Lodge Picnics.

LODGE PICNICS .

MARINERS LODGE , No . 249 , LIVERPOOL . The members of this lodge recently held their annual picnic , the chosen resort this year being Chester . The various points of interest in thc ancient city on the Dee were visited , after which dinner was served at the Albion Hotel . The party then proceeded to Eaton , where thc

hall and grounds were inspected . On returning to Chester refreshments were again provided at the Albion Hotel , and the catering of Mr . and Mrs . Lovelady was much appreciated . All the customary loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , the list concluding with that of the " Host and Hoster . s . " The return iourney took place in the

evening , after a highly favourable day had been most aereeablv spent . The following brethren were of the patty . Bros . Davies , W . M . ; VVhalley , P . M ., M . C . ; Hayes , P . M . ; J . lanaway , P . M . ; W . H . Vernon , P . M . ; Hesketh , 11 S 2 ; Collings , Sec . ; Bradley , J . VV . ; Pye , S . D . ; and Bros . Josephs , Bush , Davidson , and Wagget , Stewards .

COMBERMERE LODGE , No . 60 s , BIRKENHEAD . On the 30 th ult . the members of this lodge , each accompanied by one or more ladies , visited Eaton Hall for a day s outing , under the guidance of Bro . J . R . Stmm , the esteemed Master of the lodge , who was most ably seconded by P . Ms . Staley , Gregory , and Coveney , assisted by Bro . Francis DCThe ' company , numbering about 50 , left

.. Birkenhead in specialc » rriages , and on theirarnvalat Chester enjoyed a short stroll through the streets and rows of that far-famed ancient and quaint city , and afterwards embarking in two gailv decorated barges specially retained for the day were rowed uo the Dee . After a most enjoyable sail , enlivened by the glees and snngs of several musical brethren—inspired by the inspiriting music dispensed by the brethren landed

musicians arcompanying the party—the on the Eaton Hall estate , close to the pretty but most substantial bridge , erected by the present Duke of Westminster . The dinner ( which was provided by Bro . De Board ) having been partaken of , the tastefully arranged grounds were then visited , dancing , athletic sports , and other equally enjoyable amusements afterwards becoming the

order of the day . Some time having been thus occupied , nature again asserted her sway , the consequence being that tea— " the cup that cheers but not inebriates "—took the place of discarded sports . That time is ever on the wing was now forcibly brought to mind by the near approach of twilieht , and as time and tide wait for no man , and

everything must have an end , the command for return was given —the retreat commenced—Chester was reached and the party safely landed home , where they separated with mutual good wishes that the happy termination of the day ' s proceedings would prove but the beginning of many a similar day ' s pleasure under the auspices of the Combermere Lodge .

The opening plav at the Lyceum 111 June next year will be Mr . VV . G . Willis ' s new version of "Faust , " with Mr . Irving as Mephistopheles and Miss Terry as Marguerite . This production will be followed by a revival of " King Lear . "

A correspondent writing to the Broad Arrow says the first fortnight in September might be well called "the bloody fortnight , " the following battles having been fought between the 1 st and nth of the month : Dunbar , Worcester , Relief of Vienna ( 1683 ) . Malplaquet , Borodino , Sedan , Plevna , and Tel-el-Kcbir . There might , he adds , be

even more . Bro . Charles Atkins , the Junior Vice-President of the Lodge of Benevolence , having been advised that ano'her winter in London might have serious results to him , has determined tochange his locality to Torbay , where the air is more genial , and where he has taken the Queen s Hotel . The brethren of the Egyptian Lodge , No . 27 , and

of the John Hervey Lodge , No . 1200 , will miss in Bra . Atkins a Past Master who has served those lodges faithfully and well . We learn from the Keystone that a very singular incident occurred at the funeral of the late Bro . the Duke of Marlborough . At the moment the procession appeared on the entrance steps of Blenheim Palace a white aove

fluttered down from one of the towers of the east wing of the palace on to the lawn in front of the coffin , and when the procession had just reached the steps on their return after the ceremony another dove flew from the lawn and alighted on the stone parapet immediately over the entrance doonvav . Both these birds had accompanied the late duke abroad in his yacht .

