West Lancashire Educational Institute.

WEST LANCASHIRE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE .

RELIEF for tho distressed is ono of the principal characteristics of Freemasonry , and in no other portion in tho kingdom—with tho solitary exception of tho homo of tho Grand Lodgo itself , tho metropolis—does tho blessed work of charity receive a greater impulse tha * r from tho Masonic brethren of West Lancashire . Tho

infinite amount of good that the Masonio Educational Institution of this Province is enabled to perform by reason of the hearty support ifc receives is made abundantly manifest by tho issue of its annual report . A ball is held every January , in the Town Hall , in aid of its funds , and apart from that it can boast of a governing body of

influential members of tho Craffc , whose nntiring efforts in its behalf aro invariably crowned with success . But thero aro two other Institutions of excellent aims , that are supported by local Masons , Institutions fco whose smaller growth and limited scope of operations , when compared with tho educational establishment referred to , are apt to place

them for enough in tho back-ground to endanger them being overlooked . And tho Hamer ancl Alpass Benevolent Institutions have no slight claims upon the Fraternity . The one was founded about fifteen years ngo for aged ancl distressed Freemasons , and tho other , still a bantling , was formed for relieving widows of Freemasons . It

received its name from the lato Brother II . S . Alpass , who for a very long period was tho respected Provincial Grancl Secretary of West Lancashire , and whose valuable services , no less his unfailing kindness aud courtesy , endeared him to all sections of the Masouic community . The last annnal report of fche Uamor Fund chronicles a

considerable docreasa in tho support usually extended to it , the total receipts being only £ 274 , compared with £ 619 in tho previous year . The subscriptions and donations amounted to £ 181 , against £ 534 in 18 S 7 , and , to add to this misfortune , the expenses of the charity had been far greater of lato owing to thoro being a larger

number of annuitants on tho foundation . Much of the decrease reported is due to the fact that the accounts have been closed earlier this year than formerly , in compliance with tho new by-kws . On the other hand , the Alpass fund has not much to complain of . Its income for the past year was £ 810 . Increasing demands upon its resources ,

howover , render a proportionately enlarged income absolutely necessary , The idea of a special and joint effort being made on behalf of the two funds occurred fco Bro . H . H . Smith , Hon . Secretary for tbo Hamer , five or six weeks ago . He communicated his desire to Bro . Ellis Braraall iun ., who unhesitatingly offered to give his beautiful Shakes .

paare theatre for any matinee performance thafc might be suggested . An executive was quickly formed , consisting of Bros . Councillor J . Houlding Chairman , Dr . J . Kellet Smith Vice-Chairman , A . J . J . Bamford Treasurer , H . F . Ncalo and Joseph West Secretaries , Ellis Bramall jun . and G . W . Harris Directors of Ceremonies . A strong

Committee was appointo'l in addition , including Bros . G . Broadbndge , T . H . W . Walker , Lieut . Macnab Secretary of the West Lancashire EJucational Institution , J . T . Callow Treasurer of the same body , H . H . Smith Secretary of tho Hamer Fund , George Morgan Treasurer

of the same , J . II . Barrow aud R . Foote Secretaries of tho Alpass Fund , R . Wy lie Treasurer of the game Institutiou . The Liverpool Opera Society offered to give their services , and the minor details were then taken in hand . No description of weather could have been more unfavourable to a theatrical entertainment than tha

incessant rain and close atmosphere on Saturday last ; and yet , despite all this , the Shakespeare was crowded in every part . So large was the booking that nearly all tho seats in tho best parts of

tho house were reserved before the opening of tho doors . The Opeia Company , witb its chorus of 60 voices , could not have performed their favourite opera "Maritana" before a moro appreciative audience . Brother the Earl of Lathom Prov . Grand Master , with

Lady Maud B . Wilbraham , Lady Edith B . Wilbraham , Miss Farqahar , and Miss Hand occupied one of tho private boxes ; and iu the fetalis were Bros . Sir David RadcHffe , Sir James Poole , and J . Howard ( Mayor of Bootle ) , and David Mclver . Bro . the Mayor of Liverpool ( who p laced his carriage ai the service of the Earf of Lathom aad

party in driving from and returning to tho railway stalian ) seut a letter fco Bro . Honlding , at Ihe eleventh hour , regrert ng that ho would be unavoidably prevented from attending . Prior ta the rising of the curtain a Masonic overture , specially composed for the occasion by Bro . II . Round , was phyed by the orchestra v > itb admirable effect .

