Yesterday the second of the three great test matches between England and Australia was begun at Manchester; and so far as can be judged now towards the end of the second day's play it seems likely to result in a magnificent victory for the Australians, who have played a splendid game. The English eleven, it is true, were a little weak in bowling, as Mold, Lehman and Pougher were all' unable to play in consequence of slight injuries rncelve in the cricket field; but on the other hand Jones, the Australian's best bowler, though able to play, was evidently suffer: ing from the effects of a little' injury. Tredale, the great Australian batsman, who was not seen at his best in the early matches, has quite recovered his form, and with the help of his 108 the Australians put together 412 runs before they were all disposed of this morning. Then the Englishmen were all got out for a total of 231, and having to follow-on they have at the' moment T write, lost two wickets—Grace and Stoddart—for 76, which makes it very unlikely that they will escape defeat, Mr. Trott's team has now proved itself' by far the strongest which Australia has yet sent us, and should they win to-morrow the success which seems to be theirs, there will be extraordinary interest in the third test match. Everybody is pleased that Prince Ranjitsinhji was this time given a place in the English eleven. He refused to play unless he had a unanimous invitation, backed by the consent of the Australians, and this he got, Mr. Trott expressing a strong desire to sce him in the English side.
A NeW HER MAJESTY's THEATRE, The unsightly piece of vacant ground at the corner of Pall Mall and the Haymarket is soon to be filled. Mr. Beerbohm Tree yesterday laid the memorial stone of a new Her Majesty's Theatre, a splendid building which is to be built for him from the design of Mr. Phipps, who is responsible for half hundred of the principal theatres of this country. Mr. Tree has carried out magnificently the great traditions of the Haymarket under J. B. Buckstono and the Banerofts; and every one will wish him success with his new venture, one of his objects in building which is, he assures us, to play once more to a pit—a part of the house which was abolished at the Haymarket owing to the peculiar construction of the house when Mr. Bancroft assumed the management. has begun this week, and on the whole the weather has thus far been excellent for the citizen soldiers. Under the new system by which the shooting for the aeon's Prize is all crowded into the last week, however, these early days have been comparatively tame, the most interesting event being the winning of the Ashburton Shield by Charterhouse. The cadet corps of that school has been remarkably successful n recent years; but although they are no
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