The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

— : o : — Grand . —Very much indebted are we to Mr . Charles Arnold , and his author , Mr . Clay M . Green , U . S . A ., for the pleasant idyll in the Adriondacks which wo are now permitted to enjoy in Islington . In telling the story we feel the proper form ' should be in old fairy tale fashion . Once npon a time , far away among the mountains , thero

lived a rich old gentleman with one lovely daughter , named Gladys . She had a kind heart , every one loved her , she was very generous to the poor ; but she always did exactly as she liked and would not bear contradiction . Many fine gentlemen wanted to marry her ; she would have none of them . Then she met Hans the Boatman , a

wanderer from far-off Switzerland . He conld sing and dance , and play all day long with the little boys and girls , and was always merry , always idle , so thoy fell in love , and when her papa was angry she did not mind , but went away and married her Boatman . Then years pass on , and Hans is just as merry and idle as ever , and they get very

poor , and his rough companions with their uncouth ways make life weary to Gladys , who thought the future would be nothing but singing and love-makincr . Hans loves her , but he loves idleness better ; the rent is unpaid , there is no money , and wheu she indignantly bids him go and earn it , he seeks consolation iu a game of

blind man ' s buff with all the little boys and girls of the neighbour , hood , and then tells his tribulations to a youug damsel who once was fondly attached to him , but has found consolation for his indifference in the devotion of the gallant Lieutenant Finch , U . S . The muohtried Gladys coming upon the pair in an equivocal position , believes

Hans is false , and in the midst of her despair enters the traitor Darrell , who tells her she is betrayed ; that she must fly to his sister , and he will secure her a divorce . She yields , and leaves her home , bidding farewell to her husband , he all uuconscious of her actual intention . Then Hans romps with his little boy , who hides a powder

flask in the grate . Shortly after , when the father would light a fire , an explosion is the result , and Hans falls sightless on the stage . With the third act we are once more in the Adriondacks . Gladys has refused the infamous proposal of Darrell , but meeting him near her old home entreats he shall fulfil his promise and marry her , siuce

he has secured the divorce from Hans . Darrell refuses with contumely , then her father appears and she flies to him in her despair , but he is too much exasperated . He flings her off , and she falls fainting to tbe ground , to be presently discovered by Hans , who is led on by his faithful old dog . Of course , all readers of fairy stories

will know how the tale ends , how Hans recovers his sight , how a big fortune comes to him out of the clouds , and how every one is happy , including kind friends in front , who were evidently well thoroughly pleased with this genial little picture of things Arcadian . Miss Amy MaoNeill , as the heroine , showed great power and strength of

aappressed passion , in her moments of disillusion and despair rising to true tragic intensity . Her bright little touches of comedy in the first act were delightfully girlish and spontaneous . She has a most sympathetic voice , and has delightful sincerity and freedom from self consciousness . Mr . Chax-les Arnold intends to remind us of our

beloved Jefferson , and very pleasantly does he do so . His German-English is perfect , and gives a delicious point to his quaint sayings . His two wee playmates , Miss May and Master Reed , two of the cleverest childreu we have ever seen on the stage , will bring all the motberB in Islington to see them . Miss Jenny Rogers , as the lively

young frieud of every one , was much applauded . She dances prettily , and is vei-y bright and intelligent . Mr . Georgo as the villain was very incisive and self possessed . Mr . Medlicott , Haus ' unsophisticated frieud , played with genuine unexaggerated humour . Indeed , the company is a thoroughly good one and well deserves the successful season they will assuredly enjoy at the Grand .

Vaudeville . —The successful drama " Held by the Enemy" was transferred last Saturday evening to this theatre from the Princess's , and here we may predict it is likely to continue its prosperous course for some time to come . Two or three changes in the caste have been made ; foremost of these , Miss Kate Rorke now takes the part of

Rachel McCreery . This young lady played with that earnestness and pathetic sweetness so characteristic of all she undertakes . Mr . Thorne makes the old servant interesting , without exaggeration . Mr . Charles Overton is now Surgeon Fielding , while Mr . Gnrney

takes his place as Major-General Stanburg . Of the others , we need but repeat what we have already said—tbey are efficient in every respect . In transferring the piece to the Vaudeville Mr . Warner has acted wisely .

