The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

The Globe was re-opened on Saturdny nig ht with a reproduction of " The Vicar of Bray , " the successful career of a lively musical entertainment being thus resumed after an interval of a few weeks . A scene has been introduced , in which the satire on the Church and Staije Guild has been elaborated ; but this satire is a good-humoured one ; there is nothing vicious in it ; and much merriment is caused by Bro . VV . ) . Hill , who again plays the vicar , by

his frolics with the coips de ballet . The irrepressible A , elly Bty , of the corps de ballet , is now played by the fascinating Miss Lizzie Coote—who , by the way , is a member , and a very popular one , of the Church and Stage Guild—a chinge of cast for the better . Miss Coote ' s reading the report of the Ballet Girls' Association excited great laughter , especially the allusions to the shortening of the vicar's sermon and the lenglhening of the skirts of the corps de

ballet . The chorr . s of huntsmen is now rendered in female voices . Mr . Penley now represents the curate , the Rev llenrv Sa mi ford . " Air . Charles Steyne plays the "family solicitor . " Miss Petrelii very agreeably takes up the character of the vicar ' s daughter ; while Miss Davis is the cajoling widow , Mrs . Morton . 'The revival was well greeted by a numerous audience , and the children ' s chorus , which we are glad is still retained , might well be

emulated by those older than them . Great credit is due to Messrs . Nolan and Parry for the excellent training of the children . The orchestra has also been strengthened , and the dresses have been added to in attractiveness . We are glad once more to see Miss Lizzie Coote on the London stage . She has so frequently delighted town audiences at the Gaiety , Alhambra , and elsewhere with her lively singing and vivacious manners , that she is a source of attraction to

any opera . We shall hope to see her commanding a more important part before long , where she has more scope for her undoubted talents . In "The Vicar of Bray" Bro . Hill has a large monopolyof the singing and speaking , and though he cannot be said to be a singer , his rendering of his songs and his funny ways keep up the popularity he has won for himself . Hi * *

Miss Henderson , daughter of Miss L y dia Thompson ( Mrs . Alexander Henderson ) , has been engaged by Bro . Bancroft to take a part in the " Overland Route , " by the late Bro . Tom Taylor . Aliss Henderson played last year at the Royalty , where she made a decided impression , thou . h very young . Mrs . Langtry has been released by Bro . and Airs . Bancroft of her engagement al this house .

* » * Mrs . Langtry , before going to America , appears for twelve nights only at the Imperial . Bro . J . G . Taylor has been engaged by Airs . Langtry to accompany her to the New World . No doubt she will net a large sum there . Her proceeds are said to be exceedingly large since she started on her own account in the provinces .

ss * * The Comedic Francaise possesses an historic bell , which does duty at their theatre in funeral processions , Sic . Three centuries ago this bell was in the tower of St . Germain l'Auxerrois , and was said to give the signal for

the massacre of St . Bartholomew . During the Revolution Marit J oseph Chenier'induced the Convocation to present the bell to the theatre in order that it might be tolled at the back of the stage in his "Charles IX " when the hour of the Huguenots was supposed to have come . From that time it has never gone out of the player's possession .

Miss Kate Sullivan has taken Miss Constance Loseby ' s place at the Alhambra . The latter is suffering from a bad cold . Mdlle Pertoldi has also left for a short time . Her successor was on her first night called before the curtain . * . * « Mr . Albery ' s " Little Miss Muffet , " played for the first time on Saturday at the Crite-ion , was by a large majority favourably received , but there were not signs

wanting that to many it is not pleasing . It is always questionable whether an adaptation from a French work will be popular , especially when the original is of a kind which we in England still happily keep off our stage . Mr . Albery has done his best , no doubt , in adapting M . Hennequin ' s " La Femme a Papa , " but it is not to be compared with his own original work , such as " The Two Roses . " Still the audience at the Criterion goes to be amused ,

however extravagant and impossible the plots may be , and they are not over critical . In "Little Miss Muffet" they get smart sentences and eccentric characters , such as they love . Sir J . Trippetoro is the prodigal father . His extravagances are repaired by his son Solon , a youth of learned tastes . Solon has seven times paid his father's damages for breach of promise j he marries his father to a young girl Minnie , in the hope that he may settle down .

