Consecration Of The Hendon Lodge, No. 2206.

P . M . 1507 , Edmonds W . M . elect 1507 , E . Storr P . M . 167 , Dickey P . M ., J . Smith P . M ., Dr . Goodohild Camden Lodge , Warden Strand Lodge , J . Westerby P . M . Cripplegate Lodge . The musical arrangements were excellent , and reflected great credit upon Bro . John Reed P . M . P . G . Organist Middlesex , who was well supported by

Bros . H . J . Dutton , A . Lawrence Fryer , and Henry Prenton , four really good vocalists . The Lodge-room was decorated by Bro . W . P . Warner , in most appropriate style . The founder's jewel , by Bro . Kenning , is one of the prettiest we have seen , bearing the arms and

motto ( pro rege et patria ) of the W . M ., supported on each side by the Hendon crest . The arrangements made by the host were excellent , general satisfaction being expressed . The brethren separated at an early hour , after having spent a most enjoyable evening . The Lodge , although the youngest in the Craft , bids fair to be a successful one .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Adelphi . —The run of good fortune that has attended the productions at this house of late is not likely to receive a check from " The Bells of Haslemere . " Care is invariably exhibited by the Brothers Gatti to make their playa as complete aa possible , and this latest effort proves no exception to the rule . The mounting is of the best ,

and some of the scenes are intensely realistic . The drama , in four acts , by Messrs . Henry Pettitt and Sydney Grundy , is built on the old familiar lines of Adelphi productions , the ideas being anything but new . But the authors have written the piece so well that it keeps the interest sustained . The first and second acts are very

conventional , but the third , the scene of which lies in America , is more original . The final aot is the weakest ; too much time is taken up before the hero's rights are satisfactorily established . This is a fault that Bhould be amended without loss of time . Another objection we have to urge is , the lack of female parts . In neither of the

acts is there much scope for the ladies , while in one the heroine dooi not appear at all . The comio bnsiness is fairly good , but the success of the piece will , we are assured , result from the third act . Squire Frank Beresford , as straightforward and kind-hearted a man as you could desire to meet , is suddenly told by

his father ' s trustee that the old Manor House has been mortgaged to the last acre , and that a London financier is about to realise . The writ is served on our hero on the morning the play opens , and after bidding farewell to the villagers , Frank departs for London with the hope of getting a living . After a time he returns to

Haslemere , having met with no luck in The Great City . During his absence the new squire , John Silkstone , has not been idle . He has made improvements in the village , with a view to win favour ; never , theless , he is universally disliked . Moreover , he has made Matthew Brookfield , a miller , believe that it was Frank ' s fault tint Mary

Northcote who was engaged to the miller , had left the village so mysteriously , the real cause , however , being that she had recognised in Silkstone her former husband , long since reported dead . During Frank ' s stay in Haslemere , Evelyn Brookfield , who had refused him when she supposed him rich , promises to marry him . Among visitors

to the village is a Captain Vere , who hearing of Frank wanting a situation , offers him one , to go to America , there to buy goods to ship to London . Frank eagerly accepts this offer , not knowing the concern he is about to represent is a kind of " long firm , " designing to pass forged American bills . Aot III take 3 us to a

plantation in America , where Frank is busily engaged baying and shipping goods . Here also is Haslemere's comic blacksmith , who has come out with Frank ; also John Silkstone , who is trying to make out that Frank is a swindler ; and Captain Vere , who is watching how his scheme is working . Our hero is staying at the house of an

Irish settler , whose daughter , Norah , tries to make up to Frank , but he remains true to his love in England . When the mail arrives , bringing the forged bills to pay the accounts , Frank innocently gives them to the planters , who in due course discover they are forgrries . They make a rush for Frank , and try to lynch him , but with the

help of Norah and an old negro he escapes . After a long journey down the river , the fugitive arrives at a place known as the Cane Brake , where he finds Captain Vere dying . From him he learns that the mortgage deed on his property is a forgery . Leaving Vere for dead , Frank tries to find his way out of the swamp , butstricken with

, fever , he is in the point of giving way , when he hears two pistol shots , the signal that he is seen on board the steamer that is to save him . We are now led to suppose that by this means he is rescued . This weak termination to such a strong act is to be regretted ; something more substantial than a mere shot is wanted to bring the act

to a satisfactory close . Once more in England , wo find Silkstone quarrelling with Thorndyke , who has helped him to his present high position . Hearing that Frank is back , Silkstone gives information to the police , who go in search of him . Silkstone also encounters Mary Northcote , who threatens to give explanations in regard to a certain

forgery he has committed . Silkstone , not to be outdone , tries to throw Mary into the stream , but is discovered by Frank . He then returns to the Manor House , where Thorndyke is awaiting him . After a dispute about dividing the rents that have been collected , the latter shoots Silkstone . Captain Vere , who was found by some

° ne m the swamp and rescued , turns Queen ' s evidence , with the result that Frank obtains his rights . The acting of Mr . William lerriss as the hero was both manly and vigorous . His soliquory in the third act was given with force and feeliDg . Mr . Charles Cartwright gave a fresh colouring to a commonplace scoundrel , while

~* - J . D . Beveridge ( John Silkstone ) and Mr . John Beauchamp ( Thornd yke ) were equally good . Mr . Sidney Hayes was effective as the Miller , and Mr . E . W . Garden and Mis 3 Clara Jecks made the "Jost of the comic parts . Miss Millward gained the sympathy of the audience for her careful acting as Evelyn Brookfield , while Miss Annie Irish was fair as Mary Northcote . Miss Helen Forsyth made a

