A Popular Craftsman.

shaw , Cook ' s Circulars , and Murray s Guides . While keeping order in school , the writing of stories , sketches , and songs continued , and the " Scamp " had made tho fortnno of a well-known vocalist , when Mr . Morris Abrahams rewarded his first piece , " Golden Fruit , " with the munificent sum of live guineas . Ho had already met Paul

Meritt , and the two young men wrote " British Born " together , f 11 Mr . George Conquest at tho Grecian . The play proved to be a signal success , and Henry Pottitt bade farewell to his pupils in Camden Town , to associate himself with travelling , dramatic , operatic , and equestrian companies , and thus acquire a practical knowledge of tho

Stage . On his return to London , two years later , he became treasurer afc the Grecian Theatre , and , in collaboration with Mr . George Conquest , wrote " Queen ' sEvidence , " which has since been played in every part of the world , and is now the property of Augustus Harris , who will reproduce if , some day at Drnry Lane . Ho afterwards

composed " The Black Flag " for Mr . Conquest's successor . In 1880 he wrote "The World , " in conjunction with Augustus Harris and his old friend Paul Meritt ; and while in America , arranging for tho sale of his copyrights , he received one afternoon a brief telegram , which , by reason of the difference of timo , informed him that ho had that

evening scored another victory . There is no part of his career about which Henry Pettitt has more to tell than his stay in the States , and it was mainly his evidence and a clever detection of fraud he effected in a case relating to the " memorising " question which brought

about the change of law which now permits English dramatic authors to sell their plays , nnder the protection of the Property Act , to American managers . Once again at home , he produced his pantomime of " King Frolic" at the Grecian , and wrote " The Nabob's Fortune " for the Hanlon-Lees . His success in " Taken from Life "

nt the Adelphi secured him a permanent engagement from the Brothers Gatti , and in the following autumn " Pluck , " the joint work of Pettitt and Augustus Harris , was brought out at Drury Lane . Ho next wrote " Lovo and Money " with Charles Reade , and then " In the Ranks " in collaboration with Georce R . Sims . Tho rnn of tho

last named play is unprecedented in the history of melodrama . Fn * nearly two years Henry Pettitt has been busy with the elaboration of " Human Nature , " having once again Mr . Harris as his collaborator , nnd he is now engaged in the ontlines of "Columbus , " and in filling in the details of "Harbour Lights , " in conjunction with Mr . Sims .

The copyright of his plays secures him a handsome income , aud he thinks the British drama was never more flourishing or moro profitable than it is at present . He believes rather in writing for the necessities of the horn * than for the praises of posterity . He holds collaboration to be necessary nowadays , bv reason of the demand for

an amonnt of movement and incident , which can only bo furnished by a combination of talent , industry , and idea . He considers it an advantage for one writer to watch jealonsly tho work of another , ancl solve any difficulties which may arise by mutual discussion . The manner in which Henry Pettitt speaks of his different collaborators is

characteristic of his kiudly ancl generous nature . He confesses frankly that Georgo Conquest taught him the rudiments of tho art of construction ; that Charles Reade ' s masterly grasp of an idea or situation has never , perhaps , been surpassed ; that George R . Sims has no rival in tho composition of strong character and emotional

sketches ; that Paul Meritt always gives proof of inventive genius and industry in his work ; and that Augustus Harris possesses a surprising fertility of ideas , a marvellous rapidity of thought , and a natural gift for dramatic effect and situation . Henry Pottitt ascribes his success to his going through tho world with his eyes open ; but

as he turns onco moro to his American studies , he cannot help admitting that , in this epoch of candid criticism , tho making of plays is wholly fatal to one ' s peace of mind . " If you write poetic lines , " he says , " you aro guilty of high falutin , but if you stick to simple dialogue your style is bald and deficient in that unknown quantity

called literary merit ; if you put in smart things you are flippant aud rude , whereas if your characters talk naturally you are prosy and commonplace ; if your situations aro strong you are transpontine , but if yon aro quiet they are ineffective ancl uninteresting ; if your audience weeps it should have been amused , and if it laughs it ou"ht

to have been treated to instruction and moral elevation . The modern playwright ' s art is one continued illustration of tho ancient fable of the old man and his ass . Ifc may be profitable , but you must be prepared to sacrifice present rest in the hope of future fame . " With these reflections , Henry Pettitt goes to work agaiu onco more on tho rough draft of " Columbus , " to which you reluctantly leave him .

Be Courteous.

BE COURTEOUS .

