Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

had been held on Wednesday , the 25 th ult ., and that the donations and subscriptions were announced as £ 15 , 043 is . 6 d ., with 20 lists to come in , which sum has been since increased to £ 15 , 643 us . The thanks of

the Committee were voted to Earl Amherst , who had presided as Chairman , and the Board of Stewards who had supported him , and it was further agreed that the thanks to the Chairman should be engrossed on vellum and presented to him together with a fan to the

Countess Amherst . A letter was read from one of the candidates withdrawing her name from the list , and the application of the widow of an annuitant for half her late husband ' s

annuity was granted . A Committee , consisting of Bros . J . A . Farnfield , Treas ., George E . Fairchild , Brooks , Hogard , Webb , Everett , and Newton , was appointed to make suggestions as to the Jubilee F ' estival of 1 S 92 . A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings .

THE RECENT FESTIVAL OF THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . The following sums have been received since our report of last week , namely :

LONDON . Lodge £ s . d . 10 S Bro . George J . Baker ... additional 15 15 o 822 „ E . M . A . Seaton ... new list 31 10 0 47 5 0 Total as reported last week ... 15 , 612 1 0 TOTAL TO DATE £ 15 , 659 6 0

NORTH LONDON BENEVOLENT BALL . The final meeting of the Committee who arranged this most successful ball of 1891 has now been held , and the balance-sheet approved . Bro . Herbert Sprake was President ; Bro . R . Pye , Vice-President ; Bro . A . E . Sarti , Hon . Treas . ; - and Bro . Capt . Surcott , Hon .

Sec . The accounts show a profit of over £ 80 , and out of this sum the Committee resolved to pay to the Masonic Charities £ 7 8 15 s ., or 15 life subscriptions of £ 5 5 s . each , in the names of the following brethren , who were successful in the ballot for this privilege : Bros . Dr . Hunter , T . Heath , R . Pye , M . de Leeuw , S .

Wootton , W . Lee , G . R . Dix , J . Potter , A . E . Sarti , G . Cook , A . Tarling , Capt . Surcott , S . Stretch , jun ., W . Watts , and T . Glass . At the dinner which followed the meeting the President , Bro . HERBERT SPRAKE , said he believed it to be an unprecedented occasion when so large a sum was made out of a ball .

A very handsome diamond pin and stud were presented to the Hon . Sec . ( Bro . Capt . Surcott ) , in recognition of his services to the Committee .

- — - ? BRO . STEVENS' LECTURES . There was a large gathering of brethren at the regular meeting of the Pattison Lodge , No . 913 ( Bro . Col . Edwin Hughes , M . P ., W . M . ) , at the Freemasons ' Hall , Phimstead , on Thursday , the 5 th inst ., when Bro . James Stevens delivered his interesting lecture on ''The

Ritual and Ceremonial of Craft Masonry . " The lodge was opened at a somewhat earlier hour than usual , and three brethren were passed to the Second Degree , in which the lodge was continued during the delivery of the lecture .

If deep and earnest attention during two full hours by a large and intelligent audience to a lecture on Masonic ritual , interrupted only by frequent outbursts of appreciative agreement with the instructive arguments of the lecturer , and received at its termination by general applause , means anything , it should be

sufficient evidence that Bro . Stevens is doing good work in his endeavours to expound the hidden meanings of our mystic rites , without a knowledge of which the work of the lodge becomes purposeless . Bro . Stevens considers that we ought to conserve the absolute integrity of the 1813 ritual , which has been defined as lhat to be

universally observed in all lodges holding under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of England—the old principles , the . old usages , the old landmarks , the old traditions—as they have been transmitted by our forefathers , and are expressed in the forms and language of that ritual , and which we are morally and Masonically bound to transniit to our posterity pure and

unsullied as we then received it . He certainly makes out a good case for a revision of the indifferent working in most of our present-day lodges , and indicates the way in which such revision could be easily effected . His points are numerous , his interpretation of them concise and logical , and his address is not b y any means devoid of humour . There can be no doubt that

in many respects his suggestions will receive consideration and adoption by those who benefit b y hearing him . Amongst the brethren present on the above occasion were Bros . Col . Edwin Hughes , M . P ., W . M . ; A . Penfold , P . M . ; F . Barry , P . M . ; W . Busbridue , S . W . ;

W . Sanders , J . W . ; C . Coupland , P . M ., Treas . ; E . Denton , P . M ., Sec ; W . C . Taylor , S . D . ; E . Bryceson , J . D . ; C . J . Clapham , I . G . ; J . J . Collins , D . C . ; D . K . Somers , A . D . C ; J . H . Bull , Org . ; J . J . Murphy , Stwd . ; J . Griffiths , Rev . J . W . Horsley , W . J . Freeman , R . L . Pollard , J . O . Widger , W . Wren , J . Rich , T . G . Witts , G . Roberts , J . W . Dickinson , D . Sedgeley ,

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

H . Towns , J . Turton , W . Davidson , A . Moore , J , Farrier , H . Martin , T . F . Nell , E . M . Foster , W . H . Pryce , A . D . Capon , D . C . Capon , H . G . Baker , A . Wallis , E . A . Trapnell , J . G . Tucker , B . Littlewood , E . M . Taylor , G . H . Campbell , J . T . Taylor , W . H . Lewis , J . J . Messent , J . Stratton , S . Horton , T .

