A Masonic Anecdote .

Masons of all countries—from the Prince in the plenitude of power to the humblest of the Fraternity—remember the noble Frenchman , Mariencourt ; and when about to use any power which you may possess , pause , and like him be —charitable . —Keystone .

Freemasons And Emigration.

FREEMASONS AND EMIGRATION .

VVe have been favoured with the following communication , which appears to us to be of sufficient importance to justilyits insertion in our columns . We may state further that Bro . Major C . A . Cooper , Worshipful Masterof the Harlesden Lodge , No . 2098 , who is deeply interested in all matters relating to emigration , will be happy to answer any communication on the subject addressed to him at _ , Victoria Chambers , Westminster , London , S . W .:

FROM , THE BISHOP OF NEW WESTMINSTER , BRITISH COLUMBIA . July 13 th , 1 SS 6 . My dear Sir , —In the "Emigrant" for June I saw an extract from the Freemason which induced me to propose at our last lodge meeting , the appointment of an Immigration Committee to correspond with you , or with the

Secretaries of lodges at home , in the interests of emigrating brethren . My proposal was adopted , and the Committee appointed , consisting of Bros . Hall , Douglas , and myself ; and the Committee made me Secretary , and instructed me to communicate with you , and to say that we shall be glad to furnish information either to your Society or to the Secretaries of lodges , and to receive and welcome , and

assist to the best of our ability all brethren , properly vouched for , on their arrival in New Westminster , and to pass them on to the care of other lodges if not intending to settle in our neighbourhood . 1 have the honour to hold the office of Grand Chaplain of B . C . G . L . —Believe me , faithfully and fraternally yours , A . VV . NEW WESTMINSTER . The Rev , Canon Cooper * .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

ATHOLE LODGE , No . 591 ( S . C . ) The installation of officers took place on Tuesday , August ioth , and was attended by a large number of brethren . The Installing Officer was Bro . J . Hampton , sen ., and it was a matter of coment that on no former occasion had the ceremony been more impressively performed . The officers installed wcre the following : Bros .

E . R . Wells , R . W . M . ; J . H . Hartley , I . P . M . j D . Mather , W . W . M . j A Bayne , P . M ., S . M . ; S . G . Foster , S . W . ; J . W . Lawrence , J . W . j W . Davidson , Treas . j J . Hampton , jun ., P . M ., Sec . j D . G . Healey , S . D . j A . McCloskie , J . D . ; J . Gardiner , I . G . ; G . Borcher , J . Childs , VV . McClennon , and J . Underwood , Stewards ; and H . T . Kennett , Tyler . In the course of the evening Bro . the Rev . Canon Gaul delivered the

following address : Worshipful Master , Past Masters , Officers , and Brethren—Jt is with unmixed joy that I accept the kind invitation of him who has been chosen to the chief office of the Athole Lodge to address you on this happy occasionan occasion which , whenever it recurs , cements the old Fraternity , recalls the first principles of our Order , and reanimates , let us hope , that deep sense of responsibility to God , his neighbour , and himself which every man ought

to feel , and which every Mason is specially bound to illustrate in his personal , social , and public life . Life may be broadly defined as character and action mutually combined . The mind , the will , and the affections are all involved in the formation of character and in the active movements of the life . Habits form character , and character influences and reacts upon our habits . To know a man ' s habits is , on the whole , to know his

character ; whilst , given a man ' s character , you may , on the whole , safely predicate his conduct in any particular work he has in hand . Natural capacity , or the want of it , with the thousand and one influences surrounding us from the cradle to the grave , are the chief elements in the formation of character . A clear or dufl brain , a strong or weak will , and generous or mean emotions , find themselves face to face sooner or later with the struggle of life . From

the poor labourer wearily forcing his bread from the earth in the sweat of his brow , to the statesman _ painfully educating his country to some ideal polity , all in turn have to feel that their life is being moulded and impressed with a form which distinguishes them from all other human beings , and which they find others naming their " character . " As long as Freemasons teach in their instructions and symbolise in their ritual the reality and necessity of the moral

