Instruction.

Tbe lodge was opened in due form with prayer , and the minutes of thc last lodge meeting read and confirmed . Bro . Powell having offered himself as a candidate , the ceremony of initiation ' was rehearsed . Bro . Percy worked the First , Second , and Third Section of the Lecture , and Bro . Cohen the Fourth , assisted by the brethren . Bro . Cross , oo- > . was unanimously elected a joining member , and Bro .

Ashton was elected VV . AI . for the ensuing week . Nothing further having offered for the good of Freemasonry the lodge was closed . On the 5 th inst . there were present Bros . Gribbell , VV . AI . ; Dixie , S . W . ; Gellen , J . W . ; Weeden , S . D . ; Ashtort , J . D . ; Turner , I . G . ; Pearcy , Preceptor ; and Galer , Sec . ; also Bros . Bullock , Ferrer , O'Donnell , Love , Harding , Alackey , Geldcrslere , Woolveridge , and Langdale . minutes of the last

Lodge was opened in due form and the lodge meeting were read and confirmed , Bro . Woolveridge having offered himself as a candidate , the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed . Bro . Dixie worked the 1-irst , Second , and Third Sections of the Lecture , assisted by the brethren . Bro . Dixie was unanimously elected W . AI . for the ensuing week . Nothing further offering for the good of Freemasonry the lodge was closed in ancient form and adjourned to Saturday , the 12 th inst .

YARBOROUGH LODGE ( No . 554 ) - —A meeting of this lodge was held at the Green Dragon , Stepney , E ., on Tuesday , the ist inst . There were present Bros . Lineker , VV . AI . ; Taylor , S . VV . ; Shingfield , J . W . ; Walker , Deacon ; G . Price , I . G . ; VV . Cross , Sec . and Preceptor ; Barnes , R . Hirst , Kennctt , Bull , Hirst , Stephens , and Bardouleau . The lodge having been duly opened the ceremony of initiation was worked , Bro . Barnes acting as candidate .

Bro . Hirst , jun ., was next duly tested and entrusted , and on lodge being advanced the ceremony of passing was worked , Bro . Hirst acting as candidate . Lodge was opened up and closed down indue form and Bro . j . Taylor then worked the First and Second Sections of the First Lecture , and was assisted by the brethicn . Bros . J . W . Barnes , 1571 . and VV . Bull , D . C . 7 S 1 , wcre elected members of the lodge unanimously . Bro . Taylor was elected VV . AI . for the ensuing week and lodge was closed .

WEST SMITHFIELD LODGE ( No . 1 C 23 ) . —Notwithstanding that Alonday last was New Year's Eve there was a capital muster ot the brethren at thc new quarters of the lodge , viz ., the Clarence Hotel , SS , Aldersgate-street , E . C . The worth y Preceptor occupied the chair and wassupported by Bros . Stephens , S . VV . ; Cross , J . W ; Kintr . Sec ; S . II . C . Rumball , Deacon ; Higgins , Linnctt ,

Dunchcr , Rumball , and others . Bro . Pennefather worked the first ceremony , Bro . King as candidate . Bro . Linnett was afforded an opportunity of preparing himself for his next degree . Uro . G . 11 . Stephens worked some sections , and to complete a capital evening ' s work Stewards were appointed to make full arrangements for holding the annua supper on thc 7 th of February .

