Annual Picnic Of The Huddersfield Lodge Of Truth, No. 521.

ANNUAL PICNIC OF THE HUDDERSFIELD LODGE OF TRUTH , No . 521 .

The annual picnic of the members of this lodge took p ' lAce on Wednesday , the I 2 thinst ., the places selectedbeing Chester and Eaton Hall . The party left Huddersfield at 0 . 20 a . m ., arriving in Chester at 11 . 10 . After partaking of luncheon they took steamer to Eccleston and proceeded

through the park to Eaton Hall . Having looked through the beautiful gardens and stately mansion they returned to Chester in time to see a few places of interest , and at 5 . 39 sat down to an excellent dinner provided by Mr . Stevenson , at the Blossoms Hotel , returning from Chester at 7 . 20 , and arriving at Huddersfield at 10 . 30 p . m ., having enjoyed a pleasant and interesting outing .

The following composed the party—Bro . VV . E . ] . Jowett and Mrs . J . wett ; Bro . S . Crossley and Mrs . Crossley ; Bro . A . Armitage and Mrs . Armitage ; Bro . Allen Jackson and Mrs . Jackson ; Bro . J . VV . Turner ; Bro . Hy . Shaw ; Bro . J . Brierley and daughters ; Bro . H . Wood ; Bro . J . Firth and Mrs . Firth ; Bro . J . Swallow and Mrs . Swallow :

Bro . J . l . bheard ; Mrs . Marshall ; "Bro . Joshua Lee and Mrs . Lee ; Bro . Abm . Graham and Mrs . Graham ; Bro . E . A . Beaumont ; Bro . James Eccles ; Bro . J . B . Matthewman ; ind Mrs . Matthewman ; Bro . Jno . Dawson ; Bro . Thomas Johnson and Mrs . Johnson ; Bro . J . H . Stenny , Mrs . Stenny , and two friends ' .

Presentation To Bro. A. G. Hayman, P.M. 973, P.P.G.J.W. Somerset.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . A . G . HAYMAN , P . M . 973 , P . P . G . J . W . SOMERSET .

At the last meeting of the Royal Somerset Lodge , No . 273 , a very interesting ceremony took place , being none other than the presentation to Bro . A . G . Hayman , P . M . 973 . P . P . G . J . VV . Somerset , of Hapsford House , Frome , and 1 , Pembroke-road , Clifton , of a handsome oil painting

of himself in full Masonic costume , and which he afterwards presented to the lodge . The portrait is a very stiking one , and has been painted by Mr . A . Durant , of Clifton , the artist who has made such a successful painting of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Bristol . The presentation was made by the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Wiltshire , who was followed by addresses by Bros . Wilson , P . M ., and

Mason , P . M . All these speakers dwelt on the many kindnesses which Bro . Hayman had shown to the lodge , and of the great interest he took in their charities . Bro . Hayman feelingly responded , and stated that for the portrait to hang on the walls of the Royal Somerset Lodge would be to himself a great honour . The brethren afterwards dined together at the George Hotel .

Laying The Foundation Stone Of A Church At Preston, Sussex.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A CHURCH AT PRESTON , SUSSEX .

Wednesday , the 19 th inst ., was a red letter day in the annals of Sussex Freemasonry , the event of the day being the laying , with full Masonic ceremonial , of the foundation stone of a new church , that of St . Saviour ' s , in the parish of Preston , in immediate contiguity to the overgrown and populous northern part of Brighton . But a

few years ago and the spot on which the new building is destindd to rise was really an urban district , corn fields and cattle pasturage alone occupying the locality where now hundreds of houses and streets innumerable have sprung up . Many of our readers are familiar with the erstwhile quiet retreat of Preston through which the Brighton coaches from the metropolis ran daily ; the pretty little

village with its ancient parish church , the Prince's Dairy Farm , " founded " by " the first gentleman in Europe , " and the Stanford Estate . All this neighbourhood has now been built upon , and now we find from Preston proper , running for more than a mile into Brighton , villas detached and semi-detached a row of substantial houses on the one side , and on the other the now cultivated and

attractive Preston Park , recently acquired by the Corporation of Brighton and laid out as a public recreation ground . But not only along the old coach road have houses sprung up , on climbing the hills on either side we find blocks of buildings , and whole streets inhabited by the industrial classes , and in many instances by employes of the Brighton Railway Company , whose locomotive works are in close

