New Year's Entertainment At The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

NEW YEAR'S ENTERTAINMENT AT THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The annual winter entertainment to the pupils who remain for the Christmas holidays in the Girls' School at Battersea-rise was given on Tuesday evening last , when the following brethren and ladies attended to take part in the amusements : Bros . Frank Richardson , Eugene Monteuuis , Mrs . D . Richardson , Miss Alice

Richardson , Master L . Monteuuis , Bro . Edward 1 erry , Mrs . E . Terry , Miss Maggie Terry , Miss Edith Ashworth , Miss Eylyn Ashworth , Bros . G . W . Garrod , T . Kingston , Miss Louise Kingston , Bro . H . Massey , Miss Massey , Miss Charlotte Massey , Miss Ellen Massey , Bros . A . E . Roworth , Rev . J . Toone , E . M .

Money , C . Stevens , Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Sir John Monckton , Peter de Lande Long , George Faulkner , E . Letchworth , H . P . Monckton , C . Hammerton , H . W . Hunt , and Mr . H . Sedden Lloyd . The visitors arrived at . five o ^ lock , and were received by Bro . Frank Richardson and Miss Buck , the matron ,

and tea and coffee were immediately served . At six o ' clock , Mr . J . Robert Ganthony gave a very lively entertainment , entitled " Skits and Sketches , " consisting of humorous delineations , including singing and palmistry , and a comic description of the phonograph . This , the first part of the " Skits and Sketches , " was

kept up unflaggingly for an hour , and caused a great amount of enjoyment . Another hour was devoted to dancing , which , as the large hall was inaccessible on account of the building operations , was carried on in the large dormitory . At eight o ' clock Mr . Ganthony ' s " Skits and Sketches , "

second part , was gone through , and it was as successful as the first part . Ventriloquism , sleight-of-hand , and humorous tales constituted the principal materials , and , . general applause followed each individual part of the performance . The children , of whom 22 have not gone home for the holidays , afterwards partook of the

twelfth cake entertainment , at which they appeared to . be quite at their ease and very happy , and the visitors subsequently enjoyed the hospitality of the House Committee at a choice little supper , over which Bro . Frank Richardson presided . The establishment was cleared of " strangers" shortly after 10 o ' clock .

Reviews.

Reviews .

MASONIC CALENDAR FOR MIDDLESEX , 1890 . After a careful examination of this hand y and trusty guide for the Province of Middlesex , we mentally exclaimed , Well done , Bros . II . II . Room and W . II . Lee , Prov . G . Sec . and Prov . G . S . E . respectively . The

hope was expressed in 188 9 that "if the Calendar is favourably received this year , to considerably improve the edition for 1890 , so as to render it more of a pocket memorandum book or diary . " The edition before us has abundantly confirmed the conditional promise , for it is all that was agreed and more . For its diminutive

size it is " crammed full of information , " and contains a vast amount of reliable and valuable particulars concerning the province not hitherto given in the series , many of which are of special interest . The increase of the province is something amazing . Sir Francis Burdett ' s patent , as Prov . G . M ., is dated ist December ,

186 9 , and the province was inaugurated on January 22 nd , 1870 , with 10 lodges . There are now 39 , with 1309 subscribing members . The Prov . Grand Chapter was started on 20 th April , 1872 , the patent of the respected ruler bearing date Nov . 6 th of the previous year . There was then but one chapter . There are at

the present time 13 chapters , with close on 300 members ! Of course much of the success is due to the popularity of the Prov . G . Master ( who is also Grand Superintendent ); but , doubtless , its proximity to the Metropolitan District accounts in part for the extraordinary and rapid increase . In evidence of this fact .

it will be found that the addresses of nearly all the Secretaries of the lodges and chapters are within the Metropolitan area , and hence the appointments to office in the province of non-residents will likely be proportionately great . The dates and places of meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge and Chapter are duly given

lrom 18 70 and 18 72 respectively , and the statistical part relative to the membership of each lodge and chapter is well attended to . The average number per lodge is about 34 , which is lower than in many other provinces . There are four " lodges of instruction , " and it seems quite clear that efficiency is the rule in Middlesex . Again we say , Well done , Brother Editors .

SUNDERLAND INFIRMARY . THE HARTLEY MEMORIAL WING . The Masonic Committee formed to raise £ 18 3 15 s . 6 d . for the purpose of furnishing one of the larger wards in the Hartley Memorial Wing of the Sunderland Inhrmary met at the institution recently . After inspecting the wardAlderman POTTS the

, , Treasurer , said after his li ght but agreeable duties , he had pleasure in calling upon Councillor H . J . Turnbull , the Chairman of the Committee , to hand over to the infirmary the cheque for the above amount . Councillor TURNBULL said he had to thank every member of the Committee for their valuable assistance in raising that fund , and now , during the festive week , they had met to put the crowning point to their efforts .

Reviews.

