Province Of West Yorkshire. Laying The Foundation Stone Of A New Hospital.

accopt pcvsonally my own acknowledgments for your sympathetic letter of tho 13 th instant . As a proof of the intercut my father always took as one of its vicepresidonts in the institution , I am desired now by my co-executors under his will to forward you tlio accompanying extract from that document : — 'To the Treasurer for tho timo being of tho Clayton Hospital , Wakefield , the legacy of four thousand pounds , for which

such Treasurer ' s receipt is to be a discharge . Under other circumstances , as Deputy Provincial Grand Mastor of tho Province of West Yorkshire , I should havo had great pleasure iu being present at the laying of tho foundation stone of tho new hospital and dispensary , but , at present , under the loss I have sustained by the death of my father , I am nut hiking part in any public ceremonial . Accept my best wishes for tho prosperity and usefulness of your institution .

I remain , my Dear Sir , yours faithfully , THOMAS WILL . TEW , Executor under the will of the late Edwd . Tow . John Binks , Esq ., Clayton Hospital , Wakefield . " Tho announcement which tho letter made was altogether unexpected , and when Mr . Binks had finished reading the letter , the

assemblage gave vent to their feelings in several rounds of cheering . After this , a luncheon took place at the Music Saloon . Tn the unavoidable absence of Coloucl Charlesworth , the Mayor of Wakefield presided , and ho was supported by about 300 of the principal inhabitants of the town , including Mr . T . K . Sanderson , M . P ., and Mr . R . B . Mackio , who occupied tho vice-chairs .

The usual loyal toasts wero given from the chair , and were duly honoured . The Rev . J . W . Chadwick , in proposing the toast of " The Masonic Body , " remarked that if ho wero to believo all that ho read about them in some of tho public prints he should believe somo very startling things —( laughter)—but when ho looked upon the faces who were associated with them in that beneficent work , ho confessed that

lie could not see any signs of " conspirators " or " assassins , and if thoy were dangerous members of society , ho could wish society in general no worse luck ( laughter , and hear , hear ) . On behalf of the committee , of which he was a member , he very sincerely thanked the gentlemen of the Masonic body for the prominent part they had taken in that day ' s proceedings . This toast was acknowledged by Bro . Ibberson ,

York Lodge Of Mark Master Masons.

YORK LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS .

rnilE antiquity of tho Honourable Degree ot Mark Master is not JL to be questioned , aud the wide-spreading intorest which is shown iu its practice amongst tho leading Masonic circles proves the general recognition of its importance . Fevv Masons who havo mado a study of the Royal Art will deny that tho Mark Degree has good claims to be regarded as an integral portion of Craft Masonry , and , although not recognised by tho Grand Lodge of England as part ot

Blue Masonry , yet tlio notorious fact that all tho leading brethren ' are in some shape UMiubeiK and patrons of the Degrco conclusively shows tlio importance which they all attach to its teachings . In tlio northern comities the Mark Dcgreu was practised iu many places from timo immemorial , and so the working has been preserved from decay through successive generations of

brethren . In the year 1856 an unsuccessful effort was made to induce tho Grand Lodge of England to recogniso the Degree , and tho consequence of its refusal was tho formation of a Grand Mark Lodge , which was effected by tho joint action of six of tho Lodges working from time immemorial . To these , other Lodges gradually gave in their adhesion , and warrants wero granted for the

formation oE new Ledges , until at tho present time the Grand Roll numbers about two hundred . Tho York Mark Lodge from the first declined to recognise the authority of the Grand Mark Lodge , and , although from time to time negotiations wero entered upon , it was not until a few months since that a settlemeut was arrived at , and the York Mark Lodge gave in its adhesion , on condition of its being

p laced in a position of honour at the head of tho roll of Lodges . The occasion of the installation of the Worshipful Master for the coming year was deemed a fitting opportunity for tho formal transfer of tho allegiance of the Lodge , and a petition for a Warrant of Confirmation was therefore prepared and signed at a special meeting of the Brethren of tho Lodge , the officers elected aud named in the petition