contiguity . With all this , the quaint little parish church of Preston has been left to supply the spiritual wants of a population which may now be estimated at six or seven thousand souls . On the eastern hill there has , indeed , been a small temporary iron church , where the Rev . Mr . Farnall has carried on his ministration biding the time for better things . This time it is to be

hoped is now approaching , and Wednesday ' s ceremonial is looked to as its harbinger . Foremost in the good work of endeavouring to provide special church accommodation has been our good Bro . Cheal , one of the churchwardens of the new district , and he being an active member of the lodge at Shoreham , named after our esteemed Bro . the Right Worshipful the Prov .

Grand Master for Sussex , the Burrell Lodge , succeeded in enlisting the high support of Sir Walter , and hence followed the somewhat unprecedented ceremonial to this province of a public Masonic stone laying . May we enlist the support of Masons generally for the good work . The district is far from being a rich one , there is no endowments , funds are urgently needed , and assistance from the well-disposed will be most cheerfully and thankfully

received . A special Provincial Grand Lodge was held on Wednesday morning , in the School-room at the rear of the site of the new church , Sir W . W . Burrell , Bart ., M . P ., Right Worshipful Prov . Grand Master for Sussex presiding , supported by his officers , including Bros , John Henderson Scott , Prov . D . G . M . ; General Randolph , Prov . G . S . W . ;

Major D'Albiac , Prov . G . J . W . ; the Very Rev . E . R . Currie , Dean of Battle , Prov . G . Chap . ; the Rev . VV . A . Tooth , Prov . G . Chap . ; Crosskey , Prov . G . Treas . ; W . P . Freeman , Prov . G . Secretary ; B . Burfield , Prov . G . Assistant Secretary ; C . W . Hudson , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; B . Bennett , Prov . G . Asst . D . of Cers . ; Skindle and Rudge , Prov . G . Std . Brs . ; Ardley , Prov . G . Org . ;

James Curtis , acting Prov . G . Swd . Br . ; T . Wilkinson , Prov . G . Purst . ; and others . The attendance of brethren from the various lodges in the province was exceptionally good . Prov . Grand Lodge having been opened , a procession ^ yas formed to the site of the new building , and the antient rites and ceremonies were well and duly carried out , the

Laying The Foundation Stone Of A Church At Preston, Sussex.

Prov . Grand Master assenting to the plans presented him by Bro . E . E . Scott , the Architect , and laying the stone in due form . There was a large attendance of visitors , especially of ladies , the Mayor of Brighton being present , as well as many leading inhabitants . Purses were laid on the stone and about £ 60 was thus realised .

Returning to the School-room , Provincial Grand Lodge was re-formed and closed , and the brethren then ^ repaired to the Royal Pavilion at Brighton , accompanied by numerous friends , and a splendid gathering of ladies . Here a luncheon of the most recherche description was provided by those prominent caterers , Bros . Sayers and Marks , of the Western-road , Brighton , whose identity with Freemasonry is so well known and appreciated not only in

Brighton and the Province of Sussex , but in Metropolitan circles , in connection with which their aid is very generally invoked . But one expression—that of universal satisfaction—was expressed by the infiential assemblage . The Rev . A . D . Freeman , Vicar of Preston , presided at the luncheon , supported by Sir W . W . Burrell , the Mayor and Mayoress of Brighton , Bro . Alderman David Smith , D . L . and I . P ., Bro . Alderman Davey , J . P ., the Provincial

Grand Officers , and others . An earnest appeal was made on behalf of the object of the day ' s gathering , and The CHAIRMAN , in proposing "The Health of the Mayor of Brighton , " expressed great regret that he ( the Chairman ) , like his Worship , was not yet a Mason ; but , reflecting upon the proceedings of the day , which had given to all such great pleasure , he expressed a hope that

this was a defect which might even yet be remedied . The toast of "The Provincial Grand Master " was received with enthusiasm , and Sir VV . VV . BURRELL , in responding , expressed his great pleasure that he , as an earnest member of the Church of England , had been enabled that day to assist in so good a work . The proceedings were shortly afterwards brought to a most satisfactory termination .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The General Committee of this Institution met on Thursday afternoon at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., in the chair . There were also present Bros . F . Adlard , J . H . Matthews , P . G . Std . Br ., H . Massey , Arthur E . Gladwell , C . H . Webb , Peter de Lande

