Mark Masonry.

Barker , P . M . 58 , G . I . of W ., P . P . G . W . ; R . Williamson , P . M ., Sec . ; G . Horsfall , P . M ., as M . O . ; H . Gill , S . O . ; C . Nicholson , J . O . ; H . Shaw , I . G . ; J . W . Turner ; and Visitor , Bro . H . S . Pike , 5 S . The minutes of the last regular lodge meeting having been read and confirmed , the ballot vvas taken for Bro . J . K . Kaye , 275 , for advancement , and Bro . H . S . Pike , 58 ,

as a joining member , both of vvhich was in their favour . The R . W . P . G . M ., Bro . C . L . Mason , P . G . S ., then took the chair , and Bro . Sugg presented Bro . John Barkeras W . M . elect for installation , which , alter addressing Bro . Barker and expressing a hope that under his rule the lodge would enter upon a new lease of renewed life , proceeded to install him in the chair of A . in a most impressive manner .

Bro . Barker then appointed and invested the following officers : Bros . H . Gill , S . W . ; J . VV . Turner , J . VV . ; G . Marshall , P . M ., Treasurer ; R . Williamson , P . M ., Sec ; Fletcher , M . O . ; H . S . Pike , S . O . ; C . Nicholson , P . M ., S . D . ; G . Horsfall , J . D . ; H . Shaw , I . G . After hearty congratulations , the lodge closed in due form , and the brethren sat down to a slight refreshment , after vvhich the usual Masonic toasts vvere honoured .

Croptic Masonry.

Croptic Masonry .

GRAND MASTERS' COUNCIL ( No . 1 ) . —This council met a Sa , Red Lion Square , Holborn , on the 25 th ult . Among those present vvere Bros . T . Cubitt , T . I . M . ; T . Poore , P . T . I . M . ; George Graveley , D . M ., acting P . C . of W . j T . C . Walls , P . D . G . M ., Recorder ; H . Shirley , M . A ., W . j T . Clark Hanley , VV . W . Codd , R . Roy , M . A . ; Slater , Palmer , H . Harris , Graves , E . Storr , J . L . Mather ,

WT A Cn ., > nnU r _ f . ni . «/ , Vnnnlnn . IVft ! 1 In „ _ J „ Ll VV . A . Scurrah , George Kenning , Mills , and others . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The ballot vvas then taken on behalf of Bro . John Joesph Thomas , No . 749 , R . A . C , and No . 1 , St . Mark ' s ( Mark ) Lodge . Bro . T . Poore having assumed the chair , admitted , received , and greeted the canditateasaM . E . M ., R . M ., S . M ., and S . E . M . ; the ceremony being most

admirably performed . Apologies for non-attendance vvere received from Bros . Baron de Ferrieres , Major G . Lambert , Major Dunbar , Captain W . B . Williamson , J . P . ; Alfred Williams , George Powell , and many others . The council was then closed in the degree of Select Master and the brethren adjourned to the Holboin Restaurant to dine . A few toasts vvere given and duly honoured .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The Right Hon . the Lord Mayor of London , accompanied by the Lady Mayoress and Mddle . Verspyck , honoured this Institution with a visit on Monday morning , the 28 th ult . On arrival he vvas received by the Chairman of the month , Bro . E . Bowyer , the Treasurer , Bro . II . B . Marshall , J . P ., C . C , Colonel J . Peters , one of the Trustees , Bros .

Hammerton , Matthews , and Moon , members of the House Committee , and Bro . Hedges , Secretary ; there vvere also present Bro . Alderman Savory , Rev . J . Toone , the Hon . Chaplain , vvith Mrs . Toone , and Mr . Toone , jun . Miss Davis , the Head Governess , conducted his lordship through the schoolroom , and Miss Buck , the Matron , showing him over the dormitories .

The LORD MAYOR expressed himself greatly gratified at all he saw . After witnessing the calisthenic exercise , he addressed a few kind words to the children , congratulating Miss Davis on their appearance and their drill , vvhich , he stated , had simply charmed them , and was better than anything he , as an old volunteer , had ever seen . He then asked Miss Davis to give the children a holiday for the rest

of the day , and following the example of his good friend , Bro . Alderman Savory , expressed the hope that , living in the neighbourhood , he and the Lady Mayoress would have the pleasure of entertaining them some time during the coming year at Chatham House . The Lord Mayor left after inspecting the Junior School , and requested the Secretary to put his name down as a Steward for the Centenary Festival .

Presentation To Bro. George Augustus Sala.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . GEORGE AUGUSTUS SALA .

