Mark Masonry.

business disposed anent a soc ial gathering to be held on the 14 th inst ., the lodge was closed in form , and a pleasant hour was subsequently spent in the banquet hall . GATESHEAD-ON-TYNE .-Lodge of Industry ( N . 293 > . — The last meeting for the present year was held at the Masonic Hall , on the 7 th inst ., when the VV . M ., Bro J . G . Smith , was supported by the following brethren : Bros . M . Corbett . l . P . M . ; D . Sinclair , P . M . ; b-hn

Wood , P . M ., Treas . ; C . B . Ford . S . W . ; lohn Page , J . W . ; VV . F . Carmon , M . O . ; J . T . Harrison , S . O . ; Kobt . Whitfield , J . O . ; M . H . Dodd , as R . of M . ; W . Brown , Sec ; Alfred Simpson , as S . D . ; R . W . Klyne , as I . G . ; H . F . Uryden , S . S . ; J . H . Elliott , and others .

Bro . John Hedley , 4 S , who was balloted for at a previous meeting , was advanced as a M . M . M . by the VV . M . after which the annual elections took place , when Bro . C . B . F"rd . S VV ., was elected to be VV . M . ; Bro . John Wood , P . M ., Treas . ; and Bro . Joshua Curry , Tyler . A Finance dmnittee was also appointed .

Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

SHADWELL CLERKE PRECEPTORY ( No . 15 ;) . —The winter meeting of this preceptory was held at 33 , Golden-square , W ., on Monday last . The preceptory was opened by the E . P ., Sir Knt . Henry Lovegrove , assisted by Sir Knts . W . G . Lemon , J . S . Cumberland , Magnu- Ohren , J . H . Robinson , J . Shilcock , J . E . Purrott , G . )• Dunkley , and J hn Read , the latter presiding at the

organ . The minutes of the last convocation were read and confirmed . Sir Knt . Neal York , Constable , was unanimously elected E . P . for the ensuing year , and Sir Knt . Magnus Ohren was re-elected Treasurer , to the great satisfaction of the members . Sir Knt . George Kelly was elected a joining member . Sir Knt . VV . G . Lemon gave notice of motion for the presentation of a jewel to the r tiring E . P . The sir knights afterwards dined at the Holborn Restaurant .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

Ancient and Accepted Rite .

SHEFFIELD . —Talbot Chapter ( No . 16 ) . —A meeting was held on the 20 th ult ., presided over by the M . W . S ., III . Bro . J . E . Bingham , assisted by Bro . S . Kelly , 30 . High Prelate ; Bro . J . Gleeves , 1 st General ; and the rest of the officers of the chapter . Two candidates , Bros . T . R . Nicholas and F . C . Ramshaw , out of the six candidates , came up for the Degree , which was given by the

M . W . S ., assisted by III . Bro . Ensor Drewry , H . M . VV . S . III . Bro . Chas . J . Banister , S . G . I . G ., 33 ° , and I . G . North-Eastern District , escorted by 111 . Bro . VV . H . Brittain , 32 ° , III . Bro . R . Arnison , 30 , and 111 . Bro . Roddwing , was received under an arch of steel , and saluted . There was a good attendance of the members , amongst whom were 111 . Bros . T . VV . Tew , 30 ° , R . W . Prov . G . M . West Yorkshire ;

Collinson , Bright , Hawkesley , Thomas , Roper , and others . This chapter is working well , and very successful—equal to any in the district . Business over , the chapter was closed in due form . An excellent banquet was served up in the dining hall , presided over by the M . P . S ., 111 . Bro . J . E . Bingham , supported by 111 . Bros . C . J . Banister , 33 "; VV . H . Brittain , 0

32 ° ; T . VV . Tew , 32 ° ; VV . E . Bright , 30 ; and others , on the right ; 111 . Bros . E . Drewry , P . M . W . S . ; Kelly . 30 ; Roddwing , 30 ° ; Arnison , 30 ; T . Collinson , P . M . VV . S . ; G . VV . Hawkesley , P . M . W . S . ; W . R . Thomas , P . M . W . S . ; \ V . G . Roper , and others , on the left . The loyal toasts were proposed from the chair . III . Bro . Col . Birch , 30 '"" , lately residing in India , visited the chapter ,

and remained to the banquet . 111 . Bro . C . J . Banister , 33 , responded to " The Health of the Supreme Council " and his own health , which was graciously proposed by the M . W . S ., and enthusiastically received by the brethren . 111 . Bro . W . H . Brittain , 32 ° , responded for that Degree and the 31 , and proposed * ' The Health of the Members of

the 30 , which was responded to by the five members present . Bro . Banister proposed " The Health of the M . W . S ., " who responded in a most excellent speech . The M . W . S . proposed " The Health of the Visitors . " Other toasts followed , and the brethren separated , after spending a most enjoyable evening .

