Literary Art, And Antiquarian Notes.

" L'Allegro " ( Mr . Horace Weir ) will contribute to the Christmas number of "Leisure , " a capital quarterly magazine , an interesting novelette entitled " Within the Sound of Crookton Bells . " The story will be founded on a bank failure . The Shaughraim is the title of a new paper published in Dublin . The first number is an excellent one ,

and if it may be taken as a criterion , Dublin is to be complimented on possessing for the first time a really good comic paper . The persiflage is particularly bright and pungent . SHIP MODELS . —The Shipwri g hts' Company , who a year or two ago inaugurated in Fishmongers' Hall an exhibition of ship models , are organising an international display of the same kind . They are appealing to

the various guilds to assist them , and have had many promises of support . The former exhibition was , as may he remembered , very largely attended , and it was generally admitted that it exerted considerable influence upon those in whose interest it had been designed . Though several of the companies aided the enterprise , the Shipwrights were losers by it . The wealthy guilds should not have allowed

this ; and the Shipwrights , who have " revived " themselves in modern times , and are by no means rich , are , naturally enough , protecting themselves beforehand from any loss by the exhibition which is now in contemplation . The idea of an international display of ship models cannot but be applauded , and its utility , if well organised , as there is every prospect of its being , is beyond all question . —

Citizen . The Academy announces a work called " Picturesque Palestine , " which is to be published in parts and illustrated by steel engravings and woodcuts from sketches by Messrs . Harry Fenn and J . D . Woodward , taken in the Holy Land expressly for this work , which has been prepared under the general superintendence of Colonel Wilson , R . E .,

C . B ., 1 < . R . S ., consul general in Asia Alinor , and formerly engineer to the Palestine Exploration Society . Each section of the work has been committed to a writer who has personal acquaintance with the [ portion of the country described . Professor Palmer will describe the country from Hebron to the Desert of Zin ; Lieutenant Conder that north of Jerusalem to Samaria ; Mr . E . T . Rogers ( late Her

Majesty ' sconsul at Cairo ) , Egypt ; the Rev . F . VV . Holland , Sinai . Other contributors are Canon Tristram , Miss Rogers , Colonel Warren , Dr . Scharf ( the American traveller ) , and Dr . Jessop , and an introduction will be written by Dean Stanley . COLLEGE OP PRECEPTORS . —A meeting of the council of this corporation was held on Saturday , the iSth

inst ., when the following persons wese elected members of the college : —Rev . Canon Daniel , M . A ., St . John's Training College , Battersea ; Mr . H . Grabe , Grammar School , Shoreham ;_ Mr . I . Beckton , Upper Bedford-place , Russell-square , VV . C . ; Miss C . VVall , St . James's-road , Upper Tooting ; Mr . C . H . Wall , St . James's-road , Upper l i ii vniai \

UDung ; IVIT . . IUTIO , ^^ . u ., Mueen s- , avenscourt-park , Hammersmith ; Mr . VV . Carpenter , Hamsey School , Lewes ; Miss M . Hassell , VVoodsome-road , Dartmouth-park , N . W . ; Miss E . M . G . Clark , Collegiate School for Girls , Port Elizabeth , South Africa ; Mr . M . M . Siddall , Frogmorc College , Rickmansworth ; Dr . G . T . C . Schwarz , Queen's College , Birmingham ; Miss M . D . Pearcc , London-street , Greenwich .

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OP ROME . — The antiquarian world will learn with regret that the Archaeological Society of Rome , which has done so much good service in the exploration of the ancient walls and fortifications of the city , and of its ancient churches , such as that of San Clemente , is practically , if not formally , extinct . It has lived a lingering existence for the last year or

twoin fact , ever since the return of Mr . J . H . Parker from Rome to Oxford—and even in its most successful days it had much to contend with . The other societies were j ' ealous of it , and there were divided counsels among its members . Within the last few years , too , the colony of English residents in Rome has been seriously diminishing in point of numbers , and the railways have made a

complete revolution in society , so that the association would have to depend henceforth on the subscriptions of casual visitors . Under the circumstances it has been resolved to discontinue its subscriptions and to allow it quietly to pass away into the domain of history . SIGNBOARD PAINTED BY THE LATE DAVID Cox . —A singular dispute touching the ownership of the

signboard of the Royal Oak Hotel , Bettws-y-Cocd , was submitted for the decision of the Bangor District Court ol Bankruptcy . The sign , which is well known to most tourists in Wales , was painted by David Cox in 1 S 47 as 'he signboard of the hotel . David Cox re-touched it in 1849 , and in 1 SG 1 , at the request of many admirers of the artist , it was placed in the hall of the hotel . The late landlady having into

gone liquidation , the trustees claimed to include in the effects the old signboard , for which it was stated a connoisseur had offered £ 1000 , and a dispute now arose whether the painting was not a fixture , and as such belonged to the lessor , Lady Willoughby D'Eresby . The Judge , after a perusal of the voluminous affidavits , decided m favour of her ladyship , directing that the costs of the application should be paid out of the debtor's estate .

