The Theatres, &C

tend to he , a master of method . Then , what is there left ? His conceptions are his own , his types are his own , his ways of lookiug at life his own . It is true that the treatment is in many respects that of the Italian painters before Raphael , but much of this h superficial , for the thought is perfectly nineteenth-cnitury . But the peculiarity

of the man is that he is absolutely unique . Where else can we find an artist with such child-like simplicity of treatment such a pure delight in the work merely for its own sake ( for they singularly misunderstand his genius who attempt to discover any elaborate symbolism ) , such a depth and avveetuess of mehmcholy thought ? To

he like him you must be—himself . His followers lack his simplicity and directness . They are complicated , bewildered , distracted , elaborate , torn asunder by conflicting sympathies . It is the highest eulogy of the man to admit that to follow in his footsteps is futility itself . Mr . Spencer Stanhope ' s quotation is an unconscious satire on

his own art— "Why seek ye tho living among the dead ? " That is the sum of the matter . Why , indeed ? To return to the Gallery , every one should notice Mr . John S . Sargent ' s wonderfully powerful " Study . " Mr . Herbert Snell shows a beautiful landscape called

"In Chancery , " a harmony in lilac and grey . Scattered all over the gallery wo find Mr . Meapes' charming little panels , which will bear looking at either quite close or at a distance . We doubt whether such perfection could bo obtained save in the tiny spaces which Mr . Meapes affects .

Ml ' . Bull ' s Orchid Exhibition . —Among the spring shows to which Society , fashionable and aesthetic , looks forward , there is oue that never falls below its ideal . The Academy may be dull , the Grosvenor pragmatic , Kensington an exhausting scramble ; but a mile away , close to serene Fnlham , there awaits us a wonderland of soft beauty . Mr . Bull ' s orchids this year seem to oxcel the lavish

profusion of former years . Especially beautiful 13 his own particular pride nnd favourite , the Chelsonionse , with its tall sprays , headed with lovely white flowers , sprinkled as it were with the brown dust from a butterfly ' s wing . One of tho most striking flowers now in perfection is the Cattleya grandis , a visitor from Colombia , possessing

great silky mauve blossoms . The fantastic red orchid , with its Mephistophelian feather cap , is very attractive ; then its delicate " gold cradle , " fit for Titania ' s nursery ; the fantastic Jonesinnum anchors itself to a scrap of dry bark , and lives and blooms in mid air . Delicate and ethereal as the orchids appear , they are willing to bloom

for ns in the smokiest city suburbs ; they aBk but for a little carefully regulated warmth through the winter , and shelter from the hot sun of summer , and they will be satisfied to bloom iu the meekest

suburban conservatory . Wo , in conclusion , can warmly recommend our readers to study these most beautiful of our colonial prodnc tions , and take Mr . Bull ' s as an obligato accompaniment to their Colinderies .

Royalty . —It is with feelings of genuine satisfaction we have once more to record a thoroughly artistic success by our young friends" tho Dramatic Students , " a society of youthful actors , constituted for the higher dramatic education of its members , through the study and interpretation of the drama in its literary aspect .

Their previous performance of Dryden's " Virgin Queen" excited much interest , and their present one of " The King of tho Com . mons , " though less important , was a very crucial test of the " Students '" histrionic powers . Miss Santley had generously lent her pretty little theatre for the occasion , and on Friday afternoon ,

the 14 th inst ., the Rev . J . White's romantic play was produced , so mounted and costumed , so smoothly run off , that it was difficult to helievo that the artistes who filled the parts created by Macready , Compton , and Leigh Murray are but aspirants— "Stndeutg , " but in the highest sense of the word . Mr . Foss , as King James V ., gave a

very spirited embodiment of the Scottish monarch . His first act was somewhat marred by a hurried and nervous delivery , but he quickly overcame this , and was dignified , with the right ring of cordiality . He rose to very genuine power , holding tho house hushed in listening expectancy , in the fine scene where ho

believes his brothor-in-arms , Lord Sctou , has betrayed him . Young Malcolm , who has boon forced by his treacherous uncle to outer a Dominican cloister , was most impressively acted by Mr . Trcsehar ; this gentleman made a striking picture , in his white rube ? , and achieved the lovo scene with his cousin Madeleine ( Miss Dickens )

with true artistic delicacy of touch , never forgetting his priesthood in his agitation at her confession that she rctnrns his passion . Mr . Eric Lewis was excellent as the old Laird Small—most amusing in hia fatuous simplicity . Mr . Ben Greet , as the Laird ' s son , young Mungo—a kind of Master Slender—proved very amusin ? . Miss

Dkkciis , as tho heroine , showed a notable improvemeat in method , and acted with touching simplicity and earnestness 1 . The play warranted the judgment of those who hid pcle-ted it ; the inter , s ' t Was maintained with nnflngginj ? spirit , and several tii-es tho npplau .-c

rose to genuine cnthnsrism . Wc shall look forward with great ex . pc-tation to the Students' promised " Love ' s L . bour Lost , " in which performance Mr . nnd Mrs . Ken rial and Mr . B . ;; vt ike so nincli interest that they have consented to giro the use of the St . James ' a Theatre for its production .

