Science, Art, And The Drama.

Science , Art , and the Drama .

THE COCOA PALM AND ITS PRODUCTION . The cocoa palm is one of the most useful trees for the benefit of man in the Indian Archipelago . There are several species , but the ordinary cocoa tree ( cocos nucifera ) is the most important . By the Indians it is made use ol in many ways . The kernel of the nut serves as food , and cooked in different forms , it is the staple of several appetising dishes . The liquid contained in the shell furnishes a refreshing drink . If permitted to stand for some time ,

this liquid becomes a very pleasant milky juice , that is relished not only by the natives , but by Europeans as well . After this juice has coagulated , it is mixed with sugar , and made into bon-bons , known as cocoa sugar , and also into various other delicacies . According to a recent report of the United States Department of Agriculture , by tapping the central bud that crowns the cocoa nut , a kind of wine called tuba , of an agreeable pungent taste , is

produced . This tuba , when allowed to ferment , produces vinegar , and when distilled a kind of brandy , highly approved of by the natives . From the husk of the cocoa nut the Tagals , a native tribe in the Philipine Islands , make ropes and cords , and a material for caulking their boats . From the wooded shell they carve spoons , cups , beads for rosaries , and many other articles . The leaves they use to cover the roofs of their houses . Roofs

made in this manner are thick and tight , but they have the disadvantage of burning rapidly , so that in the towns and villages where the houses are thus covered , conflagrations spread with great rapidity . The veins and small ribs of the leaves are used to make brooms , the mid-ribs seTve as fuel , and the ashes are utilised in making soap . The trunk of the palm is made to serve as a pillar to support the houses that its leaves overshadow .

Oil barrels , tuba casks , and waterpipes are fashioned from hollow sections of the trunk . From the' roots the natives extract a red-dyeing material that they chew in place of the aveca , palm nuts , or bonga , when the latter cannot be procured . Large quantities of cocoa nut oil are manufactured in the Philipine Islands . This oil is much prized by the natives . The men and women both use it to anoint the thick growth of hair that adorns their

heads , and it thus finds a ready sale at remunerative prices . It is also used in the lamps that take the place of gas burners in the streets and those used by the natives and Chinese in their houses . Manila experts annually about 150 , 000 pesos ( £ 25 . 000 ) worth of cocoa nuts to China and British India , and about 30 , 000 pesos (^ 5000 ) worth of cocoa nut oil to China . There are also other ways by which the products of this valuable

tree can be utilised , but we need not particularise them . We have especially chosen this subject for our consideration , as it carries out in a most practical manner the grand law of Economy on which we have so lately dilated . The cocoa nut palm is only one of many other vegetable productions where nothing is wasted , or considered valueless . Everything in this world , if we could only see it aright , has its purpose , though for the time we may fail to discover it . There is no such thing as waste . The researches of Science in

comparatively modern times have revealed to us that from the refuse of candle factories we have the now useful products called stearine and glycerine . From the dregs of coal tar , formerly thrown away , we have the valuable varied aniline dyes and vaseline , so serviceable in many ways . Dirt , itself , may , and has been utilised . The shrewd Lord Palmerston used to say that " Dirt was useful matter in a wrong place . " Since then , Science has confirmed his wise opinion .

THE NEW GALLERY , REGENT-STREET , VV . EXHIBITION or PICTURES BY MASTERS OF THE FLEMISH SCHOOL . [ Second N ~ oiice . ] We continue our subject from last week— " Early Art in the Netherlands . " A great change took place in the art schools under the control of the monastic orders towards the end of the 12 th century ; this change was brought about by the growth of the towns . As soon as a town grew to any

size the inhabitants engaged in any particular craft , or in two or more connected crafts , joined themselves into associations to protect their common interests . Art craftsmen soon found that to be able to work in peace it was no longer necessary to remain under the shadow of the abbeys , and numbers of them removed into the towns . There they quickly discovered that their position as independent craftsmen was anything but stable , and that to

