The Theatres.

waste his talents thus , and we look forward to his next production with the hope of finding a worthy successor to " Our Mr . Jenkins . " Then may old Macclesfield retire to his Deaf Asylum , and cease to find wit in calling his wife " you fool ! " and his daughter " yon simpering idiot ! " Mr . F . W . Irish was excellent as

Butterscotchhis jealousy was a fine bit of comedy acting . Mr . Lestocq gives a capital sketch of a smart Yorkshire groom . This artist shows a great improvement in finish . The MacToddy of Mr . Dobson had a true North British flavour , and Mr . E . W . Gardiner , by his simplicity and sincerity , managed to rescne the tedious jenne premier , with his

perpetual stutter , from being utterly exasperating . Mr . James has a capable company , one of the prettiest theatres in London , with delioious memories of " Pinafore " haunt ng its stage , and London will rejoice when its old favourite claims his proper position in the world of light and wholesome comedy .

Gaiety . —Miss Santry ' s second Matinee at the Gaiety proved that she has the gifts required for modern comedy . In " Promised in Pique " she played with grace and sprightlines 3 , and the hardness of method which marred her " Constance" disappeared . Miss Sophie Larkin had one of her favourite parts ; in these she is unapproachable . Miss Norris was agreeable in the "juvenile lead . "

Grand . —For the man who would once more see a melodrama suoh aa thrilled his sires with terror and delight in the days of largo collars and short jackets there is a very pleasant evening offered at the pretty Islington Theatre , where the luxury of electric lights and comfortable arm chairs rivals the glories of Western houses . Sir

Randal Roberts takes the leading part in bis new play " A Dangerous Game . " Hia Alcibiade Pignet , a French travelling showman , is drawn with delicious brightness and lightness of touch . His French patter ia admirable , reminding us of the Maurice Barnett of our earlier days . When a baronet assumes the comic masque , he should have

exceptional talent , and certainly Sir R . Roberts has this justification . J . H . Clynds as the dear old British tar , ready for any odds in the cause of " England , home , and beauty , " played with thorough go . We

hope to see him one day in " Black eyed Susan . " Miss Alice Raynor ia winsome and touching aa the heroine . There is some good scenery with an especially effective set— "ABastion , and the harbour of Marseilles . "

The Royal , High Holborn . —This place of entertainment i 3 just now the scene of special attractions . Bro . Purkiss , the proprietor and manager , always provides a good bill of fare for his patrons , but in the present instance he seems to have combined variety with excellence in a superior degree . There are the usual

sentimental and comio performers , including Mdlle . Bleiken , described aa a "Continental Songstress , " and that popular favourite Bessie Bonehill . Cheevers and Kennedy , exponents of American peculiarities in song and dance , are clever , and the Brothers Griffiths are in reality " comical clowns , " and 3 how to great advantage

in their bar and hat throwing exhibition . Hettie Keeble , transformation dancer , has the true dramatic instinct . Her gestures and aotion convey to the mind at once what language would almost fail to do ; they are picture representations of character , further illustrated by dresses , the ohanges of which are effected with great rapidity and

skill . One of the chief features of attraction is a spectacular entertainment , entitled " Shadows of Fate ; or , Heroes of the Soudan . " Scenes , war songs , and music combine in producing a result , solemn in some aspects , but which is most instructive and interesting . Taking the entertainment as a whole , it shows an advance , both in

taste and character , to that usually witnessed at music halls , and is indeed worthy of the support that is nightly accorded it . Brother Purkiss is not less charitable than he is clever as a caterer , and we

are glad to be able to record the fact that he has received a letter of thanks from Bro . Col . Henderson , C . B ., for having handed over a sum of £ 350 , being the proceeds of a benefit at the Royal in aid of the City and Metropolitan Police Orphanage .

Agricultural Hall . —Mr . Hamilton comes back to London with a very interesting and timely change of programme . His scenes in the Soudan give a vivid reflection of our soldiers' experiences—the

pitiless desert and burning sky . Our pleasant showman of course takes the picturesque side , and enlivens hia pictures with some oapital songs . It is a capital place for the youngsters , who will find here an Appendix to School Geography .

Masonic Ball.

MASONIC BALL .

(| N Wednesday , the 15 th inst ., the annual ball of the United ^ S Masonic "At Home" and St . George ' s Quadrille Party was held at Cawte ' s Assembly Rooms , Southsea , and proved a success , both from a numerical and terpsichoreau point of view . The company numbered about 250 , and dancing was indulged in with much zest

iroui 8 . 30 until after two the next morning , to tbe enlivening straius ° f a band under the direction of Mr . T . F . Wilton . There were twent y-two dances on the card . The catering of Mr . H . Cawte "ave

great satisfaction , and the general arrangements , which were admirably carried out , were entrusted to a Committee consisting of Messrs . J . Arnold Chairman M . C ., S . Gardner Secretary M . C ., W . J Boyce , F . Green , A . Proctor , W . Smart , J . Taylor , H , G . Tuck , J Vincent , and R . Watson .

