Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

such opportunities as that which called them together , inasmuch as it enabled them to show their W . M ., whoever he might be , that they did not regard him as a machine set to do certain work , but an individual in whose welfare they felt the deepest concern , so that when an event occured in his family which filled his house with joy , they , too , participated in his pleasure . In the case of the birth of a child , he knew not how that could be more simply or suitably done

than by the presentation of a christening cup . In years to come when Bro . Gibson looked upon that cup it would remind him that he was once W . M . of the St . Cecilia Lodge , and that during his year of office little Edith Clara was born . Concluding , Bro . Scott said , " to use the language of ancient metaphor , peculiarly appropriate to a Freemason ' s child , because it has reference to that magnificent structure which the Masons of old reared at the bidding

of Solomon , we trust that this little daughter , born to you during the time that you have been the humble representative of King Solomon , may so grow up in wisdom , strength , and beauty that she " may be as one of the polished corners of the temple . " Bro . Gibson , who in responding vvas visibly affected , said : Brethren , I must claim your indulgence if I but feebly thank you for this splendid present . Most of you unwell for months

are aware that I have been some past . I am still weak and feel unequal to the occasion ; but under any circumstances it would be impossible for me to thank you sufficiently for this token of goodwill towards me . I thank Bro . Eberall and Bro . Scott for the very kind words they have spoken , but cannot feel myself worthy of a tithe of their laudation . My pleasure is greatly enhanced to behold this influential gathering , and to see so many of my

friends here to-night . Well do I remember the evening on which 1 stood at the door of this room , now some eight years ago , waiting to be admitted to the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry , and I rejoice to-say that those privileges have been very great , for 1 have found amongst the brethren some of the best and truest friends that I ever possessed . Some men are born great , others achieve greatness , and some have greatness thrust upon them . The latter that in

is my case . It is to you , brethren , I am greatly - debted for the honour that has lately been conferred upon me by the Provincial Grand Master ; but that honour is not intended for me alone , butchiefly for the St . Cecilia Lodge . You having placed me in this chair has made me its fortunate recipient . And now , brethren , you are showing your generosity , your regard , and fraternal affection towards me bv presenting me with this beautiful cup for my little

daughter who has been born during my year of olhce , and I accept it with much pride and gratification . When years roll on , and my daughter is old enough , I trust that 1 may be spared to hand it to her as your gift , when doubtless she will be inspired with feelings of admiration , if not affection , for the Freemasons who have come here to-night to bestow their liberality and kindness upon me . This beautifully-illuniinated record of the event 1 shall always cherish . On looking

down the long list I hnd the names ot every member ot this lodge , and it will often remind me how many good brethren I can call my friends . It is said by some give a man a present and you spoil him ; he will think too much of himself , will rarely come near you , and you will get little more good work out of him ; but 1 trust that will not be the case with me ; on the contrary , I hope to come amongst you as long as I live , and vvill do all in my power for the good of

Freemasonry , and of this lodge in particular ; and again for the cup , this beautiful record , and , above all , for the kindly feeling that has prompted you to confer this gift upon mc , 1 thank you with all my heart . The lod <* e being closed an adjournment vvas made at the invitation " of Bro . Gibson from "labour to refreshment , "

when the toast of "The Visitors" vvas given , to which Bros . J . Dixon and J . VV . Stride replied . " The Health of the Worshipful Master" vvas also proposed and briefly acknowledged . , . , The cup bore an appropriate inscription , which vvas also , together with the names of the subscribers , written on vellum and illuminated .

BOLTON . —St . George's Lodge ( No . 1723 ) - — The monthly meeting of this lodge vvas held on VVednesday . the 24 th ult ., at the Commercial Hotel . Present R . Latham , VV . M . ; VV . Court , l . P . M . ; W . Blain , P . M ., as S . W . ; K . G . Hanvood , J . VV . ; John Priestley , Chap . ; G . Ferguson , P . M ., Prov . G . S . of Works , Treas . ; N . Nicholson , P . M ., Sec . ; A . Cosgrave , S . D . ; T . B . Tong , l . D . : I . VV . Taylor , P . M ., P . P . G . Org ., D . of C . j T .

