Science, Art, And The Drama.

Science , Art , and the Drama .

REMARKABLE APPLICATIONS OF ELECTRICITY . Althoug h modern scientific investigators have devoted much attention to Electricity we are , probably , as far as ever from knowing what this mysterious power really is . All that has been obtained is a fairly complete knowledge of its ways of working , and with this knowledge has come a rapid extension of its industrial applications , since it has been found to be a natural force which is pre-eminently adaptable and easily controlled .

, Great improvements may confidently be looked for in the near future , especially in the cheapness of its production , and there is the possibility of discoveries which may appear to us as wonderful as the telegraph and telephone when these were first introduced . Even now , when electrical engineering may be said to be but in its infancy , electricity is being used in a ereat variety of minor ways , besides its more prominent uses in

telegraphy , telephony , and public and private lighting . As a motor power it is rapidly taking the place of steam for putting in motion machinery of all kinds , though , as yet , steam power has to be used in the first place , for its production . The use of electricity for household purposes has hardly got beyond the experimental stage , save in the department of lighting , but enough has been done to show what a transformation _ may be worked by itThen the

its aid when it will be possible to have houses heated by . mere turning on of a switch will suffice , and the current passing through a suitable heater , which may be as ornamental as means and taste permit , or , if desired , entirely concealed , will do the rest , superseding fires , with all their attendant trouble , smoke , and dust . With regard to cooking there are numerous appliances already devised , and

, only waiting for the cheapening of the current to be widely taken advantage of . Each cooking utensil , being constructed with the heating coil as part of it , is its own stove , and the whole array of pots and pans need only to have the connection made , and the cooking can go on under the most perfect control . Some of the possible arrangements even appear to put a ' premium on laziness , for , with the food put in the cooking utensils at night , and the

necessary connections made , the turning of a switch in the morning in the bedroom starts the cooking of-the breakfast . A New York lady is . said to have so contrived matters , that she can before getting out of bed start a fire in the kitchen by turning on the current , and when she comes downstairs find the kettle boiling , and the place comfortably warmed . The heating powers of the electric current are also turned to account , for raising to the desired temperature hand-stamps , curling-irons , branding-irons , and

the like , while in large laundries electrically heated irons have been found very economical , as they maintain for hou r s at a time the exact amount of heat suitable for the work , thus saving the ironers much time and trouble . The electric light lends itself admirably to household decoration . Among other curious displays is a table jel / y , illuminated by a light shining through the mass from the centre , and when the dish , at first hidden by a silver cover and a mass of flowers , is suddenly uncovered , the effect is very striking . Edison is said on one occasion to have had on the table an aquarium , in

which were gold fish , each of which had in some way been made to swallow a tiny electric lamp , connected with a dynamo by a hair-like wire passing out of its mouth . When the current was turned on the fish presented a strange appearance , their delicate bodies showirg all the minute details of their anatomy . The use of very small secondary batteries provides means for startling effects in personal decoration , by lighting up jewels and

flowers , as has been largely done on the stage : and even walking sticks have been furnished with small incandescent lamps . Medical science has called electricity to its assistance in many ways . Various surgical instruments are heated by it , and the use of very small incandescent lamps , which give out practically no heat , permits more extended examination

of internal parts , than is passible in any other way . The use of the microphone has revealed sounds in the heart , lungs , and other organs , which have hitherto escaped the most sensitive ear , using the ordinary instruments . In Russia , a lady was saved from premature burial , by means of a microphone placed over her heart , which enabled a medical man to detect a faint b ; at , which had escaped the ordinary tests . ( To be continued . )

Our Early English Architecture.

OUR EARLY ENGLISH ARCHITECTURE .

The Saxon style begins to be defined by flat and round arches , by some undulating zigzags on certain old fabrics , and by a few olher characteristics , all evidences of barbarous and ignorant times . Not that the round arch is a proof of ignorance , but being so natural it is simply , when unaccompanied by any graceful ornament , a mark of a rude age—if attended by misshapen and heavy decorations , a certain mark of it . It is allowed by

by those who have investigated the history of architfdu-e among the Saxons , that very few churches of that early date are now seen above ground , and that crypts and door cases supply the most authentic evidence . These in many most curious instances are sufficiently known to the architectural antiquary . Who that has examined the workmanship of capitals , door cases , bas reliefs , and soffits of arches , or the carvings of fonts , all of

which have a confirmed reference to the Saxon era , will hastily condemn them as " heavy or misshapen ornaments . " Malmesbury , to cite no other instance , will vindicate such specimens from that censure in particular . S : veralof the ornaments of the door-cases resemble those we see adopted in the Roman mosaic , and the finishing , so far from being coarse , approaches to

delicacy . The leading marks of distinction between the Saxon and the Anglo-Norman style , immediately consequent upon ir , does not depend upon the arches , for in both they are circular . The arcades of St . Frideswyde ( now Oxford Cathedral ) , and of Waltham Abbey , are exclusively Saxon according to the learned Mr . King , whose authority was highly valued . But a chief peculiarity ( continued certainly by the Normans ) was lhe carvings on the soffits of the arches and the placing a bas-relief of our

Our Early English Architecture.

