Art And The Drama.

Art and the Drama .

MASTERPIECES OF THE ENGLISH SCHOOL ,

Now EXHIBITED AT MESSRS . AGNEW AND SONS , 391 s , OLD BONDSTREET , W . At the above Galleries are now exhibited , for the benefit of the Artists ' General Benevolent Institution , 20 chefs d ' eenvre of the English School of Painting . These choice pictures may be said to possess an historical celebrity . Those who view them will at once recognise the originals whence

have been derived the fine engravings with which they are already familiar . In order of date , we first notice one of Hogarth ' s most famous pictures" The Lady's Last Stake , " who having , in the inordinate passion for gambling , so prevalent in those times , lost her money and jewels in a tete-a-tete card p lay with a young and handsome gallant , is now compelled to risk and endanger the loss of her honour , which should , indeed , be more

precious to her than all which she has previously so recklessly squandered . This masterpiece is painted with an unusual charm and refinement , and exhibits , in a marked degree , Hogarth ' s marvellous subtlety in the rendering of facial expression . In style it resembles Greuse . After a seclusion of nine years , Sir Joshua Reynold's renowned portrait group , " The Ladies Waldegrave , " makes a welcome re-appearance . Every one remembers

how Horace Walpole , the uncle of the three beauties , admired the picture . The three ladies of whom we have spoken were the daughters of the Earl of Waldegrave . Each of them made a distinguished alliance in the upper ranks of the nobility . " The Ladies Waldegrave " has long been the despair of those who have sought to group beautiful women in one canvas , and to link them together by a motive , comprehensible , yet not too dramatic .

From this point of view , up to the present time it has been unequalled . Surely the loveliest of all Sir Joshua ' s portraits of children , for which he was so justly celebrated , is the " Miss Penelope Boothby , " which here finds a place . It is a flower of perfect , and seemingly , effortless , painting , with its severe , almost monochromatic , colour , made up of warm white , black , and grey , and relieved only by the ruddy

locks and delicate pink cheeks of the little lady , who looks out of the the picture demurely , yet with a perfect consciousness ( little puss ) that she is a beauty . The half-length " Anne Duchess of Cumberland , " by Gainsborough , is an unfamiliar piece , dashed off by the painter , in his slightest , yet his most fascinating , manner . Whilst Reynolds surpassed his more brilliant rival , in the suggestion of real distinction , Gainsborough

particularly excelled in depicting feminine allurement , exercised insidiously , rather than in an open manner . As good examples , we may mention the unrivalled "Perdita" ( Mrs . Robinson ) , of Hertford House , and the " Mrs . Grace Dalrymple . " The " Mrs . Jordan , as Hippolyta , " is a showy and brilliant picture by Hoppner . It has been made famous by the fine mi zzotint of J . Jones ( 1791 ) . Its attractiveness , however , is marred by a vein of vulgarity ,

rather than refinement . We may remind our readers that Mrs . Jordan was the celebrated comedy actress of her time—noboby could even approach her in the music of her voice and the archness of her manner . Romneyalso has a picture of Mrs . J ordan in the " Country Girl . " Superb in vigour in the almost sculptural firmness of the modelling is the " Colonel Francis lames Scott" of Raeburn . The warrior here portrayed is inch a

, every Briton , and a north Briton too . All force of the painting is , however , expended on the head , the body , imprisoned in uniform , being far from expressive . All the pictures of Romney are pleasing , though there is not one that , without hyperbole , could be called a " masterpiece . " The thought occurs to us whether this painter , who has , of late , become so fashionable ,

is , in an artistic point of view , justly entitled to undiscriminating modern praise . Sir William Beechey is seen at his best in his delightful " Master Henry Boyce . " There is a large Morland , "A Country Inn , " which is far from being a " masterpiece . " It is a scattered and unsatisfactory grouping of figures , in a landscape , which lacks his usual charm of harmonious composition . Of the work of Turner , " Rockets and Blue Lights , " we give no opinion , simply because we do not understand it .

