Science And Art.

SCIENCE AND ART .

The Strand can no longer be called the little theatre , for now it is rebuilt it is au average-sized house . Great improvement has taken place . The stalls are no longer cramped , but easy of access , and there are now two ways of exit from this and all parts of the building . Only three of the walls remain of what was once the Strand . For elegance and comfort it can be placed on a level with

any of its neighbours . What was once the stage has been added to the auditorium , and the proscenium is constructed by the purchase of the adjoining property . To Mr . Phipps , F . S . A ., architect of the Haymarket , Savoy , Gaiety , and Princess ' s , can be traced the handiwork , and he has again achieved success in a short space of time . Fire is defied , as well as it is possible . The staircases are all built of

stone and brick , and hydrants are fixed in various parts of the building . Italian renaissance is the character of the ornamentation ; but it is no use having a fine house without a good company to bring the public . Mrs . Swanborough has taken good care of this , and has provided an attractive and varied programme for her audiences . Colman ' scomedy , " The Heir at Law , " is ever new , though pretty old ; Mr .

J . S . Clarke playing Dr . Pangloss , LLD . and A . S . S ., with his customary success . Bro . Haynes is Zekiel Homespun , and Mr . Carton ( son of the late Bro . Critchett , the eminent oculist ) is Dick Dowlas ; whilst Mr . Turner plays Daniel Dotedas . Mrs . Chippendale , always a favourite wherever she goes , makes an excellent Deborah Dmolas . The comedy goes along merrily ; and we understand Mr . J . S . Clarke

will shortly appear in " The Comedy of Errors , " as played by him many times . Bro . Byron , in conjunction with Bro . Farnie , has written a new musical comedy , adapted from the French , entitled " Frolique , " which contains many smart sentences and capital melodies . It is very light in character , full of showy dresses and bright groupings of opera comiquc .

Its plot may be briefly described by saying a French duke falls in love with his own wife at a masked ball , and pursues her to a house where she has taken refuge , with a nephew of one of the courtiers of her husband ' s household . Of course each learns a lesson , and when the mask is torn away vow eternal fidelity ; and like two schoolboys are all the better- friends for having quarrelled . On M . Gaillard ,

M . Desmonds , Mdlles . Sylvia , and Carew ( niece of Mrs . Swanborough ) , fall the leading songs , and most efficiently they perform their respective duties . We have no doubt that shortly Bros . A . and E . Swanborough will treat us to what the Strand is most famed for—operatic music . The proprietress , Mrs . Swanborough , is still ably assisted in the management by Bro . Harry Hitchins .

Bro . Lord and Lady Charles Beresford witnessed the performance at the Haymarket of the " Overland Route . " Bro . Lord Charles , who seemed highly pleased with the representation of the P . and O . boat scene , was looking extremely well , and quite recovered from his recent hard work in Egypt . ** < * *

Mr . Chas . Wyndham will not give up the Criterion on his return from America , when he opens his theatre in Northumberland Avenue ; neither is it likely to be closed . The Metropolitan Board of Works sanctioned its building , and cannot now condemn it because they have changed their minds . An arbitrator will be appointed .

- ** . - * « The Marquis of Oueensbury , by calling- attention to Mr . Tennyson ' s new drama in thc singular way he chose , has defeated his own ends to a certain extent . Having from his stall interrupted and denounced the performance and play , he has given it an advertisement . Some parts have received excision , and ' . it now goes on most

smoothly . Whether the Poet Laureate intended to hurl a stone at Freethought or not , it would be out of place to discuss in the columns of the Freemason . There are conflicting opinions about it , and we wouid recommend our readers not to be guided too much by the opinions of others in this matter , but go and see itand judge for

themselves . The man who would marry the sister of the woman he has ruined "to make amends , " is a character to be avoided , and cannot be too much condemned , but whether Edgar is meant to represent a certain class in the community , Mr . Tennyson dees not tell us . Mr . Herman Vezin , Mrs . Bernard Beere , and Mr . Barnes are the best hands in which the play could have been placed .

* * The Court has re-opened with a comedietta b y Mr . Julian Sturgis , " Picking up the Pieces . " The trifle , slight as it is in dramatic interest , is worth y of attention from a literary point of view . It is a well written dialogue , in the course of which the speakers , a middle aged nobleman

and a widow , discover that they were lovers as a boy and girl , finishing by an attempt to fan into a flame a love almost dead . Miss Carlotta Addison and Mr . Arthur Cecil , are the chief characters . Mr . Godfrey ' s " Parvenu " follows , as it continues to draw good houses . A new comedy will he brought out after the run is over of this pretty comedy .

* ¦ *!* « Mr . David James , of the Haymarket Theatre , will soon be married to Miss McNeill , daughter of the lessee ot the Princess ' s , Edinburgh .

* •** " King Comet" is to be the title of the new piece for the Alhambra at Christmas . Bro . Holland has arranged for three new ballets , put on with extraordinary magnificence . Mr . Beverley has painted the scenery .