GUELPH LODGE ( No . 1685 ) . —The Fifteen Sections wcre worked at this lodge at the Town Hall , Leyton , on the 20 th ult ., under the able Alastcrship of Bro . James Boulton , P . AI . 105 G , and S . D . 28 . There were over 150 brethren present and amongst the number , in addition to officers and workers , we noticed thc followinc-. Bros . Rev . las . Knaggs , 1421 ; J . Purdue , E . Bare ,

P / AI . 1 GS 5 ; II . Taplay , P . M . 107 G ; G . Cheir , P . AL 1 GS 5 ; J . Gallahcr , P . AL 1228 ; J . Slade , D . C . 1 GS 5 ; Dr . C . AL Simpson , 1056 ; Dr . Sharp , 1050 ; U . Latreille , 28 ; A . Mitchell , F . Herruld , VV . AI . 105 G ; VV . Dorton , VV . AI . 107 G ; II . B . Holladay , P . M . 107 G ; Tyler , S . 1 GS 5 ; Dr . Grogno , S ; R . Tucker , P . AI . 933 J West , 212 ; Holloway , 115 S ; Brittain 125 S ; II . AL Tayler , P . M . 1421 ; C .

, Alansfield , 1421 ; R . VV . Hunter , 1 GS 5 ; Vincent , P . AL 1 GS 5 ; Robbins , P . AI . 105 G ; and others . The lodge was opened in due form and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed , aftcr _ which the W . AI . proceeded to the business of the evening . First Lecture—First Section , Bro . John Dorton , P . AI , 107 G ; Second . Bro . E . Skelt , P . AL lf . Ss and W . AI . 159 8 ; Third ,

Uro . R . F . E . Hopkins , 749 J Fourth , Bro . 1 . Clark , S . VV . 1178 ; Fifth , Uro . AL Christian , J . W . SGo ; Sixth , Bro . A . Calver , J . D . 933 ; Seventh , Bro . B . Cundick , P . AL 1421 . Second Lecture—First Section , Bro . XV . G . Durrant , P . AL 1056 ; Second , Bio . J . I . Berry , P . AL 554 ; Third , Bro . B . Stewart , I . G . 1278 ; lourth , Bro . 1 * . Y . Latreille , P . AL 105 G ; Fifth , Bro . . H . Stephens , S . W . 1 G 23 . Third Lecture—First Section , Bro . W . H . Alyers ,

P . AI . 820 and 1445 ; Second , Bro . F . King , P . AI . 105 G ; Third , Bro . G . Ward Verry , P . AI . 554 , W . AI . 15 S 0 , & c . We cannot speak too highly of the manner in which this was performed , and to the admirable manner in which each brother acquitted himself of the work allotted him . It would be invidious to pick out any individual worker , each and all rendered their task most satisfactorily and

deserve the highest praise and credit . This was fully accorded them by thc W . AI . and various speakers who had thc opportunity of expressing their appreciation . The VV . AI . also came in for his deserved meed of praise for the able manner in which he carried out the duties of the chair . As Bro . Rev . Jas . Knaggs said when he returned thanks on behalf of himself and other brethren ( to the

number of 42 ) who were accepted as joining members that evening , he was perfectly astounded when he thought of the number of questions that were asked and answered how any man could retain them in his mind , and conduct the business as Bro . Jas . Boulton had done that evening . It was the first time he ( Bro . Knaggs ) had heard the Fifteen Sections worked , and he was greatly delighted and left

that hall with increased feelings of pleasure that he could claim to belong to so distinguished an Order as that of Freemasons . Bros . Bare , Gallahcr , and Cheir severally proposed and seconded votes of thanks to the VV . AI . and the biethren generally for coming to Leyton that evening to give them so great a Masonic treat ; it would long be remembered by

them as a red-letter day for the Guelph Lodge . In the course of their speeches they offered very eulogistic and deserving remarks to the different brethren who had worked the sections . The VV . AI . and workers suitably returned thanks , after

which tbe W . M . proposed a vote of thanks to the acting Secretary , Bro . II . Taplay , P . M . 107 G , and Bro . Slade , the Secretary of the Guelph Lodgeof Instruction , forthe efficient aid given to him in carrying out the proceedings from its conception until that evening so successfully terminated .

Instruction.

The vote was received and carried most heartily , and responded to by Bros . Taplay and Slade . This brought the business to a close , one and all expressing themselves very much gratified with the proceedings throughout .

