Blackballing.

to keep clubs freo from black sheep . But , as a rule , mere prejudice blackballs most of the victims , while others aro excluded by revengeful members who have had their own friends blackballed . There is n club at one of tho Universities which nearly ceased to exist berause all the Boniface men blackballed all the Lothian candidates , while the Lothiau men took reprisals in the same wav . And it may bo

remembered that Major Pendennis , with his friend Colonel Slyboots , if wo nro not mistaken , blackballed all tho candidates who came np with Arthur Pondennis at tho Megatherium , so that , in case of defeat , I'on might not be a solitary sufferer . This conduct , so common , is apparently unmasonic , and might even be called unchristian . To bo blackballed is a severe mortification , and it is not often that the

victim has a chance to avenge himself . Tho secret of the ballot is tolerably well kept , and there was only one Irish bully who frightened all hia foes into denying that they had pilled him , and then triumphantly declared that " it was all a mistake , nobody had blackballed him . " It is frightful to think of the emptiness and desolation that would be felt in Pall Mall if membors had to be re-elected every year . Human

nature is so constituted that wo detest men whom we constantly see , without knowing them personally . Their dress , their gait , their voices , their way of reading the paper , their cough if they have one , all become hateful . Thus a yearly ballot , members coming np for judgment in batches , while tiring squads , so to speak , are kept full on a principle of rotation , would end in emptying almost every club in

London . The old men would pill tho middle-aged , who would get rid of the young . We might all learn what bores we aro , and how many foes we unconsciously possess , if clnbs were thus turned into palaces of truth . The Athonaoum would mourn her bishops , weeping comfortless for her children , and Sidney Scraper from his half pint of port wonld

be " with sighing * sent . " Old generals , yoaug lawyers , port scribblers , countrygentlemon , famous travellers , Bohemians , and respectabilities would all share tho common fate . Wo ought to remember those things at club ballotings , where it is probable that such moralising will make Bome people lenient , and others ferociously severe . —Daily News .

An Important Question.

AN IMPORTANT QUESTION .

FROM THE MASOJUC ADVOCATE . THAT the Grand Lodge of Indiana has deemed it advisable to ad . journ for two years on account of the enormous expense attendant upon the annual gathering at Grand Lodge , is a fact very significant in itself . It proves at least that Indiana Masons are determined , if possible , to reduce the debt with which they have foolishly encumbered themselves , and will redeem their pledges at any cost , provided

it is honorable . The Grand Lodge of New York has made a move also for the purpose of reducing the expense attending the annual sessions , by catting off all mileage and per diem expenses of Past Grand Officers , or in other words , the majority voted to still draw their own pay , but in order to economize , cut off the pay of a comparatively small minority . We don't know at the time of writing

how much this will save , but it appears to us a very paltry and insignificant move in the right direction . However , it is an acknowledgment that this per diem and mileage system is a canker of virulent character npon the body politic of Masonry . The fact is becoming more apparent every day that this miserable system of rewarding by pay delegates to Grand Bodies for attending

to their duties , is contrary to the spirit of the times—an outrage upon the rights of the people . We want to see a benevolent and charitable fund ( worthy of the name ) in every Grand and Subordinate Body , and there is no reason why such should not be the case . If members attending these Grand Bodies that permit pay were to act in an honourable manner , and refuse the same , there would be a widows' and

orphans home in every supreme jurisdiction , and asylums for our brethren sinking into the sere and yellow leaf of old age would spring up in every direction . The fruit of Freemasonry would then ripen beneath tho sunshine of Masonic benevolence , Masonic charity , and Masouic love . This would bo a pure and holy Freemasonry , and not a mercenary Qraftdom . This , therefore , is an important question ,

which members of erery body , rite and order of Freemasonry should agitate and discuss till the ri ghts of the widow and orphan triumph over selfishness and extravagance . But reform is not only required in the management of the finances of onr Grand Bodies , but also in that of our Subordinate Bodies . We find writers inveighing against too many Lodges , anddenounciii "

the extravagance of others . We say there are not too many Lodges , for wherever there is a sufficient number of Craftsmen to practise the mysteries of our rojal art they should be permitted to do so , and there wonld be no necessity for debt . Wo know all about Lodges in the back bush , and can tell our City Brethren that these rough rangers ot" the forest are as true Masons as ever worked amongst the cedars of Lebanon under Hiram of Tvre

and aro as untiring iu their zeal for the Order . Lodges with si limited membershi p in ont-of-the-way places are uot more apt to contract debts and get into financial difficulties than their bigger sisters in cities , indeed not so much so , for they are satisfied with plainer fare and do not possess that spirit for display which is so characteristic of those who dwell in the crowded haunts of men and amidst the luxuries of the day .

