-
Articles/Ads
Article Public Amusements. Page 1 of 1 Article Public Amusements. Page 1 of 1 Article Reviews. Page 1 of 1 Article NOTES ON ART, &c. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Public Amusements.
Public Amusements .
QUEEN ' T HEATRE . — " Fatherland , " as the adaption of M . Sardou ' s celebrated melodrama , "Patrie , " is entitled , has been produced at this theatre with considerable success . An adaptation of this play has appeared across the water called " Dolores , " and another in the provinces , by the experienced author of "Charles I ., " called "Betrayed ; " but strange to say , until the present time , no version of this
far-famed work has appeared at a West-end theatre . That this drama should have been passed over , in these days when three out of four pieces are taken from the French , is , and has been , a theme for wonder , and Mr . Laboucherc is to be highly commended for at last giving all lovers of the drama an opportunity of witnessing M . Sardou ' s serious masterpiece . True it is , we elo not see it in all its
grandeur—we miss the final scenes that in tbe original made the blood run cold , that kept an awe-stricken audience spellbound till the curtain fell on the weird and tragic death of the sensuous heroine by her remorseful paramour ; but we must be content with what we can get , and if our mock turtle lacks the richness of the real , nevertheless , perhaps it is more wholesome for our delicate English
digestion . To us it appears individually a terrible sacrifice ; by M . Sardou doubtless it would be regarded as an unwarrantable sacrilege , and an insult to the Goddess Art . Still we strongly advise our readers to see "Fatherland , " for though the g iant hath lost a right arm , there still remains vigour and strength enough for a dozen ordinary milk and watery
dramas that grace our theatres . The acting is , taken all together , feeble , and the artistes engaged misplaced . With two exceptions no one has succeeded in realising the parts allotted to them . Miss Hodson , one ofthe most charming comedy actresses we know , who play ; or rather trifles with the part of the infatuated wife , should never have undertaken a part so thoroughly unsuitcd to her . Mr . Billington
should have had Mr . Brooke ' s part , and vice versa . There are however , as wc said , two exceptions . The part of the Governor is played by Mr . Herman Vezin in a manner that leaves nothing to be desired—we cannot say more ; and secondly , the part of Donna Inez is playeel by Miss Maud Milton , a young lady almost new to the stage , so ably , that she fairly surprised us . We had seen her
previously when playing Juliet to Mr . Conway ' s Romeo , and in some minor character in " The Wandering Heir , " and in both parts she pleased us considerably—but by no means so much as she has now in this part . If we are not mistaken ' she is destined for a successful career . The mounting of the piece is excellent , and altogether we can honestly congratulate Mr . Laboucherc on producing the best
melodrama that has been produced for years . GLOBE THEATRE . —Mr . Byron ' s new comic drama , " A Fool and His Money , " was produced on Thursday , the j 7 th of January , at this theatre , before an appreciative audience composed principally we should think ot the author ' s friends and relations , who went for the sole purpose of applauding , and who it must be admitted fulfilled
their mission with Spartan fortitude . But fifty times the applause would fail to make this new comic drama a successful play . For once in a way we will attempt to describe the story upon which Mr . Byron has contrived to hang his three-aet farce . In Act the First we are introduced to an old servant of a late Mr . Ransome , " Chaw-Ies " by name , at Ramsdale Hall , Sussex . We find that
" Chawles " had been woefully disappointed , in not receiving some handsome momentum on the old gentleman ' s death , as he anticipated and that his services , which had consisted principally in rubbing his master ' s back and embittering his master's mind against the old gentleman ' s rightful heir—one Percival Ransome , —has been unrewarded . In default of a will the property had come into the
possession of the said Percival Ransome , and " Chawles , " who had formerly had his own way , was now more than likely to have a rough time of it with his new master . The heir arrives and is mistaken by "Chawles" for a footman seeking a situation , of course a natural mistake , seeing that the young gentleman was dressed as only a gentleman could dress , and might as easily have been
mistaken for the ghost of " Hamlet . " Things being explained , everything seems progressing satisfactorily , when of course , as is always the case , the old lawyer , who had previously carefully looked through the legal documents left by the deceased , happens to find a will cutting off the nephew and leaving all to " Chawles . " Whereupon " Chawles " becomes the master , and the dissappointed
heir of course immediately volunteers to become his late servant ' s valet—we say of course , because an educated gentleman would unquestionably accept the post of a menial . This little episode terminates the first act . In the second , we find "Chawles" at his Welsh retreat , with Percival still as his valet—where Brabazon Vandeleur , Esq ., and his
fortune hunting daughter have come to pay thc owner a visit with no excuse and no invitation . Here another mistake occurs , for " Chawles " is taken for the valet , and "Percival " for the owner , by Mr . and Miss Vandeleur , who , finding out their mistake , proclaims Percival an impostor , and soft-sawder the irate " Chawles , " ascertaining however that the owner was once a servant in the kitchen .
