The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Bro . Holland will produce at the Alhambra , on the Sth inst ., " Babil and Bijou , " in a most gorgeous manner . It is to be illustrated by music , selected from various authois . The company has been strengthened , and great pains have been taken to render it a grand spectacle .

Bro . the R . W . Grand Master and the Princess of Wales honoured the performance of " Patience" at the Savoy on Friday week with their presence . " Ours , ' '' at lhe Haymarket , will bc withdrawn on

the Sth inst ., when Bro . Bancroft will again bring out " She Stoops to Conquer " and " A Lesson , " for a short time pricr to thc production of "Odette . " Wc need scarcely say Mrs . Langtry again appears as Miss Hardcastle .

Bro . Hollingshead has , as we observed last week is his habit , changed his programme , and put the " Forty Thieves" on the Gaiety stage again . Bro . Terry now appears in this pretty and taking burlesque . No doubt it will continue to run until the French plays commence in May .

At the Rovally , on Raster Monday , a new burlesque by Frank Green will be presented , entitled "Boccaccio ; cr , Sinbad the Sailor . " Aliss Fanny Leslie has been retained to play Sinbad . Miss Ella Chapman will continue : o delight with her banjo . For the extravanza an undoubtedly strong cast has'been obtained .

Bros . R . D'Albertson and H . J . Hitchins , the former manager of the Comedy Theatre , and the latter of the Royalty , both of which Bro . Henderson is the lessee , take their third annual benefit on Wednesday afternoon , the 12 th inst ., at the Comedy 'Theatre , on which occasion Bros . Lionel Brough and HaynesMons . Gaillard , Misses Violet Cameron , Ada

, Wilson , and other artistes give their services . The programme will be the first and second acts of "The Alascotte , " a lecture by Bro . Harry Paulton , duet by Messrs . Rison ar . u Gregory , the ajsthehc quadrille by Bros . Girards , a song by Arthur Roberts , and a reading by H . Standing . We hope it will turn out a " benefit" to these two popular managers . ¦

* £ * Mr . Henry Hamilton's adaptation of Ouida ' s novel , "Moths , " was brought out at the Globe on Saturday last . Mesdames Litton , Willes , Addison , Brennan , and Aleyrick , and Alessrs . Standing , Estcourt , Hamilton , and Belfew were in the cast .

Miss Genevieve Ward 111 ay be expected in London t-bout the middle of Alay . During the _ summer she will go on a professional tour th rough the provinces . s - 'k & A new musical sketch , "A Simple Sweep , " written by Mr . F . VV . Broughton , and composed by the Rev , G . IT . Downes , is in rehearsal at the Princess's .

Mr . P . oucicault has r -written for the second lime his Irish drama entitled "The O'Dowd , " in which he made his re-appearance at the Adelphi some time since . This third version , which bears the Irish title of "Suil a Afor , " was produced at Booth's 'Theatre , New York , on thc Oth ult ., the author sustaining , as before , the leading character .

"Manola" at thc Strand eonlmues ils sviccess unabated , although a rival house has sprung up devoted to comic opera . VVe hear that Bro . Hill ' s drollery is as much applauded as ever . One of our contemporaries lately published a portrait of Miss Roza Leo , Manola , and describes her of being only twenty years of age and having first attracted attention in the Italian Opera last season .

Alessrs . Deneulain and Blake have just published a set of photos cf Aliss Irene Verona , Beatrix ^ in the various costumes worn in the opera . That of her singing the Lovebird song is , perhaps , like the song , the _ best ; but our fair readers v .- 'Il most admire her in the bridal dress , and no doubt this is becoming to her , and therefore the portrait is not a piece of flattery .

" Mother-in-Law , " at thc Opera Comique , by Bro . G . R . Sims , continues its laugh-making career . Never have we heard an audience take up more readily an author '; , points . It might be called a screaming comedy , one ' s la-jgh is scarcely ever dormant , so much mirth is therein it . Besides the funny and complicated plot , it is full of sharp puns , which cause more merriment when

heard fr ; . n the stage than when read in a criticism . VVe hope scrae mother ' s-in-law who see it will not only be amused but profit by it . Bro . Hollingshead has just introduced a new version of an old burlesque , " Vulcan , " by Bro . Augustus Harris and Edward Rose . The second s , cene is ingeniously contrived . Bro . Temple and Bro .

