Evenings Abroad.

Evenings Abroad .

' THE SILVER FALLS " AT THE ADELPHI THEATRE .

Messrs . Sims and Pettitt ' s new four act play is a very fine specimen of its special class . The authors know fall well the audiences they write for , and they hav e succeeded in satisfying the conventionalities of the house , while they have at the same time supplied something in the shape of a drama which is stirring , sympathetic , and powerful . Indeed , at the close of the first act .

which is admirably constructed and is a drama m itself , my wonder was how the authors could keep up the pitch of excitement for three more acts . That they really do this , and that there arc not certain moments in the play when matters cool down , cannot be said ; but , though the quality may vary , though the dead level of ordinary melodrama is oftentimes reached and incidents occur

which are occasionally not far removed from the commonplace , yet redeeming features are by no means wanting : and , as in the second scene of the third and the first scene of the fourth act , the interest is revived by scenes which are IKWCI , dramatic , and intensely moving . Some people sitting behind ine in the stalls tried to be funny at the expense of the authors with regard to one of the

scenes to which 1 now particularly refer , and their loud talk on the subject caused some expostulations to be made by a neighbour . As they had probably paid their money , they were entitled to their own estimation of the value they had for their outlay , but they must indeed be very hard to please if they could expect a stronger , a more natural and . at tho same time , a more pathetic series of scenes

than the meeting of Eric ' s young Avife with Lola , long supposed to haA'e been dead ; and the subsequent situation Avhere Eric to his horror finds he has married Primrose , his first wife Lola being alive and threatening to divulge all to his innocent victim . These situations pull the end of the piece up to as high a level as was its beginning ; and the denouement , though somewhat protracted , is

powerful indeed : seeing that the removal of Lola is effected by thoroughly legitimate means , and by a tragic act of her victim , Marcos Valles , which is the natural outcome of the woman ' s irregular life . Of the acting I have nothing but praise . Miss Olga Nerthersole , a new actress , as Lola , had a difficult part , and she succeeded

thoroughly , despite inevitable faults . I do not mean by saying that there were faults to damn this piece of acting by faint praise . I cordially congratulate this young lady upon an assumption , the third of importance that I knOAv of hers , which is conspicuously successful . Miss Millward , as Primrose , Avas tender and artistic . Miss Clara Jecks is allotted a part which she makes important

solely by the intrinsic merit of her acting , Avhich is fresh , amusing , and highly acceptable in every Avay . Miss Georgie Esmond and Miss Dairolles are satisfying in small parts . Mr . Terriss is the hero , Eric Normanhurst . The same manly vigour which usually characterises this actor is not wanting , and his love-making is manly and touching ; the big scene at the end of the first act , the

scene with Primrose in the second , and the two difficult intervieAVS with Lola and Primrose in the third act could not Avell have been played better . Mr . Charles Cartwright , as Marcos Valles , gave a fervid melodramatic part as good a treatment as could have been anticipated even from so clever an actor as I have always regarded him . Certain mannerisms admittedly deprived some of his scenes

from giving perfect satisfaction : but . taken as a whole , this was a big performance . Mr . Shine Avas amusing . Mr . J . D . Beveridge was excellent tis a genial old Irishman , and Mr . Royce Carleton as a villain of a conventional type acted with tragic force , and gaA'e an excellent contrast to Mr . CartAvright ' s powerful impersonation .

The mounting of the play is , as is always the case at this theatre now-a-days , of the most elaborate and picturesque kind ; and , but for the operatic supers in the wedding scene , is Avithout a fkuv in any particular . Mr . AV . Sidney , the stage manager , must be complimented , as must also Messrs . Walter Johnson and Bruce Smith , who have painted some beautiful scenery for the production .

My friend . Mr . II . J . Hitchins , the manager of the Empire Theatre , has been presented with a very handsome silver tea and coffee service in the Louis NIA . style . The entire pirsonnel of the establishment contributed to this testimonial of respect , Avhich was made on the first anniversary of the opening of the place as a variety theatre . Hitchins is a good fellow , and I am pleased to think that he is being appreciated .

The Criterion Iheatre has closed for redecoration prior to its re-opening with a revival of Tom Taylor ' s Still Waters Fun Uecp , which will have a fine cast . Miss Mary Moore , Mrs . Bernard Beere , Mr . Herbert Standing , and Mr . Charles " AVyndham will play

the principal parts . I wish Mr . AVyndham would give us some revivals of his early successes , Brighton , for instance . These light pieces are better suited for the house and for the audiences who assemble there ; besides , in this style of play AA yndham has < nven us some of his very best bits of acting .