The restoration of the Derby Chapel in Ormskirk Church , Lancashire , has just been completed at thesole cost of Bro . the Ear ] and the Countess of Derby , who have manifested their interest in the work by personal inspection . The vault beneath the chapel is now closed . Prior to the burial of the late Eail in 1 S 69 , it was the burial place of the Earls of Derby , being built under the will of the third earl ,

and has been the subject of much research by antiquarians . In the work of restoration great care has been taken to pre serve whatever of antiquity could be utilised , and a more befitting Lancashire memorial to the great earls could not be desired . . The / Eolus Patent Multitubular Ventilating Stove is as effective as it is simple in construction , and may be fitted

in a complete state for a very moderate cost . It may be used either by itself or in conjunction with the ^ olus Waterspray Ventilator , to the merits of which we drew attention some time since , for the purpose of heating and ventilating rooms , churches , chapels , & c . It is nothing else than a series of metal tubes open at both ends , enclosed in a metal case , which is shut up top and bottom ,

except where the tubes pass through . Inside this case is an atmospheric burner , not unlike a gridiron in appearance , which slides in between the rows of tubes and heats them to an intense degree , while the fumes of the gas are carried off by means of a pipe which is connected with a flue . The advantage of this stove is that it is Aery economical ,

the cost per hour being about three-halfpence , and as it is enclosed in a neat brass wire cage , it is very sightly in appearance . The cost with atmospheric burner complete is £ 10 , delivered free in Lond > n , and those who would judge of this stove will do well to visit the premi-es of the ^ Bolus Waterspray and General Ventilating Company , 35 . High Holborn , where a great variety is always to be seen .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

" Confusion " continues to have a prosperousrun at the Vaudevil . e , where it was played for the fiftieth time on Thursday last week . * ^ ^ The character in " Iolanthe " hitherto performed by Miss Fone ^ cue is now assigned to Miss Julia Gwynne , who will continue to play it until the Haymarket re-opens .

Mr . John Bannister has been engaged by Miss Kate Vaughan as stage manager during her approaching tour in the provinces . * * # Mr . Harrington Bai ! j '' s comedy company will shortly proceed on a provincial tour with " Elopement , " by Mr . H . A . Jones , and a new burlesque on " Moths , " by Mr . J . VV . Houghton .

* # # Mr . J . R . Kemble , who for the last seven years has discharged the duties of "interlocutor" at Messrs . Moore and Burgess ' s entertainment , has now retired , intending to make a professional tour through the United States . # # «

A morning performance of " Blue Beard " will be given to-morrow ( Saturday ) , and at a special Gaiety matinee on the 26 th inst . a German actress , named Franziska Elimenieich , is to make her debut on the English stage . # #

* , Miss Gerard , who played with so much success in the character of Ruth Deybrooke in " M . P ., " at Toole ' s Theatre , has left England , per steamship City of Rome , for New York . Miss Maud Robertson has succeeded Miss Gerard .

"A Midnight Marriage" was produced at Bedford , New England , on the 30 th ult ., under the direction of Mr . VV . Redmund . On the same night there was a formal performance of the drama at the Margate Theatre to secure the British copyright . Mr . Charles Osborne is the author .

* * The Court reopens on the 29 th inst . with a comedy by Mr . Godfrey , founded on " Kissing the Rod , " one of Mr . Yates's novels , profoundly sad in its main story . Mr . Sugden , Mrs . John Wood , and Mrs . Beerbohm Tree , in addition to the former company , are in the cast .

* The majority of the Lyceum company will leave Liverpool for the United States , per steamship City of Rome , on the loth prox . A few others will follow the next day , per steamship Britannic . Mr . Abbey's contingent will join the English actors at New York , bringing up the full strength of the travelling company to seventy persons .

* * * Mr . Dutton Cook , a gentleman well known in the literary and dramatic world , both as author and dramatic critic , died suddenly on Tuesday , at the age of 52 . A few weeks since Mr . Cook published his last work , being a series of his criticisms which had appeared in the public journals under the title of " Nights at the Play , " a work which extended to two octavo volumes .

* The new opera " Colomba , " the music for which was composed by Mr . A . C . Mackenzie , and the libretto written by Francis Hueffer , was given on Monday night for the first time in Liverpool by Mr . Carl Rosa ' s company , and was accorded a most enthusiastic reception by a larjje audience . Madame Marie Roze appeared in the title r 6 le , and made a distinct success in this new character .

