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Article NEW YEAR'S ENTERTAINMENT AT THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. ← Page 2 of 2 Article NEW YEAR'S ENTERTAINMENT AT THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Page 2 of 2 Article THE THEATRES. Page 1 of 1 Article THE THEATRES. Page 1 of 1
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New Year's Entertainment At The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
the other brethren made themselves useful by waiting on the guests and seeing after their wants . The cooking was a masterpiece of the culinary art , and Miss Norris , the Matron , was frequently congratulated on her achievement in this respect . The plum puddings and mince pies were also a great success , and all the viands were done ample justice to . As the day was the eve of the attainment ot his majority by Prince Albert Victor , the eldest son of the
Grand Master , champagne was added to the wine list . When the dinner was concluded , Dr . STRONG reminded the company that the toasts at these gatherings were few , and the speeches short , but it was necessary to give a few . It was customary to give the toast of " The Queen , the Patroness of the Institution , " first , but the pTesent was a special occasion , because since they last met they had lost their old Warden , Bro .
James Norris , who had been a prominent figure in the Institution 22 years . In that position he always had a loving care and great kindness for his fellow Annuitants , and he had been a great assistance to the Committee on all occosions . The company would therefore drink to his memory in silence . This having been done , the toasts of "The Queen , " and " The Prince and Princess of Wales , and the rest of the
Royal Family , " were duly honoured ; and Dr . STRONG next gave ' - 'The Founders of the Feast . " Those who had been at these gatherings before knew that the champagne provided on the present occasion was an extra , and he wished to inform the company that it was a voluntary gift on the part of some brethren who supported the Institution . It was exceedingly kind of the brethren to provide this and the rest of the feast , and it also showed great kindness of
heart to come down and assist . It was difficult to select one out of so many generous supporters ; but there was one brother whom he wished to select , and whose health he called upon them to drink ; and that was Bro . Edgar Bowyer , who was always ready to lend a helping hand . It was his ( Dr . Strong's ) wish , and he knew it was the wish of all the company that Bro . Bowyer might be spared many years to follow the same eourse . The toast having been drunk ,
Bro . LDGAR BOWYER said it was not only the duty , but the pleasuie and interest of every one , to do all he possibly could for the enjoyment and happiness of those Annuitants whom they had undertaken to protect . Unfortunately , during the past year they had lost some of their Patrons ; but he was quite sure there would always be found others to supply their place . He was sure the excellent Secretary would step in , and afford them all the information he could . The brethren must remember that what they gave was not thrown away , but would bear
fruit—For the keart grows rich in giving , All its wealth is living grain ; Seeds which mildew in the garner , Scattered wide will gild the plain . Is thy burden hard and heavy ? Do thy steps drag wearily ? Help to bear thy brother ' s burden ; God will bear both it and thee .
Later in the day Bro . Edgar Bowyer proposed "Success to the Institution , " which , he was sure , every one wished . He should call on the Secretary to respond to the toast , because he could tell them a great deal about the Institution , which they would be very glad to hear . He could only hope that the coming Festival would be a most successful one , and certainly Bro . Terry had done , and was doing the best he could , to attain that end .
