Annual Banquet Of The Lewises Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1209.

was a real good feeling amongst the brethren , which it was always pleasant to be mixed up with , and he hoped that the lodge of instruction would be well attended during the winter months , as by its means alone could they be properly instructed how to perform the beautiful ceremonies of the regular lodge . Their new Secretary , Bro . Wellden , he vvas sure , would give the necessary time and attention to

discharge the onerous duties ; and he hoped at the end of the next financial year three , instead of two , Life Subscriberships would be drawn for . He coupled Bro . Wellden's name with the toast . Bro . E . WELLDEN , in returning thanks , assured thebrethren no effort should be wanting on his part to cischarge the duties that he had voluntarily undertaken , and he

would endeavour , by regular attendance , and a conscientious study of the interests of the lodge , to receive their approbation . The draw then took place for two Life-Subscriberships , and a very singular incident occurred . The brethren decided to draw each prize separately , and that the winner of the first should not be excluded from participating in

the second . In the result , Bro . S . Deveson was the winner of both , much to the surprise and amusement of the brethren present . Bro . DEVESON , however , was equal to the occasion , for he immediately rose , and said that , as he had been the fortunate winner of both prizes , he should add another five guineas of his own , which vvould enable him to have a

Life-Subscribership from each of the three Institutions ; a decision at which the brethren expressed their great satisfaction . The next toast , proposed by Bro . A . H . HALE , P . M ., was "The Charities , " in which he plainly set forth the duty incumbent upon every Mason , and hoped that that duty would be faithfully discharged . He coupled the

toast with the names of Bros . J . O . Eve , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C , and F . W . Willett , W . M . 127 . Bro . J . O . EVE , in returning thanks , also referred to the most gratifying part of their meeting , viz ., the ability ( as a result of an hour or two's social intercourse ) of being able . to send up to the Charities fifteen guineas . He himself had been enabled by the liberality of the biethren from

time to time , as Steward to the various Charities , to take up substantial sums in aid of them . He trusted that the success of Bro . Deveson in drawing the Life-Subscriberships would impress upon him the good the Iodge of instruction did outside its important functions as instructor , and that it would be an incentive to him and other brethren of the lodge to attend as regular as possible , so that the

amount of the weekly subscriptions might be augmented , and fulfil the expressed desire of Bro . E . Wotton , J . W ., viz ., that they should have three , or perhaps four Life-Subscriberships to ballot for at the next banquet meeting . " The Officers of the Lodge , " proposed by Bro . HALL , P . M ., was suitably responded to by all the officers

present . A pleasant evening was brought to a close about 10 . 30 . Many of the brethren having good voices , and some being good reciters , the time passed pleasantly and quickly . The brethren did not leave , however , without first expressing their thanks to Bro . J . O . Eve , for the arrangements he had made for their comfort , as well as the excellent fare he had provided for their enjoyment .

Funeral Of Dr. Rob Morris.

FUNERAL OF DR . ROB MORRIS .

The funeral services of Bro . Rob Morris , Past Grand Master of Kentucky and Poet Laureate of Freemasonry , were held at La Grange , Ky ., on VVednesday , August ist . There was a large attendance of brethren and friends , thus evincing the respect in which the deceased

was held and the feeling of sorrow occasioned by his death . Before the removal of the body of Bro . Morris from his late residence , the mystic ceremonies of " The Palm and Shell , " a society organised by the deceased , were performed about his remains . The public exercises at the Baptist Church were of a most solemn and impressive character , including a sermon by Rev . H . Calvin

Smith , addresses by several distinguished brethren , the reading of hymns , and the rendering of such part of the beautiful Templar service as is appointed for the home or church . At the grave the Masonic burial service was conducted by Past Grand Master Bassett , who represented the Grand Master of Masons of the jurisdiction . The Masonic Home Journal says that the attendance-at the

funeral represented the brain and zeal of Kentucky Masonry . Among the prominent Craftsmen present it enumerates the following : Bro . Thomas Todd , the oldest P . G . M . ( in service ) of Kentucky ; Hiram Bassett , who has presided over every Grand Masonic body of the York Rite in Kentucky , and is now a Grand Officer of the General Grand Chapter ; Chas . Eginton , now 74 years of

age ; John H . Leathers , P . G . H . P . and Grand Treasurer ; W . H . Meffert , Gr . Gen . ; and Jas . W . Hopper , our last Grand Master ; also Chas . E . Dunn , P . G . H . P . ; H . B . Grant , Grand Secretary , and Grand Master of the Grand Council ; Thos . H . Sherley , P . G . Commander ; J . F . Weller , President of our Home ; and a large number of

present and past presiding oflicers of Masonic bodies . The funeral services were held on the second day after the death of Dr . Morris , and the short notice kept many away who otherwise would have been present . As it was , however , the attendance was very large . —Freemasons ' Repository .

