The Theatres.

piece would be termed a bore , so that we cannot praise the author so much , but played by such a strong and efficient company , every member of which has a part suited to him or her , and who plays that part with zest and free from jealously . "A Night Off" turns out to be a night most pleasantly spent . I he plot may be briefly summarized in this manner . Our University Professor has written a play , and is very anxious to have it produced , but it would

never do to tell his wife or let it be known to the public . A manager calls on him , sees the manuscript , and takes it away to bring out the play . The fun all ranges round how the Professor , his daughter , and a son-in-law , who also are in the secret , are to get " A Night Off " to see the play . For this purpose Nisbe , the young lady , devises a plan whereby she shall give the father an excuse for scolding her , that she shall reply impertinently , causing

him to send her to her room . Harry Damask , her brotherin-law , shall then intercede , causing the Professor to work up into such a rage that he shall say that he will quit the house , and not receive such insults . Harry is to express penitence , and run after the old gentleman to apologise . Of cou ^ e Nisbe is to leave her room , and so all three be at the theatre . This is done as arranged . But as luck will have it Harry ' s wife , Angelica , the Professor's

daughter , happens to pick up a comic paper after the scene has taken place in the drawing room , of how a " Mr . Sly Boots" and his son-in-law managed to secure "A Night Off" by the practice of a similar plot . Nisbe has read the paper before her sister , and has taken it for her guide . The tragedy is an awful failure . A warm reception meets the Professor and his son-in-law on their return by their respective wives . Another very comical scene is

that in which Angelica , couched by her mother , has convinced herself that aU husbands have a dreadful secret from their wives , and so worrying is she to get Harry Damask to confess to his ante-nuptial misdeeds , that he at last saddles himself with a complication a bachelor fiiend of his , in love with Nisbe , has just confided to him . A splendid piece of real comedy acting takes place between Miss Ada Rehan ( Nisbe ) and Mr . John Drew ( a

young actor ) . This scene is Miss Rehan ' s best part , for , though the leading lady , Miss Rehan in "A Night Off" is content with a much smaller part than she has in most of the Daly comedies . Mr . Skinner , as Damask , has vastly improved since his visit to our shores two years ago . This remark applies also to Miss Dreher , as Angelica . Miss Irwin , as the servant maid , wins great applause in her rendering of quite a minor character . . Mr . James Lewis , as

the Professor , is not more comic than natural . His make up and facial expressions once seen will never be forgotten . He never over-acts , which many would be tempted to do . Mrs . Gilbert's part of the Professor ' s wife is admirably played . The Daly company have begun well , and we are sure their nine weeks' stay here will be far too short , and our fear is that , owing to the tremendous success of " A Night Off , " we may not see them after all in the many

other equally funny comedies they have brought over with them . But we trust they may bc able to stay , with the temptation they have received , much longer than Ihey originally intended doing . After the final fall of the curtain , Mr . Daly , who seemed overcome with nervousness with the reception his company got , said : " Ladies and Gentlemen , —1 am proud and happy to receive this summons , This applause sounds like the echo of your friendly

parting cheers of two years ago . You then seemed to say to us * Come back , ' and we have come . 1 thank you on behalf of Miss Rehan and Mrs . Gilbert , of Mr . Lewis , Mr . Drew , and the rest of my company , for the affectionate reception you have extended to us all . I am only sorry that my friend Terriss is not here to receive his share ; but he is stillstrugglingat the Adelphi to reach his ' Harbour Lights , ' while we have already found ours here in the bright gleam of your friendly eyes . "

The Proposed Masonic Exhibition At Shanklin.

THE PROPOSED MASONIC EXHIBITION AT SHANKLIN .

We would call the attention of our readers to the exhibition of Masonic curiosities , medals , & c ., to be held in the early part of August at " The Chalet , " in the beautiful grounds of Rylstone , Shanklin , Isle of Wight , which has been kindly lent by Mr . and Madame Spartali . A more

charming spot could not be found on the island , the grounds being beautifully laid out , and commanding lovely views of the bay , which has been called the English Bay of Naples . With its grounds sloping down to the Chine on the one side , while the trees standing in ridges above it on the western presents one encircling mass of varying tints of green . The Chaletfias two spacious rooms running the

length of the building , and would form alone an attraction well worthy of a visit . The W . M . of the Chine Lodge , Bro . Alfred Greenham , earnestly asks the co-operation of brethren who can lend things of Masonic interest , of which every care would be taken , and would be packed and forwarded by Bro . George

Kenning , Little Britain , London . The Lord of the Manor of Shanklin , Bro . F . White-Popham , J . P ., and Bro . Dr . Dabbs , are amongst the guarantors for the safe custody and return of all exhibits . Thc catalogue being in preparation , the W . M . hopes the brethren intending to lend articles will communicate their intention at once .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

