The Theatres.

not too much—of Bro . Arthur Roberts . The management have at this theatre put on a burlesque in the place of comic operas of vvhich it is the home . Though the story 0 f Daniel Defoe ' s is not closely followed , still all that is done is pure burlesque . On Bro . Roberts falls the chief burden of the fun , and he seems quite content to bear it all and to enioy it . He is not in the least vulgar , but none the less

comical . He has some very good songs , dances , and speeches . The scene of the auction is one of the most amusing . Much laughter is caused by his holding up a portrait of an old gentleman—vvhich is seen to be Mr . Gladstone—for sale , and offers to throw in with it some soft soap . A bundle of MS . plays by unknown authors fetches nothing . Bro . Roberts' topical song "That's

Natural , " is very amusing . On the first night he added a verse , vvhich must have been composed the same day , on the resignation of the Chancellor of the Exchequer , which fairly took the house . We also have a burlesque harlequinade . It is usual at a pantomime , when this is introduced , for the people in the best parts of the house to leave . If they do so at the Avenue they vvill lose something

worth seeing . Bro . Henry Ashley , as the pantaloon , Mr . Sam Wilkinson , as the clown , Miss Phyllis Broughton , as the columbine , and Bro . Arthur Roberts , as the policeman , give a true burlesque of a harlequinade , and we should not be surprised if this portion of the programme is lengthened , so well received vvas it . The scene takes lace outside Romano ' s in the Strand . Bro . Roberts '

p pugilistic encounters with a dummy old gentleman makes everyone laugh . Miss Macintosh and Miss Janet Steer , vvho have of late made some sensation as society beauties , appear in the cast , but vve fail to see on vvhat grounds they are put forward . Miss Phyllis Broughton dances more gracefully than ever , and Miss Wadman , though not

furnished , with such good songs as usual , adds much to the success of Robinson Crusoe . A very pretty Christy minstrel performance is introduced in the second act . On the first night the authors vvere called at the end to receive the well-merited congratulations , but the genial Bro . D'Albertson came forward and explained that neither Messrs . Reece or Farnie vvere in the house .

9 P * ¦ if On Wednesday nig ht last week Mr . Charles Wyndham took over the reins of management of the Princesses Theatre , and produced Mr . H . A . Jones ' s new drama , " The Noble Vagabond , " in the presence of a thoroughly representative and crowded audience . Mr . Jones terms it a new and original romantic drama . We

are not in a mood to quarrel vvith the expression , but vve should have termed it a melodrama . New and original it certainly is , if there be anything new under the sun . We do not recollect in any play having seen or read in any book such situations and plot as vve have here , but already we have met with one person who informs us that many years ago she read a novel whose story is on the same

lines as Mr . Jones ' s play . In press notices it is often the case that the writer has to say he cannot go into the plot of the piece for want of room or time . This is really the case vvith the Freemason , but , were it otherwise , Mr . Jones has put it out of our reach to do so . "The Noble Vagabond" is really a difficult play to describe , but to work out all the story on paper would be too wearisome to

writer and reader . We do not wish it to be understood that the author has been too obstruse , but this drama is one of those which are easy to understand whilst looking at it , but not so easy to make anyone else understand afterwards . This is perhaps all the better , for the public will have to go to the Princesses to see for themselves , and we are of the opinion that they vvill go in thousands for some

time to come . The interest of the piece vve at first thought was going to be centred upon how the noble vagabond has been robbed of his title and property , and how he wins it back , then it seemed to branch out into two separate plo ! s , but at last vve grasped the idea , to be worked out in the four acts , that a murder has been committed , that the victim ' s son is the real culprit , but that no less than three

other persons are suspected—first , a baronet , because he is known to have gone to the miser ' s cottage , is thought by his own daughter to have committed the act j she , in her turn , is suspected by her lover , because he goes to the cottage and , as he enters , she is fleeing from the awful scene , and leaves on his hands the stain of blood ; then the lover—the noble vagatond—is charged as the

murderer by the baronet , under certainly suspicious circumstances , for , to save the girl he loves from being charged vvith the crime he thinks she has committed , he , by his noble actions , nearly ensnares himself , ln the end of course the real criminal is brought to bay on the evidence of a half-demented woman who saw him commit the crime . Bro . Charles Warner is the hero , and we think makes the

most possible out of the part . It is one of the best characters he has played . Perhaps in " Drink " and " In the Ranks" he vvas more at ease , for in " The Noble Vagabond " he seems throughout to be at boiling point , as every nerve was strained . On the first night at the close of the performance Mr . Wyndham vvas called forward to make a speech , and on doing so was no doubt surprised at

