The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Covent Garden . —The circus season was inaugurated on Boxing day by two performances , and judging from appearances tho present venture is likely to prove as greafc a success as its predecessors . The arrangements made for the comfort of visitors are well Studied , the architect , Mr . Frank Matcham , following the plan of

previous years . Hosts of attractive performers are engaged , and when we mention the names of a few only our readers will be able to judge . Mddle . Lizzie Aguzzi displayed some dashing somersault acts on a bare-backed horse , while Mdlle . Amalia Eenz , who leaps and pirouettes on her horse's back , deservedly won the approval of a

fall honse . Mdlle . Rosita de la Plata gave a dashing display of a jockey act , while Mdlle . Louisa Renz ' s tricks on horseback were marvellous to behold . Mdlle . Jenny exempified how perfectly a horse can be taught to obey fcho word of command , while later on Signor Ciniselli introduced one of his highly trained liberty horses , to the satisfaction

of the audience . Miss Jennie O'Brien made her re-appearance in a graceful double act , on a bare-backed horse , with Mr . George Gilbsrt , and afterwards went through an act of equestrianism with the greatest success , also bare-backed . Mr . Archie O'Brien and Mr . Gaston Renz are the other riders , and each thoroughly sustains

the credit of the establishment . Besides the extraordinary show of horsemanship displayed , the other parts of the entertainment have nofc been overlooked ; the management has provided both clever and varied entertainers to add to the enjoyment of visitors . Feats of strength by the greafc Nauoke met the approval of all beholders ,

while the way this gentleman played with tremendous weights was simply astonishing . One of the most prominent attractions was Gougou , and his porcine wonder , Jack . Certainly this animal is rightly dabbed a wonder ; to begin with , Jack is an animal of unusually large size , bufc this does nofc prevent him from rnnning and trotting

round the ring , jumping gates , and leaping throngh rings of fire , and closing with a comic scene wifch his master . In this Gougou is puzzled to find his pig's head—by no means a small one—and the way in which he howled was something to be remembered . In fact , the pig may be put down as one of the cleverest of his race .

Mr . George Palmer ' s juggling acts on horseback were cleverly executed , and Mdlle . Alcide Capitaine astonished beholders by her astounding aerial feats . The Lavater Lee family , musical comiques , the Johnson troupe on rolling globes , Mr . M . Walton ' s performing dogs and monkeys , and the three performing elephants , all add to

fche enjoyment of both yonng and old . Covent Garden can this year boast of a goodly muster of clowns , and besides Gougou , already mentioned , there will be found Stewart , Little Yaldo , and Tom Felix

with his amnsing butterfly act . Altogether fche attractions afc Covent Garden are thoroughly np to the mark , and with Mr . Douglas Cox fco look after the comforts of the visitors , and Mr . W . 0 . Levey as conductor of an admirable band , we can cordially recommend a visit .

Strand . —Continuing the line of business his Comedy Company is so well versed in , Mr . Edward Compton last Monday revived Goldsmith ' s "She Scoops to Conquer , " and achieved a great success . All tho familiar points were intently watched by a crowded audience , while judging from the hearty laughter and applause

during the evening , each was greatly enjoyed . Mr . Edward Comp . ton on this occasion made his first appearance in the character of Young Marlow ; we may say thafc by adding this part to his repertoire he has done well . His Young Marlow is easy , ancl selfpossessed except in the first rcene with Miss Hardcastle , here he

showed embarrasmenfc to the life . His conversation with tho sup . posed barmaid was carried on with spirit , bufc afc tho samo time marked with that gentlemanly bearing that warranted the declaration he wonld nofc wilfully injure innocence . Another pleasing item of the evening was the re-appearance of Miss Virginia

