The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

— : o : — Princess ' s . —Few of Shakespeare ' s plays lend themselves more readily for theatrical display than " Antony and Cleopatra , " nnd Sirs . Langtry has spared no expense in trying to rival , if not surpass , the gorgeous mounting with whioh Charles Koau invested the tragedy of Sardanapalns on the boards of tho old Princess ' s theatre , now many vears ago . The scene painters , costume makers and

ballet masters aro no longer allowed to follow their own sweet wills and imaginations ; archaeologists , artists , aud musical composers are now consulted , in order that a faithful representation of tbe buildings , garments , manners and customs of the ancients may be presented to a more odncated and mere exacting people . In tbe present revival the Hon . Lewis Wingfield has undertaken the task of

producing the play in accordance with the history of the time , and has acquitted himself admirably . The old Egyptian court is accurately reproduced , and even real negroes are engaged for mere supernumerary parts , while Romans of all grades bring to life tho anoient capital of the world . The result is a magnificent panorama , with whioh tho student cannot fail to be pleased . In attemptiug the part of

Cleopatra , Mrs . Langtry must be said to have ventured beyoud her depth , still it is evident that she has been well instrncted in the various phases of the character , though she presents , the womanly rather than the queenly side of " Tho Serpent of Old Nile . " Her scenes with Antony are well conceived from this point of view , and are full of tenderness ; her interview with Ctesar is not wanting in

dignity , and taken altogether she is a highly piotureaque figure in the midst of splendid surroundings . Mr . Cogblau ropreseots Antony aocording to the old theatrical traditions , and gives a commendable performance . Mr , F . Kemble Cooper might impart greater force to his impersonation of 0 ctaviu 3 Csosar , but he speaks his lines well . The old training of Mr . Arthur Stirling as Enobarbua , aud Mr . Henry Loraine as Proculoius stands them in good stead , and causes their

small parts to become prominent . Of the numerous other characters it will suffice to mention the Octavia of Miss Frances Ivor , the Charmian of Miss Amy MoNeill , the Eros of Mr . Charles Burleigh , and the Lepidus of Mr . P . C . Beverley . We must also note the scholarly music specially composed by Mr . Edward Jakobowski ; and the pleasing allegorical interlude representing the Conflict between Day and Night that takes place in the third Act .

' The prices of admission to the several parts of the Globe Theatre , which were augmented by the late management , have been reduced by Mr . Norman Forbes to the standard which formerly obtained at this house . The Fourteenth Annual Stanley Cycle Show , open at the Crystal Palace from the 23 rd to the 31 BC inst ., is far more attractive and

interesting tban any of its predecessors , several novel features being introduced . Perhaps the greatest novelty of the year is the improvements in the manufacture of tyres . Mr . E . E . Shipton , Seoretary to the Cyclists' Tourist Club , will , on Monday evening next , read a paper on this important subject , sections of the various tyres being shown on the screen by means of Lantern slides . This paper will be

followed on Tuesday evening by an open discussion . Another striking feature of this year ' s show is a practical illustration of cycle-making by means of machinery , in foil work . There are over a thousand specimon machines on view , and these are supplemented by a great loan collection of ancient , curious , and modern types of cycles . Every branch of the cyclo industry is well represented .

Arrangements are mndo for Home-Trainer , Handioap and Lantern Entertainments , Smoking Concert , & o . During the Stauley Show the Grand Pantomime , "Whittington and hia Cat , " which has achieved an unprecedented success , will be performed every nfternoon , and also on tho evenings of Saturday , 24 th January , 27 th Tuesday , 29 th Thursday , and 3 lst Saturday .

