The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Not a more interesting- play lias been brought out lately in London than "Impulse , " with which the St . James ' s has re-opened its doors . From the outset the attention of the audience is arrested , and this is continued throughout . Mr . Stephenson , the author , has borrowed from the French " La Maison du Mari " for the foundation of his new work . The first act is full of rapid action ,

and is chiefly occupied in setting forth a crisis in the life of Mrs . Macdonald , the young and indiscreet wife of Colonel Macdonald . Mrs . Macdonald has married the colonel , while she was yet fascinated with her lover , Victor Riel , and is unfortunate enough to be still thrown into this gentleman ' s society . Happily , she has her father , Sir Henry Aucklandand her sister , Mrs . Beresford , a charming

, widow , to watch over her interests . In the midst of De Kiel's entreaties that she will fulfil her half promise and elope with him , and while she is still fighting for the mastery , a telegram is put in her hand , to the effect that her husband is on his way home , and may be expected any moment ' . She feels she dare not meet him , though guilty she is not yet in act . De Riel sees his opportunity , presses

her into yielding , and makes her consent to drive off at once in his carriage , whilst , to avoid suspicion , he goes by train to their final destination . Mrs . Beresford discovers her flight directly afterwards , and in her despair she confides in her faithful , but foolish lover , Captain Crichton , who at once rides off to intercept the fugitives . Then , in order to get rid of De Reil ,

while he interviews Mrs . Macdonald , he sends a fictitious telegram from the lady to the gentleman , and is the first ' to reach the inn , where the runaways are to meet . In the meanwhile the colonel has arrived at his father-in-law ' s home , Mrs . Beresford making all kinds of excuses for her absence . News is now brought that Sir Henry has been thrown from his horse . Miss Kihnore ' s , the village

gossip , malicious ^ ton gue , hints that something is wrong , and Mrs . Beresford i s compelled to give up the note Mrs . Macdonald had left behind her . Her husband learns her intended sin , and though he is in time to prevent it , allows her to return home to nurse her sick father , but makes her clearly understand that he cannot take her back into his heart , but he will treat her with respect and kindness . In

the other acts we learn that De Riel has on his father's death become a count , and changed his name , follows Mrs . Macdonald to Paris , whither she , her husband , father and sister have gone to reside . The colonel has never met him . Sir Henry is left blind and partially deaf after his accident , so De Riel insists on renewing his acquaintance , and to this end compels Mrs . Macdonald to introduce him to

her husband under his new title , threatening her that if she refuses he will make himself known to the colonel and compel him to fight a duel . The scene in which this introduction takes place is striking , but De Riel becomes cruel to a degree . The wife is only anxious to win back her husband ' s love and affection , but he literally keeps her at arm ' s length . The identity of De Riel and the count is at

last discovered by the colonel who lays p lans to trap them . Returning early from a ball , and expecting to find De Riel and his wife alone , he is not mistaken ; but he sees that so far from being encouraged by his wife she is repelling all De . Kiel ' s attacks with all the moral and physical means at her command . Without knowing who hears her , she avows her love for her husband alone , and at last finds her

husband ' s strong arm arou nd her . De Kiel is allowed to retire , though we might expect a thrashing to be the wind up of his visits to the house . To Miss Linda Dietz falls the principal share of the work ; she gives a very charming and sympathetic rendering to the part of Mrs . Macdonald . Mrs . Kendal is Mrs . Beresford , but we much regret that she is content to play a secondary role . What she has to

do she does in her own charming , natural , and unique manner . Bro . Kendal has never appeared to better advantage than as the shy , not too clever , but thoroughly manly Capt . Crichton . Mr . Dane fills his role as De Kiel with moderation and good taste . Mrs . Gaston Murray , as the gossip , Miss Kilmore , Mr . Beaumont , as Sir Henry Auckland , and Mr . Wenman , as Col . Macdonald , all play their respective parts with great eclat .

