Evenings Abroad.

Evenings Abroad .

"PAUL JONES" AT THE PRINCE OF AVALES' THEATRE .

The new opera comique , by Planquette , which , in the original French was called Surcouf , and was produced at the Folies Dramatiques more than two years ago , has " caught on " at the Prince of Wales' Theatre . No production could possibly have been heralded with more puff preliminary than was this . AVe were told that Planquette ' s music was equal , if not superior , to that of Cloches de

Comeyille , or of Rip Van Winkle ; that Miss Agnes Huntington was a vocalist of great accomplishment who would appear in an exceptional rSle and create a new sensation ; and that the book by Farine , the scenery , and , generally , the show in its entirety , would make all London" sit up . " Doubtless there is some benefit in so advertising a new piece ; but , there is danger in it also : it raises a great deal

of hope which oftentimes is not realised . In the present instance , though the managerial and introductory press announcements may not have been altogether realised , Paul Jones has proved itself to be a highly interesting opera , which stands every chance of becoming a lasting artistic , and brilliant financial success . First , of the music : I do not for one moment deny that M . Planquette has

done , better ; but the new opera is replete with singable , tuneful and catching airs which dwell in one ' s memory and which compel encores . Of the book , next : Mr . Farine has written some comic lines and some bright lyrics , and he has provided a story which is at once clear and dramatic , and which strengthens as it proceeds . Indeed , there is almost an embarrassment of riches in this

particular . And now of the interpretation : First of the debutante , Miss Agnes Huntington , who created in England the baritone part ! Someone has dubbed this lady " the Mary Anderson of the Lyric Stage "; for advertising purposes the description is all right enough ; but , to my mind , it is playing it rather low down upon a very talented and conscientious artiste . Miss Huntington ' s method

vocally and dramatically is exceptionally good and is likely to gain for her an exceptional popularity . As we know all about comparisons , I think they might in this case be left out . The lady is _ strong enough to stand on her own merits , which are great . Miss AVadman pleased me excessively ; she seems to improve in every fresh part she undertakes , and I warrant me that her

rendition of Yvonne will add considerably to her reputation . Miss Kate Cutler , as Malaguena , was excellent ; ill-health , however , has compelled her to give up the part to Miss Annie Schuberth , who , I am told , succeeds admirably in it . Miss Phyllis Broughton is simply delicious as Chopinette . Mr . Templer Saxe , as Rufino , is merely the vocalist—he does not attempt to rcjirescnt the part . Mr . Henry

Ashley , as Bicoquet , is amusing , especially in the last act . Mr . Harry Monkhouse , Mr . Frank AVyatt , and Mr . Albert James , are responsible for the comic business of the piece . Roars of laughter are aroused by the doings of Messrs . Monkhouse and James , and Mr . AVyatt , as the Don , is immensely funny . The mounting and dressing of Paul Jones have been carried out in the most lavish and

tasteful manner , and the production , as a whole , can certainly be classed " A 1 . " I have mentioned , in a former issue , the clever little piece which is put on in front of the piece de resistance , but I have not mentioned that Mr . Douglas Cox is in front of the house . This is a distinct gain to the management and to the public , for the gentleman is one of the most genial and experienced acting managers of the time .

In consequence of unauthorised applications for seats at various theatres having been made by one who states himself to be the accredited dramatic representative of this journal , which is . to call it by a mild term , a mis-statement , my Editor and I earnestly request all managers to refuse such applications for admission emanating from the individual to whom we refer . And the transgressor will himself probably consider this notice a sufficient intimation that he must not repeat the of * 3 nce .

¦ Last Saturday night , Mr . Valentine Smith ' s English Opera Company rendered Lucia in a highly creditable manner . Bro . Isidore de Solla occupied the post of chef d ' orcliestre , and his handling of the materials at his command proved him to be as talented as he is painstaking . It is a pity that he does not wield the baton at every representation .

A special matinee of a new domestic comedy entitled -See Saw , by George Capel and J . Ragland Phillips , will take place at Terry ' s Theatre , on Friday , 22 nd inst ., under the direction of Mr . H . T . Brickwell . The cast will include Miss Hermon and Miss Eleanor Leyshon , Messrs . E . Smedley Yates , A . G . Andrews , Fred Terry , W . F . Hawtrey , AV . Hargreaves , and Mr . Julian Cross , who will also be responsible for the stage management .

Mr . Richard Mansfield ' s Richard III . will be seen at the Globe in a few weeks . Wilson Barrett has been appearing in Hamlet at the Princess ' . About the actor ' s rendition of the title role I think there may be some discussion ; I have nothing but the most cordial praise to bestow upon it . It is original as well as consistentand pleases me

, mightily . Miss Eastlake ' s Ophelia is an excellent performance , and Mr . George Barrett ' s Gravedigger is distinctly clever . All the other parts are well played ; Mr . Hudson ' s Claudius , and Mr . Melford ' s Polonius , standing out in hisrh relief of ev ^ llm-, ™ Tr , "

preparation , to be produced on Tuesday of this week , is a new drama by Hal Caine and Barrett entitled Good Old Times ; and a domestic drama , by Wilson Barrett , entitled Now-a-duys will see the light very shortly . The Lady of Lyons has been played here on AVednesday and Saturday matinees , Mr . Barrett being the Claude Melnotte , and Miss Eastlake the Pauline . LAUNCELOT GOBBO .

