First Annual Ball Of The Royal Jubilee Lodge, No. 72.

brethren acted as Stewards , and were rewarded for their labours by the sight of a nnumerous and distinguished company , which filled the ball room , and set all doubts of the financial success of the gathering at an end . Dancing was maintained with groat enjoyment . . A novel feature in the musical arrangements being the presence of a choir of boys who sang the vocal obbligato to the waltzes of the first part of the programme , which

had been specially selected for the purpose—in a manner highly creditable to their teacher . The services of these young gentlemen had been placed at the disposal of the Royal Jubilee brethren by Bro . Baker , P . M ., of the Abbey Lodge , who took great interest in the whole proceedings . Shortly after midnight half the programme had been got through , and an adjournment was made for supper . This repast had been provided by Mr . Thomas Baker , of the

Albert Hotel , and it must be confessed reflected great credit upon the caterer . The tables , laid out with great taste , and ornamented by pillars of ice placed at intervals , formed a handsome sight and caused many an exclamation of pleasant surprise from the guests on their first entry into the Council Chamber , in which the supper had been laid .

Supper being over , after a few toasts briefly proposed and responded to , dancing was resumed and the attendance was well maintained till the finish , there being but few departures . Upwards of one hundred and sixty guests were present , and the brethren , having obtained a dispensation from H . R . H . the Most Worshipful Grand Master , appeared in Masonic clothing .

Annual Ball Of The Lodge Of Israel, No. 1502, Liverpool.

ANNUAL BALL OF THE LODGE OF ISRAEL , No . 1502 , LIVERPOOL .

The annual ball in aid of the Fund of Benevolence attached to the above lodge was held on Wednesday , the ioth inst ., at the Adelphi Hotel . There was a gathering of about 150 members and friends . It is anticipated that the proceeds will yield the usual surplus for the benefit of

the fund . The ball was most enjoyable and terminated at a late hour . It was instituted 11 years ago , to supplement the means at disposal for the relief of needy brethren . Sums varrying from £ 120 to £ 20 have been voted from time to time to such of them as their circumstances in life required , so as to reinstate them in business . Stringent measures are adopted that in doling out the funds the names of the recipients should be known to but

one or two of the leading members , that none need feel abashed at having to accept relief . The following officers assisted , and did their utmost to make the ball a success , viz . : Bros . H . Archer , VV . M . ; M . Hart , Treas . ; Rev . H . Burman , Chap . ; M . Aronsberg and J . F . Davis , M . C . 's ; D . Gabrielsen , A . Kirkpatrick , R . Robinson , S . Simmons , H . Defrece , S . Hart , H . Ellis , and A . Rabow , Stwds . The band , which was supplied by Mr . Ross , gave great satisfaction .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The final meeting of the Board of Stewards was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Friday , the 5 th inst . Bro . Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br ., presided , and among those present were Bros . Sir E . H . Lechmere , Bart ., M . P ., and James Terry , Sec . The latter having submitted the usual statement of accounts and directions having been given for the

payment of the several bills , votes of thanks to the Most Noble the Marquis of Hertford , P . G . S . W ., for his able services as Chairman at the Festival ; to the acting President , Hon . Treasurer , and other officers of the Board for the valuable assistance they had severally given ; and to Bros . Martin and Flattely for their success in obtaining lists of £ 450 and £ -4 °° respectively , were passed , after which , Bro . Bowyer having been accorded the usual vote of thanks for presiding , the Board was dissolved .

The regular meeting of the Committee of Management of this Institution took place at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday . Bro . Raynham VV . Stewart , P . G . D ., occupied the chair , and among those present were Bros . G . E . Soppet , C . F . Hogard , C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; James Brett , P . G . P . ; George Bolton , VV . J . Murlis , H . B . MarshallP . G . Treas . ; C . J . Perceval , Controller S . G .

, Bake , L . Stean , J . M . Case , P . G . D . ; G . E . Fairchild , C . H . Webb , Joseph Freeman , VV . J . Daniell , C . H . Driver , 1 . Newton , John Balmer , A . H . Tattershall , E . M . Money , J . Cubitt , Charles Davy , R . Turtle Pigott , D . C . L ., P . G . A . D . C . ; and James Terry , Sec . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read