E . Smith , Org . ; VV . E . Bardsley , l . G . ; J . W . Roiley , Tyler ; B . Derham and T . Naylor , Stewards ; G . P . Brockbank , P . M ., P . P . G . S . D ., G . Steward Scotland , VV . M . 37 , Sec . 64 , Treas . 221 ; Jas . Heywood , P . M . ; T . Morris , P . M . ; J . H . Greenhalgn , P . M . ; J . Smith , VV . Pendlebury , J . Fogg , T . M . Whewell , J . B . Bolton , J . Parkinson , T . Arden , and J . Hall . Visitors : Bros . VV . Bovvden . P . M . 1213 and 1 S 14 , P . P . G . S . B . West

Lancashire ; J . Andrew , P . M . 1213 and 2 GS ; John McAdam , 3 S 1 ; J . F . Skelton , J . W . 14 G ; C . H . Pontefract , 337 ; J . F . Elliston , 221 ; and R . Duxbury , VV . M . 146 . The lodge being opened the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Whewell vvas raised to the degree of Master Mason by Bro . Nathaniel Nicholson , P . M . and Secretary , who also instructed him in the working tools of the degree . Bro . Gowanlock vvas next passed to the degree of Fellow Craft . Mr . Edwin Kershaw was

balloted for , which being successful he was initiated into Masonry by the VV . M ., the working tools being explained by the J . W ., and the customary charge delivered by Bro . G . P . Brockbank , senior P . M ., G . Steward of Scotland . An old member of the lodge vvas proposed for rejoining and a candidate tor initiation . " Hearty good wishes " were then tendered by the visiting brethren , and a portion of the ancient rules and charges read by the S . W ., when the lodge vvas closed in peace and harmony .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

UNITED PILGRIMS LODGE ( No . S ° 7 ) — A meeting of this lodge vvas held at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell , S . E ., on Friday , the 2 nd inst . There were present amongst others VV . Bro . J . N . Bate , W . M . ; Bros . VV . S . Payne , S . W . ; VV . Richardson , J . W . ; W . Bro . James Stevens , P . M . and Preceptor ; Bros . R . Poore , Sec ; C . J . Axford , S . D . ; Chamberlain , J . D . ; J . VV . S . Tomkins , I . G . ; A . J . Style , A . R . Cranch , A . C Bradley , Eldridge Johnson , P . M . Hakim , J . Goodyear , C H . Phillips . VV . Bro . Thomas Poore , P . M ., and others .

Instruction.

The lodge having been duly opened the First Section was worked by the brethren , and the ceremony of initiation vvas ably worked by the W . M ., who then delivered the charge and instructed the candidate for probation . Question time vvas occupied by the Preceptor on sundry points of ritual . Bro . Stevens also delivered a portion of the lecture

on the tracing board in the First Degree . A short interval was devoted to entry drill the lodge being called off for that purpose . On resuming labour Bro . A . Cranch was elected W . M . for the ensuing week and officers were appointed in rotation . Lodge vvas then closed and the meeting adjourned .

HYDE PARK LODGE ( No . 1425 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on the 5 th inst ., at the Fountains Abbey Hotel , m , Praed-street , Paddington , W . There were present Bros . H . Perdue , W . M . ; J . C . Rhind , S . VV . ; A . Hardy , J . W . ; G . Read , P . M ., Preceptor ; H . Dehane , Sec ; F . Chandler , S . D . ; J . Cohen , J . D . ; C . J . Morse , I . G . ; W . Death , Steward ; W . H . Chalfont , W . AI . 1425 ; Capt . A . Nicols , W . M . 1974 P . D . G . S . of VV . Punjab ; VV .