Our City Article.

Our City Article .

CAPEL COURT , FEBRUARY 13 TH , 1889 . The upward tendency of money rates to which I referred last week is decidedly noticeable now , the charge made for advances being about 1 per cent , above that of a fortnight ago . There has also been a large withdrawal of gold for export , with the prospect of more to go . On the other hand foreign exchanges are rising ,

and this will probably bring money here before our reserves are depleted . In the meantime , the price charged for short loans is about 2-J to 3 per cent . The prices of stocks generally further advanced until yesterday , when very vague rumours sufficed to bring about a rather smart fall . The fall really began in Berlin , and lower prices being cabled

here , the dealers in the foreign stock market at once took the alarm , and offered Russians and Hungarians in particular . I have before given my opinion as to these two stocks—they are ^ both higher than they ought to be , considering all things , and it is only the bears who have kept prices up . Egyptians of course fell with the others , but seeing that they had advanced considerably lately ,

there was room for a reaction , and I do not think that at present there is any real cause for alarm . The upward move in South Americans is fairly Avell maintained , and will , I think , continue . English railways , of course , felt the scare , and there was a rush to get out of some of those stocks which have recently been so much

in favor . Of course , Brighton A was amongst this lot , and there the fall was the greatest . The " carrying over " revealed the large account open for the rise in this stock , and as much as j contango was paid . Caledonians also were apparently so overbought that ¦ fa was exacted by the dealers . The rates on the other stocks though rather above last time were not excessive , but they hardened towards

the end , and I may say that it was fortunate that the scare I have referred to above did not come until after the account had been practically arranged . I still think that the English rails will go higher , the traffics are so good , and such a considerable amount is constantly being taken off the market for investment that the values of the good stocks are enhanced even beyond the actual dividend value .

American rails are as unsatisfactory as ever . Every few days there is an appearance of improvement which looks like lasting , only to be followed by further depression . To-day prices are down and probably a purchase would not be wrong , the profit , however , should not be allowed to run too long . In fact , it is a " jobbing " market , where when prices look very bad and peop le , talk them

worse things may be bought , and when they have had a rise of one or two dollars the reverse process may be followed . It will take a very long time to revive the public confidence in this market , and in the meantime there is little business doing , and the fluctuations must necessarily be small . Grand Trunks appear to have reached as high as they intend to go for the present , and I fancy that a sale would not be a bad of

venture . There is no suspicion of a backwardation now on any the stocks , so that there is nothing to break a fall if stock is offered freely . Canadian Pacifies are stupid , and no one cares to deal in them at present , either for investment or speculation . Mexican Rails are almost up to their old form so quickly do they move . They appear to me to be going better yet , the nominal reason being the talked-of division and re-arrangement of the existing stocks , but the real reason is to be found in the good takes they are having

just now . The nitrate interest is still under a cloud . In fact , it has been so bolstered up by the name and fame of one man that the level reached is quite artificial , and must drop before there is healthy business . One thing to be remembered is the fact that there is a considerable bear account open in the leading shares , so that I should not be surprised to see a scare in this market one of these

days . It is simply nonsense to say that most of the shares are worth their present prices even , although they are not so high as they have been . Mines are still good and active , and the interest is more distributed than it was a short time ago . It is probable that the Indian group will come into favour again , and I hear that before long something will be heard of the Mysore . Of the others I hear good reports of Van Ryn and Royalty . CRAFTSMAN .

J . S . —The meeting was held on the 14 th January . You should hold the shares . FOLKESTONE . —The account sent is quite correct . Although the dividend had been declared it was not deducted from the price

until the next account day . R . N . —It is his right name . He was declared a bankrupt about two years ago , when he was carrying on business under another title . AA e do not know what his means are , probably not much .

S . AV . —( 1 ) Not bad as regards bona . Jides , but unnegociable , and therefore not safe as an investment . ( 2 ) AVe note remarks and will make use of them .

PRESS EXCHANGES AND BOOKS RECEIVED .

Masonic Calendar for 1889 , of Lodges and Councils , & c , meeting at 8 a , Red Lion Square , W . C , London , with a list of Mark Lodges in or near London , 4 th year of issue , published by authority of the General Board of Mark Masons ; Voice of Masonry for February , edited by Bro . John AV . Brown , Chicago , Illinois ; The Australian Keystone , Vol ., 11 ., No . 13 ; Masonfc Advocate , Indianopolis , Ind .

ANSWERS .