He had pleasure , in the name of the Freemasons of Sunderland , in handing over the cheque to that noble institution the infirmary , and he believed the action the Craft had taken in that scheme would redound to their credit for all time . Mr . SINGLETON , the Secretary of the Committee , said he endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers ,

and it had afforded him much pleasure to act as Secretary to so good an object . Mr . ROBINSON , the Secretary to the infirmary , in receiving the cheque , said on behalf of the institution , to the interests of which he had devoted his life , he

thanked the Freemasons , of which he was proud to be a member , for their handsome gift . The brethren were afterwards courteously conducted through the infirmary , and before separating they expressed their admiration of the excellent arrangements made in the institution .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

" House Full " has been the order of the night since Bro . Fred Leslie and Miss Ellen Farren re-opened with " Ruy Bias and the Blase Roue " that the notice has become chronic . Notwithstanding all the other attractions , the Gaiety yet remains the favourite home

of the worshipper of the sacred lamp of burlesque , though we prefer to call the present piece an extravaganza , for its reputation is almost alone owing to Bro . Fred Leslie and Miss Farren rather than its authors . It is written up to date , and even has been much altered since its production in October . The songs " I ' ve just

had a wire to say so , " duet for Miss Farren and Bro . Leslie ; " Stick to the whisky you ' re used to , " Bro . Leslie ; " What price that ? " Miss Farren ; and Miss Lind and Mr . Daiton Somers duet , "Johnny Jones and his sister Sue , " are always encored . Miss Marion Hood still warbles sweetly several charming lyrics .

Miss S ylvia Grey and Miss Letty Lind dance in that beautiful st yle for which they are renowned and are now the queens . The Gaiet y has been re-decorated by Messrs . Campbell Smith in bhteand white , and presents the appearance of a fairy palace . Mr . Geo . Edwardes '

occupancy has been one unbroken success . Those who want to laugh all the time they are at the theatre and witness graceful effects of the dancer ' s art and hear pleasing music ( which is mainl y by that king of composers for the burlesque stage Bro . Meyer Lutz ) , cannot go anywhere better than the good old Gaiety .

The Alhambra is always well to the fore in the matter of amusements . So as to keep up their character , the directors have introduced a new ballet , which they call "Asmodeus , " representing the goddess of Terpsichore as she is in Spain . It is a ballet full of the most artistic blends of colour and luxury of every

description , and does the hi ghest credit to Signor Casati , who is responsible for the arrangements . The costumiers ' art is very apparent . The head coverings are shown to us in every shape and form , and one begins to think there can be nothing prettier until one comes to the matador and picador hats in the final scene . M .

Jacobi ' s music is full of the most delightful harmony , and , as the " Army and Navy " ballet is still in the programme , lovers of that kind of art have a surfeit of it at the Alhambra . The other portions of the miscelcellaneous entertainment vie well with those in similar places of amusement .

* * * The directors of the Empire , to keep pace with the times , produced a new ballet , "A Dream of Wealth , " on December 21 st , which has some of the most striking chromatic effects ever seen upon the stage . M . Wenzel , the composer , certainly knows how to write danceable

music , and . M . Wilhelm surpasses himself in elaborate designs for dresses , while the balance of colour throughout the entire spectacle is well maintained . The other ballet , the " Paris Exhibition , " does not seem to be b y any means worn out yet . A number of other attractions ,

including Marinelli ( the man serpent ) , Messrs . Charles Godfrey , Sam Torr , the Craggs Troupe , Miss Lydia Yeamans , and the Brewster Combination , are in the bill of fare , and make the Empire crowded every night .

Births, Marriages, And Deaths.

Births , Marriages , and Deaths .

BIRTHS . CARTER . —un the 2 nd instant , the wife of Robert Carter , solicitor , Lincoln ' s Inn Fields and Sunbury , of a son . PARISH . —On the 3 rd inst ., at Ferdale House , Tunbridge Wells , the w . fe uf Woodbine Parish , of a son .

DEATHS . GRAVELEY , LADY ELLEN . —On the 4 th inst ., at Cheops , VVanstead , Essex , passed away calmly and peacefully , in the presence of her loving sons and daughters , after many years of patient and painful suffering , Lady Ellen , for 36 years the faithful wife of Bro . George Graveley , P . M ., P . Z ., T . L , K . T ., K . H ., aged 62 years . My beloved has gone into the garden to gather liilies .

Interred in family grave , Abney Park Cemetery . HOLLINGTON , GEORGE . —Of Roding House , Woodford , and of Hollington Brothers , Aldgate , youngest son of the late Thomas Hollington , of Mile End-road , on the 6 th inst ., very suddenly ; aged 42 . A dearly loved husband and father . Funeral on Saturday next , at 2 . 30 , Woodford Bridge Church .

The Late Canon Portal.

THE LATE CANON PORTAL .

