Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

IN spite of tho private festivities which monopolise so much of the attention of onr brethren at this season of the year , the inmates of tho Royal Masonic Benovolent Institution have not been forgotten . Bro . Terry , the energetic Secretary of the Charity , has , in former years ,

wo believe , given our old friends an annual entertainment , which has always been highly appreciated . On Wednesday last , a number of the brethren , with their ladies , proceeded to Croydon , for the purpose of assisting at a musical and elocutionary entertainment , Avhich had been planned by the

Secretary . After a most excellent dinner , at Avhich the old folks Avere assembled , and to Avhich ample jnstico was clone , the company adjourned to the large room of tho Institution , where a very agreeable programme of amusements Avas carried out , Avith great spirit , under tho able

superintendence of the Secretary . Some charming songs were sung by the lady visitors , and several brilliant pieces of music were performed on the pianoforte . The -piece de resistance of the evening Avas a performance by Professor Lane , the prestigiator , Avho occupied tho floor for

upwards of an hour , and Avhose tricks Avero loudly applauded and highly appreciated . This gentleman fairly succeeded in mystifying the audience , and Avhen he had concluded , Bro . Terry , on behalf of the guests , expressed himself highly gratified with the entertainment .

Bro . Brevo , ono of the inmates , then rose and proposed that the cordial thanks of the assembly should be given to the Secretary , Bro . Terry , for his kindness , in having arranged so agreeable a treat for the inmates . The motion Avas carried amid much applause . Bro . Terry , in

responding , took occasion to say that the committee and himself Avere inspired Avith but one idea , and that Avas an earnest desire to make his old friends as happy as possible . Ho felt assured that they appreciated the efforts of the Committee of Management . Tho inmates could

always appeal to him tvhen any little difficulty arose amongst them . He could assure them that they Avould find him always ready to adjust such difficulties to the best of his ability when they did occur , but , in conclusion , ho

reminded them , thrown as they Avere m some measure in each other ' s society , that it would be better to " bear and forbear . " It Avas the duty of us all in this life , and AVC should all bo the happier if AVO gave Avay a little to each other .

In the absence of Dr . Strong , a cordial vote of thanks to him Avas unanimously passed ; Bro . Terry remarking that the inmates Avero deeply indebted to him for his great kindness , and for tho assiduous attention with Avhich he ministered to them in sickness . The National Anthem

having been performed , the proceedings Avere brought to a close . The lady artistes were Mesdames Strong , Dubois , Baber . The Misses Haines , Owen , Strong , Terry and Gott .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

THE Twelfth Night Entertainment to the pupils of this Institution was given on the Gth inst ., tea was provided for the visitors and children , after which some charming and instructive dissolving vieAvs Avere given at the sole expense of our clear brother J . R . Cox , AVIIO is

always foremost m the held to amuse . As Ave have often said , great credit is due to the Governors of this Institution , as Avell as to the Governess , for the rapid strides made in its progress . Our space precludes us giving further particulars .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

THE general Committee of this Institution held their monthly meeting on the 1 st inst ., under the presidency of Bro . Raynham W . Stewart . Upon the confirmation of the minutes of theprevionsmeetingit Avas suggested by tbechairman that £ 2 , 000 should be voted to increase the Infirmary

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

accommodation . Bro . C . Horsloy , P . G . R . Middlesex , moved : — " That tho House Committee bo empowered to ascertain the amount and position of tho ground at disposal for tho purpose of erecting a

building with all necessary accommodation for thirty boys in case of illness , and that thoy instruct an architect to furnish plans , with proper elevations and sectional details , together with an estimate of tho actual cost of erocting the same , and within Avhat period from tho commerjeomont of tho bnildinsr . "

This was supported by Bro . John Symonds . The Secrotary stated , in reply to enquiries , that it Avas necessary to provide infirmary accommodation for 15 per cent , of the inmates of charitable institutions . The motion Avas approved and carried . Tho solicitor , Bro . Hopwood , in referring to Bro .

