The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Strand . —The new three act farce , " Bachelors Wives by F . Bmisfield , was pr-ilnoed at a matinee on Wednesday , before a good audience . The farce , although not original , is of a laughable character , bufc the fan arises out of situations that we fear would hardly please an evening audience . The author ' s ideas

could be spun out to any length , but he has wisely confined himself to three acts ; still these will have to be considerably condensed before the work is reproduced . A briefless barrister , Frank Dayrell , has secretly married a ward in Chancery , Bella Berkeley , a lady in receipt of £ 4 , 000 , whioh she would

loose if her union became known . A friend of Dayrell , whose name bears a resemblance , it being Francis Darrell , comes on a visit to him , accompanied by a relative . Now , in the event of Dayrell marrying , these two will receive £ 300 a year , of whioh sum he will be the loser . Mr . Briggs , the uncle of Miss Berkeley , discovers his

niece is married , and supposes it to be to a Member of Parliament . Frank has promised to entertain his cousin , William Wiggins , a Devonshire farmer , but puts him off . He entrusts the care of his spouse to Darrell , who passes her off as his wife ; but when he is called upon to produce her , a clever servant girl comes to the rescue

and says she is espoused to Dayrell . The piece now shows how Dayrell's baby is transferred from one to another , and at last placed in the luggage van of an express train about to proceed to Weymouth . Wiggins now gets into trouble with his wife . He wants to purchase a horse called Dolly , and Mrs . Wiggins

seeing a letter with a reference to this Dolly in it mistakes the name for that of a young lady whom her husband wishes to be unknown . However , as may readily be supposed , all is brought right in the end ; it turns out that when Bella Berkeley was declared a ward in Chancery she was eight years old instead of six , and this

alteration in her supposed age is the means of securing her fortune to her . As Frank Dayrell Mr . Yorke Stephens displayed some fine acting . His part was certainly confusing , but he managed to get through it with considerable credit . The Bella of Miss Dora Vivian was another capital piece of work ; Miss Lotinga , who

now makes her first appearance on the stage , was passable as Mrs . Francis Darrell , while Miss Lottie Venne played the part of tho servant wifch winning simplicity . The other characters were

well sustained by Messrs . Sydney Valentine , Charles Dodsworth , T . B . Appleby , F . Bousfiold , Clarence Blakiston , H . H . Morell , and Miss Elinor Aickin . At the conclusion the author was called for , and he received a hearty cheer as he passed across the stage .

Vaudeville . —A matinee vvas given here on Thursday , more for the purpose of exercising the histrionic abilities of M . Gospodin Lubimoff than for other reason . The piece chosen for this purpose was Dion Boucicault ' s romantic drama , in four acts , entitled " Grimaldi . " This , as is well known , is founded on incidents in fche

life of an actress , and contains points that require careful handling . This undoubtedly it received in some parts on Thursday , but in others the result was exceedingly disappointing . The part of Grimaldi is one that requires power to make it effective , and certainly M . Lublin off displayed this . Although rather indistinct in accentuation he

made a good impression , scoring whenever an opportunity occurred . When in the last act he dictates the confession to Maltravera , he made the most of the situation . Again , in the third act , when Violet makes her first appearance on the stage , at the Nottingham Theatre , his anxiety attending the ordeal was exhibited in artistic

style . The villainy of Maltravers was perfectly shown by Mr . Bassett Roe . This gentleman seems to exult in the trouble he causes , and gives a life-like realism to the part . In the last act , where Grimaldi fires the pistol , Mr . Roe rose to the occasion , while his rage when Lord Arthur Shafton threatens to write to the papers

about him was effectively displayed . Mr . W . T . Hemsley as Lord Selwyn Dawdle was humorous , as also was Mr . T . P . Haynes as Wopshot . Mr . Charles Fawcett gave a natural rendering of the character of Lord Arthur Shafton , but Miss Mary Mordaunt , as Violet , was weak . This lady appeared unable to realise the part

that had been allotted her . The Misses Olive and Ivy Wood in tho third act danced with spirit , but Miss Gladys Homfrey was stagey as Julia . The principals received a call at the conclusion of the piece , which was followed by a humorous recitation capitally given by Mr . Bassett Roe . M . Lubimofr also recited , his selection being " Abel's Death , " from the tradegy " Cain . "

ARRIVAL or THE PARIS H IPPODROME . —The great hippodrome has left Paris for the first time since its institution ; it is now safely under cover at " Olympia , " Kensington . Some idea of the extent of this biggest of equestrian shows may be formed from tho fact thafc they have brought o ? er 400 artistes and assistants ; 300 horses ,

ponies , elephants , deer , dogs , & c , 100 musicians , and a large number of Roman chariots and historical carriages and harness . Two special steamers were chartered to convey the hippodrome horses , company , and properties from Dieppe to Newhaven ; and five special trains were used in the further transit to Addison Road Station ,

which adjoins Olympia . Tbe journey by sea was very rough , bufc both horses and artistes will be prepared by Boxing-day to give Londoners an idea of marvellous displays . The hippodrome will have an immense advantage because of the unique position as to accessibility of Olympia from all parts of the Metropolis and the

kingdom . Addison Road Station , which ia at the doors of tho New National Agricultural Hall , is directly connected with every lino of importance iu Great Britain , while 126 'buses pass the entrance of

