Garden Party At The Botanical Gardens, Manchester.

following Proviuchl Grand Officers were present : —E . G . Harwood PP G . J . W ., John Chadwick P . G . Secretary , Jas . Newton P . G . Assistant Secretary , Nathaniel Nicholson P . P . G . S . D ., Willi-im Jaffrey P . P . G . S . D ., J . E . Lees P . P . G . Treasurer , W . If . Vaughan P . P . G . Registrar , John Eoberts P . P . G . D . C ., Arthur II Jefferis P . P . G . D . C , Godfrey Higham P . P . G . D . C .. Abraham Pern .

berton P . P . G . D . C , James Cookson P . P . G . Steward , and John Bladon P . P . G . D . The gardens were in admirable order , the greenhouses , fernery , and palm home , with their va . led forms of natural beauty , were a source of delight to many . Two of tho most distinguished local bands had been engaged to play on the lawn , viz . the band of the Manchester Artillery ( Conductor , Mr . T . Reynolds ) , and the

Droylsden Reod Band , the latter being conducted by Mr . Wadsworth . From 230 to 5 * 30 the Artillery Band played a capital selection . Shortly after three and live o ' clock tho Excelsior troupe of trained children , in their quaint morris dancers' costume , gave Maypole dances on tho green-sward between the two kiosks , each dance being nrarntinft bv fthe ever . amusinsr nerformances of Punch , Jndv , and

Toby , the figures being manipulated by Mr . A . Le Mare , assisted by Mr . Worsley . A convenient site was found for the paraphernalia in the eastern kiosk . From 5 ' 30 to 9 ' 45 , with a short interval ^ the Droylsden Eeed Band cleverly executed a varied programme of musio . In the musio hall there was a series of performances . At four o ' clock the Court Amateurs hold [ a social gathering . Sir Roger

de Coverley , the host , was personated by Mr . Ed . Lyfcton , and his particular friends wero Sir Brian O'Lynn ( Mr . H . 0 . Whittle ) , Major Owen Scandal ( Mr . H . B . Thornton ) , Glendower ( Mr . Hen Owen ) . There wero a dozen other members of his party , besides a competent orchestra . At half-past five o ' clock the farce " Hercules / King of Clubs , " was played by the following :

Larkspur ( a sculptor ) , Mr . Leonard Yorke ; Trotter ( his servant ) , Mr . Whit Eogerson ; Dr . Stonecrop , Mr . 0 . Morgan ; Mrs . Piper ( a landlady ) , Miss Polly Marshall j Kate , Miss Belle Cecil . At seven o ' clock the Court Amatenrs , assisted by Bro . and Mrs . W . H . Murphy and Mr . E . Dottie , gave a variety entertainment , the Murphys with guitar , mandoline , and banjo , and Brother R . Dottie

a reading , " Lubbers Afloat . " Mr . Ben . Murray sang , "An Evening Song" ( BInmenfchal ) j Captain W . W . Farquharson played a solo from " Falka " on the English concertina ; and Mr . W . H . Clement gave his ventriloquial entertainment , " Old Folks at Home . " This entertainment , excellent thongh it was , occupied too much time . The major attraction -was the drama , " Robert Macaire , " fixed for eight

o ' clock , with the following caste : Dumont , Mr . T . E . Young ; Germeuil , Mr . C . Derward ; Charles , Mr . W . Eiley ; Eobert Macaire , Mr . J . Pitt Hardacre ; Jacques Strop , Mr . James Bradley ; Sergeant Loupy , Mr . H . Williams ; Pierre , Mr . E . Dottie ; Marie , Miss Marshall ; Clementine , Miss Wynter . Long before the seven o'clock

programme had been completed , an ever-increasing throng assembled in front of the main entrances to the concert hall , and as it was nearly half-past eight o ' clock before the doors were opened , great impatience was manifested by those in waiting . This impatience found vent in . muoh grumbling , some hissing , and whistling , and cries of "Open the doors . " Before the doors were unlocked a coin bad been thrown

at the window , -which cracked one of the panes , and the crush was so irresistible that a gentleman near was forced half-way through one of the lower sheets of glass . No sooner were the doors opened than ladies and gentlemen in front were hustled into the hall pell-mell , and a scene of considerable disorder resulted . Tho attendants were utterly unablo to stem the torrent of

human beings ,, which poured in like a flood , and taking tickets was a process altogether out of the question . In a few seconds the building was filled from end to end . The performance on the stage , taking it all in all , was meritorious , Mr . Pitt Hardacre and Mr . Bradley distinguishing themselves in their apparently congenial r & les . The two leading ladies were also sans reprochi . The

musio for the dramatic performances was under the conduotorship of Bro . Clarance 0 . Com ' , musical director of the Queen ' s Theatre . The band and scenery was lent by Bro . Pitt Hardacre , under whose direction the dramas were produced . OE the performance of the two bands in the grounds we cannot speak too highly . Indeed , everything weut well , and satisfaction was universal . In order to

cope with the natural inner cravings of so large a number of persons , we were informed by Mr . H . Hall , tho capable manager of Brother W . Wood , tho caterer of the gardens , that luncheons and teas had been provided for 2000 parsons , and there can be no doubt that folly that number enjoyed the ample provision made for them . A staff of no fewer than 120 persons were under Mr . Hall's direction in the Palmhonse , the east end pavilion , and the other refreshment buffets .

