Freemasonry And The Licensing Laws.

publican who was last year convicted of an offence under the Licensing Laws , because the police were excluded from the room occupied by the Lodge of Buffaloes in question , quashed the conviction , with costs against those who decided in favour of the police .

The matter is one that concerns the Masonic Craft to no small extent , and we accordingly reproduce in this issue the " Morning Advertiser ' s" exhaustive report of the proceedings , which , we are convinced , will prove of interest to our readers .

It is unnecessary to here dwell at any length on the importance of the decision arrived at , which seems to fully uphold the contention that Freemason and other Lodges are secure against

invasion by the police , and , as a consequence , removes the anxiety that was felt in many quarters when it was announced that the law allowed the police authorities to force themselves ' past our tiled doors .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

ANOTHEE DEAIN ON THE INSTITUTIONS .

To the Editor of the FBEEMASON ' S CHKONICLB . DEAB SIB AND BROTHEB , —Another Masonic Charity to be established ! or perhaps I am wrong in saying so much , as it ought rather to be , another local fund for the relief of distress , and , as a natural result , another drain on the great Institutions of the English Brotherhood . Such is the opinion I am led to form on reading in your last issue that the Masons of West Lancashire

propose to establish a new Charity Fund to celebrate the Queen ' s long reign , and I am almost inclined to join you in the wish that the project may be successful , were it not for the feeling that its success will be at the expense of the existing funds of Masonic benevolence . I hope , however , this will not be the case , although I cannot believe the Craft can go on multiplying its

outlets of benevolence without affecting those that may be described as being at the fountain head , and I for one would much rather see something attemp ted to extend the usefulness of funds already established than go on increasing them year by year . Yours fraternally , H . F . G . 5 th March 1897 .

Universal Brotherhood.

UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD .

WE are all pilgrims , having the same starting point and the same goal , the nature of which we do not fully realise at the present stage of our progress . The descent of spirit into matter has brought so great a change in the nature of our consciousness that it is not usually possible for us to extend it beyond the sphere of material existence . We are surrounded on all sides by differences of " race , sex , creed , caste , or colour . " We find

jealousy , envy , discord and strife existing everywhere and disturbing the peace and order of this fair world . Amidst these external differences it is hard to penetrate behind the veil of outward appearances and realise that unity is the central underlying fact in nature . Men whose inner eyes are opened , perceive unity existing on all planes of the cosmos . But such

instances are very rare . The greater portions of mankind , immersed in the depths of materiality , attracted by the glitter of modern civilisation and led astray by a variety of passions and desires , cling to objects of the world with dogged pertinacity , thinking that these are the only things worth , stming for , until the shattering of their dearest hopes and aspirations proves to them

the transitoriness of all worldly things , opens their eyes to the fact that their energies have been misdirected , and fills their hearts with a longing for something higher than the senses , that does not vary amidst all the incessant changes taking place in the world . In these moments of sorrow , men generally ask , where should one go to find eternal peace which the things of

the world cannot give ? They need not go to the uttermost parts of the earth to find it . They need not fathom the depths of the ocean to obtain it . The remedy lies in their own hearts . It is in the realised life of the spirit that the everlasting bliss that they had been vainly seeking in the objects of the world , can be found . On the piano of the spirit , diversity gives way to unity ,

all wordly distinctions cease to exist , and the many once more become the one from which they emerged at the dawn of creation , rich with the harvest of experience gained in the course of a long series of earthl y lives . The phrase " Universal Brotherhood" does not , as some wrongly suppose , imply

that we are to neglect the social , political and religious distinctions made in the world . It simply draws our attention to the fact that it is the same eternal , unchangeable spirit which lives and moves in the hearts of all created beings , and asks us to unite our efforts for the spiritual evolution of mankind . The law that gives help to us demands that we should help others

Universal Brotherhood.

in our turn . By refusing to assist our weaker Brethren we forfeit the right of being assisted by those above us . By lending a helping hand to those who stand in need of our help we acquire a right to be helped by others . But the desire to receive help gives a colour of selfishness to our actions , however good intentioned the actions may be . True altruism consists in entire forgetfulness of self in the faithful performance of our daily duties . — " Chatra DharoLai , " in the " American Tyler . "

Entertainment Notes.

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES .

Alhambra . —For some time past Londoners have noticed the slow progress of the new buildings in the Charing Cross Road , adjoining the Beef Steak Club , and now the gilded domes and minarets announce the completion of the annexe and new entrance to the Alhambra . As far as the general public are concerned this additional entrance gives immediate admission to the stalls and boxes on both sides of the auditorium , without , as previously , going up into the lounge , passing the saloon and descending stairs again to

the stalls , reversing the process on coming out . Now a beautifully decorated corridor on the level of the street leads direct into the stalls on the prompt side , or if the visitor wishes to go to the other side of the Theatre , a few steps and a wide passage under the auditorium gives him his desire . The new extension naturally facilitates the exits also , and the Alhambra is now safer than ever . Above the entrance hall flats have been built , and

room has been found for general offices for the accommodation of Bro . Douglas Cox and his staff , and a board room for the Directors . The decorations of the interior of the corridors and entrance hall are in the gorgeous Moorish style , and great use has been made of tiles made in Seville identical with those used in the reparation of the original Alhambra , of Granada .

Prince of Wales' Theatre . —Those who remember the charming pantomimic play " L'Enfant Brodigue " produced here a few years ago , may be safely recommended to pay another visit to witness the more elaborate and more interesting piece of the same description entitled " A Pierrot's Life , " now being given at matinees only . The play is in three acts , and depicts a pathetic domestic story in a truly marvellous manner . So thorough

is the art of the performers that words are quite unnecessary , whilst the exquisitely tuneful music by M . E . Andran harmonises completety with the picture . The latest exponent of the principal charaoter , Pierrot ' s Wife , is Mdlle . Felicia Mallet , who holds first rank among Parisian pantomimists , and who was the original L'Enfant . The performance commences at the convenient hour of three o ' clock .

Parkhurst . —A special matinee was given here on Thursday on behalf of the Prince of Wales Hospital Fund , on which occasion the artistes gave their services fr _ ee , as did the orchestra ( under the direction of Mr . T . P . Fish ) and the whole of the staff connected with the Theatre . The proceedings commenced with the recitation of the following ode , specially written for the occasion by Mr . R . T . Baines , and given by Mr . Otho Stuart :

"IN THE aUEEN'S NAME . " " In the Queen ' s Name I" This motto , new yet old , Is mine to-day . Nay , deem me not too bold—The sacred cause of charity I plead—For those poor brethren urgently in need Of speedy help when sickness lays them low , And cruel Fate has dealt a deadly blow .

I wish to stir your feelings if I can , And for our sick and suffering fellow man Arouse your sympathy , perhaps touch your hearts . The actor in his time plays many parts ; As special pleader here I take the stage—For special pleading now seems all the rage : My cause is good , and therefore I ' ve no fear

You'll turn a cold , unsympathetic ear To my poor plea , for those that claim your aid , Whom charity will succour , not degrade . We know full well , if generous help arrives , It means the saving * of dear human lives , 'Twill give to combat Poverty ' s fell curse The skilled physician and the well-trained nurse ,

It means the dawn of hope in many a breast Where blank despair has been unwelcome guest . The Prince ' s Fund ! To give in princely style Must win a people ' s thanks , a nation ' s smile . All honour be to kindly hearts and hands , Who , heedful of humanity ' s demands , Some effort make to ease the ills of life ,

To comfort husband , father , mother , wife ; Bring back the hue of health to pallid cheek , Relieve the injured and make strong the weak . The poor can help the poor—Who dare makes light Of the grand old story of the widow ' s mite ? That teaches us , each one in some small way Can aid the cause I plead so earnestly . to-day .

" In the Queen ' s name I " —and I'll add " For the Crown 1 " A happy blending this to draw the town !—The Queen we love ! the Crown , that we revere 1 Inspiring themes to all , this diamond year . A loyal note resounds throughout the land , A noble action has been nobly planned ! Our gracious Prince has one grand aim in view I Support a cause that's righteous , just , and true !

Other items on the programme were well sustained by Mr . Walter Westwood , Miss Kate Windsor , Mr . Harry Bluff , Mr . John Douglas , Mr . Valentine Smith , Mr . Arthur Waller , Mr . Fred Dark , Mr . John Peaohey ,-Miss Cicely Gray , Miss Marguerite Osland , & o . The Wonderful Graphophone and Messrs . E . and H . S . Clark ' s animated photographs were also

introduced , while the third act of " For the Crown" was given , the characters being sustained by Mr . Otho Stuart , Mr . J . J . Bartlett , Mr . Harry Hiiler , and Mr . Walter Mitford Mr . Bertram Bawden acted as Stage Manager of this latter item , while the general stage management was in the hands of Mr . Frank Weathersby .