being Bros . Geo . iialmford P . M . 23 b Worshipful Master , T . B . Whitehead Senior Warden , and the Hon . W . T . Orde-i ' owlett Junior Warden . The prayer of tho petitioners having been duly granted , Tuesday last was fixed as tho day of tho installation , of which tho brethron were apprised by special summons , and the Secretary of tho Grand Mark Lodge , tho R . W . 1 ' ro . Frederick

liiuckes , the Secretary of the Masouic Loys bchool , very kindly agreed to come down and perform tho ceremony of installation , aud also to work tho Lodgo on the occasion , iiro . Biuckes was accompanied by Bro . Roebuck , G . M . O . Accordingly , at two p . m . thero was a muster of the brethren at the Masonic Hall , Duueouibc-placo , aud the Lodgo was duly opened , in ancient form , by Bro . F . Biuckes ,

most of the officers of the past yenv filling their respective chairs . Threo brethren , of whom notice had been given , were then balloted for , and , being in attendance , were advanced to the Honourable Degree of Mark Master Mason , after which the Worshipful Master Liect was duly installed . The Wardens Licet were then invested and placed iu their chairs , and tho W . Master mado the following appointments : —Bros . M . Cooper M . O ., T . W . Wilson ii . O .,

Tissimau J . O ., the Rev . W . 'Valentino Chaplain , J . Ltollius , Registrar . Bro . Thomas Cooper P . M . was unanimously elected Trea-jrircr ; and Bro . J . Rcdi ' uro was appointed Tyler . Tlie Secretary read a letter from the Star in tlio Last Mark Lodgo , at Scarborough , congiatulating the York brethren upon their Masonic spirit iu giving in their adhesion to the Graud Lodge , and the Senior Warden moved the i ' ollowiug resolution ;— " That the Scurecarv be

York Lodge Of Mark Master Masons.

requested to return to tho Star in tho East Lodgo tho best thanks of tho York Mark Lodge for its fraternal letter , and express the hope that the action of tho York Mark Lodgo consummated that day may tend to further extend and cement Mark Masonry in tho pro - viuco of North and East Yorkshire , " which was carried unanimously . The Lodgo was then duly closed , and the brothren repaired to the

banqueting room , whore a capital collation was served by Bro . Charles Abbott , who invariably caters with excellence . Tho W . Master presided , and was supported by tho Grand Secrotary and about twenty brethren aud visitors . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts wero duly proposed and honoured , and iu the course of tho evening tho Grand Secretary gave a most interesting disquisition on

Mark Mnsonry , its origin , history , and present position . A most agreeable evening was spent , and there seemed to be a general opinion that tho new epoch , upon which the Lodgo had entered , was begun under tho most auspicious circumstances . Amongst tho brethren present during tho course of the proceedings , in addition to

thoso already mentioned , wero : —Bros . R . W . Hollon P . M . 236 , J . S . Cumberland , II . C . Camidge , Geo . Seller , T . J . Russell , Rov . H . V . Palmer , John Ward , W . H . Gainforth , G . Garbutt , T . S . Camidgo ; and amongst tho visitors wero Bros . P . H . Rowland , Langley Lodgo , Cardiff ; R . H . Peacock , Star in tho East Lodge , Scarborough ; ffm , Roebuck , G . M . O ., & c .

The Drama.

THE DRAMA .

