The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

princess ' s . —The verdict accorded to Mr . H . Hamilton ' s latest work , " Harvest , " on Saturday last , must be gratifying , not only to tbe author himself , but to every one concerned in tho production o ! the ptoy- Mr . Hamilton has shown ns what he could do iu previous p ieces , bnt bis latest may certainly be pronounced his best .

" Harvest is described as a new and original play in a prologue and three acts . Ifc contains some pretty passages , and when the " sermous , " that most of the principals have to preach have been onrtailed , the work will go even better than it did ou Saturday . Its comedy passages are fresh , vivacious , and free from rudeness of

speech . The behaviour of tbe principal in the first act would at once lead any one to believe him to be as selfish a man as may well be conoeived ; he hesitates but little in availing himself of the flaw in his Scotch marriage , and deserts bis wife , to marry a rich widow in London . However , his wife's behaviour after he has left her is not

what we look for from a woman who has truly loved , and her desire for revenge is certainly carried a little too far . However , Nora Fitzgerald and Bazil Brooke are provided with material to keep the audience in high spirit * , and this they do to the fullest extent . On the rising of the curtain it is at once apparent that Noel Musgrave

and his wife Brenda are not happy . They have a son , fivo years of age ; also a Scotch servant , attached to Brenda . Noel and Brenda have gone through a ceremony which they think binds them together . A cynical friend of Noel , named Tressider , discovers that instead of t-he ceremony taking place in Scotland , it took place on

the English side of the Border , consequently Noel is at liberty to marry again if he so chooses . Noel , moreover , can marry a rich widow , provided he is free , and being short of money selects that path , and leaves Brenda ancl her child . Brenda tells him that from the seeds he has that day sown theie will come a harvest , and

thenlet him beware . Twenty years are now supposed to elapse , ancl Noel has married , but has been left a widower . He has also become a baronet , but he has no son to leave bis title to . Tressider , who is still by Noel ' s side , and well acquainted with his desires , reminds him that should Brenda and her son be yet living , the baronet may ,

hvaecordaoce with the Scotch laws , make hint his heir , ibis intelligence comes on Noel as a great surprise , but his wishes lean towards the recovery of the boy he discarded twenty years since . The search is net a long one , for Roy Marston— otherwise Brenda ' s son , who has taken the name of Marston—is staving with his mother in the

neighbourhood , and has fallen in love with Noel's step . daughter , Lett ice Vane , a 1 keness of whose pretty face he has taken while out sketching . Neither being recognised by Noel , when introi ) nc > cl to him , Brenda aud her son visit at Rossmoyne House , the property of Lt-ttice , during the absence of the latter ' s step-father . Having

accidentally obtained a clue to Noel ' s intentions with re g ard to Boy , Brenda informs her son that she disapproves of his intimacy with Lettice , who of course is the child of the woman for whom Noel had thrust her aside . Heedless of his mother ' s waruiug , Roy declares his love , and almost simultaneously Noel—who has returned

homeperceivt-8 that the young artist is his long-lost son . The union of tbe youug conple is entirely what he wouh ) wish , but Brenda sternly refuses , either to be reconciled to Noel or to consent to the marriage of Roy and Lettice . Now comes a time for Noel to suffer ; the disappointment attendant ou Brenda ' s refusing to become reconciled is

too much for him . In the last act , however , Brenda gives way , ancl thereby clears the way for Roy aud Lettice's marriage . Brenda cannot boast of having recovered iu public estimation ; she has loug ceased to be the loving wife of the prologue . "Upon Miss . Amy Roselle falls no easy task . Graceful , patient , with a splendid delivery ,

her enactment of the part of Brenda is p « rfect . Without siyn of timidit y , and ever sure of her words , Miss Roselle has never acted better . Iu the character of Noel Mr . Arthur Dacre did not spare any detail that would add to its power . Although with but little to say , after the prologue , he made every line tell . Mr . Brandon Thomas , as

the cynic Tressider , delivered his lines with judgment . The minor characters , however , received the most applause . The fascinating Irish girl of Miss Fanuy Brough was splendid ; althoug h Miss Brough has shown ns several good pieces of acting , we have never seen ber in a piece better suited to her

abilities than on Saturday . She was ably snpported by Mr . C . H . Eawtrey , who has revealed an unexpected vein of humor . These two artistes highly amused the audience whenever they were together , aud deservedly gained chief honours . Mr . iTorke Stephens was pleasing as Roy Marston ; while Miss Edith Chester gave us an

agreeable portraiture ot Lettice Vane . Miss Cirloita Addison , as au elderl y Bpinster , and Mr . VV . H . Duuuy , whose Scotch dialect was exceeding ly good , materially helped to strengthen the caste . At the

conclusion , author and artistes each received a call before the curtain ; a special one was given for Miss Roselle and tho author . " Harvest" is elaborutcly mounted , aud will turn out to be a thorough success .

v audeville . — " The Road to Rnin , " reproduced at this theatre last Jul y , i 8 drawing such good houses that it is doubtful when Mr . Thorne will revivo " Sophia . " All the parts aro well sustained , and the artistes work with a will that seems to command success . Such popular players as Charles Warner , James Fernandez , Fred

^ uorne , and Royce Carleton , with Misses bopuie Liarktu and Kate Rurke , are at all times an attraction , and when engaged iu a piece suited to their special characteristic ; -, they are sin o to make it a

" « . eess . Tbe only change in tho caste is tnrougti die aoseuce ot Mr . Thomas Thome , but Silky has managed to find au ablo substitute iu Mr . F . Grove . We advise those of our readers who have not as witnessed Holcroffc's famous comedy to do so speedily . Olympic . —A complimentary benefit will be given on Monday ' we U 7 th inBtant , to Mr . Douglas Cox , the acting manager of this

The Theatres, &C.

theatre . This will be the last occasion on which " Macbeth will be played at this theatre . Although tho " revival " has not resulted so successfully as could have been desired , the presentation should not be missed by old fashioned plny- ' -joors as it undoubtedly possesses many interesting features . Wo hope our good Bro . Douglas Cos will be well supported oti this occasion .

