Order Of The Secret Monitor.

.. heart of one who was honoured by being Grand P e Ruler . He trusted that the Almighty might be P ' _? tospare ' himformany years to meet his brother Secret p leased F ^ ^ when he ^^^ pass int 0 the sere and J 1 S leaf and should go to that land from whose bourne 1 pller returns , he might leave behind him as good a 150 is that of the great patron of the Order , and that n rae ! P and his work in filling what appeared to have

blank in the bnglish Masonic system , might be rebee " a ered for many generations . The conclave decided to hold their Summer Meeting on _ > 2 « d and that it shall include a trip up the river I g and a banquet at Hampton Court . It was also i ded that on this occasion members should be permitted ntroduce lady friends . ' ° After the usual banquet , furnished forth in the finished

. i „ ci _ il at the Holborn Restaurant , the loyal toasts were followed , by that of "The Health of the S . R ., Bro . In supporting it Bro . Sir Robert Harley took occasion to v that he and Bro . Lewis Thomas had been close friends for over 40 years , that during that period they had never had a cross word , and that in the bonds which held them Monitorshe felt additional

t aether as Secret , an assurance that their life-long friendship would be still further streng thened and cemented . In proposing "The Health of the Treasurer and Secretary tbe S . R- expressed his regret , which he thought would be shared by every member of the conclave , that Bro . Spratling had felt the pressure of his duties so much

that he was compelled to retire from the office cf Secretary , though as Grand Recorder of the Order he trusted he would still retain his intimate relations with the members . He felt sure , however , that the Secretary ' s heart would lead him to do all he could for the Alfred Meadows Conclave , and that in Dr . Chas . Gross , M . U ., the new Secretary , they had a brother whose energy and ability would rival those of the brother just retiring from the post .

Bro . Dr . Gross' address is—the Infirmary , East Duliuch Grove , S . E . The following is a list of the officers of the conclave for the ensuing year : Bros . J . Lewis Thomas , D . R . O ., F . S . A ., S . R . ; Dr . Zacharie , G . S . R ., I . P . S . K . ; Col . J . P .

Godfrey , G . B . B ., C ; Chas . Belton , G . V ., G . ; W . G . Lemon , G . T ., T . ; Dr . Chas . Gross , Sec . ; Lennox Browne , G . Gdr ., Stwd . ; Rev . A . VV . Oxford , J . M . Collins , Webster Glynes , and J . M-. Bastone , V . Deacons ; Dr . Mackintosh , D . C ; Fredk . West , Gir ; and G . W . Rowe , G . Sentinel , Sentinel .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The Committee of Management held their regular monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall on VVednesday . llro . Jabez Hogg , P . G . D ., occupied the chair , and among the brethren present were Bros . James Brett , P . G . P . ; C A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; E . West , C F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . ; Hugh Cotler , S . Brooks , C . J . Perceval , C H . Driver , P . G . S . of W . ; C . H . Webb , VV . Hilton , A . H .

Tattershall , W . M . Bywater , G . S . B . ; A . Fish , Alex . Forsyth , J . Newton , John Palmer , C . G . Hill , J . A . Farnfield , P . A . G . D . C . ; H . Cox , Charles Lacey , W . H . Perryman , G . P . ; Thos .. Cubitt , P . G . P . ; R . Turtle Pigott , D . C . L , P . A . G . D . C ; W . Belchamber , J . J . Berry , and James Terry , P . G . S . B . ( Secretary ) .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and verified , the Secretary reported the death of Bro . Edgar Bowyer , Treasurer and Trustee of the Institution , P . O . Std . B ., and it was unanimously agreed that a letter of sympath y with the widow and family of the deceased should be written .

The SECRETARV reported the deaths of eight annuitants ( lour male and four widows ) , and the Warden ' s report for the past month having been read , that of the Finance Committee was read , adopted , and ordered to be entered on the minutes . The receipt of the nomination of two widows by West Yorkshire was announced , and as these were on the list of approved candidates , the number from which the election will

be made in May is reduced from 64 to 62 . lhe application by a widow of an annuitant for the half ot her late husband ' s annuity was granted . A Committee , consisting of Bros . J . A . Farnfield , J . A W' 0 ! 1 ' J- Berry , was appointed to prepare the annual Report of the Institution ; and it having been [ hi i t 0 lnvite the Stewards t 0 P ay 'heir annual visit to [ hrx ¦ n at Croydon , a vote of thanks was passed to ln « Uiairman , and the Committee adjourned .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

