The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

i : Vaudeville . —Tuesday witnessed the first evening performance of " Sophia , " by Mr . Robert Buchanan . The author has selected the well-known novel " Tom Jones" for his theme , but has refrained from using any part of the book which might cause offence , and the results of his labours are satisfactory . Act I . shows a lawn before

Squire Western ' s bouse , where we witness an interview between Tom Jones ( who is despised by all ) , and Blifil ( a mean and lying scoundrel ) , both under the guardianship of Mr . Allworthy , a country gentleman , who believes Blifil to be the essence of goodness . Tom Jones , after kissing a poacher ' s daughter , protecting the poacher ,

and thrashing Blifil within an inch of his life , is turned out of tho house , a consummation brought about by the lying propensities of Blifil . The scene in Act II . is described as a "Barber ' s Shop and Rural Prospect , " and here we find Tom has taken refuge with Partridge , whose oft-repeated remark of " Next ,

please , " causes much laughter . Sophia , however , through her maid Honour , discovers Tom's retreat , and informs him she is being forced into a marriage with Blifil , who is distasteful to her . She escapes to London , whither she is tracked by her father and Blifil . She is also followed there by Tom . Act III .

represents a room in Lady Bellaston ' s house in Golden Square . This lady pretends to help Sophia . Sho visits Tom in the garret where he is lodging , where he has taken refuge with Partridge . Now follows an amusing episode . Honour pays a visit in search of Tom , and is hidden by Partridge in a cupboard . Lady Bellaston then

enters , and is also hidden in an adjoining room . Sophia in turn arrives , and is found a hiding place , bnt she is surprised at the entrance of Squire Western and Blifil . Some conversation takes place , which ends in Sophia disclosing herself , and renouncing Tom , and signifying her intention to conform to her father's will by

marrying Blifil . Act IV . shows us a room at the Bull and Gate Inn , Holborn , where all is made right , through the agency of Honour and Partridge , and Blifil ' s villainy is exposed . In almost every case the parts assigned to the several artistes suited them admirably . The Sophia of Miss Kate Rorke was fresh ,

sympathetic , and charming . The way in which she threw herself into Tom Jones ' s arms when she visited him in hia garret seemed so natural that it was received with raptnrons applanse . Miss Lottie Venne is well suited with the part of Honour ; while Miss Helen Forsyth plays with spirit as Molly Seagrim . Miss Sophia Larkin

was at her ease in illustrating the vanity of Miss Western . Miss Rose Leclercq thoroughly earned the applause which was bestowed on her as tho baffled Lady Bellaston . Mr . T . Thorne has secured another of those parts from which he manages to create so much fun . His Partridge was full of humour , and ho will doubtless rerel in a

part that suits his style so admirably . In Mr . Charles Glenny ' s Tom Jones there was no lack of manliness and buoyancy . Mr . Allworthy was well played by Mr . Gilbert Farqnhar ; Mr . Carleton discreetly accentuated Blifil ' s villany ; while Mr . Fuller Hellish

showed improvement as the poacher Seagrim . Mr . Fred Thorne works hard to command success as Squire Western , and this he certainly does . He at times , however , makes too much noise for so small a theatre . At the conclusion of the piece both author and artistes were called before the curtain .

Gaiety . —Mr . Eugene C . Stafford , the manager of this theatre , announces his annual benefit matinee , for Tuesday afternoon next , the 20 th instant , when a new comedy , entitled " Veracity , " will be produced .

The Fifteen Sections

THE FIFTEEN SECTIONS

WILL BE WORKED At the Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction , No . 1507 , held at the Moorgate , 15 Finsbury Pavement , E . G ., on Monday , 19 th instant . Bros . J . C . Smith W . M ., James Hemming S . W ., J . Thorn J . W . Second Lecture—Bros . Thorn , Edmonds , Procter , Hemming , Emblin . Third Lecture—Bros . Fraser , Storr , Solomon . Commencing at 7 ' 30 .

The West Smithaeld Lodge of Instruction , No . 1623 , will in future be held at the New Market Hotel , 26 Kingstreet , Smith field , E . C . It meets every Monday at

7 ' 30 p . m ., under the Preceptorship of Bro . William Pennefather P . M ., with Bro . H . J . Lard nor as Assistant Preceptor , and will close at 9 ' 80 . Craftsmen are cordially invited .

The Covent Garden Lodge of Instruction , held at the Criterion , Piccadilly , will not meet on Thursday next ( the evening before Good Friday ) . On the following Thursday evening , the 29 th inst ., the members will assemble as usual .

The Revised Book of Constitutions ; Critically Considered and Compared with the Old Edition . London : Simpkin , Marshall & Co . 4 Stationers' Hall Court , E . C . Sent on re . eeipt of stamps , One Shilling ; , by W W . Morgan , Freemason ' s Chronicle Office , Belvidere Works , Hermes Hill , Pentonville .

The Fifteen Sections

Loughborough Lodge of Instruction , No . 22 . —The annual supper waa held on Monday evening , the 12 th inst ., at the Gaudou Hotel , Clapham S . W ., under the presidency of Bro . Johnson P . M . 1320 , Secretary 2005 , Preceptor of the Lodge . There was a large assemblage present , amongst whom were several prominent

local brethren . Tho supper was of a most recherche character , and was served in Bro . Shannaw ' s well-known style . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts being given from tho chair , Bro . Woods P . M . proposed , in eloqnent terms , the toast of tho evening—Success to the Loughborough Lodge of Instruction , and in the course of his remarks

said there could be no doubt that under such au able Preceptor , and with such ample accommodation , the Lodge could not fail to be a prosperous one . The Preceptor ( Bvo . Johnson ) , the Treasurer ( Bro . Westley ) , and the Secretary ( Bro . King ) , suitably responded . The health of the Visitors was proposed by Bro . Johnson , and Bro .

