Bro. Broadley " At Home."

BRO . BROADLEY " AT HOME . "

" Cairo Cottage , in the pleasant region of the Bois de St . Jean ( whither artistic and intellectual London is gradually settling down upon its own leaseholds and freeeholds ) , was very gay on Friday . If its genial host , Mr . Broadley , could give his guests so real a glimpse of Oriental sun and

sky as of his Egyptian decorations , his pleasant retreat would be perfect . Nothing would be more characteristic than his Arabasque music-room , designed by Mr . Stephen Phillips , and decorated by Messrs . Campbell and Smith , with its carved teak-wood dado , and its dim religious light , perfumed with Eastern essences . The entire house suggests experience of Eastern bazaars and Arabian Nights

and Days . There are Persian lamps and carpets ; relics of Arabi Pasha , including the famous rebel's prayer carpet , ewer , inkstand , table , chair , and epaulettes ; embroidered silk hangings from the mosques of Kairwan , visited by the host as correspondent of 77 * 1 ? Times in iSS i ; basket and leather work from the interior of Tripoli and the Soudan , and a thousand other things of current and historic interest .

Friday s at home was inaugural of the new music-room , and the guests had a notable treat , as will be at once understood by the mere mention of the artistes , without any reference to the programme of their performances ; they included Madame Marie Roze , Miss Agnes Larkcom , Miss Marion Mackenzie , Mrs . Ben . Davies , Miss Ganz , Mr . Maybrick , Mr . Ben Davies , Mr . Walter Clifford , and

Mr . Joseph Tapley , and Wilhelm Ganz and Signor Romili conducted . Miss Larkcom was in especially good voice , and the breezy freshness cf Maybrick's songs is always an agreeable sensation . Miss Norrys and Miss Olive Barkley recited ; and there was some wondeful conjuring by Mr . C . Bertram . " Of the i TO friends who honoured Bro . Broadlev's Eastern

house on this occasion may be mentioned : Prince and Princess Malcolm Khan , the Greek Minister , Lady Seymour , Sir Arthur Sullivan , Admiral Sir E . A . Inglefield , Sir W . and Lady Humphrey , Sir H . and Lady Isaacs , Lady Fanny Fitz-Wygram , Mrs . Ronalds , Mrs . Ritchie , Mrs . M'Ewan , Rev . Henry White , Mdlle . Massicault ( sister of the French Minister resident at Tunis ) , Mr .

Seager Hunt , M . P ., and Mrs . Seager Hunt , Mr . and Mrs . Joseph Hatton , Mr . Frank Lockwood , Q . C , M . P ., Mrs . Frank Lockwood , Sir Duncan Campbell , Mrs . Maxse , Mr . Herbert de Stern , Dr . and Mrs . Robson Roose , Count Strickland , Mr . Louis Jennings , M . P ., and Mrs . Jennings , Mr . Goodall , R . A ., and Mrs . Goodall , Mr . FrithR . A .,

, and Mrs . Frith , Mr . G . H . Boughton , A . R . A ., and Mrs . Boughton , Mr . Colin Hunter , A . R . A ., Hon . Mrs . Stormont Finch-Hatton , Mrs . Maudsley , Sir Frederick and Miss Young , Mr . and Mrs , J . C . Parkinson , Mr . and Mrs . Frederick Beer , Mr . Kennett Howard , and Mr . Bancroft . " —Sunday Times .

Coming Of Age Of Mr. R. Percy Clowes.

COMING OF AGE OF MR . R . PERCY CLOWES .

One of tbe most enjoyable and successful gatherings of the last few days was the banquet given by Bro . and Mrs . Clowes at the Holborn Restaurant , on Friday , the nth inst ., to commemorate the coming of age of their son , Mr .