Mr . Vandelcur seizes hold of "Chawles" by one arm , whilst the incensed Percival lays hold of the other , and the act drop descends on " Chawles" being pulled and pushed like a policeman in a pantomime . In the third act , Mr . Vandeleur , who has made it up on second thoughts , proposes a match between the wealthy " Chawles " and the
penniless Kate , but in the meantime ( without " Chawles " knowing anything about it ) , the will has been set aside , and the property conies back to the ri ghtful heir , who of course , marries the guileless maid and sets up the luckless "Chawles" in a public-house . We were not aware that the Court of Chancery set aside wills without
Public Amusements.
giving all parties concerned a right to defend their interests , but Mr . ' Byron knows otherwise . All parties concerned did their best for the commonplace parts allotted to them , Mr . Righton giving a comedy finish to the part of Vandeleur , and Mr . Toole a farcical one to the part of " Chawles . " The author was called twice before the curtain . Notwithstanding the reception , in our opinion the play is not worth the paper it is written on
The first Toole and Righton Matinee at the Globe Theatre will be given this day ( Saturday ) . The bill-of-faie is more than usually attractive . Mr . Toole will play his original character in Mr . Clement Scott ' s successful little drama " Off the Line , " and Mr . Righton the part of " Major Shorcshot" in Messrs . Romer and Bellamy ' s comedy " Flirtation . " The entertainment will conclude with " Bard well v Pickwick , " in which Messrs . Toole and Righton sustain the leading parts .
Reviews.
Reviews .
" The Fight between Aleck and Hamid at Dame Europa's School ; " E . W . Allen , Ave Maria Lane . This is one of the numerous pieces d ' occasion which the Turko-Russian War has called forth . Like many similar " brochures , " it is written with animation and humour . Whether or no our readers will approve of its sentiments or accept its apparent conclusions , we must
leave them to settle themselves . It is impossible for us , in our absolute neutrality , to express any opinion on the subject , as though Freemasons are " par consequence " humanitarians in the highest degree , we are not justified in enlarging on political questions , or even diplomatic disputes . We have no doubt , however , that , like several other jeu . v ( Tesprit ot a similar category , it will be read by many and applauded by not a few .
"Speak to the Earth ; " by J . G . FOSTER ; Wm . Poole , 12 a , Paternoster Row . This is a very different little pamphlet from the above , and is , in fact , a Lay Sermonette . In the Freemason it is obviously very difficult to review sermons , but we may fairly say that we have perused this little contribution of Mr . Foster ' s with pleasure and approval . It
deals no doubt with an important truth , often overlooked , undervalued , and misunderstood , and is well written , and forcibly expressed . If we are correct in assuming the real teaching of the " Tractate " to be as follows , as Freemasons we can cordially approve of its teaching , and warmly applaud its words . It is , as we gather it , this . This world in all its teeming foims
of life and marvel , its animate and inanimate creation , its mineral , its floral , its oceanic , its terrestrial wcrld , is entirely under the governance and control of T . G . A . O . T . U ., and while we may seek in science for an explanation of thc natural laws which _ apparently direct and mark its onward course , we must " look to thc Bible for an explanation of spiritual creation of its Divine life . We
fancy that in this view all our educated brotherhood will warmly concur , and therefore , agreeing with Mr . J . G . Foster , we are glad to commend to the notice of the thoughtful amongst us a modest little essay on a great subject , which is in happy contrast to many of those more pretentious utterances just now of the sceptical or
unbelieving school . When belief and unbelief seem marshalling their forces , it is well for us , as Freemasons , at one : e to declare on which side we openly and manful ly range ourselves . We are glad to have read a " Lay Sermonette , " so well expressed , and so straightforward in its adherence to the Bible , as the word of God .
