New Year's Entertainment At Wood Green.

NEW YEAR'S ENTERTAINMENT AT WOOD GREEN .

THE bleak weather on Thursday evening did not prevent a large assemblage of friends from participating in the New Year ' s entertainment given to the pupils at the Royal Masonio Institution for Boys , arrangements for which had , aa usual , been made by fche House Committee . Theso Festivals are looked forward to with very keen interest by fche chnbby little lads who , from a variety of

circumstances remain at school , while tho majority of their comrades are away enjoying their Christmas vacation ; and , judging from the happy faces assembled in the great hall on Thursday evening , the considerate kindness of the executive in providing them with a couple of hours' real enjoyment was appreciated to the full . It is very evident that those to whom have been entrusted the conduct of this

splendid Institution , do not believe in the motto , " All work and no play , " and the consequence is that there are very few " dull boya " among the circle over whioh Bro . the Rev . Dr . Morris so genially and ably presides as Head Master . We have had the pleasurable duty , on many occasions , both at the summer athletic fetes and other redletter days at Wood Green , to notice how thoroughly wholesome

relaxation is blended with the ordinary studies in the School , and we must oongratnlate the House Committee and the subscribers gene , rally , upon the happy results which have flowed from the wise and discreet admixture of labour and recreation included in the curriculum at this Institution . In the face of many difficulties and disappointments , which were alluded to in the course of the evening by

the indefatigable and excellent Secretary , Bro . F . Binckes , a varied and attractive programme was placed before the boys and their friends at this year ' s merry making , and all passed off as pleasantly as conld be desired . The youngsters having been treated to a little extra consideration in the dining-hall by their ever-attentive and thoughtful Matron , Miss Hall , assembled at half-past six o ' clock for the

entertainment , and we conld but notice the cheerful , happy countenances of the lads as they filed into the room , and took their seats , fnll of anticipation of th * treat in store for them . Here they were joined by a large company of friends and supporters of the institution , who occupied the front tiers and seats , and amongst whom we noticed—Bro . J . L . Mather , Bro . C . F . Matier , Mrs . and Miss Matier , Bro . the

Rev . Dr . Morns , Bro . Frederick Binckes ( Secretary ) , the Misses Binckes , Bro . C . F . Hogard , Bro . G . F . Row , Mrs . Culmer , Mrs . Canning , Bro . W . Wray Morgan , Mrs . and Miss H . E . Morgan , Mrs . J . Constable , Bro . E . C . Massey , Mrs . Penny , Bro . Richardson , Mrs . and the Misses Dnrrant , Mrs . Bowyer and Family , and many other visitors resident in the village of Wood-green and its surroundings . As

the audience was assembling the band of the Institution—or such , members of ifc as Mr . Ware could muster , many of his corps being away on holiday bent—played selections of mnsic in a style most creditable to a " scratch" team , and they were loudly applauded for their efforts . Bro . Binckes , who was , as nsual , almost Protean in his efforts to make the affair go off smoothly and successfully—for he

was here , there , and everywhere , superintending the arrangements , even to the minutest details , and improvising every available means of filling np gaps where they wonld otherwise have remained apparent—addressed a few words to the company , intimating thafc the executive had this year taken a new departure , whioh he hoped would be accepted .

They had secured the valuable services of Brother Lieutenant Cole , the eminent and unequalled ventriloquist , who was about to submit to them some of his marvellous powers of mimicry and mirth , and he felt sure the children especially would be delighted with his clever exploits with " fche Merry Folk and Talking Automata . " He then introduced Brother Cole , who went through his very humorous

and clever repertoire of ventriloquial sketches , to the infinite amusement of the little folk , as well as of the " children of larger growth . " For upwards of an hour the " Lieutenant" kept up a running fire of fun , at which the audience laughed consumedly—more especially at the mercenary "Tommy Tucker ; " the jolly old Lancashire lad , "Tommy Treddlehoyle , " who persisted in declaring the whole

show ' was " a regular do ; " Miss Maggie Macdougall , the braw Scotch lassie of the old school ; Zac Longshanks , the blighted being ; and the comic little black bogie in buttons , whose grotesque guffaws were as catching as a cough before a sermon . Afc the close of his very clever delineations , Brother Cole received a mosfc cordial vote of thanks , proposed by Brother Binckes , on behalf of the

Committee and the audience , and the Lieutenant suitably acknowledged the compliment paid to him . In the interval between the first and second parts of the entertainment , the Misses Binckes played Coote ' s " Promenade " quadrilles as a duefc upon the pianoforte , in a manner thafc elicited unqualified tokens of appreciation . A concert of vocal and instrumental music followed , in introducing

which Bro . Binckes explained the difficulty which the committee had experienced in securing professional talent at this season of the year , which had compelled them to fall back , at very short notice , upon volunteer effort . He was much pleased , however , thafc many friends had rallied round them , and he trusted the audience might be enabled to complete a couple of hours' unmitigated enjoyment . The

programme opened with a trio on the pianoforte , " The Chough and Crow , " brilliantly played by Miss Binckes , Miss Agnes Binckes , and Miss Matier , who were rapturously applauded ; and this was followed by a song from Miss Coyte Turner , who sang " Punchinello" in charming style , displaying to advantage a rich soprano voice of great compass , and well under control . Bro . Richardson came next , with a familiar nautical song .

