Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

THE COST OF OUE CHAEITIES .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DBAB SIB AND BROTHEB , —Having seen the name of a dear old friend—Bro . Horace Brooks Marshall—associated with the Festival dinner of the Orphan Working School I have made some few enquiries as to what are the claims of that Charity . Of course I am aware it is the son of our late respected Grand Treasurer who is to take the chair on the occasion I refer to ,

but if I remember aright his father early taught him that the Masonic Charitable Institutions were worthy of assistance , and I think I am correct in saying the son has already contributed considerable sums to the three Masonic Funds . On that account , if for no other , I think you will allow me a small space to refer to a feature which should have some effect in influencing Masons to support Bro . H . B . Marshall when he presides at the coming Festival dinner .

It is announced in a circular I have before me that the Orphan Working School maintains and educates an average of 477 children , at an expenditure , including management , office charges , & c , & c , of £ 13 , 623 . I know some people think it is not fair to make comparisons , but I should like to know how it is this Charity is able to carry on what I believe is recognised as good work at a cost of about one half what the girls and boys in the Masonic Institutions cost ? Probably the answer will be that the Masonic

Institutions do the work much better than the other , but when there are so many in need of assistance would it not be far better to maintain and educate an increased number , even if some of the " luxuries " of the present system had to be curtailed . I am of opinion that half a loaf is far better than no bread , and would prefer to give less to a larger number than exclude so many from the benefits of the Institutions because a favoured few monopolise all the funds . Yours fraternally , CRITIC .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

TRUTH CHAPTER , No . 1458 . A BEGULAB meeting of this new Chapter was , by command of Comp . Buckley Carr Z ., held at the Mosley Hotel , Manchester , on Thursday , 25 th ult . Part of the early business of tbe evening was that of balloting for Comp . Thomas Henry Hall P . Z . 581 as a joining member , the ballot being successful .

Five exaltations had been announced on the summons , and three oeremonies were proceeded with , the candidates being Bros . Thomas Threlfall P . M . Albert Victor Lodge , No . 1773 , William Allen Smith Secretary 1773 , and A . B . Taylor S . W . Truth Lodge , No . 1458 . Comp . Carr was responsible for the ceremonial , which he performed in his characteristically finished manner .

Dinner followed these proceedings , this in turn being succeeded by the usual festive board , where Loyal and Arch toasts were introduced and duly honoured , the health of the candidates being proposed by Comp . Carr , to which the newly-exalted Companions responded . Our readers will perhaps think it invidious for us to mention the circumstance , but inasmuch as other Masonic functions take place in the building , it might benefit the management to inquire how far it was responsible for the early break-up of this meeting .

Besides those mentioned above , there were present Companions Bobert Caldwell H ., Councl . Samuel I . Mills J ., Herbert Hellewell S . E ., George Crocker S . N ., H . G . Ward P . S ., Geo . T . Lenard 1 st Assist . S ., John J . Dean , W . Dewhurst , Nelson Stokes , Leonard Jagger , and others . Visitors : Comps . John Williams P . Z . 935 P . G . S ., and William B . Midgley H . 1055 .

MANCHESTER ROYAL ARCH INSTRUCTION . ACCORDING to a circular which has just been issued , the Grand Superintendent of the Province of East Lancashire Col .. Le Gendre N . Starkie has signified his approval for the opening of a Chapter of Improvement , which will be attached to the Truth Chapter , No . 1458 , the meetings to be held at the . Mosley Hotel , Piccadilly , Manchester .

Companion J . H . Sillitoe Prov . G . H . has consented to act as Preceptor for the first year , and it augurs well towards success when we are enabled to state that over thirty Companions have sent in their names as intending members . There does not appear to be any similar institution in this part of the Province , and the hearty co-operation is solicited of Principals , Past Principals , and members of the various Chapters , with the object of making popular such a means of instruction .

It is proposed to charge an annual subscription of 6 s , the first meeting to be held during the present month , full particulars of which will be supplied by Comp . K . Hellewell , 4 North Corridor , Boyal Exchange , Manchester .

The first Masonic ball ever held in Colchester took place at the Drill Hall , on Tuesday , 23 rd ult ., in celebration of Her Majesty ' s long and beneficient reign . The ball was under the patronage of the Prov . Grand Master of Essex the Earl of

Warwick , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master His Honour Judge Philbrick , Q . C ., Eecorder of Colchester , the Worshipful the Mayor of Colchester , Bro . Horace G . Egerton Green , J . P ., D . L ., the Deputy Mayor Bro . James Wicks , J . P ., Bro . Thomas Moy ,

Royal Arch.

J . P ., one of the two surviving founders of the United Lodge , No . 697 , Bro . Sir William Abdy , Bart . P . P . S . G . W ., Bro . J . G . Bryan Prov . G . Std . W . M ., Bro H . E . Baker S . W ., Bro . E . Emson J . W ., Past Masters , Officers , and Brethren of the United Lodge , No . 697 . Bro . J . T . Bailey P . M . 697 2339 P . Z . 51 P . P . A . D . C .

Secretary of the Lodge , acted as hon . secretary for the dance , and the demand for tickets has been unprecedented . Originally it was decided to limit the issue of tickets to 200 , but the applications received were so numerous that under great pressure the Committee decided to extend the number to 270 .