Robert Brough , a nephew of Bro . Lionel Brough , made the burlesejue go—the latter is a capital dancer and possessed of much humour . But , probably , " Vulcan " does not contain sufficient in itself to attract , and , therefore , the Bros . Girards and their agile company have been retained to give their " / Esthetic Quadrille . " It is an absurd takeoff on the . esthetic movement , but , of course carried to the

opptjsitc extreme . After " intense athletics , thc whole of the performers suddenly "flop" themselves down , we suppose to illustrate the attitudes chosen by ihe esthetics to worship the lily or sunflower . 'The troupe did not quit the stage until they had four times gone through their performance . VVe need scarcely say the ladies' dresses are " too utterly utter , " but the loose ( lowing robe is not at all graceWw .

Music.

MUSIC .

At the invitation of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales a number of gentlemen connected with our Colonial Empire , assembled on Thursday week at Marlborough House , with a view to promote His Royal Highness's sthenic for the establishment of a Royal College of Alusic . Among those present were Bro . the Duke of Alanchester , the Earl of Kimberley , the Hen . Robert IT . Aleade , Sir

John Rose , Sir Alexander Gait , High Commissioner for the Dominion of Canada ; Sir Donald Currie , M . P ., Sir T . Graham Briggs , Sir Charles DuCane , Sir Samuel VVilson , Sir Henry Barkly , Sir Daniel Cooper , Sir Edward Stafford , Sir Henry Parkes , Mr . Leonard-H . Courtney , ALP . ; Air . Alderman AIcArthur , ALP . ; Alexander AlcArthur , ALP . ; Air . Frederick Young , the

Agent-General for New South Wales ; Mr . Saul Samuel , C . M . G ., thc Agent-General for Victoria . ; Alajor-General Pasley , C . B ., the Agent-General for New Zealand ; Sir F . Dillon Bell , K . C . M . G ., the Agent-General for South Australia ; Sir Arthur Blyth , K . C . M . G ., the Agent-General for Queensland , and others . His Royal Highness , who was accompanie'd by Bro . Sir P . Cunliffe Owen , K . C . M . G .

C . B ., Mr . George Grove , Director , and Air . Charles Alorley , Hon . Secretary , addressed the meeting at considerable length , pointing out that the advantages of the institution would not be confined to residents in the United Kingdom , but would be open to our fellow subjects in all parts of the British Empire , one of its principal features being the gratuitous education of scholars selected by

competition on the claim of merit only . The scheme had met with general favour throughout the United Kingdom , and he considered it would be wanting in one of its main objects if he did not succeed in enlisting the sympathy and co-operation of British subjects residing in the Colonies . For these reasons he had invited them to be present , so that they might be the better able to

set the matter more clearly before the Colonists . The Prince also read a letter he had addressed to the Earl of Kimberley , Secretary of State for the Colonies , in which he requested his lordship to take such steps as he might deem proper for bringing the subject under the notice of the various Colonial Governments . At the request of His Royal Highness , the Earl of Kimberley addressed the

meeting briefly , remarking that , though tie bad the misfortune not to be musical himself , he was sure it would be of interest to those Colonists who were if he suggested one or two practical ways by which they might help to promote the scheme . Colonial Governments might found scholarships to be competed for by natives of the several Colonies they administered , so that when the scholars had completed

their education in England they would return home , and there become centres , as it were , of musical instruction . Individuals might do the same unconditionall y or retaining the right of nomination , or they might contribute of their means to the general fund . Under any circumstances , however , he ( Lord Kimberley ) would do all he could to make the movement a success .

Vf * w A meeting , convened by the Mayor , Alderman Yates , was held at Oldham , on the same evening , for the purpose of rendering assistance towards establishing the proposed Royal College of Alusic . A number of

influential gentlemen were present , and on the motion of Dr Thompson , seconded b y Air . E . Wrigley , it was determined to form a committee , with a view to bring the claims of the college under public notice . Meetings in aid of the same object were held on Alonday last at Leicester and Oswestry .