Extraordinary Masonic Escapade.

EXTRAORDINARY MASONIC ESCAPADE .

LADIES AT THE "THIRD DEGREE . " On Thursday ( says the N . B . Daily Mail ) , the Grand Lodge of Scotland holds its quarterly meeting in the Freemasons' Hall , Edinburgh , to consider , among other business , " Expulsion of Bro . William Edwards , and special censure of Bros . J . O . Fraser and Wm . Robertson ,

officebearers of Lodge Celtic , No . 291 . " It appears the offence of the brethren named was in admitting two ladies to a lodge meeting in May last , where they saw and heard a considerable portion of the proceedings while the lodge was "tyled in the Third Degree . " The precise height and depth of the "brethren ' s" offence maybe gathered

from the following extract from the minutes to be laid before the Grand Lodge on Thursday : " The sub-committee appointed 'to inquire into and report upon an irregularity said to have been committed by a member of Grand Committee , on the evening of 8 th May last , in Lodge Celtic , Edinburgh and Leith , No . 291 , ' have made

Extraordinary Masonic Escapade.

an exhaustive investigation into the whole circumstances , in course of which parties implicated were fully heard , and witnesses examined , and find—That on the occasion of the Funeral Lodge held in Freemasons' Hall by Celtic , Edinburgh and Leith , No . 291 , on Sth May last , in memory of the late Bro . Alexander Hay , two females were admitted to the inner approach to the organ loft , where they saw and heard ,

through the partially open glazed door , a considerable portion of the proceedings , which vvere being conducted while the lodge was tyled in the Third Degree . That the ladies in question were so admitted by Bro . William Edwards , Acting Past Master of the lodge , who was called out of the hall at their request ; and having previously possessed himself of the key of the door , he deliberately broke the tyling of the lodge , and placed the Tyler inside

along with the ladies , with instructions to attend to them . The Committee , therefore , recommend that Bros . J . Oliver Fraser , Senior Warden , and William Robertson , Secretary , be specially censured from the Throne of the Grand Lodge for having advised and supported the Lodge Celtic in its unconstitutional action in disposing of so grave a case in a manner other than that directed by Rule 202 of the Constitution and laws . " —Glasgow Evening News .

Presentation In The City.

PRESENTATION IN THE CITY .

On Thursday , the 25 th ult ., at Masons' Hall , Masons ' - avenue , the members of the Great City Lodge of Instruction , under the presidency of Bro . J . Leach Barrett , entertained their late Treasurer , Bro . W . Howard Paddle , and during theevening presented him with a handsomelyilluminated address , richly framed , together with a Treasurer's jewel—specially designed by Bro . George

Kenning . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , on rising to propose "The Health of the Guest of the Evening , " eloquently referred to Bro . Paddle's deserved popularity , and the universal respect and esteem in which he vvas held by all present , and also by a wide circle of friends in the City , and cited the many acts of disinterested kindness and courtesy

experienced by members and their friends at his hands . They might take a lesson from his happy facility of saying a kind word or doing a kindly service just at the time needed . He ( the W . M . ) begged his acceptance of the address and jewel , not as a parting tribute , but to consolidate their friendship in the future . They were proud of the honours he had achieved in the Craft , and his connection with the Grand Lodge and Chapter of Surrey .

