Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold , ourselves responsible for the opinions ot our Correspondents . All Letters must bear tho nami and . address of tho Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

CUSTODIANS OF LODGE FUNDS . To thc Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CIIKONICLK . DEAR S IR AND BROTHER , —Having started a discussion on the very delicate subject of Treasurership I venture to address yon ou an item I have long wanted to bring under the notice of my Brother Masons , in regard to the custody of Lodge Funds . I used to think I had strong argnements to use in favonr of my scheme , but your

comments , coupled with those of " P . A . G . D . C , " have strengthened them considerably , and , indeed , have created an entirely now and important feature into my view of the case . Nearly every Lodge under fche English Constitution has a balance in hand , which balances , iu probably nineteen cases out of every twenty , are mixed up with tho financial affairs of tho respective Treasurers , without ,

probably , ono Lodge in a hnndred reaping any benefit in the way of interest ; indeed , you and your correspondent state thafc ono of tbe reasons against independent banking accounts is their expense—they cost a Lodge money , instead of earning some for it , no matter how small the amount . My proposal is that Grand Lodge , or failing that , the threo

Charitable Institutions , start a banking business , and invite tho various Lodges to invest fcheir savings with thorn , tho profit to bo devoted to Charity . If there was a general answer to this invitation I reckon a floating balance of something like £ 50 , 000 would result , available for investment beyond a fair sum for current payments , and this might safely produce at least £ 1 , 000 a year , after paying all expenses .

It must be remembered that although thero would be upwards of a thousand different acconnts there are few whioh would entail many entries each year , fcho average probably being about 20 or 30 , so that no large staff would bo needed , an additional olerk in one of the existing departments probably being amply sufficient , whilo for tho early days of the project no appointment might be needful . I am nofc sure

that the whole of tho work could not be carried out by an honorary committee , afc least during the earlier stages , working in conjunction with an established bank , bufc that ia a matter of detail to bo settled when the more important ono of starting tho Fund has been decided npon . I am , yours fraternally , ON THK ROAU .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Criterion . —Nearly twenty years ago Mr . W . S . Gilbert presented a rollicking adaptation of MM . Marc Michel ancl Labiohc ' s farce , " Un Chapoau de Paille d'ltalie , " which , under the title of "Tho Wedding March , " created no end of fun . It has now been revised , cat and lyricised , and dished up again as " Haste to the Wedding , " for which Mr . George Grossmith has pr ivi led the mnsii * .

Asa reminder we may state that tin fun is caused by Mr . Woodpecker Tupping , riding to his wedding , drops his whip and gets down to pick it np . The horse runs away and boing hungry devours a 1 idy ' s leghorn hat . The lady follows the intended bridegroom nnd deman Is satisfaction , so they procaed to a milliner ' s for lb" purpose of obtaining another hat . Here tho poor fellow falls into the lire as

the milliner proves to be an old sweetheart , whom he has to marry in order to get the hat . Then he finds that the only other leghorn hat is owned by the Marchioness of Market-llarboromrh , so they hnrry off to her honse where tho wedding party eat up her lunch under the impression that it has been provided for thorn . Her ladyship , however , has given her hat to Mrs . General Bunthunder ,

wither they rush off only to fiod that the latter lady is the party who lost the original hat , so the storm in a teacnp is quelled aud all ends merrily . It can be easily understood that such a story does not readily lend itself to music , but Mr . Grossmith has done exceedingly well , and the audience are so carried away with the diverting nonsens ? and hnrry-sknrry of tho pieco that they cannot , stop to bo too critical . Mr . Frank Wyatt , is most , energetic as

Topping , Mr . Sydney Valentine gives a capital portrait of the fiery old General , Mr . D . S . James contributes a clever sketch as the Duke of Turniptopshire , aud Mr . Blakeley plays with his nsnal nnction the part of deaf Uncle Bnpaddy . Mr . Lionel Brough created roars of laughter as Maguire , but he is sure to improve the character , while Mi ^ s 8 . Carlyl » - ' s vivacious acting and dancing as Bella , Miss Ellis Jeffreys , Miss Studholme , and Miss Ford all work unceasingl y to promote the general success of the piece .

Lyric . —There have been a good many changes iu the cast of ' fhe Mountebanks" lately , bnt the opera still progresses favourably on the tide of popular favour . The hill / . price matinees have be . ) n highl y successful , and are now given both on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons . This must bo a great boon to theatregoers

• esuling in the suborbs . Messrs Lionel Brough is now replaced by vlr . Cairns Jnmes as theshowmin and Mr . Arthur Playfnir is now the bri gand Chief vice Mr . Frank Wyat , while Miss Orford has taken he place of Miss Jenonre as the Dancing Girl . Miss Geraldine Jlraar still appears as the heroine , but she will shortly be leaving to take part in a revival of ' * The Grand Duchess . "

The Theatres, &C.