and verified , the Secretary reported the deaths of four male and two female annuitants , and of one female candidate . The Wardens' report was read , and Bro . Terry stated the result of the Festival as being close on £ 15 , 000 . The proceedings then terminated with the accustomed vote of thanks to the Chairman .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The Genera ! Committee held their regular meeting at Freemasons' Hall on Saturday last . Bro . Edgar Bowyer , Vice-Patron , P . G . Std . Br ., presided , and there were present Bro . S . Richardson , J . L . Mather , H . Webb , Geo . P . Gillard , G . P . Festa , VV . H . Saunders , E . Baxter , Rev . R . Morris , M . A ., LL . D ., C . H . Webb , A . F . Godson , VV . A . Scurrah , A . E . Gladwell , VV . Maple , J . Moon , H . Venn ,

and F . . Binckes , I ' . G . Stwd . ( Sec . ) The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and verified , and those of the House Committee read for information , two petitions were considered and approved , and the names of the boys ordered to be placed on the list of candidates for the October Election , and a grant having been made to a former pupil , the Committee rose , after paying the usual compliment to the Chairman for presiding .

We have much pleasure in announcing the result of the Cambridge Middle-Class Examinations in December , 18 S 5 , so far as it affects this Institution . Thirteen boys went up for examination , the result being as follows : HONOURS . Class I . —Haworth , A . S ., Distinguished in Latin and Mathematics .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

Class II . —Johnston , C . J . ; Keighley , G . N . C . ; Kennedy , A . J . ; and Richardson , S . W . Class HI . —Hounslow , H . R . ; Langdon , J . ; Lucas , W . VV . ; Pungle , W . J . SATISFIED THE EXAMINERS . Knott , H . W . N . ; Scrope-Shrapnel , H . V . N . ; Southam , G . W . ; Tanner , F . T . Thus the whole thirteen succeeded , two-thirds of the number being placed in the Honour Classes . Nothing could have well been better .

Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution.

CHESHIRE EDUCATIONAL MASONIC INSTITUTION .

A Masonic service was held at the Parish Church , Runcorn , on Wednesday , the 24 th ult . The service was promoted by the members of the Ellesmere Lodge , No . 75 S , on behalf of the above Institution , to which centre they contemplate making an appeal on behalf of the family of the late Bro . VV . Houghton , formerly Tyler of the

Ellesmere Lodge . The two-fold interest of the service attracted a large congregation , and the very substantial sum of £ 22 12 s . was collected . The brethren assembled at the lodge room , Devonshire-square , at seven o'clock , and in full Masonic clothing went in procession to the church . The following membeis of the Ellesmere Lodge , No . 75 S , were present : —Bros . George Bell , VV . M . ; John Torkington , P . P . J . S ., S . W . ; J . H . Salkeld , P . P . J . S ., J . W . ; E .

Marwood , P . M ., Treas . ; G . Summerfield , Sec . ; F . A . Lake , S . D . ; T . Wright , J . D . ; L . Rosenberg , I . G . ; T . H . Annett , S . S . ; John Cooper , J . S . and Org . ; Rev . R . Edwards , Chap . ; Rev . John Lockwood , P . P . G . Chap . ; William Mellor , P . M ., P . G . J . D . ; George Moss , P . M . ; VV . R . Wass , P . M . ; R . R . Clark , J . S . ; Jno . Coxhill , P . M ., D . ofC . andP . P . S . S . ; Jno . LeCouteur , Almoner ; George Hayes , Tyler ; H . Torkington , C . VV . Phillips ,

Jno . S . Davies , Jno . Fox , Robert Evans , James Littler , T . D . Timmins , W . A . Rhodes , J . J . Waterworth , James Collier , P . Speakman , and T . Kirkham . The visitors present were Bros , the Rev . E . O . Rawson , P . P . G . Chap . ; R . A . Turton , Org . 220 ; John S . Patten , S . W . 13 S 4 ; John Scannell , S . S . 13 S 4 ; James White , P . M . 13 S 4 ; J . Willocks , S 97 ; E . Robinson , S . S . S 97 ; Isaac Smith , I . P . M . S 97 ; C . C . Wilson , P . M ., D . of C . S 07 ; John J .

Tickle , VV . M . S 97 ; John L . Carron , S . VV . 8 97 ; D . M . F . Gaskin , P . M . S 97 ; 1 . VV . White , I . G . 190 S ; Samuel Orine , VV . M . 295 ; VV . Williams , 1609 ; A . Buck , P . M . ; VV . E . Lea , Wm . Cooper , G . Hewitt , George Hardley , and C . A . Timmins .

