The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Bro . Hollingshead might well be called the caterer for the million , so universally popular are all the o-ood things hc puts before the public . He does not wait for the public to lead him , and tell him what they want , but anticipates their tastes or educates them to his own . Whatever is p laying at the Gaiety it may be safely said is drawin " - a full house . " 'The Forty Thieves , " played for a long time last year , is again thc burlesque on that stage , and ,

we think , is even better received than before . Miss Nellie Karren has introduced into it her song—by desire— "The Street Boy ' s Song , " for which she received a double encore . In the second act the three g irls in quaint dresses again are brought in , as they wero in "Aladdin , " and go through tlieir " harmonised choruses with amusing earnestness , and rio-htly received a quadruple encore . We do not know to

whose genuis this novelty is owing , but it is vere attractive . Mr . Dallas' song of "The Wonderful Puzzle . Fifteen " creates as much laughter as on the first night . Miss Connie Gilchrist was loudly applauded in her marvellous skipping rope dance ; it is impossible for the eye to follow her movements . The eccentric schottischc of Miss P . Broughton is a feature of the entertainment that cannot well be

omitted . Mr . Sguire and Mr . Royce , as Ciissim and Hassarac , Captain of the Forty Thieves , respectively seem exceptionally to appreciate the humour of the burlesque . In all burlesque the audience are satisfied much more if the details of the story are deviated from , and , if even unrecognisable , so long as the actors and actresses enter into the spirit of the piece . As long as they see

dancing with grace and agility , and hear bright , merry tunes , they feel their money is well spent . Bro . Hollingshead has drawn together a company who know this , and as it were play into one another ' s hands , so easily does everything go oft . We have mentioned a few of the characters , but it is on Bro . Edward Terry , Miss Kate Vaughan , and Miss Nellie Farren that the burden of the " Forty Thieves "

falls . Bro . Edward 'Terry , as Ah Baba , the woodcutter , creates much amusement with his phrase , which has now become quite common , " We are a merry family . " Almost every word he utters is a pun , and whilst he laughs at them himself , the audience cannot help following suit , however far-fetched they may happen to he . Mr . Dallas , who acts Cogia , Cassim ' s wife , tells Ali Baba she is "but a

woman , " when he immediately slum ' s out "She ' s a butterwoman . " When caught in the " Forty Thieves '" cave he proposes his son and Morgiana . shall fi g ht the Captain .-. "Vou attack him in front , and I'll skirmish round the rear , " a pretty safe quarter . Miss Kate Vaughan , as JIorgiaita , danccs with her usual characteristic gracefulness . Her style of dress in this burlesque—petticoats—suits

her better than trunks and hose . Miss Nelly Farren , on the other hand , is indispensable on the Gaiety stage in anything but the latter costume . Her two dresses as Ganem are exceedingly pretty . The songs by Bro . Terry , Miss Kate Vaughan , and Miss Nelly Fanen , & c , "There ' s another jolly row down stairs , " " He ' s got ' em on" and " We ' ell never go home no more , " are , perhaps ,

, the most taking airs of the altogether popular music . Bro . \ V . M . Lutz , W . M . Asaph Lodge , has arranged and composed most of the music in the burlesque . During' the Faster Holidays , for light and not vulgar amusement , we cannot do better than recommend paterfamilias to take their family and friends to the Gaiety . We feel sure they

will come away with their minds made up to go again . Bro . Hollingshead , after the French plays , which last from May 29 th to July Sth , will bring out Bro . Byron ' s " Little Doctor Faust , " " Dick Whittington , " and a new burlesque , " Little Robinson Crusoe , " by Mr . Recce , author of " Ali Baba . "

"Taken from Life , " at the Adelphi Theatre , was honoured with a visit from Bro . H . R . H . the Prince and the Princess of Wales on the 30 th ult .

* i . .. "The School for Scandal" is still keeping up its popularity at the Vaudeville Theatre . It has now reached its fiftieth night . We understand Bro . 'Thome intends bringing out other old comedies in the same magnificent manner . Bro . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales with the Princess witnessed thc performance of "The School for Scandal " on Saturday last .

