An Oration.

answer the description of an intelligent Mason . And vet after all , what are our lodges and our Degrees without ' that Masonic furor which should fill the breast of every son of the widow ? What are subscriptions without the subscribers ? What are names without the named ? A valley of vision ; a body without a

soul ; a Masonic chamber of death , where there is not visible even a glimmering ray . Half-hearted , indifferent Masons are equivalent to no Masons at all . Like the barren fig tree , they are only cumberers of the ground . To be enrolled in membership , and then turn languid ; to pass the chair , and then retire into apathy

and inglorious ease ; to reach the envied purple , and then fail to display its colour , is not the way to proclaim the value of Freemasonry ; to sing " Join all in harmony , and prosper the Art , " to advance the interests , and mark our appreciation of that institution , which is the glory of the accepted and the free . By self-denial

and self-sacrifice , by attention and attendance , by punctuality and perseverance , by merit and ability , by very love of the Art and devotion to its cause , which is the motive power impelling to true and faithful Masonic action , which finds every officer at his post and every brother in his place , we carry out into practice the spirit of the Junior Warden ' s

song" Unite , unite , your voices rouse , Loud , loudly sing Ark Masons' praise , Spread far and wide their spotless fame , And glory in the sacred name . "

Masonic Lecture At Derby.

MASONIC LECTURE AT DERBY .

Under the united banners of the Tyrian Lodge , No . 253 , and the Arboretum Lodge , No . 731 , Bro . James Stevens delivered a lecture on the ritual and ceremonial of Craft Freemasonry at the Masonic Hall , Derby , on Friday evening , December 19 th . The W . M . ' s chair was occupied by Bro . W . Naylor , P . M . 253 , P . G . S . B .,

P . P . S . G . W ., Prov . G . Sec . Derbyshire ; the S . W . was Bro . A . J . Flint , W . M . 253 , and the J . W ., Bro . W . H . Wright , J . W . 731 , representing Bro . John Walker , the W . M . of that lodge , who , to the generally-expressed regret of the brethren , was unavoidably absent in consequence of temporary indisposition .

The very inclement weather interfered materially with the anticipated attendance of numerous brethren connected with the four Derby lodges , and apologies were numerous . The large hall was , nevertheless , occupied by a considerable number of earnest Freemasons , who listened with keen interest to the eloquent address of

the lecturer during a period of more than two hours . Bro . STEVENS introduced his address by prefatory remarks in reference to the constitution oE speculative Freemasonry antecedent to the year 1813 , when , in the formation of the United Grand Lodge of England under H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex as Grand Master , the form

of ritual and ceremonial to be observed by all English lodges alike was determined and promulgated throughout the Craft , which at that time comprised , as we understood him to say , some 300 lodges . His own experience during more than 33 years , and a close research into the works of several reliable Masonic and other

authors , as well as the published rituals of modern days , have enabled him to ascertain the almost innumerable errors , discrepancies , and diversities which have arisen , during recent years , in the performance of both ritual and ceremonial , to the positive disturbance

of the purity of the original composition , and the introduction of unmeaning , and , in many instances , utterly untrue definitions of allegorical and symbolical instruction . A very lengthy address was listened to without diminution of interest from commencement to

conclusion , and yet many points were but casually referred to , there not beingtimetoexpoundthem at length . At the conclusion of the lecture a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . Stevens , Bro . NAYLOR , P . G . S . B ., Prov . Grand Secretary , expressing , on behalf of all present , their deep sense of the value of the

instruction which had been afforded them . He regretted that the limit of time prevented the still further information which the lecturer was evidently qualified and prepared to give , and sincerely hoped that at an early date Bro . Stevens might take up the thread of his discourse in their hearing , and expound even more fully

the interesting points in ritual he had selected for that evening ' s consideration , and those others which , as he had stated , he had felt compelled to pass over . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to supper , after which the interest of the earlier proceedings was enhanced by the free discussion of

some of the most important points referred to in the lecture , Bro . Stevens willingly answering the several questions put by the brethren , and thereby imparting further useful information . This was the second visit of Bro . Stevens to Derby , and hopes were openly expressed that a third mi ght be made at a not very distant date .

Masonic Social Concert At Bolton.

MASONIC SOCIAL CONCERT AT BOLTON .

A social concert of a very enjoyable nature , promoted by the five Masonic lodges in Bolton , took place jn the Freemasons' Hall on Thursday , December 18 th . I he attendance was large and fashionable , some two hundred ladies and brethren assembling . The hall had

been tastefull y decorated for the occasion , and had a bri ght and charming effect . The following was the programme , all the vocalists and instrumentalists giving their services : Part 1 . — nanoforte solo , valse in D flat { Chopin ) , Mr . W . V . hooper ; song , "The Flight of Ages" ( Bevan ) , Bro .

