The Theatres.

The Theatres .

The well known and fashionable Gaiety Theatre most admirably de-crves the name of " Gaiety , "—taken from the French " Gaicte , " often called " Gaite , "—foi ^ it is a mo .-1 gay and pleasant house-. Under the " regime " nf Mr . Iloilingshead it has won a great reputation for a strong

company and attractive representations , many of which some of our readers will no doubt pleasurably recall . " Aladdin " is now its principal attraction , whii h has an interest for old ami young . It takes back the old In the "Arabian Nights rehearsed in bed ; " aslloni used to

say—The fairy tale in schooltime read , By stealth 'twixt verb and noun , or studied under the lid of a " scob" at Winchester Old School , as Sherer tells us so well and so charminly in his * ' Recollections of Egypt . " It delights the young in that , if they read anything at all just now , theysfill do condescend to approve of the " Arabian Nights . " But

" allons , " we will not be " shirty . " "Aladdin" is set forth with all that gorgcuiisuess of effect and minuteness of detail which delight the visitors and distinguish .-s the management of the Gaiety . Our excellent and able Bro . E . 'Terry is , as usual , inimitable ar . i unapproachable in his special line , and is nightly greeted with cheers and laughter all through lis unflagging and admirable impersonation of

the fell ' magician , Abauar . ir . Aladdin himself is well represented by the ' -verve" and freshness and buoyant energy of . Miss . Farren , always a " grata persona " to the full rows of the Gaiety . . Miss Kate Vaughan's very graceful acting as Ij . ulroiilaad ntr , and her still more graceful dancing , were the means of obtaining much hearty and wellmerited applause frequently repeated . Punch said a

little time back that -Miss Connie Gilchrist was both a " pro and enn " in her own person , which wc think is hardly a sufficient compliment to her . or a due representation of her undoubted powers and great popularity . As for the magician's slave , _ S '» Sli , Air . Koyce—we beg lis pardon , We believe he is Bro . Koyce fur us—he was simply appalling , and equally startled and delighted the audience ;

while Air . Dallas , as II re Ping , most decorously lamented " her late husband's time . " We need hardly say that the other characters , represented by All s Phillis Broughtnn and many more , were very ably rendered , and that the grouping and scenery were very effective . If we may judge by the hearty laughter and frequent encores , the full house departed hhrhly satisfied with an evening uf "harmless gaiety . " ...... it ¦

* v We have much p leasure in recording another triumph for the management of the . Queen ' s 'Theatre , Manchester , over the pantomime , entitled "Aladdin , " which has been written by Mr . J . V . Denny , ami ivhic )) has hern played to crowded houses at both morning and evening performances . Our old friends , Brn . Joe-jib llrnrewcll IPV . i-. v MustnVtn : Air . Charles Stevens , The Grand

I ';' - •/*/ ¦; and John K . Walton , Kairae ; are again to the fore and carrying everything l . cfnicthem , while the charming . Miss Grace liuutli-y again plays the lu-rnnf the pantomime . 'The scenery ( most of it painted by nur uld Iriend , Mr . W . R . Anting ) is very good , as are the costumes , which are certainly superior to those of last year . The dialogue is witty and in many respects original , but the

pleasure of the visitors is greatly enhanced , and the success nf the pantomime in-a great measure nt ' rihulable by the livis ' nuss thrown into it by those admirable artists , Messrs . Stevens and Bracewell . in say that the first named gentleman causes peals of laughter by his incessant drollery , lis quips and asides is lo ri-piat what all Manchester plaveoers are fully aware nf ,

whilst the activity and renewed youth which is displayed by an old friend Jar is a rail-e for wonder and diih . 'hl ; in fact , to see the Oueen ' i pantomime without these two comedians would be something akin tn witnessing " Hamlet " without the hern and / .. i . v / rv . . Miss Grace Huntley is to nur thinking , scarcely so vivacinusand lively as la-t year , neveitheless , she is earliest in her

endeavours In ma !; e the characters as intcic-ting as pus-• able . Air . J . K . Walton makes the most of his part , and cau-es a great deal of merriment by lis antics as the magician ' s slave . The ie , t of the character : are well sustained , mnl all seem to work with right goodwill to please their patrons , and to make the pantomime what it undoubtedly . a great succi-s . A notable feature is the willnw pattern

plate scene , wh ill is very prettv and deserving of praise tn the artist . Urn . Sjinng . 'The drews , ton , nf the ballet in this scene being <> f pale blue , trimmed with silver ornaments , harmonize with the icene , and make a charming / .. ;/ . ' citscmi'le . It is also in this scene that some score nf the ballet , who are not booted but clogged , execute a clog

dance a la I laverly AluistreL , finishing with statuesque tableaux , which , aided by the limelight , present a graceful foiiji-tl \ i .- ' . ' . 'These / . / . ' .. Vi . ' . 'u- were loudly applauded , and ! a portion had l . j be repeated . Altogether the courteous manager , Brn . J . C . F . murson , must be heartily congratulated on anuther triumph .

