An Unusual Masonic Ceremony.

from the time of Solomon ' s Temple , was either judicious or prudent . Continental Freemasons , however , disclaim all knowledge of this Royal derivation , and , under the name of Louveteau or Louftou , claim that its etymology is lost in the darkness of an unknown antiquity , and in corroboration of their

argument refer to the fact that in the ancient Egyptian mysteries the son of an " Epopt " was called a young wolf , Louveteau , and the wolf was considered equivalent to the chief deity , Osiris , or the Sun . In consideration of the privileges now conferred on these children , it will be their duty in after life to bear the burden and

heat of the day when their parents , borne down by age and infirmity , are incapable of providing for themselves . This duty of providing for aged parents b y children is of the most ancient Hebrew ori gin , but about the commencement of our present era that is to say some 1900 to 2000 years back the Jews had

substituted the law of Corban for the dut y of sustaining their aged parents . The law of Corban is briefly that if a son made a formal devotion to sacred purposes of those goods which he could afford for the relief of his parents , he was exempted from the dut y of succourinohis father and mother , even though the property was

not actually given up . And thus , as Masonry is distinctly of Jewish origin , it has been thought most probable that the introduction of the privileges and duties of Lewis occurred at about this period , and that they were in a measure intended to correct the abuse of the Corban law of the Jews .

The anthem " How lovely is Zion , " from Daniel , was then rendered most admirably by a special choir . Bro . P . O . WILSON , Acting Orator , in the absence of the Chaplain , having invoked the divine blessing , Bro . W . E . STEERS , by command of the R . W . M ., invited the guests to join the brethren in the refectory

where cake and wine were served in honour of the Lewises . The christening cake was a work of art , designed and manufactured b y Mr . Stopforth . The name of the Lodge Jubilee , Batberton , surmounted the design , while the cake itself was encircled by the names of the Lewises , that of Herbert Alban Liddle facing

the rig ht and that of William Lewis Smith facing the left . Their respective mothers performed the proud office of cutting the cake , which was then handed round with the accompaniment of Pommery , Moet et Chandon , and other sparkling wines . The S . W ., Bro . STEEDS , in proposing " Long Life

, Health , and Happiness to the Lewises , " addressed a few words of exhortation to their mothers , ' counsellinothe inculcation of the moral principles upon which the whole edifice of Freemasonry is constructed—apart from those duties and obligations which the lod ge had undertaken to perform on behalf of the Lewises

The toast was drunk quietly under the restraining influence of the knowledge that the brethren had another ceremony , a mournful and impressive ceremony yet to perform the same day—the burial of a brother and P . M . of the Craft . In consequence of this other service , that of the admission of Lewises had to

be cut short , and the decorations of the lodge were also for the same reason considerably subdued . Shortly after drinking the health of the Lewises strangers withdrew , and the Temple underwent a complete metamorphosis . The scene was changed from Birth to Death—every symbol of life , joy , and sunshine

was removed , and in their stead appeared the outward manifestations of death , grief , infestivity , and gloom the Temple was draped in funereal black , in view of the service at half-past three to be held b y the brethren in connection with the obsequies of their departed Bro . John Milligan , P . M . under the Scotch Constitution

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

If the verdict of a first-ni ght audience goes for anything , then Mr . C . H . Hawtrey is once again in for a run of luck , and we see no reason to doubt the favourable view placed upon " Nerves" by Mr . Hawtrey ' s supporters last Saturday . To Mr . Comyns Carr every praise is due for his skilful manipulation in adapting

Les Femmes Nerveuses " to the English stage , tor he has given us quite a proper piece without sacrificing the fun . Well as the piece was played on its first trial , it will go yet better before these lines are printed , for the company were more or less affected with " nerves " themselves . The author ' s aim seems to be to throw

ridicule upon the nervousness that some women effect , more to the detriment and annoyance of their victims than themselves . "Nerves" sparkles with humour , and keeps the audience continually on the laugh ! Miss Violet Brittle has married Captain Armytage , who is a quiet , eisy - going sort of man

but his wife makes his life as miserable as she can , nagging and finding fault at everything and nothing , which she puts down to her nerves , ^ he inherits this weakness from her mother who for ? o years has led Mr . Buxom Brittle a terrible life , and who to escape her tongue has become President and ^ ecretary of the Deaf and Dumb Choral Union , the

scavengers' Mutual Benefit Society , and such instituf'ons , whose committee meetings curiousl y take place " 1 the smoking room of his club . After many scenes ° t temper Mrs . Violet Armytage demands a divorce , Dut when the husband declares he has done nothing to obtain one by , she replies then she will , and forthwith v ntes a letter of a compromising nature to a man , taking his name . and address haphazard out of the

The Theatres.

