The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

— : o : — LyriC . —As was generally expected , Messrs . W . S . ( . lilbett and the late Alfred Collier ' s comic opera ' •The Mountebanks '' has run itself into an nnqualilied HUCCCSH , and crowded houses aro tho order of tho day . When wo listen to tho charming music wo foe I more acutely tho loss tho musical world has sustained by the doath of

ilr . Collier for such a masterpiece aa "' Tho Mountebanks ' would no doubt have been but tho forerunner of hotter thinga had l . e Jived . Solos , duets aud choruses aro all splendidly composed , while the wholo opera ia so bright and captivating that ono is sorry when the final fall of the curtain announces the conclusion of the opera .

Mr . W . S . Gilbert is also in good form , and has provided ono of the smartest librettos that we have heard for some long time . Again , the acting and singing is good . Messra . Lionel Brongh , Hairy Moukhouse , Frank Wyatt , J . Robertson , Furneaux Cook , and the

Misses Lucille Saunders , Aida Jenoure , Eva Moore aud Jessie Mooro work so woll together that never for one moment is duineaa allowed to darken tho opera . Unquestionably " Tho Mountebanks" is a success , and we feel sure it will prove a favourite for some considerable time to come .

Prince Of Wales ' . —Undoubtedly thesuccesB that has attended Messrs . G . It . Sims and Henry Fettitt's " Blue Eyed Susan " must , to a great extent , be attributed to Mr . Arthur Roberts . Wo have seen , on many previous occasions , this popular comedian doing yeoman service for a piece , but in the present one it is more

observable than ever . The authors have provided Mr . Roberts with a part that fits him like a glove , and no opportunity is ever allowed to go by without the fullest advantage being taken of it . When Captain Crosatreo ison the stage , and he is there nearly tho wholo evening , laughter reigns supreme , for what with his funny gestures

and sayings no one could possibly be dull . Miss Nellie Stewart sings and acts well as Bine Eyed Susan , while Miss Phyllis Broughton is as lively as ever . Bat why does not this talentod lady givo us one of her charming dances during the evening ? Admirable support

is also rendered by Messrs . Fred Emney , Chauncey Olcott , A . Rolph , H . Brockbank , Willie Warde , A . Sneak , and tho Missos Marion Barton , Katie Seymour , Phoobe Carlo , and numerous other ? . That "Bine Eyed Susan " is a success no one can deny .

The Horticultural Exhibition , —Favoured by lino weather and the presence of royalty , the International Horticultural Exhibition , at Earl ' s Court , was started , last Saturday , upon what wo hope and venture to believe will bo a successful career for tho next six months . The large hall or navo is prettily arranged , part as a

beautiful garden , with tall palms and ferns in the background , white and pink azaleas , lilies of varioua kinds , and beautiful specimens of tho orchid tribe , displayed in beds aud parterre ** , iuterspursod with gravelled paths and an occasional fountain , and p . re us an exhibition of horticultural tools and applianoes , with conservatories , heating

apparatus , aud a small collection of pictures , all lo'ikinaj bright and cheerful in "the May noon sun . " H . R . H . the Duke of Conn » ni ; ht arrived at half . past twelve , and was received by Mr . H . K . Milner , chairman of the exoontive committee , Mr . H . P . Dodson , and Mr . G . A . Loveday , B . A ., the seoretary . There wore also present

several notabilities , including the Bishop of London , Lords Balfour , Manvers , Kilmarnock , Rowton , Ashbourne , Basing , Lonsdale , Craubrook , Lord and Lady Alington , Sir G . Baden-Pnwoll , M . P ., Colonel North , Sir Charles Mills , Admiral Mayne , M . P ., Bu \ m Henry de Worms , M . I \ , several other members of parliament , and a large numlor

of ladies , the principal of whom were presented with handsome bouquots . An address of welcome having been read by Mr . Milner , His Royal Highness congratulated tho directors npon the fine display of floricultnre , aud incidentally remarked that the love of flowers was inherent in everyone , and while they were useful for beautify ing

our cities and our homos , there was much monnv to be mude by their cultivation . The Duke then declared the exhibition open , and pulled a curtain , which disclosed thn very beautiful eight above mentioned The chief exhibitors are Messrs . Laing , Cutbusb , Williams , Lee , Waterer , Holland , Lane , Koster of Amsterdam , Turner and Phippen .

The company then adjourned to the grounds , which aro mobt artistically laid out in gardens of different nationalities . Thus we have the Egyptian , the Roman , the Japanese , the Indian and Chinese , the Italian , and various specimens of English gardou 3 , representing tho Tndor , the Georgian aud the Victorian periods . All is most

interesting and enjoyable , and given only a propitious summer many thousands will flock to Earl ' s Court to witness the exhibition and its many amusements , which include Buffalo Bill ' s Wild West Show . The grounds are illuminated at night with au extensive installation ,

by the Brush Electric Light Company , which has some novel effects , and after the pleasant fatigue of inspecting the flowers a delightful hour or two may be passed nnder the trees , accompanied by a friend and a cigar , while listening to the melodious strains of the various military bands .