* " Comrades , " al the Court Theatre , may be unhesitatingly pronounced a good play . It has many striking situations , a keen interest is kept up throughout , and it is represented by a cast perfect in its way . The performance as a whole was singularly smooth and complete , while the individual personations were excellent . Messrs . Brandon Thomas and B . C . Stephenson are the

joint authors , and although some exception might be taken to parts of the plot , the motive of action in some cases being insufficient , yet , as a whole , it is skilfully constructed , and exhibits an originality rare in these days of adaptation . Nothing but praise can be accorded to each of the actors , there was not a weak point anywhere ; but if , under these circumstances , it were permissable to name any one

performer , we should say that the acting of Mr . Coghlan , as Capt . Darleigh , Mr . John Clayton , as General Dexter , and Miss Marion Terry , as the heroine , was such as is seldom seen . We predict for this piece a long run . 'The interest exhibited b y the audience in every part of the house , from beginning to close , was very marked and unusual , and the complete satisfaction of all present was shown by long continued applause at the close of each act .

Mr . Thomas Tliorne deserves the heartiest support of all playgoers for his courage in bringing out one after another the good old English comedies . Mr . Sheridan ' s " The Rivals" has now taken its place on this sta"e . The scenery andappointmentsarc not so elaborate nor stoking as were those of the other comedies , but the h the audience

company is the same strong one . Althoug must have known nearly all the good things that were coming , by reason of having seen it on other stages , yet they enjoyed the old jokes and fun as though they were quite new . The Sir Anthony Absolute ot Mr . Farren is , perhaps , the most .-esthetic this age has witnessed . Mrs . Stirling , as Mrs . Mataprop , has been seen too often to

The Theatres.

require much comment , but we may safely say that this lady has never played it with greater zest than she is now doing . Mr . Henry Neville , one of our most talented actors , renders Captain Absolute as Sheridan conceived him ; indeed , itis often said , that the author here depicts himself . Mr . Thome ' s Bob Acres is amusing , though it seems to lack a little in vivacity , tor Bob Acres , as we understand the

character , is meant to be a noisy , bragging , country squire , and not a meek man . Mr . Wood as David , gives some good acting and comical rendering . Bro . Maclean , as Sir Lucius , the Irishman , and Mr . Crawford as Fag , arc all that can be desired , and arc conceived in the best spirit of comedy . Miss Emery as Lydia Languish is refined and

bright . Miss * Alma Murray plays Julia as well as it is possible to be played , for , after all , it is a thankless part , and nowhere gives any scope for original talent . We prcdicta longrun of "The Rivals . " At times the audience appeared carried away with delight , perhaps specially with Mrs . Stirling ' s amusing derangements of epitaphs .

* * * Toole's and the Princess ' s Theatres , after having been closed for a few days , re-opened on Boxing Day . We hear that never has the Princess ' s taken so much money as it did the week before last . " The Silver King" is bearing out its title in a practical manner to both authors and lessee .

Music

MUSIC

Mr . Gwyllym Crowe commenced a Christmas season of Promenade Concerts at Covent Garden 'Theatre , on Tuesday , the principal artistes being Mdlle . Elly Warnots , Mdlle . Camilla Nermann , and Miss Damian . The programme included a number of Christmas Carols , which were effectively sung by the London Vocal Union .

* * * The South London Choral Association gave their annual Christmas performance of the "Messiah" at their Institution of Music , Cambenvell , on Thursday evening last , in the presence and to the delight of a crowded audience . The choir fulfilled its part with its accustomed precision , while the principal parts were effectively rendered by Madame Worrell , Miss Cravins , Mr . Dazell , and Mr . V . Bevan . Mr . L . C . Venables was the conductor .

* * The Royal Albert Hall Choral Society , under its conductor , Mr . Barnby , will give Handel ' s " Messiah " at its fourth concert at the Royal Albert Hall , on Monday next , New Year ' s Day , on which occasion the principal artistes will be Miss Anna Williams , Madame Fassett , Mr . E . Lloyd , and Bro . Santley . Dr . Staincr will preside at the organ .

