The Great Western Railway.

THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY .

rplIE opening of the Severn Tunnel for passenger traffic haa -L afforded an additional and more expeditions means of transit between fche West of England and tho various parts of Wale ? , Lancashire and the North of England , whioh has been taken full advantage of by the Great Western Kailway Company . In times

gone by the journey from Bristol to Newport , Cardiff , JSwansea , and the towns of South Wales generally , was a formidable undertaking as compared with what ifc is afc fche present time , when a few minutes ride , without change of carriage , transfers us from one side of the Eiver Severn to the ofcher , and ifc is perhaps in association with such

works as tho Severn Tunnel and its counterpart between Liverpool aud Birkenhead that we can besfc appreciate fche benefits of the engineering skill of the day . In the rush and bustle of the present age , when every minute thafc can be saved in transit from one point to another is made capital of by those whose business it is

fco cater for the public , the tunneling of rivers like the Severn and the Mersey , at such points as they are now pierced at , is of immense advantage . Now thafc we have two great successes fco point to in this country , we imagine it will nofc be very long before others are attempted , and the tedium of travel

correspondingly lessened . But ifc is nofc only in the matter of passenger traffic that advantage follows the completion of such works as the Mersey and Severn Tunnels , the advantage to goods traffic is almost equally important , a few miles or a few minutes saved often placing local markets in a much more favourable position

than was ever possible otherwise . Ifc is on these grounds many persons deplore the collapse of the Channel Tunnel operations , which would prove even more beneficial to commerce than any number of shorter tunnels , for while in the latter case fche journey may be completed , in a roundabout way , without change of carriage , thia

is impossible in fche case of the service between England and the Continent . As we have said , the Great Western [ Kailway Company offer fcheir patrons the full benefit of this latest addition to the feats of modern science , and ifc has opened np many new features of interest to the ordinary traveller or tourist , with whom time is a matter of

consideration . Ifc is superfluous to particularise the many points of interest served by the great Western System . With lines extending from London to the extreme West of England , throngh the length and breadth of Wales , and most extensively throngh tho Midland Counties , ifc may well be imagined thafc fco make a list of even the most

popular of fche " Holiday Haunts " on the line would be an extensive undertaking . We must therefore leave the matter in a somewhat incomplete state , with the general advice fco such of our readers as are iu search of knowledge to procure one of tho Tourist Programmes or

general Time Tables of the Company . They will therein find full particulars as to fares , and times of the various trains , and , in addition , somo interesting particulars of some of fche principal points of interest on fche line .

somebody else , and therefore becomes somebody else ' s maid ) . The story takes us back to tho Tudor Henrys , and we find Colonel Fairfax , a brave soldier , under sentence of death for witchcraft . In order to spite a relative , whom he believes to bo the cause of his trouble , ho marries , one hour before fche timo fixed for his execution , a strolling

Savoy Theatre . —A new departure has been taken by Sir Arthur Sullivan ancl Mr . W . S . Gilbert in fcheir latest combination , which is entitled " The Yeomen of the Guard , or the Merryman and hia Maid . " ( By tho way , tho latter title is somewhat of a misnomer , as tho jester is anything but a merry man , ancl his maid is taken by

singer , Elsio Maynard . Throngh tho instrumentality of Sergeant Meryll and his daughter Phcobe , tho Colonel escapes from his coll aud personates Leonard Meryll , who has beon appointed ono of the Yeomen . In this disguise he woos his wife , and when the long delayed pardon arrives ho astonishes her by asserting himself as tho

missing Colonel . The unfortunate side of tho otherwise pretty tale is , that in order thafc tho Colonel may bo saved , other people havo to suffer , thns Elsie has fco bestow her hand upon a surly janitor , Wilfrid Shadbolfc j the old Sergeant has to marry Dame Carruthers whom he detests , and the poor Merryman is deprived of his intended '

bride . The dialogue is comparatively free from Mr . Gilbert ' s biting satire , and the music of Sir Arthur Sullivan is full of local colour , though ifc cannot be said that auy of the songs will become as popular as somo of their predecessors . The scene of the White Tower is exceedingly well arranged , and the costumes are highly pretty and

appropriate . Miss Geraldine U Imar sings her lyrics like an artiste ; Miss Annie Cole makes a bewitching Phcobe , and Messrs . C . Pounds ( Fairfax ) , Richard Temple ( Meryll ) , W . H . Denny ( Shadbolt ) , and last , but by no means least , George Grossmith ( Jack Point ) , all work with a will to ensure the desired sneces .

