dc voted to tho discussion of interesting points of ceremonial , m respect of which tho Preceptor answered the questionings of the brethren La afforded much useful information . After the election of joining

members , Bro . R . W . Cartwright was elected W . M . for tho onsnm . s week On the 17 th inst . the Lodgo will work in tho M . M . degree ; on the 24 th the evening will be devoted to the Preceptor , and on the 31 st the ceremony of installation will be rehearsed . Wo commend this Lodge of Instruction to such of our readers as desire to make progress in the art of Freemasom-y .

Covent Garden Lodge of Instruction , No . 1614 . — Tho weekly meeting was held at ths Criterion , Picoulitty , S . W ., on the 26 th ult ., when there were present -. —Bros . Evonden W . M ., R . C . Cursons S . W ., W . Hoggins J . W ., W . Brindley Preceptor , J . Greenway n ^ tintv Preceptor , G . Reynolds Treasnrer nnd Secretary , F .

Cracknel ! S D . F . W . Buxton J . D ., J . Thrussell Organist , E . J . D . Kymer I . U ., T E . Weeks Tyler , W . Hancock , R . Kirke , W . Williams . After proliminaries , the Preceptor worked tho second section of the first lecture . Bro W . Hancock offered himself as a candidate for raising . Lodgo was opened in third degree , and tho W . M . rehearsed the ceremony . Rro . R . 0 . Cursons was elected W . M . for the ensuing week . The

WM elect appointed his officers in rotation and announced his intention of working the third ceremony . Bro . Preceptor proposed that a cordial vote of thanks be recorded on tbe minutes to Bro . H . Evenden for the able manner in which ho had carried out the duties of the chair for the first time in this Lodge of Instruction . Nothing farther offering the Lodge was closed and adjourned .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Avenue . —Is there to be a revival of the poetic drama ? If so , one thing , at least , was proved on Friday , the 27 th ult ., at the matinee of Mr . Alfred C . Calmonr ' s " Gyrene , " and it was that there are actors and actresses now on the stage fully competent to do justice to any blank verse plays that are likely to be written .

Before , however , saying what we have to say of those who , by their playing of their various characters in the drama , did so much to make " Gyrene " please , wo will speak of the play itself . For some time past much has been heard about a new play by the author of "The Amber Heart , " and theso who wero supposed to know

talked of "Gyrene" as Mr . Calmonr ' s masterpiece . " Tho Amber Heart" was pretty , but lacked power , and we havo no hesitation in saying that in " Cyreno " Mr . Calmour hai made a distinct step forward ; bnt good ns is the blank verso and pretty as is the story , we hope and expect to have from Mr . Calmour—who is a young man

—something as far in advance of " Cyrene " as that is in advance of "The Amber Heart . " Tho story was correctly described upon the programme ns a "Dramatic Fancy . " "Cyrano "—a maiden fair , alike by inward nature and in outward form—Im * , by her loving gentleness and care , tamed tho somewhat savago nature of Fant . en ,

the blind Prince of Andoroi . Sho haa a foster-sister , Ciprissn , who is dark , alike by inward nature nnd in outward form . Why are the bad characters on tho stage always dark ? As in "King Here ' s Daughter , " a marvellous physician , or magician , cures tho blindness of the Prince . Before , however , the necessary operation k

performed , Cyrene , in n merry mood , thinking to surprise Fantea when he eees her , describes herself as dark of skin and hair , and eye ? , unlike herself , but like Ciprissa . His sight restored , he claims Ciprissa for his bridf , and Cyreno is broken hearted . This is bow tho first act ends . A year elapses between tho first and second acts . In the

second act Ciprissa is Princess , but all the same she keeps her former lover Branchp , a forester , and raises him to a high position about tho Court . She , by her brutal wickedness , leads the Prince a wretched life , and be , having found out his mistake , longs for Cyrene . O yrene—Viola like—comes to him dressed as a boy , pretending to

be her own brother , and that sho herself is dead . It somehow seems that tho restored eyesight of the Princo will only last so Ions fis he is happy . His belief in Gyrene ' s death , and tho treatment he receives from Ciprissa makes him miserable , and ho is blind again . Ihen onco more Cyreno leads him aboutand sings to him

