Public Amusements.

Public Amusements .

ST . GEORGE ' S HALL . —Bro . George E . Fairchild ( Urban Lodge ) gave another of his readings from the poets and humourists at the above hall , on Saturday last , the 27 th ul ' . A large and fashionable audience assembled to listen to this popular elocutionist , who , undoubtedly , is one of the best of our modern readers . Bro . Fairchild is g ifted with a pleasing appearance , a clear , ringing voice , a refined and

cultivated taste ; the humorous and the pathetic seem to be equally at his command , and he can as easily move to tears as to laughter . Thc programme on the last occasion comprised readings from Sir Walter Scott , Thomas Hood , Charles Dickens , and other popular writers . " The Battle , " from " Marmion , " '' The Bridge of Sighs , " "The Story of the Faithful Soul , " wcre beautifully rendered , and

received with a storm of applause . " Mr . Smith ' s Brief , " by Edward F . Turner , "TheGreit Winglesbury Duel , " by Dickens , were read for the first time with excellent humour , causing immense laughter . In congratulating our brother bis great success , we hope soon to have another opportunity of listening to his " Readings from the Poets and Humourists . "

SURREY THEATRE . —Thc new play , entitled " Fates and Furies , " is as its very title indicates , a melo-rirama of the old sensational order , but it has fewer faults than the generality of transpontine pieces . 1 he writings in places would put to shame many authors whose plays now hold the bo rds of West End theatres . The incidents in " Fates and Furies" are as numerous as the Fates themselves , and

the situations are all , more 1 r less , furious . Of course , work and \ irtue triumph , and villainy is duly punished . Bro . Ciprico , who plays the hero , would be an actor of considerable power if he would but learn to deliver himself with less rapidity . His actions are almost perfec ' , but he speaks in an impulsive , impetuous way , so characteristic of the Southerner and often by it mars trie good lines given

him by the author . If Bro . Ciprico underwent a proper course of training he would ultimately attain to a very high position as a leaeling dramatic actor . TUB NATIONAL THEATRE . —This hous ^ , belter known as the " Queen ' s , " , opened on Saturday last with a new melodrama by Messrs . Farnieand rieece , entitled "Russ'a . " All that coulel be done to insure success was done ,

with the exception of the most important item—a gooei p lay . The house was rc-christened , the prices wcre lowered , an excellent company of artist s vias engaged , and the fair sex was allowed the privilege of exhibiiing their bonnets in all parts of the building to their vanity ' s content , and other ' s inconvei . iei ce . Notwithstanding these advantages we do not think the public will be induced to

patronise the establishment until Mr . Henderson can promise a better entertainment than he at present offers . " Russia " might suit a penny show at an out of the way village fair , on a wet day , with no opposition , but the authors ceitainly miscalculated the digestive powers of a London audience when cooking such a dramatic hash , as is their latest production . It is a sad sight to see so good

a company struggling with more than human fortitude , to elepict the flashy situations , and maudlin scenes that abound in this trying piece , and nothing but thc respect due to old and favourite artistes prevented the good tempered audience from guying the performance throughout . As it was , now and then , wild bursts of laughter greeting some of Messrs . Recce an . i Farnie ' s

bombastic dialogue ; anel when , with all becoming gravity , an enthusiastic revolutionist began his oration to his fellow prisoners , with " Gentlemen convicts , " the screaming laughter of the " gods" threatened to shake down the green curtain long before the unhappy piece had been dragged to the "bitter end . " It would be unfair to mention the names of the artistes performing in such a

failure , but we would remind a well-known actor , who portrays an English officer , that a young guardsman in Her Majesty's army would not be in the habit of rudely jostling gentlemen at a court ball , nor of seizing hold of a lady ' s hand like an uncouth bear , especially one who would seem to so thoroughly a pprcciate the epithet " cad . " The scenery is as far above praise as the drama is beneath criticism .

