Annual Festival Of The Old Kent Mark Lodge Of Instruction.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE OLD KENT MARK LODGE OF INSTRUCTION .

The Old Kent Mark Lodge of Instruction held its annua ! festival on Monday , the 12 th inst ., at the Crown anel Cushion , London Wall , when a number of members sat down to an excellent banquet , provided by the host , Bro . Medworth . Bro . James Moon . W . M . 'Id Kent , was in his Senior and

the chair , and was supported by Junior Wardens , Bros . H . Dicketis and W . B . Date , also by Bros . D . M . Dewar , Asst . G . Sec . ; F . Davison , G . Trens . ; G . Clark , G . Stwd . ; Turquand , P . M . ; and others . Bro . VV . J . Nicholls , P . M ., occupied the post of S . W ., and Bro . Pargeter that of J . W . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts ,

'the VV . M . gave the toast of the evening— "Success to the Old Kent Mark Lodgeof Instiuction , " coupling - with it the name nf Bro . Turquand , the Preceptor , whom he thanked for the untiring pains and assiduity which he gave to the lodge , and highly commended the useful work which had been effected by it . Bro . TuROUAND , in reply , stated that thelodge was now

in its third season , and had this year moved to much improved quarters , and that it showed every sign of success , both from the numbers attending its meetings , the work done , and also as to its financial state , adding that the lodge felt itself particularly honoured on the present occasion by the presence of three Grand Officers .

Other toasts followed , and a most pleasant evening was spent . The regular lorlge meetings are held at the Crown and Cushion on the second and fourth Mondays of each month up to April , at 6 . 30 p . m ., but as the next occasions falls on Boxing Day , the next meeting will not be till January gth

Interesting Masonic Gathering In Liverpool.

INTERESTING MASONIC GATHERING IN LIVERPOOL .

RECORD OF A BROTHER'S BRAVERY . The usual monthly meeting of the St . John ' s Lodge , No . <") / 3 ( so admirably ruled by Bro . Councillor Ball , W . M . ) was held at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , on Tuesday evening , the Gth inst ., and as the proceedings were of a

more than usually interesting nature there was a large gathering of members and visitors . The occasion was rendered specially notable by a presentation to the I . P . M ., Bro . Herman , and also b y a gratifying recognition of the bravery of Bro . Bence , chief officer of the " White Star " steamship Germanic , who has been for many years a member of the lodge . Amongst those present were VV . Bros . Capt . Newman ,

P . P . G . Reg . ; J . T . Callow , P . P . G . Treas . ; T . Clark , P . P . G . S . of VV . ; W . Brackenbury , P . G . A . D . C ; and I . Skeaf , P . G . O . The presentation to the I . P . M . consisted of a valuable gold watch , which was given on behalf of the brethren by Bro . Councillor Joseph Ball , the VV . M ., who spoke in very high terms of the zealous services which Bro . Herman had

rendered to the lodge . The testimonial bore the inscription"Presented to Bro . LouisHerman , P . M ., by the members of the St . John ' s Lodge , No . G 73 , as a token of their esteem . December 6 , 1 SS 1 . The testimonial was suitably acknowledged by Bro . Herman . After the repast which followed business , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given by the VV . M ., and cordially

responded to by thc brethren . During the evening Bro . VV . T . MAY , P . M . and Secretary , referred in graceful terms to the presence of Bro . Bence , who had been a member of the lodge for some twenty or thirty years , and whose name he coupled with the toast of " The Old Privlte Members . " He remarked that Bro . Bence had done his utmost to promote the interests of

Freemasonry and of the mercantile navy , of which he was an honoured member . They must all have read in that morning's newspaper of a noble act of bravery , which reflected the highest credit upon him , and which must ensure hi in such a reception and recognition as he was deserving of , as an Englishman , a Mason , and a brave seaman . In replying to the toast , Bro . BENCE observed that he

had done nothing more than it was the duty of every British seaman to do , and if it was again lvs lot to have a similar duty to perform he hoped he would have the health and strength to do it . He related an incident which occurred several years ago , when , in attempting to rescue an old lady in New York harbour , he was only able to accomplish the task with the prompt assistance of Bro . Dr . Pitts , who was then medical officer of the " White Star " steamer

Germanic , "Tne Health of Bra . Dr . Pitts , VV . M . of the Marlborough Lodge , No . 1620 , Tuebrook , " was coupled with "The Visitors , " and was appropriately acknowledged . The record of Bro . Bence ' s bravery deserves a place in our columns , and we therefore submit the interesting details as furnished by one of-those on boaid the Germanic .

