Mourning Lodge For The Late President Brand.

The service was continued , and the choir gave the anthem , vvith solo , "Come up Hither , " from Spohr's " Last Judgment . " Bro . the Rev . D . P . FAURE , P . M ., delivered an address . Freemasonry , he said , had had no inconsiderable share in qualifying the late President Brand for the brilliant career that had just closed . Men frequently contemptuously

asked what vvas the practical use of Freemasonry . It was freely admitted that Freemasonry might be made more practically useful than it vvas , but at the same time they should not let false delicacy seal their lips vvhen they had something to point to vvhich demonstrated that Freemasonry was not so utterly useless , vvas not so uselessly cumbering the ground , as vvas sometimes represented .

He would point to the late President of the Orange Free State , and say there vvas one of their monuments . Freemasonry had given that man to South Aftica . The deceased statesman showed that he not only understood the Masonic principles , but that it was his constant aim and endeavour to give them practical effect . " Peace on earth and goodwill to men "

—the motto of Freemasonry—vvas the motto by vvhich President Brand shaped his policy . He vvas a grand promoter of peace , and therefore a good Freemason . Would that Freemasons all over the world vvere imbued , as was President Brand , vvith Masonic principles that universal peace should reign . With emperors and kings , princes and rulers , nobles innumerable , vvith ministers of war and

. foreign secretaries , members of parliament , vvith men of light and leading , and the cultured classes crowning their Order , and represented in their ranks , what a huge , what a powerful peace society Freemasonry might be , if the whole brotherhood were as faithful to the principles of the Fraternity as their departed brother . The service vvas continued vvith a solo and an anthem ,

and The Orator , Bro . DOUALLIER , delivered the oration . Having briefly alluded to the lamented demise of their young but zealous brother , Cornwell , he passed on to remark upon the death of President Brand . Who , he asked , did not know him ? Who did not value him ? Who did not love him ? South Africa had lost one of her

brightest jewels , one of her most illustrious sons , and the Order a true and faithful brother . Having been initiated , Crafted , and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason , in the very temple in which they were assembled , they could not but call to remembrance that he was a most devoted and zealous mfimber of the Order , of which his father had been so valued , so valiant , so successful a

leader . Love for his brethren , pleasant companionship , active promotion of every good act , benevolence in its truest and most exalted sense , unshaken courage in trials and disappointments , thankfulness for the past , hopefulness in the future , God-fearing , deeply attached to his native land , possessed of patriotism of the very highest order , trusted and admired both at home and abroad—these were

his characteristics , and it might fitly be said of him , "he was notcastin Nature ' s common mould . " A hymn vvas sung , and immortelles , wreaths , and flowers were placed upon the bier by the G . M . N ., the W . M ., and officers of the lodge , during vvhich the choir

sang , "After he had served his own generation ( I . B . Dowling ) , and Beethoven ' s Funeral March was played on the organ and pianoforte . Additional anthems and the hymn " Brief life is here our portion , " having been sung , the sisters and profanes were requested to leave , and the lodge was closed .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The regular monthly meeting of the Committee of Management of this Institution was held at Freemasons ' Hall on Wednesday afternoon . Bro . VV . M . Bywater , P . G . S . B ., Vice-President , occupied the chair , and there vvere present Bros , James Brett , P . G . P . ; A . H . Tattershall , Charles Kempton , W . B . Daniell , J . J . Berry , Wm . Smith , W . Belchamber , E . West , L . Stean , C . H . Driver ,

P . G . Supt . of Works . ; Herbert J . Adams , G . S . B . ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; L . G . Gordon Robbins , C F , Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . ; Thomas Cubitt , P . G . P . ; C . J . Perceval , W . J . Murlis , J . M . Case , P . G . D . ; C H . Webb , Hugh Cotter , Charles Lacey , W . Hilton , H . M . Hobbs , James S . Fraser , R . Turtle Pigott , P . A . G . D . C ; Jabez Hogg , P . G . D . ; J . Newton , Alex . Forsyth , John E . Dawson , P . G . S . B ., B . E . ' Blasby , John Larkin , and James Terry ,