SOCIAL SCIENCE COXGRESS . —In the Art Department the discussion on the question whether there ought to he a School of Dramatic Art subsidized by private subscription or endowment , or by the State , will te introduced by a Paper by Professor Fleeming Jcnkin . Air . Hubert Herkomcr , A . R . A ., will contribute a paper on the question How far would the revival of the old system of' master and

pupils ' be of advantage and tend to promote the growth of historical art in the country , and the fitting use of painting and sculpture in our public buildings ? " Professor Jenkin will also read a paper on " The best mode of amendlng ' the present laws with reference to existing buildings and of improving their sanitary condition so as to render tnem more healthy , having due regard to economical considerations . " The discussions on the questions— " What

sh ° kest areas for sanitary purposes , and how far snould there be a revision of the mode of electing and con-A ?^ F , t ! le services oi the officers under the Public Health £ « s •and " What are the means which should be adopted ¦ ° l \ Prevention of the pollution of streams , without undue nterierence with industrial operations , and for the preser-.. " [ l ° > Pure sources of water supply ? " will be opened jC , J P ^ rs by Sheriff Spens , of Glasgow , and Dr . Stevenson "' acadam , of Edinburgh .

Literary Art, And Antiquarian Notes.

SANITARY PRIZE ESSAY . —The Government of India has offered the prize of £ 100 for the best " Manual of Hygiene , " to serve as a text-book for the use of the British soldiers in that country . Works submitted in competition for this prize must be sent in by their authors to the Secretary of the Government of India in the Military Department at Calcutta , so as to reach his hands not later than the last day of next March . Each is to bear a motto ,

and to have a sealed envelope attached , bearing the same motto on the outside cover and the name of the author within , after the fashion which prevails in our Universities at home ; and the prize will he adjudicated by a committee of officers , consisting of the Surgeon-General and the Principal Medical Officer of the forces in India , the Sanitary Commissioner with the Government of India , and an officer of the Quartermaster-General ' s Department . The work is " to be written in clear and simple English , and

thoroughly practical , showing the ordinary causes affecting health , and the special dangers to which British soldiers are exposed in India , more particularly during their first year in the country , and the best means by which those dangers may be averted . " The work , if accepted , will be printed at the public expense , and become the property of the State ; and it is not to exceed in bulk " more than 50 or 60 pages of print of small pica , octavo size . " It is added that the Government of India will not feel bound to award

the prize at all , unless one at least of the manuals produced in competition shall be j ' udged "in all respects suitable to the purposes for which it is required . " CHRIST ' HOSPITAL . —In accordance with an ancient civic custom observed annually on St . Matthew's Day , the Lord Mayor , Sheriffs , and Under-Sheriffs went on Tuesday last in state to Christ's Hospital to Divine service . On their arrival there they were met by the

governors and escorted to Christ Church , which adjoins the hospital , and where the Bluecoat boys had also assembled . The sermon was preached by the Rev . Henry C . Bowker , M . B ., vicar of Christ Church , Hull , and formerly a master in the mathematical school of Christ ' s Hospital , from the text , 2 nd chapter of Colossians , 3 rd verse , " In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge . " The preacher alluded to the impending changes at Christ ' s Hospital , and expressed a fear that an institution which had

stood the test of an existence of three centuries might be imperilled in its usefulness by the sweeping alterations in contemplation . At the conclusion of the service the Lord Mayor was escorted to the court-room , where , under the Act 22 Geo . III ., cap . 77 , the lists of the governors of the Royal Hospitals were formally presented to him , and thence given into the custody of the Town Clerk ( Sir John Monckton ) . Formerly the scholars delivered the usual orations , but they are now recited earlier in the year .

Amusements.

Amusements .