W - ' if Iff Miss Genevieve Ward has taken thc Olympic , hut does not open until January . She has been fortunate enough to secure the services of Mr . VV . H . Vernon , in Forget me Not . " He is always a welcome addition to the London stage .

Science And Art.

At the invitation of Bro . John Hollingshead , the Indian Contingent witnessed the performance of " Robin Hood , " at the Gaiety , on Monday . The Strand Board of Works has resolved not to prosecute Bro . Hollingshead for erecting an awning over the street in Catherine-street , the entrances to the pit and gallery . It would have been ridiculous to have done so , for every one must be convenienced by it .

Music.

MUSIC .

T he first of the series of concerts organised by Messrs . Brinsmead ( the eminent pianoforte makers ) took place on the evening of the iGth inst ., at St . James ' s Hall . The intention of these performances is the appropriation of whatever profits may result from them in aid of the fund for the foundation and endowment of the proposed Royal College of Music . Various attractions were provided at

ihursday ' s concert , among the chief of which was the co-operation of Mr . Sims Reeves , who contributed three performances ( including an encore ) . In his first song ( Mr . Tours's "Stars of the summer night" ) the great tenor was apparently not in his best voice , but in his delivery of the nautical ballads "Tom Bowling" and " The Bay of Biscay " his command of pathos and fine declamation

produced tne usual marked impression . and elicited thecustomary enthusiasm . Mr . Reeve ' s son—Mr . Herbert Reeves—displayed his cultivatedandrefinedstylein the ballad "Kathleen Mavourneen , " in a ballad of his own , and in association with Mr . B . Foote in the duet " Invocazione , " from M . Gounod ' s " Cinq Mars ; " other effective vocal performances , mostly of a familiar character , having been contributed by Miss A . Williams , Madame Patev . Signor Foli .

andMr . B . Foote . Therewaslikewisesomegoodpart-singing b y the well-trained members of the London Vocal Union , directed by Mr . F . Walker . These performances were well contrasted by Ihe very brilliant pianoforte playing of the Chevalier de Kontski in Weber ' s Second Sonata . ' aml two effective solo pieces of his own composition , and Herr Poznanski ' s skilful execution of a " Rhapsodic Hongroise " for violin by Mauser . Mr . Sidney Naylor was an efficient conductor .

* * * The Second Richter Concert at St . James ' s Hall , for a notice of which we had no space last week , passed off with a success whicii equalled , if it did not surpasss , the success that attended its predecessor . The programme consisted of five works , with four of which our readers are certain to be familiar—the overture to

" Euryanthe , " Beethoven ' s Symphony in C minor , the introduction to the third act of " Der Meistersinger , " and the introduction and finale to "Tristan und Isolde . " These were played in a manner worthy of the magnificent orchestra which Herr Richter has succeeded in bringing together . The novelty of the evening was Brahms ' s pianoforte concerto in B flat , which , a few weeks since , was heard for the first time in this country at the Crystal Palace .

Ihe great feature of the concerto is that it is in four movements instead of the accustomed three ; while , as to the work generally , it is of very unequal merit , there being several passages of great beauty interspersed with others which are far from being worthy of such a description . Its performance was admirable , and Mr . Dannreuther , the pianist , played the solo part with skill and correctness , thereby obtaining for himself an amount of applause that was fully merited .

His Hi ghness the Maharajah of Cooch Behar has joined the Calcutta Committee of the National Anthem for India Fund , and contributed a donation of 200 rupees .

** W V Mr . Gwyllym Crowe took advantage of the review by the Queen on Saturday of the late expeditionary force to Egypt , and had at Covent Garden what he appropriately named a " Review " Concert , the chief features of which were Jullien ' s British Army Quadrilles , and the same composer's " Drum " Polka , in wlTich thirty drummers of the Guards' brigade , lately returned from

Egypt took part . There was also a march appropriate to the occasion . From amusical point of view , the event of the evening was the appearance of the well-known cornet player , Mr . Levy , who , on presenting himself before the audience , was greeted with applause mingled with some hissing . His skilful playing , however , won over the malcontents , and the applause he afterwards received was unmistakably general .

* Thursday next , the 30 th inst ., being St . Andrew's Day , there will be a grand Scotch Festival at the Royal Albert Hall , in which Mr . William Carter's choir , and the band and pipers of the Scots Guards , will take part .

Mr . Edward Bending will preside at the organ , and amongst the principal artistes will be Madame Marie Roze , Madame Trebelli , Madame Fassett , Miss Patti Winter , Mr . Redferu Hollins , Mr . Sinclair Dunn , Mr . F . King , and Mr . Ghilberti .

At St . James ' s Hall , in honour of thc same occasion , there will be on the same day the Annual Scotch Ballad Concert ; among the artistes announced , being Miss Agnes Ross , Madame Bertini , Miss Helen Measo ' n , the Misses Allitsen , Mr . Sims Reeves , Mr . E . Lloyd , Mr . Walter Clifford , and Bro . Santley . The services of the Glasgow Select Choir under Mr . James Allan , and of Signor Piatti , violoncellist , have also been secured .