Long , and F . R . W . Hedges ( Secretary ) . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting , and the reading of the minutes of the House Committee for information , The CHAIRMAN said that 57 girls of the School were examined at the Science and Arts Department at Kensington in physiography , and out of these 9 were in the

advanced stage , and they all passed . In the first stage 14 passed in the first class , 26 in the second , and S failed . In geology 32 were presented and 30 passed—Class I ., 10 ; Class II ., 20 ; failed , 2 . The brethren must remember that this education did not cost the School anything ; the study was all extra in the evening . Authority was given to the Chairman to sign cheques

for wages and office expenses . A West Yorkshire petitioner was placed on the list of candidates for the next April election . Bro . C . H . WEBB , before the business was closed , said he thought after the announcement of the success of the children at the Science and Arts examination , the Institution was to be congratulated on the fact , and that it ought

to be widely made known , as it would show that what was believed to be an expensive education was not so costly as was supposed . The Chairman said that electricity and galvanism were going to be the next subjects tried , and after that a very pretty and interesting subject indeed—botany . It must be remembered that the study of those subjects was in addition to the regular school routine , and out of school hours . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Mr . Mat Robson , late of Sadler ' s Wells , has taken the Holborn Theatre of Mr . Purkiss , who is the proprietor of the Royal Music Hall opposite . Mr . Hallows is to manage the front of the house . Drama is to be the chief bill of fare , and cheap prices everywhere . If the seats are made reasonable in price , we do not see why the

Holborn should not answer , as it is a most comfortable theatre . * * * Mrs . Langtry commences on Monday a week ' s engagement at the Standard , Shoreditch . She is to play " Peril . " Doubtless many West-enders who are in town will pay a visit to this theatre to see Mrs . Langtry in one of the finest of her many achievements .

Bro . Augustus Harris will next month bring out the much talked of new drama , the work of himself and Mr . Pettitt . It is called "Human Nature , " and deals with matters of domestic interest , and some present events , the Soudan campaign , for instance . We may therefore expect a high old time . Bro . Harry Nicholls , Mr . Clynds , Bro . J . H . Neville , Miss Emmeline Ormsby , Miss Isabel Bateman , and Miss Illington are amongst the players .

# # * The Strand Theatre is well worth a visit just now to see Mr . John S . Clarke in "Cousin Johnny , " a new piece written specially for this excellent comedian . There is nothing very original about the play , its plot being the often used one of a low born person suddenly coming into

property , and , finding himself like a fish out of water , is only too glad to get back to his old life ; but to see Mr . J . S . Clarke is a thing to be remembered . He is the drollest of the droll , and his facial contortions are wonderful . He is supported by a good company , although " Cousin Johnny " is what is known as a star-piece .

The Theatres.

The Novelty opens about September loth with a new burlesque , under the lesseeship of Mr . Willie Edouin . Bro . Lionel Brough joins the former in the management . The burlesque is to be played at Bristol and a few other provincial towns during the next two weeks to get into shape for London . Mr . AVm . Greet is again to be acting manager to Messrs . Edouin and Brough , and will , we are sure , with his courtesy , win the esteem of every one who has dealings with him . * * #

Mr . Edgar Bruce , it is said , is going to play Mr . Garden's part in " The Great Pink Pearl " at the Prince ' s . He will he welcomed back on his own stage . It is a long time since he has shown himself to the public . We think this change of cast will add to the already attractiveness of "The Great Pink Pearl . "

* * « "The Silver Shield , " which we foretold on its production would be a success , has passed its sixtieth night . If only this clever though satirical comedy surmounts the dead months , it will have a long run before it . Mr . Arthur Roberts having migrated to the Gaiety , Mr . J . F . Young now plays the part of the Theatrical Manager . His representation is much more subdued , and , we think , more

suitable . The author—Mr . Grundy—has given him such good lines that there is no lack of laughter when Mr . Young is on the stage . All the members of the cast seem now to play into one another's hands , and so the piece goes merrily along . Pretty Miss Kate Rorke , by her excellent acting , still wins her due share of the applause , and we think on our second visit we enjoyed her earnest and sincere playing even more than on the first night—if that were possible . * * *

The Avenue will reopen shortly with comic opera , under the management of Bro . Alexander Henderson . " Falka" is to be reproduced for a time , with Miss Violet Cameron in her old and self-created part . After this favourite opera has had a run a new work of M . Andrea will be brought out . The theatre will be under the acting management of Bro . D'Albertson , who , we know , will , as he always does , make every one comfortable .

