Edinburgh Dramatic And Arts Lodge.

EDINBURGH DRAMATIC AND ARTS LODGE .

THE monthly meeting of this Lodge was held on Tuesday , 1 st inst ., in their Hall , Waterloo Rooms , Edinburgh . I . P . M . Bro . W . Grant Stevenson , A . R . S . A ., occupied the chair in the absence of the B . W . M . Duviil 1 ' rvde , M . A ., LL . D ., through illness , and amongst the officers and members present were Bros . F . W . Bridgman S . M ., W . D . Younn S . W ., J . M . Henry J . W ., William A . Davis Secretary ,

George A . Psacook Act .-Treaaurer , D . W . Stevenson , B . S . A ., Architect , T . Thompson J . D ., G . W . Lingard I . G ., W . K . Dickson Advocate , John Marshall , M . A ., LL . D ., D . A . Ross 8 . S . C ., A . C . Wade , James Lindsay jun ., Aleo Neilson , Ac . Messrs . N . J . D . Kennedy Advocate , and Alexander Davidson , S . S . C ., were initiated , and Bro . J Marshall , M . A ., LL . D ., Rector of Royal High School , waa passed , the degrees

berag admirably rendered by the I . P . M . Thereafter the following officera were put in nomination , and elected for the ensuing year , viz ., Bros . Young W . M ., Pryde , M . A ., LL . D ., I . P . M ., Stevenson , A . R . S . A ., P . M ., Bell , Advocate , D . M ., Bonnar S . M ., Henry , Architect , S . W ., Stevenson , R . S . A ., J . W ., Deas Treasurer , Davis Secretary , and Glasse , M . A ., Chaplain , Thompson S . D ., Dickson . Advocate ,

J . D ., Lindsay jun . Bible-Bearer , Black , M . B ., P . B . C . P . B ., Physician , Bridgman Musical Director , Lingard , Mus . Bao ., Organist , Carter , C . E ., Architect , Hamilton Jeweller , Anderson Bard , Wade First Steward , Campbell , S . S . O ., Second Steward , Brown , M . A ., First Standard Bearer , Peacock Second Standard Bearer , Maogregor I . G ., Greason Tyler . Nomination of General Management Committee : —

Bros . Crichton , Adamson , Blair , Mackenzie , Hamilton , Moonie . At the close of the Lodge tbe Brethren held their usual monthly dinner in the Waterloo Hotel , under the presidency of the I . P . M . The health of the Two Last Links was drunk with enthusiasm , and musio , recitations , Ac ., by members of the Lodge , added to the evening ' s enjoyment .

The " Mallet , " writing in the Glasgow Evening News , flay * : — " It has , it is stated , been a recognised rule in some Provinces to elect in Provincial Grand offices only these who have passed through the Master ' s chair . If such a bye-law has been sanctioned it must

show very strangely in the light of Grand Lodge law on the sub . ject . Provincial Grand Lodges are necessarily composed largely of brethren who have not passed the chair , as two-thirds of the direct

representation from the daughter Lodges are only on their way thither . The P . M . element is , as a rale , not a very large oontin . gent . The area from which Officers are selected must be very small in any Province following such a rule as that indicated .

Freemasons have certainly the art of " push . " So diligent is the working for tbe " Fayre " to take place in the spring , that the secret - ary of one of the Lodges sent a lady member of the committee a huge supply of raffle tickets , together with a request that she would go every day to some public venue and sell the articles " all round . " The lady replied that she would prefer to rsign her position .

The closing months of tbe year are a time of much interest in the Masonio Lodges of Sunderland , the eleotion and installation of brethren to the Chairmanship of four of the Lodges taking place at this time . For the Phoenix Lodge , No . 94 , Bro . William Vincent , well known in Sunderland , and especially in Musical and Masonic

circles , has been elected as W . M . for the ensuing year ; for the St . John's Lodge , No . 80 , Bro . Gibbons bas been elected as W . M . ; and Bro . Birch S . W . was elected as W . M . of tbe Palatine Lodge , No . 97 . Bro . J . R . Cutter I . P . M . J ' . GX was elected as Treasurer , and Bro . T . Grieve I . P . M . was re-elected as Tyler of tho Palatine

Lodge . There was a very large muster of the Palatine Lodge ou Thursday , 12 th oh ., about thirty Past Masters and fifty brethren being in attendance . The old Lodge still maintains its efficiency as one of the best worked of the Province of Durham : Bro . E . G .

Watson is the occupant of the W . M . ' s chair , and Bro . Thomas Millioan Watson P . M . P . P . G . D . has bean for some years its most efficient Treasurer . There were many visitors from Newcastle and Jarrow Lodges at the meetiug .

Fortune , in the shape of funds , favours the work of restoration and improvement at Peterborough Cathedral . At a recent meeting of the restoration Committee , Dean Argles offered to give five hundred pounds towards the removal of the organ to the triforium , and the

purchase of a small organ for use during the re-construction of the greater instrument . Stalls for the choir wero also accepted from the Freemasons of England , the Corporation of Peterborough , and Mr . Gates , the Chapter Clerk ; and Mrs . Rigg , daughter of the late Archdeacon Daws , has promised a new litany-desk .