Notwithstanding all the counter attractions at the various places of amusement in the metropolis , the Alhambra still holds its own against all cnmeis . Since the production nf " Black Crook , " on 3 rd December last , nearly a quarter nf million nf people have been drawn by the " ciook" to sec the pretty opera . Brn . ILK . 11 . the P-ince nf Walts was then : one evening lately , as also

the Right I Inn . J . Brand , the Speaker ^ nf the House of Commons , who iloul . tlc-s found , after silting all day engaged nn the scheme nf reform of Parliamentary procedure , that a few hours in recreation tended tn ease the mind and prepare him forauniher day ' s w . irk . Mr . Harry Paulton , the writer nf the piece , although a prominent character as Dand -Una , lias not _ iven to himself sn

popular a |> art as was assigned lu him in the fast opera . . Perhaps the solos are reduced to give [ dace tn the ballets , of which there are now three , and certainly no expense seems to have been spared in puttinc them 011 the stage . 'The dances of Ihe premiere tlansea . c , Madaines Pt-rcival , Gilbert , anil Periolii , and the etlii ie . nt chorus cannot be too highly

spoken of . As we have already noticed this piece , we shall not again go over the ground by describing it minutely , but must add a word as to the singing of Aliss Lizzie Coote , who plays Gabriellc . Nor only in her duet with Air . Harry Paulton is she encored , but thrice is she called to sing her pretty song , " Nobody knows as 1 know , " every verse windin" up with " A woman is all make believe . " Wc don ' t

The Theatres.

know how our lady readers will agree with this , nor even , wc should hojie , our readers of the Craft . We trust that this is only the experience of the few . However , it brings much laughter during its singing from the audience . Bro . W . Holland has just been appointed manager of this theatre , and we shall be surprised if he does not try and

keej ) Miss Lizzie Coote permanently on the staff . This talented young lady is , together with her brothers and sis ' eis , a member of the Church and Stage Guild . Mr . Harry Paulino ' s song , " Where can my little brother be ?" is amusing in its words , which deal with the popular topics of the day . and has its own author to sing it . We wish the management every success .

Music.

Music .

M . Ambrose Thomas ' s " Mignon , " the fourth of the ojieras jirnduced by the Carl Rasa Canqiany this season , was jierfurmetl un Friday evening last , and much as had been expected by the public in the way of excellence , their expectations were more than realised . The opera is one well suited for adaptation to the I-mglish lyric stage , and , as it has already been played very ' frequently by the

company , the artistes were qtnteat home in their respective characters , the consequence being that a better performance , as a whole , has seldom been heard . Aliss Julia Gaylnrd looked and played the character of the heroine to perfection , while her singing , especial !} ' in the most pathetic passages , well merited the applause with which her successful efforts were greeted . Aliss Gcorgina Burns , as Filiiw . cntetcd

thoroughly into the spirit nf the character ; while so brilliant was her rendering of the polonaise " I am Titania , " that it had to be repeated . Bro . Barton AI'Guckin , who made his debut as Wilhelm , scored an undoubted success . As an actor , he exhibited but few signs of that inexperience one naturally looks for in the di'buianl , while his singing —as those who have enjoyed the privilege nf hearing him

in the concert room will readily imagine—was marked by genuine ability . . Messrs . Leslie Grotty and Lyall were admirable as Lothario and Larries respectively . Mr . Brooklyn played Antonio ; and Air . lletjcniann was ( M ' III-UI . . 'The chorus was effective , and the . orchestra , under the direction of Air . Pew , contributed their share to the general excellence of the performance .

