Sketches Of Masonic Character No. Xii.

SKETCHES OF MASONIC CHARACTER No . XII .

Bro . Robertson , who is both a regular John Bull and a first-rate Mason , is also , as many of us are aware , a very active brother amongst us . His voice may always be heard pleading for our charities ; his presence is always to be seen in cheering reality at our banquets . He is in our opinion a very loyal citizen and a very good Freemason , BRO . ROBERTSON AT SCARBOROUGH .

and while few are more useful , certainly none are more ornamental . He always makes a fair speech , and very often a good hit , and is an acquisition to the Lodge of " Caution , " and a very pleasant member of the family circle . The world has gone easily with him ; he has fewcares , and , indeed , he enjoys both the position of wealth and contentment , the possession of a happy home , a

" p lacens uxor , " dutiful children , and , above all , a comfortable balance at his banker ' s . There is only one point on which we don't agree with him , which is his dislike of a foreign tour . He does not like , he avers , either foreign lingo or foreign cookery , foreign railways , or foreign hotels , and so he resolutely stays in England and declines to cross the " treacherous main , "

or surrender himself to the mercy , as he says , of " Foreigners , Sir . " We think that he is wrong in such op inions , and feelings , as we have found , as all , we opine , may find , much of good and interest and happiness for themselves in foreign scenes , and amid kindly foreigners of many nationalities , but as stern chroniclers of truth , we are bound to relate exactly and historically what Bro .

Robertson says , and what Bro . Robertson thinks . Accordingly , this year , true to his resolution , which is to him as a law of the Medes and Persians , he has been spending his holiday at Scarborough . He says that he has been very comfortable , and that he has enjoyed himself very much , the more so as he met there Bro . and Mrs . Hampton , Bro . and Mrs . Wrightson ,

and Bro . and Mrs . Potts . He has driven about , and bathed , and made excursions to Hackness , and fished in the bay ; yes , and he cooked the fish he caught , and declared they had " a relish about them . " He has often amused himself by pointing out the superiority of Scarborough to foreign watering-places , and as he no doubt thinks so , it would be a pity to disturb his equanimity , and shake his

opinion ; his good national John Bull creed . And to say thetruth . we think that Scarborough has many attractions . It is a place of great freedom of action and extent of resources , that is , supposing you are sociable , batheable , fishable , and what not . or flirtablc as young ladies say , nobody interferes with you , nobody jostles you , nobody minds you ; you are free to come and free to go , and your

place is speedily filled up , and you are never missed , and soon forgotten . What more can any one want . ' We would , however , suggest one or two amendments in the staple amusements of Scarborough . What can be more ridiculous , not to say idiotic , than the evening promenade on the Spa ? A host of young gentlemen line the sides , smcking execrable tobacco , dressed in every

variety of the groom-boy species , and puff vigorously in the faces of the female p'omenaders , whose dresses they joke about , whose figures they criticise , and into whose faces they perseveringly stare . Like the eels , we suppose that the ladies get accustomed to it and like it , for they certainly throng the Spa , evening after evening , patiently and persistently , amid a rising cloud of vile tobacco smoke . They always

say , when remonstrated with , "Everybody goes , so we must go . " Dear creatures ! how perverse , and yet how persevering they are ! Does any one suppose for a moment that that is the real reason ? No . They have a bonnet or a dress , or a figure or a face , or a very neat pair of boots to display , and so

they haunt that most unromantic spot . Brc . Robertson , like ourselves , sits above and smiles , as he sees Amy and Minnie , and Florry and Katty , thus disporting themselves , and he says , as we say , ' thus runs the world away , my masters . " The young fill the scene , and throng the promenade , and grace the hour , and settle the

dresses , and rule the roast , and we old boys can only sit by , somewhat silently and pathetically , as we conjure up before us those bright and laughing faces , which once adorntd our " Gathering of the Clans , " which once brightened and beautified our little landscape . Bro . Robertson likes Scarborough so well that he means , if T . G . A . O . T . U . spares his life , to go there another year .

SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY , EXETER-HALL . —The prospectus of the 4 6 th season has just been issued . The season is to commence on Friday , the 23 rd of November , with a performance of Mendelssohn ' s St . Paul , with Mesdames Edith Wynne and Patey and Messrs . Vernon Rigby and Santley as principal vocalists . This will be followed by Handel ' s Judas Maccalwus on the 14 th of December and

the same composer ' s Messiah on the 21 st of December . The after Christmas concerts will be occupied by Mendelssohn ' s Elijah , Crotch ' s Palestine , Costa ' s Naaman , Haydn's Creation , and Macfarren ' s St . John the Baptist The great novelty of the season will be the production , for the first time in England in a complete form , in the concert orchestra of Rossini ' s celebrated oratorioMoses in Egypt

, { Mose in Egitto ) . Bro . Sir M . Costa continues as conductor , and the princi pal vocalists already engaged are Mesdames Lemmens Sherrington , Edith Wynne , Osgood , Blanche Cole , Anna Williams , Julia Elton , and Patey ; and Messrs . Vernon wgby , E . Lloyd , Cummings , L . W . Thomas , Herr Henschel , and Mr . Santley .