Bro . TERRY , in reply , said he had first to account for the absence ' of . the Secretaries of the two Educational Institutions , both of whom had been invited . Bro . Binckes was to'have rehearsed that evening the ceremony of consecration of a new Mark Lodge and installation of Master ; but he was too indisposed to do that , and this would account for the absence of Bro . Matier , who had to perform the ceremonies in Bro . Binckes's place . Bro . Hedges
had sent a telegram to say he could not come as neither of his clerks had put in an appearance . Bro . Bowyer had given this toast with the greatest heartiness . The Benevolent Institution was the first of the three Masonic Institutions that he adopted , and he did so at the very commencement of his Masonic career . Others around the table had served the Institution also liberally and well , and to them the Institution was indebted for its growth and
success . They had served it not to the detriment of the others , but in preference to them j they had become Vice-Presidents of . it , but had not qualified for that office in the others Institutions . They were proud of the success of all the Institutions , but there were some who were peculiarly attached to one or the other , even to the exclusion of the others . This Institution during the past year had had a very great amount of success . The highest amount yet
known in its history was announced the other day , for £ 19 , 500 was the amount of the gross result of the year ' s work . This gave him the opportunity of saying that during the last seven years the Benevolent Institution had received in all £ 121 , 645 , the Boys' School , £ 109 , 040 , and the Girls ' School , £ 99 , 785 , which gave the following averages—the Benevolent Institution , £ 17 , 300 a year , the Boys' School , £ 19 , 500 , and the Girls' School £ 14 , 200 a year in round
numbers . He ventured to think that was a very proud position for the Benevolent Institution to have attained , which Institution was at first the most | neglected of all , for it was then he might say , as it were , under the ban of the Grand Master , as it was only permitted to have a festival once in three years . After a great amount of persuasion they were permitted to have a festival once in two years . When it was found it would not interfere with
the Boys or Girls School , they were permitted to have an annual festival , and since then it had gone on and prospered . What had been the result ? The Girls School had prospered more than it had ever done . Whenever a Secretary of one Institution visited a lodge , if the other Secretaries were not there , he spoke for them as well as for himself . But great as had been the result of the Institution he hoped it would be greater . He believed the Benevolent Institution would be the Institution of the future .
It was founded on a small beginning . It was an Institution which in the future they must look to for providing a home and a refuge for the aged . The boys and girls of the Present day would be , must be , and were educated , and their prosperity was going on at a higher rate than it had hitherto done . But take the other side . When a man came to the decline of life there was very little effort left , ar if he was a Mason and wanted a home this Institution afforded it . Let them look at the lists for the coming
New Year's Entertainment At The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
elections . For the Girls' School there were 30 girls on the list and 22 to be elected ; for the Boys' School there were 45 candidates ( the smallest mimher for years ) , and 25 to be elected . For the Benevolent Institution there were something like 120 candidates . At the pressnt moment there was but one vacancy for a widow , and twelve vacancies for men . Therefore , unless in February next the Institution achieved as great a result as in 1 SS 4 , he really
did not know what would be the fate of the poor widows , of whom there were 75 on the list , with only one vacancy , and 44 men on the list with only 12 vacancies . If they created only 20 additional vacancie 2—15 being widowsthere was still a most appalling prospect . He only relied upon the Craft and , as Lord Carnarvon had always said , whenever you have a good case and put it forcibly before the Craft it would be supported . He , therefore , looked
forward with the same amount of confidence to the liberality of the brethren , and he ventured to think that in February next such an answer would be given to their appeal , under the presidency of Sir Michael Hicks-Beach , whose Province of Gloucester was supporting him most nobly with 47 Stewards , as would show that this confidence was not misplaced . He appealed to those brethren who were not yet Stewards to make themselves Stewards , and
enable the Committee when they met to say that they found themselves in a position to place additional Annuitants on their list . They had now 375 men and women on their funds . When he first was connected with the Institution there were 1 S 0 who were receiving , the men £ 26 a year , the women £ 25 . The men were now receiving £ 40 , and the widows £ 32 , and for all that they had by the liberality of the Craft more than doubled the number of
Annuitants . He was certain that these facts need only be brought to the notice of the brethren for the brethren to see that while not neglecting their duty to the other Institutions , it was their first privilege to think of the aged . While doing that they were taking care of themselves . The children were educated , Dut what was to become of the aged if it was not for this Institution ? There was nothing but the workhouse for them , and surely the Craft
would not allow that , when there were so many thousands who had never contributed anything to one of the Institutions . In June next he would have been 21 years conuected with the Institution , and he hoped and trusted that whatever the success of the past 21 years had been he would be spared to achieve greater results and triumphs , and to see it placed in the position of first of the three Institutions . Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , in responding to a
toast drunk in his honour , said that Bro . Terry only did him justice in saying that he took the very deepest interest in all the Institutions . The Benevolent Institution had peculiar claims on the Craft ' s liberality , and he trusted it would one day achieve the success Bro . Terry was looking forward to . He had been Steward to the Institutions , and he hoped the day was not far distant when he would be again able to put his shoulder to the wheel , and obtain funds for the
Institution . After tea an Ethiopian entertainment was given by the Carolina ( Original ) Minstrels , when the following artistes appeared : Messrs . W . M . Gibson , H . Kippax , T . E . Davies , H . Mitchell , A . B . Whiteley , W . J . Penman , J . Bartindale , T . Hopper , H . Reynolds , and E . Luke . The entertainment gave the annuitants and visitors great pleasure .
