Peep-Holes In Masonry.

from the profane public . They can do this for no other reason than to receive plaudits from those profane , with tho hopo that some of them also may be thereby led to seek Masonic initiation . It is an advertising schemo to obtain candidates , where it is not purely a clap-trap . In

many instances it is both . The usual form this peep-hole assumes is that of a " public installation of the Officers of a Lodge . " Tho public have no relation to tho Lodgo ,

its Officers are not their Officers , and they never can obtain admission to the Lodge afterwards as profanes •bnt , nevertheless , they are invited there then , and a part of the ¦ work of Masonry is exposed to their gaze . In some Masonic

jurisdictions they have done this so often that , no doubt , they regard it as an ancient Landmark , and they probably look in horror upon those Masonic jurisdictions which forbid the practice , as committing a breach of ancient Masonic usage and law ! And yet , what thoughtful Freemason

will maintain that it is either right or appropriate to instal , in tho presence of the profane , the Officers of a Lodge , which Officers are to preside exclusively over initiates . It is the pardonable pride of Freemasonry in Pennsyl-¦ « ania that it nermits no neon-holes in Masonrv . To know

what the " art and mystery " is among us , you must learn it in the good old way . You may not peep at it through a hole in the Lodge room door ; you may not read it in a written or printed ritual ; and you may not , if you area profane , witness the installation of the Officers of a Lodge . Here , at least , the ancient usages , customs and Landmarks of Freemasonry are maintained in their pristine purity . —Keystone

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Princess ' s . —The management have undoubtedly aoted wisely in withdrawing " The Gold Craze" and replacing it by Messrs . Henry Pettifct and George R . Sims' powerful drama " Master and Man . " The Princess ' s has for some very many years been looked upon as one of tho theatres wherein we may hope to see pieces of

tho melodrama stamp , so that the present production will not be out of place . Although the main incidents in " Master and Man " have been used times without number , such well versed authors as Messrs . Pettitt and Sims are sure to serve them up in a new shape , and in the present case they have not failed . Starting with the heroine

( Hester Thornbnry ) choosing for a husband the hero ( Jack Walton ) instead of the villian ( Robert Carlton ) , it is only true melodramatic form that Carlton and his accomplice should hold the upper hand , and tho hero and heroine suffer all the wrongs imaginable . Among these we may mention that Walton is unable to get work through

scandal being put about by a man named Humpy Logan 5 later on Walton is sentenced to seven years imprisonment for a crime committed by another . He , however , escapes , and after seeing his wife , and evading the police who come to arrest him , manages to get to the Ironworks where Logan is foreman . The men of the works are

dissatisfied and being led on by a man named Jem Burleigh , whoso wife Carlton and Logan have betrayed , they attempt to put the latter in the furnace , but he is saved by Walton . This scene is one of tho strongest that it has ever been our lot to witness , and Mr . Robert Pateman ' s acting is so grand that it cannot fail to draw all

London . This aotor has never been seen to greater advantage ; his fright is so cleverly depicted , the nervous excitement so wonderfully shown that he thoroughly deserved the cheering that was awarded him by the crowded audience . After this scene Carlton gets Heater ' s child stolen from her , and naturally works all the ills he possibly can ,

only to be finally oheck-mated in the last scene . This is brought about by Humpy Logan turning round and helping Walton . There is some comic business throughout , which is in the well-known vein of the authors . A powerful company has been selected to interpret tho piece , and of these Mr . Pateman bears the palm . Thia well

known actor has done many good things in his time , but wo can say without fear of contradiction that his Hnmpy Logan is the beet he has yet accomplished . At the ontset Mr . Pateman gets well within his part , and never leaves it . His third act is one nob likely to be forgotten , while iu the next ho also comes out well . Mr . Henry

Novillo is a bright and manly hero , while Mr . Charles Dalton is a col and deliberate villain . Messrs . Sidney Howard and E . W . Gardiner with Miss Fanny Brough look well after the comic scenes , and Mi ^ s Bella Pateman gained tbe sympathy of her audience by her SODIKI acting as Hester . Mr . J . H . Barnes has not much to do as

Jem Burleigh , bat he did his little well , while Mr . Bassett Roe makes a model inspector of police , caro having undoubtedly been bestowed on this small part by him . A special word of praise is due to little

Murio Pearl for her acting as Hester's child , and to Mrs . Frank Huutley as Hester ' s auufc . In conclusion , wo feel sure that " Matter and Man" will draw , not only during the holidays , but for some time after .