, J . 'bhatton , J . J . Thomas , D . Hart , E . Cockayne , C . S . Mote , VV . J . Mason , M . S . Rodet , E . F . Ferris , J . R . Phillips , W . A . Vincent , VV . Williams , VV . Middleweek , M . J . Green , D . Stroud , J . Chapman , G . Dickenson , T . C . Artand , J . Reid , H . Robinson , S . J . Humfress , J . French , and A . Leclair . Visitor : Bro . VV . E . Perdue , S 34 . Lodge was opened in due form and the minutes were read and confirmed . The First and Fourth Sections of the

Lecture were worked by the Preceptor . The ceremony of initiation vvas rehearsed , Bro . Vincent being the candidate . Bros . Brown and Phillips answered the usual questions leading to the Second Degree . Lodge vvas called off and on . Bro . VV . E . Perdue was elected a joining member . The bye-laws were read , and Bro . G . Read was re-elected Treasurer and Preceptor , and Bro . H . Dehane , Secretary ,

for the ensuing 12 months . Bros . J . J . Thomas , C . J . Morse , and F . Chandler were elected the Audit Committee . A vote of thanks vvas accorded to Bro . C . S . Mote for his services during the past year , and which he was unanimously requested to continue . Bro . C . J . Rhind , S . D . ' 543 , was elected VV . M . for next meeting , and the lodge was closed .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

MANCHESTER . —Affability Chapter ( No . 317 ) . —The bi-monthly meeting of this chapter vvas held at the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper-street , on Thursday , the iSth ult ., when there were present Comps . VV . Nicholl , Z . ; J . E . Steward , H . ; J . Wilson , J . ; VV . J . Cunliffe , S . N . ; J , VV . Edwards , Treas . ; Oldham , P . S . ; J . G . Elderton , 2 nd Asst . Soj . ; J . Sly , Janitor ; James Dawson , P . Z . j

John Bladon , P . Z . ; H . L . Rocca , R . Tomlins , A . Wild , J . Garside , H . Walmsley , VV . Hardcastle , H . R . G . Bayley . and R . R . Lisenden , S . E . ( Freemason . ) Visitors : H . Paulden , S . E . 204 ; Wood , J . 1375 ; and Swinn , 204 . The chapter vvas opened in the usual manner at C . 45 and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed . The ballot vvas successfully taken for Bro . VV . B .

Atterman , 317 . By permission of Comp . Nicholl , Z ., the chair vvas taken by Comp . J . Dawson , P . Z ., who exalted Bro . Akerman to the Holy Royal Arch Degree , assisted by the officers . The historical and mystical lectures were ably delivered by Comp . J . H . Steward , and the symbolical by the acting M . E . Z . Alter " Hearty good wishes " had been expressed by the visitors the chapter was closed .

TWICKENHAM . —Sir Francis Burdett Chapter ( No . 1503 ) . —This chapter met at the Albany Hotel , on the 25 th ult . Among those present were Comps . C . Rushworth , P . P . G . R . Middlesex , M . E . Z . ; Cama , P . P . G . S . N . Middlesex , P . Z ., acting H . ; T . C . Walls , P . P . G . D . of C . Middlesex , J . ; Raymond Thrupp , P . P . G . H . Middlesex , & c , l . P . Z .: S . H . Saunders , P . S . ; Smiles and Hosken

Assistants ; the Rev . L . D'Orsey , Chap . ; and others . Comp . Tebb , of the Caveac Chapter , vvas a visitor . The minutes of the previous convocation having been read and confirmed the election of officers for the year ensuing resulted as follows : Comps . VV . H . Saunders , M . E . Z . ; T . C . Walls , H . j R . H . Saunders , J . j J . Richnell , S . E . j S . H . Saunders , S . N . j VV . Taylor , P . Z ., Treas .,- Smiles

P . S . ; and Harrison , Janitor . A Past Principal ' s jewel was then voted to the outgoing M . E . Z . Letters of apology for absence were read from Comps . W . H . Saunders , W . 'I aylor , J . Stevens , Speth , and others . The chapter vvas then closed and the companions adjourned to the banquet . Upon the removal of the cloth a few toasts were given . Ex . Comp . R . Thrupp responded upon behalf of "The

Grand Officers , " and Ex . Comp . Cama for "The Prov . Grand Officers . " " The Health of the M . E . Z . " vvas given by the I . P . Z ., and this toast having been responded to , the toast of " The Visitor" followed , and vvas acknowledged by Comp . Tebb . " The Health of the Officers , " replied to by Comps . Walls and S . H . Saunders , terminated the proceedings .