In the course of the evening , Bro . TERRY read the following telegram from Bros . Stubbs , JaiTrey , and Hooper , Masonic Hall , Corporation-street , Manchester : " Hearty congratulations from the East Lancashire brethren and friends , wishing you all a Happy ) New Year , ample present enjoyment , and future prosperity to Croydon Institution . " Bro . Terry stated that a similar day's entertainment was being given to the old people at Manchester , and that the
brethren of East Lancashire had contributed five guineas to the Croydon entertainment . The visitors , after wishing all the Annuitants a Happy New Year , returned to town by train on the South-Eastern Railway , which had provided special saloon carriages for the purpose . VVe may state that in the course of the evening a
portrait of the late Warden , Bro . James Norris was handed round for the inspection of those present , and was very greatly and generally admired . VVe feel the greater pleasure in mentioning this as the portrait is the handiwork of our worthy friend and Brother , John Mason , who , though not an artist by profession , would seem to be , to judge from this evidence of his skill , to the manner born .
The Theatres.
THE THEATRES .
Miss Fortescue is organising a company containing Mrs . Edward Saker tc go through the provinces . Miss Fortescue is going to play Galatea in Mr . Gilbert ' scomedy . The Midland Railway Company have placed a drawingroom car at the pretty young lady ' s disposal whilst travelling on their system . There can be little doubt she will draw well in the provinces . Mr . Abud will be acting manager .
* w *¦ Bro . ' and Mrs . Bancroft , before the close of their farewell season , will bring out Boucicault's " Old Heads and Young Hearts , " Mrs . Bancroft playing for the first time the part of Lady Alice . This play has not been seen for a number of years . We believe it was last produced at the Royalty , under Miss Henrietta Hodson ' s management . Its place of origin was at the Haymarket in 1844 .
# » * "As You Like It " will be the next play at the St . James's , and may take its place on the programme in a fortnight or three weeks' time . It will be mounted in magnificent style , becoming the house and Bro . Kendal and Mr . Hare ' s management . In the meanwhile , "The Ironmaster" should be seen during its last nights , which are now announced .
Mr . Henry A . Jones ' s new and original five-act play , "Saints and Sinners , " was represented for the 100 th time at the Vaudeville on the ist inst ., in the presence of a thoroughly appreciative audience . This play was denounced by the general press on its production , but it has weathered
The Theatres.
the storm and is doing " good business . " Mr . Yorke Stephens has succeeded Mr . H . B . Conway as Captain Fanshawe , and plays the part with an amount of ease and finish that must go far to enhance his reputation . With this exception , the cast remains unaltered .
* # * Bro . Lcstocq ' s " Bad Penny " was on Monday put up as the opening piece at the Globe . It was originally produced at the Vaudeville . # # * The new opera for the Empire is by K . Hamilton , and called "Venice ; or , the Lady of the Locket , " the title role being taken by Miss Florence St . John and Bro . Henry Bracy .
* # # Miss Amy Roselle , the popuhr actress , was , on the 27 th ult ., married at St . John ' s , Walham Green , to Mr . Arthur Dacre , M . D ., M . R . C . S ., who , however , has left the medical profession and is well known on the stage . * # * Mr . Augustus Moore , acting-manager to Mr . Wilson Barrett in the provinces , was married on Saturday to Miss Addie Grey , who played a part at Drury-lane in " Youth , " " Freedom , " and " A Sailor and His Lass . "
* * * Those who attend the chief parts of the house at Toole ' s are just now being presented with an album containing a photograph of one of "The Babes "—Miss Alice Atherton—which she terms " Jessie's New Year ' s Souvenir . " It is worth going for .
