Completion Of The New Masonic Hall At Dunblane.

gold—the background being pink several shades lighter than the walls , while shades of green are pleasingly introduced on cornice and frieze . Tho dado round the walls and other woodwork is stained dark oak , with ebonized mouldings and rich gold headings . The floor is stained dark oak and polished . On the wall behind the

altar there is an admirably executed Masonio design , painted in marble , with devices in gold . Altogether , the interior of the hall prosents an exceedingly chaste and elaborate appearance . Tho entire cost of decorating the hall , upwards of £ 60 , was defrayed by Bro . Sir John Stirling Maxwell , Bart ., of Pollok .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Criterion . —It is pleasing to notice the flattering reception accorded the revival of T . W . Robertson's simple little comedy "Caste , " a piece that recalls memories of the glorious days of the old Prince of Wales' Theatre under the Bancroft management , when a specially constituted company was engaged for plays of this

description , and were personally superintended by the author . Public taste has doubtless greatly changed since "Caste" was first produced , and it is also most d fficult to replace those actors who gave the charm to the slight story by thtir perfect acting . Still Mr . William Duck has brought together a fairly representative

gathering , nnd they who did not witness the comedy at tho old theatre will have no reason to complain . Mr . Leonard Boyno gives a satisfactory rendering of George D'Alroy , and Mr . Arthur Elwood fairly represents the eccentricities of Captain Hawtree , while Miss Olga Brandon pathetically portrays tho character of

Esther Ecoles . Admirers of Mr . David James can readily imagine what he would make of that sublime humbug Ecoles , and sallies of laughter run through the house whenever he makes his appearance . Miss Lottie Venne is lively and diverting as Polly , and Mr .

Brookfield gives a life-like portrait of the young workman , Sam Gerridge . May we suggest the advisability of having a short farce in front of the comedy , as the complaints as to the long intervals wero loud and deep on the occasion of onr visit ?

On Wednesaynext , the loth instant , at tho Aveuue , will be produced a new Opera Comique , in three acts , entitled " La Prima Donna , " composed by Tito Mattei , adapted from a well known story by H . B . Farnie and Alfred Murray . The new scenery is by Richard Douglass and Fred Storey . The incidental dances have been

arranged by Mr . Willie Warde . Tho following are in the oast : — Mesdames Sara Palma , Florence Paltzer , Amelia Gruhn , Alice Lethbridge , & c . ; Messrs . Alec Marsh , Joseph Taploy , George Sinclair , Geo . Capel , Harry Grattau aud Albert Chevalier . Mr . Johu Crook will conduct .

Certainly a new era for such towns a 3 Eastbourne , Reading , Oxford , and Cambridge , has been opened up by tho enterprise of Mr . Gloster Armstrong , in booking matinees of "iEsop ' s Fables " with tho enfciro London Company , fclms affording tha Ideal residents

tho opportunity of seeing a London success , with such artists as Mr . Penloy a ? id Miss Stanley playing , without their having the expense and trouble of journeying to London . "Imitation is tho sincorest flattery , " so Mr . Edonin has followed Mr . Armstrong ' s lead and booked " Our Flat" for a inatinea at Roadinc .

Nothing succeeds like success . Sevon companies aro playing " The Balloon " through the country , and three companies are booking dates for the spring aud two for tho autumn of 1890 .

New Music.

NEW MUSIC .

Triumphal March . Composed by Bro . FAKKEN LAMBERT . London Weokes and Co , 14 llanover Streot , Regent Street , W . Tins march , which is dedicated by special permission to Her R . H . the Duchess and His Grace the Duke of Fife , on tho occasion of their marriage , is a most welcome addition to our march music . It is a

tuneful composition , with pienty of swing in if , while it is suited for the piano or American organ just as well as to the organ . It is an appropriate piece for weddings , harvest fo 3 tivalp , or any other jubilant occasion , and has already become very popular , more

especially in the \ Ve 3 t of England , where tha Freemasons welcome it with pleasure at their installation and other banquets . Lover 3 of marches will do well to got a copy of Bro . Farren Lambert ' s composition , for it is a capita ! piece of music .

On the 25 th ult ., tho Freemasons of the Retfoi-d district had an interesting gathering on the borders of tho Dnkeries , at Haugliton , formerly the ancestral homo of the Eirls of Clare . In the ancient ruins of the Chapel a Lodge was opeued , by special dispensation granted by the Provincial Grand Lodgo of Nottinghamshire . . The architectural features of tho building were explained , and its history

traced , and the members also visited the . site of tho old hall , on tho banks of the River Mann . The party were favoured with most brilliant weather , and the outing , which had been arranged by Worshipful Bro . Past Master Marshall , was of a most enjoyable character . Luncheon was afterwards served at Lound Hall , ac which Mr . Marshall presided , Mr . Walker , of tho Criterion , Retford , being tho caterer .

