Lodges And Chapters Of Instruction.

CHISWICK LODGE ( No . 2012 ) . —A meeting was held on Saturday , the Sth inst ., at the Windsor Castle Hotel , King-street , Hammersmith , W ., when there were present Bros . T . W . Biggs , W . M . ; J . N . Baxter , S . W . ; Joseph Cox , J . W . ; John Davies , P . M ., Preceptor ( pro tem . ); F . Craggs , Sec . ( pro tem . ) ; XV . Hillier , S . D . ; M . Speigel , P . M ., J . D . ; W . G . Foster , l . G . ; J . Brown , W . M . 2012 ; R . Reid , W . Hide , A . Williams , P . M . ; and H . Dehane ,

P . M . The lodge was opened in the Three Degrees , and resumed to the Second Degree . Bro . Reid offered himself as a candidate for raising , and was examined and entrusted . The lodge was resumed to the Third Degree , and the ceremony rehearsed , inclusiveof the traditional history , in an exemplary manner . The lodge was closed in the Third Degree , and resumed to the First Degree . Bro . Baxter was elected W . M . for the next meeting , and the lodge was closed .

HORNSEY CHAPTER ( No . 890 ) . —A meeting was held on the 7 th inst ., at the Prince of Wales Hotel , corner of Eastbourne-terrace and Bishop's-road , Paddington , W ., when there were present Comps . G . March , M . E . Z . 733 , M . E . Z . ; John Davies , H . 733 , H . ; W . H . Chalfont , H . 975 ) J- * J . Davies , 733 , Treas . ; H . Dehane , P . Z . S 90 , S . E . ; T . Jobson , 733 , S . N . ; T . Woodbridge Biggs , A . S . 975 , ist A . S . ; j . Cuff , P . Z . 862 ; H . F . Williams ,

732 , 834 ; W . Hillier , 834 ; and W . W . Williams , S 34 . Visitor : Comp . A . J . Taylor , 2 nd A . S . 1 S 6 . The chapter was opened , and the minutes of the last convocation were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . Taylor candidate . Comp . Taylor was elected a member . The M . E . Z . rose the usual number of times , and after " Hearty good wishes , " the chapter was closed .

Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

INSTALLATION OF SIR R . N . HOWARD AS PROV . PRIOR OF DORSET .

In consequence of the continued ill-health of the V . E . the Prov . Prior of Dorset ( J . M . P . Montagu ) , he was obliged some months since to place his resignation in the hands of the Grand Prior , who , however , was not long in designating a most suitable successor , Sir

Richard N . Howard , a member of the 31 , and who has devoted his attention mone particularly to the higher branches of Freemasonry . It is an appointment whicb has met with the cordial approval of our late Provincial Prior , and of all the sir knights in the

province . On Friday V . E . Sir Knight Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , assisted by V . E . Sir Knights Hugh David Sandeman , Frank Richardson , and Col . Burney , members of the Supreme Council of the 33 ° , attended to perform the ceremony of installation , which we need hardly say was

most efficiently performed . The principal members of the Provincial Preceptory were present , and honour was done to the retiring Provincial Prior as well as the newly-installed . The Provincial Prior appointed the following as his officers for the ensuing year :

Sir Knight Pelly Hooper ... Prov . Sub-Prior . „ Rev . W . C . Browne Prov . Prelate . „ Col . Skene ... Prov . Chancellor . „ G . B . Welsford ... Prov . Constable .

„ F . C . Compton ... Prov . Marshal . „ Rev . W . M . Heath Prov . Treasurer . „ H . T . George ... Prov . Registrar . „ H . G . B . Frampton Prov . Vice-Chan . „ Russell Patey ... Prov . Sub-Marshal .

„ W . B . Morgan ... Prov . Capt . of Guard . ,, Zillwood Milledge Prov . Almoner . „ Jno . A . Sherren ... Prov . ist Std . Br . „ W . E . Brennand ... Prov . 2 nd Std . Br . „ W . Watts Prov . Herald . At the close of the preceptory , a Priory of the Order of Malta was held , and one sir knight was exalted b y Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , who occupied the chair of E . Prior .

The duties of the day being ended , the V . E . Prov . Prior , Sir R . N . Howard , invited all present to accompany him to his residence , Greenhill House , which is charmingly situated , facing the magnificent Weymouth Bay , to partake of a most recherche repast consisting of every delicacy of the season , and those only who have partaken of Sir Richard Howard ' s hospitality know

how well and efficiently such a repast can be served . A most enjoyable time was spent , the splendid panorama of the bay , with yachts and boats sailing over its placid surface , with Portland rearing its head on the one side and the cliffs of old England stretching away in the distance on the other side with the companionship of

so many distinguished sir knights , presided over by our genial host , will mark the installation of V . E . Sir Knight Sir Richard Howard as Prov . Prior for Dorset , a red-letter day long to be remembered by all who took part in it . A _

THE VISIT OF THE LORD MAYOR AND SHERIFFS TO BRIGG .