Masonic Social Concert At Bolton.

Urmston ; song , " Daddy " ( Behren ) , Miss Martin ; song ( humorous ) , Bro . Johnston ; pianoforte solo , " La Tet D'Eau " ( Sidney Smith ) , Miss Amy Barrett ; song , "Espanita" ( A . L . Mora ) , Miss Miles ; oboe solo , Donnizetti's "Don Pasquale" ( Verroust ) , Mr . Percy Staton ; song , "The Skipper , " Bro . Binns ;

song , "Angus Macdonald" ( Roeckel ) , Mrs . Mantell ; duet—flute and piano— " Deh con te mira , O norma si fino All'ore" ( Bellini ) , Mr . C . F . and Miss Murphy ; Part 2 . —Pianoforte solo , Selection from , "Faust " ( Gounod ) , Miss Greenhalgh ; song , "Only once more" ( F . L . Moir ) , Miss Miles ; song , "The fine old

Irish gentleman , Bro . Johnson ; song , When the heart is young " ( Dudley Buck ) , Miss Martin ; pianoforte solo , Miss MacColl ; song , " The last watch " ( Pinsuti ) , Bro . Binns ; song , " Scenes that are brightest" ( Wallace ) , Mrs . Mantell ; oboe solo , " Donnizetti ' s " Lucrazia Borgin'' ( Barrett ) , Mr . Percy

Staton ; song ( humorous ) , Bro . Johnson . The whole of the items were admirably rendered , and Bros . Staton , Miles , and Binns efficiently acted as accompanists . At the close Bro . J AMES NEWTON , P . Prov . S . G . D ., Chairman of the Freemasons' Hall Committee ,

proposed a cordial vote of thanks . to the vocalists , instrumentalists , and the Arrangements Committee , and in doing so extended a hearty welcome to the ladies who had graced the proceedings with their presence , and trusted that it was only the beginning of many similar entertainments in that hall .

The motion was seconded by Bro . Aid . BARRETT , Prov . S . G . D ., ex-Mayor of Bolton , in a few appropriate remarks , and carried with acclamation . The singing of the National Anthem then concluded he proceedings . During the evening light refreshments were served to the ladies in one of the ante-rooms . The whole of

the arrangements reflected the highest credit on the Arrangements Committee , which consisted of representatives from all the Bolton lodges .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JAMES W . LAMBERT , P . M ., P . Z .

It is with very great regret that we announce the death of Bro . James William Lambert , who , during a period extending over nearly 18 years , rendered much valuable service to the various Masonic bodies of which he was or had been a member . The deceased was initiated in the Universal Lodge , No . 181 , on the 20 th

February , 18 73 . The year following he joined St . Thomas ' s Lodge , No . 142 , and in time was elected and installed its W . M . In 1878 he joined the Campbell Lodge , No . 1415 , Hampton Court , and occupied its chair in 1881 . He was also a Royal Arch Mason and

was a founder and first J ., and in due course M . E . Z ., of St . Thomas ' s Chapter , No . 142 . He was likewise a Past Prov . G . Registrar of Middlesex , and was a Life Governor of and had served as Festival Steward for both our Schools and the Royal . Masonic Benevolent Institution . Such a record of service is most

honourable , and will be remembered to his credit by the many friends both within and outside Masonry who are now mourning his loss .

BRO . JAMES BLYTH . Wealso have to announce the death of Bro . Jas . Blyth , the sad event happening on Christmas Day , while to enhance the mourntul circumstances , his daughter died the day following . The double funeral took place at Highgate Cemetery , the earlier portion of the service

being held in St . James ' s , Marylebone , when the Rev . Mr . Haweis , who conducted it , delivered an eloquent and impressive address . The funeral was attended b y a large number of relatives , friends , and brother Masons of the deceased , while the coffin was almost

hidden from view by the wreaths which the famil y and friends had sent . Bro . Blyth , we believe , was a member of the Sphinx and Granite Lodges , and was a Life Governor , and had served sundry Stewardships for our three Institutions . Latterl y he had taken a great interest in the Boys' School

and was a member of the Provisional Management Committee , which was represented at the funeral b y Bros . S . J . Attenborough , W . Masters , and J . M . McLeod . Among the wreaths on and around the coffin being one presented by Bro . McLeod on behalf of the Provisional Management Committee .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