Ihe eye-witness of the deed of daring states that "thc steamer , under the command of Capt . C . VV . Kennedy , left New York on Saturday , November 26 th , and made remarkably fine runs on the four succeeding days , scoring 16 54 knots up to half-past one o ' clock a . m ., Thursday , December ist . With a strong , favourable wind , accompanied , however , by a very heavy following sea , every one

• ftas in excellent spirits , and anticipating , perhaps , a ' beston-record run , ' when the saloon passengers retired to rest . They were all aroused , however , at an early hour by thc sudden stoppage of the engines , and were very soon informed that not very far off lay a large ship , apparently helpless , exhibiting signals of extreme distress , f he deck was very soon sought by the passengers , and two large

beacon lights could be seen in the black horizon , fore and aft of a big vessel . Soon a rocket went up , anel Captain Kennedy burnt blue lights , which said in very welcome seafaring language , ' we will stand by you . ' In order to do this , however , it was necessary to wait until the morning , and accordingly the Germanic shut off steam and kept moving and manoeuvring so as to keep well in sight and

reach eif the ship in distress . When day dawned we could see a large steamship , schooner rigged , labouring heavil y and helplessly in the rolling sea , four signals Hying at her mastheads , which said , ' No boats serviceable ; in great distress ; send assistance . ' In a very short space of time the Germanic ' s lifeboat was lowered away in a very heavy sea , and , manned by a volunteer crew of White Star seamen , under command of First Officer Robert Bence ( in all

Interesting Masonic Gathering In Liverpool.

six men ) , started en their perilous mission of rescue . Disappearing now and then from our view " in the trough of the ocean , anon perched on the crest of a mountain wave , the gallant little craft and her gallant little crew made slow but certain way to the side of the waterlogged and disabled ship . After a considerable delay and difficulty , the lifeboat began her return voyage , laden with ten of the shipwrecked crew , all of whom were safely got on board the Germanic ,

leaving fifteen more to be saved . Again the lifeboat and thc same crew started on their . mile of ocean breakers , and again reached their deslination safely . This time nine men iv , re taken ahoar I , not without some little collision with the drifting steamship , which slightly damaged the port side of the life-boat . The second journey successfully arcomplished , there only remained the six officers of the Hurworth lo be brought off , and once more Mr . Bence took

his crew to finish his errand of humanity . In coming alongside again there was an unpleasant little episode . A very ugly sea caught the lifeboat and forced her bow round , throwing her so violently against thebig ship ' s side that her stern was opened up . Notwithstanding , the remainder of the ship ' s company were got in safely , and Mr . Bence had good reason to congratulate himself on the rescued party only numbering six . A larger load might

have proved fatal . The damaged boat , hoevever , by good seamanship and strong amis , came out of the struggle with all hands safe . It is a pity that she herself should fall the only victim of the adventure . In endeavouring to hoist the boat once more to her davits , the sea was so heavy and the task so difficult and dangerous , thatit was found impossible to eTfect it in safety . As it was , the last three men in her had to be drawn up the Germanic ' s side at considerable

risk to their lives , and Quartermaster Adair was somewhat hurt in his efforts to get off . " The names of the rescue party were as follows : Robert E . Bence , chief officer ; Joseph Dwerryhouse , Henry Shaffer , Robert Weston , James Adair , and Thomas Spellman . The story of John Anderson , the captain of the rescued crew , -was one of continual distress since he left Montreal

on November 7 th . The steamship Hurworth , registered tonnage 12 G 5 , was the property of Mr . Davison , of Newcastle , and had started with a cargo of about 2000 tons of grain , principally rye , on her return voyage to Rotterdam . She put in to Sydney , Cape Breton , for coal , and on the i . ( th November started upon what proved to be her last voyage . Before the 24 th she had encountered the foulest of foul weather—had been forced to heave to , and ride out

two hurricanes ; had had two boats stove it , her bulwarks started , the front of the poop broken in , and the saloon and cabins thereby rendered almost uninhabitable . On the 21 st a third hurricane struck the devoted ship , no doubt the same storm which was on its way to spread devastation on the British coast . Again the captain had to put her head to the westward , and heave to , and at seven o ' clock in the evening it was discovered , on attempting to

get under way , that the rudder and rudder-post had been entirely carrieel away , and , that thc ship was helpless and unmanageable . This discovery was made in latitude 47 N . 34 VV ., and for eleven days thc hapless Hurworth drifted hither and thither , at first southward , until the Gulph stream caught her and forced her back northward . On November 27 th , the day being fine , the captain rigged out a jury rudder with a chain and spar ; but the sea was

