Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

The toast of " The Visitors " was most cordially given , and responded to by Bro . G . Langlev . who specially commended the able work of the I . P . M ., and thanked the brethren for congratulating him upon his election as Prov . S . G . D . for Middlesex . Bro . Dr . O'Brien also ably remarked upon the excellent character of the VV . M ., his assiduity in all what was good , and of the harmony which pervaded the whole lodge . He

would reserve all his eloquence for the next occasion . Bros . Stone , Flood , Morris , Billington , and Snell also replied . The toast of "The Past Masters" was proposed in a forcible and appreciative manner by the VV . M ., and responded to by Bros . Lightfoot , Anderson , Wimble , and W . Davies . The officers received hearty congratulations from the

W . M ., and each promised to do his utmost to make the present year of office most successful . The Tyler ' s toast closed a very happy meeting . An excellent programme of music was provided by Bro . J . Evans , Org ., ably assisted by Messrs . A . Pearce and C . Greville , the Grosvenor Glee Union , and Bros . W . H . Hook , Stamp , A . Bentley , and Alford ( reciter ) . Mr . Spencer Dickinson ably presided at the piano . The jewels were manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .

Warrant Officers Lodge ( No . 2346 ) . —A regular meeting „ f this lodge was held at Freemasons ' Hall on Friday , the 21 st inst . Present : Bros . J . Hitching , W . M . ; A . Molony , l . P . M .: C . A . Pugh , S . W . ; J . Lewis , J . W . ; G . Cook , P . M ., Treas . ; W . F . Cheesman , P . M ., Sec ; VV . A . Greene , S . D . ; J . D . Lidbury , Stwd ., as J . D . ; VV . E . Bailev , l . G . j H . B . Dicknis , A . D . C . ; E . H . RidgeOrg . ; H . Wall , Asst . Org . ; A .

, G . Young , Tyler ; and others . Visitors : Brof . G . Houldsworth , 1327 , P . P . G . P . Herts , and A . Copsey , 893 . The minutes of the last regular and emergency meetings having been read and confirmed , Bros . W . J . Hossack and D . Burrell were raised to the Third Degree , and Bros . N . J . Evans , M . A . Romain , F . H . Middelton , A . J . Wilson , and A . Johnstone were passed to the Second Degree , after

which Messrs . A . Daubney , J . Beason , and J . N . Durrant were initiated . Bros . P . Pickler and J . P . Newsham were elected to serve on the Reference and Audit Committee . Bro . M . A . Mclnerny ( the first W . M . ) having been made G . Std . Br . of the District Grand Lodge of Gibraltar , he was presented by the VV . M . with the clothing of his office . Bro . Mclnerny made a suitable reply , and the lodge was cloied .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

BURSLEM . St . Martin ' s Lodge ( No . 98 ) . —A meeting was held on Thursday , the 20 th inst ., at the Town Hall . Present : Bros . J . Scarratt , VV . M . ; A . Boulton , S . W . ; I . Beech , J . W . j Rev . Daubeney , Chap . ; R . Dain , P . J . G . W ., Treas . ; I . K . Pedlev , P . P . G . S . of W „ Sec . ;

T . Saunders , S . D . ; R . Owen , ) . D . ; F . Weston , P . P . G . S . B ., D . C ; ' W . H . Emery , I . G . ; F . C . Gill and H . W . Critchlow , Stwds . ; J . B . Davis , Org . ; J . Boardman , Tyler ; J . Mason , l . P . M . ; J . Pierpoint , P . M ., P . P . G . S . ; W . Garner , P . M . ; English Pearson , P . M . j J . Godwin , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; F . W . Mason , F . Bettany , VV . L . Kellern , Wilkinson : Minshull , Gratton , Hewitt , Darling ,

