Correspondence

CORRESPONDENCE

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of otir Correspondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith .

REPORTS OF LODGE PROCEEDINGS

To the Editor of TnE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER . —A correspondent in your last issue remiuds us that to publish Lodgo proceedings is unconstitutional . The point , I venture to think , is debateable . Of this , however , there is no doubt , most of the reports are a great deal too circumstantial . "We are pretty frequently doomed to road repetitions such , as these

" The Lodge was opened , " " The Lodge was called off , " the candidate was entrusted and retired , " " The Lodge was closed , " & c , & c To publish our proceedings with all details is , to say tho least , impolitic . A general outline is , I think , sufficient for the initiated ; and the outside public , who may perchance peruse any of the reports , ought not to be presented with a too lucid description . The idea

seems to prevail that to make a report interesting it must occupy a large portion of space . We may , however , take it for granted that , in nine cases out often , lengthy accounts aro never read . Whereas , a concise statement in general terms is much more likoly to be perused , and , besides , possesses the merit of being in accordance with the constitution .

A propos of reporting : I noticed , in tho last number of the Suntlaw Times , under the heading of " Crime and Disaster , " that tho United Pilgrims Lodge of Instruction , hitherto held at the Duke of Edinburgh Tavern , Brixton , has been removed to the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell Road , and that Bro . P . S . Larlham was tho preceptor : Poor Brother Larlham ! Is it a crime or a disaster to be preceptor

of a Lodge , or does tho announcement refer to the calamity of its removal from its former quarters ? Perhaps reporters , professional or amateur , will take note and be cautions . Yours fraternally , E . GOTTHEIL .

The New Brunswick Masonic Hall.

THE NEW BRUNSWICK MASONIC HALL .

TITHE stockholders of this Company , which proposes to build a J- Masonic Temple iu St . John , met in the Masonic Hall , Ritchie ' s Building , on Monday 7 th June , and elected Directors . The architect submitted a IVout elevation , and gave very full details as to the interior arrangements of the building . It is to be erected on the lot on Germain-street , which lies immediately to the north of Trinity

Church . This lot , which has been purchased by tho Company from tho trustees of the late Benj . Smith , for 18 , 000 dols ., is 100 feet on Germain . street , and extends back 200 feet . It includes what is now known as Smith ' s Alley . Tho Company propose to erect a Masonic Temple upon this lot , with a front of 83 feet on Germain-street and to extend back 100 feet . This will leave au alley of 17 feet to

the north of tho building , or 9 feet wider than the present one . This alley is to go clear to the rear of tho lot , a distance of 200 feet . Behind the Temple , and 100 feet from Germain-street , will be a cross alley 20 feet wide , leaving a block SO feet by S 3 in the rear of tho lot , of which , while the Company propose to retain tho freehold , thev intend to lease , for a period of 21 years , to a party who will

erect a building there , for warerooms and a clothing manufactory . The Masonic Temple itself will bo four stories in height , built of brick , with handsomo stono trimmings , and a tlat roof , with a tower on the south-west corner . The entrance , twelve feet wide , will be under this tower , and ou the second story will bo tho Grand Secretary ' s suite of offices and reception , parlour . There will be four stories of

Germain-street , extending back the full depth ot tho building , with ware rooms or show rooms abovo on the second story , corresponding in size with the shops below . The first two stories will bo each 14 feet iu height . The two upper stories will be each 50 feet in height . Tho first of these , which is the third story of tho building , will contain a largo hall , about 50 by 80 feet , which will be for tho meetings

of tho Graud Lodgo aud tho subordinate Blue Lodges hoklen under it in the city . Iu the same story will bo a hall devoted to Royal Arch Masoury and to tho Grand and Subordinate Councils of Royal and Select Masters aud appeudaut Orders . The fourth story will contain a hall devoted to the Chivalric degrees ; the Knight Templars will also have armouries iu connection with this Hall for their

paraphernalia and accoutrements . Tho remainder ot tho stones will be fitted up into apartments for the degrees , conferred under the authority of the Supreme Council , of the thirty-third or last degree of tho Ancient aud Accepted Scottish Kite of Freemasonry , Royal Order of Scotland , and for the Kuights of tho Red Cross of Rome aud Constantino , and Knights of the Holy Sepulchre . These apart .

meats will be elaborately litted up , in accordance with tho rituals of these hig h Orders . The building is to be a substantial and handsomo structure , both externally aud internally , and worthy of tho Order to whose purposes it will bo devoted . It is expected to cost 70 , 000 dollars , exclusive of tho land , but the Company has been incorporated with a capital of 100 , 000 , which they

propose to havo Lilly suoscribed , aud as there nro three thousand Masons in tho Province , and thij will bo a Provincial affair , no diiiiculty is anticipated in realising that amount , In fact , the Masons residing in St . John and adjacent parishes , if they took stock to the extent of 100 dollars each , or live shaves , could raise the full amount of the capital , for thero are about a thousand members of tho Order

The New Brunswick Masonic Hall.

in this vicinity . The sum of 25 , 000 , is already subscribed , although little or no effort has yet been made , and any deficiency hero will bo easily made up , for leading Masons in other parts of the Province will contribute largely to the building , aud indeed tho wholo Craft throughout the Provinco will feel that their interests are identical with the successful completion of this New Brunswick Masonic

Temple . Tho Directors elected at tho lato meeting of stockholders wero John V . Ellis , Robert Marshall , B . L . Peters , Edward Willis , James Domville , James McNichol , Henry Duffell , E . E . Kenny and W . H . A . Keans . The architects of the Templo aro Messrs . McKean and Faivweather , and thoy aro now busily engaged with tho working

plans . Tho tenants of all tho buddiugs in this largo block have beeu notitied that their leases will terminato on tho 1 st May 187 G , wheu activo operations will be commenced on the Temple . It is thought the completion of tho New Brunswick Masonic Temple will occupy about two years from that date .