BOLTON St . Peter ' s Chapter ( No . 31 ) . —A meeting of this chapter was held at the Commercial Hotel , Gower Hall-square , on Saturday , the 2 Sth ult ., when the M . W . S ., Bro . A . Middleton , presided , assisted by his officers . There was a good attendance of the brethren , III . Bro . Charles James Banister , S . G . I . G ., 33 ° , and I . G . North Eastern district , and 111 . Bro . George P . Brockbank ,

32 ° , was escorted by the Grand Marshal and received under an arch of steel , and saluted . The minutes of the last regular chapter were read and confirmed . III . Bro . G . P . Brockbank informed the brethren that he had the fourth volume of Bro . Gould ' s " History of Freemasonry " ready to present 111 . Bro . Banister at the last meeting , but in consequence of the illustrious brother not being able to

attend the meeting he had taken it home , but would send it to Bro . Banister next week . No candidates having come up for the Degree , and the usual business of the chapter Over , it was 1 losed . The banquet was all that could be desired , and was presided over by the M . W . S ., Bro . A . Middleton . There was an excellent muster of members , although many were prevented coming through the elections which took place upon

that diy in the district . The loyal and Masonic toasts were duly proposed and responded to , interspersed with excellent music and songs , and a truly enjoyable evening was spent by all . Regret was expressed that 111 . Bro . Clement Beswick Royds , S . G . I . G ., 33 , and I . G . North Western District , was unfoitunali ly absent . Among the brethren present were Bios . Sinclair , Murray , Lane , Metchael , Swindlehurst , Brrrett , Huet , Harwood , Kenyon , Mcrris , Edwards , Cunliffe , Wilson , Davies , Latham , and others .

HULL . —Antient York Chapter of Redemption ( No . ( 58 ) . —A meeting of this chapter was opened on Thursday , the 3 rd inst ., by Bro . R . Huntley , M . W . S ., assisted by his officers . Bro . Thomas Marshall Wilkinson , P . M . of the Witham Lodge , was perfected by III . Bro .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

Charles James Banister , S G . I . G ., 33 , and I . G . of the North Eastern District , at the request of the M . W . S ., III . Bro . Walter Reynolds , 32 , acting as G . M . and Raphael , and Bro . T . Thompson acting as High Prelate . 111 . Bro . Smith , 31 , was elected as M . W . S . ; " lll . Bro . M . C . Peck , 3 ' > ° , as Treasurer . 'Two candidates were proposed for the Degree . The M . W . S . spoke in high terms of the late Bro . Henry Vise , iS " , who died on the 2 nd ult .. deeply regretted by all who knew htm . Many apologies were received from absent brethren who could not attend from

causes . After the chapter was closed the brethren assembled in the dining hall for supper , presided over by Bro . R . Huntley , ' M . W . S ., having 111 . Bro . C . J . Banister , P . G . I . G ., 33 ; III . Bro . Hopwood , 30 ° ; Bros . Cousens , Ansell , Wilkinson , and Moll on his right ; and 111 . Bro . Walter Reynolds , 32 ; Bros . Oates , Kiffs , Pudsey , Logan , Gilleit , and others on his If ft . The loyal and Masonic toasts were

given by the M . W . S in appropriate terms . 111 . Bro . C . J . Banister responded to the toast of " The Supreme Council , " himself proposing "The Health of the M . W . S ., " who acknowledged the same in a neat speech , and proposed "The Health of the Members of the 32 , and III . Bro . Waller Reynolds , " thanking him most sincerely for the great assistance he always gave to the chapter and its members .

After responding , Bro . Reynolds proposed "The Health of the Members of ihe 3 i ° and 30 V which was responded to by Bro . Hopwood , 30 , l . P . M W . S . 111 . Bro . Banister proposed " The Health of the Candidate , Bro . Wi'kinson , " which was drunk most heartily , and Bro . Wilkinson responded in a thoroughly Masonic speech , which augurs well for his success in this Degree . A very happy evening was spent .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Bro . I * red Leslie is engaged to play Jonathan Wild at the Gaiety , in the new burlesque of " Jack Sheppard , " promised for Boxing Night . Bro . David James will play Blueskin , and Miss Farren , Jack . On the ipth inst . the Parsee Company will take possession of the Gaiety stage for a week , in a selection from Indian pieces .

