Art And The Drama.

Art and the Drama .

HAYMARKET THEATRE .

By the courtesy of the management we visited the theatre for the second time to see " The Black Tulip . " It was preceded by an interesting little one-act play , entitled " The Bugle Call . " We have previously alluded to the wise plan , pretty generally prevalent during the last few years , of providing such " curtain raisers" for the delectation of those who attend early , as shall not be an insult to their intellectual capacities . We are pleased to

instance " The Bugle Call" as one deserving commendation . The story is simple enough , and told in a sensible way . There are contrasts of character , affording light and shade . There is brought before us the prudent old Scotchwoman , Lady Kinnordie , who , though far-seeing and worldly to the greatest degree , yet betrays a feeling of human sympathy at the last , which shows that she is a true good woman at heart . The matchmaking instinct of the fashionable , mother is at war with maternal love ;

Nature asserts her claim at the hour of trial , and obtains the mastery . Then in contrast with the successful millionaire , who believes in the power of money to buy everything , even a woman's love , we have the true courage and sacrificing self-denial of the chivalric young soldier . As is to be expected , poetic justice rewards him for his manly forbearance . We hardly think the authors have sufficiently developed the character of Millicent ;

more might have been made of it . The interpretation of the respective characters was so good all round that we will not make any invidious distinctions . With regard to " The Black Tulip , " the judgment we have before given of it is indubitably confirmed . We consider it to be the most interesting work at the present time presented to the British public . The simplicity of the story is its chief charm . It appeals to all in unmistakable

tones . Our sympathies naturally follow the fortunes of the hero and heroine . The quiet , yet expressive , by-play between them is natural and well-conceived . We noticed with great satisfaction that the character of Gryphus has been rendered less repulsive than before . The power of the part has not been rendered ineffective by adopting a more moderate tone . There is still a jarring note which disturbs the general harmony . We allude to the Clerk to Van Spelling . His discordant , feeble , raven-like

croak might surely be spared ; indeed , if the part were altogether dispensed with , we are sure no one in the audience would regret it . It possesses no humour , and only serves to hinder the action of the piece . The scenery is well painted and truthful , the accessories and details of Rosa ' s room are strictly correct . The pavilion in the gardens of the Horticultural Society , at Haarlem , is a gorgeous display of colour , yet the hues are so artistically arranged that there is nothing antagonistic to its general harmony .

PRINCE OF WALES' THEATRE .

On our second visit to this theatre we saw , as a lirst piece , "The Sacrament of Judas . " Our previous criticism is confirmed ; we consider it to be one of the most powerful dramas of the present time . We would especially commend the clever , yet natural manner in which the key note of the drama is struck . The dialogue at the supper table with which the piece Dpens should be listened to attentively ; from it the action progresses until

the consistent ileiwuiucnl is attained . Mr . Robertson has made a careful study of the character of Jacques Berne /; . The true artist is shown in his careful attention to details , which help to build up the individuality of the part . How consistent is the involuntary , vindictive action of the arms repressed by stern will evincing the righteous indignation at the wrong done to his dearly loved one by the repentant seigneur so naturally

developed in the confession . We would , however , suggest that the twice-repeated allusion to " les droits du seigneur , " it would be prudent to omit ; an unsuspecting daughter naturally seeking for an explanation , might lead to an awkward embarrassment on the part of pater familins , as to how the question should be answered . Should he honestly plead ignorance , so much the better ; if he understands

he had better feign ignorance . To return to Bemez , the apostate monk , whose quick repentance can only bs accounted for by the fierce conflict of emotion in his mind , marks the self-devotion of the man , and the charitable forgiveness of the priest , his death being the proof of his true conversion . The brutal nature of Chapin , the representative of the people , is well conceived by Mr . Bromley Davenport ; he has not fallen into the common error

of exaggerating the part . Mrs . Patrick Campbell has little to QO J however , one or two brief opportunities occur , of which she does not fail to avail herself . The domestic interior is well built up by Mr . Hawes Craven ; we have seen many similar kitchens in our travels through Brittany . We must now briefly speak of the principal piece of the evening— " The Canary . " The author , Mr . George Fleming , calls it a sentimental farce ; it should