The Theatres, &C.

fascinating Norah Desmond , while Mr . R . Courtneidge was humorous as the father . The other parts were in good hands . Praise is due to Mr . William Sidney for the careful way he has put the piece on the

stage . In conclusion we would suggest that Messrs . Gatti , now they have another success , should look after the comforts of their earlier patrons , in the way of providing abetter curtain raiser than the well * worn one " A kiss in the Dark . "

Comedy . —The revival of Mr . F . C . Burnand ' s oomedy , " The Colonel , " which lately took place , was not productive of much that may be considered noteworthy . The piece is in no way altered from wheu it was last played . The worn out aesthetic style still prevails throughout . This is a mistake ; not only have

people got tired of such absurdities , but were greatly pleased they had been dropped . Still , we have " The Colonel" again amongst UB , with the ridiculous attitudes , and we are afraid the piece will be the means of once more making the aesthetic style popular , not , however , to such an extent as before . On Monday Mr .

Burnand's comedy went with plenty of spirit , but was marred by the faults mentioned . Why not have dropped the aesthetic style altogether ? But one member of the original company takes part in the revival ; Mr . Edgar Bruce , however , has portrayed Colonel Woodd before . He makes the part exactly what it should be , viz .,

a cool American gentleman , not serious , but at all times ready for fun when unaccompanied by danger . Mr . William Herbert assumes his original part of Mr . Forrester , with credit to himself . Mr . Bassett Roe ' s interpretation of Lambert Streyke is hardly the oorreot one ; nevertheless he is effective . Mr . Frank Wyatt did

well in the small part of Romelli , Mr . Cecil Crofton made but an in . different lover , while Mr . Sidney Harcourt was out of his element as Giorgione Basil . The best of the ladies was Miss Helen Layton , as Mrs . Forrester . This lady wore her aasthetio dresses well , while her attitudes and melancholy behaviour were capitally developed . Miss

Susie Vaughan was weak as Lady Tompkins , but Miss Agnes Verity made a vivacious Nellie . Miss Violet Melnotte has yet to learn how to command her voice , while her style is entirely unsuited to the part of Mrs . Blythe . Other parts were taken by Mr . Harry Charles

( Parker ) , Mr . Philip Cuningham ( Mullins ) , and Miss Maud Merrill ( Goodall ) . The calls at the conclusion were hearty , but we hardly think " The Colonel" will attract daring the hot weather now prevalent .

Professor Crocker's Equirationals , a troupe of sixteen trained Arabian horses will appear at the Avenue Theatre , on Monday , 15 th August , under the management of Mr . W . W . Kelly . The animals are said to be the most advanced , in respect of intelligence , ever exhibited in publio , or known in private .

On Tuesday the Prince of Wales , as M . W . G . M . of the United Grand Lodge of England , presented the address of

congratulation to the Queen on the occasion of her Jubilee , which was passed at the Meeting iu the Royal Albert Hall , on Monday , the 13 th June last . His Royal Highness was accompanied by Bro . the Earl of Lathom Dep . G . M .,

Prmce Albert Victor of Wales S . G . W ., Bro . Sir Albert W . Woods ( Garter ) G . D . of C . ; and Col . Shadwell H . Clerke G . Sec .

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Hants and Isle of Wi ^ ht will be held at the Victoria Hotel , Portsmouth , on Monday , 15 th instant , at 1 * 30 p . m ., and at 4 p . m . a banquet will take place .

Bro . JE . D . McKay , an old member of No . 27 , Hamilton , has returned from Central America , where he has been for the past four years . He says the Craft is now in a prosperous condition there . A large number of Lodges , both black and white , are working under the English Grand Registry .

On Monday evening , 30 th May , the brethren of Bismarck , Ontario , dedicated their new hall . It is a very neat room , and well furnished . R . W . Bro . R . M . Stuart , with the assistance of W . Bros .

Anderson , Payne , Middleditch , and Bros . Brodenck and Thatcher , from Ridgetown , and other Visiting brethren , dedicated the hall . Bro . Payne exemplified the third degree in a very attractive and skilful manner . A banquet followed .

The Cross is not distinctively a Christian symbol . It has been found on all the oldest remains of the works of man . A meeting of the joint committee appointed by the various Masonio Lodges of Hamilton , in response to a request by the managers of the Queen ' s Jubilee Celebration , waa held on the 3 rd June . After due

consideration , it was deemed inexpedient for the Order , as such , to participate in the procession . At the same time the Fraternity wished every success to the celebration . Hundreds of their number doubtless took part in it as members of the volunteer force , as school trustees , aldermen and members of other public bodies .

Ad01103

BRO . G , S . GRAHAM , The Popular Tenor and Buffo Vocalist , from St . James ' s Hall , Crystal Palace , & e . ( Provincial Grand Organist Middlesex ) IS OPEN TO ACCEPT ENGAGEMENTS TOR Concerts , Cittcviaxnmenfs # gtasonre | i minuets . Bro . G . S . Graham ' s Party of Eminent Artists can be engaged for Masonic Banquets , Consecrations and Installations , & c . For Opinions of the Press and Terms , address—G . S . GRAHAM , Hazeldean , Cornford Grove , Balham , Sumy *