The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Drury LailO . —That romantic period of English History which is i-mbriii-ed hy the middle of tlio seventeenth century has frerpiontly linen piTwnfced both on tho drunatio and opera'io sta ^ o , nu I it ia s-lihim that tin' advent nivs of" King Charles tho Second fail to enlist

tho sympathies ot" un nudiVnce . Thia knowledge hits probably induced Messrs . Henry Hamilt n and Augustus Harris to select the snbject for thoir autumn attraction at Ihe National Theatre , and in " The Royal Oak " tho authors havo presented a series of stirring scone ? , illustrating the hair breadth escapes of tho unfortunate

Princo following Cromwell's " crowning mercy" at Worcest r . It cannot be said that Charles is represented as a very gracious or dignified personage , though it hardly matters as tho character is subservient fco the charming love story of Mildred Clavering und Dorian Cholmondolev . The disturbing element eminates from

Colonel Aucketoll , a Puritan officer , also in love with Mildred , who uses his power in order to force her to marry him , bnfc of course in the end the lovers are united , thongh not nntil Mildred rescues Dorian from the shadow of the block . A strong company has boon brought together for its representation , chief of whom is Miss

Winifred Emory , who brings all tho resources of her talent to ponrtray the unfortunate heroine . Mr . Arthur Dacre makes a pictnresque cavalier and quickly enlisted the sympathies of the audience on his h half . It was not Mr . Henry Neville ' s fault that ho failed in this respect , though he rendered the " merry monarch "' as rollicking as

possible , and obtained an excellent reception . Mr . Harry Nicholls allords considerable amnsement as Walk-in-the-Way-Dear love—a Roundhead , whose conversion to Royalism is duo to the vivacious Patty Woodroffo , capitally played by Miss Fanny Brought . These two throw a pleasant contrast on their gloomy surroundings , and

meet with corresponding appreciation . Mr . Luigi Lablaohe gives an admirable sketch as the passionate Puritan , and Miss Ada Neilson represents the aristocratic Lady Cholmoneleley with much dignity . Tho play will doubtless bo greatly compressed and some of the scenes eliminated—on the firpfc representation it was too long . No

praise could be too great as regards the stage management , which reflects the highest credit on Mr . Harris—the exterior and interior of the old hall , the grand scene of Boscobol Wood , wifch its " royal oak , " its horsemen and soldiers passing throngh the leafy glades , and the final tableau of the execution on Tower Hill are most

artistic pictures . The theatre itself , newly redecorated , presents a brilliant appearance , and fcho lobbies and refreshment rooms are now enriched by some finely executed frescoes by Mr . J . M . Bookbinder . The entrance hall has been converted into a magnificent crush room with stained glass doors , and in a short time tho whole theatre will be lighted by electricity .

Comedy . —The good old farce of " The Area Belle " has been sot to music by Mr . Edward Solomon , andro-christened "Penelope , " aftor the heroine , and on Tuesday evening the little operetta waa favourably welcomed by a critical audience . The lyrics by Mr . Geo . P . Hawtrey admirably narrate the story iu humorous verse , while tho

music itself is brimful of fun , aud causes unbounded merriment . The faint suggestion of well-known songs with which some of the morceaux commence is exceedingly droll , and provo * the composer an apt pupil of Sir Arthur Sullivan's school . Tbe songs contain some sweetly pretty airs , and the orchestration is altogether of an high

order . Mr . W . S . Penley is irresistibly funny ns fche Policeman Pitcher , and is ably assisted by Mr . W . Sn « g as the military Tosser . Miss Alma Stanley develops considerable humour as Penelope , and the gmaller parts of Mrs . Croker , " the Misses , " and Chalks the

milkman were agreeably rendered by Miss Zerbini and Mr . R . Stockton . Mr . Edward Solomon , who conducted , was called before the curtain at the termination , and was assured of the success of his composition . The trifle is likely to have a long run and will prove a capital addition to the lively farce " iEsop ' s Fables . "

Monday , the 7 fch October , has been appointed for the reception of Works of Art intended for the Autumn Exhibition ( the Nineteenth ) , of the 19 th Century Art Society , afc fche Conduit Street Galleries .

In Bengal there ia a Masonio Educational Association doing good service . Since ifc was started 61 children have been , or are being , educated , and its progress is reported to be satisfactory and steady , the contributions in aid being most liberal , and amounting for

the half . year , np to the end of December last , to 3920 rupees . The invested funds amount to 65 , 000 rupees , the interest annually derivable thereon being some 2700 rupees , and the expenses of managenienfc are extremely moderate .

