Summer Banquet Of The Royal Sussex And Southdown Mark Lodges.

SUMMER BANQUET OF THE ROYAL SUSSEX AND SOUTHDOWN MARK LODGES .

In consequence of the death of H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence , P . G . M . Berks , the installation banquet of the Royal Sussex Mark Lodge , No . 75 , was postponed , and jt was arranged that at the installation meeting of the Southdown Mark Lodge , No . 164 , an amalgamated banquet and garden party at Hayward ' s Heath should

be held . The event was most successfully carried out on Wednesday , the 24 th ult ., much of the success of the gathering being due to the efforts of Bro . J . W . Hellewell , who acted as Hon . Secretary to the joint Committee . At the meeting of the Southdown Lodge , at the Station Hotel , Bro . J . C . Buckwell , Prov . S . G . W .,

W . M . 75 , duly installed Bro . T . Wickham , Prov . G . S . B ., as W . M . of the Southdown Lodge , who appointed the following as his officers during the ensuing year .- Bros . Lamette , S . D . ; C . Clarke , J . D . ; F . H . Beeny , M . O . ; F . J . Culley , J . O . ; A . Alwen , R . of M . ; Stride , Sec . ; G . Masters , P . M ., Treas . ; and F . C . Golding , I . G . During the time occupied by the

meeting of the lodge a garden party was held in the pleasant gardens of the hotel , the delightfully fine weather favouring the outdoor entertainment of the friends of the brethren . The amalgamated banquet of the two lodges was afterwards held in the Corn Exchange , which was exquisitely decorated for the occasion . The company

numbered about 70 , and included the following : Bros . j . C . Buckwell , W . M . 75 , Prov . S . G . W . ; T . Wickham , VV . M . 164 , Prov . G . S . B ., and Mrs . Wickham ; Bro . J . H . Every , W . M ., Bro . J . Adams , Bro . Alwen , 164 ; Bro . J . J . Abell , 164 ; Mr . and the Misses Abell ; Bro . F . H . Beeny , 164 , and Mrs . Beeny ; Bro . A . D . Bailey , 164 , and Mrs . Bailey ; Bro . T . Chapman , 164 , Mrs .

Chapman , and Miss Self ; Bro . C . Clark , 164 , and Miss A . Clark ; Bros . F . J . Cully , H . E . M . Ffennell , and F . C . Golding , of 164 ; Day , Homer Herring , W . Hillman , J . W . Hellewell , and E . Histed , of 75 ; Bro . H . W . Ingleden , 73 , and Mrs . Ingleden ; Bro . Lamette , 164 ; Bro . G . Masters , 164 , and Miss Masters j Bro . G . F . Poole , 75 , and Mrs . Poole ; Bro . Peters , 164 , and

Mrs . Peters ; Bro . j . W . Stride , 164 , and Mrs . Stride ; Bro . Tebbs , 16 4 ; Dr . Reen , Mr . E . Bates , Mrs . Bailey , Miss Bailey , Miss Hobson , Mr . Hart , Mrs . and Miss Gordon , Mr . and Miss Tansley , and others . After the banquet a dance was held in the Corn Exchange , where dancing , to the strains of a most efficient band , was kept up till nearly midnight .

Proposed Masonic Reunion In Newcastle.

PROPOSED MASONIC REUNION IN NEWCASTLE .

We are informed that , on the 12 th inst ., the Lodge of Israel , meeting in Dublin , intend visiting the Lodge of St . Nicholas , meeting in Newcastle-upon-Tyne , and spending the 12 th , 13 th , and 14 th with them . This visit being a very eventful one , as it is the first recorded one of any Irish lodge visiting an English lodge , and

as such marking an epoch in Freemasonry , the Master of St . Nicholas , Bro . Richard Hopper Holme , assisted by a representative Committee , has made some important arrangements to celebrate the event . The lodge will on this occasion be held on the 12 th inst ., at Graingcr-street Hall , and on the 13 th inst . a grand banquet will be given in the Old Assembly

