The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

The "Pandora , " in Leicester-square , will open as a theatre in December , or perhaps earlier . Bro . John Hollingshead , Lord Londesborough , and the Duke of Beaufort are on the Directorate . It is , as we announced some months ago , to be devoted to burlesque and extravaganza . The site is identical xvith old Savile House , xvhich xvas used as a nursery for the numerous progeny of Frederick , Prince of VVales , xvhen he occupied Leicester House close by .

A small theatre was attached to the house , and it is said that George III ., his son , xvhen Prince George , played the part of " Fortius . " Prince Frederick , it xvill be remembered , was killed by a cricket ball , and never came to the throne . About half a century later the house was bought for the opera , but the scheme fell through . A while after this Dibdin bought the site , and built a theatre after the style of the "Sans Souci " Palace ; it was pulled doxvn about 1 S 34 .

In 1 S 65 , just after Savile House was burnt doxvn , Mr . Boucicault xvent into treaty for the site ; but this xvas not effected . It was then proposed to make it the " Denmark " theatre , then the Alcazar Music Hall , but all of these projects failed . After remaining vacant for fifteen years it xvas turned into an exhibition for the " Balaclava Charge " Diorama . It is once more , really this time , going to divert into its old form of a theatre . VVe shall have something to say about the house xvhen opened .

The Dramatic School opens in October . Mr . Cecil Raleieh is the secretary . The general committee consists of the Earl of Lytton , Lord Roxvton , Bro . the Earl of Wharncliffe , the Poet Laureate , Matthexv Arnold , Henry Morley , Wilkie Collins , amongst a large number of others . The dramatic direction of studies xvill be in the hands of a board composed of actors , among xvhom xve may mention Bro . Henry Irving , Bro . J . L . Toole , Mr .

Henry Neville , Mr . William Farren , Mrs . Keeley , Mrs . Stirling , and Mrs . John VVood . The female students xvill be under the supervision of a ladies' sub-committee , consisting of Lady Theodore Martin , Mrs . Fanny Kemble , Mrs . Arthur Lewis , Miss Brye , and Miss Sxvinxvick . We hope the movement may succeed , but xvithout a State

subsidy these kind of things often fail . At present everything looks bright and promising . The children of members of the profession xvill be entered at a less fee than others . Students xvishing to learn the art of elocution , gymnastics , and forcing , xvill be alloxved to do so , though they may not intend to enter the profession . #

* « Bro . Edward Terry has written a paper strongly condemning the Spanish bull-fights , as a " disgusting , inhuman exhibition , and a disgrace to the country in xvhich it exists . " Bro . Terry xvas a xvitness last year of a fight when in Spain for his holidays . & : S &

We mentioned last xveek that the Comedie Francaise possesses the bell xvhich rung for the murder of the Huguenots . The Theatre Royal , Dublin , also had a bell xvith a history attached to it . This bell belonged , 500 years ago , to the Carmelites' Chapel , and rung the citizens of Dublin to mass . It found its xvay , but no one knoxvs

hoxv , to the Crown Theatre , xvhere it remained until the building xvas wrecked by the infuriated mob at the nonappearance of the " Dog of Montargis . " From there it xvent to the Theatre Royal until the fire in 1 SS 0 . The bell possessed a very fine tone . Mr . Michael Gunn , the lessee of the house , intends , we understand , having the half-ton of the metal of this famous bell re-cast .

* * Our contemporary , Punch , says Mrs . Bancroft gave the " bell , " and Mr . Cecil the " book , " to the church at Portmine , but asks " Where ' s the Kendal ( candle ) . "

Music

MUSIC

The Festival of thc Three Choirs , being held , as it is , yearly in one or other of three provincial cities , very largely depends for success on the weather . A state of sunshine is , in ordinary circumstances , a guarantee of success , but if Jupiter Pluvius is in the ascendant , then are the prospects of the festival in a condition most forlorn . It is , therefore , subject for general congratulation that the

sun shone out bravely on Tuesday in last xveek , when the festival for the current year was inaugurated at Hereford , and the more so , that the object xvith which it is held is charity . As is customary on these occasions , the proceedings commenced with a full choral service in the cathedral , members of the three choirs of Hereford , Gloucester , and Worcester taking part in it , xvhile Mr . C . H . Lloyd very

ably presided at the organ . After an interval the oratorio of "Elijah" xvas performed , the cathedral being filled xvith a large and discriminating audience . The principal vocalists xvere Madame Albani and Miss Anna Williams ( sopranos ) , Madame Patey and Miss Hilda Wilson ( contraltos ) , Mr . Lloyd ( tenor ) , and Bro . Santley ( baritone ) as the Prophet . In the evening a concert was held in the

