The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

" Moths , " despite what has been written and said against it after being played a few times at the Globe Theatre at afternoon performances , has been removed to the stage of the Olympic Theatre as a permanent evening performance , and bids fair to remain there . We have not quite made up our minds whether to praise or condemn the piece . There is much that is good and pure in it , but this is mixed up with the bad . It has been adapted by Mr .

Hamilton from "Ouida's" novel , much against the will of the novelist . We must claim to be ignorant of this or of any of "Ouida ' s" works , but it is well known that her books are fuller flavoured than has been generally thought allowable in English novels . The play adapted from the novel is not free of this . It is almost impossible to believe there could be such a mother as Lady Dolly Vanderdreken , who sells her innocent and pure daughter ,

Vera , for gold , by marrying her , against her wish , to a rich Russian nobleman . Vera several times refuses , but her mother whispers something in her ear , whereupon the girl turns deadly pale , and mutters " then I will marry him , " and does so to save her mother , as she believes , but who , it turns out when the marriage has taken place has lied to her daughter . We wish some of this could be expunged ; but if it be necessary in the book , we

suppose it is in the play . Vera is a girl who has been brought up in the country , and is extremely clever . When the time comes for bringing her out in society , she meets her mother , who asks her if she can play cards , flirt , smoke , and such other accomplishments , which are happily rare at present amongst English ladies . Long may it be so . Lady Dolly is horrified when her daughter answers " No , " and informs her instead of these

she knows Greek , loves astronomy , understands conic sections , and adores music . The worldly mother reproaches her , and thinks her a monster , and assures her she must change altogether . Vera meets in society a tenor singer , who was a Russian shepherd boy , but on account of his fine voice has been persuaded to abandon that life and take to the stage , which he does , but not very willingly . But he is firm , and will not enter into the temptations

surrounding that life . He is struck with the innocence and gentleness of Vera , in the world of fashion , and , before bidding her a good-bye , begs her to " keep herself unspotted from the world . " She promises , but does not then understand what he means . She soon finds out . We have said Lady Dolly forces her into a marriage with Prince Zouroff , of course , an unhappy one . The Duchess de Tonnas , an old love of the Prince , intrigues against her , and at last

succeeds in getting good Vera turned out of the Palace , exiled to Poland , lioping to take her place as wife by getting the Prince to apply for a divorce , but nothing can be proved . The Prince visits Vera in Poland , bringing with him the Duchess . The tenor singer , Corrczc , has found out Vera's place of exile , and is in the house . Lord Jura , who is a good-hearted man , was in love with Vera , but seeing she did not return it , stifled

his feelings , and promised her years before , if ever she wanted a friend to send for him . She wants one now . The prince threatens to kill Correse ; Lord Jura offers to save him by fighting a duel as the Prince accuses him of being a lover of Vera . Of course he kills the Prince , and is himself mortally wounded , and dies in Vera ' s arms , commending her to marry Correse , whom he knows loves her , and she him . Of course she does . Miss Litton , who plays

Vera , a truly noble character , is always a favourite ; her acting shows great refinement and study . She received deafening applause when she uttered some of her beautiful moral sentiments . Indeed , the applause was given to each and every player , and was continuous throughout the evening . Miss Carlotta Addison , as Lady Dolly Vanderdreken , was very bright and youthful looking , and acted her part also to the satisfaction of the audience . But it is

impossible to imagine a woman so cruel and yet refined who would sell her child for money , and without a pang of conscience . Mr . Kyrle Bellew ( Correse ) delivered his long soliloquies with excellent taste and variety , and made considerable effect at exciting moments . Mr . Cartwright , as the Russian prince , is at once the epitome of cruelty , and the representative of a proud and aristrocratic race . Lord Jura ( Mr . Rozer ) is a

thorough English gentleman ; he introduced occasional touches of tenderness in his dialogue . Mr . Hamilton , the adapter , is the Duke of Mull , and is amusing . Miss Louise Willes , as Fuschia Leech throws a good deal of fun into the play . Her impersonation of an American lady is true , but , perhaps , a little exaggerated . She utters the concentrated vulgarities ascribed to the whole American race , and introduces into the society of dukes the conversation uf the smoking bar . But she is not very

complimentary to our sister nation . We do not think all Americans worship the mighty dollar , nor that they all toady to English titled folk . As Miss Leech , her ambition is to be the Duchess of Mull and wear a coronet on her head—as she thinks duchesses do . " Moths " may , or may not , have a long run . It is a p iece which may do good to some and harm to others . Those who agree with the reading of "Ouida's" novels cannot disagree with this adaptation , much as it differs from the original , according to the authoress .

