... . The farewell oratorio performances given by Mr. Sims Reeves at the Albert Hall have thus far attracted large audiences, although considerable disappointment has been felt by amateurs, who were anxious to hear the famous tenor in the standard works promised in the prospectus. At the first con cert Mr. Reeves was unable to sing through Judas Maccabceus, and the aid-of Mr. W. H. Cnmmings was ...

... . AFTER, doubtless, what the daily papers in their bulletins of the proceedings of exalted personages would call a favourable time, Messrs. Gilbert and Sullivan brought forth their æsthetic opera. This mountain of combined genius and intel lect produced a-- well, a tolerably large-sized rat. England, let us hope, has always expected every man to do his duty, and, in these days of supposed ...

... . IT was a good title, Masks and Faces, when the authors thought of putting a play to it, for the interest was sure to appeal to the many-headed in so very many ways, all converging to the great central social question, Which are the masks and which are really the faces. But, apart from this, no title could be more suitable to the exigencies of the plot round which Messrs. Tom Taylor and ...

... . The Book of the Babbit Giving the History, Varieties, Uses, Points, Selection, Mating, Management, Exhibiting, Judging, Treatment of the Diseases, and much other Information bearing on the subject of Fancy Rabbits. Illustrated with Fae-Similes of Water-Colour Drawings prepared for this work, and numerous wood engravings. By various Breeders and Exhibitors, and edited by Leon'arh if. Gn.r. ...

... . RETROSPECTION is not always a pleasant occupation, though it may occasionally prove useful and even salutary in its effects. That fine old tragedian, Father Time, has just permitted us to close another year. Of course, we all know what good we have done for ourselves and each other, and I am perfectly certain our neighbours know what harm. That gay old deceiver, Mother Shipton, has failed to ...

... . It is rarely in this variable climate that a few days' sleighing can be enjoyed, and many who look at the turn-out which Mr. Sturgess has sketched will regret that this should be so. The design of the sleigh is, so far as we know, Mr. Sturgess's invention, and it mil be noticed that in the two conveyances the horses are harnessed differently, the pair being without collars. ...

... . There was a sound of revelry by night at Normanton Park, Rutland, on Friday, January 14th, when the visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to Lord and Lady Aveland was brought to a successful termination by a grand ball. Our illus tration, from a sketch by Mr. Cuthbert Bradley, shows the scene, about eleven o'clock that evening, when the arrivals at the house were fast and furious. The ...

... JACK AT THE ODEON. Stage adaptations of novels, when the author of the book has a part in the adaptation, are not often successful. It is true that Mons. H. Lafontaine has come to the aid of M. Alphonse Daudet in the present case, but more ruthless hands were needed if the popular story was to make a popular play. Jack, the hero, is the son of a woman who leaves him to struggle along in ...

... . MME. CHRISTINE NILSSON, whom Mr. Mapleson announces as engaged for a limited number of representations, made her rentree at Her Majesty's Theatre on Saturday last, in one of her most popular impersonations-- that of Margherita, in Gounod's Faust. She was heartily welcomed by a large audience --amongst whom were the Prince and Princess of Wales-- and maintained her reputation as vocalist ...

... MUSIC. PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY. AT the second concert of the season, given last week in St. James's Hall, the Romeo et Juliette symphony of Berlioz was produced for the first time (in its complete form) in England. Every care had been taken to ensure a successful performance. The band of 80 was increased to the number of 100 instrumen talists--the elite of the profession; the choruses were sung ...

... . A PERFORMANCE in aid of this fund was given at the Hay market on Thursday afternoon before an audience which must have contributed handsomely to the charity. She Stoops to Conquer was the piece played, and as Mr. Lionel Brough had given his services, it is needless to emphasise the fact that a Tony Lumpkin as nearly reaching the ideal Tony as one may reasonably expect to see was found at the ...

... IMPERLhL THEATRE. Tinder the Mistletoe, the drama by Messrs. Mounteney-Jephson and Molyneux St. John, with which the public has of late been edified in the mornings at the Imperial, is a very weak and foolish affair. When it was first played people began to think that its prologue and five tableaux were never coming to an end, and that in one way, at all events, a long run for the new piece ...