Glories Of Masonry.

at the labours of the loom ; the storied tapestry , and the

rich wrought silk , employed to decorate the habitation which every art and every exertion of the manufacturer and mechanic are busied to complete . Thus comprehensive is

the noble art we boast , and such are the triumphs of architecture alone , in whose ample grasp are contained so many benefits to human nature , and which may justly be deemed tho favourite child of civilisation .

Were I to proceed , or had I assumed for my proof that wonderful science on which Masonry is built ; had geometry been my theme , the time would have failed me to have recounted even a part of that comprehensive extent

and reach of instruction ; that inexhausted fund of information and knowledge , of improvement and advantage , which it imparts to its studious votaries . But more extensive discussions of this entertaining theme may ,

perhaps , be a work in the future . For the present , after what has been already advanced , can any man doubt a moment the excellence and utility of Masonry , thus deep in antiquity , boundless in extent , and universal in its

comprehension of science , operative and speculative ; in its wide bosom embracing the whole circle of arts and morals ? For me to attempt an encomium on Masonry would be , in tho language of the bard : —

To gild refined gold ; to paint tho lily ; To throw a perfume on the violet ;

To smooth the ice ; to add another hue Unto the rainbow ; or with taper li ^ ht To seek the beauteous eve of heaven to ¦ ' ¦ irnish . "

For who , in this polished age , is insensible of tho attraction , the excellence , the utility of the fine arts , the liberal sciences ? Who , in this humane and philanthropic era , is cold to the calls of benevolence , that all-pervading

and all-performing virtue , which in one short and easy word , " Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself , " comprises all duty and consummates the round of moral perfection ?

Indeed , the celebrated eulogy which Cicero passes on philosophy may with equal propriety be applied to Masonry , duly practised and easily understood . For in that view it will be found " the improvement of vouth

and the delight of old age . The ornament of prosperity , the refuse and solace of adverse hours ; it pleases at home ; is no encumbrance abroad ; it lodges with us , travels with us , and adds amusement and pleasure to our retirement . "

With heartfelt zeal and sincerity allow me , then , Most Worshipful and Worshipful Brethren , to congratulate you on the advancement , the progress aud present state of our useful , excellent , antique , and mystic lore !

And while by our sincere good will and friendly regard each for the other ; while by our liberal and merciful relief of brethren in distress ; while by the establishment of an universal language and communication for the

attainment of those two purposes throughout the earth , under the seal of most sacred and violable secrecy , so let us by every method and by every encouragement in our power , court the liberal arts to come and dwell amongst

us ; let the means of their cultivation and improvement be the frequent subject of our best and most serious thought ; let us endeavour to hold forth every engaging allurement ,

that they may approach and apply their elegant and wonderworking fingers to finish the beauties of the well-ordered dome of the eternal residence of immortal Masonry .

And while amidst the scientific labours of the Lodge , elevated schemes of improving art engage aud enrapture our minds ; while holy and ancient mysteries warm the imagination with improvement ' s kindred glow ; while in

the mournful investigation of a brother ' s wants , pleading pity melts our eye , and generous compassion swells the feeling breast ; then , my brethren , may we with comfort and with confidence lift up our adoring hearts , and we do

lift them up to Thee , great nature ' s adorable and wondrous Geometrician ; Almighty Parent of the world ; Wise Former of man ; imploring on this and all our other laudable undertakings , Thy favour , Thy blessing , Thy aid , without

which vain and fruitless are all the efforts of feeble man . Formed as Thy temple , and enriched with the ornaments of Thy creative wisdom—consummate architect of Thy master-building , man!—we look up to Thee to inspire us

with understanding , with science , with virtue , with all which can dignify , refine , and exalt our nature . Direct us to make the Blessed Volume of Thy instructive

Wisdom the never-erring square to regulate our conduct ; the compass within whose circle we shall ever walk with safet y and with peace , the infallible plumb-line and

Glories Of Masonry.