REGISTERED LETTERS . — The Post Office authorities are understood to have in contemplation several important and highly beneficial modifications in thc regulations affecting the transmission of registered letters , to take effect at the commencement of next year . At present the fee for a registered letter is 4 d . irrespective of the postage—that is to say , the lightest letter costs 3 d . to

reg ister ; and the Post Office is practically irresponsible ' , although great precautions arc taken to secure the safety of letters of this description . The number of letters registered in the United Kingdom during 187 6 was considerably in excess of five millions , and after deducting nearly a million of letters registered officiall y , the ratio of registered letters to ordinary letters was found to be as one

to 241 . During the pt-nod in question a registered letter addressed to a bank was observed passing through the post altogether unfastened , although it contained banknotes of the value of £ 3000 . And during thc 15 months ended the 31 st of March last , no fewer than 593 registered letters were returned to the countries of origin in consequence of their containing coin or jewellery , contrary to the provisions of the General Postal Union . Strange to say ,

more than three-fourths of the whole number so returned were from the United States . Wednesday last completed the 18 th official year of the organisation of the Volunteer Force . " Our Boys " reached its 900 th representation on Friday . Bros . James and Thome gave additional significance to the performance by resuming , after their holiday , their original parts .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

An entertainment for the benefit of the Indian Famine Fund , under thc special patronage of the Mansion House Committee , will be given by Mr . Marlande Clarke ( the reader and lecturer on Shakespeare ' s works ) in the St . James ' s Theatre , this ( Saturday ) evening , Mr . Clarke will himself appear in several Shakesp . arian characters , and will be supported by Miss Hallande and

Mrs . Scdley . Among the other artistes who will appear are Mr . Vtrnori hig by and Miss Annie Sinclair . Emigration from Germany has increased to such an extent as to alarm the Government . Orders , thtrefoic , have been given that at the expiration of the present contracts no advertisements of the Hamburg and Bremen Transatlant ' c steamers , or emigration agents ,

shall be allowed to be affixed in any of the stations or waiting-rooms of the German railways . — I ' anily Fair . R . W . Bro . George P . Cleavers , of Concord , U . S . A ., has been appointed Acting Giand Secretary , in the room of Bro . John Atheiton Harris , who died on September 3 . The Earl of Carnarvon Lodge of Instruction

( No . 1604 ) meets at the Mitre Hotel , Goulborne-road , Notting-hili , every Friday , at 7 . 30 p . m . CONFIDENCE LODGE OF INSTRUCTION . —We have again to record the removal of this lodge . The meetings will be held , until further notice , at the Railway Tavern , Railway-place , Fenchurch-strcet , every Wednesday evening at 7 o'clock .

STRONG MAN LODGE OF INSTRUCTION . — The regular meetings of this Instruction Lodge are held every Monday evening throughout the year , the months of July and August alone excepted , at the Rodney ' s Head , Old-street , St . Luke ' s , at 8 o'clock . Bro . Tolmin is the

Preceptor , and Bro . A . W . Fenner thc Secretary . The installation meeting of the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge will be held on Thursday next , at the Lad brooke Hall , Ladbiooke Grove-road , Notting Hill , at five o ' clock . Bro . George Penn is thc W . M . elect . A report will appear in our next .

Ihe Fifteen Sections will be worked by Bro . Tate , in the Constitutional Loelge of Instruction , No . 55 , on Tuesday , the 27 th inst . The p ' ace of meeting is the Bedford Hotel , Southampton-buildings , Holbcm . LIVERPOOL . —In answer to the numerous letters that the publisher has rccciveel from brethren in Liverpool , we beg to state that thc Frtemason is to be

obtained in Liverpoeil on Frielay afternoon at 3 o clock , at the Office , 2 , Monument-place ; at the Masonic Hall , Hopestreet ; and at the Landing Stage M ETROPOLITAN L ODGE OF I NSTRUCTION , No . 105 6 . —The Fifteen Sections will be worked by the Members of this lodge at the Portugal Hotel , 155 , Fleetstreet , E . C , on Friday , the 30 th November , commencing at six o ' clock , Bro . Tate , 862 , in thc chair .