The honeymoon is spent at Dr . Doles . Sir Juan is followed here by Mrs . Darling , of the Alulberry Bush Hotel , one of the ladies to whom the baronet has promised marriage . It appears also that Dr . Doles has promised marriage to Mrs . Darling while staying at her hotel . Solon is much disturbed at the appearance of Mrs . Darling ^ just as he is getting his father quietly settled down . His friend , Featherby Wing , arrives opportunely , and Solon begs him

to run away with Mrs . Darling . He promises to do so , but he mistakes the baronet ' s wife for Mrs . Darling , and persuades her to run away . The second act has for its scene the Lion Hotel , Ryde , Lady Trippelowis persuaded to dine with Wing and some friends , and she consents to remain under tlie guardianship of Dr . Doles , who is engaged to dine with Mrs . Darling . To cut a long story short , it may be said that Solon , who has been regretting he did not marry Miss Muffet—Minnie—himself , finds

that at the registrar ' s office , where his father had been married , that he had not gone through the form correctly , and that not his father but he is the bridegroom , so Sir Juan is left to keep his promise to Mrs . Darling . It is a pity Mr . Chas . Wyndham is not in the cast . He responded on the first nig ht for the author , and made a little speech , informing his audience he is about proceeding to America for the winter , and hoped that he would be kindly welcomed on his return . This the audience showed plainly in the

The Theatres.

affirmative . Mrs . Darling is played by Miss Nelly Bromley , a favourite comedy actress , and one whom all must be glad to see again . Miss Rorke takes Minnie—Little Miss Muffet , and , of course , plays with good taste , which is required . Sir Juan is Mr . Standing . Mr . Lytton Sothern succeeds well as Featherby Wing , but we would

rather he had a better part . Mrs . Giddens , Sir Juan ' s valet , is humorously performed . It is more than likely that Air . Albery will see his way to alter his last work , then it may become popular to the whole house . On Saturday there were a good few dissentients , s * *

Our esteemed Bro . VV . Kendal Grimston and Airs . Kendal Grimston are now acting " The Squire " with great success at Alanchc-ster , where they have received the hearty and unanimous suffrages of overflowing audiences , excited and subdued to the fullest extent by their admirable representation of character , and , above all , the consummate impersonation of Mrs . Kendal Grimston . She has proved , as many have long known and felt , that , as an

actress , she is almost unrivalled in all that can evoke sympathy ; in all that can demonstrate pathos ; in all that can command admiration . Those of us who have had the privilege of enjoying an evening at the St . James's Theatre will well know that with that effective company no more agreeable , or intellectual , or improving hours need ever be sought for or can ever be realized . Just now we are very sorry to note utterances , sometimes from persons

in high position , as against actors and actresses , theatres , and similar assemblies . We had hoped that the season of childish intolerance and irreligious injustice had passed away . We are not surprised indeed that the members of the Salvation Army ( absurdly so-called ) should denounce theatres , and even the poor " Grecian , " as far as we can predicate anything of such an abormal affair , it seems likely to precipitate many into a state of ignorant

and degraded fanaticism . But to find men of culture , thought , education , position , joining in the ridiculous outcry as against theatrical representation ( the last echoes of a morbid bigotry ) , is , we confess , a subject of much pain and regret to us . Actors and actresses are very often just as respectable memberscf society as any one else , and

many set a most striking example to us all . And these eminent members of the theatrical profession , to whom we have ventured to allude , Bro . and Mrs . Kendal Grimston , as many ot us are well aware , have succeeded in winning for themselves , not only the warm sympathies and regard of an appreciative public , but the sincere attachment and respect of a numerous circle of admiring friends .