Mr , Freeman Thomas announces his eighth series of Promenade Concerts at Covent Garden Theatre , commencing 10 th August . Tho following distinguished Artistes have been exclusively engaged : —¦ Nikita , Mdme . Clara Samuell , Mdlle . Colontbati , Miss Funny Joyce , Mias Beata Francis , Mdnic . Pauline llita , Mdine . Rose ILTSCP , ami

Mdmo . Valleria , Mdmo . Patey , Mdlle . Tremelli , Mdme . Belle-Colo , antl Antoinette Sterling ; Mr . Sims Reeves , Signor Runcio , Mr . Valentine Smith , Mr . Charles Chilloy , Mr . Holberry Hagyard , Mr . Henry Piercy , Mr . Orlando Harley , " Signor Foli , Mr . Walter Clifford , Signor Ciampi , Signor Abramoff , Mr . Harrington Foote ; Solo Pianoforte ,

Mdme . Rogor-Miclos , Ilcrr Arthur Fricdhoim , ancl Miss Florenco Wand ; Solo Violin ancl Loader , Mr . Garrod ns ; Solo Flute , Mr . John Kadoliff ; Solo Piccolo , Mr . J . A . Hamilton ; Solo Violoncello , Mr . E . Howell ; Solo Oboe , M . Vandenburg ; Solo Chrionet , Mr . Julian

Egortou ; Solo Cornet , Mr . A . H . Smith ; Solo Euphonium , Mr . C . Bourne ; Solo Bassoon , Mr . J . F . Hutchius : Accompanist and Assistant Conductor , Mr . H . M . Higgs ; Musical Director , Signor Arditi , Tho admission , will ho ono shilling ) wutl Mr , Froomau

The Great Western Railway.

Thomas has provided , at tho prico of one guinea , season ticket books containing sixty admissions , available for any evening , a liberality whioh will undoubtedly be appreciated by tho music-loving public .

The Continental Gallery , New Bond Street , is worth visiting , to inspect somo pictures from fche Paris Salon . There are in all 124 , tbe majority of which are what may fitly be called gems , both from their size , their interest , ancl treatment . Of these , two are remarkable , "In a deuce of a Fix" ( 12 ) , by G . Bortignoui , for its humour

and Meissonnier-liko finish , and " Children with little Chickens " ( 73 ) , by B . U . N . Maillarfc , for its admirable colour , nnd poetic rendering of a very simple subject . A large canvass , some thirteen feet high by seven or eight wide , " The Queen of Sheba" ( 54 ) , by J . Profr . Kronberg , is a powerful painting , moro fitted for a decorative panel ia a

grand room than an independent picture . Ifc will , however , properly arrest ; attention . To the student interested in fche French Sohool of landscape , there is much to admire , and some things to smilo afc—as

fiat as wall paper ; bufc as the space at our disposal will nofc onable ns to go into a critical analysis of the peculiarities of French ambition or caprice in depicting nature , wo cau only now call public attention fco a most interesting gallery .

rpHE members of this Liverpool Lodge , with their lady friend -L and visitors , held one of their enjoyable annual excursions which are so conductive to friendly intercourse and harmony on Wednesday , 24 th ult . Bro . W . Pye W . M . took charge of the party , and was loyally supported by Bros . Alexander I . P . M ., J . Alexander P . M . Secretary , G . Alexander S . W ., A . J . Lett J . W .,

TEMPLE LODGE , No . 1094 .

