Fit For Freemasonry.

should be in this quarter of the globe thus scattered to the four winds , as would be the case if that ruling is accepted as final . " Above all things I deprecate its publication in the manner it has been , and that I do this from no personal

motive , but from a simple desire to uphold the old pillars , I am willing that you should give my name to the D . G . M ., if be or any of his known officers should ask for it . —I am , & c , "M . M . 1600 , ENGLAND . "

United Northern Counties Lodge, No. 2128.

UNITED NORTHERN COUNTIES LODGE , No . 2128 .

PRESENTATION TO BRO . CAPT . MURRELL , OF THE SS . MISSOURI . An emergency meeting of the United Northern Counties Lodge was summoned for Thursday , the 23 rd ultimo , at the Inns of I . ourt Hotel , Lincoln's Inn Fields . The lodge ivas opened by the W . M ., Bro . G . J . WOOD , who briefly stated the object for which the lodge had been called .

Bro . J . S . CUMBERLAND , P . M ., then formally introduced Bro . Capt . Murrell to the W . M ., who , in the name of the lodge , expressed the pleasure and honour it afforded them to receive a visit from one who had rendered such distinguished services to his fellow creatures . It was also a double pleasure to them that they could also claim him as a brother j and the following address , which had been signed by all present , was then read by the Secretary :

" London , 23 rd May , iSSg . " To Bro . Hamilton Murrell , Captain Steamship Missouri ,

Atlantic Transport Company . " Dear Brother , " We , the Master , Past Masters , Wardens , and Brethren of the United Northern Counties Lodge , No . 212 S . of Antient Free and Accepted Masons , meeting at the Inns of Court Hotel , Lincoln ' s Inn Fields , London , welcome you in our lodge , and offer you our most fraternal and hearty congratulations for your distinguished bravery

—as well as that of your gallant crew—in rescuing , in mid-Atlantic , on the 5 th April , 1 SS 9 , during a heavy gale , the passangers and crew , numbering 735 persons , of the disabled steamer Danmark , and we ask you to accept from us a small gold Masonic jewel as a memento of that event . " On the obverse of the jewel are the arms of our lodge ( the seal of Prince Edwin of York , Grand Master 926 ) , sucmounted by the Prince of Wales' feathers , and on the reverse the inscription :

' Presented to ' Bro . Hamilton Murrell , Captain ss . Missouri , by the Brethten of the United Northern Counties Lodge , No . 2128 , of A . F . and A . M ., for his distinguished bravery in Mid-Atlantic , 5 th April , 1 SS 9 . 'G . T . WOOD , W . M .

' London , 23 rd May , 1889 . ' "We hope you will consider this trifling gift , not for its intrinsic value , but as an expression of admiration of your gallant conduct as a man , a seaman , and a Mason . "We are , dear Brother , " Yours faithfully and fraternally ,

" G . J . Wood , W . M . " G . B . Davis , S . D . W . Masters , l . P . M . Frank Wright , J . D . W . H . Bullock , S . W . 1 . S . Cumberland , D . C . J . M . Peake , J . W . W . G . Stott , Organist . E . Carr , Treasurer . C . R . Lee , I . G . S . B . Bolas , Secretary . H . J . Giller , Steward . "J . Lockett , Assist . Steward . " Past Masters Smithson , G . Ralliffe .

" Members and Visitors"J . Terry , J . Kershaw , R . Davison , VV . W . Morgan , H . S . Batting , William Lake , E . C . R . Oxley , W . J . Brown , Fred . Maddison , A . W . Chapman , Henry Smith , D . P . G . M . W . Yorks ; E . St . Clair , John Dixon , W . H . Grimshaw , Thos . Owen , Henry Johnson , S . Jennings , J . E , Terry , H . Bertram , & c , & c . "

Bro . Capt . MURRELL briefly replied , heartily thanking the brethren tor the warm reception they had given him , and reserving a fuller reply till later on in the evening . Several letters were read from members and others , regretting their inability to be present , and all expressing their admiration of the gallant services that had been rendered by Capt . Murrell .