Alhambra . —The success that has attended tho ballet .: ; produced at this establishment since it wns converted into a Theatre of Varieties is generally recognised . "Cupid , " produced Inst Monday , will , we thick , achieve even greater bi - . cco ° , s thuu its pri'deoe .- 'sor ? . As on many previous occasions Mons . J . Hanson has invented nnd

arranged tho ballet , which is in four tableaux . The last of thest represents the Temple of Mirth , where a grand procession takes place , in which Zulns , North American Indians , Nautch Girls , Turkish Warriors , and New Zealanders take part . Tho scene is ono of the grandest and most effective pictures that has been produced on

The Theatres, &C

the modern stage . Signorina Bessone ( Cupid ) , who was so popular last year in tho ballet " Excelsior , " danced splendidly , while her by pUy was especially good . She was ably supported by Miss Lillie Lee , who is a most graceful daucer . Miss Mario also deserves praise ; she is one of the best exponents of pantomime on the stage .

Mr . T . E . Ryan is to bo complimented ou tho beantiful scenery he has provided for the ballet . Mons . G . Jacobi has not been idle with another necessary adjunct to the performance—the music . He has < 'ivon us some of the best of his recent ballet successes ; h is style ia

always fresh , and never commonplace . At the conclusion of the ballet all the principal dancers , accompanied by Mons . Hansen and Mons . Jacobi , with the popular manager , Mr . Charles Morton , were called before the curtain and complimented on their work . The other part of the orogramme was of the usual character .

We have pleasure in recording a gratifying episode in connection with the visit of our colonial brethren to this country in association with tbe Indian and Colonial Exhibition . Sir . Wm . Clarke , Bart ., District Grand

Master of Victoria ( English Constitution ) , and also Provincial Grand Master of the same colony for both the Scotch and Irish Constitutions , whose presence in our midst is due to tbe Exhibition , was among those present at the recent

Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , and as a result of the appeal then made , he has contributed a sum of one hundred guineas to the funds of the Institution . This is a vei * y acceptable gift , and if other of the Masonic

visitors who are now amongst us could see their way to follow his example , a handsome " colonial" memento would be the result . Doubtless many of them have been

associated , at one time or another , with English Masons ; is it going too far to ask them to lend an ear to the claims of the English Masonic Institutions ?

Our attention has been called to an omission m our report of the consecration of the Surbiton Lodge , No . 2416 ( which appeared in our last issue ) , The compliment of honorary membership was conferred ou the Consecrating

Officer , General Brownrigg , and the brethren who assisted him in the ceremony , viz . : Bros . W . H . Perryman , Thomas Long , Rev . Geoffrey Hughes , Charles Greenwood jun ., John G . Horsey , James Squire , and W . W . Morgan .

Bro . James Ten-yP . M ., P . P . S . G . W . Norths and Hunts , Secveiary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , will rehearse the ceremonies of Consecration and Installation in tho "Percy" Lodge of Instruction , held at the

Jolly Farmers , Southgate-road , N . ( near Mildmay-park and Dalston Junction Stations ) , on Saturday , 12 th June , at 7 o ' clock . Morning dress and Masonic clothing . Brethren are cordially invited .

Bra . T . B . Whytchead has been appointed Clerk to the Chapter of York Minster and Registrar to the Deanery of York , in the place of Mr . C . W . Thiseltou , who has retired after a service of forty-seven years .

The following Festivals were celebrated at Freemasons ' Tavern during the week ending Saturday , 29 fch May 1886 : — Monday . —Royal Somerset House Lodge , Do Grey and Ripon Lodge , 15 th Hussars , Spelling Boe Clnb Ball . Tuesday . —Tuscan Lodge , St . James ' s Union Chapter , 81 th Regiment , 30 th Regiment ,

S 2 nd Regiment , 53 rd Shropshire , Joppa Lodge . Wednesday . — Noviomugr . 3 , Sineatouian Society of Civil JliiLMiieers , Lodge of Antitj . ity , Evening Star Lodge . Thursday . —St . George ' s Chapter , Moiirit Morinh Lodge , Bedford Chapter , 95 th Regiment , 19 th Regi ' niont , 9 th Regiment , 12 th Regiment . Friday . —fiOth Rifles , Jerusalem Tiodge . Saturday . —Her Majesty ' s Tradesmen .

The final meeting of the Board of Stewards of the recent Festival of tho Royal Masonic Institution for Girls will take place on Tnesrhiy noxfc , at Freemasons' Hall , at 4 p . m . The accounts of the Festival will be submitted , and general routine business disposed of .

A Convocation of the North London Chnpfer of Improvement was held at tho Alwyne Castle Tavern , St . Paul ' s-road , Canonbnry . on Thursday , 27 th instant , at 8 p . m . Gorans . F . J 3 raster ! M . E . Z ., W . H . DGT . I : L . T . R .

Edmonds J ., J . E . Sheffield S . F ., G . Sko—s : _ , . ? : . V , . Radclift ' o P . S ., T . C . Edmonds Preceptor . No ^ . vithstandiug

the unfavourable state of the weather there was a good muster of the Companions . The ritual was rehearsed in a very careful manner , and a very harmonious time was spent .