The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Mr . William Duck , the owner of the copyright of "Our Boys , " will put up the late Bro . Byron ' s famous p iece at the Criterion on August 13 th probably . For nearly three years did this run at the Vaudeville , where it was produced and played by Bros . Thos . Thorne and David James . The latter resumes his old character of the retired

butterman , and will be supported by Miss Rose Saker , Miss Viney , and other members of the Criterion company . This p lay may be said never to be stale ; it is written for all times , and no one can resist laughing heartily over its fun . We think in the off-season it is better to re-produce a wellknown piece than bring out a new one , and we wish Mr . Duck success .

Miss Melnotte has re-opened her house with a somewhat old play , Mr . F . C . Burnand ' s "The Colonel , " which had one ot the longest runs on record at the old Prince of Wales ' s before its demolition . We think "The Colonel" ranks next to "Our Boys" for the number of its performances . At the time this piece was written , the

aesthetic craze was the order of the day , and probably Mr . Burnand did a great deal to kill the worship of the lily , the dado , the sunflower , and the terra cotta colour and style of dress , assisted by Messrs . Gilbert and Sullivan's opera " Patience . " But though asstheticism is dead , we are not prepared to say that the revival of "The Colonel " is unwarranted . One can laugh at it still when one recollects the object which brought it into existence .

Mr ; Edgar Bruce resumes his old , but not original , part , and in nothing does he shine so well as in this . Mr . Herbert is in his original character , whilst Miss Helen Leyton and Miss Susie Vaughan , and Miss Melnotte and Bro . Frank Wyatt support other characters . VVe think there are many who will be glad of the opportunity of witnessing this , the only play which her Majesty the Queen has seen since the death of the Prince Consort , when it was played at Sandringham by special command .

Last Friday the Court Theatre closed its doors for ever . We never mingled with a more enthusiastic audience than the one which assembled that evening to witness the first acts of " The Schoolmistress , " " Dandy Dick , " and " The Magistrate , " all the three amusing pieces which Bro . Pinero has written ior Bros . Clayton and Cecil to

such advantage to all concerned . It might have been the trial night of a new play , or the farewell at the Lyceum . Loud calls were continuously made for the lessees , Mrs . John Wood , Miss Norreys , and the rest of the company . In the middle , Bro . Clayton made a speech and announced that he hopes to open a new Court Theatre early next year near to the old one , with the Court company , which was

welcome news to all . Though Bro . Cecil gives up tbe partnership to take a long holiday , we have the satisfaction of learning that he will probably re-join as an actor . Bro . Clayton also informed us that Bro . Pinero has undertaken to write the opening piece in the meanwhile . After a short holiday , "Dandy Dick" will be played at Toole's Theatre until December . At the close Bro . Cecil was called

for and had to say a few words , then Mrs . John Wood was specially called , and every one left wishing well to Bro . Clayton in his new career . We expect a good many minds travelled back to the old days of Bro . Wilson Barrett , and poor Marie Litton , whose career was cut short far too soon , who successively were ideas of the dear old Court Theatre .

# « # We take a somewhat different view of Mr . Hawtrey's new play " The Doctor , " which was produced at the Globe Theatre on Saturday last , from many of our contemporaries . Many of the Press and of those present on the first night seem to be prejudiced against Mr . F . C . Burnand ' s adaptation of " La Doctoress , " and

attribute their non-approval on account of the misfortunes which have attended its production . "The Doctor" was announced to be brought out on the 2 nd instant , then postponed to another dale , and then again put off . These incidents , combined with the hot weather , are calculated to militate against any play , and we think , considering the disagreements which arose with several of the people

originally cast for the play , it would have been better to have withdrawn it altogether until autumn . However , Mr . Hawtrey evidently is not of this opinion . His speech , on Saturdayafterthe fallof the curtain , which , in the first place , was quite unnecessary , was not in the best of taste , for , instead of apologising for the different postponements , the lessee seems to have tried to dictate to the public that a

manager is at liberty to produce a play how and when he chooses . This the people naturally resented . No one ivoulddispute a manager ' s rights , but it is exceedingly inconvenient to announce a date and then change it several times . We hold that a manager should not announce the hrst night of a new play until he has got all his company complete , and the play properly rehearsed ready for the

public to witness it . Notwithstanding all the unpleasantness which has arisen between Mr . Hawtrey and two or three ° f those engaged in the play , we believe that "The Doctor " Will prove to be a success , and we shall be surprised if it does not rank next to the "Private Secretary . " Of all Mr . Mawtrey ' s productions , certain are we that it will have a

