Reports Of Meetings.

paid to fche Treasurer of the Minnehaha Amateur Minstrels , by way of increasing their quota to the local War Fund . The W . M . proposed the health of the initiate , to whioh Bro . Gabriel replied , saying his heart was full of gratitude to the Brethren for their enthusiastic reception of him . It had been hh desire many years ago to

become a Freemason , and that night , through their kindness , his wish was fulfilled . In looking around he saw his old friend and neighbour , Bro . Wm . Goldthorpe P . P . G . Reg ., who had put himself to no little inconvenience to be present at his initiation , and he felt that ho owed a debt of gratitude to him also .

Bro . B ' red Hilton proposed the health of the newly-passed Brother , to which Bro . Irwin responded , saying he felt that the Lodge had conferred an honour upon him by accepting him into the ranks of Freemasonry . Other toasts followed . Among the numerous visitors were Bros . J . Lees P . M . 1345 P . P . G . D ., W . T . Biease I . P . M . 1773 , F . Scott W . M . 44 , O . Duckworth P . M . 44 , J . N . Withers P . M . 2529 . & c

FELIX LODGE , No . 2371 . THE installation festival of this Lodge was hold on Tuesday , when Bro . J . W . Read was installed Worshipful Master for the ensuing year . The Lodge room at the Bath Hotel was handsomely decorated with chrysanthemums by Host Bro . G . R . Quilter for the occasion , and the fine display of plants was greatly admired .

There was a full attendance of Officers and Brethren , and the Visitors included Bros . H . W . Chatterton 1494 P . P . G . Reg . Middx ., J . E . Cook I . P . M . 1452 , U . C . Grice P . M . 650 , W . Kemp P . M . 959 P . P . G . P ., Alma Cocks P . M . 959 , W . Watson I . P . M . 959 , W . Fodlum W . M . 959 , Chas . Grayson S . W . 959 , A . Goff S . D . 959 , E . H . Hopson 81 , F . W . Hopson 81 , J . 0 . Balham I . P . M . 516 , H . P . Ward 376 , and Chas . E . Runnacles 2148 .

The installation ceremony was impressively performed by Bro . C . G . Havell P . P . G . Org ., at fche conclusion of which the Worshipful Master Bro . J . W . Read appointed and invested his Officers , as follow : Bros . F . A . Brooks S . W ., C . H . Quilter J . W ., Rev . S . J . Sherwood Banks Chap ., W . M . Cuckow P . M . P . P . G . Std . B . Treas , H . 3 . Wright P . M . P . P . G . D . C . Sec , W . O . S . Pell S . D ., A . J . Haward J . D ., G . R . Quilter P . M . P . P . S . G . D . D . C , C . G . Havell P . M . P . P . G . Org . Org ., F . E . Brown I . G ., J . H . Goodwin , H . T . Homer and Tom Whittle Stewards , P . Cooper Tyler .

The installation banquet followed , the Worshipful Master presiding . After the Loyal toasts the W . M ., in proposing that of the Provincial Grand Master Lord Henuiker , the Deputy Bro . Rev . 0 . J . Martyn , and the Provincial Officers , stated they all regretted the indisposition of the Prov . Grand Master , and sincerely hoped he would soon be restored to that greatest of blessings , good health . The Deputy Grand Master had endeared himself to the Brethren by his genial and kind disposition , and it was a great pleasure to all to have his presence at their gathering .

The Installing and I . P . M . Bro . Havell , in eulogistic terms proposed the toast of the Worshipful Master . The Brethren of the F . elix Lodge knew that their W . M . had always taken the keenest interest in the well working of the Lodge . He congratulated him on his unanimous election to the honourable position he had attained , and wished him a most successful year of office . The toast was drunk with enthusiasm .

The W . M ., in response , thanked the Brethren for the cordial feeling expressed . He trusted the Officers would be embued with the spirit of emulation , so that tho high position the Lodge had attained in the Province might be upheld .