* * * The January number of the " Theatre " is like its predecessors , full of information . One of its chief articles is on " Bro . Edmund Yates's Theatrical Recollections . " Mrs . Langtry , as Pauline , and Mr . Ferriss , as Romeo , are the photographs . The previous month contains Miss Myra Holme ( Mrs . Pinero ) , in " Pygmalion
and Galatea , " and Mr . David James , in "Our Boys , " its most interesting letterpress being Mr . Moy Thomas ' s article on " Hamlet ' s Age . " Mr . Boyne ' s " Theatre Annual , " always good , is specially so this year , amongst its contributors being G . R . Sims , E . L . Blanchard , Herbert Standing , F . C . Burnand , Clement Scott , Joseph Hatton , A . Reece , , PaIgrave Simpson , and ^ Charles H . Ross .
* * # H . R . H . the Duke of Edinburgh and H . R . and I . H . the Duchess of Edinburgh , accompanied by the Princess Louise and the Marquis of Lome , and attended by Lady Harriet Grimston and Major Poore , witnessed the performance of "The Sorcerer " and "Trial by Jury " at the Savoy on Saturday evening . The management have done well to revive these two popular operas , which had
not been played for several years . VVe understand that so great is the success of the children ' s " Pirates of Penzance , " that Mr . D'Oyly Carte intends reproducing all Gilbert and Sullivan's operas , which have been played by adults , and giving them by children ' s companies ; the next in order being " Patience . " The age of Master Percy , who plays Major-General Stanley , is said to be only 7 ; Miss Elsie Joel , the Mabel , is 12 ; and . MasterTebbutt is 15—he either is or was the leading treble at St . Alban ' s , Holborn . # #
* Bro . Augustus Harris has even outdone himself . The pantomime at Drury Lane— " Dick Whittington "far surpasses as a spectacle anything yet produced under the present distinguished and able management , which is saying a good deal . Mr . E . L . Blanchard again furnishes the dialogue , the story of which is so well known to all little folks . " Dick Whittington " differs from many
legends , in that we can put a precise date to it , for it is known as a fact that 300 years ago there was such a person as Richard Whittington , an apprentice , and that he became Lord Mayor of London , and was twice re-elected . Many of the other incidents connected with his life , as depicted on the stage or in story books , are not quite so much matters of history as of imagination . Not only the children , but grown-up persons , thank Bro . Harris for the pleasant
entertainment he is just now giving them , for we find the adults are as fond as the children of the revelries . Amongst the scenes the most likely to be remembered are the Cat ' s School , the view of Highgate Hill , with Dick sleeping through the revels of the goblins , all unconscious of Mdlle . / Enca flying over him ; the marvellous shipwreck , but chiefly the Lord Mayor ' s Show , in which is introduced a procession of the chief City Guilds , of which Bro . Harris
is himself a Liveryman of no less than three—Lormcrs , Fanmakers , and Pattenmakers—but none of his own Companies are in the procession . We have not the Lord Mayor's coach , for in those days the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress rode on horseback , and made a great show , so Miss Fanny Leslie , who is Dick Whittington , is mounted on a white charger . The transformation scene by Mr . Emden will not be readily forgotten , presenting the elements
of fire , earth , air , and water . Mr . Charles Lauri , jun ., is the cat , and he is absolutely feline in his habits . Miss Fanny Leslie throws her heart and soul into her part , and dances and sings with the utmost spirit . Miss Kate Munro is always fascinating , and has often proved herself to be capable of more difficult parts than that of Alice . Mr . Harry Nicholls and Mr . Herbert Campbell , the idle apprentice and cook respectively , are inimitable .