, the songs ho loved . Ciprissa , having found out Gyrene ' s secret , tries to make Brancho jealous of tho boy (?) aud thus secure his death ; but she has schemed , not wisely , but too well , aud is herself stabbed by her lover Brancho . Cyreno and Fantea aro left to roam through lifo together , and thus is iustico dono . and this noetic

' ianry" ended . Mr . Calmonr ' s blank verso is correct and in many passages tuneful , albeit it lacks at times tho truo riug that carries conviction to the heart . The story , although not very powerjr . ° p S ' > is pretty and tbo moral good . Much praise is dne to Ir . Calmour for the construction of hia play , which shows a

know-«« go and appreciation of tho playwright's craft . His " curtains " aro most effective . As to tho acting , tbo performers for tho most part proved not only that thoy conld speak blank-verse , bnt alsode . nl p , I try . Mr . H . Nevillo and Miss Marion Terry , as Fantea and cn e i werQ a 11 that coulcl bo desiref , > and w 0 onl 7 wish that th ° y ould be seen in such parts moro often . Miss Terry looked most

Riming in her boy ' s dress . Mr . Arthur Stirling's elocution was M- n . ° tbo pa , rt of Mor ° tn 3- Mr . F . Hamilton Knight and jjj ^ y Jocks , as Gnstrell and Nina , played extremely well the hi ' ° ' S 8 ini ' " oom , ' ° i semi-pathetic parts of two lovers , and wo should h p 7 been - vor y sorry to mias thorn , although thoirwork did little to Mif ,. . action . "io play . VVo havo left to the end tho Cipiusa of a ulian Kingston . This character wni bn have , been take by 18 « . ¦ auti j bus , wo fuuuii y , uli p in out jiro ^ rauiuio liouUuuiiig Ma

The Theatres, &C.

notice , " Iu consequence of the sudden illness of Miss Vane , Miss Lilian Kingston ha ? , at very short notice , kindly consented to appear as Ciprissa . " Great was our surprise to find that Miss Kingston was an actress who could play the difficult part of Ciprissa in so perfect a manner that wo conld not csneoive it being hotter acted .

This lady will , wo feel sure , talco a high position > n the profession in which sho belongs . Other parts wore played by Mr . Kdmnnd Garney , Br . ineho ; Mr . John Carter , Z ^ mbra : ard Mr . P . J . Kirwan , Drega . We must not forget to mention the dance at tho opening of the second act , which was tastefully arranged by Miss Sylvia Grey ,

and giaocifully executed by four young ladies . Rumour siys that "Cyrene" will shortly b 3 in tho regu ' ar evening programme nt an important Loudon theatre . We trust rumour is correct , nnd if RO , tha ; it will be played by as powerful a company as it was on this its first production .

Toole ' s—Astute managers , like good chefs , vary their theatrical menus according to the seasons , and at tho present time the pnpnlnr dramatic dish in full favour is farcical comedy . Miss Violet Melnotte , wise in her generation , has taken ndvan ' ago of the opportunity offered by securing this popular litt | 0 theatre , and has

produced Mr . J . H . Darnley'a amusing farce " The Solicitor , " which , judging by the roars of laughter with which it bas been received , promises to be as successful as "The Barrister . " "Tbe Solicitor , " having already been in practice in the country , comes to London fully prepared to extend his business , and owing to the admirable

manner in which all his staff work together , there is little doubt as to the result . The piece is brightly and effectivel y written , the complications are capitally contrived and naturall y elucidated , and it is performed with a briskness and high spirit that is quite exhilarating . Mr . John Tresahar sustains tbe part of the unfortunate hern in a

highly diverting manner , and is ably assisted by Mr . L . D'Orany , Mr . F . Kaye , Mr . Graham Wentworth and Mr . A . B . Francis , who represents the military part of the farce . The ladies are also fully

up to the mark , and it can be easily imagined what fun is caiifod by Miss Rutland , Miss Blanche Wolsely and the experienced Miss Susie Vaughau . We must congratulate Miss Melnotte upon her fortunabj start on her new venture .

