Reports Of Meetings.

P . M . Preceptor , B . Cohen S . D ., J . Holden Treas . J . D ., Douglas I . G ., H . J . Watts , J . Burton , J . Wynman , and others . The Lodge being duly formed the minutes of last meeting were confirmed . The W . M . opened the Lodge in the second degree , and the first and second sections were worked . Besuming to the first degree Bro . Holden was entrusted , and the ceremonv of passing was rehearsed .

A letter was read from Bro . E . Horton Secretary , tendering his resignation , and Bro . E . Sinclair P . M . was unanimously elected to the post . Honorary membership was conferred on the new Secretary , and also upon Bro . J . Wynman ( FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLK ) , which compliment was duly acknowledged . Bro . Burton was elected a member , and Bro . C . H . Bandall chosen W . M . for next Wednesday . This Lodge meets every Wednesday , at 3 o'clock , and Brethren wishing for instruction will find Bro . A . Darch P . M . an excellent Preceptor .

Work In Calcutta.

WORK IN CALCUTTA .

A COERESPONDENT , writing to the " Indian Masonic Eeview " of his visit to Calcutta , gives us this peep into a Lodge room in that city : Proceeding upstairs , we arrive at the vestibule to the Lodge . In this it

has been the pious custom of the Bengal Masons -to erect small tablets to departed Brethren of rank and merit , and by this practice a rather fuller scope is permitted in the matter of symbolical ornamentation . In addition to this it is a happily conceived idea to perpetuate the memories of illustrious Brethren in this way within the walls of that building which was ever their principal sphere of action .

It was formerly customary ( till March in the present year ) to confer the third degree in a special room , painted dead black , with accessories of a very realistic kind , crossed swords , & c . The Master's light , bearing a shade inscribed " Know thyself , " the top being cut so as to cast a star upon the ceiling of the room . I was fortunate enough to see what must have been the

last use of this room , and also the very next night to see the old custom replaced by working which resembles that in vogue in the Madras Lodges and in England . Perhaps the principal drawback to the separate room was that two degrees were frequently being worked by on ? Lodge simultaneously , which naturally gave rise to questions as to the Warrant or the Master ' s light .

The Lodge Boom itself is rather longer than the breadth would justify , lighted throughout , even to the Master's and Wardens' lights , with gas . The latter are placed immediately in front of and not at the side of the pedestals which rather obscures the principal Officers while in the discharge of their respective duties . The Warrant of the Lodge at work is always placed in

front of the Master ' s pedestal , the Master himself sitting some twelve feet behind his pedestal on a dais raised three steps higher than the usual dais which is occupied by the P . Ms . ; he has thus to rise and come down these steps for ceremonies . On each side of the three chairs are columns emblematical of the W . M . and Wardens , standing fully six feet high ; these are distinctly fine works of the carver ' s art and lend dignity to the room .

The chairs in use are very old and curious , the oval cushions at the back being enclosed by the " endless serpent , " which is gilt . Immediately after the entry or departure of a Brother the Lodge is rjroved tyled , and no ceremony is proceeded with till this is done . Of the Lodges which I visited in this building , none was more impressive than the working of the native Lodge Anchor of Hope ; the smartness and regularity of the Officers and Master were indeed beyond all praise , and would form a

very high standard for the imitation of other Lodges . Not a few of the P . Ms , of this Lodge wore the Cooch Behar Founder ' s Jewel , which literally blazed with brilliants . Another curious custom obtaining in Bengal is that of remaining seated while drinking the health of the newly-initiated Brother , and the good old custom of musical honours rendered Masonically , one particularly being " Hip , heart and hand , " which a Brother tells me must be a corruption of ' •Lip , heart and hand . "

The District Grand Lodge of Bengal has some 75 , 000 rupees set apart towards building a Masonic Temple . The Bengal Masonic Association generously cares for forty-two children , and has 115 , 000 rupees to the credit of its capital account . — " American Tyler . "

Among important rules recognised from the earliest period in the government of the Craft are the following : Never solicit any man to become a Mason . Never recommend an applicant unless you know him to be a man of upright character . Never

cast your ballot for a candidate unless you have confidence that he is worthy , and that he will conform to the laws and precepts of Freemasonry . How much trouble would be saved if members of the Fraternity would always conform to these rules !— " Free masons Repository . "

We may direct the attention of the correspondent who recently wrote us in reference to the " un-Masonic" character of many " Masonic " sermons to the report given this week of one preached by the Provincial Grand Chaplain of Derry and

Donegal , and which is nearly free of doctrinal references that would make it out of place if delivered in a Lodge where members of different religious were assembled , indeed if we cut out the one reference to the Reformation we think much of it may be recommended as a well arranged Masonic Oration .