too heavy , and getting foul of the propeller , it was slipped and utilised as a drag , in hopes that by this means it might be possible to keep some sort of a course . Steam was kept up all thc time , but at no time was the ship under an } ' sort of command . A sea-anchor was next tried , but was also of no avail , and on the 29 th the final coup de grace was given to Captain Anderson ' s craft . The sea became very heavy , and the bulwarks by this time beinsr of little

defence , a heavy wave burst in one of the hatches , and the sea poured into the hold . For days the crew had been working incessantly , throwing over as much as 400 tons of grain , and unable to sleep or cook their food , up to their knees in water nearly all the time , and very much exhausted . The water was now pouring into the hold . There was only one thing to be done . A sail was taken down and put over the broken hatch , and efforts were made to

build up to it underneath , so as to prevent it subsiding . At this time the captain thought that only a miracle could save himself and his ship ' s crew . Only two vessels had been sighted since the rudder had gone—one a sailing vessel along way off , the other a schooner-rigged steamer , which had passed three miles ahead across their bows , but had paid no attention to the- Hurworth ' s signals of distress . But good fortune , in the shape of the Germanic ' s

lights turned up on the night of the 30 th November , and the long-wished-for rescue arrived ; and after a delay of nearly twelve hours , and with an unexpected addition of twenty-five souls and a kitten , we proceeded on our way very well plcaseel at the opportunity of saving so many lives , and of having been witnesses of a gallant deed of seamanship . In the forenoon of the day on which the rescue took

place a meeting of the passengers was held in the saloon , the Right Hon . Lyon Playfair , M . P ., in the chair , when the following resolutions were carried : —1 . That the thanks of the passengers on board the Germanic be given to Captain C . VV . Kennedy for the able manner in which he handled his ship in saving the crew of the steamship

Hurworth during a heavy sea on Thursday , ist December , 1 SS 1 . 2 . That a subscription fund be created for the purpose of— ( a ) recognising the dangerous services of the volunteers in the lifeboat which made three trips for the rescucel crew , ( ft ) To present a memorial in recognition of the services of the chief officer , Mr . Bence , on that occasion , ( c ) To provide some funds for the shipwrecked crew .

A committee was next appointed to receive subscriptions . By four o ' clock £ 136 had been collected . Mr . Bence was presented with a watch and each of the crew with £ 10 .

The House Dinner of the Savage Club of Saturday last was attended by Lord Headley , Alderman Sir Sydney 11 . Waterlow , Bart ., M . P . ; Bfo . Alderman Hadley , Bro . Alderman and Sheriff Hanson , Bro . Sheriff Ogg , Bro . Sir John B . Monckton , Mr . J . Staats Forbes , J . P . j Mr . John Sliaw , J . P . ; and Mr . Joe Knight . 'Ihe chairman was Mr . J . R . Somers Vine , a member of the Club Committee . The members of the club assembled in stronger foice than has ever been known at a House Dinner , more than 130 being present during the evening .

Amusements.

Amusements .

QUE' - 'N'S THEATRE ; MANCHESTER . —Mr . George Kirk , acelebra'ed American comedian , supported by Miss Constance Carte , also from over the Atlantic , and a competent company , have produced this week at this theatre a powerful new American comedy drama , entitled " Dan'I Bartlett ; or a Messenger from Jarvis Section , " written by-Messrs Locke and Kirk . The drama has been most

enthusiastically received , and will doubtless prove a great success . The plot is an interesting one ; the text is full of fine lines , and many of the dramatis personcs are s rong and faithful character sketches , while the progress of the play is enlivened by a profusion of attractive incidents . Mr . Kirk , in the title role shows histronic talent of a high order of excellence , and seems to be entirely at home when

delineating the peculiarities of bluff , generous-hearted old Uncle Dan'I , the Deputy-Sheriff of Jarvis Section . Miss Constance Carte exhibits novel and versatile dramatic powers . She plays the part of the gentle Gertrude , the heroine , with womanly grace and great brilliance in the first and concluding acts ; while in the second and third she essays the role of Sheeny Mike , a Boston bar-room loafer and landshark nf thp lnwi-st

type .- In this impersonation Miss Carte ' s wonderful " make-up , " remarkable acting , and clever control of voice would do credit to a male character actor of the first order . Then Miss Alice Clairette , the Gaspard of the " Children ' s Corneville Company , " has been engaged by Mr . Kirk for the representation of the part of Clip of Kepplcr ' s , a little drudge of a low-class lager beer

saloon , chiefly affected by thieves and drunken sailors . This character is one which might well have originated in the brain of the Master " who writ of Litllf- Nell , " and is pourtrayed to the life b y the charming child actress to whom it has been entrusted . Miss Clairette is received with enthusiasm every evening . The rest of the caste is good , all the artistes making the best of their several parts .

