ART, LITERARY AND DRAMATIC GOSSIP.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2066, 7 October 1880, Page 3

ART, LITERARY AND DRAMATIC GOSSIP.

The “ Academy ” says literary ladies are rapidly coming to the front in tho United States. Mrs Kate A. Sanborn has been appointed to the Chair of English Literature in Smith College, at Northampton, Massachusetts.

J. K. Emmet (Fritz) is again in England. Jules Ycrne is going to visit tho marble quarries at Kleber, in the province of Oran, Algeria, and will soon bring out a book called “A Journey to the Land of Marble.” Dr. Oolenso, tho Bishop of Natal, has completed his digest of the voluminous Blue Books on the Zulu War. This work, which extends to 750 pages, has been set up by Zulus at the bishop’s private printing press at Bishopstown. In an appendix, Dr. Colenso makes some comments on Captain Poole’s article on Cetowayo in “ Macmillan’s Magazine,” and also gives an account of a visit paid to him in May last by a great deputation of Zulu chiefs, which included two brothers of the ox-king. Mr Henry Irving, says tho “ Figaro,” took his benefit recently at the Lyceum and the theatre will now be closed for a brief interval prior to the rehearsals of “ Tho Corsican Brothers.” At the benefit, besides the performance of “Charles 1.,” with Mr Irving as the King, and Miss Ellen Terry as the Queen, Mrs Bancroft recited “ Major Namby,” Mr Toole gave his entertainment, “ Trying a Magistrate,” Mias Ellen Terry recited in character Monk Lewis’ poem, “ The Captive,” Mr Sims Beeves and his son Herbert sang, and Mr Irving recited “The Dream of Eugene Aram." At the end of the entertainment Mr Irving delivered his annual speech. He apologised for not having been able to perform his promises owing to the success of the “ Merchant of Venice,” which ran through the season. He expressed his determination to begin the next season with “ The Corsican Brothers.” He said he had a play by Alfred Tennyson—a very remarkable play—which he would positively produce in the coming season. He sad also a play by Mr Wills on the subject of Rienzi, and a historical drama by Mr Frank Marshall. Mr Alma Tadema had completed his magnificent series of studies for Coriolanus, and there was another Shakespearean play Mr Irving would produce as soon as possible —“ that is if the public will only be pood enough to help me a little by staying away.” Mr Irving concluded by announcing that although she had many offers to go, he had re-engaged Miss Ellen Terry for the forthcoming season. It is understood that Mr Frank Marshall’s play is

“ Robert Emmet,” and that the “ other Shakespearean play ” which Mr Irving wishes to produce as early as possible is “ King Lear.” If all the Lyceum productions achieve the success of “The Merchant of Venice,” Mr Irving’s list will last him several years. A short time ago a party of friendly Zulus gave an exhibition at Chesterfield, and one of the band, who assumed tho role of the “ Zulu Queen,” became so enamoured of the place, or the crooked spire, that “ her Majesty ” desired to remain, and declined to accompany the rest of the party to “ pastures new.” An enterprising innkeeper, with an eye to business, engaged the “ Zulu Queen ” as barmaid at 6s per week and rations. Whilst serving in this humble capacity, the Zulu appropriated a sum of money and a gold watch belonging to the landlord, and daring the investigation with reference to the missing property left tho house. The “ Queen,” who was subsequently found at another inn, understanding that an offence against the English law bad been committed, took to flight. A chase ensued, and “she” was captured, about £l4 and the watch being found on “her” person. It was thereupon discovered that the “ Zulu Queen” was a man, and that, although he went by the name of Ungami Wallah, his real name was Thomas John Wilson, alias George Williams, The landlord had all along thought that Ungami was a woman.