Cardinal Manning On The Stage.

objectionable , and many developments of stage manifestations are reprehensible enough . But is , therefore , the stage per se necessarily corrupt and orrup titig ; We contend not . Is it a moral evil . f r all classes , to be shunned by the virtuous and the relig ious ? We say again , no . We deeply de-1

nlore the fact that a cultivated man like Cardin a Manning can patronize the evil tendency of the time , to " run riot " in respect of correctness of expression , and the abstract importance of truth , can pander to the vicious habit of the day—of extravagance of language and unreliability of

assertion . We had expected better things , we confess , of him , and could not suppose that in i 8 / 6 he would again practically raise the dead cry of stage corruption , reminding us of old times of intolerance , when poor actors and actresses were refused the rites of Christian burial , and when

even Moliere had to be buried by stealth , and , with all credit to the King , under Royal pressure . Does Cardinal Manning know anything of the modern drama ? of that elevating taste and temperament which colour the greater part of the stage classics of the day : We fancy not , and we would

recommend him to read " Masks and Faces , ' for instance , " Still Waters Run Deep , " " King Chailes , " Tennyson ' s " Queen Mary ; * ' and for a little lig hter reading we would recommend " Woodcock ' s Little Game , " " lei on Parle Franciis , " " Lend Me Five Shillings , " " A

Quiet Rubber , " " Little Toddlekms , " and " The Two BonnycastIes , '" and weare quite ccrtain , after a diligent perusal of this polite literature , that he will both alter his tone and an ; end his vocabulary But , as Mr . Bandmann forcibly observes , suchcorn nients come not svith a very good grace

from Cardinal Manning , apres tout . Why , it is not so long ago that Monsignori were measuring dresses , and deciding judiciously and judicially on the propriety or impropriety of the attire of each fair " Ballerina" at Rome . Thin it was that Cardinals "in petto , " and Bishops in " paitibus , "

had oracularly to declare and ocularly to be satisfied as to whether the gauze dresses of each active Coryphee were too high or too low . No doubt each good prelate said * ' dufendit numtrus , " and acted like St . Dunstan . We note , then , very sadly this tendency to exaggeration and anathema ,

in many ofthe utter-inces of these high dignitaries of the Roman Church to djy . With them nothing is good , everything is bad , we all are"booked for something uncomfortable , " we are all " going to pot . " And yet we are inclined to fancy that all these loud words and tall talk are but idle breadth . No more than Freemasonry ,

can these "deliverances " affect the progress of the slage , and take away our English appreciation of it . If , like the Archbishop of Rheims , with his peccant jackdaw , Cardinal Manning finds it suit his dignity to curse , or any pleasure or profit in the practice , he must curse on . We doubt much the effect to-dav of these

intemperate ebullitions , those idle outpourings of a barbaric negativism . We have felt it to be our duty , though regretfully , to protest against these last unwise words of an able man , and we ate sorry for them , alike in the interest of civilization and artistic excellence , of toleration

and liberality of sentiment , and above all of reli gion . For such licence and violence of language react on the speakers . Such unqualified censure of the stage , being both unfounded and unfair , becomes absolutely worthless , and does more harm than good . We fear that all these

outbreaks are onl y " indicia ; " to the thoughtful of the desire of t IC Roman Catholic Church to crush out alike liberty of thought and freedom of speech , and , like the Vandal bands of old , to uproot even the mighty buildings which civilization has raised , to place all science and art

, intellectual culture and material amusements even under the iron hand of a childish and purient ecclesiastical bigotry . We hear daily these daring claims whichwould sweep a . vay apparently every vesti ge of artistic creation , of the "harmless gaiety of nations , " ofthe welcome and amusing converse of tho stage , and leavj us melancholy and roanacled

under the depre .-siig and grovelling influence of a baneful and morbid retrogression . Dreadfull y " exercised " should we then all be , by the bad taste and the narrow-minded sciolism oi a so-called Spiritual power , which has reall y nothing to do with the matter , and must be taught to mind its own business , and keep

Cardinal Manning On The Stage.

within its own line of demarcation in such matters . We consider , therefore , Cardinal Manning ' s attack on the stage in the worst possible " form , " and alike unfounded and unjustifiable .

The Vote Of Confidence In The Committees And Executive Of The Boys' School.

THE VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE COMMITTEES AND EXECUTIVE OF THE BOYS' SCHOOL .

We are glad tlut by a formal vote this important question will be raised at the next Quarterly Court . It is quite time , we think , in justice to the Boys' School and ali concerned that this expression of feeling should be given , as we believe there is a very general feeling in the Craft as regards much undeserved censure

cast on the Executive , that such a motion is alike reasonable and requisite . We hops that all our brethren who sympathize with such a view of the matter and who are qualified , will make a point of attending on Monday , the ioth .

The Plans For The Alterations Of The Girls' School.

THE PLANS FOR THE ALTERATIONS OF THE GIRLS' SCHOOL .

At the meeting of the General Committee nothing was decided , and the matter remains over practically for the Quarterl y Court . Subsequent consideration has made us realize even more forcibly the . soundness of the advice we ventured to offer last week to the Order , on all

respect and humility . It is quite clear that the greatest caution is required in dealing with the subject , one of great importance , we beg to obseive , alike to the Craft and the School . We have an admirable site , and sufficient of space to enlarge and utilize existing accommodation ,

and it would seem , to be prima facie , very unwise to move elsewhere until we are absolutely compelled to do so . We believe that we are correct in saying that from five to six acres of adjoining land will eventually be offered to the school in the first instance to purchase , if so

disposed , and if eventually the land is really required for the railway , then will be the time for sale . In the . meantime the land can ' t run away , and increases in value yearly . If we can educate 200 girls well we shall do a good work , and we ire inclined to think that that number will

suffice for the present , and that the school of the future is yet the school of the future . We feel it to be our duty to invite our brethren to pause and carefully consider all the " pros and cons'' before they * commit themselves to a sea of troubles , and the dubious advisability of large building undertakings .