INSTALLATION' MEETING OF THE ADDINGTON LODGE , No . 1937 , NATAL . The annual installation meeting of this lodge took place on the 26 th March last in the Masonic Hall , Addington . There were present the M . W . D . G . M . of South East Africa ( S . C ) , Bro . Hulston ; Bros . Cook , P . M . ; Windram , P . M . ; Kinsman , D . G . P ., P . M . ; Ikin , D . G . C ., P . M . ; Hart , P . M . ; Emanuel , P . M . ; Brown , W . M . ; Wood ,

P . M . ; Isaacs , W . M . ; Cottam , P . M . ( retiring Master and Installing Master ); and about Co other brethren , among whom were several oflicers of sister lodges . An apology for absence was intimated from Hro . Finnemore , R . W . D . G . M ., and several other letters of apology were also received . Amongst the visitors were Bros . GoodlifTe ,

Leask , A . D . G . Sec ; Roycroft , S . VV . 738 ; and Drew , P . S . VV ., 73 S . After some formal business , Bro . Cottam duly installed Bro . Petersen in the chair of Worshipful Master , and conducted the ceremony in an impressive and thoroughly efficient manner . Alterwards the W . M . elected the follow-

The Craft Abroad.

ing brethren as his oflicers for the ensuing year , and invested them with their insignia of office : —Bros . Royal , S . W . ; Jewett , J . VV . ; Rev . Ikin , P . M ., Chap . ; J . B . Cottam , PM ., Treas . ; Hampton , Sec . ; Crowder , S . D . ; Ward , J . D . ; Fletcher , D . of C . ; Carmiehael , l . G . ; Pullock , Org . ; and Leggott , Tyler . The members and a number of visitors then sat down to a banquet purveyed by Bro . Ellis Brown . The usual

loyal toasts were proposed and enthusiastically pledged . The Worshipful Master proposed "The R . W . D . G . M ., Bro . Finnemore , and Present and Past D . G . Officers . " The toast was cordially drunk . Bro . Cottam proposed "The R . W . D . G . M . ( S . C ) , Bro Hulston , and the Lodges of South-East Africa ( S . C . ) . " He spoke in eulogistic terms of Bro . Hulston , and of his connection with the early history of Addington Lodge .

Bro . Hulston , in returning thanks , said the Scotch lodges of South-East Africa felt the heartiest and best wishes for the prosperity of the lodges under the English Constitution . They were not in rivalry with the lodges under that Constitution , but were striving to emulate the good example of older lodges in the Colony that they might press forward in the good work which Masonry ought to do , and was doing , and would do in the future . They all knew this ,

that if they went on in the same track year after year they got to a certain extent what was commonly known as " fossilised , " and they wanted new blood , renewed activity , new sympathy , and new efforts made on behalf of the Order . And that they could only get by keeping up the interests of the Order . Bro . Cottam , in ' a few complimentary terms , proposed "The Health of the Worshipful Master , " and Bro , Petersen replied .

"The Immediate Past Master and Officers of the Addington Lodge" came next from the R . W . D . G . M ., Bro . Hulston , and the toast was cordially drunk . Bro . Cottam replied . "The Past Masters , " "Newly-installed Officers , " "Visitors , " and Tyler ' s toast completed the list . Songs were interspersed between the toasts , and added much to the pleasure of what was altogether an enjoyable and hearty meeting .

GRAND LODGE OF MICHIGAN . Bro . James H . Farnam , M . W . G . M ., presided at the 42 nd Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Michigan , held at Detroit on the 26 th and 27 th January last . There were 342 lodges represented , and the proceedings were of a very enthusiastic character . The Grand Master , in his address , reported the establishment of 12 new lodces , and the dedication of 21 new halls . He also

mentioned that 1321 dollars had been raised for the relief of distressed brethren in Galveston , Texas ; and spoke in terms of warm commendation of the Michigan Masonic Home Association . The Grand Lecturer gave a favourable account of his labours during the past year , only two out of the 56 lodges of instruction he had called having proved failures . Other reports were also delivered , the statistical and financial showing that there were , as regards the

former , 354 lodges , and as regards the latter , that the receipts were 12 , 443 dollars , the total fund 19 , 068 dollars , and the disbursements 13 , 162 dollars . Bro . Michael Shoemaker was elected M . W . G . M ., and Bro . W . P . lnnes re-elected Grand Secretary . — ¦ MERIDIAN LODGE , No . 1469 , CAPE OF GOOD HOPE . A meeting was held on Wednesday , 21 st April , at Cradock , when there were present Bros . A . Ziervogel , as

VV . M . ; A . C . Maynard , S . W . ; VV . English , as J . VV . ; A . Ziervogel , P . M ., Treas . ; J . E . Green , P . M ., Sec . ; E . M . Rochat , S . D . ; C . Palmer , J . D . ; J . T . Peddle , I . G . j C . H . Sykes , Stwd . ; John Urie , Tyler ; A . E . Austen , P . D . G . W ., as I . P . M . ; C . McLean , -G . Truslove , and J . Frankland . Visitors : Bros . McKerrell and T . D . Henrey . Bro . A . Ziervogel , P . D . G . D ., Treas ., as senior P . M . of the lodge , took the chair , in the unavoidable absence of Bro . A .

