Provincial.

Moses Gate , numbered fifty-six , and proceeded in saloon carnages from Farnworth to Loyburn for Wensleydale . Lunch was served afc the Golden Lion Hotel , Leyburn , and then the party rambled to and through the exceedingly fine country of Wensleydale , viewing iu the distance the training grounds of

Middleham and Middleham Castle , l ' ork Cathedral , Stockton-on-Tees , & c , the scenery being worth anyone's while to visit . Thoy returned to the Golden Lion to dinner , and commenced the return journey from Ley burn in time to arrive home before eleven o ' clock . o o O

PRUDENCE LODGE , No . 1550 . THE members with their friends , to the number of between forty and fifty , held their Annual outing on Saturday , 2 lst ulfc . Through the kindly offices of their W . M . Bro . H . T . Robins , of Yealmpton , they were permitted to visit Kitley , the charming grounds of Mr . B . J . P . Bastard , and favoured by fine weather they left Plymouth in three waggonettes , proceeding direct to Kitley , tho drive to which was greatly enjoyed . Arriving at the park the

party was received by Mr . Christopher Lavers , the under Steward , who devoted the whole afternoon in pointing out to them the many beauties of the place . The programme included a visit to the Kitley Caverns , which were specially thrown open and lighted up for the occasion , and during fche afternoon refreshments were partaken of by the company on the quay overlooking the river .

The party afterwards walked to Yealmpton , where a brief visit was paid fco tho church , and then they adjourned to the Yealmpton Inn , where an excellent high tea was provided by the W . M . Bro . Robins , who is also Landlord of the Hotel .

After tea a few toasts were proposed and responded to , but the evening was mainly devoted to music and recitations , in which the Lady members of the company took prominent parts . Bro . Robins , whose health was enthusiastically drunk , was

cordially thanked for the valuable services he had rendered during the day , and Bro . M . Lakeman , who picposed his health , remarked that their Worshipful Master had that day given them an earnest of the way in which he intended to discharge the duties of his office during the ensuing year .

The toast of the Visitors , proposed by Bro . C . Philp , was responded to by the Rev . A . T . Atfcy , who had accompanied thc party through the park and the church , and who remarked that although for many years he had taken no active part in the work of the Order , he was satisfied that there was nothing better than Freemasonry .

The party left Yealmpton for Plymouth about ten o ' clock , says the "Western Morning News , " having enjoyed one of the most successful excursions Lodge Prudence has yet held . o O 0

ST . GEORGE'S CHAPTER , No . 2099 . A MEETING was held at the Lodge Room , Beach Street , Herno Bay , on Tuesday of last week , when Bro . C . Hill was exalted . There was a good attendance , and at the conclusion of the ceremonies thc Companions retired to the Dolphin Hotel .

Comedy Theatre . —Mr . E . S . Willard is to be congratulated upon his successful appearance as a comedian , and those playgoers who have hitherto only seen him impersonating fche fascinating villians of modern drama will be delighted at the change . " The Professor's Love Story , " by Mr . J . M . Barrie is an unevenly written play developing farcial situations down to a shadow pantomime in

the last act , bufc these scenes are merely padding and do not interfere with the pleasant picture presented in Prof . Goodwillie . In the first act we see the birth of his affection for his young amanuensis Lucy White , though he appears to be ignorant of its existence , and the various little attentions paid to the young lady and the pleasure he feels in her company , plainly show the love in

his heart that his brain declines fco recognise . When Lucy afc the instigation of designing women is about to leave him , his lovo bursts out and " the happy ending" follows in due course . Mr . Willard ' s acting in this' play is the highest form of comedy , the various gradations of feeling being marvellously portrayedand the

, character takes a high place in his repertoire . He is ably supported by Miss Bessie Hatton as the young lady who effects the happy transformation , and by Mrs . Canning as the Professor ' s sister , who , believing herself deceived by a former admirer , endeavours to prevent the match . Of the other characters the most

amusing are Messrs . Tyler and Carleton , as two Scotch farm labourers in love with Effie Proctor ( Mrs . H . Cane ) , whose method of courting provokes roars of laughter . Misses Wakeman and Craddock , together with Messrs . Bassetfc Roe and H . Cane also merit commendation for their respective parts . A special matinee will be given on Monday next , but Mr . Willard ' s season here will terminate on the 10 th insfc ., so the piece cannot be played after that date .

No doubt there are many of our readers who find ifc imperative to take something in the form of a pick-me-up or tonic in order to counteract the heavy strain on their nerves which the pressure of modern business requirements necessitate , and to such we can

recommend Law ' s Peach Bitters which , as has been truly remarked , not only picks one up but maintains thc improvement ; in fact the compound is regarded as one of fche finest nerve restorers on earth , while its growing popularity is evidenced by the large number of restaurants and other establishments which now regularly keep ifc for their patrons . J *

Provincial.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . JOHN SMITH .