By a process , we presume , of natural selection and the survival of the fittest , Drury Lane is now the only West-End house in which a pantomime is produced this year , and it is just possible that but for Bro . Augustus Harris it would , as far as fashionable London is concerned , be a thing of the past . But the marvellous success which attends the annual production at the

National Theatre is a proof that there is much life in it yet , and that it will survive at least the present generation . " Beauty and the Beast" is certainly a magnificent show , and as pretty and entertaining as any of its predecessors . The grand old theatre was on Boxing Night filled to its utmost capacity , crowds having waited for hours at the pit and gallery entrances , while in the stalls and boxes were

The Theatres.

seen nearly all the artistic and social celebrities who usually muster on these occasions . The charming old nursery tale has been admirably retold , the book being full of smart and witty dialogue , and the gorgeous spectacular setting is a thing to be seen and not described . The ball-room scene is , perhaps , the most superb

that has ever been put on any stage . The first ballet , in which the dancers appeared as roses in every variety of form and colour , is one of the most beautiful things that even Bro . Harris has ever given us ; but it is useless to linger on details , when all is perfect in everything that goes to make up a great stage spectacle . The fun , as

might have been expected when such comedians as Bros . H . Nicholls , H . Campbell , Dan Leno , and the Bros . Griffiths are engaged , was excellent , and when they have fairly settled down to their work , we may expect them to develop an increasing measure of fun and diverting whimsicalities . Lad y Dunlo ( Miss Bilton ) looks very pretty and attractive as Beauty , but we

cannot say much of her qualifications as an actress , although her dancing was graceful . Mr . Wallace was very droll as a wooden soldier , and caused much laughter whenever he appeared . There can be no doubt th ? . t the pantomime as a whole is one of the best , if not the best , that has been produced at Drury Lane under the present management .

# # # The Grand pantomime is really a grand pantomime , and one which will bear witnessing more than once before all its many points of fun and frolic are exhausted . Mr . Wilmot will find that the merry Islingtonians will not be permitted to monopolise his theatre ,

for crowds will travel from west and south to the north to see Bro . C . Townelly ' s ( Geoffery Thorne ) " Babes in the Wood , " represented by a strong and effective company , including such old favourites as Messrs . Geo . Cape ! , Austin Ashton , Misses Kate Everlei gh , Daisy Hughes , and Adison ( a member , we suppose , of that

talented family whom as boys and girls we have so often laughed at ) , and a new favourite Baby Langtry . From beginning to finish there is nothing but good wholesome amusement . The dresses are handsome and the colours beautifully arranged . There are not too many ballets but just ballets enough , as Bro . Lionel Brough would

say . The dancing is graceful , and the tout ensemble leaves nothing to be desired . Bro . H . A . Freeman , the manager , is to be congratulated upon having arranged for Mr . Wilmot ' s many patrons such a pretty and unique show . In the dialogue and songs both old and young will find plenty of entertainment , and the whole is quite free from coarseness .

* * * To no one more than Masons should the new London panorama be of interest , which occupies the site so long held by Niagara . The painting of Jerusalem , depicting the crucifixion in all its awful reality , is sure to draw crowds for months to come . On the spot

where stood the Temple of our Grand Master , King Solomon , rebuilt by Herod , stands now the Mosque of Omar , and is clearly depicted in the panorama . At intervals a lecture is given , by which one easil y learns and sees all the chief points of vast interest of that portion of the Holy Land . To those who cannot

visit the city in persona , and those who have been there , this painting cannot fail to be of value . The time taken by the painter is evidently just at the dawn after the ninth hour , when there had been darkness between the sixth and ninth hours , therefore , about three o ' clock in the afternoon . At the cross on Calvary we see before us figures representing the

Centurion , Joseph of Arimathea , Mary Magdelene , the Virgin Mary , St . John , Lazarus , and other holy men and women . Hidden from the audience a choir render sacred music , which all adds to the immense interest attached to this huge painting of Karl Frosch , which took , with the assistance of many other artistes , six months to paint .

Death.

Death .

RAMSAY . —On December 23 rd , 18 90 , at Upper Norwood , after a few days' illness , Marmaduke F . J ., the eldest and much-loved son of Col . M . Ramsay , District Grand Master Malta .

Bro . Lord George Hamilton , M . P ., returned to town on Tuesday from Coates , Sussex , where he had been spending Christmas with his mother , the Dowager Duchess of Hamilton , and after spending some time at the Admiralty , left for the Wilderness , Sevenoaks , on a visit to Lord Hillingdon .

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