Juvenile Ball At Darwen, East Lancashire.

The affair passed off most agreeably , " and all went , erry as a marriage bell , " and shortly after 10 o'clock fhe app earance ° * - nurse-maids and the roll of cabv ] , eels denoted the hour for retiring , and now the difficulty of departing presented itself , as none appeared in well

to be aweary -doing , and showed no disposition to retire , the real departing time being carried on to instead of 10 . The children and their parents speak ' n the highest terms of the manner in which the W . M . -nd his lady catered for every thought of their tiny visitors , which we feel sure will long remain in their

memories . It has been proposed , and is being carried into effect , that each visitor shall be photographed in cabinet size , and the whole fixed in an album for presentation to the W . M . ar * d *^ * Shorrock , as a memento of this first interesting occasion amongst the children of Freemasons in this town .

Scotland.

Scotland .

GLASGOW . The Princes Lodge ( No . 607 ) . —INITIATION OK THE LORD PROVOST OF GLASGOW . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held in the lodge room at the Queen ' s Rooms , on Monday , the 7 th instant , when there was a very large attendance , many visiting brethren being

present , Bro . Major I " . Vv . Allan presiding . The lodge was opened , when Bro . John Graham , P . G . M . of Glasgow , and office-bearers were admitted in due form . Thereafter the candidates for initiation were introduced , viz ., Lord Provost Muir , Edward Tennant , and John Hutcheson Ker , and duly initiated by Bro . Allan , R . W . M ., in able manner , the charge being given by the P . G . Master in his usual

impressive manner . The lodge then closed , and for some time harmony prevailed , the Lord Provost replying for " The New Brethren , " and stating that they as well as himself would do their utmost to act up to what they had been that evening taught , and with which they were much impressed .

Burning Of A Masonic Temple.

BURNING OF A MASONIC TEMPLE .

AN IRREPARABLE LOSS . A Cape Town correspondent , writing under date of the 23 rd ult ., says . * A fire occurred here on Sunday , which not only burned down the theatre , the offices of the Secretary for Native Affairs , some adjacent cottages , and placed Government House itself in extreme peril

but has destroyed beyond recovery the Temple of the Lodge de Goede Hoop , said to be the finest Temple in the world , with the exception of that at Malta . The Temple was built in 1800-3 at a c ° st of ^ 4000 , and its exterior is of massive stone in the Oriental style of architecture . Internally , it was fitted with remarkable

completeness , and great and loving care had been bestowed upon it by the brethren for nearly a century ; Ihe latest touches in the shape of painted windows , an entire renovating of the refectory , and general redecorating having been completed within the past few weeks . Happily the archives were rescued at an

early stage of the fire by Bro . Dr . Herman , and the massive character of the Master ' s chamber saved it from destruction . But the whole of the fittings , the portraits of successive Masters , and the fine statuary have been lost . The saddest part of a sad business is that the Temple ought never to have

been exposed to the risk which ultimately brought about its destruction . The theatre , where the lire originated , was a huge wooden structure originally used for a colonial exhibition , and was not only in immediate proximity to the Temple , but at some points was actuall y attached to its walls . For years it has been a

common saying that some day the theatre would make a big blaze , but no one seems to have dreamed that the big blaze might include the Goede Hoop Temple and all the surrounding buildings . The theatre was , moreover , like the Native Affairs Office , the property of the lodge , and was a source of considerable revenue , which

was applied to the Education Fund , and there was a great and natural temptation to let the building remain standing , at all events until the new theatre , now in course of erection , was completed . Never was the proverb " Delays are dangerous " better illustrated than ty the events of Sunday . Some members of the iotter-Bellew Company who have been enjoying a remarkabl

y successful season in Cape Town , had been at work mending the stage , when fire was discovered in a « rner of the building near the gas meter . An alarm va J once raised , but in 20 minutes the roof fell in , rid the whole place was a heap of smoking ruins , ^ fortunatel y the wind was westerly , and drove the names directl y on to the Temple , whilst masses of Urning WOOd lell llnnn ihp rr , r , f , uilh tho rod-It th-. f

onl 1 sa "' 1 t ' * tei'i ° r was entirely gutted , leaving a det- v . Walls stand * ng The banqueting hall and ruin DU > lding also succumbed , and to-day the be *•] H i sad monun *< -nt to human folly . You will rebuild K ° * " ° W that ste . have already b < - en taken t 0 of co ^ emple and its accessories , but nothing can , be l ) - £ replace the Masonic treasures that have A lost through this most regrettable calamity . thP * i * Y ords as t 0 the lodge which gave its name to iiioiuwiii vi nueresi usiao

hshed ' ue . - trie | " \ , 7- < -r the Grand East of thc Netherlands , Udee ? ge . Goede Hoop { Auglice— Good Hope in South * Af * mother ° } nearly all , if not all , the lodges u "der tl n ' ' ° ^ wbich there are very many working and it J * i , utch , British , and Scottish Constitutions ; fection X , ^ serves 'he title of mother , for in the per' arnestnp " delit y of its working , in the zeal and ss vvith which it throws itself into everything

Burning Of A Masonic Temple.

that makes for the good of Masonry in general , it still , as it has ever , sets an example to all lodges in South Africa , as indeed everywhere . There was a period in the first few ytars of the present century—a stormy period in Cape political history—when the brethren " rested , " owing to " astate of dissension and disorder" amongst them , but in 1807

the breaches were healed , and from that time to the present harmony has prevailed , and the lodge is now in a better and more prosperous condition than at any stage of its interesting history . It has numbered amongst its members most of the leading Dutch residents in the colony , whilst at the present moment its roll includes a large number of English-born brethren .