rather be styled a farce of mock sentiment . A better title might have been found . Serious criticism would be unsuitable for such a piece ; it would be like breaking a butterfly on a wheel—it is a light , airy nothing ; a literary " soulUet . " The first act is colourless and devoid of interest ; the second and third acts are very much better . In the second act the awkward position and trouble of the amorous private secretary , when thc married lady

visits him alone at his lodgings , is certainly amusing . There are quaint character sketches in the landlady and her daughter . We like the third act ( the best ) . The Bohemian wife of Oliver Glendinning we do not think untrue to nature ; we have met such people in our time ; there is a ring of true metal in her love to her errant husband , who tries to make people think

him to be a rake , for which there is no foundation . For the principal character , Mrs . Temple Martin ( Sybil ) , wc have no sympathy ; she is a silly creature , who is let off too easily . We regret Mrs . Campbell should have undertaken such a part utterly unworthy of her . She does her best for it ; by anybody else it would not be tolerated . The present performance will be continued at the Royalty Theatre early in January next .

GARRICK THEATRE .

Bro . Urickwell will present his Christmas fairy pantomime , ' Puss in Boot ;; , " on Boxing morning , and , in order to enable those who have other engagements for Boxing evening to get away in good time , the performance will ' commence at one o ' clock .-. harp , instead of at J . 30 as at subsequent matinees .

Art And The Drama.

CHRISTMAS AT THE INNS OF COURT . We resume the subject from last week . Cardinal Wolsey's indignation and the punishment he inflicted upon Master John Roo , Serjeant-at-Law , for covert strictures upon the haughty Cardinal in his ( Roo ' s ) " disguising , " we have already related . Not satisfied with this , the Cardinal " highly rebuked and threatened" the actors , sending one Thomas Moyle to the Fleet , while Master Simon Fish , of Gray ' s Inn , " was compelled of force to

avoid his own house , and so fled over unto Tindall , " the great Protestant reformer and martyr . Christmas at the Inner Temple in 1561 was held in great state , although it was attended by a brutal exhibition that would shock the more refined tastes of the present age . The Lord of Misrule , attended by a train of upwards of 100 horsemen , having the Queen ' s favourite , Dudley , Earl of Leicester , as Marshal , and Hatton , subsequently

Lord Chancellor , as Master of the Game , rode through the City , and proceeded to the great Hall . The banquet over , the Master of the Game , attended by Rangers of the Forest and huntsmen with ten couples of hounds , entered the Hall , the huntsmen winding their horns , and giving the rousing music of the chase . Then , a thin pole , to which a live fox and a cat were securely fastened , one at each end , was brought in . The pole was

rolled into the centre of the Hall , the hounds uncoupled , and after a brief scene of excitement in connection with this savage cruelty , which could not have lasted very long , the guests fell back upon the wassail and other cheer , much gratified , we are informed , with the " sport . " (?) Upon another occasion the Temple Lord of Misrule was not so happy in his amusement . He levied a fine of five shillings for every house in Ram-alley and

Fleetstreet , and broke open the doors to enforce it . Whereupon the Lord Mayor , accompanied by his officers , stopped the band in Fleet-street , wounded Palmer , the veritable Lord of Misrule , and conveyed him to prison . However , upon the pleading of the Attorney-General , he was released . Christmas revels at each of the Inns usually took place under the presidency of a mock Prince , called at Gray ' s Inn the Prince of Purpoole ,

and at Lincoln's Inn the Prince de la Grange , whilst at the Temple the titles varied . In the Gesta Grayorum ( The acts of Gray ' s Inn ) we find set forth : "The history of the high and mighty Prince Henry , Prince of Purpoole , Archduke of Stapulia and Bernarda , Duke of High and Nether Holborn , Marquess of St . Giles and Tottenham , Count Palatine of Bloomsbury and Clerkenwell , Great Lord of the Cantons of

Islington , Kentish Town , Paddington , and Knightsbridge , Knight of the Most Heroical Order of the helmet , and Sovereign of the same , who reigned and died A . D . 1594 . " This prince was Mr . Henry Helmes , a gentleman of Norfolk , described as a " proper man of personage , and very active in dancing and revelling . " On this occasion , Shakespeare's " Comedv of Errors " was Droduced in dace of a Masaue . Helm * " ; anrl

his court , together with the Ambassador of Templaria , were received by Queen Elizabeth at Greenwich , and afterwards dined in State with the Lord Mayor at Crosby-place . The cards of admission to these festivities were often very elaborate . At the present time , the cards of invitation issued by the Lord Mayors for the State banquet at Guildhall , on oth Nevember , are worth preserving as being fine examples of high modern art .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Surrey.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF SURREY .