STRAND THEATRE . —On Saturday last the Strand opened its doors for the production of a new opera bouffe b y M . Edmond Audran , until now a name unknown in England . M . Audran is the son of a celebrated vocalist at the Opera Comique , and after receiving a substantial musical education , he became Chapel Master in 1 S 61 at St . Joseph , Marseilles . In this city he produced several small

operatic pieces , which gained considerable local favour , and his church music is also well spoken of . " Les Noces d'Olivette , " when produced at the Bouffes Parisicnnes early this year , was a failure , owing , it is said , to a bad performance , but it has been better received in the provinces , and of its success in London there can scarcely be a doubt judging from the reception awarded it on Saturday .

Mr . H . B . harnie is accountable for the adaptation , and the authors , Messrs . Chivot and Duru , cannot complain of his treatment of the work ; and no pains have been spared by the management as regards mounting . With regard to M . Audran ' s music , its chief characteristic , paradoxical as it may sound , is a complete absence of individuality . The composer has basked in the refulgence of Offenbach and

Lecocq , the superior lights of opera bouffe , and has caught just a glimmer of Gounod . The virtue of simplicity has had great weight with him , and he docs not oppress his hearers by elaborate concerted pieces , indefiendent partwriting , or picturesque orchestration . The best numbers are Alerimac ' s song , "The Yacht and the Brig , " called in the book a "Marine Madrigal , " but rcallv a barcarolle :

Olivette ' s air , " My school days I regret , " and the lively farandole at the end of the second act . The success of pieces of this kind depends in a great measure upon those who arc entrusted with the principal female characters . To Aliss Florence St . John , with her sympathetic and welltrained voice and pleasing appearance , much of the popularity of " Aladame Favart" was due ; and in the part of Olivette her opportunities are equally advantageous . The

same may be said in scarcely less degree of Miss Violet Cameron , who impersonates the Countess . The best piece of acting is that of the weather-beaten sailor Merimac , by M . Manus . This is a thoroughly-humorous performance , conceived in a spirit of true comedy . Mr . H . Ashley , as the foppish and scheming Due des Ifs , is very acceptable . Air . Knight Aston is excellent vocally as Valentin , and smaller parts are efficiently rendered by Air . H . Parry , Mr . H . Cox , and Mr . De Lange .

IIAYAIARKET . —The Haymarket Theatre , which during the autumn season passes by arrangement with Mr . Bancroft into the hands of Mr . ] . S . Clarke , reopened on Monday last with a programme in which , as his admirers will be glad to learn , the name of this popular actor is once more conspicuous . Mr , Clarke , as we have before had occasion to observe , is one of those fortunate managers who are

relieved in great measure from that necessity for producing a constant succession of novelties which may be counted among the most pungent of the thorns with which the managerial cushion is so liberally provided . Nevertheless , he has deemed it advisable on this occasion to supplement the apparently inexhaustible attraction of the humours of Major Wellington de Boots by presenting himself in a character which , as far at least as he is concerned , is , we

believe , entirely new . " Leap Year " was produced at this very house some twenty-five years ago , under Mr . Benjamin Webster's management , when Mr . Charles Keen p layed the lover , a certain Sir William Willoughby , who , in the assumed name of Walker , becomes an inmate of Lady Flora's house , so that he may discover her character ere he woos her , and , we believe , declined to continue the part owing to the " chaff" of the gallery boys . The piece

Amusements.

belongs to the farcical-comedy class , in evidence of which we cannot do better than cite the official synopsis of the story , as follows : " Lady Flowerdew is a widow , whose late husband ' s fortune she cannot claim unless she is married by a certain date ; in default of fulfilling this condition , the money is to revert to Sir William Willoughby . Miss O'Leary decides upon finding a husband for the fair

widow , and after introducing several , recommends Mr . Dimple to be taken on trial for three days . This is done , but he does not answer at all . He comes home full of Bacchus the very first day , attended by a Captain Mouser , a lawyer's son , who dresses Dimple up in a fool ' s cap made out of a parchment deed . This document Miss O'Leary secures , and fines it to contain proof to her title

to £ 3000 a year . In the meantime Sir William , who is in love with the widow , determines to satisfy himself in regard to her capabilities before asking her hand , and for this purpose enters her service disguised as Walker , a sort of groom of the chambers . The entire piece turns on this situation of the characters , and of course the last act sees Sir William \ m \ te & to the widow , who had been captivated ,

and nearly pops the question to him , under the advice of Miss O'Leary , who quite avails herself of the " Leap Year" privileges in the case of Mr . Dimple . And the remaining female portion of the household , following her example , propose to the male servants , and the curtain falls on four happy couples . It will be seen by this description that extravagant fun rather than refined

humour or strict probability is the prevailing characteristic of "Leap Lear ; " but the merriment which it provokes is genuine and abundant . Heartier laughter , indeed , could hardl y have been heard within the walls of the Haymarket than is aroused by the modest demeanour of Mr . Dimple , in the person of Mr . Clarke , when Mrs . John Wood , as the representative of Miss O'Leary , exercises the

Bissextile privilege of the ladies . The piece is acted throughout with much sympathy with its predominant spirit . Mr . Conway's earnestness , touched with the requisite dash of conscious exaggeration , gives to the part of the disguised footman a thoroughl y artistic finish ; and not less praise is . due to Miss Linda Dietz's performance of the part of Lady Flora . Among other impersonations that of Mrs .

