The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

i ) ro . Henry Irving - is going to bring out " komco and | uliet " on Wednesday next , and is strengthening the cast ' considerably by the addition of Airs . Stirling , Air . Glenny , and Air . Fernandez . Bro . Irving is not going to content himself , as is too often the case with managers in this play , by leaving its impersonation to the two principal characters . The Lyceum will be closed this evening ( Saturday ) until Wednesday .

Bro . Byron ' s new comedy , " 14 Days , ' will be played for thc first time to-night at the Criterion , Air . Charles VVyndham being , of course , the leading actor . It is an adaptation from tlie French . Bro . Bryon , we regret to say , is still ly ing at his house in Bedford-square seriously ill with a pulmonary affection .

The musical and dramatical amateurs arc about amalgamating to build for themselves a theatre , to be in the neighbourhood of thc Strand . The manager of the amateur theatre will be Air . J . W . Currans . It will be a big venture for amateurs . ** K *

On Sunday week Bro . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales gave a dinner to several members of the dramatic profession . But the dinner was not , as sonic of Ihe papers have stated , a formal actor ' s dinner , but simply a friendly one , and especially as a tribute of the esteem H . R . H . has for this branch of art . A more graceful compliment could not be paid than that of entertaining the leading

professionals at Marlborough House . Patronage was banished . The names of those invited were Bros . 1 lenry Irving , J . L . Toole , II . Bancroft , T . Hare , | . Kendall , J . llollingshead , Lionel Brough , J . Clayton , 1 ) . James , Messrs . Herman Vezin , C . Wyndliam , Henry Neville , G . Grossmith , and E . Cecil . The other guests were the Duke of Beaufort ,

Earl of Aylesforel , Lord Carington , H . R . H . Piince Lemingen , Hon . Ponsonby Fane , Lord Torrington , Bro . thc Earl of Fife , Lord l . ytton , Lord Londesborough , General Probyn , Colonel Tyrwhitt . Wilson , Air . E . Knollys , Air . G . A . Sala , Air . F . ( iurnand . Air . Charles Hall , Dr . VV , II . Russell , and Sir George Wombtvell . Bro . Byron , owing to il ness was unable to accept the royal hospitality .

Music.

Music .

The great meeting called by the Prince of VV ales in furtherance of the proposal to form a Royal College of Music was held in thc Banqueting Hall , St . James ' s Palace , on Tuesday , under the presidency of His Royal Highness , Among the illustrious and distinguished personages present were the Dukes of Edinburgh anil Albany , thc Archbishop nf Canterbury , the Duke of Westminster , thc Flarls of Rosebery , Derby , Lathom , and

Spencer , the speaker of the House of Commons , Lord Aberdare , thc Prime Minister , Sir Stafford Northcote , Hart ., ALP ., the Lord Mayor of London , the Turkish , German , Austrian and Swedish Ambassadors , Sir R . Cross , M . P ., Mr . Childers , M . P ., Sir | ohn Lubbock , Bart ., ALP ., Sir Donald Curric , ALP ., Sir R ' . Wallace , ALP ., Bishop of Sodor and Alan . Cardinal . Manning , ' . Sir Julius Benedict , Sir P . Cunliffe Owen , Hcrr Randcgger , Air . Henry Leslie ,

Mr . Arthur Chappell , Bro . Carl Rosa , and others After reading letters of regret at their inability to be present from thc Dukeof Connaught and Piince Christian , the Prince of Wales , in a long and eloquent speech , stated the object in establishing a national school for musical education , pointing out that three centuries ago , as shown by the Duke of Albany at Manchester , England relatively to oilier countries occupied a far higher place in the musical world

than it does now . Other nations , thanks to Iheir conservatoires , such as those established at Berlin , Vienna , Paris , had their different schools of music , but England , though it had composers of eminence , owing tu the want of such an institution , had none ; none that was indicative of the national life and national feelings . It was proposed that the College should have a foundation of one hundred scholars , fifty of whom would be educated at an estimated cost of / TJO each , and thc other maintained , as well as

