Instruction.

- Officers took place , with the result that Brothers Whitley and Ed . L . Littler P . M . P . P . G . P ., were unanimously selected as W . M .-elect and Treasurer respectively . At the festive board which followed , the usual Loyal and Masonio toasts were varied by songs , contributed by Bros . J . H . Marsh P . M . Prov . S . G . D ., J . Goodwin , and J . Stanley Derbyshire J . W . 1565 , and an Irish sketch by Bro . Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 . Bro . John Bowers P . M . P . P . G . P . was the accompanist .

The health of the candidate for raising was proposed by the W . M ., tha former making a suitable reply ; whilst that of the W . M .-elect was proposed by Bro . Geo . A . Myers P . M . P . P . G . D . C . D . C , who , in the course of his address , informed his auditors that he had introduced Bro . Whitley to the Urmston Lodge , and he felt equally proud with the latter upon finding that he had , _ by sheer merit alone , reached within measurable distance of the proud position of Master . Brother Whitley made a very dignified response .

There was a large number of members and visitors present , among whom we noticed Bros ' . Geo . R . Lloyd P . M . P . P . G . Tr . Secy ., John Slyman , J . P ., P . M . P . P . G . D ., G . F . Mends I . P . M ., John Walton P . M ., John Walton jun . P . M ., R . Swindells P . M ., Walter Bowers P . M . Visitors : —Bros . J . Harrop P . M . 1773 P . P . G . D ., Thos . Threlfall P . M . 1773 P . P . G . S ., J . R . E . Birkett W . M . 1375 , Wm . Mosley P . M . 1773 , H . W . Bloomer J . W . 1375 , W . Woodeson J . W . 1773 , and others .

A ball , promoted by a committee of Officers , was held at the Nag ' s Head Hotel , on Friday , 16 th inst ., over sixty persons being present . The proceedings commenced at 8 p . m ., and did not terminate until nearly 3 a . m . on the ' following morning . A pleasant break however had been allowed for supper , the only speeches of tbe evening being those devoted to the health of the W . M ., proposed by Bro . Lloyd Sec , which was suitably responded to . The universal opinion seemed to be that this was the most successful function ever held in connection with the Urmston Lodge .

DUKE OF YORK LODGE , No . 2449 . THE first meeting in the new quarters ( Albion Hotel , Manchester ) , was held on Thursday , 8 th inst ., the W . M . being ahsent . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , successful ballots were

taken for Messrs . Alfred Oordwell , Highfield and Park Hotel , Oldham , and James Plant , Manufacturer , Harpurhey , who were accordingly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry , the former by Bro . Simeon Mamelok P . M . 1798 P . G . J . D . Treasurer , and the latter by Bro . Wm . Boden P . M . C . R .

Bro . Harry Marsden was afterwards passed to the degree of F . C . by Bro . Mamelok . . The ancient charge of the first degree was given by Bro . Boden , while the working tools of both degrees were explained by Bro . J . T . Whittle Senior Deacon . There was a good attendance .

THE MANCHESTER LODGE , No 2554 . A REGULAR meeting was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper Street , Manchester , on Friday , 9 th inst ., Brother Wm . A . Boyer Worshipful Master , the principal business of the evening being that of raising Bro . Jas . Alfred Kenyon to the sublime degree of M . M . The ceremony was performed by the W . M ., assisted by Bro . Arthur H . Jefferis P . M . P . P . G . W .

The following letter was read during Lodge business , and fully bore out the words of the W . M . that " the Manchester Lodge was thought of in many countries—indeed in the farthest parts of the world , " words subsequently uttered at the festive board in response to the toast of his health proposed by Bro . Wm . Charlton , J . P ., I . P . M . The letter is as follows :

The Foeste Hotel , Sheboygan , Wisconsin , 20 th November 1898 . DEAE BEO . BOTEE , — Our mutual friend Mr . W . H . Langdon , of Philadelphia , has given us to understand that you have been installed Worshipful Master of the Manchester Lodge , No . 2554 of the F . and A . M . of the United Kingdom .

I hope you will permit us ( although afc such a great distance from one another ) to send you , and the Brethren of your Lodge generally , our hearty good wishes . We hope and trust that you and the Brethren of Manchester Lodge will have a prosperous year whilst you preside over it , and at all times hereafter . Yours fraternally , E . A . WILLIAMS , of B . B . French Lodge , 15 , Washington , D . C . A . ; J . WHITTAKBB , of Lotus Lodge , 31 , New York City .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

TRUTH CHAPTER OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1458 . rjIHE regular monthly meeting was held at the Mosley Hotel , Piccadilly , JL Manchester , on Tuesday , 13 th inst ., Companion Buckley Carr P . Z . 993 Prov . G . J . Preceptor , supported by Comp . Fletcher Armstrong P . Z . 935 P . P . G . A . D . C . and the following Officers appointed to act on the occasion Comps . C . W . Godby P . Z . 325 as Z ., John Horsfield H . 325 as H ., G . T . Lenard Z . 1458 as J ., H . Hellewell S . E . 1458 as S . E ., Hy . G . Walker S . N . 1458 as S . N ., John Renwick P . Soi . 325 as Prin . Soj .

The . ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed by Comp . Godby , assisted by the above Officers , the mystical lecture being reudered by Comp . Armstrong . For the next meeting , to be held on Tuesday , 10 th January , the following Officers have been appointed : Comps . Horsfield as Z ., A . Hibbert H ., Lenard J ., Renwick P . S ., Jas . Cooper 1 st A . Soj ., J . J . Dean 2 nd A . Soj ., Walker S . N ., whilst the Historical Lecture will be delivered by Comp . Lenard , and fche Symbolical Lecture by Comp . Hibbert .

