Masonic Conversazione In Surrey.

1790 and Misses Catterson ; J . Kilverton 1790 , Mrs . Kilverton , and Miss Kilverton ; G . S . Hnrsnail 1790 , Mrs . Horsnad , and Mrs Clarke ; B . Green 87 nnd Mrs . Gre"n ; F . Career 1892 and Mrs Carter ; A . Verdon 1892 and Mra . Verdon ; C . White 1790 and Mrs White : T . Griffiths 463 and Miss Nichols ; J . Edwardes 1892 and Mrs

Edwardes ; J . Waterman 452 and Mra . Carenace ; T . Eblendfc 463 and Mrs . Eblendt ; W . G . Bachelor 452 and 548 and Miss Andley ; T . Pascall 720 and 1790 , Mrs . and Miss Pascall , and Mrs . Tarry ; W . C . Slater 801 and Mrs . Slater ; H . Senery 1815 and Mrs . Senery ; W . Pile 1892 , Mrs . and Miss Pil *; S . Oxenhnm 2096 , Mrs . and Miss

Oxenham ; E . C . Holdsworth 2096 anri Mrs . Holds worth ; J . S . Fraser 2096 , Mrs . and Miss Hntchbnry ; J . R . Hubbard 463 and Mrs . Hnbbard ; W . B . Newby 463 and Mrs . Anbbary ; G . Yaxley 463 and Mrs . Yaxley ; J . W . Baldwin W . M . 1892 , Mrs . and Miss Baldwin ; J . H . Owens 1347 and Mrs . Owens ; W . D . Merritt 1 C 00 , Mrs . and Mi « s Merritt ,

and Miss Whiffin ; F . Cambridge P . P . G . O . Snvrey , Mrs . Cambridge , aud Miss Cooper ; H . G . Thompson 1556 and Mrs . Thompson ; J . Hooke 463 , Mrs . and Miss F . Hooke ; T . L . Lecke 1347 and Miss Barnes ; J . Rhodes 463 and Mrs . Rhodes ; J . Streeter 463 , Mrs . and Miss Streeter , Mrs . Hnanse , and Miss Rise ; B . H . Ridge 463 and

Miss Holloway ; G . N . Man ( Alliance ) and Mrs . Man ; G . E . Krister ( Urban ) , Misses A . Kuster , F . Kuster , and C . Kuster ; J . S . Curtis ( Penge ) and Mrs . Curtis ; A . J . Norris ( Fitzroy ) and Mrs . Nona ' s ; C . J . L . Gillemand 463 , Mrs . Gillemand , and Miss Fabian ; S . J . Cuthbert 1815 and Miss Cuthbert ; W . S . Lee 1987 and Mrs . Lee ; M . L .

Levey 2096 and Mrs . Levey ; W . E . Greenfield 34 and Mrs . Greenfield ; A . Wilmont 1790 and Mrs . Wilmont ; B . Shakespeare 1790 and Mrs . Shakeppeare ; W . G . Fenn 538 and Mrs . Fenn ; H . W . DOWD 1912 and Miss Down : Jobn Bennett 1415 and Mrs . Bennett ; M . G . Bohrer 1627 and Mrs . Bobrer ; F . J . Ridpath 2096 and 1790 ; C . Beckett 1319

R , R . Weed 1706 , W . A . FroBt 2000 , W . A . Foulsbam 24 406 1790

W . H . Gates 463 , R . De Lacy 1706 , W . R . Griffins 1790 , J . W . Moorman 1638 , W . H . Mason 1981 , A . A . Barnes 1351 , E . F . Wood 1000 , F . Woorman 1000 , H . E . Frances 452 , S . P . Catterson 548 and 1981 , H . Steele 452 , H . W . Turner 1347 , H . Saxelby 463 , H . H . Greenwood 1982 , J . L . Thorns P . G . W . Middlesex , W . H . Lee , S . Patterson . C . Holden 2096 , W . G . Oates 2096 , W . H . M . Smith 473 , A . Smith 538 , B . B . Jesse 1556 , C . Field ( Liberty of Havering ) , C . Tarry 1791 , H . Massey 619 and 1928 , & c .

R.M.I.B.—Meeting Of " Old Boys."