T T PON the conclusion " of the County Police Sports , held at Old l _ j Trafford , on Saturday , the 14 th ult ., a presentation , consisting of an illuminated address and a purse containing forty guineas was , by permission of Mr . Malcolm Wood , Chief Constable of Manchester , Colonel Moorsom , and Bro . Superintendent Bent , made to Bro . Superintendent John Smith W . M . Ashbury Lodge , No . 1459 .

Bro . Smith was well known at the Gorton Police Court , and prior to the amalgamation of a portion of the district with Manchester , had resided at the local Police Station there , afterwards removing to Withington , and subsequently to Old Swan , Liverpool .

Mr . Charles MeKeand , Barrister , m making the presentation , referred to Bro . Smith ' s abilities as an Officer , at the same time thoroughly endorsing the sentiments embodied in the address which he had great pleasure in asking him to accept . It was as follows : —

" To MB . JOHN SMITH , Police Superintendent , Old Swan , Liverpool . " We , fche undersigned , on behalf of your many friends resident in Withington , Goiton , and surrounding districts , beg to congratulate you on your appointment as Superintendent of the West Derby

division of the County Police , which promotion has necessitated your removal , after a peiiod of twelve years in this district . We desire your acceptance of this address , with thc accompanying purse of gold as a token of our esteem . Whilst we regret your absence frcm our midst , we feel that you are worthy of the prefer , ment made , and are delighted to have this oppoitunity of bearing

our testimony to the fact . Past expenence proves you to be a most able and indefatigable Officer , and while stem and unflinching in your duty , yet considerate , and in all a perfect gentleman . We trust that yonr luture may be crowned with success , and that you , together with Mrs . Smith and your beloved family , may enjoy long life and happiness . "

The address was signed by Messis . Sam Beaumont ( Chairman ) , Wm . Goodman and George W . Davies ( Secretaries ) , and many influential residents of the district .

Bro . Smith , in accepting the present , said that he was deeply grateful to all those who had so kindly interested themselves on his behalf , and expressed their appreciation of him in so tangible a manner . In all he had done he was actuated by a sense of duty , and if that was approved , he was more than pleased . Tho address would be treasured by himself and family with special pride . It was more than he had anticipated .

Bro . Bent proposed a vote of thanks to Bro . Davies , who had been actively labouring in carrying out the objects of this presentation , and who certainly deserved recognition . Bro . Davies , in reply , said that he was surprised to havo been so had been of

singled out . What he had ^ performed a labour love , in which ho had been ably assisted by Mr . Beaumont his co-Secretary , Mr . Wm . Goodman , and others who deserved equal praise . He only regretted that thc amount given was not larger .

Burglary at a Masonic Jewellers . —The establishment of Bro . J . J . Caney , the well known jeweller of Cheapside , was on Sunday week the scene of one of the mosfc exciting encounters between burglars and the police ever known in the City of London . Two of Bro . Caney's assistants sleep on the premises , and were

awakened about six o ' clock on the morning in question , by hearing the partition of the shop being sawn away . They called in the police , who attempted to secure the thieves who , however , took flight and kept the officers at bay for no less than ten hours , during which walls and roofs were traversed by pursued and pursuers in

truly marvellous manner . Ultimately fche burglars were secured and taken into custody . We congratulate Bro . Caney on thus frustrating thc intentions of thc thieves , who must have been considerably surprised on learning thafc the two assistants were on tho premises at a time thoy doubtless thought the coast would bo clear for their operations .

The Empire of India Exhibition . —It will be good news for both Londoners and country cousins , to learn that next spring fche first of a series of gigantic Exhibitions , under the direction of the London Exhibitions , Limited , will be inaugurated afc Earl ' s Court . The Empire of India is happily selected to be the subject of tho Company ' s initial venture ; and should prove one of the most

attractive exhibitions London has yet been favoured with , if only a tithe of the support promised from fche most influential quarters is secured to the enterprise . Mr . Imre Kiralfy , of Venice fame , has here a subject exactly suited to his peculiar genius , and we may confidently expect from him a great spectacle of both historical interest and Oriental gorgeousness of display . It is gratifying to

Know tnat the exhibits themselves will be unique , costly , and above all , really representative of our great Indian Empire , and not the customary stale bazaar element Londoners are weary of . Both the Albert Palace and the Paris Hippodrome buildings will be re-erected in the grounds at Earl ' s Court , and form handsome permanent structures worthy of London's most beautiful pleasure garden . '

The Faith Lodge of Instruction , No . 145 has adjourned its meetings until the first week oi October .