succeed they must unite with one or other of the existing industrial corporations . So , in many towns , the masons and sculptors joined that of the carpenters , the painters and glass-painters that of the saddlers and glaziers . All these corporations , primarily formed to protect and further the temporal interests of their members , had , also , a religious side , all the members being bound to join and subscribe to the guild in honour of the saint chosen as

patron of the corporation . Painters neither looked on themselves , nor were regarded by the general public , as superior to other craftsmen . It was not until art began to decay that they assumed to themselves siperior positions . During the great ages they were paid for their work like other craftsmen ; it had to be good honest work , executed with good materials—the officers of the corporation saw to that—and it was each man ' s aim to make his work

as beautiful as he could . The old familiar warning , " Caveat em / dor , " as regards the works executed by members of the chartered art corporations , became obsolete , and attention to it only became necessary when sculptors and painters emancipated themselves from all control , save that of the law courts , quite incompetent to deal with such matters . The corporation took care to secure the proper training of its members . A lad

had to be bound apprentice , for a term of years , to a master painter , who became responsible for his technical education , and for his attention to his religious duties . The boy lived with his master , served him , and had to obey him ; the masler , in return , had to give him thorough instruction in all matters relating to his craft ; how to prepare his panel or canvas ; how to mix his colours and make his varnishes . His apprenticeship terminated ,

the youth became a journeyman , and could work for pay under any master he chose , either in his own town or elsewhere . After a time he could present himself before the appointed officers of the corporation for admission to the rank of master painter . Upon giving satisfactory evidence of liis technical knowledge , and executing a picture , afterwards approved of , he was granted the high distinction of a Master Painter .

ROYAL COURT THEATRE . Tlitre is an interesting comedy of romance , entitled " A Royal Family , " which has been favourably received by visitors to the Court Theatre . The author , Mr . R . Marshall , is not unknown in the theatrical world . One , if

Science, Art, And The Drama.

not two , of his pieces have been produced at the Court with a fair amount of success . The locality of "The Royal Family" is purely imaginary . It is called Arcacia . The head of the family and monarch of the kingdom is Louis VII . Mr . Eric Lewis undertakes the role , and brings out the salient points of the character with great effect . The king is represented as an amiable , well-meaning monarch , who , though thoroughly aware of , r . nd

determined to maintain his regal dignity , is ever fearful of being drifted into war with the . neighbouring country of Kurland by the actions of his ministers . He knows full well the impoverished state of the national treasury , and how unprepared is the army for any warlike demonstrations , both in men and materials . Under these circumstances , his aim is to ensure peace at any price . The poor king ' s difficulties with his ministers

are aggravated by his domestic troubles . His mother , the Queen Ferdinand , played most effectively by Mrs . Charles Calvert , is ever on the alert against any fancied slight to herself as Queen Dowager—wishes to aid in State affairs , and is very indignant that this is not permitted and that her advice is disregarded . The Queen Consort , the Queen Margaret , is taken by Miss Ada Branson , being but a shadowy part it does not give full scope to

her ability . The kings son , Prince Charles Ferdinand , is played very intelligently by Master Reginald Denny . He is a well meaning , boy , whose character is likely to become unsettled by the opposite opinions of his father , mother , and grandmother ; the action resulting from these diverse commands being depicted by the author in a diverting manner . Young as the boy is , he is quite aware of his exalted position , and gives fair promise of

being capable of maintaining it in the future . The most delightful character in the comedy , and on the development of which Mr . Marshall has bestowed infinite pains , is the daughter , the Princess Alestine Victorine Angela . This role has been confided to Miss Gertrude Elliot . It is very apparent that the talented young actress thoroughly understands and appreciates her charming part . She is a romantic , warm-hearted young girl who dearly loves her father ,

