Instruction.

acting as candidate . The Lodge was called off and on . Bro . Williams worked the second ceremony . Bro . Wooliscroft , of the Old Concord Lodge , was elected a member , and Bro . H . R . Catlin W . M . for Tuesday next . The first annual supper will take place on Tuesday , 23 rd January next , at 7 . 45 .

V * V \ J KENTISH CLUB OF INSTRUCTION . THE hebdomatical meeting was held on Monday last , at the Assembly Hotel , Kentish Town Road , N . W ., in the handsome chamber set apart for its use , the " piece de resistance " of the meeting being the maiden effort , as W . M ., of Bro . Edward Gatfield , the talented vocalist , and he came through the ordeal most successfully .

The offices wero filled by Bros . E . Gatfield W . M ., S . J . Suter S . W ., A . E . Trigg J . W ., G . Procktor S . D ., Wally Scott J . D ., T . Sandilands I . G ., D . Smith O . G ., W . F . Coney Asst . Sec , Alf . Cocks Treas ., and among the assembly were noticed Bros . J . T . Baron , Mons . Louis , Alf . Luker , J . Strong , J . W . Middleditch , T . Mills , W . Busby , and others .

The minutes having been dealt with , Bro . Luker offered himself as candidate , and the W . M . gave a most effective rendering of the beautiful ritual of the first degree , each sentence being emphasised with suitable action , and this , added to a clear and mellifluous enunciation , gave the interested listeners an intellectual treat . The perfect Preceptor Bro . C . F . Quicke P . M . was at his post , and had quite a close time , his office being almost a sinecure one on this occasion .

At the close of the evening Bro . Quicke expressed his warm satisfaction of Bro . Gatfield ' s first attempt in the role of W . M ., and in proposing a vote of thanks to the genial Teddy he waxed extremely eulogistic , and it was evident that the worthy Preceptor was as delighted as the rest . Bro . Gatfield feelingly thanked Preceptor Quicke and the Lodge for their kind attention , and said he should certainly feel encouraged thereby to go on and attempt the other degrees when an opportunity afforded . Bro . Suter was elected W . M . for the ensuing meeting , the Officers to preserve rotation .

o o o PEOYINOIAL . — : o : — ARCHITECT LODGE , No . 1375 .

THE regular meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , Chorlton-cum-Hardy , on Friday , 1 st instant , Bro . John Mann Crone Worshipful Master . There was a very good attendance . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , Bros . Lingard and Gradisky were raised to the sublime degree of M . M ., the former by the W . M ., and the latter by Bro . Birkett I . P . M . Bro . Wm . Rushton J . W . presented and explained the working tools to the candidates .

We may mention that it is in contemplation to have a grand social evening at an early date , further particulars of which will be announced . The usual festive board followed , the harmony being supplied by Bros . Rushton , C . H . Beever P . M ., and J . R . Garlick 2701 . Bro . Alfred Pickford P . M . D . C . recited the Kipling appeal , which brought a very substantial response on behalf of the war fund .

Among the numerous visitors were : Bros . J . J . Lambert P . G . D . Eng . P . P . G . Reg ., Sam Locke P . M . 1387 P . P . S . G . D ., Jas . Whitehead P . M . 1952 P . P . G . D . C , J . Travers P . M . 1387 , J . K . Ogden W . M . 1345 , & c .

CENTURION LODGE , No . 2322 . THE annual meeting and festival of St . John took place at the Victoria Hotel , Manchester , on Monday , 4 th inst ., Bro . Surg .-Capt . J . J . Kent Fairclough Worshipful MaBter .

After the , reading and confirmation of minutes , Bro . the Rev . J . W . Challoner P . P . G . C . S . W . was duly installed into the chair of K . S . by the retiring Master , the latter being assisted by Past Masters Colonel J . Howarth-Clark , J . P ., P . P . G . D . Treas ., Major George Kershaw , and Major W . H . Hopkins P . P . G . D . C .