Entertainment Notes.

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES .

ROYALTY . —Bro . W . S . Penley P . M . has taken a lease of this Theatre , for the production of " A Little Ray of Sunshine , " which has had a great

Entertainment Notes.

success in the provinces . Bro . Penley , who plays the principal part , will open next Saturday , 31 st inst . HAYMARKET . —Mr . Beerbohm Tree will give a matinee performance at this Theatre on Thursday , 19 fch January , in aid of Lord Kitchener ' s Gordon College Fund , when " The Dancing Girl " and " The First Night" will be presented .

ALEXANDRA PALACE . —A special variety programme will be provided here for the Christmas holidays . In addition to free entertainments in the Central Hall all day , and popular musical entertainments in the Theatre twice each day , arrangements have been made for special attractions for Children in the Small Concert Hall on Wednesday , Thursday , Friday and Saturday afternoons , the management having engaged '' Father Christmas , " to attend and superintend the distribution of presents to the children , and supervise old Christmas revels and games .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

ON Monday the funeral took place of Bro . E . Pym , who was only 27 years of age , and commenced his career as pupil teacher under St . Thomas School Board , Exeter . In 1892 he proceeded to Exeter Diocesan Training College , and after being assistant master at Cullompton National School

returned to his former school in the same capacity . He was a few years since appointed to the head mastership of the Sticklepath Board School , and endeared himself both to the parents and children , and took an active interest in local matters . He was a member of the cyclist section of the 4 th

V . B . D . R ., who were represented at the funeral by Sergeant-Instructor Perry . Deceased was also a member of Lodge Obedience , 1753 , Okehampton , and filled the office of Assistant Organist . In 1897 his health gave way > and he took a

six months rest . At the expiration of the term he resumed duties at Challacombe as head master , but was shortly obliged to relinquish the post , and he returned to his native village , where , on 14 th inst ., he peacefully passed away .

Ar01204

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The Theatres, &C.

The Theatres , & c .

Adelphi . —Twice Daily , Dick Whittington . Avenue . —8 , Constancy . 8-30 , Lord ana Lady Algy . Matinee , Wednesday , 3 . Comedy . —8-15 , Milord Sir Smith . Matinee , Monday , Wednesday , and Saturday , 2-30 . Covent Garden . —30 th December , Fancy Dress Ball . Criterion . —8-40 , The Jest . Daly ' s . —8-15 , A Greek Slave . Matinee , Saturday , 2-30 .

Drury Lane . —Twice Daily , The Forty Thieves . Duke of York ' s . —8 , Red Roses . 8-45 , The Adventure of Lady Ursula . Matinee , Monday , Wednesday and Saturday , 2-30 . Gaiety . —8-15 , A Runaway Girl . Matinee , Saturday , 2 . Garrick . —8 , The Three Musketeers . Matinee , Monday , Wednesday , and Saturday 2-30 . Haymarket . —8-10 , A Golden Wedding . 9 , The Manoeuvres of Jane .

Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 2 - 15 . Her Majesty ' s—8-15 , The Musketeers . Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 2-15 . Lyrio . —8-15 , Little Miss Nobody . Matint ' e , Monday and Saturday , 2-30 . Opera Comique . —Twice Daily , Alice in Wonderland . Prince of Walea ' s . —8-15 , La Poupee . Matinee , Saturday , 2-30 . Princess . —7-30 , The Crystal Globe . Matinee , Monday and Saturday 2 .

Royalty , —31 st December , A Little Ray of Sunshine . Savoy . —8-20 , The Sorcerer , and Trial by Jury . Matinee , Saturday , 2-30 . Shaftesbury . —8 , The Belle of New York . Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 2 . Strand . —8-15 , An Empty Stocking . 9 , What happened to Jones . Matinee , daily , 3 . Terry ' s . —8 , The Lady Bookie . 8 ' 45 , The Brixton Burglary . Matinee ,

Saturday , 3 . , Vaudeville . —8 , A bad penny . 9 , On and Off . Matinee , Wednesday , 3 . Alexandra . —7 . 30 , Cinderella , Tuesday , Wednesday , Saturday , 1-30 also . Dalston . —7-30 , Aladdin , Monday , Tuesday , Wednesday and Saturday , 2 also . Grand . —7-30 , Babes in the Wood , Monday , Wednesday and Saturday , 1-30 . Parkhurst . —7-45 , Aladdin , Wednesday and Saturday , 2 also . Queen ' s Opera House , Crouch End . —7-45 , Cinderella , Monday , Thursday ,

and Saturday , 2-30 also . Alexandra Palace—Varied Attractions . Alhambra . —7 . 45 , Variety Entertainment . La Belle Otero . Jack Ashore , < feo Crystal Palace . —Varied attractions daily , Pantomime , Santa Claus . Aquarium . —Varieties , Minting , Paula , The Great Dive , 10 , 2 and 7 . Empire . —7-60 , Variety Entertainment . New Ballet Alaska , & o .

Egyptla / i Hall . —3 and 8 , Mr . J . N . Maskelyne ' s entertainment . London Pavilion . —8 , Variety Entertainment . Olympia . —Barnuni and Bailey ' s Show . Oxford . —Variety Entertainment . Palace . —7-45 , Variety Entertainment . New American Biograph , & o Royal . —7-30 , Variety Company . Saturday , 2-30 also . Tivoli . —7 * 30 , Variety Entertainment . Saturday , 2 * 15 also .