Cronshaw , Norriss , and others . Visitors : Bros . E . jones , S . VV . 418 ; R . Hancock , W . M . 451 : J . Stevenson , P . M . ig 42 , P . P . G . S . B . ; Dain , 20 C 4 J Wain , 2064 ; Adams , 2064 ; R . Tooth , P . M . 2214 , P . P . G . S . B . ; and others . The lodge having been opened , the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed , after which Mr . John Kearton was initiated in a very able manner by the W . M .,

Bro . John Scarratt , who then vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Dain , P . M ., P . S . G . W ., who ( b y special permission of the W . M . ) raised Bro . Hewitt in an impressive manner . Before closing the lodge a presentation was made to Bro . Mason , I . P . M ., as a recognition of his services in promoting the success of the ball recently held on behalf of the Masonic Charities in the Town Hall , Burslem , under

the banner of St . Martin's Lodge , No . 9 S . The testimonial took the shape of an illuminated address , beautifully executed , and framed in gilt with Masonic emblems . The presentation jvas made by the W . M ., Bro . John Scarratt , in very felicitous terms . Bro . John Mason , I . P . M ., in reply , said he was not sure whether he deserved all the kind words that had been said . However , in accepting the

address , he certainly thanked them all from the bottom of his heart for the kind things that had been said respecting him , and also for the beautiful and kindly-expressed address presented to him . He said during his year in the chair all the brethren of No . 98 had g iven him their most loyal sympathy , support , and friendship . The success of thc ball recently held was due to the great assistance and

support he had received from the brethren of that and other lodges . He had also done his best to promote good and kindly feeling between the members of that and other lodges in that district . He hoped the great proof they had g iven him of their affection might continue as long as he lived . He would ever bt ar in mind the kin 1 expressions of their feelings towards him , and , whilst gratefully

accepting the acknowledgement of his services , which had always been a labour of love , he assured the brethren that it would but act as an incentive for further efforts on his part for the furtherance of Freemasonry and to the helping of brethren so far as in his power lied . He would look upon that address as one of the greatest treasures he had . It would

out-last him , and he trusted that some of his family might come after him , and try lo do as much good for Freemasonry as they could ; and , in conclusion , he again asked the brethren one and all to accept his most grateful thanks for the most handsome address they had presented him with .

After the usual greetings from the visitors the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Leopard Hotel for refreshment , when thc usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . Bros . Critchlow and Darling contributed songs to the harmony of the meeting .

HARROGATE . Harrogate and Claro ( No . 1001 ) . —The installation meeting of the above lodge was held on Friday , the 14 th inst ., the following members and visitors being 5 resent : Bros . R . H . Walters , W . M . ; J . A . Macnab , . W . j R . G . Howson , P . M ., Chap . j G . Thompson

Provincial Meetings.

P . M ., Treas . ; A . B . Booty , Sec ; W . Darcy , S . D . ; W . P . Bell , J . D . ; A . J . Spinks , I . G . ; T . Linskill and VV . H . Turner , Stwds . ; ' W . Child and H . Bungay , Tylers ; F . D . Gass , E . J . Seaborne , A . Denton , J . B . Griffiths , l . P . M . ; T . A . Marsh , P . M .: A . J . Bodman , P . M . ; T . Laurence , P . M .: Alderman J . Simpson , P . M .. Mayor of Harrogate ; C . Lowrey . P . M " .-104 ; W . M . Baxter , 2 S 9 , *

J . West , 6 . 19 ; C WilUenson , 30 ( 1 ; T . Laing , P . M . 1102 , P . P . G . D . C ; W . Towers , S . W . 306 ; G . Lane-Fox , W . M . 20 S ; and others . The lodge was opened , the minutes read and confirmed , and the balance - sheet adopted . Bro . Thompson , P . M ., Acting D . C , presented Bro . J . A . Macnab , J . W ., for the benefit of installation , to the W . M . elect . A Board

of Installed Masters was formed , and the ceremony of installation proceeded with . The W . M . then invested his officers for the year as follows : Bros . W . Darcy , S . W . ; A . B . Booty , J . W . ; R . H . Walters , l . P . M . : George Thompson , P . M ., Treas . ; R . G . Howson , P . M ., Chap . ; W . P . Bell , Sec . ; A . J . Spinks , S . D . ; T . Linskill , J . D . ; F . D . Gass , D . C ; E . J . Seaborne , Org . * , W . " H . Turner , I . G . ; J . Wood , Stwd . ; and VV . Child and

