Catalogue Of The Masonic Soiree And Exhibition, Worcester, August, 1844.

those considerations did not enter ; a neutral ground where , without any unreality or compromise , man met his fellow-man and learned to know him apart from those distinctions which mnst prevail without . If the Craft had been a mere antiquity , a mere parade of costume , a mere histrionic ceremonial , they wonld have no placo there that day , and his tongue would have been silent on such a subject in that holy

place . But because he believed it was and wonld be a far moro mighty engine in the future of religious and moral and social stability , he rejoiced that he was ono amongst them and was speaking to them thero that day . The times were too momentous for trifling , however harmless and picturesque that trifling might be . It was said that every institution in these days was on its trial , and therefore Freemasonry

among the rest . Men were watching and asking what meant they hy that service , and formed their opinions ns to whether the Craft was worthy to be preserved or relegated to the fripperies ofthopast . lt was not enough to assert the antiquity of their Order , and its sufficiency in the present . It was not enough to point to the roll of illustrious names that had or were filling their ranks . It would he weighed ,

and being weighed in a sterner and less sentimental and sometimes less friendly balance , by what they themselves individually were , and not what they professed their Craft to be . It wonld be proved or condemned as regards its worthiness by Christian men , and if they would gain their respect they must take heed to themselves . There were and there must be in every ancient community something

which needed restoring , abuses which needed reforming , and they had their peculiar and besetting dangers and temptations . They conld thankfully and boldly declare , what so many of their national institntions could also declare , that very many of the shortcomings of former days had long ago become things of the past . Bnt it was never tbe time to bold their hands , it was never the time to assume

that they were perfect , that they were doing al ! tbey conld and ought to do . He believed a great future was open before their Craft if they were only faithful to it , and as they might look back in the past with gratitude and pride so they might look forward to the future with confidence and pleasure . The more genuine they were

the better they would be appreciated , and those misrepresentations against the Order which were fast dying ont would take their place among the olcl fables of the past . The best and only answer to such calumnies was to live so that people could respect them , for from their daily life would people form their opinions as to whether tbe Order to which they belonged waa or was not worthy . "

National Standard Theatre.

NATIONAL STANDARD THEATRE .

EVERY one knows how admirably this East-end Theatre is conducted by the Brothers Douglass , and there are few people , we imagine , who have not had experience of one of our worthy Bro . Willing ' s dramas , " original , emotional , and sensational , " as they always aro , and realistic likewise to the very nines . Last week was produced " Daybreak , " by this popular playwright , and tho best way

to commend it to tho notice of our readers is to advise them to lose no time in seeing it . It has been produced by Bro . John Douglass in a manner which reflects ou him the greatest credit . When we say that the scenery is by Bro . Richard Douglass , wo shall have said enough to warrant its artistic excellence . The cast includea such able artists as Messrs . E . Sass , R . Lyons , F . Shepherd , Miss Carlotta Addison

and Miss Amy Steinberg , while some of the tableaux , notably that of the race for tho Derby , are extraordinarily lifelike . Indeed , nothing can well surpass Bro . Willing's new drama , as it is nightly placed on the Standard boards , whether we have regard to the scenic and dramatic effects , or the acting of the company individually and as a whole . A rare treat is in store for those who follow our advice and witness a performance of " Daybreak . "

Music Halls are usually assigned an inferior rank among onr places of public amusement , bnt of late years the tone and character of the entertainments they furnish have been very greatly improved , and several of our Halls are well worth a visit , among them being the South London Palace , London-road , S . E ., and the Metropolitan , Edgware-road . Of the former , Messrs . Poole and Ulph jun . are

the proprietors , the task of management being entrusted to tho latter of these gentlemen . The entertainment is of a varied character , and in all respects most praiseworthy , the principal artists being Miss Nelly Sylvester—serio-comic and dancer ; the Angelotti Tronpe , Mrs . Lennard Charles , double-voiced vocalist , Miss Nellie L'Estrange , and the Brothers Onda , trapezists . Grotesque

comedy , and that dry humour of former days which was wholly independent of dress and other accessories , are ably represented by Mr . T . W . Barrott and Mr . Joe Colverd , the latter of whom is the epitome of geniality and true fun . The Metropolitan has for its proprietor Mr . H . G . Lake , and for its manager Mr . W . Bailey , the principal feature of tho e 7 ening ' s entertainment being a grand ballet , styled " Iris , " in which about twenty principal dancers

and a corps de ballet , fnlly a hundred strong , are introduced . No expense has been spared in order to make this ballet as brilliant and effective as possible . Both these Halls have the further advantage of being easily accessible from all parts of the metropolis , tho South London Palace being close by the Elephant and Castle , and tho Metropolitan near the Praed-street and Edgware-road stations of tho Underground Railway .

The Southend Regatta will take place on Tuesday , the 23 rd inst . The arrangements made by the executive who have charge of the management appear to give great satisfaction . Mr . W . H . Collier has undertaken the duties

of Secretary , and is ably assisted by Mr . Middleton ( Treasnrer ) and Mr . Brazier ( Chairman of Committee ) . Given a fine day , and the entertainment provided will , we arc sure , afford enjoyment to the visitors .

Installation Meetings, &C.

INSTALLATION MEETINGS , & c .

