St. James's Lodge, No. 482, Handsworth.

nothing can possibly give greater pleasure than to hear certain parts of onr lectures well , or even fairly well , declaimed . Brethren may , and often do , smile at tho strange anachronisms , & c , which have been introduced into them , but the reflective among them know how these havo found their way thither , and why ; as well as the exact measure of approval or disapproval which must be meted out to them ; but ifc is impossible for anv intelligent brother to hoar the working of tho sections without , deriving

considerable benefit . He will learn much , from a speculative point of view , of architecture , of the six grand periods , & c , & c , & c , aa well as of the moral duties ifc is our duty to fulfil . The language in parts of them is magnificent , and we should not envy the brother who could sot ont the working of tho lectures or ( say ) of any ono of the sections without being struck , not

only with the immense moral value of tho principles they inculcate , but likewise with the beautiful language in which those principles are set forth . Bnt to approach the plain duty we have to perform , ¦ which consists simply in recording particulars of the meeting of this Lodge . The hour fixed in the summons for the assembling of the brethren waa 5 p . m ., and punctually to the appointed timo the

brethren came together iu considerable force , and tho Lodge was opened in due and ancient form . In due course , the work specially appointed for the evening waa reached , and Tinder the presidency of Bro . Dr . Parkes I . P . M . the first lecture waa most successfully worked , the following brethren treating tho respective sections , namely : — Bros . J . Deeley J . W . ( 1 ) , J . H . Parkes W . M . ( 2 ) , E . R . Kimpton

Secretarv ( 3 ) , J . F . Pepper S . W . ( 4 ) , J . H . Parkes W . M . ( 5 ) , J . F . Pepper S . W . ( 6 ) , and E . R . Kimpton Secretary ( 7 ) . Bro . J . H . Parkes W . M . then occupied the chair , and tho second and third lectures wero worked with equal success by tho following , namely , Second Lecture—First section , Bro . Dr . Parkes I . P . M ., second ditto J . F . Pepper S . W ., third ditto E . R . Kimpton See ,

fourth ditto J . F . Pepper S . W ., and fifth ditto J . Deeley J . W . Third Lecture—First section , Bro . Dr . Parkes I . P . M ., second section J . Deeley J . W ., and third section E . R . Kimpton Secretary . The sections over , there wero offered to those who had taken part in the working most hearty expressions of congratulation , the brethren present , one and all , averring that they had derived the

greatest pleasure imaginable from the evening ' s labour . It was then mentioned that the Friday previous ( the 1 st instant ) , Bro . John Pursoll Prov . G . S . Warden of Warwickshire , and Preceptor of the Birmingham Lodgo of Instruction , on quitting the Masonic Hall in that town , had been run over and received some very severe contusions . He was taken back instantly to the Hall , and there examined

by three medical men , who were fortunately at hand . Ifc was found that no bones were broken , but Bro . Pursell has attained the ripe age of sixty-eight , and the shock to the system from so severe an accident was very considerable . The sympathy of all present was most feelingly uttered , and ifc was resolved that tho condolence of the Lodge should be conveyed to Bro . Pursell forthwith . Lodge

was shortly afterwards closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet . On the removal of the cloth , the nsual Loyal and Masonic toasts were given with commendable brevity , and were most cordially greeted , that of the W . M . in particular calling for the warmest enlogiums from the proposer , and the utmost enthusiasm from the guests . Bro . Parkes acknowledged in brief , but most appropriate terms , tho praises which

had been bestowed upon him that evening , and , like a true Mason , expressed himself delighted with the able assistance he had received from his I . P . M ., Wardens and Secretary in carrying out the labours of the evening . The health of the Visitors was acknowledged by Bros . Howkins , Michael Davis , and C . Walsh Graham , the first of whom spoke in the most glowing terms of tho working he

had witnessed . Tho great knowledge and experience which Bro . Howkins is known to possess renders his testimony the more valuable . It may bo imagined that the chief topic during tho repast , and in the intervals between tho toasts , was the Sections , and tho manner in which the members of St . James ' s Lodge , No . 482 , had acquitted themselves , and there was but one opinion as to the result of the