R . Percy Clowes . Bro . Richard Clowes is a Mason of long and high standing in the Craft . He is a member of several London and Essex Lodges , and , now that he resides in Suss . ex , we may look to find him playing as conspicuous a part in Freemasonry in that , province as hitherto he has played in that of Essex and the Metropolis . He is also greatly respected , and it is not

surprising therefore that , on an occasion of such peculiar interest to him and Mrs . Clowes , there should have been gathered around the festive board at that well-known hostelry—the Holborn Restaurant—a numerous assemblage of the friends , both Masonic and non-Masonic , and of both sexes of the family , all desirous of testifying by the warmth and sincerity of their congratulations to the regard

they entertained for their host and hostess and their best wishes for the success in life of their son , Mr . R . Percy Clowes , who had just attained his majority . The banquet was in all respects worthy of the occasion , as well as of the house in which it was held . Bro . and Mrs . Clowes presided , and were supported right and left by Bro . Col . and Mrs . Shadwell H . Clerke and Miss Clerke , General and

Mrs . Barnett Ford , Bro . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , and Miss Philbrick , Bro . Major George Lambert , F . S . A ., and Miss Lambert , Dr . and Mrs . Helsham , Mr . and Mrs . Chapman , Bro . Letchworth , Bro . and Mrs . Gerard Ford , Bro . and Mrs . C . Lambert , and there were likewise present Bro . V . P . Freeman and Miss Freeman , Bro . Railing , Bro . and Mrs . Terry , Bro . F . Binckes and Miss Binckes , Bro .

George Kenning , Bro . A . Welch , Bro . Willey , and others . After the usual loyal and other toasts had been hououred , The toast of the evening—that of " Richard Percy Clowes" —was very ably proposed by Bro . PHILBRICK , t > ro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLKRKE subsequently giving that of " Our Host and Hostess ; " while Bro . E . LETCHWORTH gave "The Ladies , " for whom Mr . E . CECIL CLOWES

gracefull y returned thanks . Some excellent songs were sung in the intervals between the speeches , and indeed everything was done that was calculated to enhance the pleasures of the evening . We congratulate Mr . R . Percy Clowes on having passed through so trying an ordeal successfully , and we trust that his future career may be all that his devoted parents , his "lends , and himself can desire .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JOHN TOPLIS . Ihe Craft in Nottinghamshire has just sustained a very severe loss through the death of Bro . J . Toplis , who for the last 12 years had taken a particularly active part in Masonry , especiall y in connection with our Charitable Institutions , jor which he has served several Stewardship ' s and raised arge lists of subscriotions . Bro . Tnnlis mw inifiafprl In

tne Newstead Lodge , No . 47 , in 1 S 76 , and was installed "•M . in 1 SS 1 . He had served also as Prov . Grand t reasurer , and was a member of the York College of « osicrucians , and when that body visited Newark some 0 years ago , he read an interesting paper on local numisraatics . Bro . Toplis leaves a widow and numerous family , " •whom we tender our respectful sympathy .

Obituary.

8 RO . JOHN COBHAM . The funeral of Bro . John Cobham , P . P . G . D . of West Lancashire , took place at Sephton Churchyard , on Saturday last , the number of private and Masonic friends who attended on the occasion in order to show their respect for the memory of the deceased brother being not far short of 200 , among them being the following officers and members

of the Merchants' Lodge , 241 , of which the deceased was an esteemed P . M .: Bros . Capt . J . Macnab , W . M . ; R . White , P . M ., D . C ; S . Jude , l . P . M . ; C . A . Luker , P . M . : J . Brotherton , P . M . ; T . Whitehead , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; G . Broadbridge , P . M ., P . P . G . D . of C . ; W . M'Lachlan , S . W . ; J . West , J . D . ; F . Norris and G . D . Jones , Stwds . ; G . Hulse , T . Parkes , T . D . Alderson , T .