Shire Hall , xvhen Collins ' s "Ode to the Passions , " as set to music by Mrs . Meadoxvs White ( Miss Alice Mary Smith ) , xvas produced . The subject , though difficult of interpretation , is treated by the fair composer artistically , and ¦ n a manner which conveyed to a great extent the requisite amount of expression . Beethoven's overture to " Egmont , " the prelude to " Les deux Journees" and other selections completed the programme .

# * * The programme of Wednesday morning xvas of unusual length . It commenced xvith a numerous selection trom Judas Maccab : uus , xvhich xvas received with undisguised satisfaction by those assembled , the principal airs

wing entrusted to Madame Albani , Madame Patey , Mr . k'oy d , and Bro . Santley ; Miss Hilda VVilson , Miss Marian ' ' puna , Mr . Fredericks , and Mr . F . King being associated w 'tli them , but in a subordinate capacity . The second part opened xvith Beethoven ' s Symphony in B flat , and then 'olloived Goetz's Psalm 137 , "By the rivers of Babylon , "

Music

which , considering the difficulty of the music , xvas fairly xvell performed . , lt xvas the lirst time , xve believe , this gifted composer had been heard by a Western audience , and they had no reason to regret its introduction to their notice . The solos xvere sung xvith correctness and expression by Miss Anna Williams , ' and the chorus exhibited high and exceptional qualities in their treatment of the

concerted pieces . Bach ' s " Magnificat " brought the morning ' s performance to a close ; and in spite of their previous exertions , the chorus , under the direction of Mr . Colborne , did their part extremely xvell ; xvhile nothing could have been better than the solos as rendered by Miss Williams , Aladame

Patey , Mr . Boyle , and Bro . Santley . . The evening xvas devoted to Mendelssohn ' s oratorio of " St . Paul , " in xvhich the chief successes were scored by Miss Williams by her delivery of "Jerusalem , thou that killest ; " by Madame Patey , in "But the Lord is mindful ; " and by Bro . Santley , in " Oh ! God , have mercy . "

Dr . Garrett ' s cantata , "The Shunamite , " xvhich xvas produced at a concert given in June of last year , at Cambridge , by the University Choral Society , xvas the lirst item of the programme of Thursday morning . There is , undoubtedly , much in it to admire , for Dr . Garrett is a sound clasical musician , but it is likexvise stiff and formal , and the story is not told as connectedly as it might have

been . The choruses " Children are an Heritage" and " Death is come up into our Windoxvs , " may be cited as among the best passages in the xvork . Dr . Garrett conducted in person , and the characters were assigned to the following artistes : The Shunamite , Miss Anna Williams ; Narrator , Aliss Hilda Wilson ; Elisha , Mr . Royle ; and Gehazi , Mr . King . They acquitted themselves well .

Beethoven ' s Mass in C , which is alxvays acceptable , followed ; the xvhole concluded with selections from Moligue's oratorio " Abraham , " produced for the first time at Norxvich , in 1 SG 0 , and subsequently performed in London and elsexvhere , but then allowed to pass almost out of memory . It is xvritten mostly in the style of Mendelssohn , and is evidently the work ot a master

xvho knows xvell hoxv to appeal to the mind , as xvell as the ear of his audience . The trio , with horn accompaniment , "Let all those rejoice , " and the chorus , "Gieat is our Lord , " are prominent examples of this , and received the commendation they so richly deserved . Madame Patey and Mr . Lloyd especially distinguished themselves among the vocalists , the former by her delivery of Sarah ' s

music , and the latter by the manner in which he declaimed the recitatives and his delightful singing of the air , " Pour out thy heart . " The concert in theShire Hall in the evening xvas numerously attended . The orchestral portion of the programme included Beethoven's choral fantasia , in the pianoforte part of xvhich Mr . James Taylor , Mus . Bac ,

particularly distinguished himself by his intelligence and the excellence of his style , together xvith the overtures of "Die Zauberflotte " and "Oberon . " The vocal selections included M . Gounod ' s "Golden thread , " sung by Madame Patey ; Eckert's aria , " Guillaume d'Orange , " by Madame Albani ; and the ballad from Sir Julius Benedict's nexv cantata , " Lovely Graziella , " by Mr . F . King .