IT is related of Zechariah Fox , the great merchant of Liverpool , that he was an illustrious example of true courtesy . Being once asked by what means he had secured so large a fortune , his reply was : " Friend , by

dealing always in one article , which thou mayest deal in also , if thou pleasest—civility . " Doubtless an observance of the common courtesies is conducive to business

successes ; it pays even in a material poinfc of view to be civil and obliging as one goes along in the ways of related life . A courteous behaviour ensures respect , and is most likely to win manifold favours—starting often the currents of a true and abiding friendship .

The claims of courtesy may bo urged on stronger grounds . There is a moral quality in this virtue which gives it a special recommendation . To be affable and pleasant to our associates is a matter of duty , and the injunction placed at the head of this article sets forth an

Be Courteous.

obligation binding upon men everywhere . Ifc is an apostolic exhortation , ancl so comes to us with the voice of authority . It is a call which will not be deemed trifling

or unimportant by men of noble minds and generous , loving hearts . " The small courtesies , " 'tis said , " sweeten life ; the greater ennoble it . "

The spirit and the letter of Freemasonry require a courteous behaviour on the part of Brethren , not only to each other , but to the world at large . Craftsmen should be examples of good manners , thoughtful of tho comfort of

others , and prompt to express a kindly feeling whenever tho opportunity offers . When their behaviour is of this sort it will be seen that the lessons of Freemasonry have

been impressed upon their hearts , disposing them to show friendliness in their daily walk and conversation . But all are nofc thus endowed with this Masonic virtue . Members

of the Masonic organisation will sometimes refrain from showing ordinary civilities to each other—their manners are not pleasing ; and as they stand apart from their fellows , cold as icebergs , they seem altogether out of place

in a Fraternity such as ours . Sometimes a whole Lodge seems saturated with this atmosphere of frigidity . Its leading members are eminently respectable , bufc they represent a hard type of manhood very much like Dickens '

portraiture in the character of Mr . Dombey . Alas for the stranger who seeks to visit such a Lodge . He may expect to receive a chilling reception , from the time he enters until he leaves . The Tyler will nofc bo over gracious ; fche

committee of examination will question him as though ho was an impostor ; ancl if at last he is admitted to the Lodge and gains an official welcome , there will nofc be much cordiality in the greeting . The stranger will not be

made to feel at home in such a Lodge ; if any attentions are shown him they will be proffered in a perfunctory sort of way that detracts from their value ; but most likely the

visitor will be left to himself and suffered to depart afc the evening ' s close , feeling that he has been repulsed by his Brethren—wounded in his affections in the house of his

friends . Good manners would nofc allow a stranger guest to be thus coldly received . The exercise of that true courtesy which Freemasonry so much inculcates would nofc permit

fche chance visitor to depart without being cheered ou his way by friendly words ancl the grasp of Brothers' hands . And in the community and the world at largo the

expression of this samo grace would send light into many dark places , would refresh many of the weary p ilgrims of earth , and give an added / est to lifo . Brethren , be courteous !—Freemasons' Repository .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . GEORGE TOWNSEND , P . M . 820 . IT is wifch deep feelings of regrefc thafc we undertake the mournful duty of announcing the death of Bro . George Townsend , P . M . 820 . This event occurred on the 13 th instant . The late Bro . Townsend was initiated in the Lil y

Lodge of Richmond in 1862 , and in this Lodge he was made an honorary member , for services rendered . He was also a Past Master of the High Cross Lodge , No . 754 . In the High Cross Chapter , where he was exalted , he was

elected to the first chair . He was a Life Governor of two of the Institutions ; he was ever a conscientious ancl unselfish Freemason , ready to commiserate with , and assist others who might be less fortunate . This may be

evidenced , more particularly , in the following instances : — A brother Freemason of his acquaintance died , leaving foui children . Bro . Townsend brought up these children , until

they were able to obtain their own living . On another occasion his niece died , leaving three children unprovided for ; these he was educating and maintaining at the time of his death . Our late brother was never married .

The Prince Leopold Lodge , No . 1045 , was consecrated at Sandringham-road , Hackney , at the time he occupied the Lord Stanley Tavern . His remains were interred at Bow

Cemetery , on Thursday , the 17 th instant , when a large number of Masonic and other friends attended to pay their last tribute of respect .

£ 20 . — TOHACCON-ISTS Cojnrrtjfciifc ; . —An illustrated guide ( 110 passes . ) " How to Open . Respectably from C 20 to , 6 * 2000 . " ' -i Stamps . H . MVERS & Co ., Cigar and Tobacco Merchants , 10 !) Knstou Road , London . Wholesale only Telephone No . 75-tI .