'oncer run than "Ihe Pickpocket , " " The Snowball , " or fl ?^ u * " " e more recent pieces which have lately occupied M , ? ards of the Glol > e Theatre . Great credit is due to I r * demand for his skilful adaptation of what , in French , s a very risk y play , quite unfit for English audiences . As int ' ' - ' lave a P ' . y healthy and decidedly amusing and eresting comedy , to which not anyone can take exception .

there is not a line of an improper nature in it . Mr . wh ^ ° f course > cannot forbear bringing in his puns , "Th fl ometimes border on the burlesque , but we think „ : „" ° ctor " the next best play this popular author has Kv < = n us since " The Colonel . " l'he plot is simple , and not YJ -. L . ¦* - * - *¦ "c lAjiuuct . 1 uc piuLib simple , anu nut

an ( J . lesson . Mrs . Blossom is a Doctor of Medicine , she n ' tt 1 ~* of acter , d ' ng to her domestic duties as a wife ben It * neg ' tcts ber home , and treats her husband as be saM \ ° ' P - Mr . Blossom is effeminate , and may Natur-11 the woman > wh ' Mrs - Blossom is the man . U 3 L " X' Mr . Blossom seeks for society outside , and es the acquaintance of a family of acrobats , who do

The Theatres.

their best , father , sons , and daughters , to force him into an alliance with one of the daughters , not knowing he is married . These people live in a flat ; on the floor above them is a lady whom the Doctor is attending . Mr . Blossom is at a dinner party at the professional ' s house . The eldest daughter , a woman of great muscular power , being so angry lhat he has not

proposed to her youngest sister , lays violent hands on Mr . Blossom . The aid of a doctor being called in ; of course , the medical person being Mrs . Blossom , M . D ., who discovers where her husband spends his time . He is about to leave his own home , expecting his wife will apply for a divorce ; but she will not satisfy the scandalmongers , and sensibly decides to give up medicine , and attend to her

husband and his home . Mr . Penley is the henpecked husband , and we believe he will get another " Curate " out of his part . His facial expressions and droll delivery are very comical , and exactly suitable to this clever actor . Bro . VV . J . Hill , as the doctor ' s faotman , is not nearly so happy in his character ; but we are sure such a capable actor as Bro . Hill is he will before long get a lot out of his part ,

although Mr . Penley , no doubt , has the cream of the play . Miss Fanny Enson , a lady whom Londoners are not familiar with , but who is well known in the provinces , is the lady doctor , and plays it in a most dignified manner . VVe welcome her to London , where she is a decided acquisition to the ranks of the stage . On the first night she , like the rest , was very nervous , and well she might be , when two

ladies had already rehearsed her part , and been taken out of the cast . Miss Cissy Grahame has asmall character as the maid servant at the flat , and plays her part excellently with the same care she always does , and wins golden opinions from every one . No matter what Miss Grahame plays , she always wins the sympathy of her audience , and has rapidly come to the front . Mr . Kemble , as a foreign count , is not

so happy in his rendering , for frequently his broken English cannot be understood . A Miss Dearing is the young lady of the acrobatic family who tries to inveigle Mr . Blossom into marriage . She not only is extremely pretty , but acts very nicely and dresses with excellent taste , and we think we may predict a future for her . We do not recollect ever having seen Miss Dearing before ; but we shall hope to do so again many times . On the second night we found the company

rid of their nervousness , and "The Doctor" going along swimmingly when the noisy claque were absent . First nights have of late become too often bear gardens , where authors , managers , and players are bull-baited . The conduct of a minority is becoming unbearable , and some means will have to be adopted to prevent the unseemly and unnatural interruptions . We think if our readers will go to the Globe—which is a rather coo ! house—they will agree with one on the whole favourable notice of " The Doctor . "