Hambrook , G . Frost , J . Oliver Cook , H . G . Spencer , R . E . B . Saunders , C . J . Swiss , L . Mills , and others . The following visitors represented their respective lodges : Bros . F . A . White , P . P . G . R . Essex ; G . W . Mitchell , G . D . C , Union Waterloo Lodge , No . 13 , by W . Turlby , P . M ., G . R . Davies , P . M ., J . Templeman , T . Ferguson ,

G . Dennison . T . Clark , J . Keevil , R . A . Steed , T . Beisley , A . C . Durrant , H . Richman , and A . Cleall ; Nelson Lodge , No . 700 , by W . Webber , I . P . M ., G . R . Nichols , H . Pamment , and A . Fenn ; Florenc Nightingale Lodge , No . 706 , by E . Sweney , P . M .-United Military Lodge , No . 1536 , by George Spinks

P . P . G . S . B ., W . S . Edwards , J . Winsborough , and H . H . Barrett ; A . Hoeftman , 1076 ; R . J . Cox , 1326 ; J . Fenn , 1950 ; and G . H . Graham , 2041 . After the lecture , the F . C . lodge was closed , and in the First Degree the W . M . expressed , on behalf cf himself and all present , his sense of the great importance

of Bro . Stevens' address , and the instruction and entertainment it had afforded them , and moved— "That the best thanks of the lodge to the lecturer be recorded on the minutes , and a written communication thereof be forwarded to Bro . Stevens officially . " Bro . PENEOLD , P . M ., in terms of hi gh

commendation , seconded the proposition , which was carried unanimously and by acclamation . Candidates having been proposed for admission , and " Hearty good wishes " expressed by the visitors , the lodge was closed . Supper was served in the large and handsome banqueting hall , the W . M . presiding , and promoting the

geniality of the remainder of the evening by quaint introductions of the few toasts submitted by him . The visitors expressed their gratification with the proceedings generally , and the lecturer came in for a large share of compliments and congratulations . A few songs and Masonic recitations added to the harmony and enjoyment of all who had had the privilege of sharing in a very pleasant Masonic function .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . J . L . STOTHERT . The funeral of this brother took place on Monday , the 9 th inst ., at Bath , the first portion of the burial service being read in Christ Church , while the interment was made at the Abbey Cemetery . A laro-e number of friends of the deceased , employes of Messrs . Stothert and Pitt , Limited , and Masonic brethren

attended , the last-named including Bros . R . C . Else , D . P . G . M . ; J . C . Hunt , Prov . G . Sec . ; C W . Radway , P . P . S . G . W . ; and the Rev . J . A . Lloyd , P . G . Chaplain . Directors and officials of the Bath Gas Company also attended . The Revs . B . Norton Thompson , J . Dunn , and E . Lascelles were the officiating clergymen . Many beautiful flor . il wreaths and crosses were sent .

The Theatres.

The Theatres .

If Mr . Pinero never writes a better play than " Lady Bountiful" ( a sweet contrast to "Lady Barter" ) we shall be satisfied . The last two years some plays have been written which are bound to leave their mark on the dramatic literature of our day , and will be referred to as masterpieces of the playwright ' s craft long after

our readers have passed from this sublunary abode , and their authors will be reverently spoken of as past masters of the drama . We refer to such plays as "The Middleman , " "Judah , " "The Profligate , " "The Dancing Girl , " "A Pair of Spectacles , " and now we add " Lady Bountiful . " For full three hours we sat

on Monday—in proximity to a box containing the M . W . G . M ., the Princess of Wales , and the Princesses Victoria and Maud of Wales—spellbound , listening to Mr . Pinero ' s brilliant dialogue ot his fascinating story , looking at Bro . Hare ' s unsurpassed stage-mounting ot the four acts , and in raptures with the acting ot the

clever company of comedians Bro . Hare has gathered round him . We did not miss a word—we should have been losers if we had , instead of which we are gainers . We defy anyone to go to the Garrick Theatre and sit out " Lady Bountiful " and not come away the better for having seen it . There is nothing new in the plot .