The Haymarket Theatre—The Virginian . WntLE tho attractive influence of Dan'l Druce continues unabated , the programme of tho HATMAKKET TIIEATKE has been materially strengthened by tho substitution of tho well known farce of " The Rough Diamond" for " The Balance of Comfort , " and by the addition of an entirely now comedietta , ontitled " Bird 3 in their Little

Nests Agree , " by Mr . C . Marsham Rae . " Tho Rough Diamond serves to bring onco moro into the bills the veteran comedian Mr . Buckstone , tho character of Cousin Joo beiDg , as most of onr readers will remember , ono of that excellent actor ' s most delightful impersonations . Tho piece is generally well cast , bnt the part of Margery , originally played by Mrs . Fitzwilliam , has been , by some

extraordinary freak of management , entrusted to Miss Annie Lafon . taine , a lady whoso most successful achievements havo been in an entirely different lino of business . Mr . Rae ' s comedietta is a charm , ing little piece , abounding in humorous touches and pleasant sketches of character , and it is , moreover , acted throughout with a finished delicacy , briskness , and verve , which leave nothing to be

desired . Tho story is of an elegaut and fanciful character , and it would bo an injnstico to tho author to tell it in any other than his own words . Wo adviso thoso of our readers who can appreciate light comedy , and who can adtniro graceful and humorous acting , to see tho pieco and judge for themselves . Tho chief part is played by Miss Kathleen Irwin , whose refined and intelligent impersonation of tho singing bird in the nest is simply

delicious , whilst her singing , wo beg pardon , chirruping , of "Tanta Cosa " i rewarded with an enthusiastic encore . Miss Maria Harris , as tho Early Bird , is all fun , animation and vivacity , whilst Miss Ella Diotz , as the sentimental nightingale , IOOKS liko an exquisite Greek statue , cudowed with lifo . Tho remaining characters are ex . celleutly played by Miss Fanny Wright , Mr . Weatherby , Mr . Kyrlo aud Mr . Gordon .

Miss Emily Mott's Evening Concert.

MISS EMILY MOTT'S EVENING CONCERT .

I iHIS young lady first eamo before tho public a season or two ago , and has since exhibited aptitude sufficient to command tho lavo rirs she then solicited . A largo audience was attracted to St . Ja mes ' s Hall on Friday evening , tho 24 th ult ., tho occasion of Mis 3 Mott ' s annual concert—and a highly interesting entertainment was provided , in which the efforts of tho beneficiare were seconded by Madame

Blanche Cole , Miss Agnes Larkcom , Mr . W . H . Cnmmings , Mr . W . T . Wrighton , Mr . Thurley Beale , Mr . Wiuu , and Miss Clinton Fynes . Tho band of the Grenadier Guards , under Mr . Dan Godfrey ' s conductorship , was also present . Miss Emily Mott was heard to advantage in Benedict ' s " By tho sad sea waves , " and Sullivan ' s " Let mo dream again , " two songs which she interpreted with true artistic

feeling ; and her efforts were successfully united with thoso of Madamo Blanche Cole in Gambert ' s duet , " Cheerfulness . " It is almost needless to add that Miss Mott receivod all possiblo encouragement from her auditors , and that her endeavours met with hearty and prolonged applause . Sir Julius Benedict and Mr . J . B . Zerbini presided at tho pianoforte .

That very much of the disease existiug around us might bo easily prevented is indubitable . Ono frequent causo of illness is inattention to the stato of the skin , and even people who should know better , will wash themselves , and , worso still , their children , with common soaps , strong iu alkali , which clog tho pores , prevent perspiration , and interfere with tho secretive functions of tho ducts . This

dangerous folly is , of course , duo to ignoranco of tho wonderful differences existing in the character of soaps . Yellow soap is most useful for domestic purposes , but should never be applied to the skin , while perhaps worso still are many of the common scented , or socalled toilet soaps . The special requirements for a first-rate soap for he s-kiu are , that it should bo a comb-nation of the finest oils , with

the smallest possiblo amount of alkali ; that it shonld be thoroughly refined , to rid it of any possible impurities ; that it should be free from artificial colouring ; aud that it should be hard , rather than soft , yielding a profuse lather . It is difficult for the public to recognise such a soap without a trial , but among those deserving this character ,

mention may bo made of Pearcc ' s Transparent Soap , which has stood tho test of almost a century's trial , has gained prize medals at every international exhibition , is patronised by the Prince and Princess of Wales , and is recommended in tho most eulogistic terms by tho most eminent authorities on diseases of tho Bkin .