The Drama.

THE DRAMA .

" The Ticket of Leave Man " at the Olympic—The French Opera Company at the Gaiety . —Close of the "Hamlet" Season at the Lyceum . THERE is always a trump card in rescrvo in Mr . Novillo ' s hand ; in tho event of the failure of any of his new pieces ho can always rovivo The Ticket of Leave Man . It is difficult to understand how this piece has so long retained its popularity , it is certainly a

well constructed and effcctivo drama , no less could bo expectod from the hands of Mr . Tom Taylor , who , amongst our dramatic authors , is probably tho best judge of stage effect . But , many other dramas , equally well written and equally realistic , have long since been consigned to oblivion . Its exceptional success must be attributed to the remarkably brilliant way in which it was at first played . Nearly

every character iu the piece was made a study in itself , and no playgoer is likely to forget the Bob Brierly of Mr . Neville , the Hawkshaw of Mr . Horace Wigan , tho Melter Moss of Mr . Vincent , or tho Jom Dalton of Mr . Atkins . Although the drama has been revived several times iu the last ten years , it has generally been arranged so that tho principal characters havo been played by their

original exponents , and tho present is tho first occasion ou which any wholesale change has been made in tho cast . Mr . Neville , of course , still plays Bob Brierly , the part in which ho established his reputation , aud a flavour of which has hovered about all his subsequent creations . Mr . R . Soutaris still tho "Trotters , " and , although Miss Farren was not tho orginal office boy , an honour which belonged to Miss

Raynham , she has played tho part oftoner probably than any one else . But Mr . G . W . Anson now represents tho brutal Jem Dalton , and contrives to add now interest to the part which was so well played by Mr . Atkins . Mr . Eldrcd makes a successful first appearance at this thcatro as Melter Moss , but he can hardly hope to efface tho memory of Mr . Vincent ' s marvellous make-up and acting iu the same part . In playing a character like that of May Edwards , Miss . Fowler is

attempting something for which she is unfitted , both by nature and training ; she is a good actress in light comedy , but is out of place in melodrama . However , tho revival is quite successful , and will , no doubt , run as long as the manager may think necessary . Tho most notable incident in the doings of tlioFronchcompanyat the G . iiETi' has been the appearance of M . Tournic . His debut in England was mado nnder circumstances which wero to somo extent

disadvantageous to him ; for some time past flaming rumours havo been in circulation concerning his abilities , and it was impos .-ible that his performance could surpass tho promises made ou his behalf . It is greatly to his credit that , finder these conditions , he has so well satisfied all expectations , and any disappointment felt at his performance must not be attributed to want of ability ou his part ,

11 . Tournie appeared as the Zampa of Ilerold ' s opera , a part which Mr . Santley played at the Gaiety some years ago . He possesses a clear , pleasant voice , and a good presence , and has considerable dramatic ability ; his singing , however , is not free from that tremolo which is so common amougst French singers , and which is rather distressing to English cars . M . Tournie made a good impression , and

will no doubt becomo a great favourite . Wo must again call attention to the admirable way in which this company works together . Although they arc playing under the cmbarrasmcuts of a strango theatre and a foreign audience , there is a completeness and finish about their performances which would not be expected , aud certainly would not be seen in most English theatres .

On Tuesday night last , Hamlet was played at the LYCEUM for tho two hundredth time , a length of run to which this drama has never before attained . Although the performance cannot bo said to havo lost any of its attractions , Mr . Irving has wisely determined not , to prolong the run at the risk of wearying the public , and accordingly Tuesday was the last night . lb was natural that , at the clo . se of such

a successful experiment , Mr . Irving should wish to address a few words to his many faithful supporters ; and in a sensible , graceful speech , 'he thanked his audiouco for their favour , alluded tenderly to the lamented death of i'lv . JSutoman , aud gave a sii-iit sketch of future intentions at tho LYCKUM . Next seas m Macbeth will he produced , Mr . Irving , of eonr .-o , pin ving the chiercharactcr , and

ifterw .-irds Mr . Tennyson ' s just published drama , Mary Tu " ¦/' , will oo played , with the valuable help of Mi * s Kate Baicn-au . All playgoers will wish success to a management which has done so much to elevate tho tono of the English drama . In tho days when tho Dramatic iete was celebrated at the Crystal Palace , it was ono of the most enjoyable events of the year . Amoro

pleasant exerct .-jo of charily did not exist , but in course of time iho occasion \ viw ubusud , and little of the money spout found its way into the proper channel , and , therefore , the FODO was discontinued . It is , however , revived this year , and will b ) held to-: iay at the Alexandra Palace . Selections from popular phys will bo ^ ivon , in which all the leading actors and actresses of tho day will assist , and the objectionable features of tho old Fetes will bo discontinued ,