Masonic Hall, Launceston. Laying The Foundation Stone.

MASONIC HALL , LAUNCESTON . LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE .

WITH tho ceremony usual on such occasions , the foundation stono of a now Masonic Hall was laid at Launceston on Monday . Tho hall is being built by tho brethren of tho Dunheved Lodge , No . 789 , who for some years passed have met at Parson ' s , King ' s Arms Hotel . Bro . the Rev . J . K . Lethbridge , P . G . Chaplain of Cornwall , gavo a capital sito on tho Tavistock-road , and on it Mr . W . Burt , of

Launceston , will , under the direction of tho architect , Mr . J . Hine F . I . B . A ., Plymouth , raise a simple structure in tho Italian stylo to contain a Lodge room , preparation and Tyler's room , dining room , and rooms for the porter in charge . Tho principal feature of the trailding will bo an external porch . The hall is estimated to cost between £ 600 and £ 700 , exclusive of tho furniture and decoration ,

and towards this sum the Lodge has collected about £ 400 . The Lodge was opened at the King ' s Arms at three , and soon after a procession was formed . The band of the volunteers led , behind it was carried tho handsome banner of the Lodge , and the brethren folloAved in Masonic clothing , the officers bearing the Bible , the articles of the ceremonial , & c . Amongst the brethren present wero

D . H . W . Horlock W . M ., P . F . Simcoo I . P . M ., J . P . Trood S . W ., C . Parsons J . W ., Rev . G . Ross P . P . G . C , Dr . Sedgewick P . G . C . E ., Rev . E . S . T . Daunt C . D . Thompson Treas ., J . Hawkins P . M . P . G . S . Secretary , E . Trood S . D ., J . Kitto J . D ., S . Couch P . M . acting asI . G ., W . Derry Pearse P . M . T . P . S . G . W ., W . T . Parsons P . M . P . P . G . S ., P . D . Maddox P . M ., W . " R . Bray P . M ., F . Thorne P . M ., H . M . A .

Sergeant , J . Short , Rev . W . S . Johns , J . J . G . Moore , Dr . Andrew , and T . Webber ( Mayor of Falmouth ) "Love and Honour , " and J . Howe , " One and All" ( Bodmin ) . To the quaint tune of " O , who would not bo a Freemason ? " the procession slowly marched through the ancient south gate , down Exeter-street to the sito . The brethren having ranged themselves on the platform round the stone , they Avere

called upon by the W . M . to kneel Avhilst the Chaplain offered a prayer . The architect then presented the plans and received them again from the W . M ., who said the brethren approved them , and asked him to see them carried out with the utmost precision and execution . The W . M ., addressing Bro . tho Rev . G . Ross , remarked that the

brethren of Dunheved Lodge had unanimously chosen him , as a distinguished brother in the Craft , and also as an old friend of the Lodge , and ono who , perhaps , had done more than any for tho good of Cornwall , to perform the very important ceremony of the day , which would mark an epoch in the Lodgo and be remembered as long as Freemasonry lasted . Ifc was , therefore , his pleasing duty , as YV . M .,

to call upon him to lay a foundation stone upon which it was thoir intention to raise a superstructure for tho carrying out of Masonic rites and the worship of Almighty God . Bro . the Rev . G . Ross replied that a great compliment and a great honour had been conferred on him by selecting him to perform the interesting ceremony . It was also a very great gratification for him

to bo so called upon , because it had been his desire , through his long Masonic career , to see every Lodge havo its separate dwelling , aud thns put to silence those ignorant men who asserted that Freemasonry existed merely for conviviality , and could nofc exist without being associated ' Avith hotels aud places of entertainment . Lodges when first formed , were greatly indebted to the proprietors of thoso

places for accommodation , bnt as soon as they were in a position to do so , Lodges should come forward and build a hall , so that there should be no excuse for the false accusation . Ou this occasion , by the generosity of a reverend brother , whose absence he regretted , they were able to commence such a work on a beautiful ancl welt adapted site , and the liberality of the brethren had furnished means

for the raising on it a useful and ornamental building for the benefit of tho Lodge . That Freemasonry had extended itself throughout tho world was a matter of notoriety , and that it had tho support of loyalty and of the intelligence of England , and of monarchs in distant lands , was a proof that there must be something sound and praiseAVorthy in it . In England they could boast that the Prince of