Bateman as Miss Hardcastle ; her assumption was ladylike , and full of fun . Miss Batsman ' s barmaid was given in a bright and refreshing manner , and certainly deserved fche applause bestowed upon it . Mr . Sydney Valentine ' s rendering of Tony Lumpkin was one of the best pieces of acting displayed

during the evening . All the boyish tricks of Tony were admirably brought out , while his liveliness was never made vulgar . Tony , in the hands of Mr . Valentine , is certainly what ifc shonld be ; in short , this gentleman seems to be thoroughly at homo with the part . Mr . Lewis Ball ' s Mr . Hardcastle was another good piece of actini- ** , the

scones with Yonng Marlow being especially good . Mr . Percy F . Marshall as Hastings was tco stiff , bufc Mr . C . Dodsworth put somo genuine humour into the part of Diggory . Miss Elinor Aickin , Miss

Dora Vivian , and Mr . C . Blakiston each gavo careful renderings . Au enthusiastic call at the conclusion brought tho principals before tho curtain . Wo compliment Mr . Compton and his well trained band ou having scored another success with old comedies .

Grand . —The residents of Islington ought fco be thankful fco Mr . Charles Wilmofc for tho way in which he lias produced Lis annual pantomime ; not ouly is it a good one , but it is staged on a magnificent scal p of splendour . We do not say ifc will vie in tho latter respect with such a production as is seen at Drury Lane , bufc

what is lacking in number , is fnlly mado up for iu quality . Consequently , if any of our readers waufc to seo a good old-fashioned pantomime , —full of puns , songs , dances , and with plenty of fun , lot them go to the Graud . Tho book has been written by Mr . Geoffrey Thorn , and tho music selected by Mr . W . H . Brinkworfch . Mr . Thorn

has chosen for his subject fcho story of " Robinson Crusoe , " aud has closely followed the accepted legion . He has also introduced parodies on several well known songs , while his puns and

" wheezes" are both plentiful and good . Nofching more should be wanting to make a good pantomime . Moreover , the mounting does nofc fall short ; splendid scenery has been painted b y Messrs . Robson , W . T , Uomsloy aud Ward ; while the ballets

The Theatres, &C.

have been artistically arranged by Madame Mariefcte D Auban . The whole has been produced under tho direction of Mr . Charles Wilmot , and wo say that undoubtedly his fourth pantomime is the best he has yet produced here . The pantomime opens at Davy Jones's locker , and than changes fco the port of Hull ; here we find

all the principal characters . The author has written his story np to date , he has made Sloper Crusoe the father of Robinson , while , among other characters we have Mrs . Crusoe , Billy Crusoe , Will Atkins , and Polly Perkins . The story goes on in the nsnal way until the wreck , when we are introduced to the fire king ' s palace ,

when a grand ballet takes place . In this wo have a number of coryphees with flaming torches , who go through a short but pretty danco . We go forward with the story until wo are shown the Squaw ballet . This is a most beautiful scene , where a pretty dance is introduced , with Mdlle . Esconrfc as

premier danseuse . Mr . Thorn ends his story , and invites all concerned to witness the Jubilee of Queen Victoria . This is really tho transformation scene , and is a magnificent one . Ifc represents the Colonies , the lasfc change disclosing a portrait of the Queen . The scenery is beautifully painted , the dresses are tasteful

ancl effective . The piece is worked with much spirit by all concerned j foremost of whom we must ; name Mr . Fred Williams , as Mrs . Crusoe . This gentlemen is funny in the extreme , and makes the mosfc of his opportunities . Mr . Fred Carlos as Sloper Crusoe , and Mr . Martin Adeson as Billy , are both amusing , while Miss Carrio Julien makes a

dashing Robinson . The Will Atkins of Mr . Fred Newham is gro . fcesque , while Miss Kitty Wren makes a most vivacious and pleasing Polly Perkins . Mr . J . M . Jones gives a clever rendering of fche part of Friday , and Miss Amy Height , as Topsy , sang well . Two scenes

are devoted to the harlequinade , in which Mr . J . M . Jones plays Clown , Mr . Hugh Carno Pantaloon , Mr . P . C . Burns Harlequin , Miss Dora Douglas Harlequina , Miss Nellie Davis Columbine , and the Carnos and Ethariens ( Sprites and Policemen ) .