Jenkins W . M . Eoyal Jnbilee Lodge and Bro . Stunt W . M . Blackheath Lodge returned thanks . The Chairman , in proposing the health of the host ( Bro . Shannaw ) , commented upon the excellence of the repast he had provided . Bro . Shannaw briefly replied . Several brethren contributed some excellent songs , and a most harmonious and enjoyable evening was spent .

Merchants' Lodge of Instruction , No . 241 . —The members of this Lodge of Instruction held their annual m .-ting afc the Masonic Hall , Liverpool , on Gth iaat ,, the principal Officr . ' - being Bro . E . Eobinson P . P . G . E . acting as 5 V . M ., Bro . A . C . Luker S . W . 251 as S . W ., Bro . W . H . Cooke S . W . 1013 as J . 'T . Bros .

Brotherton and West were re-eleoted . Treasurer and {> . rotary . During the banquet which followed the business , the usual Iryal and Masonic toasts were given , and the Treasurer read tho financial statement , which proved that the Lodge was in a most flourishing condition . The following brethren responded to the special toasts—¦ Bro . W . H . Cooke for the Officers , Bro . James Pendleton for the

mother Lodge , Bros . Brotherton and Luker for the Treasurer , and Bro . West for the Secretary . This Lodge of Instruction owes its present strong position mainly to the Preceptor , Bro . E . Eobinson ,, with whose profound knowledge of the Eitual aro combined a specially courteous and pleasing manner , and all the tact necessary to tho discharge of his important duties .

Royal Alfred Lodge of Instruction , No . 780 . — A meeting was held on Friday , 9 th instant , at tho Star and Garter , Kew , when there were present—Bros . Turner W . M ., Hughes S . W ., F . Botley J . W ., Andrews Preceptor and Treasnrer , 0 . E . Botley Sec , Thomas S . D ., Cammell J . D ., Eev . Pickering Chaplain , Francis I . G .,

Sugg Organist , Goss , Hughes . After preliminaries , the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Goss candidate . The questions leading to the third degree were answered by Bro . Frances , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed , Bro . H . Hughes candidate . Bro .

C . E . Botley answered the questions of the fifth section of tho first lecture . Bro . J . H . Hughes was elected W . M . for 16 th insfc . It was proposed and seconded that the Masonic votes of the Lodgo of Instruction be vested iu the names of the Secretary or Secretaries for the time being . Lodge was closed , and adjourned .

Alexandra Palace Lodge of Instruction , No . 1541 . — The usual meeting of this Lodge of Instruction , whose doings were commented upon last week , was held on Saturday evening , 10 th inst ., at the Station Tavern , Camberwell New-road , and the following were the Officers ou that occasion : —Bros . Eufflea W . M ., Maxsted S . W ., Hooper pro tern for Hampton J . W ., Botibol S . D ., Perkins J . D ., Stac . y

P . M . Preceptor , Wesley I . G . The ceremony of passing was gone through , Bro . Isaacs candidate , and the work was done in a highly creditable manner , and at its conclusion several sections of the degree were worked by .. he brethren . Nothing farther was brought forward in the shape of business , and tho Lodge was closed in complete harmony in the usual manner .

Kingsland Lodge of Instruction , No . 1693 . —On Monday , 12 th inst ., at Baker Bios ., the Cock Tavern , Highbury , N . Bros . Turner W . M ., Richardson S . W ., Flnck J . W ., Collingridge Secretary , Hancock S . D ., Dixie J . D ., Barnett I . G ,, Western acting

Preceptor . Lodge was opened , and fcho minutes of list meeting wore read and confirmed . Bro . Wcuden , as . ciudidnte for raising , answered tho usual questions , and Was en trusted . Lnd _ . o was opened in the third degree , ;• ncl the ceremony of rinsing waa rehears . d . Tho third section of tho lecture w . is worked . Lnd __ e was

resumed to the first degree . Bio . Stylus , Camden Lodge , No . 701 , was elected a member , and Bro . Richardson appointed W . M . for Monday , 19 th inst .

Creaton Lodge of Instiuiction . No . 1791 . —Held at the AVheatsheaf , Goldhawk . roari , Shepherd ' s ; Bush , on Thursday , the 8 th inst . Bros . Davis W . M ., Williams S . W ., Spiegel J . W ., Burton P . M . S . D ., Jennings I . G . Lodge waa opined in duo form , and tho minutes of last meeting wore read and eoidirmed . Thfs ceremony of

raising was rehearsed , Bro . Molony candidate . Bro . Williams W . M . of the Shepherd's Bush Lodge was elected W . M . for Thursday , tho 15 th iu _ t . It was arranged that tho annual Festival of the Creaton Lodge ol' Instruction take place on tho 2 i ) ih inst ., at the . Wheats ! . uai , at 8 o ' clock , the members present promised their support , and it is

expected , under the management of Bro . Chalfont P . M . Secretary , this will prove a success . It was decided that the Lecture o . i the Oiigin of Freemasonry , its transmission from the early ages to tho present generation , with tho different rituals , will be delivered by Bro . Spiegel P . M , on 6 th May . The Lodge was then clooed ,