The Drama

THE DRAMA

The Pantomimes—Drury Lane—Tho Adelphi—The Surrey — The Aquarium — National Standard — Tho Princess ' s—The Strand—The Gaiety-Opera Comique —The Eoyalty . RESUMING our notes on the various Christmas productions , DEUKY LANE , of course , commands our first attention . Tho

subject of tho pantomime this year—which , again , is from tho peu of onr perennial friend , Mr . E . L . Blanchard , is tho well-known story of tho Forty Thieves . Every ono is familiar with this story , and Morgiana , Ali Baba , and Cassiin are amongst one ' s earliest acquaintances . It is needless , moreover , to assure our readers that the tale does not suffer in the telling ; for thero i = t not a man living ,

if we except , perhaps , Mr . J . R . Planche , who can under an Eastern legend or fairy tale like Mr . Blanchard . Tho piece is full of fun and vivacity , from the first rising of the curtain to the final trausformation scene . Amongst the exponents of tho story tho Vokes family occupy their usual foremost position . Mr . Frederick Vokes figures as Ali Baba , Miss Victoria as Morgiana , Miss Jessio as tho Captain of

the Thieves , and Mr . Fawdon Vokes as Hassarac . The company has been further reinforced this year by a most marvellous donkey , which certainly ought not to pass unnoticed . The animal wags his ear and wiuks his eyo in a most knowing fashion , and his tail is a perfect cyclopaxlia of expression . Altogether the pantomime at Old Drury must be pronounced a most decided success .

At the ADEU-III , Mr . Chatterton presents a decided novelty-While the successful drama of The Shaughraun follows its course uninterrupted at night , a morning pantomime is _ provided for the juveniles . Unlike other pantomimes , however , it is played entirely by children . The piece is based on the story of Goody Two Shoes , and clever children from all parts of tho country have been engaged to sustain the leading rules . The idea is a good one , and the programme will probably be largely patronised during the holiday

season . Despite his recent financial embarrassments , Mr . William Holland , " the people ' s caterer , " is once more to tho fore at the SURREY . The pantomime , Jack and Jill , or , Harlequin Sing a Song of Sixpence ,

the Demon Blackbird , and the Good Fairies of the Gold and Silver Ferns , is the production of Mr . Frank W . Green . It is an amusing piece , with an abundance of the popular melodies of the clay interspersed , and it is mounted with great splendour . Mr . Holland may be congratulated on his success .

The A QUARIUM pantomime is entitled Twinkle , Twinkle , Little Star , a title that somowhat unfairly hides the fund of humour and comicality which the piece contains . The scenic effects are very fine , and the acting leaves nothing to be desired . A little army of children , clad in mail , and armed with lauce 3 , ' and tho various other accompaniments of a mumaline Tournament form perhaps the most strikinc- feature in

the performance . But where all is good , it is difficult to award the palm of merit . The NATIONAL S TANDARD pantomime is based on the samo story as that of Drury Lane , and in magnificence of scenery and splendour of appointments the one theatre may be considered not altogether an

unfair rival of the other . Here tho part of Ali Bala is sustained by Mr . Cyrus Bell , whilst Miss Rose Bell , late of tho Alhambra , appears to great effect in the character of the Captain of the Forty . Miss Frederica Taylor , in the part of Hafriz ( son of Ali Baba ) , Mr . Orkins in that of Cassim Baba , and other established favourites make a cast of even excellence throughout .

Freemasonry At Beverley

FREEMASONRY AT BEVERLEY

From the Hull and Lincolnshire limes . THE installation of Bro . George Ford a 3 Worshipful Master of the Constitutional Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons took place on Thursday evening , at tho Assembly Rooms , Norwood , Beverley . There was a moderate attendance of the brethren , at seven o ' clock , including several Provincial aud past officers , together with some

Visitors from the Humbor Lodge No . 57 Hull , tho York Lodge No . 236 York , tho Alexandra Lodge No . 1511 Hornsea , & o . The chair was taken by tho retiring W . M . Bro . Tom Turner , who opened the Lodge in duo form , and afterwards performed tho solemn rito of installation in accordance with the ancient formularies of the Craft . The newly-installed Worshipful Master then invested his officers for

the ensuing year as follows .- —Bros . Tom Turner I . P . M ., Henry Grover S . W ., T . C . Heselton J . W ., W . E . Dixon P . M . Sec , J . F . Wynn P . M . Orator , J . Ford S . D ., Findlater J . D ., J . B . Naylor D . of C , Eli Bryau I . G ., Thomas Marshall P . M ., M . Wray Steward , Steele Caterer , and Waudby Tyler . Tho usual charges having beon delivered , and other business transacted , the Treasurer's report was read , from which it was shown that thero remained a balance of over £ 40 iu favour

of the Lodge . At the conclusion of the interesting proceedings , the brethren sat down to a sumptuous banquet , provided by Bro . Burrell , of the White Horse Hotel , where thero was a goodly muster , under the presidency of tho W . M . Bro . George Ford . The W . M ., in suitable language , expressed his thanks to Bro . Turuev

for tho kind manner iu which ho had performed the ceremony of installation , and hoped that the I . P . M . and other officers would support him , as ho felt convinced they would do , during his year of office . Bro . A . Shepherd P . M . IM ' . G . S . D . moved that tho very valuable services rendered to the Lodge during the past year by Bro . Tom Turner bo recorded on tho minutes . Although he had removed

from Beverley , yet he had at seme inconvenienco attended meetings regularly , aud had by his experienced aid rendered great service to the Lodge . ( Applause ) . Bro . 11 . Norfolk P . M ., seconded the motion , which was carried amidst groat applause . The Immediate Past Master , ia acknowledging tho complimonfc paid to him , assured tho

Freemasonry At Beverley

brethren of tho pleasure it had afforded him to render any little service ho could to tho brethren , and ho hoped the time would not soon come when his interest in the Lodgo should bo diminished . ( Applause ) . It had been a source of unfeigned pleasure to him to install his old friend , Bro . Ford , to whom ho wished a happy and successful year of office . Uo was supported iu the chair by Bros .