Jennings , W . M . Alston , W . R . Miller , J . Redfern , John Latta , T . J . Edwards , and T . Sibthorpe . Bro . Cobham was also S . W ., and one of the founders of the Excelsior Mark Lodge , No . 359 , which was represented by Bros . R . Foote , W . M . ; J . H . Barrow , l . P . M . ; G . Morgan , P . M . ; J . Bamford , J . W . ; and Dr . Samuels , Sec . There were also present Bros . W . Goodacre , P . G . Sec ;

T . H . W . Walker , P . G . Treas . ; R . Martin , P . P . G Treas . ; J . T . Callow , P . P . G . Treas . ; J . Sutton , P . P . G . D . C ; H . M . Molyneux , P . P . G . D . C . ' ; Capt . M . D . Hammill , P . Blackburn , l . P . M . 13 S 0 ; J . H . Tyson , P . M . 11 S 2 ; T . Clark , P . P . G . S . of W . ; J . Molloy , 249 ; J . Casey , P . M . ; Dr . Limrick , P . M . 13 S 0 ; T . A . Ryder , P-M . 1357 ; J . H . Tyrer , P . M . 11 S 2 ; T . Jarman , S . W , 1325 ; W . M'Ganley , S . W . 1570 ; I . Turner , P . G . S . B .

G . Williams , 2042 ; Councillor J . Duncan , jun ., P . P . G . D . ofC ; H . H . Smith , P . P . G . D . ; P . B . Gee , P . M . 1264 ; F . A . Rainbow , W . M . 1393 ; S . E . Ibbs , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . C . Erwin , P . P . A . G . Sec ; T . Wood , 241 ; J . B . Mackenzie , P . P . S . G . D . ; W . Savage , P . M ., E . Batty , E . Graham , R . Bolus , B , Hughes , I . Knott , and A . Mein , of 1609 ; J . C . Robinson , P . G . S . ; W . W . Thomas , and many others .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Mr . Wilson Barrett will commence his next engagement at the Princess ' s Theatre on Monday , the 28 th inst ., when he will appear as Hamlet , supported by Miss Eastlake , Mr . George Barrett , and a specially strong Company . " The Good Old Times , " a new play , written by Mr . VVilson Barrett , in collaboration with Mr . Hall Caine , will be produced on Monday , February nth .

Whilst " Hamlet" occupies the night bill , " The Lady of Lyons" will be played at matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays , and , during the run of "The Good Old Times , " Mr . Wilson Barrett ' s own new play , entitled " Now-a-Days , " will be produced at daily , matinees . In the last-named play , Mr . Barrett will embody a rough , sturdy Yorkshireman , and , if she recover her health in time , Miss Grace Hawthorne , the lessee of the Princess ' s Theatre , will herself join him in the cast .

* S # From observation , we have noticed an odd fact that plays which are entitled " golden " have not been golden successes , whilst those vvhich have had " silver " tor their nomenclature have been veritable silver mines . As instances of the latter , we will refer to " The Silver King , " its burlesque , "Silver Guilt , " and , to some extent ,

"Ihe Silver Shield . " Bros . G . R . Sims and Henry Pettitt , therefore , do well to name their new Adelphi drama "The Silver Falls . " Everything about it betokens a big success . On Boxing Day this favourite home of melodrama had a heavier return sheet than any heretofore in its annals . The authors have broken new ground , which is refreshing , for of late Adelphi pieces have been more or

less alike . We have had almost a surfeit of the hero ' s love for the heroine being thwarted by a villain rival , who has at length met his deserts ; but in the new drama it is the wife herself who is the cause of the wreck of a good man's life , as she has been of others before . Eric Normanhurst , heir to his uncle ' s title of Lord Avondale , has met in Paris the lovelv