The W . M . and a number of tho Officers and brethren of the Tennant Lodge , No . 1992 , Cardiff , attended the funeral of the late Bro . Thomas Sampson , Castle-road , on Wednesday , the 2 nd inst ,, at tho New Cemetery , to show the last tribute of respect to his momory , the deceased having been an esteemed member of that Lodge .

The Directors of Spiers and Pond Limited notify that the Transfer Books will be closed from the 19 th inst . to the 1 st proximo , both inclusive , for the purpose of preparing the Interest Warrauts for the half-year ending the 31 st instant , on the Five per cent . First Mortgage Debentures , the Five per , cent . Debenture Stock , and the

" A " Mortgage Debenture Stock of the Company . It is olso notified that the Share Transfer Books will be closed from the 19 th instant to the 1 st proximo , both inclusive , for the purpose of preparing

Dividend Warrants for tbe second instalment of 4 a per share , loss income tax , making 8 s per share paid on account of the dividend for the year ending 31 st March 1891 , Warrants will be posted on the Slat inst .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

With some fresh lyrics , and alterations in the dialogue , whioh causa the story to play closer , and in canseqafuce mora intelligibly , " Miss Deoima " has taken a new Issue of life at the Prince of Wales * Theatre , whioh is muoh better adapted for it * performance . The lively heroine is now played by Miss Docima Moore , while Messrs .

Hayden Coffin and Leonard Russell have also been recruited for the leading characters . Mr . David James haa worked up hia comparatively small part to a most diverting personage . Miss M . A . Yiotor makes a vary amusing Senora , and Miss Annie Sohuberth is a new and satisfactory Inez . This bright and lively musical comedy ia a treat that should not be missed .

Sifnor Largo may be congratulated npon the success that has attended his operatic season at the Shaftesbury Theatre , whioh terminates to-night , especially with regard to the favonr with whioh Masoagni ' s charming opera , "Cavalleria Rnstioana" has been received . The thanks of all lovers of music are due to Signor Largo ,

for introducing this charming and melodious opnra to the metropolis , aud were it not that the artistes had to fulfil other engagements , the run of the piece might have been indefinitely prolonged , for its attractions were by no means exhausted . As it is , we shall doubtless hear it again next year , when its successful run will be resumed .

NEW OHMPIO , — " A Royal Divorce . " Mr . W . 6 . Wills' historical drama is still the biggest success in London , the house being nightly filled to its utmost extent . So popular haa this play become that in order to meet the growing demand for seata aa extra matinee is now being given , on Saturday , in addition to those on Monday and Wednesday .

THE MASONIC AMATEUS DRAMATIC SOCIETT . — "Trial by Jury " was performed by this organisation , at Sheffield , on the 27 th ult ., and the departure into the domain of musio proved most acceptable indeed , aa was shown not only by the frequency of the applause , but the extent of the audience . There was another item on the programme , namely , a domestic drama , entitled "Oar Lottie , " bnt it is

a feeble pieoo , and the performance dragged . Tbe impersonator of the * reverend character , however , deserves commendation ; tbe inspector did well , and Miss Ellen Rutland was sprightly and vivacious as Young Nick . Bat the operetta , or dramatic cantata , was" tbe thiig . " From the playing of the overture to the end it was most enjoyable . Bro . Buckley had a good orchestra , he

skilfully conducted , the parts bad been well allotted , there was a musical and jovial jury , and altogether this early composition of Gilbert and Sullivan had a really capital rendering . The defendant sang with great taste , the counsel for the defendant enunciated distinctly , the usher got through bis vocal task in a creditable manner , and the representative of the judge , both as regards make-up and singing , was " agood judge too . " The " associate" had an

amusing " brother , " and the two certainly made themselves more useful than ornamental . Miss Emmie Frith ( the pi-kin tiff ) appeared to have entirely recovered from har recent indisposition , and her first song was loudly applauded . She is a graceful actress , as well as being a cultured vocalist . The bridesmaids consisted of Mdlles . Galium , Charlesworth , and Frith , and they were beautifully attired , sang sweetly , and deported themselves in a charming manner .

Liskeard Freemasons , encouraged by the success which attended their public dance last year , have made arrangements for holding a similar dance , in aid of tho Masonic Charities , afc the Public Hall , Liskeard , on Thursday , the 14 th of January next .

Bro . W . V . Harris was , on tbe 3 rd inst ., elected W . M . of Lodge Fidelity , No . 240 , Devonport . Bro . E . H . Littleton Treasurer , and Brother 0 . Dyer Tyler were re-elected .

A balance in band of £ 66 was reported . Two guineas were , as usual , voted to the Devonport Coal Fund , and one guinea to the Blanket Fund ,

The annual festival and installation of the Buxton Lodgo , 1688 , was held at the Palace Hotel , Buxton , when the retiring W . M .., Bro . Wardley , installed his ; successor , Bro . A . Brown .

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P^ SSG Q§ MOSTiUSEFUL Sp C^ MH-Hif ^^ HRm SH 0 PS 'MV^ Tn I3 l IB HOUSES , 0 V\ IHs il GAKDENS , PRICES FREE FROM HEATHMAN & Co ., 2 ENDELL STREET , LONDON , W . C . FUNERALS properly carried out and personally attended in London and Country , by Bro . G . A . HUTTON , 17 Newcastle Istroot , Strand , W . C . atoaaments erected . Valuations made .