Saviour , generally as sitting , in the round head of the door-case so as ti leave the door itself of an oblong shape . The Anglo-Norman period may be comprised between the reigns of Edward the Confessor and that of Henry I ., when several of the cathedrals were first rebuilt , with greatly increased dimensions and simpler ornaments in the moulding . The pointed arch , peculiar to Gothic architecture , was certainly intended as an

improvement on the circular , and the men who had not the happiness of lighting on the simplicity and proportion of the Greek orders , were , however , so lucky as to strike out a thousand graces and effects , which rendered their buildings magnificent , vast yet light , venerable and picturesque . It is difficult for the noblest Grecian temple to convey half so many impressions to the mind as a cathedral does of the best Gothic taste—a proof of skill in the architects

and of address in the priests who erected them . One must have taste to bs sensible of the beauties of Grecian architecture ; one only wants passions to feel Gothic . In St . Peter ' s one is convinced that it was built by great princes—in Westminster Abbey one thinks not of the builder , the religion of the place makes the first impression . Gothic churches infuse superstition—Grecian admiration . The papal see amassed its wealth by Gothic cathedrals , and displays it in Grecian temples . ( To be continued . )

Lyric Theatre.

LYRIC THEATRE .

Those who remember the perfect ensemble obtained in the first play without words seen in London for many years , " L'Enfant Prodigue , " the complete sympathy of expression and gesture between the pantomimists and the composer , must , we think , be ready to acknowledge that " A Clown's Christmas , " which has been produced at a matinee at the Lyric Theatre , is not of the same merit , either as regards the dramatic capabilities of the

story , the capacity of the company concerned , or the intimate appropriateness of the music . It is not , however , lacking in some of the essentials that make for success , and the pantomime of S'gnor Egidio Rossi alone marks the latest production as one of some note . The story , arranged by M . Fernand Beissier , is a pretty and simple one , although we are inclined to the belief that the original French version , if less acceptable to an English

audience , contained certain elements which made it far more convincing , as a mere matter of stage representation . We are introduced to a retired and lame clown , who , on the eve of Christmas , is saddened by the thoughts of past activity and triumphs , and who , hanging out his stocking , half in jest , regards the little girl waif who comes to his door , as a gift from Santa Claus . Time passes , and the ragged child has developed into Francetta

a celebrated dancer , who is loved by the clown as his own child . B > ic she . in turn , has fallen in love with a young musician , and the guardian , with the jealousy of a parent's affection , drives the lovers into the street . It is Christmas Eve again , five years later , and those who , according to the English version , hive committed no other fault than that of falling in love , return as man and wife . They manage to place their child before the old

fellow , so that he shall see her on awaking . Her image is that of the infant he adopted in the days gone by ; his heart is softened , and forgiveness is offered to the couple , who seem to have done nothing more wicked than loving and marrying . As already remarked , Signor Rossi gives a pantomimic rendering of the character of the clown , which is in all points excellent ; and the part of the little child is presented by Petite Marcelle , which is indeed charming , while Mile . Lucia Carmani is equally successful as a

retired Columbine , who acts as housekeeper to the clown . Mine . Zanfretta , however , somewhat fails to suggest the Fanette of th » author ' s fancy , and theloverof Signor Pome is by no means a notable effjrt . The nvisic of Signor V . Monti is tunelet } , it i > true , but at the same time wondrously reminiscent ; the score lacks individuality , and the orchestration is more iver decidedly thin . However , it should be added that " A Clown ' s Cnristmas " was received with ¦ the utmost favour , and that all concerned were the recipients of cordial approval .

GENERAL NOTES . The Crystal Palace authorities have become tired of providing free daily orchestral concerts without receiving public appreciation , and have wisely decided to discontinue them . Considering that the music was always of the highest class , and rendered by a band costing about ^ 8000 a year to maintain , and that no charge was made for seats , it is surprising that such scanty patronage has been accorded to the entertainment . » * * * An interesting person has just died in Mr . William Wearner , head of the famous firm of bell-founders , who , some 35 years ago , cast " Big Ben "

for the clock in the tower in . the House of Commons . Many living scientific and musical men remember being present at an inspection of the bell before it was hung . The late Dr . Gauntlett was also there , and he declared

there was a defect , and that the bell would crack when hung . No one took much notice of his remarks at the time , but , sure enough , in a few days after the bell was hung it had cracked , and a further sum of £ 750 was thereby entailed on the original contract of ^ "too .

We are delighted to note that charming Miss Decima Moore is back at her old home—the Savoy Theatre . The rdleol Scent of Lillies in " The Rose of Persia , " which she is now filling , ought to suit her dainty singing and acting to perfection . * * * * On 19 th May the Ochestral Association , of which Sir Arthur Sullivan is

president , will give a War concert , and Madame Melba has generously agreed to sing . Most of the best players in our concert and theatre bands belong to the association , which , although not exactly a trade union , is able toexeicise a powerful influence in cases of hardship , to which individuals might otherwise have to submit .

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