"Irish Freemasons' Calendar and Directory for 1878 . " Freemasons' Hall , Dublin . This very admirably got up Pocket-book has come to hand , and deserves alike notice and commendation from all Masons . If Bro . Oldham is the Editor of it he deserves all " Kudos " for his neat and effective work , and we
congratulate him sincerely on a result as creditable to him as it is to the Irish Craft , and most useful to the fraternity in Ireland—yes , and out of Ireland . We are among those who always feel great sympathy for our Irish brethren , knowing their many admirable qualities of head and heart , and while we feel bound to speak in honest terms of
laudation of the "Irish Freemason's Calendar and Directory , " and offer all " hearty good wishes , " for our Hibernian friends , we cannot but express the hope that we may yet be enabled to give more reports of Irish Masonic doings , for the perusal of our English and Cosmopolitan brotherhood . This is a " consummation devoutly to be wished for" by us all .
" Thc Public Ledger Almanack , 1878 . " We have received this useful almanack from Philadelphia , and fully concur in the statement from personal perusal , that it is " a treasury of useful information on local subjects and general events . " For the inhabitants of Philadelphia , U . S ., it is and must be really invaluable . For all visitors and strangers to that important city of the commonwealth of the United States it is almost a necessary " vade mecum . "
" The City Diary , " 1878 . Fifteenth year of publication . Published by W . H . and L . Collingridge , City Press Office , 128 , and 129 , Alelersgate-Street . E . C . One Shilling . This is a very useful almanack and diary , and is well worthy the attention of all to whom such publications are both useful and necessary .
A New Italian Weekly Journal has appeared in London this week entitled La Poita di Londra .
Notes On Art, &C.
NOTES ON ART , & c .
At a General Assembly of the Royal Academy of Arts , the following gentlemen were elected as Associates , —Mr . Briton Riviere , painter , Mr . Joseph E . Boehm , s culptor and Mr . Alfred Waterhouse , architect . Mr . Gladstone will contribute an article entitled "The Coming Peace" to the February number of
" The Nineteenth Century . " The Diploma Galleries ofthe Royal Academy , containing the works deposited by members on their election as Academicians , and other works the property of the Academy ( including the Gibson sculpture ) , is now open , free , to the public from eleven to four daily—Sundays excepted .
A large increase in the exportation of telegraphic wire , & c , occured last year . From £ 814 , 849 in 187 O it reached last year to £ 1 , 248 , 403 . M . Victorien Sardou has completed a new piece—Les Bourgeois de Pontarsy—for the Paris Vaudeville , a sketch of bourgeois life in the provinces . The Athemeum says that the Princess of Wales
has expressed to Bro . Erasmus Wilson , in a very " graceful and flattering way , her appreciation of the liberality and public spirit which he has shown in defraying the cost ot transporting Cleopatra's Needle from Egypt to England . At a meeting of the Edinburgh Botanical Society on Thursday last week , the name of Oscar II ., King of Sweden , was unanimously placed on the list of
Royal Honorary Fellows . The Memoirs of Prince Metternich , which will soon be published , in eight volumes , will not contain the whole of the Prince ' s papers and correspondence . Part ofthe notes left behind by the Chancellor are written in a
diplomatic cypher of which the key cannot be found . An Art Exhibition is to be held in March at Bombay , which it is hoped will prove the first of a scries . It will be held in the building of the School of Art now being erected , and Lord Lytton has promised to lend a number of works .
FREE LIBRARIES . —The Bishop of London presided on Friday last at a meeting of the Metropolitan Free Libraries Committee , held at the London Library , St . James ' s-square . There were also present the Rev . W . Rogers , Mr . James Heywood , F . R . S ., Mr . Robert Harrison , Professor Leone Levi , Mr . E . J . Watherston , Mr . H . R . Tedder , and other members ; and Mr . E . B . Nicholson , secretary .
Some curious Manuscripts have been latel y discovered in the Jesuit College at Rome . When the Government took possession of the College , it was found that many valuable articles recorded in the library catalogue were missing , and for some time all search was vain , until two ex-Jesuits' offered to unearth the hiding-place . Accordingly some of the missing treasures were found
stowed away in an upper room between the floor and the ceiling of the room below , and it is believed that the remaindcr -re concealed in a similar manner . Amongst the MSS . found was a copy of thc constitution of the Society of Jesus , dated 1 J 93 , the only one known to exist ; a curious map-case , consisting of a cylindrical leather box with hinge
and lock , containing three sheaths enclosing maps , the oldest dated 1455 , and showing the seaports prominently ; and a " Florilegium "—coloured drawings of garden flowers—dated 1678 . The Jesuit Fathers refuse to acknowledge the concealment of any further MSS ., and the authorities are in doubt whether to pull the rooms to pieces or leave the result to chance .
