Straits Settlements.

E . Sir Knight G . Thompson forthe energy he had exhibited . and the skill he had displayed in working during the past year in instructing the members . It transpired that Sir ¦ KnightThompson is a knight of II years' standing . On the close of the preceptory , a meeting of the Priory of Malta vvas opened , and after the installation of E . Sir Knight G . A . Derrick as E . P ., the newly-installed Prior

conferred the benefits of the Mediterranean Pass , and in due course dubbed a Knight of St . John of Jerusalem , vice Sir Knight D . Harrington , who had been created a Knight Templar at a previous meeting . The business of the evening having terminated , the sir knights adjourned to the Masonic Club . This preceptory , since its revival over two years since ,

has done very well and continues to prosper . In a recent number of this Journal vve had a note on the spread of the Order of the Secret Monitor in the far East , and informed our readers' the brethren in Singapore had petitioned the G . S . R . for a warrant of constitution . This has since been granted , and despatched to Singapore , where , on the 15 th ult ., Adullum Conclave , No . 17 , was inaugurated by Bro . F . H . Gottlieb , 32 , P . G . S . B .

England , P . D . D . G . M . E . A . The petitioners vvere Bros . F . H . Gottlieb , P . M ., S . R . designate ; G . Thompson , P . M ., ist Councillor ; W . Porteous , ist Guide ; E . J . Khory , P . M . ; G . A . Derrick , 1 S ; W . Makepeace , R . O . Norris , and S . R . Robinson . This beautiful Order is sure to make good progress in the Straits Settlements , where social conditions are peculiarly suited to the active working of the tenets of the Order .

Liverpool Masonic Literary Society.

LIVERPOOL MASONIC LITERARY SOCIETY .

A meeting of the above promising body vvas held on Saturday , the 22 nd ult ., at the Adelphi Hotel , for the purpose of hearing a lecture by the well-known Masonic antiquary and archaeologist , Bro . G . W . Speth , P . M ., Sec . Quatuor Coronati Lodge , London , on " The Degrees of Ancient ( pre . 1717 )

Freemasonry , " and there vvas a very large attendance of Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past , as well as W . M . ' s and others . The chair was taken by Bro . Jos . HAWKINS , W . M . 216 , who introduced the lecturer to the brethren . Bro . SPETH expressed the great gratification he

experienced in being the first to discourse to their newlyformed society , to vvhich he wished every success . He hoped to be able to place some new themes before them , which would certainly not in any way undermine the faith of the younger members of the Craft . As to the Degrees of "Ancient Freemasonry , " he called

anything before 1717 ancient , and since that modern . He proceeded to give an explanation of some of the ancient symbols , and to show why others had fallen into disquietude , carrying the history of the application of these as far back as the second century . He showed that even then the

foundation of Masonic law vvas a belief in the Supreme Being . He also proved that everything contained in the Craft at the present day existed at that period in a much simpler form , and demonstrated that in both operative and symbolic Masonry the various grades vvere developed gradually as well as the connection of the Craft

with the old great trade guilds . This he proved by documents dating back to 1583 , and even to the time of the earlier Saxon kings , showing the growth of the more complicated government now existing . He then . called attention to the gradual introduction of the present signs and symbols in use all over the globe

proving their sequential appearance , not onl y from Masonic manuscripts , but from many still existing outside documents to be found in national libraries and museums . He finally gave an exhaustive statement in which he showed that the present degrees in Craft Masonry vvere not recognised in their now accepted

order before 1725 . The interesting lecture , illustrated b y diagrams and photographs of many ancient manuscripts , was listened to with the greatest interest throughout , and a vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to Bro . Speth . In reply to Bro . Dr . COSTINE , P . P . G . D ., the LECTURER

stated that he had not alluded to Royal Arch Masonry , . as it was not germane to the matter immediatel y in hand . The CHAIRMAN announced that in future the lectures would be addressed to members only , a large number of whom enrolled themselves after the proceedings terminated . The Secretary , Bro . H . B . Browne , P . M ., will be happy to receive any names .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

The transition is very marked at the Garrick Theatre , for from the deep tragedy of " La Tosca , " which makes one ' s blood curdle , we are treated to the most deligthful play of the light order . Mr . Hare is quite justified in making such a bi g departure from "The Profligate " and his recent piece to the realms of

. comedy . Mr . Grundy has adapted from the French a play vvhich vvill be sure to fill the Garrick for months to come , and , had not the author modestl y stated his indebtedness , vve doubt whether anyone would have imagined the source whence " A Pair of Spectacles "

comes . It is essentially English , so Mr . Grundy may almost be given credit for being the sole author . Curiousl y this play has next to no plot , no thrilling situations , not even a love story , yet it is one of the . most fascinatng plays we have seen of recent dates .

The Theatres.