PRESENTATION TO BRO . J . A . BRAIK , PROV . S . G . W . The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Mark Lodge was held on Monday , the nth inst ., at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell , under the auspices of the Kin tore Mark Lodge . The members of this lodge took the opportunity of presenting their W . M ., Bro . Braik , with a handsome token of their esteem and regard on the occasion of his

marriage . The brethren present includedllros . the Earl of Onslow , G . C . M . G ., Prov . G . M . ; F . West , Dep . Prov . G . M . ; S . G . Kirchhoffer , acting Prov . S . G . W . ; J . Leach Barrett , Prov . J . G . W . ; A . H . Salter , Prov . G . M . O . ; R . W . Wilson , Prov . J . G . O . ; Rev . E . L . G . Houndle , Prov . G . Chap . ; Stamper Lambert , Prov . G . Reg . of Marks ; Arthur H . Bowles . P . G . D .. Prov . G . Sec .: Maior G . H . N . Bridges . PP S . G . W . Prnv .

G . D . C ; Sydney F . Mackway , Prov . S . G . D . ; Wm . A . Shaw , Prov . J . G . D . ; Walter Hill , Prov . G . I . G . ; C . Woodrow , Prov . G . S . B . ; W . Featherstinhaugh , P . M . 451 ; Rev . C . E . L . Wright , P . M . ; Ralph Neville , P . G . Stwd . ; C . W . G . Bird , 333 ; J . H . Cureton , P . P . G . D . ; J . H . Farnfield , P . G . W . ; J . A . Braik , W . M . 333 ; C . F . Tyler , E . A . Whitby , P . P . G . D . ; T . White , 114 ; F . Dowse , W . M . 114 ; H . W . Willis , 505 ; E . J . Pocklington , 505 ; R .

Mossop , 442 ; A . W . Marshall , S . D . 333 ; H . Hayward , I . G . 333 ; W . T . Snell , J . O . 333 ; F . Lockett , W . M . 505 ; G . Duberly , 505 ; R . C . Bayne , 451 : Hugh James , S . O . 451 ; G . D . King , S . W . 19 S ; R . Jackson , J . W . 333 ; G . S . Howell , F . Pow , 333 ; ] . H . C . Collier , J . W . 505 ; W . W . Lee , and others . Prov . G . Lodge was opened , the Prov . G . Master saluted , and the minutes cofirmed .

The roll of lodges was called , and all were represented , with the exception of the Bisley Lodge , which recently handed back its warrant on its removal to Camberley . Bro . Lieut-Col . A . H . Bircham , Prov . G . Treas ., who was prevented by illness from attending , was unanimously re-elected , and the Auditors ' report , showing an increased balance , was adopted . The Prov . G . Master then appointed the following officers :

Bro . F . West ... ... ... ... Dep . Prov . G . M . „ J . A . Braik ,.. ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ Ralph Neville ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ the Rev . E . L . G . Houndle ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ Walter Hill ,.. ... ... ... p . S . G . O .

„ l " . Lockett ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O . „ the Rev . C . E . L . Wright ... } p J „ the Rev . J . W . St . Claire Hill ... ... ) rov - G - P - „ S . W . Lambert ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ A . H . Bowles ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ W . Mackway ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ F . Dowse ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D *

„ J . 1 .. layior ... ... ... Prov . G . I . of W . ,, Major G . H . Ncwington Bridges ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ K . J . M . Collin ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ G . A . King ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ C . S . Rogers ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ E , J . Packington ... ... ,., Prov . G . Org .