The Late Bro. Woolridge's Annuity.

THE LATE BRO . WOOLRIDGE'S ANNUITY .

To the Editor of the FBEEMASON ' S CHEONICLE . SIE , —A gentleman has brought to my notice your paper . I find Mr . James Terry told His Honour the Judge , who was surprised that the money was not paid out , that no doubt if the matter was put in proper form it would have been paid . Now , Sir , this looks as if something

was wrong on our part . I therefore beg that you will have the kindness to allow me , not only in justice to myself , but to my late father , and all the benevolent gentlemen that honestly did their best for my dear father ' s interest , for which I heartily thank them , to publish the letter that I wrote to Mr . Terry , before my father was taken to his grave . Yours truly ,

J . E . SEAMAN . 24 th June 1896 . [ COPY . ] 3 rd September 1895 . To ME . TEEBY ,

DEAE SIE , —I have to announce to you that after three years being confined to his bed my dear father passed away at 8 ' 10 p . m . Sunday evening , and therefore I did not think it wise to trouble the Vicar to sign the paper as usual . I therefore have asked my husband to call with this letter , and which I trust in this great hour of trouble will suffice to meet your

approbation , in the meantime I have to thank you on behalf of my dear father and myself , and the Order , for their past kindness . I remain , Dear Sir , Yours respectfully , J . E . SEAMAN .

P . S . —I have authorised my husband to ask you to be kind enough to pay him on our behalf this quarter ' s payment , as father has to be buried to-morrow at Abney Park Cemetery .

ENGLISH FEEEMASONEY .

The following letter appeared in the " Tablet . " SIE , —Permit me , in a very few words , to add my humble voice to that of those whose letters have already appeared in your columns , calling attention to the necessity which exists for the enlightenment of our

fellowcountrymen as to the true nature of that anti-Christian and diabolical organisation , termed Freemasonry , to which so many of them , in utter ignorance of its real character and operations , unfortunately belong . Yours faithfully , A WELSH CATHOLIC .

An Outside Opinion.

AN OUTSIDE OPINION .

THE installation of the Governor as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria is a great Masonic function , which possesses an interest extending beyond the members of the Craft . To ignorant outsiders the air of mystery which surrounds the secret proceedings of the Order has an undeniable attraction , while the pomp of ceremony , the solemnity of ritual , and the symbolism embodied in the paraphernalia , appeal to the

imaginative faculty of members . Masons have no reason to sneer at the Salvation Army for its love of bizarre effects and high sounding nomenclature , for they are equally open to the charge of ridiculous excess . True they are able to claim for the Order the cloak of antiquity and the support of distinguished people , but the principle is much the same in both instances ,

and appeal is made alike to the little vanities of human nature . The strongest argument which can be advanced in support of this flummery is that it helps to sustain more valuable purposes . Masonry does not depend entirely on its insignia and its formidable list of titular officers , from the Most Worshipful Grand Master down to the Pursuivant , the Sword Bearer

and the Trumpeter . As Chief Justice Way explained in his eloquent installation address , it is " a system of morality vieled in allegory and illustrated by symbols . " The true Mason is inspired by the Scriptural doctrine , " Let Brotherly love continue , " and . is required to transmute his belief into practice . This ideal may not be always realised—humanity never

rises to the full height of its aspirafions— but an influence of this kind permeating the community cannot be entirely without beneficial result . The claim that it encourages toleration , friendly co-operation , and seeks to prevent class animosities and intestine strife , is testimony at least to the merit of its aims . — " Melbourne Leader . "

Savoy Theatre . —A special matinee was given here last Monday , under distinguished theatrical patronage , for the benefit of the widow and children of our late Bro . H . A . Budall , and we were glad to see the house so well filled . The programme commenced with "An Incident " in one act , by Mr . Ian Robertson , entitled " The Pity of It , " which was capitally played by Miss Italia Couti and Mr . Sydney Brougb . A humourous recitation was

given by Mr . Cyril Mande , which was much enjoyed . The principal item was a three-act romantic play by the late Mr . Rudall , " Her Father ' s Friend , " in which the old story of " All for Her , " to go back no further , is once more made the theme of a fairly effective piece . The chief characters were well represented by Messrs . G . W . Cockburn , Sydney Paxton , H . A . Saintsbury , C . Dodsworth , and H . Hunter , together with Miss Kate Turner and Miss Italia Couti , who organised the performance .

