The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

On Saturday morning last thc Vaudeville was filled in every part to witness the performance of "The Road to Ruin . " The occasion was the benefit of Bro . Thomas Thorne , an actor whose ability and popularity are sufficient to account for the triumph that was obtained . 'The cast with which this amusing old comedy was presented was no less strong than that Bro . Thorne has accustomed us to expect . M ' r . Farren played in unsurpassable into

style the character of Dornton , which has now passen his repertory . Bro . Charles Warner gave with his wellknown brightness , force , energy , and animal spirits the character of Youiisr Dornton , one of the most popular ot his assumptions , and was better in the stronger situations . A fine piece of character acting , polished and effective as it can beand rising to the depth of genuine

, earnestness and power was exhibited by Bro Thomas Thorne , as Sill-v . Against this was opposed the imperturbable SnU'v ' oi Mr . Horace Wigan . Miss Alma Murray played with tenderness and grace boplua , Miss Rate Phillips was delightfully bright as Jenny , Mrs . Malthv was a satisfactory Mrs . Ledger , and Mrs . Sydney

clever , but rather forcible as Widoro Warren . With Mr . Crauford as Mil ford , Mr . Howe as First Tradesman , Air . F . Thorn as Goldfinch , Mr . Maclean as Hosier , and Mr . Lestocq as Jacob , an interpretation containing every element of popularity is provided . No immediate intention nf transferrins' " The Road to Ruin " to the evening is

entertained . There is every probability that at some period not far remote an entertainment containing so many elements of popularity will find its way again to the boards . In thc evening , " Money" was given with the well-known cast , the performance being once more for the beneht ot Bro . Thorn .

Bro . Henry Irving brings hisseasonto . iclo . se on the ^ 9 th inst ., on which occasion he will take his annual benefit , when he maybe expected to deliver the accustomed speech . Bro . Irving subsequently proceeds to America .

* ** » Bro . Walter Pclharn , at the request of H . R . H . the Princess of Wales , had the honour of giving his drawing room entertainment at Marlborough House on I hursday afternoon , the Gth inst . A new comedy in three acts by Mr . Brandon , of the St . James ' s , has been accepted at the Court Theatre .

Music

MUSIC

I . enepveu ' s opera " * of " Velleda , to the production of which , on Tuesday , the 4 th inst ., we briefly referred last week , was played for the second time on Friday last , with , of course , the same cast , the reception which it experienced being similarly cordial . It is by no means an impressive work , though there is more than one dramatic situation , which gives ( Madame Patti the opportunity of displaying to great advantage her powers in this respect .

The music is not marked by any extraordinary originality , much of it being clearly traceable to inspiration derived from a study of Verdi , Wagner , Meyerbeer , and other well-known composers . VVe can hardly , therefore , anticipate that it will retain its place permanently in the repertory of Covent Garden . The story may be briefly described . Cieliusthe Roman commander in Gaul , falls

, in love with Velleda , a high priestess of the Druids , and the latter reciprocates the feeling . He has , however , a rival in the person of Tenter , a Gallic warrior , who , with the assistance of hia , another priestess , delivers Cretins into the handsof his foes , and the latter must have perished but for Velleda , by whom his life is saved . The Romans overrome their enemies , and Cadius in turn has an

opportunity of showing mercy to the Gauls . Meanwhile , Velleda has gone with her father to some remote village . Catlius follows , and overtakes her , and declares himself read y to make any and every sacrifice if the maiden is united to him . Velleda has just consented , when the Gauls again appear on the scene , and the girl , finding she has nothing to lookforward to beyond a solitary life of misery , stabs herself ,

and Cadius , following her example , the lovers die in each other ' s arms , lt will be easily gathered from this brief description that , dramatically , the part of Velleda afforded Madame Patti several opportunities of exhibiting her great declamatory powers to advantage ; and , it is needless to say , she turned them to the best account . The music also suited her well , so that her performance was a veritable

triumph . She was most ably assisted by the other members of the cast , and notably by Madame Valleria , as Jim ; Signor Nicolini , Cadius ; Signor Cotogni , as Tenter ; and Signor De Reszke , as Scnon . The chorus and orchestra did admirably , the " Hymn of War , " in the second act , being especially noticeable . M . Dupont conducted with his wonted ease , so that it is hardly to be wondered at that the opera achieved the success it did .

" Mignon " was played on Saturday last , with Madame Albani as the heroine , and on Monday " La Traviata , " with Madame Patti in the like capacity . On Tuesday Boito ' s " Mefistofele" was produced , a second performance having been fixed for yesterday ( Friday ) . As in the case of " Velleda , " and for the same reason , we shall

defer a more extended notice till next week . The cast was as follows : Margherita and Helena were played by Madame Albani ; ' Martha and Pantalis by Mddle . Tremelli . M . Gailhard was Mefistotelc ; Signor Igenio Corsi , Waf , ncr ; and Signor Mierzwinsky , Faint . Signor Bevignani conducted . Be it added that on Tuesday the Prince and Princess of Wales were present .