It was hoped that some distinguished brother connected with the Navy would have been present to make the presentation , but , unfortunately , the notice was too short . Amongst the letters referred to , the following from Bro . Lord Charles Beresford will be read with interest : "May 23 rd , 1 SS 9 . " 100 , Eaton-square , S . W . "Dear Sir ,

" I am extremely sorry that I shall not be able to attend the meeting this evening convened in order to make a presentation to Capt . Murrell . "I am the more sorry as I should have esteemed it a great honour to have made the acquaintance of one who has shown in the most brilliant manner that readiness of resource and independence of action which are the highest

and most splendid characteristics of our British seamen . " Pray make my compliments to Capt . Murrell , and say how happy I should have been had my engagements allowed me to be present to-night to do him honour . —Yours faithfully , ( Signed ) "CHARLES BERESFORD . " After the lodge was closed , the brethren sat down to

dinner under the presidency of the W . M ., who , after the loyal and other toasts had been proposed , introduced in an able speech the toast of the evening— " The Health of Bro Capt . Hamilton Murrell . " Bro . Capt . HAMILTON MURRELL , in responding , said that he thought the best way he could thank the members of No . 2128 for their kindness was to give them the true

narrative of the rescue of the Danmark passengers , as all sorts of tales had been circulated , and it was not wise to believe all that appeared in the newspapers . After stating the length of time they stood by the Danmark , also in towing her and casting her off , he said that the s . s . Missouri was a cargo boat with a crew of 41 , and he was

only provisioned for six weeks ; he had been at sea two weeks , and to take on board 735 additional people was a serious matter , so he stipulated with the Danmark captain that each boat should bring some provisions with it . The first boat brought 22 babies all under 11 months old , - there were no women with them , so he had them placed on the floor of his cabin until their mothers arrived to select their

United Northern Counties Lodge, No. 2128.

children from the bulk , and they were hauled on board in coal baskets ; then the women were brought over , and afterwards the men and crew of the Danmark ; nine boats were employed in bringing the passengers from one ship to the other , without a single mishap , and a high sea running . Capt . Murrell then sailed for the Azores , and the morning that he arrived there the last of the provisions were

eaten at 8 . 30 a . m ., and he cast his anchor at St . Michael ' s at 9 . 30 , which was rather a close fit . After arrangements had been made for the accommodation of the passengers ashore , he sailed to Philadelphia , and when 100 miles from shore a reporter of the New York Herald came on board from a tug , threw his arms round Capt . Murrell , saying "that he was the most talked of man in America , and

everyone was turned upside down about him . " On the quay he was met by a great demonstration and all the notables in the town , and seven (!) brass bands . Capt . Murrell then referred to the many honours and kindnesses he had received at the hands of the Americans of all classes . He paid a high compliment to his officers and crew for the gallant way they supported him , and to the

officers and crew of the Danmark . Other toasts were then proposed , that of "The Visitors " being responded to by Bro . E . St . CLAIR , W . M . of La France Lodge , who , after returning thanks , in a general way alluded to the fact that on the previous Monday at La France Lodge they happened to learn that Capt . Murrell

was a Mason , and , being anxious to testify their admiration for their English brother's noble conduct , made a collection to be added to the testimonial raised at the Mansion House . Bro . Murrell appeared much pleased with this token of fraternal regard from his French brethren , and offered Bro . St . Clair his photograph for the lodge album .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

GENERAL COMMITTEE . The General Committee of this Institution met on Thursday at Freemasons' Hall . 'There were present Bros . Frank Richardson , A . E . Gladweli , E . IT . Finney , H . F . Nash , E . J . Anning , H . Massey , Alfred C . Spaull , Peter de L . Long , Ralph Clutton , Robert Berridge , C H . Webb , Edward Terry ( G . Treasurer ) , E . M . Money , J . J . Caney ,

Wm . Morley , and F . R . W . Hedges , Secretary . The CHAIRMAN reported that a Special Court had been held that day , at which the resolution to accept the tender of £ 31 , 000 for the enlargement of the buildings at Battersea-nse come to at a Special Court of the Subscribers held on the 16 th May was confirmed . The salary of one of the governesses was , on the

recommendation of the House Committee , raised from £ 40 to £ 50 a year—moved by Bro . P . DE L . LONG , seconded by bro . R . CLUTTO . V . A legacy of £ 5 to the Institution was reported by the CHAIRMAN . Authority was given to the Chairman to sign cheques for certain liabilities of the Institution , consisting of wages and rates . Two petitions for candidates to be placed on the list of

girls for election into tbe School being belore the brethren , on the motion of Bro . VV . MORLEY , they were referred to a Committee of four brethren for examination , to be reported to the next meeting , with any other petitions coming in before the June meeting—the Committee to consist of Bros . Morley , A . C . Spaull , Money , and Nash . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings . 1