» * * Bro . Edward Terry , Grand Steward , has been interviewed by a special commissioner of the Manchester Chronicle , from which we learn the distinguished comedian has forsaken burlesque for ever , considering it inane and useless , and having served its purpose . Bro . Terry has

also given out that he intends playing in the provinces until May , when he returns to London and starts as his own manager in a new theatre , on the site of the Occidental in the Strand , where he will give farcical comedies , as "The Rocket , " and "In Chancery , " in which he is meeting with great success .

* * * " Hoodman Blind" recently reached its 100 th performance , on which occasion , as is the custom ai the Princess ' s , Bro . Wilson Barrett was called upon to make a speech . He then said that the next play there would be one by Mr . H . A . Jones and another gentleman , supposed to be himself ; after which he will produce a classical play

by Mr . Sydney Grundy , whom he has commissioned to write one . Then will follow the long-promised Shakesperian play . We suppose after that he will go to America , where ** Hoodman Blind " has just been received with the greatest enthusiasm . Athens is said to be the scene in which Mr . Grundy ' s classical drama will be laid . " Hoodman Blind " is still meeting with the success and popularity it began with . #

* * There has been a split in the camp at the Olympic , and we are threatened with the washing of dirty linen in public—a law-suit being impending . For some reason or another , the chief actress is now out of the cast of " Alone in London . " Miss Amy Roselle one evening omitted—whether purposel y or accidentally is known only to herself—some lines which led up to a cue for Miss

Harriet Jay , the joint authoress of the drama . The result of this was that the management sent her a week's salary and gave the part to Miss Jay to play ; the rest is to be played out in the law courts . It must certainly weaken the piece when Miss Roselle is not playing the heroine . Miss Jay ' s part , Gipsy Tom , is now played by Miss Louisa Gourlay . # #

* Cupid appears in some form in all theatrical representations , but we do not think he has appeared in name before so much as at the present time . At no less than three houses he gives the title to a piece . On Monday week , Mr . Wyndham , as a first piece , added "Cupid in Camp" on Ihe Criterion programme . This little piece

has been played before , we do not remember whether it was at this theatre . Then we have " In Cupid's Court " at St . George ' s Hall , Mr . German Reed ' s entertainment ; and at the Vaudeville , Mr . Thome ' s first piece is "Cupid ' s Messenger , " charmingly played by Miss Kate Rorke . "The Candidate" has passed its 250 th representation .

No one should miss seeing Mr . Wyndham in this one of his best of his many excellent character sketches . Our contemporaiy , The Era , announces that the author of " The Candidate , " Mr . Justin McCarthy , jun ., who was the successful candidate for Newry the other day , is about to lead to the h > meneal altar the only child of Bro . J . L . Toole , on which he is to be sincerely congratulated .

* * * The New London Pavilion was opened on Monday , the 30 th ult ., with every sign of its taking up the ground it formerly occupied in the sympathies of its patrons . Fur months past this palatial building has been

in course of construction , Ihe workmen being engaged on it by night as well as day . Many of our country cousins have supposed it was the town house ot a nobleman which was being built on this , one of the grandest sites in the world . On all concerned it reflects the highest credit , Messrs . Peto Bios ., the builders , Bro . J . Ebenezer

The Theatres.

Saunders , C . C ., F . S . A ., P . G . D ., the architect , and Mr . Biadwell , the decorator . It stands nearly and partly on the site of the old Pavilion . During the two weeks it has been crowded nightly . The entertainment is of a character quite in accord with and equal to ihe magnificent palace in . which it is held , Mr . Arthur Lloyd , Mr . Chas . Godfrey , Miss Nellie Farrell , Mr . Pat Keeney , Mr . Fred . Albert , and

Mrs . Lennard Charles being amongst the favourite singers . The acoustic properties are all that can be desired , for in every part of the building , which is not too large , the words of the singers on the stage can be distinctly heard . Mr . Villiers is still the proprietor , Mr . Sam . Adams the manager , whilst Mr . Harry Cavendish presides as of old over the assembly . #

* * Bro . Thomas Thorne on Wednesday of last week gave a matinee of an adaptation from the French play , " Le Voyage de M . Perrichon , " already known in this country as" I he Penered ' s Holiday " and " Mont Blanc , " which met with such a reception that the lessee decided to transfer it at once to the evening bill . Its new title is " I he Loyal Lovers . " This four-act farce is amusing ,

though its plot is not much , but in the hands of Bros . Thos . Thorne , Walter Everard , Lestocq , and Mr . Gardiner , who have the chief pans , it will probably command the attention of the Vaudeville audiences until the ne . v play of Mr . H . Jones is ready . "The Loyal Lovers " demonstrates an undoubted fact of human nature that it is more easy to win the affection and gratitude of others by placing one ' s self under an obligation to them , than by doing something which places them under an obligation to one ' s self . This

truth is shown by Bro . Thos . Thorne , who acts one of his old characters , the retired and—though not necessarilyvain , vulgar , and ungrateful tradesman . This man , Coverham , goes on a trip to the continent with his wife and daughter . Whilst yet at Charing Cross Station , where he takes the tickets , two young men—Henry Malvern ani William Cranford—confront the would-be travellers . One confides to the other that he is going to take a ticket for