P . G . S . B ., Sec . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and verified , and the Secretary having reported the deaths of eight annuitants ( five males and three widows ) , the Warden's report for the past month was read . I Sundry [ reports vvere read , including one as to the receipt of £ 200 , being part of the residue of the estate of

the late Miss Louisa McKellar , and that of Bro . Raynham W . Stewart on land at Croydon , and the transfer of the building to new Trustees . The applications of the widows of three recently deceased annuitants for half of their late husbands' annuities vvere granted . The Committee then considered the petitions of 11

applicants ( five men and six widows ) , and , after due inquiry , accepted those of four men and six widows , and directed their names to be placed on the lists of candidates for the Election in May , 1 SS 9 , that of the remaining male applicant being refused . A vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding brought the proceedings to a close .

Births, Marriages, And Deaths.

Births , Marriages , and Deaths .

BIRTHS . FRYER . —On the 13 th inst ., at 12 A , Kensington Palace Gardens , the wife of F . E . R . Fryer , Esq ., of a son . HARMAN . —On the ioth inst ., at 15 , Lansdown-place , Cheltenham , the wife of Major T . E . Harman , of a daughter .

DEATHS . TRICKETT . —On the 9 th inst ., at Park-road , Haverstockhill , Bro . John Trickett , C . E ., late Engineer-in-Chief and Inspector of Machinery at H . M . Woolwich and Keyham Dockyards , P . P . G . D . C . Middx ., P . M . 1194 , 73 , and P . Z . 73 . Aged 75 years . Deeply regretted by all who knew him . —R . I . P .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JOSEPH S . LAVIES , M . D . Our readers will regret to hear of the death , on the ist inst ., of Bro . Joseph Samuel Lavies , M . D ., a most able and popular member of our Society , who was a member of many lodges , and whose kindly and genial presence was always greeted vvith a hearty welcome . Bro . Lavies , so far as we have been able to ascertain , vvas initiated

under the Scottish Constitution . At all events , he joined the Apollo University Lodge , No . 357 , Oxford , from St . John ' s Lodge , No . 193 , Scotland , and subsequently extended his connection with the Craft by joining many others , such as the Orpheus , No . 1706 , in 1877 , and the Earl of Mornington , No . 2000 , of vvhich he vvas a founder and first W . Master , & c , & c . He was also , vve believe , a

member of one or more Surrey lodges , and had been rewarded for his services vvith the collar of Prov . S . G . W . He was the first candidate for exaltation in the Orpheus Chapter , No . 1706 , and having been immediately invested as Scribe E ., worked through the various offices until at length he vvas installed as M . E . Z . in 18 S 6 , and fulfilled the duties of that position with marked success . His

funeral took place at Norwood Cemetery , on the 6 th inst ., the first part of the service being held in the Church of St . Gabriel , Warwick-square , in the presence of a crowded congregation . Among those present at the mournful ceremony were Bros . N . H . Turner , Professor Rose , R . A . M . ; George Cooper , P . G . D . C ; Beckett , and many others

of his numerous friends and brethren in Masonry , vvho vvere anxious to pay their last tribute of respect to one whom they had known so well and esteemed so highly , and vvho had been taken from them after so short an illness at the comparatively early age of 64 years . We tender our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of our deceased brother .

BRO . HENRY PAULDEN , P . M . 204 . We regret to announce the death of Bro . Henry Paulden , P . M . Caledonian Lodge , No . 204 , Manchester , and Z . of the same chapter . The deceased carried on the business of auctioneer and estate agent , for many years , in Cooperstreet and other places . He vvas initiated in the Caledonian Lodge in 1879 , and fulfilled nearly all the minor offices .

He was installed W . M . in 18 S 4 , and some 12 months after his raising was elected and exalted to the Royal Arch Degree . He vvas a very fluent speaker , and possessed a capital memory . As VV . M . and Z . he gave entire satisfaction to all the members of both lodge and chapter , and also vvhen carrying out the duties of the minor offices . He

died after a short , but painful illness , on October 30 , and vvas interred in the Wesleyan Church Cemetery , in the presence of a score of members of his lodge , several brother members of his profession , and numerous other friends . Deceased vvas 58 years of age , and is much regretted .

Willing's Selected Theatrical Programme.

WILLING'S SELECTED THEATRICAL PROGRAMME .

