"Once A Mason Always A Mason."

"ONCE A MASON ALWAYS A MASON . "

LET me , Brethren , ask you to concentrate your ideas on one of the leading legal Masonic maxims , viz .: " Once a Mason , always a Mason . " The idea should always shine as a bright " Morning Star " in our Masonic life , and is nowhere more strongly emphasised than in the Ancient Charges adopted at the revival of Freemasonry in 1721 . I would bespeak during

the next year a perusal of these Charges by every member present . You will find a range of subjects dealing with every position we can occupy as individuals or citizens . They constitute the chief part of the fundamental law of the Fraternity , and embody a digest of the belief , customs and usages which Masons had theretofore adopted for their guidance . They relate

to God and Eeligion , to the State and duties of a citizen , to the Lodge , to the duties of its Officers and members , to the proper working of the Craft , to the behaviour of the Brethren not only in the Lodge room , but outside , to their behaviour within the family circle , and the duties they owe to those who seek assistance . The morality inculcated has as its basis a religious

conception , and the benefits to be derived are intellectual and social , but not of a pecuniary character . While the Order is benevolent in its operation , yet it differs from other benevolent societies in having no pecuniary benefits . We should not , therefore , let the commendable success of mutual pecuniary benefit societies weaken our faith in the usefulness of our Order .

With every creed or distinctive benevolent society there is a certain amount of difference of opinion incident to , and inseparable from , distinct institutions with different systems of government and aims . Masonry serves the useful purpose of showing that no such antagonism can exist ; and affords a constant object lesson of the healing balm of an ever-present

platform for mutual sympathy and co-operation between men of diverse opinions . The Mason who is thoroughly imbued with the feeling " Once a Mason , always a Mason , " will require no metallic symbol to show to the world that he is a member of our Order , but will exhibit the truest of all symbols , an upright , personal character , commanding the respect and esteem of his fellow-men . In this spirit we can truly speak of the perpetual

jurisdiction of Freemasonry over our consciences , and be supported , and strengthened in the faith we profess , by an ever present Guardian Angel . This ideal will be the true " " Mark " for speculative Freemasons , and like their operative Brother Masons of ancient time , each man will be able to make known his work to his Overseer , his companions and himself . —Thomas Bobinson , Manitoba , in the " American Tvler . "

Entertainment Notes.

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES .

Her Majesty ' s Theatre ., —Miss Olga Nethersole must be congratulated upon her charming production of the romantic play in four acts , by Messrs . Louis N . Parker and Murray Carson , entitled " The Termagant . " This title does not convey an idea of the plot , which reads like a story from the Decameron , and though the action of the play takes place in the Gardens of the Palace of Moya , in Spain , at the period of 1493 , the imagination instinctively transfers the scene to the fc _ sole Gardens above Florence . Beatrix , the

proud Princess of Moya , who says she will be no man ' s mate , is vanquished by ever-conquering love in the person of Don Roderigo , an adventurous sailor and companion of Columbus . Unfortunately the authors have discarded " the happy ending , " and the charming comedy terminates in a dire tragedy , Eoderigo being assassinated by a jealous rival , while Beatrix poisons herself on his dead body . Still this seems the only termination for the intense and sudden passion that takes possession of both at first sight ; we feel that so

fierce a flame must be extinguished . The burden of the play naturally rests npon these two characters , which are presented by Miss Olga Nethersole and Mr . Murray Carson with excellent effect . The sudden love of each is admirably depicted , and the scene at the Well , in the second act , is a delightful example of poetic fancy . Miss Nethersole is hardly the " boisterous turbulent woman , " being more of a spoilt and pampered beauty , but there is no gainsaying her rendering of the woman forced to acknowledge her master , and to

love almost in spite of herself . Mr . Carson realises the gallant Roderigo to perfection , his manly bearing and impassioned speech carrying all before him . Three other couples , though weak and poor beside the first , are brightly sustained by Misses Hope Dudley , Eva Williams , and Esmc Beringer , and Messrs . H . Revelle , J . C . Beresford and V . Sternroyd . The deceitful Garcia , who dupes Felipa in order to pay his court to Beatrix , ia powerfully presented by Mr . W . L . Abingdon , his poor victim being pathetically pi-n-l-i-vyed by Miss Grace Warner . The only humourous character is that of N . colo , the servant

of Roderigo , whose quaint sayings , as repeated by Mr . Harry Paulton , cause much amusement . Tho play is beautifully mounted , the scenery by Mr . Walter Hann , and the costumes by Mr . Percy Anderson , being worthy of the handsome theatre . The overture and incidental music , which includes a delightful glee for female voices in the last act , have been specially compose by Mr . Frederick Corder . In fact everything that thought can conceive or money furnish has been provided by Miss Nethersole to secure public appreciation of the piece , and this we are sure will not be withheld .

Criterion Theatre . —Bro . Charles Wyndham and Miss Mary Moore made their re-appearance , after their holiday , on Wednesday , in Mr . H . A . Jones's delightful comedy " The Liars . " We do not know that we can add anything to our former notice of tho piece , save tbat frequent repetition has naturally brought out in greater relief the details of the deeply interesting

Entertainment Notes.

characters ; and that the entire company working so well together the comed y s presented in the most perfect manner possible . As a picture of modern manners the comedy is most enjoyable , and should be seen by all who appreciate refined humour and witty dialogue . As Bro . Wyndham has still another novelty for early production the piece will only be played for a few weeks longer .