The cast was made up as follows : The Kiug of Spain , Mr . 1 . S . Smith ; Don Jose , Mr . 0 . J . Rowlands * Djn Cio ^ ar , Mr . W . Griffiths ; the Marquis , Mr . T . H . Potfc'ir ; Lazarilb , Miss Millie Simon ; Captain of the Guard , Mr . Johu Lane ; Alcade , Mr . E . Sanders ; the Marchioness Mrs . M'Master ; Maritana , Miss Florence Dick . Hitherto

the Opera Society has only given recitals from Wallace ' s beautiful masterpiece , aud Saturday was the firs ! time that principals aad chorus appeared iu full stag' * , castuuis . The dresses , as well us the really capital mounting of tho piece , io need scaresly be added , greatly enhanced the performance , which , takeu as a vihuJe , was

conscientiously and creditably rendered . It cauld not be lor oue moment supposed , iu a city vihore "i . a : itana" is no ofieu rendered by firit-claSi talent , that all t ' ae leading artistes were up tu leqii . emeut . But iu tho cause of cha : ity the audience wero not disposed to bo exacting , aud applause was evoked aud eucoies bestowed jabt

as freely as if t'ae company had been a professional one . The choruses trere particularly worthy ol adm . ' rui-iuii . Ma-, 2 . 0 . Saepherd , by permission of Mr . Carl Rosa , acted aa conductor , aad Mr . A . Morch and Mr . D . 0 . Parry cfiiuiafc * J respectively as s ^ aga manager and chorus master . Mea ^ rd . Fineberg anl Lets , Bros . Sweetmau

( Perroquier ) , G . G . Wdlmb ' ey ( printer ) , A . Baekuull (^ as and lime . I IT-IIt contractor ) , Mr . James C ^ rr ( 'josiumiei ) , Mr . C . J . O'CJUUOI ( refreshment cor . t :-acto : ) , Bro . G . W . Ha : ri- > ( jeee . al liunugtu * el the theatre ) . Mr . Fred . Wright (• nnjioal direct . i ) aiid the working staff of the theatre rendered a . jiii : t . iuce to lire cair-miLtee in luakij ^; the eiitcrlalnnueiit a success .

Ar00701

FUUEiSALS pi'opoi-ly carried oui an . l personally attended ia London and Country , by Bro . G . A .. ILCJTTU . fX , 17 Kewcust . lt Street , Strand , W . C . Monuments ere-jtci . Valuations made .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Gaiety . —On Tuesday , tho 30 th nit ., "F ) n = fc up to Fate , " written by Messrs . G . R . Sims and IIf > nry Pefc'i'fc wis procured , with groat success . Although the piece his been cortnilo I to .- » twoact burlesque it occupied about thr o hours , the mix'miun tinn mosfc admirers of l > urlo * qno care for . It is a now vorn ' on <> f F . iu-fc j . nd

Margaret , in which Faust ' s laboratory H oliminued . Thn burlesque opens in the grounds of tho Italian Exhibition , at S infi Konsinuton , where the aged philosopher , moved by an enlivened crowd , rlech res he would give bis soul to be aycnfch again , wherouprn Mephistrphelea descends from the clouds , h . la Baldwin and tho commutation is

quickly achieved . Margaret soon appears , officiating as a barmaid , and Faust assails her with endearmei ts , with re ? ult that sho acquaints him with her address and leave- * him . A throng of resellers nov appear , who , boing annoyed by tho fiend , turn their swords upon him , but are transmuted to inanimate obj"ct . Then fellows a very

amusing scene between Mephisfcopheles an I Valentin " , wherein the old Roman game of tossing for pennies w introduced . In the tceno of the garden Margaret dreams of her lover , and up > a Siebel springing beside her , with his rapturous exclamation , '" I lovo voi , miss ; I'll love you till I die , " her idealism instuitly vanisho- * , when tho

adopts the Billingsgate vernacular in tho retort , " ON , take a run , " instancing wifch remarkable effect her powers of diversifieai i ' ii . Valentine , becoming cognisant of Faust ' s attention fco hu sister , makei her a ward in Chancery , before proceeding fco the war ? , and thi .-j gives the opportunity of introducing the Lord Chancellor . Fausfc , of

course , secretly marries Margaret , but through fear of tha consequences entailed by such contempt of the Court of Chancery , he dara not reveal the facfc . Valentine , on bis return from the campaign , distributes medals to the soldiers , who are represented by group * ot pretty and gorgeously attired damsels , divided into different sections .

He further induces merriment by his song * ' The soldier born . " Tbe duel between Faust and Valentine now takes plaon , and this is followed by tbe representation of Margaret ' s cell , and tho final scene , in fcho Olympia Gardens , where a new Irish song , dealing with Hibernian pugnacity , is sung with manifest spirit by Mr . Louuen , the time in

the choral refrain being marked by the beating of shillelaghs on the grouud and on the occiputs of the singers . This called forth v < olferom applause and was thrice encored . Miss Florence Sfc . John played Margaret with hor usual talent , and snug admirably throughout ; still , it is to be regretted thafc she had nofc more songa allotted her .

