Correspondence.

saloon , or in private society ; and would speedily bo taught to hold his unruly tongue . I have tiiysel '' on ono or two OA ' IS ' — travelling f'Jisi ' Hut ' y as I do in my lino of bisbie-s—so n men who ostentations ! v proclaimed t n'iit : olve- < M'sons so eotnoletelv snubbed that th" \ - hive f ' elo glad so edilv to tako th-mseU'o •oil * to a well

deserved " Coventry . ' Die men vl' whom yon speak aro m ; ' v'iy small , contemptible minos ity ; usually y ( l" !" -. ' pnppias , or flodgli- 'i : Masons , who have not learnt bettor , but who aro a uro to find their level , sooner ov later . And now one word with regard to the " publican " el ? ment in

Freemasonry—and by that I presume you include tho very hir ^ e body of licensed victuallers and hotel p-opriefc > rs in tho kingdom . For my part , I see no very great harm in sucli people display ii'g onr emblems on their carils or billheads ; snt'l a . ' a rule I always prefer to stay at a house the proprietor of' which is a Mason than at any

other . Tako the best hotels wo have in L melon , Anderton ' s , Ship and Turtle , Guildhall Tavern , Holborn Restaurant , Imperial , and how many others ; are they not all ably managed by tn "in hers of the Craft ? . And so are most of the ex' -ellent establishments of the kind all over tho country . Aud my exp rienco is , without going into

unnecessary details , that you find greater comfort and economy , better attendance and accommodation , at such places than tit those whioh are not governed by proprietors who belong to " ns . " Tho painted daubs you see on tho fronts of inferior and common pnbliehonses are no criterion whatever . In fcho first place , men of any

rank or position in Freemasonry never go to snch places afc all ; and in tho next , thoso who are their habitual customers are not Masons , attd are therefore ignorant of tho meaning of snch symbols . I will not trespass further on your valuable space just now , but may at some future time vindicate our friends the puulicans from

any aspersion as to the holding of Lodges of Instruction at their houses . Where else could one get the necessary accommodation and comfort ? Surely not in a cold and cheerless school . room , vestry hall , or hired room . But of that anon . I have carefully read and weighed all tho arguments you advanced as to the " prostitution of

the emblems of the Craft to personal and interested objects , " but fail to see that every man is to bo stigmatised who wears modest Masonic jewellery or displays the ordinary signs on his trade announcements . Anyhow , Sir , whilst lifting my hat in profound admiration of your well-intentioned efforts to promote Masonic

morality , I most respect ' -ally decline to divest myself of the ernble matic ring and pendant , or studiously to shun those places o refreshment in the towns which I am called to stay at because somi of them intimate to me that they are under Masonic management Apologising for tbe length of these remarks ,

I remain , Dear Sir ancl Brother , Yours very fraternally , A COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER Hastings .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

— : o : — Globe . —Aft "r postponement for a fortnight , owing fco tho sudden , illness of Mr . Penley , " The Snowball" wax produced on Mon a v . j Notwithstanding the delay , it was found necessary to leavo Mr . Penley out of tbo caste , but in his stead we have Mr . 0 . 11 . I Hawtrey . How much the piece has gained or lost by this change we cannot say ; Mr . l ' onley would certainly havo created roars of I

laughter , but we scarcely think he would havo boon suited to tho part . "The Snowball , " by Mr . Sydney Grundy , is a farcical comedy iu three acts , originally produced in the earl y part of 1879 . Though short , the work is hi g hly amusmr , and has tho . advantage of being devoid of anything objectionable . The humorous situations are naturally brought about ; tho fun is fast and afc times furious , but

never spun out ; in short , "Tlio Snowball " is kept rolling just long enough and then it tn Its . Tito three nets all tako place in the sitting room at Mr . Felix Featherstone ' s honse , where the ball is sent offby Felix going to the theatre to see a piece which is the talk of the town , but where he does not wish to take his wife . Ethel Granger , his ward , induces tho will- to believe her husband is going to a select

whist party . Judge then his surprise when on entering the theatre he sees the two ladies , in company with the hitter ' s lover , in a private box . Not wishing to let it be known he has himself been to the theatre , at the saute time longing to call his wife to account , Felix pJo ' s againsfc Iior , while in return she fovtoui's . lcs a counterplot . The way in vvin ' . vh ( he ;; .-rvav . t of the lions > , IVuo'opj , is bro u . f lit into the

