Annual Meeting Of The St. Barnabas Lodge, No. 948, Linslade.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ST . BARNABAS LODGE , No . 948 , LINSLADE .

On Tuesday , the 5 th inst ., the members of the St . Barnabas Lodge , No . 94 S , held their annual meeting in the lodge rooms , in the Elephant and Castle Hotel . The V . W . Uro . the Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , Dep . Prov . G . M . Berks and Bucks , was present , and installed the W . M .-

elect , Bro . A . S . Morling , performing the ceremony in his usual perfect and impressive style . The Treasurer , Bro . 13 . T . Fountaine , reported that the funds were in an improving condition , and the Secretary , Bro . H . Poynter , intimated that the number of members was steadily maintained . A handsome Past Master ' s jewel was presented in Bro . T . VV . Hammond upon his retirement from the

W . M . ' s chair . Before the lodge was closed , Bro . E . C . Knight , P . M ., presented the lodge with an original telegram , which he had received on behalf of the brethren , from the M . W . G . M . the Prince of Wales , in answer to one sent from the assembled brethren to His Royal Highness when at Holyhead on his journey to Ireland . The telegram is framed in gilt beading , surmounted by the Prince ' s

Feathers , and bears the name 01 the donor . It is intended to be hung ' up in the lodge room . Bro . Knight also presented to each of the brethren a large photographic copy of this interesting document . About thirty brethren afterwards sat down to a most recherche banquet , supplied by the host , Bro . J . H . Miller , and which included all the delicacies of the season . It is needless to add that the

catering gave the utmost satisfaction to the brethren , and to the invited guests , of whom many were present , from London , and from neighbouring lodges . The table was handsomely decorated with choice flowers , from the Linslade Nurseries . The toasts -. vere those usually given

on such occasions , but the speeches were considered to be rather above the average in eloquence . A most agreeable evening was spent , it being the subject of general remark , that every arrangement was so satisfactorily carried out by Bros . King , P . M . ; Poynter , P . M . ; McCubbin , P . M . ; and Willis , P . M ., who were the Stewards .

Temperance Freemasonry In The West.

TEMPERANCE FREEMASONRY IN THE WEST .

The first annual meeting of the new Masonic Temperance Lodge of St . George , No . 2025 , was held at St . George ' s Hall , Stonehouse , on Tuesday evening , the 2 Sth ult . Bro . A . Brickwood Hutchings ( Mayor of Devonport ) , P . M . Sgs , of St . George ' s Lodge , was the Master elect ,

There was a large attendance , and the unprecedented occurrence of the presence of 55 Installed Masters on the floor of a private lodge at the same time took place . Business commenced with the raising of a candidate . At the conclusion of the ceremony , the W . M . elect was installed by the retiring P . M ., Bro . G . R . Barrett , Prov . G . S . D ., assisted by Bros . C . Croydon , Jas . Gifford , L . D . Westcott ,

James Griffin , John Lynn , 2025 ; J , B . Cover , 70 ; with the following Board of Installed Masters : Bros , the Rev . T . W . Lemon , M . A ., 1 S 9 , P . P . G . Chap . ; S . Jew , 1837 ; P . P . G . T . ; T . S . Bayly , 189 , P . P . G . T . ; John Treeby , 223 , P . P . G . Reg . ; E . Aitken-Davies , 1099 , P . P . G . Supt , of Works ; W . K . Mitchell , 156 , P . P . G . A . D . of C . ; F , Hooper , 1212 , P . P . G . D . of C . ; R . Pengelley , 70 , P . P .

G . A . D . of C ; J . M . Hifley , 223 , P . P . G . A . D . of C . ; Jos . Austin , 1099 , P . P . G . Org . ; E . G . Dyke , 1247 , P . P . G . Org . ; J . Moysey , 223 , Prov . G . Stwd . ; J . R . Lord , 1249 , P . P . G . S . B . ; A . J . Rider , 1247 ; R . Dickson , 1205 ; C . Watson , 954 ; F . R . Goodyear , 223 ; H . J . Barter , 1247 ; P . J . Dunn , 1205 ; W . J . Stanbury , 1099 ; W . Stanbury , ' 55 ° ! J- T . Border , 230 ; W . M . Ridland , 230 ; C .