FIRST LECTURE . ist Section Bro . Kearney , 1541 . 2 nd „ Bro . Thompson , 862 . 3 rd „ Bro . Abell , J . W . 1599 . 4 th „ Bro . Squirrell , J . W . 206 . 5 th , Bro . J . R . Stacey , P . M . 180 . 6 th „ Bro . J . S . Brown , 862 . 7 th „ Bro . Farwig , S . D . 180 .

SECOND LECTURE . 1 st Section Bro . Creak , S . W . 157 . 2 nd „ Bro . Larchin , J . D . 1541 . 3 rd £ , Bro . Whitaker , W . M . 1572 . 4 th , Bro . Gush , 1541 . jth „ Bro . Vincent , W . M . 1549 .

TmnD LECTURE . ist Section Bro . Cowan , S . W . 1572 . 2 nd „ Bro . Fox , 201 . 3 rd „ Webb , I . G . 1381 . A large attendance of brethren is expected . ROYAL KENSINGTON LODGE , N O . 1627 . — A report of the proceedings at the Installation meeting of of this lodge , which took place on Friday , will appear iu our next .

Bro . North Ritherdon was installed W . M . of the Surrey Masonic Hall Lodge , No . 1539 , on Thursday . We shall g ive an account of the proceedings in our next . The Fifteen Sections will be worked in the

Tredegar Lodge of Instruction , on Monday week , the 12 th inst . Thc meetings of this flourishing young lodge are held at the Royal Hotel , ( Bro . Yates ) , Mile End-road . On this particular evening , Bro . T . J . Barnes will preside as the W . M ., and the ceremonies will be performed in order as follows : —

FIRST LECTURE . 1 st Section Bro . Da Silva , 205 . 2 nd , * Bro . Campbell , 413 , S . C . 3 rd „ Bro . W . J . Rawley , 174 . 4 th „ Bro . Hogg , P . M . 1349 . 5 th „ Bro . Williams , 933 . 6 th „ Bro . Pinder , P . M . 15 . jth „ Bro . Ives , 781 .

SECOND LECTURE . 1 st Section Bro . Cambridge , S . W . 15 . 2 nd „ Bro . Livermore , 554 . 3 rd „ Bro . Benny , l . P . M . 554 . 4 th „ Bro . Turquand , P . M . 155 6 . eth „ Bro . A . H . Brown , 174 .

THIRD LECTURE . ist Section Bro . Myers , W . M . 1445 . 2 nd „ Bro . J . Taylor , D . C . 334 . 3 rd , Bro . WebbJ . D . I 74 . S . W . 1607 . The lodge will be opened at 7 p . m .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Lord Carnarvon entertained on Wcdnesdav evening , nt Highclcre Castle , the Mayor , Aldermen , and Councillors of the borough of Newbury , with thc borouoh magistrates and the principal officials of the town . The Manchester and Salford subscri ptions to thc Indian Famine Funel has amounted to ntarlv £ 39 , 000 . y The Derb y Mercury says : — " The proposed

national testimonial to Mr . Allport , general manag er of the Midland Railway , who , as the pioneer of thc system of cheap travelling , has earned the thanks of every indi . vidual in the Ui . ited Kingdom , is not to fall through . An influential committee , whose names will shortl y be announced , is in progress of formation for thc purpose of carrying it into effect . The Mayor of Derby has largel y interested himself in promoting this scheme . "

MANCHESTER . —For the information of the fraternity in Manchester , the publisher begs to state that the Freemason may now be obtained at 47 , Brid ge-st . Manchester , on Saturday morning at 8 o ' clock . The Crown Prince of Hanover is about to pay a visit of a few weeks to this countiy . His Royal Highness left Gmunden on the 29 th , and will stay for two or three days in London , at thc Grosvtnor Hotel , before going on to Sandringham .

Halloween was celebrated at Balmoral on Monday evening . The servants anel tenants , carrying torches , walkeel in procession to the Casile , and having lighted a bonfire danced reels in the presence of the Queen the Princess of Walts , and other membcis of the Royal Family . Advices received at New York from Lima

according to a Reutcr ' s telegram , confirm thc intelli gence of the death of Mr . Henry Meiggs . It has been proposed by Lloyd ' s , with the concurrence of the Aelmiralty , 'I rinty House , and Board of Trade , to establish a signal station at the Edelystonc Lighthouse . " The consecration of the Centurion Lodge , No .