affair , with tho humorous situation-, aiu . iug therefrom , ate vscil carrier ] ont . Felix at last co ; d ' c ; -s ? , and promis ; a to be move confiding iu future . The piece wa .-t v . oil acted , a ¦ ; 'i will so oven : better wh ^ n i ^ . ken at a fv . zlyr r : k \ As . F , iix For . ; hsvst-i . o Mr . C . If . lhn . tr > y is lo he con [ indiili :. ¦» . ] on } , i > snoops ; ho act ' ,- . ' witli spo'i ' . , while his display of agitation was c < : cdlei , t . Mr . W . J . [[ ill has another or th ^ .

characters ho ' . vows so well ho . v to mako tho msat of ; bis Undo John was ft finish ? ,- ! -ske'ci :. Miss Fau ;< y Ii : " - ; t : ; h , or tho omit ! Pene ' ooo waa highly smcrossf'u ! , ! : •v conception oftho ehrtiaefer was perfect ! Miss Var . o Foatooistono had bi ; l lew OJVr . rhlai'ias , still she made ( he most Of the ?? . Mia ; Dhv . cl-. V Uorlr . rl : l-. r \ : , ¦;* ,, . , ., , ; : ; je . .,,, , ;> fl Mr . Williv . d Draycot' r-r . acte ;! - . vcli tho lo 7 :. y . TSiopi ; , -o ' . w ; ntv- ^ - 'cl

by a one act coa-. ediotta , h y Mr . / .. tflwoe . I , of a :, int-vsrdno ; rLroetcr . notwithstanding it" boh . ;/ , btrs-d . on faaidur mr-dana ! . Tlie triflo ' -.-. , done foil ju .- 'itc t-i by M .: S : ' -r .- \ St .: w irr . D ov ;; :, ; : , Wilft-s ] Dr : ivCot < -, W . Lestocq , lb : ' Mts ' c-s Florence Ilajdi ; ii and OiatK ' . U-. [ T-rUick " Th > musical absu-dity " Crazed , " by Mr . Alfred R . Phillips , brought the programme to a conclusion .

Opera Comicrue . —The revival of "The School for Scandal' * here last Saturday was perhaps made mote interesting than usual by

The Theatres, &C.

tlio fner thafc two of on 1-mosfc pipular performers male their nV-fc ; u > o •iratio" in > v nesy character , Mr . James Fern indez as Sis Peter T -a le , and Mr . F n'hos R bertson as Charles Surface . Mr . Pernand-z ' s iijip- ¦•s- » n iri > rt was ess > n'i illy a tini-died ono , always wi'hin hounds . Mr . Robertson exhibited plenty of spirit and real

humour as Charles Sarfac . bat iio should romemb r Charles is not ' . riven to diinking to such an extent as to make him reel as Mr . Robertson did ou Saturday . Miss Kafce Vaughau ouce more gave ns her finish"d portrayal of Lady Teazle ; perfect in every point . Mr . Fur bo * Dawsoa was a most unsatisfactory Joseph , he did not

ilevi lopa the sentiment or the polish requisite for the part . Mr . Lionel Urotigh was yorid as Mosos , while Mr . Steplieu CafFroy was elf ctivc as Sir Oliver . Mrs . John BiUingUm ( Mrs . Candour ) , Miss J ilia 0 wynne ( Lady Swerwell ) , and Mr . Charles Fawcett ( Rowley ) , ably assisted the representation .

Avenue . — " Robinson Crusoe" std ! continues to draw good houses hete . Tho principals have been supplied with new songs and fresh " business , " and most successfully do they work it up . The excellent chorus do their part of tho work satisfactorily . Mr . Aithur Roberts , though not having such a taking part as

usual , is most entert lining ; his side play being especiall y amusing . Miss Wart man sings and acts charmingly , as likewise does Miss Fjydia Yeumnns . Miss Phyllis Broughton has some new dances , which sho executes gracefully . Messrs . Ilmiry Ashley , C . W .

Bradbury , Sam Wilkinson , Charles Sutton , aud Fred Storey ail render service . Tbe harlequinade which follows is ono of the best we have ever seen , und wo adviso those of our readers who go to sea " Robinson Crusoe " to stay for this feature of the programme .