Music

MUSIC

Continuing our account of the Birmingham Musical Festival , we note that Handel ' s " Alessiah " was given on Thursday morning . There was a full attendance , and it is hardly necessary to say that , under the direction of Bro . Sir Michael Costa , this grand oratorio went splendidly . The whole of the tenor airs were sung by M r . Maas ,

while those of the bass were taken by Signor Foli . The soprano and contralto solos were , according to ancient custom , apportioned , the former between Aladame Albani and Aliss Anna Williams , and the latter between Madame Patey and Aladame Trebelli . It goes without saying that these distinguished artistes fulfilled their several parts splendidly .

* * There was an even greater attendance in the evening , when the new cantata of Herr Gade , entitled " Psyche , " constituted the principal attraction . The gifted Danish composer himself wielded the baton , and though the first two or three numbers attracted but little notice , the grace and beauty of the music gradually impressed themselves upon the minds of the audience , whose applause was

frequent and hearty , and at the conclusion of the performance even tempestuous . This is not surprising ; "Psyche " is a charming as well as a masterly composition , fully equal to anything that Herr Gade has written before . Moreover , the music , both vocal and instrumental , was finely rendered . The band and chorus played and sung as they have played and sung throughout the whole festival , while the soloists gave every satisfaction . These latter were Madame Marie

Roze , who took the part of Psyche ; Madame 'Trebelli , as Proserpine ; and Bro . Santley , as Eros , Miss Eleanor Farnot and Mr . Lloyd assisting in the concerted numbers . The rest of the programme included a symphony in G . minor , by Mr . Hubert Parry , a musician whose works are as well known to , as they are highly appreciated by , English audiences . The several movements in this symphony are extremely well written , the scherzo , with its brace of trios ,

being full of beauty and fancy , while the finale exhibits very great taste . The whole work , * indeed , is treated in a thoroughly musicianly style . A new song , " A Golden Thread , " by M . Gounod , composed for and sung by Aladame Patey , contains some effective passages , the music being graceful throughout . 'This and the march composed expressly for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Albany were the other novelties in the evening's programme .

» * e The last day opened gloomily enough as regards the weather , but this does not appear to have exercised an appreciable effect on the attendance , which was numerous both morning and evening , but overwhelmingly so on the latter occasion . The first programme of the day was both liberal and varied , including as it did works by Alozart , Brahms , Cherubini , and Beethoven , The first named

composer had priority of representation , the work chosen being his Symphony in G minor , the smallest but not the least beautiful of those written in the course of a tew weeks in 17 SS . : io admirably was this given that the finale had to be repeated . Next followed Brahms's " Triumphlied , " composed in honour of the victories of his fatherland , and especially dedicated to the Emperor of Germany . It is

replete with difficulties , its chief feature being that it is written for a double choir in a very elaborate manner , while the strain upon the voice is most exacting . Band and chorus , however , were found equal to the demands made upon them , and well deserved the rest which followed the conclusion of the performance instead of at the regular interval . The "Triumphlied , " or "Song ; of

Music

Triumph , " has been heard on a few occasions before , and has always been listened to with pleasure . It is a solid work , reminding one much , as regards style , of the works of Bach and Handel . Cherubim ' s Mass in G opened the second part of the programme , and it is impossible to speak too highly of the manner in which it was performed . It is a masterpiece , though the reverse ot elaborate in structure , being expressive , musicianly , and deeply religious . The

chorus did their part with a success which , considering what they had had to do in Brahms ' s " Song of Triumph , " was all the more to be commended , while the principal artistes , Madame Albani , Miss Anna Williams , Aladame Patey , Aladame Trebelli , Air . Alaas , Mr . Cummings , Mr . F . King , and Bro . Santley , acquitted themselves , one and

all , as they alone can do . Beethoven ' s " Alount of Olives " brought the concert to an end , Aliss Anna Williams and Mr . A'laas particularly distinguishing themselves . The orchestra and chorus were justly applauded for their rendering of " We shall surely find him , " and the grandly impressive " Hallelujah . "