C . Knowels S ., Mathew Yeoman S ., J . Casey P . M . 1570 , P . Ball P . P . G . T ., J . Travis , James Wylie , & c , aud Messrs M'Clury and E . Summer , who contributed much to fche enjoyment of fche members who were present . The party assembled at the Masonic Hall , Hopestreet , at 12 noon , and after lunch and the singing of the " Old

hundredth , " proceeded in drags to Billinge , taking , by the kindness of Lords Sefton and Derby , the picturesque route through Croxteth and Knowsley Parks . Notwithstanding tho somewhat gloomy state of the weather , the drive was most enjoyable , and after tho ascent fco the ancient beacon , the party , after visiting the quaint old church ,

sat down to a substantial tea , supplied by the Lodgo through Bro . Casey , at tho Stork Hotel ; the landlord of whioh , Mr . J . G . Howard , did his besfc for tho comfort of the visitors , who subsequently enjoyed

themselves thoroughly with music and dancing , the latter boing largely contributed to by some of fche besfc local step dancers . The return was made afc 739 p . m . and great credit is due fco the committee for their arrangements .

SOUTHDOWN LODGE , No . 164

rjpHE annual installation meeting of this popular Mark Lodge -i- was held afc the Station Hotel , Hay wards Heath , on Wednesday , 24 th ult . Thc Lodge was opened by the W . M . Bro . G . Masters . Tho chief bnsiness of the meeting was tho installation of tho W . M . elect Bro . John C . Bucksvoll , the ceremony boing performed by the retiring W . M . Bro . Gr . Masters , assisted by Bro . H . W . G . Abell

P . M . A Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . G . Masters , in appreciation of the manner in which he had carrisd oat his duties as W . M . during tho past year , Tho newly eloctoi W . M . Bro . John C . Buckwell appointed tho following Officera for the coming year : — Bros . Georgo Masters I . P . M ., J . Bolchor S . W ., Rsv . W . A . Tooth

J . W ., C . Clarke M . O ., A . F . Lametto S . O ., Georgo Rawlinson J . O ., H . W . G . Abell P . M . Treasurer , Charles Briscoe Reg . of M ., J . J . Abell Secretary , T . Wickham S . D ., A . D . Bailey J . D ., Thomas Chap , man D . C , F . II . Beoney I . G ., A . Alwcn Steward , and II . Hughes

Tylor . The Ludge having been closed , tho brethren sat down fco an excellent banquet , served up in admirable style by Bro . C . Goulding , The W . M . presided . The usual Loyal aud Masonic toasts wero duly honoured .

HOPE AND UNITY LODGE , No . 214

rpHE quarterly meeting was held at tho Waite H ^ rt Hotol , -L Brentwood , on the 25 th ult . B .-os . A . 0 . V . Pondy and W . J . Smyth were passed to tho second dogroo . Afc tho close of the Lodgo business , the brethren sat down to a lunquo ^ excellently served by Mrs . Mason .

ELLESMERE LODGE , No . 768

rnilE annual picnic took place on Thursday , thc 2 uth ultimo , X when Llangollen was visited , The party lofb Runcorn about eight o ' clock , reaching their destination about ten , and paid a visit to Plas Newydd , making an inspection of tho picturesque residence , and all thoroughly enjoyed tho landscape . Subsequently thoy returned to tho Hand Hotel , whore a substantial dinner had beon

provided . Bro . T . H . Annett occupied tho chair , and tho usual loyal and patriotic tousts wero honoured . An enjoyable drive to Chirk Castle followed this , and ufc six o ' clock tea was partaken of at tho hotol . Various spots of interest wero afterwards visiteJ . Tho party arrived at Euucjrn again afc about half . pait eleven o ' clock , after spending a most enjoyable day .

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" \ TO MORE DEAF . —Nicholson ' s Patented Artificial Har Drums . 1 . 1 cure Ooal'nuiis aud Noises iu thc 11 ( aid . in si 1 . 1 stages , l't'i pjiu'c illustrated . Book , with lull description freo . Address J . 11 . Nicn T . 30 . V , 21 Bedforduuuare . London , W . O .