The Theatres, &C

THE THEATRES , & c

Covent Garden Carnival . —The first of this season ' s fancy dress balls was given on the 28 th ult ., at the Royal Opara House , Covent Garden , when a large party , numbering many hundreds , responded to the invitation of Sir Augustus Harris fco take port in the brilliant festival . Freemasonry was well represented iu the persons of Dr . Lennox Browne , Sir Somers Vine , Captain Maitland , C . J .

Minstrull , and the W . M . ' s of the Tranquillity , Gallery , and St . Michael ' s Lodges . The orchestra , numbering one hundred and fifty performers , conducted alternately by Messrs . John Crook and J . M . Glover , were accommodated in a handsome roomy balcony erected on the stage , nnder whioh cosy corners were to be fonnd for the enjoyment of refreshment and flirtation . The walls behind were

covered by some very fane panels representing fche varions arts and sciences . The private boxes on two tiers were adorned with bouquets , to which were attached coloured ribbons hanging down in front , which had a very pretty effect ; and the corridors were decorated with some magnificent palms , sent specially from the South of France , and other evergreens . Dancing commenced soon after eleven

o clock , and was continued without intermission until the early , or rather lato hours of the morning . We were unable fco obtain a Irsfc of the wearers of the glittering prizes offered by Sir Aug . Harris for the most original , the prettiest and the most grotesque costumes worn by the ladies and gentlemen ; but among the most noticeable present were a Fin . de-siecle couple , a Corkscrew , a very realistic Snowman , a

Zulu Chief in full war paint , a civilised Red Indian in a dress suit , and a Lady Bookmaker , who distributed a very witty race card . The Indian Goddess Vishnu , and a Coffee Stall Woman also made an impression—upon the corns of the unwary—in consequence of their impedimenta , and following out ancient Egyptian tradition there

were no less than three Deaths' Heads . Several ladies contented themselves with merely mask and domino , while there were rather too many dress coats to be picturesque . Fan and jollity reigned supreme , and the genial manager , conscious thafc every thing was perfect , looked contented and happy .

Royal Aquarium . —The directors of this popular resort have certainly obtained a wonder in the person of Princess Topaze , who claims to be the smallest midget in the world . The Princess , who is a most graceful little woman , was born at Buenos Ayres ; at her birth she weighed 10 ounces , and measured but 6 inches . She is now 16 years old and weighs 15 lbs ., her height is 20 inches , hands ( extreme length ) 4 inchei , aud feet 4 inches . Princeis Topaze is

driven on fco the stage in a miniature barouche , drawn by two small and pretty ponies . She has a favourite dog she has taught many tricks ; the dog was known in Paris as the thought-reading dog . On Monday , fche Princess went through one or two well-executed dances , bnt owing to her lateness in arriving from Paris she did not go through the whole of her performance . We believe , however , that since Monday the Princess has been delighting audiences by her cleverness in various ways .

The production of " Becket" at the Lyoenm will take place on Monday next , when Mr . Henry Irving will be supported by Misa Ellen Terry and a well selected company . The Trafalgar Square will open to-night ( Saturday ) , nnder the management of Messrs . Yorke Stephens and E . W . Garden , with " The Connty Councillor , " a farcical comedy in three acts by H . Graham .

"In The Short Way."

"IN THE SHORT WAY . "

THOSE Freemasons who arc sincerely devoted to tlie best interests of the Craft feel the need of good instruction to the members of Lodges . They see thafc without it , inattention was the excuse of want of knowledge .

Those members who are not well taught the regulations of the Fraternity cannot appreciate the defects that occur in the working of the Lodge , or the want of care in its routine action . Something may be omitted in the Lodge proceedings that occasions error ; but if what is omitted is

unobserved , because so few of the members know it , then it passes as correct . It is not always that those who do know will call attention to tbe omission . They do not feel willing to obtrude on the notice of the Worshipful Master , or the brethren . They feel a delicacy in correcting the

omissions , lest they may be incorrect themselves . Thoy are not certain the correction they propose is really the law . Want of familiarity with the Ahiman Rezon , and the rules for the government of the Lodge , leaving them iu doubt as to the proper proceeding to avoid the error coming out of this omission .

It is another proof of the necessity of Lodge instruction . Besides , the members of Lodges are in some sort responsible for the inattention which results in error . Ifc often happens that the Lodge has work put on it by the application for initiation and membership . Several may be

presented at a meeting . Then the committees on each are appointed . When the time arrives for these committees to report , and the ballot is had on these petitions , tho natural anxiet y to do the work and make Masons of these candidates is so pressing , that the Lodge and the Worshipful

"In The Short Way."

Master are willing to begin at once , and do all they can as quickly as possible . So it comes to pass'that the Worshipful Master informs the Lodge , that he will do it in the short way . Now a more unwise proceeding could nofc be well

devised . Do it in the short way is to half do the work . So the work is done . Of course some important parts are omitted . Those thafc are not omitted are so hurriedly

carried out as to leave no impression on the candidate of the serious and solemn ceremony . The candidate after it is over knows hardly the A B C of the ceremony . It is nofc explained fully and expressively as it should be .

Those young members who possibly went through tho same short-way ceremony , learn nothing by being present . If one-half the ceremonies was omitted thev would be none

the wiser . The Lodge stultifies itself by permitting the work to be performed against the regulations of the Craffc . The members , thus half taught , know but half what they

ought to know . The Lodge retrogrades imperceptibly . The members begin to lose interest in Lodge meetings , and errors , mistakes , direct violations of Masonic law , are committed , and all this comes from doing it in the short

way . Really ifc would seem that a little reflection would prove that this short way is the direct way to serious evils . In every Lodge there are earnest Masons , Masons that , if they would desire to protect the Lodge from error , could , by

timely suggestions , eradicate fche disposition to imperfectly and , indeed , improperly perform the work of the Lodge . It is on these brethren fche responsibility rests . The best interests of Freemasonry invoke the conservative action of these brethren . Shall these invocations be in vain ?—Keystone .

Bro . W . J . Fisher who was elected W . M . of the Savage Club Lodge , No . 2190 , at the last meeting , will bo installed on Tuesday next , at the Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Srreet , W . C . The event promises to be one of some importance as several Grand and Provincial Officers have promised to be present .

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