The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Bro . C . VYynilhnni has asgnin produced another Criterion success ; but it is a success because Bro . Wyndham is the moving spirit in it . " Fourteen Days , " by Hro . Bryon , is not one of the best of this piquant jilay writer , but for all this , in thc hands of Bro . Wyndham , it is likely to run as long as he desires to keep it there . As Toole ' - pieces are always of the same kind , as the Alhambra

invariably gives the public grand fairy sjiect . iclcs and gorgeous ballets , and the Adelphi sensational dramas , so does the Criterion jrut before us amusing comedy ; and they cannot do better than keep tn that style , as our country cousins know what to exjiect at these theatres when they come to town . Mr . Peregrine P ., r ! er has unfortunately assaulted a policeman , and is summoned before the magi

trate . lie is on luil , but is certain he cannot escape with a fine , but will have fourteen days . 'To prevent his wifeknowing it he tells her he is summoned abroad . He postpon-. s Hie wedding of bis wife's sister , although he has no objection to her intended husband . A young barrister has fallen in lure r . l-o with the lady , rind promises to as-ist . 1 . ' .-. Port , r legally . Ill jirison , . '/;* .

Porter finds him-elf under a mo-t peculiar governor , v .-he paints , plays the guitar , and is re-lhetii * . Onr barvistel friend knows the governor of the jail , and offers to take Porter ' s place in ' the hopes of gelling bis consent le his marrying his sister-in-law , but tin ' s is i-.-ilhc-i too much ; ' however , Ihe governor allows him to remain in prison with Pert , r . But a droll scene occur :, when the governor is suddenly suiicr-.-divl by another , who at unci

sends the amateur to real r . mvicr labour . At ki-l ihcy both conn * out . Me . I ' , r . ' ee returns home , liaving gathered a few word- of Italian from a dictionary , but his sister-inlaw ha * been learning in his absence to converse with him , and finds he knows nothing . When his wife asks about Venice , lie replies il is nothing to see , and Rome not " worth " ¦ ( . kv aiTo . s th- stu-ct for , " but is unable to give

a straightforward nnr . vertn any ( pie-lion . It is unnecessary to say lhat Mr . Peri , e and Mr . i . ' . '* 7 * v ¦' . ' , I lie barrister , have to tell a nuiivbi r of faT-eh' -nd- lo try and screen themselves ; but s ; " murder will out , " the more they lie the more thev entangle ihem-clw * . Of course it ends well . Spoonbill ' marries the * r-ter-iu-lav , * , llic barrister does nut . . Miss Vini . 'ir ' , as the mnid-scrvnnt , shows a

good deal of promise . Mr . Standing , as Dehrield , the prison governor , specially distinguishes himself . Mr . Bhkcl-rv , as Urt . minle .. ; the . lu .-kbmkcr , is amusing to the last ' degree . Mr . Gidde-i ; exhibit- , power of a high order ; Mr . I . ytton Solium ( N / V o .-. '/ .-7 . ' . l for hi * sketch of the sp i . inv lover

every opportunity . to di-jilay her talent . But it is Mr . Chaile- VV'yinlh . i . ii , theh ss . e , who makes the jiiece ; hi * abundant e .-q . i-ri . ue .- of the -tag '* enables bun to .-laliorafe a singularly natural -tudy of an excited man ' scll ' oiis . to conceal lie ' , eii ' n . i . ni * . " Foiirleeii Days" is quite likely to run fourteen mouths . 'The audience is kept in a continual titter from beginning to end . Hro . ILK . II . the Prince and the Prince-s of Wa ! . * -, attended by their suite , honoured thc performance by their pre icnce on Monday .

On Monday al the * Royalty , io a tnn-l ; ipprcn ; itive audience , " ' Meg ' s Duci-ion" was introduced by Miss Hilda Hilton , who ' has recently become lessee of this house . It was her fir-t appearance on the stage since her medical adviser ordered her entire re-t a few weeks ago . 'This comedy dr . una i , familiar to all play goers , and if it is not it ought to be . Although well ivi . rn it i' nut nearly worn out . Its pntiularily is easily explained , its

sympathetic story , its simple co . r . " ruction , and tin : fact that the whole of the chaiacteis rue interesting , are , no doubt , the reason-. ' The part n ( . , /¦ ¦ . ; i ; su-lained by Mi-ri Hilton with arimiinble siicci-s , j . ei hap- this being most marked when Meg finds out what are tier effects of hor practical joke nn ' }' ' * -. / er /' . ¦' . ' . '' - ¦ ¦ ' - ¦ ' , v .-liu is , if a rough mechanic , a true and warm lover . It mi'lit du some- ladies good to see it ,

and learn that a in in '; heart may ll 4 be trilled with without injury to him . elf and remorse to the woman . Hut Meg ' s luaufelt ivpeiiUncc after her "diversion " atones for pinning Ih . r label " engaged" on the back of ' / i'v ' ' '' '" ' letting him go out in the street with it on , not lia-.-inr / onc bit nf ali ' ectiun for him then . But her very diversion and his coii-lancy change her entirely .

