Masonic Cruise To Palestine And Egypt.

MASONIC CRUISE TO PALESTINE AND EGYPT

THE Worshipful Master of the Eoyal Solomon Mother Lodge , at Jerusalem , has sent an invitation to Archdeacon Stevens , Vicar of Stratford , E ., Past Grand Chaplain , to bring the Masons whom he is accompanying on a twenty-five guinea cruise to Egypt and the Holy Land next month , to a special meeting of

this Lodge , to be held in Solomon ' s Quarries , outside the Damascus Gate of Jerusalem . The Archdeacon ' s party has also been invited by the Worshipful Master of the Grecian Lodge , Cairo , to attend a special meeting of that Lodge . The Master wishes to afford the party special facilities for the study of Masonry in Egypt , where there are four Constitutions at work .

Masonic Duties.

MASONIC DUTIES .

FEEEMASONEY , my brethren , is nob a mere question of signs and symbols , but is a beautiful system of morality ; it is that great and universal science that includes all others . It inculcates the necessity of self-examination , and points out the duty we owe to God , our country , our neighbour , our families and

ourselves . It encourages all that is charitable , kind and good , and reprobates the vicious and oppressive . It teaches ue that heart helpfulness should enter into the fundamental conception of our living ; it teaches us to be vigilant in expelling every element that tends to vex or irriate , and recommends the digging of some life-spring for thirsty lips .

To feed the hungry and clothe the naked is to fulfil some of the higher duties of Freemasonry . Our aim in life should be to do right , to deal justly , act honourably , to scatter seeds of kindness for tbe final harvest , to manfully face every issue of life , to be gentlemen honoured and respected in the community where

we reside . It teaches us to avoid excesses of all kinds , particularly the indulgence in the free use of intoxicating liquors , and , above all things , what is commonly called gambling—to my mind the most vicious and demoralising practice known to all mankind .

Oh , what havoc this practice hag wrought among the human family . Such demoralising practices demoralise and impair the mental and physical resources , arid that is a sin against both God and man . It has been wisely said that " he who injures his health does not prove his unselfishness , but simply curtails his power of doing good . And he who injures his character by welcoming evil influences is thereby inflicting evil upon the

community . " It is a useless parade , rny brethren , for us as Masons to talk of the subjections of irregular passions when seated within the wall of the Lodge room , if we allow them to triumph in our intercourse with the world . There is some dignity attached to being a Freemason , and to maintain that dignity should be our constant care . —Bro . Albert B . Clark P . G . M . of Idaho .

The members of the Pomfret Lodge , No . 360 , Northampton , had a unique gathering on Thursday , 16 th inst . They assembled to do honour to one of their number , who , just fifty years ago , occupied the position of Worshipful Master of the Lodge—Bro . Henry Philip Markham , Deputy Lieutenant for the County of

Northampton , Clerk of the County Peace and of the County Council of Northampton . Bro . Markham , although old in years , has not lost the hold he got many years ago on the affection and respect of his Brethren ; and the presentation of Thursday was

an eloquent testimony to the feeliugs of regard entertained for him by his Brethren of the Craft . He was presented with a silver salver and an illuminated address on his Jubilee as W . M . of the Pomfret .

A ball in connection with the Trinity Lodge , No . 254 , was held on the 17 th inst ., at the Corn Exchange , Coventry . The hall was prettily decorated , a prominent feature being the Lodge banner on the platform . The members of the Order appeared in regalia . The proceeds will be in aid of the Warwickshire Benevolent and Pupils' Aid Fund .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

" A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

MEMBEES of the Craft have joined with every class of the community in expressions of regret at the death , which occurred on the 19 th inst ., of Bro . Sir Frank Lockwood , Q . O ., M . P . At the meeting of the York Lodge , No . 236 , held at York , on the 20 fch inst ., a vote of condolence was unanimously passed with the relatives of our deceased Brother ' , who was a member of the Lodge .

Entertainment Notes.

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES .

OF course the principal interest centres in the production of the pantomime at Drury Lane , the present management having decided to follow in the steps of our late Brother Sir Augustus Harris , and present a gorgeous spectacle , the cost of which will be many thousands of pounds sterling . The subject will be the ever popular one of " The Babes in the Wood , " written and invented by Messrs . Arthur Sturgess and Arthur Collins ,

while the music has been arranged by Mr . J . M . Glover . A very strong caste has been engaged , and includes Miss Ada Blanche , the comical Dan Leno , the not exactly fairy-like Herbert Campbell , the Grigolatis , and many other favourites . It will , iu accordance with the ancient traditions of the house , be produced on Boxing Night , after which there will be two performances daily .

Bro . Oscar Barrett has , by arrangement with Bro . H . T . Brickwell , engaged the Garrick Theatre for his pantomime of "Cinderella , " which will be produced with the same care and attention to details that characterised his previous productions at the Lyceum and Crystal Palace .