Grand Lodge Of All Scottish Freemasonry In India.

GRAND LODGE OF ALL SCOTTISH FREEMASONRY IN INDIA .

The regular Communication of the above Grand Lodge , held on Saturday , January 23 rd , was a specially important one , it being the occasion of the installation of Bro . James Wm . Smith as Grand Master of All Scottish Freemasonry in India . Bro . Smith was

appointed to that high and important office by the Grand Lodge of Scotland , in succession to the late Capt . Sir Henry Morland , whose untimely death was so much deplored . The appointment has given the utmost satisfaction not only to the brethren of the Scottish Constitution , but also to the members of the English Constitution , vvith whom he has worked for

many years , and by whom he is much esteemed . Grand Lodge was opened by Bro . P . N . Wadia , Sub . Grand Master , and the ceremony of installation was ably performed by Bro . K . R . Cama , Past Grand Master Depute . It was witnessed by a large gathering of brethren of both Constitutions , among whom was Bro . Barrow , D . D . G . M ., in charge of the District

Grand Lodge of Bombay , and several officers of the District Grand Lodge . Bro . BARROW tendered to Bro . Smith the hearty congratulations of the Masons of the English Constitution on his appointment to the high office of Grand Master , and felt sure that the cordial relations which had hitherto existed between the two branches of

Freemasonry in Bombay would be maintained under his rule . Bro . SMITH , in his address to the brethren , thanked Bros . P . N . VVadia , K . R . Cama , and Barrow . He spoke of the pleasure which would have been felt had the late revered Grand Master , Sir Henry Morland , been spared to install him . He feelingly alluded to

the untimely death of H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , which had plunged the whole nation into the profoundest grief , and intimated that he had requested the Grand Master of Scotland , by telegram , to tender to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales the deep sympathy of all Scottish Freemasons in India on the death of the Duke of Clarence . He pointed out to

the brethren the necessity for unity not only in their own Constitution , but also with the sister Constitution . There is every reison to hope that Bro . Smith ' s reign will be a happy one , he is much esteemed by the Fraternity for his urbanity and amiable disposition . He is an enthusiastic Mason , as the following record of his Masonic service will show . He was initiated in

Lewises Lodge , No . 1209 , Ramsgate , in April , 1871 . He subsequently joined the St . George ' s Lodge , No . S 49 , Bombay , and was three times elected W . M . of that lodge , viz ., in 1879 , 1880 , and 1887 . He also joined the Hiram Lodge , No . 1784 , and was Master of the lodge in 1 SS 2 . He was Deputy District Grand Master of Bombay ( E . C . ) in 18 S 2 and 1883 , and served on

the Board of General Purposes from 18 79 to 1891 . He joined the Caledonia Lodge , No . 490 ( S . C . ) , in August , 1888 , and later on joined the Perseverance Lodge , No . 351 ( S . C . ) , and was elected R . VV . M . of the latter in 188 5 He was appointed Grand Master Depute of All Scottish Freemasonry in India in November , 1890 . Bro . Smith was advanced to the Degree of M . M . M . in the

Holmesdale Lodge , No . 129 , Ramsgate , in October , 1871 , and was W . M . of the lodge in 1 ^ 73 . He afterwards joined the Holmesdale-in-the-East Lodge , No . 72 , Bombay . Was appointed Provincial Grand Mark Master Mason of Bombay in 1881 , which office he held till 1887 . He was elevated to the Degree of Royal Ark Mariner in the Kent Lodge , London , in June , 1872 .

In the following month Bro . Smith was exalted to the Royal Arch Degree in the l'hanet Chapter , No . 429 , Ramsgate , and subsequently joined the Keystone Chapter of Western India , No . 757 , Bombay , and was First Principal of that chapter in 1883 . Comp . Smith installed H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught as J ., II . and '/ -. of the Keystone Chapter of Western India , and

was appointed by H . R . H . Deputy '/* . of that chapter on 2 nd September , 1888 , and held that office till July , 1890 . He was admitted to the Degrees of Most Excellent Master and Royal Select and Super-Excellent Master in the Macdonald Council , No . 3 , in May , 1884 ; was installed Knight of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine in the De Shurland Conclave , No . 92 , Shetrness , in July , 1875 ; was perfected a Rose Croix

Mason in the Bombay Chapter , No . 18 , in July , 1880 , and was elected M . W . S . of that chapter in 1882 . M . W . Bro . Smith is a member of the 31 " Ancient and Accepted Rite for England , and has been recommended for the appointment of Sovereign Grand Inspector General , 1 . 1 ° , for India , Ancient and Accepted Rite for

Scotland . He has been Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Royal Order of Scotland for Western India since January , 1885 . Was installed a Knight

Grand Lodge Of All Scottish Freemasonry In India.