Bro . Richard Warner , on Mondar las !' , bad tho plea-nro of entertaining , at his new residence , 61 Clapham Road , ou the occasion of li ' s 35 th birthday , the following gentleraon : —Bros . Fred . Bincke * , Hogard , Hurvey , J . Hitchins , G . A . Faraii , H . Barnato , U . Warner , Sam Adams , Chas . Brighten , Capt . W . T . Purkias , C : ipt . Warren Wright , Payne , Wake , Mendelsohn , J . Somen * , Romano , Iraro Fox , Mason , Allen , Pettingill , & c .

At Edinburgh recently , for the bucofit of tha Freemisonp , the daring experiment was made of trying Ibsen ou a Scotch audience . According to all the critic ? , tho experiment was a success as nnqualified ns it was artistic . Anyhow , it is to be repented on the 27 th in London . Tha Helmer is to b ° , as in the north , Mr . Forbes

Drnmmond , a lineal descendant of Ben Jonson ' s friend William of Hawthornden . Miss Elizabith Eobina is thB Mrs . Lindon , and Miss Mary Jocelyn the Ellen . The new Nora is a Scotch-looking young lad y with rather touzled hair , grey eyes , Btrougly-marked features , an almost imperceptible national accent , aud any amount of enthusiasm and earnestness .

The members of the Unanimity Lodge , No . 102 , gave a ball on the 7 th inst ., at tho King's Arms Hotel , North Walsham . The ball room was most tastefully decorated with Masonic emblems , & c ., by Mr . Charles Holborrj , of Norwich . Tbe Hour waa in excellent

condition for dancing , and there was a very large attendance of the elite of tho town and neighbourhood . Bro . Henry Pes feet , the Proprietor of the hotel , provided supper and refreshments , iu his usual first class style , and made every arrangement for the comfort of the guests of the Lodge .

. The annual ball for the benefit , of the Masonic Charities took place in the Victoria Hall , Dewsbury Town Hall , ou tbe 2 nd insr ., and despite the inclement wpather there was a large attendance . Supper was served in the Exchange Hall . Tbe caterer was Mrs . Bailey , and ¦ he wines were snpplipd by Messrs . Fearon nnd Son . The halls used were decorated with plants , & c \ . by Mr . Balance , florist . There was ftn excellent band , viz ., that of Mr . " P . Uobinson , of Cleckheatoo .

New Zealand.

NEW ZEALAND .

TtlE Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand , tho first held in Auokland , took place on the 18 th November , in tho Freemasons' Hall , Princes Street . The event had been looked forward to with great interest , and there was a gathering of the brethren from all parts of the district to represent the individual Lodges who have given in adherence to the new Constitution . Tho whole of Auckland and suburbs , as well as the Thames

and Waikato , were fully represented , and when the Grand Master took his seat in the East he was able to see an excellent hall , a crowded Lodgo , busy workers , and earnest Masons . There were 195 brethren accounted for , but there must hare been many others present , and the capacity of the hall was fully taxed . The Officers of Grand Lodge present were Bros . Thomson Grand

Master , Russell Deputy G . M ., Gillon P . G . M ., Nioool Grand Superintendent , Dr . Boor S . W ., Franklin J . W ., Mulgau Chaplain , Murray acting Treasurer , Bev . W . Bonaldson Seoretary , Cooper acting Seoretary , Craig S . D ., Edgeoumbe J . D ., Powley Dir . of Cers ., Page Sword Bearer , Kidd Pursuivant , Tewsley , Logan , Vispe and Hewson Stewards , Tonge Tyler .

