Theatrical And Musical Notes.

of Scots has met with considerable success at Sadler ' s Wells . Mr . Vining ' s season at the Princess ' s suddenly collapsed on Monday with a simple announcement that the theatre was closed , by which we judge that Escaped from Portland was not sufficiently appreciated to pay . At the Royalty and Charins Cross Theatres the programme is unchanged . Fred . Maccabe concluded a highly

successful career at the Standard on Saturday last , and on Monday Mr . Russell's opera company took possession , producing Offenbach ' s Grand Duchess . At the Victoria a riew drama has been produced , the title of which , The Old Bag Shop—Who lived there ?¦—Wliat were its Secrets ?—Wliat became of the btolen Property ? What inas the Bark Deed in the Cellar ? -Wliat

was the end of the Old JFemce , promises a treat to those who delight to " sup the horrors " which have ever been the stock commodity of the great transpontine home of melodrama . The Gallery of Illustration is occupied by Miss Bouverie , who , assisted by Mr . Gaston Murray , Mr . Geo . Melville , and others , is giving a series of " costume recitals , " the selections being taken from As you like it ,

Borneo and Juliet , and Anthony and Cleopatra . At the Crystal Palace on Saturday last the concert comprised selections from the works of Beethoven , Rossini , Mozart , Schuman , Benedict , Mendelssohn , Verdi , and Claribel . The feature of the day was the singing by Mr . Cummings of " A Bridal Song , " accompanied by the composer , Madame Sainton-Dolby ; although

evidently not in good voice , he was rewarded with a recall . Mendelssohn ' s "Fingal's Cave" overture was one of the most brilliant pieces in the programme , which , however , was below the average . M . Sainton gave a concerto on the violin , op . CI ' . He was apparently nervous during the first part , but towards the end he played in an artistic manner . On Monday the new stage and theatre on the

north side of the transept was opened with the performance of Balfe ' s favourite opera The Bose of Castille , in which Mr . George Perren , Mr . E . Connell , and Mdlle . Florence Lancia sustained the principal characters , supported by a full chorus and orchestra . On Thursday Bkmdhi made his final trip across the rope on the bicycle , and Ethardo also concluded his engagement . On the same clay the last exhibition of fireworks and illumination of the fountains took place .

Literature, Science, And Fine Arts.

LITERATURE , SCIENCE , AND FINE ARTS .

THE " Journal of the Ethnological Society , " edited by Professor Huxley , Professor Busk , Sir John Lubbock , Col . Lane Fox , and Bro . Hyde Clarke , consists this quarter of a large number , with maps and engravings , in which the Ethnological Papers on India are completed , forming a series with the last number ; and the whole of the Papers on the JNorth American Indians are brought together .

The article of this number is cho review at length , by Bro . Hyde Clarke , of Gladstone ' s new book " on Homer , the Juventus Mundi . The notices of this hook hitherto , referring to the classical scholarship , have been very favourable , but tho present article , •which may be taken to represent the views of the editors , is altogether opposed to the ethnological and

mythological principles adopted by Mr . Gladstone . The writer , in conn-averting Mr . Gladstone , gives new and original matter in the ethnology of Greece and Asia 3 Miii 02 * , and a new theory of the Trojan population and Trojan war . A rosTiiuM . ous volume of works by the late Leigh Hunt is announced . It will be selected and edited b

y Mr . B . Oilier , a personal friend of the author , and will he entitled ^ " A _ Tale for a Chimney Corner , and other Essays . " It will no doubt prove a charming book . Being published at a low price , although elegantly printed , it will be within the reach of all classes of readers .

Literature, Science, And Fine Arts.

EXHIBITION OP CABINET PICTUB . ES AT THE DUDLEY GALLF . EY .- —The thiid winter exhibition of cabinet pictures was opened to private inspection on Friday , the 22 nd inst . The collection contains some 200 works , and among the most distinguished artists we observed the names of Wm . Weekes , G . F . Watts , E . S . Kennedy , Field Talfour , Frank W . W . Topham , G . D . Leslie ,

Briton Riviers , A . B . Donaldson , W . H . Weatherhead , R . 0 . Leslie , G . Webb , Lionel Smith , and "William Muckley . THE American journals state that Mrs . Stowe ' s reply to her assailants will be published in a small volume by Field , Osgood , & Co ., of New York . ANOTHER wonderful shilling volume has just been issued

from the press . Messrs . Moxon & Son have announced a popular edition of Tom Hood ' s works . of which this volume forms the first part . It contains " The Paysley Papers ; " "The Spanish Revolution ; " "Black , White , andBrown ;" "A Letter from an Emigrant ; " and "An Assent to the Summit of Mount Blank . " The type is clear , the work beautifully printed , and the author ' s illustrations have been retained .

Laying The Foundation-Stone Of The New Town Hall, Port-Glasgow, Scotland.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION-STONE OF THE NEW TOWN HALL , PORT-GLASGOW , SCOTLAND .

Tuesday , 12 th inst ., was an eventful day in the history of Port-Glasgow , in consequence of the laying of the foundation-stone of a new Town Hall , the want of which has been keenly felt for a great length of time by the inhabitants . The day was observed as a general holiday . Prom an early hour in the morning flags were hoisted on house tops , carried in a line across the streets . The

area opposite to the Town Buildings was the scene of largo triumphal arches , and the fronts of the buildings were profusely bedecked with flowers and banners . The Provincial Grand Lodge of Freemasons met and were constituted in the coffee room , Town Buildings , at noon . The following gentlemen were present : —Bros . Sir Michael Robert Shaw Stewart , Bart ., Prov . G . M . ;

Robert Steele , D . Prov , G . M . ; James J . Grieve , M . P . , S . Prov . G . M . ; Rev . Mr . Walpole , Port-Glasgow , Prov . G . Chaplain ; John Reid , S . AV . ; P . M . Black , J . W . ; Andrew Boag , Prov . G . Sec . ; John Fleming , Prov . G . Treas . ; E . S . Blackmore , Prov . G . Clerk ; Neil Kelly , S . D . ; David Gilkison , J . D . ; T . B . Newton , I . G . ; James Hogg , Tyler , & c . Bro . Bryce , Tyler of the Grand Lodge , was in attendance with the jewels and paraphernalia of the Grand Lodge of Scotland . Meanwhile the trades and other public bodies , which had come forward to take part

in the proceedings , wei-e mustering , and taking up in the procession tho position allotted to them by Captain Hunter , Chief Constable of Renfrewshire . Shortly after ten o ' clock the procession was set in . motion . Captain Hunter rode on a white horse in front of a body of police , who were followed by tbe carters , the Artillery Volunteers , and the Rifle Volunteers ; the

Provost , magistrates , councillors , harbour trustees , town officials , and the architect , inspector , contractors , and subscribers . Two pipers succeeded , and they were followed by the shoemakers , bakers , joiners , painters , carpenters , hoilermakers , rivetters , tailors , blacksmiths , the amalgamated engineers , and moulders , most of whom carried emblems of their respective trades . Next in

order followed the members of the Ancient Order of Foresters , belonging to the Courts- of Newark ( Port-Glasgow ) , and Caledonia ( Greenock ) , and preceded by the Leith band . The brethren displayed their beautiful banners . The Freemasons came next , and this fraternity marched in their order on the Grand Lodge Roll , the younger lodges in advance , and the Provincial Lodge bringing up the rear . The lodges represented were the following : — 3 | , St . John , Glasgow ; 68 , Doric Kilwinning , Porfc-