Olympia daily . Thus for convenience of approach , the want of which has been the drawback of so many popular shows , Addison Road stands unique ; this fact alone shonld go far to mako Olympia reap that success which has been universally predicted for it .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Will you kindly afford space to enabl me toannounce that Bro . W . Wither B . Beach , Esq ., M . P ., R . W . Provincial Grand Master for Hants aud Isle of Wight , has consented fco

preside at the Anniversary Festival of this Institution , and that the same will be held on Tuesday , the 22 nd Febrnary 1887 . I trust that the brethren who may have hesitated as to accepting the office of Steward , through the day not being fixed , and the

Chairman being unknown , will forward their names and rank afc once , in . order that their appeals may be made to their different Lodges , and thus justify the Committee in its desire fco place an additional number upon the list of annuitants from the 130 candidates seeking election ,

with at present two vacancies only , the more especially aa being the Jubilee year ifc affords the opportunity of doing so , and of paying a compliment to Her Majesty the Queen , the Vice-Patron of the Institution .

Yours fraternally , JAMES TERRY , Secretary . 4 Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C . 16 th December 1886 .

[ It is with no small amount of satisfaction we learn thafc the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution has secured a Chairman for its next Anniversary Festival . This will take place on Tuesday , the 22 nd February , instead of the

23 rd , as previously announced . In the person of Bro . W . W . B . Beach , Bro . Terry has secured one of the most popular and enthusiastic of our Masonic workers ; a gentleman who spares neither time , money , nor labour

whenever his services are in request . As Masonic ruler of the Province of Hampshire and fche Isle of Wight , Bro Beach , undoubtedly has a large following ; moreover , he is popular wherever he is known . On this account we predict a

successful result to his appeal on behalf of the Old People , for whom no one is more fitted to plead . Add to this the fact that the claims of the Benevolent Institution are at the

present time most urgent , and we have a combination of circumstances which should tend to assure a handsome total as the result of the Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for 1887 . —Ed . F . O . ]

" How to be Happy , though Single , " is the title of a paper , by the author of " How to be Happy , though Married , " which will appear in the January number of " Cassell ' s Magazine . " "ILLUSTRATIONS . "—Mr . Francis George Heath ' s pictorial threepenny magazine , " Illustrations , " in its January number , which will

be published by Messrs . W . Kent and Co ., of Paternoster Row , will include au article by Mr . Heath , entitled " The Charm of Fern Culture ; " an illustrated article on " Hunting the Carted Deer , " by

Mr . Walter Winans ; " Round about St . Malo , " by Miss Margaret Thomas , th

Two KINDS OF MASONS . —Ifc is one thing to be recipients of good ; it is quite another thing to be doers of good . One class of material is attached to the Masonic organization by the thonght of what shall be gained by connection wifch such a society . The motive is that of selfishness , which may be of a higher or lower grade . Another

class is influenced , at least in part , we hope , by the thought that if they take their place in an association whioh stands for morals aud benevolence , they will be able to do more in the discharge of fche

duties of related life . It is their desire to be of service to others , and they seek admission to the Masonic Lodge , believing thus fche door of opportunity will be opened for a wider and more blessed place . — Canadian Craftsman .

The square teaches us to regulate onr acfcions by rule and line , and harmonize our conduct by the principles of morality and virtue . The compasses teach ns to limit our desires in every station , that , rising to eminence by merit , we may live respected and die regretted . MORALITY OF FREEJUSONRY . —Freemasonry is strictly a moral Iu .

stitution , ancl the principles which it teaches tend to make the brother who obeys their dictates a more virtuous man . The morality of Freemasonry requires us to deal justly with others , not to defraud , cheat , or wrong them of their just dues and rights . We are to

minister fco the wants of tho destitute and afflicted . It strictly enjoins industry and frugality , that so onr hands may ever be filled with the means of exercising that charity to which our hearts should ever dispose ns .

. The beauties of Masonry consist chiefly in the lives and fellowship of its members ; there is a mystic cord that binds them together , whether in prosperity or adversity , in sickness or in health , in life or in death , at home or abroad , and death itself does not rend asunder

this silver cord—for as long as the descendants of a Mason ask in his name " help" it is freely given ! When a man becomes a true Mason the fountain of charity is opened up in his heart , and like the pure waters gushing from a rock continues to flow , dispensing happiuess and joy .