He next proposed tlie health of the Installing and I . P . M ., and in presenting Bro . Havell with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel said it was spontaneously subscribed for by the Brethren as a small ackowledgmenfc of his valuable services to the Lodge , and he trusted the G . A . O . T . U . would long spare him to wear it , with credit to himself and honour to the Craft .

Bro . Havell feelingly thanked tho Brethren in an appropriate speech . The Masonic Charities , the Visitors , the Officers , and the Tyler ' s toast were duly given and acknowledged . Many visitors and Brethren contributed to the harmony of the meeting , Bro . F . W . Hopson 81 kindly presiding at the piano . After Rudyard Kipling's poem " The Absent-Minded Beggar " had with much feeling been recited by Bro . H . T . Horner a collection amounting to ten pounds was made for our Soldiers' Widows and Orphans fund .

During the evening telegrams and letters of congratulation to the W . M . wore read from Bros . C . 0 . Cheston P . G . D . Eng . P . P . S . G . W ., N . Tracey P . G . Std . B . Eng . Prov . G . Sec , W . H . Brown W . M . 376 , and others .

THE MANCHESTER LODGE , No . 2554 . A MEETING of this Lodge , recently held at the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , was a very successful one , four new members swelling the ranks , one ( Bro . Richard John Brew , West Didsbury , Lodge 222 , Bray , I . C . ) as a joining member , and three as initiates , namely , Messrs . Walter Gibbons , Old Trafford ; Max Wilhelm Karge , Chorlton-cum-Hardy ; and Arthur James

Hoyland , Clayton . The first and last ceremonies were performed by Bro . A . C . K . Smith W . M ., whilst Bro . W . A . Boyer I . P . M . initiated Mr . Karge into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry . The working tools were presented and explained , and the charge rendered , by Bro . W . E . Davies J . W ., in a highly creditable manner .

At the festive board which followed , various toasts were submitted , these being agreeably varied by songs and recitations , given by Bros . A . B . Smith S . W ., F . J . Burt S . D ., C . Jordan Org ., E . Roberts P . M ., & c , J . M . Myers P . M . 1339 , A . J . Lunn 317 , and others .

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INSTRUCTION .

CRANBOURNE LODGE , No . 1580 . KNOWING the high reputation of the Mother Lodge , which has been held for many years past at the Red Lion Hotel , Hatfield , we looked forward with considerable gratification to a visit to the Instruction Lod ge , which we attended on Tuesday , at the same quarters , when we were agreeabl y impressed with the excellent accommodation provided for the gathering ,

and the effective working of Bro . J . Gray-, who acted as Worshipful Master , supported by Bros . W . J . Richardson S . W ., M . Johnson J . W ., F . W . Robinson P . M . Prec , F . 0 . Harrison J . D ., E . Smith I . G ., J . Wynman , and some other Brethren whose names we do not have the pleasure of knowing . The Lodge being duly formed the minutes were read and confirmed , and

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then the W . M . proceeded to rehearse the ceremony of initiation , for whioh Bro . Wynman was accepted as candidate . This being ended , the same Brother answered the questions leading to the second degree , and the ceremony was most perfectly and impressively rendered . It was proposed by Bro . Robinson that Bro . Wynman be elected an honorary member of the Lodge , which was seconded by the S . W ., supported by the J . W ., and unanimously agreed fco . Bro . Wynman on behalf of the Press , and'for himself , returned thanks for the compliment .

Bro . Richardson was unanimously elected to preside as W . M . on Tuesday , the 19 th inst ., and knowing the perfect working of that Brother we expect to seo a very good meeting . A letter was read from the Secretary Bro . Smith , explaining his inability to attend , on account of indisposition .

The Lodge is held every alternate Tuesday , at 7 . 30 sharp , and we strongly advise our readers residing in Hatfield , Hertford , St . Albans , and the neighbourhood , to visit it , not only for instruction , but also for social intercourse one with another . Bro . Robinson P . M . is the Preceptor , and his working is all that can be desired .

