Freemasonry In Business.

FREEMASONRY IN BUSINESS .

THE following account of an action at the Gerkenwel County Court , as reported in the " Islington Gazette , " conveys a very useful lesson , as showing the desirability of keeping business outside of Freemasonry . The case was heard on the 28 th ult , before His Honour Judge Edge :

William Thomas Boydell , solicitor , of 1 South Square , Gray's Inn , sued Luke H . Woods , of n Ludgate Hill , to recover the sum of £ ¦ - , 10 s , the amount of a bill of costs , for work done and money paid as a solicitor for the defendant between the dates of 8 th July 18 9 8 , and 14 th June 1809 .

Plaintiff , in stating his case , said defendant came to his office with a considerable amount of correspondence , which he went through and gave him advice upon . This led up to a consultation with counsel , at which defendant was present . He afterwards declined to pay the bill of costs , but since the action was taken he

had paid £ 1 6 s into Court . The defence was that the transaction was a social one , which he denied . Defendant—You met me some considerable time before the 8 th of July 1898?—Yes . Was it not at my own dinner table , where you were present as a guest ?—I met you at a house where you were visiting .

Did I not mention in a casual way a case in which I was . swindled out of a large sum of money by a city firm ? The Judge—It is dangerous to mention a matter of that description to a lawyer after dinner . ( Laughter . )

Plaintiff—He only spoke to me on that occasion as to a mattei that was pending in the Lord Mayor ' s Court . Defendant—Did you say , " If I can advise you in a friendly way I shall be happy to do so " ?—Certainly not . It is not likely that a solicitor would do such a thing . ( Laughter . )

Defendant—Did you not say , " Come over to my house tomorrow night . I have a good drop of whiskey . Then you can tell me the facts of this case " ?—I deny that . Did I come round with my wife to your house on the following evening , and did we spend the evening over a glass of whiskey ?—No .

Defendant said that m the spring of 1898 he was giving a dinner party at a house where he was staying . Plaintiff , being a friend of the family , was invited . During the evening he mentioned to plaintiff that he had been swindled out of a large sum of money by a firm in the city . Plaintiff said , " I have got some good

whiskey at home . Come round to-morrow , and if I can help you in a friendly way I will , especially as we are Freemasons . " He accepted the invitation and went to plaintiff's house , where the whole question was thrashed out . He did not expect that , after receiving the invitation at his own dinner table , plaintiff was going to send him in a bill of costs .

By the Judge—He denied giving plaintiff any retainer to act for him . He repudiated his liability directly after receiving the bill , but forwarded plaintiff a cheque for £ 2 2 s to requit plaintiff for any out-of-pocket expenses which he had been put to . That cheque was returned by plaintiff .

In reply to a further question , defendant said he never expected to pay , as plaintiff offered voluntarily to give him advice , more especially as he was a Brother Mason . Plaintiff—You would not ask a baker , if he was a Brother Mason , to give you a loaf of bread for nothing ? Defendant—If a Brother Mason invited me to take a loaf of bread , I should not expect to pay for it afterwards .

A witness , who was also a guest at the dinner party , was called by defendant . He said he distinctly heard the remark made by plaintiff , " Come over to my house to-morrow night . I have a good drop of whiskey . Come and tell me all about it , and I will help 3 'ou , especially as we are Freemasons . "

The Judge said he had no doubt that it was the result of an unfortunate remark made at a dinner party . At that time there was no intention on plaintiff ' s part to charge as a solicitor . It appeared that in course of time things "ot into a certain groove , and he treated it as an ordinary case . His verdict would be for defendant over and above the amount paid into Court .

Alleged Freemason In Trouble.

ALLEGED FREEMASON IN TROUBLE .

THOMAS DALTON , saddler , was last week charged at the Grimsby Police Court with begging alms in Victoria Street , W ., on the 25 th October . Chief Constable Stirling said that the man was an impostor . He had represented to people that he was a

member of the Freemasons' Lodge St . James , Belfast . He refused to tell him the name of the Lodge to which he belonged , but gave the number as 609 . Chief Constable Stirling had communicated with Belfast , and had been told that there was no man of the name of defendant on the books of the Lodge there . Defendant had been telling a similar story at Spilsby , and at Boston he had been drunk and annoying people there . Defendant : I am a Freemason ,

your Worship . Chief Constable Stirling said that defendant did not belong to the Lodge he had stated . There had been complaints up and down Lincolnshire about him . He had been in America . There was not the least doubt that he was a Freemason , but lie refused to say what Lodge he belonged to or . anything . Alderman Jackson : Perhaps he does not know . The Mayor : You will have to go to prison for fourteen days with hard labour . Defendant : Thank you , your Worship .

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Enterainemtn Notes.

ENTERAINEMTN NOTES .