We had prepared a full report of the meeting of thc Ancholme Lodge , No . 1282 , in connection with the above event , but under pressure of other Masonic news it was passed over . We ought , however , to briell y state that it was very successful . The Lord Mayor was

accompanied by Bro . Sir Augustus Harris , P . G . Treas ., Lord Yarborough , and other distinguished Masons . A lodge of emergency had been called , and after the reception of the visitors with due honours , the W . M . read an address of welcome , after which the W . M .

Knights Templar.

proceeded to offer some remarks , congratulating both the Lord Mayor and Sir Augustus Harris on the honours that had just been conferred on them by her Majesty , and to the presence of Lord Yarborough , who ,

he remarked , that by his initiation into Masonry has kept up the Masonic tradition in his family . The LORD MAYOR , Sir A . HARRIS , and Lord YARBOROUGH each replied , and before closing the lodge the WORSHIPFUL MASTER addressed the brethren as

follows : Brethren , —I would now very shortly make a few remarks with reference to our lodge , and the visit of so distinguished a body of brethren as are here met . The members of the Ancholme and I were convinced that the arrival in this locality on a public visit of Masons of such note as we have received to-day ought not to

pass without some Masonic recognition . We therefore decided , although with much fear as to our abilities and the capacity of our premises to receive so eminent a body , to call this lodge of emergency and to invite you to attend it . You all here honoured us by acceptance , and while fully conscious of our utter inability

to do justice to such a Masonic gathering , we felt sure you would make all due allowances , and while some of you assist frequently at great functions and high ceremonials , we hope this lodge on these our own premises , opened to you with all heartiness , show that we wish to do all we can to uphold the Craft in our

part of this province . We endeavour to maintain the best traditions of Freemasonry in their integrity , and in our humble way their dignity . To the best of its powers the Ancholme Lodge has always remembered the grand princip le of relief , and with perhaps pardonable pride I can point to its position on the rolls of the

Masonic Charities , for while our average number of subscribing members only averages about 30 , the lodge and its brethren hold in the aggregate about 80 votes . In our working we follow mainly the noted Emulation Lodge , No . 21 , of universal renown , and which is this year presided over by our Right Hon . guest the Lord Mayor as W . M . We shall feel

encouraged by this visit of yours to hold well together as Masons , and while trying to admit none but just , upright , and worthy men , endeavour to prosper the cause of Freemasonry in this locality . And now I thank you all once more heartily , brethren , for your attendance here to-day . The lodge was then closed , and refreshments were partaken of by invitation of the W . M .

THE STORY OF COOPER'S " MONARCH OF THE MEADOWS . "

Mr . T . S . Cooper , in his interesting autobiography , gives the following account of the purchase of his well known picture by Bro . J . D . Allcroft : " Cooper had a private view in his studio before sending it to the Academy , where he received several visitors , among whom were a number of dealers . Amongst

them the Messrs . Agnew , who were so delighted that they at once offered the artist £ 2000 for it . I told them , writes Cooper , that I would let them have it for 2000 guineas . Two thousand pounds , they said , was the hi g hest they could offer for it , and proposed that we should all dine together in the evening and decide

the matter . Cooper agreed to that , on condition that he should be quite at liberty to sell the picture should he have a better offer . We now tell the rest of the story in his own words : ' Rather late in the day came Mr . J . D . Allcroft , of Lancaster-gate , and Mrs . Allcroft , who looked long and attentively at the picture , and

praised it very much , but not a word was said about the price of it before the other people , who were still in the studio . Just as they were leaving I said that I had a small p icture in the drawing room that I should like to show them , when Mr . Allcroft said to his wife " You go and look at that while I speak to Mr . Cooper . I

wish to see him alone . '" So I took him into another room , when he at once began talking about the big picture , telling me how greatly they both admired it , and then saying that he wished to ask me if I had two prices for it . I told him exactly what had passed between Messrs . Agnew and

myself , and that the question whether they should give me j £ aooo or guineas , was to be decided that evening , unless I sold it privately before meeting them . Then Mr . Allcroft immediately said he would buy the picture at 2000 guineas , and would send me a cheque for ^ 500 on account the moment he got home . He called Mrs .

Allcroft into the room and told her what he had done , at which she expressed her pleasure , and then they left . " My own joy and gratification ( which was shared by all members of my family ) at such unexpected success , was indeed greater than I can describe ; and this was increased twofold when , an hour or two later ,

I received a note by hand from Mr . Allcroft , containing the promised cheque , and a few words expressive of the pleasure that he and Mrs . Allcroft felt at being the fortunate possessors of the picture , and adding that upon consideration they had thought that they had done me injustice in their offer , and that they would

give me the full amount , ^ 2500 , that I had originall y asked for the work . ' Mr . Cooper adds that he met Messrs . Agnew at dinner with a lig ht heart , ' and told them that he had sold his picture , upon which they said , 'You are indeed a lucky fellow to be able to

paint such a picture and then to get so good a price for it . ' At the close of the exhibition it was of course removed by Mr . Allcroft , who placed it in the handsome dining room of his house at Lancaster-gate . A curious fate befell this picture . It mysteriously disappeared in September , 18 S 1 .