SPECIAL COURT . A Special Court of Governors and Subscribers to this Institution was held on Thursday , at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Charles Hammerton in the chair . There were also present Bros . Alfred C Spaull , Ralph Clutton , J . H . Matthews , Frank Richardson , Peter de L . Long , C . H . Webb , Willoughby Masters , Edward Terry , Grand Treas .,

and I . R . W . Hedges , Secretary . The meeting was called for the purpose of confirming a resolution come to at a meeting a fortnight ago authorising the expenditure of a sum not exceeding £ 31 , 000 on the enlargement and alteration of the School buildings at St . John's Hill , Battersea-rise . The resolution was duly confirmed , and the business of the day closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman .

The Province Of Staffordshire.

THE PROVINCE OF STAFFORDSHIRE .

We have been requested to state that the total of the subscriptions by the Province of Staffordshire to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution at the Anniversary Festival on the 27 th February last , amounted , not to £ 21 as stated at the time , and a / so in our analysis of the Returns at the recent Girls' School Festival on the 22 nd ult ., but to £ 210 , the sum of £ 21 representing only the personal donations

of the two Stewards . The complete list was not made up and forwarded to the Secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution till nearly two months after the Festival , and about a month after the report ot the Festival had been revised and issued in pamphlet form . We regret the error , but it will be seen that it is one for which neither the Secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevoient Institution nor this journal is responsible .

Ireland.

Ireland .

MASONIC FEMALE ORPHAN SCHOOL , DUBLIN . On Thursday , the 16 th ult ., the celebration of the ninety-seventh anniversary of the establishment of this praiseworth y Institution , situate in the Merrion-road , was held in the Leinster Hall , Dublin , when the Duchess of Abercorn was present and distributed the prizes . The

following were the successful Ulster scholars : — Class Prizes—Amy Hearn , Carnlaugh ( instrumental music ); Edith Haslett , Lurgan ( good conduct ); Amy Hodgkinson , Belfast ( scale-playing second ); Clara Speers , perry ( scale-playing first ) j Marion Tait , Portadown ( needlework ); Mary Black , Armagh ( shorthand , kindliness ); Josephine Calcutt , Belfast ( scale-playing first );

Ireland.

Jessie Butler , Belfast ( instrumental music , sca ! e-pl av housekeeping ) j Kathleen Butler , Belfast ( calisthem fancy work , and good conduct ) . cs >

Special Prizes—Edith Barnard , Lame ( general meritl Caroline Hazlett , Lurgan ( French ); Sarah Cumin Tandragee ( Scripture ); Gertrude Kilpatrick , PortadoT ( instrumental music and domestic duties ); Emil y Bros ^" Armagh ( Nagle Prize , French ,, drawing , Scripture , machiif ' work , and vocal music ); Mary Stewart , Ramelton ( Fl ore 6 tine Prize ); Mary Fisher , Holywood ( Ffennell Prize , , § ?" —best in school—first Astley Prize for English ; drawing French , first art medal , Scripture second , scale-playj n ?' needlework , and shorthand ) . <"

Presentation To Bro. Samuel Smither, W.M. 193.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . SAMUEL SMITHER , W . M . 193 .

A few brethren met at Bro . Snellgrove's , Curtain-road E . C , on Wednesday , thc 29 th ult ., for the purpose of pte ' senting a suitable testimonial to Bro . Samuel Smither " ex-churchwarden of St . Leonard and Shoreditch , and W . M . of the Confidence Lodge , 193 . After a sumptuous

repast , and the usualloyal toasts , Bro . GEORGE EDWARDS said : Bro . ex-ChurchwardenS Smither , —It affords me much pleasure in handing y 01 this splendid gold watch and and chain , together with this handsome illluminated testimonial , as a token of re .

spect for the efficient manner in which you carried out the duties of churchwarden of this parish in the years 1887 iSSS , and 1 SS 9 . May you live long to wear it . Bro . S . SMITHER briefly responded . With one exception , all present were members of the Craft .