R . M . I . B . —MEETING OF " OLD BOYS . "

THE presentation of a testimonial to Mrs . Lees ( nee Miss Hall ) , who is well known to the pnpils of tho Royal Masonio Institution for Boys , and to others who have taken an interest in the School , as the former Matron of that Institution , formed the occasion for a meeting of old scholars at tho Holborn Restaurant , on Wednesday , which it is hoped will inaugurate an annual gathering of some of thoso

who spont their earliest days in the building at Wood Green . The chair was taken by Mr . Charles M . Uwina , who was supported by Bro . F . Binckes , Secretary of the School , the Misses Binckes , and , in the place of honour , the guest of the evening , Mrs . Lees , who was accompanied by her husband . Among tho " Old Boys" present

were Messrs . Barnard , Barrett , Hopkins , Price , Pulman , Roberts , Wain , Whiteby aDd Williams . The testimonial presented to Mrs . Lees consisted of an album , a tea and coffee service , and an afternoon tea papier mache tray , which gifts were handed to her in clue course , with the best wishes of tho donors for her futuro happiness .

The presentation was acknowledged by Mr . Lees in appropriate terms . In the course of the evening the Chairman threw out a suggestion , which was most cordially received by those present , that a club should be formed consisting entirely of former pnpils , who would thus have the opportunity of continuing or renewing the friendships

of their school days . We hardly think it is necessary for us to say how heartily we coincide with this proposal ; on more than one occasion we have pointed out the desirability of Eome union existing among the lada on leaving the School , not only for their own welfare , bnt iu the hope

that by united action they might be able to do something to fhow tbeir appreciation of wbafc has been done for them in their days of adversity . It should be no difficult task for the pnpils of each to do something , and many trifles might prove sufficient to afford an

edacatioD , similar to what they have received , to at Jeasfc one lad in the same strait as they were when the Masonic Order took charge of them . We shall be very pleased to lend onr services to advance the project , and hope that the meeting of " Old Boys" just held may be but the first of a long series of annual gatherings .

Ihe first Annual Ball of tho Chiswick Lodge , 2012 , will be held at the Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , on Friday , 29 th January next , when , under the direction of an efficient board of Stewards , a very enjoyable evening may be

anticipated . We are convinced that Bro . Brill , the proprietor of the Star and Garter , will do his share towards deserving success , and with the resources at his command that will go far towards securing this desirable result . The price of

a double ticket ( to admit lady and gentleman , or two ladies ) is £ 1 Is ; of single tickets , for gentlemen 12 s 6 d ; and for ladies 10 s 6 d . ' These will include light refreshments during the evening and supper during tho interval . They

may be obtained from the Stewards , Treasurer and Secretary of the Ball . In order to promote comfort the number of tickets is strictly limited , and early application for same is requested .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Novelty . —A fresh version of Captain Marryatt's novel (< Vanderdecken " has been bronght before the public ; unluckily , we fear , to share the fate of the previous ones . Mr . Whyte Edgar , the author of the new burlesque , has chosen the title of " Vanderdecken ; or , the Flying Anglo-Dutchman's Phantom Penny Steamer , " bnt has entirely

missed his opportunity , and has produced a piece not worthy to exercise the talented artistes that have been engaged for it . Vanderdecken , in tho present burlesque , under a spell , is doomed to snil the seas in hi 3 phantom ship for ever , he having , a thousand years since , spokeu to the man at the wheel while on a privateering

expedition . However , he is allowed , with his crew , to come ashore once in every hundred years , and if , while on one of these excursions , he can induce a young lady to propose to him , the spell will be broken and he will be free . The burlesque shows how Vanderdecken's efforts to get a young lady he has fallen in love with to

propose to him are eventually successful . The dialogue is very poor , and after the first act all engaged in tho piece seem to get mixed np . Such burlesque artistes as Miss Alice Atherton , and Messrs . Lionel Brough and Willie Edonin are suro to create fun , although supplied with bad material ; nevertheless , it is a pity thoy should be engaged

in such arduous work . Miss Alice Atherton , as usual , was nntiring in her efforts ; her rendering of " The Legend of Vanderdecken , " and initiations of a music hall singer were exceptionally good . Willie Edouin works hard ns an old fishwife ; his cleverly executed dance in the second act being deservedly encored . Mr . Lionel Brough , in