Wales , their own Duke of Cornwall , was their Grand Master ; that as rulers of the Order they could number eminent statesmen , Lord Carnarvon and Lord Skelmersdale , and that the House of Commons included many who Avere proud to be called brothers . Monarchs had not deemed it derogatory to their dignity to exchange the sceptre for the trowel , to participate iu their ceremonies , and bo present at their

gatherings . That this support had been extended from time immemorial was the best testimony of the soundness of the principles of the Order . The grand secret of it Avas tho volume of the sacred law —tho word of God , on which their foundations Avere laid , and as long ns brethren adhere to its leading characteristics , brotherly lovo , relief aud truth , so long Avould Freemasonry continue , and would increase

moro and more . Directed by Bro . Ross , the W . M ., the S . W ., aud the J . W . tested the stone Avith square , level , and plumb rule , and reported favourably . Bro . Ross expressing his confidence in their skill in the royal art declared well aud truly laid the stone of a building which ho hoped Avould be completed aud used iu brotherly love , peace and harmony .

Advancing to the stone , Bros . Derry , Pearse , aud Thompson poured corn , tho W . M . oil , and Bro . Simcoo wine , Avith the customary brief declarations of the symbolism . Bro . Simcoo , as I . I ' . M ., added a few well chosen words congratulating the Lodge on the commencement of a Avork calculated to have so important an effect on them ; and aftcr-Avarcls apologising for the absence of Bro . the Rev . J . K . Lethbridge ,

said his inability to attend Avas the only drawback to tho cheerfulness and joy felt on tho occasion . The W . M . next presented Bro . Ross with the handsome silver trowel he had used in the ceremony , requesting him whenever ho saw it to pray for the success of tho Lodge at Launceston and tho Craft in general . Bro , llgss accepted , it as a testimony of their kind regard aud esjteem ,

Masonic Hall, Launceston. Laying The Foundation Stone.

and spoke of tho various charitable institutions of the Order—tho Schools for boys and girls , the almshouses , ancl annuities for decayed Freemasons . With prayer by the Chaplain , tho ceremony was brought to a conclusion , and the procession reforming , the brethren returned to the Lodge . In the evening the W . M . entertained tho brethren at his residence , Ogbear Hall .

Grand Lodge Of Lincolnshire.

GRAND LODGE OF LINCOLNSHIRE .

THE annual Provincial Grand Lodge and General Communication of Masons in this province was held at Brigg , on Tuesday , 6 th inst ., under the mosfc brilliant auspices . Soon after twelve o ' clock there was a general muster of the brethren afc the Cora Exchange . The following Lodges were represented : Nos . 272 , 297 , 362 , 389 , 422 , 426 , 712 , 792 , 838 , 985 , 1 , 010 , 1 , 232 , 1 , 286 , 1 , 291 , 1 , 301 , 1 , 386 , 1 , 511 , 1 , 600 , & c . About ten minutes to one o ' clock the Provincial Grand Officers Avere admitted . The Prov . G . M . was supported on his immediate right by the deservedly popular Depnty Prov . G . M ., Bro . Major W . H . Smyth , and tho officers of Prov . Grand Lodge . The Lodge having boeu opened in due form , and the hymn of invocation chanted , the Prov .

Grand Secretary called over the roll of Lodges and Prov . Grand Officers , when ib was found that all the Lodges in the Province were more or less strongly represented . The minutes of the last Prov . Grand Lodge , held afc Boston , were then read and confirmed , the D . P . G . M . observing previously , that in accordance with a resolution passed at that meeting a handsomely illuminated address had been

forwarded to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , congratulating him upon his elevation to the dignity of M . W . G . M . of England . A letter acknowledging the receipt of that address had been received by Bro . James Fowler , Mayor of Lonth . ( Applause . ) The Prov . Grand Treasurer then submitted his financial statement , which proved that the funds of tho Prov . Grand Lodge were in a

very satisfactory condition . After the business of Provincial Grand Lodge had been transacted , The Provincial Grand Master proceeded to invest his officers for the ensuing year , the jewels being bestowed in the following order : — Bros . Major W . H . Smyth D . P . G . M ., W . Pigott , of tho Ancholmo Lodge , P . G . S . W ., F . Watson , of the St . Hugh Lodge , P . G . J . W ., the