The W . M . and SECRETARY of the Eclectic Lodge attended , and testified to the same cordial relations existing between their members and Bro . Paddle . Bro . PADDLE replied in a characteristic speech , the acclamation with which its points were received proving there existed a bond of union between speaker and heareis stronger than the mere outward signs of appreciation and applause .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

When we heard that Mr . Rutland Barrington was going to begin his career as a manager—having taken the St . James's Theatre—by the production of a play from Mr . F . C . Philips' novel "The Dean's Daughter , " and that Mr . Sydney Grundy vvas assisting in the writing of it , vve

fully expected to witness a piece showing the seamy side of life , served up with plenty of cynicism . We have realised our anticipation . We felt it our duty to speak with no uncertain sound about Mr . Philips ' s "As in a Looking Glass , " and "Ariane , " which Mrs . Bernard Beere played so successfully for two seasons . Both these pieces vve considered tendered to degrade instead of elevate

the stage , although vve admitted that there vvas much truth in all that vvas spoken and acted , but our chief fault with both those pieces was that they showed only one side of human life . No person of refined feelings or with the least goodness in them could uphold the representation of such plays to the general public . We do not say that such things are unfitted for

book-reading . There are many subjects one may read without harm , but yet are not fit topics for conversation , say at the dinner table or in the drawing-room . We are not going to cry out for the extinction of Mr . Philips' novels , but we hope he will when writing again give us something from the brighter side of life , but we do say again , that they do not form good plots for plays . The writer is by no means a

prude — goody-goodyism is offensive — but , considering actors play for the public , who are composed of young and old , and all sorts and conditions of men and women , then the pieces they play in should be wholesome , and such as will amuse , or teach , or refine the audience . We put it to the new manager of St . James ' s—supposing every theatre in London were now to bring out plays like these of Mr .

Philips ' , and the public even supported the managers—Would not the drama be dragged through the mire , and its last days be near ? It may be said that a theatrical manager only caters for the public taste of the day , and when the people show they do not want nasty plays then the managers will change their tactics . We are of opinion that the theatre is a noble institution , and of much power

in the history of a nation , and that it not so much ought to follow the people , but lead them . We are convinced that it has great influence for good or evil . As the pen is sometimes mightier than the sword , so we believe the stage is to some people mightier than the pulpit . If we are to have thrust upon us plays as bad , if not worse , than those of our French neighbours , then let them be kept to

particular theatres , and we know then what to expect if we choose to go to those ceitain theatres . By all manner of means let us have meanness , devilry , fraud , and vice of all kinds depicted on the stage , but pray do not give us a whole play of it . Let us have it mingled with all that is noble and true in man , and pure in

woman . Plays should teach that honesty is the best policy ; that virtue has its own reward , and that vice can only lead to unhappiness . We admire Mr . Sydney Grundy as a play-writer , and always have done so . We think he has not , until lately , been properly understood or appreciated . His recent adaptation " Mamma , " now running at the Court , is an amusing and not an unpleasant

The Theatres.

play . His " Silver Shield " was both funny and instructive , but was above the heads of the ordinary playgoers- ! it hit hard at certain forms of society journalism . But Mr Grundy is a born cynic , he must be a pessimist , for we ' never detect any signs of the optimist in his pieces , so that he is the very last person to have been joined to' Mr Philips in adapting "The Dean ' s Daughter" for the '

stage . The Rev . Augustus St . Aubyn is a clergyman of which kind vve are thankful to say there are few novv-adays . He is deeply in debt . The local tradesmen come to him and dun him for money . He sends them away happy by informing them that the Dean of Southwick is dying and that he is sure to get the deanery , and so will be able to settle . The Dean does die for which Mr . St . Aubyn

thanks Providence . His friend , Sir Henry Craven , who is an influential man with the Government , brings him the intelligence , and promises to use his power to get the dignity for the cleric if he will give his daughter in marriage to him ( Sir Henry ) . Miriam St . Aubyn is most indignant at her father's horrible suggestion that she , a young girl , should link herself to an old man , and proudlv

refuses . But a friend—Mrs . Fortescue—a woman of the world , persuades her on account of the wealth , position , and title , to consent , as that is the only way her father will be promoted . She does , but she tells her father that she is being sold , not given . In the second act we learn that Sir Henry has been appointed Ambassador at Constantinople . A Mr . George Sabine calls and tells Lady Craven

she is going to the seat of the Ottoman Empire , for he has heard her husband making arrangements for her on the journey . Sir Henry tells his wife he does not intend taking her , making an excuse that the climate would not suit her . She then discovers that the arrangements are for a Mrs . Montressor , and now knows she has married a libertine . She and Mrs . Fortescue go to