NEW FINSBURY PARK LODGE ( No . 1695 ) . —At the weekly meeting , held at Hornsey Wood Tavern , on Tuesday , the iSth ult ., there were present Bros . Eldridge , VV . AI . ; Gush , Preceptor ; Alorris , S . W . ; Bolt , J . W .,- Berry , Sec . ; Hall , S . D . ; Haynes , J . D . ; Scott , I . G . ; Fenner , Larchin , Tremcre , Knights , Cox , Yeoman , and Gregory . Lodge was opened in due form and the minutes

confirmed , and Bro . I'enner having offered himself as a candidate , the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed . The First and Second Sections of the First Lecture were then worked by Bro . Larchin . The lodge was then opened in the Second and Third Degrees , and Bro . Hall having taken the chair , the ceremony of raising was rehearsed , Bro . Tremere being the candidate . Bro . Alorris having been elected as VV . M . at the next meeting , the lodge was closed .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

ALDERSHOT . —Aldershot Lodge ( No . 54 ) . — This lodge met on Thursday , the 27 th ult ., at the Alasonic Hall . There were present Bros . Capt . Croisdale , P . G . S . D ., VV . AI . ; Askham , S . VV . ; Stone , J . W . ; Harrison , Al . O . ; Taylor , S . D . ; Bendall . J . D . ; Campbell , I . G . ; Cockaday ; Burns , Tyler ; and others . The minutes of the last meeting having been read and

confirmed , and there being no other business , the W . AI . said he would take that opportunity of having the lodge bye-laws read , which was accordingly done . Bro . Taylor , S . D ., said he considered it was a waste of Alasonic energy for the lodge to meet once a month ; he was of opinion that a meeting every alternate month would be sufficient for all requirements , and he formally gave notice of motion to that

effect , with a view to the matter being fully ventilated at the next lodge meeting . The VV . AI ., Bro . Capt . Croisdale , remarked that it was to be regretted Mark Alasonry at Aldershot was not making the progress ir deserved ; it was to him somewhat unaccountable inasmuch as it was a Degree which possessed great attractions , and in his opinion really formed a connecting link in the completion of thc Alasonic traditional

history , he could only attribute it to thc want of knowledge of its practical value on the part of those who were tardy in joining , or whose interest in the Degree had not been aroused . However , he had no doubt ere long an Order which possessed such good teachings and had so many worthy disciples as theirs bad , would make rapid progress , especially as their future king had taken the Degree and

had been recently installed M . W . G . M . of tne Alark Grand l-odge and placed at the bead of the P . G . Ms , of the Order . Two brethren were proposed for advancement , and the Lodge was closed . ——FRIZINGTON—Henry Lodge ( No . 216 ) . — The monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , thc 19 th ult ., Bro . B . Grain . P . G . D . C . W . AI ..

oresiding , assisted by Bros . D . Bell , P . G . I . G ., S . VV . ; F . T , Allatt , J . W . ; J . Routledge , Al . O . ; Geo . Lowden , S . O . ; W . J . Harvey , J . O . ; VV . Swain , Reg . of Alarks ; J . Harper , P . AL , P . P . G . S . D ., Treas . ; J . Peel , Sec ; Chas . Gowan , S . D . ; J . Gordon , I . G . ; J . Close , P . P . G . T ., Tyler ; Geo . Dalrymple , G . A . D . C , P . AL ; Wm . Alartin , P . AL , P . P . G . S . D . ; R . Baxter , P . AL , P . G . Reg . of Alarks ;

