Notices Of Meetings.

100 in number , sat down to a sumptuous banquet , provided by Bro . Clemow . The usual loyal and Masonio toasts were given , Bro . Kent I . P . M . then rose and proposed the toast of the W . M . He was not only a good Mason , but ho was one who would carry out those duties required of him , ho was sure , to their satisfaction . The toast of tho newly initiated was given and responded to . The W . M ,

then said he had to propose the toast of tho evening , aud that was the Past Masters , for they did not get that as a heritage , but they had obtained it by hard work , and if he did not know his duties , they were always able and willing to assist him . Ho would pay a proper complimont to one who had occupied tho chair during tho past year , not only with great credit to himself , bnt with satisfaction to tho

brethren . He had been a member of the Lodge for sixteen years , and those whom he had introduced were gentlemen whom they were proud to meet , and he had great pleasure in placing on his breast a jewel , presented to him by tho brethren for his able working aud government of the Lodge during his year of office . Bro . Kent returned thanks for the valuable gift , and stated how gratified he was

to meet the brethren , and also the Past Masters ; his only ambition was to emulate them . The W . M . then proposed tho toast of the Treasurer , Bro . J . Smith P . M ., and Secretary , and Bro . J . Willing . The formor brother had occupied that ' post for thirty-six years . He also mentioned the namo of Bro . J . Willing , tho newly elected Junior Warder , who had formerly been the Hon . Secretary . Bro . J . Smith

P . M . and Treasurer , and Bro . J . Willing , responded . The health of the officers followed , and the Tyler ' s toast concluded a very agreeable evening , which was enlivened by the excellent singing of Bros . Palmer , Harris , Hancock and Ambrose . The visitors were Bros . Harran , Stone 1298 , Laing P . M . 1336 , Hulbert 4 G 3 , Tilley 720 , F . Croaker 185 , Black 144 , aud H . M . Levy P . M . 188 .

Bank of England Lodge , No . 262 . —This fine old Lodge celebrated the installation of its W . M ., Bro . Miceli , at tho Albion Tavern , Aldersgato Street , on Thursday evening last . Amongst tho visitors who honoured the gathering with their presence on the occasion , was R . W . Bro . Colonel Burdett , Prov . G . M . Middlesex , who made a feeling reply to one of the toasts . In these days of

photography , when appropriate Lodgo Albums are in such request , visitors would do woll to notice tho splendid Album which enshrines tho portraits of the Past Masters of this Lodge . A ponderous folio which a stout porter could hardly carry , whose binding is a ' miracle of art , and the portraits in which are executed in tho finest miniature stippling . It was started nearly forty years ago by subscription , and its soriea is still continued yearly .

Drogheda Lodge , No . 411 , Ireland . —St . John ' s Day Festival was celebrated on the 28 th ult . Tho Lodge assembled at 5 o ' clock , and was opened iu form . In the absence of the Mastor , Bro . Clarke ( P . M . ) H . K . T ., and Secrctai-y of the Lodgo , opened it , and immediately installed Bro . Joffers as W . M . for the ensuing year . Forthwith tho new Master proceeded to instal the following officers :

Bros . J . L . Whitty S . W ., Flinn J . W ., Glenny S . D ., Griffin J . D ., and McCausland I . G . Two gentlemen were then initiated . A notice from Grand Lodge was read , announcing that the Gth January had been appointed for the formal installation of his Grace the Duko of Abercorn as Most Worshipful Grand Master of Ireland . Tho Lodge shortly after was closed for labour , and at about quarter past seven the brethren sat down to refreshment . Dinner was

served in handsome style , and tho usual Masonic toasts were dul y honoured . About 12 o ' clock tho brethren separated , in peace , love and harmony . It may bo remarked that this Lodgo was instituted so long back as tho year 17 G 0 , and although tho warrant was given up for a very few years , a now warrant , bearing same number ( 411 ) , was granted in 1841 , thus reviving tho same old Lodge of the year 17 G 0 .