: S w w ' "Shadows of a Great City , " the new melodrama at the Princess ' s , which Miss Grace Hawthorne , the American actress , has chosen to open her term of the house , is a play most interesting to those who do not care for first-class literary work or mind the plot , but who like plenty of sensation and excitement . They have these to

any extent in the American drama which is drawing goodly numbers despite the hot weather , to at least the cheaper portions of the theatre . There is nothing new in the plot , which consists in an orphan girl being the heiress of a fortune . A blackguard cousin tries to get her made away with that he may inherit the money . He offers a large sum to another villain to drown her , but , of course ,

when the child is thrown in the water there is a hero to jump in and rescue her , who takes her home , brings her up , and falls in love with her ; but just when they are about to be married he is arrested by the bad cousin ' s orders on some charge of robbery and sent to prison . The young woman is then made acquainted with her fortune which this man has been enjoying , and who offers her marriage

that he may keep her money in his hands : she , of course , spurns his overtures . In a moment she is thrust into an open strong room , the great iron door is shut on her , but his co-villain has stolen the key in order that he may commit burglary , to get at the silver plate therein . In the dead of the night the thief enters at the window , and when he opens the safe to clear off the plate the girl falls

out on the fl . or , at which the burglar is so frightened that he escapes . The hero escapes from prison just in time to save the young lady , and the wicked cousin is handed over to the police . The idea of the safe is a novel one , and perhaps is the strongest part in the piece . Miss Mary Rorke is the heroine , and well she plays her part , which suits her . Bro . Harry Nicholls is the ne ' er-do-well who

saves the young lady from being suffocated in the strong room when he enters the house for the purpose of robbery , and plays with all his accustomed energy and wins the plaudits of his audience , as he does at Drury Lane . Mr . J . H . Barnes is the hero , and , of course , is manly as he always is , but it seems a pity that he should have such a part after his late appearance as Macbeth . Miss Lewis , an American , is good as an Irish woman , but overdoes her

part , there is a little too much Miss Lewis . Whilst we see many theatres are closed , we do not see why " Shadows of a Great City " should not enjoy a run . Miss Hawthorne promises to produce "Theodora" in the autumn , but she has not confided in us who is to play the title role . Mrs . Bernard Beere , who is supposed to be the English Sarah Bernhardt , is busy on her own account , and we cannot call to mind an English actress who is so suitable , but Miss Hawthorne will show us one later on .

Afire was discovered at Easton Hall , Dunmow , the seat of Bro . Lord Brooke , Prov . G . M . of Essex , on Monday night , and damage to a considerable extent was done before the flames were extinguished . The Philadelphia Keystone announces that Bro . M . H . Henderson , a District D . G . M . of Pennsylvania , is the fortunate possessor of a lodge summons issued on Sth

October , 1761 , by the "Officers Lodge of the 57 th Regiment" —No . 41 , " Ancients " —and addressed to Ensign Cruickshank , whom it calls upon to attend a meeting of the lodge at its room in Charlebourg , Canada , the following evening . The same journal announces that Bro . Charles L . Chapin , of Greenwich Lodge , No . 497 , has

recently presented Bro . James A . Campbell , W . M . Mount Horeb Lodge , No . 528 , Philadelphia , wi'h a Masonic relic of George Washington , including a letter written by that illustrious brother , dated 10 th August , 1782 , and therefore more than a year before the letter written by Washington which has hitherto been regarded as the oldest Masonic epistolary relic of the great man .

Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

At the quarterly meeting of the Border Rose Croix Chapter , No . 102 , held at the Masonic Hall , Whitehaven , on Wednesday , the 20 th inst ., Bro . Dr . Chas . Gore Ring , iS ° , was elected M . W . S ., and Bro . R . J . Nelson , 18 , Treasurer . The meeting of the National Rifle Association

at Wimbledon terminated on Saturday last , when the prizes were distributed by H . R . H . the Duchess of Albany . Vermont has 900 Masonic Knights Templar , Sir Knight D . M . Bacon being the present Grand Commander , and Sir Knight Warren G . Reynolds , Grand Recorder .

Her Majesty has approved the appointment of Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro G . Master of England , and Prov . G . Master of Somersetshire , as Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire , in place of the Marquis of Winchester , deceased .

The Naval Review at Spithead , the last of the great Jubilee celebrations , took place on Saturday last , under the most favourable conditions , and before the day was over the Queen expressed her gratification with the splendid appearance of the fleet and the efficiency of the crews .