Bro . Peter Le Page P . M . and Secretary 243 , a Mason well known in Guernsey and the Channel Islands , is interesting himself on behalf of Bertie Frank Webb , an approved candidate

for the benefits of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and he will be pleased to receive any proxies our readers can spare on behalf of the lad , who is the son of the late Bro . James Webb , who was initiated in No . 168 , at Guernsey , in 1883 , and

Work In Calcutta.

subsequently joined Nos . 349 and 2074 , subscribing altogether for a period of twelve years . Our Brother died in 1896 , leaving his widow and children unprovided for . o o o Freemasonry inculcates broad and generous views of humanity . As organised into a society it chooses its own

members and establishes a close bond of connection between those thus selected . It does its work in prescribed methods—a work of goodly fellowship and service in behalf of its own household of faith , —but its interests and its sympathies are world wide . It has a right to adopt the motto : " Humani nihil

alienum , " selected by Dr . Winslow Lewis for the seal and banner of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts . The celebrated line in Terrance from which the foregoing words are quoted may be freely translated as follows : I am a man ; and all that pertains to human interests comes home to me . Freemasonry

rests upon this foundation , viz .: The brotherhood of man—the solidarity of the race . So it is the true Mason keeps himself in touch with the world about him , is sympathetic , tolerant , and large hearted , being always responsive to that " one touch of nature which makes the whole world kin . "— " Repository . "

Entertainment Notes.

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES .

Terry ' s . — " The French Maid " is still running her successful course , which she so amusingly inaugurated last Easter , and to judge by the delighted audiences who crowd the theatre every evening , there appears no reason why she should not dance away merrily until such time as Bro . Edwd . Terry sees fit to show us the light of his countenance . Of course so bright and lively a piece , full of witty dialogue , pretty music , and innocent fun , was sure to make its mark , but it is now seen in its highest state of perfection , as

time has enabled the various artistes to develop their characters , and extract the greatest possible amount of humour . Miss Kate Cutler is the daintiest of soubrettes , whose sweet voice is only equalled by her graceful dancing . Mr . Biehard Green is an experienced exponent of such parts as Lieut . Harry Fife , and renders his songs with the requisite dash and go . Mr . Murray King , as Charles Brown , is capital , and Mr . Joseph Wilson makes the most of the

character of Jack , his song " Her portrait next my heart " being given with delightful humour . Miss Louie Pounds , Miss Hilda Jeffreys , Messrs . H . O . Cleary , George Mudie , Windham Guise , and Percy Percival contribute to the general merriment , while Mr . Eric Lewis , as Monsieur Camembert , and Miss Alice Barth , as the Admiral ' s wife , complete the list of an altogether excellent caste . Mr . W . H . Griffiths , the present manager , may be congratulated upon securing one of the very best entertainments in London .

Criterion . —Miss Martha Morton seems to be a little uncertain whether she intended " The Sleeping Partner " to be a domestic drama or a farcical comedy , but if that point were decided , and the necessary alterations made , there is no reason why the play should not achieve a success that it at present fails to attain . It is certainly a happy thought to turn the tables upon the male sex , and make the father-in-law take the place of the much maligned mother-in-law . We are unable to reconcile the steady-going city

man with the interfering busy-body Henry Bassett , but something must be allowed for imagination , and his exaggerated fondness for his newly married daughter causes plenty of fun in the discomfiture and disgust of her husband . Mr . James Welch represents the father-in-law ( a far better title for the play ) , more in a humorous vein , with pathetic touches that appear incongruous , but this is hardly his fault . Miss Lena Ashwell is charming as

tho young wife , divided in her affection between husband and father , and Mr . Fred Terry is an easy and natural John Temple . Of the remaining supplementary characters Mr . F . H . Tyler , who is to be commended for his impersonation as Mason , the butler ; Mr . Biehard Lambert and Miss Audrey Ford , as a pair of lovers ; Miss Paget , as a lady florist ; and Mrs . E . H . Brooke , as Aunt Janet , all do the most with their respective characters , but—the inevitable but—the pith of the piece is wanting .

Palace . —The programme presented at this handsome house always represents the variety theatre " in excelcis , " every item is the best of its kind , novelties are constantly produced , while nothing approaching vulgarity is permitted . On our last visit we found several old favourites in the persons of Gus Elen , with new songs ; Sadie Jerome , wonderfully improved from an artistic point of view ; the Gardenias , in theirrefined entertainment ; and the

American Biograph , with a new series of pictures . The new comers include Miss May Howard , ballad singer ; Wilson and Waring , two clever sketch artistes hailing from the States ; Mays and Hunter , remarkable banjo players ; and Madlle . Deyo . a pretty little dancer . But the chief attraction in our eyes was to see the cheery face of Bro . Charles Morton , just returned from an all too brief holiday , courteously looking after his patrons and exchanging a pleasant word with old friends .

Parkhurst . —The high class entertainments provided at this house week by week should prove the source of attraction and enjoyment to increasing numbers of North London residents , who are able to witness most of the best performances of the hour almost at their own doors , amid most comfortable surroundings , and at reasonable cost . As it is the rule with the management to change the piece each week it is somewhat out of place to refer to what is being presented at the time of writing ; it is best to generalise ,

and say that the pieces selectpd for representation are of the best , while the performers invariably occupy high places among the travelling companies of the day . We were present on Monday at the first performance here of the "Kangaroo Girl , " and were delighted at the heartiness with which the piece was presented . Every member of the company worked well together ,

and each took full advantage of the many lively situations with which the piece abounds , while tho appreciation of the audience was shown in frequent applause and most hearty laughter . Mr . Perfect is able to announce some special favourites among his future arrangements , including " Four little Girls , " to be given next week ; "Frivolity" for the week commencing 20 th inst ., and " From Scotland Yard " for the following one .