Music.

Music .

Handel ' s " Messiah" was to have been performed as usual yesterday ( Good Friday ) , at thc Albert Ail ^ ' R ° y ' Albert Hall Choral bocicty , Mesdames Albani and Enriquez , Mr . Maas and Signor Foli being the princi pal vocalists , with Dr . Stainer at the organ and Mr . Barnb y as conductor . * .. . »

. On Thursday last Bro . Walter Pelham gave his interesting entertainment at the town house of the Dowager Miuntess of Barrington , among the guests who were Present to the number of eighty , being H . R . H . Princess Wary of Cambridge , Duchess of Teck , H . R . II . Prince M ™' . Viscount and Viscountess Barrington , and Bro . the Bishop ' of Peterborough .

"IT . Charles Halle has announced that lie proposes giving a series of eight chamber music concerts on " ^ roany consecutive Wednesdays , beginning with that of 'oth Alay and ending 2 , Sth ftine . 'These concerts will be

neiainthc Grosvenor Gallery , and will take nlace in the evening instead of in the morning . Mr H ' alle will be assisted b y Madame Norman-Neruda , L . Ries , Herr f > trauss > and Herr Franz Ne ' ruda , and other eminent artistes .

Music.

During Ihe month of May six pianoforte recitals will be given at the Marlborough Rooms hy HerrGriinfcld , who , at his former visit to London , created a very favourable impression . On Friday evening last ( lie Committee of tlie Falstaff Club gave their first smoking concert , there being a

very large attendance of members and their friends . 'The programme was a very attractive one , the more noticeable items bcingMr . Radcliff ' s fine / lute playing , songs by illr . J . Henderson , Mr . Arthur Oswald , and Mr . Foote , a duet between Colonel Goodenough and Signor Ria , and pianoforte solos by Signori Tito Mattel and Mora .

It i . s announced that in spite of the attacks made upon the Tonic Sol-fa System , the Committee of Council on Education will continue to recognise it , as it has done since 1 SG 9 . The direction of the concert given in St . James ' s flail on Thursday week by the London Musical Society was

entrusted to Mr . Barnby . Avery capital and varied programme was presented , and the several members were warmly applauded by the audience . The first part consisted of a selection from Handel's Oratorio , " Theodora , " the choruses being rendered by a small but excellent choir , while the solos were sung by Miss Clemens , who , at short

notice , took the place of Lady Folkestone , absent through indisposition , Miss Wakefield , Mr . C . Wade , and the Hon . Spencer Lyttelton . 'The second part included two settings hy Brahms and Goetz of Schiller ' s poem of "N . inie , " and Gounod ' s " De Profundis , " given for the first tune in England in 1 S 71 .

The second matinee iniisieale of . Mr . XV . H . Waud and the Rev . E . H . Whinyates , which was given on Saturday last ar . the Grand Hotel , Brighton , was a great success , the audience being both numerous and fashionable .

I he vocalists were Mrs . Herbert Chatteris , Mrs . Saunders , and Messrs . Morton and Marzials ; while the instrumentalists were Mrs . Beesley and Rev . Mr . Whinyates ( piano ) , and Miss Beecher ( violin ) . Messrs . Morton and Whinyates were the accompanyists .

H y the kind permission of the Duke of Westminster , an entertainment , consisting of part songs and choruses by Miss Holland and choir , and recitations b y Mr . Laurence Holland , will be given , under distinguished patronage , at Grosvenor House , on Thursday , nth May , at four o ' clock p . m ., in aid of the funds of the Vicarage of St . Mark's , Clerkenwell .

The last concert but one that will be given by the Sacred Harmonic Society took place at St . James ' s Hall on Friday last , when Bro . Sir Michael Costa ' s oratorio " lili " constituted the programme . This is the most canspicuous of the few similar works which , since the publication of " Elijah , " has been successful in establishing a firm hold on the public favour ; and it only heeded the presence of the talented maestro himself to complete fhe eclat

which belonged to the occasion . 'The choruses were most effectively rendered , while the solos were sung by Madame Patey , Miss Mary Davies , and Alessrs . Carter , Vernon Rigby , Santley , and Thomas in a style which aroused the enthusiasm of the audience . M . Sainton fulfilled the post which , but for illness , would have bcen occupied by Sir Michael .