R . VVilson , P . G . S . Br . ; and others . The minutes were read and confirmed and the ballot taken for two candidates , which were accepted , and Bro . Bewley was advanced to the honourable Degree of Alark AIaster , The election of VV . AI . was ncxt proceeded with , when Bro . R . VVilson received a unanimous vote . The lodge was then closed in due form .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Mr . Pinero s new comed y has met with a very favourable reception at the Haymarket Theatre . Air . Pinero has before now proved to the world that any play from his pen is certain to be characterised , by strong originality . If it be a fault , Air . Pinero , in his thorough originality of writing , always takes up the unpopular side of a question and so almost alienates his audience . We think there is a little too much of the cynic in his latest

play " Lords and Commons , " which wc are now referring to , and wc are thankful that in real life such personages as are here depicted are few and far between . Wc should doubt if the author could mention anv noble family typical in every respect of the Caryls . The " idea of the play seems to be that of a woman who has been illtrcated by a man ( Lord Caryl ) in her youth and who seeks him out and cherishes for years a bitter revenge ; but just as she would

wreck upon him her vengeance , love , that all powerful mystery , steps in and causes her to fling away all the animosity she has been heaping up and instead of cursing she comes to bless . Him whom she would fain try and hate , she in spite of herself , becomes to love . " Lords and Commons" is as its title denotes a play of the aristocracy of birth versus aristocracy of wealth . Of the brilliancy of its dialogue and the clever epigrams with which it

sparkles we cannot speak too highly . Before the play opens we are to understand that Lord Caryl has been married some years before to the daughter of a nobleman who is on his death bed . Directly after the marriage he parts from her and deserts her on receiving a letter to the effect that he has been deceived , and that his wife is an illegitimate child of the peer . The Caryls are a noble and proud race . The father of the present earl had been

a spendthrift , and when Basil becomes the earl he finds he has inherited only the title and his father's debts . Basil sells Caryl Court , thc family mansion , to a rich American lady , Airs . Devcnish , who the audience perceive , far earlier than Lord Caryl does , is his wife . Airs . Devenish sends her agent , Tom Gervoise , to Caryl Court to offer hospitality to the countess , her son the earl , and his sister . But they will have none of it , and are indignant that this plutocrat should do such a thing . The ladies arc specially insulted

The Theatres.

by the kind offer . Mrs . Devenish comes to her newlyacquired property a day before she was expected , and then personally offers the use of her house to its late owners . The countess and her daughter will not so much as speak to Airs . Devenish . The carriage is ordered and the countess is about leaving when , just as she has said goodbye to the servants and tradespeople , to whom she is a debtor , the emotion proves too much , and she is taken ill

and cannot be moved . Airs . Devenish has told the family that she purposes making vast alterations in the place ; especially she intends removing the family coat-ofarms from the mantelpiece , and replacing it by a portrait of a young lady who has been very ill-used—of course , herself . It must be said that if the play be meant to illustrate that the Upper Ten are not so noble and gentle as they are given the credit of being as a class , on the other

hand , little can be said for the plebeian ; for when Airs . Devenish , who , though a peer's daughter , likes to palm herself off as , and glories in being , a woman of the people , declares herself a vandal , and seems to take a delight in torturing the aristocratic ladies with her vulgar sentiments , our sympathy goes entirely with the other side , for she seems to go out of her way to annoy the nobleman and his family , and is positively rude . However , we hope Air .

Pinero is taking an extreme and very rare case of an aristocrat and a plutocrat . In the second act we see Aliss Devenish winning the love of the old countess by her attentions to her on her sick-bed . Lord Caryl has furnished a house not far off for his mother and sister ; but whilst they arc staying at Caryl Court he lives there alone , and rides over every day to see his mother . He thus comes across Airs . Devenish , and she offers him a situation—that of manager of some

lead mines she is working on the estate . Naturall y the young man refuses the offer with virtuous indignation of being a manager on his own lost estate . But Airs . Devenish is equal to any emergency . She meets scorn with scorn , outraged pride with irony . She points to the mantelpiece where the family arms once were , to the portrait of the young lady , whom Basil recognises as his wife . He had told his mother the secret of his marriage