Rev . J . Lowe , of the Lodge of Harmony , P . G . C ., C . M . Ncsbitt , of tho Lindsoy Lodgo , P . G . T ., H . Watson , of the St . Hugh Lodgo , P . G . R ., F . D . Marsden , of tho Lindsey Lodge , P . G . S ., J . Sutcliffe , of tho St . Alban ' s Lodge , P . G . S . D ., J . Robinson , W . M . of the Polham Pillar Lodge , P . G . J . D ., G . Nelson , of the Ancholme Lodge , P . G . D . of C , R . Nicholson , of the Olive Union Lodge , A . P . G . D . of C , W . S . Bladen ,

of the Yarborongh Lodge , P . G . S . B ., W . Mason , of tho St . Hugh Lodge , P . G . O ., J . Queenborough , of the Lodge of Harmony , P . G . P ., F . Goodhand , E . Chamberlain , F . Smith and Field P . G . Stewards . For the comfort and convenience of the brethren Avho had come from a distance to attend Grand Lodge , a spacious marqneo had been

erected for tho purposes of the banquet , it having been deemed preferable to dining , as usual , indoors . A magnificent tent was obtained from Mr . Fusscy , of Hull , aud its appearance , when filled by tho numerous company , was exceedingly picturesque . Tho chair was occupied by tho R . W . P . G . M ., his Grace the Duke of St . Albans , who was supported by tho Provincial Oflicers , aud a numerous assembly .

Tee Drama.

TEE DRAMA .

St , James ' s and "LesDanicheff "—The Prince of Wales ' s . AN original and powerful drama , from the pen of a Russian , named Pierre Kronkofl ' ski , is now beinpr porformed by the Parisian Odeon company at the ST . JAMES ' . Les Danichcjf , as the piece is entitled , is based on the old Russian institntion of serfdom . A

Russian aristocrat , named Wlachmir , in opposition to the traditions and wish of his family , has fallen in love with a beautiful serf . His mother , horrified at tho idea of thoir marrying , forms a plot to prevent it . Having succeeded in persuading her son to join his regiment at Moscow , she compels the girl to marry her coachman ,

Ossip . The marriage is solemnized in duo form , but the couple having acted under compulsion iu the matter , agree to consider ifc as null and void . Eventually , after a passionate scene between tho Countess and Wladimir , who returns to find out tho deception that has been practised upon him , the difficulty is overcome by Ossin entering

tho priesthood , Avhich , it appears , according to Russian law , has tho effect of releasing the girl from her vows . The play is admirably performed , Madame Fargueil as the Countess , Madame Petit as tha girl Anna , and M . Marais as tho young Wladimir , being especially fine . The French season at ST . JAKES ' . ; can hardly fail of beiu <* a

success . An important change of cast has taken effect afc the THE PRINCE or WALES ' S THEATRE during tho past week . Mrs . Bancroft , tho charming and able manageress , has , we rogret to say , boon too uu . well to sustain her character of Marv Netlov , in Mr . Roba .-tsoii ' s

comedy of Oars , and hor place has been supplied by her sister , Miss Blanche Wilton , a delightful little actress , second only to Mrs . Bancroft herself in the successful assumption , of this impersonation . The sudden illness of Miss Ellen Terry , on Tuesday last , occasioned a further alteration in tho cast , for Miss Kathleen Irwiu , called upon at a few hours' notice to supply Mis . s Terry ' s place , appeared that

evening in the character of Blanche Haye , and has continued iu the part throughout the week . The performance of so important a part at such short notice , without a hitch or a break of any kind , must bu regarded as a veritable tour de force . Miss Irwin is a charming actress , and hor long absence from tho London boards is much to bq regretted on behalf of London play . goera ,