The lessons were read by the Rev . T . Manton Armson and the Rev . J . Lockwood , and the prayers by the Rev . R . Edwards . The service was full choral . The processional hymn was "Through the night of doubt and sorrow , " to the tune of St . Oswald ; the " Magnificat " and "Nunc Dimittis " being to services in G , by Cooke . The anthem was Clarke VVhitfield ' s " Behold , how good and joyful , " Which the choir rendered with ovronrinn . nl facto Tho Viacc

solo was given by Bro . J . R . Curnow , of St . Peter ' s , Chester . The hymn before the sermon was " We give Thee but Thine own , " to the tune of St . George . Immediately after the sermon Bro . Curnow sang the solo " The trumpet shall sound , " after which the choir gave the "Hallelujah Chorus , " in which they displayed their customary power and sweetness . The service throughout was of the highest order of excellence , and reflected the greatest credit upon Mr . Johnson , the Organist . The sermon was preached by Bro . Rev . E . O . Rawson , vicar of Marston . from the text .

"Am I my brother ' s keeper ? " The preacher dwelt upon the duties which every man owed to his fellow as a brother in Christ , and concluded by making an earnest appeal on behalf of the object for which they were assembled . To his brethren of the Craft it was not necessary that he should dilate upon the merits of that virtue of Charity which they , as brothers , all professed to admire . By their presence that evening it was manifest that they were anxious to help the little ones who could not help

themselves . I heir father was their brother in Christ and their brother in lodge . It would ill become him , a stranger , to press upon them his merits—of the open heart , of Ihe liberal hand ; but he would beg of them to do their utmost . An organ recital was given at the close of the service by Bro . R . A . Turton , of Garston . Bro . VV . Williams , of Chester , also gave the solo , "Comfort ye , my people , " in a manner that won general appreciation .

West Lancashire Hamer Benevolent Fund.

WEST LANCASHIRE HAMER BENEVOLENT FUND .

The twelfth annual report of the Hamer Benevolent Fund for the assistance of distressed Freemasons in this province , of which Bro . G . Morgan , P . M ., is Hon . Treas ., and Bro . H . H . Smith , P . M ., the Hon . Sec , states that the amount received this year has exceeded the last by £ 23 12 s . 6 d . The sums received from subscriptions and

donations were £ 284 15 s ., as against £ 261 3 s . 6 d . last year . The number of contributing lodges and chapters was 3 S , against 36 last year , showing that out of 1 iG lodges and chapters in the province there are no fewer than 7 S who have not made any return whatever to the fund , notwithstanding the fact that an appeal has been made to

each . The list is again headed by the Antient Briton Lodge , No . 1 G 75 , with a return of £ 24 , as against £ 2 S contributed last year . There were three annuitants upon the fund during the year , but one has recently died , leaving now two on the fund , but this number may be considerably increased at any moment , in consequence of the very severe commercial depression which now , unfortunately , exists , as the by-laws empower the committee to help all distressed

freemasons who may be incapacitated , or whose income does not exceed £ 40 per annum , and there is no limit to age providing they shall have subscribed to a lodge or lodges for nine years . The need , therefore , for continued and increased help must be apparent . The capital of the fund is now £ 1992 Gs . 3 d ., as against £ 1700 iGs . last year , showing an increase of £ 291 10 s . 3 d .

The Queen held an Investiture at Windsor Castle on Tuesday . The Duke of Connaught , accompanied Her Majesty and Bro . Sir Albert Woods ( Garter ) was among those in attendance . Several officers and gentlemen were decorated , among them Bro . the Right Hon . F . A . Stanley , M . P ., who was knighted and invested with the insignia of a Knight Grand Cross of the Civil Division of the Order of the Bath .

Theatre Royal, Manchester.

THEATRE ROYAL , MANCHESTER .

Now that the , in every sense , grand pantomime of " Dick Whittington"has ended its successful career , we feel bound in all sincerity to state that never in our experience has such a brilliant show been seen outside the portals ol Drury Lane , and we opine that the pantomime will long be remembered with the liveliest pleasure by all who were fortunate enough to see it . The hackneyed , though not always truthful

phrase— "No expense has been spared , & c , " was , in this case , faithfully applied , judged by the handsome and costly dresses , which on the last night appeared little , if any , the worse for wear . Of the scenery it is impossible to speak other than in terms of the highest praise . Everyone connected with the dramatic profession who happens to know Bro . H . P . Hall , cither personally or by repute , cannot but conscientiously admit him to be a scenic artist of undoubted

merit , and a gentleman who is most particular and painstaking when carrying out the smallest detail connected with his art , in order that his subjects shall be as correct and natural as they can be . The most charming scene in the pantomime was " Highgate Hill , " with its ballet of flowers , and nothing more natural and refreshing to the eye on a cold winter ' s night could be imagined than this charming summer picture ,