We have often heard the applause of the Gaiety Theatre audience , but we never heard it louder than when Bro . Hollingshead produced the burlesque extravaganza called the " Bohemian G'yurl . " It was equally marked during the performance of " Oh , Those Girls , " which has now taken a prominent place in the programme , in contrariety to the opinions of some of our contemporaries when it first came out . Though there is nothing very clever in it ,

the audience demanded the principal chaiacters , Miss Connie Gilchrist and Mr . Dallas , to come before fie curtain at its close . "The Bohemian G'yurl" is like most burlesques , difficult to describe its plot , but it matters little whether there be any or not , and especially at the Gaiety Theatre , where the plays aresocarefull y mountedand placed > n such good hands . Miss Farren , Miss Vaughan , Bro . Edward Terry , and Mr . Dallas would fill any house with any piece , and we can well understand that Bro . Hollingshead appreciates this , and keeps his company together .

The Theatres.

We thought Mr . Arthur Williams—a new comer—much feebler than the Gaiety ' s own original company . In the second act Miss Connie Gilchrist was well applauded in her clever dance . Mr . Warde received an encore which could not be suppressed , and the three Wood children in their songs were more vociferously applauded still , and had to answer to the encore . Bro . Hollingshead has seen they are a fresh attraction to his house , and , therefore , has

again introduced their songs in this third burlesque . Miss Nellie Farren , as captivating , if not as young as ever , played with much vivacity , and received a treble encore in her " Crutch and Toothpick" song . Miss Kate Vaughan danced . better than she sang , as she was suffering from a severe cold . Bro . Edward Terry was the favourite , as usual , though it is almost superfluous to say this . Added to what we have mentioned , there is a bevy of young ladies , as chorus . This burlesque of Bro . Byron ' s is as popular

as any of his previous productions . We are promised during the season " Little Doctor Faust , " by the same author , and we have not the least doubt that the " sacred lamp of burlesque " will not be suffered to go out by Bro . Hollingshead , as it has not ceased to burn for twelve years . For the convenience of the pit and gallery folks , Bro . Hollingshead has followed Bro . Toole ' s plan , and erected a glass and iron roof over the pavement , reaching the whole length of the theatre . Captain Shaw ' s report on the protection of this house from fire will be issued in a few days .

Music

MUSIC

Madame Albani achieved a notable success on Thursday last , when she appeared as Gilda , in Verdi ' s opera of "Rigoletto , " the great feature of the performance being the contrast between the simplicity of her singing and acting in the earlier scenes , and the tragic intensity with

which she played her part during the rest of the opera . She was well suppported by Madame Trebelli , as Maddalena ; Signor Frapolli , as The Duke ; andSignor Pandolfini , as Rigoletto ; while Signor Bevignani conducted with his wonted care and excellence . " On di se ben , ' the quartette in the last act was , as usual , re-demanded .

* The presence of a very large audience in the Floral Hall , Covent-garden , at the concert given on Saturday last , in aid of the funds now in course of being raised towards the establishment of a Royal College of Music , testified to the deep interest taken by the public in the scheme . The vocalists were Madame Albani , Madame

Nilsson , Madame 1 rebelh , Signor Mierzwinski , Signor de Reszke , and M . Bouhy , who gave their services for the occasion , the first two named artistes enjoying the advantage of being accompanied by H . R . H . the Duke of Edinburgh , President cf the Royal Amateur Orchestral Society , whose services had likewise been secured . Madame Nilsson sang Braga ' s serenade , "O quali res vegliano , " being

accompanied , as aforesaid , by His Royal Highness on the violin . Jas well as by Mr . Bainbridge on the piano . This was followed by some Swedish folk-songs by the same lady . Madame Albani sang Gounod ' s arrangement for the voice , violin , and harmonium , of ( Bach's first prelude , Mr . A . Sullivan presiding at the latter instrument , and likewise "Ah

fors elui , " from " La Traviata . " Madame Trebelli sang a song by Blumenthal , and Signor Mierzwinski , an aria from Massonet's " Herodiade . " The national Anthem opened and closed the concert . The Prince and Princess of Wales , the Duchess of Edinburgh and her son , Prince Alfred of Edinburgh , with the Princess Louise were present .