Soanish-American Lola , and has won and wedded her . She is pursued by Dick Redmayne , bent on levying blackmail , as also by Marcus Valles , who , ignorant of her marriage , wishes to have her friendship , as she has fascinated him and made him commit crimes for her sake . My Lord Avondale has heard of his nephew ' s attachment and comes to warn him , but of course too late , for he has fallen

into her meshes . At first Eric Normanhurst will not believe his uncle's denunciations , and calls for proofs . Being confronted with Lola , he produces them . The scales fall from Eric ' s eyes , and he at once announces his attention of g iving up his English life and going to Mexico and working in the mines . Of course Lola is his wife , and he will provide for her . Here ends the first act and the best of the

whole four . The second act opens at Santa Rosa , Mexico , where we find , curiously enough , that Eric has entered into partnership with Redmayne , who , of course , seeks his ruin , and that Dick Slingsby and his wife , old friends of Eric's ^ in England , are keepers of a store at the mines . Lola is not to be done out of her rights , and follows her husband . Marcus Valles brings the news that she

has died in an hotel in New Orleans on her way to find Eric The hero has fallen ill of fever , and is nursed by Primrose Easterbrook , and falls in love with her , and she with him , but he tells her guardian , Bob Maguire , that he dare not love , and is not free to hope . Butthe news arriving of the woman who has been a millstone round his neck being dead , he now marries Primrose . On the wedding night

Eric is called away by hiscompnnions for a time . Astorm rages , and a woman on her way to Santa Rosa begs protection from the elements from Primrose Normanhurst . Ignorant , of course , that they are both the wives of one man , Lola—for it is she—tells her tale to Primrose . Eric returns , and a scene takes place when he finds Lola—still alive—in his home . The wretched man pleads for mercy

on account of the good , pure girl he has just married , as well as for himself , from the vindictive , cruel Lola . The way is cleared by Valles , whose life has been ruined by the unscrupulous woman , stabbing her to the heart . Bro . Terriss is the Eric Normanhurst , and looks very handsome , and says many of the best lines . He knows well how to please an Adelphi audience . Miss Milhvard plays Primrose Easterbrook in a nice , gentle way . She is always sweet , but

The Theatres.

the part does not afford her much scope . The part in the piece is that of Lola , excellently acted by Miss Olga Nethersole . _ We had occasion to say much about the talent which it is plain this young lady possesses when we were writing about "The Dean ' s Daughter" a few weeks ago . Miss Nethersole has had another opportunity , and has seized it . She is distinctly an emotional actressand

, one who evidently grasps a situation easily . Mr . Cartwright is the Marcus Valles , but we liked him less than in his two recent characters at the same theatre . He was too monotonous . Mr . Royce Carleton makes the part of Redmayne stand out more than we expect the authors meant it . Bro . Beveridge , who has so long been the villain , has changed into a warm-hearted Irishman , and so only reverts

to his earlier impersonations . An Adelphi piece would not be complete without Miss Clara Jecks . This little lady plays , with Mr . J . L . Shine , the light comedy parts , and , we need scarcely say , gets plenty of applause . Altogether , we think that the new line the Brothers Gatti have struck out will be found to be a safe and profitable one . " The Silver Falls" should be seen by every one who is fond of melodrama .

w w # The 300 th representation of " Sweet Lavender " at Terry's Theatre was celebrated on Friday evening last , by a magnificent illumination of the exterior of the house . In fact , we may say that seldom , if ever , have illuminations on such a scale been consummated by individual effort , not even excepting those during the Jubilee , and it reflects

the greatest credit on Messrs . Vaughan and Btown , the well-known gas engineers , for the manner in which they carried out the designs of the management . Some little time before the performance commenced the Strand in the immediate vicinity of the theatre became so crowded by those lost in admiration of the beautiful effect obtained by the hundreds of burners ablaze with light , that the police

had to enforce the " move on " clause . Those coming down the Strand , either from east ot west , at first imagined that a big conflagration was raging in the vicinity . The two large braziers surmounting the pinacles of the edifice gave forth an enormous light , whilst flaming letters denoted the following : "Terry's , " "Sweet Lavender , " " 300 th time . " At the conclusion of the evening's performancethe entire

, working staff connected vvith the the theatre were entertained to a sumptuous repast by Bro . Edward Terry , the genial proprietor . During the evening each lady of the Company was the recipient of an exquisite bouquet , to which was attached a lovely long lavender sash . The New York "Sweet Lavender" Company

cabled over a congratulatory message . The provincial " Sweet Lavender" Company , who are scoring an immense success at Aberdeen , also sent their congratulations . Mr . Brickwell informs us that the bookings are remarkably heavy , and still some way a-head , giving every indication that "Sweet Lavender" will prove a decided draw for a considerable period yet .