whilst the cleverly executed groupings of the danseuses , who represented the various flowers , was a triumph to the ballet master . Other scenes , including the " Ball Room , " " Fitz-Warren's Shop , " "Old London , " and last , but not least , "The Transformation , " were cleverly executed , and must have been productive of immense time and labour . Of Mr . "Johnny " Crook's music it is sufficient to say that if anything it excelled all his former efforts , the ballet music

being exceptionally tuneful and jjleasmg . Of the acting we repeat what we have often remarked , that Mr . Charles Collette ( Simon ) was completely out of his element , and we feel certain that this clever comedian ' s admirers ( and their name is legion ) would feel at all times more satisfied when witnessing him perform his well-known comedy characters . # The character of "Dick" was most ably portrayed by

Miss Alice Aynsley Cook , who , throughout the pantomime , had plenty to do , and did it well , always seeming to be perfectly at home and to fairly revel in the "business . " During the first few nights of the pantomime the character was played by the late Miss Lizzie Coote , for whom it was originally intended , but owing to an accident and feeble health she had to give up her engagement , and , despite a sojourn at Southport and the best medical attention , she

died after seven weeks illness , and was buried in the Southern Cemetery , Withington , scarcely a week before the termination of the pantomime . Lionel Rignold , as " Rian Ann , " the cook , was very good , and caused more merriment than any of the company . One of the cleverest impersonations was that of the "Cat , " most ably fulfilled

by Mr . Fred Evans , iun . His antics were most cat-like and marvellous , and his scene , or rather we should say their scene , which included Mr . Will West ( the bull-pup ) , Mr . Fred Evans , senior , and Mr . Edward Towers ( all wellknown and clever pantomimists ) , was most mirth-provoking and astounding . Of the remaining artists who took part in the show , it is sufficient to say that they one and all did their best to make it , what unquestionably it was , a genuine success .

On the last night but one of the pantomime , a well-merited compliment was paid to the spirited and highly popular lessee , Capt . Bainbridge , who was presented before a crowded house with an illuminated address on the occasion of his first complimentary benefit . The project was , we understand , organised and carried out by a number of gentlemen , members of the Arts Club , within ten days . The Mayor of Manchester , Alderman Goldschmidt , was to

have presented the address , but , unfortunately , at the last moment was unable to be present , although several members of his family were . When the curtain fell on the Ballroom scene it almost immediately rose again , when , in addition to the multitude of gorgeously attired ladies and gentlemen , a table was placed on the centre of the stage , at which was seated J . Farrell , Esq ., dramatic critic of the Courier , and Chairman of the Testimonial Committee ,

Col . Sowler , proprietor of the Courier ; two other gentlemen , members of the Committee ; and the beneficiare himself , Captain Bainbridge . Mr . Farrell , in a capital speech , opened the proceedings by eulogising the Captain on the admirable and satisfactory manner in whicli he had conducted the theatre since his connection with it , and his great kindness in g iving the use of his theatre on several occasions for charitable purposes . Mr . Farrell also spoke

in high terms of praise of the captain's zealous and hard working manager , Bro . Peter Watson ; of Mr . "Johnny " Crook , musical conductor ; and Bro . T . F . Doyle , stage manager , the mention of whose names called forth tumultuous applause , and when it subsided . Col . Sowler was called upon to make the presentation , which he did with a few well chosen sentences . The Captain , who was evidently much overcome , thanked

the gentlemen of the committee , individually and collectively , for their kindness in working so willingly to present him with this handsome testimonial , which he assured them he should highly prize . He also thanked the ladies and gentlemen who were present in such large numbers that evening , foi honouring him with their presence on the occasion of his first complimentary benefit , and assured them ( hat nothing should be wanting on his part to merit

that support in the future which they had accorded him in the past , and they would find him to be a man of deeds not words . In addition to the attraction of the pantomime Miss Jenny Hill and Mr . Charles Collette ( both of whom had travelled specially from London ) , appeared ; also Mr .

Ramsey Danvers , Miss Wallis , Mr . | . L . Shine , Miss Brandon , and Mr . Edward Righton , each and all of whom afforded intense amusement with their contributions . The performance was a complete success , and Captain Bainbridge must have been highly gratified at this exhibition of public esteem .

» Bro . Earl Granville has received offers of assistance both from the King of the Belgians and the French Government , the former expressing his readiness to lend a large number of works of art from the Belgian galleries , while the latter will contribute exhibits from the national porcelain and tapestry factories , as well as of art treasures , towards the forthcoming Art Treasures Exhibition at Folkestone .