Olympic ? . —After a most successful run , of over ono hundred nights , "The Churchwarden" comes off this Saturday evening , to make room for " In Chancery , " by A . W . Pinero , which will be played , by special desire , the last twelve nights of Mr . Terry ' s tenancy of the theatre . This expires on Saturday , 2 nd April .

Gaiety . — Miss Amy Roselle will give a special matinee on Thursday , the 2 tth instant , at this theatre , when will be produced a new nnd original comedy , in three acts , by II . M . Paul , entitled "The Great Felicidad . " Miss Roselle will be supported by the

following company : —Miss Cissy Grab a me , Mrs . Ciriningo , Miss Chti > tine Mayne , and Miss Mitchell . Messrs . F . II . Macklt ' n . Brandon Thomas , F . M . Paget , Geo . Canninge , Stewart Dawson , Eric Lewis , Frank Fetiton , De Verney , aud Arthur Daere . Tho play will be produced under tho direction of Mr . Brandon Thomas .

Mohawk Minstrels . —As has bnen tho custom here for some years , St . Patrick's Day was celebrated by this tronpg of minstrels providing a selection oi' Irish soags and recitations . Tho capabilities of the troupe are well known , and as tho result every available seat

in tho hall afc Islington was tilled . Lncores woro numerous , tbe audience thoroughly falling in with tho different sentiments expressed in the songs . A moro successful Irish Festival could not have been wished for , either by the management or by those who were present .

Olympia . —A most interesting gymnastic fete , under the auspices of tho National Physical Recreation Society , will bo held at Olymp ia , on tlio evenings of the Ph , 5 th nnd Gbh of April . Tho programme , which embraces gymnastics of all kinds , will include musical , dumb b » ll , and Indian club drill , indoor football , lacrosse ,

hurdle racing , tugs of war , tho running musical maze , by several hundred competitors , and tho final competition for the 200 guinea challenge shield . The object of tho society , which is an excellent one , is to promote physical recreation among tho working classes , and the labours of its promoters are already beginning to meet with

snecess . One of the features of tho fefce will be the massing together and performance of the musical drill by tho honorary teachers and pupils from the varions affiliated gymnasia . The band of the

Lonclou R fie Brigade , under the direction of Mr . Hiram Henton , has been engaged . The fete will be nnder the patronage of H . R . H . tha Prince of Wales , who it is believed will honouroneof the performances with his presence .

Creaton . bodge of instniction , l ' -7 o . 1791 . — Afc the -seining ou Thui ^ biy , lb ' Lh inst ., afc theWheutshcaf Hotel , Goldhawk Road , W ., 'hire . . vore present Pros . Situs P . M . W .. *•! ., Davies S . W ., Cr ... . -gs J . W ., A : ; .- ; t : n TK-asuvor , CUifsaifc P . M . S crotarv , Purdue P . M . S . D ., Joo , ; i , e , s J . D , Rid- ; hy I . O ., Carers Steward ; P . M . ' s ¦

. Vo ' u , vV . ei-oi , Child ; liios . Wood , Williams , Cochran ? , Liehfc-nFcId , ¦ toi . hili , Smyth , LU' -T , C >! ton , Uiggiusoti , Benton , Stroud , Klein , lardy , 1 ) arbroo ! :, Poa . d , Lindfi Id , Kurd , Kennett , and several others , rxlgo was opened in usual harm , and tho minntes of last meeting voro read and eonfirrnod . Tho cere mon v of passing was rehearsed ,

Pro . Ciost ttcihi'Jat ' - -. Tho W . M . ^ ave tho lecture on fche tracing br-rd !•! : i : ' . . ' degree - ; . Led ^ a resumed to first , when the second and : hir , i ^ re-ions < . . .-i-vu w ^ lrcd by !! . •, ; . Spiegel , assisted bv the brethren . ! lr .-s . lb . ad tarn ; K-ond : ' , of the niniwr LoJg-y , also Bro . Cramp 103 , Lanrr ICUH , and Liet , tenfold , woro elected members . Bro . Davies was npp . j'i . ted W . M . for next Thursday .

loo iiibfc ; i . li ; ilioii njcotiiso ; of the Wtillinglon Lodge , No . 181 ) 2 , took place on Thnrsd . iy . Bt * o . yrancis Oarfer was installed by tlio ottfgoitig Master , Bro . Alfred Bishop . A full report will bo given next week .