1718 , which is to consist of volunteer eflicers , tock place at the London Tavern , Fleet-street , on Weeinesday , Major Gant is the first W . M . On Wednesday , in the pretence of many thousands cf spectators , the new steam luise-fciry over the Thames , about two miles below Londi . n Bridge , v . as opened by thc Lord Mayor . The pur | oee , lor which thc

fciry has been constructed , is to relieve Le . neion bridge of some of its traffic , and it is calculated that in the double journey , between the north cast and touth-iast of the metropolis a saving of about eight miles \ viil be effected . TRAVELLING CASUALTIES . —Some interesting statistics have been published by M . Gortiaux on the dangers of travelling by land , lie states that in the old

diligence days a man had one chance of being killed in 300 , 000 trips , and one chance of being injured iu 30 , 000 On thc railway between 1833 and 18 . 55 there was one chance of being killed in 2 , 000 , 000 journeys , and one chance of being injured in 500 , 000 . From 1855 to 1875 one chance of being killed in making 6 , 000 , 000 journeys , and one chance of being injured in 600 , 000 . Now the

chances of being killed are as one to 45 , , 000 , and ol being injured one to 1 , 000 , 000 . Consequently a person travelling ten hours a day at the rate of forty miles an hour , in the first period , have had a chance of escaping destruction during 321 years ; during the fecund period during 1 , 014 years ; and between 1872 and 1875 during 7 > 43 !) years . —Medical Examiner .

NEW SOUTH WALES . —The brethren who

have experienced so much difficulty in procuring the Freemason in this distant colony , will be pleased to learn that owing to arrangments made with Messrs . T . J . Jones and Son , " Thc Four Masonic Publications " may now be obtained at their offices , No . 330 , George-street , Sydney , on the arrival of the mail . READING MASONS—The Masonic Eclectic and

the Keystone have each one subscriber who takes nine Masonic Journals , and , as might be expected , they both reside in Indiana , where there arc more reading Masons than in any other State , and both have taken the Advocate longer than it took to build King Solomon ' s Temple . The Keystone names Bro . W . W . Austin , of Richmond , as its reading patron , anel while the Eclectic gives no name it is

easy for us to guess that it refers to Bio . Wm . Snyder , of LaFontain , who in a quiet way has collected a fine Masonic library . Both of these brothers arc modest gentlemen and worthy Masons , who are not seeking notoriety in their laudable enterprise , and we are prcsumirg upon their good nature in what we have written . Indiana can boast of a larger number of reading Masrns than any other State , and still she has thousands who never took a Masonic

Journal . We are trying to reduce the number of the latter , and would be glad to wipe it ont altogether . —Masonic Advocate . We need not say that both of these excellent brethren are old and steadfast friends of the REVIEW . If Masonry only had a few thousands of such wide-awake , intelligent ami enthusiastic friends , what a power it would be in the world 1 Eclectic .

HOLLOWS v's OINTMENT AND PILLS . —Colds , Coughs , Shortness of Breath .- ~ Thcse : corrcclivo remedies are infallible for these P « " ° " complaints , which , neglected , often end in asthma , bronchitis , consu mption . The Ointment , well rubbed upon the chest an back , penetrating the skin , is carried directly to the lungs , wiicnt itexnels all imnurities . All the blood in the body constantly

pa-through the lungs , and there al ! noxious panicles lenaiD Jtl v ; produce disease , can be quickly , thoroughly , and permn vem / _ neutralised , rendered harmless , or ejected from I lie- sy & tem . ¦ way's Ointment and Pills perfectly accomplish this punhcau , and through the blond , thus cleans .: d , the inline-nee ol l '" - '" - »" deifeil meidicaev . enta reaches the tevncitcst parts ol the hunia . « n _ " » and thus cures all diseased actions , whether internal or exitnm . ADVT ,