Directory , and orders the servant to post it against the counter orders of her husband . The maid , knowing Mrs . Armytage is in a fit of nerves , keeps it back unknown to anyone . Up to this the play is a comedy , but in the second act the farcical business begins . Her passion having cooled , Violet makes for the

confectioner ' s shop where she has addressed the letter and begs M . Caramel to return it to her . Of course the husband also rushes off to obtain the letter , in fact , the whole family visit the confectioner , who is engaged to a widow , and Captain Armytage being aware of this ,

to avoid comprising himself passes himself off as the husband returned to life . The young widow , Madame Elaine , seeing Mrs . Armytage in the shop , believes Caramel to be unfaithful , and speaks to Mrs . Brittle in a patronising tone , believing her to be a candidate for a

situation as cook which Madame Elaine has advertised for . The complications become very thick and extremel y funny . Mr . C . H . Hawtrey , as Armytage , once more proved himself to be a comedian of the very first water . Mr . E . Righton , as Caramel , was droll as he should be . Mr . Kemble , as Mr . Brittle , performed with

perfect finish . We shall not forget the way in which the small part of a customer was played by a gentleman whose name we do not recollect , but it was worthy of praise . Miss Maude Millett we have so frequently spoken of as one of our most charming actresses of the younger generation . We need only say that she acted delightfully and cleverly , and it is the best thing she

has done yet . Miss Lottie Venne , as the widow , had a part which fitted her like a glove . Miss Larkin , as the mother-in-law , was humorous as usual , and the small part of the maid played by Miss Lydia Cowell was done so well that one wished she had more to do . That " Nerves " will prove a draw for a long while there can be no question .

It was only to be expected , after the nattering reception which Mr . Buchanan ' s " Bride of Love " obtained at a matinee recently , that it would soon appear in the evening . But , though it would prove welcome fare to matineers , who are of a different class from an evening ' s audience , it by no means follows that it will

meet with success at the Lyric , where it is now being performed , and we are sure it will not if the theatre is ' not better managed than on the first ni ght . As no name appears on the bill , we do not know who is responsible for the front of the house . If only to welcome back Miss Ada

Cavendish from her long retirement from the stage , one would not go in vain to see this beautiful poetical play of Mr . Buchanan ' s . Her Aphrodite will long be in our memory . Miss Harriet Jay as Psyche is very fine , both in acting and appearance . Mr . Thalberg as Esros was very indistinct ; he would do well to take

more pains . Mr . Hendne as Zephyros deserves much commendation for his rendering of a heavy part , having seen the original four days only before the performance . The dresses of both immortals and mortals and the scenery are handsome . "The Bride of Love" is well worthy a visit , but we doubt its financial prosperity .

* * * Mr . Edouin when he bought "Our Flat" secured a little , gold mine . It is the onl y play written by a woman alone which we know of that has turned out a big success . It was produced at Mr . Wm . Greet ' s annual benefit in 1888 as a sort of trial , and at once snapped up

by Mr . Edouin , who saw a first-rate part for himself in it , and a clever play for the public . It has passed its 400 th performance , and is likely to have yet a long life before it . Miss May Whitty is still to the foie in the principal part as the lady who , on the spur of the moment , when all furniture is carried off , contrives to

make a comfortable looking room out of baths , boxes , and barrels . Mr . C . S . Fawcett and Miss Gowland still assist in the merriment , and there is little wonder that "Our Flat" has proved a Strand success . We regret to learn that death has entered the portals . Miss Enid Leslie , who , when we saw the play , acted an important part , died last week .

As interesting as ever , and as welcome , is published the half-yearly volume of The Theatre , by Messrs . Eglinton and Co . This little journal has now taken a complete foothold , and no one ' s library is complete without it who takes any interest in matters theatrical and follows them closely . As an historical book of reference it is invaluable . Mr . Clement Scott , Miss

Jessie Bond , Mr . Bingham , Mr . Cecil Howard , Mr . Picton , and many others , have contributed to its columns this year , and the portraits—all good likenesses —include those of Miss Marion Lea , Miss Sylvia Grey , Mr . Jerome K . Jerome , Miss Olga Brandon , and Bro . John Hare , who this week celebrates his silver wedding with the stage .