the rude reception he met with at the hands of a few turbulent pittites . As vve sat just in front of them , we can assure with Mr . Wyndham and Bro . Warner that they were limited to perhaps half a dozen young men . On consideration we are sure that if Bro . Warner cannot play the part of the hero satisfactorily , no one else can . We are glad to learn that since the first night there has not been any

discord . Miss Dorothy Dene plays Miss Maud Deveson , the chief part , and shows that while she has much yet to learn , among other things to raise her voice beyond the first few rows of stalls , she has the making of a capital actress in her . Evidently she has well studied her part . Though almost new to the stage , we are sure she will soon be in front ranks . Mr . Cartwright as the villain—his usual part

—gave a splendid piece of acting ; he seemed to be more at home than any one else of the company . Miss Bella Titheradge as the mad woman was excellent , and Mr . Julian Cross as the miser acted extremely well . Bro . George Barrett as a showman , was of course popular , always trying and doing the right things at the right time , he having what is called the " fat . " We should like to have a little

more of Bro . G . Barrett and also of Miss Annie Hughes , who , as the showman ' s daughter , danced a Scotch reel as a Highlander should . The scene of a country fair with a boxing match is no doubt attractive to some portion of the audience . Amongst those we noticed present at the first Performance were Sir Frederick Leighton , President Royal Academy—who painted Miss Dorothy Dene's portrait for the Academy , and , we should imagine , designed her dresses

The Theatres.

for the drama—Miss Bella Pateman , Miss Alice Lingard , Miss May Thomas , l oseph Knight , Edward Ledger , Arthur Stirling , Edward Russell ( Haymarket ) , Willie Wilde , Arthur Dacre , Charles Glenny , Henry Pettitt , Rev . Stewart Headlam , Mrs . Bernard Beere , and Miss Amy Roselle .

Willing's Selected Theatrical Programme.

WILLING'S SELECTED THEATRICAL PROGRAMME .

DRURY LANE THEATRE . Twice daily , at 1 . 30 and 7 . 30 , THE FORTY THIEVES . COVENT GARDEN THEATRE . Twice daily , at 2 and 7 . 30 , The Grand Circus . ADELPHI THEATRE .

Every Evening at 8 , THE HARBOUR LIGHTS J at 7 . 15 , Farce . GLOBE THEATRE . Every Evening at 8 , BARBARA J at 9 , THE PICKPOCKET . SAVOY THEATRE . Every Evening at 8 . 35 , THE MIKADO J or , THE TOWN OF

TITIPU J at 7 . 45 , IHE CARP . Matinee every Saturday a ~' ° ' VAUDEVILLE THEATRE . Every Evening , at 7 . 45 , NEARLY SEVERED J at 8 . 30 , SOPHIA GAIETY THEATRE .

Every Evening at S , MONTE CRISTO , J . COURT THEATRE . Every Evening , at 8 . 45 , THE SCHOOLMISTRESS J at 8 , BREAKING THE ICE .

OLYMPIC THEATRE . Every Evening at 7 . 43 , Orchestral Concert ; at 8 . 10 , HOME RULE ; at 9 , THE CHURCHWARDEN . ROYALTY THEATRE . Every Evening at 8 , THE COMING CLOWN J at 9 , TURNED UP .

COMEDY THEATRE . Every Evening at 8 , THE BEGGAR STUDENT . TOOLE'S THEATRE . Eveiy Evening at 7 . 30 , HESTER ' S MYSTERYJ at 8 . 30 , THE BUTLER . PRINCE OF WALES'S THEATRE . Every Evening at 8 , 30 , DOROTHY .

STANDARD THEATRE , Every Evening at 7 , ALADDIN , or THE SLAVE OF THE LAMP . Morning Performances Monday , Wednesday , Thursday , and Saturday , at' 1 . 30 . GRAND THEATRE . Every Evening at 7 . 30 , ROBINSON CRUSOE .

bUKKhY THEATRE . Every Evening at 7 . 30 , J ACK AND THE BEANSTALK , ROYAL AQUARIUM . Open , 12 . 0 j close , 11 . 30 . Constant Round of Amusement , ALBERT PALACE . Open from 12 noon to 10 p . m . Amusements all day .

ALHAMBRA THEATRE OF VARIETIES . Every Evening at 8 , Variety Entertainment . Two Grand Ballets , & c . CANTERBURY THEATRE OF VARIETIES . Every Evening at 7 . 30 , Grand Variety Company , & c , & c . PARAGON THEATRE OF VARIETIES .