With their topical duet , " D'you think so ? Yes , I think so , " they have made themselves a name as they did last year with " I beg your pardon . " Mr . J . T . Powers , an American , as the King of Morocco , does the best for his part , but he is best seen to advantage in a larger sphere . The Misses Minnie and Dot Mario are such favourites everywhere and with everyone that there is no need to say they keep up their attractions . Every day
twice the theatre is as full as it can well be , and must be a source of much happiness , not only to those who witness the performances , but to hundreds of those behind the scenes , who but for this would now be out of employment . Bro . Augustus Harris has worked hard to make his pantomime a huge success , and has succeeded . He is also running the Crystal Palace Pantomime , and in March
reopens the Alexandra Palace Theatre . On Twelfth Night the old custom was observed of cutting Baddeley's cake , in the presence of a large and distinguished company , including V . W . Bro . Sir John B . Monckton and Bro . Sir Wm . Charley , Q . C . We hope next year to be able to give some further particulars of this interesting ceremony , which attracts so many persons .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
New Year's Entertainment At The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
the other brethren made themselves useful by waiting on the guests and seeing after their wants . The cooking was a masterpiece of the culinary art , and Miss Norris , the Matron , was frequently congratulated on her achievement in this respect . The plum puddings and mince pies were also a great success , and all the viands were done ample justice to . As the day was the eve of the attainment ot his majority by Prince Albert Victor , the eldest son of the
Grand Master , champagne was added to the wine list . When the dinner was concluded , Dr . STRONG reminded the company that the toasts at these gatherings were few , and the speeches short , but it was necessary to give a few . It was customary to give the toast of " The Queen , the Patroness of the Institution , " first , but the pTesent was a special occasion , because since they last met they had lost their old Warden , Bro .
James Norris , who had been a prominent figure in the Institution 22 years . In that position he always had a loving care and great kindness for his fellow Annuitants , and he had been a great assistance to the Committee on all occosions . The company would therefore drink to his memory in silence . This having been done , the toasts of "The Queen , " and " The Prince and Princess of Wales , and the rest of the
Royal Family , " were duly honoured ; and Dr . STRONG next gave ' - 'The Founders of the Feast . " Those who had been at these gatherings before knew that the champagne provided on the present occasion was an extra , and he wished to inform the company that it was a voluntary gift on the part of some brethren who supported the Institution . It was exceedingly kind of the brethren to provide this and the rest of the feast , and it also showed great kindness of
heart to come down and assist . It was difficult to select one out of so many generous supporters ; but there was one brother whom he wished to select , and whose health he called upon them to drink ; and that was Bro . Edgar Bowyer , who was always ready to lend a helping hand . It was his ( Dr . Strong's ) wish , and he knew it was the wish of all the company that Bro . Bowyer might be spared many years to follow the same eourse . The toast having been drunk ,
Bro . LDGAR BOWYER said it was not only the duty , but the pleasuie and interest of every one , to do all he possibly could for the enjoyment and happiness of those Annuitants whom they had undertaken to protect . Unfortunately , during the past year they had lost some of their Patrons ; but he was quite sure there would always be found others to supply their place . He was sure the excellent Secretary would step in , and afford them all the information he could . The brethren must remember that what they gave was not thrown away , but would bear
fruit—For the keart grows rich in giving , All its wealth is living grain ; Seeds which mildew in the garner , Scattered wide will gild the plain . Is thy burden hard and heavy ? Do thy steps drag wearily ? Help to bear thy brother ' s burden ; God will bear both it and thee .
Later in the day Bro . Edgar Bowyer proposed "Success to the Institution , " which , he was sure , every one wished . He should call on the Secretary to respond to the toast , because he could tell them a great deal about the Institution , which they would be very glad to hear . He could only hope that the coming Festival would be a most successful one , and certainly Bro . Terry had done , and was doing the best he could , to attain that end .
Bro . TERRY , in reply , said he had first to account for the absence ' of . the Secretaries of the two Educational Institutions , both of whom had been invited . Bro . Binckes was to'have rehearsed that evening the ceremony of consecration of a new Mark Lodge and installation of Master ; but he was too indisposed to do that , and this would account for the absence of Bro . Matier , who had to perform the ceremonies in Bro . Binckes's place . Bro . Hedges
had sent a telegram to say he could not come as neither of his clerks had put in an appearance . Bro . Bowyer had given this toast with the greatest heartiness . The Benevolent Institution was the first of the three Masonic Institutions that he adopted , and he did so at the very commencement of his Masonic career . Others around the table had served the Institution also liberally and well , and to them the Institution was indebted for its growth and
success . They had served it not to the detriment of the others , but in preference to them j they had become Vice-Presidents of . it , but had not qualified for that office in the others Institutions . They were proud of the success of all the Institutions , but there were some who were peculiarly attached to one or the other , even to the exclusion of the others . This Institution during the past year had had a very great amount of success . The highest amount yet
known in its history was announced the other day , for £ 19 , 500 was the amount of the gross result of the year ' s work . This gave him the opportunity of saying that during the last seven years the Benevolent Institution had received in all £ 121 , 645 , the Boys' School , £ 109 , 040 , and the Girls ' School , £ 99 , 785 , which gave the following averages—the Benevolent Institution , £ 17 , 300 a year , the Boys' School , £ 19 , 500 , and the Girls' School £ 14 , 200 a year in round
numbers . He ventured to think that was a very proud position for the Benevolent Institution to have attained , which Institution was at first the most | neglected of all , for it was then he might say , as it were , under the ban of the Grand Master , as it was only permitted to have a festival once in three years . After a great amount of persuasion they were permitted to have a festival once in two years . When it was found it would not interfere with
the Boys or Girls School , they were permitted to have an annual festival , and since then it had gone on and prospered . What had been the result ? The Girls School had prospered more than it had ever done . Whenever a Secretary of one Institution visited a lodge , if the other Secretaries were not there , he spoke for them as well as for himself . But great as had been the result of the Institution he hoped it would be greater . He believed the Benevolent Institution would be the Institution of the future .
