The Theatres. &C.

THE THEATRES . & c .

Lyceum . —As long back as 1879 Miss Genevieve Ward produced , at this theatre , the now celebrated play " Forget-me-Not , " by Herman Merivale and Florence Grove . After having produced fche piece wherever she has since sojourned , Miss Ward , on Monday last ,

brought it back fco the Lyceum , where a numerous audience thoroughly appreciated the good acting displayed by this lady and her excellent company . The part of the adventuress , Stephanie , Marquise de Mohrivart , is one tbat requires a careful interpreter to gain any interest for it , bufc Miss Ward attacks ib in such a way

thafc her audience is bound to sympathize wifch her . The indifferenoe shown by this woman for the trouble she causes is perfect , while her telling remarks are delivered with great point . Continuous

playing has in no way impaired the character , and we should say Miss Ward never interpreted it better than she did on Monday . Her reception throughout the evening was most cordial , and afc the fall of the curtain she was called two or three times . Mr . W . H . Vernon

was effective as Sir Horace Welby , his arguments with Stephanie being enforced with telling effect . Miss Dorothy Dene waa gentle , though perhaps ineffective , as Alice Verney ; bnfc Mrs . Canninge was perfect as Mrs . Foley . Mr . Leonard Outram , as fche Corsican , and Mr . C . W . Somerset , as the Prince , were efficient . The programme

concludes with the late Charles Reade's " Nance Oldfield , a theme on tbe lines of " David Garrick , " bnfc with reversed characters . Miss Ward was again in good form as Nance , while excellent support waa

given , by Mr . Fuller Mellisb , Mr . W . H . Vernon , and a clever young actress in the person of Miss Fraser . Owing to Mr . Henry Irving ' s return , Miss Ward ' s short season comes fco a close to-night ( Saturday ) .

Drury Lane . —To fill up the gap caused by Miss Sophie Eyre ' s state of health nofc warranting her starting her season here , Mr . Augustus Harris decided to revive " A Rnn of Luck , " so successfully produced in 1886 , and only withdrawn in consequence of previous arrangements . Judging from the way in which fche work was

received last Saturday , he is likely to be well rewarded for his pains . The many stirring incidents in connection with Mr . Henry Pettitfc's drama are well brought out by the capital company Mr . Harris has secured ; eaoh incident and critical situation was closely followed by a fnll house . Some of those who were in fche caste when ifc was first

produced still remain . Mr . Harry Nicholls as Charley Sandown and Mr . E . W . Gardiner again score well . Tbe topical allusions made by the former , cansed roars of laughter . Of fche new comers Mr . Herbert Standing , as Captain Trevor , delivered his lines in a peculiarly jerky style j this he will do well to alter . Mr . Percy

Lyndal was a manly and vigorous Harry Copsley , while Mr . Reuben Inch , as John Copsley , and Mr . Fred Gould , as Squire Selby , were effective . Miss Fortescne ( Daisy ) was somewhat stagy at starting , but she improved as she progressed , while Miss Maud Milton was moat effective as Lucy Byefield . The Mabel Selby of Miss Blanche

Massey was a lady-like portrait . Of the remaining caste , Messrs . Victor Stevens , Arthur Yates , and the Misses Edith Bruce and Marie D'Altra all deserve praise . The mounting of tbe piece is on a gorgeous scale , the Selby Hall and Goodwood sets forming most realistic pictures . At the conclusion the principals were called ; they were followed by Messrs . Pettitt and Harris .

Vaudeville . —The success that has attended the efforts of Mr . R . Buchanan to dramatise the works of deceased authors has proved greater than bis most sanguine friends could have expected , and his latest effort in this line will secure for him fresh laurels . " Joseph ' s Sweetheart" is a work thafc can be seen again and again , and be

thoroughly enjoyed by all ; ifc never gives offence . Mr . Buchanan has carefully struck out all in the least way objectionable , wifch result that it is a suitable companion to the same author ' s " Sophia . " The two pieces are on the same lines , but they are so interesting thafc one gets thoroughly absorbed and hardly notices fche similarity . Thafc

"Joseph ' s Sweetheart" has proved a success is clearly shown by the crowded state of the house nighfc after night ; this we cannot wonder at , considering the very excellent caste engaged , headed by Mr . Thomas Thorne . We can recommend those of our readers who desire to see a thoroughly English play , fco go to the Vaudeville ; nothing better of its kind could be conceived .

That popular actress Miss Nellie Farren announces ber farewell benefit prior to ber leaving for Australia ; this will take place at the Gaiety , on Monday afternoon , the 16 th instant . A long and attractive programme is set down for decision , including the farce

Lot 49 , " the first scene of" The Forty Thieves , " a scene from " Othello , " and the third act of " LitUe Jack Shepherd . " Besides numerous incidentals , Mrs . Kendal and Mrs . Bernard Beere will recite .

" The Mystery of a Hansom Cab " will reach its 50 th performance to-night ( Saturday ) , aud , judging from the crowded audiences , it is increasing in popularity . " A Voice from the Bottle , " a new and original farce , by J . Provand Webster , now precedes the drama , to the merriment of the patrons of pit aud gallery and other early comers .

A Special Morning Performance will be given at the Princess ' s Theatre , on Tuesday , 10 th instant , when will be produced an entirel y new and original drama , iu five acts , entitled " Dorothy Gray , " written by Mr . J . F . Niabefc . Miss Grace Hawthorne will play the title role , and will be supported by a strong company .