educated , at £ So each , while the College would be also open to those who could afford to pay for their education . The site for thc building would be given by the Commission of the Great Exhibition of 1 S 51 , a nucleus for the college being already alforded by thc building so liberally constructed by Air . F ' rcakc , and a communication would be established between ( he College and the Royal Albert Hall , so that certain rooms and theatres

in the latter would be immediately available . Alter an eloquent appeal to all present to aid him in thc good work , His Royal Highness , in conclusion , called upon I I . K . I I . the Duke of Fldinburgh to propose the resolution of the day , which was to the following effect , namely , " 'That this meeting approves of thc proposal ( o establish a Royal College of Music as a national institution , and undertakes that meetings shall be called throughout the country , and

the utmost exertions used , individually and collectively , to forward the movement by obtaining the necessary funds for endowing a College of Music for the British Empire . " This was seconded by the Archbishop of Canterbury , as the foremost representative present of the religion ; bodies of the country , supported by the Earl of Rosebery , on behalf of the Lords Lieutenant of counties , and the Lord Alayor of

London as representing thc municipalities , and carried by acclamation . A resolution of thanks to thc Prince of Wales for having called the meeting , and likewise for his promise to take the College under his immediate patronage as its President , having been proposed by the Prime Minister and seconded by Sir Stafford Northcote , ALP ., was also carried , and His Royal Highness having thanked thc meeting for their kindness and courtesy , the proceedings terminated .

Music.

The following is the preliminary list of subscriptions : Her Majesty the Ouecn , / . ' 500 ; IJ . R . II . the Prince of Wales , K . C , £ 250 ; TT . K . 1-I . ~ tiic Dukeof Edinburgh , K . C , £ 2 ^; H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , K . C , ' £ 100 ; ll . K . ll . the Duke of Albany , K . C , £ 100 ; ILAI . ' s Commissioners ° f 1 S 51 , jt ' 500 per annum , representing at twenty-live years' purchase , i . 12 , 500 ; Air . Freake ' s Building ,

presented to H . R . H . thc Prince of Wales , K . C , by Air . Freake ; Sir Richard Wallace , Bart ., K . C . B ., -ALP ., £ 1000 ; Air . S . Alorley , ALP ., £ 1000 ; Ale .-sis . Robert Corks and Co ., ^ , ' 1000 ; Alessrs . Collard and Collard . £ 1000 ; Sir Edward Scott , Bart ., jt < 1 oo ; the Duke of Westminster , K . C , £ 500 ; Air . J . J . Oilman , ALP ., £ 500 ; Air . Jeremiah Colman , X ' 500 ; Air . Pl ' eil'fer , i ' soo ; Sir

Donald Currie , K . C . AI C M . P ., £ 500 ; Air . Thomas Chappell , £ 500 ; Air . Howard Alorley , £ i « 0 ; Air . Charles Alorley , £ . 500 ; Alessrs . B ; osey and Co ., £ 500 ; Baron Ferdinand Rothschild , £ 250 ; Mr . Warren De La Rue , £ 250 ; Alessrs . Elkington and Co . ; j ( , 2 io ; Air . Edward L . Lawson , £ 200 ; the Flail of Rosebery , £ 100 ; Alessrs . N . AL Rothschild , £ 100 ; Air . Arthur Chappell , / fioo ;

Alessrs . Ashdown and Parry , £ 100 ; Messrs . Mctzler and Co ., £ 100 ; Mr . Joseph " Williams , £ 100 ; Mr . Alaxwell , £ , 100 ; and Bro . Carl Rosa , £ 100 . We must not omit lo add that the Prince , in referring to thc many letters he had received , made special mention of one from an anonymous source , the writer of which sent " t , so for ihe Royal