It is a character piece , and even here that is limited to two individuals , and these men . It may seem odd that without the usual features which are considered necessary in a play , a piece could be written and acted vvhich will draw all London . Mr . Goldfinch is one of those dear old gentlemen who believes in

human nature and cannot bear to hurt a fly . Of course he suffers fcr his indiscriminate faith in everyone . One of his tenants is a shoemaker , who owes him six quarters rent . He orders 14 pairs of boots of him , and when the shoemaker p leads he cannot pay the rent because people do not pay him his bills , Mr .

Benjamin Goldfinch pays him for the boots . There are rumours that his banker is on the verge of smash , and he is warned to draw out his big balance , but he will not believe it . " He says , " I vvas at school with him , " and when his lawyer is said to be shaky he replies , " He vvas a friend of my father ' s , " and vvill not

entertain the thought . His brother , Gregory , who is a hard-headed Yorkshire manufacturer , and who believes nothing he does not see , comes on a visit . He tries to harden Benjamin ' s heart . When the latter pleads that some one is starving . Gregory answers it is not true . He has heard all these tales before . A begging letter

comes , in which the petitioner states his father is dying , his mother is paralysed , and his wife is about to be confined . Gregory says " I know that father ; I know that mother ; I know them all . " He gets his brother to agree to a bet that it vvill turn out a hoax . It does . Benjamin drops his spectacles , and Gregory

lends him his . He at once sees human nature in another light . He suspects the butler of robbing the cellar , and his young wife , who is at church , of flirting with the curate , and makes himself miserable generally . He opens his wife ' s Bible thinking to find some evidence of guilt , but reads the passage where he has opened it ,

" In much knowledge is much grief , and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow . " But , suspect as he will , he finds people faithful . A friend whom he lent money to returns it ; the butcher ' s mutton cutlets he weighed to prove a deficiency turn out to be overweight . His spectacles are returned , and his eyes re-opened , and he is once more the kind-hearted

benevolent old man , whilst his money-grubbing brother , who at bottom vvas good-hearted , becomes also kind and generous . Mr . Grund y has fitted Mr . Hare in the character of Benjamin Goldfinch with a part which fits him like a glove . If the change in the programme had only taken place to bring back Mr . Hare it would have been sufficient warrant . Mr . Hare has never been seen

to better advantage than he is now in his own theatre . It is a triumph of refined comedy . Mr . Charles Groves as Gregory , is splendidly made up , and acts the gruff Yorkshireman to the life . It is the best thing vve have ever seen Mr . Groves do . Mr . H . Kni ght , as the

shoemaker , gives a clever sketch , and Miss Kate Rorke looks charming in her two lovel y dresses , though little demand is made on her well-known talents for acting . We offer our sincere congratulations to both Mr . Hare and Mr . Grundy .

Willing's Selected Theatrical Programme.

WILLING'S SELECTED THEATRICAL PROGRAMME .

DRURY LANE THEATRE . Twice Daily , at 1 . 30 and 7 . 15 , Pantomime , J ACK AND THE BEANSTALK . ADELPHI THEATRE . Every Evening , at S , LONDON DAY BV DAVJ at 7 . 15 , THE MARRIED BACHELOR .

GAIETY THEATRE . Every Evening , at 8 , Ruv BI . AS AND THE BLASE ROUE . STRAND THEATRE . Every Evening , at S . 40 , OUR FLAT J at S , BOYS WILL BE BOYS . VAUDEVILLE THEATRE . Every Evening , at 8 , THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL .

COURT THEATRE . Every Evening , at 9 , AUNT J , * at 15 , To THE RESCUE . ST . JAMES'S THEATRE . Every Evening , at 8 , As You LIKE IT .

SAVOY THEATRE . Every Evening , at S . 30 , THE GONDOLIERS . PRINCE OF-WALES' THEATRE . Every Evening , at S . 15 , MARJORIE J at 7 . 30 , J SMITH . LYRIC THEATRE . Every Evening , at S . 20 , THE RED HUSSAR J at 7 . 30 , WARRANTED BURGLAR PROOF .

GRAND THEATRE . Every Evening , at 7 . 30 , THE MAN O'AIRI . IE and MERCHANT OF VENICE . SURREY THEATRE . Every Evening , at 7 . 30 , HANDS ACROSS THE SEA .

SANGER'S AMPHITHEATRE . Twice Daily , at 2 and 7 , Pantomime , LADY GODIYA , and Grand Circus Entertainment .

The Hon . A . E . Tollemache has sent a donation of , £ 50 to the St . John's Hospital for Diseases of the Skin , Leicester-square , W . C . The officers , non-commissioned officers , and men of the 24 th Regiment , being desirous of erecting a memorial to their comrades who fell in the Burmese War , have

commissioned Mr . Taylor , of Berners-street , to execute a stained-glass window and memorial brass , with the name of every man who fell in action , or died during the campaign , to be placed in the Priory Church , Brecon , where the memorial to their comrades who fell in the South African campaign is erected .

Hospitality.

HOSPITALITY .