With thc performance of Handel ' s "Solomon " the career of this same Sacred Harmonic Society will have run its complete course , and a body wliich during its fifty years' existence has laboured constantl y in promoting a love for high-class sacred music will be among the things of the past .

B y the way , it is satisfactory to know that Sir Michael Costa has so far recovered from his recent serious illness as to have been able to visit his old friend and brother professor , John Ella , who is unfortunately deprived of sight . Sir iMichael is in hopes lie will shortly be able to resume his baton as conductor .

Yesterday being Good f- ' riday , a grand sacred concert was to be given at the Crystal Palace , the principal vocalists being Mesdames Lemnicns-Sherrington and Patey , Mr . Edward Lloyd , and Signor Foli , who were to be assisted by the hand of the Scots Guards , in addition to the Palace choirand orchestra . Bro . A . Manns , conductor .

Science And Art.

SCIENCE AND ART .

Our summer Art Exhibitions are graduall y being opened to the public . Last week it was that of the Society of British Artists , the opening of which we announced ; this week it is the French Gallery , 120 , Pall Mall , the contributors to which are almost exclusively foreign . 'The works , as a whole , show great talent , and in many cases the merit is unusually great ; this being especially the case with Professor L . C . Miiller ' s two pictures , "An Almc-e's

Admirers" ( No . G 2 ) , and "An Arab Home" ( No . 17 ) . Other exhibits to which we would draw attention are Jules Breton's , "The End uf the Day" ( No . 25 ) ; "An Idyll " ( No . 31 ) , by Corot ; Carl Helfner ' s landscapes , "On the Banks of Lake Starnberg" ( No . 49 ); and "The Last Glint before the Gloaming" ( No . S 2 ) , which areamongtlie

most conspicuous attractions of the gallery ; Munthe ' s "Winter in Holland" ( N 0 . 42 ); " Schevening—Departure of the Fish Boats " i ( No . 130 ) , by Sadee ; " His Custom of an Afternoon , " by A . Anker ; "Gleaners " ( No . 1 GG ) , by Laugec ; and S . G . Rotta ' s "La Nonna " ( No . 175 )! 'There are likewise some beautiful delineations in little of

Science And Art.

South German , Russian , and Hungarian life by G . Von Bockmann and C . Seilcr . " Ex Ftimodarc Lurcm " ( No . 1 S 4 ) , by the latter , being a very marvel of patient and elaborate work . The Royal Geographical Society held a inciting on the eyeningof the 27 th ult ., in the theatre of the London University . Lerd Aberdeen presided , and as it was

expected Mr . _ lid wait O'Donovan would read a paper on " Merv and its surroundings , " there was a strong gathering of members , among those ' present being Sii Henry Rawlinson , Sir Bartle Frere , Sir Richard Temple , Sir Lewis Pelly , Sir Douglas Forsyth , Sir Rutterford Alcock , Sir Henry Barkl y , _ Co ! oneI St . John , arid others . Mr . O'Donovan was originally attached , as paper correspondent ,

to a Russian column , under General Lazaref , but , on that officer's death objections were taken ( o the presence of an Englishman , and Mr . O'Donovan turned his face towards the north-eastern frontier of Persia , and thence after much difficulty , and in spite of the opposition of the Persian authorities , having obtained an escort , made his way to Merv . 'The lecturer gave a full description of the place , which , he said , was situated on an oasis of an

alluvial country , which , but for the lack of water , was capable of the highest cultivation . He described its people and government , and gave it as his opinion that whoever had possession of the city would he able to command the adherence of the people of Central Asia . A brief discussion followed , in which Sir Henry Rawlinson , Sir Lewis Pelly , and . Colonel St . John took part ; and after a cordial vote of thanks to Mr . O'Donovan for his lecture , the proceedings terminated .