# * » The receipts at Madame Nilsson ' s four concerts at San Francisco amounted lo 30 , 000 dollars , while for the eighteen that have been given during her present visit to the United States , they are close upon 93 , 700 dollars .

* The first meeting of the Executive Committee of the Leeds Musical Festival was held on Thursday last , when it was unanimously resolved to recommend to the General Committee the reappointment of Mr . Arthur Sullivan as conductor at the festival in October next .

* * s The new organ in the entrance hall of the Brighton Aquarium , which has been built by Harper Bros of that town , was tried on Saturday last , Mr . Frank J . Sawyer junr ., B . Oxon , presiding . Though not a large instrument , it will prove fully equal to the size of the hall .

Mr . Boosey has announced his annual morning concert for Saturday next , the Gth January , at St . James's Hall . Madame Sophie Mcnler , will make . her first appearance this season on the occasion , and among the artistes will

he included Miss Mary Davies , Mrs Hutchinson , Miss Damian , Miss Agnes Larcom , Mr . Edward Lloyd , Bro . Maybrick , Mr . Harrington Foote , and Bro . Santley . Madame Norman-Noruda , violin , and the South Lmdon Choral Association , under the direction of Mr . L . C . Venables . Mr . Sidney Naylor , conductor .

* * Beethoven ' s famous scptett for wind and string instruments , with which the programme of last Saturday's Popular Concert at St . James's I lall opened , was played admirably by MM . Joachim , Hollandei ' , Lazarus , Wendtland , VVotton , Reynolds , and Piatti , and was received with enthusiasm by the audience , to whom also Mendelssohn's Andante and Scherzo for strings gave the most intense delight . A

selection from Brahms's " Hungarian Dances" for violin ( Heir Joachim ) and piano ( Madame Haas ) followed , the latter artiste achieving considerable success in her rendering of Chopin's Barcarolle , in , F sharp major . Miss Carlotta Elliot , as the vocalist , lent additional charm to the concert . The series will be resumed on Monday . the Sth January , when Madame Norman-Neruda and Herr Pachiiiann will be among the executants .

* * * The series of Grand Promenade Concerts at the Royal Aquarium , Westminster , was inaugurated with marked success on Saturday last . 'The United Orchestras of the Aquarium and Alhambra , numbering between sixty and seventy instrumentalists under the guidance of M . Jacobi and M . C Dubois had a rare opportunity , of which

they did not fail to avail themselves , of exhibiting their skill and strength , the principal selections in a long and varied programme including the overtures to Rossini ' s " Guillaume Tell" Aubcr's "Le Cheval de Bronze , " Lulli ' s "Minuet and Gavotte , " selections from Bizet ' s Carmen , and the March from Wagner ' s "Tannhiiuser . " The first cornet ,

Mr . A . Webb , played Mr . A . Sullivan's popular air "The List Chord" admirably , while the vocalists , Mesdaines Amadi and Hogarth , with MM . Walsham and Hogarth , acquitted themselves in a manner equally satisfactory . Such concerts as these deserve to be liberally supported by the public .

Science And Art.

SCIENCE AND ART .

Direct telephonic communication has been established between London and Brighton . # * # It having ; been determined to establish a permanent Art Museum at Penzance , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales has graciously given instructions for a portion of his Indian presents to be forwarded thither lor exhibition .

Captain Charles Mills , C . M . G ., Agent General for the Cape of Good Hope , has been elected a member of the Council of the Royal Colonial Institute in place of Mr . S . XV . Silver , who has retired .

* * Thursday last was fixed for the first of a course of five lectures , adapted to a youthful audience , to be given by Professor Tyndall at the Royal Institution , on " Light and the Eye . "

* * * In Hull it was decided by a considerable majority of votes not to adopt the Public Libraries Act in the Borough . # * * It has been resolved by the Electric Lighting-Committee of the Corporation of Sheffield , to proceed with the application for a provisional order for lighting the centre of the town by electricity .