life so long will the question of the formation of character be of supreme importance to them as a world-wide institution . Perish Masonry if it has not a moral basis . Our ritual is but a gilded rag , our temples whited sepulchres , and our lodge meetings solemn shams if they do not represent the ennobling sanctions of morality and the inspiring principles of eternal truth . But , whatever men may say , and however untrue this or that individual Mason or

individual lodge may be to his high calling we know that our first principles are always true , and the very fact of our assembling here to-night at the call of our several Masters , is , I trust , both an illustration and a proof of our willingness as Masons to be recalled to the fraternal pursuits of the four cardinal virtues of prudence , justice , temperance , and fortitude , without which , we believe life would be all tragedy

or all farce , and the world but a stage for tyrants and a grave for their victims . And it is in the pursuit of these four virtues that the true Masonic character is formed , for thesefourpointsare , sotospeak , equidistant from the centre of life which is God . Joinanytwoof them inyourintercourse with men , and you will not fail to act upon the squareswerve one hair ' s breadth from any one , and your life will grow more and moreabnormal , isolated , and selfish . There axe three qualities which , as a triple thread of gold runs

through these fundamental virtues , binding them and blessing them into harmony and beauty . First , there must be absolute truthfulness—not merely of word , but of manners and mind—that simplicity and sincerity , without which prudence is but selfish calculation ; justice only self-defence ; temperance , self-preservation ; and fortitude another name for pride . Without truthfulness of thought , word , and deed our character can never attain that greatness and nobilit y to which we all at times feel ourselves called . It

The Craft Abroad.

therefore behoves us Masons to practice in ourselves , and instil into those younger than oursevles the duty of being thoroughly sincere and candid , always and everywhere . Secondly , and closely allied to sincerity comes thc quality of " courage . " Men have sometimes defended and very often excused untruthfulness as a necessity in the business of life , but I know of no one in all human history who has ever even excused cowardice or failed to admire bravery . Men will hesitate long before applying the

epithet of coward to one another , foi it involves that feelingof loathing and contempt so hateful to noble minds . And yet at times our judgment is astray in this matter . It sometimes requires high courage to withold the welldeserved retort or the angry blow . Everyone has heard of Sir Philip Sydney , so distinguished in the wars of the "Netherlands , when England ' s chivalry flew nobly to the help of the Dutch Republic in its war against the tyrant

power of Spain . There could be no greater or grander proof of his splendid moral courage than that in the midst of his fighting he could bravely sheathe his sword and be patient under insult . A fool who had quarrelled with him tried to provoke him to a duel . Not succeeding , his detractor dared to spit in Sydney ' s face . What was the hero ' s reply ? "Young man , " he said , "If 1 could as easily wipe your blood from my conscience as I can wipe

this insult from my face , I would this moment slay you . " Which was the truly brave man ? The insolent though daring fool , or the patient , self-controlled hero ? The courage of the one was based on pride , that of the other on justice . Without courage prudence is self-satisfaction , justice , legal retaliation , temperance a sort of mean moderation and fortitude only stubborn determination . Lastly , the truly virtuous man will always

be generous , and what more truly noble or more beautiful quality can there be than generosity , bespeaking as it does the liberal mind and the sympathetic heart , the prudence which saves for others good , the justice always linked with mercy , the self-control and moderation that never asserts itselt at the pain of others , and the fortitude that bravely bears and meekly hides its own griefs and troubles lest it should weary others . In the Latin language thegenerosus

was the gentleman , and implied a kind of inborn instinct , not merely inoffensive manners , or good taste in dress , or perfect accuracy of expression and accent though all these would be the natural growth from ' a generous nature . But to think kindly and hopefully of all , to speak justly and generously of those who differ from us , to praise rather than blame wherever and whenever our conscience will allow us ; to give thoughtfully , not of earth ' s worst and

least , but of its best , to anticipate the wants of others and to assume as little as possible for ourselves , and grant as much as possible to others . This is the character of the truly generous man—Nature ' s true gentleman , to bc found , thank God , in every walk of life , and wherever found , claiming the homage of every true heart . Let us then

brothers , day by day , whilst exhibiting the great Masonic virtues of prudence , justice , temperance , and fortitude , manifest them with simplicity in ourselves , with courage before others , and with generosity towards all . So by God ' s grace shall that true Masonic character be formed which will best illustrate and best defend Masonic principles .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