Officers for the forthcoming year were invested as follow : —Captain Nightingale . S . W ., Captain G . W . Heys J . W ., Lieut-Col . J . Howarth-Clark P . P . G . D . P . M . Treas ., Major F . F . Pratt P . M . Sec , Lieut .-Col . H . B . Moss S . D ., Lieut . J . T . Smith J . D ., Blajor W . H . Hopkins P . P . G . D . C . P . M . D . C , Major J . E . R . Hall I . G ., Captain H . S . Hardy Organist , Surgeon-Capt , Nesfield , and Lieut . J . A . Fallows Stewards .

A very excellent banquet was subsequently served , and a pleasant and harmonious evening followed . Amongst other visitors wore Bros . E . Williams P . M . 325 P . P . G . S . of W ., W . T . Rylance P . M . 1357 , Thos . Hamnett I . P . M . 2363 , Sam Luke W . M . 2363 , Thos . K . Peacock W . M . 2231 , and J . Harrison Hill Org . 317 .

EOYAL AEOH . — : o : — DUKE OF FIFE CHAPTER , No . 2345 .

THE Chapter held its usual December meeting under the able presidency of the popular first Principal Comp . Sam G . Bonner , at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , on Wednesday of last week . Illness and pressing business prevented Comps . J . Mitchell H ., J . Wyer P . Z ., C . Woods S . E ., F . Beckwith Std ., J . Barton Organist , and several others from being present , but the meeting was most successful and enthusiastic .

Comps . C . Stone P . Z ., and T . Grummant P . G . Soj . Essex aided in the work , Which was of the perfect , easy style for which the Chapter has been noted since its consecration . The cheery presence of Comp . Sam Cochrane P . Z , P . G . Treas . was appreciated fully by the members . Those present included Comps . T . Morris J ., W . G . Boswell , M . R . C . V . S ., P . Z ., J . W . Folkard P . Z ., A . Harvey P . Z ., A . Robertson Treas ., C . J . Fitch S . N ., J . Smith P . Soj ., F . W . Sinclair 1 st A . Soj ., G . Taylor 2 nd A . Soj ., C . Patrick P . Z . Janitor , E . Brindley , W . Barrow , Bruce W . Kench .

Visitors : —Comps . C . H . Stone P . Z . 1901 , T . Grummant M . E . Z . 1275 , F , J . Wray P . Z . 1604 . Tho ballot was taken for and proved unanimously in favour of Bro . Barrow , who was impressively exalted into Royal Arch Masonry . Notice of motion was given for a sum of money to be voted towards the " Absent-Minded Beggars Fund . "

Instruction.

The Companions dined under the presidency of tha M . E . Z ., and did full justice to a first rate dinner . Afterwards the usual Loyal and patriotic toasts were honoured with much enthusiasm , and the outburst on behalf of those who are fighting the battles of their Queen and country " down South " was equal to that of any meeting held in this country . The Royal Arch toasts were duly received , ond harmony prevailed till the close of a most happy meeting .

Those who doubt the value of Freemasonry would have been surprised by the facts related by Comp . Sam Cochrane respecting the good work done in the country during this year of grace 1899 . Comp . Wray , as an ex-soldier , was much touched by the enthusiasm Bhown towards those who " travel over land and water " to protect those who are near and dear to us in distant climes . All worked well and happily ; while the acting S . E . Comp . Sinclair fully earned the praise bestowed upon him by the M . E . Z . The increase in membership is a very satisfactory feature of the Chapter , which could hardly be in a more flourishing condition .

Entertainment Notes.

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES .

— : o : — Vaudeville . — "The Elixir of Youth" has been adminstered to Messrs . Gatti ' s patrons for more than a hundred doses , and so far from proving nauseous , it is found that they approve of so pleasant a cordial , and are ever anxious to have a second taste . This is hardly to be wondered at , considering how bright and attractive is the form in which it is presented , and as a cure

for " the dumps " it may be safely recommended . We may therefore congratulate Doctors Geo . R . Sims and Leonard Merrick upon the success that has attended their concoction , although the recipe originally came from Germany . Dropping hyperbole , we would advise all those who like real fun to pay an early visit here , for rumour has it that previous engagements are likely to interfere with the run of this most amusing piece .