w w w Several features of unusual interest marked the Philharmonic Society's Fifth Concert , on Thursday last , at St , James's Hall . Included in the programme \ vere Weber ' s "Preciosa , " the song for Preciosa being sung with charming effect by Miss Santley , while the choruses

were fairly well rendered by the Society ' s choir , which has been formed this season . There was likewise included a new concerto by Signor G . Sgambati , a Roman musician , which admirably illustrated his great abilities both as composer and pianist . Beethoven ' s Pastoral Symphony , and the overture to Tannhaiiser were also given , and received hearty applause from the very numerous audience .

* # * The first of Mr . Charles Halle ' s series of Chamber Concerts came of in the Grosvenor Gallery on Wednesday last , when the audience had the unusual privilege of resting their eyes on some admirable specimens of modern art while listening to a well chosen and well executed programme . An interesting and pleasimr ouartet

in D , by Dvorzak , was played by Mr . Halle himself . Madame Norman Neruda , Messrs . Straus , and Franz-Neruda , the same artistes in combination being a second time heard in Schumann ' s Quartet in E flat . Two rhapsodies by Brahms were admirably played by Mr . Halle and Madame Norman Neruda gave a sonata by Handel in D major for violin .

Miss Elizabeth Phil p ' s annual concert was announced to take place yesterday ( Friday ) , at St . James's Hall . The programme was strong , both vocally and instrumentalty , the duties of conductor being shared between Sir Julius Benedict and Herr Louis Diehl . Several new songs were sung by the concert giver , and it is probable we shall have the pleasure of recording next week a great

The second performance of "The Nibelung ' s Ring " took place at Her Majesty ' s on Friday , Saturday , Monday , and Tuesday , the 12 th , 13 th , 15 th , and iGth inst , respectively . * - # *

A very handsome album has recently been presented to Mr . Aurthur Sullivan , by the professors of the National Training School for Music , containing the photographs , of all the professors , officials , and students who have been associated with him since his tenure of the principalship ot the school .

Science And Art.

SCIENCE AND ART .

Continuing our remarks on the Exhibition of the Royal Academy , we go on to call attention to Mr . Brougton's " The Burgomaster ' s Daughter—skating costume seventeenth century" ( 6- \); " Maiden—North Holland " ( 342 ) "> " A Dutch Sea-side Resort—discussing the new arrivals" ( 3 G 3 ); and "St . Ives Bay , Cornwall" ( 1521 ) . In all these the artist has been most successful in combining

figures , showing marked individuality with very picturesque scenery . In "Sweethearts and Wives" ( 551 ) , Mr . S . IT . Walker has very skillfull y blended the comic and the pathetic . Mr . A . E . Elmslie shows a distinct advance oc last year's work in all his present pictures , but especially in "The Harvest-field" ( 49 S ) and "A Frosty Morning " ( 1525 ) . Mr . Van Haanen contributes a superbly coloured

picture in " Luncheon time in a Venetian Sartoria " ( 176 ) , which also shows considerable variety of character . " A Venetian Convent in the Eighteenth Century " is by M . E . de Blaas , who has very successfully depicted the delight of a number of schoolgirls in witnessing a performance of Punch and Judy on some holiday . Mr . Briton Rivere's best work is his "Una" ( 1432 ) , with the lion fawning upon her ,

while the lamb is gambolling in front of them . Sir J . Gilbert is represented by a picturesque and animated illustration of the familiar "Fight for the Standard " ( Si- ) . There are several other battle scenes , among them being Mr . Caton-Woodville's " Maiwand : Saving the Gens " ( 567 ) , and Miss Thompson's " Floreat Etona , " showing an incident that took place at the attack on Laing's Neck . " The