DRURY LANE THEATRE . Every Evening at 7 . 30 , THE ARMADA . ADELPHI THEATRE . Every Evening at 8 , THE UNION J ; at 7 . 15 , THE LOTTERY TICKET .

VAUDEVILLE THEATRE . Every Evening at 8 . 30 , J OSEPH ' S SWEETHEART ; at 7 . 45 , THE BROTHERS . GAIETY THEATRE . Every Evening at 7 . 40 , LOT 49 ; at S . 30 , FABST UP TO DATE .

COMEDY THEATRE . Every Evening at 9 , UNCLES AND AUNTS ; at 8 , THE SPY .

PRINCE OF WALES'S THEATRE . Every Evening at 8 , 30 , DOROTHY ; at 7 . 40 , WARRANTED BURGLAR PROOF . SAVOY THEATRE .

Every Evening at 8 . 15 , THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD ; at 7 . 20 , MRS . J ARRAMIE ' S GENIE . GLOBE THEATRE . Every Evening at S . 30 , THE M ONK ' S ROOM , - at S . o , THAT TELEGRAM .

TERRY'S THEATRE . Every Evening at S . 30 , SWEET LAVENDER . TOOLE'S THEATRE . Every Evening at S . 15 , PEPITA . AVENUE THEATRE . Every Evening at 8 . 15 , NADGY ; at 7 . 45 , QUITS .

COURT THEATRE . Every Evening at 9 , MAMMA ; at 8 , Cox AND BOX . ROYALTY THEATRE . Every Evening at S . 30 , CLARA SOLEIL . SHAFTESBURY THEATRE . Every Evening at 8 . 15 , THE LADY OF LYONS .

SURREY THEATRE . Every Evening at 7 . 30 , THE GOLDEN BAND . NIAGARA IN LONDON . Open Daily , 11 to 11 . Grand Panorama of NIAGARA . MADAME TUSSAUD & SONS' EXHIBITION . Open 10 till 10 . Portrait Models of Past and Present Celebrities .

ROYAL AQUARIUM . Open 12 ; close 11 . 30 . Constant Round of Amusement . EMPIRE THEATRE OF VARIETIES . Every Evening at S . o , Grand Variety Entertainment and Two Grand Ballets .

ALHAMBRA THEATRE OF VARIETIES . Every Evening at 8 . 0 , Variety Entertainment . Two Grand Ballets , & c . CANTERBURY THEATRE OF VARIETIES . Every Evening at 7 . 35 , Grand Variety Entertainment , & c . LONDON PAVILION . Every Evening at 8 , Variety Entertainment , & c .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

" The Dean ' s Daughter , " vve are pleased to say , has had its run at the St . James ' s , which will re-open vvith ao entirely new play by Mr . W . S . Gilbert , in which Miss Julia Neilson , vvho has made at one or two matinees , will play the leading part . Miss . Norreys and Mr . Lewis Waller will , as well as the lessee , Mr . Barrington , appear in the cast . We have no doubt Mr . Gilbert ' s comedy will be of a tone suitable to English tastes .

# * ¦ ** M . Chassoique wrote some years since a comic opera called " Falka , " vvhich , wherever it appeared vvas well received , and in London it took so strong a hold that a revival of it was a good " spec . " The same composer has written " Sarcouf , " vvhich has been adapted very skilfully by Mr . Alfred Murray and renamed "Nad "

gy , and produced for the first time in this country on Wednesday , the 7 th inst ., at the Avenue Theatre , vvith every sign of a popular run , as most comic operas have vvhich are given at this home of light music , and in vvhich Bro . Arthur Roberts appears . The music is not equal to " Falka , " neither is there much originality in the plot ; but it affords many opportunities

of scenic effects and for the introduction of comic situations . In a few nights Bro . Arthur Roberts will have worded into it a lot of his originality , and make- the opera go better . He is less himself and more the person he impersonates every time , and certainly is improving in refinement . With another good song or two and a little more comic business , " Nadgy " will be strengthened . A very welcome addition

