The Theatres, &C.

St . James's Hall . —The annual concert by the students and professors of the London Conservatoire of Music was given last Saturday . Thia establishment "was introduced in 1864 , and has since been making such rapid progress that ab the present time it may be said to have achieved a perfection in all branches of

music that is not easily to be attained . The concert on Saturday was marked with every feature of success , not only was there a crowded audience , bufc a high class programme had been arranged to amuse them . The evening passed off satisfactorily , —with but one exception . That exception was the difficulty some part of the

audience had in finding which item was demanding attention . For some unexplained reason , the first part of the programme was nofc adhered to , and ifc was by chance the listener managed to find oufc which item was being sung . This could easily have been remedied—by the song being previously announced . We trust in future

to see thia done . Taming to the business ot the evening , * we can congratulate tho Conservatoire on the excellence of its choir . The singers kept spleudid time , and their portion of fche programme was heartily enjoyed . Miss Mina Bees sang in good style Braza ' s legende volaqne " La Serenata , " with a violin obligate by Mr . Basil

Althaus , and later ou " 0 lace di qaesfc anima . " Mr . Walter Bolton ' s spirited rendering of ' ' Largo al factotum " met with a hearty reception , as did his duet with Madame Richards . Mr . Basil Althaus artistically played fche " Air Hongroise " on the violin , and later on accompanied—on the pianoforte—four of his pupils iu a violin

quartette . Mdlle . Lucille Saunders was in excellent voice , and gave " 0 Mio Fernando " and "Love Ties , " for each of which she was recalled . Signor Tito Mattel ' s cleverly executed pianoforte solos were highly appreciated by the audience , aa also was Mr . Oberthur's harp playing . A good reception awaited Miss Frances

Prideaux , who sang " Nbbil Signer , " while Mdlle . Nc-ami Lorenzi and Mr . Oberfchur bowed their acknowledgments for the applause bestowed ou tbemfor their rendering of " Je Voudrais etre . " "Come into the Garden , Maud" was fairly given by Mr . T . W . Page .

" The old , old story " and the " Breezes " were contributed by Miss Eleanor Mewis 5 while later on Miss J . Greenbank welt played Chopin's " Tarantelle" on the pianoforte . Mdlle . Noemi Lorenzi's rendering of " Semiratnide" met with a good reception , soon after

which an enjoyable evening was brought to a conclusion by the singing of the National Anthem , by fche Choir . Messrs . Sidney Shaw , F . R . Kinkee , Breakspeare Smith , G . J . Sumpfcer , and Lansdowne Cottell ably conducted , while F . Kinkee was the accompanyist , and F . R . Kinkee fche organist ; .

The Railway Companies are making special arrangements for conveying visitors on Boxing Day to Olympia , the now National Agricultural Hall , at Addison Road Station , to witness the performances of the Great Hippodrome of Paris . The Great Western and Metropolitan Railways will run a regular quarter-hour service ; and

there will be increased facilities on the District Railway to West Kensington Station , which is a few minntes , walk from the National Agricultural Hall . The other Railways will also provide for the largo crowds which we have no donbb will attend this novel show during Christmas .

Plain Facts.

PLAIN FACTS .

npHE Monitor records „ this verse , winch is given in the X charge at initiation : — " As a Mason yon are to study tlie Sacred Law ; to consider it as the unerring standard of truth and justice , and to regulate your life and actions by its divine precepts . "

Probably there is no passage in the whole literature of Masonry that more clearly defines a Mason ' s duty than the

one just uttered . We are apt to look upon this Fraternity with a romantic eye , as did one of our contemporaries , who expressed himself in these words : — "Let the possessor of the secrets of Freemasonry be expatriated , shipwrecked or imprisoned ; let him be stripped of everything he has got in the world , these credentials

remain . They have stayed the hand of tho destroyer ; they have softened the asperities of the tyrant ; they have mitigated the horrors of captivity ; they have subdued the rancour of malevolence , and broken down the barrier of

political animosity . On the field of battle , in the solitude of the uncultivated forest , and in the busy haunts of the crowded city , they have made friends of tho most hostile feelings . "