* Bro . Augustus Harris produced on Saturday evening . asapreludetothesuccessfuldramaof" Freedom , " a comedietta entitled " The opera Cloak , " which we certainly think partakes more of the character of farce than comedietta . It is the joint work of Bro . Harris and Mr . L . D . Powles . As an opening piece "The opera Cloak " was a great success , though modest and unassuming .

# # # Mr . Alexander Henderson will produce at the Avenue , about the begining of next month , a comic opera by Mr . Farnie , with music by Offenba ; h , entitled " La Vie . " Among the leading members of the comoanv takinrr nart

in the opera are Misses Camille d'Arville , K . Gardiner , Louise Henschel , and Clara Graham , and Messrs . Lionel Brough , Arthur Roberts , Herbert Standing , and Forbes Drummond . The opera , which is to be produced in an exceptionally costly and tasteful style , will be experimentally tried at Brighton first .

M . Paul Siraudin , the distinguished French dramatist , died onlSaturday night in a lit of apoplexy . He was part author of the famous drama of " Le Courrier de Lyon , " which has been immensely popular upon our own stage as the "Courier of Lyons " and the " Lyons Mail . "

Me was the author besides of 150 other pieces written mostly in collaboration with other writers , who included Labiche , Clairville , Delacour , Thiboust , Chivo ) , and Duru . Among these pieces may be mentioned " Le Misanthrope ct V Auvergnat , " " Les Femmes Serieuses , " and " La Fille de Madame Angot . " M . Siraudin was 71 years of age . # # #

The prosperity of the concerts conducted b y Bro . A . Gwyllym Crowe at Covent Garden suffers no check from variations of temperature or other outward conditions generally considered to have an important bearing upon such entertainments , thus speaking well both for the managerial arrangements and the intrinsic excellence of the

musical performances . Last Wednesday , as usual , the first part wasallotted to compositions with a more or less classical tone , but on other evenings both divisions of the entertainment have been what may be tersely described as "something for everybody . " The band at Covent Garden , we may add , comprises the most eminent native players that can be got together at this season of the year ,

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . CHEVALIER EDWARD MEUGENS . Many Masons in Lancashire and elsewhere will learn with regret that Bro . Chevalier E . Meugens , the Belgian Consul at Liverpool , died at his residence , 24 , Park-road , South Birkenhead , on Friday week . Our deceased brother , whose warm interest in the Birkenhead Borough Hospital was well known and much appreciated by the committee of that institution , has been attended during a lingering illness

by Bro . Dr . Spratley , of Rock Ferry , a friendof long standing , and whose assiduous attention to the deceased was much valued by the chevalier up to the last . At an early age Bro . Meugens , who had served as a volunteer during the Belgian revolution , in the course of which he was slightly wounded , came to Liverpool , and for some time was in Mr . Castcllain ' s office , along with his brother . How he succeeded in business in the city of his adoption is

well-known to all commercial men . Whilst Mr . Johnson was Belgian Consul here , Bro . Meugens was appointed vice-consul , and on Mr . Johnson ' s death , in 1849 , 'he was appointed consul , a position which he held up to his death . He was made Chevalier de TOrdre de Leopold in October , 1 S 57 , in recognition of the valuable services he had rendered

to his country in the exercise of his consulate duties here . Besides taking great interest in the Birkenhead Hospital , Bro . Chevalier Meugens was a warm supporter of other charities , and his kindly disposition and numerous benefactions will long be remembered . He was an ardent Freemason , and stood high in the rank of the Orders .

BRO . ALDERMAN MORRIS . It is with the greatest regret that we announce the death of Bro . Alderman Pryce Morris , which took place at his residence , Lauriston , Grosvenor-road , Claughton , Birkenhead , last week , after a short illness . Bro . Morris was a native of Shropshire , but has been a resident in Birkenhead for nearly 30 years . In all his business transactions he was the soul of honour , and in his

social relations no man was more generally respected . His public career is well-known . In 1 S 75 he became a member of the Board of Commissioners , and on the Incorporation of the borough he was elected a member of the Town Council , being in 1 S 7 S . elected to the aldermanic bench , and until his death sat in that capacity . In 1 S 79 he became Chairman of the Watch Committee . With the police force

generally he was a great favourite , and always took a hvely interest in the welfare of the officers and men . He was twice married , and leaves a son and daughter to lament his loss . Bro . Morris was a member tor many years of the Mersey Lodge , No . 477 . Birkenhead , and there was a large gathering of the brethren at his funeral , which took place on Monday , at WooJchurch .