* The Queen has been pleased to appoint Mr . Wilson Fox , M . D ., F . R . S ., Physician Extraordinary to Her Majesty , to be one ot the Physicians in Ordinary to Her Majesty , in the place of the late Sir Thomas Watson , Bart ., and Mr . George Owen Rees , M . D . F . R . S ., to be one of Her Majesty ' s Physicians Extraordinary .

» * * The second of six evening lectures for working men will commence on Monday , Sth January next , at the Museum of Practical Geology , Jcrmyn Street . Professor Huxley will be the lecturer , and the subject that of " Shell Fishes . "

* » M . Raggi ' s statue of the late Earl of Beaconsfield , which is about to be erected as a national memorial to the deceased statesman , was successfully cast in bronze on Saturday last , at the Messrs . Young's foundry , in Pimlico . Among the subscribers to the memorial who were present were Lord John Manners , M . P ., Bro . Sir J . M , w . Hof ? ST' Bart' M - " » Sir Algernon Borthwick , and Mr . Justice Denman .

* Certificates signed b y the Prince and Princess of Wales were presented by Mrs . Howard Vincent , on Thursday last , to the successful competitors at the recent industrial exhibition , promoted by the officers and men of the Metropolitan Police , in aid of the funds of the Police Orphanage .

* # £ The print issued lo subscribers to the Art Union of London for the current year represents a Spanish scene , painted by the late Mr . J . B . Burgess , A . R . A ., and entitled * Stolen by Gipsies ; the Rescue , " and engraved partly by the late Mr . C H . Jecns and partly by Mr . Lumb Stocks , R . A . The expression in the original work has been well preserved and the engraving is well printed by M'Oueen .

* * # Mr . Donald MacKinnon , clerk to the School Board of Edinburgh has been elected to fill the new Celtic chair at the University of Edinburgh . * # * The drawing for the Brighton Art Union prizes took place on Friday last , when it Was found that by the reduction in the price of tickets from five shillings each to one shilling , a considerably increased amount had been received , 3072 tickets having been sold and seventeen prizes ot the value of £ 133 in the aggregate drawn for . 'The pictures are chosen from the Autumn Exhibition now on view in the picture gallery . # •# *

At Goolc , on Friday evening , Mr . Creyke , M . P for York , in speaking on the subject of education , deprecated the system of payment by results as being calculated to promote cramming and injure the health of the children . He also urged that agriculture should take a more conspicuous place in the curriculum of elementary education .

# * Si There is news from Calcutta to the effect that hnal arrangements have been made for holding an international exhibition there in the course of next year .

* # ¦ # ' 1 hereisnowon viewattheBethnal Green Museum a collection of upwards of two hundred paintings by Italian arid Dutch masters , lent for the purpose by the Marquis of Bute . 'They range over a period of about a hundred years from the sixteenth and extending into the seventeenth century . Nothing is exhibited in the way of works bv

¦ painters anterior to Iitian . Of the Bolognesc School there are examples b y Giudo Rcni , Domenico Zamperi or , Domenichino as he is usually styled ; Francesco Barbeir ( Gucrcino ) , and Fontana , among their several works being Giudo's " Venus and Cupid , " a " Madonna and Child " by Guercino , and his "Assumption of the Virgin , " the largest and most conspicuously placed picture in the Gallerv .

two landscapes of Domemchino ' s , and a " Marriage of St . Catherine" by Fontana . Correggio is represented by his ' Virgin and Christ with St . John and St . Anthony , " and Iitianbya" Senator of Venice , " and there are also a Holy Tamily , " attributed to Raphael , works by Carlo Maratta and Pietro de Cotorna , a "Virgin and Child " by Andrea del Sarto , and a portrait of Pope Innocent b y Velasquez , with a few Dutch pictures and two Italian ! pictures in mosaic .