A Clock modelled on the Famous Time-piece in Strassburg Cathedral is now being exhibited in Washington . The maker , when an apprentice at Strassburg in 18 47 , secretly copied the cathedral clock , and set it up in a deserted house . A malicious rival discovered his secret , and the apprentice was banished from the country , but he rcturneel in disguise and c . rrietl off his
treasure to London . He did not , however dare to exhibit the clock , anel eventually tlied mad , his wife and son subsequently selling it to its present owner . Memorial Cards across the Atlantic are now ornamented by a ship with black crape sails , the hull of the vessel being made of white rosebuds , and the masts of pansies , while a white dove , holding a spray of
forget-menots , surmounts the mainmast . BRITISH HANDICRAFT . — "An Art Workman " writes to The Timet : —Mr . J . P . Seddon , in The Times of Saturday last , complains that " art work in England at the presenttime is a myth . " In the name of aichitecture he breaks into lamentation that this should be , and
complacently charges the catastrophe upon the apathy of journeymen carvers and others because they have failed to become artists on workman ' s traelitions and workman ' s pay , and in other words , architects having habitually encouraged workmen to adopt a sterile antiquarianism corresponding with their own , affect astonishment that art is not
apparent in thc result . All this seems little less than mockery . An expedition having for its object the thorough examination of the natural resouces of Russian Turkestan is about to leave St . Petersburg . M . de Mieldendoif , the famous explorer of Siberia , and M . Smirnof , Conservator of the Botanical Museum of the University of
Kazan , will be among its members . —Alhenaum . The Baroness Burdett Coutts , who has been elected an associate of the Royal Historical Society , has made the library of the institution a magnificent present of books , including the publications ofthe Camden Society . TheEmpress of Austria is still at Cottesbrooke , where she hunts regularly , anil excites great admiration by the boldness with which she rides to hounds .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Public Amusements.
Public Amusements .
QUEEN ' T HEATRE . — " Fatherland , " as the adaption of M . Sardou ' s celebrated melodrama , "Patrie , " is entitled , has been produced at this theatre with considerable success . An adaptation of this play has appeared across the water called " Dolores , " and another in the provinces , by the experienced author of "Charles I ., " called "Betrayed ; " but strange to say , until the present time , no version of this
far-famed work has appeared at a West-end theatre . That this drama should have been passed over , in these days when three out of four pieces are taken from the French , is , and has been , a theme for wonder , and Mr . Laboucherc is to be highly commended for at last giving all lovers of the drama an opportunity of witnessing M . Sardou ' s serious masterpiece . True it is , we elo not see it in all its
grandeur—we miss the final scenes that in tbe original made the blood run cold , that kept an awe-stricken audience spellbound till the curtain fell on the weird and tragic death of the sensuous heroine by her remorseful paramour ; but we must be content with what we can get , and if our mock turtle lacks the richness of the real , nevertheless , perhaps it is more wholesome for our delicate English
digestion . To us it appears individually a terrible sacrifice ; by M . Sardou doubtless it would be regarded as an unwarrantable sacrilege , and an insult to the Goddess Art . Still we strongly advise our readers to see "Fatherland , " for though the g iant hath lost a right arm , there still remains vigour and strength enough for a dozen ordinary milk and watery
dramas that grace our theatres . The acting is , taken all together , feeble , and the artistes engaged misplaced . With two exceptions no one has succeeded in realising the parts allotted to them . Miss Hodson , one ofthe most charming comedy actresses we know , who play ; or rather trifles with the part of the infatuated wife , should never have undertaken a part so thoroughly unsuitcd to her . Mr . Billington
should have had Mr . Brooke ' s part , and vice versa . There are however , as wc said , two exceptions . The part of the Governor is played by Mr . Herman Vezin in a manner that leaves nothing to be desired—we cannot say more ; and secondly , the part of Donna Inez is playeel by Miss Maud Milton , a young lady almost new to the stage , so ably , that she fairly surprised us . We had seen her