Hro . ) . G . 'Taylor , as To * ., V ;' , moved the spectator- ; in an unmistakable manner " by his rendering nf the character . Mr . Everill , as Fanner (' ,. ; :, was -perhaps the next be-. t , such a gel u ; i is lo be met with any day in Buckinghamshire or any other agricultural enmity . Miss Evelyn , as Cornelia , does what sin- Iras to do i-v a most perfect manner , and looks very jiretty . Mr . Mansfield and Mr . I- ' . Irving

also deserve the apj . Tiuse accnrde . l to the company . The jailer ' s iiiijier-oiialii . il of the Exeter solicitor is extremely amu-ing . " Pinto" slill holds it . own as the burlesque , but another is being prcj . arcd bv Mr . Frank Green tube brought on after Easter . Bro . 11 ,-irry Milchin- * , as manager , and Mr . Anderson , his obliging assistant , are no doubt indispensable personages lo Mi-- Hilton .

Hio . I lollino'shcad will lo-ni-ght hriiijj ; mil a nrrv burlesque at the ' llpera Comique , entitled " Venus , " Mis Julia Vokinsanil Miss Lottie llarourt are engaged for it The latter will play Adonis .

The annual benefit in aid of the Koyal General Theatrical Fund will take ji ' . are on Monday , the 20 th inst ., at the Theatre Royal , I bury Lam-, which has been generously placed at the disposal of the Fund for Ihe occasion by Brn . Aug . Harris . 'The programme of the

entertainment is , ns usual , most comprehensive and varied , and include- the third act of "The Lights of London , " " 'The Spitalfields Weaver , " a rcene from " Aladdin , " an act of " Mother-in-law , " and the original / 'Esthetic Ouadrille . Bro , Ledger , proprietor of the Era , is the chairman ,

Science And Art.

SCIENCE AND ART .

Il may lie regarded as an evidence of -Trcal judgment on the jiart of M . Marius , manager of the new Avenue 'Theatre , to mark the opening night of this addition to our metropolitan theatres by the revival of that eminently pojjular comic opera , Offenbach ' s "Madame Favart . " The house was a crowded and enthusiastic one , and the cast excellent , while the orchestra jilayed the familiar

music very efficiently , under the direction of Mr . J . S . Hillier . Miss Florence St . John gained , if possible , additioiv . t reputation by her charming representation of Madame Favart , and Miss Wadman scored an undoubted success as Sucaunc , her concejition of the part being meritorious , and , as proved by the ajiplause it evoked , in every way acceptable . M . Marius , whose reception in the

double cajiacity of manager and artist left nothing to be desired , played the part of Charles Favart with much vivacity , in sjiite of the cold ami hoarseness from which hc was suffering , and for which an apology was circulated . Mr . !•' . Leslie , as the Marqnis de Pont Sable , Mr . Bracy , as Hector , Mr . lOverard , as Cotignac . and Mr . C . Ashford

as liiscotin , met with nn appreciative reception , the scenery and costume- were admirable , and , in short , the performance throughout was most warmly received , all the better known and more popular parts of the opera being most enthusiastically encored . It should be added that ( heir Royal Highnesses Ihe Prince and Princess of VVales graced the theatre with their presence on the occasion .

On Mundav , the Can Rosa Opera Company , having concluded their season at Her Majesty ' s , opened at the National Standard Thcatie for n fortnight's round of jierformances . This is quite in keejiing with the character uf the Bros . Douglass , whose enterprise in securing fur their Fast-end patrons whatever is move than usually excellent in drama and opera is too well-known and too generally njiprcci . itcd to require any comment .

