... THE PLEASURES OP PLAY-WRITING TO THE EDITOR OP THE ERA. 8ir,-Well iay Mr Burnased vindicate the originality of lis rra;tdta Icomedy against tile ill-conditioned liiisrr'preS1 tion of his New York critirc. We have all grosm too Pick wickian, nolwadnys, to use the stern old rulonosyllahle which is the best condemnation of this sort of tlijir. It is the same everywhere. We have the Houses of ...

... A N:1W PIANOFORTE. The pianoforte is such a popular instrument that we do not wonder at the interest shown in any improvements made in its construction. As a popular writer says, A good piano- forte is a household orchestra ; and in fact so many of the effects of an orchestra can be obtained upon our modern grand pianos that the instrument is likely to hold its place in public estimation, ...

... MR. E. RIGHTON IN DUlBLIN. Mr E. Righton appeared last night for the first time at the Gaiety. * * ' Flirtations was received last night with great applause, and deservedly so, for the acting of all the parts was above the average. Mr Righton played Major Shoreshot, a part that be may be said to have created. In his interpretation ot this character, a vain, absurd old man, he showed great ...

... THE LATE WALTEFP MONTGOMERY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ERA. Sir,-The enclosed verbatim copy of a highly interesting letter from the late Walter Montgomery to Mr T. H. Atkinson, of Grantham, I have great pleasure in forwarding to you, with Mr Atkinson's full permission to insert the same in The Era. Fraternally and faithfully yours, JOHN LEVEY, Dramatist. Theatre Royal, Grantham, 1878. Boston, U.S. ...

... One of the most remarkable sights we have witnessed this Christmas was the Agricultural Hall on Boxing Night. The audience could be numbered by thousands, and even into the very roof the delighted crowds had climbed to get a better view of Myers's famous Circus, the fame of which had preceded its appearance. There could not be a better building for the purpose than the Agricultural Hall, which ...

... THE ATROCIOUS V!ILLAINS OF THE STAGE. The Abbe de Morallet had one fault as a counterweight to a great many virtues, he was a bon vivant; and it is recorded of him that he was at the table of a. host who, being anxious for a particularly fine pheasant to be so carved thst each of the guests might have a portion, directed the servants to pass the bird to the Ahb6, lie being well qualified for ...

... TOPICS OF THE WEE. | THE debate on the wart in which England is at present inevitably involved drags its slow length along in the House of Conmnons. All has been said that need be said. The wheat I hae been sifted friom the tares. Englishmen and Afghans have gone off to opposite camups, and we now know our fiends from our enemies. Argument is surely wasted on a man who, looking to history, can ...

... R E E MA SO N RY Grand Lodge. lc ttl Conimunicatioii of Graud Lodge of .Lnglisls III :I licid ?? Wedllesday igiit at Fiteallsotils Hall. The 702011%.,tltAnvox po Cral pUaster, presided. Lord Tenterden, ?? of Grand Sncuior Warden, and Sir HarcourtJohn. ?? the chair of Grand Junior Warden. Br W. B. B. Beach, Store2, A PDeputy Grand Master; and among the other Brethren wtedas large number of ...

... Royal Masonic Institution for Boys. I'Ihe (ictileral Commnittee of this Institution mlet oil the 7th I i 1rmemaUSO1os' hail1, CRltlailn NORDSWORtTI in the chair. Thle ,ther lirarct~ll- Who atteeded Were Thes D. Al. Dewar, H-. Aluggeridge, ~ Midlemas, R.B. Webster, IV. r. C. Moutt ie, George J. Row, s iessthl,11e. ).Morris, J. G. Chancellor, H. Massey, G. 3. Tere WO erylitlebusiness before the ...

... LETTER{S OF THEATRICAL CELEBRITIES. I EIGHTEENTH SERIES. We again place at the disposal of our readers valuable letters written by theatrical celebrities, and certain to prove of interest to all. For the use of the originals we are indebted to Mr W. C. Day, of Bedfordwsquare. FROM MRS BILLINOTON TO HARLEY, ESQ., BEDFORD-STREET, COVENT-GARDEN. Hammersmith, Dec. 4th, 1.810. My dear Mr Harley,-I ...

... MR. HENRY IRVING IN BIRMINGTHAM. AS LOUIS THE ELEVENTH. AnioDg Birmingham people LrI Henry Irving's consummate abilities have long been recognised, but theru call be no possible doubt that the great actor's reputation has been enhanced hi the eyes of those who have had the pleasure of eceing his truly grand performance of Louis the Eleventh. Mr Irving undertook this role, for the first time in ...

... I TO THE EDITOR OF THE ERA. Sir,-May I supplement the sad experiences of the swindled songsters with some of my own ? In a moment of weakness I conceived the idea, of endeavouring to promote the fun of tho public by inventing new and original comic scenes and business fur Pantomimes. Encouraged by the praises accorded to my efforts by an eminent provincial Manager and the panto- mimists ...