* * * The festival concluded on Friday xvith a very satisfactory performance of the " Messiah , " the audience being exceptionally numerous . In fine , having regard to tbe weather , the increase in the attendance over 1 S 79 , and the amount realised thus far for the charity , over £ Soo , the Three Choirs Festival of ) SS 2 at Hereford must be described as highly successful .

w * tt The Carl Rosa Opera Company have made their xvelcome appearance at the Princes' Theatre , Manchester , and a notable addition to thc number of artistes whom we have been accustomed to see are the names of Mdme . Marie Roze and Mdle Alivina Valleria , at the same time the absence of Miss Julia Gaylord is xvithout doubt to be

deplored . On Monday , Beethoven's " Fidelio " xvas performed , Mdme Marie Roze impersonating the heroine xvith great poxver and success . The other characters xvere filled b y Miss Clara Perry , as Marcellina ; Mr . Suazelle , as Rocco ; Mr . Ludxvig , as Don Pisarro ; Mr . Barton McGuckin , as Florcstan ; Mr . Crotty , as Don Fernando ; and Mr . Davies , as Jacquino . The performance

throughout xvas very satisfactory , and xvitnessed by a large audience . On Tuesday , " Maritana " xvas performed before another large audience , and left scarce anything to be desired , either as regards vocalism , instrumentalism , or scenic display . Miss Georgina Burns xvas , it is hardly necessary to state , as successful as ever in the title role , and deservedly gained great applause for her exquisite vocalisation . Mr .

J . VV . lurner , xvho xvas in splendid voice , sustained the part of Don Ccesar de Bason , his fine rendering of " Oh let me like a soldier fall , " being rapturously redemanded . The remaining characters xvere all xvell represented by Mr . Crotty , Don Jose ; Mr . Henry Pope , the King of Spain ; Lasarello , Aliss Josephine Yorke ; Marquis de Montefiore , Mr . Brooklyn ; and

Marchioness de Montefiore , Miss Don . The band and chorus xvere fully up to the average . The other operas performed this week were " The Flying Dutchman " ( Wednesday ) , "La Dame Blanche" ( Thursday ) , "Bohemian Girl" ( Friday ) , and " Faust" being set doxvn for to-night ( Saturday ) . VVe have great pleasure in stating that Bro .

John Hollingshead , of the Gaiety , London , noxv holds the directorship of this theatre , and , xvith the liberal spirit he has hitherto displayed , has abolished all fees . This concession , and the fact that Bro . Hollingshead xvill spare no pains or expense to provide entertainment of a high order , xvill , xve feel sure , be duly appreciated by the Manchester public . * * *

The tenth annual benefit of Bro . VV . Francis , one of the proprietors of the Mohaxvk Minstrels , took place in the Agricultural Hall on Wednesday last . There was a large attendance as usual , and the entertainment , xvhich xvas excellent both as regards quality and length " , included

a new ballad " Let me kiss your tears axvay , " words by Mr . T . Pinder , music by Bro . Francis . This xvas most touchingly rendered by J . Fuller , and xvas received xvith loud applause . The other numbers xvere received xvith equal satisfaction , the nexv plantation scene being especially amusing . # , « *

Professor Macfarren , Principal of the Royal Academy of Music , Tenterden-street , Hanover-square , xvill deliver his inaugural address of the session at three p . m ., this day ( Saturday ) .

Science And Art.

SCIENCE AND ART .

Ihree different comets have been discovered xvithin the past fexv days . One of them—a telescopecomet—xvas seen on the ioth inst ., by Mr . Barnard , of Tennessee , and subsequently , at seven a . m ., on the 15 th inst ., xvas observed at Harvard College Observatory . It is described as nf " -lio milmn ^ nitnd . Tn . l .. ; - „ .. 1 .... : _ r ^^ t 111 luim

, , . , - " - - ~ -.. ....... uv . ^ , ..,,. _ , V . HX . UIO . ,. its diameter being 2 min . M . Cruls noted the second at Rio Janeiro , about half-an-hour before sunrise on the 12 th inst . Though only an hour-and-a-half in advance of the sun , it xvas visible to the naked eye . The third xvas seen on Sunday last , the 17 th inst ., by Mr . Cameron , at Ealing . It is but 5 min . in advance of the sun , and 20 min to tlie south .