Rn , ? i .. J gular meet ! n S of the General Committee of the uyai Masonic Institution for Boys took place at Freemasons' Hall on Saturday last . Bro . J . L . Mather , A . G . !•» ___ , ' ° » , ? led the chair . and there were present Bros . St « df . v , " ' - Du"ant , Raynham VV . Stewart , P . G . D . ; lT ? , lchardson , R . J . Tucker , Geo . P . Gillard , Geo

Co M . ' Klcl , ard Morris , M . A ., LL . D . ; George Mnrti' i' , S < Cumbeiland , W . M . Stiles , Thomas A . s ™ on , Andrew R . Motion , H . Dickey , C . H . Webb , H . Homewood , F . R . Spaull , Richard Eve , G . Treasurer ; Saund . S ! i' . - Ad , ard > W - Paas , Harvey Venn , W . H . Wm ™ ' r ? U - Scurrah ' David D - Mer « r , W . H . I . L n i " ' oV i ° y ce Murray , H . Webb , Dudley Rolls , loh „ 8 ? A S- H Parkhouse , W . A . Glass , 1 . Glass

R . VV o , eman > Geor K Motion , George Mickley , F . ( Sectary ) S 6 S ' P-G-S > B-5 and F - Binckes , P . GlS . B . and cm ? B lnute j S of tIle P revious meeting having been read S pecial C ' those o £ the House Committee and petition ' T " - , 4 th u > t- read ioc information , two P' » ced onTh r ° f d ' and the names ordered t 0 be ucwoat election

liveanni _ aes I 0 C tne , and of tf « ons for grants towards outfit were made , 0 l , e of thf ° n & - " not enter'ained , while in the case of COn ditionall y . maming f ° ' a sum of £ * ° was granted ha nde d ? n ° f i , motionfor the Quarterly Court having been of th anks to theCh ^ d'ngS te rminated with the usual vote

The Savage Club Lodge And The Royal Silver Wedding.

THE SAVAGE CLUB LODGE AND THE ROYAL SILVER WEDDING .

At the last regular meeting of this lodge , of which the Prince of VVales , M . W . G . M ., is an honorary member , the following reply to the W . M ., Bro . Sir J . R . Somers Vine , from Bro . Sir Francis Knollys , P . G . W ., vvas read by the Secretary , Bro . H . Soman , P . P . G . Steward Norfolk , and ordered to be entered on the minutes : — " Marlborough House , i 6 th March , 18 SS . "Sir

, " I anijdesired by the Prince of Wales to acknowledge the receipt of the address from the Savage Club Lodge of Freemasons , thanking his Royal Highness for the gavel used by the Queen in laying the foundation-stone of the Imperial Institute , and congratulating him and the Princess of Wales on the attainment of their Silver

Wedding . '' The fraternal sentiments expressed by the brethren of the Iodge are sincerely appreciated by their Royal Highnesses , and the Prince ol Wales is glad to hear that the presentation made by him is so highly valued by the lodge , "I have the honour to be , Sir

, "Your obedient servant , " FRANCIS KNOI . LYS "Sir Somers Vine . "

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . GEORGE ANDREWS , P . M ., No . S 71 . We much regret to record the death of Bro . George Andrews , P . M . S 71 , and Preceptor of the Star and Wellington Lodges of Instruction . Initiated some 20 years since , Bro . Andrews has ever taken an active part in furtheiing the interests of the Craft , and nothing gave him greater delight than when imparting instruclijn to the many Masons who so gladly worked under his

Preceplorship , and who must now sincerely mourn his death . Bro . Andrews was a Vice-President of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for aged Freemasons and their Widows , and was also much interested in the Charitable Associations connected with the Star Lodge of Instruction , to the day of his death , being the esteemed and honoured Treasurer of the third in connection with that lodge .