College of Music , from one whose earliest recollection is the singing of the National Anthem on the accession of the Ouecn , when , as a poor lad , he joined m a procession of Sunday School children ; in memory of the laic Prince Consort , and in gratitude of the long and peaceful reign of Her Majesty . " *

The feature of lhc Philharmonic concert of Thursday last was the performance for the first time ill England of " Ilungaria , " the ninth in order of Ihe twelve "Symphonic Poems" which the well-known composer l . istz has written . The better parts of the hall were well filled , and the " Poem , " though noisy in parts , experienced a fair reception . Air . W . G . Cusins's efforts as conductor

were well supported by thc orchestra , which played wilh great care throughout . Schumann ' s pianoforte concerto was brilliantly played by Ilerr Schwarwenka . and Alesdaines Alarie Roze and Trebelli achieved great success by their vocal efforts , the former eliciting loud applause for her singing of Chick's " Divinities du Stix , " and the latter giving with equal success Alozart ' s " Vol die Sapete . "

* -. ; V In the continued absence of Hro . Sir Michael Costa AI . Sainton again wielded thc baton at the concert last Friday , in St . James ' s Hall , of the Sacred Harmonic Society , at least in the case of thc first and second parts of the progiammc , to wit , Mendelssohn ' s setting of ( he " For ( y-second Psalm , " and Sullivan ' s " . Martyr of

Antioch , " the intermediate number , a new arrangement of Ihe " I e Deum , " by Air . W . C . Cusins , being conducted by ( hat gentleman in person . The psalm was well rendered , and as well received , the place of Miss Beebc , the principal vocalist , who was accidentally absent , being ably

filled , at a momemt ' s notice , by Airs , Sulor . The " le Deum " contained several striking passages , and will probably be better appreciated when the music has become more familiar to ( he public . 'The " Martyr of Antioch " went extremely well , Aliss Annie . Marriott , Madame Patey , and Alessrs . Lloyd , King , and Cross taking thc solos .

« « « M . Sainton will again conduct at the same Society's concert on Friday , thc loll ) inst ., when Haydn ' s " Creation" will le given , the principal artistes being Aliss Mary Davies , Air . Edward Lloyd , and Signor F ' oli .

» t ; a The first of Mr . Waller Macfarrcn ' s scries of three Orchestral Concerts took place at St . Jam . 's ' s Hall nn Saturday evening , in the presence of a large and appreciative audience , all of whom were desirous of showing their sympathy with this popular composer . The orogr .-imme included , besides the overtures to " Oberon " and "Die

Zauberlliitt ' , " Mendelssohn ' s violin concerto and Beethoven ' s symphony in C minor ; two novelties by Mr . Alacfarren himself , one being a " Concert-stuck " for pianoforte and orchestra , and thc other his overture to " King Henry V ., " which was produced at last year ' s Norwich Festival , when it experienced a very favourable reception , The programme was admirably carried out under the conduct of the concert-giver , lhc solo part in

thc "Concert-stuck" being correctly and tastefully interpreted by a dibutante , Aliss Margaret Gyde , a pupil of Air . Macfarrcn ' s at the Royal Academy of Music , lier performance being loudly applauded by the audience . The favourable verdict passed on Ihe overture to " King Henry V . " at Norwich was fully confirmed on Saturday . The vocalists were Miss Alary Davies and Bro . SantUy , one of the lattcr ' s contributions being " O ruddier than the cherry , " with piccolo obligato by Air . Barrett .

At Steinway Hall , on Thursday , ihe 2 ,- ; rd ult ., there was a matinee miisicale by MAI . Ferdinand and Hermann Carri , violinist and pianist , who arc endowed with considerable talent , and have been recently playing with great success in Paris . The performances gave unmistakable satisfaction .