Arrival at the Well ( 399 ) , by Mr . K . Goodali . , is one of that gentleman's spirited illustrations of Arab life . Mr . Macwhirter is worthily represented by " Ossian s Grave " ( 219 ) , and "A Highland Auction" ( 3 S 4 ); and so is Mr . H . S . Mark in "The Lord Say brought before Jack Cade " ( 242 ) , the contrast being very admirably marked between the patrician bearing of the nobleman and the ruffianly appearance of Cade's followers , Cade himself being ,

perhaps , rather too respectable . Mr . J . B . Burgess is truthful and humorous in " The Letter Writer ( 294 ) , in which an old Spaniard is exercising his art for a lovesmitten girl . Nor must we pass unnoticed Mr . Cecil Lawson's " Blackdown , Surrey" ( 99 ) , which is marked by great breadth of treatment and beauty of colour . We shall return to the subject in our next . s s «

The Society of Arts have resolved on reviving the examinations in commercial knowledge , which were discontinued in 1 SS 0 . Accordingly those for the present year will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday , the 20 th and 21 st June respectively , the subjects being ( 1 ) arithmetic , ( 2 ) English composition , correspondence and preciswriting , ( 3 ) book-keeping , ( 4 ) commercial geography and history , ( 5 ) shorthand , ( 6 ) French , ( 7 ) German , ( S ) Italian , ( 9 ) Spanish .

Mr . Fred Cowie s new picture , " The finding of the body of the Prince Imperial , " which was submitted to Her Majesty on Wednesday , is now on view at the New Gallery , 174 , New Bond-street . # » * The Electric Light Exhibition at the Crystal Palace will close this day fortnight ( Saturday 3 rd June ) .

Sir Noel Paton , of the Scottish Academy , and limner to the Queen for Scotland , was on Thursday last presented with the freedom of the City of Dumfermline , in token of the high distinction he has attained in his profession .

* * # Much interest was excited in art circles on Saturday last , when Messrs . Christie , Manson , and Woods disposed by auction of the Wyfold Court Gallery , which had been collected b y the late Mr . Edward Hermon , M . P . Amongst the many high figures realised were the following : "The Babylonian Marriage , " by E . Long , R . A ., including

copyright , 6300 guineas ; "The Suppliants , " by the same artist , copyright also included , 4100 guineas ; "The Church Porch : Selling Relics , " b y J . Phillip , R . A ., 3750 guineas ; " Cicero at his Villa at ' 1 usculum , " by J . M , W . Turner , R . A ., 1 S 00 guineas ; "Changing Pastures , " by D . Cox , 1400 guineas ; " Going to the Hayfield , " by the

same artist , iooo guineas ; Poachers Deerstalking , by Sir Edward Landseer , R . A ., exhibited 1 S 31 , 800 guineas ; " A State Secret , " by J . Pettie , R . A ., 1000 guineas ; A Neglected Garden " and " Getting Better , " both by J . E . Millais , R . A ., 900 guineas and 810 guineas respectively . The day's sale lealised over £ 37 , 000 . * * *

The Royal Commission on Technical Instruction on leaving Zurich visited Heidelberg , Stuttgardt and Munich , at each of which places they inspected the various schools and institutions which came within the scope of their inquiry . They reached Vienna on Monday , the 1 st inst ., where they were most kindly received by our

Ambassador , Sir Henry Elliot , from whom they have received introductions to the Austrian Minister of Education and others likely to assist them in their important labours . Bro . B . Samuelson , M . P ., who is chairman of the Commission will join them in Saxony , where they extend their investigations into the system of Technical training in North Germani ' .

* * * At a meeting on Saturday last of the Council of the Royal Botanic Society Gardens , Regent ' s-park , the final arrangements for the first summer exhibition on Wednesday were made .

# * # The fifty-ninth anniversary meeting of the Royal Asiatic Society was held on Monday evening , at its quarters in Albemarle-street , the chair being occupied by the retiring President , Sir T . E . Colebrook , Bart ., M . P .

The report showed that during the year there has been an increase of forty-five in the number of members , namely , seventeen resident and twenty-eight non-resident . Both the Chairman and Major-General Sir H . C . Robinson , spoke favourabl y of the satisfactory position of the Society , and Sir Bartle Frere , the new President , after thanking the members for the honour they had done , expressed his resolve to do all in his power to promote its efficiency .