Metropolitan : Instruction.

In the unavoidable absence of the Chairman , Bro . F . W . Blott was voted to that position , and the report of the last meeting was read by Bro . Arthur Williams Secretary . The case of Marguerite Knott was again approved by the Committee , to be supported at the next Election , and Bro . F . Craggs Treasurer was entrusted to carry out the necessary arrangements to endeavour to make the polling a success . This worthy Brother stated that he was pleased to let th « members present know that he had had several applications from Brethren in the neighbourhood wishing to join the Association .

The " Gardener " is the title of a new penny weekly journal whioh is about to be published by Messrs . Cassell and Company . It will be conducted on new lines , and will contain features possessed by no other horticultural publication . It will bo essentially practical , and helpful alike to amateurs and professionals . It is intended for all who cultivate flowers , fruit , and vegetables , either for pleasure or profit . Notes will be contributed by correspondents in various parts of the kingdom . The " Gardener " will be very fully illustrated , and the first number will be issued next week .

THIS month's part of " Cassell's Magazine " contains many good things . The serial "The Garden Sword" is continued , and occupies the place o f honour in the number . A paper on the Marquess of Salisbury and Hatfield House , by Mary Spencer Warren , is interesting , and enriched with some excellent photographs illustrating the famous home of the Cecils and its yet

more famous owner . Another interesting article is that on " The Longest Railway in the Empire , " by Frederick Dolman , also illustrated , with some fine examples of Canadian scenery , & c The " Stories of Monte Carlo " are continued , this month ' s instalment being exciting . Several other good items go to make up an excellent number .

Social Aspect Of Modern Masonry.

SOCIAL ASPECT OF MODERN MASONRY .

AT Mount Eoyal Lodge , Montreal , one of a course of papers arranged for the benefit of the Craft iD general was given by the Rev . Charles G . Bollit , under the above heading . Bro . Eollit ' s points were in substance as follow : —

Taking a dictionary definition of Freemasonry , we find it called " An ancient and secret association or fraternity composed at first of masons or builders in stone , but now consisting of persons who are united for social enjoyment and mutual assistance . "

This exactly coincides with my own conception of modern Freemasonry , and we must admit there never was a time when we so much needed social organisation as at the present time . " Every man for himself" is the motto to-day .

Individualism is rampant . It declares that it is each man ' s duty to think for himself , to care for himself , succeed or fail as he may , and so philosophers of to-day will strike an average between men with as little concern as a bank manager does his estimate for the coming year .

The battle of life was never more fiercely fought than now , and never more surely with the result that the weak and tender , who cannot match skill with skill , and cunning with cunning , can find no place but in the trampled mass beneath the feet of the victors . Into a civilisation such as this , a civilisation that

loathes failure , that has no tears for poverty , and no sympathy for the conquered , Freemasonry comes with a noble purpose and takes her stand on the broad ground that humanity is one , that men are brethren , and that human life should not be a fight of man against man , but a great battle of knights , where the brave

encourage the fearful , the strong uphold the weak , and where each is pledged and willing to help each in the worldwide struggle against sorrow and trouble and evil . For are we not all Brethren , members of the same favoured family , engaged in this or that , running here and there , darting in and out in the great temple of

life , but all aiming at one thing and hoping to . dwell in one place , that celestial Lodge where the gavel of love shall control the action of one and all . So in almost any Lodge may be found the judge , the lawyer , the doctor , and the merchant prince , the tradesman , the farmer , the artist , the builder , the clerk , and even the clerk in holy orders .

And if in the dim light of the Lodge any should find less of that warmth they crave than they were led to expect , then in the famous " fourth degree " we provide a remedy . When the cup that cheers and the viands that nourish have done their work ,

when Queen and country , Craft and Lodge , have been toasted until they burn themselves into our memories , when story , and song , and speech , and banter have had their turn , then surely we feel that the social aspect of Freemasonry is one of its best , and that the whole is good . — " Canadian Craftsman . "

Music In Lodges.

MUSIC IN LODGES .