We have already referred to the pantomime of " Cinderella " to be produced at the Parkhurst , while other of the " outside " houses will offer Christmas attractions of the good old sort . We may especially mention the Grand , at Islington , for which our old friend Bro . Geoffrey Thorne has again supplied the book , selecting " Dick Whittington " as his subject . The pantomime here is to be produced under the direction of Bro . Oscar Barrett , and may be looked forward to as one of the most enjoyable entertainments of the season .

The new Alexandra Theatre at Dalston Junction is to be opened on Boxing Night , by Bro . F . W . Purcell , who , during his sojourn in Lancashire , won renown for the way in which he supported the cause of Masonic Charity . It was no unusual thing to hear how he gave his Theatre for special benefit performances—as our readers have more than once seen recorded in our pages—and we hope he will receive a truly Masonic welcome now that he has approached the great metropolis . It is doubtful whether Bro . Purcell

will ever be able to get a " Masonic " audience in his new Theatre such as he has been accustomed to in the north—for the reason that such displays are regarded as somewhat out of place in London—but Theatrical Managers have worked wondrous charms in the past , and who shall say what is possible or impossible for them to accomplish in the future ? We tender our hearty greetiugs to our Brother in his new home , and trust it will come up to his most sanguine expectations .

• . At Terry ' s Theatre a series of Christmas matinees of Hans Andersen ' s Fairy Tales has been arranged by Mr . Basil Hood , and will doubtless prove a great attraction to the children , who will be admitted at reduced prices . These matinees will not interfere with the evening performances of " The French Maid , " but we may advise those who have not yet seen this lively musical comedy that they must not long delay their visit , as Bro . Edward Terry is anxious to return to his own stage , and the successful career of the " Maid " must soon be interrupted .

Owing to the lamentable death of Mr . William Terriss , the Adelphi Theatre has been closed since the fatal night , but will re-open on Monday morning next , when the performance of " Secret Service " will be resumed , with Mr . Herbert Waring and Miss May Whitty in the principal characters .

At the Tivoli Music Hall last Saturday , after the conclusion of the afternoon performance , Mr . Ascher , the musical director , presented Mr . Vernon Dowsett , the popular manager , with a silver tea and coffee service , which had been subscribed for by the staff and a few private friends , to mark the occasion of his thirty-ninth birthday .

The new year will see some important novelties at the Theatres , the principal of which is undoubtedly the opening of the Lyceum with Mr . L . B . Irving ' s play of " Peter the Great , " which Sir Henry Irving will produce next Saturday ( New Year ' s Day ) . The laughter caused by " A Night Out , " at the Vaudeville is continued with more gusto in the new three-act farce , " Never Again , " adapted for the English stage from the French of Messrs . Desvallieres and Mars , and if ever

a play defied description we havo one here that will come under that category . From first to last it is a constant run of merriment , while during the progress of the second act laughter becomes almost painful . The complications are wonderfully inter-woven , and the denouement is quite artistically brought about . Go and see it . As a foil to this rollicking farce , Clement Scott ' s pathetic little piece , " The Cape Mail , " is presented earlier in the evening , and succeeds in drawing tears from most of the audience . The programme certainly embraces both the grave and the gay .

The popular " Geisha " has now completed its 600 th performance , - ' and still runs along as lively as ever , so there will be no change in the programme at Daly ' s Theatre for some time to come .

Hertford County College.

HERTFORD COUNTY COLLEGE .

THE annual distribution of prizes at Bro . Catford ' s popular College at New Barnet took place on Wednesday of last week , when a most satisfactory report of the year ' s work was presented , and a pleasant entertainment provided for the parents and friends of the pupils . The piece selected was " A Christmas Carol" ( adapted from the well known work of tho late Charles Dickons ) , in which the boys who represented the different

characters displayed considerable ability , while their performance on the whole gave evidence of such careful training as must , in itself , prove that the Masters engaged at the College are well qualified for , their work . It seems to us very great changes have taken place in the relations between pupils and Masters in those days , to what was the case when we were at School—instead of the fear and awe with which we used to regard our tutors , the boys of

today seem to look up to the masters as companions , and , not unfrequently , even their most enthusiastic playmates , and we unhesitatingly say the transition is of great advantage to the present generation . Annual entertainments such as the one under notice are among the evidences of the change , and they probably do far more towards " bringing on " the youth of to-day than months of hard cramming and close attention to strict routine

would do . Bro . Oatford seems to be particularly anxious to make his pupils feel at homo in their school hours , and the general happy appearance of the boys proves that he is successful in this direction , as he also seems to be in the equally important work of tuition . We wish him increased success in the coming year , and hope we may have a chance of witnessing the entertainments his pupils provide from time to time in the , future .