Covent G-arden . —Another successful evening was scored at the Promenade Concerts on Saturday last , not only in the class of programme provided , but iu the uumbers present to listen to it . Afc tho early hour' of six , when tho band of the Scots Guards commenced to play , the promenade aril seats gradually commenced to fill , ancl by

the time the more serious part of the programme was started the honse was crammed to overflowing . Mr . A . G . Crowe ' s excellent band gave sev > ral well-exeentol pieces during the evening , while Mr . Bar . rington Fuote sang iu his well-known style " Ask nothing more , " and " Here ' s a health mi to His Majesty ; " Miss Ida Patterson ' s

rendering of "Roberto , o fcn cho adoro , " and "I dreamt that I dwelt , " was highly appreciated . Madame Enriques was in splendid voice , and gave " Won by a Rose" and "The Storm ; " while Millie . Anna Lang displayed her ability with the violin to great advantage in " Ballad aud Polonaise" and " Saltarella . " The popular and tuneful

vocal waltz "Little Sailors war given by Mr . Stodman s excellent choir . We must congratulate Mr . Stedman on the way he has managed to train his juvenile buid . Mr . Howard R-jynolds again evoked applause for bis cornet solo . A thoroughly enjoyable eveuing was brought to a conclusion with the National Anthem .

Prince's Hall . —As a proof of the popularity of Mr . Charles Du-Val's entertainment , tho Prince ' s Hall was crowded tooverhVtwinsc on Wednesday evening , when this gentleman represented " Odd 3 and Ends" for the 500 tti time iu London . Mr . Dn-Val was as amusing ns ever , and gained considerable applause for his different

impersonations . The character wherein ho was most effectual ou Wednesday was undoubtedly the Irish boy , Terry O'Reill y . Here he delivered La Fann ' s celebrated Irish Ballad poem "Suamus O'Brien " with ferved spirit and grand dramatic power ; while the humourous passages were distinguished by a trnth aud fidelity that were

remarkable . In tho serious part , where Shamns escapes , Mr . Du-Val rose to the situation aud thoroughly carried away his audience . Another novelty introduced during the eveuiug were some special phases of fchougtifc reading . These were successfully accomplished by Mr . C . and Miss Lilian Morritt . Ttieir plan of action is as follows : —Miss

Morritt seats herself on the stage and Mr . Du-Val blindfolds her . A black board is placed on an easel , with a piece of chalk near the lady , Mr . Morritt descends from the platform and enters the body of tbe hall . A coin is given him , and without the slightest assistance Miss Morritt writes the date on the board . A name of a member of

the audience was next written by Miss Morritt , and then the number of a buik note was similarly proclaimed . A card was chosen from a pack nnd Miss Monifct produced another like it from a pack lyiug by her side , she all the while being blindfolded . All these experiments were performed without an apparent sign or word pas > iug between

the lady and tho gentleman who assisted . Each experiment was accomplished amidst perfect silence , but at the conclusion Mr . and Miss Morritt received the hearty applause of the audience . The Circassian family , the Glinkas , gave their musical entertainment ; while tbe Count and Courtess Magri , with Baron Magri also < rave one

of their amusing entertainments . At the conclusion of his successful sketch "Au artist ' s studio , " Mr . Du-Val thanked those present for their kindness iu attending ou this eventful night of his career . We congratulate Mr . Du-Val ou having achieved the success he so richly deserves .

A few days since Bro . J . J . Pope P . M . 170 , 1305 , and P . Z . 742 , 1305 , was the veeipieutof a gratifying testimonial of the respect and esteem iu which he is held by his fellow residents iu Chelsea , a handsome album being presented to him , bearing the following inscription : —

CHELSEA 1886 . This Album was presented to J . J . POPE , ESQ . on his leaving the White Hart

by OLD CHELSEA FRIENDS , with the best wishes for his future health ancl prosperity .

Brother Meek , a well-known Chelsea man , acted as President of the meeting at which the presentation was made and was supported by Mr . Bradley as Vice President , while among those present were several of Brother Pope ' s

oldest frieuds . Ifc must be gratifying , alike to members of the Craft and friends outside to hear of the high opinion in "which Bro . Pope is held , and this is heightened among

those who know him as a warm supporter of the Masonic Charities , of each of which he is a Life Governor . He is also a consistent supporter of the Charities connected with the trade of which he is a member .

Illustrations for October—commencing a new volume—will contain the opening chapters of a story by Mr . Francis George Heath , entitled " Dragon Hollow ; " the beginning of a series ot portrait biographies of Railway Men ; and a series of illustrated articles on the Press and Press Buildings .

" Minnigrey , " will be published by Messrs . Bradley and Co ., 12 nnd 13 Fetter-lane , London , E . C ., early iu October as a two shilling volume , handsomely bound in picture boards ,