Miss Fanny Robina was a capable Faust , and evinced b „ th grace aud neatness in her dancing ; while she especially distinguished herself in tho song " I ' ve roamed the world over . " Mr . E . J . Lounenalways an indefatigable worker—enlivened the audience by his per . sonatiou of Mephisfcopheles ; some of his puns were exceedingly

smart , aud were greatly applauded . Mr . Geo . Stone gives ua a comij Valentino , while Miss Mary Jones represents M irtha . 0 , d Faust was played by Mr . Harry Parker , who declared th it it wag hwho signed the bond , much to the comfort of Fausfc aud Margaret .

The scenery , by Messrs . Ryan , Telbiu , and Banks , and the music by Herr Meyer Lutz , left nothing to be desired . Alter a few alterations havo been made , " Fausfc up to Date " will ensure the patronage it so well deserves . "

Collins ' s . —The frienda and admirers of Bro . Herbert Sprako must-Ted in full force ou Tuesday evening to compliment him on the twenty-sixth anniversary assembly . Year after yeir has this celebration takeu place , and wo may truthfully say thafc tho meetings are looked forward to by uiai > y as au oppo tuulty Lr

cementing old acquaintanceships . Bro . Sprako has established himself a general favourite amongst IsliuKtoriians , and by hia canf . il mauagement has made the Hall he presides over one of the favour !* - * resorts of the North of London . Ou Tuesday proceedings commenced early , aud went merrily along uutil clone ou midnight . Foity-out )

artistes in all lent their aid , whilst many moro were icaily to do a * ' turn " should opportunity . rise . We l . avo much p : <* a- ' - * i <* in appending a list of those who appeared : —Sisters Arch' -r , > Vrl ) 13 > ycc , Sisters Graham , Arthur Corney , Sisters liatehclrr , Kitty Cay ton , Sisters Riohmoud , Poole ' s Minstrels , D . o Hetberi"gtoi < , George

Mordauut , T . P . Haynes und Ruse Lewis , Li tie Flu .-tt . ic , Six-eid Holloway , Sam Saunders , Florrie Lavvrer ; C ' » , Tom Squire , Abed Leamar , Joe Lawreuoe , Edith Mauley , Arthur Tinsley , Florrie Lt > biua , Dutch Daly , Sisfc-jrs Lloyd , Mohawk Miiidtreld ( .-lee pii fcv ) , I-muiiy Danvers , Walter Howard , Maud Hazel , ihe Tandem , APred Liiv-is ,

Lottie Dettnur , Maxam aud Cawthorne , May Selby , Ha vy fiesur , the Brarifct ' ords , Marie Lloyd , Harry Anderson , Pf ( , 'gy Pry . If , Biewbter Combination , Hurry Randall , Fred . Hamilton , St ¦ ¦ *? * Cooke ,

During the evening Bro . Sprako returned thanks , in a fe . v tveil o loder remarks , for the support uceorued him iu the pudt , and promised ihaG all he could do iu the future to keep up tha predti ^ u of his c-. fcaol . aamerit should be cheerfully attempted .

Auother sucoesa was attained by tho Avenue management ou Wednesday , w-heu " Nad ^ y" wad produooJ . Tue leoep-ioii of tlu piece was moat cordial , while all ojuouruod were hi ghly eoaip . ituoub-J .

Wo bhall give a full notice iiu" week . Ou Thursday , owing to tho scenery nob being ready , Miss Graod Hawthorne decided to postpone tho prouuetiju of " Hauds across thj Sea" uutil to-uighfc ( Saturday ) . '

Bro . G . S . Graham announces his tvvouty-four h auuual grand concert , which will Uke place ou Mond . iy next , the i 2 fca iuaUnt , ao the Parochial Hall , Oidrid ^ e-ruad , Balhuui-hiil , Lj , » lham . ur > . Graham will be aebioted by the following ara . ites : — Maudime R . eoaeluiami , Madame Worrell , Miss Muu ,.. e Hayter , Mieid M'iri . i Norton ( p . auise ) ,

aud Miss Emily Mollhuioh ( pup . l of Midi JM " . ri . o . i ); Br . < . Arthur Thomas , Mr . Herbert Srurd Reeve .-, Bro-i . L ' uaXace Ja' -, Henry Prenton , aud MoCaLl Chambers . At ted piano on . ** Mr . J id . ILilU >

Mibd Cu ' viuu , Waite ( dole vioiiu ) , Mr . fe ' eiMiudud Daekiei * F . vJ . O . ( SJIO piauiot ) , Mr . Wui-icy Cho .-fc ( dwlo flute ) . Uooid open afc 7 . 0 . Commence at 8 preciooiy . Tiekotd Id , 2 d au , i 3 d m ^ -y 1 * 3 hai of B . j , U . Ii , Graham , IL ^ zAdcj . u , Cu-uiorJ-io ^ J JJalLuui .