whilst she passively endures her weak and foolish mother , at the same time cordially detesting her domineering grandmother , the two being often in collision . The king , her father , adopting the advice of his ministers , hopes to ensure a friendly alliance with Kurland by the marriage of his daughter with the heir apparent . It would be a pity to spoil the visitors' enjoyment by giving the details of this pretty story ; suffice it to say , the prince visi ts

the court of Arcacia under the uicognito of Count Bernard—he woos and wins the maiden love of the princess for himself , in his humble station , as she supposes . There is a grace in the true unaffected poetry of the leve scenes which cannot fail to rivet the attention of the audience . This disguised Crown Prince of Kurland is admirably enacted by Mr . Mark Allen . He has a gocd nart and does full justice to it . The episode between

the lovers hiding in the tree , above the unconscious members ot the family below , is well conceived and carried out . There is an important character , the Cardinal Casino , the good genius of the lovers , the Detts ex Machind , who , by his astute benevolent scheme , eventually overcomes all difficulties and ensures a happy ending to this romantic comedy . The character is

well interpreted by Mr . Dion Boucicault . The clever byplay and facial expressions are artistically conceived and aid materially in the development ' of the part . The denoument distinctly reminds us of that of Lalla Rookh . Regarding the comedy in its entirety , the clever author and the talented artistes , the exponents of his ideas , may be congratulated on its success .

GENERAL NOTES . Herr Poulsen , a German inventor , has applied the phonograph to register telephone messages when a subscriber is absent . He does not use a waxen surface , but a metal band to receive the sounds . The apparatus was-tried in Germany and is to figure at the Paris Exhibition .

Iron does not rust in Lake Titicaca , in South America , according to the "Scientific American . " A chain or anchor left in it for a fortnight keeps bright and clean . It is supposed that chemical salts in the water preserve the metal .

The Rontgen Ray apparatus is playing a conspicuous part in the treatment of the wounded in South Africa . Several complete sets of equipment sent out with the earlier ambulances are in full work , both in the base and field hospitals , and from private communications which have br . cn received

from the seat of war , have done splendid service in locating bullets a . id otherwise assisting the work of the surgeon . In consequence of the good results obtained , orders have been received for fresh equipment with skilled operators .

The announcement that Sir Benjamin West ' s picture , " The Raising of Lazarus , " which has formed a conspicuous feature of the screen of Winchester Cathedral for more than a 100 years , has been sold to an American firm has caused great regret in the diocese generally . The price paid for it is stated to be £ ' 1500 . Replying to a number of criticisms which have

been passed upon the Dean and Chapter for their action , D ^ an Stephens states that the picture was not presented to the cathedral , as is L't-ncall supposed , but it was purchased in 1781 . The picture is intended f . r ihe l

new cathedral cliuich in New York , , a much more fitting flume foi it than in our own cathedral , where it was out of harmony wuh its surroundings and spoiled the proportions of the screen . " He adds that the proceeds of the sale will be devoted to decorative work in the Lodge Chapel .

This evening ( Friday ) , at the rooms of the . Soueiyiit Ail-. | . H . I -.- , . < . xi , Adelphi , Mrs . Oscar Beringer will address the members of the Society of Modern Journalists on the subject of " Women Dramatists of To-Day . "

Bro . Penley s new theatre in Great Queen-street , W . C , is still in the builder ' s hands , but the popular artiste quite hopes to optn his doors in the month of March , when lie will revive either " Charley's Aunr . " " Th-Private Secretary . ' '

I here is a charmingly nail story told concerning a play of Mr . Geo . Moore ' s , once accepted at the Odeon , in Paris . At the time of its acceptance an adaptation of " Othello " was being rehearsed there . One day

Mr . Moore called to see the manager . The doorkeeper asked his name . " I am the Englishman whose play has just been accepted here , " proudly replied the creator of Esther Waters . The message was taken to the manager . " Quite 4 right , " said he , " show him in . Monsieur Shakespeare , without doubt , "