It vvill be remembered that in May last the chair at the sixtieth anniversary festival of the Printers' Pension , Almshouse , and Orphan Asylum Corporation vvas taken by Bro . G . Augustus Sala , the well-known journalist . So successful was the pecuniary result of the dinner , and so excellently did the chairman plead the interests of the charity , that it vvas suggested by the treasurer of the institution ( Mr . W . /

-.. \ . i _ -. _ . . ,.., .. -.. .. -. Clowes ) that " some modest but tangible recognition of the occasion should be made" to Bro . Sala on behalf of the printers of London vvho were present . A private subscription list vvas opened , sufficient funds being obtained amongst the council , trustees , and friends of the institution to purchase a silver cigar case , upon vvhich has been engraved the simple inscription , " To George Augustus

bala , Vice-President ot the Printers' Pension Corporation , from the Printers of London . " By the kindness of the proprietors of the Daily Telegraph , the library in their handsome officies vvas placed at the disposal of the subscribers on the afternoon of the 25 th ult ., for the purpose of making the formal presentation to Bro . Sala . Several of the subscribing members , including Mr . William

Clowes , treasurer ; Bro . J . C . Parkinson , and Mr . J . S . Hodson , Secretary , vvere present , ln making the presentation , Mr . Spottiswoode thanked Bro . Sala very heartily for the great assistance he had rendered the institution by presiding at the anniversary festival . He had remarked at the time , and it vvas universally considered , that the subscribers had never before passed such a pleasant evening . He ( Bro .

Sala ) had performed tlie onerous duties of Chairman in so successful a manner that he materially assisted the treasury of the Charity , and , besides this , he laid the claims of the Institution before those present in such a peculiarly happy manner that it had occurred to the members of the Council that some slight recognition of the valuable

assistance he then rendered might be acceptable as a souvenir of the occasion . In the name of the printers of London he had great pleasure in handing Bro . Sala the cigar case , vvhich he trusted he would long live to use . In acknowledging the presentation , Bro , SALA said that man vvas a discontented and un-

Presentation To Bro. George Augustus Sala.

grateful animal , and even his gratitude to the subscribers for the kindly present they had made was tempered by two little reflections . In the first place , he would have liked the presentation to have been made on the day previous , because Thursday happened to be the anniversary of his birthday ; and , secondly , he would have wished that the present might have been deferred to the coming year , because he would then be sixty years of age , and would have completed his

fortieth year of journalistic services . He was very glad and proud that , through the courtesy of the proprietors of the Daily Telegraph , the presentation took place in one of the rooms of their establishment , because it helped to remind him that for thirty years he had been in the service of that journal . In conclusion , Bro . Sala again thanked those present for the kind testimonial they had accorded him . The deputation then withdrew .

Presentation To Bro. W. S. Gover, Past Grand Steward.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . W . S . GOVER , PAST GRAND STEWARD .

The office staff and district agents of the British Equitable Assurance Company , on the occasion of the sixty-fifth birthday of their managing director , Bro . VV . S . Gover , C . C , presented him with two valuable and handsome gifts as a token of their esteem and regard . The first of these

vvas a Grecian silver vase , engraved and mounted on an ebony stand under a glass case , and the second a silver reading lamp . These vvere accompanied by an illuminated congratulatory address . Mr . J . W . Fairey , the submanager , in making the presentation , said the idea of marking this anniversary by such a gift had been suggested some time since , and finding it to be the general wish both on the part of the agents as well as of the office staff , he

had cordially consented to head the movement . After purchasing the vase they vvere agreeably surprised to find that the subscriptions had amounted to more than had been expected , and they vvere enabled to add to it the reading lamp , vvhich they hoped Bro . Gover would do them the honour ot using in his library at home . On . behalf of all the contributors he wished Bro . Gover many happy returns of the day .

Presentation To Bro. H. Brooks Marshall, J.P., P.G. Treasurer.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . H . BROOKS MARSHALL , J . P ., P . G . TREASURER .