Globe . —It is announced that this Theatre will be closed all next week , and will be re-opened on Boxing Day , when the very successful run of the interesting play " The Gay Lord Quex" will be resumed . There are no doubt some who have not yet seen this Eplendid piece of acting , so well staged under the management of Mr . John Hare ; to such we advise an early visit to the " Globe . " Those who have seen it will doubtless agree with us that it is one of the few pieces that will bear witnessing a second time . We do not remember anything of recent production that took our fancy more than " The Gay Lord Quex " did .

Palace . —A pleasant programme is always provided by our good and worthy Brother Charles Morton , and go when you will an enjoyable evening is always ensured , with some special feature or another well up to date , proving alike the enterprise and the liberality of the management .

Holiday Arrangements.

HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS .

— : o : — MIDLAND RAILWAY . ON Friday and Saturday , 22 nd and 23 rd inst ., the pressure of traffic will be relieved by the running of duplicate trains from St . Pancras as circumstances may require . On Tuesday , 26 th , and Monday , 1 st January , certain booked trains will be discontinued , of which due notice will be given by special bills at the stations .

Tho Midland Railway Company , to prevent inconvenience and crowding , have arranged for tho booking offices at St . Pancras and Moorgate Street stations to be open for the issue of tickets all day on Thursday , Friday and Saturday , 21 st , 22 nd , and 23 rd , and tickets to all principal stations on the Midland Railway can be obtained beforehand at the Midland Company's City and Suburban Offices throughout the metropolis , the tickets obtained at these offices being available from St . Pancras station , issued at the fares a * charged at that station , and dated to suit the convenience of passengers .

Cheap excursion trains will be run from London ( St . Pancras ) and principal provincial stations to Carlisle , Edinburgh , Glasgow , Greenock , Dundee , Aberdeen , & c , on Fridays , 22 nd , and 29 th inst ., for five or eight days , by which return tickets will be issued at a third class single fare for the double journey . The single fare tickets issued on the 22 ou will be available for returning on any day up to an including 6 th January 1900 , and

single fare tickets taken on the 29 th will be available for returning any day up to and including 13 th January 1900 . Cheap excursion trains will also be run from London ( St . Pancras ) on Saturday , 23 rd inst .. to Leicester , Birmingham , Nottingham , Derby , Newark , Lincoln , Burton , Manchester , Liverpool , Blackburn , Bolton , Sheffield , Leeds , Bradford , York , Scarboro ' , Newcastle , Barrow-in-Furness , and the Lake District , & c , returning 26 th or 28 th inst .,

and to the same places on Saturday , 30 tb , returning 2 nd or 3 rd January 1900 . On Saturday midnight , 30 th , a cheap 3 , 4 , 5 days trip will be run to Leicester , Loughboro' , Nottingham , Manchester , Stockport , Warrington , Liverpool , and Sheffield . Cheap excursion tickets will be issued from London ( St . Pancras ) and principal provincial stations on Friday , 22 nd , ' to Dublin , Cork , Killarney ,

Limerick , & c , via Liverpool , available for 16 days , and via , Morecarnbe , available for returning on 28 th or 30 th December , and 2 nd , 4 th , or 6 th January ; on Friday , 22 nd , to Belfast , Londonderry , Portrush , & c , via Barrow , or via Liverpool , available for 16 days ; on Saturday , 23 rd , to Londonderry , via Morecarnbe or via Liverpool , available for returning 28 th December , or 1 st or 4 th January , via Morecarnbe , and on 26 th and 30 th

December , and 2 nd or 6 th January , via Liverpool . On Christmas Day cheap day excursion tickets will be issued to Soutbond-on-Sea , from St . Pancras , Kentish Town , Walthamstow , Leytonstone , and stations on the Tottenham and Forest Gate Joint Line . Cheap week-end tickets will be issued on Fridays , 22 nd and 29 th , and

Saturdays , 23 rd and 30 th , from St . Pancras and other Midland stations to the principal holiday and health resorts in England and Scotland , available for returning on the following Sunday ( train service permitting ) , Monday or Tuesday , those issued on 22 nd and 23 rd December being available for returning ( after Saturday ) up to an including 27 th December . Winter tourist tickets are also issued to the chief tourist resorts in England and Wales .

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY . THE Great Western Company issue tickets at their principal city and west end offices , and this arrangement cannot fail to be a boon to those