Every Evening at 7 . 30 , Variety Entertainment , & c , & c . MADAME TUSSAUD & SONS' EXHIBITION . Open 10 till 10 . Portrait Models of Past and Present Celebrities .

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We thank our worthy neighbour , Mr . Surreywho by the way is on the point of moving from No . 21 to more commodious premises , at No . 13 , Great Queen-streetfor his almanack and price list . The almanack is useful , while as regards the cigars , tobaccos , & c , he offers for sale in the latter , vve can speak from experience of their excellent quality . The ceremony of installation will be rehearsed

by Bro . Henry Kedgley , W . M . 1614 , at the Covent Garden Lodgeof Instruction , No . 1614 , held at the Criterion , Piccadilly , S . W ., on Thursday evening , the 6 th inst ., at eight o ' clock . Bro . T . A . Dickson , S . VV ., W . M . elect 1614 , vvill be installed into the chair of K . S . The lodge will be held in the Masonic Temple . Bro . G . Reynolds , Sec , asks us to state that all brethren will receive a hearty welcome to the above mentioned rehearsal of installation .

On Saturday next , the 8 th inst ., the installation meeting of the Lodge of King Solomon , No . 2029 , will be held in the Masonic Rooms , Red Lion-square , when Bro . Henry Wright , I . P . M . 1827 , vvill install the W . M . elect , Bro . W . O . P . Leonard Chubb , at the request of Bro . A . Branthwaite , the W . M . Bro . Wright installed the present W . M . last year . Amongst those expected to be present

are Bros , the Grand Secretary j Grand Registrar ; Jabez Hogg , P . G . D . ; Edward Terry , P . G . Stwd . j Dr . Paul j Col . Harding , P . A . G . D . C ; R . Eve , P . S . G . W . Hants ; Augustus Harris , S . W . and W . M . elect 2127 j Sir Philip Cunliffe-Owen , K . C . B . j H . C . Richardsj Horace Brooks Marshall , Past G . Treas . ; and Dr . B . W . Richardson , F . R . b .

A dinner was given by Miss Edith Woodworth on Christmas Day to 500 poor children in Lambeth , drawn from the neighbourhood and the various theatres in London . A number of ladies and gentlemen acted as waiters and entertainers to the children , amongst them being Bros . J . L . Toole , Charles Warner , Charles Morton , Henry Wright , Mr . Clement Scott , Mr . Bertram ( the conjuror ) ,

Misses Alice Lingard , Kate Vaughan , Cissy Grahame , Kate Phillips , Mrs . Conover , and Mr . and Mrs . G . Loveday . A friend sent 200 new sixpences to be distributed , others gave toys , books , and sweets , and all did their best , and succeeded in pleasing the little guests .

MORTGAGES . —Messrs . J AMES are in a position to Supply Money to ANY EXTENT on the ' following Securities : —Landed Estates , Houses , Shops , and Oilices , Warehouses and Wharves , Life Interests , & c , Reversions , Borough Rates , & c , at the lowest current rates of interest . Prompt Settlement , 11 , Staple Inn , London , W . C .- * -rAuvT . ]

Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

The General Committee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys will hold its regular monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall , to-morrow ( Saturday ) , at 4 p . m . Bro . S . Field , S . W ., has been unanimousl y elected W . M . of the Royal Kent Lodge ot Antiquity , No . 20 , Chatham , for the ensuing year .

We are sorry to have to record the death of Bro . N . Pongon , formerly of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 2 S 0 , after a short illness . He was well known in Lisbon , and much respected . Brother George Holman has been unanimously elected W . M . of of the South Saxon Lodge of Freemasons , No . 311 , Lewes . The installation ceremony takes place this month .

A special Masonic service was held on the 12 th ult ., at St . Peter ' s Church , Manchester , when a very large number of the local members of the Order vvere present , wearing their insignia . On Monday , the 13 th ult ., Bro . Rawes , assisted by Bro . Kirkbride , installed Bro . Thos . Jackson as W . M . of the Unanimity Lodge , No . 339 Penrith . The usual

, banquet vvas held after the lodge vvas closed , and a most agreeable evening was spent . Bro . Robert Wilkinson was installed W . M . of the North York Lodge , | No . 602 , Middlesborough , on Friday , the 17 th ult ., the ceromony being ably performed by Bro . Isaac Fidler , P . M ., P . G . P . The banquet followed at the King ' s Head Hotel .