Boyal Agricultural Hall . —North London has no longer to journey to the far West of the metropolis for its recreation . To-day this spacious Hall , under the management of Mr . Harry Etherington , will develop an entirely new character , and not only assume but deserve the title of " Arcadia" ( a veritable fairyland ) , the whole of

the huge building being transformed into a garden of delight . Here , to the accompaniment of splashing fountains and rural cascades , the visitor may wander among flowers of the choicest description , shaded hy the foliage of tbe palm and tree fern , lingering on rustic bridges or resting in cosy alcoves . The summer-house and the lovers' seat will

doubtless be well patronized , ancl the great waterfall , pouring 120 , 000 gallons of water per hour , a depth of fifty and a width of fort y feet , to be erected at a cost of £ 700 , must tempt with its music the weary Londoner . The floral display will be on a scale of great magnitude , as may be gathered from the fact that silver cups and

gold , silver , and bronze medals are offered to competing florists for the finest displays of flowers , ferns , and general foliage , and also to another branch of the trade for the rustic work in vases , seats , summer-houses , and the like . As a lounge , "Arcadia " will be the most charmiug place of resort iu Loudon , lighted at dusk by 10 , 000

The Theatres, &C.

fairy lamps and lanterns , a la Colinderies . In the centre of the beautiful garden will be given selections by leading military bands , relieved every alternate half-hour by a variety entertainment , which will , we have reason to believe , be given by some of the leading variety artistes of the day . In addition , flower shows , and every

possible attraction of an ornamental , floral , and amusing character will be presented to the public , who will be admitted at a charge of one shilling up till 6 p . m ., and at half that rate afterwards , when

the evening programme will be invariably enhanced by tbe radiation of the waterfall in the manner familiar to visitors at South Kensington . We may anticipate that all London will flock to Arcadia from July till September .

The Oldest Masonic Certificate In America.

THE OLDEST MASONIC CERTIFICATE IN AMERICA .

TlT ^ E have been shown , by Bro . Singleton M . Brice , of Lodge No . 51 » » Philadelphia , what we believe is the oldest known Masonio certificate in America , and , of course , it was issued by a Lodge in Philadelphia . It belongs to Bro . S . M . Brioe's father—Bro . Philip H . Brice , also a member of Lodge No . 51 . This certificate bears date 31 st March 1762 , and was issued by " the Holy Lodge of St . John ,

No . 2 , situated in Philadelphia . " This ia the Lodge of whioh Bro . James Pogrew was W . M . in 1749 . There is , in California , in the possession of Hartley Lodge , No . 199 , of Lakewood , a Masonic

certificate issued by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania , on the 1 st November 1765 , but the one now described is nearly four years older than it . Ifc is a very carious and valuable Masonio record , and readB as follows : —

From the Holy Lodge of St . John , No . 2 . Situated in Philadelphia . To the Worshipful Master , Worshipful Wardens and Beloved Brethren of all regular Lodges of the Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons to whom these may come .

GREETING . Beloved Brethren : This is to certify that the bearer hereof , onr Brother THOMAS BEICE , hath been by us Raised to the High Degree of Master Mason , whose zeal for the Royal Craft induces us to recommend him to all the truly faithful , wheresoever dispersed , and

we have required our said Brother to sign his name in the margin of this Certificate so that the same may be demanded of him as a proof that it bath not fallen into Suspectful Hands . j Given nnder onr Hands and the Seal of our Lodge , this 31 st day of i March , Auno Mundi 5762 .

WM . CLAMPSTER , M ., 1 JOHN WiLiiiAM NAKIN , S . W ., | BOBERT CARSON , J . W ., 1 WILLIAM GRISELIN , Treas .,

EMANUEL ROUSE P . M . I By order of the Master , | JAS . JOHNSTON , Secretary . ' [ With the Seal of the Lodge and the signature of Thomas Brioe attached . ]—Keystone .

The Knights Companions of the Provincial Grand Chapter and Lodge of London and the Metropolitan Counties ( Royal Order of Scotland ) will meet in Council at 33 Golden Square , W ., on Saturday afternoon next , at

half past two for three o clock . The Provincial Grand Master desires the attendance of all duly qualified brethren . After the business the Knights Companions will take a trip to Grenwich , where the annual banquet will be served at the famous old Trafalgar .

The Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland , Provincial Grand Master of the Province of the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire , proposes holding a Provincial Grand Lodge and General Committee of Masons in that Province ( on the invitation of the York Lodge , No . 236 ) , in the Exhibition

Buildings , York , on Thursday next , the 14 th inst . The Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire and his Provincial Grand Lodge have fraternally united with this Province to celebrate the Jubilee of Her Most Gracious

Majesty the Queen ; and an address of congratulation is suggested . If , however , the precedent of other Provincial Grand Lodges be followed , viz ., to embody all Masonic congratulations in the address passed at the Albert Hall ,

there may be some modification of the agenda . The brethren will march in procession at 2 ' 15 p . m . for the Minster , when a special service will be held in the Nave , and a . sermon preached by the Yery Rev . the Dean

of York , Brother A . P . Purey - Oust , Past Grand Chaplain of England . Masters of Lodges are invited to direct that their Lodge banners may be brought to the meeting and carried in the procession . Amongst other

notable features of the gathering , a medal will be struck in commemoration of the event . A most interesting proo-ramme has been issued , including a visit to the Museum

Gardens of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society , and a conversazione and concert after the banquet , in the Exhi-\ bitiou building , to which ladies are invited .