Notices Of Meetings.

about to notice the Lodge met at Anderton a Hotel , Fleet Street , at four o ' clock , when there were present Bros . H . N . Price W . M ., W . J . Ferguson I . P . M ., E . A . G . Smith S . W ., W . F . Baxton J . W ., T . Morris Secretary , Thomas H . Hobba S . D ., A . E . Kay D . C ., J . J . Higga I-G ., F . H . P . Smith Steward , A . Banks Assistant Steward , E . Whiting P . M . Tyler . Visitors-. —Bros . J . H . Miller P . M . 228 , J .

Jenkins I . P . M . 860 , George Everett Past Master 177 , & c , William W . Morgan Past Master 211 , J . Grose 957 , Hearn 20 , & o . After the Lodge had been formally opened , and the minutes of last meeting read and confirmed , some candidates were raised , and some were passed to the second degree , while Bro . W . W . Moore , of the Chiswick Lodge , was elected a joining member . The eleotion of

W . M . for the second year resalted in favour of Bro . E . A . G . Smith the Senior WardeD , and Bro . W . J . Ferguson P . M . was re-eleoted Treasurer ; Bro . E . Whiting P . M ., by show of hands , was re-appointed Tyler . Bros . B . Manley , E . Beer , and F . J . Harding were elected members of the audit Committee , and then Bro . Fergnson ' s notice of motion , " That tho sum of £ 2 10 s be contributed by the Lodge to the

Boys School Pension Indemnity Fund , was brought under consideration . In making the proposition Bro . Ferguson went at some length in o the matter , but he was sadly at fault in regard to some of his premises . There waa some opposition offered by ono of the members , and here again we found that the speaker was totally at fault as regards the grounds on which those who are seeking tourais 9 the amount base their claim . However , explanations were

forthcoming , and the grant was then unanimously agreed to . The services of Bro . Ferguson , aa a Founder and as Treasurer of the Lodge , were eloquently dilated upon , and he was elected an honorary Past Master of the Lodge . The Offiosrs of the Lodge hid also prepared a little sutprise , and the W . M . now , on behalf of his confreres , presented Bro . Ferguson with a handsome jewel , whioh bears the following inscription : —

Presented to Bro . W . J . Ferguson P . M . 177 , by the W . M . and Officers of the Viator Lodge , No . 2308 , as a mark of their esteem and respect , and for the able and efficient manner in whioh he has performed the duties of I . P . M . and Treasurer during the first year of the Lodge's existence .

These marks of appreciation of his services served somewhat to startle Brother Ferguson , who briefly , but gracefully tendered his thanks to the Lodge . Of course , after so successful a year the enterprise of the Worshipful Master is not to pass without recognition . A characteristic Past Master's jewel is to be designed , and this will be presented to Bro . Price in due course . It

wilt also be accepted as the adopted pattern of the Lodge , and will doubtless adorn the breasts of many a good man and true . Whon we consider the Viator Lodge now numbers thirty-six members on its roll , and that it has cleared off all its liabilities , we shall not be far out when we prognosticate it will hold a firm position in the future . After the Lodge had been

dosed a banquet waa served , at which the Worshipful Master presided . The Loyal toasts having been honoured , Bro . Ferguson called upon the brethren to drink to the health of their W . M . Bro . Price ' s term was nearly over , and the members should make as much of him as thin , perhaps , their last opportunity would permit . He had laboured strenuously in establishing tho Lodge , which might

already be looked upon as a large one . After a song by Bro . Lodge , the W . M . replied . After thanking Bro . Fer ^ mon , Bro . Price said he fully realised that his tenure of offiie was waning vory fast . However , he felt he conld look back with feelings of intense gratifi . cation at the success they had achieved . He had received every consideration and support from his Officer * , while Bro . Ferguson had

ably seconded his efforts . He ini * ht state that bjth of them had gained their early Masonic knowledge in a popular L- > dge whioh met under tha same roof , and under the tutorship of an esteemed member of the Craft who was present , iu the person of Bro . George Everett . He had hoped their mnster roll wonld have risen to 40 , but nevertheless 36 members was more than they anticipated they

