Masonic Festivities.

would convince the most sceptical that this chilly clime of ours , which in olden days produced a Purcell and fostered a Handel , is still favourable to the growth of song . Last evening her Majesty with the Prince Consort aud the Princess Alice were present at Covent Garden , on whicli occasion " The Rose of Castillo" was givenand given in a style as near perfection as possible . The absurdities of the libretto have been brought into reasonable bounds and made to interfere as little as may be with the efforts of the composer . The most fastidious ear must be pleased with

the silver notes of Louisa Pyne , ancl the most critical eye may rest with pleasure upon the beautiful scenery ancl the pretty faces and forms that are grouped in each succeeding scene . Though considered , ancl justly , less important than the opera , the pantomime at this house has done its part in bringing up the fortunes of the management to their present height ; supported hy such admirable mimes as the Paynes even a stupid burlesque ( which this is not ) could scarcely fail to make a success . AA . H . Payne" e ' en from our boyish days" has been the legitimate

, , representative of truculent barons of intemperate habits , ancl absurdly ill-domesticated monarchs who labour under difficulties in the treasury ancl culinary department ; in saying that Bro . Payne is as thoroughly ridiculous as ever , we feel that we are paying him the highest compliment in our power ; though Christmas has long passed into the sear and yellow leaf , the attracion of the pantomime appears to be undiminished . Drury Lane presents the same bill of fare to its

patrons ; a change , however , we believe , is shortly to be anticipated . Mr . Tom Taylor ' s comedy , " The Unequal Match , " is again attracting admirers to the Haymarket ; the quaintness of Bro . Buekstone ' s impersonation of the eccentric doctor is as amusing as ever . The artistic taste which has been displayed in the production of " Undine " is universally appreciated , and preserves the reputation which this theatre has gained for the poetic feeling of the pictures placed upon the stage . At the Princess's tho weird-like " Midsummer Night ' s Dream" is again the pike de resistance . The Lyceum is crowded nightly by the admirers

of Madame Celeste who is playing the two pieces , "The Lost Hope" and "Tho Chilp ofthe AVreck ; " the peculiar style of this lady proves SQ attractive that we hear her engagement at the Lyceum is likely to be a prolonged one . Mr . and Mrs . Barney AVilliams have been enlisted in this troupe , and " The Leprechaun , " which was one o ! poor Power ' s most successful ancl picturesque Irish comedies , will be ' produced forthwith . At the Adelphi , "Masks ancl Faces , " and the efforts of Mr . Wright to amuse the public , have met with the success which they

deserve ; we wish this gentleman a better part in which to display his talents . The Strand Theatre has now taken rank as the fashionable theatre of London ; a more complete revolution can hardly be imagined than that which has been made in the style of the habitmis of this house ; and so long as the performances are sustained at their present pitch of excellence , there can be little fear of a decadence in the opinion of its patrons .

Notices.

NOTICES .

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