ALL are agreed that appropriate music adds greatly to the impressiveness of Masonic ceremonials , but we feel that in some cases there is allowed too great license in its employment . It is sometimes introdncted at a time when it detracts from , rather than adds to , the desired effect of the ritual , and it is introduced so frequently , and at such great length , as to present

Music In Lodges.

itself as the leading feature of the ceremony instead of being a mere accessary . That a Masonic degree should never be turned into a concert is a proposition too obvious to need much defence . There are several facts equally self-evident that the time available

for a degree does not give opportunity for much addition to tbe prescribed ritual ; and that vocal music , as sometimes introduced , interpolates words and ideas often incongruous and not prescribed by the ritual . — " Sun . "

One of the distinguishing features of Masonry is the reverential respect shown to old age . An old Mason always is , or should be , a welcome and a highly respected visitor to a Lodge . —Ex .

The University of London Lodge has requested its Secretary to address to the widow and family of Lord Herschell , a founder and Past Master of the Lodge , a letter of condolence expressing the sympathy which the Brethren

feel with them under their painful loss , and assuring them that the memory of his distinguished abilities , great Masonic attachments , and kindly courtesy will ever be cherished by the members .

The Theatres, &C.

The Theatres , & c .

Adelphi . —8 , The Man in the Iron Mask . Matinee , Saturday , 2 . Avenue . —8-15 , Tho Rift within the Lute . 8-50 , The Cuckoo . Matinee , Saturday , 3 . Comedy . —8-15 , A Lady of Quality . Matinee , Saturday , 230 . Court . —8 ' 15 , For Love of Prim . 9 , A Court Scandal . Matinee , Saturday , 3 .

Daly ' s . —815 , A Greek Slave . Matinee , Saturday , 2-30 . Duke of York ' s . —8 , Chums . 8-45 , The Adventure of Lady Ursula , Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 2 ' 30 . Gaiety . —8-15 , A Runaway Girl . Matinee , Saturday , 2 . Garrick . —8 , The Three Musketeers . Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday ,

2-15 . Globe . —8 , Caste . Matinee , Saturday . Haymarket . —8-10 , A Golden Wedding . 9 , Tho Manoeuvres of Jane Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 2 - 15 . Her Majesty ' s—8-15 , The Musketeers . Matinee , Saturday , 2-15 . Lyceum . —8 , The Only Way . Matinee , Saturday , 2 . Princess's . —7-45 , Woman and Wine .

Royalty . —8-15 , Confederates . 9 . A Little Ray of Sunshine . Matinee , Saturday , 3 . Savoy . —815 , The Lucky Star . Matinee , Saturday , 2-30 . Shaftesbury . —8 , The Bolle of New York . Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 2 .

St . James's . —8 , A Repentance . 8 ' 45 , The Ambassador . Matinee , Wednesday 2 . Strand . —8-15 , An Empty Stocking . 9 , What happened to Jones . Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 230 . Terry's . —8-15 , Sweet Lavender . Matinee , Thursday and Saturday , 2-30 . Vaudeville . —8 , A Bad Penny . 9 , On and Off . Matinee , Saturday , 3 .

Alexandra . —Next week , The Geisha . Dalston . —7 ' 4 = 5 , How London Lives . Grand . —Next week , Les Clotches de Corneville . Matinee , Wednesday 1-30 Queen's Opera House , Crouch End . —Next week , Rousby Opera Company Alhambra . —7 . 45 , Variety Entertainment . Jack Ashore , Red Shoes , Ac , Aquarium . —The Fisheries , Varied Performances , & c , twice daily . Empire . —7-50 , Variety Entertainment . New Ballet Alaska , & c

London Pavilion . —8 , Variety Entertainment . Oxford . —7-30 , Variety Entertainment . On the Roofs , & c . Saturday 2-30 , also . Palace . —7-45 , Variety Entertainment . New American Biograph , & c . Saturday , 2 also . Royal . —7-30 , Variety Company . Saturday , 2-30 also .

Tivoli . —7-30 , Variety Entertainment . Saturday , 2-15 also . Crystal Palace . —Varied attractions daily . Egyptian Hall . —3 and 8 , Mr . J . N . Maskelyne ' s entertainment . Madame Tussaud's ( Baker Street Station ) . —Open daily . Portrait models of modern celebrities , & c . Father Christmas and Monster Lucky Tub . Olympia . —Barnum and Bailey ' s Show .

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