There is no need under this head to offer any advice or suggest any improvement to our London lodges , who , with many of our principal town provincial lodges , are profuse in their hospitable entertainment of visiting brethren , and that the proverbial hospitality of our Craft in general is at all times strangely neglected , is

due rather to want of thought than want of will , and , perhaps , because there is a little misunderstanding between theW . M . and Secretary , or Stewards in the matter , each thinking the other vvill do what is becoming the score of the hospitable entertainment of guests . I remember once attending a Provincial Grand Lodge as

a Grand Officer of the year , and having to pay for everything , though invited to be present . This is not as it should be , and vvas doubtless due to the fact that no one vvas specially responsible to see to the proper entertainment of guests . If this vvere the rule , Present and Past Grand Officers , ¦

the Present Wardens of a province . and visiting W . M . ' s , attending Provincial Grand Lodges on installation festivals , would find their expenses largely increased at the banquets vvhich follow such functions , and the inviting brethren should not forget that travelling and hotel charges make the cost of those who wish to do

honour to a lodge b y no means inconsiderable , and amount to a far larger sum to be set aside yearly for the amenities of Masonry for those of high rank in the Craft than vvhat is needful to be incurred by members of the Craft generally . Those who hold or have held office in Grand Lodge .

are expected in the provinces , and rightly expected , to ¦ show that they have an active interest in the welfare of the Craft in the district in vvhich they reside by attending installation and other festivals , and it should be the duty of the Secretary of a lodge wishing them

to be present , to enclose a ticket for hospitality offered , at the time of sending the invitation . This saves trouble on the day and prevents such a slip in the hospitable treatment of guests coming from a distance as I have before narrated . J . A . Ll .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . FREDERICK WALTERS . We regret to record the death , on the 20 th ult ., at Putney Bridge-road , of Bro . Frederick Walters , who has for many years been a familiar figure in London and Suburban Masonic circles . Bro . Walters was an enthusiastic Craftsman , and until very recently an active

worker in more lodges and chapters , probably , than any ot his contemporaries , as the following summary of his Masonic record will show . He vvas initiated in the Mount Lebanon Lodge , No . 73 , Nov . 1855 , and was a . member of Lodges Nos . 147 , 871 , 1044 , . 1178 , 1194 , 1275 , 1293 , 1309 , 1310 , 1326 , 1423 , 153 1 , 1540 , 1559 ,

and 1623 ; vvas exalted in the Hope Chapter , No . 248 , April , 1857 , and a member of Chapters 73 , 16 9 , 176 , 507 , 619 , 907 , 1326 , 1423 , and 1540 ; P . M . of Lodges Nos . 73 , 871 , and 1309 ; P . P . J . G . D . of Middx . ; P . Z . of Chapters Nos . 73 and 1423 ; and P . P . G . ist A . S . of

Middx . Bro . Walters vvas not neglectful of the Charities , having been a Vice-President of the Boys ' School , and a Life-Governor of the Girls' School and of the Benevolent Institution , besides having served as Steward on 15 occasions . The funeral took place on the 26 th ult ., at Brockley Cemetery .

Choking Asthma.

CHOKING ASTHMA .

HAVE you awakened from a disturbed sleep with all the horrible sensations of an assassin clutching your throat and pressing the life-breath from your tightened chest ? Have you noticed the languor and debility that succeed the effort to clear your throat and lungs of this catarrhal matter ?

Whatadepressing influence it exerts upon the mind , clouding the memory and filling the head with pains and strange noises ! It is a terrible disease . These symptoms warn you , to send at once to The Geddes Manufacturing Company , 249 , High Holborn , London , whowill send you , post free , their

illustrated book entitled "ASTHMA : Its Treatment and Cure , " by E . Edwin Spencer , M . A ., M . D ., & c , & c , which treats every phase of Asthma , Bronchitis , and Catarrh . It prescribes a course of treatment which is instant in relieving , permanent in curing , safe , economical , and never failing .

PILES . — " Pll . ANTRA , " Pile Cure . Immediate relief and a permanent cure guaranteed . Sample Free . Address—Tin-: GEUBSX MAXUI ' ACCURISG COMVAXY , 24 . 9 , High Holborn , London . « . It has been arranged that the presentation of the address to the Prince of VVales by the Corporation of Edinburgh , on the occasion of the opening of the Forth Bridge , vvill take place on Monday evening at Haymarket Station , on his arrival there , before he leaves for Ualmeny Park .

Sir Francis Knollys has written to the Canadian Gazette stating that there is no foundation for the report recently published in several American journals that the Prince and Princess of Wales with Prince George intend paying a visit to Canada and Newfoundland this summer .

On the nth prox ., a historical play , "The Favourite of ' the King , " a Stuart tradition , written in blank verse by Messrs . F . S . Boas and Joscelyn Brandon , vvill be produced at the Comedy for a series of matinees . Miss Dorothy Dene , Messrs . Beaumont , Bassett Roe , Royce Carlton , and others will play .