Even then the list had to be closed for some days before the ball to all not members of the Craft . By dispensation from the Prov . Grand Master the Brethren wore their Masonic clothing and jewels , and the ball room , when filled with the gaily attired dancers , presented a brilliant appearance . The programme

consisted of twenty-four items , including two sets of Masonic quadrilles and a Masonic dance , commencing with the barn dance and changing to a mazurka and then to a valse . When the dancing was at its height the scene was the most picturesque that has been presented in the town for years .

Entertainment Notes.

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES .

Garnck Theatre . —Bro . H . T . Brickwell is now presenting one of the brighest and most amusing programmes in London , an entertainment full of fun and laughter , but void of all coarseness and impropriety . The first item is a merry little musical skit by Messrs . G . D . Lynch and J . W . Ivemey , entitled , " The Lady Lawyer , " which , owing to the vivacity of Miss Mary Collette ( sister of Bro . Charles of that ilk ) , the pleasing voice of Miss K . Adams , and the assistance of Messrs . Shallard and F . Walsh , forms a capital

introduction to " My friend the Prince , " the new play by Mr . Justin Huntly McCarthy . The action of the piece takes place in the house of Matthew Jaunaway , an American millionaire , who is anxious to obtain an entree into aristocratic society , but in spite of all his endeavours no one will call upon him . In this dilemma his son brings home a man whose acquaintance he has made at a fancy ball on the previous night , and in order to explain his presence in the house says that he is the missing Prince

Maurice of Pannonia , who is stated by the papers to be in hiding . As a matter of fact Prince Maurice , to be near a pretty visitor at the house , Mdlle . Gilberte Picard , has accepted the post of Jaunaway ' s secretary , and the fun may be imagined when he is introduced to his double . The complications do not cease here , for there is another Richmond—or rather another Maurice—in the field , in the person of Ambrose Pinning , who is induced to assume tbe role in order to get rid of the impostor . It would be

giving the show too much away and spoil the pleasure of intending visitors to state how all the tangled threads are restored , but the interest and plot are maintained till the final fall of the curtain , which descends amidst a roar of laughter and applause . Mr . Paul Arthur undertakes the sham Prince , with much . quiet verve and humour , while the real gentleman is admirably sustained by Mr . Percy Lyndal . The ambitious Yankee finds an excellent representative in Mr . Fred Kaye , and Miss Juliette Nesville gives a charming sketch of Mdlle . Picard . Miss Sybil Carlisle , Miss Blanche Massey , and Mr .

Aubrey Boucicault represent the millionaire's family , and Miss Miriam Clements makes a stately and imposing Princess . A well finished sketch is given by Mr . Herbert Boss as Baron Hertzlein , and Mr . E . Dagnall is effective as Shottery , the butler . The single scene is a magnificient interior designed and painted by Mr . J . Harker , and the furniture and other decorations are supplied by Mr . George Lock . The play has already been patronised by the Grand Master and ocher members of the Boyal Family , and a long run of prosperity may be safely predicted .

Palace Theatre . —The latest attractions here are the Glenroy Troupe of International Dancers , two men and women , who give several specimens of Irish jigs , Scotch reels and English hornpipes , together with various other step dances with unflagging energy . Mdlle . Anna Thiband , a handsome French chansonette singer , has a much more quiet method than some of her

predecessors , and though it is more than doubtful whether she is understanded by the people , meets with a very hearty reception . Diane de Fontenoy , in her artistic poses ; the always charming Tableaux Vivants ; Les Gardenias , and many others maintain the credit of this well regulated house and its genial manager , Bro . Charles Morton .

I £ the performance that Mr . Herbert Flemming and his admirable company , newly returned from South Africa , have been giving at the Parkhurst may be taken as a criterion of the usual dramatic fare provided for the colonies , they are indeed to be congratulated . " The Idler" was played with a strength and yet refinement of istyle that would do credit to a west end theatre , and evidently the broadness and coarseness of method that has so often excited adverse comment in the performances of globetrotting

comedians is quite unnecessary in Johannesburg and South Africa generally , where this clever company has met with such unprecedented success . Mr . Herbert Flemming is the latest of South African managers , but in a short time , by a series of excellent productions , he has rendered his position practically impregnable . His new company , which shortly leaves London , is altogether an exceptional one . Mr . Devereux returns as stage manager , and a very fine repertoire has been secured .

Mr . Fred Kerr , who has scored such a big success with Mr . John Hare , in America , has been fortunate enough to secure two very capital plays , which he intends exploiting in conjunction with Bro . H . T . Brickwell , on his return to this country . " The Little Genius , " which ran upwards of 100 nights at the Shaftesbury Theatre , has proved an enormous success on tour , Miss Florence St . John , Miss Lillian Menelly , and Mr . B . J . Lonnen having been received with vociferous applause in Portsmouth , Wolverhampton , Derby and Nottingham . The company proceed to Blackpool next week .

Mr . George Belmore , who has been for so many years stage manager with Bro . Edward Terry , has received from H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , through Sir Dightou Probyn , a gold lighter box , with a charming lottei acknowledging and thanking him for his work in connection with the visit of Bro . Edward Terry ' s company at Sandringham , on 1 st January .