* * ¦ » Thursday witnessed the performance of " Faust and Margherita , " Madame Patti being the heroine . To-

Music

night ( Saturday ) " Le Prophete will be given for the last time this season . * * «• When next week is passed we shall have seen the last of Italian Opera for the present year . 'There will be five performances , as usual , though Friday will be a blank night . On Monday " Don Giovanni " will be given ,

with Madame Patti as ' / . erlina . For Tuesday " Mefistofele " is announced , and VVednesday is set apart as a gala night for Madame Patti , who will appear as Vio / efta in "La Traviata ; " her final appearance being fixed for Saturday , in " 11 Barbicre di Siviglia . " On Thursday Madame Albani takes her gala night , when she will appear for the fourth time in " Mefistofele . "

* *** = Mr . and Mrs . Reay-Mackey had a most successful concert at the Marlborough Rooms on VVednesday last . The programme was well-chosen and well-carried out by the beneficiaires and the many well-known artistes who assisted them .

On I'rirlay last , by permission of Mr . and Mrs . Owen Lewis , the distinguished lady violinist , Mddle . Therese Castellan , gave a concert at 1 , Lancaster-gate . 'There was a numerous attendance , the programme was well assorted , and the vocalists , male and female , included several that are well-known to , and highly appreciated by ,

the public . Among them must be mentioned Miss de Fonblanque , Mdlle . Le Brun , and Miss Elliott ; Mr . I . de Lara , Signor Campobello , and Signor Ghilberti ; Signor'Tito Mattel being the solo pianist . Mr . George Grossmith provoked much amusement by his humorous lecture on " What is Music ?"

The second grand operatic concert of tne season took place at the Crystal Palace on Saturday last . Among thc artistes were Madame Fursch-Madi , who made her first appearance at the Palace on this occasion , Mdlle . Tremelli , and Signori Marini , Frapolli , and De Reszke The

audience was a numerous one , and , under the conduct of M . Dupont , the concert proved highly successful . To-day ( Saturday ) is fixed for the Sunday School Choir Festival , when there will be a concert in which 5000 voices will take part , with Mr . VV . R . Bourke as conductor .

Next week the series of Saturday evening concerts will commence ; another musical feature , being Miss Jennie Young ' s concert lecture , which has been postponed till then .

* * * The programme of the London Conservatoire Garden Party , which was held at Lillie Bridge Grounds on Saturday last , included a concert in the large hall , when Sir Henry Bishop ' s glees and choruses were given b y a choir of seventy voices . There was also a strong array of musical talent , both vocal and instrumental .

= » W W On Monday Mr . Edward Holmes ' s grand evening concert took place at the Royal Academy of Music , Mesdames Liebhart and Edith Wynne , Signori Ria and Isidore de Lara , and Mr . Thurley Beale being among the principal artistes who took part in it , with Mdlle . Carstellan as violinist , Mr . Hollman , violoncellist , and Mr . Edward Holmes . himself as pianist .

Bro . Wilhelm Ganz s Matinee Musicale was held at the Marlborough Rooms on 'Tuesday , the attendance being such as might have been expected on such an occasion , though , doubtless , but for the wretched weather , it would have been still more numerous . Madame Antoinette Sterling , Miss Santley , Mr . Barrington Foote , and Bro . M . Maybrick were the principal vocalists , with Signor Papini , violin , Mr . Libotton , violoncello , and Bro . Ganz piano .

* * 4 S This day ( Saturday ) , the Grand Operatic Concert , of which we made announcement last week , will come off at the Royal Albert Hall , South Kensington .

* # There will be a performance in English this ( Saturday ) afternoon , in the concert room of the Royal Academy of Music , Tenterden-street , Hanover-square , of Mozart ' s " Cosi fan tutte , " in which the principal parts will be taken by Miss Cockburn , Mrs . Irene Ware , Miss Kate Hardy , and Messrs . Hulbert , Jarvatt , Fulkerson , R . Cummings . * * s

On Monday next , by the kind permission of the Earl and Countess of Dudley , there will be an amateur concert , at 3 . 30 p . m . ; in aid of the funds for the Hospital for Women , Soho-square . lt will be g iven under the special patronage of the Oueen , the Princess of Wales , the Princess Christian , and the Princess Mary , Duchess of Teck .

Science And Art.

SCIENCE AND ART .

Une ol the most interesting meetings it has been our privilege to notice took place last VVednesday , at the Vestry Hall , Kensington , when , in the interest of the Society for Training Teachers of the Deaf , Miss Hull , who keeps a private school in Holland-road , and was introduced by the Rev . Dr . Forrest , rector of St . Jude's , South Kensington , gave an explanation and illustration of her system of instruction , by which children who are born deaf , andof therefore

, course , , completely dumb , can have speech bestowed upon them . At the close of the remarks made by the Chairman , Dr . Forrest , several boys and girls , ranging in age from from five to thirteen years of age were introduced . Miss Hull spoke to them , and they , by carefully watching the motion of her lips , and the indications of the signs she uttered , were enabled , not only to repeat in intelligible tones , and write them in fair round-hand on a black board , but also to return intelligible answers . The

Science And Art.

exhibition or demonstration was singularly touching . owin <* to the evident pleasure shown by the children in bemg able to understand what was said to them and be understood in torn . At the close of these tests the Chairman of the Committee of the Society , Major-General Cotton , made a

strong appeal for funds in aid of the College that has been established to carry out the new system , and the appeal was warmly supported by the Kev . H . Pearson , Chairman of the Committee for teaching deaf mutes in the London School Board schools , the Rev . M . Stainer , and Miss Hull .