Although totally incapacitated by illness for some considerable time past , it was hoped that being relieved from all care , his life would be prolonged , but a change for the worse taking place , he gradually became weaker , and peacefully passed away on Sunday , the ist inst ., in the 55 th year of his age , and to the very sincere regret of his numerous friends and admirers . The funeral

took place at Brockley Cemetery on Saturday last , when some 60 of the brethren followed the remains to the grave , others assembling at the cemetery gates . The beautiful burial service of the Church of England having been impressively rendered , the body of our departed brother vvas

consigned to its last resling place , amid the sorrowful manitestalions of regret of all present . It may be mentioned the funeral arrangements were conducted in the most complete and perfect manner , and to the entire satisfaction of all by Bro . J . G . Thomas , an old friend of the deceased , and a P . M . of the same lodge .

BRO . ALDERMAN WARDHAUGH , J . P . We are sorry to record the death of Bro . Alderman Wardhaugh , J . P ., which took place at his residence , Aubin House , Longton , Staffordshire , on the 2 ; th ult ., in his 75 th year , after a long and severe illness , borne , as every Masier Mason is taught to da , with fortitude . A friend who was much with him writes : " Durins his Ion" illness I have

spent many pleasant hours with him , trying in my humble way to relieve his sufferings and smooth his way to the unknown land . It is a grand consolation to know that he feared not death . His grand old face will always be with me as he lay in his coffi n sleeping that last sleep—so serene , so natural ! " On our brother ' s death becoming known , there was a general gloom cast over the borough of which

he had for two consecutive years been Mayor and for many years a Town Councillor , a member of the Stoke Board of Guardians , of the Longton School Board , and of the Dresden Local Board . At the time of his death he was an Alderman and permanent Justice of the Peace for the borough . His whole life vvas devoted to the drama , having begun as a call boy at Drury Lane Theatre , and for many years was known

as a provincial tragedian of great merit . He was the author of some 50 dramas himself , some of them being specially adapted for his own and his wife ' s acting , which took well with the public . But best of all he practised in his daily life those noble principles which are the distinguishing characteristics of every true Mason . Bro . Matthew Wardhaugh was initiated into Freemasonrv March 17 th , 1859 ,

in the Lodge of Relief , Bury , then No . 50 , on the proposition of his oldest living friend—Bro . Markham Tweddell—then Master of the Bury Industrial and Ragged Schools . Bro . Wardhaugh at that time had several wooden theatres , to which he moved his company for a few months each year , Bury , Barnsley , Leigh , Longton , and Congleton being places where he was

annually welcome . In 1 S 67 he built a permanent brick theatre at Longton and settled there , having only sold the theatre shortly before his death . The flags on all the public buildings in Longton vvere hoisted half-mast high on his death becoming known , and his funeral in Longton Cemetery , on the 31 st ult ., vvas attended by representatives of the Ctaft , the Corporation ^ including the present Mayor ) , the dramatic profession , and the buffalo

Socieiy , in which he held high rank . He leaves a widow , but no children , save those of the intellect—being the author of several short poems , etc . He had in early lile accompanied Wilson the author of " Tales of the Borders , " in a tour which gave rise to that publication , and had he , as Bro . Tweddell and others of his literary friends strongly desired , been able to leave behind him particulars of his eventful life , it would have been a most interesting volume .

The last Cinderella dance of the Ingoldsby Club will take place at the Horns Assembly Rooms , Kennington . on Thursday , the 19 th inst . These dances have proved a great success owing to the excellent band under the direction of Mr . J . W . Irwin , Mr . Ernest Neeld , the Secretary , and Bro . Fred . H . Williams , the M . C . These dances will , be started in November next .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Bro . ferry has accepted a new first piece by Mr . William Best , entitled " Physic , Law , and Divinity , " which will shortly be played in front of " Sweet Lavender , " now playing nightly to crowded nouses , the " House full " boards being put out at every performance .

« # * Mr . Frank Gillmore , a son of Miss Emil y Thome ( Mrs . Gillmore ) has been taking the pait of Bvo . H . B . Conway in "Joseph ' s Sweetheart , " during the Iatter ' s absence owing to ill-health . Mr . Gillmore has

acquitted himself so admirably in the part of Joseph that we hope before long he will have a good part given him in London . He has been complimented on all sides for his rendering of a part which he took without warning , further than being the understudy .