It appears from an extract from a private letter from a prominent Mason at Johnstown , whioh appears in the Masonic Chronicle of Columbus , Ohio , for Jnly , thafc the Masonio Hall at Johnstown withstood the floods which destroyed that city , and was the means of saving about 150 people of all classes , and religions , & c . Among the incidents which occurred is one , which , even nnder the terrible

urenmatanoes of the moment , must have been somewhat ludicrous . One Denny Mitchell , a Roman Catholic and a tough citizen , floated into the hall , clad only in the wristband of his shirt , nearly every one else being in apparently the same plight . He and the others obtained from the chests and wardrobes in the hall whatever they

conld find in the way of garments , and on the Sunday following the catastrophe , when these people wero rescued , Denny Mitchell turned out in tbe High Priest'a robe , remarking , as he went out , that he

xvas the " only Mick initiated into the Masonic Lodge dnring the flood . " Ifc is welded thafc the various Lodges in Johnstown have held no meetings since the flood , bat that thoy have not lost heart , and will recommence shortly . —Leeds Times .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

PROV . G . LODGE OF NORTH WALES . rpj-IE Provincial Grand Lodgo of North Wales ivas hold - *¦ at CarnarA'on Castle , on tho 25 th instant , when Colonel Hunter Provincial Grand Master presided , supported by his Deputy , Brother Colonel Gordon Warren . There Avas a good attendance of brethren

from tho northern part of tho Principality . The Elphin Mark Liodgo was opened at half-past two , when Bro . Hardman , the College , Carnarvon , was installed W . M . for fcho ensuing year . The Provincial Grand Master aud his Provincial Grand Officers were received at four o ' clock .

Colonel Hunter , after going through the matter of business of Provincial Grand Lodge , alluded in feeling terms to the great loss tho Province had sustained in tho death of their much valued friend and brother , Dr . T . C . Roden , M . D ., who

Avas formerly Deputy Provincial Grand Master , but who resigned on account of declining health . A . vote of thanks Avas passed by tho Provincial Grand Lodge to Bro . G . L .

Woodley , Llandudno , Past Provincial Grand Secretary , for his unremitting attention to the duties of tho office , which lie has hold for many years . Thc Officers for tho

Provincial Grand Lodgo Avero appointed , as folloAr : — Hro . Limit .-Col . Gordon Warren ... Deputy Muslor IT . Hardman ... ... Senior Warden D . Wynn Williams ... ... Jnnior Warden N . Bunnell ... ... M . O . It . H . Pritchard ... ... S . O .

J . W . Poole ... ... J . O . Rev . Hugh Thomas , M . A .. | 0 h laiM Rev . Ll . Ll . Nicholas , M . A . ... J r R . S . Chamberlain ... ... Treasurer G . Challinor ... ... Eegistrar of Marks W . D . Hendersoi ... ... Secretary S . Hargreaves ... ... Senior Deacon

Owen Evans ... ... Junior Deacon T . T . Sarsou ... ... Supt . of Works Owen Thomas ... ... D . C . A . M . Dunlop ... ... A . D . C . H . Evans ... ... Sword Bearer J . Williams ... ... Organist A . L . Clear ... ... Standard Bearer

W . A . Nott ... ... I . G . W . Fan-en ... ... Senior Steward Allan Simner ... ... Junior Steward Vincent ... ... ... Tyler

The banquet was served at the Royal Hotel , the Provincial Grand Master , Colonel Hunter , presiding , Bro . Hardman W . M . Sfc . Elphin being the Vice President . A splendid carte was provided by Bro . E . Humphreys .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

THE action by Lord Leigh and others , Trustees of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , against the Veafcry of the Parish of St . Mary , Battersea , was again in the Vacation Court paper of Mr . Justice Denman on Wednesday , to which day ifc had been adjourned by the consent of the defendants from that day week . Mr . Wilkinson , who with Mr . Lionel Monckton appeared for fche plaintiffs ,

informed his lordship that his friend , Mr . Chubb , who appeared for the defendants , asked thafc the motion might again stand for a week , the injunction being continued , and the defendants to give fcheir affidavits to the plaintiffs on Monday if they could . Mr . Justice Denman acceded to the request , and the motion was posponed till next Wednesday .

Ad01103

HE FREEnASuii a CHRONliilij A Weekly Record of Masonic Intelligence . Reports Oi United Grand Lolg-o are published with fcho S ; jecia ! Sanction of H . R . H . the Princo of AVales tho M . VV , fcho Grand Master of England . THE FREEMASON'S CHRONICLE will be forwarded direct from the Office , Belvidere Works , Hermes Hill , Pontonvillc ) , N . on receipt of Post Office Order for the amount . Intending Subscribers shonld forward their full Addresses , to prevent mistakes . Post Office Orders to be made payable fco W , W . MORGAN at Penfcon Street Office . Cheques crossed " London aud County . " The Terms of Subscription ( payable in advance ) to THK FREE . MASON ' S CHRONICLE are—Twelve Months , post free . . £ 0 13 6 Six Months , ditto - 0 7 0 Three Months ditto . 0 3 6 Advertisers will find THK FRBEMASON ' CHRONICLE an exceptionall y good medium for Advortiaements of every oiasa .