in the held of comic opera is Mdlle . Vanoni , vvho ably assists vvith her vivacity and sweet voice . The lady , vve understand , is an Italian , and the wife of Signor Albertina . She speaks English fluently . Not long ago she created a furore at the Alhambra by her highly finished dancing . Old friends of the Avenue will welcome Miss Giulia Warwick ' s return ; she is possessed of a rich voice , and sings with

culture . Among the most successful songs are " Let me woo thee , " exquisitely sung by Mr . Joseph Tapley , tenor , a duet , " Love at sight , " and a duet by Bro . Arthur Roberts and Mdlle . Vanoni— " Tzig-a-zig " , the latter being encored several times . We commend Mr . Alfred Murray ' s translation and adaptation as being altogether free from French

vulgarity . The patrons of the Avenue have no cause to complain of their new bill of fare , though " Nadgy" is not so pretty as " Falka , " nor so lively as " The Old Guard . " On the first night stalls were selling for two guineas each , socager are persons now-a-days to be present at gatherings of ; this sort .

* Mr . George Edwardes has taken over the management ot the Gaiety again , after a short interval , and produced a burlesque , by Mr . G . R . Sims and Bro . Henry Pettitt , entitled " Faust Up to Date . " It may seem odd that two writers of- melodrama should be the authors of a comic piece . They have carried out their commission

very creditably , for " Faust Up to Date" is not a spectacle piece only , but is a true burlesque of Gounod ' s opera , the bringing up to date meaning that scenes take place in the Italian Exhibition and Olympia . The quips and puns are generally good , but the most clever ones seemed not to be noticed by the audience , and unless taken up sharply its wit is lost . The music is Bro . Meyer Lutz ' s , vvith one

exception , that being the inevitable Irish song by Mr . Robt . Martin Enniscorthy , sung by Bro . E . J . Lonnen , which is encored as much as " Killaloe " or ' Ballyhooly . " We think Bro . Lutz would have done well to have introduced some of the popular tunes of the day instead of giving us so much original work , pretty as it it , when it emanates from this original composer . Miss Florence St . John has

allotted to her the role of Margaret , and throws herself into the part vvith earnestness . Miss St . John is one of the best ballad singers on the stage of comic opera , and at once won the hearts of her audience by hec first song , " A simple little maid . " We think this talented lady was not seen quite often enough , perhaps by now some other songs have been introduced for her . Miss Fanny Robina , as

Faust , proved herself endowed with talents which will make her a strong favourite at the Gaiety She sang and danced vvith much sweetness and grace , this was particularly marked in the song , "I've roamed the world over . " Miss Jennie McNulty , as Siebel , shows how to appear in tights and yet remain a lady . She has such a quiet manner and sings and dances so

sweetly that she easily ingratiated herself vvith the patrons . One of the prettiest scenes in the whole burlesque is a p-as-de-quatre by Misses Lillian Price , Florence Levey , Greville , and Sprague . It is one of the cleverest and prettiest dances vve have ever seen , and was encored again and again until the young ladies vvere breathless . The first dancer Miss Lillian Price is so extremely graceful and

nimble that vve hope the management will give her a pasde-seul . In the absence of Misses Sylvia Grey and Letty Lind , this pretty young lady , vvho is of their school of dancing , makes an excellent substitute . Mr . George Stone and Bro . E . J . Lonnen share the hard work of keeping the fun from flagging . Bro . Lonnen , as Mephistop h-

eles , leave nothing to be desired , and seems to be as popular now as any of his predecessors in his style of business . We always have looked upon him as a born burlesque actor . "Faust up to Date" is well mounted , and everything betokens another of those Gaiety successes of which there has been no break since Mr . Edwardes caused the sacred lamp to burn so brightly .

* * * Grace Hawthorne and the manager , Mr . W . WKelly , are determined not to let their present patronage fall off for want of enterprise . It would be difficult to suggest a stronger cast for their new production , " Hands * &&*' *» ... wv - « - - -- — •¦ [ - ¦ J 1

Across the Sea , " than the one vvhich has been arranges Mr . Henry Neville , Messrs . Pateman , Abingdon , Cross , Garden , Gurney , and Morell , with Miss Mary Rorke , are already scheduled , and canot but help to make a succes , p . ' run of a piece vvith such a healthy provincial record , in 6 London Princess ' s is having a palmy season just now .