The Drama.

THE DRAMA .

The Easter Novelties — Armadale at the Globe—Wrinkles at the Prince of Wales ' s—Queen Mary at the Lyceum—The Soyal Aquarium Theatre — The Criterion—Charles Mathews .

THE present Easter-tide has been signalised by a larger number of theatrical novelties than has beer , usual in this season for somo years past . Ono entirely new theatre has been opened , and tho programme at nearly all tho old places of attraction has been either modified or entirely changed . To begin with , we have at the Gr . or . E

TUKATUK a dramatised version of Mr . Wilkie Collins's Armadale , under tho less euphonious title of Hiss Givilt . Tho plot is of an extremely intricate description , but it will probably bo familiar to most readers of popular fiction . Tho play abounds in incidents , somo powerful , others rather ultra-melodramatic , and iu striking and effective

situations . Tho obvious purpose of tho play , viz .: to provide a new impersonation for Miss Ada Cavendish , is fully answered , for tho character of Miss Gwilt admits of much powerful and picturesque acting . As performed on tho opening night , a sense of todiousness was produced in the audience by tho long waits between the acts ;

but it may fairly bo expected that after tho first few performances this objection will bo removed . Miss Cavendish sustained tho title vole with fine effect , and was ably seconded by Mr . Arthur Cecil in tho part of Dr . Downward , by Mr . II . C . Lyons as Allen Armadale , Mr . L . Bovne as Midwinter , and Mr . F . D . Lyons as Captain Manuel .

Mr . Byron ' s new comedy , entitled Wrinkles , produced on Saturday last at tho PUINCE OK WALES ' S , cannot be termed a success . Tho author appears to have gob altogether out of his latitude in regard to the construction of tho play , and notwithstanding its witty dialogue and admirable acting of Mrs . Bancroft and her excellent company , the audience wero anything but satisfied .

Queen Hary , at the LTCEUJI , produced on Tuesday , achieved a greater success than had been generally anticipated . Tho play , as originally written , is scarcely to bo recognised iu tho version actually performed . Fully one-half tho characters havo disappeared . Cardinal Pole and Cranmer , Sir Thomas Wyatt aud Bishop Bonner , tho

finely drawn character , Sir Ralph Bagonhall , and a crowd of less important personages have all been excised from th & dramatis persome . Whole pages of dialogue have , of course , gone with them , and tho result is a moderately good acting play , with somo fine scenes and speeches , and scope for excellent acting . The part of

Queen Mary is , of course , sustained by Miss Bateman , who brings to tho interpretation a large amount of intelligence aud dramatic power . Her younger sister , Miss Isabel Bateman , is equally successful in the part of Elizabeth . Mr . Irving is admirable as Philip , a cold , cynical , heartless monster , and Messrs . Swinburne and Brooke ,

in the characters respectively of Gardiner and Simon Renard , are also deserving of commendation . The play is a striking one , and will probably attract a largo number of people to tho house , but na there is scarcely a single character , or scene , from first to last of it , that is capable of evoking one spark of human sympathy , it can never bo an enduring success .

The KOYM . AQUARIUM TUP . ATUE is a handsome and elegant addition to the list of onr metropolitan places of amusement . The play ot Jo has been removed hero from tho GLOME , and the admirable acting of Miss Jennie Lee will probably continue to secure for it a largo amount of public favour .

A three-act farce , entitled The Great Divorce Case , is the piece de resistance ab tho CIUTKIUON ' . It is preceded by The Wall of China , and the performance concludes with a now Easter burlesque , entitled Rib in Hood . We will probably havo something further to say about this next waok .

Charles Mathews has returned to tho GAIF . IV , as fresh and young ns ever , and in the characters of Adonis Evergreen , in Iffy Awful Dad , and of Plumper , iu Cool as a Cucumber , will probably continue , for the next few weeks , to delight tho habitues of this theatre .

Tho productions at the St . JAMES ' S , CHAKI . VU Cnoss , and other theatres , as also the performance at DRUKY LA > "E , of Signer Rossi , we will probably refer to next week .

The ceremony of consecration and installation -will be worked in the Faith Lodge of Instruction , No . 141 , held at the Restaurant , 2 Westminster Chambers , Vict-iria Street , S . W ., on Tuesday , the 9 th of May , at seven o ' clock

precissly , by Bro . James Terry P . P . G . D . O . -Herts and P . M . 223 , 1278 , 13 GG , Secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution of Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons . Tho musical arrangements will be under the direction ol Bro . J . Rhodes , I . G . No . 1328 .

PKOTEST . — - It is rather a dangerous thing to havo a protest entered on tho minutes of a Lodge without very strong reasons . Tho Book of Constitutions is stringent : on thematter , see page SO , article -1 . ' •The majority of the members present at any Lodge duly summoned have

an undoubted right to regulate their own proceedings , provided that they are consistent with the general laws and regulations of the Cin . lt ; no member , therefore , shall bo permitted to enter in the minute-book of his Lodge a protest against any resolution or proceeding which

may havo taken place , unless it shall appear to him to bo contrary to the laws and usages of the Craft , and for tho purpose of complaining or appealing to a higher Masonic authority . " Protestors , be cautious , particularly when a vote has been passed for a charitable object !

Restoration Of Chester Cathedral.

RESTORATION OF CHESTER CATHEDRAL .

