Notices Of Meetings.

Buitably replied , gave the toast of the newly initiated . Bro . Sains bury responded . The toast of the visitors , Bros . J . S . Briggs P . M . 157 , Ferguson P . M . 177 , Linzell P . M . 1237 , G . Everett W . M . 177 , Higgins 184 , and F . Smith P . M . 862 , was responded to by Bro . Everett , who paid a deserved compliment to the Worshipful Master , not only for his perfect working , but also for the admirable manner

he had presided over them , and his great advocacy in tho cause of charity . The W . M . announced that tho Lodge of Instruction in connection with tho Lodge would be held every Friday evening , when Bro . Adams , the veteran Preceptor , would give his aid to those brethren who wished to havo tho benefit of his instruction . He then proposed the toast of the Secretary , Bro . Tims , and regretted the

absence of the Treasurer , who was well calculated to cany ont any duties required of him . Bros . Michael S . W . and Williams J . W . responded to the toast of tho Wardens . The Brethren separated after the Tyler ' s toast . Bro . Scales may be congratulated on tho admirable manner he looked after the comfort of the brethren and visitors . Bros . Side , Michael and Styles contributed to tho harmony of the evening .

Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction , No . 1507 . —The second meeting of this Lodge was held at the Metropolitan Club , 269 Pentonville Road , on Friday , tho 19 th instant , Bro . Kingham , acting as W . M ., opened the Lodge . He was supported by Bros . Side as S . W ., J . Willing jun . as J . W ., Scales I . G . and T . Adams P . G . M . as

Preceptor . Bro . Kingham rehearsed the ceremony of the 1 st degree , and the 1 st and 2 nd sections of that degree . Bro . Michael then took the chair , and worked the ceremony of the 3 rd degree , Bro . Cavet acting as candidate . A vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . Kingham for his capital working , aftor which the Lodge was closed until the following Friday .

The G-ladsmuir Chapter , No . 1385 , Herts , was formally opened and consecrated on Thursday afternoon b y E . Comp . F . H . Wilson lies M . D . P Z . and S . E . Watford Chapter , No . 404 , assisted by E . Comp . James Terry P . Z ., Nos . 174 , 403 , and 975 . There were present , among others , E . Companions T . F . Halsey M . P . Pro . G . M . Herts , G . Ward Verry , J . R . Cocks P . Z . 403 , F . Binckes

P . G . S ., Secretary Boys' School , & c . After the consecration , Comps . T . S . Carter M . E . Z . Designate , John Lowthin H . Designate , and William Cutbnsh J . Designate wero severall y installed . The ceremonies of consecration and installation wore very impressively performed by the officiating Companions . Five candidates were proposed for exaltation , after which the Chapter was closed ,

and the Companions adjourned to banquet . In tho course of the evening M . E . Z . Comp . T . S . Carter proposed the health of Comp . T . F . Halsey , and expressed a hope that it would not be long ere a Prov . Grand Chapter for Herts was instituted , and that the Companions would be in a position to hail Comp . Halsey as Prov . Grand Superintendent . Comp . Halsey acknowledged the toast very

cordially , expressing his readiness to assume tho position indicated by M . E . Z . Comp . Carter , and generally congratulated all present on the very flourishing state of Freemasonry in his province . We subjoin the menu , which it is almost needless to say gave very groat satisfaction , and the list of toasts ; nor ought we to omit mention of tho cartes , which were characteristically printed , and excited no little admiration .

J 3 ILL OP FARE . Mock Turtle , Chicken and Hice , and Oyster Soups . Fried Fillets of Solea . Red Mullets . Salmon and Cucumber . Eels and Tomatoes . Cod Fish and Oyster Sauce .

Boiled Chickens , with Mushrooms . Aitchbone of Beef and French Carrots . York Ham . Hoast Turkey . Quarter of Ilonse lamb .

Duckling * . Guinea Fowls . Wild Ducks . Cabinet , r-ium Puddings und Mluco Pies . Gooseberry Pic . Stewed Damsons and Cream . Tartlets . Custards . Calves Foot Jellies .

Ice Pudding . Vanilla Cream . Sherry . Hock . White Hermitage . Champagne , Sparkling Hock . Port . Claret-Dessert . Coffee ,

T OASTS . The QUEEN and BOVAL Ancn MASONRy _ The M . E . GD . Z ., H . R . n . The PRINCE OF WALES . The CD . H . and J ., the EAHL or

CARNARVON and LOUD DE TABI . EY , and tho rest of the Grand Oflicers past and present . The Three PRINCIPALS of the CHAPTER ,

Tho CONSECRATING and IxSTALMNfl OFFICERS . The VISITORS .

Tho OFFICKBS of the CHAPTER . The MASONIC INSTITUTIONS . The JANITOR ' S TOAST .