A great compliment vvas paid to our worthy Bro . H . B . Marshall , P . G . Treasurer , on Friday , the 25 th ult ., when a vestry meeting of his fellow parishioners of St . Bride ' s , Fleet-street , vvas held , and the opportunity vvas taken by them for presenting him vvith a beautifully-illuminated

address in old English characters , in recognition of his services to the parish during the past two years as its senior churchwarden . The address was as follows : — " St . Bride's Church , Fleet-street , London . —At a public vestry meeting held in the vestry of the above parish on Friday , the 25 th November , 1887 , the Rev . Edward Comerford Hawkins , M . A ., the vicar , in the chair , it vvas resolved unanimously :

'That the best thanks of the parish are justly due , and are hereby most cordially presented , to Horace Brooks Marshall , Esq ., J . P ., the retiring senior churchwarden , for the valuable services rendered by him while holding that office during the past two years , for the assiduous and unremitting attention he has given to and for the able and zealous manner in vvhich he has discharged the important and onerous

duties thereof , for his indefatigable exertions in securing the entire re-decoration of the church and chancel , the erection of a new east window , and the re-construction of the organ , the result reflecting the highest credit on himself , and being eminently satisfactory to the parish . His generous and unbounded liberality to all the charities brought under his notice justly entitled him to the commendation of the citizens of London ; and the earnest

desire he has evinced on all occasions to co-operate vvith and carry out the wishes of his fellow-parishioners in any object tending to the welfare of the parish elicits their warmest praise . " The presentation vvas made by the vicar , the Rev . E . C Hawkins , in a highly complimentary speech , and Bro . Marshall acknowledged the gilt in a brief , but appropriate speech of thanks . VVe congratulate Bro . Marshall on this further testimony of the admirable manner in vvhich he fulfils whatever duties he may undertake .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . WILLIAM HONEYBALL . Bro . William Honeyball , one of the Founders and P . M . of the Londesborough Lodge , No . 1 S 61 , vvas interred on the 30 th ulc , in Brompton Cemetery . Besides the mourners there vvere a large number of brethren and friends present to pay the last tribute of affection to one vvho was much respected . Bro . Honeyball had for a long time been

in a delicate state of health , but his last illness , vvhich vvas of short duration , brought his life to a close on the 25 th ult . He passed away peacefully in the arms of his son William . The coffin , vvhich vvas literally covered with wreaths of choice flowers—one in the shape of a cross from the Londesborough Lodge being very beautiful—was committed to the earth amidst

signs of universal grief . The following brethren of the Londesborough Lodge vvere present : Bros . E . Hart , VV . M . ; G . Dickenson , S . VV . ; H . Burleton , P . M . ; D . Wetherill , P . M . ; G . Read , Sec . and P . M . ; D . Rayner , S . D . ; R . C . Cursons , I . G . ; R . Elwin , G . Simpson , J . Thompson , J . Lewis , H . Robinson , R . Thomas , T . Keefe , VV . Dobson , J . Davies , H . Blyth , and G . Bryant . Bros . J . R . Harnell , 511 ; J . Blundell , P . M . 742 ; J . H . Lock ,

P . M . 511 ; G . Holland , 1614 ; G . H . Reynolds , 1614 , I . G . 2191 ; G . Reynolds , J . VV . 1614 , Sec . 2191 ; T . Bellamy , 25 ; and other brethren . W . J . G . Loudon , Esq ., J . Timothy , Esq ., S . Welford , Esq ., beside other friends . Bro . William Honeyball was very light-hearted and amusing , and not only Londesborough Lodge ( where he vvas very popular ) , but other West-end lodges will miss his cheerful company . He was very active and energetic , and had served as Steward to each of the Institutions .

BRO L . CAUVIN . VVe have to record the demise of an old and much respected Tyler , Bro . L . Cauvin , whose death took place on Sunday last , at Gosport , at the ripe age of 73 . Deceased has held the office of Tyler , Janitor , & c , in the town of Gosport for many years , and was greatly respected throughout the Craft .

The Late Bro. Col. Machen.

THE LATE BRO . COL . MACHEN .

At a meeting of St . Paul's Lodge , No . 43 , held at Birmingham , on Monday evening , it vvas proposed by Bro . VV . H . Sproston , P . P . S . G . W ., and seconded by Bro . B . H . Joseph , P . P . J . G . D ., "That the VV . M ., P . M . 's , and officers of St . Paul ' s Lodge , No . 43 , Birmingham , desire to

place on record their deep sense of the great loss the province has sustained in the death of their dearly-beloved brother , the late Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Colonel Machen . " Resolved— " That a copy of this resolution be sent to Mrs . Machen , expressing the sympathy ot the brethren in her bereavement . "

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

The Grand Theatre , Islington , better known in bye-gone days as the " Phil , " when Emily Soldene vvas the Queen of Opera Bouffe , is always worth going- to . GooiT plays , well acted and staged , and enthusiastic audiences , combine to provide an enjoyable evening . "Sophia" has been succeeded by " In the Ranks . " VVe should be glad to hear more of Offenbach , Lecocq , & c .