Dover , with a view to following a very pretty and charming young lady , Miss Coverham ; the other replies he is doing the same thing . They agree to be friends as suitors for her hand , and that whichever is the happy man chosen , the other will retire honuurably . Accordingly , they set to work to ingratiate themselves with the papa . Cranford has the good luck to save the life of old Coverham , who has fallen into what he ignorantly terms a creevice on the

Mer de Glace . He at once becomes dear William . Miss Coverham favours him in his suit , as does the mother . Cranford is now the hero . Malvern is on the alert to surpass his rival , and purposely throws himself into a snow drift , which he knows is safe , and allows old Coverham to save him . The old snob begins to weary of hearing from his wife and daughter that he owes his lite to William , and is delighted to hear his own action spoken of by every one

in saving Malvern , who now becomes dearest Henry . ' 1 he latter seizes his opportunity , and asks for his daughter ' s hand , which is willingly given by the vain and ungrateful father . The landlord of the inn requests Covetham to write something in the visitors' book , which he is only too pleased to do . He writes : " How deep these precipices look when you are standing on the / tedge . " A French officer reads it , and writes underneath that there are no

hedges on the mountain , and suggests that the tailor does not understand the use of the letter h . Coverham , exasperated at this , adds that the above critic is an insolent puppy . Forthwith he is called upon when he gets home to fight a duel with the Frenchman . He accepts , but takes good care to inform the police of the forthcoming event , and tells them it will take place at a quarter to twelve , so that they will be there in time to nrovent it . Cranford ,

to win back Coverham ' s esteem , uses some influence he has to get the officer recalled to France ; but , as the tailor had made it all safe himself , he is exasperated at the young man ' s interference . Malvern would undoubtedly have the field left to himself for the young lady ' s hand but for an act of indiscretion . In Coverham's garden he confides in Cranford his opinion of the vanity and vulgarity of the extailor , who happens to be in a summer-house and overhears

all , and so William Cranford is accepted as the husband . Bro . Thorne is an excellent representative of the ex-tradesman . His droll manner is seen to advantage , and frequently convulses his audience . Mr . Gardiner , as Malvern , and Bro . Everard , as the other rival , play with much spirit and earnestness . Bro . Lestocq has such a poor part that he has no chance of distinguishing himself . This remark applies to Miss Kate Rorke—indeed , all the ladies' parts are

minute—who does the best she can with a character in which she has little opportunity of showing her undoubted ability , with which she is universally acknowledged to be richly endosved . Her talents are entirely thrown away on a piece where she has little to do but look pretty , and this she certainly does . On the second evening—the day we were present—a scene was put in the last act purposely for her , and she left the stage amid unmingled applause ; but , even

with this , we should think Miss Rorke will not be personally sorry when a new play comes out , that she may have a part a little more in harmony with , and some scope for , her capabilities . In the first piece , called " Cupid's Messenger , " by Mr . A . C . Calmour ^ a poetical and taking little play , Miss Kate Rorke has it all to herself as the heroine . The scene is laid in the time of Queen Elizabeth in the house of Sir Francis Walsingham . Sir Philip Sydney is in love with

Miss Fanny WaLingham , and she with him , and has long waited for him to woo and win her . His sister Mary , knowing of the affection , promises Miss Walsingham that she will bring her brother up to the scratch , and conceives an efficacious plan . Mary assumes the garb of a knight , and presents herself in doublet and hose to her brother , who has not se > n her for a long while , as a suitor for Fanny ' s hand . This has the desired effect , for when Sir Philip

rinds he has a rival , the procrastinating lover forthwith proposes , and , of c / urse , is readily accepted . " Cupid's Mesi-enger " was brought out at the Noveltv last July at a matinee , with Miss Rorke as Sir Philip Syuney ' s sister . This lady has resumed her original character , which she p lays in a charming manner , and gives her audience an insi ght of what she can do . Having youth and beauty on

her side—always a help to the ambitious on the stage—we see no reason to alter an impression we made long ago , that Mi ^ s Kate Korke will make a gieat name on the stage , and will be seen in the highest rank of Shakespeare ' s comedies . Bro . Everard plays the hesitating lover with manliness , and gains the attention of his hearers . We have repeatedly l commended his acting in various plays .