the first act was exceptionally good , and his song , ' •' They don't understand me a bit , " seemed to " fetch " the audience . When , however , he has to robe himself in a kind of pantaloon ' s dress , and hide in a box , ho seems sadly out of his element . The part of Estelle has been entrusted to Miss Helen Hastings , and if her voice was a

little stronger she wonld score well . Miss Harriet Vernon sings and acts with plenty of dash , as Tom Spinnaker ; while Mr . Harry Courtaine ( Schnapps ) gets as much fun as possible from the part of a Dutch gambling house keeper . The minor parts were cast as

follow : —Joliboy ( Mr . Eardley Turner ) , Dynamite ( Mr . A . Corney ) , Polly Van Haddox ( Miss Constance Moxon ) , Idle Bill ( Miss Kate Bellingham ) . Herr Meyer Lufz has supplied some tuneful music , tho choruses being in most cases particularly good .

Criterion . —The 250 th performance of " The Candidate " was the night selected for tho production of a comic drama , entitled " Cupid in Camp . " This is not altogether a new piece , it bavin ? been originally bronght ont iu 1882 . The story deals with a couple of love affairs , in which two officers of King William the Third ' s army are

engaged . The scene is laid at Dover , where Helen Wentvvorth , the beloved of Major Murray , is sojourning at an iun , having jusfc escaped from a French couvent . This lady attires herself in men ' s clothes , with the view of not bung identified . She , however , is recognised by tho Major ' s friend , Captain Saville , who himself is

threatened with arrest . This gentleman persuades Helen to exchange her dres 3 for his , which forthwith she does . Both , however , are imprisoned in the house of the commandant of the port , whose niece tnrns onfc to be the object of Captain Saville ' s adoration . How tbe commandant aud Colonel Lindsay both fall in love with the Captain ,

who is now dressed a 3 a woman , and how the commandant's niece finds tho young gentleman proclaiming himself as Giptain Saville is not so ardent a lover as sho could desire ; how , iu due course the real Captain makes himself known to her , and the arrival of Major Mnrray furnishes Helen with the opportunity of re 3 nming her own

attire ; and further , how Captain Saville plans an elopement with the niece for the same evening , is clearly . shown in the piece . Mr . Lyttou Sothern , who reassumes the part of Captain Saville , phiys with spirit , while Mr . Gregory is excellent as the Major .

Miss Rose Saker acts with grace a 3 Ueleu Wentworth , and Mi 33 E . Moore is forcible as the niece . "Cupid in Camp" was greatly appreciated the first night , and will doubtless prove' a good introductory piece to " The Candidate , " which still continues to attract crowded audiences to this theatre .

Standard . —Mrs . Weldon made her appearance at this theatre on Monday evening , in the new lunacy drama , " Not Alone . " When first bronght out at the Grand , at Islington , this piece was pronounced very weak . The first three acts went particularly slow , and it was not until Mrs . Weldon , in the fourth act , secured the

opportunity of exercising her vocal abilities , that an audience could find anything to appreciate . Mrs . Weldon , as a mattor of course , again sustains the part , of Hester Stanhope , but this character reqnire moro dramatic ; power than this lady possess . The husband , Raymond Stanhope ( played now by Mr . II . M . Clifford ) , although

seemingly a cool and collected villain , fails to "fetch ' the audience . Miss Heleuor Kemp , as Rachel Livierge , plays with vigour and dash , bnt her manner of singing her words spoils her dcline . i :: ian . 1 'r . tisa must bo deservedly given to Mr . H . Fenwick ( Major Moa . lo . vs ) , and to Miss Adelaide Bowering ( Angela Pyefirich ) , who both give careful rendering of the parts allotted them .

Alhambra . —The Christinas programme is announced for Monday next , the 21 st inst ., on which occasion a new grand military spectacular ballet will be produced , entitled " Le Bivouac , " the invention of M . Hansen , with music composed and selected by M . Jacobi . The corps de ballet and auxiliaries will number upwards of 200 . In

addition to the popular ballet of " Nina , " in which Mdlle . Palladino and Miss Lil'ie Lee continue to appear , the programme will comprise the following Variety artistes , viz .: the brothers Griffiths and Blondin Donkey , Ida Morris , Marie Le Blanc , Sisters Dagmar , James i ' awu , Arthur Lloyd , T . H . Russell , the Frediani Troupe , tb 3 two