* * * y * It will not be owing to any merit on the part of the adaptor ( Mr . T . W . Broughton ) , of "TheCircassian , " that the new farcical comedy at the Criterion vvill gain a success . We have not seen nor heard anything of the original French piece , but vve believe in rendering it fit for English ears the play has undergone a great change .

After its postponement a week a |» o , and another about a year ago , vve looked for something brilliant , instead vve find quite a second rate farce , but owing to tbe capital acting of a good company , "The Circassian" has many good points about it , and a hearty laugh can be got out of the splendid acting of Bro . David James , Mr . G . Giddens ,

Mr . Blakeley , and Miss Ffolliot Paget . Had Mr . Wyndham himself been in it , it would be still more funny . "The Circassian" is too short for the principal piece of the evening . The groundwork is very thin , nevertheless . To see it once and briskly acted as the Criterion company do , one enjoys the piece . But its duration cannot be long .

* Mr . Wyndham is evidently one of those dual managers and actors vvho are not always good judges of plays . "The Circassian " he has produced after advertising it continually and with but a partial success . For some years he had the MS . of the "Arabian Nights" in his possession , and yet did not see there vvas money in it ,, and a

splendid part for him . Mr . Havvtrey has shown more sagacity , and vvill have to find another theatre for it when he leaves the Globe in a few weeks . Since "The Private Secretary , " Mr . Havvtrey has not had such an undoubtedly successful play in bis hand . Mr . Grundy deserves the greatest credit for his skilful adaptation of "The Arabian Nights" from one of Von Moser ' s

German plays , vvhich have been the source of several farcical comedies meeting with English favour . We shall not attempt , nor would our space allow us , to go into the analysis of the plot , suffice it to say that through a husband befriending a lady who has lost her way , and lending her his handkerchief marked vvith his name to put round her neck , he gets into a labyrinth of domestic troubles . Mr .

VV . J . Penley , though in a much minor part than in "The Private Secretary , " is most essential to the piece . His make-up and dress go for a great deal . He and Miss Lottie Venne sing an impromptu song , vvhich is demanded over and over again . Miss Venne acts the part of the young woman vvho has lost herself at night in a way which causes much amusement and no olfence , and vve know of no one vvho could play a part like this without making it a little

risky better than she does . Mr . Havvtrey has caught the Wyndham style , and acts as the unlucky husband vvith considerable force ; he is getting quite volatile . " The Arabian Nights" is the sort of laughable piece that after seeing it once , one takes one ' s friends and laughs again and again at the comic incidents vvith vvhich the play is studded . Mr . Hawtrey must be very sorry that the Globe is about to pass from his hands . Another home must be found for "The Arabian Nights . "

* * * We do not think we have ever enjoyed Bro . Arthur Roberts more than vve did on seeing him in the " Old Guard " at the Avenue . Mr . Farnie ' s dialogue is poor , but M . Planquette ' s music is sweet , though not at all equal to " Les Cloches de Corneville . " Two most welcome additions to the operatic stage are introduced in the persons of Mr . Alec Marsh , an excellent baritone , and Miss Marion

Edgcumbe , known as Miss Marion McKenzie in concert halls , who sings mezzo soprano . Both physically and vocally she is suited to the Avenue stage , having a full compassed voice . Miss Phyllis Broughton , of course , dances gracefully . Bro . Dallas is as funny as he is allowed to be in a not very important part . Need vve say the choruses are well rendered and the " Old Guard " well mounted , and last , but not certainly least , Bro . D'Albertson is installed as acting manager .

Miss I ^ y dia Thompson ' s first venture on taking up the reins of management , again have been crowned vvith such success that no change can possibly be wanted at the Strand tor some time yet . We cannot admit that " The Sultan of Mocha " is anything nearly so pretty as a musical piece as Mr . Cellier ' s more recent work "Dorothy , " vvhich has been playing for more than a year in London . But

"The Sultan of Mocha" is worthy the reproduction . Miss Violet Cameron seems to sing sweeter than ever , and to take a greater interest in her work . She is ably seconded by Bro . Henry Bracy , one of our finest tenors , and from whom an encore double and sometimes thrice is demanded for his song . " I am sleepy . " Mr . Danby is a new face to the West-end Theatres , though pretty well known in the

provinces as an excellent low comedian . There is little wonder that Bro . Augustus Harris has engaged Mr . Danby for his pantomime . One source of regret is mingled with the production of " The Sultan of Mocha , " and that is that the ever popular lady the lessee has no part in it . Miss Lydia Thompson promises to re-appear before the public in burlesque when "The Sultan of Mocha" has had its run . This vve think will not be just yet .