* « As usual , at this time of the year , the Mohawk-Minstrels are compelled , by reason of the Smithfield Club Cattle Show , to leave their quarters at the Agricultural Hall , Islington , and seek temporary accommodation elsewhere . Hence their appearance at the Imperial Theatre , Westminster Aquarium , on Monday next .

Science And Art.

SCIENCE AND ART .

Further particulars have been received of the late Professor Palmer , who , with Capt . Gill and Lieut . Charrington , was recently murdered by the Arabs in the Syrian desert . The party of exploration , under Capt . Stevenson , of 11 . M . S . Carysfort , have recovered the professor ' s despatch-book , containing , among other things , £ tC > 5 in gold and £ 45 in notes , anil a black bag , open , in which was gold to the amount of i ' tooo .

* * * Dr . Bain , Lord Rector of Aberdeen University , was to have delivered an address on Wednesday last , in thc Music Hall in that city , but the behaviour of the students was so riotous that , after vainly endeavouring for some time to make himself heard , he announced his address as read , and retired .

* * At the opening meeting of the Society of Arts on Wednesday last , Dr . C VV . Siemens , F . R . S ., gave his inaugural address , the subject being " The Prospects of Electric Lighting . " Dr . Siemens gave a long array of statistics as to the comparative cost of gas and electric lighting , from which he deduced the opinion that electricity would win the day as the light of luxury , but that gas would find an ever increasing application for the humbler purposes of diffusing light .

The Sheffield Town Council have resolved on applying to the Board of Works for a provisional order to supply the electric light for public and private purposes within the borough . The Hornsey School of Art , in connection with the Goverment Schools of Art , was formally opened on Wednesday evening last by His Serene Highness the Duke of Teck , G . CB . « ft

On Friday last there was a magnificent display of the aurora borealis , which was visible in several parts of the country , at Coventry , Yarmouth , St . Albans , Edinburgh , Kirkwall , and other places , and also at Vienna . Thc experience noted on 2 nd October , when a similar display was visible in London , was confirmed on Friday , and concurrently with the appearance of these lights there was serious interruption to the various systems of telegraphic

communication . The Marquis of Bute has lent to thc Science and Art Department for exhibition at Bethnal Green Museum the whole of his valuable collection of pictures , some years since removed from Luton Hoe to a house in Eaton-square . The exhibition will be opened at Christmas . « « *

The Winter Exhibition of the Society of British Artists will open on Monday next , the 27 th inst ., the private view being fixed for to-day , ( Saturday ) . * •* * M . de Neuville , the painter of the famous picture , the "Defence of Rorke ' s Drift , " and other battle

pieces , is now in England collecting information for a picture he intends painting of the Egyptian War . In a short time M . de Neuville will visit Egypt , under commission from the Fine Art Society , when he will be accompanied by Mr . Woodville . - st * **

Mr . Maxwell Lyte ' s report on the manuscripts of the Dean and Chapter of St . Paul ' s , on which he has been for some time engaged , under the authority of the Historical Manuscripts' Commission , is now completed .

* * * A Committee has been appointed by the Middlesex Magistrates with a view to considering whether better accommodation cannot be obtained for the ancient archives of the county , many of which , it is said , are perishing from damp . Inquiry will also be made as to whether their use cannot be facilitated by the preparation of a calendar . # * ** ¦

A volume of selections from the Wentworth papers in the British Museum , chiefly illustrative of the political and social life of Queen Anne's reign , will very shortly be published by Messrs . Wyman and Sons ,

* * » Mr . W . M . Conway has undertaken to deliver a course of lectures at Bedford Park on the subject of "Medi . eval Art , " and this in addition to his lectures at Hampton Courton "Early Florentine Painters . "

A grand banquet was given on Tuesday evening , at Willis ' s Rooms , to the Army and Navy Medical Officers engaged in the late campaign in Egypt . The chair was occupied by Sir William Jenner , Bart ., President of the Royal College of Physicians , and among those present were Sir James Paget , Sir VV . Gull , Bart ., Sir H .

Thompson , Ur . Ouatn , Dr . Acland , Mr . P . Hewett , Earl of Morley , Under-Secretary for War , Mr . Campbell-Bannerman , M . P ., Secretary to the Admiralty , Major-General Sir H . P . Macpherson , K . C . B ., V . C ., Sic The Duke of Cambridge , Mr . Childers , Bro . Sir Garnet Wolseley , Sir John Adye , and Sir Evelyn VVood were unable to be present owing to other engagements .

• ** •** Thc Marquis of Ripon , the Clothworkers' Company , London , and Mr . j . Kitson , of Leeds , have contributed each the sum of £ 500 towards the endowment of a Cavendish Professorship at the Yorkshire College , of which the late Lord Frederick Cavendish was President ,