The Queen's Jubilee In Queensland.

Buccleuch , "The General Fund of Benevolence for the relief of Distressed Masons . " This was quickly followed by the " Royal Freemssons' Charity for female children of indigent Brethren and Orphans , " mainly instituted by the liberal benevolence of the Chevalier Ruspini , and developed under the fostering care of its patroness , the Duchess of Cumberland . Immediately afterwards vvas established

"The Royal Masonic Institution for clothing , educating , and apprenticing the sons of indigent and decayed Freemasons . " Fifty years ago , about the time her Majesty ascended the throne , vvas laid the cope stone of this noble edifice of relief , and the Asylum for aged and decayed Freemasons vvas instituted . In these magnificent Charities the Oueen and her family have always taken the warmest

interest . In meeting to-night for the purpose of establishing the nucleus of similar Institutions in the city of Rockhampton , vve may be certain that vve have chosen a method of commemorating the Queen's Jubilee , which is not only in accordance with the vital principles of our Order , but which must certainly prove a noble and lasting monument to the Sovereign we love , and acceptable to her

as a Mason's daughter , and the mother of Masons . It has been the custom from time immemorial on great occasions to plant trees . We are planting a tree tonight ; a small , young tree rooted in our hearts it vvill grow and flourish , and when those hearts are cold and dead its roots vvill spread and twine around the hearts of Masons yet unborn , and so the plant will some day become a vigorous and

majestic tree , an ornament to Queensland and the Craft . It should be watered by sweet tears of gratitude and joy shed by the widows of worthy Masons . Beneath its spreading branches shall Masons' orphans p lay . Under its pleasant shelter shall aged Masons rest in peace , when shades of night are closing round . With these objectsthese noble objects in view—let us then insure that the tree

be firmly planted . Let us this night give to the fullest extent of our means , so that the tree may have a goodly beginning and a healthy start . We are beginning one of the best and noblest works yet undertaken by any united body of the Craft of all Constitutions in Australia . ^ It is a vvork vvhich I predict will do credit to Queen and Craft ; to the colony of Oueensland and the city of Rockhampton .

Our sons' sons will be proud to peruse upon this list ( which as Chairman of the Joint Jubilee Committee I now present to the Worshipful Masler in the chair , and vvhich it will directly be our privilege to sign ) , the names of our forefathers as the architects of so grand an edifice of brotherly love . And may the Great Architect of the Universe bless this , the foundation-stone .

Consecration Of The Sandown Bay Lodge, Of Royal Ark Mariners.

CONSECRATION OF THE SANDOWN BAY LODGE , OF ROYAL ARK MARINERS .

A lodge of Royal Ark Mariners called the Sandown Bay Lodge , moored to the William Hickman Lodge , No . 320 , was consecrated at Sandown , in the Isle of Wight , on Friday , the oth inst . The ceremony vvas , in the unavoidable

absence of the P . G M . M ., Rev . Canon G . R . Portal , performed by his Deputy , Bro . Richard Loveland Loveland , 31 , who elevated the following brethren as R . A . M . ' s : Bros . S . Salter , R . Dampier-Child , C . Carter , H . Durrant , M . Willis , J . Bunt , jun ., F . P . Ansle , A . J . Firth , Izod , and A . Calloway , and subsequently installed the Rev . J . N Palmer , G . Chap ., as first Commander N . The C . N . appointed his officers as follows : Bros . F . Newman , J . ; J .

Conner , S . ; H . Durrant , Scribe ; S . Salter , S . D . ; R . Dampier-Child , J . D . ; M . Willis , D . C . ; J . Bunt , jun ., G . ,- C Carter , Treas . ,- and A . Calloway , Warder . A vote of thanks to the Deputy P . G . M ., and Bros . Rev . H . J . Mason , G . F . Lancaster , F . Powell , H . Crisp , and H . Pigeon , jun ., for their assistance in the working of the ceremonies , was unanimously passed . The musical arrangements were ably carried out by Bro . H . Pigeon , jun ., Prov . G . Mark Organist .

Presentation To Bro. Dr. George Welford, P.M. No. 80, At Sunderland.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . DR . GEORGE WELFORD , P . M . No . 80 , AT SUNDERLAND .

On the 13 th inst ., the officers and brethren of the St . John's Lodge , No . 80 , Sunderland , celebrated the jubilee of one of their old members , in the person of Dr . George Welford , at the MasonicHall , Park-terrace . Bro . T .