A cross has just been erected to the memory of the late Canon Portal by his widow and children , in Burghclere churchyard . It is of Runic design , and stands 5 ft . high , and being made in grey mountain limestone , richly carved on both sides with interlacing plaits , relieved by large prominent bosses . On the front of the

great block of stone which forms the base is the following inscription : " GEORGE RAYMOND PORTAL , Rector of Bughclere , Rural Dean , Hon . Canon of Winchester Cathedral . Born February 28 , 1827 . R . I . P . Died April 5 , 1889 . " And on the back of the base is the text , " The Master is come and calleth for thee ; and he left

all , rose up , and followed him . " The whole is a work of very great beauty , and has been ably and carefully executed by Messrs . Farmer and Brindley . By the side of this cross has been placed a small stone coffin with a sli ghtly raised sword lying on it , terminating in a cross ; a coat of arms , and the sacred monogram are

under the cross , and the following inscription runs round the edge of the coffin .- " GASPARD RAYMOND PERCY PORTAL , Died Jan . 28 , 1872 , aged 6 weeks . I the Lord have called thee , and will keep thee . " The beautiful cross at Canon Portal ' s grave has been much admired by all who have seen it , and especially by the

parishioners , to whom his name is dear . No monument was needed to keep alive the memory of one " whose life was work , " and whose work will be a lasting memorial in the parish where he laboured so indefatigably , but all rejoice at the sight of this loving tribute to their

beloved pastor , and like to think of him resting after the battle under the shadow of the Cross for which he fought so long , Canon Blunt , late rector of Millbrook , near Southampton , who hat been appointed to succeed Canon Portal , has taken up his residence at Burghclere . —The Hampshire Independent .

Death Of Viscount Templeton.

DEATH OF VISCOUNT TEMPLETON .

General Viscount Templeton died on Saturday at San Remo . He was an Irish representative peer , an ex-member of Parliament , and a soldier with a long and honourable record . He was the second son of John Henry , first viscount , by the Lady Mary Montagu , only daughter of John , fifth Earl of Sandwich .

He was born in 1802 , entered the army in 1823 , served throughout the Eastern campaign of 1854-55 ln command of the ist Battalion of the Coldstream Guards , and was present at the battle of the Alma . At the battle of Inkerman he was in command of the Brigade of Guards , which he brought out of action . On that

occasion he was wounded and his horse killed . He was subsequently in command of the ist Division , and took part in the battle of Sebastopol . He was mentioned in dispatches , received the medal , with clasp , for the Crimea ; was made a C . B ., an officer of the Legion of Honour , received the 3 rd Class of the Medjdie ,

and the Turkish medal . From 1855 to 18 58 he was Lieutentant-Colonel of the Coldstream Guards . He was appointed Colonel-Commandant of the 60 th Rifles in 1863 ; and Colonel of the 2 nd Life Guards in 1876 , when , as is customary , he served in his turn as Gold Stick in Waiting . From 1865 to 1869 he was in

command of the forces in the Western District , and in 1870 was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Portsmouth , and to the command of the Southern District . He represented Antrim in the House of Commons from May , 1859 , to March , 186 3 , in the Conservative interest , and was a strong supporter of the late Lord Derby . He was elected a representative peer for

Ireland in 1866 ; was honorary Colonel of the 4 th Royal Irish Rifles ; and an almoner of the Order of St . John . He was nominated K . C . B . in 186 9 and G . C . B . in 1886 . He married in 1850 Susan , eldest daughter of the late Field Marshal Sir Alexander Woodford , G . C . B ., and sister of the late Bro . Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . C , for many years a valued contributor to the pages of the Freemason .

Funeral Of Bro. Ex-Sheriff W. A. Higgs.

FUNERAL OF BRO . EX-SHERIFF W . A . HIGGS .

The mortal remains of the iate Bro . W . A . Higgs were , on Tuesday , December 31 st , amidst many tokens of respect , laid in the family vault at Highgate Cemetery . There were nine carriages , containing members of the family and other intimate friends of the deceased , including Messrs . W . Norman Higgs , Stanley Higgs ,

Edwin Higgs , C . J . B . Higgs , Harry Higgs , Lewis Higgs i F- Higgs > Joseph Higgs , J . E . White ( nephew of the deceased ) , and Rev . G . E . Gardiner . The Lord Mayor , Mr . Sheriff Harris , and Bro . Under-Sheriff Beard sent their state carriages . The Lord Mayor , who was unable to attend the funeral in person , asked

Mr . Sheriff Harris to represent him , and the Sheriff , who was accompanied by Mr . Henry Williams , joined the procession in a private carriage . Alderman Sir Polydore De Keyser , who was Lord Mayor during Bro . Higgs' shrievalty , was accompanied by Mr . Alderman Davies , co-sheriff with the deceased . Many who were not able to be present sent messages of sympathy and

sorrow from all parts , and a large number of friends forwarded beautiful wreaths and other floral designs . The sorrowing widow placed a lovely cross of white flowers on the coffin , the sons a wreath , and the daughters an anchor of violets , the favourite flower of the deceased . Wreaths and crosses were also sent by Mr . J . E . White and others .