THE MAYOR OF LIVERPOOL . —On behalf of Her Majesty , the Premier has offered a Knighthood to the Mayor of Liverpool , Alderman A . B . Walker , in recognition ° t his munificent eift of an art gallery to the town and the manner he has for two years filled the office of chief magis-

Reviews.

Reviews .

" Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania . '' We often receive these reports from America , and we always peruss them with interest , for though it is possible that such proceedings have a sort of sameness , and that there is nothing novel or exci'ing to note in these official reminiscences , yet we seem to gather thereby a clearer glimpse into the progress of the Craft than is

possible by any other means . We congratulate our Pennsylvanian brethren , as , indeed , all our fellow Craftsmen in the United States , oa their orderly proceedings and their remarkable advance , and we wish them sincerely all prosperity in the present , and all prestige in the future . One only point strikes us , namely , the conflict and divergence of decisions " ex

Cathedra , " and which we feel will never be obviated until one great American Grand Lodge becomes a final court of appeal and decision for all American Masons . We are aware how great in America is the feeling for State rights , but we cannot see why such should not be consistent with a Grand Lodge . Each State could still retain its State Grand Lodge , as " Pennsylvania State Grand Lodge , "

and would issue certificates countersigned by the Grand Secretary , and would simply have the names registered and the issue noted in Grand Lodge Registers . The Grand Lodge would he supported by the fees on the annual appointment of officers , by a small registration fee on all

certificates and on all Masons , as well as fees , perhaps , for lodges to wear lodge jewels , which is a reform much needed in England . We only speak , however , as " Amici Curiae , " and with every deference and respect for our worthy brethren in America . " The Westminster Papers . "—W . Kent and Co .,

Paternoster-row . We read the "Westminster Papers" always with some little interest , and all chess and whistplayers will especially find in them much to note and much to commend . The dramatic tales are also very readable , and we cordially commend the " Westminster Papers " to all who , like ourselves , still can find pleasure in games of skill .

With respect to whist , we arc among those who , though we much like Cavendish and Clay . have not forgotten the older teaching , altogether , of Hoyle and Mathews . " Barrin" the difference between long whist and short whist , and the necessity of some corrections of play in consequence , we are among those who still believe in old Mathews .

"Mirth . "—Tinsley Brothers , 8 , Catherine-street , W . C . " Mirth " is a new candidate for public favour , edited by H . J . Byron , and terms itself a " Humorous Magazine . " We have perused No . 1 , and think that the interesting little stranger is likely to find much of patronage and many readers . It boasts among its contributors the names of

J . R . Planche , J . Albery , E . I .. BiancYiard ., G . A . bala , ft . Rtece , H . J . Byron , H . S . Leigh , W . S . Gilbert , J . Hollingshead , G . Turner , and others . We give tne introductory poem , by J . R . Planche ' , as alike pleasant to read and suggestive of the tone and temper of this fresh literary venture , to which we wish success .

" MIRTH . A new humorous Magazine ! " Preserve us ! Another can the Public really need ? Itis enough to make Minerva nervous , They seem so fast each other to succeed ; " Follow , " perhaps , would be the better reading , For some , tis said , succeed without succeeding .

Well I That ' s the Publisher ' s affair , not mine ; From standing in his shoes , kind stars protect us ! The Editor declares the prospect fine—The prospect ' s always fine in the prospectus ! With a strong staff , his fun at all he'll poke , But what I have to do I find no joke . He has asked me to write " An Ode to Mirth , "

For love—at least he hasn't mentioned money j Now if there be a wet blanket on earth , It ' s asking a poor fellow to be funny , The wag ! He knew an ode from me requesting Would prove his own capacity for jesting .

I don ' t refuse—I never could say no , So , snatching up a pen in desperation , I turn to Milton , who wrote long ago An Ode to Mirth , which had some reputation . It's safe to pilfer from a grand old poet . For now-a-days not one in ten would know it . * * * * * * #

" An Ode "—an odious fancy of the Editor's" Or other composition . " Ugly word ! Suggest vc most unpleasantly of creditors 1 But stay 1 a thought to me has just occurred , 'Stead of an " Ode to Mirth , " suppose I should Invoke Mirth ' s great good Genius , Thomas Hood I

Matchless Past Master of our craft ! O let Me strive to pay to thee a tribute fit ! In thy imperishable coroner , Beside the flashing diamonds of thy wit ,-Shine pearls as pure as ever pity shed Over the poor , the suffering , and the dead .

Best humourist I Beneath thy wildest fun The kindliest current flows of human feelings While splitting sides with some outrageous pun ,. Into our hearts insidiously stealing By tropes wnich seem intended but , to tickle us ,. Extracting the sublime from the ridiculous .

Let thy pure spirit point and guide the pen Of each contributor to England's Mirth 1 May they be wise as well as merry men , And show of real wit the sterling worth . In verse or prose , didactic or dramatic , Never a bore—howe ' er e-pig-rammatic * * * * * *

Notes On Art, &C.

NOTES ON ART , & c .