The Queen has been pleased to confer the dignity of a baronet upon Bro . Charles Dalrymple of Newhailes , M . P ., P . G . M . of Argvleshire and the Isles , and Bro . William Pearce , of Cardell , M . P ., P . G . M . of Glasgow , and the distinction of a companionship of the Bath , Civil Division , upon Bro . Sir Albert Woods ( Garter ) , Grand Director of Ceremonies .

tsro . J . Wetherell , W . M . of St . Helen ' s Lodge , No . 531 , Hartlepool , who died on the 27 th May last , was held in high esteem by his Masonic brethren . At the time of his death he held the different offices of W . M . of the Craft Lodge , Scribe E . of St . Helen's Chapter , No . 531 , S . D . of Eclectic Lodge of Mark Masons , VVest Hartlepool , and was P . P G . Stwd . of Durham . He was well known , and very highly respected as a worthy Mason , and is widely and deeply regretted .

The Prince and Princess of VVales have signified their intention to Bro . Sir Charles Warren , Chief Commissioner of Metropolitan Police , of becoming patrons of the Ladies' Fund for the relief of disabled and sick members of the Police Force , and , in order to do this more effectually , their Royal Highnesses will extend their patronage to a concert to be held during the coming winter in behalf of the said Fund .

Miss Emily M . Foxcroft , onl y daughter of Bro . Wm . M . Foxcroft , W . M . 20153 , and P . M . 177 , was successful in gaining a scholarship for vocalization at the competition of the L . A . M . at Westminster Town Hall on Tuesday , the 5 th inst ., and was bracketed with Miss Lelia Dufour for the first two silver medals for her rendition of " O Mio Fernando " at St . George's Hall , Langham-place , on Friday , the 22 nd inst ., at the annual examination of the L . A . M .

The Victoria Lodge , No . 1056—Bro . J . P . Allen , VV . M . —had a most enjoyable outing with the ladies on Thursday , the 21 st inst ., at Bentley Priory . After a delightful day spent in the lovely grounds , and a comfortable dinner , the company were very successfully photographed by Bro . Vernon Heath , of Piccadilly , and Bro . Parkes , and returned by special saloon carriages , all exceedingly pleased with their outing .

the Prince and Princess of Wales , with their sons and daughters , were present at the marriage at St . James's , Piccadilly , on Monday , of the Hon . C . R . Spencer , half brother of Earl Spencer , with the Hon . M . Baring , second daughter of Lord and Lady Revelstoke . Their Royal Highnesses subsequently attended the wedding breakfast at Lord Revelstoke ' s house in

Charlesstreet , Berkeley-square . Bro . the Duke and Duchess of St . Albans , and Bros , the Earl of Devon and Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe being among the other guests . The Royal Yacht Squadron , of which H . R . H . the Prince of Wales is Commodore , have resolved on celebrating the Queen ' s Jubilee by giving three prizes of the

aggregate value of , fSoo , for a race to be sailed from Cowes round the Nab Light , Cherbourg Breakwater , and Eddystone Lighthouse , back to Cowes , on the Sth August , all yachts , whether home or foreign , of no less than 30 tons register , to be eligible to compete . The yachts will be classified , and the prizes will be awarded under certain conditions .

The Fourth Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Home for Free and Accepted Masons , Philadelphia , was held on Friday , the 24 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , under the presidency of Bro . L . Wagner . The report showed that the fund of 25 , 000 dollars ( £ 5000 ) had been raised : the mortgage of 12 , 000 dollars (^ 2400 ) paid off before maturity ; and the 10 , 000 dollars ( £ ' 2000 ) of the

permanent fund which had been sold to pay for the property bought last year , would be restored . There are now 16 inmates of the Home and 3 applicants . The balance in hand on the ist June last was over 11 , 340 dollars , the assets 45 , 865 dollars , and the liabilities 1527 dollars . The expenses for the new year are estimated at 5000 dollars . A resolution was agreed to , having for its object

to incorporate this Home for Free and Accepted Masons with the Masonic Home for Pennsylvania which was chartered in May , 1 S 71 . The principal officers for the year are Bros . Louis Wagner , President , George W . Kendrick , jun ., Vice-President , Thomas R . Patton , Treasurer , and Thomas Jacobs , Secretary . Messrs . Philp and Co . have introduced a

preparation which they name the One and All , " a plate and glass polish , which appears to fully bear out the character given . It is free from grit , mercury , or any other injurious substance , even when the strongest acids have been applied . The stains are easily removed by means of the powder without a sign of scratching . For cleaning mirrors , show cases , plate , jewels , & c , it is invaluable .