Mr . Krncst Crookc , a pupil of Mr . J . Canodus , and Society of Arts scholar at the National Training School for . Music , gave a violin recital on Wednesday last , at the Royal Academy of Music . His style and execution created a very favourable impression among the numerous audience assembled . Air . Crookc was assisted by Aliss Annie . Marriott . Miss Edith . Millar , Air . Joseph Tapley , and Air . Herbert Sharpe . . * * a

On Thursday last a gran J ballad concert was given by Air . Clement Hoey , at the Royal Victoria Hall , Waterloo Bridge-road , 'There was an excellent programme provided , which was greatly appreciated by the audience .

Science.

Science .

Perhaps few things 111 the history of nicch . inic . science have proved « . i greater importance than the improvements that have been made of late years in the manufacture nf iron and steel ; the importance nf which , in its application to heavy drop hammers , and such like contrivances fur foi'gings , now required in the making , of heavy ordnance , marine engines , cX - 'c , has necessarily added considerably to the strain and wear and tear uf steam

hammers , tendering the use nf mild tough cast steel nf gnat value . Our esteemed Brn . Allan ( . ' . W ' ylie , nf S . j , Cannon-street , E . C , whose name is familiar in the world of int-i-hanir . il srienre in successfully raisin ; , ' sunken vessels , llnating docks , etc , has just patented some improvements in the cnnslructinii nf the well-known Cundie ' s moving' cylinder steam hammers , bv which means it will beara tensile strain

nf 31 tuns to the square inch , and this he guarantees to stand the hardest work they may be required In do fur a period of ten years , thus insuring the must perfect steam iinmincr in the world . Our worth y Bro . Wylie , while making the liberal arts and sciences lis study , " as . Masons are encouraged to do in the performance of .. their Alasonic duties , " has not neglected thuse other important duties

required of Alas .. ns , which is at once the foundation and c-opcstniii' of our whole Masonic structure , having served all the offices in Ihe lodge , the Gresham , Nn . Snq , and held Grand ( hire in the Province of I It-its , and is this year one of the Stewards to the Royal Alasonic Benevolent Institution . Alay he be as successful in his benevolent efforts fur the Institution as he has hitherto been in Ins mechanical genius , v . e feel sure , is the fervent desire of all who know him . i * * *

Last week ' s Knowledge contains an interesting article on a recently published treatise by Col . A ' oung , Professor nf Astinnnmy in the College nf New Jersey , U . S . A ., on " 'The Sun . " In a footnote reference is made to the adoption by that learned ptofessor nf the following curious illustrations employed by Professor Alindenhall for the purpose of conveying something like a finite idea of the

distance of our earth from the centre of the planetary system . " If , " says the latter , " we could imagine an infant with an arm lung enough to enable him to touch the sun and burn himself , he would die nf old age before the pain could reach him , since , according to the experiments of llehiiholtz and others , a nervous shock is communicated only at the rate of about inn feet per second , ur 1 , 637 miles a day , and would

need more than 150 years lo make the journey . Sound would du it in about fciirlcvn years if it could be transmitted through celestial space , and a cannon ball in about nine , if it were to move uniformly with the same speed as when it left the muzzle of the gun " —the initial velocity of a shut from a rillei cannon is between 1 sno and 1600 feet per

second . A further illustration by Professor Young himself is [ ironotinced by the editor of our contemporary In he " still more impressive . " It is as follows : "While the earth is travelling twenty miles along her circular path , her path deviates from the tangent at the first point nf the arc nf twenty miles by only nne-eighth nf an inch . This is the distance which the sun , with all lis tremendous attractive energy , draws the earth towards him in a second of time . "

Science.

Thc . sanicjoumnl contains an article by the editor on the " Precession of the Equinoxes , " in which note is taken of a method for determining the age of the Great Pyramid , which , for architectural and ether reasons , has so many attractions for members of our Craft . It seems that the star "Alpha Draconis " or " 'Thuban " was nearest the Pole about 2700 years n . c . —the word " aero" is used , but

obviously this is an error— " but , nf course , it was the Pule Star for a long time before and after the period when it was nearest the Pule ( just as Alpha of the Little Bear is now the Pole Star , though some 300 years will elapse before it is at its nearest to the Pole ) . " In determining the age of the Great Pyramid , the Editor takes this " Alpha Draconis " when it is at a certain definite distance

from the Pole , namely 3 - 40 ' , and irom it as a centre with the distance slated as his radius describes on an accompanying map , a circle which cuts the pole in two points , one of which corresponds to about 3350 years B . C ., the other to about 2170 li . c . Now , "either of these , " he goes on to say , " would correspond with the position of the descending

passage in the Great Pyramid ; but Egyptologists tell us there can also lately be no doubt that " ( lie later epoch is far too late . If , then , we regard the slant passage as intended to bear on the Pole Star at its sub-polar passage , we get ( lie date of the Pyramid assigned as about 3350 years il . c , with a probable limit of error of not more than 200 years either way . "