previously when playing Juliet to Mr . Conway ' s Romeo , and in some minor character in " The Wandering Heir , " and in both parts she pleased us considerably—but by no means so much as she has now in this part . If we are not mistaken ' she is destined for a successful career . The mounting of the piece is excellent , and altogether we can honestly congratulate Mr . Laboucherc on producing the best
melodrama that has been produced for years . GLOBE THEATRE . —Mr . Byron ' s new comic drama , " A Fool and His Money , " was produced on Thursday , the j 7 th of January , at this theatre , before an appreciative audience composed principally we should think ot the author ' s friends and relations , who went for the sole purpose of applauding , and who it must be admitted fulfilled
their mission with Spartan fortitude . But fifty times the applause would fail to make this new comic drama a successful play . For once in a way we will attempt to describe the story upon which Mr . Byron has contrived to hang his three-aet farce . In Act the First we are introduced to an old servant of a late Mr . Ransome , " Chaw-Ies " by name , at Ramsdale Hall , Sussex . We find that
" Chawles " had been woefully disappointed , in not receiving some handsome momentum on the old gentleman ' s death , as he anticipated and that his services , which had consisted principally in rubbing his master ' s back and embittering his master's mind against the old gentleman ' s rightful heir—one Percival Ransome , —has been unrewarded . In default of a will the property had come into the
possession of the said Percival Ransome , and " Chawles , " who had formerly had his own way , was now more than likely to have a rough time of it with his new master . The heir arrives and is mistaken by "Chawles" for a footman seeking a situation , of course a natural mistake , seeing that the young gentleman was dressed as only a gentleman could dress , and might as easily have been
mistaken for the ghost of " Hamlet . " Things being explained , everything seems progressing satisfactorily , when of course , as is always the case , the old lawyer , who had previously carefully looked through the legal documents left by the deceased , happens to find a will cutting off the nephew and leaving all to " Chawles . " Whereupon " Chawles " becomes the master , and the dissappointed
heir of course immediately volunteers to become his late servant ' s valet—we say of course , because an educated gentleman would unquestionably accept the post of a menial . This little episode terminates the first act . In the second , we find "Chawles" at his Welsh retreat , with Percival still as his valet—where Brabazon Vandeleur , Esq ., and his
fortune hunting daughter have come to pay thc owner a visit with no excuse and no invitation . Here another mistake occurs , for " Chawles " is taken for the valet , and "Percival " for the owner , by Mr . and Miss Vandeleur , who , finding out their mistake , proclaims Percival an impostor , and soft-sawder the irate " Chawles , " ascertaining however that the owner was once a servant in the kitchen .
Mr . Vandelcur seizes hold of "Chawles" by one arm , whilst the incensed Percival lays hold of the other , and the act drop descends on " Chawles" being pulled and pushed like a policeman in a pantomime . In the third act , Mr . Vandeleur , who has made it up on second thoughts , proposes a match between the wealthy " Chawles " and the
penniless Kate , but in the meantime ( without " Chawles " knowing anything about it ) , the will has been set aside , and the property conies back to the ri ghtful heir , who of course , marries the guileless maid and sets up the luckless "Chawles" in a public-house . We were not aware that the Court of Chancery set aside wills without
Public Amusements.
giving all parties concerned a right to defend their interests , but Mr . ' Byron knows otherwise . All parties concerned did their best for the commonplace parts allotted to them , Mr . Righton giving a comedy finish to the part of Vandeleur , and Mr . Toole a farcical one to the part of " Chawles . " The author was called twice before the curtain . Notwithstanding the reception , in our opinion the play is not worth the paper it is written on
The first Toole and Righton Matinee at the Globe Theatre will be given this day ( Saturday ) . The bill-of-faie is more than usually attractive . Mr . Toole will play his original character in Mr . Clement Scott ' s successful little drama " Off the Line , " and Mr . Righton the part of " Major Shorcshot" in Messrs . Romer and Bellamy ' s comedy " Flirtation . " The entertainment will conclude with " Bard well v Pickwick , " in which Messrs . Toole and Righton sustain the leading parts .
Reviews.
Reviews .