The Western Times reports a singular incident in connection with the recovery of a valuable locket . After Sir Garnet Wolseley and his staff had gone on board the Walmer Castle , at Dartmouth , Captain Lord Gifford , one of the staff , who greatly distinguished himself in the

Ashantee War , incidentally mentioned to his brother officers that he lost in Coomassie a valuable and highiyprized locket , whereupon Major Butler , also of the staff ,

remarked that he had bought a locket of a black man . It was recognized by Lord Gifford as the one he had lost , and which he had offered a large reward to recover . It was , of course , immediately returned .

The Drama.

THE DRAMA .

Eevival of The Maid ' s Tragedy—Mr . Hare at the Court—Hamlet .

THE revival of Beaumont and Fletcher ' s fine drama , TJie Maid ' s Tragedy , deserves a more extended notice than we were able to bestow upon it last week . Sheridan and Goldsmith's comedies—or at least such of them as The Critic , The Rivals , The School for Scandal and She Stoops to Conquer—every playgoer has the opportunity

of seeing now and again , at not far distant intervals . Shakspeare , too , although at times neglected by theatrical managers , in favour of more modern fare , can hardly be considered as altogether banished from the London stage . Bnt Beaumont and Fletcher have long been rolegated to tho study , and the opportunity of seeing any of their productions upon the stage is an event to be noticed . The

version now being performed at the HOLBORN AMPHITHEATRE is the one produced at the HAYMABKET under Mr . Webster's management in 1837 . The Bridal , as this version is entitled , is in many respects very nnlike the original play . Passages of a broad and licentious character are omitted , the denouement is materially altered , and tho general tone much softened . As now performed at tho Amphitheatre , tho

character of Melantius , formerly played by Mr . Maoready , is sustained with considerable intelligence by Mr . Creswick , whilst Mr . Pennington appears in the part of Ainintor . Evadue is very creditably played by Miss Loighton , but othw of the parts are not so adequately filled . The revival is , nevertheless , one of considerable interest , and tho curiosity it excites will probably attract a large number of persons to the theatre .

The re-opening of the COUKT THEATKE , under the management of the talented actor , Mr . Hare , is looked forward to with great interest by all people who take pleasure in the performance of high class modern comedy . Mr . Hare is one of our few young actors who have shown real originality . His rendering of such parts as Prince Perovski in Ours , Sam Gerridge in Caste , and Beau Farmlosh iu

School—all creations of his own , by the way—was such as to stamp the man as a genuine actor . At the COURT he will be supported by Mr . aud Mrs . Kendall , Miss Amy Fawcett , and Mr . John Clayton , and it can scarcely be doubted that , with such an excellent array of comedy power , some very interesting performances may be expected .

Yesterday Hamlet reached its 100 th representation , and its power of attraction remains unimpaired . Crowded houses every night betoken the genuine desire of playgoors to witness this performance , and shonld certainly encourage other managers to follow out tho same programme . When , we wonder , will DftURY LANE condesceud to patronise the immortal bard ?

London Ballad Concerts.

LONDON BALLAD CONCERTS .

THE last concert of Mr . John Boosey ' s ninth season of ballad concerts was given on Wednesday night in St . James ' s Hall . Although the state of the weather prevented a great audience , there was a large number of musically disposed amateurs present , to whom the entertainmont appeared wholly satisfactory . As regards the selection per se , there is little occasion for remark ; old and modern songs ,

familiar enough in musical circles , were given by Madame Lommens-Sherrington , Miss Sterling , Miss Frances Courtenay , Madame Osborne Williams , and Miss Edith Wynne ; Mr . Edward Lloyd and Mr . Santley . Madame Sherrington ' s contributions were Molloy ' s " Dresden China , " Sir Julius Benedict ' s new song , " Love ' s Appeal , " and Claribel ' s " Come back to Erin . "

Mr . Santley , in the old ballads , "Tho Leather Bottel , " "The Fine Old English Gentleman , " and "Tho Vicar of Bray , " secured his customary success ; and Mr . Lloyd , in Mr . Sullivan ' s " Love laid his sleepless head , " and B . Tour ' s new song , " Two Dreams , " obtained a hearty reception . The past season has been justly popular . Although deprived to a certain extent of the services of Mr . Sims

Eeeves , the entertainments havo been supported in an able manner ; the vocalists have been purely representative — that is , ballad singers — and the instrumental soloists have been chosen with due regard to the exigencies of public taste . What good these concerts render to the cause of art we shall not stay to consider , but it is patent that entertainments which at all times ex . ercise so powerful an attraction must exert a certain amount of

influent e . If they tend to the better cultivation of ballad singing—the purest , at the same time most difficult form of vocal art—we shall be well satisfied , as will be others musically interested ; and if they lead to the production of fresh compositions from native sources , tho musical world must derive a benefit therefrom . Wo are glad , therefore , to look back upon the past season of ballad concerts with satisfaction , and to feel that the efferts of the impresario , Mr . John Boosey , have not been misdirected . —Standard .

In consequence of a memorial signed by the presidents and other members of tbe chief scientific societies , the funeral of the late Sir Charles Lyell will be solemnised in Westminster Abbey to-day at 1 p . m .

The Kent Herald understands that the Prince of Wales has promised to visit Margate in June next , for the purpose of opening the asylum now in course of erection for the deaf and dumb .