S . T . Camidgo P . M . P . P . G . O ., W . D . Koyworth P . M . P . P . G . Superintendent oMVorks , Tom Turner I . P . M ., W . E . Dixon P . M . P . P . G . S . D ., R , Norfolk P . M ., T . Marshall P . M ., J . F . Wynn P . M ., & o . The vicechair being ably filled by Bro . A . Shepherd P . M . P . P . G . S . D . At tho conclusion of a very sumptuous repast , tho customary Loyal and Craft toasts wero given from tho chair and most enthusiastically

received . Bro . R . Norfolk P . M . then gave tho health of tho Immediate Past Master , Bro . Tom Turner . ( Applause ) . They must all acknowledge the valuablo aid they had always received at Bro . Turner ' s hands , and tho efforts ho had put forth for tho furtherance of Masonry generally . His heart was thoroughly in the cause , and hia

whole actions testified that ho wished to see it progress . Bro . Turner had risen rapidly through tho various grades to tho highest position in the Lodgo , and this was dne to the very high esteem in which ho was held among tho brethren . ( Applause . ) He trusted their excellent I . P . M . might long bo spared to maintain his connection with the Old "Constitutional" Lodge , and that his zeal in the furtherance

of tho interests of tho Craft wonld be as marked as it had been ia the past . ( Applause . ) Bro . Tom Turner I . P . M ., in responding , thanked tho officers and brethren sincerely for the support they had accorded to him during his year of office . He must say he felt somo regret that he had not discharged his duties to his own satisfaction , for living out of tho

town it was not always possible for him to remain during the whole time their meetings lasted . That absence , however , he waa glad to say , would be only temporary , when ho hoped to bo able to meet them more regularly . ( Applause . ) Ho should bo happy to assist tho new Master in every possible way ; and he trusted tho brethren would rally round him in such a manner as would render his year of

office a happy and successful one . ( Applause . ) Bro . Ford had boen . the Treasurer of the Lodgo for many years , and had managed their funds in the most satisfactory way . They were now entrusting him with higher duties , and ho had every confidence their new Master would acquit himself with satisfaction to all who took an interest in the Lodge . ( Applause . )

Bro . Geo . Ford W . M ., who was received with prolonged applause , thanked the brethren for the cordiality with which he had been received , and assured them he should endeavour to discharge the duties of the exalted office to which they had elected him to the best of his ability . ( Applause . ) Bro . J . F . Wynn P . M ., in proposing tho Health of tho Visiting

Brethren , spoko of the value of an interchange of thought and action between members of tho various Lodges . Nothing moro tendered to pro - mote the grand principles that tho Craft inculcated , than these reciprocal visits , not only because the brethren became better acquainted with each other , but also because they afforded an opportunity of observing the manner in which tho ceremonies were conducted in various

Lodges ( hear , hear ) . By this moans they caught tho spirit which pervaded all the Masonic symbols , and he felt certain if they studied the principles of Masonry , as depicted on those emblems—ho might say the ethetics of Masonry—it would elevate them in tho standard of human excellence , and raise Masonry into that estimation which it so justly merited . It was well known that Masonry was not only

the most ancient , but also the most honourable institution that ever existed , inasmuch as it inculcated the highest principles of piety and virtue , amongst all its genuine purposes ( applause ) . He hoped they would strive to rise in intellectual knowledge , in accordance with tho principles which Masonry taught them , if so , it would not only make them better members . of society , but would tend to influence their

homes , and make home what it ought to be , the scene of mutual happiness and love . That influence , like tho circle in tho water , would extend , not only to the benefit of this Lodge , but of all other Lodges , and through them to the whole human family . ( Applause ) . The toast , haviug been received with the utmost cordiality , was acknowledged in suitable terms by Bro . Camidge , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., on

behalf of tho York Lodge , by Bro . W . D . Keyworth , P . M ., P . P . G . Supt . Works for the Humber Lodgo , and by Bro . H . J . Amphlett for the Alexandra Lodge , Hornsea . Several other toasts followed , and the proceedings—which wero of a very harmonious and interesting description—were enlivened b y somo excellent songs , & c .

MISTAKES IN FEEDING Fowr . s . —Wo need not stop to prove that aa an egg contains animal food iu its most conceutrated natural forma fact well kuowu to all physicians—its regular production must demand a regular and sufficient supply of food adapted to produce it . There is an amazing difference between the appetites of hons which aro not laying and thoso which are , or aro about to

commence . Henco tho starving system of feeding poultry can never afford any return ; and fowls which aro only allowed to eat " what thoy pick up , " will , in England at least , rarely produce anything worth speaking of . In America and tho colonies , where grain is little thought of , and abounds to somo extent all over the farm , or in the English stack-yard at harvctst seasons , it may be different ; but ,

as a rule , clumco feeding will always result in very chance receipts , added to which birds thus left to forage for themselves will in many cases lay away , where thoir eggs can never bo found . But in general the mistake is the other way ; and with respect to adult fowls wo have not tho slightest hesitation in saying that at least

three-fourths of all kept by tho middle classes , excepting thoso o £ experienced "fanciers , " havo far too much to eat . Farmers'fowls got far too little j other people ' s mostly tho reverse . They got fat ; and a fat hen is never a good layer , while a pampered male bird is lazy , if not altogether useless for purposes of breeding , —From " The Illustrated Boole of Poultry"