" The Fight between Aleck and Hamid at Dame Europa's School ; " E . W . Allen , Ave Maria Lane . This is one of the numerous pieces d ' occasion which the Turko-Russian War has called forth . Like many similar " brochures , " it is written with animation and humour . Whether or no our readers will approve of its sentiments or accept its apparent conclusions , we must
leave them to settle themselves . It is impossible for us , in our absolute neutrality , to express any opinion on the subject , as though Freemasons are " par consequence " humanitarians in the highest degree , we are not justified in enlarging on political questions , or even diplomatic disputes . We have no doubt , however , that , like several other jeu . v ( Tesprit ot a similar category , it will be read by many and applauded by not a few .
"Speak to the Earth ; " by J . G . FOSTER ; Wm . Poole , 12 a , Paternoster Row . This is a very different little pamphlet from the above , and is , in fact , a Lay Sermonette . In the Freemason it is obviously very difficult to review sermons , but we may fairly say that we have perused this little contribution of Mr . Foster ' s with pleasure and approval . It
deals no doubt with an important truth , often overlooked , undervalued , and misunderstood , and is well written , and forcibly expressed . If we are correct in assuming the real teaching of the " Tractate " to be as follows , as Freemasons we can cordially approve of its teaching , and warmly applaud its words . It is , as we gather it , this . This world in all its teeming foims
of life and marvel , its animate and inanimate creation , its mineral , its floral , its oceanic , its terrestrial wcrld , is entirely under the governance and control of T . G . A . O . T . U ., and while we may seek in science for an explanation of thc natural laws which _ apparently direct and mark its onward course , we must " look to thc Bible for an explanation of spiritual creation of its Divine life . We
fancy that in this view all our educated brotherhood will warmly concur , and therefore , agreeing with Mr . J . G . Foster , we are glad to commend to the notice of the thoughtful amongst us a modest little essay on a great subject , which is in happy contrast to many of those more pretentious utterances just now of the sceptical or
unbelieving school . When belief and unbelief seem marshalling their forces , it is well for us , as Freemasons , at one : e to declare on which side we openly and manful ly range ourselves . We are glad to have read a " Lay Sermonette , " so well expressed , and so straightforward in its adherence to the Bible , as the word of God .
"Irish Freemasons' Calendar and Directory for 1878 . " Freemasons' Hall , Dublin . This very admirably got up Pocket-book has come to hand , and deserves alike notice and commendation from all Masons . If Bro . Oldham is the Editor of it he deserves all " Kudos " for his neat and effective work , and we
congratulate him sincerely on a result as creditable to him as it is to the Irish Craft , and most useful to the fraternity in Ireland—yes , and out of Ireland . We are among those who always feel great sympathy for our Irish brethren , knowing their many admirable qualities of head and heart , and while we feel bound to speak in honest terms of
laudation of the "Irish Freemason's Calendar and Directory , " and offer all " hearty good wishes , " for our Hibernian friends , we cannot but express the hope that we may yet be enabled to give more reports of Irish Masonic doings , for the perusal of our English and Cosmopolitan brotherhood . This is a " consummation devoutly to be wished for" by us all .
" Thc Public Ledger Almanack , 1878 . " We have received this useful almanack from Philadelphia , and fully concur in the statement from personal perusal , that it is " a treasury of useful information on local subjects and general events . " For the inhabitants of Philadelphia , U . S ., it is and must be really invaluable . For all visitors and strangers to that important city of the commonwealth of the United States it is almost a necessary " vade mecum . "
" The City Diary , " 1878 . Fifteenth year of publication . Published by W . H . and L . Collingridge , City Press Office , 128 , and 129 , Alelersgate-Street . E . C . One Shilling . This is a very useful almanack and diary , and is well worthy the attention of all to whom such publications are both useful and necessary .
A New Italian Weekly Journal has appeared in London this week entitled La Poita di Londra .
Notes On Art, &C.
NOTES ON ART , & c .
At a General Assembly of the Royal Academy of Arts , the following gentlemen were elected as Associates , —Mr . Briton Riviere , painter , Mr . Joseph E . Boehm , s culptor and Mr . Alfred Waterhouse , architect . Mr . Gladstone will contribute an article entitled "The Coming Peace" to the February number of
" The Nineteenth Century . " The Diploma Galleries ofthe Royal Academy , containing the works deposited by members on their election as Academicians , and other works the property of the Academy ( including the Gibson sculpture ) , is now open , free , to the public from eleven to four daily—Sundays excepted .