There was a larjre attendance at the performance at the Bow nnd Bromley Institute of Dr . G . A . Mnefarren ' s Cantata , "The Lady ot the Lake , " by Mr . M'Nanght's choir ol 130 voices , the solo parts being successfully given by Miss Laiconi , Bro . barton McGuckin , & c

Sir Julius ncnedict s music , written expressl y for " Romeo and Juliet , " as revived last week at ( lie * Lyceum Theatre , not only harmonises mosl comjitetely v . irii the scenes of this magnificent representation , but is uf itself most fresh and delightful , and possesses a vigour and individuality worthy nf the composer ' s best efforts .

Mr . Cowen ' s " Scandinavian ' Symphony experienced as brilliant and enthusiastic a reception when performed al Pesth nn the 1 st inst ., under the immediate direction nf the coniposer . ns it had previously at Vienna . I le has been invited by llerr Richter to write a new work for the * next season of thc Vienna Philharmonic . Society .

The iitxi Students' Concert of ill . * Koyal Academy of Music will take j . hce this ( Saturday ) evening , at Ihe Academy , Teinerdcn-strcet , Manover-square , Mr . William Shakespeare , conductor . ; -. fl . * Madame Schumann , whose reception al the Monday and Saturday " Pops " has been of the most

enthusiastic character , and , indeed , was the principal feature last week nt those admirable concerts , will take part at the Philharmonic Society ' s Fourth Concert , nn Thursday next , at St . James ' s Mall , this being the only occasion nn whicii this brilliant pianist will appear during the present season witb an nrchesti-.-i .

On Wednesday next will be produced nt llic Royal Albert Mall , Smith Kensington , by the Royal Albert Mall Choral Society , Berlioz ' s " Faust . " Dr . Stainer will pre-ide at the organ ; Mr . Barnby will conduct , and the orchestra will be largely increased , band and chorus making one thousand . Madame Marie Roze and Mr . Vernon Rigby are among the principal vocali-ts .

Last night ( Friday ) being the anniversary of St . Patrick , a grand Irish festival was to be given at the Royal Albeit Mall . On nexl . Monday ' s " Pop " will be performed Beethoven ' s quarl .-. tt in C sharp minor , Mozart ' s

jvianoforte trio in 10 flat , Tartini ' s " II T ' riilo del Diavoln , " for violin , with pianoforte accompaniment , and Chopin ' s Ballade in G minor , for pianoforte alone . Mdlle . Marie Kve ' os and MM . Joachim , L . Ries , Strauss , and Piatti will be the executants ; vocalist , Mr . Abercrombie .

. Mr . Sims Reeves s last concert , before resuming his farewell tour in thc provinces , will take jilace at St . James ' s I lall , on 'Tuesday next . A very admirable programme is announced , to which such eminent artiste- as Madame Patey , Madame Aiabella Griddard , . Mr . Herbert Reeves , Mr . Harrington Foote , and the beneficiary himself , will contribute .

The enthusiastic reception accorded lo Madame Schumann on her first appearance at the Monday and Saturday " Poj . s" last week was repeated on Monday , when a Fantaisie Sli ' icke , by her In . li ; husband , for jiianofurte , violin ,. and violoncello Misperformed for the first time under Mr . ChappuH ' s auspices . Madame Schumann jiresided nt the pianoforte , to which prominence is given

throughout the work , while Herr Joachim and Signor Piatti were respectively violin anil violoncello . 'The rest of the jirogramnie included Beethoven ' s sonata in 10 Hat , which the same lady played to perfection , and two quartets , Schubert ' s in D minor , and Haydn ' s in G major . Miss Santley was the vocalist , and more refined and artistic singing could not have been desired .

Music.

MUSIC .

!> ro . ILK . II . the Prince of VVales took thc ch .-iit at thc annual meeting of the City and Guilds of London Technical Institute , on Monday , at Mercers' Hall , Cheapside . A large crowd , which seriously inconvenienced the traffic in Cheapside , assembled outside to see H . R . H . depart . So full was Merceis' Hall , that arriving somewhat late , we were unable to get inside the room . " The Lord

Chancellor moved the adoption of the report , whicii was taken as road . His lordship referred to Bro . the Dukeof Albany having laid the foundation stone of the City School , in Cowpcr-street , Finsbury , in May last , and to Bro . IT . R . I I . the Prince of Wales having done the same in July , at South Kensington , where the central institution will be .

Both buildings are being rapidl y completed . Bro . the Lprd __ Mayor seconded the adoption of thc report . Bro . Sir Sidney Waterlow was re-appointed Treasurer . Lord Sclbonie and Sir F . Bramwell respectively moved and seconded a vote of thanks to Bro . H . R . H ., who , in responding , assured the meeting of his warm interest in the movement .