Alhambra . — 'The programme afc this house will bo much enlarged aud almost outirely changed next Monday , 1 st August , when Miss Jenny Joyce , oue of the most charming singing and dancing artistes ever produce ! iu America , will mako her fir' 6 appearance iu a Serpeutiuo dance and a Spanish fandango . She is

very like Ada Isaacs Meuk . iu , and is exclusively euguged . The variety show will comprise singers , dancers , knockabouts , jugglers , and acrobats , male aud female . Gauivet , the funny Frenchman , begius his last mouth at the Alhambra . " Don Juan , " the successful dramatic billet , will retain its placo in tho middle of the evening ;

a new panioiniuiio sketch , " Nimble Nip , " will commence the entertainments , and "On the Ice , " will conclude them for a few weeka pending the production of a , new and thoroughly English divertissement called " Up the River . " The operatic selections by M . Jacobi ' s spirited baud still rem kin a prjniiuout feature .

International Horticultural Exhibition . —As additional attraction to this popular exhibition has just been made and has been well patronised by the bravo pleasure-seekers at Earl ' s Court during tho recent tempestuous weather , which has prevented the beautitul gardens being onjoyod to their fullest extent . We refer to fche small

bub fine collection of paintings by Belgian artistes whioh are decidedly worth inspection oven if the weather be propitious . "Two now pictures of historical interest" have also boon added to

the Wild WoJt Show ; the first represents tha " Lynching of a Horse Thief , " and the other " Tho Pioneers Captured , " both tableaux being received with considerable applause . The now Skating Riuk , and the various other side shows are well attended .

Success has undoubtedly attended the revival of Messrs . Sims and Pettitt ' s burlesque " Faust up to Date , " at the Gaiety . Crowded and enthusiastic audiences are the rule , aud fche advance booking is good . Miss Florence St . Joliu is as attractive as over as Marguerite ,

while Mr . Arthur Williams is extremely droll as Valentine . Admirable support is accorded the principles by Miss Amy Augarde , Madame Ada Doret ; , Miss Kitty Loftus , Miss Cissy Fitzgerald , and Messrs . Edmund Payne , Georgo Honey , and H . C . Barry .

While fche Lyceum , the Sfc . James' and tho Garrick theatres are closing their doors on the one hand ; tho Princo of Wales opened , on Thursday , with Mr . A . Van Bieue aud company iu Messrs Keen aud Leader ' s play , " Ttio Broken Melody ; " tho Royalty opened ou Friday with a new romantic drama , "The Cross of Honour ; " aud the autumn

season begins this evening ab the Adelphi with another drama by Messrs . Geo . Sims ancl Buchanan , entitled " The Lights of Home . " Mr . Wyuclham ' s season at fche Criterion terminated on Tuesday , but the theatre was re-opened the next ; evening with " Haste to the Wedding , " by Messrs . VV . S . Gilbert and George Grossmith .

Tho following will appear iu "The Lights of Homo , " to be producod at tho Adelphi to-night ( Saturday ) -. —Messrs . Kyrlo Bellow , Lionel Rignold , Charles Daltou , W . A . Elliott , G . W . Cockburn , Howard Russell , ThouuH Kingston , VVillio Drew , J . Northcote , and W . Northcote , Miss Evolyu Millard , Mrs . Patrick Campbell , Miss Clara Jecks , Mrs . H . Leigh , Miss Ethol Hope .

The Mohawk Minstrels return to their home , at Islington , on Bank Holiday , 1 st August , when tney will givo two parfornmir-cs , at 3 and 8 . Tuo holiday pro ^ ntraino is exceptionally strong , and contains

oosidos the ordinary first ]) art , several novel an I in to res ting items . Tne entertainment , will conclude with the p-rf <) rmiiuju of a new screaming sketch , written for Mensr .-i . Francis aud Hunter , by Arthur Williams , entitlud ' * O l ! What a Day . "

Tho Grand Master Mison of Scotland , tha E irl of Haddington will make a grand visitation to tho Provincial Grand Lodge of Stirling , shire on 5 th August . The ceremuiy will take place ui . Ftlkirk , and the Grand Master will ha accompanied by a deputation from G . L ) l go . At the July meeting ot tho Board iu charge of the Annuity Branch of the Scottish Masouic Benevolence Fund , anuu ties of £ 10 each wore granted to ton applicants , making a total of 10 b' annuitants on the roll , at an annual cost of £ 1 , 115 .

Tho commodious pile of buildings near St . Pancras , known as Hampden House , in which a perfect system of young men ' s residences is cariied out , under tho angpiees of Bro . Eccleston Gibb and other prudent philanthropists , has just received an important addition to its r-jcreafcive accommodation in tho shape of a Masonio

Lodge , to bfl known as tho Hampden , of which Bro . Gibb is tho first Master . The ceremony was performed J > y the Grand Secretary , assisted by Bros . Sir Reginald Hanson , SI . P ., General' Hay , Fenn , Philbrick , Richardson , and Brownrigg . A numerous company alterwards dined in the pretty theatre ot' Hampden House .

The office of the Grand Secretary aud the library in the Masonic temple , New York City , are open to members of the Craft on all days of the week except Sunday . Visitors from all paits of the habitable globe find their way there vvheu in the metropolis and are courteously received by tho officers in attendance . ,

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IMP 0 ETAIT NOTICE - ^ SSiST ^ ( in au important subject to muu contemplating marriage . Information in matters you ought to know . Send for it to-day , Gratis and 1 'ost free , Address , THE SBCSBTABX . 1 Fitzallan Square , Sheffield ,