The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

vaudeville . —Mr . Thomas Thorne is to bo congratulated on having secured such a wholesome and thoroughly-interesting play to follow " Sophia " as Mr . Houry A . Jones ' s " Heart of Hearts . " True to nature , and a story that may happen in every-day life , it is sure to prove acceptable , but when , coupled with this , we havo a play that is

not strained in any one point , and is written in terso , flowing s , tyle , it is all the more sure of proving successful . That " Heart of Hearts" is a piece of this description we say without fear of contradiction ; not only are the characters well drawn , but they are drawn from life—a thing that some authors do not deem a necessity .

Another great point iu favonr of Mr . Jones ' s latest work is that he has introduced plenty of the comic element . Naturally , where a heroine gets falsely accused of theft the play runs on serious linos , but these are bountifully relieved by the comic characters . Lucy Robins , the heroine , has a secret ; her father is a good-for-nothing " gaol-bird . "

This is tho more cruel for Lucy as she has been educated at tho expense of Harold Fitzralf , to whom she is engaged . Lucy ia harshly treated by Harold ' s mother , but the heroine strives to please her future mother-in-law . Difficulties ensue ; Lucy ' s uncle , James Robins , is butler to the family . Harold does all he can to make

things go smoothly , but when Lady Fit-rail ' s bracelet is stolen , suspicion at once falls on Lucy . Of course she is innocent , and when sho is left alone , her father , who has managed to enter unseen , tells Lucy that it was he who stole the bracelet , but , now penitent , he wishes it restored . Lucy at once offers to put it back , and pledges hor word that sho will not reveal fcho secret . After she has sent her

father away , some one sees Lucy handling the bracelet , bub , true to her promise , sho refuses to give any account of how it came into her possession . Consequently , everybody , with the exception of hexuncle , naturally believes hor guilty of having stolen it . Hero the story reaches its climax ; the dilemma that Lucy is placed in

producing a most powerful situation . How , in the third aud last act , Lucy ' s nucle manages to clear her , we will leave to the reader ' s imagination ; still we may state that it is brought about by Robins ' alliance with Miss Wilhelmina . The scenes between theso two characters are very amusing ; the secret marriage , known to no ono

save themselves , gives scope for plenty of fnn . They are living nnder the same roof , but they strive to keep their secret from other memb . ers of the household . Of course this is rather absurd , but then it is amusing—a feature that goes a long way on the stage . Wlion we say that Mr . T . Thorne and Miss Sophie Larkin impersonate these

two characters , it will easily be realised to what advantage they shine . Mr . Thorne has not had a part that suits him better for years , while Miss Larkin lends him capital help . It would have been difficult to find a better Lucy than that Miss Kate Rorke made ; full of natural charm , tender , loveable , and affectionate , Miss Rorke made

her part stand out clear , and one could not help feeliug sorrow for the way in which sho was treated . Mr . Leonard Boyue came out well as Harold , but it is not a showy part ; while Mr . Royce Carleton will do better , as Lucy ' s father , later on . Mr . Fred Thorne gave a life-like presentment of a doctor , and Mr . Gillert Farquhar was

fairly good as an idiotic old man . Miss Rose Leclerq clearly showed tho struggle between womanly pride and maternal lovo , while Miss Gertrude Warden was a capital mischief-maker . At the conclusion loud calls brought the principals before the curtain to receive a well-earned compliment .

Gaiety . —Notwithstanding tho undoubted success that has attended " Miss Esmeralda , " it must bo withdrawn after the 17 th December , to make room for Mr . George Edwardes ' s Christmas production . Those of our readers who havo not yet seen "Miss Esmeralda" should not miss the opportunity ; a more lively ,

picturesque , and charming burlesque could not bo wished for . Tho favourable verdict pronounced on the first night has proved to be fully deserved , while " touches" here and th _ re have been since added . The company are working in capital style , and give off their comic sayings with much spirit . Messrs . E . J . Lonnen , George

Stone , Frank Thornton , Leo Stormont , the Misses Fannie Leslie , Marion Hood , Letty Lind , Ada and Addie Blanche and Emily Miller , all give substantial snpport , and their efforts are nightly rewarded by the unanimous approval of tho audieucc . Meyer Lutz is at his post as conductor , and his orchestra fully denotes the great ability bestowed on its training .

Hengler's . —This spacious circus , situated in Argyll Street , was on Saturday once more the scene of a perfect success as regards the programme set down by the Messrs . Hengler . When we are invited to this yearly treat , it reminds ns that we shall soon have to be looking out for amusements for tho youngsters , homo to spend their