THE Annual Provincial Grand Chapter of tho Western Division of Lancashire , was hold on tho 18 th April , in the Chapter room at tho Masonio Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool . Comp . the Eight Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , P . G . Superintendent presided , and ho was supported by a very largo gathering of P . G . Officers and Companions under his Masonic rule . After tho transaction of somo formal business , tho

following wero appointed Provincial Grand Officers for tho ensuing year : —Comps . J . Prescott P . G . H ., G . D . Pochin P . G . S ., Dr . J . Kellett Smith P . G . Keg ., T . Armstrong P . G . T . ( re-elected ) , H . S . Alpass P . G . S . E . ( re-appointed ) , Dr . S . J . M'Georgo P . G . S . N ., W . Sharp P . G . Soj ., R . Dodgson , P . G . A . Soj ., J . Holland P . G . 2 nd A . Soj ., T . Nevett P . G . S . B ., J . T . Callow P . G . St . B ., H . Nelson P . G . D . C . ( re-appointed ) , J . Skeaf P . G . O ., J . Wainwright P . G . S ., and P . Ball P . G . Janitor (

reelected ) . On tho motion of Comp . T . Wylio , it was resolved to vote £ 25 from the funds of tho Provincial Grand Chapter towards tho Masonic contribution from West Lancashire in aid of the restoration of Chester Cathedral , and it was further agreed that a recommendation shonld bo sent by tho Prov . G . Superintendent , in the nnmo of the P . G . Chapter , to all the Chapters in tho Province to supplement that amount by subscriptions . —This was all tho business of importance .

An especial Provincial Grand Lodgo of Freemasons was immediately afterwards held in the Lodge room of tho Hall , at which Bro . tho Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , Dep . G . M . of England , R . W . P . G . M . West Lancashire , presided , for tho purpose of considering a letter which had been received from tho Rev . E . Deacle , precentor of Chester Cathedral , with reference to the proposed contribution by

the Freemasons of West Lancashire towards tho restoration of Chester Cathedral . Thero was an attendance of upwards of 200 brethren , comprising a strong representation of past and present P . G . Officers , W . M . ' s , P . M . ' s and Officers from the Lodges in tho Division . Tho P . G . M . explained that at tho last meeting of tho Provincial Grand Lodgo a letter was read from Mr . Deacle in reference to this matter ,

but it was then thought desirable to postpone the consideration of the matter , in consequence of tho brethren being then engaged in raising money for the Benevolent Institution . Since that time ho had received a letter from Mr . Deacle , and ho ( Lord Skelmersdale ) had taken it upon himself to promise that tho Masons in that province would present a sedilla to tho Cathedral , which would cost about £ 450 . Ho

thought this a much more appropriate presentation from tho Masons than the pavement or coranna , the other two things which had been suggested . Bro . 11 . Wylio P . P . G . J . D . then moved that the sum of £ 100 bo voted from the funds of tho Provincial Grand' Lodgo towards tho presentation of a sedilla to tho Cathedral . Tho motion was seconded by Bro . Deeley , P . G . J . W . Several brethren opposed tho

vote on tho ground that there wero members of different creeds connected with tho Lodges who might not sympathise in tho movement , and also because tho Province of West Lancashire embraced more than ono diocese , which might as well claim aid of this kind in cathedral restoration . Bro . H . S . Alpass P . G . Sec ., in supporting- tho motion for tho vote , pointed out that amongst the 4 , 400 Freemasons iu

the Province oi West Lancashire no fewer than 3 , 200 wore resident in the diocese of Chester . With regard to the objection raised as to the different creeds to bo found in the Masonic body , he stated as tho result of a long experience that tho clergymen of the Church of England wero almost tho only ministers who joined tho Order , a fact which he considered a complete answer to the repeated chaiyos of irreligion which had been made against Freemasonry . After somo

lurtuer discussion , tho motion was carried by an overwhelming majority ; aud it was also resolved that the P . G . M . should recommend the members of private Lodges within his province to supplement tho vote of tho Provincial Grand Lodge . Lord Skelmersdale intimated his intention of subscribing £ 25 towards tho object . After Zo ' i had been voted for relief aud assistance in the education of deceased Freemasons' children , the proceedings of the special meeting terminated . —Liverpool Mercury .

The Royal Oriental Order Of Sikha And The Sal B'Hai.

THE ROYAL ORIENTAL ORDER OF SIKHA AND THE SAL B'HAI .

AX Ashayana of tho Royal Oriental Order was held at Kensington on Wednesday , the 12 th April . One of the Sponsors presided , aud was supported by ono of the Censors and other members of tho Order . The keys wore passed to regulate the present year , and much important business connected with tho interior organisation of the Order waa arranged . It was ordered : That , facil'ties

should be given for meetings of tho Order ou foreign stations , and tint ' , greater powers should be created l '» r the development of certain portions of the Order . A committee of seven was appoi : ! ed for the adjustnr /; it of various important points , and the nioa . . tires to be adopted in reference to tho return of H . B . li . the Prince of Wales M . W . G . M . from tho ancient seat of the Or . ' er were fully discussed . The offices of Historical Interpreter and Geometrician were confirmed ; after which the Ashayana wiu clo . jed .

Ad00703

" A swilahh rjifi from a Master to his Lodge . " NEATLY BOUND FN CLOTH , PRICE 8 s Gd EACH , T ^ P iTD ^ f psa ^ Mjift pll ^ papps f IWLfMa&Mn&' Un$kmtWmhlfy VOLUMES I . and II . Sent , Carnage Paid , to any address in the United Kingdom , ou receipt of Cheque or P . O . O . London : —W . W . MORGAN , 07 Barbican , E . C . Cloth Cases for Binding can be had from the Offices , prico la 6 d each ,