St . James's Theatre , —Mr . George Alexander , being in want of a holiday after a long but successful season , announces the last nights of Mr . Edward Rose's romantic play , " The Prisoner of Zenda . " The time that has elapsed since its production has but ripened and perfected the original

An Outside Opinion.

conceptions of the various dramatis personaa , so this charming play may be said to be represented in its fullest splendour . The burden of the piece naturally falls upon Mr . Alexander himself , in the three characters he represents , each entirely separate and distinct , yet each a perfect portrait . The contrast between the Prince Rudolf of the prologue , with his courtly grace , and the adventurous young Englishman of to-day , are marvellously marked , while the pathos and suffering of the poor prisoner shows us an

entirely different character admirably depicted . Great praise is also due to Mr . Herbert Waring in his dual role of Duke Wolfgang and Michael , both difficult parts to pourtray , but each faithfully carried out . The fine character of the Princess Flavia , as represented by Miss Evelyn Millard , is a beautiful study , and never has this clever lady been seen to greater advantage . The

old Colonel Sapt of Mr . W . H . Vernon , the Hentzau of Mr . L . Cautley , and the Antoinette of Miss Lily Hanbury are finished portraits of their respective characters ; while the art of Messrs . Chas . Glenney , Vincent Sternroyd , W . H . Day , Arthur Royston , Allan Aynesworth , and Miss Mabel Hackney fills up the details of a splendid stage picture . It is certainly a piece to be seen , arid no better opportunity is likely to be offered than the present .

Terry ' s Theatre . —We are unable to award a large amount'of praise to Mr . Philip Havard for his new play entitled " Major Raymond , " produced here at a matinee last week . The main features of the plot are incongruous , and the interest is of a painful nature . John Fleming , fifteen years before the action of the piece , deserts his wife in consequence of domestic infelicity , causes his death to be reported , and after leading an adventurous life in California and the Cape , returns to England under his assumed name of

" Major Raymond . " He does not come back for the purpose of seeking out and being reconciled to his wife , bien entendu , but merely for some business arrangements . At the club he meets a youth from whom he gains £ 550 , though it is not usual for men to play cards with boys for high stakes , and there are not many clubs in London where boys of fourteen are admitted as members . However , this youth turns out to be Raymond ' s son , born after he went away . The boy steals £ 500 from his uncle , in whose employ he is

. clerk , to pay his gambling debt , and then ingenuously accuses the cashier , Michael Kennedy , of the theft . The husband and wife , who are staying at the same house , naturally meet , and explanations follow , when Raymond , knowing that his son has stolen the money , takes the blame upon himself , although he is a millionaire , and a short time afterwards writes a cheque for £ 2 , 000 . To bring his play up to date Mr . Havard introduces several Stock

Exchange transactions , but they lead to nothing . The piece was saved from ridicule by the fine acting of Messrs . W . L . Abingdon , F . Volpe , G . Hippisley , Oswald Yorke , and Julian Cross , under whom it was produced , together with the assistance rendered by Mesdames Mary Raby , Eva Moore , and Madge Ray . Unless several alterations are made we do not think " Major Raymond " will be heard of again .

MES . HAEDEM : " S O the Arabians go to Lodges and come home late , just as you do ? " Mr .. Harlem : "I don't know anything about it . " Mrs . Harlem : " Well , there is an item in this paper to the effect that when an Arab enters his house he removes his shoes and keeps on his hat . That's the way you do when you come home late from the Lodge . " — " Minstrel . "

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