should enrol in the time . The Visitors was the next toast , aud Bros . G . Everett and Morgan replied . The health of the W . M . elect , proposed by the W . M ., elicited a hearty response from Brother Smith Brother Morris , the worthy Seoretary , stated that so far as regards their finances there was on ' y A sum of three guineas due to the

kTdge . In the intervals between the toasts —several more than we nave detailed were given—some splendid singing enlivened the proceedings . We have already mentioned Bro . Lodge , but he sang turee or four times , while amongst others who distinguished themaelvei were Bros . Harding , Crowther , Buxton , Hobbs , and Everett . ¦ Bros . Morgan and Ferguson contributed recitations .

w « t . vent Garden Lodge of Instruction , No . 1614 .-The weekly meeting was held at thq Criterion , Picoadillv , S . W ., on the VV n ° j ' i Br 08 # W ' & g ' W . M ., F . M . Noakes S . W ., J . Eowe J . W ., •Hundley Preceptor , J . Greenway Daputy Preceptor , G . Reynolds wJT m , Seci-etary , R . C . Cursons S . D ., C . Rotter J . D ., T . C . 7 JerJBGrieveJThrussellFWBuxtonTC - ¦ * uiu imuaooii ri uuituu \

w w , ' -- , . , . . , . . Seary , W W 11 > — «« , o . , ! ' . . , j .. j . vtmiy , " . walker , E . J . D . Bromley , G . A . Barghok , and E . O . Mulvey . Bro < f mma " ' the W , M * rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , B ' ^ 7 candidate . The Lodge was opened in the second , oerem 6 PUt ? Preoe P tor worked the first section of the lecture . Tbe » ,. „ ° } Passing was then rehearsed . Bro . Henry G . Walker 1614

apnoir ? Tw * n 8 ly elected » member . Bro . F . M . Noakes was ' •eremn ••, f ° the en 9 nin J ? week » wl > en t Q e rehearsal of the assist « h iJ eacoompanied wit , h mnsic - Brethren wishing to rehear ^"*? ? nd in their nnm * s . Brethren to menfc at 7 o'cbck for Lod ^ „„ \ othu , 8 ^ rther offering for the good of Freemasonry , the se was closed and adjourned .

™ 2 S , ! 0 TICE ' -C » # ''' ' « ' 4 *»'« ' ¦•<* Per post to all "Pcrience inNpr „„? hea , tll > witb loss of strength and vitality . Fifty years Sheffield . Form , ? n ment 8 - A , ldress . Secretary , 3 Fitzallan Square , u . m of Correspondence Free . "Vrite to-duy .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Opera Comique . —A new comedy opera , entitled "Gretna Green , " by Mr . T . M . Ford and Dr . J . Storer , waa produced on tbe 22 nd inst ., with a fair amount of success , though the late hour at which it terminated greatly tried the audienoe . When the artistes have fairly settled down to their work , the opera will play oloser , and will take less time in representation , but surely 8 o ' olock

would be quite late enongh to commence . The plot can hardly be termed new , aa it deals with a well worn atory . Squire Bramble returns home to claim his inheritance , but being obliged to take Phyllis Ferna with the estate , he determines to win her love disguised aa his own secretary . Meanwhile , he persuades Robin Bates , a strolling player , to impersonate him . Ruth Ferns , finding Phyllis

unwilling to wed the pretended Squire , resolves to marry hi n herself , and for this purpose enlists the aid of Justice Mettle , whi lores Phyllis , to plan the elopemoot of both con plea to " Grotua Green . " Their flight is discovered by Bramble , who arrives in time to declare his Icvo and claim his bride . The Justice is trioked into marrying Widow Ferns , and of course Ruth is soon undeceived as to her

husband . Ik unblo changes plaoes , therefore , aud makes Robin his seoretary , at £ 200 a year , whioh , us Ruth declares , is " more than many a parson receives . " The musio has a strong 18 th century flavour about it , and some of the ballads are prettily written , but a great deal of the dialogue might be excised with advantage . Miss Villa Knox ia admirably suited for the part of Phyllis , both singing and acting