We would gladly persuade ourselves that this ideal view oi Masonry is correct . Men that havo this happy opinion are of that nature that enjoy great pleasure in their contemplation and speculations . They look upon it as

perfection , and they think that this excellent quality permeates all surroundings . Why is it that a young Craftsman is more zealous to all outward appearances than the veteran ? Because the former looks at the forms and ceremonies , as

well as the teachings , as something that is perfect in itself . So it is ; but the old , tried brother who has seen a long and varied experience in Masonic life , has learned that all is not gold that glitters , and that it is be 3 t to make Masonry a success by a moro practical application . You are to sfcudv

fche Sacred Law , i > ay £ i the ritual . If thore it ) one clas ^ i more

Plain Facts.

than another that should study tho Bible it is Masons , for the reason that this " Great Light" is the most prominent feature of the Institution . In one of the higher degrees we get this good instruction — " Execute true judgment , aud show mercy and

compassion every man to his brother . Oppress not the widow , nor the fatherless , the stranger , nor the poor ; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in heart . Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour , execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates , and love no false oath ; for all these I hate , saith the Lord . Forget nofc these precepts of the old law \ and especially do nofc forget , as you advance , that every Mason , however humble , is your brother , and the labouring man your peer . Bemember , always , that all Masonry is work for the advancement of mankind . "

A great writer makes the following allusion , which points directly to the subject : — "The lectures of Masonry contain an extensive reference to a system of moral duties applicable to every station of life , and to all situations in which a Mason can possibly be placed , although the explanations are not so ample and diffusive as might be wished , they apply iu general to the duties we owe to God , our neighbour , aud ourselves , including brief dissertations on the theological

and cardinal virtues , on Brotherly Love , Belief , and Truth , and a variety of other subjects connected with Bible history ; for above all other means of promoting the interests of morality amongst the brotherhood , it is felt thafc the influence of religion is the most efficient and certain , and honec the system is based on the knowledge of a God who is the creator of tho world and the author and giver of every good aud perfect gat . " All this confirms the fact that as Masons we should study the Sacred Law , that we may know what ifc contains

and frame our conduct after its excellent teachings . Wo must not lose faith because some brother forgets his obligations , for the reason that tho Fraternity is much older than tho member , whose force of mind is insufficient ;

to permit him to preserve his pledges . As wo remarked in our opening lines , we must nofc make our Masonry an ideal one . On the contrary , it should bo practical in tho extreme . The excellent symbols of Masonry are good for

all conditions of life , and it is in their practice thafc wo realize the advantages and benefits of the symbols . Such a life will be rewarded , as assured in the book of Timothy

" Study to show thyself approved unto God , a workman that needeth not to be ashamed , rightly dividing the word of truth . "— N * Y . Freemasons' Journal .

A memorial window to the Dowager Lady Williams of "Trcgullow , " from the Stndio of Mr . Taylor , of Bernen S reet , has been erected in the church of " Sfc . Day , " in Cornwall , tlii gift of h"r son , Mr . Michael Williams , and ber daughter-in-law , Mis . R . M . Wi . liaui . Bro . General Israel Pafcnam is to have a monument e-ecte 1 to his

memory , by the State of Connecticafc , near the Mortlake Hou * e , in Old Brooklyn . The remains were disinterred , placed in a nvtal ' c coffin , and re-interred under the foundation of the monnmpnt . whii h will bo surmounted by an equestrian statue of the Revolutionary hero , to cost 10 , 000 dollars .

PENNSYLVANIA ' MASONIC HOME . —The Keystone announces that the Managers of the Homo for Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania have commenced improvements by which the capacity of the Institution will be doubled , and thus bo enabled to extend its charities and open its doors to worthy applicants .

The Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United Stites , while in triennial conclave in Sfc . Bonis , appropriated the sum of two thousand dollars for the relief of the destitutj sufferers hy the earthquake afc Charleston . CnnisniAS MARKETING . —Those who wish to make tho puserehas

of meat , fish , and poultry so necessary at Christmas on peculiarly advantageous terms , should visit the great central shops of Messrs . Spiers and Pond , close to tho back of Ludgato Hill Station , in

Water Lane . They supply not only tho many restaurant ? and hotels of the firm , hut also the general public ; and the ptieos nre lower than thoso of tho " stores" on account of the gigantic scale on which the eminent firm of caterers are obliged to make their purchases .

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FUNERALS properly carried out and personally attended in London or Country by Bro . G . A . HTJTTOU . 17 Newcastle Street , Strand , W . C . Monuments erected . Valuations made