Rooms , on which occasion Bro . Sir Matthew White Ridley , Bart ., M . P ., P . G . M . of Northumberland , supported b y his Deputy Grand Master , Bro . Alderman Holmes , J . P ., and oflicers of Provincial Grand Lodge , together with other distinguished brethren , will be present . As this will be a function pregnant with interest to the whole Fraternity , a brilliant gathering ; is expected . ss

The banquet will be preceded in the morning of the 13 U 1 inst . by a trip on board one of the saloon vessels u ^ ^ General Ferry Company , and a visit to Hie new Hartley Hastings Coal Mine , which will be inspected by the visitors . tickets for the banquet , & c , can be obtained and all urther information can be had from the acting Secretory , Bro . Jos . Donkin , of . Grainger-street , Newcastle .

Examination Of Visitors.

EXAMINATION OF VISITORS .

j . Masonry claims to be a society universal in its recognition and sympathetic in its fellowship . Such a claim " l' ' that an utter stranger from any part of the \\\ A wou 'd *> admitted to any lodge as a visitor , provided that he could show that he was a Master Mason ™ good standing . The agency by which the lodge

* " > es on its negotiations with the visitor is a com-[ j n Seeing it is a position of great responsibility , 0 . ] F ' . 'hat committee may reject a worthy man aumit into the lodge room an impostor , the members 1 tion " cxam ' ' £ committee should consider their postn one of great honour . The following points are > visit " ' win £ how a committee should approach a

Post ' lave e '" ier to ^ ' ' ' Mason or an im 2 . Be cautious , courteous , and firm , * " 0 not approach the visitor as a suspect .

iat -, _ . are not expected to do detective or prosecut' s attorney work . fi ! pi " ° no ?' ° ^ superior knowledge , carrot , no tr ' cks by pretending answers arc not 7 D ^ " they are ' lan ' g 0 £ ° J '" du ' ge in catch questions . They are the

Examination Of Visitors.

S . Give no hints . Correct no mistakes . 9 . Don't be unnecessarily strict . Ideas are better than words . 10 . Accept all you get without comment . 11 . If you reject do not indicate why . 12 . Judge by general results . 13 . A very desirable visitor may answer poorly . 14 . Answers correctly given may be a cause for

suspicion and rejection . 15 . Do not imagine your catechism of questions to be the only correct form , and all departures from it to be errors . 16 . There is no set way of conducting an examination . 17 . It is your business to get , and the visitors to give information . — V . W . [ Bro . George Tait , in Canadian Craftsman .

Presentation At Plymouth.

PRESENTATION AT PLYMOUTH .

The members of the Masonic Club , Plymouth , having recently presented a valuable diamond ring to Mrs . Harvey , the Stewardess , as an acknowledgment of her unvarying kindness and courtesy , a meeting was held on Friday , the 26 th inst ., to complete the

testimonial with an address , beautifully illuminated . The chair was taken by Bro . W . B . Russell Lord , P . G . D . C , P . P . G . T .. who was supported by a large number of Past Masters . The CHAIRMAN described in grateful terms the happy nature of the tact displayed by Mrs . Harvey in the

performance of her duties and the deep appreciation in which she was held by the members of the club . Bro . W . B . LORD , on behalf of the members , then handed the address to Mrs . Harvey , who was greeted by all singing a well-known old Scotch air , and

Bro . HARVEY gave a feeling acknowledgment of the deep gratification felt by Mrs . Harvey and himself that their services were so thoroughly satisfactory to each and all . The brethren then refreshed themselves with a most enjoyable social evening party .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

