Ireland.

IRELAND .

THE MASONIC ORPHAN SCHOOLS .

ON the 9 th hist ., a bazaar waa opened iu tho Town Hall , Porfcadown , on behalf of the Masonic Orphan Schools , aud , con . sidaring the very deaerving character of tho object , it is to be hoped the undertaking will be a success . To accomplish this no effort has been spared on the part of the local brethren , each one entering with the greatest spirit and enthusiasm into the matter . The hall is very nicely decorated , and presents an extremely pretty appearance , the

skilful and tasteful adornment of tho stalls adding not a httlo to the beauty of the scene . The opening ceremony was performed shortly after twelve o ' clock by Baroness Von Stieglitz , when there was a large attandanoe of tbe brethren from Armagh , Portadown , and the adjacent portions of the county . Having formed in procession , wearing fcheir regaliathey marched np the hall to the platform in

, the following order : —Master Masons , Royal Arch Masons , Knights Templar Masons , Prince Masons , the P . G . M ., aud D . P . G . M . The Baroness Von Stieglitz , in opening tho bazaar , said—My friends , for I may claim yon as such , being the sixth generation of a family resident amongst you , I know what Portadown has done , can

do , aud will do this day for the ereat and good Freemason cause . Tho ladies are not admitted into the Order . I claim to be a Mason , notwithatanding , having aerved my time under your celebrated towuaman Mr . Collin , wielding hia silver trowel with good effect in this town and elsewhere . Now , as good workmen begin early , I lose no more time in declaring this bazaar open , aud wiah it every

success . The Provincial Grand Master proposed a vote of thanks to the Baroness for her kindness . They nil , he was sure , fully appreciated her action , and were very grateful to hor for coming amongsfc fchem . She said she was a Mason , and cert duly what she had done that day showed she was a really true aud accepted one .

The proposition having been appropriately honoured . The Provincial Grand Master said that was certainly a most auspicious and proper day for the opening of that baz-iar , as it was the birthday of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales Grand Master , and he called upon all the brethren present to join in giving him a salute . The request having been enthusiastically complied with ,

On the proposition of Bro . Atkinson , the Provincial Grand Master waa also saluted with full honours . Ifc should be mentioned that while the brethren were entering and leaving tho hall Bro . W . J . Moffatt , Lurgan , P . G . O . played a march by Mozart . In fche afternoon and evening a aeries of concerts was given under the conductorahip of Mr . W . A . Taylor The bazaar was continued on the 10 th inst .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Down.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DOWN .

THE quarterly meeting of tho Provincial Grand Lodgo of Down was held on the 8 th inst ., in the Masonic Rooms , Banbridge . The Provincial Grand Master of Down ( Bro . Lord Arthur Hill , M . P . ) presided . The meeting was exceedingly large and representative . The following Officers wero elected for the ensuing year . —Brothers James Hunter Barrett S . W ., William J . Baines J . W ., Joseph

Leyceafcer Devenish Mearea Treasnrer , Francia Clements Crossle Secretary , Rev . John Pierce Brown , B . A ., Eev . Augustus Byrne , B . A ., Rev . Edward B . Ryan , Rov . John B . Crozier , D . D ., Chaplains , William John Miller S . D ., John Thompson J . D ., John Millen Cleland and John Murphy Director of Ceremonies , Thomas Bunting , William Shannon , George W . O'Flaherfcy , Alexander M'Bride , Joseph J . Singleton , John

Richard Allen , Joseph Robinson Stewards , W . G . W . Flynn Sword Bearer , William Johnston Organist , Robert Dempster I . G ., L . J . Thompson , J . L . D . Meares , W . T . Henry , T . A . M'Cammon , R . H . Wallace , and R . MacIUwaine Representatives of the Board of General Purposes , G . W . O'Flaherty and J . M . Cleland Repreaeutafcives of the Grand Lodge of Instruction . After the business had been transacted , the visiting brethren , numbering close upon 150 , were

hospitably entertained to luncheon in the Town Hall , nnder the presidency of Lord Arthur Hill . The good things having been partaken of wifch a relish , the toast of the Chairman was drunk with mnch enthusiasm , to which hia Lordahip replied in words suitable to the occasion . Other toasts followed , all of which were reaponded to . The catering waa done by Measrs . Willis Bros ., with fcheir usual ability . The tables wore neatly laid out with potted flowers lent by Mr . Andrew S . M'Clelland , J . P ., Belmont .

Scotland.

SCOTLAND .

CONSECRATION OP A LODGE AT LOCHRANZA

A NEW Lodge , under the title of St . Bride's , No . 784 , Lochranza was recently consecrated by Sir Charles Dalrymple , Bart ., in his capacity of Provincial Gra /? d Master of Argyll and tho Isles . On tho occasion the Provincial Grrjnd Master was supported by Brothers Major Newall Deputy P . G . Master , Rev . J . K . Hewison of Rothesay

acting as P . G . Chaplain , Andrew Clark P . G . Secretary , and Robert Rao P . M . of No . 41 . There were also present in honour of the occasion a large deputation from the neighbouring Lodge afc Lamlash , St . Molios , No . 774 , while the Lodges at Islay and Androssan wer » also represented . The new Lodge and deputation assembled in

Scotland.