The Grand Master opened with an address , and in the course of his speech he alluded to the action of Lord Onslow in trying to heal the present breach , in terms of the highest praise and appreciation . The routine Lodge business followed . The roll of Lodges was called , and the response was almost universal . The reports from the Board of General Purposes , the Board of Benevolenoe , the Grand

Treasurer ' s balance , & c , were read . The Board of General Parposes , in their report , referred to tbe opening of the Paihaiatua and Danevirke Lodges , and to the conseoration of a hall for the Soinde Lodgo at Napier . Letters were received from the Grand Lodges of Victoria , Tasmania , and the Grand Orient of Italy , according cordial recognition

to the Grand Lodge of New Zealand , aud resolutions were passed according the fraternal thanks of the New Zealand Grand Lodge to these Grand Lodges . Bro . Pike P . P . G . M . was , by request of tho Tasmanian Grand Lodge , appointed to represent that body at the New Zealand Grand Lodge . Bro . Robinson P . G . S . was appointed to represent the Grand Orient of Italy , and Bro . Hammer ton to

represent the Grand Lodge of New South Wales . A resolution of sympathy was accorded to Brother Forrest W . M . of Ponsonby Lodge , on the treatment he had received from tha Scottish P . G . Lodge , and a similar vote of sympathy was tendered to the Lodge Otago for the treatment they had received from the English Constitution .

Votes of thanks were accorded to the Grand Superintendents of districts for their various services and the valuable reports which tbey had furnished . The Grand Lodge Communication having been closed the brethren re-assembled in the lower hall where refreshments wero spread , whioh at that time were thoroughly appreciable .

" The Veotis Lodgo of Peace and Concord , constituted 23 rd May 1796 , as No . 554 , met at the Wheatsheaf Inn , Newport , and was erased , the warrant being returned for want of members attending , 2 nd Jan . 1838 . The Chapter of the same name was constituted

1811 . The present Masonio Lodge at Newport , No . 151 , Albany , waa constituted 8 th May 1801 . The Albany Chapter was constituted 8 th May 1822 . Tho Lodge of Concord , Southampton , was constituted 1 st July 1755 , and erased 1813 . "—Hampshire Independent .

On Wednesday , 7 th inst ., a Masonic Temple , erected ou the Loch Parade , Douglas , Isle of Man , by Bro . G . C . Heron P . Prov . D . G . M . of tbe Province , was opened with full Masonio honours . A meeting

of the Athole , No . 1004 , the oldest Lodge in the Island , was held in the new rooms , and afterwards a ({ rand banquet , attended by all tbf » principal Masons of tbe Island , at the invitation of Bro . Heron , took place . A pleasant and harmonious evening waa spent .

The emineot Masonio bLfcoriaa and archtoologist , of whom it is safe to say that he is one of the most beloved and respected member ! of the Craft in the West of England , if not , indeed , throughout the English Constitution , as well as across the waters , where his Works aro as highly prized as they are in his native land , has so far

recovered from bis recent illness , that he was able to contribute Borne exoellont articles to the Christmas number of tbe Freemason . Bro . Hughan writes an historical sketch of the Chapter of Friendship , No . 257 , Portsmouth , the original No . 3 . With the sketch is giveu a facsimile , which requires no translation , which ia sometimes

necessary , even with English MSS ., of the Dunckerlyy letter in tha possession of the Lodge of Friendship . Bro . Hughan ' s second contribution iB shorter and of morn general interest , beingabinrraphical notice of the Right Hon . the Earl of Moire , Marqu ° * s of Hastings , one of the most popnlar and beloved rulers , as well as one of the

brightest ornaments of the Craft , who was A . G . M . in England , 47 th Grand Master of Scotland , and for a time acting Grand Master in India , where hia lordship held tbe appointment of Governor-General . An excellent pbotomezzotype portrait of Earl Moira accompanies the

sketch , and the plate is practically the feature of the number , which , however , contains much other matter of interest , including tales and sketches , thai make it a very desirable Masonic memento — Western Daily Mercury .

On Thnrsdav , 8 th inst ., a grand ball was held in the Town Hall , Bnxton , iu aid of the Masonic Charities . The ball , whioh was nnmerouslv attended , was promoted by the members of the Phconix Lodge of St . Ann , No . 1235 , aud the Buxtou Lodge , No . 1688 . The Pavilion orchestra supplied tho mus c , aud Bro . Lane , of the King ' s , Head Hotel , the refreshments .