Atkinson , W . M ., presided , and was supported by Bros . R . Hudson , P . G . S ., P . G . S . B . England ; ) . J . Wilson , I . P . M . ; T . Elwen , P . M ., P . P . G . P . ; H . J . ' Turnbull , P . M ., P . P . G . P . ; M . Douglas , P . P . G . D . ; J . Mitchinson , P . M . ; W . Hawdon , P . M ., Sec . ; R . Kinmond , P . P . G . P . ; J . E . Nelson , P . G . P . ; W , Beattie , P . M . 80 ; J . J . Clay , P . G . D . C ; R . ShadforthP . S . G . D . ; T . M . WatsonP . P . G . D . ; J .

, , R . Pattison , P . A . G . S . ; J . Potts , P . P . G . D . ; T . Henderson , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . C Moor , P . P . G . D . ; G . C . Watson , P . P . G . D . ; the Rev . J . 1 . Brown , P . P . G . C , W . M . elect 2039 ; R . Singleton , VV . M . 97 ; J . Deans , W . M . 2039 ; G . Welford , P . M . 80 ; F . Maddison , P . P . G . D .,

W . M . 949 ; R . W . Halfnight , P . P . G . D . ; J . G . Kirtley , P . P . G . D . ; A . T . Munro , P . P . G . S . B . ; A . Gray , P . M . 949 , ; J . Nicholson , S . W . ; and James Hudson , J . W . 80 . i'he occasion was chosen to present Bro . Welford vvith a beautifull y illuminated address , of which the following is the text : —

Bro . George Welford , P . M . We , the Worshipful Master , Past Masters , Officers , and Brethren of the St . John ' s Lodge , No . So , of Free and Accepted Masons , most heartily tender you our congratulations on the attainment of the jubilee of your connection with

our ancient lodge . In the evening of your day ' s , enjoying , as you do , by the blessing of God , a hale old age , w . trust you may yet be spared to continue your association w 'th us . We desire you to accept this address as a mark ot our great respect , affection , and esteem .

Signed on behalf of the members , Sunderland , 1 SS 7 . THOMAS ATKINSON , W . M . Bro . MARK DOUGLAS , P . M ., as the next oldest member ? : |™ lodge , in making the presentation , spoke in the "' ghest terms nf tin . < rrnj , t * pstmn in luViirVi Krn VJflfnr ^

a A A ys been held bv the members ° - John ' s Lodge , * f declared that this was a red letter day in the history t the lodge , which Bro . Welford had been connected w 'th fo ,- half a century . th ** . ^ ELF 0 RD , when he rose to reply , was received by ¦ j ^ . . ° wded lod ge with the greatest enthusiasm . He said m hls ° M age such a welcome as that took all power

Presentation To Bro. Dr. George Welford, P.M. No. 80, At Sunderland.

of speech away from him . It vvas , however , worth living to see , and he most heartily thanked them for their kindliness . The present large gathering reminded him of the great change that 50 years had made , in the early years of his connection with the Order the lodges were mainly supported in Sunderland by seafaring men ; the attendants then were few , but fit . He rejoiced to see the sacred Order they all held so dear vvas now flourishing . He could not

expect to see many more years , yet he could assure them that their beautiful address vvould for the rest of his days be a source of unspeakable joy and pleasure to him , and he would hand it down to his son as a sacred heirloom . At the close of the lodge business the brethren adjourned to a banquet given by the members to thtir old members and other visitors . " The Health of Bro . Welford" vvas given with musical honours , and with thc " Hearty good wishes " of all .

Masonic Tribulations.

MASONIC TRIBULATIONS .

THE PROCLAMATION OF HIRAM LODGE FIRST FELT AT A FUNERAL . NEW HAVEN , Conn ., August 26 , 1 SS 7 . —The troubles that have been brewing for some time between the Grand Lodgeof Masons and Hiram Lodge , No . 1 , F . and A . M .,

of this city , culminated to-day in an incident vvhich caused much grief and indignation on the part of those members who have stuck by the old lodge in all its difficulties . George Crabtree , of this city , a worthy man , who has for forty years been a member of Hiram , and ever since 1 S 59 a member of commandery No . 2 , Knights Templar , died

three days ago ; and as Grand Master H . H . Green has declared Hiram Lodge , vvith its six hundred members , a clandestine lodge , no notice vvas published calling members of the commandery to attend the funeral . Eminent Commander Lyman Johnson , in explanation , said : — " The commandery cannot turn out without

violating the Masonic edict issued b y the Grand Lodge . " There vvas a large attendance at the funeral , but Masons attended individually as friends , and did not . recognise the Masonic funeral ceremonies . —New Vork Herald , August 27 th . [ Brethren who disobey the Laws must expect to pay the penalties . —ED . F . M . ' ]