"Dan'I Bartlett" goes next week to the Queen's Royal Theatre at Dublin , and will shortly be seen on the boards of a leading London playhouse . Mr . Kirk has acquired the exclusive English right of the drama , and , judging from its intrinsic merits and the manner in which it hits the popular taste , we make no doubt that he will have a long and lucrative tour with it here .

IMPERIAL THEATRE .-At this theatre at Christmas , under the direction of Mr . Carruthers , will be produced a pantomime-vaudeville , after the style of the " Voyage en Suisse . " " CRITERION THEATRE . — " Foggerty's Fairy , " comedy , has been produced at this theatre on the withdrawal of "Brighton . " It is by Mr . VV . J . Gilbert , and was written for the late Mr . Sothern . Mr . Charles Wyndham will take the chief character .

ROYALTY . —On Boxing-ni ght this theatre will re-open with "Little Orpheus and his Lute , " by Bro . Byron . Wc have little doubt it will be equal to our distinguished brother ' s other productions . Bro . J . G . Taylor , Miss Lydia I hompson , and Miss Lottie Venn will be in the caste .

VAUDEVILLE . —Bro . James , who has so long been in partnership with Bro . Thorne at the Vaudeville , has hy amicable arrangements ceased his connection with that theatre . "The Two Roses , " "Our Boys , " by Byron , and " Our Girls , " have been the principal pieces in which they have each played the prominent parts . So long have they been together that they often go by the name of the biamese I wins . Bio . James will appear at another theatre .

OPERA COMIQUE .-On the 31 st inst . an operetta , entitled "Lover ' s Knots , " will be brought out here , followed by Bro . Sims ' s farcical comed y , "Mother-in-Law . " I he very name of Bro . Sims ' s piece will doubtless draw many to see it . Miss Laura Don will be thc chief actress . She is both clever and pretty .

HAYMARKET . —The demand for tickets was so great for the morning performance at Bro . Bancroft ' s theatre , on Wednesday , the 14 th inst ., in aid of the Royal General Iheatncal r-und , that they were soon only to be bought at a premium . The performance was under the patronage of the Grand Master , the Prince of Wales .

ALEXANDRA PALACE . —The pantomime which is to be produced here on Saturday evening , the 24 th inst ., is from the pen of Air . Frank VV . Green , and is entitled , Hop o My Ihumb . " Hie music will be b y Bro . Meyer Lulz ; the transformation , the ballet , and the palace scenes have been painted by Messrs . Grieve and Son , thedioiama representing the road to Ogreland , and the rest of the

scenery , by Messrs . T . Rogers and Son . The ballets will be superintended by Madame Katti Lanner , whose pupils "J the National School for Dancing , connected with Her Majesty ' s 1 heatre , have been engaged for the divertissements . The production has been entrusted to Mr . George Conquest , jun ., whose success in the " Yellow Divarf " pantomime , at the Alexandra Palace in 1 S 75 , was so

marked . Mr . Conquest will play the part of the Giant Ognlerous , the other principal characters being played by Messrs . Sam Wilkinson , Nye , Watty Brunton , Man Gordon , Mesdame * Pattie Mortimer , Annie Robe , 1 ilian Adair Constance Brabazon , Madeline Brabazon , Minnie Inch , & c ! 1 he comic scenes have been arranged b y Mr . Reuben inch ' who plays clown . T he pantomimehoweveris only one of

, , many attractions provided b y Bros . Jones and Barber the lessees , other principal features being the engagement of the great Blondin to walk the high rope in the Central H ? 'Ji pvening performance of Donizetti ' s Comic Opera ; " L Elisir d Amore , " by Madame Blanche Cole and

company ; the circus , under the direction of Mr . A . Henry ; an exhibition of evergreen plants and Christmas fruit ; fairyland illuminations and promenade concerts . The system of giving seats at every entertainment without extra fee beyond that of admission , will be strictly adhered to . Many additional trains will run throughout the holidays .

] . li . SHAND & Co ., Wine Merchants ( Experts and Valuers ) . Weil fermented Old W'iws and matured Spirits . a , Albert Man . tions , Victoria street , London , S . W .