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23 irtp , iflarrfatros , anlr Hcatfjs

[ The charge is 2 s . 6 d . for announcements not exceeding Four Lines under this heading . ]

BIRTHS . CANNOT . —On the Sth inst ., at Saville House , Chiswick , the wife of Mr . E . H . Cannot , of a son . CROWTHER . —On the 10 th inst ., at Lorne-villas , Woodford , the wife of J . C . Crowther , of a daughter . HYETT . —On the 10 th inst ., at Painswick House , Painswick , Gloucestershire , the wife of Mr . F . A . Hyett , of

a daughter . JOCEUYN . —On the 8 th inst ., at Rawcliffe , York , the wife of Major R . J . O . Jocelyn , of a son . LAWRENCE . —On the 10 th inst , at Belsize-road , Hampstead , the wife of G . W . Lawrence of a son . OLIVER . —On the 9 th inst ., at 9 , Brandon-street , Edinburgh , the wife of Mr . James Oliver , of a son .

MARRIAGES . BARROW—NAIRNE . —On the 12 th inst ., at St . George's Hanover-square , by the Rev . George Darby , assisted by the Rev . John Pigott , Charles Henry Malet Barrow , second son of the late Charles James Barrow , of Southwell , Notts , to "Ida , " Eliza Mellis Nairne , second daughter of the late John Mellis Nairne , of Perthshire , Dunsinnan .

BlRKiN—WoRTON .-On the 13 th inst ., at St . Mary ' s Sn I' - , sI , neton , John Dexter , son of Captain Birkin , of Kedhill , to Marianne , daughter of Mr . T . Worton , and grand daughter ot Joseph McQuin Denyer , Esq ., of Kennington . GILLMORE—GEE . —On the Sth inst ., at All Saints * Church Bayswater , Richard , son of the late John Gillmore , of Portsea , to Sarah , daughter of the late William Gee , of Grafton-street , VV .

RAWSON-STRATFORD . -On the 1 st inst ., at Hampstead Church , Gloucester , by the Rev . B . S . Dawson , M . A .. Rector Christopher ; Rawson , F . C . S ., of Bradford ! Yorkshire , to Florence , daughter of Mr . Joseph Stratford , of Gloucester .

WICKHAM—GREEN . —On the 6 th inst ., at St . Paul ' s Avenue-road , Regent ' s-park , by the Rev . Robt . Mackrell , cousin of the bridegroom , assisted by the Rev . 1 , Knight , Curate , Commander Edward Wickham R N . son of Dr . Wickham , Charlton-house , Tetbury , to F *™ y . H "l ott daughter of the late Mr . Isaac Green , ot Tulse-hul .

DEATHS . ALLEN . —On the 8 th inst ., at Weston-super-Mare Gertrude , daughter of the late J . R . Allen . CuMMlNG r On the 8 th inst ., at Bournemouth , George Cumming , son of the late Mr . John Cumming , of Forres , Morayshire , aged 74 . 8 G ° rj * T , ° ?„ . . 5 th inst- > Gerard Francis Gould , C . B ., H . M . ' s Minister at Stuttgardt . '

? ^ Vrffl ! ' " at Kusse » -square , Ambrose , son of the late W . Harmar , aged 48 . HARPER .-On the 12 th inst ., at 5 , Parish Road , Penge , Surrey , Alfred , son of Mr . David Harper , aged 9 years ! MACFARLANE .-On the Sth inst ., at Glasgow , Margaret Gray hdmgton , widow of the late J . Macfarlane M D MAR MR' 7 < Vl h inst " at Ojlford > J " Martin , M . K . C . S ., aged 82 . WHiTE .-On the gth inst ., Mr . Thomas White , of 53 , Portland-place , w ,, in his 71 st year .