Negative Reports.

NEGATIVE REPORTS .

IT often occurs tbr . t committees appointed to investigate the standing aud character of applicants for Masonry report favonrablv , because they can " find nothing against

the man . " Surely this is not enough ; it is not sufficient for a candidate for Masonic membership to havo a negative character ; ho should possess , at least , those good traits which would recommend him to the favourable

consideration of the Craft . We aro reminded of the old Southern squire " holding court upon a darkey" who was brought before him for stealing a ham ; two reputable citizens saw him s ' eal it ,

but a young lawyer in a spirit of fun brought ten witnesses who swore that they did not see the darkey steal the ham , and , in a fiery speech , young Mr . Blackstono declared that he can produce twenty , aye ! forty good men who did not see his client steal that ham . The darkey was acquitted .

It is conceded , even by our enemies , that Freemasonry stands hig her in the estimate of the world than any other secret society , and as a class ou the whole we compare favourably with any other association or order , it behoves us , then , to remain at the head of all the others , and this

can only be done by carefully weighing the applications of . new comers ; committees should not be content to report favourably , only because they find nothing against a candidate ; they should satisfy themselves that he is a good

man , one williug to stand by us , one who , if admitted , will bo a credit to the Craft , and upon whom wo can rely that ho stands ready to mako some sacrifices for the Fraternity , or for his brethren of the Mystic Tie .

Tho intelligent and intellectual part of the man should also have a deep influence upon the committees ; a person may be honest enough and be morally all right , yet , unless

he possesses a certain amount of intellectuality , he should not be allowed to participate in our ceremonies , for he would neither fully understand them uor fully appreciate fcbeir beauty .

Let us havo no more negative reports , let us havo only good men , morally , as well as mentally , but lot thorn be positively so . —Hebrevt Standard .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Garrick . —Mr . Sydnoy Grundy ' s charming comedy , "A Pair of S [) ectack'S , " is still merrily running its course , and delighting largo andiences with its quaint story . Mr . George Raiemond now undertakes the rolo of the open-hearted Benjamin Goldfinch , who , acting

under the inflnonce of his brother Gregory , becomes temporarily a suspicious misauthrope , aud bis performance is in every way to bo commended . Mr . Charles Groves hns cousidoiably olaboiated the character of Uncle Gregory , but he still looks too humorous pad j ill y a personage for the Sheffield money grnbber . Mr . Rurigo Harding

aud Mr . Sydney Brongh have both improved , aud represent tho two Boys in an easy , natural manner ; while the small parts of Mrs . Goldfinch and Lncy Loriiuier find agreeable exponents in Miss Kate Rorke and Miss Webster . The admirable manner in which the piece is

performed considerably enhances the pleasnro of witnessing it . Mr . VVynn Miller ' s pleasing dramatic fancy , " Dream Faces , " precedes the comedy , to which it , makes a pathetic introduction , and is capitally played by Miss Carlotta Addison , Miss Webster , Mr . Sydney Brough and Mr . Forbes-Robertson .

Babylon , tho great city of the Chaldeans , was five times as large ns tho London of to-day . Its walla were as hig h as lofty church steep les—3 < f . 0 ft . above the ground . The palace of Nebuchadnezzar , the dostroyor of Jerusalem , waa seven miles in circumference . The bed of tho great Euphrates was paved witli bricks . Tne palaces and temples were full of wonderful triumphs of painter , sculptor ,

and libraries of history , science and letters . The Babylonians were astronomers of great proficiency , considering the age in which they lived , and they watched the movement ;! of the heavenly bodies with intensa interest and recorded them with accuracy . The moon was the object of their especial regard , and her changes woro noted with unfliU ' rring assiduity and recorded in caleadars . They called her the father of tho snn . —Exchange .