On 4 th August , Miss Mary Rorke , who has for some time been the leading lady at the Adelphi , was married at the Church of the Servite Fathers , Fulhamroad , to Mr . Francis William St . Aubyn , eldest son of Geoffrey St . Aubyn St . Aubyn , of East Sheen . Miss Rorke is still playing in " The Harbour Lights . " VVe

congratulate the lady , and still more Mr . St . Aubyn in having found such a charming lady for his wife . Miss Kate Rorke , her younger sister , who is so popular at the Vaudeville , is engaged to be married to Mr . E . VV . Gardiner , who plays the hero in "A Run of Luck" at Drury Lane .

# * # Mr . George Edwardes has become the sole lessee of the Gaiety Theatre , and will re-open that favourite house with a new comic opera called "Dorothy , " by Messrs . Stephenson and Cellier , about the end of the month . The leading characters will be taken by Miss Marion Hood , Miss Harriet Coveney ( Mrs . Jecks ) , Messrs .

Farneaux Cord , Redfern Hollins , Haydn Coffin , and Bro . Arthur VVilliams . We may be assured with Mr . Edwardes , experience at the Savoy that the thing will be well done . Bro . Charles Harris is now the stage manager . Mrs . Edwardes , so well known as Miss Julia Givynne at the Savoy and Haymarket , gave birth to a daughter a few days since .

* * * Miss Lingard has taken the Comedy Theatre and re-opens to-morrow ( Saturday ) , with the drama " Sister Mary , " which she has been playing with much success in the provinces . Mr . Leonard Boyne will play his original character . VVe will give a resume of this piece in another issue .

* The _ Building News of a week ago contained an engraving of Bro . Edward Terry ' s new theatre in the Strand and full particulars of the building . From it we learn that it will be about thc size of thc Vaudeville . There will be few stairs , and it is to be opened in February .

* * * Mr . C . K . Hawtrey , the lessee of the Globe , is going to re-open the Princess ' s with a play called "Harvest , " in which Mr . Arthur Dacre , Miss Charles Glenney , Miss Carlotta Addison , Miss Amy RoseJle ( Mrs . Dacre ) , and Miss Fanny Brough ( Mrs . Boleyn ) will appear . This new domestic drama is by Mr . Hamilton .

m * # On the 25 th inst . the Haymarket re-opens with the ever popular play " Jim the Penman . " Lady Monckton will resume her old part . The title role will be taken by Mr . E . S . Willard , so long associated with Bro . VVil .-on Barrett . In other respects the cast will be much the same . Judging from the way the public have supported Sir Chas , Young's play it may be expected to have a long run still before it .

The Theatres.

Mr . Willie Edouin lias done so well in his six weeks' tenure of the Comedy with "Blackberries" and " Turned Up , " that he has taken the Royalty of Miss Santley and transfers tomorrow night ( Saturday ) these pieces to the last named house . Everybody is going to see Mr . Mark Melford ' s farcical comedy , in which ' iMr . Edouin 13 so amusing as the Undertaker .

During the hot weather tlie Court , as fast summer , has remained open , the management having found " The Magistrate " and "The Schoolmistress" draw so well . During Mrs . John Wood and Bro . Clayton's absence for a holiday their parts arc being played by Miss Minnie Bell and Mr . Mackintosh , and extremely well they acquit themselves .

* ' The Road to Ruin " has passed ils 50 th night at the Vaudeville . On Thursday , the well-known acting manager , Mr . Sydney Alport , had a benefit , which went off well , and we hope proved a benefit . But it is by thc round of old

rallying friends as much as the incoming of finance that a manager ' s heart is cheered , and no one more than Mr . Alport values the kind wishes of his friends . VVe believe "Sophia" will be put on again in the autumn , after which a play written by Mr . II . A . Jones , with the leading part for Miss Kate Rorke , is likely to be brought out .