J . Wright , D . G . P ., the VV . M ., and the lodge having been opened in due form , the minutes of the last regular meeting svete read and confirmed . An apology was read from Bro . H . S . J . Kruger for non-attendance . A letter was read from the D . G . Secretary , returning Bro . A . E . Austen ' s , P . M ., paper on "The Landmarks of the Craft , " and conveying the R . W . D . G . M . ' s approval of it , and permission for its being printed . Bro . J . E . Green , D . G . S . D ., proposed that

500 copies be printed at the expense of the lodge and circulated amongst the Craft , which was seconded by Bro . A . C . Maynard , S . VV . Bro . E . M . Rochat , S . D ., enquired the object of the paper , which was briefly explained by the Secretary and Bro . A . E . Austen , P . M ., who added that he had written and read the paper for the benefit of the members of the lodge of instruction there , of which he was the W . M ., and , at their request , he had agreed to have it

punted , with the permission of the R . W . D . G . M . The motion was then put and carried unanimously . A circular letter was then read from the VV . M . of Lodge St . Andrew , No . 1 SS 9 , Bedford , requesting aid on behalf of the widow and family of a late P . M . of that lodge , and a P . D . G . Officer . Bro . A . E . Austen proposed , and Bro . E . M . Rochat seconded , that a sum of £ 5 be forwarded from the Benevolent Fund to the W . M . of that lodge , to be applied to the

relief of the family . The VV . M . enquired if the late brother had been a subscribing member of the Craft at the time of his death , as he was unknown to him ; and upon hearing that he had been , expressed his opinion that such enquiries should be made in every application for relief , as many brethren looked upon the Craft as a Charitable Institution , and were only too ready to fall back upon it in time of distress , without themselves contributing to anv lodge . The

motion was carried unanimously . A circular letter was next read from Good Hope Lodge , No . 863 , Port Elizabeth , notifying the suspension of a brother lor non-payment of dues . The Secretary drew the attention of the lodge to the fact that that lodge had never at any time adopted the course of sending such notices to sister lodges , and still it had to suffer from members not paying their subscriptions with regularity . Only very recently members had been

struck off who owed the lodge pounds , and in the notices for the present meeting the amount of fees and dues unpaid was pounds . In order to strengthen the hands of the Treasurer he would , with the permission of the lodge , write specially to any member who remained in arrear at the next meeting . The W . M . said , as Treasurer of the lodge , he

intended during the next week sending the Tyler round with receipts , and he hoped members would pay at once , and save the necessity of any such letter as that suggested by the Secretary . Bro . C . Palmer , J . D ., enquired nrhether the lodge had not to contribute to D . G . Lodge annually for every brother , whether he had paid his subscription or not ,

The Craft Abroad.

and also what time must elapse before a brother ' s name would be struck off the books . The VV . M . explained that the annual contribution of 2 s . fid . had to be paid by the lodge as long as a member ' s name remained upon the books , whether he had paid his subscription or not , and further , that Bye-law No . 14 provided that any brother in default for 12 months could be struck off after notice to him to pay his arrears had been given and ignored . A letter

was read from the Secretary of the instruction Iodge , requesting a decision upon a question respecting the admission of Jews and Quakers into the Order . The Secretary stated that he had Submitted it to Grand Secretary for opinion of Grand Registrar . Bro . A . E . Austen , P . D . G . A ., then read extracts from a very interesting descriptive account in the Freemason of the installation of the M . W . the Grand Master of Ireland , his Grace the Duke of

Abercorn , including the address of the Installing Master , Bro Shekelton , Q . C , Deputy Grand Master , and the reply of the G . M ., which was listened to with much attention and appreciation by the brethren . Bro . Austen , P . M ., also informed the brethren that Bros . George Truslove and Joseph Frankland , who had been initiated in that lodge , were leaving in a few days for England , and wished them a safe

voyage and God speed . These good wishes were conveyed to the two brethren in suitable terms by the VV . M . After the usual appeal on behalf of poor and distressed brethren had been made and responded to , the lodge was closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet room , where a pleasant hour was spent in fraternal intercourse . ———