* If there be differences of opinion , and vve can conceive that there will be , regarding the dramatic qualities of Mr . W . S . Wills and Mr . Sydney Grundy's new play at the Haymarket , there cannot be other than one opinion regarding the magnificent way in which Bro . Beerbohm Tree has produced it . This distinguished young

lessee has placed upon an English stage a faithful representation of Court life , manners , and dresses of the time of the profligate Louis XV ., King of France , when the luxury of the iSth century had reached its highest point of development . The strange and gifted creature whose ascendency over Louis XV . ceased only with her death , left the stamp of her individuality upon all the arti that ministered to the

social lile of her epoch . Painting , music , sculpture , and the drama all owed something to her patronage , and Bro . Tree has resolved upon bringing out a play furnished by Messrs . Wills and Grundy dealing with the tremendous influence an adventuress gained over the debased King of France , whom he created Marchioness of Pompadour . The first act opens in the palace cf Versailles , with its marble pillars

and windows overlooking the beautiful grounds , which , and all other scenes , are triumphs in the art of scenery of Messrs . Telbin and Walterjohnstone . But these vvould not by themselves—lovely as they are—so materially assist the authors' play were it not for the costumes in which an attempt has been made to present the actual fashions of the time , for which purpose the paintings

of contemporary artists have been sought . Of the furniture and whole stage mounting it is no exaggeration to say that we have not ever witnessed a dramatic play more exquisitely put upon the stage . Nothing is omitted . We have the painted ceiling , the frescoes , the porphyry pillars , the richly carved furniture , ladies in hooped petticoats covered with satin gowns , which look as if they were inflated ,

gay cavaliers with periwigs and rapiers , and waistcoats beautilully worked . The whole " mise-en-scene" is most elaborate , every detail having received careful attention . It is a matter of opinion whether the characters are faithfully depicted by the authors , whether Voltaire vvas such a cynic , and whether Diderot and Grimm vvere such idiots as Messrs . Wills and Grundy vvould have them . We think

" The Pompadour" should notba so much called a historical as a romantic drama , lt diffeis from most plays , because love-making is not fhe plot of the piece , but the drama is founded on the ambition of an unscrupulous and wicked woman , who deserts her home , husband , and child , and ingratiates herself with the King , resolved to take the place of his Queen and sit on the throne herself , and

just when the height of her ambition is attained she falls , and once more gives a practical proof to King Solomon ' s words— " Vanity of vanity—all is vanity . " There is , however , a love interest in the playthat of the Pompadour ' s son—who has been brought up by the Lord Chamberlain as his secretary—and one of the young ladies-in-waiting to the Queen . This young man ,

unaware ot his parentage , in a moment of haste denounces the Pompadour ' s vices , and she at once , also unaware that he is her only child , orders his execution . A very fine scene in the drama is that of his fiancee pleading with the Pompadour that his life may be spared . The adventuress pretends to be moved by tne girl ' s tears , but hardens her heart like Pharoah of old . He is led to be executed ; but the

Chamberlain , knowing whose son he is , arranges that he shall not be shot . A play scene takes place before the Court , arranged by Voltaire , who has found Narcisse , the lawful husband of the Pompadour . This man has become half demented , and has been searching all over the country for years for his wife . He tells the story of his domestic life and of finding his son , when the Pompadour now sees that

this play is all true—that it is her oivn son whose execution she has ordered . She sends to save his life , but no sooner are the words out of her mouth than the shots of the soldiers are heard , and the Pompadour , supposing him to be killed , falls down dead , and so ends a mis-spent life . The young man is united then to the young lady of the Court . Bro . Beerbohm Tree , as Narcisse , is scarcely so happy as in

most of his former characters . It is not one which is altogether satisfactory , as the hero is impossible to altogether feel for the ragged , uncouth tramp who has become the associate of courtiers . The acting leaves nothing to be desired . Mrs . Tree , as the Pompadour , is tragic to a degree . We thought she might have made more of the death scene , but throughout the various acts Mrs . Tree faithlully

portrays the character of a cold-blooded , ambitious woman . Miss Janet Achurch still speaks in an artificial tone of voice , but the lover ot Mr . hred lerry is an excellent piece of acting . His dignified bearing and impassionate wooing quite won the hearts of his audience . Now he has got a hold on the London stage he ought not to be allowed to leave us . It is , we think , the first time we have had the

pleasure of seeing this—the youngest—member of the Terry family act . Opinion seems unanimous that he filled his part with great taste . Bro . Brookfield , as Voltaire , perhaps acts the best of all . He has some splendid lines given him by the authors , which he delivers in a way that always hit . We shall be surprised if this play does not draw for the whole London season , and possibly after that .