and that he could not marry anyone else . Lady Nell , his sister , had suggested he should make a match with some rich lady to repair the lost fortunes of the famil y , for she thinks any girl would be proud of marrying a Caryl . Lady Nell has fallen in love with thc man of business , Air . Gervoise , who turns out to be a born gentleman and University map , who has been a gold digger for some years in California . Thc Countess comes to love Airs . Devenish

and the Earl we find in the third act is getting devoted to Airs . Devenish , whilst she is to her husband . He now accepts thc offer of management in the lead mines and also the hospitality of her house , as his own has been burnt down . Airs . Devenish , seeing the hold she has now got over Basil , concocts with Miss Maplcbcck to bring about a reconciliation . The Earl has already owned to her that the young lady whose portrait she shows him is

his wife . _ She makes him promise that if she can restore to him his wife he will acknowledge and cherish her as such . It is not necessary to show how this is done . Airs . Devenish explains satisfactorily that she and the young lady arc thc same person , and , that in getting to love Airs . Devenish he has been loving his own wife ; and so all ends ; a general pairing off ensues , and the curtain falls on very loud applause Airs . Bernard Becrc is the

heroine , Airs . Devenish , and strengthens thc hold she gained of public opinion in "Fedora . " Her acting throughout is of the most superior kind . Airs . Bernard Becrc has certainly improved her position as an actress of strong emotional powers . VVe think in the last act she was best , because more human and womanly . Air . Forbes Robertson , who represents with such rigour Lord Caryl , is perfect and should have his full share of the triumph of thc

success of the comedy . Airs . Stirling , thc Countess , of course is splendid and dignified j that goes without saying . She sustains her part with that consummate grace for which she is so well known . A 1 rs . Bancroft is the bright little flirt , Aliss Maplcbcck ; whenever she is on the stage , whether speaking or silent , the audience are bound to laugh , if even only at her pcrtness . Aliss Calhoun we like better in " Lords and Commons " than in any other character in which

we have seen her . She makes the best-of her part—Lady Nell —which is not a particularly easy one . Bro . Bancroft , as the ex-Pall Mall swell , is a most amusing personage ; he appears to advantage as the well-born miner . Air . Brookficld , as Lord Lewiscourt , the old rake , with whom Aliss Maplcbcck flirts , and Air . Elliot , the fashionable physician , are two types of character which perhaps arc thc most true

in the play ; at any rate , it would bc the least difficult to find their prototypes in real life . Air . Alfred Bishop is always good as an old man , and as the old family butler he keeps up his well-known character ; his remarks raise many a laugh . The cast and scenery are of the usual Haymarket style , and it is needless to say any more than this . Wc incline to the belief that Air . Pinero ' s new comedy is likely to have a very successful run .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . C . R . VINES . It is with regret that we have to record the death of Bro , Charles Richard Vines , barristcr-at-law , for many years clerk of the Brewers and Clothworkers' Companies , Bro Vines ( who was a son of the late Air . Richard Vines , chemist , Aldersgate-street ) had been unwell for some little time , but he was able to attend at the oflice of the Leathersellers' Company so lately as last week , and his death was

quite unexpected . It took p lace at East Lodge , Wanstead , on Wednesday evening . Bvo . Vines was in the 57 th year of his age . The funeral took place on Alonday . It started from his late residence , East Lodge , Wanstead , at halfpast one o'clock , and was attended by several members of the Court of the Lcathersellers' Company , including Alderman Sir C VVhetham , Air . Bcngough , and others , the chief mourners being the two sons and the two sons-in-law of the deceased . The coffin was carried

on an open car , and there were none of the usual mourning coaches , but instead it was followed by a large number of private carriages containing personal friends . He was buried in the churchyard of St . Peter ' s , VValthamstow . Thc coffin was covered with a profusion of flowers which wcre sent from all parts . He resigned the clerkship of the Brewers' Company a few years ago , but retained that of the Lcathersellers' Company up to the time of his death . He has left a widow and family to mourn liis Ios ? . — - City Press .