Mr . Augustin Daly and his company must have been pleased when they made their re-appearance before their English friends and admirers on Tuesday , for one and all were received with volley firing in cheers as they came on the stage and there was not one cheer

too many . Probably many in the audience were brother and sister Americans , but the English cousins were in the ascendancy . This distinguished company has thrice before visited our shores . On their first stay , when they were little known , they took Toole ' s

Theatre . On their next visit they went to a largerthe Strand . Last time , in 1888 , they filled the Gaiety , and we trust their migration to a still larger house will be yet more fruitful . The principals having acted together for many years insures that smoothness and perfection

The Theatres.

which is not even surpassed , even if equalled , by the Parisian companies . Wh y does not some English manager gather round him a company such as Mr . Daly ' s , whose cast does not change with the programme y To begin their ten weeks season in London "Casting the Boomerang" was selected . It belongs

to an order of refined farcical comedy , and tells in a perfectly innocent fashion the trouble brought into the household of an old gentleman , who , while professing to be a literary man , burning the midni ght oil , passes the time more congeniall y in seeing forms of life , which he tells his wife when his deception is found

out is necessary for the Society novel on which he is engaged . A mutual friend will have it that every one throws the boomerang at some time or another of his or her life . The programme informs us that thi boomerang is an Australian weapon which requires skilful handling but in inexperienced hands when

thrown it is apt to recoil on its thrower with serious results . In the play all the characters cast the boomerang , the action recoiling upon themselves , but without serious consequences . It is cleverly played b y Miss Ada Rehan , Mr . John Drew , Mr . Lewis , and Mrs . Gilbert , together with Mr . Leclerq and Mr . F . Bond . Miss Rehan and Mr . Drew touch the

comedy in the most delicate manner , and remind one somewhat of the Robertson plays at the old Prince of Wales Theatre . Bro . and Mrs . Bancroft were in the audience , and possibly thought so too . " Nancy and Co . " will be played on the 24 th inst ., so there is not much time to be lost if our readers wish to see this clever company in " Casting the Boomerang , " at the Lyceum .

* * * Miss Grahame gives a professional matinee of " Ne . v Lamps for Old" at Terry ' s Theatre on Tuesday afternoon next at 3 o ' clock , to which she has invited her brother and sister artistes to witness Jerome ' s clever

play , which will also be played on Thursday afternoon next at Brighton . The autumn tour of this successful play has been arranged by Bro . H . T . Brickwell , and will embrace most of the principal towns in the Kingdom .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JOHN BAIRD . We have to record the death of Bro . John Baird , the Manchester agent of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company . The interment took place at the Brooklands Cemetery , on Tuesday , the 10 th inst ., the following relatives and friends being present : — 'Mr . T . Barnes .

Mr . W . Barnes , Mr . Cashmore , Mr . Symons ( Messrs . Symons and McKinlay , representing the Manchester Conservative Club ) , Bro . Cotton ( Birmingham ) , Mr . Clement ( Edinburgh ) , Mr . H . Wright ( representing Messrs . Hill , Gomes and Co . ) , Mr . A . Baynton ( Messrs . Kenworthy and Co ., agents to the Great Western

Railway Co . ) , Mr . Grundy ( representing L . and N . W . Co . ) , Mr . J . Butler ( representing L . and T . Railway ) , Mr . Briggs , Mr . Dyson ( representing Messrs . R . Barbour Brothers ) , Mr . McMonies , Mr . Renshaw , Mr . Harris , Mr . Hale , Mr . Dixon , and Mr . Marchand . Bro . Baird being the Worshipful Master of St . David ' s Lodge ,

No . 1147 , the following members assembled to pay a last mark of respect to their esteemed brother -. Bros . J . H . Dalglish , I . P . M ., acting W . M . ; T . R . Peel , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . ; R . Chadwick , P . M . ; Thos . Gibson , P . M . ; T . Elliott , P . M . ; John Taylor , P . M . ; J . Davies , P . M . ; F . Griffin , P . M . ; E . Roberts , P . M . ; C . Wren , P . M . j T . C . Olney , S . D . ; A . L . Jones , Sec ; W . Howard ,

Stwd . ; John Baxendale ; M . Fairweather , P . M . ; G . Kinlock , P . J . W . ; C . P . Dunkerly , J . W . ; H . Whily ; VV . Bennett , I . G . ; VV . H . Cunningham , Org . ; and J . Sly , Tyler . There were a large number of beautiful wreaths from the members of his lodge , friends , and employes . The service at the house and graveside was conducted by the Rev . Brown , of Grosvenor-street Church .

A proposal having been made to do away with Chelsea as a separate parish and merge it in that of Kensington , Bro . Sir Charles Dilke presided at a public meeting held in the Town Hall , on the 6 th inst ., to protest against the scheme . He said Chelsea was an ancient parish , had always

had its present boundaries , and that every name known in relation with English history during the 'Tudor and Stuarc periods had had some connection with it . Bro . Lord Monkswell was also present , and resolutions condemning the proposal were passed unanimously .

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WHY ARE SO MANY

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