The festival was brought to a conclusion on Friday evening , with a second performance of M . Gounod ' s " Redemption , " the composer , as on Wednesday , conducting the work . The hall was crammed in every part , and the favourable verdict which followed the first performance was more than confirmed . 'The beauties of this fine work were necessarily more obvious on this occasion , the

nervousness which is well nigh inseparable from a first performance having entirely disappeared , so that the performance went more smoothly , indeed faultlessly from beginning to end . In fact , to judge from a second hearing the future of this latest and most important work of M . Gounod—what he himself has designated as the " work of his life "—is

thoroughly assured , and the more frequentl y it is heard the greater will be the sense of admiration it will excite . Those who are privileged to be present at the musical festival at Bristol will enjoy the enviable distinction of hearing the oratorio when performed for the third time in public .

It would be unjust to a very capable English composer if we omitud to mention another new work which was produced to the audience , on the evening of Wednesday last , and by them , was most favourably received , as indeed , it well deserved to be . This was an orchestral serenade in five movements by Air . Villiers Stanford , who for some time past has held a prominent place among our composers , and whose position will be

materially strengthened by this latest work of his . It is classical both in taste and composition ; the movements , of which the first and last are the most important , are well contrasted , the orchestra is handled with ability , and the themes are above the common order . What is still more calculated to bring it into general repute is that while it belongs to the legitimate school of musical writing , there is much in it that appeals to the popular ear . Its future is therefore well assured .

* # 8 _ YVe have before alluded to the British Musical Festival , which will take place in the course of next month , and at which Al . Gounod ' s "Redemption" will be performed . We may add that the issue of tickets has already commenced , and that the demand for seats is very large .

Science And Art.

SCIENCE AND ART .

The scientific w ork of the British Association was brought to a conclusion on Wednesday , when three of the sections met for the purpose of hearing and discussing papers that had been held over from the day previous . Lord Rayleigh presided in the Mathematical section , and read a paper on the draught of chimneys . Air . J . Phillips exhibited a musical instrument , whic ' t he explained was a

Zulu pianoforte , and Mr . J . J . Coleman read a paper on a "Combined Gas Motor and Cold Air Machine . " Mr . Preece contributed a report of the Screw Gauge Committee , appointed at the meeting last year at York ; Air . Donaldson a paper on "Torpedo Boats , " while Sir F . Bramwell gave a description of an instrument for

ascerthe velocity of railway trains , and the efficiency of brake action . In the Geological section , Mr . Topley read a report on the " Progress of the Geological Map of Europe , " which is being prepared in accordance with a resolution formed last year at the meeting at Bologna of the International Geographical Congress .

* # # The number of members attending the meetings of the Association this year was 1253 , the amount received being £ i 2 S 6 . « > : > * s At the close of the proceedings a vote of thanks

to the Mayor and Corporation of Southampton for the cordiality of their reception , and to the local executive committee , the absence , through ill-health , of whose president , H . R . H . the Duke of Albany , was the subject of universal regret . In short , everyone who had helped to promote the success of the gathering received his due share of thanks .

if * * On Friday about 200 members of the Association left Southampton for Cowes , in a special steamer , and on their arrival were conducted b y way of the private gardens to Osborne House , and shown over this residence of Her Majesty . The visit was a source of much gratification to the members , especially as it was the first occasion on which permission had been given to the public to see it . '

* * * The fifth annual meeting of the Library Association was oprm d on Tuesday , in the spacious Hall of King's College , Cambridge , the chair being occupied by Mr . H . Bradshaw , M . A ., who is librarian of the University . About eighty members were present and special reference

was made to the melanchol y death of Professor VV . Stanley Jcvons , who had been a member of the association , ' a vote of condolence with the widow and her family being , on the motion of Air . Harrison , of London , seconded by Mr . Chancellor C . R . Christie , of Alatlock , agreed to unanimously .