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . R . P . TATE , P . M . S 62 . It is with very much regret we have to record the sudden death of a distinguished working Freemason , Bro . R . P . Tate , P . M . of the Whittington Lodge , No . S 62 , and Z . of the same chapter . For many years he has been well-known amongst the brethren as a constant worker in lodges of Instruction , the knowledge he had acquired , he vvas not only willing , but always delighted to convey to any of the

younger members of the Craft . For the last few months his old friends and brothers have missed him from their assemblies , and no doubt many like ourselves will be surprised and grieved to hear of his sudden departure from among us , we can safely say he had many many friends and no enemies . We might mention that he was also a member of the Dalhousie Lodge , Sfio , and vvas for some years on the Board of the Benevolent Institution .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Some lour years since Mr . John b . 'Sheridan appeared in a musical comedy entitled " Fun on the Bristol , " vvhich took well vvith the public , who like light kind of pieces . This excellent comedian has been playing all over the world the same part , and has now returned for a short time to the Gaiety , where we have visited him ,

and renewed our acquaintance vvith the Widow O Brien . We think , if anything , the fun of the piece goes better now even than then . Whenever the widow is on the stage humour flows . Mr . Sheridan does not , in woman's dress , make himself vulgar . This is a legitimate piece of histrionic art . It would be impossible to keep grave and listen to the widow's speeches . Mr . Sheridan is ably supported

by many members of his old company , notably Miss May Livingston ( who ought not to double her parts , but remain as the negro servant Bella ) , Mr . Thomas E . Somers , Mr . Fred Darell , and C . Dunbar , who delights everyone with his pretty music on the piccolo . Miss Edith Vane is a welcome aid . Her pleasing vocalisation assists the variety entertainment considerably , and her personal appearance

adds to the attractions . Miss Vane has just returned from a very successful provincial tour , in vvhich she has been taking the principal part in " Erminie , " created in London by Miss St . John . There is a large class of people in towns who require light amusement . For such , " Fun on the Bristol" is the best sort of piece they can go and see . They are sure to be highly entertained .

" rP W ' /? Miss Mary Anderson inaugurated her London season by the production of " A Winter ' s Tale , " vvhich she has been playing at Nottingham with much success . It is but natural that in the great tragedian's absence from his theatre Miss Anderson should take over the Lyceum . The house vvas filled long before the curtain rang up . The

beginning of the play vvas sadly marred , for many of the audience , by some dissatisfied and noisy pittites , who thought they had a grievance by their domain being encroached upon . We felt strongly inclined to sympathise with them , but during one of the waits between the acts we happened to see the plan of the theatre at the box office . There we found that no more and no less stalls

were provided than has been the case for two years past , although occasionally the pit is brought forward when the occupants of the stalls diminish at the close of the season . It is but natural that Miss Anderson should have the ambition to fly to the heights of Shakespeare , bnt vve think she is doubly misadvised . First , "A Winter's Tale " is not by any means one of the great poet's most interesting plays . It reads better than it acts . And

secondly , it is an obvious mistake to double parts . We dismiss the idea that Miss Mary Anderson plays Hermione and Perdita to save finances , for the play is produced lavishly . We know there vvould have been much less of Miss Anderson had she contented heiself vvith only one character . As Hermione we would have her in the first three acts and a portion of the last act . As Perdita we would only have

seen herein the last two acts . But even this vvould be better than playing two characters . There can be no question that Perdita is Miss Anderson ' s part ; but vve can well understand the temptation to appear also as Hermione , for after this beautiful lady ' s appearance as the statue in "Pygmalion and Galatea" she may well wish to represent the statue of Hermione coming to life . It is some 10 or 11

years since Shakespeare ' s " Winter's Tale " was played in London . Then it was at Drury Lane in the days of Chatterton , who proved that Shakespeare "spelt ruin . " Since that time the public taste , thanks in a great measure to Bro . Henry Irving , has altered for the better , and classical plays , well acted and well scened , are a fortune . Before that date the play had not been shown since 1856 , in the