At the . meeting of the Royal Asiatic . Society , held 011 . Monday afternoon , the chair was taken , in the unavoidable absence of the President , Sir Thos . Is Colebrookc , Bart ., ALP ., by Alajor-Gencral Sir Henry C . Rawlinson , K . C . B ., F . R . S . Manv ladies were iirc-sent .

and the ballot was taken for the election of new members . Several presentations to the Society were announced and received due acknowledgment . Sundry papers were read and discussed , and the meeting then adjourned to the 20 th February .

* 3 * * We learn from the Alheinvum that the British stations fixed for the observation of the transit nf A ' enus on the Oth nf December next , are Jamaica and Barbuda , I one of the Caribbcc Islands , in the ' West Indies , the Bermudas and the Falklands , the Cape of Good Hope , Aladagascar , New Zealand , and Sydney and . Melbourne in Australia . If the weather is favourable , the first part of the transit will be visible in England , especially in the south-western counties .

\\ c gather from the same auilioritv that Mr . Ellis , of . Manchester , offers a premium of £ 500 tor the best approved system of electric lighting . < :. * * Lieutenant-Colonel J . Is O . Donnelly . U . K ., has succeeded Air . Norman AJcI . eod as Assistant Secretary to the Science and Art Department , South Kensington . « « t »

Ihe Zoological Sociei y of New South Wales which has been highl y . successful in its attempts to introduce trout and perch into that part of Australia , are now renewing their efforts to introduce salmon , and to that end have applied for and received from the United States Fish Commission two boxes , containing 411 , 000 ova . These have been safely deposited in hatching boxes at liowenftis .

Art.

Art .

Mr . Ilcn .-y Woods , painter , and Mr . G . Is Ilodley , architect , have been elected Associates of the Royal Academy . ts » n The dinner to Mr . Walts , R . A ., which was to have taken place at the Grosvenor Gallery on Wednesday , has been indefinitely postponed .

s * * According lo the Alliemrm , and on the authority of Ihe French Monitcur ties Arts , AL Altissonitr , who has recovered from his recent severe illness , refused an offer of Sii . noo francs , made him b y an amateur , for a portrait he made during lis illness of himself , sick , wrapped in a dressing gown , and reclining nn a fauteuil .

« <* The deaths are announced of M . Wiy , Frcnch paiulor and designer , M . Client , decorative painter , M . de l . nngptrier , French numismatist , and SignorDupr * -, Italian sculptor , who , though of French extraction , was born at Sienna .

» S ; i The Municipality of Nice has agreed on a loan of ten million francs for a school of art , the rebuilding of the theatre , the terrible conflagration of which is , no doubt , still in the recollection of our readers , and other improvements .

< s ; s if In a letter which appeared in a recent number of the Academy , Mr . AV . Al . Flinders Pelrie describes at length the result of the excavations he had been carryfn " on at the " Gheezch Pyramids , in October and November last , under the authorisation nf AL Alaspero , "not for obtaining portable antiquities , but for deciding nuestinno

uf architecture and measurement . " From this we learn that in the case of the Great P yramid , the casing and pavement " have been found in situ , at about the middle of the west , east , and south sides ; it was alread y exposed on the north side , on which alone it has been hitherto known . " As to the second Pyramid , it appears that its " peribnlus walls " have been " cleared in nn ,,,.

parts , showing that they are all carefull y built and not of ' heaped stone rubbish , ' as had hitherto been supposed . Also , the so-called ' lines of stone rubbish' on the west side uf the pyramid prove to be all built walls , forming a series of long galleries , about sixty in number , each about 100 ft . long , 9 ft . wide , and 7 ft . high , with ends and thresholds of

hewn limestone . " 1 hexe , Air . Pt-trie says , would serve to house two or three thousand men , and he conjectures they may have been the workmen ' s barracks . Somewhat similar discoveries have been made at the third Pyramid , and it is later on added , as an important fact , that " the Great Pyramid proves to be several feet smaller than hitherto supposed .