NORTH SHIELDS . —Ogle Chapter ( No . 431 ) . The annual convocation of this chapter vvas held in the Masonic Hall , on Thursday , the 25 * th ult ., when there vvas a good attendance of members and visiting companions . After the minutes of last convocation relating to the election of Principals for the ensuing year were confirmed , the Principals elect , viz ., M . E . Comps . William John Ward ,

P . Z ., P . G . J ., as Z . ; Thomas Rohson , P . Z ., P . P . G . A . S ., as H . ; and John Graham Tulloch , P . Z ., P . G . P . S ., as J ., were presented to the Installing Principal , M . E . Comp . Edward Dean Davis , P . Z . 431 , P . P . G . H . and P . G . D . C , who performed the ceremonies in that perfect style for which our veteran Comp . Davis is so justly celebrated . The officers were afterwards invested as follows : E . Comps .

Henry Gibson , E . ; Thomas Mothersdale , N . ; M . E . Comp . John Harcuss , P . Z ., P . P . G . N ., P . S . ; E . Comps . Henry M . Rayner , 1 st A . S . ; John G . Gibson , 2 nd A . S . j and M . E . Comp . William J . Ward , as Treasurer . The chapter was afterwards closed in ancient form , and the companions adjourned to the Albion Hotel to celebrate the annual festival . At the banquet the chair vvas occupied

by the M . E . First Principal , supported on his right and left by the Second and Third Principals , M . E . Comps . E . D . Davis , P . Z ., P . P . G . H . ; W . M . Bell , Z . 24 , P . G . S . B . ; G . S . Shotton , J . 240 ; and E . Comp . Thomas Burne , S . E . 907 . The vice-chair vvas occupied by the P . S . After a sumptuous repast the evening was spent in a most enjoyable manner .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

" Claudian " is the title of the new play to follow the " Silver King " at the Princess ' s . Mr . Wilson Barrett will play the title role . # # » Bro . Thiodon the energetic manager for Bros .

Crowder and Payne of the Canterbury , has been presented with a written testimonial and a purse of 100 guineas as a token of esteem and gratitude from the company and patrons of the Canterbury . It is a place where one is sure to find plenty of innocent amusement ; just now this is particularly the case .

# # # " Ours " at Toole ' s Theatre has been produced by Messrs . Robertson and Bruce with great eclat . Although it cannot possibly run more than three weeks there , Bro . Toole himself returning to London , it is mounted in such a handsome way that it might be going to keep the boards for a length of time . We should think it likely that Mr . Robertson , encouraged by the great success of the

two of Ins father ' s comedies he has already produced in London , will make some arrangement whereby they may all be witnessed in succession by the new generation of playgoers . In the 17 years which have elapsed since they saw the light of day at the Prince of Wales ' s Theatre they have not lost any of their popularity . Played now by a very different company from the original , which included Bro . and Mrs . Bancroft and poor Honey , now no more ,

they seem to draw as crowded an audience as ever . Mr . E . D . Ward is Andrew MacAlister ; Mr . Adams , Captain Samprey ; Mr . Chevalier , Sergeant Jones ; and Mr . T . VV . Robertson plays Hugh Chalcot , andin their hands thecomedy loses none of its crispness , nor can the audience possibly lose a single point of the dialogue . Miss Amy Roselle ' s Blanche Haye is full of effect . In her hands the play loses

none of its vitality . Miss Cora Stuart ( Mrs . T . VV . Robertson ) is the representative of Mary Netley , and in her hands hearty merriment prevails in the house , and all anxiety must be for ever set at rest as to the wisdom of reproducing Robertson ' s familiar comedies . All that is pure and noble in life is depicted in them . If one can go with a mind unbiased one must enjoy them just as much as 17 years ago .