We do not want it in such a lovely play . We can dispense with thrilling situations . Tne people are not stage puppets , they are real men and women . " I know that man and woman—they come from everyday life . " " Lad y Bountiful " may not be an ideal heroine , but she is human . There

is not a character in the piece which is not true to life , and the author has not exaggerated in bringing those different people together . There may be such persons . We go farther and say they do exist , and Mr . Pinero doubtless has come across all of them . What happens in the play might—we do not say exactly does—happen in real life . It is a sad play , and we

are not ashamed to own that it drew tears trom hardened playgoers—men as well as women . Such perfection of acting must move the most callous . We agree that one ot the objects of the theatre is to amuse , but to be elevated and taken , as it were , out of one ' s self is also a good thing . Has anyone ever closel y followed "Caste" and not wept y " I don ' t go to the , theatre to cry , " it may be said . No ! true

The Theatres.

but go and see Bro . Hare's company act and tall ; as human beings , and you cannot help being mover ] , It would only spoil our adoration of the new plav were we to describe its plot , as to compress it in a few lines would be an injustice to the author . We , therefore , conclude by urging our readers to make a pj ( . grimage to the Garrick to the shrine of " Lady Bounti .

ful , " and see Bro . Hare , Messrs . Forbes Robertson , Charles Groves , Gilbert Hare , and Byron ; Misses Kate Rorke , Carlotta Addison , Dolores Drummond , Marie Linden , and Webster in their respective parts , and they will want to go again and yet again . Those who have the welfare of the drama at heart owe a deep debt of gratitude to Bro . Hare . He was always a favourite .

Since he built the Garrick he has produced only four pieces , all of them successes— " The Profligate , " " La Tosca , " " A Pair of Spectacles , " and now" Lady Bountiful . " The three English p lays are true to nature and teach more than many sermons . One cannot help having good thoughts put into one's mind in witnessing such as these . The little first piece— "Dream Faces "should be added to his repertoire .

* * * Mr . George Alexander , the lessee of the St . James ' s Theatre , Mr . Haddon Chambers , the author of " The Idler , " and the actors and actresses in the piece are to be congratulated upon having what appears likely to be a thoroughly successful play . For once the verdict

of New York audiences has been accepted over here . It cannot be said that " The Idler " opens up any new ground in the way of plot ; on the contrary , its story has been done before , but it fascinates the audience b y the skilful construction and by the exquisite acting of all engaged in it . In "Captain Swift" three years ago

Mr . Chambers showed great promise , but many , we think , have forgotten that he previously dramatised with no little skill one of Mr . Rider Haggard ' s novels , which was called " Devil's Caresfoot . " Though " The Idler " reminds us vividly of several well known plays , it is all the same a highly interesting play , and will be

sure to draw for at least the present London season . The mounting is perfection—that we might expect , Mr . Alexander having been for so long with Bro . Irving . The acting is in every case faultless , no better cast could have been arranged . Mr . Alexander is very powerful and sincere . Miss Marion Terry has

never been seen to greater advantage ; she makes the tenderest and sweetest of wives . Mr . Herbert Waring is quite safe as the outraged husband , an unsympathetic part carefully played . Miss Maude Millett and Mr . Nutcomb Gould supply the comedy element , and are

ever ready to score , but yet do not yield to temptation to over-emphasise their lines , which many would do . Lady Monckton does all she can in a difficult part . Already nearly every member of the Royal Family have been to see " The Idler , " our Grand Master having honoured the first performance with his presence .

* * * Had Mr . Coghlan ' s " Lady Barter" kept up to the standard of interest of the first act its success would have been assured , but gradually disappointment overtook it , and at the end the curtain fell amid dead silence . We do not wish to see every play end by

virtue being triumphant and vice punished , but a different ending ought to be made if " Lady Barter " is to hold the stage for any time . It is the old tale of an adventuress here , calling herself Lady Barter , who is about to form an alliance with a young peer who has become enamoured of her . But Col .

Pearce steps in and knowing her history informs her he will prevent the marriage with his friend , Lord Brent . She defies him . The play then settles down into a duel of words . A man whom she had ruined has left all his fortune to her as Nellie Maxwell . Col . Pearce informs her of this , so she has to choose

between owning herself to be a fraud and winning £ 200 , 000 , or masquerading as Lady Barter without the money . She boldly says she is Nellie Maxwell , and so releases Lord Brent of his promise to marry her . About the acting there can be no question . Mrs . Langtry is seen at her very best as Lady Barter . VVe

have before said she ought to keep to modern p lays as most suitable to her acting and appearance . In a series of gowns she looks lovely , and rivets the attention of the ladies to study them . Mr . Coghlan is artistic in the highest degree . Mr . Lewis Waller , Bro . Arthur Stirling , Mr . F . Everill , and Miss ITelen

Forsyth are in the cast , but they have small chances of distinguishing themselves . The piece virtually ' a duel betwixt Mrs . Langtry and Mr . Coghlan . The Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Connaught , and Bro . the Earl of Londesborough were at first night .

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