Sailing , which was much enjoyed , and Miss Binckes played an exquisite solo on the pianoforte , which met wit * a cordial reception . Bro . Matier , then , in facetious terms , announced that , in spite of all their disarrangements , the Committee had succeeded in securing the services of one of the most eminent tragedians of fcho day , who wonld recite a selection from Shakepeare ; and fche laughter was lond and genuine as Bro . Binckes stepped npon the dais , and acknowledged the delicate encomium passed upon his histrionic qualifications . Ho then

New Year's Entertainment At Wood Green.

recited with good effect the apology from " Othello , " for which he was greeted with genuine applause . Miss Coyte Turner then sang "Turn again , Whittington , " in a manner that earned for her renewed expressions of approbation ; and Bro . Matier recited the grotesquely humorous " Yara of the Nancy Bell , " from the " Bab Ballads , " which evoked irresistible laughter . Bro . Richardson followed with the

lusty old ditty , " Down among the Dead Men , and Bro . W . W . Morgan recited in spirited form the " Charge of the Light Brigade , " whioh was woll received . The trio , " Gli Ugueonotti , " was then played by the Misses Binckes and Miss Matier , bringing to a fitting close a programme whioh was intensely relished by all present . Afc the close , Bro . Binckes expressed the hope that the andience had not

been altogether disappointed with the evening s amusement whioh had been provided for them . He had enjoyed fche evening from hia point of view , and he only wished those who chose to write florid descriptions of the " cold and cheerless " aspect of this building had been present , when he thought they would arrive at a very different conclusion . Every one connected with the Institution did his best to

give a hearty and hospitable reception to those who visited fche School , and such comments as those which had recently appeared in a certain journal were utterly undeserved and uncalled for . The committee were much pleased to see so numerous an assembly of the friends of the Institution ; they only wished there were many more .

In commencing fche New Year , he offered them all , on behalf of the executive of the School , the best wishes for a " Happy New Tear . " It had opened in a truly sensational manner , bnt let them hope that in the conrse of it they might derive all the happiness they them * selves could wish . He concluded by quoting the old

couplet" To each and all a fair good night , Most happy dreams and slumbers bright . " Bro . Binckes's appropriate remarks , and especially bis reference to a recent anonymous imputation against the management of the School , were received with unbounded applause . The Head Muster then proposed a vote of thanks to those ladies and gentlemen who bad

combined to make up so excellent and enjoyable an entertainment , and to the Committee and Bro . Binckes , who had taken the trouble to go into every matter of detail , and to provide so capital a treat as one and all had thoroughly enjoyed . The vote waa carried amidst acclamation , and Brother Binckes replied in a few

happily chosen sentences , after which the National Anthem was sung by the whole company , and the lads soon afterwards were marched off to snpper and bed . A number of the invited gnests who had come from a distance were subsequently entertained at snpper , returning home by the late trains , after having spent a thoroughly happy and enjoyable evening .

The members of the Lodge of Prosperity , No . 65 , will hold their Annual Ball on Tuesday next , 16 th inst ., at the Cannon-street , Hotel . Brethren from other Lodges desirous of attending can procure tickets , by applying to Bro . J . Roberts W . M . 65 , 32 Lawrence-lane , Cheapside ,

who will be happy to furnish full particulars . We may add that the price for a lady ' s ticket is 10 s 6 & , a gentleman ' s 15 s ; while double tickets , admitting lady and gentleman , can be had for 21 s . This includes refreshments and supper .

At the North London Chapter of Improvement , Canon , bury Tavern , Islington , N ., on Thursday , 11 th January , Comp . Gregory filled the chair of Z ., Comp . Deane H ., R . Bird J ., Osborn S . N ., Pearcy P . S ., Edmonds Preceptor . The various duties were sustained by each officer in a praiseworthy manner .

At the monthly meeting of the Constantine Lodge of Mark Master Masons , No . 145 , held at the George Hotel , Colchester , on Thursday evening , 11 th inst ., Bro . James

P . Lewin J . W . was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year . W . Bro . Fred . A . Cole was re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Munson Tyler . Twenty brethren were present .

On Wednesday evening , the 24 th January , Bro . James Terry P . M . P . Z . P . P . G . J . W . Herts , & c , will rehearse the ceremonies of consecration and installation , at the Earl of Lathom Lodge of Instruction , No . 1922 , held at Brother Charles Sims ' s , Station Hotel , Camberwell New-road

S . E ., Lodge will be opened at 6 o ' clock precisely . Brethren are invited to attend , in full Masonic clothing . After Lodge is closed there will be a supper , the tickets for which will be 5 / each . Brethren wishing to stay to tho latter must signify their intention to Brother Sims , not later than the 20 th instant .

The First Festival of the Brixton Lodge of Instrnction , No . 1949 , will be held on Tuesday , the 23 rd instant , at the Prince Regent ( Brother Monk's ) , Dulwich-road , East Brixton . Brother H . Lovegrove P . M . P . P . G . S . of Works Middlesex , W . M . 1949 , will preside .