The Mercers' Company have voted a sum of £ 2500 towards tbe fund that is bein" raised in connection with the Royal College of Alusic , to De paid in five annual instalments of £ 500 each . v : SS The last meeting of Mr . Walter Macfarren ' s Orchestral Concerts was held on Saturday last , at St . James ' s Hall , when an admirable programme , including

two compositions by Mr . Alacfarren himself , was given to a crowded and highly appreciative audience . 'The compositions referred to were bis overtures to " Hero and Leander " and " King Henry V ., " and the favourable opinion expressed at former hearings was more than confirmed on

this occasion . Alendelssohn ' s overture , " Ruy Bias , " was the opening number , and was played splendidly ; and a debutante , Aliss Cantelow , met with a good reception by her performance of Schumann ' s Pianoforte Concerto , while Herr Joachim gave Beethoven ' s Violin Concerto in his usual masterly style .

This year Italian Opera enters on a new sphere . It will be no longer a private venture , but will be carried on under the auspices of a Royal Italian Opera Company , Limited , with a capital of £ 200 , 000 , raised by means of 10 , 900 ordinary shares of £ 10 each , and 1000 founders ' shares of £ 1 each . Mr . E . Gye , whose taste and judgment are too well known to need further commendation , will be

the managing director , and we anticipate tJiat under his guidance the opera of this and succeeding seasons will be carried out on a larger and more liberal scale than heretofore . 'The prospectus for thc season has been issued , and is calculated to prove , in all respects , attractive , whether we have regard to the artistes engaged or the operas that will be given . The sopranos , headed by Madame Patti , include

Alesdamcs Sembrich , Ftirsch-AIadier , and Alwina Valleria , Aldlles . Velmi , Guercia , and Sennino , Aladame Corsi , and Madame Albani . It is also said that an engagement has been entered into with Aladame Pauline Lucca . The contralti will include Aladame T ' rebelli , Aldlle . Ghiotti , and Mdlle . Amclic Stahl , In addition to Signori Corsi , Manfred ! , Nicolini , ind other wel ! known tenors , there will be three new aspirants for operatic fame in the persons of

MAI . Lestellier , Alassart , and Frapolh . Of baritones and basses there is a strong muster . The duties of conductor will bc shared , as heretofore , between Signor Bevignani and AL Dupont , and Sir Julius Benedict will be the director of private concerts . T he " repertoire " includes some fifty operas , several of them being new to London . The season will open on 'Tuesday , the 18 th inst ., and the subscription will extend over thirty-four nights .

Science And Art.

SCIENCE AND ART .

The visit of thc Prince and Princess of Wales , on Saturday last , to the C ^ -stal Palace , for the purpose of witnessing its _ illumination by the electric light , marks another stage in tbe progress of that novel and interesting exhibition . For the first time the Palace , including the Alhambra Court , maybe said to have been completely

lighted . Aloreover , there were shown for the first time the storage and transmission of electrical energy . The Faure Accumulator Company had a quantity of electricity stored in their cells , and by this they lit a number of incandescent lamps and worked sewing machines , lathes , revolving saws , and wood-cutting machinery . The Hammond Company gave an illustration of its ability to

transmit power , lighting a Brush lamp and turning a small printing machine by means of one and the same current . The Prince and Princess , who were accompanied by the Marquis and Marchioness of Hamilton , Air . Spottiswoode , President of the Royal Society ; Sir P . Cunliffe Owen , K . C . M . G . ; Colonel Ellis , and Lady Emily Kingscote , were received on their arrival , at about seven o ' clock , by

Mr . AI'George , Dr . Reid , Alajor Flood Page , and Air . Gardiner , and were escorted by them during their progress through the building . There was a very large attendance of the public , and barriers had to be erected , so as to enable the Royal party to move through the Palace without the discomfort of being crowded . The tour occupied till close upon nine o ' clock , when the visitors retired to the

dininosaloon . During the inspection , Mr . Johnson , in the Entertainment Court , presented to the Princess , on behalf of Air . Edison and Alessrs . Verity , an incandescent lamp , worked into a miniature chandelier , fashioned like a floral bouquet , and suitably inscribed . Air . Johnson , also made a briefly

interesting experiment in the presence of their Royal Highnesses . Taking three small lamps that were wrapped in muslin , that gentleman broke them in succession , hisobject being to demonstrate tha '; though the inflammable material was pressed instantly on the white hot filament it did not take fire .