Globe . —A company , which , under the management of Mr . F . R . Bonson , hns attained considerable popularity in the provinces , appeared hero on Thursday last , in Shakespeare ' s delightful comedy , "A Midsummer Night's Dream , " and it is intended to present several of tho poet ' s more popular plays during the season . There can be no doubt at thc present time , when the modern drama and

The Theatres, &C.

farcical comedy are the favourite dramatic coudiments of the London publio , that tho provincial performer has much greater advantages for a Shakespearian trainiug than his or h > r motropc Hcari brother or si 3 ter . Mr . Benson ' s compir . y ar . s nil well trained in tho old traditions , and givo a fairly go d rendering of tho tex * , at tho same time we trust that when tho members settle

down to their work , we may be favoured with bettor olcution . With this hint we may mention that Mr . Sidney Pric ? , though undertaking tho part at a short notice , was an excellent representative of Thosens , while Lysander and Demotrius wore well sustained by Mr . Benson and Mr . II . R 033 respectively . The llermia of Miss Ada

Fcrrar fully deserved tho applunso bestowed , and Miss Marion Grey , though a delicate Amazon Queen , spoko her lines with due emphasis . Wo can hardly congratulate Miss Kate Rorke upou her rendering of Helena , and at times she could not be heard in spite of the smallness of the theatre . Mr . A . Brydone played the small part of Egeus

with vigour , and Mr . G . M . Howard delivered his address to the oonrb with good effect . Perhaps the best elocutionist of all was Mr . Obho Stuart , who undertook the character of Oboron in a most satisfactory manner . Mrs . Benson was the Fairy Queen , and Miss G . Geraldine made a very vivacious Puck . The immortal Bottom was carefully

portrayed by Mr . G . R . Weir , and with Messrs . H . A . Fordo , G . F . Black , S . Phillips , H . G . Tomkins , and A . Grenville , aa Quince , Snug , Flute , Snout , and Starveling , caused considerable amusement . Tho piece is exquisitely mounted , the woodland scenery with its lights and shades being especially attractive ; while the numerous fairies

elves , and sprites have been admirably trained , aud in the third aot " the dream " may be said to be fully realised . Mendelssohn ' s music is largely drawn upon to add its charm to the general effect ; indeed all that long , expensive and careful study can achieve has been

employed to rendor the play successful . A morning performance will be given on Boxing Day , and every Saturday till further notice , so that Pater Familias need not be at a loss for a treat for his little folks dnring the holidays .

Reviews.

REVIEWS .

All Books intended for Review should be addressed to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , Belvidere Works , Hermes Hill , Pentonville , London , U . — : o : — The Loveliest Women in London A story in ten scenes . By Campbell Rae-Brown . London : DEAN AND SON , 160 A Fleet , street , E . C .

FOB those who are fond of sensational novels , written in bright and interesting style , we can recommend the above . The author has developed a good and exciting plot in a vory little space , which could easily have been made to fill a book two or three times the

size of the present one . For a companion on a journey , or for a short read for an evening or two , " The Loveliest Women in London " will prove most attractive . It is printed in good bold type , on good paper , and will well repay tho 3 e who may read it .

We have received through Mr . Wm . McDougle , 11 Newgate Street , E . C , a copy of the testimonial awarded to the Stewards of the late Festival in connection with tho Royal Masonic Institution for Boys iu recognition of their exertions on the occasion . It is a magnificent piece of

illuminated work , the gronudwork being of a creamy brown colour , the heading being composed of letters in shaded blue and pink with gold bordering , and is surmounted by the royal crown . The wording of the

testimonial is neatly printed in black with red capitals , and is signed by Bro . Frederick Binckes , the Secretary . At the foot of tbe address are two medallions , one containing the Treasurer ' s insignia and the other the monogram ( in pink

and blue on a gold ground ) of V . W . Bro . Richard Eve , Patron of the Institution , who was the Chairman ou the occasion . The whole is surrounded with a delicately de .

signed scroll work in light blue and pink , with a broad border of gold . It is decidedly quite a work of art , and will doubtless be highly prized by " the fortunate recipients .

On Tuesday , the 10 th instant , Bro 3 . W . E . Lukics aud J . 0 . R . Orewes were re-olected as W . M . and Treasurer

respectively , and Bro . John Langdon Tyler , of the Fortitude Lodge , No . 131 . St . Martin Lodge , No . 510 , on Tuosday , the 10 th instant , elected Bros . . W . H . Stanton S . W . the W . M ., T . Whito Treasurer , and B . Penwarden Tyler .

The usual New Year ' s entertainment to the old folks of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for aged Frcomasons and Widows of Freemasons , Croydjn , " will take place on Wednesday , the 1 st January ntxfc . A special second class saloon carriage will be reserved by the 12 * 57 a . m . train from Charing Cross , or 1 * 9 p . m , from Cannon . Street , for East Croydon .