Faith and Unanimity Lodge , No . 417 , Dorchester .-Tho monthly Lodge was held on Wednesday , Gth inst ., when tho reelected W . M ,, Bro . W . P . Cockeran , was re-invested and proclaimed in due form . He appointed tho following officers : —W . Osmond S . W ., W . H . Dean J . W ., Alfred Atkins Secretary , W . How S . D ., C . Shorts J . D ., G . J . G . Gregory P . M . D . C , J . Robinson P . M . Org .,

J . D . Robinson I . G ., T . Beviss and D . T . Edmonds Stewards . An initiation took place . W . Bro . J . M . P . Montague , Deputy Provincial Grand Master Dorset , was present , and remarked upon tho good progress being mado in the Province . Refemng to the Charities , he mentioned that at the next Boys' Festival two Stewards from Dorset would carry up nearly £ 600 , chiefly subscribed within the Province .

Eoyal Monmouth Lodgo , No . 457 . —Tho installation of Bro . Joseph Coates , as W . M . of this , the Senior Lodge of the Province , took place on Tuesday 5 th January . The ceremony was ably and efficiently performed by Bro . Captain S . Geo . Homfray D . P . G . M . Mr . Hy . Paul Prosscr , a " Lewis , " son of Bro . Dr . Prosser , ono of tho oldest P . M . 's of the Lodge , was initiated by Bro . Broad P . M ., and

Bros . T . J . A . Williams ( Town-clerk ) and T . 11 . Oakley were passed to the second degree , after which tho D . P . G . M . took the chair , and proceeded with tho installation . The following officers were appointed by tho W . M .: —Bros . T . 11 . Hyam I . P . M ., John Thomas S . W ., H . P . Tippins J . W ., Rev . D . G . Davies Chap ., Matthew Jones S . D ., George Rowlands Roberts J . D ., Wm . James P . M . Treasurer ;

W . B . Broad P . M . Sec , W . H . Price P . M ., M . C ., F . Horsey and T . J . A . Williams Stewards , P . W . George I . G ., Tom Watkins Tyler . After the customary vote of thanks , the Lodgo was closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet , at tho King ' s Head Hotel . I'ho cloth having been removed , the usual loyal and Craft toasts were proposed . The toast of " The Masonic Charities , " very ably proposed by Bro . Homfray , elicited a practical response , in tho shape

Notices Of Meetings.

of the handsome subscription of about 25 guineas . The proceedings were enlivoned by some excellent songs by the D . P . G . M ., whose rendering of the now comic song of "Look at tho price of coal !" created quite a furore , as indeed did his celebrated " Marked with a Level and Square . "

Silurian Lodge , No . 471 , Newport . —The installation of Bro . Benjamin Lawrence , P . P . G . Sup . Wks ., as W . M . of thi 3 Lodge , was held at the Masonic-hall , Dock-street , before a large gathering of the Craft , on Wednesday Gth January . The preliminary business having been disposed of , a splendid P . M . Jewel was presented to Bro . H . J . Gratte P . M . as a slight recognition of the valuable services he

had rendered to the Lodge . Tho presentation was mado by Bro . Charles Rowe , the W . M ., in a very appropriate speech , which was responded to by Bro . Gratte . The ceremony of the day was then proceeded with , the onorous duty being undertaken by Bro . Rowe , whoso correct and impressive rendering of this beautiful part of tha Masonic ritual called forth the Iwarm approval and admiration of

the brethreu . Tho following is a list of the officers appointed by tha newly-installed Master : —Bros . Charles Rowe P . G . Sec . I . P . M ., C . B , Lyne P . G . S . B . S . W ., Joseph Gibbs J . W ., Rev . J . W . Osman Chap ., W . Pickford P . G . T . Treasurer , R . B . Evans P . G . S . W . Secretary , J . Campbell S . D ., C . H . Oliver jun . J . D ., H . J . Groves P . G . Org . Organist , H . J . Gratte P . P . G . S . D . M . C ., D . D . Thomas Librarian . G