On Wednesday a private view took place of the newest of London's theatres—The Trafalgar Squarewhich is to open with comic opera on the ioth instant . For short , we believe it will be known as The Trafal gar . Mr . Walter Emden , who designed the Court , Terry ' s , and the Garrick , is the architect of the new house . It resembles all three of the afore-mentioned theatres in

many " ways . Its size seems to be less than the Garrick , and a good deal larger than the Court or Terry ' s . Bro . and Mrs . Frank Wyatt are the proprietors ; Mr . M . Levenston the lessee , who was so long connected with the Prince of Wales and Lyric , when Mr . H , J . Leslie had them during the run of " Dorothy , " " Doris , " & c . Mr . Levenston has had so much experience , that in his

new capacity as lessee there is little he will have to learn , and he should be able to cater well for the public , which no doubt he will do . The Trafalgar is in St . Martin's-lane , and close to St . Martin ' s Church . It is surrounded on all four sides by streets , so that in case of accident exit will be quite easy . It is supplied with non-automatic sprinkles , which can be turned on

instantly . No wood work is used except for windows and in one part of the auditorium , so that it is practically fireproof . It is Italian in design , and constructed of red brick and stone . It will hold about 1250 persons , The pit has covered seats and padded backs . The decoration is in the French Renaissance style , in cream and gold ; amber silk and velvet are used for the boxes

and stalls , so that everything is in the style suitable for light opera . The Royal box and ante-room are particularly beautiful—of the Louis XV . period . There are exhausts in the roof for ventilation and shafts for cold air in the walls . The li ghting is by electricity . The drop-curtain is a scene oi the Thames Embankment from Waterloo Bridge ,

and taking in the Temple and St . Paul ' s . It is wonderful when so many people are still away on holidays how Mr . Levenston managed to collect such a crowd on Wednesday night to go over the building , for the place was quite filled . Amongst those present we met , besides Bro . Frank Wyatt and Miss Violet Melnotte ( Mrs . Wyatt ) , Mr . Levenston and Mrs .

Levenston , Bro . James Fernandez , P . M . 2127 , and Mrs . Fernandez , Mr . George Edwards , Mrs . and Miss David James , Bro . W . E . Chapman , P . M . Savage Club Lodge , Mr . Howard Paul , Mr . Imre Kiralfy , Mons . Alias , Mr . J . M . Glover , Mr . Gilbert Tate , Mr . Wm . Greet , Mr . M . Watson , Mr . Robt . Buchanan , Mr . J . L . Shine , Bro . S . Brough , Bro . and Mrs . Herbert Waring , Miss

Vane Featherstone , Mr . E . F . Bradley , Mr . Rudge Harding , Mr . and Mrs . Cecil Howard , Mr . Jos . Knight , Mr . Davenport Adams , Bro . W . and Mrs . Charrington ( Miss Janet Achurch ) , Bro . Harry and Mrs . Nicholls , Bros . Lennox Browne , W . Ganz , Charles Harris , Fred Thorne , and Frank Thornton , Mr . Patey , Mr .

Ldward Ledger , Miss Lucie Vaughan , Miss Marie de Grey , Bro . Colonel Ward , C . B ., P . M . London Irish Rifles Lodge , Bro . Capt . Henry Wright , Miss Decima Moore and Mrs . Moore , Mrs . H . V . Esmonde ( Miss Eva Moore ) , Mr . C . J . Abud , Mr . Joscelyne Brandon , Mr . George Barrett , Mr . Arthur Cohen , Miss Mabel Love , Bro . J . R . Hollingshead , Bro . W . Lestocq , P . M .

The Theatres.

1319 , and Mrs . Lestocq , Bro . J . D . Beveridge , P . M . 1319 , Bro . Lionel Monckton , Mr . J . Lee , Mr . St . John Brenon , Miss Geraldine Allmar and Mr . Ivan Caryl ) , Mr . C . W . Garthorne , Mr . Cunningham Bridgman , Miss Marie Tempest , Mr . Salamons , Mr . Willie Wilde , Bro . Lindo , Mr . Sutton ( Alhambra ) , Mr . W . Pallant , and many others . The staircases we ought to have

mentioned are hung with beautiful painted panel portraits of heroines of Shakespeare , & c . No speeches were made , that being reserved till the first night of the opening to the public , but every one was full of congratulations and best wishes for the success of the Trafalgar ( in which we gladly join ) , Bro . and Mrs . Wyatt , and Mr . Levenston .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . J . M . TREGASKES , P . M . 1151 . The funeral of the late Bro . John Moyes Tregaskes , for many years harbour-master at Par , took place on Saturday last , at St . Mary's , Par , Cornwall . The whole of the employes of the Par Estate and other works at Par were present , also a number of brethren from St . Andrew ' s Lodge , No . 1151 , Tywardreath ( of which