PARIS HIPPODROME AT OLYMPIA . —Representations having reached fche management of Olympia that ifc would be a convenience if visitors could lunch or dine before the Hippodrome performances , arrangements have been made for a private door , on the sonth side , to be opened afc half-pasfc twelve and six o ' clock , afc which tickets for

boxes , stalls , and grand circle may be purchased . These tickets will admit visitors to Messrs . Bertram and Co . ' s Dining and Grill Rooms , from which they will pass to their reserved seats with perfect comfort and entirely avoiding tho crowd . Another innovation is fche

supplying of afternoon tea on the first Promenade , where ladies sip their tea and gentlemen enjoy their cigarettes while witnessing the performances . The first Promenade is fast becoming a fashionable afternoon rendezvous .

AN OLD LODGE . —Bro . Herbert ; Harris has published a hisfcor ' o sketch of Warren Lodge , No . 2 , organised in 1778 , and located afc East Machias , Maine . We have nofc seen the pamphlet—spoken of as of much local interest—but find a summary of it in the last issue of tho Masonic Tolen , from which we take the following : " This old

Lodge was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Ancient Masons in Massachusetts , and was named for General Joseph Warren , who fell at Bunker Hill . The author refers to the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Maine , 1884 , as saying that this Lodge assisted in educating the orphan children of the General , and remarks that he can find no

confirmation of the statement , either in the Lodge records or in those of the Ancient Grand Lodge . In its 108 years of existence , 330 candidates have been initiated , and 386 have been enrolled in membership . Its present membership is 87 . Its daughter Lodges are Tuscan , at Columbia , 1798 ( now extinct ) ; Eastern , No . 7 , afc Easfcporfc ;

Washington , 37 , afc Lnbeo ; Narragaugus , 88 , afc Cherryfield ; Harwood , 91 , afc Machias ; and Lookout , 131 , at Cutler . " Ib is a matter of importance , as well as of interest , to verify or dissipate traditions

respecting old Masonic organisations , and on this account ifc is well thafc carefullyfprepared papers , such as that to which we refer , should be published . Of course the well attested historical facts furnished give added value to tho work . —Freemason ' s Repository .

AN IRISH LEGEND . —As might ; be expected , the whole locility of Ross Island , Killarney , is rife with memorials of the great O'Douoghue of Ross , lord of the lake and its islands . Whatever may be the historic truth relating to this greafc chieftain , ib has long since become obscure , and now only lives in a legendary form . The Halls tell the

story with their usual charm of narration . " In ages long passed O'Donoghuo of Ross was lord of tho lake , its islands , and the land that surrounded ifc . His sway was just and generous , and his reign propitious ; he was the sworn foe of tho oppressor ; he was bravo , hospitable , and wise . Annually , sinco his death , or rather

disappearance , ho is said to re-visit tho pleasant places among which ho lived . Every May morning he may be seen gliding o ' er fche lake , mounted on a white steed richly caparisoned , preceded and followed by youths and maidens , who strew spring flowers in his way , while sounds of unearthly sweetness glide along the waters , and become thunder OS

they make their way up the surrounding hills . Although he appears in sfcato only on May morning , he is seen on various other occasions ; and lucky is the child of earth by whom tho immortal spirit is encountered , for be he pear or peasant , good fortune will be sure to wait npon him ; and , therefore , many are they who peer with longing

eyes along the lake at sunrise or in twilight to catch a glimpse of tho chieftain , and listen with eager ears for the music thafc heralds his approach . " . Another writer gives fche legend in a somewhat different form telling us that the prince is doomed fco dwell bmoxth the waters till by an annual , or some say septennial , ride over the

surface of the lake the silver shoes of his white horse are worn out by coming in contact with its waves . "As he approaches his ancient residence everything returns to its former state of magnificencehis castle , his library , his prison , and his pigeou-house aro reproduced aa In olden time—From Our Own Country , for January .