A meeting of the members of the Metropolitan Council , T . I . will be holden at the Masonic Hall , Red Lion Square ' on Friday , the 1 st May , at 4 o ' clock in the afternoon , on which occasion duly qualified brethren will bo received < nto the Allied Masonic Degrees , and then the W . M . elect Will be installed and the new Officers invested .

The Old Work.

THE OLD WORK .

THE generation of Masons of which the writer forms a part , are , in the course of natural events , gathering up their working tools to part rxpon the Square and

be succeeded by younger Brethren , in whoso veins the blood has not yet been chilled , either by age or longcontinued work .

During our more than forty years' service , there has been a constant tendency to add to the ritual , with the idea that it is thereby improved , or else that some Brethren , with more push than wisdom , may flatter

themselves that they have made a personal mark on the Craft , all of which is certainly taking ground in the wrong direction , by giving encouragement to alterations and innovations diametrically opposed to the spirit and instructions of our institution .

The true aim of every Brother is to set his face resolutely against alterations of the old forms and customs of any kind whatever , and especially of the frippery

dragged in head and shoulders by quotations from authors not Masons , and therefore not capable of that knowledge of our Adytum .

A striking instance of this idea occurs in the selections from Shakespeare , Oliver Goldsmith and others , whose expressions , vigorous or tender , as the case may be , never formed any part of the esoteric ritual , and therefore never can , legitimately . So of Cross ' s " Monument . "

Without any original invention of his own , he appropriated a design in Trinity Church yard in New York city and had it engraved for his monitor . Since then tens of t housands have been taught to believe this fictitious

symbol to be a part of the traditions of Freemasonry , and young Masters , knowing no better , roll the story as a sweet morsel under their tongues , and look around for a verse or two of poetry to make the thing look and sound more harmoniously when a glib tongue pours out its sentences .

Halt , Brethren ! No more improvements , modern or otherwise . Stand on the old ways and then make progression . Discountenance , as you would sacrilege , the trumpery that tries to improve on the old , and thus

fit yourselves to direct the Masonic Ship of State , that when you , too , become old men , your example and your lessons may increase the devotion of your descendants , and perpetuate our glorious Craft to the end of time unchanged and faithful unto death . —N . Y . Dispatch .

On Thursday , the 16 th instant , the Gallery Lodge lost a highly respected member by the death of Mr . Oswald Willson . The previous Thursday he was fulfilling his parliamentary duties for the Standard , although not feeling well . After that day he never returned to hia duties , being confined to his bed the next day through increased

illness , caused by an attack of smallpox . The disease was running its usual course for a day or two , when he suddenly caught a chill , in the momentary absence of an attendant , and congestion of the lungs supervening he became unconscious , and , continuing in that state , passed quietly away on Thursday afternoon . Among his colleagues

the shock produced was very great . The event was entirely unexpected . Though never of a robust constitution , he kept uniformly well , and was foremost among the members of his profession . There were none of the projects which the Reporters' Gallery started that Mr . Willson did not support , and the Gallery Lodge , its balls and

picnics , the Press Club , and any little excursion intended for the general good of the profession , found in him an instant , an ardent , and a firm advocate . If at any time he conld conduce to the pleasure of an evening by a vocal performance , the Master of the Lodge had never to put any pressure upon him , the snbject had only to be mentioned

and the request was immediately complied with . Sensitive to the last degree himself , he had the finest appreciation of the sensitiveness of others , and for amiability , courtesy , charity , and comradeship , he leaves behind him one of the fairest names that any man or Mason could hope to secure . His remains were laid to rest

on Monday , in the family grave at Finohley , aud in addition to hia immediate relatives , including his mother as chief mourner , the members of the Gallery who followed , including those of the Gallery Lodge , numbered over thirty . The Master of the Lodge ( Bro . W . M .

Duckworth ) , aud the Secretary ( Bro . R . J . Albory ) , and the Past Masters were present . Several members of tho Standard , corps were also in the cortege . The Reporters' Gallery and the Gallery Lodgo , aa well as private individuals , sent wreaths . —Eveniny News .

HOT . T . OVAY ' S 0 [ N'i :. ri :. vi AND PILLS . —' Rheumatism ami Neuralgia . —Though tho former disease remorselessly attacks persons of all ai , ' < w , and the latter ruthlessly selects Its victims from the weak and delicate , the persevering use of these remedies will infallibly cure both complaints . After the affected parts have been ddigeutly fomented with hot lmno . and the skin thoroughly dried , Hollowiiy ' s Ointment must be rubbed in firmly and evenly for a few rainute 3 twice a day , aud his Pills taken according to tho printed directions wrapped round each box of his medicine . Both Ointment and Pills are accompanied by instructions designed for the public at largo , and no invalid who attentively reads them can now be at any loss how to doctor himself successfully ,