Freemasonry Is Brotherhood.

and the fundamentals of true religion , coupled with toleration for the oppressions and even the errors of others , it has also taught the science of government . It is the oldest republic of which we have knowledge ; from time immemorial the government of the Craft has been committed to those chosen by the free suffrage of their fellows ,

elevated for a brief season to the highest rank and dignity , its rulers never become more than the first among their equals and when laying down the symbols of authority have stood upon a plane of exact equality with the

humblest and most obscure craftsman . It signifies much in the cause of religion and of good government , of public and private morals , of the amelioration of human woe and suffering , of the cultivation of social amenities and the general well being of society at large that there should have existed , and that there should

continue to exist and flourish , a large and influential organisation whose ramifications , extending into every part of the habitable earth , has always and everywhere taught and propagated doctrines which have elevated man and made him a better citizen ; which has stimulated true

patriotism , encouraged the liberal arts and sciences , promoted the education of the masses , and taught the dignity and nobility of labour . It is then eminently fitting that

to-day we stand here , and , by our presence and with the ancient symbols of the Craft , assist in the work of laying the foundation stone of an edifice which is to mark a new era in the history of this prosperous and

growing city . We have poured corn , wine and oil upon this stone , they being , when taken together , the Masonic symbol of prosperity and abundance , and by it we therefore manifest our sincere wishes that the superstructure

might be prosperously raised and abundantly promote the objects for which it is designed . Separately , we employ corn fco symbolize health , strength and plenty . May bread , that great staff of our physical existence , be never

wanting to feed the inhabitants of this city ; may the wine of joy ever be found in its midst , and happiness be a dweller with its people , and the oil of consolation pour gladness and peace into their hearts . This may appear to

many an unmeaning ceremony ; if such be the case , I can only say to those who thus view it , that to them hundreds of other ceremonies and emblems must appear equally so .

The water which is sprinkled upon the head of an infant testifies faith in the redeeming power of a Saviour ; tho flag which floats at the masthead of a ship

" The sign of hope and triumph high ! The plume that dances when The long line comes gleaming on ; Ere yet the life blood warm and wet Has dimmed the glisfc ' ning bayonet . "

The christening of a ship as she glides for the first time into her destined element , without which no sailor could be found to trust himself upon her deck , the solemn

consecration of churches , the ordination of ministers of every creed , the wedding ring by which mutual love is plighted , the burning of incense , the eating of unleavened bread during the Passover , the consecration of bread and

wine for use in the sacraments of the church—all are signs , ceremonies and emblems—the water is but water still , the flag bufc a bit of silk or woollen , the plume a few feather ? , the wine imparts no virtue to the iron and timbers of tbe

ship , the church remains but stones , bricks and timbers , and so on to the end . And yet , by God ' s express command , the tabernacle in the wilderness and all the holy vessels were anointed with oil and Aaron and his two sons

were set apart for the priesthood , ancl the prophets and kings of Israel were consecrated by the same rites . Jacob anointed with oil the stone which he had used for a pillow at Bethel , and Samuel anointed Saul with oil . Corn , wine

and oil are spoken of in a symbolic sense in numerous places in the Bible . " Wherefore / ' says the late Dr . Harris , " do you carry corn , wine and oil in your possessions , bufc to remind you that in the pilgrimage of

human life you are to impart ; a portion of your bread to feed the hungry , to send a cup of your wine to cheer the sorrowful , and to pour the healing oil of your consolation into the wounds which sickness hath made in the bodies

or affliction sent into the hearts of your fellow travellers ?" Our presence here , to-day , ancl the solemn ceremonies in which we have been engaged , means more than an ordinary

expression of the good will which we , as citizens of the same commonwealth , feel towards this beautiful and growing * city . Linked together by common ties , and bound by common interests , we desire to exnreas in the most emphatic mode

the sincere desire that here the sun of prosperity may always remain at its meridian height and that no gloomy night may overcast the fortunes of fche citizens .

" Bright , be ever bright thy visions of the morrow , And if the storms of life shall shroud Thy skies so beautiful and fair .