The Shaftesbury Theatre seems to be unfortunate . It has closed its doors again , pending—I am told—the production of a new play . Carina , at the Opera Comique , will end its run next Saturday niht . After this the stage in the evening will be occupied with

g Mr . Oscar Berringer ' s plaj' called Tares , Avhich has been considerably modified since its first production . A good cast will support this piece . Little Lord Fauntleroy Avill be on view here at matinees for some time to came . LAUNCELOT GOBBO .

Our City Article.

Our City Article .

CAPEL COURT , JANUARY 9 TH , 1889 . While the Bank minimum still remains at 5 per cent ., money on short loan is plentiful at 3 , but it is not at all certain that the official rate will be reduced just j ^ et . The position of the Bank is undoubtedlA better , and gold continues to arrive , but there is also

the apprehension , that a renewed demand for that metal will arise as soon as it can be done without creating undue disturbance . There is a very large amount of light gold in circulation in the provinces , or held by the country banks , which would probably come into the Bank of England were it not for the loss they would have to sustain in the operation , and I hear that there is some

prospect of some relief being afforded m this matter during the current year . The principal feature this week has been the sharp rise in Consols , followed by a similar move in Gosohens . AAliat is the real cause of the rise is somewhat uncertain ; but it is owing to repurchases of

stock put out during the time of heavy pressure toAvards the end of last year , coupled with buying back by bears . Business in the stock markets is fairly active , but it can hardly be described as buoyant . Foreign stocks have advanced , but there seems to be a general feeling that they are quite high enough for safety , and we should ,

on A ^ ery little selling , see a smart drop in most of the European stocks that have recently been carried up . In Peruvians there is some very good and quiet buying going on , and I do not think that purchasers just now will have any reason to regret their bargains . Virginian Funded also will be looking up again . Home railways

are still wanted , although the best prices touched have not been maintained . The dividend announcements may be expected very shortly , and I do not think they Avill be found to fall under the estimates formed . The rise in the whole of the heavy stocks has been considerable , nor do I see any reason Avhy it should not

continue . The settlement , which commences next Monday , will hardly be an onerous one , Avhile probably contango rates will be A ery light compared Avith the last month or two . North Staffords , Avhich I have before called attention to , are still amongst the cheapest stocks in this market . The stocks to be avoided are the AA ' atkins and the Forbes groups .

American rails keep steady , and , upon balance , have improved : but there is A ^ ery little business doing in them , either in New York or here . Dealers on this side have had so many disappointments that they are not eager to make a market merely for the benefit of the AVall Street brokers ; consequently , there is a lack of

animation . I still believe in the rise to come . Amongst the best of the lot are Union Pacifies . There is a disposition amongst the managers to reduce expenditure and to keep up rates , which must haA e its effect before long ; and , in the meantime , I am not afraid to repeat my advice of last week .

Grand Trunks do not get worse , although they can hardly be said to advance . Probably it will be found that the Avorst has been anticipated , and as we get nearer to the time for the announcement of the result of the half-year ' s Avorking , prices will improve . The weekly traffic receipts of the Mexican Railway were not regarded as

satisfactory—in fact , the total take is not sufficient . I have before expressed my doubts about the dividend prospects of this line , and on the whole I think it extremely doubtful if the present prices will be maintained . The published traffics for the last ten days of the year on the Canadian Pacific SIIOAVS a considerable reduction .

AVe have HOAV the total result of the year ' s working , and can pretty Avell gauge the total net profit ; Avhat , however , is the unknown element in this case is the actual requirements on preference account , some of the new claims commencing to take interest at uncertain dates .

That there will be any surplus is exceedingly doubtful . The price does not improve beyond 54 even Avith the most careful coaxing , and 1 am induced to think that there is considerable amount of stock to be got rid of at about that price .

Nitrate shares are not as active as they have been , and there is a rumour of a projected " nitrates trust , " which would appear to be thought necessary to give them a further fillip . NOAV this " trust " means only one thing , and that is to provide an outlet for some of

the big blocks of shares held by the group who have had the principal manipulation of the nitrate gamble . Such a scheme would doubtless prove a success because of the force behind it , but it would not be an investment I should choose .

The business in South African mines is as great as ever , particularly tho AVitwatersrand group . I hear of several UCAV ones coming out , but should advise extreme caution in dealing Avith them , as many of them have nothing but the name of the district

to recommend them . Nabobs may be bought at 3 , Central Boodepoort at 18 / -, and Venture Syndicate at 37 /( 5 ; anel also Sheba mine shares . CRAFTSMAN .

FILO . —The shares are fully paid . Should advise a purchase . D . F . M . —The reconstruction scheme has met with very little support , and will probably fail . NEAV SERIES . —The name you mention is an element of Aveakness on the board . There is a nominal premium on the shares , but doubt if you could sell at over par . Sell .

ANSAVERS .