the sohool-room , and afc 2 * 30 fche Provincial Grand Lodge waa received in due form . The ceremony of consecrating the new Lodge St . Bride , No . 784 , was immediately proceeded with by fcho Provincial Grand Master and his Officers , who conducted the proceedings with the greatest decorum and success . The Provincial Grand Lodge and other visiting brethren wero afterwards entertained to dinner in Lochranza Hotel , when in the absence of the Right Worshipful

Master of Lodge St . Bride ' s , No . 784 , Bro . Charles Murohie Deputy Master of Lodge St . Molios , No . 774 , presided . After dinner , a few toasts and complimentary sentiments wero proposed and pledged , which brought a very pleasant and happy meeting to a close . The P . G . Master , accompanied by Bro . Major Newalt and the Rov . Bro . Hewison , drove off to Brodrick , and as their carriage moved away received a hearty cheer from the brethren assembled in front of tbe hotel .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Lyceum . —The production of "King Lear" is an event of th « highest theatrical importance , while the assumption of the principal personage by Mr . Henry Irving conveys the assurance that everything histrionic ability , aided by scholarly research , can achieve has been brought to bear upon the revival . Dramatically speaking , " Lear " is not a popular play , though containing some of the grandest

language of our immortal Poet , its mournful story is unrelieved by any li ghtness ; and hence it happens that tho younger generation of playgoers have had uo opportunity of seeing the tragedy properly represented . We may say at once that Mr . Irving ' s impersonation of tbe "foolish , fond old man " ia without any exception the finest he haa given and is entitled to rank with that of any of the noble names

traditionally handed down to us . It is hard to imagine in what manner it conld be improved , the various gradations of feeling leading to insanity were marvellously portra-ced ; while tho still liner emotions by which fche poor old king ia restored to reason by the kindness of his despised daughter , and the pathetic death scene nre so exquisitely rendered as to enthral tbe vast audience iu silent

admiration . Notably also comes Miss Ellen Terry through the ordeal of the small but trying part of Cordelia , the beautiful scene at the termination of the fourth act eliciting the ufcmosfc enthusiasm , and the curtain had to be raised no less than four times before tbe applause of the spectators could be controlled . Mr . William Terriss spoke the lines allotted to Edgar with hia nsual ringing clearness

but his idea of "Poor Tom" left mnch to be desired . Mr . Frank Cooper acted admirably as Edmund , the Fool was judiciously impersonated by Mr . Haviland , while Messrs . Alfred Bishop aa Gloster , W . Holloway as Kent , and Gordon Craig as Oswald , all filled their various characters with advantage . The veteran Mr . Howe was accorded a hearty welcome on making his appearance as tbe

Old Man , and Mr . Tyars made a commendable Albany . The unthankful parts of Goneril and Regan found excellent exponents in Miss Ada Dyas and Miss Mand Milton , indeed every one of the numerous dramatis persona has a fitting representative . Tbe mounting is of course np to the usual grand Lyceum atsvr . dard , but there is no opportunity for those magnificent scenio displays

noticeable in previous revivals . The architectural * scenes have been designed by Mr . Ford Madox Brown , aud illustrate a period about A . D . 500 . The greafc storm scone in fche third acfc is wonderfully arranged , some modern electrical effects being introduced . The overture and four entr ' actes , which have been composed by Mr .

Hamilton Clarke , deserve to be specially mentioned , aa they will afford delight to those who appreciate descriptive music ; thus it will be seen fchafc from every point of view the thanks of the artistic community are due to Mr . Henry Irving for this grand production .

Mr . Joseph Heald begs to announce hia first evening concert on Monday , 21 st November 1802 , at Sfceiuway Hall , Lower Seymour Street , Portmau Square , W ., ab 8 o ' clock . The following artiatea will assiafc : —Misa Florence Bethell , Mrs . Cecil Newling , Madama Gertrude Pownall , Mias Grainger Kerr , Madame Edna Riga , Miss Violet Robinson , Mr . Joseph Heald , Mr . Arthur Strugnel ) , Mr . Chaa . Copland ; violin , Mr . A . M . Wall ; pianoforte , Miss Maud Holdom . Conductors , Mr . Turle Lee and Mr . R . B . Addison .

A deputation of the Liverpool Masonio Ball Committee waited upon his Worship the Mayor of Liverpool ( Bro . R . D . Holt ) on the 10 th inat ., to ask for tho patronage of the Mayor and Mayoress afc the Masonio Ball . The deputation was inbroducsd by Bro . James do Bels Adam P . P . S . G . W ., the ex-mayor , who asked that fche use of fche Town Hall should be granted for Tuesday , 10 th January . The request of the deputation was readily conceded .

The funeral of Mrs . Fanny Bailey , the wife of Bro . W . Bailoy I . P . M . of the Stour Valley Lodge , No . 1224 , Sudbury , Suffolk , whose death occurred within a fow hours of the installation of hia successor , took place on fcho 9 th inst . The service was porformad at St . Peter ' a Church , by the Rector , the Rev . T . L . Green , and waa attended by a

large number of brethren , including the outgoing and incoming Jlayora of the town , the W . M . Bro . Joseph Georgo , the P . M . 's , and principal membera of the Lodge . The Lodge wreath waa conspicuous amongst ; the [ numerous beautiful floral tributes of regard and esteem for the departed lady , and much sympath y was expreased for our worthy brother ia hia sad bereavement .