experiment . Must we add that this was of the most favourable character , and that all present congratulated themselves on the success of the evening . However , the happiest meetings must at some time , be it sooner or later , come to an end . In due course , therefore , the company dispersed , each with feelings of satisfaction that he too could justly describe what had passed as events quoram pars magna

fiu . We may here remark that the following Officers were present , namely : —J . H . Parkea W . M ., W . E . Parkes I . P . M ., J . F . Pepper S . W ., J . Deeley J . W ., W . Randall , M . A ., Rector of Handsworth , Chap ., J . Jacobs Treas ., E . R . Kimpton Sec , B . G . Cole J . D ., E . W . Bradley I . G ., F . W . Payton Steward , Chas . Payton , F . Derry P . M . and Past P . G . W ., G . J . Payton , H . Morton Sharp , T . Dixon Miller , J . V . Barber , J . W . Evans , J . Rowlands Past Master , J . Chapman Tyler ;

and the following Visitors , namely .- —Bros . H . G . Qailter Worshipful Master 1016 , Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer Warwickshire , Rev . E . C . Perry P . M . 720 , G . H . Johnstone 982 , Stephen Wood P . M . 1168 , P . P . G . W . Warwickshire , R . H . Vertegens P . M . 74 , Thos . Taylor P . M . 418 , P . P . G . S . W . Staffordshire , James Rowley P . M . 539 , T . Mount Humphries P . M . 539 , P . P . G . S . of Works , T . H . Smith P . M . 468 , Thos . Howkins AV . M . 468 , P . P . G . D . C . Warwickshire , Jas .

H . Walton P . M . 696 , P . P . G . R ., W . J . Stubbs P . M . 696 , P . P . G . J . D ., Joseph Fenn P . M . 74 , P . G . R .. H . Harcourt 74 , John Skinner 74 , H . R . Dnddell 925 , Charles Winn S . W . 938 , T . Hands P . M . 1016 , G . E . Earnshaw W . M . 587 , Ashton T . Salt W . M . 887 , A . L . Gibson 163 , John Waterson P . P . G . D ., Major John W . Preston P . P . G . S . W .

Somerset 42 , G . Burnley 925 , F . M . Mole S . W . 1411 , C . Walsh Graham I . P . M . 696 , Chas Round P . M . 347 , W . Vernon W . M . 456 , P . G . S . B . Staffordshire , Daniel Round I . G . 347 , R . Williams Treas . 696 , W . W . Morgan Sec . 211 , & c .

The Fifteen Sections will bo worked at tho Doric Lodge of Instruction , No . 933 , Duke ' s Head , 79 Whitechapel-road , E ., on the 22 nd ol November , at 7 o ' clock precisely .

Obituary

Obituary

THE LATE SAMUEL PHELPS .

IT is with unfeigned sorrow that we have to announce tho death of the eminent tragedian . Mr . Samnel Phelpi , who departed this life shortly before three o ' clock on Wednesday afternoon , at Anson ' s Farm , near Epping . For some time past it had been evident to those about him that the great actor ' s powers wero failing , bnt his death at tho last came somewhat , unexpectedly , and not long after a

rumour had gone , abroad that ho had taken a turn for tho better . Mr . Phelps , however , had exceeded tho ordinary span of three score and ten years allotted to man , and tho raPv—if snch thero reallv was —must have resembled that lasfc flickering of the candle which immediately precedes its extinction . That Mr . Phelps , when his biography comes to bo written , will be pl aced in the same category

of actors with the Kembles and Edmund Kean is not to bo expected , bnt that , ho was a thorough and most , competent artist , and one of the brightest ornaments of the stage he had trodden for f n'lv half-acentnryis a fact beyond all question . Ho is—or was rather—the last of those eminent men who formed the connecting link between tho stage of John Kemble and Edmnnd Kean and the present