Knights Templar.

One morning a room in Mr . Allcroft ' s house , in which the picture was standing , was discovered to be in flames . The fire was got under , but the picture was gone , It had been cut from the frame . In 1882 it was discovered that the picture had been removed by a workman while he and others had been employed in painting and

decorating Mr . Allcroft ' s house , and for this , a previous conviction having been proved against him , he was very properly sentenced to seven years' penal servitude , The charge of incendiarism was dropped , because it was said that he had no intention to set the house on fire , though he was found guilty of setting fire to the

frame in order to conceal the theft of the picture That was restored by Mr . Robinson , of Long-acre , in the most perfect manner . ' When I saw the painting , ' writes Mr . Cooper , ' after its restoration and return to Lancaster-gate ( where it is now , we must hope , in

safety once again ) I was greatly pleased with the success of Robinson ' s treatment , and thought the picture looked as well as ever . Indeed , the general tone of it , I considered , had decidedl y improved during the years that had elapsed since it was first finished *"

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Mr . Hawtrey is one of the most fortunate of theatrical lessees . Rarel y have we to chronicle a failure under his management . His astuteness is again visible at the Comed y , where Mr . F . C . Phili ps and Mr . Fendall ' s " Husband and Wife , " new and original farcical comed y in three acts , is being played

nightly to large audiences . The only theatre the Prince of Naples was taken to was the Comedy , and his Royal Hi ghness and suite seemed to heartily enjoy seeing this excellent and mirth-provoking piece . The father of the Prov . Grand Master of Somerset , with the Countess of Cork , were in the

stalls , and we are sure only left the theatre to recommend their friends to witness " Husband and Wife . " In the first act we make the acquaintance of two henpecked husbands , one feeds the baby and hemsdusters and the other does the marketing for their respective spouses whilst the wives are engaged in the business of the Husbands' Moral Reformation Society .

A lady calls on the President to learn the objects of the society and how to become a member , and goes away sorely disappointed that she is not eligible , for though she is not a spinster she is not a wife , but a widow , and as such is outside the pale of membership . She learns that the society has in its employ a number of female detectives who are termed ferrets .

The widow encounters the husband of the President , and then learns that she has been carrying on a flirtation with a married man . When she sees the abject misery he and his friend are in at the hands of their respective wives she is moved to compassion , and as she may not join the societ y , she suggests to the men to organise a counter society and promises her aid . After

a good deal of hesitation and fear the two men summon up sufficient courage to throw off the thraldom they are under . A supper party is arranged of several henpecked husbands , at which she is to be the only woman present . They take an office in the very next room of the Husbands' Reformation Society" and a right merry party it is . The wives ' committee is in session and the women who have been

more or less personal to one another are outraged at the opposition , and when music and singing is heard they can no longer contain themselves , but bursting the door open which separates the two rooms , they make friends , and dancing winds up the evening , and is only stopped by the police making a raid on what they

believe to be a mere gambling saloon . The couples all appear the next morning in awful plig ht before the magistrate , who censures them severely , and commends the police for their perspecuity . Husbands and wives assert their innocence , but it is not until the

young widow who has fascinated the "beak gives her evidence and is called up by him to sit beside his worship on the bench that the mistake is discovered , and they are ushered out of the dock without a stain on their

character , and sent to their respective homes happy and loving as husbands and wives should be . Miss Lottie Venne , as the widow , leads the fun throug hout the play , and is closel y followed by Mr . George Giddens and Mr . W . F . Hawtrey . Miss Ethel Matthews looks charming , and Miss Ethel Norton renders her share most effectively , and so does pretty Miss Edith Kenvvard as the servant maid in a small

part cleverly acted . Mr . Brookfield , as the magistrate , has nearly all the last act to himself . He is the mainspring of the fun . He parodys a certain judge both in make-up , utterance , and manner , who becomes enamoured of a witness , first asking her name , then her address , both of which he carefully takes down , and nil

promises to call on her , and finally bids her sit oy " and administer justice (?) for him . Mr . Brookfield never yields to the temptation to overact this part , as many would do , but keeps himself within bounds . ^ Mr . "Milton deservescommendation as the usher of the Court .

No funnier nor more harmless play has been produce " this vear than " Husband and Wile . " " For Charity s Sake , " by Mr . C . Fawcett , is so well acted by Miss Ethel Norton , Mr . W . F . Hawtrey , and Mr . Wyes , that it is quite worth while going early to the Comedy to see this pathetic domestic comedy-drama .