Templar in 1 S 70 , and is at present the Prior of St . Andrew ' s Priory , Bombay ( S . C ) . M . W . Bro . Smith is a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers ( England ) , and is one of Her Majesty ' s Justices of the Peace for the town and island of Bombay .

Scotland.

Scotland .

Terry ' s , Toole ' s , the Shaftesbury , and Court Theatres make no difference to the run of " A Pantomime Re . hearsal , " which has successivel y at these four theatres held its own since August last , and seems destined to go on like the brook . It is a clever skit on amateur theatrical performances during their rehearsals , where every one wants to be a law unto themselvesand think

, themselves born actors and actresses . "A Harlequinade" has lately been added , in which Mr . Weedon Grossmith is the Clown , Mr . Brandon Thomas , Pantaloon , Miss Norreys , Hatlequin , and Miss Decima Moore , Columbine . We can speak as to the amusement caused b y the first three mentioned , and we are

sure Miss Moore , who succeeds Miss Chester , and whom we saw , will prove an entertaining Columbine . As the four characters appear in evening dress , the burlesque is made still more ludicrous . " A Pantomime Rehearsal " is so utterly free from viciousness , that any one may and every one ought to see it .

* * * Mr . Willie Edouin has followed up " Our Flat " after a short interval—vvith " The New Wing , " which bids fair to outrival Mrs . Musgrave ' s farcical ' comedy . Mr . Kennedy , the author , has fitted the lessee vvith a part most suitable to his versatile acting . In " Our

Flat" the great scene was metamorphosing boxes , baths , quilts , & c , into drawing-room furniture ; in "The New Wing " the audience see a room built and finished before their eyes . Mr . Edouin was never funnier in his funniest moments than in this farcical play . He is surrounded by a very competent cast .

Mr . George Edwardes has , since his tenancy of the Gaiety Theatre , well sustained the mantle of Mr . John Hollingshead , and in his hands the sacred lamp of burlesque burns as brightly as ever . This beautifull y decorated theatre is crowded always to see " Cinder-Ellen . " " House Full " is more often the bulletin

outside than the reverse . The present burlesque was doubtless , as its name indicates , written for Miss Ellen Farren by A . C . Torr ( actor ) , and Mr . Vincent . The former is generally supposed to be onl y another name for Bro . Fred . Leslie , who also takes a leading part in the clever burlesque . Miss Farren played the title role in Australia , but unhappily since her return to her

native shores she has been laid b y with a severe illness . She hopes soon to resume her place in the piece , and then won ' t " her boys , " as she likes to call ' her supporters , rally round her and give her a warm English welcome home : In the meantime that smart little actress , Miss Kate James , acquits herself to everyone ' s satisfaction as Cinder-Ellen . Miss

Sylvia Grey and Miss Alice Lethbridge are the two jealous sisters , Bro . Lonnen is the Prince , Bro . Fred . Leslie his valet , and Mr . Charles Daub y the father of the three girls . Miss Sylvia Grey dances exquisitely ( she can act , too ) , and Miss Alice Lethbridge has now quite fulfilled the predictions of her critics when she first came before the public at the Comedy Theatre—that

she was a young lady possessed naturall y of the terpsichoreanart , and would dance herself into notoriety and the public favour . Of course Bro . Fred . Leslie is inimitable , and Bro . Lonnen runs him a good second . The Gaiety entertainment must enliven all who go to it , and take them out of themselves if feeling dull . '' Cinder-Ellen " is not a whit behind its many highly popular predecessors .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . RICHARD G . WALKER , P . M ., P . P . G . D . It is with great regret we hear of the death , at the age of 70 years , at his residence , Beech Mount Alderley Edge , of Bro . Richard G . Walker , P . M . ' , P . P . G . D . He was initiated into Freemasonry on September 24 th , 1853 , in the United Lodge of

Benevolence , No . 226 , and was exalted into the Royal Arch Degree on October 25 th , 1881 , in the Blair Chapter , No . 815 . After serving many olfices , he was unanimously elected W . M . of the Oakvvood Lodge , No . 1126 , in 1885 , of which he was a subscribing member until the time of his death . He served as

Ouartermaster-sergeant through the Crimea War , and was severely wounded , and gained two medals for bravery . Subsequently he was very prominent in the formation of the 2 nd Manchester Volunteers , and served as Quartermaster-sergeant for many years . Upon his retirement , to show with what esteem he was held b y his comrades , he was presented with a very handsome

silver cup and the sum of 21 guineas , and as an acknowledgment of the invaluable services rendered by him in the formation of the regiment , he was appointed Prov . Grand Standard Bearer of Cheshire by Lord Egerton of Tatton in 1 S 8 S . He was an ardent Freemason , and was beloved and respected by a very large circle of friends .

Ar01108

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