Kean days . Miss Anderson on Saturday vvas somewhat jerky in her utterances . For the first two acts we lost many of her words ; but she shows her great talent for acting has developed itself still more . This was more to be remarked in the pastoral scenes with her lover . There is an irresistable charm of grace about her Perdita . Her conception of the part seems the poet's ideal . Nothing could be more

delightful than to gaze on Miss Anderson in the country dance with Florizel , which had to be repeated . As Hermione she is queenly , and plays as a dignified woman ; but her acting with Polixenes seemed to us to encourage Leontes , who is a morbid man , in his jealousy . The scene in the court of justice is her best as Hermione . Here she shows her purity and contempt for any charges made against her

honour , and how little she cares for death when she knows that she is innocent of Leontes ' charges against her . Miss Sophie Eyre , as Paulina , is eminently satisfactory ; she seemed to feel her words . We only have two faults to find with her . How is it that when 16 years have elapsed , and every one else has grown greyer and older , Paulina is the same ? Miss Eyre does not show a familiar handling with

infants by her manner of taking hold of Hermione ' s baby . Mr . Forbes Robertson , having a thankless task to perform , plays Leontes in a fine , dignified way . Mr . Fuller Mellish , as Florizel , gabbles too much ; but he looks every inch a manly lover . Mr . Collette spoilt Antolycus by being too boisterous . Miss Tilbury has little to do as Mapex ,

nevertheless she and Miss Ayrton , as Dorcas , contrive to make their parts very acceptable . Their dance in the pastoral scene was welcomed by every one and encored . The stage mounting is excellent and worthy of the traditions of the Lyceum . Mr . Hawes Craven ' s pastoral scene is fairy land itself . It remains to be proved if there be sufficient stamina in "A Winter ' s Tale " to make it a big draw .

* * Considering the fatality connected hitherto with the Novelty Theatre , it is a pity that when Miss Harriett Jay took it she has not opened it with a more pronounced success than " The Blue Bells of Scotland . " We are not going to join vvith those who predict only a month ' s run for Mr . Buchanan ' s comedy drama , for vve believe with

excision , specially the cutting of the first act , and with divers alterations , the play may be made to suit the public . In " The Blue Bells of Scotland " there is nothing new j vve have had all this before . A wicked lord , abducting a country girl and deserting her , and being chastised bylier brother , and dying abroad , begging herforgiveness . When the piece began we thaught we were in for apolitical play

, as it touches upon the Crofters ' question and absentee landlords , but the high falutin speeches have nothing to do with the story . The opening scene takes place in the Highlands , where we make the acquaintance of the hero , Mr . Graham Macdonald , whose forefathers have owned the lands , but the estates have gone into the hands of a kinsman , Lord Arranmore . Mr . Macdonald seems to have

nothing to do , and vve didn't learn how he lives . He has a half-sister , Mina . The Steward is a rackrenter , grinding down the people for his own benefit as well as that of his master . He seems to be an unjust steward , for Lord Arranmore comes to see his property under an assumed name and is going to turn off the agent . But Lord Arranmore sees the beautiful Mina ,

who is too easy a prey , and falls in love with him . With the aid of his steward he abducts her on his yacht . Lord Arranmore is engaged to be married to Lady Ethel Gordon , who happens to visit the Highlands . Mr . Macdonald fails in love vvith her ; she tells him she is another's , and he opens her eyes to the character of Lord Arranmore . Graham Macdonald goes to London to avenge the outrage on his

sister , who has now been deserted by her lover , although some form of marriage has been gone through . The steward has arrived to look after her in the future , and tries to win her affections . She manages to escape , and , by some extraordinary circumstance , Mina , the Steward , Graham , and Lord Arranmore all meet at Piccadilly Circus . This might easily be arranged more naturally .

Arranmore's' regiment is sent to Burmah . Graham enlists as a private and goes also , with the intention of killing his sister ' s seducer . After an engagement vvith the enemy Macdonald and Arranmore meet , having fled for their lives . Macdonald challenges the peer ; but the enemy surround them , and Arranmore is wounded in battle and dies in India penitent for the wrong he has done

Mina Macdonald . Graham thus succeeds to the estates , aud marries Lady Ethel . The military scene vvill doubtless help Mr . Buchanan ' s drama , but the scenes between an officer and a private are ridiculous . Bro . Henry Neville is the hero , and , of course , plays his pait in a manly tone , and is duly applauded . Mr . Scott Buist and Miss Marie Stuart play a delicious little comedy part , the best in the

whole piece . Lady Ethel Gordon requires a younger representative than Miss Jay . The ladies will feel amused at hearing her propose because it is leap-year , and kneel down to her lover to ask for his hand . Mr . Elwood gives a very ^ well rendering of the part of the bad nobleman . Mjss Fortescue , who could not find fault with her reception , is'Mina Macdonald . It is a long while since she played in

London . She shows a marked advancement in her acting all round , and has certainly profited much by her American experience . It is unnecessary to say she looks very pretty and graceful . Her dresses suit her well , and she makes the most that can be made of the part of the wronged lady . VVe wondered if the author has taken the Langworthy and Cass cases into the Crofters' grievances for his groundwork . " Blue Bells of Scotland " savours of them all .