A NATIONAL PLAYGROUND . rTTHE fact that nature has been very lavish in gifts which tend to make JL the east coast watering places so suitable as public playgrounds accounts to a great extent for their popularity among holiday makers , but there is yet another prominent factor—the facilities provided by the Great Eastern Railway Company , for the accommodation of passengers desiring to visit the coast towns of Norfolk , Suffolk and Essex . Without these facilities it would

have been impossible for the different sea-side towns to have become so widely known and extensively patronised as they are , and without these facilities many a tired Londoner would have remained ignorant of the enjoyable health giving resorts within his reach on the east coast of England , and have thereby failed to take advantage of the gifts of nature so bountifully provided in the district .

Tracing the coast line from the north of Norfolk to the mouth of the Thames , at Southend , it will surprise many to find the large number of prosperous towns , nearly all of which owe their prosperity—in many cases even their existence—to the large number of visitors who rush each summer from the metropolis , to enjoy a few days relaxation on the coast ; and such being the case it must be apparent that very much of their future success depends on the provision that is made to enable patrons to reach their doors in an expeditious and economical manner .

Starting in the direction we have just mentioned we may point to Cromer , as providing one of tho most striking illustrations possible of tho recent growth of a holiday resort under the fostering care of railway enterprise . Comparatively unknown a very few years back , the town and surrounding neighbourhood is now one of the most popular around our coasts , and promises to grow far beyond the most sanguine of expectations , especially if the fine train service inaugurated by the Great Eastern Railway is

maintained , and extended so as to keep pace with what will doubtless be the ever increasing needs of the locality . The special expresses between London and Cromer , which accomplish a distance of 130 miles without a stop , have become famous throughout the country , while their popularity is proved by the way in which they are patronised , and the efforts that are being made in other directions to follow on lines similar to those adopted in connection with this service . In association herewith we may specially refer to the little

work—the " annotated time table of the Cromer Express " —recently issued by the Great Eastern Company , and which is an interesting addition to this section of modern literature , ft not only affords pleasant reading , but is a handy little pamphlet , particularly interesting to anyone who may intend to visit " Poppyland , " even at this late season of the year , when the country is indeed delightful ; or at some later opportunity , when the time comes round for another summer holiday .

Coming further south we may point to Clacton-on-Sea as another instance of great success following an energetic railway policy , and there are in addition many other coast towns served by the Great Eastern system that give equal promise of prospering under their enterprising policy . As we said at the outset the east coast towns have to thank nature for their attractions , but it is to tbe Great Eastern Railway Company they must primarly look for the full development of the advantages thus lavishly bestowed upon them .

The Theatres, &C.

The Theatres , & c .

Drury Lane . —7 * 45 , The Great Ruby . Matinee , Saturday , 1 * 45 . Lyceum . —8 * 15 , Macbeth . Her Majesty's . —8 * 15 , The Termagant . Matinee , Wednesday , 215 . Haymarket . —8-30 , The Little Minister . Matinee , Saturday , 2 * 30 . Adelphi . —8 , The Gipsy Earl .

Criterion . —8 * 20 , The Liars . Matinee , Saturday , 2 * 30 . Vaudeville . —8 * 20 , Her Royal Highness . Matinee , Wednesday , 2 * 30 . Daly ' s . —8 * 15 , A Greek Slave . Matinee , Saturday , 2 * 30 . Savoy . —8 * 20 , The Sorcerer , and Trial by Jury . Matinee , Saturday , 2 * 30 . Prince of Wales ' s . —8 , The Royal Star . Matinee , Saturday , 2-30 . Gaiety . —8-15 , A Runaway Girl . Matinee , Saturday , 2 .

Strand . —8 * 20 , Jerry and a sunbeam . 9 , What happened to Jones . Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 3 . St . James ' s . —8-30 , The Elder Miss Blossom . Matinco , Wednesday , 2 * 30 . Globe . —8 , Hogmanay . 8 * 45 , Tommy Dodd . Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 3 . Ave n u e . —8 , Constancy . 8 * 30 , Lord and Lady Algy . Matinee , Wednesday , 3 .

Garrick . —8 * 15 , The Secret of the Keep . 9 , Teresa . Matinee , Saturday , 3 . Terry's—8 , Meadow Sweet . 8 * 45 , Our Boys . Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 3 . Shaftesbury . —8 , The Belle of New York . Matinee , Wednesday , 2 . Lyric—8 * 15 , Little Miss Nobody . Matinee , Thursday , 2 * 30 . Duke of York ' s . —8 * 15 , The Dandy Fifth . Matinee , Wednesday , 2 * 30 .

Comedy . —8-10 , The Topsy Turvy Hotel . Matinee , Saturday , 2 * 30 . Royalty . —815 , The Land of Nod . Grand . —Next week , Carl Rosa Opera Company . Parkhurst . —Next week , Nicandra . Queen ' s Opera House , Crouch End . —Next Week , The Geisha . Alexandra . —Next week , The J . P .

Dalston . —Next week , The Sorrows of Satan . Alhambra . —8 , Variety Entertainment . Jack Ashore , & c . Empire . —7 * 50 , Variety Entertainment . " Tho Press " Ballet , & c . Palace . —7 * 45 , Variety Entertainment . New American Biograph , & c . London Pavilion . —8 , Variety Entertainment . Tivoli . —7 * 30 , Variety Entertainment . Saturday , 2-15 also .

Royal . —7 * 30 , Variety Company . Saturday , 2 * 30 also . Egyptian Hall . — -3 and 8 , Mr . J . N . Maskelyne ' s entertainment . Crystal Palace . —Varied attractions daily . Thursdays , Fireworks . Alexandra Palace . —Open Daily . Constant Amusements . Baloon Ascents . Fireworks , & c , & c . Royal Aquarium . —Open 10 a . m ., close 11 * 30 p . m . . Constant Amusement .