But we di gress . Our idea is that a system should be adopted by statute of Grand Lodge , by which at least one-third of all receipts of subordinate bodies should be sot aside exclusively for charitable : ind benevolent purposes , i . e ., that one-third of all cash coming into the treasuries of Symbolic Lodges should bo placed to the credit of a benevolent and charitable fund . Wo have alluded to this before , but the cry of Odd Fellowship nnd i ' ythianism has been raised , and Masons have talked stiffly about tho

An Important Question.

ancient landmarks and traditions of the Order ; that the Masonic institution is net a charitable society , but a moral ortr .-miz ition . What n i ' aire . ' What Itiimlmg . ' . ' A moral institution without eharity is tho shell without , the pearl—tho clay without her soul . fun . Masons talk so much about our " poculi : u * system of morality , " and f hen tell ns what

such a code is worth when brethren starve and die under it , if it exerts not itself for the widow , and no , < I < vh' to li-: fpn to I lie cry of tho orphan , Will any Mason daro to tell us that wo are accomplishing as practical a mission aa the younger society of Odd Fellows ! To our shame' bo it said wo aro not , a * id they am not a wealthier class than ourselves . Whore lies tho fault then ? We havo told vou iu th > want of a

proper system ot finance . I here is no reason why the Masons should not be as willing and as able to attend the bed of sieknoss and supply tho wants of a brother ill or in distress , or to care for tho orphan and the widow , as well as the Odd fellows do ? Masons do not , however , and then old Craftsmen shako their heads , and say thoso mushroom societies aro carrying away our best timber . Very true ,

because , unfortunately , brethron soon find , to their sorrow , that Masons preach charity moro than thoy practise benevolence , and that the Odd Fellows reverse tho ordcj by talking very little but doing very much . It is a lamentable stato of affairs for tho Mason to feel that should sickness overtake him ho would find , if an Odd Follow , moro real ,

simple kindness , nnd ( in distress ) more practical assistance than ho could hope to receive from tho Masonic Lodgo . This state of affairs actually exists , and it is high time that we looked the matter squaroly in tho face . Thero is no reason why Masons should not find all tho aid and comfort in times of sickness and penury that thoy rcqniro from Brother Masons , but they do not . Masonio Ledges havo no funds ,

ami Grand Lodges ( according to the new theory ) aro not mado places for charity . The Brother then , if a , Knight of Pythias , turns to this Order , that probably he ncvor paid much attention to before , and what does he find ? Why , Brother Kpights gladly sit np with him night after night , and relievo his weary hours with kindness and gentle care , the Lodge allows him weekly payments sufficient to

supply his needs and tho requirements of his family . Ho recovers . He reviews the situation , and with a sigh of regret , is forced to adroit that the Knights of Pythias , dnring his affliction and trouble , were truer to their vows to him than thoso whom he had so long served , so long loved . Wo cannot bear writing these damning facts , but Masons should realize them .

Brethren , we are actually feeding and building up other societies . We are driving from our midst practical men , because they have discovered our neglect of those to whom wo aro bound , and utter disregard of all business principles . Such men leave ns and ally themselves to kindred associations , whore they witness the practical result of a correct financial system , and where they find their brethren

cared for and their orphans and widows receiving kindly aid and support . It is really an important question , then , to discuss , and not one to be " pooh-poohed " and "pshawed " at as a fancy idea or laughed at because it is similar to Odd Fellowship or any other ship or ism . What wo want is to see Masonry practical . What is the use of boasting of our charity when every mushroom society in the country is outstripping us in the race , and whilst we allow our Lodges to run

into debt , those of other organizations aro springing up around ns , and in a few years have a nice little nucleus of cash in the bank to the credit of the benevolent and charitable fund . There is no earthly reason , therefore , that Masons should not do the same , and it is a disgrace to them that they do not . Let them , therefore , ponder over this important question and agitate it . Ridicule will assail those advocating it , and abuse may at times be hurled at them , but" Veritas est magna et prevalebit . "

New Sadler's Wells Theatre.

NEW SADLER'S WELLS THEATRE .

THE exertions made by Mrs . Bateman , the enterprising Manager of this Theatre , seem to be highly appreciated by the Islingtonians . Last week , the Chippendale Comedy Company concluded a successful engagement , while during the current week , and likewise for next , the stage has been placed at the disposal of Mr . Walter Gooch , for the production , by the Princess ' s Company , of Mr . Charles Read ' s successful drama , " Drink . " So much has been

written respecting this piece , that we hardly feel called npon to add more ; but the hearty reception given Mr . Charles Warner assnred us he was not forgotten by tho frequenters of the " Old Wells . " It is now fifteen years since Mr . Warner made his first appearance at this Theatre , then under the management of Mr . W . H . Nation , and during his engagement at that period he won golden opinions by the

artistic way in which ho enacted tho several parts allotted him . Amongst these we may mention that of Bradley Headstone , in the adaptation of the lato Charles Dickens ' s popular novel , " Our Mutual Friend . " This piece , thanks to tho talented company who were engaged for its production , was ono of the most successful ever produced at this Theatre . Amongst those who assisted in its

representation were the lato Messrs . George Belmoro aud Barrett Messrs . T . Swinbourne , W . Macintyre , Frank Barsby , & c , & o . But to return more immediately to the performan . ee we have now to chronicle . Mr . Warner ' s interpretation of Coupeau is throughout a splendid piece of acting , and stamps him as an artist worthy to rank with the highest . He was ably supported by Messrs . A . Lyle , Gonget ; W . Rednmnd , Lantier ; and T . P . Haynes , Mes Bottes

while the small part of Poisson was made tho most ; of by Mr . John Beanchamp . The female characters were sustained by Miss L . Payne , Gervaise ; Miss Maggie Brennan , Phcebe Sage ; Miss Ada Murray , Virginie ; aud Miss Palmer , Madame Rouge . The piece was capitally put upon the stage , and reflected great credit on all concerned . The engagement of Miss Jennie Lee ( supported by Mr . J . B . Burnett ' s Company ) , who will appear as "Jo , " is announced for the 30 th inst .