It was founded on a small beginning . It was an Institution which in the future they must look to for providing a home and a refuge for the aged . The boys and girls of the Present day would be , must be , and were educated , and their prosperity was going on at a higher rate than it had hitherto done . But take the other side . When a man came to the decline of life there was very little effort left , ar if he was a Mason and wanted a home this Institution afforded it . Let them look at the lists for the coming
New Year's Entertainment At The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
elections . For the Girls' School there were 30 girls on the list and 22 to be elected ; for the Boys' School there were 45 candidates ( the smallest mimher for years ) , and 25 to be elected . For the Benevolent Institution there were something like 120 candidates . At the pressnt moment there was but one vacancy for a widow , and twelve vacancies for men . Therefore , unless in February next the Institution achieved as great a result as in 1 SS 4 , he really
did not know what would be the fate of the poor widows , of whom there were 75 on the list , with only one vacancy , and 44 men on the list with only 12 vacancies . If they created only 20 additional vacancie 2—15 being widowsthere was still a most appalling prospect . He only relied upon the Craft and , as Lord Carnarvon had always said , whenever you have a good case and put it forcibly before the Craft it would be supported . He , therefore , looked
forward with the same amount of confidence to the liberality of the brethren , and he ventured to think that in February next such an answer would be given to their appeal , under the presidency of Sir Michael Hicks-Beach , whose Province of Gloucester was supporting him most nobly with 47 Stewards , as would show that this confidence was not misplaced . He appealed to those brethren who were not yet Stewards to make themselves Stewards , and
enable the Committee when they met to say that they found themselves in a position to place additional Annuitants on their list . They had now 375 men and women on their funds . When he first was connected with the Institution there were 1 S 0 who were receiving , the men £ 26 a year , the women £ 25 . The men were now receiving £ 40 , and the widows £ 32 , and for all that they had by the liberality of the Craft more than doubled the number of
Annuitants . He was certain that these facts need only be brought to the notice of the brethren for the brethren to see that while not neglecting their duty to the other Institutions , it was their first privilege to think of the aged . While doing that they were taking care of themselves . The children were educated , Dut what was to become of the aged if it was not for this Institution ? There was nothing but the workhouse for them , and surely the Craft
would not allow that , when there were so many thousands who had never contributed anything to one of the Institutions . In June next he would have been 21 years conuected with the Institution , and he hoped and trusted that whatever the success of the past 21 years had been he would be spared to achieve greater results and triumphs , and to see it placed in the position of first of the three Institutions . Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , in responding to a
toast drunk in his honour , said that Bro . Terry only did him justice in saying that he took the very deepest interest in all the Institutions . The Benevolent Institution had peculiar claims on the Craft ' s liberality , and he trusted it would one day achieve the success Bro . Terry was looking forward to . He had been Steward to the Institutions , and he hoped the day was not far distant when he would be again able to put his shoulder to the wheel , and obtain funds for the
Institution . After tea an Ethiopian entertainment was given by the Carolina ( Original ) Minstrels , when the following artistes appeared : Messrs . W . M . Gibson , H . Kippax , T . E . Davies , H . Mitchell , A . B . Whiteley , W . J . Penman , J . Bartindale , T . Hopper , H . Reynolds , and E . Luke . The entertainment gave the annuitants and visitors great pleasure .