GRAND LODGE OF UTAH . The 15 th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Utah was held on the igth and 20 th January last , under the presidency of Bro . P . L . Williams , eight lodges being represented . The Grand Master ' s address was encouraging , and though the Grand Secretary reported a slight falling off in membership , the financial statement was satisfactory , there being 12 , 075 dollars in the treasuries , and the value of the Grand Lodge property being

9500 dollars . It was likewise shown in the report of the Grand Librarian that there had been a considerable increase in the number of books , the library , which was continually obtaining further patronage , containing 6500 volumes . There are eight lodges in the jurisdiction , with an aggregate membership of 474 . The receipts during the year were 14 S 7 dollars , the total fund 3462 dollars , and the disbursements 1428 dollars . Bros . P . L . Williams and C . Diehl were re-elected M . W . G . M . and Grand Secretary respectively .

GRAND CHAPTER OF WISCONSIN . The 3 l 5 th Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter * of the State was held at Milwaukee , on the 16 th February last , under the presidency of M . E . Comp . Edwin J . Farr , G . H . P ., S 3 chapters being represented . The G . H . P . ' s address contained no feature of special interest , the past year having been uneventful . Statistics show that the number of exaltations in iSS 5 wass 24 , and that the present membership is 39 SS . The general fund gave a total

of 2636 dollars , while the disbursements reached 2426 dollars . Comp . W . C . Swain in his report on correspondence spoke somewhat slightingly on the subject of the physical requirements , and jocularly remarked that it would be easy " enough to give the Degrees to one who has but one leg . Let him borrow a cork one . " Comp . S . _ H . Alban was elected M . E . Grand High Priest for the ensuing year , and Comp . John VV . Laflin re-elected Grand Secretary .

Willing's Selected Theatrical Programme .

WILLING'S SELECTED THEATRICAL PROGRAMME .

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA . Tuesdays , Thursdays , and Saturdays , Italian Opera . HEK MAJESTY'S THEATRE . Every Evening , French Plays .

DRURY LANE THEATRE . Every Evening at 8 , Carl Rosa Opera Company . ADELPHI THEATRE . Every Evening , at 8 , THE HARBOUR LIGHTS ; at 7 . 15 , Farce . VAUDEVILLE THEATRE . Every Evening , at S , SOPHIA . Matinee every Saturday at 2 . 30 .

GLOBE THEATRE . Every Evening at 8 . 0 , THE SINS OF THE FATHERS ; at 9 , THE PICKPOCKET . Matinee every Saturday at 3 . SAVOY THEATRE . Every Evening at 8 . 35 , THE MIKADO J or , THE TOWN OF TITIPUJ at 7 . 45 , THE CARP . Matinee every Saturday at 2 . 30 .

OPERA COMIQUE THEATRE . Every Evening , at 8 . 45 , OUR STRATEGISTS J at 8 , Farce , GAIETY THEATRE . Every Evening at 8 . 45 , ADONIS ; at 8 , Farce . . TOOLE'S THEATRE . Every Evening at 7 . 45 , THE LOTTERY TICKET J at S . 30 , THE SERIOUS FAMILY ; concluding with lei ON PARLE FRANCAIS .

COURT THEATRE . Every Evening at 8 . 45 , THE SCHOOLMISTRESS ; at S , BREAKING THE ICE , Matinee Saturday next at 2 , 30 . COMEDY THEATRE . Every Evening at S , THE LILY OF LEOVILLE .

GRAND THEATRE . Every Evening , at 7 . 30 , STORMBEATEN . STANDARD THEATRE . Every Evening , at 7 . 30 , UNCLE TOM ' S CABIN . SANGERS' AMPHITHEATRE . Every Evening , at 7 . 45 , TRUE TO THE CORE . ROYAL AQUARIUM . Open , 12 . 0 ; close , 11 . 30 . Constant Round of Amusement .

COLONIAL AND INDIAN EXHIBITION . Open daily from 10 a . m . to 10 p . m . Admission one shilling ; Wednesdays half-a-crown . ALBERT PALACE . Open from 12 noon to 10 p . m . Amusements all day . ALHAMBRA THEATRE OF VARIETIES . Every Evening at 8 , Variety Entertainment . Two Grand Ballets . & c .

CANTERBURY THEATRE OF VARIETIES . Every Evening at 7 . 30 , Grand Variety Company , & c , & c . PARAGON THEATRE OF VARIETIES . Every Evening at 7 . 30 , Variety Entertainment , & c , & c . MADAME TUSSAUD AND SON'S EXHIBITION . Open 10 till 10 . Portrait Models of ^ Past and Present Celebrities .