Christmas holidays . Iu selecting Hengler ' s parents may go further and fare worse . As liberal ai ever , Messrs . Hengler have given us plenty of clever lady and gentlemen riders , 'while tho entertainment is enlivened by some highly trained horses , acrobats , comical clowns , & c . What more graceful could he conceived than the equestrian

trotting act by Mdlle . Lena ? what more clever than the leaping acts on horseback by Signer Alfredo and Master Charles ? Then we have the spirited tiding of Mr . John Frederick Clarke , who turns somersaults from the horse's back , either forward or backward . Mr . Alfred Clarke drives aud ricles four horses in masterly style , while our old

friend George Batty is well to the fore with his daring jockey act . Si guorina Adele Rossi was rather unlucky in her flights , but Rhe will do better when sho gets acquainted with tho ring . Middle . Ljria introduces a clever trick horse , while later on Signer Domingo Rizarelli ' s eight thoroughbred Arab horses go through some arnusin"

capers , as if they enjoyed them . Mis . Virginia introduces a line leaping horse , and Signorina Clotilde Rossi makes a clovor equilibrist . I ho Brothers Manetti and the Leotards go through some clover

acrobatic feats , while fcho Gillenos aro very amusing iu their musical entertainment . "LaVoltego" by members of tho troupe , brings a most enjoyable entertainment to a conclusion in good time fur those who have trains to catch .

Earnestness.

EARNESTNESS .

EVERY true and worthy member of oar time-honoured Fraternity must be continually stirring himself up to greater earnestness in every good work , to a more perfect discharge of every duty . Who does not feel that , without detriment to himself and his family , he could do more for his brethren than ho has ever done yet .

It way be iu the way of giving , to relieve their wants and to help them in the time of distress ; it may be in seeking out those who are in need of relief , and bringing their caseis under the notice of others more able to relieve them ;

it may be in showing sympathy , which often cheers the fainting heart aud encourages ] the man ready to succumb in despondency , to fresh , and hopeful and successful

exertion ; it may be in any one of a thousand various ways , for there is no end to the variety of ways in which brotherly love may be displayed .

But let us see that it dwells in our hearts , and that we cherish it , and are governed by it , giving it free course to go forth to all our brethren , and in all our words and actions .

And well may we rejoice that we are members of an Order whose laws enjoin it so strongly , whose teachings do so much to cherish and promote it , and whose arrangements and working afford so much opportunity for its practice . —N . Y . Sunday Times .

Amongst other papers to appear in Oassell's Magazine fo _ December , the number with which the new volume is commenced are , " How I Spent Christmas in the Fatherland ; " " The Principles of Pastry-making , " by a Professional Teacher of Cookery ; " How my Head does Ache ! " by a Family Doctor ; "Squire Ollifant ' s Will , "

being one of the popular Chronicles of Cardowe Manor , by Lucy Farmer ; " National Characteristics , " by tho liev . S . Baring-Gould , M . A . ; ' •' What is an Oratorio ? " by Frederick J . Crowest ; "How we Girls Earn our Living , " by E . Clark ; New Music , " The Gatherer , " & c . A special plate in colour , entitled " Spell-bound , " forms the frontispiece .

The Grand Lodge of West Virginia , hold its annual communication at Charleston , on Tuesday , 8 th November 1887 . Twenty years a Mason , according to the laws of Arkansas , makes a man an houorary member for life , free from dues . John Thompson , a Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodgo of Pennsylvania , is now in his eighty-ninth year . A new Masonic Temple is to be built at San Leacdro , California . -yep / .--. ir . r _ reiy 7 Tra ^ re «^ -. T-rt . ^^ - . ^ -T _ T ^^

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . G . A . BEAN . THB death of this worthy Brother , one of the founders and oldest P . M . but one of the Earl of Zetland Lodge , 1364 , is announced . Tho funeral took place on the 10 th inst ., at Bow Cemetery , in the presence of a large number of brethren . Bro . Bean died on the 6 th inst . The

coffin—literally covered with wreaths of choice flowerswas committed to the earth amid signs of universal regret . Bro . C . Bean , of the Cripplegate Lodge , was chief mourner , with Bro . T . Taylor P . M . of tho Temple Lodge . Among

otliers present were Bros . G . Pope W . M . 1864 , W . Bristo , a Pounder and Senior P . M . 1364 , E . Wright P . M . Treas ., H . Maples P . M ., Lay P . M ., Cockett P . M ., Hegarty P . M ., . Fitzgerald P . M ., H . Lowe senior W . M . elect , Bridegroom

J . W ., F . Crook , G . Cashford , T . Leabon , T . Paget P . M . Kent Lodge , aud W . Gray P . M .. all of 1364 . Brother W . Green ( a late member of 1 * 364 ) also joined the brethren on this occasion ; Bros . Richardson , Chopping , and

J . Britton of 860 . Bro . Bean was a very unassuming Masou , ever ready with his advice when needed , and with his mite on behalf of charity . For 35 years he represented

tbe firm ox Randall and Way , of Cheapside , E . G ., in whose service he died , aud whose representatives were present at his funeral .

BRO . W . 0 . GOLDSMITH . THE death occurred this week afc his residence , at New Cross , of Bro . AY . 0 . Goldsmith , a well-known journalist , and for several years up to his death a member of the

staff of the Press Association . J . he deceased , who was in the prime of life , had been in delicate health for nearly twelve months , but had apparently recovered of lute . The immediate cause of death was congestion of the 1 UUP \_ . Bro . Goldsmith , who was widely respected , was W . M , of the Gallery LoQlgo , No . 1928 .