deceased was a Past Master ) , and members of the Tywardreath Philanthropic Society . These , with a large number of mourners and private friends , formed a cortege of more than a quarter of a mile in length . After the religious ceremony , Bro . W . Tonkin , in an

impressive manner , gave a funeral oration over the grave , the brethren passing , and each dropping a sprig of acacia . The Rev . D . R . Vaughan , vicar , conducted the funeral ceremony . The deceased brother , who was 61 years of age , had been connected with the Treffry Estate for 46 years .

BRO . E . F . FERRIS , P . M . 1543 . Bro . E . F . Ferris , P . M . 1 543 , who was with his family on a visit at St . Ives , while driving with two of his daughters and a gentleman , the horse shied , and the carriage was overturned , throwing the occupants to the ground . Unfortunately , Bro , Ferris fell upon his

head , sustaining a fracture of the skull , causing his death within half-an-hour , while his two daughters escaped unhurt ; his companion , Mr . Jenkins , was picked up insensible . Our late brother was interred in the Hammersmith Cemetery on the 29 th ult . He leaves a widow and five children .

BRO . H . HEMMENS , 610 . We are sorry to record the death of Bro . Henry Hemmens , which occurred al his residence , in Coronation-road , Bristol , on Wednesday , the 24 th ult . Manyyears back Bro . Hemmens succeeded to the oldestablished wine and spirit business of the late Mr . Frederick Lane , with whom he had been associated

from his youth . The deceased brother was at onetime a member of the Bedminster Board of Guardians , and for several years was Warden of St . Paul ' s , Bedminster , the flag of which church floated half-mast as a token of respect . The late Bro . Hemmens was a Con . servative in politics , and was well known and much repected , not only locally , but in the United States ,

where he had some relatives and many friends . Bro , Hemmens , who had been ailing for some time , and was attended by Dr . Cross and Dr . Rudge , suffered from an internal malady of a complicated character , which culminated in paralysis . He was 4 8 years of age , and leaves a wife and nine children . The funeral took place on Saturday , the 27 th ult ., at Arno ' s Vale

Cemetery , Bristol . The body was placed in an elm shell , with an outside coffin of English oak . The latter was French polished , with massive brass fittings . On the breast-plate was engraved " Henry Hemmens , died 24 Aug ., 18 93 , aged 49 years . " On the coffin , which was conveyed in an open car , was placed by the widow a large wreath , composed of the choicest flowers , in

which was arranged the words " Sleeping , " in blue violets . To the wreath was attached a card bearing the words " Harry from Georgie . " A large number of sympathising friends were present at the church . The first part of the service was most impressively conducted at St . Paul ' s Church by the Rev . W . H . Fisher , vicar of Ashton-gate , and formerly

curate of the parish , the vicar ( the Rev . VV . Griffiths ) being absent in Yorkshire . At the graveside , where a large number of friends were gathered , including many of the choir boys of the church , the service wasjtaken in torrents of rain by the Rev . W . Davies . The deceased brother was a member of the Colston Lodge ,

No . 610 . The Craft was represented at the ceremony . By special request no flowers were sent , except the handsome emblem referred to . Bro . Hemmens was a young Mason , having returned from America with an exalted opinion of the Craft gained during his visit there .

Marriage.

Marriage .

PIULURICK—BYGRAVE . —On the 25 th ultimo , at All Saints ' , Hove , Brighton , by the Rev . C . A . Moull , M . A ., Ernest Frederick , elder son of Bro . Frederick A . Philbrick , Q . C , of Bickley , Kent , to Marguerite Jessie , youngest daughter of the late J . J . Bygrave , of Maldon , Essex .

The Queen of the Netherlands , Wilhelmina Helena Paulina Maria , daughter of the late King William III . and the Queen Regent , was born on the 31 st August , iSSo , and therefore completed her twelfth year on Wednesday .