criterion of rectitude and truth ! Enable us to fill up every sphere of duty with exactness and honour , and by onr amiable attention to all tho sweet and blessed offices , tho endearing charities of social life in particular , t < aeh us to win the love of those who unite in those tendor offices with

us ; and as fathers , husbands , friends—as worthy men and worthy Masons—to distinguish and exalt the profession which we boast ! And while through Thy bounty—0 rich Dispenser of overy blessing !—onr cups overflow wirh

plentconsness , and wine , and corn , and oil delight : uni cheer our boards , oh , may our full hearts never be winning in gratitude , aud in the voice of : Thanksgiving to Thee ; iu liberal sentiments to every laudable undertaking , in quick

sensibility and ready relief to the woes and distresses of our fellow creatures , of every being , Universal Lord ! who bears Thy image , and looks up to Thy providence , who is

fed by Thy hand , hopes for Thy future and all-comprehending mercy , and who will triumphantly unite with us , with voice of Masons and of men , emphatically saying : —

" Father of all ! in every age , In every clime adored ; By saint , by savage , and by sage , Jehovah , Jove , or Lord !

To Thee , whose Temple is all space , Whose altar , earth , sea , skies ; One ohorns lot all beings raise , All nature's incense rise !"

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Comedy . —Mr . Hawtrey s latest novelty in the way of farcical comedy is one that will do very well to take place with its predecessors . Messrs . W . Lestocq and Walter Everard are responsible for the new piece , which they rightly call " Uncles and Annfc * , " and if not of the newest type , it is exceedingly amnsing . The work

is founded on the idea of mistaken identity , and when wo say tlmt each character engaged is token for some one else , it will easily be seen that the complications run pretty high . The writing is not exceptionally bright , but at times the authors seem to "let themselves go , " with a result that adds to the

eiiivment of the audience . The first act may simply be doscnoed as a means of getting the characters into a tangle ; the second reminds one very forcibly of "The Private Secretary ; " it runs pretty smoothly ; but in the third and last acr , conies the task of settling who everybody is . This , however , is got through

in double quick time , so that the fun does not flag . Mnch of the success of the piece is due to that clever and amusing actor Mr . W . S . Penley . Made up to represent an old man , Mr . Penley aroused his audience to laughter directly he put in an appsarance ; and by clever acting and befooling he managed to rcore a triumphal success .

His queer sayings and amusing characteristics are the talk of London , and now his Mr . Zedekiah Aspen will be added to tho already long list of his successes . Messrs . \ V . Draycott and Walter Everard were good as Keginald Kawlins and Fred Cureton , in love with Nelly and Mary Marley . These two latter characters were exceedingly well

played by the Misses Cissy Grahame and vane Featherstone . Mr . Charles Grove was amnsing as Robert Rawlins , while Mr . Lestocq was a fiery and irritable Henry Rawlins . One of the best displays of acting during the evening was that of Mr . W . F . Hawtrey , who in

the small part of a servant was exceptionally quaint and droll . Miss Elton and Misa Maria Daly were the aunts , while Miss Katie Lee made a capital servant . At the end the verdict waa decidedl y favourable , and after the artistes had bowed their acknowledgments , the authors received a hearty call .

That most successful comic opera , " Pepita , " will be produced for the first time in London on Thursday next , at Toole ' s , when Messrs . Augnste Van Biene and Horace Lingard will start their season . A powerful company has been got together , and if only the piece proves as acceptable to London audiences as it has done to country ones , a most successful season may be anticipated .

Mr . Beerbohm Tree intends to reopen the Hayraarket next Saturday evening , with Mr . Haddon Chambers' new play , " Captain Swift . " It will bo remembered that this piece was well received afc a matinee some time ago . " She " is expected to bo ready for production at the Gaiety on

6 th September . The final rehearsals of the elaborate scenic effects will necessitate closing the theatre for threo nights . The last performance of " Mariua" will , therefore , be given ou Saturday , 1 st of September . Chasemore has designed the dresses to bo worn in " She . " The " Aminahagger" dance is being arranged bv John

D'Auban . Playgoers are wondering how Miss Eyre will finish the play . In tho version running so successfully in America "She " has several " doubles , " ending with the horrible figure described by Mr . Rider Haggard . We are assured that this will be all changed at the Gaiety .

The Chiswick Loige of Instruction will resume its meetings at the Windsor Castle Hotel , King Street , Chiswick , on Saturday , the 1 st September , at 7 * 30 p . m .