H . Bungay , Tylers . The W . M . gave the addresses in full to his officers in an eloquent manner . The ceremony of installation was performed by the retiring W . M ., Bro . R . H . Walters ; Bro . J . B . Griffiths , B . A ., l . P . M . ; and Bro . Thompson , Treas . A proposition was received , and , after " Hearty good wishes " had been expressed , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banqueting

room , where an excellent menu had been prepared by the Stewards . The usual Masonic toasts were given , "The Health of the W . M ., Bro . J . A . Macnab , " was proposed by the I . P . M ., and in the course of a capital speech eulogised the virtues of his successor , which was confirmed by the reception accorded to the W . M . in responding , who thanked the

brethren and assured them of his best endeavours to preserve that love that existed amongst them all ; during the last year not one discordant note had been struck and the brethren were animated to keep that feeling existing amongst them . The lodge was in a better state in every way than in former years , and he hoped that when the time should arrive to give up his position to another , that

the chair would have lost none of its lustre and prestige . The W . M . was accorded a most hearty reception . Amongst the other toasts were " The Past Masters , " responded to by Bro . Alderman Simpson , P . M . ( Mayor of Harrogate ); " The Officers of the Lodge , " responded

to b y Bros . W . Darcy , S . W ., and A . B . Booty , J . W . ; "The Visitors j " and "The Masonic Charities . " Some capital harmony was rendered by Bros . G . Lane Fox , W . M . 20 S , VV . P . Bell , J . A . Macnab , A . B . Booty , A . J . Bodman , G . H . G . Donkersley , and others . The Tyler ' s toast concluded a most happy gathering .

LEEDS . Excelsior Lodge ( No . 1042 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Great George-street , on Thursday , the aoth inst ., when the following officers and brethren were present : Bros . J . W . Blackburn , W . M . ; T . Thorp , l . P . M . j J . B . Mays . S . W . j H . Banks , J . W . j R . J . Smith , Sec . ; A .

Atkinson , as S . D . ; A . H . Dougill , J . D . ; E . Crosby , P . M ., Org . j J . E . Davenport , I . G . ; J . H . Newton , Tyler ; G . Tooley and H . Whitfield Stwds . ; R . V . Allison , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; R . Thompson , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; H . Cowbrough , P . M ., Prov . J . G . D . ; W . Bingham , P . M . ; E . R . Morley , F . C Nettleton , J . W . Dobson , J . A . Milne , F . Bagshaw , J . Wallace , ) . H . rioci . T A D-: « .. < . 1 i \\ t c ..: iiA u \\ t n- *^ * ..... n—1 uasti 111111 tr i uaiti

, j . r .. ., J . J * *«* oavmc , u . *» . , anu C . Horsfield . Visitors : Bros . J . Dyson , P . M . 306 , P . P . G . D . ofC ; W . W . Clayton , P . M . 1311 ; T . Atkinson , P . M . 2069 ; J . Millington , S . W . 1221 ; D . Weddersporn , l . P . M . 306 ; C Thirlwall , 57 ; W . Warren , 1211 ; J . Bowers , 265 ; G . Dyall , 63 C ; and R . H . Crowther , 30 G . The minutes of the last regular lodge having been read and signed , the ballot was taken for Mr . J . W . Hargrea / es

as a candidate for initiation , and for Bro . R . Routledge as a joining member , and in both cases proved to be unanimously favourable . Mr . Hargreaves was afterwards regularly initiated by the W . M ., assisted by Bro . R . Thompson , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., the working tools being explained by the J . W ., and the ancient charge delivered by the Secretary . Bro . W . Foster was duly passed to the Degree

of F . C . by Bro . T . Thorp , I . P . M ., the working tools being explained by the S . W . The W . M . announced that the Prov . G . M ., Bro . T . W . Tew , J . P ., had presented to the lodge a copy of the volume of his " Masonic Addresses , " which had been recently published by Bro . J . Matthewman , P . M . 1019 , and it was resolved that the interesting gift should be suitably acknowledged .