Wakelingf ' s bequests , desired the Committee to watch tho proceedings noAv pending in the High Court of Justice , particularly as this Institution and the Girls' School , both beneficiaries , should be represented by one solicitor . £ 5 was voted for outfit to an ex-pupil . Some correspondence Avas

gone through respecting the appointment of a committeo by West Yorkshire to enquire into tho expenditure and management . This motion was ordered to lie on tho table .

Notice of motion Avas given by Warwickshire , for a perpetual presentation on payment of £ 1 , 050 . No reply having been received from Bros . Tew and Perrotb , a vote of thanks to tho chairman closed the proceedings .

The Drama.

THE DRAMA .

The Pantomimes at Drury Lane and Covent Garden Theatres— " Antarctic " at the Strand . IN ono respect at least Drury Lane may fairly claim to bo the representativo theatre of the nation . Sneers may be and are indulged in freely at tho idea of Mr . Halliday and even Mr . Boncicaalfc taking rank as dramatists worthy of tho national reputation , and tho

artists to whom their productions havo given employment have not always added lustre to onr stage ; bnfc few people will deny that the best pantomime of the season is nearly always that prodnccd at Dmvy Lane . One way of accounting for this is found in tho fact that Mr . Chatfcerton secures tho services of that voteran writer of pantomimes , Mr . E . L . Blanchard , and relies on the groat abilities of the Yokes

Family to give full play to the author ' s Avhimsienl ideas . This season ' s piece is founded on tho woll known legend of Dick Whittington and His Cat ; and without starting any argument a ? to how much of that venerable nursery story is true , AVO may say that it is followed with tolerable closeness . Tlio opening scene , Revels in Cheapsido , gives opportunity for one of those charming ballots for which Mr . Cormack

is famous ; and AVO may also note that the hand of Mr . Beverley has not lost its skill , tho scenery being Avorthy of his high reputation . As AVO have beforo hinted , the chief nctoTS in the piece aro supplied from tho Vokes Family . Mr . Fred Vokes is a wonderfully agile Fitzwarren , whoso muscles arc apparently made of leather , and Avhose bones are certainly constructed of indiarubber . Mr . Walter Voke 3 is the forfcuno bearing cat . whilst Miss Victoria and Miss Rosina

Voke 3 add to the scene , not only their graco and beauty , but also a vory eonsiderablo sharo of dramatic ability in tho parts of Dick Whittington and Alico Fitzwarren . It is evident that no pains have been spared to render the fittings and accessories as gorgeous as possible , and aa the result it may be said that , hovvover wearisome this kind of entertainment may bo , tho Drury Lane pantomime is good in its kind .

Since the days of tho famous donkey in the Forty Thieves , the COVENT GARDEN pantomimo has been noted rather for splendour than for fan , and as a caso in point , we need only mention Babil and Bijou . In respect both of show and amusement tho Cinderella of this year seems hardly up to the standard of its predecessors ; the dialogue , presumably now , is dull , and tho scenery and drosses appear to have seen

wear . Most people , however , will forgive the many shortcomings of the piece , because it introduces onco more Miss Nelly Power as one of those fairy princes , all sparkle and laughter , in which she has so often charmed . Iter rotnrn to the stago is especially welcome at a timo when real burlesque actresses aro so rare . A fitting pendant to Mas Power ' s Prince Plenteous is the Cinderella of Miss Amalia , who ^ e

acting is marked by much freshness and graco . Mr . Brittain Wrigl t is admirably fitted to sustain the burden of the broadly comic fnn , ably assisted , as he is , by Mr . W . B . Fair and Mr . Rogers . It is excessively hard to introdnce new features into a pantomime , bnt the old points still seem to be capable of provoking laughter , and we do not doubt that Cinderella will have a fair run .

A plot , which might have been written by a playwright escaped from Bedlam : drosses notable for their eccentricity : a jumble of funny songs and grotesque dances : these aro the ingredients of tho Christmas pudding at tho STRAND . From its title to its " Plaudite , " tho now pieco is a sheer absurdity , but it is supported by Mr . Terry

as an old Frenchman , always getting himself into scrapes ; by tho excellent acting of M . Marins , who never lets slip a chance of making a point ; and by tho exhilarating verve and go of Miss L . Venne and Miss Claude , and aid of this kind Avould run one of Dr . Vellere ' s plays for months—at tha-SniAND ,