A Commemoration Medal.

A COMMEMORATION MEDAL .

Bro . Kenning has struck a very admirable medil in bronze in commemoration of our Royal Grand Master ' s installation , April 28 th , 1875 . It is very effectively designed and artistically executed , and reflects great credit on all concerned in its production . In England our

Masonic medals are " few and far between , " and we think that Bro . Kenning has done wisely in thus issuing a numismatic memetnto of an event long to be cherished in the recollection of . all English Freemasons . So far the medal has only been struck in bronze , its low price

comparatively placing it within the reach of most of us . But we understand that if sufficient support can be obtained either for a silver or gold medallion , Bro . Kenning is willing to issue a higher priced memorial even of so great an event for our Order . We call the

attention of our brethren to it . The medal , as we before observed , is a highly finished piece of workmanship , and bears on it that excellent motto to which our Grand Master so happily alluded to at his installation , — Loyalty and Charity . The medal is taken from a photograph by Mr . C . Watkins .

Old Chapter Minutes.

OLD CHAPTER MINUTES .

We are glad to announce that Bro . S . B . Ellis ' s extracts from the minute bosk of the Chapter of Paradise , Sheffield , are now in the printer ' s hand for the May number of the " Masonic Magazine ; " and as they are very interesting , and will be largely read by students , we recommend all brethren to send their orders for the Magazine for May at once to Bro . George Kenning , 198 , Fleet-street , E . C

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We Jo not hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving of the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , ia a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED . ]

THE MASONIC CHARITIES . To Ihe Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Unfortunately Freemasonry does not generally find favour with the weaker sex , for what reason I confess I am at a loss to understand , seeing that its principles apparently embody everything that is good and noble , and

that its watchword is eharity , which delights in providing for the widow and children of those to whom they were bound by the ties of brotherhood . I unhesitatingly affirm that there are not two more noble institutions in the land than their Boys' and Girls ' Schools , and as in the decrees of an all-wise Providence no one knows what may be before them in the future , I

think it should not only be the aim of every true hearted Mason to extend the blessings of those schools , but that every wife , daughter , and sister of members connected with the Craft should give a helping hand , believing that " Mercy which droppeth as the gentle rain from Heaven is twice blessed . It blesses him that gives , and him that takes . "

To do this it has occurred to my mind that if in every large town ( one in each county ) ladies would interest themselves in a bazaar for that purpose , that it would meet with a hearty response and afford an opportunity for all to do something in such a noble cause , and thereby confer a lasting benefit upon the charities by augmenting their funds tc a considerable amount , and enabling the

committee to extend their usefulness instead of restricting it as they are now obliged to do . I must apologise for troubling you , but the suggestion seems to my mind both reasonable and practicable , and has arisen from looking down the list of 59 candidates for the forthcoming election of the Boys' School in which 9 only can be successful , and 12 of the number have only this chance . I am , Sir , yours truly , A GRATEFUL MOTHER AND LIFE GOVERNOR .

MASONIC HONOURS , & c . To the Editor of The Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — If space permits , will you allow me to ask Bro . Hughan if he will be kind enough to correct me if I am wrong in my supposition in respect to the following . A . Provincial Grand Lodge is an epitome ofthe Grand Lodge ,

therefore the brethren composing a Provincial Grand Lodge are the oflicers present and Past of such Grand Lodge and P . M . ' s of private lodges as long as they still continue subscribing members to a subordinate loflge in that province , also the W . M . ' s and Warden ' s for the time being of the subordinate lodges . A Provincial Grand Lodge meets at least once a year , when all the members of the subordinate lodges are allowed to assemble under their

respective banners , but I believe brethren not qualified as above , that is M . M . ' s , have no vote in such an assembly neither are they allowed to address the meeting excerjt b leave from the chair , therefore , I am desirous of ascertain ing , by what right , law or constitution a Mason riot quali fied as above can be appointed to ah office in a Provincia Grand Lodge ? I remain , yours fraternally , T . F . April 4 th , 1876 .

THE EXTENSION OF THE GIRLS' SCHOOL . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — 1 am glad to see that your powerful pen is in favour of Bro . Colonel Creaton ' s straightforward and disinterested scheme . Let me state some of the reasons which induce me to support it .

1 . The site at St . John ' s Hill , upon which the present school is erected , is one of the healthiest in the kingdom , having a frontage to Wandsworth Common , and being bounded on one side by the railway , and on the other two sides by green fields . 2 . The advantage of having all the children ' under one roof and one supervision is enormous , while the cost

of maintaining two separate schools would be out of all proportion to the benefits supposed to accrue from such a system . As an example , the school for daughters of officers in thc army , which has now two distinct establishments , is obliged to give up one iu consequence of the duplicated expense . 3 . Col . Creaton ' s scheme will provide what ' the

institution really wants sadly , viz ., a good schoolroom where all the children can be congregated together , with plenty of ventilation—the prtstnt room is too small for present numbers , and might with advantage be partitioned into class rooms . Some brethren have expressed surprise that an estate

agent should have appeared on the scene with a project to obtain land at some considerable distance from London . I only wonder that several others in the same profession have not submitted their ideas , it being clearly an estate agent ' s business to do the best he can for his clients , and of course he is bound to push a sale , if posssible . Vours fraternally , A LIFE GOVERNOR .

AN APPEAL . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I venture to ask your assistance in making known in your columns the sad case of the late Bro . Robt . Bryant , P , Prov . Grand Officer of Cambs , formerly , a banker