In the course of the evening , Bro . TERRY read the following telegram from Bros . Stubbs , JaiTrey , and Hooper , Masonic Hall , Corporation-street , Manchester : " Hearty congratulations from the East Lancashire brethren and friends , wishing you all a Happy ) New Year , ample present enjoyment , and future prosperity to Croydon Institution . " Bro . Terry stated that a similar day's entertainment was being given to the old people at Manchester , and that the
brethren of East Lancashire had contributed five guineas to the Croydon entertainment . The visitors , after wishing all the Annuitants a Happy New Year , returned to town by train on the South-Eastern Railway , which had provided special saloon carriages for the purpose . VVe may state that in the course of the evening a
portrait of the late Warden , Bro . James Norris was handed round for the inspection of those present , and was very greatly and generally admired . VVe feel the greater pleasure in mentioning this as the portrait is the handiwork of our worthy friend and Brother , John Mason , who , though not an artist by profession , would seem to be , to judge from this evidence of his skill , to the manner born .
The Theatres.
THE THEATRES .
Miss Fortescue is organising a company containing Mrs . Edward Saker tc go through the provinces . Miss Fortescue is going to play Galatea in Mr . Gilbert ' scomedy . The Midland Railway Company have placed a drawingroom car at the pretty young lady ' s disposal whilst travelling on their system . There can be little doubt she will draw well in the provinces . Mr . Abud will be acting manager .
* w *¦ Bro . ' and Mrs . Bancroft , before the close of their farewell season , will bring out Boucicault's " Old Heads and Young Hearts , " Mrs . Bancroft playing for the first time the part of Lady Alice . This play has not been seen for a number of years . We believe it was last produced at the Royalty , under Miss Henrietta Hodson ' s management . Its place of origin was at the Haymarket in 1844 .
# » * "As You Like It " will be the next play at the St . James's , and may take its place on the programme in a fortnight or three weeks' time . It will be mounted in magnificent style , becoming the house and Bro . Kendal and Mr . Hare ' s management . In the meanwhile , "The Ironmaster" should be seen during its last nights , which are now announced .
Mr . Henry A . Jones ' s new and original five-act play , "Saints and Sinners , " was represented for the 100 th time at the Vaudeville on the ist inst ., in the presence of a thoroughly appreciative audience . This play was denounced by the general press on its production , but it has weathered
The Theatres.
the storm and is doing " good business . " Mr . Yorke Stephens has succeeded Mr . H . B . Conway as Captain Fanshawe , and plays the part with an amount of ease and finish that must go far to enhance his reputation . With this exception , the cast remains unaltered .
* # * Bro . Lcstocq ' s " Bad Penny " was on Monday put up as the opening piece at the Globe . It was originally produced at the Vaudeville . # # * The new opera for the Empire is by K . Hamilton , and called "Venice ; or , the Lady of the Locket , " the title role being taken by Miss Florence St . John and Bro . Henry Bracy .
* # # Miss Amy Roselle , the popuhr actress , was , on the 27 th ult ., married at St . John ' s , Walham Green , to Mr . Arthur Dacre , M . D ., M . R . C . S ., who , however , has left the medical profession and is well known on the stage . * # * Mr . Augustus Moore , acting-manager to Mr . Wilson Barrett in the provinces , was married on Saturday to Miss Addie Grey , who played a part at Drury-lane in " Youth , " " Freedom , " and " A Sailor and His Lass . "
* * * Those who attend the chief parts of the house at Toole ' s are just now being presented with an album containing a photograph of one of "The Babes "—Miss Alice Atherton—which she terms " Jessie's New Year ' s Souvenir . " It is worth going for .
* * * The January number of the " Theatre " is like its predecessors , full of information . One of its chief articles is on " Bro . Edmund Yates's Theatrical Recollections . " Mrs . Langtry , as Pauline , and Mr . Ferriss , as Romeo , are the photographs . The previous month contains Miss Myra Holme ( Mrs . Pinero ) , in " Pygmalion
and Galatea , " and Mr . David James , in "Our Boys , " its most interesting letterpress being Mr . Moy Thomas ' s article on " Hamlet ' s Age . " Mr . Boyne ' s " Theatre Annual , " always good , is specially so this year , amongst its contributors being G . R . Sims , E . L . Blanchard , Herbert Standing , F . C . Burnand , Clement Scott , Joseph Hatton , A . Reece , , PaIgrave Simpson , and ^ Charles H . Ross .