* * * 'I'he seventy-third anniversary festival of the Artists' Benevolent Fund took place on Saturday evening last at the Freemasons' Tavern , under the presidency of the Right Hon . AV . H . Smith , M . P . Among those present were Bro . the Lord Alayor , Mr . H . Cecil Raikes , ALP ., Sir John Hawkshaw , Gen . Herbert , Air . C . R . Birch , A . R . A ., and Air . J . Absolon . In proposing the toast of the

evening , Air . Smith made a strong appeal to those present to support a fund which had for its object the assistance of the widows and orphans of those who devoted their lives to the edification and instruction of the public . The result was the announcement of subscriptions amounting toabout £ Soo , including a donation of one hundred guineas from the Queen , who is patron of the institution .

* * s The fifty-ninth annual exhibition of thc Society of British Artists was opened to the public on Alonday , the private view having taken place on the Saturday previous . There are some pictures of considerable merit in the collection , Air . Charles Cattermole's " Alary Oueen of Scots taken prisoner by Bothwelt" ( 120 ) , and his "Treason "

( 4 C 0 ) , being among the most attractive , and exhibiting a nearer approach to a subject than other pictures . In the way of landscapes must be mentioned Air . IT . Alaurice Page's "Quietude of Eve " ( 35 ) , " The Spring Picture " ( 91 ) of Air . IT . C . Fox , "Lifting after Rain " ( 171 ) , by Air . Allan Barraut , and Air . Theodore Hine's "Firs" ( 1 S 0 ) . Bro . Sir Frederick Leighton , the

President , exhibits " Phrync , " a life size , full length female figure , undraped , strongly lighted by the setting sun . background of marble columns , sea and sky ; " Honey Sweet , " two lovers , the youth in fisherman's garb , and several other pictures . Air . G . V . Watts , R . A ., exhibits full length portiaits of the Most Worshipful the Grand Alaster , Dean Alilman and Sir Benjamin Brodie .

Mr . VV . Ouless , R . A ., has a portrait , of Bro . Sir Frederick Roberts , as will also Air . Holl , A . R . A ., who also exhibits paintings of Lord Cranbrook , Vice-Chancellor Bacon , Sir Charles Herries , and Air . Sim , who died lately at the age of ninety-four . Airs . Butler ( Elizabeth Thompson ) as usual has a battle picture , " Floreat Etona . " The incident depicted occurred in the attack on Laing's

Nek , January 28 th , 1 SS 1 , and is thus described b y an eye witness . " Poor Elives was killed whilst charging with thc 5 iJth . He shouted to another Eton boy ( Adjutantof the 58 th ) ' Come along , Alonk 1 FToreat Etona ! we must be in the first rank , ' and was immediately shot . " Whilst

such patriotic spirit remains implanted in the breasts of our public school-boys , England has little to fear . Although not Masonic , we love to think of such public-school Alasonry , if wc may use such a term . There are also pictures from the brushes of Whistler , Sir John Gilbert , Millais , Fred Goodall , Richmond , and AlcVVhirter .

Il is with regret we announce the death , on Sunday last , after a brief illness of only two days , of the well-known artist , Air . E . C . Barnes . The deceased , who was one of the original members of the Savage Club , was only forty-four years of age , and leaves a widow and a numerous family of young children . One of his last pictures was a portrait of the illustrious Jumbo , for which he received a special commission from the proprietors of the Young Ladies' Journal

There is now on view at Kensington Town Hall a collection of pictures by some of our leading artists , which are now exhibited for the first time , but with whom thc public willbevery glad torenew its acquaintance . Among those whose works are represented are Sir F . Leighton , P . R . A ., Air . Alillais , R . A ., Air . G . H . Corbould , Mr . Val Prinsep , & c .

According lo the Sussex Advertiser , the Archaeological Society of France are expected to pay a visit to Sussex in the course of the summer , in accordance with an invitation issued to it by the Sussex Archxological Society *