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upon the judgment , and , probably , very often the caprice of a chief , cannot be vieAvcd as a certain prospect to any one . The disposal of so much patronage by the heads of

departments Avould embroil the Service in never ending jealousies . Let merit be recognised by all means , but let advancement , that must be influenced by jobbery and toadyism , be discontinued .

The Arctic Expedition seems in a fair Avay of being set on foot in a manner hopeful for the enterprise and Avorthy of a countiy so eminently naval as our own . A most distinguished assemblage of notables met on Monday evening last , in the Theatre of the University of London , to hear an

important paper , bearing on this interesting subject , by Admiral Sir J . H . Richards . The Chairman , Sir Heniy RaAvlinson , pointed out the impetus Avhich the Royal Geographical Society had g iven to the undertaking . It is most gratifying to find , from the remarks he made , that the

Government have Avarmly approved the suggestions made to them by that society , and have given orders for the fitting out of tAVO vessels , the "Discovery" and the " Alert" for the expedition . The neccssaiy preparations are now being earned out at Portsmouth , under the

experienced supervision of Sir Leopold M Clintock . The command of the vessels will be placed in the hands of •officers specially selected . As regards detail , there appears to be a Avonderi' ul completeness . Zoologists and botanists Ihave been appointed , and it is expected that a geologist

" will be added . The expedition is expected to start in May or June , and Admiral Richards expresses some hope of the North Pole itself being reached . Science has done much

to facilitate such an undertaking since the days of Parry and Franklin , and she -will doubtless be enriched by the results of an expedition so thoroughly equipped as the present is likely to be .

The borough of Stroud has attained considerable notoriety of late , and has this Aveek been distinguished by an inquiry in the House of Commons . Within seven months it enjoyed the excitement of four elections , each of which Avas , Avith marvellous regularity , petitioned against , on the grounds

of corrupt practices . Reasons sufficient to call for its disfranchisement appear to have existed in some hon . members ' minds , and Mr . Charles Lewis moved in accordance Avith

these vieAvs . But eventually the Member for Londonderry found himself in an unmistakable minority . Thus Stroud has the opportunity of shoAving that it is " never too late to . mend . " We hope she will avail herself of the chance .

A ball in aid of the benevolent fund of" Hanlcy Lodge , " No . 797 , Avas given last Aveek at the Subscription Rooms , Dartmouth , and Avas very successful , about 150 being pi'esent . The steAvards Avere Bros , the Rev . John Hnyshe P . G . M ., L . P . Metham D . P . G . M ., Colonel Ridgway

P . P . G . S . W ., Major C . Seale Hayne P . P . S . G . D ., A . NeAvman , P . P . G . S . D ., H . Bridson 310 , T . L . Prinsep P . P . S . D . C ., H . G . Beachey P . M . 1158 , John T . Goodridgc W . M . 1358 , Thomas Perry P . M . 1402 , W . H . Goodridge W . M . 797 , W . G . Ellis P . M . 797 , B . H . Prescott P . M . 797 , F . A .

Dawson P . M ., The Rev . Robert Bowden P . M ., W . G . Vowles P . M . 103 , Captain Westhead S . W . 710 , John Hurrell Treasurer 797 , R . A . Fowler R . N . 161 , A . H . Dendy 1358 , H . L . Toll 797 , and J . Luke . The ball room Avas very tastefully decorated , and brilliantly lighted . The orchestra Avas occupied by the band of H . M . S . Britannia .

Bro . Gordon , of the Holboru Restaurant , announced that on Ash Wednesday the table d'hote dinner at his establishment Avould not be accompanied by the usual selection of music .

At a Masonic banquet held some time since in Chicago , Illinois , Bro . Ely S . Parker , a chief of tho Six Nations , spoke in the most eloquent terms of the rapid disappearance of his race , his OAvn forlorn condition , and his having sought a home and sympathy among the brotherhood "I knocked , " said he , " at the door of the Bine Lodere ,

and found brotherhood around its altar . I Avent before the great light in the Chapter , and found companionship beneath the Royal Arch . I entered the encampment and found there , valiant sir , Knights Avilling to shield me here without regard to race or nation . I Avent further . I knelt at the Cross of my Saviour , aud found Christian brother .