Canninge , as the housekeeper , Mrs . Crispe , and of Mr . Kemble as Captain Mouser , deserve special mention . " A Widow Hunt , " as we have already indicated , forms the after-piece of the evening's entertainments , which , we may add , open with a little comedietta , cleverly adapted by Mr . C . M . Rae , and neatly acted by Miss Winifred Emery and Miss Edith Bruce .

MANCHESTER . —QUEEN'S THEATRE . —On Monday last " East Lynne was produced here , and gave Miss Ethel Arden another opportunity of exhibiting her great talent as Lady Isabel Carlyle . We have extolled this lady's performances on several previous occasions , but although we had come to regard them as something that was at all times excellent , yet we were quite unnrepared

for such an exhibition of power as her characterisation of Lady Isabel truly was , and she can safely take credit for being second to none in this character . Her outburst of motherly emotion when she finds her child dying was very touching , and made an impressive effect on the audience , especially on the ladies , who were using their handkerchiefs rather freely . Mr . Percy Lyndal was a very good Archibald

Carlyle , and Mr . Swift ' s Earl of Mount Severn was sympathetic and dignified . Mr . Walton was somewhat too flippant as Sir Francis Leveson , and seemed too anxious to show his character in its true colours . Mr . Bracewell ' S Bullock was the cause of immoderate laughter , and the audience scarcely wait for this gentleman to put in an appearance before they commence to applaud , and , like

Grimaldi of old , he has only to look at his audience to make them laugh . Mr . Chippendale's Justice Hare was a most satisfactory performance , and the remaining characters were well represented . The burlesque of " Sinbad the Sailor" concluded a most liberal programme , the fun and SroYic ol Messrs . licaccwell and Stevens producing great merriment and applause , their topical duet " But you

mus nt tell any one else' being heartily relished , as was also the latter gentleman's comic effusion " The man with an appetite . " Aliss Lily Ramsden made a successful debut and good impression with her singing and dancing in the character of Captain Abdallah , and Miss Jessie Villars shared the honours with her as Sinbad . The burlesque abounds with torturing puns and local allusions , and altogether is a very acceptable variation as an afterpiece .

. The Children s Pinafore Company arc still " starring "in the provinces , and appear to be received everywhere with satisfaction . Last week they appeared at Bradford to a crowded house , and the more familiar numbers , as they fell in swift succession to the juvenile artistes , i

were receved with the warmest approbation ; encore followed encore , and the calls before the curtain at the end of the first act , and again at the conclusion of the opera , were of the most enthusiastic character . The conductor , Bro . G . Jenkinson , has reason to feel proud of his band of juveniles , who have done so much credit to his training .

Our advertising columns disclose the fact that the Saturday popular concerts at the Town-Hall , Shoreditch , will be resumed to-day ( Saturday ) , and judging from the list of well known performers who are announced to appear , an evening's amusement of a first class character may be looked forward to , and should not fail to crowd the house to overflowing by the more respectable class of the community for whom the entertainments are specially arranged .

The annual festival and installation of the Eleanor Cross Lodge , No . 17 ( 14 , will be held at Northampton on Wednesday next . Bro . Henry J . Atkins , P . G . ] . D ., is the W . M . elect , and the agenda paper states that he will be installed b y Bro . Rev . S . J . VV . Sanders , P . P . G . C . We hope to give a report of the proceddings in our next .

HOLLOWAV ' Piu . s . —Though good health is preferable to high hononr , how regardless people often are of the former—how covetous of the latter ! Many sulVcr their strength to < lrain away ere maturity is reached , through ignorance of the facility afforded by these incomparable Pills of checking the first untoward symptoms of derangement , anil reinstating order without interfering hi the least with their pleasures or pursuits . To the young especially it is important to maintain the highest digestive elliciency , without which the growth is stunted , the muscles become lax , the frame feeble , and the mind slothful . The removal of indigestion by these Pills is so easy that none save the most thoughtless would permit it to sap the springs of life . [ ABVT . ]