Haggarty , 1136 ; T . S . May , 1099 ; A . E . Lean , 70 ; J . H . Blackell , 1099 ; Samuel Hutchings , 893 ; W . H . Hunt , 1205 ; R . W . Pitcher , 230 ; R . Jackman , 202 ; John Gould , 1099 ; W . Powell , 1205 ; B . S . Johns , 159 ; E . Pillar , 105 ; T . Cole , 6 S 9 , Auckland , N . Z . ; James Lose , 1 S 47 ; J . R . H . Harris , 230 ; R . Hambly , 1 S 55 ; R . Pike , 230 ; James Gidley , 1205 ; R . Cawsey , 230 ; C . Price , 202 ; W . Lavers ,

1255 ; VV . Bartram , 215 ; R . Hambly , 1847 . At the close of the installations , the following brethren were invested as the officers •. W . Bro . G . R . Barrett , I . P . M . j Bros . J . S . Sloggett , S . W . ; J . T . Bond , J . W . ; I . Austin , Treas . ; J . Giffard , Sec . ; W . Cann . S . D . ; C . G . Withell , J . D . ; F . Crouch , I . G . ; James Griffin , D . C ; S . H . Dawe , A . D . C . j T . Hele , Organist ; W . D . Hodge , W . J . Pengelley , H .

Reynolds , and W . H . Dillon , Stwds . ; James Gidley , Tyler ; James Griffin , Charity Steward ; A . B . Hutchings , Rep . at Committee of Petitions . In the evening a large party ol the brethren supped together at the rooms , W . Bro . A . Brickwood Hutchings presiding . Bro . W . H . Symons was the purveyor . On the following evening the first annual festival of the St . George Lodge was held at the Temoerance Hall ,

Devonport . Theliall was very tastefully decorated for the occasion with flags , plants , flowers , and mirrors , under the direction of Bro . Gill , 893 . There was a large attendance of the brethren . A dinner on a liberal scale was provided by Bro . Bosworthick . After dinner the usual Masonic toasts were drank . The orincinal feature amonsr them was " The

Health of the Immediate Past Master / ' Bro . G . R . Barrett , and the presentation to him of a handsome portrait of himself in recognition of his valuable services in connection with the institution of the lodge . The portrait was an enlarged photograph in enamel , furnished by Bro . jiawke . The presentation was made by Bro . E . Aitkent > avies on behalf of the subscribers and lodge .

uro . DAVIES said that from a prejudice in the minds of inany persons who knew nothing of Freemasonry , that annk was too intimately connected with the Order , it had Become important to show that the lodges could be conducted entirely free from liquor . Hence the recent institution of . lodges in which one of their bye-laws involved the ntire exclusion of liquor from any of their adjournments

fn r 5 ? sh"ient or banauets . The St . George Lodge was lor ! L upon tflat P rlnc 'P - At the institution of such ooges there was generally much indirect opposition ; and it tin " c cons ' cJerab 'e zeal and labour to secure their instituon . buch members as worked with that object were theret £ I e ent . , tled to much credit . Bro . Barrett , although not tain ? " ?" . eRester ° f the St . George Lodge , had cer-P ' . ?? 'ts most zealous and active promoter . Bro . aiulM ad been its first w-M- > and although , from illness w " , 'J causes , he had not been able to carry out all the intl ° : '" at office , had certainly done much to further the '" Wrests of the lodge . What he had done was held in

Temperance Freemasonry In The West.

very high appreciation among the members , and it had been determined , by the presentation of a testimonial , in some form to mark that appreciation . The presentation of a portrait of himself was ultimately determined upon , and a very handsome enlarged photograph in the first style of art had been furnished by Bro . Hawke . In the name of the lodge , he ( Bro . Davies ) asked Bro . Barrett to accept that mark of the lodge ' s gratitude . With the gift of the

picture he proposed Bro . Barretts health . ( Hear , hear . ) The toast was drunk with enthusiasm . Bro . BARRETT , in replying , said he felt very much the kindness shown him . He could not express all he wished . What he had done in assisting to establish that lodge was of itself fully rewarded in the great success of the lodge . At its institution there were others who had rendered much assistance . Bro . Sloggett , the now S . W ., was the original designer of the lodge ; Bro . Gifford , the Secretary , had

done a great quantity of necessary clerical work ; and Bro . Davies had travelled with him ( Bro . Barrett ) far and near in assisting at its organisation . During the evening a very pleasing entertainment of melodies and recitations was furnished between the toasts by Bros . J . Kinton B-md , E . G . Dyke , the Rev . T . W . Lemon , J . Gifford , and olhers . A liberal supply of the recently introduced temperance drinks and hot coffee was furnished by Bro . Bosworthick .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of The Mediterranean.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN .

On Wednesday , the 22 nd ult ., the half-yearly communication of the above lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Strada Stretta , Valetta , Malta , under the banner of the Keystone Mark Lodge , No . 107 , W . Bro . D . C . Wilson presiding . On the roll being called' the following brethren

were found to be present : Bros . W . Watson , D . P . G . M . M . Malta ; J . C . Stanley , P . G . S . W . ; D . C . Wilson , P . G . J . W . ; A . J . England , P . G . M . O . ; W . Pariente , P . G . S . O . ; Fred . J . Coward , P . G . J . O . ( pro tem . ); Rev . R . H . Bullock , P . G . Chap . -, F . Savin , Reg . ( pro tem . ) ; G . Segond , P . G . Treas . ; J . F . James , P . G . Sec ; S . R . Pritchard , S . D . ( pro tem . ); G . P . Stephens , P . G . J . D . ; S . Leonard , P . G . J .

of W . ( pro tem . ); VV . Harris , D . of C . ( pro tem . ); C . Easterbrook , P . G . S . B . ; J . A . Sperring , P . G . Org . ; E . Caraco , P . G . I . G . ; and R . Beck , P . G . Tyler . The minutes of the last half-yearly communication and of Committee of General Purposes were read and confirmed . The roll of private Mark lodges in the province was called , when the following numbers were certified for ; Keystone

Mark Lodge , No . 107 , 12 ; Broadley Mark Lodge , No . 248 , 4 ; and Union of Malta Mark Lodge , No . 2 G 3 , 13 . A communication was read from the P . G . M . M ., Bro . Chas . E . Rosenbusch , wherein he re-appointed Bro . Watson , D . P . G . M . M . for the ensuing year . Bro . WATSON then proceeded to appoint and invest the following brethren as officers of Prov . Grand Lodge for the ensuing

year , addressing a few encouraging remarks to each , viz .: Bro . J . W . Starkey Prov . G . S . W . „ W . Pariente Prov . G . J . W . „ Rev . R . H . Bullock Prov . G . M . O . „ Col . J . P . Morgan ... Prov . G . S . O . „ G . P . Stephens .... Prov . G . J . O . „ Rev . J . S . Harris Prov . G . Chap .

„ S . G . Yeoman ( elected previously ) Prov . G . Reg . „ G . Segond ... Prov . G . Treas . „ J . F . James Prov . G . Sec . „ Fred . J . Coward Prov . G . A . Sec . ,. J . Montgomery Prov . G . S . D . „ L . A . J . Schaefer Prov . G . J . D . „ C . F . Leach ... Prov . G . L of W .

„ W . Harris Prov . G . D . of C . „ F . Savin Prov . G . A . D . C . „ S . W . Parker Prov . G . S . B . „ J . Phillips Prov . G . St . B . „ J . A . Sperry Prov . G . Org . „ J . Pocock Prov . G . I . G ..

„ J . H . Batchelor " ) . „ Ed . Galea y Prov . G . Stwds . „ Samuel Leonard J „ R . Beck ( elected previously ) ... Prov . G . Tyler . At the conclusion of the investiture of officers the D . P . G . M . M . in a very eloquent address touched upon the multifarious duties which Freemasons owe to each other , and particlarly urged upon the brethren the great

importance of keeping a tongue of good report , defending each others' character , avoiding evil . speaking , and always maintaining and inculcating those principles of charity which should at all times characterize and distinguish the Order , to be ever ready to hold out the right hand of fellowship to any brother Mason , and strenuously endeavour to live in harmony , unity , and concord ; so that they might enjoy the peace and happiness which true friendship and brotherly

love are so well calculated to afford . Several very appropriate quotations from Shakespeare were given , which very ably illustrated and enforced the various parts of the address , the whole of which uas listened to with marked attention and appreciative interest , testified to by the exhaustive applause which greeted its conclusion . A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Bro . Watson for the beautiful address .

At the express wish of Bro . D . C . Wilson , and on behalf of the officers and members of the Keystone Lodge , No . 107 , the D . P . G . M . M . presented Bro . W . Pariente , I . P . M . of that lodge , with a P . M . ' s jewel in recognition of the high esteem and regard evinced for him for past services . Bro . PARIENTE thanked the brethren in a few appropriate and well chosen words for the honour conferred upon him . Nothing further being brought before the" meeting , the Prov . Grand Lodge was closed with the usual formalities .

The " Theatre " for this month contains excellent portraits of Miss Kate Phillips , so well known by all frequenters of the Vaudeville , and Miss Tilbury—the daughter of Miss Lydia Thompson—a young lady who is rapidly making her mark on the stage . There is an interesting memoir of poor old Ryder , who died last month ,

and who was such a favourite with everyone . Several of the recent plays are criticised at length by Mr . Sydney Grundy , and others . 'We understand that the publication now has a large circulation and is a source of remuneration to its proprietor . As a record of past theatrical events it is of great value .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Miss Kate Vaughan has returned to the stage at her old theatre , and this week has been delighting her audiences at the Gaiety with " A Cup of Tea , " and " High Life below Stairs . " The French plays begin early next month . ft * ft

Miss Kate Lawler is announced as returning to the stage this afternoon ( Saturday ) , at the Gaiety , in her old character in " Peggy . " Since her marriage to the son of Sir Francis Graham Moon a few years ago , she has not been seen—excepting at a benefit—on any stage .