THE ROYAL DUCHESS THEATRE , BALHAM . The inhabitants of the suburban districts of London , until compara - tively modern times , were practically excluded from the pleasure of participating in theatrical entertainments , from the great distances between their homes and the London playhouses . A visit on rare occasions to a Westend theatre was a serious matter , entailing the expense ot a private

conveyance , with all the trouble and annoyance incident thereto . Of course , a theatrical visit in wet , or inclement weather , was out of the question . In the course , however , of the last few years , this age of continuous progress , the apparently unsurmountable difficulty has been bridged over in a simple practicable manner . As suburban residents , for the reasons assigned , could not go to the theatre , the theatre has come to them . We have now , in the

outlying districts , upwards of a doz-. n theatres , where touring companies visit week by week , and give efficient representations of all the London pieces . In one respect , indeed , the suburban theatre has an advantage over a London house—there are no long runs of 200 or 300 nights of a piece which has caught on . The duration of a piece rarely exceeds a week , as there is a constant change of companies . The suburban residents

can therefore , in succession , make acquaintance with all the successful novelties . We paid a visit last week to the really handsome Royal Duchess Theatre at Balham . This is , we believe , the newest of the suburban theatres . It was opened about two months ago . This is a very imposing structure , a modern adaptation of the Ionic style of architecture , surmounted

by a haedsome dome . I he effect of the building would be greatly improved were it possible to put it further back from the main toad , but we were told that from the first this was impracticable . The internal arragements are carried out with a liberality and completeness which is eminently satisfactory . All the up-to-date improvements are adopted , and the comfort and convenience of its patrons are studied even to the most minute details . The

Art And The Drama.

plan of the auditorium has been well conceived . A full , uninterrupted view of the stage can be obtained from every part . There are no glaring , gaudy colours in the decorations to offend the canons of good taste ; the general impression is that of harmonious cheerfulness . The lighting by electric installation is efficiently carried out . The residents call it " the pride of Balham , " and it well deserves the name .

The fare offered on our visit was of an attractive nature . It was " La Poupee " ( The Doll ) , which had such a long successful run at the Prince of Wales ' s Theatre , Leicester-square . It is an English version of a pretty comic opera from the French , the music by Edmond Audran . The charming story is too well known to require telling . The interpretation of the work , on the whole , was fairly good . Hilarius was personated by Mr . Harry Parker , who followed on the well-known lines of Willie Edouin , whose

conception of the character was sufficiently broad . It is a pity that Mr . Parker in his earnestness exaggerated it . Alesia , daughter of the toymaker , Hilarius , was efficiently represented by Miss Midge Clark . She has a pleasing , melodious voice . The very simple lover , Launcelot , was undertaken by Mr . T . A . Shale . The part of the Prior , Father Maxime , was given intelligently , not overdrawn , by Mr . Wilson Sheffield . There was dry , quaint humour in Balthazar by Mr . Geo . Paulton . Between the acts " The Absent-minded Beggar " was given by Mr . Wilson Sheffield .

CHRISTMAS AT THE INNS OF COURT . In the days of our ancestors , in the " good old times , " all sorts and conditions of men vied in their endeavours to be foremost in the celebration of the festive season , and the wearers of the coif were certainly not behindhand in the joyousness and good-fellowship of the time . Indeed , the gentlemen of the Inns of Court oftentimes led the way in the matter ol festivities , eivine entertainments rivalling those produced at Court , and

occasionally even surpassing the most superb civic pageants . The expenses incurred thereupon appear almost incredible , even at this present time . The most learned men of the day furnished the lyrics and dialogue for the " Disguisings , " as the masques were termed , and the revels were frequently prolonged from Christmas up to Shrovetide . As soon as the Yule season set in , all members of the Inns , whether grave Benchers , the

Serjeants-at-Law , Barristers , or Students , seem to have given themselves up to mirth , not unmixed with mischief . Of course , the proceedings commenced with feasting , and then ensued the grotesque , but all-important ceremony of dancing round the fire . The fire was set in a raised brazier placed in the centre of each Hall of each Inn , and Benchers , Barristers , and the highest members of the profession joined hands and danced thrice round the blaze ,

singing as they stepped an old ditty , the words of which seem now forgotten . A very scarce tract states that : " The dancing and singing of the Benchers , in the great Inns of Court , in Christmas , is in some sort founded on Interest , for they hold , as I am informed , some privilege by dancing about the fire in the middle of the Hall , and singing the Song of ' Round about our Coke Fire . ' "

As a matter of fact , members of the Court were liable to be dis-barred , and , indeed , were put out of Commons , for refusing to take part in this ceremony , and at Lincoln's Inn the threat of dis-barment was held out to an offender as recently as in the days of James I . Dugdale tells usthatthe members of the " utter bars" were compelled to sing a song to the Judges , Serjeants , or Masters of the Bench , and in default " there may be an amerciment . "

Annual Supper Of The Prosperity Lodge Of Instruction, No. 65.