= . '• & * Some 600 representative working men visited the South Kensington Museum on the evening of Friday last , under the auspices of the " Working Men's Club and Institute Union , " of which Bro . Sir Thomas Brassey , K . C . B ., M . P ., is President . The presidents , secretaries ' and delegates of the several clubs forming the Union , who were distinguishable by the orange ribbons worn in their

coats , were presented to Lady Brassey . Music was the chief attraction of the evening , the performances of the Hungarian Band being received , one after the other , with hearty applause . 'There were also present as contributories the Royal Criterion Hand Bell Ringers and Glee Singers . At the same time , the principal attractions of the Museum * itself were by no means overlooked , the new Danish and Norwegian treasures proving very interesting .

Five lady students of the Crystal Palace School of Art , namely , the [ Misses Edith Banbury , M . A . Lyle , A . L . Manby , and M . Sheffield , and Mrs . A . Howse , have had awarded to them severally the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge's certificate , testifying not only to their success in the examination , but also to their having completed a three years' course of study under the pro fessors appointed by the University in the Palace School .

On Wednesday last , about a hundred and twenty members of the Society of Engineers , taking boat from London Bridge in the early morning , made an excursion to Chatham for the purpose of inspecting the building sheds , the dockyard , and the ships fitting out or in course of construction . They were received on their arrival , about halfpast three o'clock , by favour of the Admiral Superintendent , j . G . Watsin , R . N ., by some of the officials , and thev were

conducted on their tour of inspection , the chief vessels visited being the Warspite , 7390 tons , Sooo horse power ; the Calypso , steel corvette , 2705 tons , 3000 horse power ; the Rodney , the Conqueror , the Ajax , and Agamemnon , in course of fitting for service , and the torpedo ship , Polyphemus . Among the visitors were the President of the Society , Mr . Jabez Church , Mr . C . Horsley , Mr . Berridge , Mr . Spice , Bro , James Glaisher , & c .

* * * The council of the Institution of Civil Engineers have announced their award of premiums for original communications , presented to the Society during the session 1 SS 1-2 . For papers read at the ordinary meetings there were made eight awards , consisting of Watt medals and

Telford premiums in three cases , a George Stephenson medal and Telford premium in one case , Teiford premiums in three cases , and a Manby premium in one . Other medals and premiums were adjudged for papers printed on the proceedings , but not discussed to at the meetings , and also for papers read at the supplemental meetings of students . - * * >»

The death of Mr . Hablot Knight Browne , best known to the world as " Phiz , " took place on Saturday last , at Hove , Brighton . Mr . Browne was born in 1815 , and in 1 S 35 succeeded the late Mr . Seymour in the task of illustrating " Pickwick . " He subsequently illustrated most of the works of the late Charles Dickens .

We alread y have a theatre which for some time past has been successfully lighted by electricity , and now the Royal Music Hall , iormerly Weston's , Holborn , which has been rebuilt and redecorated by its proprietor , Mr . VV . T . Purkiss , is to be similarly illuminated on the Brush system , the current being distributed from a central station . The resultant advantages will be the reduction of heat to the extent of 25 per cent ., and a steadier and more subdued light .

« * » On Saturday last thc President and one of thc members of the Balloon Society left the Lillie Bridge Grounds in a balloon which was purposely kept at a very low altitude , with a view to photographing London . The route

taken was across Hyde Park , along Oxford-street and Holborn , over St . Paul ' s and the Mansion House to Whitechapel , the descent being made about six miles from Romford , in the grounds of Sir Cunliffe Smith . Several very successful views wcre taken , which will be added to the collection already possessed by tbe Society .

« ;* * The forty boys of Christ ' s Hospital on King Charles the Second ' s foundation ofthe Royal Mathematical School visited Windsor Castle on Saturday last , for the purpose of submitting to Her Majesty , according to annual custom , their charts and drawings . 'They were accompanied , as usual , by sundry of the officers of the School , and the head mathematical drawing masters . 'The Lord Chamber-Iain was in attendance upon Her Majesty .

te w # It was decided on Monday afternoon , at a meeting of the Guild Committee of the Preston Corporation , to invite the Duke and Duchess of Albany , who will be present at the Guild festivities in September , to lay the foundation-stone of the proposed Free Library and Museum .

* « Thursday was fixed for the first of a series of three lectures at the Crystal Palace , to be delivered by Dr . G . G . Zerlfi in the lecture-room of the Crystal Palace School of Art , Science , and Literature . The subject of

that given on the day mentioned was " Egypt of the Pharoahs ;' origin of influences . " Those to follow on the 20 th and 27 th inst . will treat of " Egypt of the Caliphs ; progression of influences ; " and " Egypt now ; further progression , " respectively .