# * # Mr . F . C . Burnand has not horrified thoseadmirers of our great poet Shakespeare who thought it almost profanity to burlesque his writings . Possibly the outcry that was raised when it vvas known that Mr . Burnand intended writing a burlesque on "The Tempest " made the author a little cautious , the result of which is he has almost gone to the other extreme . " Ariel " is certainly very amusing

with Miss Farren as the chief character , but no one can find a fault , try hoiv they may , as to taking off Shakespeare ' s "Tempest . " Mr . Burnand has shown great tact , and he has gained a success . But we have had occasion to say in these columns before that almost anything will take at the Gaiety if Miss Farren and Miss Gilchrist are in it . On Miss Farren is laid the burden of the new burlesque , and without doubt no finer effect has been seen on the stage than Miss Farren as Ariel with electric-lighted

wings . Mr . D'Oyley Carte was the first to introduce electricity as attached to the players , but it is at Bro . Hollingshead's theatre that it has been employed with the most brilliant scenic effect . It requires a good stretch of imagination to trace the original in " Ariel . " The alarm vvas raised , but may be said to have vanished . We suppose it would be impossible to represent the wreck scene more prettily . It is generally a hopeless task to describe a burlesque , and

certainly , though Mr . Burnand has written another good piece for the Gaiety audiences , few would know what connection it has with Shakespeare . The characters are there , but little else , but that matters not ; so everyone is pleased all round—we mean the lovers of the light amusement given at this theatre , and the ardent and serious admirers of our immortal poet . Bro . John Dallas , is Alonzo , and sings an excellent song about his ill-luck . It is full of

humorous points . Miss Phyllis Broughton is Ferdinand , and we venture to say that never has she acquitted herself better than in this her last character . The dance which is introduced specially for her is a most graceful one , its only fault is that it is too short . Those who like beautiful dancing would wish it to be repeated , and the applause it draws is thoroughly deserved Miss Broughton besides is very

pretty in herself , and her dress is the picture of good taste . Mr . Monkhouse , as Prospero , has not made a great hit ; though funny and droll , one feels that Bro . Terry could get more fun out of the part . Mr . Monkhouse however sings his ditties with much effect . On the other hand Mr . Elton's rendering of Caliban is perfect ; every one of his dances brings an encore , whilst his make up in the last act is ludicrous in the extreme . Bro .

Squire has not the opportunity of distinguishing himself as many will recollect him with pleasure in " Aladdin ;" but what he does now he does well . Mr . Henley , too , is far less suited with a part than in the burlesque which preceded "Ariel . " Miss Maud Taylor and Miss Pedley sing some pretty duets , one of the songs of the latter lady obtaining an encore , which no one can grudge her . Miss Connie Gilchrist is Miranda , and of course she has

the leading lady ' s part , and extremely well does she acquit herself . She has at a very early age almost reached the goal . Never has she sung better nor danced more gracefully . Miss Gilchrist has taken the place which would have belonged to Miss Vaughan , and we shall be surprised if she does not keep it . It would be difficult to say which of her three dresses is the most becoming , or in which she looks the most charming ; we had better say in all of them .

Although she seems to show herself indifferent to the applause she is the cause of , we can hardly think it is quite natural . Miss Gilchrist has of late improved very much in her speaking parts ; they are now heard distinctly . A very amusing allusion is made to the recent cruise of the Prime Minister in the Pembroke Castle . Bro . Squire is very fine in his

make up as the Grand Old Man with his axe ; the Poet Laureattc is also a good make up . Bro . Meyer Lutz is responsible for the music , which is bright throughout and original withal . It goes without saying that " Ariel ' \> superbl y mounted and that the dresses of the chorus ladies are brilliant . Until Bro . Terry ' s return at Christmas " Ariel" is bound to keep on the boards .