We arc indebted to Bro . W . T . Purkiss , Manager of Weston ' s Music HaU Company , Limited ( better known , perhaps , as the Royal ) , for a * ery welcome packet of voting papers for the Masonic Schools . We

latel y had the gratification of inspecting the many alterations and improvements that have been made in " The Royal" Music Hall , and we can honestly recommend our readers to do the same . They will , with us , marvel aa to how HO much has been achieved ; every inch

The Theatres. &C.

of available space has been utilized , and indeed to advantage . An excellent company provides fche nightly entertainment , and we anticipate the enterprise and spirit shown will meet , as ifc merits , an ample reward .

THE MAEGATE BRETHREN AND POOR CHILDREN . — A few weeks since we reported a dinner and tea to the aged poor , given by the members of the TJnion Lodge , No . 127 , and we have now the pleasure of announcing that tbeir thoughtful kindness has been extended fco poor children , 500 of whom were , on the 27 fch ult ., entertained wifch

what must have been fco them a snmptuons tea at the Assembly Rooms . Mr . Hume , as usual , was mosfc liberal in his catering , and the little guests were waited upon by their generous hosts with their wives and other female relatives . The s « rvices of Mr . Edwin

Norwood ' s quadrille band were secured , and a ventriloquial entertainment was given by Mr . Bert Knott ( of Ramsgate ) , and a magic lantern was exhibited by Mr . Robertson ( of Margate ) . On leaving , eaoh child received an orange and a packet of sweets .

A very distinguished honour has been conferred in Mexico npon a Cornisbman , who hails from the Mining Division . Bro . F . W . Bawden , second son of Mr . Charles Bawden , of Poldice House , St . Day , who is at Pachuca , in Mexico , has been elected by a good majority Deputy Grand Master of Freemasons of the State of Hildago . This is a post

never before held by a foreigner , and Bro . Bawden is fco be congratulated on his election . The Masonic constitution in Mexico varies somewhat from that of England , there being Grand Lodges of States , just fche same as in America , instead of Grand Lodges of Provinces , as in this country . There are seven Lodges working under

fche jurisdiction of the State of Hidalgo , two of which are English . Bro . Bawden's Lodge must feel elated at his election to the important post of Deputy Grand Master of the State , and we are sure they and all his Cornish friends will unite in wishing him a successful term of office . —Western Daily Mercury .

On Monday , the 9 th inst ., " The Society Herald " will have com . plefced the sixth month of its existence , and have entered into that very important part of any Journal's career—namely , its second volume . In other words , this Journal will bave emerged from the trying epoch of its initiative stage , and have commenced fche mora

certain and assured period of its journalistic career . This period ifc is fche intention of fche proprietors to celebrate . From fche first nnmber of fche paper that was published ifc was pointed onfc—npon all sidesthat fche proprietors were offering fche reading public a great deal too much for one penny , and that so firm a hold had fche paper secured in

fche journalistic world that , were the price raised from one penny to sixpence , it would still sell as freely . The proprietors have now agreed to improve its literary matter , and to add to its already existing attractions several new features , and then to ask the public , if they still continue to support them , to pay sixpence for the privilege

of perusing the pages of this Journal . The success already attained by "The Society Herald" has been prononnced by most competent and experienced journalists to have been altogether remarkable . In view of this , the proprietors have taken the above

step , and it is quite possible to believe that the same will prove even more satisfactory than their original enterprise . Henceforth , then , " The Society Herald " will appeal to a far larger and more general circle of readers , and ifc will appear in its new form on the 16 th insfc .

Freemasonry has no apology fco make for its past history and from the profane it asks no favour . Its demand is upon its votaries , of whom it expects a voluntary obedience to its tenets j this will enable the Craft to do its own work in its own way . It neither seeks

nor desires notoriety . The mysteries of Masonry are sought and obtained only by self sacrifice and a desire to do and obtain good . This service is required from each single member of the Fraternity . Every insolvent in this matter mars the beauty of our Masonic Temple and inflicts upon ifc serious injury .

Rents from the Boston Masonic Temple amonnt to 21 , 217-25 dollars yearly , and yield a handsome sum above expenses . Every county in Vermont is a separate Masonic district , and has a faithful Deputy in charge .

In the district ; of Columbia there are 21 Lodges , with a member , ship of 3 , 026 . Sydney , Australia , has a new Masonic library and reading room , free to country brethren , and 1 dollar a year to city brethren .

WHO IS OUR BROTHER ?—If your enemy hunger and thirst , give him food to eab and water to drink . Such is the Divine command . Then how much more are we under obligation to give food and drink to a brother in need . The obligation of a Mason is not circumscribed by the walls of his Lodge or the boundary of his jurisdiction ,

and he can never afford to hedge the way of Chnrity or to practically bar out one who has been suddenly overtaken by a calamity far away from home , and is unable to stand a rigorous examination . There is such a thing as entertaining angels unawares , and we can never afford to take a step or exact a rule thafc leaves Fraternity out

in the cold . The fact is , every one in need is a brother , and the only test , is he really in distress and want ? Any attempt to avoid this , by direction or indirection , is not only contrary to the principle of brotherhood , which is the central idea of the Order , bnt does violence

to our consciences . If we are in doubt as to the worthiness of a brother soliciting need , give him the benefit of the doubt . As the sun shines upon the evil and the good , and the rain falls upon fche just and the unjust , so should Masonry go forth on its beneficent

mission . Goethe , fche great German poet and author , was initiated 1780 , and was an active member of the Craft .