* # Bro . Edward Terry , Grand Steward , < ook his benefit last Saturday , and in response to the usual calls for a speech announced that that was probably the last time he should play at the Gaiety . After his usual provincial tour he intends returning to London at Christmas and take a theatre of his own . We believe that he will come out at the Strand . We wish him all success .

x # * Bro . Toole has produced Mr . Arthur Law ' s " The Great Tay-kin , " with music by Mr . George Grossmith . Probably "The Mikado" at the Savoy and the late Japanese Village at Knightsbridge has set Bro . Toole to turn his attention for everything Japanese . From a dramatic point of view , it cannot be said to be very brilliant , but a piece of this kind is just what Bro . Toole elects to

make it . The music and songs are funny , and the inevitable result is laughter . Visiting the Japanese Village in company with a young lady with whom he has only a slight acquaintance , Josiah Gandy finds himself confronted by his wite and an old colonel , the uncle of his companion . Under such circumstances , there is only one thing to do . He hides in the booth of the Japanese conjuror , and adopts the costume of the " Grea : Tay-kin , " and trusts by the " makeup " to be unrecognised . He announces an exhibition of

sleight-of-hand by Miss O'Rita . While this is proceeding he witnesses the affectionate terms between his wife and the colonel , so he is able to turn the tables , and present himself as the outraged party instead of the offender . Mr . E . D . Ward , Miss Marie Linden , Mr . Shelton , and Miss Emily Thorne assist in making the little sketch go . During this week Bro . Toole has also been playing " Chawles , " and to-morrow ( Saturday ) announces Bro . Byron ' s posthumous play , " The Shuttlecock , " will be produced at a matinee . * * #

I he Comed y Theatre has now become associated with what its name would imply , but until now since its opening night , four years ago , it has been the home of comic opera , but for some reason the management have altered the style of piece , and substituted what is now so popular in London farcical comedy . " Bad Boys " is an adaptation from " Clara Soleil , " the latert success at the

Paris Vaudeville , and here it has obtained a favourable reception . Those who have seen the original inform us that in its translation and necessary adaptation , it has suffered in the process—this is the case with all Anglicised French plays . Act I . is occupied by a numberof complications , in which are chiefly concerned two married couples and a comic opera singer , who attracts one of the husbands and who is helped by the other husband to get away from

home . In this are some very amusing moments , due principally to the drollery of Mr . Arthur Roberts . Act II ., which is the best , is excruciatingly funny . The scene takes place in a hotel at Scarborough , where the strolling opera girl and one of the husbands are staying , and where , of course , come the wife , the other couple , and an old uncle of the actress , who is very rich . Indescribable and involved as they are , the entanglements of single and married

people , accidental or otherwise , can just be followed , even if they cannot always be explained . The third act is devoted to the unravelling of the skein of complications which have arisen , when it turns out that no one is so black as they have been painted . As an example of dramatic construction the piece is very clever and ingenious , and we should say will prove a remunerative play while it lasts , though we do not mean to predict

a very long run . VVe hope that now two alterations have been made from the first night production , an allusion to the Inventories Exhibition and the electric light in the grounds , and a stupid and totally unnecessary rhyme about a wasp sting above the ankle of the opera singer . Miss Violet Cameron plays the part of Nelly Nightingale , the songstress , and as it requires careful handling , we are not surprised that Miss Cameron is not quite up to her usual

style . M . Marius is exceedingly good , both in make-up and acting as an old Colonel . Mr . Carton , as everybody ' s friend , exhibits his customary brightness and ability . Mr . Edward Rose skilfully delineates the imbecility ot one of the husbands . Miss Tilbury and Miss Minnie Bell in their respective parts , throw a deal of vivacity . On the first

night M . Marius came before the curtain in reply to the calls , and said Mr . Clement Scott was not in the house , but he would convey to him the approval of the audience . Since that , Mr . Scott has repudiated having had more than a very small share in the adaptation . So the English authors remain unknown .

MOHAWK MINSTRELS . —This popular troupe of negro entertainers are supplying a capital bill of fare to their numerous patrons at their head quarters in " Merrie Islington . " During the past week a series of grand concerts have been given on behalf of the Police Orphanage , under the auspices of the N . Division of the Metropolitan Force . The programme has fully sustained the reputation of the troupe , so ably controlled by Mr . Harry Hunter , and Bros . James and William Francis , each item being well received

and appreciated . 10 those of our readers who desire to enjoy a hearty laugh , or indeed a series of them , we would simply recommend a visit to the Agricultural Hall , and there enjoy a varied entertainment of a highly refined and superior character . VVe are informed that the Mohawks will pay the Elephant and Castle Theatre a visit in June , and will doubtless carry the means of ensuring as hearty a reception in the South of London as they receive in the Northern district .