Ad01004

mO THE DEAF . —A Person cured of Deafness and noises in tho JL head of 23 years' standing by a simple remedy , will send a description of it ¥ EZZ to auy Person why applies to NICUOWO - , ' A iSedibrd-square , W . O .

Obituary.

Obituary .

— : o : — BRO . MICHAEL WATSON THE death of Brother Michael Watson ' occurred , at his residence , 28 The Gardens , East Dulwich , on the 3 rd inst . The deceased gentleman , who had achieved a considerable reputation as a composer of songs , anthems , trios , and duets , was a son of a professor of music at Newcastle-on-Tyne , and was born in 1839 . He commenced life as a

student at the old school of design at Marlborough House , but subsequently adopted his father ' s profession . Many of his earlier compositions appeared under the pseudonym of " Jules Favre . " His well-known song , " The Powder Monkey , " won for him merited popularity . Amongst other

of his numerous contributions to tho musical repertoire may be mentioned " Anchored , " " The Kissing Gate , " "All in a Garden Fair , " " The Old Timepiece , " " Somebody's Pride , " "The vision of Love , " "Afloat , " and " Little Birdie mine . " At the time of his death he was

engaged upon two sacred cantatas and operettas , and an original comedy opera . His premature decease will be deeply regretted by a large number of friends and admirers .

Bro . Michael Watson was a member of the Chough Lodge , and had intended to have been present at the installation meeting , on 26 th ultimo , when his new song , " My Lass and I , " was rendered by Bro . A . Strugnell .

BRO . CHARLES H . O'DONOGHUE .

ON Tusday , the 1 st instant , the remains of Bro . Charles H . O'Donoghue , a native of Devonport , were consigned to the grave in the churchyard of Lidlington , Bedfordshire , the place in which he has laboured as the Master of the

Board School for the last eleven years . The deceased had been ill for over three mouths , and his sufferings had been very intense indeed . The early part of his career was passed as a pupil teacher , under the tuition of the late

Mr . Thomas Good , at the Royal Naval and Military Free Schools , Devonport , from which establishment he proceeded to the Exeter Training College . After passing the full terra be became master of a school in Surrey , but

eventually joined the service as a naval schoolmaster , and in which he served ten years . He was at the time of his death the president of the Bedford and Ampfchill Teachers '

Association , and also tho delegate selected for that district to attend the annual conference of the National Union of Teachers . He was also a member of the Beaudesert Lodge , No . 1087 , lei ^ hton Buzzard .

The regular monthly meeting of the Committeo of Management of the Royal Masonic Boncvolent Institution was held at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday . Bro . J . A . Farnfield ( Vice-Patron and Treasurer ) occupied the chair , and there were present Bros . James Brett , John Balmer ,

C . A . Cottebrune , John E . Dawson , Joseph Freeman , W . H . Perryman , C . H . Webb , Charles Daniel , E . West , G . Bolton , W . Masters , Dr . Jabez Hogg , Alex . Forsyth , W . H . Hubbert , G . E . Fairchild , J . S . Cumberland , T . B . Purchas , Charles G . Hill , L . G . Gordon Robbins , Chas . J . Perceval , David D . Mercer , Charles Kempton , A . Durrant , Hugh Cotter , W . B . Daniell , C . Lacey , William Clarke , Henry Cox , C . H . Driver , Robert Berridge , L . C . Haslip , Frederick Mead , Robert Griggs , W . Belchamber , W . J . Murlis , C . F . Hogard , A . H . Tattershall , W . Smith , John Larkin , John J . Berry , and James Terry ( Secretary ) .

Ihe minutes of the previous meeting wero read and , after a long discussion , verified by a large majority . The Secretary reported the death of two female annuitants . Tho Warden ' s report for the past month was read , and

that of the Finance Committee read , adopted , and ordered to be entered on the minutes . One petition ( male ) having been considered and accepted , and tho name ordered to be

placed on the list of candidates for the election in May 1890 , tho proceedings terminated , with a vote of thanks to the Chairman .

The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire , under the presidency of the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master , Viscount Ebrington , M . P ., will be held at Seaton , on Wednesday , the 6 th November next .