To . wnKS roil REI- ' HKSII . UK . VT !—There was a vote , passed more titan three-quarters of a century ago , and which I lately found in the diicoloured and mouldy records of ; ny ovvn Lodge . It seams to have a deeper meaning than it- fr . imor knew ; perhaps it was prompted by some subtle furoiknow . Wl . / ' * . And I fear that its " fine inwa ; v ! neaa " mnv find too wide a held of applied ion . It is recorded thnt : " Voted , that the Refreshments of tbo Lodge for the year enscny b »

Tomiues , and that , Bros . Smith and Purki't be a committee to proctiro such quantity ns iu theii opinion will be suflicient for the uso of tie Lodfe . " Wero Bros . Snith and i ' urkitt here this evening , 1 an fearful they might consider that the quantity provided was tnti : h more than siilncient , so far as 1 am concerned . Aud lest othu Brethren may hoof the i-tune opinion , it will not be amiss 1 ' r mo to rename my scat .- -D . H . M . Could , of Ma- # : chii . > clL-. i

"The Salmon And Compasses."

"THE SALMON AND COMPASSES . "

' 'PIME is Meeting fast . " This aphorism was brought moat forcibl y i- to our recollection on Thursday Ia « t , when we accepted a cordial invitation from Mr . T . L . Newbury , the cm , toous propriotor of the above well-known hostelry in Pen ton St wet , Pentonville , to nipft a Few of hia friends a-al woil wishers on the occasion of hia resi'ning tho prop-i > t ;) rship of that establishment . We wore taken

. "omowhar aback when tho anniHincjuiPnt ivai made to us that our good friend had arrived at such a conclusion ; but . it appears he has beconii ) deepl y interested in tho discussion of the problem , now so popular , aa to tho advantages of life in town or country . Our host hiuU from Devonshire , has been brought up to a Yeotnan ' a life , and has , moreover , a keen relish fur a run with dog and

can . Fortune has Favoured him , and ho think *—viw man —this trnnsitory Ufa should be marlo the moat of . Woll , wolf ; wo feel he in right . A' / ain , tho class of prop-arty in which Mr . Newbery had invested stands woll in the nvirkot , and all these factors combining , we cannot blame him for makin , ' tho change At 8 30 about 50 or GO guests presented themselves , aud wero met with

a hearty welcome , both from the host and hia wife , the chair was to havo been filled by the fist proprietor of tho establishment , Mr . W . H . Hooper , but in the enforced absence of that gentleman , Mr . W . W . Morgan presided , and was supported by Mr . Sponcer ( Vico-Chair ) , and by the incoming tenaut , Mr . W . AV . Davis , Dr . VV . Hindhangh , Messrs . T . Sutnmorlield , and many other tradesmen and

residents of the locality . After partaking of an onjoyablo supper , splendidly served , the chairman briefly introdnced tho Loyal toasts . Her Majesty the Qneen had wou from her snbjects the utmost love and respect , ono nnd all—no matter what ahade of politics they mig ht all ' oot—judged her by the high standard of wotnauly sympathy she exhibited iu the passing events of the d . iy , and in her

care for the well-being of her subjects . After the National Anthem ' had been Pnng , the Chairman , in speaking of the Prince of Wales , said His Royal Highness was as well kuowu in Pentonville as the majority of the residents there . Ho was a frequent visitor at tho Agricultural Hall , and had gained the approval of all for his genial and manly qnalities . With the

toast he would associate the name of Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales , and the other members of the Royal Family ., Ou again rising , the Chairman said he had now been asked to formally introduce to the assembled company Mr . W . VV . Davis , tho new proprietor . Ifo ( the chairman ) was reminded of the old saying , " Speed the parting , welcome the coming guest , " and perhaps

it might be thought by some that he was placing' the cart somowhat before tho horso , but their friend Nnwbory would not leave actually for another week , and consequently he would take the toast now under consideration first . Mr . Newbery had during tho brief term of his occupancy of the " Salmon " gained the esteem and good will of his neighbours , aud if the tongue of popular report