— : o : — PRINCE LEOPOLD LODGE , No . 1445 . BROTHER W . McDonald , who has ably filled the chair of this Lodge dnring the last twelve months , completed his term of service on Thursday , the 4 th instant , when he installed hia successor , in a mamer that gave the most unqualified satisfaction to those who attended to do honour to the occasion . The brethren assembled at the Three Nuns Hotel , Aldgate , at 3 . 30 p . m ., when Lodge was opened with the usual formalities . After tho minntes of last regular

Lodgo meeting , and those of an Emergency meeting , had been read and confirmed , the auditors' report was received and adopted . Bro , James Robson , the W . M . elect , was presented by Brother Past Master Myers , and was regularly installed in the chair . Tbe follow , ing brethren were appointed Officers for the year : —Kimball S . W ., Seymour-Clarke J . W ., W . H . Myers P . M . Treasurer , Downing Sec

Chamberlain S . D ., Winkley J . D ., Smith I . G ., C . G . Young P . M . Org ., and Tombs W . S . The addresses were well rendered by Brother McDonald , and after routine work , Lodge waa closed . A capital banquet was served hy the proprietors of this popular establishment , and on the removal of the cloth Brother Robson proposed the customary toasts . In his opening remarks he intimated hia

intention to bo brief , but in speaking of Her Most Graoiona Majesty tho Qneen , he might direct attention to the fact that she was ever ready to sympathise with her subjects , while she was a liberal subscriber to the Institutions associated with the Craft . In referring to the Most Worshipful the Grand Master the W . M . said thafc among his many engagements the Prince

of Wales evinced a vast amonnt of enthusiasm in carrying oat his Masonio duties . After full justice had been done to the toast of the Grand Officers , Bro . McDonald rose to propose the health of the Worshipfnl Master . It was essentially a pleasant duty he had to perform . From the zeal and ability Brother Robson had displayed in the various offices he had already

filled tbe members were led to believe that a successful future waa before them . He urged on all to give their utmost assistance , and he did this the more readily as he waa assured the W . M . would con . dncfc tbe bnsiness of the Lodge in a manner that would be creditable to himself . After a capital rendering of "Jack ' s Return , " by Bro . Seymour Clarke , the W . M . replied . After thanking the brethren

for the hearty way in which they had received the toast , Bro . Robson said that from the outset of his Masonio career he had estimated at their true value the privileges of association with members of the Order . Hitherto he had been an ardent student , and now he had been promoted to hia present high position his efforts should not be relaxed . His first care should ever be to promote harmony and

good feeling amongst the members of the Lodge . In speaking to the toast of the Past Masters the W . M . said that the Lodge had had its periods of prosperity and its periods of depression . Circumstances over which they had no control had arisen whereby their list of Past Masters had been reduced . On the present occasion there were but three present , viz . Bros . McDonald , Myers , and Lewis . He would

call on each to respond . Bro . McDonald thanked the brethren for the way they had received his namo , so kindly brought before them by the W . M . His year of office had been a most pleasant one , and he had throughout been ably assisted by the Officers . It had given him intense gratification to instal Bro . Robson , who would undoubtedly prove a competent exponent of the Ritual of Freemasonry .

Bro . Lewis expressed his satisfaction at seeing the Lodge so well officered ; this augured well for its future success . The Visitors were next complimented , and each in turn mado a few remarks , the general tone of which expressed gratification at seeing such good feeling and harmony prevailing in the Lodge . In replying to the toast of the Treasurer and Secretary ,

Bro . W . H . Myers took a retrospective glance . As one of the Founders , and always a constant attendant , he had witnessed many changes , bnt in his opinion they were now comfortably located , and there was every reason to believe they would have a bright future before them . He appreciated the honour conferred upon him by the brethren in electing him to the office of Treasnrer , and assured them

any funds entrusted to him shonld be disbursed with a due regard to economy , and to further the interests of the Lodge . The Secretary having added a few words , the Officers were complimented , and shortly afterwards the Tyler gave the parting toast . During the evening some capital songs were sung , and several recitations given . Miss Thomas rendered good service by her performance at the

pianoforte . The proceedings were of a most agreeable character . The following were present as Visitors;—Brothers W . Cook S . W . 22 , C . Robson i ) GO , J . Cox 1766 , J . * „ G . Twinn S . D . 1306 , R . W . Galer S . D . 1366 , E . Brooks 766 , G . Skeggs P . M . 144 , James Salmon S . D . 1399 , J . Sanderson 606 , R . T . Dnnn 1524 , C . Buckhnrst P . M . 157 , W . W . Morgan W . M . 211 .

VITRUVIAN LODGE , No . 87 . THE regular meeting of this Lodge was held on Wednesday , 10 th instant , at the White Hart Tavern , Lambeth , under the presidency of Bro . W . II . Bale , tho W . M . of the Lodge . The other Officers present were Bros . W . Davis S . W ., W . Minsfcrell J . W ., E . Thurckle Treasurer , W . Stewart P . M . Secretary , W . Watson J . D-, E . Cbamberlaine D . C , R . Larnbourne I . G ., John Irving Steward ,

P . M . 's W . Robinson , J . Skirving , II . Whiting , A . Timothy , R . Hop kins ; while among the members were Bros . A . Finch , W . Nickoles , Isaac Pratt , Thomas Cawthornc , Mark Wheeler , W . G . Sutton , W . Walker ,

F . B . Sa-nboll , E . Woods jnn ., Harry Field , F . G . Goodwin , George Isaacs , H . II . Tupper , G . Barnett , R . Goodall , G . L . Knill , E . W . Nightingale , A . Gently , and many others . After a busy evening in Lodge , the brethren adjourned to banquet , and afc its conclusion ,