The watch is a gold keyless demi-hunter , and is of 18 carat gold , as also is the chain .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

We think ours was the only paper which gave a favourable notice of " Wealth , " at the Haymarket , It is only fair to say that we did not see Mr . Jones ' s play on the first production ; therefore , possibly , we saw it under altered and better circumstances . We are glad to say that the business is now so good that Bro . Tree will not produce a-new play . Before the theatre closes for the hot weather Bro . Tree may repeat for a few nights several of his popular pieces .

o * * The Gaiety being occupied , according to long standing arrangement , with French plays , "Faust up to Date , " which had not by any means worn itself out , has been transferred to the Grand , Islington , which will give the " dwellers in northern latitudes " a pood opportunity

of spending a pleasant evening with Miss Florence St , John , Miss Violet Cameron , Bros . E . J . Lonnen , George Stone , and H . Parker . At the end ot the fortnight , i \ ir , Wilson Barrett goes there for two weeks , and we are sure that Mr . Freeman will find plenty to do to seat all the patrons who will flock to see this popular actor and his excellent company .

* * The Alhambra is very rich in attractions just now , for , besides the beautiful ballets , " Irene " and " The Army and Navy , " which everyone ought to see—especially the latter—Bro . Herbett Campbell , the clever Schaaffet troupe , and that funny man , Mr . Cole , the ventriloquist , and Miss Minnie Mario are there . The building is beautifully cool , and the directors cater well for the public , who reciprocate by large attendances .

* # * We have frequently said of Mr . Sydney Grundy as a play writer that he writes over the heads of the ordinary theatre goer . He is like a man of science or an advanced politician who is ahead of the times . Mr . Grundy has usually in his writings satirised some topic of the day , and made the thing ridiculous which men and women are

worshipping , but in " A White Lie , " which he wrote for Mr . and Mrs . Kendal , and played by them in Nottingham and now at the Court Theatre , Sloane-square , Mr . Grundy has dropped his cynicism—unless there be a slig ht satire on the favourite method of playvvriting—and become commonplace . Though intensely interesting as a play , and perfectly acted , still it has defects , and to enjoy i '

thoroughly one must forget these and believe in Mr . Grundy ' s theory , that a wife may , should , and would bring suspicion on her purity in order to shield her brother ' s wife from what is after all afoolish flirtation , and not a sin . Such a sacrifice is not demanded of any woman . We are not going to argue with the author whether there may De circumstances in which one may do evil that good may

come , but we do say that Mrs . Desmond has no right to bring dishonour upon herself and her husband , in order that Lady Molyneux , her sister-in-law , may go free . Sir John Molyneux , an easy-going man , marries a flighty sort of girl , Miss Desmond . He lets her go l > eC way , while he goes his , which , do do him justice , is a very innocent one . But surely a man has duties to perform

when he weds to look after the happiness , and comfort oj his wife , and associate as much as possible with her . Sma wonder if he neglects his duties , that a young wife «"" resent this , and make a strong acquaintance with sorne other man , though she may mean no harm . This is Lady Mulyneux ' s case . On their travels they meet a Cap' * " Tempest , who pays much attention to my lady , and wtiicn Sir John appears not to mind . Captain Tempest s ^ -V ? Sir John ' s seat for several weeks . In the house is M' *' Desmond , who is married to Lady Molyneux's brother-She sees the danger which is going on , and having bee engaged to Captain Tempest ten years ago , knows that is a man to be despised . She warns Sir lohn , but he p '

tends to be heedless , and can trust his wife . She sp ea ' to Lady Molyneux , and is told to mind her own bus " *^ Tempest makes a declaration of love in a room in wni Sir John is supposed to be asleep , but he is " > wide awake than he looks , and forthwith orders Ternp out of his house at once . The Captain coi "'> Y to send a note , unaddressed , to ' Lady Molyneux , asKi B her to fly with him , and to meet him that night oa