St . James ' s , —Mr . Arthur Bourchier started hia mawvgeria career on the 2 fith ult ., with a farcical comedy , adapted from the French by Mr . Justin Huntly McCarthy , entitled " Your Wife . " VVo are afraid we cannot give either author or manager nnqnal h > d cnn . gratulation . Tho play , although in tho first net deoiiledlv lively ,

suffers considerably in the last two acts for want of situati' . ns . Jack Diryll , banister ( Mr . A . Bourchier ) , falls in lovo with tho daughter cf his uncle , Mr . Apploton Crabbe ( Mr . Everill ) , an African explorer . The undo will not hear of the match , and , whilst away in Africa , insists on his nephew marrying another lady—ho does tioG

care whom—threatening to stop his allowance if he does not . Jack pretends to comply , and forward * to his uncle the photograph of his friend's wife , Lucy Verity ( Miss Edith Chester ) . Tho uncle retu m unexpectedly , accompanied by one Arminins Pappenbnrg ( Mr . H . do Large ) , a fellow explorer , who turns out to be a German

adventurer , to whom he has pledged his daughter . J « ck , in despair , explains his dilemma to his friend T"m Verity ( Mr . Ernest , Law ford ) , whose life he has onco saved , and asks for the loan of his wife . Tom reluctantly agree . The complications that ensue from this arrangetnenn nro expected to amuse tho public for one hour and three .

quarters . This they do not do , for , as wo have stated , tho last two acts drag terribly , and wo are afraid irreparably . The noting is certainly above the average , especially the Jack Daryll of Mr . Bourchier , which is a striking picture of a lively , scatterbrained young man , full of animation and vivacity . Miss Edith Chester , aud Miss

Annie Irish , who takes the part of tho niece , also do their best with tho rather feeble materials with whioh the anther has supplied them . " Four Wife " was preceded by a pretty little one-act play , by Lady Violet Greville , called "Old Friends , " in which Miss Annie Irish

docs excellent service as the self-sacrificing sister , who , in order to secure the happiness of her youngest sister , renounces all claim to the sailor sweetheart , who returns after a prolonged absence to claim her , from a sense of duty alone .

Notwithstanding the greafc success of "New Lamps for Old , " ifc will now only be played a few nights longer , owing to an arrangement entered into by Miss Grahame to produce Mr . Arthur Law's new play during her tenancy at Terry ' s . The play is in three acts

entitled " The Judge , " Mr . Penley playing the title rolo , supported by Messrs . Mark Kinghorn , W . Lestocq , W . Herbert , F . H . Fenton , George Belmore , Mesdames Emily Thorno , Helen Leyton , Elsie Chester , and Miss Grahame . The date of production is nofc yob definitely decided ou .

" New Lamps for Old " commences a long tour of the provinces on August Bank Holiday , under tho supervision of Mr . H . T . Brickwell , and the personal management of Mr . S . H . Austin , Mr . Jerome having made arrangements with theao gentlemen to look after hia interests .

Mme . Madeline Schiller , the pianisto who , on the Decision ol her Orchestral Concert afc Prince ' s Hall , on the 7 th May last , won sucn Oivonrablo press notices , announces a pianoforte recital at St . James ' a

Hall , on tho afternoon of the 1 . 4 th inst . Tho recital will bo under tho direction of Mr . N . Verb . The programme will consist of selections from Boothoveu , Schumann , Chopa , Mendelssohn , Liszt , and Hummel .

Ad00703

pOLEMAN'S LTEBIG'S EXTRACT OF MEAT and MALT X . J WINE . —A 2 s 9 . 1 bottle of this celebrate . ) wino sent free by Parcels i est f "v . ?¦! "fames . O' ^ r < 2 tnflQ testimonial- ? received from merlicn ! wn , COLElJAi ; & ( JO . lmuiKJ ) , iiOiiWlUil , Hold everywhere ,