* * * A second edition of " Faust up to Date " has been published , by this we mean that Mr . George Edwardes , that shrewd manager of the Gaiet y , has introduced into Bro . Sims' and Pettitt ' s burlesque , a lot of new " business " in the shape of songs , dances , and topical allusions , making it really " up to date . " But , besides these , Miss Violet

Cameron has been engaged , and now plays Faust , whilst Miss Robina takes the part of Siebel . We must say we felt no little sympathy for the latter young lady being superseded by another actress , however capable , and being as it were put back . In this , one of the greatest critics whom we sat beside agreed with us , that it is hard lines on Miss Robina . As we have not the least knowledge of the

lady , we hope Mr . Edwardes will not consider we hold any brief . Miss Violet Cameron is a welcome addition , doubly so , in the fact that she is an excellent Faust , and that she has been too long absent from any stage . For her Mr . Bowyer has written a song called " Up to Date , " which is brimful of passing events . Mr . George Stone , who has made himself a prime favourite at this home

of extravaganza has a new song b y Mr . E . Solomon , "He won ' t be happy till he gets it . " Mr . Robert Martin , the author of " Ballyhooley , " " Killalloe , " & c , has composed a duet for Bro . Lonnen and Mr . Harry Parker . The allusions to the Walpole breach of promise case might well be spared , whilst those respecting Sir Charles Warren and the Parnell case are harmless and very funny . The Lord

Chancellor suggests to Mephistopheles that they should play a drama ; the latter asks what they shall call it . The lormer replies , " The Parnell Commission , " to which Mephistopheles remarks that is not a drama , but a farce , and will take too long to play . Miss Florence St . John , as Marguerite , sings with all her old sweetness , and Miss Maria Jones , as Martha , makes a very important part .

A " pas de six " has been put on in place of the "pas de quatre , " and is one of the hits of the burlesque , being danced by the Misses Price , Levey , Wilmot , Young , Greville , and Love . The first two mentioned ladies have certainly made their mark . If it be true that Miss Letty

Lind has made a matrimonial engagement in Australia , then Miss Lillian Price ought to have a long engagement ( theatrical ) at the Gaiety . Bro . F . j . Potter , who is known as an active Mason in his lodge , and now as treasurer of the Lyric Glub , shows his activity and capability as the acting manager for Mr . Edwardes .

Every one , whether readers ofMrs . Hodgson Burnet's book or not , shouldgoand see "Little Lord Fauntleroy . " It is one of the sweetest plays we have ever seen . It could not offend the ears of the most sensitive , but it might soften the hearts of the thoughtless . It is being played every afternoon ( Saturdays excepted ) at the Opera

Comique by Mrs . Oscar Beringer ' s Company . The title role is played by little Miss Vera Beringer , a child of , we believe , 12 years of age . At Terry ' s Theatre and on tour " Little Lord Fauntleroy " met with much success , which quite justified its reproduction now . We hope Mrs . Beringer will make a bigger venture , and try it in the evening , if she can get a theatre . It is a play which its details

spoils by criticising . It relies upon its sentiment and the wonderful acting it gets at the hands of Miss Vera Beringer , Miss Mary Rorke , andMr . C . W . Somerset , and the rest of the caste . We know of ladies who have gone to see it over and over again . We will guarantee a pleasant and profitable afternoon to any of our readers who may visit the Opera Comique , and make the acquaintance of " Little Lord Fauntleroy . "