A ROYAL AUTHOR . —The King of Sweden and Norway has completed a dramatic poem , entitled "Minne fran Upsala , " the scene of which is successively laid in the Cathedral , in Odin ' s Grove , and in Old Upsala . This drama , to which Ivar Hallstrom has written the music , is now under rehearsal , and will be shortly performed . —Academy .

T . he will and codicil , both dated August 21 , 1877 , ° f Mdlle . Theresa Carolina Johanna Titiens , late of No . 51 , Finchl' -y New-road , St . John ' s-wood , who died on the 3 rd ult ., were proved on the 25 th ult . by Alfred Markby and Charles Green , the executors , the personal estate in

England being sworn uudcr £ 16 , 000 . Miss GLYN ' READINGS . —Miss Glyn proposes to read from Hamht at her residence , 13 , Mount-street , Grosvenor-square , on Friday evenings , from November 9 to December 14 inclusive . SKETCHING CLTJR COMPETITION . —On the

31 st October the fourth annual competition between the sketching clubs of the Schools of Art in the metropolis took place at the Dudley Gallery , Piccidilly . Five sketching clubs engaged this year in the competition—viz ., the South Kensington ( male and female ) , Lambeth , West London , and the Gilbert ( bt . Martin ' s ); and a total of 202 sketches in oil , water colour , chalk , clay , and plaster were contributed .

Sir John Gilbert , R . A ., Mr . W . F . Woodington , A . R . A ., and Mr . A . Legros , who were the judges , made the following awards : —The Lambeth Club received the award of honour for producing the best agg'egate of work . The prizes of 3 I . ( the money for which is provided by the different clubs ) were awarded as follows , for the best sketch in each of the subjects named : —For Figure , " A Critical Moment , "

Mr . H . G . Glindone , Gilbert Club . Landscape , " A Grey Day , " Mr . J . W . Wilson , Gilbert Club . Sculpture Miss H . Montalba , South Kensington Club . Animals , " Cn the Look Out , " Mr . Montefiore , South Kensington Club . Design , "A Decorative Panel , " three prizes of £ 1 , each to Mr . C . Reich s . nd Mr . W . Swain , West London Club , and Mr . Pearce , Lambeth Club .

Cleopatra s Needle is to remain at Ferrol during the winter , while the question of salvage is being decided by the Admiralty Court . The sister needle , which has be ; n offered to the Americans , will probably ornament the New Country before long , as an anonymous New Yorker has promised the £ 20 , 000 required for transport expenses . The obelisk , however , is not regarded with

particular reverence across the Atlantic , and the New York Christian Union grumbles at £ 20 , 000 being expended on " a venerable old carven block of syenite . " A School of Art is to be established in Hyderabad by Sir Salar Jung , who intends to place it under the direction of an Italian artist . A Library for Ladies only has been opened in St . James' Square by the London Library .

The Annual Exhibition of Drawings by the the students of the Female School of Art , Queen Square , which was held at the school last week , showed a marked improvement on previous years . Formerly the pupils seemed to concentr-ite all their energies on flower painting —by no means the highest branch of their art—but now figure-subjects occupy a large place , and the studies from .

life are boldly and carefully executed , while the " timesketches" —charcoal heads completed in four hours—are particularly well done . The most interesting pictures , however , are the productions of six ladies who accompanied Miss Gann to Italy last spring , although these sketches might have been worked up a little more , and not left in so unfinished a condition . Modelling is also represented , and

there are the ordinary outline drawings , botanical studies , & c . The students have carried off their usual share of medals , and altogether the institution gives every sign of steady progress . The Collection of Portraits of the

Photo-Mezzotint Exhibition , which were sold by auction on the dissolution of the firm of Messrs . Fradclleand Marshal , has been purchased by Mr . Albert E . Fradelle . Although the Gallery will not be open as heretofore , Mr . Fradelle is still engaged in adding to the collection for the purpose of making the series of portraits historical in character .

A Submarine Telephone has been sunk at the harbour of San . Francisco , and connected with the ocience Academy for the purpose of making experiments . It was found to transmit sound perfectly , as the experimentalists clearly distinguished the movement of a great body passing over the instrument , and the cry of sailors

hauling in the ropes , proving the entry of a ship at the Golden Gate . As , however , the tide interfered with the telephone it was moved , and a net full erf rock cod was suspended over it , when the noise of the fish struggling to escape was quite audible , wnile sounds were heard as if the fish uttered cries such as "Ga a , " " Ke-a , " " Pi-a , " " Ta . "

LIVERPOOL . —In answer to the numerous letters that the publisher has received from brethren in Liverpool , we beg to state that the Freemason is to be obtained in Liverpool on Friday afternoon at 5 o ' clock , at the Office , 2 , Monument-place ; at the Masonic Hall , Hopestreet ; and at the Landing Stage .

MANCHESTER . —For the information of the fraternity in Manchester , the publisher begs to state that the Freemason may now be obtained at 47 , Bridge-st ., Manchester , on Friday evening at 7 o ' clock . 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 , " The Four Masonic Publications " may now be obtained at their offices , No . 330 , George-street , Sydney , on the arrival of the mail .