The Express.
London, England, 1862-05-14 00:00:00

POLYGRAPHIC HALL.

To a sale freshly painted and redecorated comes
Mr. Woodin, after a long absence in the provinces, without
the smallest trace of his nine years' public work upon him,
and as lithe and pleuantly self•sufhcient as ever. Thi;
i staple of his entertainment s that produced last year,
entitled The Cabinet of Curiosities, which is stated in the pro-
gramme to have been " polished and relined," a phrase that
being interpreted means an addition of certain songs and
characters by clever and indefatigable Mr. F.. L. Blanchard,
who from the commencement of Mr. Woodin's career has

been his literary coadjutor.
Of the new characters three belong to that extraordinary
world se beloved by the " entertainers." and so utterly im.
possible in reel life. No one ever met Professor Klack
in academic cap and gown and blue spectacles, talking
abstruse nonsense with preternatural volubility ; and Mr.
Hipsy Disit, the stalwart stickler for facts, is equally un-
known in society. There are but few country bonne filled
with a party raving for private theatricals, where a diminu-
tive lady, a very dwarf, would be permitted to enact Lady
Teazle. Bat what of that all these characters are admi-
rably embodied by Mr. Woodin, and as they delight the
audience the desired result is attained. The change from •
very tall man to a very little woman, though cleverly
managed, is a mere mechanical trick, but Mr. Woodin in
several instances shows that he is an appreciative artist with
a shrewd perception of character. His representation of
the chairman of a public dinner, in dress, nervousness, and
delivery, is life-like, and there are two or three little dia-
-1 racter.bits introduced in his song of Epsom races which are
almost equally good. Mr. Woodin is most uncomfortable
and least at his ease when he is himself : he seems to feel
this, and therefore for two hours is perpetually becoming
some one else, to the mutual delight of himself and his
audience.

It is now certain that the Lyceum Theatre will
shortly pass into the hands of Mr. Fechter. We have ex-
Fees authority to contradict the rumour which has bees
circulated by some of our contemporaries, to the effect
that Mr. Edmund Yates has undertaken to act as stage
manager for Mr. Fechter. Mr. Yates never had any such
intention. _ _

GENERAL DOMESTIC SERVANTs' BENEVOLENT
INSTITCTION.—The annual meeting of this institution was
held yesterday at the Hanover-square Rooms ; the Right
HOD. Lord Ebury, the president, in the chair. The pro-
ceedings having been opened by prayer, Mr. W. B. New-
berry, the secretary, read the report, which stated that the
charity had lost a number of its most influential supporters
by death. Their continued prosperity had enabled the com-
mittee to largely increase the amount of funds given to
pensioners and claimants for temporary relief. The collec-
tions and dividends amounted to 874/. 7s. 9d. The com-
mittee during the past year had invested 4501., making the
total investments in the Three per Cent. Consols 11,9814
12s. Oci. At the last election six candidates were elected,
making the total number on the list 58, of whom 49 were
receiving pensions. Another election would take place in
July next. The registry was in a flourishing condition, and
was abighly important element in the business of the insti-
tution. In a comparatively short period the society had dis-
tributed nearly 7,0001. to poor, aged and afflicted servants.
The report was adopted, and the chairman, the Rev. H.
Howarth, Mr. Joseph Payne, and several other gentlemen
addressed the meeting in rapport of the claims of the
institution. _ _ _

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