Mr . Eillo Norwood ' s-uatineo of " The Noble Art " takes placf at Ti rry's , ou Wcdneada / , 25 th iust ., and tho following ladies ; nd f / i ntleman , have bf-er onaaced to appear in same : —Mnaarw . 11 E : eves Smith , Julian ( roan , Sydney Valentine , Sidney Stuart , i rid A 'thnr Williams , tho " [ isses May Whitty , Florence Tanner , Li lie B dmore , and Beatrice 'Joodchild .

We remind our readers that the ever popular Military Tournament co mm uncos at tho Royal Agricultural Hall , on Wednesday next , and iv ill be continued each day until the 28 th instant .

The Theatres, &C.

The Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , held their monthl y meeting at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , under the presidency of Bro . J . A . Favnfiehl P . A . G . D . C . Treasurer of the Imtitution . Amongst thoso present were Bio . - ; . B viva tor , Perceval ,

( 'has . Daniel , Hogard , Miller , Kcmpton , Purchaa , Laoey , Cottebrune , John Bantett jnn ., Belehambor , 11 . P . Stevens , Fairchild , Attenborough , H . Garrod , Dr . Li . Turtle Pigott , G . W . Verry , Newton , William Fisher , James Brett , G . Bolton , H . Cox , Charles G . Hill , A . Dun-ant , W .

Webber , Hugh Cotter , Muliord , Money , Dilley , F . Mead , Hubbert , Griggs , . Making , nnd Jas . Terry ( Secretary ) . Tha minutes of the last meeting were verified , and the Secretary reported the death of an approved candidate . The Warden ' s report for the past month was read . It was resolved that the

sum of £ 30 , 000 shonld bo invested in the purchase of India Threo per Cent , stock , and also that , in recognition of his valuable services at the Jubilee Festival , the rig hts and privileges of a Vice-Presidency be conferred upon Bro . it .

Newhouso Prov . G . Secretary of Cheshire . Tho draft annnal report was road and approved , and it was left to the House Committee to make the necessary arrangements for tho Festival Stewards' visit to tho Institution at Croydon . A vote of thanks to tho Chairmau terminated the proceedings .

The regular Council meeting of the It > yal Masonic Institution for Boys was held on the 7 th inst ., presided over by Bro . Stanley J . Attenborough , Vice President and Member of tho Board of Management . Thero wero present Bros . R . Eve , Glass , Corbie , Saunders , Gillard ,

Cumberland , Jas . Brett , Adamson , and J . M . McLend ( Secretary ) . The Secretai'y reported the investment of a further sum of £ 2500 in India Three per Cents ., and a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Thomas Fenn , President Board of General Purposes , for again taking

charge of this business without the usual brokerage . Also that a legacy of 50 guineas had been paid from the estate of tho late Bro . Dr . H . E . Price , of West Brighton . Two candidates for the October election wero placed on the list , one being a first and last chance case from

Staffordshire , tho other hailing from Suffolk , whilst seven casts were doferred for further information and completion of certificates . On the proposition of Bro , Cumberland , seconded by Bro . Richard Eve , and supported by Bro . Corbie , a vote of condolence with the Secretary on the

death of his wife was unanimously passed , aud ordered to be entered upon tho miuutes . The agreement with tho Province of Northumberland for the purchase of a perpetual presentation was produced , and sanctioned by tho Council . A cordial vote of thanks to tho Chairman concluded the business .

Tho entertainment given by Bro . E . P . Delevante , at Wood Green , on Friday of last week , turned out to be a most enjoyable one . Bro . Delevante , with the assistance of his pupils , gave a thoroughly artistic representation of " The Mikado / ' Wo hear this talented party of—shall we

say it—Amateurs , are studying other musical works ; if they will persevere , and pay as much attention to rehearsals in their future ventures as they miut havo done over the one under notice , we may be assured they will not lack support from the public at large .

Thanks to Bro . Georg « Everott Past Grand Treasurer , " Our Boys " will hold their Annual Sports * Festival , this year , at Kempton Park . Saturday , 25 th June , is tho date fixed , and we anticipate a large attendance .

At the regular meeting of the Arlecdou Lodge , No . 1660 , ou the 4 th inst ., Bro . W . Robinson S . W . was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year , and Bro . Gcorgo Dalrymplo Treasure ! -.

The installation of Bro . Geo . F . Pringle as W . M . of tho Shakespeare Lodge , No . 1000 , took place " aud the St , John ' s Festival was celebrated , on Friday , ( ifch inst ,, in the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper Stroet , Manchester .

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