A large increase in the exportation of telegraphic wire , & c , occured last year . From £ 814 , 849 in 187 O it reached last year to £ 1 , 248 , 403 . M . Victorien Sardou has completed a new piece—Les Bourgeois de Pontarsy—for the Paris Vaudeville , a sketch of bourgeois life in the provinces . The Athemeum says that the Princess of Wales
has expressed to Bro . Erasmus Wilson , in a very " graceful and flattering way , her appreciation of the liberality and public spirit which he has shown in defraying the cost ot transporting Cleopatra's Needle from Egypt to England . At a meeting of the Edinburgh Botanical Society on Thursday last week , the name of Oscar II ., King of Sweden , was unanimously placed on the list of
Royal Honorary Fellows . The Memoirs of Prince Metternich , which will soon be published , in eight volumes , will not contain the whole of the Prince ' s papers and correspondence . Part ofthe notes left behind by the Chancellor are written in a
diplomatic cypher of which the key cannot be found . An Art Exhibition is to be held in March at Bombay , which it is hoped will prove the first of a scries . It will be held in the building of the School of Art now being erected , and Lord Lytton has promised to lend a number of works .
FREE LIBRARIES . —The Bishop of London presided on Friday last at a meeting of the Metropolitan Free Libraries Committee , held at the London Library , St . James ' s-square . There were also present the Rev . W . Rogers , Mr . James Heywood , F . R . S ., Mr . Robert Harrison , Professor Leone Levi , Mr . E . J . Watherston , Mr . H . R . Tedder , and other members ; and Mr . E . B . Nicholson , secretary .
Some curious Manuscripts have been latel y discovered in the Jesuit College at Rome . When the Government took possession of the College , it was found that many valuable articles recorded in the library catalogue were missing , and for some time all search was vain , until two ex-Jesuits' offered to unearth the hiding-place . Accordingly some of the missing treasures were found
stowed away in an upper room between the floor and the ceiling of the room below , and it is believed that the remaindcr -re concealed in a similar manner . Amongst the MSS . found was a copy of thc constitution of the Society of Jesus , dated 1 J 93 , the only one known to exist ; a curious map-case , consisting of a cylindrical leather box with hinge
and lock , containing three sheaths enclosing maps , the oldest dated 1455 , and showing the seaports prominently ; and a " Florilegium "—coloured drawings of garden flowers—dated 1678 . The Jesuit Fathers refuse to acknowledge the concealment of any further MSS ., and the authorities are in doubt whether to pull the rooms to pieces or leave the result to chance .
A Clock modelled on the Famous Time-piece in Strassburg Cathedral is now being exhibited in Washington . The maker , when an apprentice at Strassburg in 18 47 , secretly copied the cathedral clock , and set it up in a deserted house . A malicious rival discovered his secret , and the apprentice was banished from the country , but he rcturneel in disguise and c . rrietl off his
treasure to London . He did not , however dare to exhibit the clock , anel eventually tlied mad , his wife and son subsequently selling it to its present owner . Memorial Cards across the Atlantic are now ornamented by a ship with black crape sails , the hull of the vessel being made of white rosebuds , and the masts of pansies , while a white dove , holding a spray of
forget-menots , surmounts the mainmast . BRITISH HANDICRAFT . — "An Art Workman " writes to The Timet : —Mr . J . P . Seddon , in The Times of Saturday last , complains that " art work in England at the presenttime is a myth . " In the name of aichitecture he breaks into lamentation that this should be , and
complacently charges the catastrophe upon the apathy of journeymen carvers and others because they have failed to become artists on workman ' s traelitions and workman ' s pay , and in other words , architects having habitually encouraged workmen to adopt a sterile antiquarianism corresponding with their own , affect astonishment that art is not
apparent in thc result . All this seems little less than mockery . An expedition having for its object the thorough examination of the natural resouces of Russian Turkestan is about to leave St . Petersburg . M . de Mieldendoif , the famous explorer of Siberia , and M . Smirnof , Conservator of the Botanical Museum of the University of
Kazan , will be among its members . —Alhenaum . The Baroness Burdett Coutts , who has been elected an associate of the Royal Historical Society , has made the library of the institution a magnificent present of books , including the publications ofthe Camden Society . TheEmpress of Austria is still at Cottesbrooke , where she hunts regularly , anil excites great admiration by the boldness with which she rides to hounds .