* * # H . R . H . the Duke of Edinburgh and H . R . and I . H . the Duchess of Edinburgh , accompanied by the Princess Louise and the Marquis of Lome , and attended by Lady Harriet Grimston and Major Poore , witnessed the performance of "The Sorcerer " and "Trial by Jury " at the Savoy on Saturday evening . The management have done well to revive these two popular operas , which had
not been played for several years . VVe understand that so great is the success of the children ' s " Pirates of Penzance , " that Mr . D'Oyly Carte intends reproducing all Gilbert and Sullivan's operas , which have been played by adults , and giving them by children ' s companies ; the next in order being " Patience . " The age of Master Percy , who plays Major-General Stanley , is said to be only 7 ; Miss Elsie Joel , the Mabel , is 12 ; and . MasterTebbutt is 15—he either is or was the leading treble at St . Alban ' s , Holborn . # #
* Bro . Augustus Harris has even outdone himself . The pantomime at Drury Lane— " Dick Whittington "far surpasses as a spectacle anything yet produced under the present distinguished and able management , which is saying a good deal . Mr . E . L . Blanchard again furnishes the dialogue , the story of which is so well known to all little folks . " Dick Whittington " differs from many
legends , in that we can put a precise date to it , for it is known as a fact that 300 years ago there was such a person as Richard Whittington , an apprentice , and that he became Lord Mayor of London , and was twice re-elected . Many of the other incidents connected with his life , as depicted on the stage or in story books , are not quite so much matters of history as of imagination . Not only the children , but grown-up persons , thank Bro . Harris for the pleasant
entertainment he is just now giving them , for we find the adults are as fond as the children of the revelries . Amongst the scenes the most likely to be remembered are the Cat ' s School , the view of Highgate Hill , with Dick sleeping through the revels of the goblins , all unconscious of Mdlle . / Enca flying over him ; the marvellous shipwreck , but chiefly the Lord Mayor ' s Show , in which is introduced a procession of the chief City Guilds , of which Bro . Harris
is himself a Liveryman of no less than three—Lormcrs , Fanmakers , and Pattenmakers—but none of his own Companies are in the procession . We have not the Lord Mayor's coach , for in those days the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress rode on horseback , and made a great show , so Miss Fanny Leslie , who is Dick Whittington , is mounted on a white charger . The transformation scene by Mr . Emden will not be readily forgotten , presenting the elements
of fire , earth , air , and water . Mr . Charles Lauri , jun ., is the cat , and he is absolutely feline in his habits . Miss Fanny Leslie throws her heart and soul into her part , and dances and sings with the utmost spirit . Miss Kate Munro is always fascinating , and has often proved herself to be capable of more difficult parts than that of Alice . Mr . Harry Nicholls and Mr . Herbert Campbell , the idle apprentice and cook respectively , are inimitable .
With their topical duet , " D'you think so ? Yes , I think so , " they have made themselves a name as they did last year with " I beg your pardon . " Mr . J . T . Powers , an American , as the King of Morocco , does the best for his part , but he is best seen to advantage in a larger sphere . The Misses Minnie and Dot Mario are such favourites everywhere and with everyone that there is no need to say they keep up their attractions . Every day
twice the theatre is as full as it can well be , and must be a source of much happiness , not only to those who witness the performances , but to hundreds of those behind the scenes , who but for this would now be out of employment . Bro . Augustus Harris has worked hard to make his pantomime a huge success , and has succeeded . He is also running the Crystal Palace Pantomime , and in March
reopens the Alexandra Palace Theatre . On Twelfth Night the old custom was observed of cutting Baddeley's cake , in the presence of a large and distinguished company , including V . W . Bro . Sir John B . Monckton and Bro . Sir Wm . Charley , Q . C . We hope next year to be able to give some further particulars of this interesting ceremony , which attracts so many persons .