A few weeks since we announced there would be a season of grand German opera at Drury Lane 'Theatre , in the months of May and J tine . 'The prospectus is now before the public , and , consequently we are in a position to form some idea ot its character . The directors are Hermann Frankc and B . Pollini , with Hans Richter , of Vienna , as conductor . The operas will be Wagner ' s " Dcr Fliegencle

Hollander , " " Taniihaiiscr , " " Lohengrin , " " Die Aleislersinger , " and "Tristan unci Isolde , " with Beethoven ' s " Fidelio , " Weber ' s " Fluryanthe , " and Alozart ' s " Cosi fan tutli . " The artists engaged include the Prime Donne of the Hamburgh , Dresden , and Berlin operas , Herr Hermann Winklemann , Hamburgh , and Hcrr Franz Nachbaur ,

Munich . Thc orchestra will be that of thc Richter concerts , while the chorus , which will consist of a hundred voices , have been chosen from the opera houses of Hanover , Hamburg , Berlin , Schwerin , tire . 'There will be two series of twelve performances each , one being given on 'Tuesdays , and Thursdays , thc other on Wednesdays and Saturdays .

Science And Art.

SCIENCE AND ART .

Hro . lhc Lord Mayor and thc Council of thc City of London Society of Artists gave a convcrsationc' at the Mansion I louse on Tuesday evening , when about 2000 persons availed themselves of the invitations . 'The objects of the gathering was to promote art in the City , and to bring this society before the citizens . Sir Frederick Leighlon , P . R . A . ; Air . Calderon , R . A . : Air . Slack-pool •, A . R . A . ; AI . AI . Whirlcr , R . A . ; Air . OakcsA . R . A . ; Air .

, . Morris , A . R . A . ; Mr . Buer , A . R . A . ; Mr . Thorncycroft . A . R . A . ; and Air . Strong , A . R . A ., lent pictures and sculpture lor the evening , which were exhibited In the Egyptian ! lall , the Venetian Parlour , and other rooms in the Mansion House . The guests were received bv Bro . the Lord Alayor and the Lady . Mayoress , and Air . Sheriff Ogg , attended by the City Marshal and the Sword ami Mace

Bearers . The Lord . Mayor wore his jewel and his robe of full stale cmbniidji- ed u ' ilh gold lace . Amongst the company pre-ent , and announced by Bro . Il . irkcr , wen-Mr . Ju-tiec Denman , Count and Countess do I lamel rle Alaux , Sir l- ' rcclk . Leighlon Bro . Alaj . ir Sewell , the Alaster of the Cooks' , 'Tinners ' , Framework Knitters ' , Butchers ' , Cirdlers ' , Curriers ' , . Mercers ' Cutlers ' Fruiterers '

, , . Joiners ' , Ciothivorkcrs ' , and Painters' Companies : Colonel Alexander , Alajor-Gciicral Hopkins , Bro . Squire , C . C . ; Capt . Baptie , C . C . ; Bro . Lieut .-Col . Britten , Capt . and Airs . Douglas Gordon , the Alayor of Wolverhampton , the Alaster of the Dyers ' , Faiunakers ' , Brewers ' , and Salter . - . ' ,

Companies ; Pro . J . V Moore , C . C ; Bro . Lieut . I li my Wright , Bro . cx-S ' lieiiff Watt rlow , Pro . the Comptroller , ( he Chamberlain , Bro . ex-Sheriff Hay ley . Air . IVcbertd . iry Wbiltington , Bro . Alderman Staphs , Bro . Sir Fri tlerick Perkins , Air . Surr , C . C , and . Mrs . SUIT , and Air . IVputv Walter . ' '

llie Duke and Duchess of I ' . ilinbtirgh , with the Prince of Waldeck , were present al the Crystal Palace on Saturday In-1 at the informal opening of the Electric Light Exhibition , being conducted round the building by the Chairman of Directors , Air . AlrGcorgc , C . C , and . Major Final Page , llie Secretary . The exhibition proini-i-s to be one of the most