1 he ¦ r . dison incandescent li ght has been adopted for illuminating the Gare de I'Ouest , Paris , and has also been introduced into Besam ; on , the motive poxver in the latter case being furnished by a waterfall about a mile distant .

I o-day ( Saturday ) Rosa Bonheur ' s grand picture of the " Lion at Home , " which for some time past has been on view at Messrs . Gladwell Brothers , 20 ar . d 21 , Gracechurch-street , xvill be withdrawn from exhibition . # o * The Fine Art lixhibition , comprising paintings * sculpture , and ^ architectural draxvings , at the Royal Albert-Hall , South Kensington , xvill be closed on Saturday next , the 30 th inst .

Ihe Rev . Henry Sxvann Mill , on Saturday last ,, inaugurated the xvinter session of the Charterhouse Scienceand Art School and Literary Institute . From the very satisfactory report of the work done during the past session , it appears that no less than 700 students availed themselves

of the privileges of the institution . Of these , nearly 500 submitted themselves for examination , and xvith such satisfactory results that they succeeded in carrying off amongthem I 2 ( i Queen ' s prizes and txventy Honour Certificates ^ awarded by the Science and Art Department , South Kensington .

* * * Some valuable additions have recentl y been made to the collection in the Guildhall Library and Museum . These include a complete set of coins of thethe reign of Edward the Confessor and Harold II ., as well as several , in an excellent state of preservation , belongingto that of Ethelred II .. the Unre .-idv . Tho n ^ bmol »^ » -

, Company have presented an orrery of foreign manufacture , contained in a glass globe , xvhich is engraved xvith the sun , moon , planets , and constellations . The motive power is clockwork . A fine series of plates , representing the procession of the different trading companies through Vienna , on the occasion of the silver xveddina * of the Emperor and Empress of Germany , has likexvise been added .

* * * The Iron and Steel Institute held their First sitting in the large hall of the Engineers ' and Architects ' Club , Vienna , on Tuesday . About 300 members , including several English , and some of the fair sex , xvere present . Baron Possin * rer . StadllinMpr nf Ini ^ r Anci ^ o « . i n ~ — —* tiie

, - __ --. ~ . ~ - v .... . ..... I ...., auu Burgomasterof Vienna xvclcmued the foreign members on behalf of the Government and the capital respectively , Mr . Loxvthian Bell , M . P ., returning thanks ior the compliment . The President of the Engineers' and Architects " Club paid a similar compliment to all the members . Bro . Bernard Samuelson , M . P ., has been elected president of the Institute for the next txvp years . * * *

It is satisfactory to note that of the £ 15 , 000-required forthe City of London Technical College noxv in course of erection , the sum of £ 9600 has already been subscribed .

A short time hence and the International Electric and Gas Exhibition will be opened at the Crystal Palace and xvill so remain till Easter of next year . This makes the third of the series that has been hold in the same

favoured locality , and xvill , no doubt , be even more liberally patronised by the public than its predecessors . During a part of the same period there will be a rival electric light attraction at the Royal Westminster Aquarium , xvhich , in accordance xvith previous announcements , will be opened on November ist .

« * * The International Health Congress has been held this year at Geneva , under the presidency of Dr . Lombard . Amongst those present was the distinguished ' M . Fastens , the discoverer nf the mr-Hmrl nf , « .. n .. u ..

means ot inoculation , such contagious diseases among cattle as pleuro-pneumonia , & c . Among the subjects discussed xx-as that of the contagiousness of phthisis , M . Leudefc remarking that it xvas more frequently communicated bv the husband than the wife .

A project is on foot to erect a memorial , in the form of a pillar or obelisk , to the late Lord Frederick Cavendish , on a conspicuous site near Bolton Abbey . Members of both political parties in the Northern division of the VVest Riding of Yorkshire are warmly supporting the plan . ' * « a

On Monday , our Lord Mayor , Grand Junior Warden , xvho with the Lady Ma > oress xvas staying at Ryde as the guest of the Mayor , addressed an influential meeting in that toxvn , and laid before it the claims of the proposed Royal College of Music to public support . Among those present xvere Mr . Grove , the director of the college as representing the Prince of Wales , Bishop McDougall ' the Mayors of . Ryde and Newport with several clergymen and magistrates .

% % * On Saturday last , the International Electric Exhibition at Munich was opened by Duke Charles Theodore of Bavaria . Professor Beetz delivered an ad dress of xyelcome to His Royal Highness , after xvliich a tour ot inspection of the building xvas made ,