Hro . Shaw-I . efcvrc , M . P ., Her Majcstv ' s First Commissioner cf Works , has announced his intention of lighting the new Law Courts with incandescent electric lights . Mr . K . A . Proctor , in the last number of Knowledge , has a highly intei-esling article on the "Great Pyramid , " which he speaks of rs the " great observatory

ot Egypt-the most perfect ever made till telescopic art revealed away of exact observation without those massive structures . " Two illustrations accompany the article , in one of which the Pyramid Observatory is shown ill section . " The direction lines for the midday sun at midsummer , midwinter , and the equinoxes are shown ; also the lines lu the two stars , Alpha Draconis and Aluha Centauri . are

given at the sub-jiolar ineridinal passagx * of the former , and the ineridinal passage nf the lalter . ' at tlie dale when the descending and ascending passages thus commanded both llicsc stars . " 'I his date , be it added , is 3400 n . C , nnd Mr . Proctor remarks , "Within fifty years ' or so on either sidcof this date , the Pyramid mustI should think .

, have been built " the later date , when Alpha Draconis was at the right di-tance from the Polo , namely , ; i ; o B . C ., being unanimously rejected by Egyptologists on the ground of its being too late for " the date of the Pyramid King . " In tins case it follow- lhat the Great Pyramid is - ; 2 no year * , old , there or thereabouts .

On Monday ovenin-j ; a " conversazione " exhibition of pictures , and distribution of prizes was held in the Town Hall , Chester , in aid nf Ihe funds nf the Chester School of Art Society . 'The Countess Grosvenor gave away the prizes , and ( lie Dukeof Westminster , who accompanied her , delivered an address on the advantages of such a society , and expressed his regret that it did nut receive a greater amount of support .

It is said thai Mr . I ' . ilisoi . has invented nn improved kind nf arc lamp which combines the requisite de-jiee nf steadiness ; with the utmost brilliancy , 'This object has been achieved by lifting into the new " lamp a small electro-motor , which causes the " candle " to make no

less than 3000 revolutions a minute , thus ensuring absolute equality . 1 he electric current is thus made to jierform ihe threefold duty of suppl y ing the light , turning the electro magnet , and forming the aic . It is to be hoped this new lamp will be exhibited at ( he Crystal Palace some time during the present exhibition .

I ruler the will of the late Mr . John Jones , of y-, Piccadilly , who died on 7 th January , the South Kensington . Museum comes into jicisscssion of a rare collection of pictures in oil and water , miniatures , vases , ornamental china , articles of veitu in gold and silver , snuff boxes , caskets , articles in ivory , crystal , ebony , cabinets , tables .

chairs , and other valuable furniture in Sevres , marqueterie , ive , and nil Ins printed books not nthciswisc disposed of . A proviso is- attached to the gift , to the effect that thc articles are to be kept togetlur , s „ as to form one collection , and are not to be distributed over various parts of the Museum or lent for exhibition .

I he death is announced of the Rev . Thomas Jarrett , M . A ., of St . Catherine ' s College , Regius Profes = or of Hebrew in the University of Cambridge . -f ii * It is with regret wc announce the sudden death on Triilay Morning last of SirC . Wyville Thompson , at his residence , near Linlithgow . 'The deceased , who bad just completed his fifty-second year , had filled the chair of

Professor uf Mineralogy snd Geology in Oucen ' s College , Belfast , and that nf Regius Professor of . Natural History at the University of Edinburgh , but he will be best remembered for the |> art he jib yed ill the scientific dred" - mg expeditions in the Lightning and Porcupine ,. and especially as chief of the scientific department of the famous

Challenger deep-sea exploring- expedition , which was fitted out by the British Government , and was absent close on three years and a half . For his services on the last occasion the honour of Knighthood was conferred upon him . He has left behind him accounts of these expeditions as memorial * of his great scientific attainments .

I he latest novel I v at the lOlectric LiVht Fxhibibition at the Crystal Palace is thc opening of a suite of apartments consisting nf a boudoir with drawing , dining , and smoking rooms , which are lighted by the electric light , the object being to show the applicability to domestic purposes of this mnrle uf illumination .

* s * S ^ V- !' 0-- , , 1 ' !* ' 1 '' t ,, e Frillcc of Wales was present at Mr . Maybridgc ' s exhibition at the Royal Institution , Albemarle-strcer on Monday , of his instantaneous photographs of animals in motion .