The brethren of Halifax have recentl y shown their respect for tbeir late distinguished brother Mason—Sir Henry Edwards , Bart ., Prov . G . Master of West Yorkshire—by placing a stained glass window in their parish church to commemorate his virtues . Our musical readers should not overlook the

Grand Scottish Festival at the Royal Albert Hall this evening ( Friday ) . " Victoria , " a new ode for the Queen ' s Jubilee , vyords by Astley H . Baldwin , music by William Carter , will be produced , and the vocalists are Miss Mary Davis , Miss Patti Winter , Madame Antoinette Sterling , Mr . Sims Reeves , Mr . J . D . Henderson , and Mr . Maybrick .

A fancy dress ball , in aid of the local Masonic Charities , vvas held in the Albert Hall , Nottingham , on Thursday , the 16 th ult ., under the special patronage of R . W . Bro . the Duke of St . Albans , Prov . Grand Masterof Nottinghamshire . The hall was beautifully decorated , and the music—by the band of the Woolwich division of the Royal Marines—vvas delightful . There vvas a very large

number of guests present , the most prominent being Bro the Duke and the Duchess of St . Albans and party . A Masonic Ball , " to which the public are invited" ( as the circular states parenthetically ) will be held in Whitehaven , on Friday , January 14 . After a lapse of some years this ball was resucitated last winter , with an exceedingly gratifying result tothe promoters ; and it is

to be hoped they vvill be as fortunate on the forthcoming occasion . As a general rule , the objects of Masonic balls are of a two-fold character , namely , to provide a night ' s enjoyment , and to assist some of the Masonic Charities . VVe have seen a record in a contemporary of the death on Tuesday of Bro . Alexander Johnstone , of Langholm , Dumfrieshire , who is described as having been

the "oldest Freemason in the kingdom , " having been initiated into our Society 71 years ago . Unfortunately , for the correctness of this description there is a brother novv living at Trevilla , in Cornwall , vvho is a Mason of ten years longer standing than the recently deceased " oldest Freemason in the kingdom . " This is Bro . Tresidderformerly

, a solicitor at Penryn , vvho completed his 101 st year last month , and vvas initiated in the year 1805 , or just Si years ago . We fancy there will be some difficulty in beating this record , which takes us back to the time when Nelson died at Trafalgar , and Wellington , then Sir A . Wellesley , was known only as a Sepoy general .

MASONIC TREAT TO THE POOR AT CLECKHEATON . —The annual treat provided by the Freemasons of Cleckheaton for the poor of the town , vvas given on Wednesday , the 22 nd ult ., to about 110 of both sexes , at the George Hotel . In consequence of the inclement weather the guests were conveyed to and from the hotel in cabs After a substantial tea had been partaken ofMr . G . T .

, Bull took the chair , and he and Messrs . S . H . Stocks , George Carver , and W . H . Clough , delivered short addresses . Vocal music vvas given by Mrs . Howorth , Mrs . Thornton , Mrs . Pearson , Miss Barker , the Misses Sampson , and the Masonic Glee party . Mr . Niven also gave recitations . On dispersing each visitor vvas supplied with a parcel containing a packet of tea and sugar , and a

Christmas loaf . About thirty more old folks vvere entertained in a similar way on the 23 rd ult . On Tuesday , the 2 ist ult ., the members of the Constitutional Lodge , No . 294 , Beverley , assembled for the first time in their own temple , and the ceremony of dedication vvas performed by the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , Dep . Prov . G . Master , N . and E . Yorkshirein the

, presence of a large gathering of the Craft , including visitors from the Hull and other adjacent lodges . In tha course of his address , the Deputy P . G . M . mentioned that even before the formation of the present lodge , in 1793 , a military lodge , the "St . George , " existed in Beverley ; and that since 1 849 the Masons had had their own rooms . A congratulatory letter vvas read from the Earl of Zetland ,

P . G . M ., and during the proceedings the Chaplain , the Rev . C . J . Barry , presented the lodge with a valuable Chaplain ' s jewel . A number of odes and anthems were rendered by Bros . Robshaw , Hutty , H . Wray , and C . Goulding , P . P . G . Org ., the latter of whom accompanied

on the Pianoforte , while Bro . M . M . Westerby , the retiring Worshipful Master presided . In the evening a banquet vvas held at the Beverley Arms Hotel . The new temple has been constructed out of the building vvhich , since 1823 , has been known as the Beverley Dispensary , and contains an excellent suite of rooms for Masonic purposes .