generation of actors . His name was a tower of strength to any company with which he was associated . As an interpreter of the noblest and most exacting characters of Shakspeare thero is no living actor that could rival him , and though especially regarded aa a tragedian , there are few , if any , artists who could approach him in comedy . In this respect he was not unlike Maeready , in whoso

footsteps he followed so closely , and albeit a better Lear , Macbeth , and Hamlet than any of his compeers and successors , some of his greatest triumphs were achieved in comedy . He was born at Devonporfc in the year 1800 , or , as some say , in 1806 . In early life , he was apprenticed to the trade of printer , and served his full time , and snch was the skill he acquired as . a compositor , that ifc is recorded of him that ,

years after he had abandoned this calling , when about to play in some Provincial town , he set to work and composed tho playbill announcing his performance , tho local printer , for reasons which are not material , having been deserted by his men . On coming of age , Phelps took to the stage , and in a very short time mado his mark , and once during his earlier career , he received tho warm congratulations of tho

great Edmnnd Kean for his artistic rendering of tho part of Tubal in tho Merchant of Venice . Having won for himself a high Provincial reputation , he challenged the verdict of popular opinion on the London boards , with a success which must have been as gratifying aa ifc was deserved . But not to enter fully into a career which haa heen described at such length in other journals , ifc will suffice if we draw

attention to that most distinguished portion of his life , when , firstly in conjunction with Mr . Greenwood aud the late Mrs . Warner , and afterwards by himself , ho presided so successfully over the destime . s of Sadlers Wells Theatre . This period lasted from 1844 to 1862 , and in its progress he produced no less than thirty-two of Shakspeare ' s plays , besides many of the best works of other great dramatists . His

respect for the legitimate drama won him golden opinions from the most enlightened portion of the British public , and during his management the Wells was nightly thronged with an audience fully appreciative of the good work he was doing . Nor was ifc alono as an actor that he impressed the public so favourably . He was a man of education , and the most refined nnd critical taste , and in his

Shakspeanan revivals , in tho matter of costume and scenic accessories , ho 1 showed he was a complete master of the history and archroology of the periods to which tho plays severally belonged . Since 1862 ho has appeared at most of our leading theatres , and the mere announcement of his appearance was the almost sure forerunner of full houses . Ho was to have appeared this season at Drury Lano , but his health

intervened , and denied the London public the opportunity they so much desired of once again greeting thoir favourite . Indeed , at the timo of his death , he was under an engagement with Mr . Chatterton to play a series of farewell performances , commencing with that of Cardinal Wolsey in Henry VIII . His retirement from tho stage would have taken place about next Easter , but ifc has been ruled otherwise by the

Great Architect of all things ; and Samnel Phelps , tho great actor , the refined scholar , and tho courteous gentleman , who pandered to no ono , and held mere lip service to be an ntter abomination , has passed away to his last home . His private virtues wero many ; in tho bosom of his family no one was more dearly loved , while in public he was respected by all with whom he came in contact . May the memory of his virtues and talents flourish ever !

We have great pleasure in stating that Messrs . Besson and Co ., of 198 Euston Road , N . W ., Musical Instrument , Malcers to the Armies and Navies of all the Nations in the World , were awarded a GOLD Medal for Excellence of manufaceure at the Paris Exhibition , and not a SILVER Medal , as

has been erroneously announced in other journals . This raises the number of medals awarded to this excellent and long-established firm since 1837 to THIRTY . In honour of the award Messrs . Besson and Co . invited their employes

to a dinner at the Hotel and Restaurant , Francais Audinet , 5 Charlotte-street , Fitzroy-squure . We congragratulate the firm on this further evidence of the sterling merits of their musical instruments .

We have great pleasure in announcing that the annual benefit of Bro . Jennings , the able and enterprising musical director and manager of the Oxford , will take place on Wednesday next , the 13 th instant . We trust Bro . . Jennings will have a graud success , such as the manager of this popular place of entertainment so richly deserves .