* * » Bro . Irving re-opens the Lyceum to-morrow ( Saturday ) evening with Mr . Wills' " Faust , " which has for so long drawn big audiences . We understand that this play has brought even more money than did its predecessor , " Olivia . " Bro . Irving has several plays in hand but

, as long as " Faust" preserves its popularity , there is no need of a change . Miss Terry arrived in London last Sunday from New York with Bro . Irving ; but she has not been well in America , though we are pleased to say she is quite herself now . An ovation , no doubt , awaits these two favourites to-morrow night . Mrs . Chippendale succeeds Mrs . Stirling .

* * * We looked in the other night at the Opera Comique , where the well-known Bro . Harrington Baily ( Steward of the Neptune Lodge and member of the Asaph ) holds sway , and were agreeably surprised with the farcical comedy of " Bachelors , " which has met with much opposition by the press generall y . But now Mr . Felix

Morris—who created such a sensation in "On 'Change "has been placed in the cast , all goes merrily along , and it is possible the piece may survive the storm , as did the " Private Secretary . " Mr . Hermann Vezin takes a new line when he plays such a comedy . " Dr . Davy , " which precedes " Batchelors , " is well worth going in time to see , for in it Mr . Vezin is heard at his best .

* * * Mr . J . Hollingshead having severed his connection with the Gaiety , announces he is going to build a theatre for himself in the Strand . VVe should have thought there are already too many such places in that locality , in fact in London . All honour is due to Mr . Hollingshead for being the originator of " no fees " the introducer of the electric light , and for having shown himself a spirited manager for so many years .

* # On Monday Mr . Edward Compton brought out "The Rivals" at the Strand . This is thc first time that this old comedy of Sheridan's has been played by thc Compton's Comedy Company in London . There is a generation of playgoers rising up who know not the old players who have so often delighted their audiences

with 'The Rivals , " and as it has not been done here for two or three years , it is welcome to those who have seen company after company play in it . We shall avoid all comparisons with Mr . and Mrs . Bancroft , Mrs . Fanny Stirling , Bro . Thomas Thorne , and Miss Ada cavendish , who are the most recent of those who have given "The Rivals . " Mr . Compton is cxceedinirlv ™ od .

especially in the duel scene in the last act . He is ably supported by Mr . Lewis Ball , as Sir Anthony Absolute . Mr . Valentine ' s Captain Absolute calls for special mention , and Miss Aickin as Mrs . Malaprop is very funny , and brought out many rounds of laughter from the full house . VVe did not care for Miss Dora Vivian's Lydia Languish , and would like to have seen Miss Virginia Bateman ( Mrs . Compton ) in the part . Miss Margaret Terry , a member of the celebrated famil

y of that ilk , who is new to London , and seemed a little nervous the first night , did well as Julia , and when the comedy has been played a little longer will , we think , develope into a pleasing actress , for she appears to us to be trying to do her best , and that is one of the ways to succeed . VVe hope , as Mr . Compton has the Strand for some time , hc- will produce some of the new plays which he has only up to now given in the provinces .

* « ; s If Mrs . Conover be not successful , she deserves success if only for her indomitable perseverance . She has returned to the Olympic , and has had the courage , some call it audacity , to appear as Lady Macbeth , but we cannot congratulate her on her efforts . Mrs . Conover is a Hanoverian by birth , and her strong German accent renders it

impossible , at times , to understand her words , and many which one does follow are pronounced so wrongly as to make it almost painful to listen to them . Of all Shakespeare's plays " Macbeth " is the the most difficult to render , and the actor is indeed bold who tackles it . It is so many years since it has been seen in London—wc think the last time was at Sadler ' s Wells , under Miss Batemansix

, years ago—that many will go to renew their acquaintance with it or to see it for the first time . Mrs . Conover is best in the sleep-walking scene . She is supported by Mr . J . H . Barnes as Macbeth ; and Bro . Beveridge ( Asaph Lodge ) as Macduff . These two , specially Mr . Barnes .

make up a great deal for Mrs . Conover ' s delinquencies . The play is elaborately mounted , and when we say that Mr . Tom Swinbournc is the stage manager it will be known that everything is correct . Some excellent music and songs are introduced in the witches' revelrics . and were frequently encored . " Macbeth " is worth going to see .

Bro . Brock , the pyrotechnist , took liis annual benefit at the Crystal Palace on Thursday , the 2 nd inst . A special programme was arranged for the occasion , and the attendance was very satisfactory .