Beyond the crush at the later theatrical performance , which might havo been better managed , we heard of no complaints from any quarter . The members of tho committee , at tho close of tho clay , pronounced the garden party to havo been a great success , and in that view we entirely concur . Wo aro informed thore will be a sum of about £ 120 to hand over to tbe East Lancashire Systematic Educational Institution .

DORSET MASONIC CHARITY .

' PHE tenth annual meeting of tho General Committee of thia - * - Charity was held at the Masonic Hall , Weymouth , on Thursday , the 31 st ult . In the unavoidable absence of Bro . W . D . DugcUle , the Chairman , tho chair was taken by Bro . Zillwood Milledgp , tho Vice-Chairman , who was snpported by Bros . II . Caso 417 Treasurer , S . It . Baskett 13 G 7 Hon . Sec . R . Smith W . M . 137 , 0 . J . Woodford

P . M . 137 , D . Hitching S . W . 137 , W . Smith W . M . 170 , A . Gr . iham P . M . 170 , B . A . Hogg P . M . 417 , M . C . Preston P . M . GG 5 , T . Giles P . M . 707 , 0 . J . Freeman W . M . 1037 , B . Mills P . M . 1037 , T . EroleMi P . M . 1037 , T . S . Biggs P . M . 1146 , T . Farrall P . M * . 1168 , and J . ol -lUfl P . M . 12 G 6 . Telegrams and letters regretting inability to be preseut wero received from Bros . Montague J . Guosfc P . G . M ., "W , D .

Garden Party At The Botanical Gardens, Manchester.

Dugdale , aud others . The Hon . Sec . announced that the Right Honourable the Earl of Eldon , a Vice-President and one of the original Trnstoes of tho Charity , now wished to be relieved from the Trusteeship , but had kindly sent a further donation of £ 25 towards the funds . The Committee in accepting , with very great regret , his Lordship's resignation , unanimously passed a hearty vote of thanks

to his Lordship for the great services he had rendered as Trustee , from the foundation of the Charity , and also for his exceedingly handsome further donation . Bro . W . E . Brymer , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , was unanimously elected as Trustee in Lord Eldon's place . Tho annual report for 1889 , showing very satisfactory progress , was drawn up and ordered to be printed for distribution .

On the recommendation of the Eelief Sub-Committee grants , amount , ing to £ 50 , were made to three petitioners . It was agreed that tho midwinter meeting should be held at Dorchester . The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chairman , and to Bro . Smith , the Worshipful Master of All Souls Lodge , No . 170 , who had most hospitably provided luncheon for the refreshment of the brethren .

GRAND LODGE OP VICTORIA .

A QUAETERLY Communication of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria was held at Freemasons' Hall , 'Collins Street , Melbourne , on 16 th June last . Bro . Sir W . J . Clarke , Bart ., M . W . Grand Master , presided , supported by Bro . George Baker P . G . M . R . W . Deputy Grand Master , with Bros . T . Aitkin P . G . S . W . as G . S . W ., and H . A . Nevott G . J . W . The M . W . Grand Master announced that the

Meridian Lodge of St . John , No . 729 , English Constitution , Melbourne , had decided to join the local Grand Lodge . This leaves the Comberraere Lodge , No . 752 , Melbourne , the only Lodge nowremaining in the three Southern Colonies of Australia whioh preserves its allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England . Bro . W . F .

Lamonby P . G . S . W . moved , Bro . J . S . Butters , M . L . C ., P . P . B . G . P . seconded , aud it was resolved unanimously , " That the United Grand Lodge of Victoria join the Correspondence Circle of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No . 2076 , London , and that all the back printed Transactions be procured for the use of the Grand Lodge Library . "

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

PRINTERS' BLUNDERS .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAK SIE AND BROTHER , —In my reply to Bro . Gould ' s letter of 21 st June , in your issue of 19 th July , your printers' devil reversed my arrangements . A paragraph I designed for a foot-note he placed in the middle of the column , aud what I intended for the middle he

turned into a foot-note . Bro . Gould is too cute to suppose that the fault is mine , and he is too fair minded to take advantage thereof in order to disparage my reasoning . We have , however , pious editors of Masonic publications in America , who lack the necessary outeness

to impute an error to the right parties , hence they will at once ridi . cnle my arguments , and make a great splurge about them . In order , therefore , to shorten their period of agoni / and- delusion ., I hope that you will afc once publish this letter .

Fraternally and respectfully yours , JACOB NORTON * . BOSTON , U . S ., 29 th July 1890 .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . THOMAS VINCENT . A NiwriKG of members of the Chaffc and private friends assembled afc St . Peters , Broadsfcaira , on the Cfch insfc ., to pay tho last sad tribute of respect to Bro . Thomas Vincent

P . M . Our deceased brother had been suffering from a mosfc painful disease for many months , which had beeu aggravated by au unfortunate accident . Death , however , relieved him from severe suffering , on tbo 1 st instant .

Bro . Vincent "was initiated in the Capper Lodgo ; be was one of the Founders and firsfc W . M . of the Claremont Lodge , No . 1861 , and was made Grand Sword Bearer of the Province of Surrey , by tho late General Brownrigg .

He was Treasurer of tlie Claremont Lodge ; ho was also a P . Z . of more than ono Chapter . Bro . Vincent bad earned tho love and respect of all who knaw him ; his genial and

generous nature will long be remembered , and his memory cherished . The impressive funeral service was well rendered by the Rector of St . Magna ? , who came speciall y to Broadstairs for that purpose .