inten sting aial successful ever held . T he great attraction is , undoubtedly , the immense an : light of i ; - n , i > im candle power , shown by the Brush Company ; the other principal exhibits being the Maxim and Biockie Lights , the former by the Electric Light and Power Generator Company , and the latter by tin : British EhiTiir Light Company , Iho ' Pilsen Lamp of Alessrs . R , watt and F j b- In the Handvl Oichcstia ,

the improved Jahloi boll in Ihe Opera Theatre , and the Swan Light in the Pi . tun- Gallery , the powerful Siemens chandelier exhibited in Paris brilliantly lighting up the south end of tin : Palace . There is also on view a ' collection of objects arranged in 1 hronological order , shown by the 'Telegraph Department of the IV't Office and by the South-Eastern Company , tic former im biding the original model

made by Mr . Ronalds , at I laminersniiih , in T . Sid , of an electric telegraph , and ( he rally dials of Professor Wheatstone , while among the kilter is the telegram sent in 1 S . | , > by Air . C . V . Walker from Ihe deck of the Princess Clementina "hen laying the first submarine cable from Folkestone across the Channel . 'The Royal parly expressed themselves as greatly pleased by the display .

•:. * ¦* A Hro . ( i . A . Sala presided at the iincling on Satimlay of the West London School of Art , Great I iciilicTdslreet . tile occasion being Ihedistribiiti . in if prizes won by thc students during ( he past year . l-io . Sala , in the course of his remarks , enumerated live distinct boons with which , in his op inion , England as a nation has been favoured , and to which much of the progress made of late years in art

education was due . T hesc were the acquisition of tin : Elgin Marbles and lhc ( beat Exhibition of 1 S 31 , the revival of Gothic architecture , the luii-fils dciivcil by our artists from a study of Japanese art , and photography , which enables people toinspeel exact representations of the gieat masterpieces of ancient art . On the motion of Air . R . VV . Fldis , a vote of ( hanks to Bro . Sala was cheerfully and unanimously accorded .

Mr . Sargent lias just completed his piclureof the House of Commons , which he began in i . ' -So . As yet it has not been exhibited to the public . We have had a private view of it , at Alessrs . Cladwcll Brothers' fanioiisold linear ! igsllcry . Grarccburrb-. ' . lrcet . 'The Sergeant . al-Anns placed a room adjacent to the House in which the common debates take place , at the disposal of Air . Sargent .

Helias taken his picture evidently from lhc Ambassadors ' gallery , and oil a night of a lull debate . The Prime . Minister is represented making one of his great speeches . As we very frequently visit the House and hear the debates , we we can say it is a faithful rrprc . smlnlion of the House of Commons as a building and of its members . Of course most of them have sat especially for their porlraits , so that

every individual is duly represented . Not as one sees in cheap prints , thc principal personages depicted , and the faces of thc rest of the members being meant for no one in particular . 'There are nearly jo . i different portraits in the painting ' . During the lime of its painting the speaker and many of its members have evinced a deep interest in its progress , by paying many visits to ( he ( he : temporary

studio . Etchings have been mad- of it , and even thc plate of these is the work cf Air . Sargent himself . 'The price is ten guineas , and most of the members have subscribed for a copy . Some members are of course more prominent than others and more easily recognisable . The etching i ' . the largest that ever has been done . Prominent in lhc government and opposition benches are the leading members of both political parties , but the more quiet arena

will have greater interest for our readers , which contains porlraits of Bros , the Earl of Dcctive , Sir 'Thus . Brassey , Sir Watkiu VV . Wynn , the Earl of . March , Hon . and Key . 1 " . Byng , Chaplain to the Speaker , P . G . Chap . ; Lord Kensington , Sir C . . Mills , lion . J . Dundas , Montague Guest , T . F . llalsey , Sir Michael Hicks Beach , the Marquis of Harrington , Sir James AIcGarel Hogg , Lord Castlereagh , and lidward Clarke , O . C .