was to be believed , his successor had likewise achieved tho satno happy result . Mr . Davis waa now coming into a busy and thriviug neighbourhood , and had assured tho speaker it would be hi-- * earnoa endeavour to mako himself popular with hia neighbours . As to tho commercial value of the home tinder whoso roof thoy woro assembled , ho ( tho Chairman ) felt , littlo need bo sail ; till were agreed

it was a comfortable and commodious establishment , and if a sound j class article wast offered , it could well hold its own . Mr . Nowbery j was not leavintj from tho realization of tho fact , th it his anticipations j had not boon fulfilled ; on tho contrary , his only object was tho desire I for a eonnu-y life instead of a town one . Mr . Morgan then called on I all pivrent to drink a binnp ° r twit , wishing Air . Davis happiness and

I prosperity in his n » ' \ v venture . J a a brief rep y V r . [ Vvis rcmaikod ' , that he could mako no pretention to oratory , but he comd assure them jail he should do his bear , to keep up the neighbourly spirit that j was now so much in tho ascendant . Bro . Dr . VV . Hindhaugh gave 1 the next toast . —tho health of Mr . Newbery . It seemed to him but ¦ a few weeks back when they wera engaged in welcoming their host

I of that evening—bnt be fonnd it win P 5 months . All around him were regretful that the association was about to bo severed , bat all ] trusted that health and happiness wouid attend him in hia new I sphere . Mr . Newbery gracefully acknowledged the compliment , aud felt the hearty support ho had enjoyed wouhl be continued to his

successor Mr . W . VV . Davis . Several other toasts followed . The proceedings throughout wero of a most harmonious character ; Mr . Sommerfiold acted as Master of tho Ceremonies , aud besides contributing himself , introduced same excellent vocalists ; notably among whom we may mentiou Messrs . Kitmur , Watkius , ( X'den , Fowlus , Pucoek , EUivorth , & c . Mr . Carter presided at tho pianoforte .

It is understood that tho numerous emratrements of bis Royal Highness the . Duke of Conn ' , ui <_ 'ht will not permit him this year to visit tho Province of Sussex ns Provincial Grand Mua ' . er of Sussex b ' reennisons . but that he hopes to do so early next year . Now that his floval Highness has assumed tho commiind of the Southern District it is hoped his visits to the Province wiil bcc'tti" more

fr-qucur . Ho has not yet been installed as Provincial Grand Ali . bLer of itio Mark Masons iu Sussex . The It . \ V . Hep . Prov . G . M . Sir VV . T , Marriott . Q . O ., M . P ., will acc ^ rdiriglv open the Provincial Grind Lodge of Sus-ox on ¦ J . kh Ovtobhr , as the Eastbourne Town Hall , when it is intended by the local OYoema-i'iis to give a very enthusiastic reception to their brothron of the Province . —Su-yce Daily New .- ' .

Th-. ! Diree ji's of tho Crystal Palace District Gas Compauy report thai , tie' r . ' suit of the la .-. t Half year ' s workintr showi a balance to tho credit of Revenue Account of . C 7-130 17 s -d . They recommend tho . eclat'auon of a dividend for tho hail" year ended 30 th Jnna last at the following rates oer aiiuntu . viz . - . — ii p . r cent ., on th . i Preference

Stock ; 7 pi-r I'onr . on the Ordinsii-v 7 p r Co < f . Stock . : . 10 per cent , on tho Oridii . iry i > [" . ' ¦ ' Gcnl . Stink ; and 7 per cent , on the . New Ordinary 7 per Cent . Shares ; nm-mniinx to . £ i ' . i , l . > 2 ' > 17 s 'Id icsfe Income Tas oi' oli-iO Kis Od , and ilaii tho w . n' . uus for the not auionnt , . C !; i , : iV ) I- ; hi lie foiwunled io , p : i ~ t , ou or before tn'J . 1 : 3 th fcicpttuibor Lu Luu iiu ^ i-li . i'cil I ' uaj . lutoti . ouiUtu Juut 1 'daL