Criterion—Mr . R . C Carton ' s amusing comedy , " The Undercurrent , " has achieved a deserved popularity by the admirable acting of all concerned , and there is no play at the present performing in London that is presented in a more natural and perfect manner . Miss Compton ' s personification of the Countess Zechyadi is the perfection of art . No one could imagine her to be the

same lady who lately appeared as Lady Huntworth . Her manner , gestures , and the simulated foreign accent make it a real character part , which will stand high in her list of stage portraits . Sir Frank Keniston , the easy-going man of the world , brings out the talent of Mr . Arthur Bourchier in the-highest degree , and affords a fine contrast to the tragic earnestness of Miss Violet Vanbrugh in the

difficult role of Lady Shelmerdine . Another fine character is that of the wealthy but vulgar Joshua Sapcott , ably depicted by Mr . Arthur Williams , who never oversteps the dangerous border line of burlesque . Miss Anna Robinson presents the American girl , with archness and delicacy ; and Miss Muriel Ashwynne gives a bright picture of an unsophisticated English young lady . The lovers of these two are agreeably played by Mr . A . E . Matthews

and Mr . Lawrence Grossmith , on totally different lines ; while Messrs . Dawson Millward as Lord Leckenby , Mr . Arthur Hare as Lord Shelmerdine , Mr . Eric Lewis as Banthorpe , and Mr . Ernest Hendrie as Col . Wragby fill up the list of as fine a cast of characters as could be imagined or desired . Those who appreciate the perfection of acting should not fail to pay ' an early visit to this charming play , and we can assure them they will not be disappointed .

King ' s Theatre , Walthamstow . —There will be a big attraction here next week , as the great American drama ' " The Still Alarm" will be played for six nights . Thirteen years ago this piece was first played at the Princess's , and after a very successful run at that house , has since been taken round the provinces and suburbs , with marked success . This week it was

at the Grand , Islington , - and met a good reception , Miss Nina Vincent showing to great advantage as the heroine , supported by a strong company . Our readers in the neighbourhood of Walthamstow will do well to patronise their local house next week , as " The Still Alarm , " among other features , shows in a realistic

manner how the fire brigade stations in New York are conducted . The scene of the evening is that in the third act , where there is a turn out of the brigade in the short time of five seconds . The horses -are certainly well trained , as also is the greyhound , " Lady , " the firemen ' s pet .

Eppihg Forest Musical Society . —This capital society , now in its twentieth year , was formed to provide musical recreation during the winter months for the inhabitants of the district at the Royal Forest Hotel , Chingford , and so great has been its success that the Committee will soon have to consider the advisability of finding more spacious quarters . Smoking concerts

are given every fortnight , whilst Bohemian evenings , to which ladies are invited , are arranged occasionally . We were privileged to attend one of these agreeable functions last Saturday , when the spacious Pavilion was crowded to such an extent that every corner was occupied . Chingford is a great centre of Freemasonry , and it seemed almost a Masonic " Ladies Night" so great were the number

of Brethren present . Bro . William Shurmur presided , the vicechairs being occupied by Messrs . S . C . Batemah and William Hardy , while Messrs . Leo Taylor and W . T . Imbfey acted as courteous and efficient Stewards . The programme was exceptionally good . Miss Alice Motterway delighted everyone by her charming rendering of her songs , " An Old Romance" being

especially well sung . Miss Hetty Hills , a young contralto , has an excellent future before her as was evinced by her singing " Idle Words" and the £ i Promise of Life . " Mr . Ivor Foster ' s sweet voice was heard to great advantage in some pretty ballads , but Mr . Thomas Thomas negatived the pleasure of listening to him by his affectation . Mr . Walter Churcher contributed some of his

amusing recitations , and Mr . Robert Crawford played some solos on the violin in a masterly manner . Mr . and Mrs . W . H . Berry caused roars of laughter by their burlesque sketches , and Mr . Amies King ably presided at the piano . During the evening Bro . Shurmur presented testimonials in handsome frames to Messrs . J . E . Clayton , the Treasurer , and George H . Pizey , the late Secretary ,

for the services ' they had rendered to the Society , for which those gentlemen returned thanks . Mr . Hardy proposed , a cordial vote of thanks to Bro . Shurmur for presiding , anc ' l expressed the pleasure of all present at seeing him once again restored to health . The proposition was seconded and carried amid loud applause . Bro . Shurmur thanked the company for their kind reception , and hoped they had all enjoyed a pleasant evening .

Prince Of Wales's Hospital Fund.

PRINCE OF WALES'S HOSPITAL FUND .

IN response to an appeal issued by the Organising Committee of the Prince of Wales ' s Hospital . Fund for London to Factories , Workshops , & c , the following amounts have been received : —The employees of Messrs . B . J . Hall and Co ., £ 2 4 s 6 d ; The employees of Messrs . Horrockses , Crewdson and Co ., Ltd .,

£ 2 as ; The employees of Messrs . W . W . Rouch and Co ., £ 1 IS > The employees of Messrs . Langley" and Sons , £ 1 ; The emp loyees of Messrs . J . Barringer and Sons , 14 s ; The employees of Messrs . Geo . Beddow and Co ., 10 s . Contributions have also been received ' from Messrs . A . Goetz and Co ., Ltd ., ^ 10 10 s ; Messrs . A . RDavis and Co .. £ 2 2 s ; Messrs . S . and A . Calderara , £ 1 is ; Mr . J . Mansfield , £ 1 ; D . V . and J . C , 10 s .

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