We have often spoken of cycling trips being promoted in connection with such meetings as we here report , and if our Brethren of the Cranbourne will " guarantee " us a fine evening , with fche moon near the full , early in the new year , and will admit visitors in cycling attire , we think a pleasant outing could be arranged in their direction , with the possibility of , at least , half a dozen visitors from Barnet alone .

Entertainment Notes.

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES .

Court . —A particularly pleasing play has been produced by Messrs . Arthur Chudleigh and Dion Boueicault ,- which ought to achieve a large measure of popularity . It is termed by the author , Mr . R . Marshall , " a comedy of romance " and is entitled " A Royal Family . " For state reasons it is necessary that the Princess Angela , daughter of King Louis VII , of Arcasia , should marry Prince Victor of Kurland , but being a well educated young lady , wifch her own ideas on the subject , she decides to marry only the

man of her choice . The Prince , endued by a similar sentiment , determines to woo his bride under tho disguise of a gentleman of his court . Some very pretty scenes follow , with of course the customary happy ending , brought about by the amiable Cardinal Casano . The story is not new ; but it is charmingly told , and the dialogue , if we except an occasional lapse into upto-date colloquialisms , smartly written . The two principal characters are admirably sustained by Miss Gertrude Elliott and Mr . Paul Arthur , but all

concerned contribute to the success of the piece . Mr . Eric Lewis , renders the part of King Louis with the proper dignity , and Mr . Boucicault gives a pleasing impersonation of the benevolent Cardinal . An amusing picture of the Queen Dowager , who desires to direct the affairs of state through the domestic circle , is presented by Mrs . Charles Calvert , and another humorous character is that of the rather foolish Chief of Police , capitally played by Mr .

A . Fitzgerald . Miss Ada Branson looks a stately Queen , Mr . James Erskine a vivacious Duke of Berascon , and Messrs . Geo . Bellamy , Marsh Allen , A . Weatherley , and S . Conover ably represent the supplementary characters . The play is beautifully mounted , and the costumes , especially those in the throne room scene , are both magnificent and effective . Ifc should be a long time before a change of programme becomes necessary , for it is certainly a play that can be seen with pleasure at least twice .

Shaftesbury . —The " Belle of New York" seems to lose little of her popularity among London playgoers , this theatre being nightly filled with enthusiastic audiences , who thoroughly enjoy the programme which—after a run of nearly 900 performances—seems still to keep its star in the ascendant . There is plenty of fun throughout the piece , spirited music , and good acting ;

the performance of the " polite lunatic" being particularly funny . By the way , is it a coincidence , or intentional , the way in which the elder Bronson ' s guards stand to attention ? On the occasion of our visit the theatre was not " close tyled , " else wc might have been inclined to challenge fchem .

Comedy . — "El Capitan" concludes his merry run afc the Comedy Theatre this evening , and on Wednesday a new comic opera by Messrs . Klein and Sousa , entitled " The Mystical Miss , " will be produced . It is stated that Miss Adine Bouvier " the handsomest woman of the American Stage " will appear in this piece .

Music Of The Day.

Music of the Day .

AS usual at this period of the year some of the most attractive of recent publications are to be found among the now dance tunes for the season , which are this year well up to the high standard reached in the past , and may be expected to be patronised wifch fervour and enthusiasm during the next few months . Adele (*) is particularly pleasing , and would be hard to beat as an opening number , where a good old fashioned polka was desired . Bonnie Scots ( 2 ) is a splendidly arranged schottische , one of the liveliest tunes we have heard for some time , and must win approval wherever played .

Barn dances are popular this year , as they have been since the introduction of this lively round dance in our midst , one of the prettiest tunes of the season being the Colorado , ( ) which is well marked , and has a most pleasant ring about its setting . The same may also be said of the Blackamoors , ( 4 ) the music of which is so lively as to carry one away with a desire to join the merry throng in the rnazy dance . The Yokohama Girl ( 5 ) shares with these two the glories of a most interesting trio , and will be found one of the best tunes yet submitted for the patrons of the dance . Captive Love ( 6 ) is yet another lively contribution to this section of our music port-