Nice for the winter . Here she is visited by a Russian Prince , Balunikoff , whose overtures she repels . The knave bribes her maid to leave the drawing-room window open at night . George Sabine is staying here , but Lady Craven , finding she is getting fond of him , parts with him , as in honour bound . The maid , loving scandal , communicates with the Ambassador , who comes to Nice . The Dean also

arrives there to get money from his daughter . The Prince enters her room , and declares his love . She bids him begone and screams ; her cries are heard by Sabine , who ejects the Prince , and the lady swoons in Sabine ' s arms just as Sir Henry and her father enter . The situation is certainly compromising . The husband obtains a divorcethough vve doubt if in Sir James Hannen's Court a " decree

nisi" would be granted on such circumstantial evidence . Persuaded by Mrs . Fortescue , Lady Craven goes out into the world as a widow , under the name of Mrs . Gascoigne . A young peer . Lord Ashwell , meets her and offers marriage . She tells him her history , yet he is resolute ; his mother sanctions the engagement . At a party she meets Lady Ashwell's future second husband , who is none

other than the Dean her father . Lord Ashwell has to obtain the consent of his guardian , who , as luck would have it , is her former husband Sir Henry Craven . He , of course , forbids it , and her father inhumanly denounces her as guilty before the company . Lord Ashwell , who , up to that time , has acted as a man , now begs to be released from his engagement , and just then George Sabine , who

vvas thought to be dead , makes his appearance , and we are led to believe she marries him . It will be seen from the plot vve have described that there is no one in the piece worthy the rank of hero or heroine . In George Sabine is a weak sort of young man just where he should be strong . Miriam , for though she must be pitied , for the fates seems always against her , is not altogether a subject for sympathy ,

whilst the Dean and Ambassador are beneath contempt . We do not say that such a character as the Dean of Southwick is not to be found , nor do we say that because he is a member of such a profession that the black sheep of that flock may not be depicted on the stage . But vve defy any dramatist to introduce us into such a circle of society as is represented in " The Dean's Daughter , " for

even they must have some good people about them . And this is why we take exception to this play . It may be true to nature , but it is not the whole truth , and vve want nothing but the truth in the drama . Mr . Barrington , as the worldly Dean , never seemed to us to be quite in earnest . What was said seriously , the audience laughed at as fun . It may be that vve have not yet got out of our

minds Mr . Barrington's other characters , as in the "Mikado , " " Ruddigore , " etc . Miss Caroline Hill , whom vve welcome back after her long absence , as Mrs . Fortescue , gives a most finished sketch of a woman of the world . Miss Dairolles , as the lady ' s maid , we expected , after seeing her lately at the Olympic , vvould prove her aptness , is a part demanding subtlety , and she does do so .

Mr . John Beauchamp is all that could be wished as Sir Henry Craven . Mr . Aynesworth , as Lord Ashwell , only appears in the last act , but proves his efficiency for higher things . Butthecharmof the whole performance is Miss Olga Nethersole , as Miriam . This young lady we never heard of or saw until " The Union Jack" was produced at the Adelhi this summer . We then thought she played well ,

p but we admit vve did not recognise in her anything special . Mr . Barrington or some one else must have discerned in her some great talent . She has accepted a big part , ana at once has sprung into notoriety . We once heard Bro . Sir Edward Clarke , the Solicitor-General , say that a great opportunity comes but once to a man , and if embraced is _ . ! . _ . » .-. l . ; nn . ,. £ I ... * , . nj if n __ . ~ 1 _ 3 _ - _ - __ . _ 3 »__ .., __ . _• fAhirnc :. Miss 1 iib iLi bt

II 1 C lijatviug I _ IL 111111 , auu . gii-. _ u uu . ....... > ..- , Olga Nethersole appears to have had this opportunity , and has not missed it . We do not know her stage experience —we believe it is short—but her future is made . She displays much sympathy , and grasps firmly the character of tn somewhat weak daughter . The staging of the p lay is on a nnr with the traditions of the St . Tames , and we hope

Mr . Barrington will find in his new line a fortune . W * think he will have to change his play , and we wish m ™ every success . We must not conclude without calling attention to the curtain-raiser , called "A Patron Saint , by Mr . C Thomas . Without hesitation we say it is one 01 the prettiest first pieces we have ever seen .

Bro . Lord Randolph Churchill , M . P ., and Lady Randolph Churchill arrived at Bridgend , Glamorganshire , on Monday , en route for Dunraven Castle , where tn v were to be the guests of Bro . the Earl and Countess Dunraven . Among the other visitors , actual or expec > were the Duchess of Manchester and Lady Mandevw , and Bro . the Marquis of Hartington .