ANNUAL SUPPER OF THE PROSPERITY LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 65 .

The annual supper of the above well-known lodge of instruction took place on Wednesday , the 29 th ult ., at the Whittington , Moor-lane , E . G ., when the following large number of brethren met to support Bro . Harlow , P . M ., the Preceptor , who ably presided : Bros . Schadler , P . M . 65 ; Ruse , P . M . 6 $ ; Harrison , P . M . 65 ; Grieig , P . M . 65 ; Kinipple , P . M . 65 ; Spencer , P . M . 6 s ; Palmer , 65 j Sargent , G 5 ; Huckell , 65 ; Downs , 65 ; Read , 65 ; Drake , 65 ; Page , 6 = | : Rideway , 6 < i Hammerton Foyer , 65 ; Fuller , 6 . s : Robeson , W . M .

192 ; William Baker , I . P . M . 192 j Cohu , P . M . and Treas . 192 j Smith , P . M . 192 ; Lockett , 192 ; Farr , 192 ; Pecover ; Lloyd , 192 ; Collins , 192 ; Gibbs ; Ward , 192 ; Leach , 192 ; Stokes , 192 ; Hillman , W . M . 569 ; Mills , 569 ; Ward , 569 ; Horwell , W . M . 1571 ; Jas . Durrell , 1571 ; Jos . Durrell , 1571 ; Lee , 1571 ; Eyles , 1571 ; Kipps , W . M . 1275 ; Barker , P . M . 1607 ; Brown , P . M . 1446 j Butcher , P . M . 902 ; Meadows , P . M . 1571 , Sec . ; Saunion , P . M . 142 ,- ;; King - , 1329 ; Trotman , 1329 ; Williams , 1329 ; Scott , 548 ; Child . 1472 : Shioman . 1161 ; : Miller . 87 Q : and Bliss . 1120 .

After a substantial supper had been enjoyed , the toasts of " The Queen " and " The Grand Master " were proposed by the PRESIDENT , and , needless to say , were duly received with the usual heartiness . Bro . ROHKSON , W . M . 192 , then proposed "The Preceptor , " stating that Bro . Harlow was well known and appreciated by all as their able Preceptor , and it gave him ( Bro . Robeson ) very great pleasure to see him at the head of the table .

Bro . HAKLOW , in reply , returned sincere thanks both for the expressions accompanying the toast and the reception given it . He said that during the six years he had been Preceptor the work entailed had been a labour of love . He pointed out that the lodge had notalways been in the flourishing condition it then was , for which it owed not a little to the loyal support of the brethren of the Lion and Lamb Lodge for many years . He was greatly pleased by the presence there of seven Past Masters of the mother lodge , on whose services he lightly touched .

"Success to the Prosperity Lodge 01 Instruction" was given by Bro . SCIIADLHR , P . M ., who said a very pleasing duty devolved upon him in presenting what was the toast of the evening . The lodge he considered must rank as the foremost in the City , and its meetings were not confined to the winter months only , but all the year round they had an average attendance of 17 , which he thought no other lodge could boast of , and it undoubtedly reflected the greatest credit upon the Preceptor , and was a credential for the able manner in which the duties were carried out .

Bros . WILLIAM BAKER , Asst . Preceptor , MEADOWS , Sec , and SMITH , Treas ., responded . In replying for '" The Visitors , " Bro . COHU said that he had frequently made up his mind in former years to be present at the annual supper , but from various reasons bad hitherto been unable , and to-night was his first visit , although as a P . M . of the Lion and Lamb Lodge , he deemed himself no stranger . It was interesting to note that there was evidence of a visit paid by that lodge to the Prosperity Lodge in 1812 , which , he hastened to assure the brethren , he did nat attend .