Clothing.

CLOTHING .

AT a meeting of St . John ' s Lodge , Torquay , England , Brother F . J . Cro . ve delivered an interesting lecture on " Masonic Clothing . " We quote as follows : " The apron in its present form was taken from the long apron of the operative Mason , yet as an ornament it is of the highest antiquity . Oliver , in the teufch lecture of his' Signs and

Symbols , ' speaks of it as an ' emblem of truth and passive duty , ' and refers to Elijah and St . John the Baptist as being ' girded with an apron of leather . ' In some Japanese initiations the initiate was invested with an apron , and ancient statues of gods are decorated with them , and it has always been considered an

honourable decoration . The first known description of the Freemason ' s apron is in the engraved portrait of Anthony Sayer , Grand Master , in 1717 , and the next in Anderson ' s Constitutions of 1723 . Iu Hogarth ' s picture of 'Night , ' and Picart ' s Ceremonies of 1736 it is of a long and flowing form . The lecturer

then referred to fche early mention of aprons in fche records of Grand Lodge , where the clothing appeared of the plainest kind . The oldest known minutes in any Lodge connected with the apron is one in the Lodge of Aberdeen , dated 57 th December 1670 , and says : ' One linen apron , ' and having collected much

information on tbe subject , the lecturer is of the opinion that linen was used almost as frequently as leather . The emblems upon the aprons and other clothing were then referred to in an interesting manner , and the tassels , although frequently stated to be made to represent two pillars , are simply the decorated ends

of the ribbons , which were fastened round the waist , and tied under the flap . The clothing now worn was adopted at the Union of 1817 , when gauntlets were first sanctioned . When

visiting the Eaton Lodge , No , 532 , Dr . Sheldon P . P . G . W . showed him ( the lecturer ) an old Tyler ' s coat of peculiar and curious form , the white linen buttons on it being three quarters of an inch in diameter . "

Compulsory Voting.

COMPULSORY VOTING .

MANY Brethren think it is of no particular importance when a ballot is held whether they vote or not . They have no objection to the candidate proposed , and would cast a white ballot if they voted , and thus leave the responsibility of rejection to somebody else who might know the applicant better . If such

will reflect for a moment they will see the injustice of their nonparticipation , for if all who would cast a white ball should act accordingly , perhaps only a single ballot should be cast , and thus the one who cast it be known and the secrecy be violated . In some Eastern jurisdictions no excuses are allowed , and all are

required to vote , and recently in a Lodge having a large attendance of members present we saw the rule enforced for the first time on this coast . We believe ifc should always be so to protect every Brother in his right to express his judgment unrestrained , and we were pleased fco notice fche harmony which prevailed in the

instance named . The unanimity of such a large number was flattering to those who passed through such a crucible . All have an equal interest in the introduction of new material , and it is right all should have opportunity to express their opinions . — " San Francisco Call . "

The Rev . H . A . Hebb , M . A ., Head Master of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , gave the address to the inmates of the Printers' Almshouses , Wood Green , on a recent Sunday afternoon .

The question of building a Masonic Hall in High Street , Chatham , occupied the attention of the Worshipful Master and Members of the Royal Kent Lodge of Antiquity , No . 20 , at their recent meeting , the result being that the matter is left in abeyance .

When a Worshipful Master is obliged , when illustrating the Charter to newly initiated Brethren , to apologise for his inability to present them with the Book of C , it causes an uneasy feeling in the minds of those Brethren , who are imbued with a due reverence for this standard of illumination . — " Masonry . "

Our boast is not in numbers . It is always possible for other Orders fco outbid us in mere numerical strength . Our boast is in moral excellency . If any one comes to the door and

knocks , there is no response unless he be found worthy ; and if he is , silently the door opens and he may enter in . Our aim is to unite the best of men in a sacred bond of Brotherhood for the moral elevation of our race . —Allen Andrews G . M . Ohio .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Duke of York ' s Theatre . —A very remarkable play is now being performed here , which has achieved a large measure of success , for the most part owing to the splendid acting of Mr . Charles Cartwright in the principal part , ft is called " Her Advocate " ; it is written by Mr . Walter Frith , and is stated to have been founded upon an episode of real life . George Abinger , a rising young barrister , in tho exigencies of iiis profession , has to defend

Mrs . Field on a charge of murder ; and although engaged to a charming girl and without the slightest encouragement from his client , incontinently falls violently in love with her , and his career is threatened with ruin as the result of his mad passion . Fortunately , at the height of his madness he is restored to reason by ascertaining that Mrs . Field is in lovo with somebody else . In a splendid scene he brings home the murder to the real culprit , and hands

his client a telegram from her sweetheart . His faithful love returns to him , and ho pleads forgiveness as the curtain falls . This brief account in no way does justice to the various dramatic scenes of the play , which are carefully worked up , so that the interest is sustained to the end . As we have intimated Mr . Cartwright sustains the burden ol the piece , and never has he been seen to greater advantage . It is a fine exposition of the actor's art , and fully deserves the success he has achieved . He is ably assisted by Miss

Gertrude Kingston as Mrs . Field—though it cannot be said she makes much impression in so monotonous a part . Opinions will differ as regards the character of Blanche , whioh , however , was charmingly sustained by Miss Lina Ashwell . Mr . C . W . Somerset gives a capital representation of the guilty and conscience stricken Doctor , and Messrs . Oswald Yorke , Holmes Gore , W . Wyes , C . Ramsey , and W . Young sustain effectively the remaining characters . On Monday , the M . W . the Grand Master attended the theatre , and congratulated Mr . Cartwright upon his powerful performance .

Crystal Palace . —The Kennel Club ' s fortieth exhibition of Dogs is to be held here on Tuesday , Wednesday and Thursday of next week , 29 th , 30 th and 31 st inst ., aud will doubtless be arranged with the same thoroughness as preceding exhibitions , and in accordance with the traditions of this popvl & r place of amusement .

The Plymouth Lodge of Instruction is held every Thursday , at 8 o ' clock , September to March inclusive , under the sanction of the St . John ' s Lodge , No . 70 , at the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , where , we doubt not , visitors would be hospitably received .

Meetings of the Neptune Lodge oi Instruction , No . 22 , are held every Monday , at the Gauden Hotel , Clapham , S . W ., at 7-30 p . m ., and are usually well attended . A ballofc for £ 5 5 s to one of the Institutions will shortly be drawn for among those who have attended most regularly .

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GAIETY RESTAURANT , STZR ^ nSTD . LUNCHEONS ( HOT and COLD)—At Popular Prices , in BUFFET and RESTAURANT ( on 1 st floor ) . Also Chops , Steaks , Joints , Entries , & c , in the GRILL ROOM . AFTERNOON TEAConsisting of Tea or Coffee , Cut Bread and Butter , Jam , Cake , Pastry , ad lib , at 1 / - per head ; served from 4 till 6 in RESTAURANT ( 1 st floor ) . DINNERS IN RESTAURANTFrom 5-30 till 9 at Fixed Prices ( 3 / 6 and 5 / - ) and a la Cartel In this room fcho Viennese Band performs from 6 till 8 . Smoking after 7-45 . AMERICAN BAR . THE GRILL ROOM is open till 12-30 . PEIVATE DIBIHG E 00 MS P 0 K LAEGE AND SMALL PAETIES .