A very pleasing feature of the evening s proceedings was the re-appearance in the lodge , after a long and dangerous illness , of Bro . R . O . Allison , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., and the W . M . tendered to the venerable brother the congratulations of the lodge on his recovery . Bro . Allison cordially thanked the brethren for their kind expressions of sympathy , and for their many kindnesses during his illness . The hearty congratulation ; of the lodge were also tendered to Bro .

Cowbrough , P . M ., on having conferred upon him the previous day the rank of Prov . J . G . D ., an honour it was generally felt was richly merited . Bro . Cowbrough , in responding , stated that although he valued the honour very greatly , he felt that it had been conferred upon the lodge rather than upon himself , on account of the generous support which had for so many years been given to the noble Charities of the Order . " Hearty good wishes " having been tendered by the visiting brethren , the lodge was closed .

MANCHESTER . St . George ' s Lodge ( No . 1170 ) . —The installation meeting was held at Freemasons' Hall , Cooperstreet , on Monday , the 17 th inst . Through the absence of Bro . Buckley , VV . M ., Bro . Jaffray , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., opened the lodge , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed , after which Bro . A . H . Williams , P . M .,

P . P . G . Org ., at the request of the acting W . M ., took the chair as Installing Master , and Bro . Win . Craig Royle having been presented to him , he installed that brother into the chair . The W . M . afterwards invested his officers as follows : Bros . VV . Craig Royle , W . M . ; W . H . Buckley , l . P . M . ; T . II . Black , S . W . j J . C Whatham , J . W . ; W . Brookes , P . M ., Treas . ; A . M . Williams , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., Sec ; W . Leybourne , S . D . ; H . Smith , J . D . j P . Lawton , P . M ., D . C . j G . S . Smith ,

Provincial Meetings.

P . M . Org . j and J . Pitt Hardacre and A . Kenyon , Stwds and they were respectively addressed by Bro . W . Jaffray ' Bro . A . H . Williams gave the addresses to the W . M . and brethren , Bro . W . Brookes , P . M ., to the Wardens . The lodge is in a flourishing condition , as the balance-sheet

shows a considerable balance , and we sincerely trust Bro . Craig Royle may have a most successful year , as he richly deserves , as he has been an ardent and attentive worker since his initiation , and has filled every office in this , his mother lodge .

SOUTHEND . Priory Lodge ( No . iooo ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 20 th inst ., at Middleton Hotel , when there were present Bros . A . Vandervord , W . M C . W . Barnard , S . W . ; F . J . Cumine , J . W . ; F . Wood P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., Treas . ; A . Lucking , P . M ., P . G p ' Sec . ; E . J . Bowmaker , S . D . ; F . J . Wood , as J . D . ; ( j '

H . Bowmaker , I . G . ; G . R . Dawson , P . M ., D . C . ; Val Mason , Org . ; J . A . Hobday , S . W . 160 , and W . Elam ' Stwds . ; A . W . Martin , Prov . G . T ., Tyler ; B . Thomas ' l . P . M . ; C . Floyd , P . M ., P . P . A . G . P . ; T . Hood , P . M ' Prov . G . Reg . ; J . Pritchard , W . T . Darke , T . T . Ramuz , d Reed , and J . G . Jarvis . Visitors : Bros . R . Cleghorn , I . G .

1817 ; J . Goddard , and C . Bullock , 160 . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . James George Jarvis having been raised , a joining member was proposed . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment .

SURBITON . Surbiton Lodge ( No . 2146 ) . —At the meeting of this lodge on Tuesday , the iSth inst ., at the Maple Hali , there was a very numerous attendance , and the W . M ., Bro . T . H . R . Beck , was supported by all his officers save one . Messrs . H . W . Hill and A . I . E . Hill were balloted fur as members , and , the voting being unanimous , were

initiated , the ceremony , by permission of the W . M ., being performed by their natural brother , Bro . F . P . Hill , P . M ., whose work was of a faultless character . Needless to say , the initiation of two brothers in ordinary relationship by a third was a red-letter event , and evoked much interest and congratulation . Bro . G . A . Sowerby was passed , and Bros . Masters and Thomas raised , the W . M . and officers

carrying out their heavy work in a commendable minner . This being the last meeting of the year , the by-laws were read through , according to custom , and the election followed . Bro . G . F . Budden , S . W ., was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year , and Bro . R . S . Hart , P . M ., again chosen as Treasurer , he having held that office now for

many years . Bro . List was re-appointed Tyler , and an Audit Committee named . On the motion of Bro . T . Johnson , sen ., a Committee was appointed to revise the bylaws , and this concluded a long agenda . In the interval "The Health of the Initiates" was given by the W . M ., and heartily received , and the Bros . Hill made reply in well-chosen words . Bro . W . E . Norton , 209 , was a visitor .

The Theatres.

The Theatres .

A Woman of No Importance" is a play of the very greatest importance now running at the Haymarket . Its author , Mr . Oscar Wilde (" writer of " Lady Windermere's Fan " ) , has not gone in for plot—there are only two striking situations in the play—but his dialogue is brilliant , witty , and pungent in the extreme . It literally bristles with the smartest epigrams , and is just the sort

of play for the Haymarket Theatre , as that house is chiefly an expensive seated one , and the stalls and dress circle are crammed , and will be all the London season at every performance , for " A Woman of No Importance " is exactly the piece Society ( spelt with a bigS ) people love to listen to . If they see themselves more or less satirised , what care they so long as they are amused , and

that we can vouch they will be to their heart's content . The story is briefly told thus : Lord Illingworth offers the post of private secretary to himself to young Gerald Arbuthnot , who is most anxious to take it , but is implored by his mother not to take it . She gives no valid reason until Gerald presses her , and then she tells a story of a girl of 18 loving too well his lordship , and

who refuses to make her his wife . Gerald is in love with an American Puritan girl , Hester Worsley , who is insulted by Lord Illingworth . Gerald's blood is up , and he threatens to kill the peer , and is only prevented by his mother coming betwixt them and saying— " He is your father 1 " This is the finest scene in the play-Gerald wishes his father to marry his mother , and the

former would make amends , for he is fond of his son , but Mrs . Arbuthnot will not agree . She and her son and his affianced wife leave the Old Country and take up their abode in America . A large portion of the action takes place in the house of Lady Hunstanton , and it is there the pungent wit of Mr . Oscar Wilde is fully displayed . We append a few examp les

— " A saint is a person with a past , a sinner with a future ; " ' Women are divided into two classes - plain and coloured ; " "The man who can dominate a London dinner party can rule the world ; " " Society is divided into two classes—clever people who never listen and stupid people who never talk ; " "The entriie into Society is to amuse it , feed it , or shock it * , " " F °

hunting is the pursuit of the unspeakable after the uneatable ; " " The only tyranny that lasts always is that of the weak over the strong ; " " Marriage is like the Bible—it begins with the Garden of Eden and ends with Revelations . " Mr . Oscar Wilde is specially fortunate in his interpretators of his badinage and

persiflage . It is impossible to speak too highly of the acting of Bro . and Mrs . Beerbohm Tree , Miss Rose Leclercq , Miss LeThiere , Mrs . Bernard Beere , Miss Julia Neilson , Mr . Fred Terry , Mr . Kemble , and Mr . Allan . l 0 describe the ladies' dresses would require a modiste to do them justice . We recommend our readers to pay a "J early visit to the Haymarket—that is to say when ther is room .