The theatrical event of last week was the production of Mr . Wilson Barrett and Air . Jones' drama , " Hoodman Blind , " at the Princess's . Mr . Wilson Barrett is now not only lessee , but author , manager , and actor . We consider the new play a success . It is not so striking nor so pretty as * ' The Silver King . " It is a powerful play . Its plot is clearly conceived and artistically developed . Itmay be termed the story of a rural Othello . Sensational

as " Hoodman Blind " is , the new play has still the air of probability which is characteristic of the melodramas at the Princess's , and the excitement is real and earnest . Through some error regarding a seat we were unable to see the first act , but we gathered from those which followed that the story opens with the murder of a Mr . Leadon , who has come from Canada , and is lying ill at the house of Mark Leggard , a land agent , who , with his equally wicked

partner , Kridge , makes the old man's will , and the two witness it . Leadon leaves his money to his two daughters , but Leggard burns the will , and when the old man resists , kills him . Nance Yeulett , one of the daughters , is the wife of a young farmer , who is about to have his farm taken from him by Kridge , who holds a mortgage on it . Leggard , who pretends to be Jack Yeulett ' s friend , is in love with his wife , but she rejects his overtures , and strikes him full in

the face . The villain then sets to work to make Jack believe she is unfaithful to lu ' m . A gipsy girl happening to pass , whom he notices is exactly like Nance—and who turns out in the end to be her half sister—he offers her and her male companion a large sum of money to carry out his designs . Nance having left her cloak on a door , he wraps it round the gipsy girl , and tells her companion to put his arm round her and call her Nance , and swear he will never

leave her . At the same time he gets Jack to witness his treachery . Jack , overhearing the gipsy ' s words , and seeing the cloak , believes his own eyes , goes home , accuses Nance of her conduct , and , without waiting or giving her an opportunity for explanation that she is perfectly innocent of the foul charge , goes away from home . He betakes himself to London , where he passes a miserable existence , earning his living as best he can . Nance also

goes to London with her child , and barely exists . On a certain night Jack is standing on the Thames Embankment , under Cleopatra's Needle , contemplating suicide , when a wretched woman throws herself into the river under his very eyes . His manliness is awakened , he jumps in and saves her and claims heras his wife . Shecannot understand what he means , she says her name is Jess , the gipsy , and before she dies in J ack ' s arms he sees his folly and

understands that this woman is his wife's half sister , and learns from her dying lips the deceit which was practised on him , and which she says she only did for a " lark , " and who the briber is . Henceforth there is nothing else to be done but to reunite the couple by the expedients in which the dramatist is not wanting , and to bring to justice the scoundrels of the play , who have added murder to their other crimes . The means employed is that of a

goodhearted blacksmith who has stood all along by Jack and Nance Yeulett , and never allowed them to be defamed in in his presence by the villagers . The play is splendidly acted in every part . Mr . Wilson Barrett is the Jack Yeulett , and adds another laurel to his already heavy crown for his display of elocution and touching sympathy . Miss Eastlake doubles the parts of Nance and Jess , thus making it easy for the deception which is practised upon

jack Yeulett . In all but her coarse jests and sordid appearance , Jess , the gipsy , is identical with the farmer ' s wife . Mr . Willard is once again the villain . The storm of hisses he receives from the audience is enough proof of his splendid acting . Mr . Clifford Cooper is his partner in guilt—Kridge—and also merits applause . Mr . George Barrett has a monopoly of what one may term the " fat . " All the funny and touching sentiments are evoked by him . The milk of human kindness is lavishly bestowed in his

part , and Mr . George Barrett shows how to make every point tell . Of the other thirty characters we must not omit to mention Miss Clitheroe and Miss Phoebe Carlo , who play the children ' s sad characters- very efficiently . The mounting is , as all Princess's dramas are , superb . The Thames Embankment and the London localities are marvels of scenic realism . When Mr . Wilson Barrett asks the audience "Shall we say a success , " we for one join in the " Yes , " though we don't think it will have such a run as " The Silver King . "