At the annual general meeting of the Middle Class School Corporation , held lately at the Mansion House , under the Presidency of Bro . the Lord Mayor , the report , which was of a very satisfactory character , stated that a contribution of , £ 100 had been received from the

Clothworkers' Company , and that the Drapers' Company had promised ^ to subscribe annually towards the funds of the Corporation the sum of £ 100 . The report was adopted , and a resolution of confidence in the Masters was also passed .

The foundation-stone of the new building about to be erected in White-street , Moorgate-street , for the City of London College , was laid on Friday last by VV . Bro . the Lord Mayor , accompanied by the Sheriffs and other Civic functionaries . After the ceremony had been performed , a resolution , pledging the meeting to assist the Council of the

College in raising the further £ 7000 necessary to carry out the work , was proposed by Bro . Iidward Clarke , Q . C , M . P ., seconded b j ; Bro . Alderman and Sheriff Hanson , and supported by Colonel Martindale and Bro . Bayley White , the last-named giving , on behalf of the Clothworkers'Company , a donation of £ 500 . The resolution , as well as a vote of thanks to the Lord Mayor , were carried with acclamation .

There is now on view at the Graphic Gallery , 190 , Strand , a highly interesting exhibition of water colour drawings made by Mr . William L . Thomas , director of the Graphic , of places visited by him during- tlie last ten years in Switzerland . In addition to some excellent and picturesque delineations of such well known scenes as the Ri'ri ,

Lucerne , Mont lllanc , the Gemmi Pass , the Matterhorn , the Jungfrau , Chillon , fire , are many interiors , together with coloured narratives of adventures on the road , and studies of characteristic personages . Many of the drawings have been lent for the purpose by the Oueen , who _ c property they are , it being intended to hand over the proceeds to the Artists' General Benevolent Institution .

On Saturday last the Kmpcror of Austria opened the International Art Exhibition at Vienna . His Majesty , on arriving , was received by the Archdukes and Count yiichy , among * the notabilities present being the Archbishop of Vienna , Count Kalnoky , Count Taalfe , Baron Conrad , and others . After an address from Count Xichy , in which

that nobleman thanked the Emperor for having presented the site for the enlargement of the Kiinstler Haus on which the Exhibition is held , His Majesty expressed his satisfaction that art had established for itself a new home , and expressed his belief that the Fatherland would occupy a prominent position in the competition then inaugurated .

T . W : _ : Bro . Sir Krasmus Wilson has consented to act as honorary treasurer to the recentl y formed society for conducting excavations on the Delta . The general plan of the Society has met with the approval of the Arclibishon of

Canterbury , the Bishops of Durham , Lincoln , and Bath and Wells , the Chief Rabbi , Bro . the liarl of Carnarvon , Mr . VV . Spottiswoode , President Royal Society , & c . Operations will be commenced as soon as sufficient funds have been accumulated .

I he anniversary meeting of the Chemical Society was held on 'Ifcursday last , at Burlington House . 'Tlie President , Professor Roscoe , F . R . S ., gave his annual address , in the course of which he congratulated those present on the condition of the society , there being now enrolled on the list of members no less than 1175 fellows . The customary vote of thanks was passed to the officers and council , and Dr . Gilbert , F . R . S ., havingbeen elected I resident for the ensuing year , the meeting terminated .

; . ss t . Sir William Armstrong presided at the annual dinner , held at Willis ' s Rooms , St . [ ames's , on Saturday evening , of the Institution of Civil Engineers , and anion " those present were the Dukes of Edinburgh and Cambridge * the Duke of Teck , Bros , liarl Percy , M . P ., P . G . M . ' Northumberland ; Sir M . Hicks-Bcauh , Bart ., MP *

P . G . M . Gloucestershire ; Col . Stanley , M . P ., D . P . G . M . West Lancashire ; Sir / . AIcGarc ! Hogg , Bart ., iU P Sir P . Cunliffe Owen , K . C . M . G . ; the Lord Mayor , and I Shaw Lefevre , M . P . Th _ Duke of Edinburgh responded for the Royal family , and the Duke of Cambridge for the Army , the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos for the House of Lords , and Bro . Sir M . Hicks-Beach , Bart ,, M . P .. for the House of Commons . '