Hoskins , C . P . Evans , Thomas Pngsley R . A . Rennie—Stewards , A McMahon I . G ., H . Fletcher Tyler . A vote of thanks was given to the retiring W . M ., Bro . Rowe , after which the Lodge was closed . The banquet took placo at tho Queen ' s Hotel , the very handsome aud spacious billiard-room having been expressly cleared for the occasion . Tho new host aud hostess ( Bro . Matthews and Mrs . Matthews )

deserve every encomium for the manner in which the repast was placed on the table . Amongst the floral and other decorations , which added materially to the general effect of tho banquettingroom , we observed some splendid ferns and pot flowers , kindly lent by Bro . Colonel Lyno , P . G . M ., and Bro . Earl , of Christchurch . The toast of the evening was given by Bro . Captain Homfray , who highly

complimented the W . M . on his Masonic attainments , aud zeal iu working the Craft . The Chairman ' s response was not only able , but in excellent good taste . Bro . Pickford wa 3 earnest in pleading the claims of the Masonic Charities , tho toast in honour of which ( proposed by the D . P . G . M . ) , being responded toby him . The subscriptions amounted to about £ 35 .

Friendship and Sincerity Lodge , No . 472 , Shaftesbury . —Bro . Bonett Stanford , M . P . for tho borough , has beon installed W . M . of this Lodge , and his officers are—New S . W ., Mansfield J . W ., Usher Secretary , Kite S . D ., W . L . Chitty J . D „ Gengo D . C , Wykes Org ,, C . T . Robins and R . II . Sawyer Stewards ,

The Drama.

THE DRAMA .

Opera Bouffe—The undraped Drama—Whittington . WE , on a former occasion , expressed in general terms oar opinion with regard to the form of entertainment styled Opera Bouffe . Wo consider it stupid and frivolous in tho last degree ; but just as in the grand opera most divine music is often allied to commonplace words , so here tho meaningless and halting phrases of a ninth-rate burlesque are not unfrequently interwoven with light , cheerful , and catching

melodies . The humour of the word 3 and story , where there is any at all , is of a character wholly foreign to English tastes , and it is singular to note how often tho point of the original is missed , even by tho literary cobbler who adapts the play , and the theatrical manager who produces it . When , for example , The Grand Duchess was first brought out at Covent Garden , tho satire of the original ,

which was based on tho smallness of the grand duchy and tho extremely diminutive character of all its administration , was entirely spoilt by the introduction of an immense corps of auxiliaries representing the army and court attendants . Such a display may have beon very grand , but it robbed the piece of half its general effect . Tho more recent Fille de Madame Angot furnishes oven a better

instance of this . The play , as originally produced , had a strong aud tolerably comprehensible plot , the dialogue being partly spoken and partly sung . Bnt tho English adapters , with hardly a single exception , ignored the spokon dialogue , and based the English play solely upon the words accompanying the published music . The consequence of course is , that the English words fail to convey any

idea of a plot , and are indeed almost without moaning at all . A further reason for the popularity of Opera Bouffe , beside its novelty and the tuneful music , may be found in tho adventitious aids of dress and dancing of a more or loss piquant , if not indecent description . It is astonishing that English matrons can look with oven tacit approval upon the exhibitions of semi-nudity and lascivious gesture

which are so frequently to be seen at our West-end theatres . Such dances as the Ripirelle or the Cancan—such costumes as may be seen in almost any burlesque or opera bouffe now being performed , aro a disgrace to our modern civilisation . Nor docs the evil rest with the mere moral effect produced by the representation . A still worse consequence has been that decent and intelligent actresses have been

driven to the provinces and into retirement , to make room for shameless creatures whoso only attraction lies in their shapely limbs , their immodest looks , and their notoriously wanton lives . Actresses like Miss Hughes , Miss Foote , Miss Ada Dyas , and Mrs . Viner , whose talent 3 aro recognised by every playgoer , arc frequently disengaged

for months at tho time , whilst tho Tottios and Sissies and Patties , —whoso talents , such as thoy are , consist in a clean pair of heelsaro to be found wherever we turn , in the enjoyment of tho best parts , and , apparently , most lucrative situations . There is nothing new to notice at tho theatres , the burlesque of