May love ' s bright sunshine kiss the clond And leave the rainbow glittering there . " —Voice of Masonry .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Toole's . —This little theatre was re-opened on Monday last , when a most enthusiastic gieeting from a crowded house awaited Mr . J . L . Toole on his re-appearance as Mr . Milliken , M . A ., in " The Don . ' The shorfc rest that fche popular comedian was compelled to take has evidently done him good , for he was never more amusing than on

Monday . He was well bupported by Messrs . John Billington , C . Wilson , 0 . M . Lowne , and George Shelton ; and by Misses Kate Phillips , Eva Moore , Blanche Wolseley , and Eliza Johnstone . The

well-known farce , " Ioi on parle Francais , was played after , with Mr . J . L . Toole in his original character of Mr . Spriggins , and Mr . Billington as Mona Victor Dubois . Both pieces were well received ^ in fact the audience were mosfc enthusiastic throughout the evening

" Claudian " will be revived at the Princess's for a fortnight on Monday , the 29 fch instant . We are requested to state that the free list will be entirely suspended during these farewell performances of Mr . Wilson Barrett . Mr . Bichard C . Durant is now engaged in

painting the scenery for Mr . Byatts melodrama " True Heart , which will be produced at this Theatre by Miss Grace Hawthorne on the conclusion of Mr . Barrett ' s engagement . Mr . Durant promises a novel effect in the sensational Life-boat scene in tbe last Act of

" True Heart . " A new farcical comedy , entitled , " Tenter Hooks , " by Mr . H . M Paull , will be produced at the Comedy ou Wednesday evening next The cast is as follows : —M . Marius , Messrs . 0 . H . Hawtn-y , T . G

Warren , A . G . Andrews , W . P . H « wtrey , aud Harry Nicholls ; 'he Misses Vane Featherstone , Susie Vaughan , and Lottie Venn * . The new piece will be preceded by " A Highland Legacy , " by Brandon Thomas .

Messrs . Robertson and Parker will start a comic opera season on Saturday , 4 th May , at the Royalty , when there will be produced for the first time a new and original romantic comic opera , entitled " Mignonette , " by Oswald Brand and Henry Parker . The opera will be produced under the supervision of author aud composer . Characteristic

dresses , designed by Mons . Lncien Bescho and executed by Madame Augusbeand Madame Bucloz ( Vienna ) . New scenery , descriptive of the Tyrol , especially painted by Hemsley . Tho incidental dances arranged by Marriette D'Auban . Characters by Messrs . J . G . Robertson , Henry

Pope , Dalton Somers , Edwin Keeue , R . Fairbanks , F . Furtado , G . Norris , F . J . Ashby , aud Lionel Brough ; Mesdames Agnes Oliver , Rose Ddariug , Laura Maxwell , Lizzie King , Louie Wilmot , B . de Lorme , Ford , aud A . Lincoln . Mr . Henry Parker will be the conductor , while the stage management will be in the hands of Mr . Oswald Brand .

One of the most interesting matinees of the season will be given by Mr . George Alexander , on Wednesday , 15 th May , at Terry's . The play is an English version of " Le Filibuster , " and it is a story of humble life , told with humour , tenderness , and dramatic force . The chief success of the original production afc the Theatre Francaia was

M . Got ' s impersonation of an old man—a type of simple , dignified , and pathetic character unfortunately nofc common on our stage . For this parfc Mr . Alexander haa engaged Mr . Fernandez . The heroine will be played by Miss Calhoun , and the other characters by Mr . Fred

Terry , Miss Carlotta Leclercq and Mr . Alexander . Mr . Jacomb Hood haa designed the dresses for this performance . There will ba new scenery , and everything will be done fco give a complete representation .

The Committee of fche benefit which ia being organised for the well known composer Mr . Riccardo C . Gallico have now definitely arranged fche programme , which is an exceptionally strong one . The matinee will take place at the Avenue , on Thursday , the 9 th May , and fche programme will include fche 2 nd Act of the " Mikado , " with the

Savoy company ; a Grand Divertissement specially arranged by itme . Katti Lanner , ransic by Mr . R . Gallico , with Mdlle . De Sortis , of the Empire , as principal dancer ; a scene from fche new Avenue Burlesque , one from "Faust up to Date , " and an old melodrama , entitled " Raymond and Agnes , or the Bleeding Nun of Liudenburg . "

This latter performance will bo all the funnier seeing thafc the parta are to be balloted for by well known London actors and actresses . Mr . Stedman's choir of boys and girls will sing , and Mdlle . Berger , the celebrated cornet soloist , will mako her first appearance in England . The orchestra will include the leading Covent Garden

instrumentalists . The business arrangements are in the hands of Mr . H . T . Brickwell , and Mr . Robert Soutar is acting as Stage Manager . With such a programme Mr . Gallico may certainly rely upon the great success he thoroughly deserves , and although the prices have beeu raised , the seats are being rapidly disposed of .

It has been ordered thafc all Mark Lodges under the English jurisdiction , and all brethren belonging to them , shall at their meetings for fche next three months wear mourning .

The members of the John Carpenter Lodge , comprised of " old boys" of fche City of London School , have elected Bro . A . / Norris as their W . M . for thc year ensuing .