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hood , the crovrmng charity of the Masonic tie . I am happy to meet in the grand council of the gathering , and sit with yon at this festive board , to share these greetings and hospitalities . I feel assured that , Avhen my glass is run out , and I shall follow the footsteps of my departed race , Masonic

sympathies Avill cluster round my coffin , and drop in my lonely grave the evergreen acacia , sAveet emblem of a better meeting . " A pause followed the conclusion of his speech , Avhen Bro . Parker again rose , and said : — " I have in my possession a memento Avhich I highly prize . I Avear

it next my heart . It came from my ancestors to me as their successor in office . It Avas a present from Washington to my grandfather , Red Jacket , Avhen your nation Avas in its infancy . You will be glad to see and handle it , and I should do Avrong not to give you the opportunity . " He

then drew from his bosom a massive medal , about seven inches by five , on one side of which Avas engraved the fulllength figures of the two chiefs—Red Jacket presenting tho pipe of peace , and Washington , Avith right hand extended , in the act of receiving it . On the other side were the Masonic emblems , Avith the date , 1792 .

We announce , with pleasure , that Bro . H . Valleton , London correspondent of certain French Masonic journals will give every Monday and and Friday evening , between 9 p . m . and 10 p . m . precisely , a course of literary and philosophical readings on the latest important additions to

high-class French literature . The series will commence on the evening of Friday the 19 th instant , with a critical analysis of "L'Esprit Nouveau , " the last Avork of M . Edgar Quinet . Prices of admission to seats : front 2 s , back Is , side 6 d ; or by monthly tickets : front 12 s , back 6 s , side 3 s .

The annual Canary and Cage Bird ShoAV at the Crystal Palace Avill open this day , and be continued till Thursday the 18 th instant . Past experience induces us to hope that the exhibits this year will be at least as numerous and attractive—possibly even more so than on any previous occasions . We have further to announce that the dates of

the third series of "National Music Meetings , " which were held over from last year in consequence of the celebration of the Handel Festival , have been fixed by the directors . They Avill take place from the 1 st to the 10 th July .

The Drama.

THE DRAMA .

Tho Lancashire Lass—Uncle Tom ' s Cabin—The Royalty—Ash Wednesday . I ^ ROM now . until Easter Monday there will bo littlo stirring in the dramatic world . A few revivals of stock pioces may bo expected , to eko out tho expiring season , but no important theatrical eveut is at all probable . At the PUI . VCKSS ' Ave havo already to

chronicle the revival of Byron ' s popular drama , The Lancashire Lass . This play , produced at the Queen ' s Theatre a year or two sinco , con . tains some powerful situations , aad is altogether a move masculine piece of workmanship than any of that gentleman ' s more recent productions . Miss Lydia Foote has been selected to enact tho heroine , and Mr . Emery , Mr . Belmove , Mrs . Alfred Mellon and Mr . Terris continue to give strength and efficiency to the cast .

At the ADELI'HI also an old piece has been put np , which to many will have all tho charm of novelty ; we mean Uncle Tom ' s Cabin . The story is so well known , aud has had so wide a popularity amongst tho English people , that it is scarcely possible but that the play will attract a largo number of people to the theatre .

Alter a long reh . che the new KOIALTV opened its doors on Saturday 30 th ult ., under the management of Mr . D'Oyley Carte . Comedy and Opera Bonne , of course , form the staple of tho entertainment . Offenbach's La I'erichole , and Mr . Campbell Clarko ' s Awaking , being tho pieces selected . Iu tho latter piece Mr . W . 11 . Stephens , Mr . Lin

Raync aud Miss Bessie Hollingshead , play tho most protniuent parts whilst in the ibrmor , it need hardly bo said that Miss Selina Dolaro carries off tho principal honours . She is , howovor , well supported by Mr . Walter Fisher , Mr . Morton , and Mcsdames Verner , Leblauo and Lasalle . The programme is a very fair one , aud is carried out in a manner deserving of commendation .

Ash Wednesday has como and gone , giving riso to tho usual complaiut of tho hardship involved in the compulsory closin" of London theatres , as it effects the theatrical emptoyes . It certainly does seem unreasonable that a performance like Hamlet should be prohibited at the LYCEUM , ivhilst a wretched farrago of musical nonsense might be presented at the very same theatre without molestation . Mr . Hollingshead this year has forwarded to the Lord

Chamberlain a formal protest against this antiquated restriction , signed by all the artists and labourers in his employ , betweou four and live hundred in all . We trust that the present Session of Parliament will not be allowed to pass without soma attempt being made to abolish this absurd law . What makes the matter more ridiculous the theatres outside Loudon , are free from all compulsion whatever ' aud auvy indulge ia dramatic performances without let or hjatlraage , '