the part to perfection . Miss Leonora Braham makes a sprightly Ruth , and Mr . Cadwaladr sings well as Bramble , but requires a little more animation to make the part effective . Mr . W . Hogarth is an excellent Robin , and Mr . H . G . Lonsdale makes the most of Justice Nettle , but Mr . Charles Co'lette may bo advised not to play

the part of Peter Pong , Robin's cousin , quite so ranoh " up to date . " Miss Florence Lonsdale mu 3 t be commended for the energy she displayed as Cioily , while Miss M . Erte , Mr . E . Thorne , and Mr . Jameson satisfactorily sustained their respective characters . The piece ia prettily mounted , and only requires condensation . In a short time it should go capitally .

Terry ' s . —The verdict of a matinee audience is not altogether conclusive— if it were , Mr . J . H . Darnley would be justified in antU oipating a successful career for his new farcical comedy , " Wanted a Wife . " The pivot on whioh the farce turns is an ecoentrio will , in whioh an uncle has left a fortune to his nephew on the condition that within twelve months the latter presents his wife to the executors . The nephew has unfortunately been separated from his wife , iand

when the play begins only three days are left before the expiry of the appointed time . Out of this incident Mr . Darnley has constructed an amnsing , if somewhat bewildering , farce . There are many olever lines ; and throughout it was evident that the author ia a master of all those smaller arts of stagecraft on which the success of a play so much depends . Up to the middle of the second act the farce went well . It then began to drag , and the curtain fell on a weak and ineffective tableau . Towards the end of the third aot the interest

revived , and tbe farce ended well . Mr . Darnley was happy in the selection of the players . Mr . Yorke Stephens , who took one of the most important parts , was of the stage , stagey , aud his manner was too artificial . Mr . Leslie Corcoran , as an irate Captain , need not have made himself look like a Patagonian ; his make up marred good acting . Mr . Arthur Williams was amusing . Among the ladies

Miss Rose Hearing made an excellent servant girl . The rest of the cast calls for no special comment . There is no reason why Mr . Darnley ' s firce , if certain judicious alterations are mad » , with a view to 'ell a more easily understood story , should not score a success , though not the success of " Tho Balloon " or " Tbe Barrister . " A farce must be something more than a mere jumble of amusing and bewildering incidents .

Star Chapter of Instruction , Ho . 1275 . —On Friday , the 16 th inst ., at the Stirling Castle , Camberwell . Present : — Comps . G . L . Moore M . E . Z ., F . Hilton ( Preceptor ) H ., G . Powell J ., C . H . Stone S . E ., Newland S . N ., Goodwin P . S ., Aldington P . Z ., Dale , Grummant P . Z , Stokoe P . Z ., and R . C . Davis . Minutes were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , the

lectures being delivered in unusually excellent style . Comp . Newland was eleoted a joining member . Comp . Powell P . Z . was elected M . E . Z . for the next meeting . It was announced that the three installation ceremonies , as well as that of exaltation , would be rehearsed on the 30 th iu 3 t ., by the Preceptor .

On Friday , the 23 rd inst ., Comps . G . Powell M . E . Z ., Jas . Hill n ., F . Hilton P . Z . J ., C . H . Stone S . E ., North S . N ., Stone P . S ., Osterstock , F . Hilton Preceptor ; Jas . Addington P . Z ., and Towers . After preliminaries , the ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Companion Oaterstock candidate .

The final meeting of the Board of Stewards for the recent Festival of the R . M . I , for Girls will be held at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday next , the 4 th pros ., when the statement of receipts and expenses will be produced , and the bills be ordered to be discharged . The members of the Board of Stewards will assemble at four o ' clock .

The Prince of Wales has promised to lay the foundation stone , in July , of the new buildings for the Royal South London Ophthalmic Hospital ( which was established 33 years ago ) . H . R . H . the Princess of Wales has also graciously agreed to receive purses of £ 5 5 s , aud upwards , from ladies and children who will present them to Her Royal Highness on behalf of the Roval Foundation Fund .